GameOfChampions
    Total War Seas of Change    
    Turn 1   
  
 The priests tell tales of the days of yore, when land could stretch as far as the eye could see. When it would take months or years to walk from one ocean to another. Only the children and elders believe them now. These are the days of oar and spear, oceans spreading in every direction with more dangers every span rowed.

The world flooded and the gods rose with the waters, living among the rising tribes of men. The gods brought the mortal races to live with them in the Sea of Gods, a utopia where the evil spirits from the flooding and creatures from the depths dare not tread. However things grew tense as the gods started to fight.

Eventually the mortal races fled from the Sea of Gods as their utopian islands started to turn into nightmares of divine fights and disasters. They fled over the Chromatic seas and settled into the Middle Sea. Their new home had evil spirits and sea creatures, they worried about food and resources but there were no great gods.

The mortal races split into tribes living on their new islands. The new tribes made their islands into homes, after a while even finding new gods by awakening their island spirits. The tribes expanded and found their place in the world yet the gods never stopped fighting. It only grew worse.

After several centuries one night the dreamers of every tribe had a dream, they all woke in unison after seeing the same vision of a great god falling into the sea. The dreamers spread the word and the tribes attempted to prepare for a devastating event… but they didn’t prepare enough.

The Primal Storm devastated the islands of the middle sea. Seas and winds swept through the islands, ripping buildings and debris off the island. Villagers and Caste members alike were pulled off the island, dropped all throughout the Middle Sea and further. The storm raised wicked spirits from the depths, angered sea monsters, raised reefs, and changed the sea currents. The island gods barely survive after trying to protect their people and falling into deep slumbers.

Last night the priests managed to raise your Island God from its slumber. Though severely weakened, its gifts once more empower your tribe. The Great Gods remain, but they have grown reserved and restrained, the world is no longer their plaything. A new Age dawns - will your tribe survive it? Will your name be remembered forever in it’s legends? Or will you share the fate of the ancient men, forgotten deep below, as your Island is claimed by the ocean? 

 

 Middle Sea: 

The surviving tribes all look to the skies, seeing the storm retreat and seeing to the survivors of the Primal Storm. Already the Dreamers were reaching across the seas to find other survivors, more importantly the other competitors to what they may need to rebuild.

Yet even as the tribes prepare, others in the seas ready themselves.

A tribe of hungry raiders eye the weakened islands, looking for an easy target. Their canoes slowly and silently moving through the sea so as not to gather the attention of the gods. Their eyes painted on the prows of their canoes are bright red with a deep black iris that looks to be a hole to the depths below.

A massive turtle slowly meanders its way through the sea, only flapping its flippers once or twice an hour. On its back several families move about, coming in and out of small lean to’s and only cooking on small sheltered fires built on top of piles of stone. On the head a small girl no more then seven tosses a fish to the head of the turtle that it lazily snaps up with a deep shell rattling rumble that has the adults yelling up to the girl on the head.

Finally a floating barge circles the center of the sea, never leaving its circular path, as a priest in ratty patched robes shouts to his congregation about the deeds of the Undying God below that will be their salvation. In the depths of the night when everything is darkest the priest and his congregation gather around as they sacrifice a lost soul to the god below. The blood of the sacrifice is not visible in the dark waters as the body sinks below into the depths.


 Red Sea: 

A hollow mountain filled with smoke yet no lava to be seen, only the occasional flash of red scales as something writhes beneath the smoke. As the wind clears and the rain stops the smoke gathers. In the depths of the black smoke an eye glowing with the radiance of a ruby filled with sun opens, looking to the clear skies.


 Black Sea: 

Massive burly tribal members row through the pitch black sea, no one able to see more than a few inches under the surface. The tribe members keep their weapons close by them and a hopeful eye on the waters to look for ripples, the members yell and carouse with each other in hopes of the noise attracting a foe. Yet none of the monsters of the sea are dumb enough to mess with this force as dozens of canoes are moving through the sea with hundreds of tribesmen.

 Green Sea: 

A group of nomadic farmers check their sea farm, the farmers dive to the shallow bottom of the sea to place the dirt they have gathered from the islands. The thick seaweed strands are being gathered to bake into a thick bread like substitute while they also pull up thick ropes covered in mussels. As they hear a bird of preys deep cry in the distance they pause before jumping into the boats and pulling up screens of seaweed to cover him.


 White Sea: 

A small party of humanoid bears run across the breaking half frozen sea, they jump from a moving ice floe to a flat stretch that is slowly being broken by a large iceberg. They sprint across the flat stretch to the other side and onto another iceberg. The large bear like humans huff as they gather their breath, one of them somehow pulling off a bear skin that turns them back into a human. After a moment they are ready and turn to look at the smoke in the distance.


 God Sea: 

In the depths of an unknown sea six ineffable beings watch from above while another being hungrily looks at the world above.


 


The seas calm after the storm and the new currents are still settling into their new paths. There is a brief window before the currents settle where the sailors of the tribes can still make some use of their previous knowledge of the currents. Yet the seas are changing, the benefit won't be around for long though.

 
 Spoiler: Old Currents 
Every tribe gets a single free route to a 1 route distance island this turn for only this turn only.
 


The seas have been whipped up by the storm, islands and now dead tribes leaving all sorts of debris in the island. All sorts of debris is being washed up on the islands to be gathered by the tribes. However only the most mundane and multiple of items have been kicked out of the depths by the gods.

 
 Spoiler: Dragging the Depths 
Every island has an additional one time only random Tier 1 Resource on it that can be gathered with a  single villager . Tribes can gather from multiple islands.
 

  EoT due Feb 3rd, 2024  
St. Justicar
   The Children of the Sun   

The palace Xiyah’s children had built for them was a paltry thing, compared to their own overflowing glory. It swam across the surface of Semiramis as their children sailed Tamihiro’s seas – how could a paltry collection of wayward and stormwracked descendants hope to entice them to dive down and touch the world once more, with naught but a hut of mudbrick and bone to offer them?

And yet, what could they do but try?

The dawn saw the flower of the island’s manhood assembled atop Xiyah’s mountain, adorned with fearsome warpaint and gathered into their sacred brotherhoods. Each blooded warrior was marked the sacred scarring of their initiation, and wore a shard of bone from the great beasts their fathers and grandfathers had slain.

They howled and stomped their feet as the night sky reddened with Xiyah’s approach. Arrayed around their hut, priests beat drums and whistled into pipes to keep time and, they hoped, attract the favour of their progenitor.

And on a pane of smooth and shimmering black stone where Xiyah once touched the earth, Three Eclipse stood at the centre of it all, knife of sharpened stone in their hand and sacrifice splayed out upon the ground before them.

He was a small, weak thing – at least in comparison to the blooded warriors who had captured and delivered him. The initiated were one and all tall and broad, fast-healing and free of blemish; such was the inheritance of those in whom the blood of the sun ran thick – and had proven little trouble to bind and carry up to mountaintop. He was thrashing and struggling now, dimly aware of what was to come, but it was far, far too late for him now.

The music reached and crescendo, and then fell into a natural lull a moment before Three Eclipse began to speak.

 “Once we were as beasts, as careless as the monkeys in the trees or the fish in the sea. We did not remember our fathers, or honour our gods. Each of use lived and died as if they were the very first who ever was.” 

The assembled warriors feel deathly silent as they spoke – even chiefs and champions held a healthy fear of the strange, leathery mystic who slept each night at the door of the house of the sun. At moments like this, their voice was a conduit to the gods themselves.

 “But each day Xiyah looked down upon us as It swam across the sky. It saw how we starved, and drowned, and slew each other over meaningless trifles. It saw how the blessings of the world were wasted upon us, and It took pity upon us.” 

As they spoke, novices – youths who might one day be blooded and initiated into a warrior brotherhood – danced, acting out the myth as they relayed it. They did well on this occasion, their grace and athleticism obvious even as they performed without making a single noise audible over the steady and hypnotic beat of the drum.

 “And so Xiyah dove through the sky, scorching the air and searing the water until it touched this, the highest mountain in all the world. It sang, and its voice echoed across the Middle Sea, calling all those who would be human to its side.” 

It took three youths to lift and move the idol of Xiyah – future priests, well-prepared and spiritually cleansed in preparation of the great honour – but they moved in perfect time, swimming it through the air above their heads before bringing it down to touch the ground as a trio of pipers set up in each direction behind the assembled warriors played its beckoning song.

 “Xiyah drew a claw across its side, and beckoned the assemble beasts to suckle upon its blood. Thus they drank down the essence of humanity and so, became human. Xiyah’s blood runs thick and thin among peoples and tribes, but in every man runs the essence of the sun” 

It was for the best that the prisoner had been gagged with a thick length of rope – from how he struggled and attempted to scream through it, anything less and he might well have disrupted the whole ceremony.

 “We are the true children of Xiyah, its favored and most blessed! But out blood has run too thin! We have fallen until we are once more barely better than beast or fish – how can the sun recognize us, when we disappoint it so?” 

The drums began to pick up again now, as true dawn began to breach the sky.

 “Come, my brothers! See how we have fallen – and see the blood of true humanity separated from the water of the beast!” 

The knife came down and slashed across the prisoners throat just as the first light of day fell upon him. His lifeblood poured out onto the glossy black stone – but as the sun fell upon it, one part in twenty rose up into it, streams of red and vital light.

They arched from the sacrifice’s steaming corpse to the small bowls junior priests held out to accept them, each richly carved container quickly filling with a thick and softly glowing ichor.

And as the music once again rose, each warrior stepped forward in turn to drink from one bowl or another, and became one step closer to human.
A_Dinosaur
   Kahealahana Holt   
 Twisting seagrass wove itself with deadly strength around his paw, pulling him deeper and away from the dappled glow of the surface. He reached for his dive knife, but his free arm moved so terribly slowly, as though the water had turned to tar. The slimy strands tightened further, and the dragging grew more insistent, darker shapes flickered among the tendrils, clicking merrows with teeth like deep eels circling with hunger. Struggling with terror, water eyes scrunching, he looked to the surface, the grass above was closing, almost dome like now, and darkness was beginning to reign. The last flicker of light allowed him to see the grasses below part and reveal a fleshy and muscular maw. An anemone then, a fear buried deep in his childhood, a fear that sapped his strength and devoured his will as it pulled him closer. 

But then, a searing clean pain racing up his bound paw, the tendrils boiling away along with it. Mental clarity returned with a surge, all to warn him of the terrible, dreadful, real pain that promised salvation from the numbing death in this half reality. The pain traveled through his shoulder, up his neck, and as it touched his eyes, he opened them to the truth of the middle sea, pleasant, cool water cradled his back and warm sunlight drenched his belly. Without even realizing, Plumu snatched his paw away from the source of the pain, and looked down.  Rua his float mate gripped the bloody pin of his earing and was searching his eyes with worry.

“The dreams are growing stronger, I had to stab thrice before you stirred.”

“Better a stabbed paw than death in Urgo's realm, thank y-”

“It is not about the stabbing Plumu! It's about what happens if the stabbing doesn't wake you?” Rua was already retrieving a roll of bandage from his pack, tail pumping to hold him high enough out of the water to keep them dry. “We have trouble enough with monsters without you turning yourself into a bane lure.”

Shaken by the dream and wincing at the pain Plumu chose not to argue the point. “I will be more careful, the currents were particularly drifting today.” The bandages were dry and coated in an acrid medicinal powder that made his paw itch. “I will have to take this dream to the smokehouse. I do not understand it.” A pin or blade driven into the quick beneath a claw was the traditional remedy for anyone trapped in a dream trance, necessary, but far from comfortable.

“Well you had better hope they can help you, I do not wish to see you dreaming like that again.”

He waved his bloody earing beneath Plumu's muzzle, before dousing it in the water and letting the last remnants of the dream fade into the waves.

 Messages - Encryption 0 

The Coral Singers
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings fellow survivors of the Primal Storm, We of the Kahealahana Holt are pleased to see such craftsmanship has survived the recent calamity and that you are our closest neighbors in the middle sea. Trade is the lifeblood of my peoples, and if you are willing, we would be interested in engaging in such affairs with you. We seek traders, and can offer crafters, warriors, or even resources in future if you would be interested in a more longterm transaction.
 


The Alu’li Hunt
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings to the most legendary of hunters, it surprises me little that your folk have weathered the Primal Storm. We of the Kahealahana Holt are interested in trade relations with our folk. Presently, we are interested in traders and craftsmen, and would be willing to hire out our warriors or priests, or perhaps even wayfinders should the trade be of interest to you.
 


The Endless Gaze
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings seekers of the ancient faiths, you have survived the Primal Storms, and we of Kahealaha offer our relief and congratulations. With the seas open before us and yourselves there is much to seek on distant islands, but here there is much trade to be done. My people are seeking traders, and can offer a variety of warriors, priests, and other such resources in exchange. Would you be interested in such a bargain?
 
Eldan
 The Coral Singers 

Hawea smiled, in his sleep. The lagoon was perfectly still, as it was every night, and swirls of blue and green luminescence played around his hands and feet, his fingers, that sculpted as he dreamed. By the morning, the shapers would dive into the water, and there find the things they had imagined, carved for them by the merciful God from his own living flesh. Spearpoints and armour pieces, axeheads and beads, ship's keels and furniture.

But this morning, as the red and golden fingers of the dawn woke him, his heart was heavy. It was rare that the God returned new dreams to him. The beauty of the tide is immeasurable; its riches infinite. God was beyond want. But God had shown him the dangers they had gone through, the dangers to come. God's Island had been spared the worst of the great storm, but even greater storms would come. A council of the clan chiefs would have to be called, and preparations made.

 
 Messages Encryption 0 

To the Kahealahana Holt
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings to the Holt, from the Chosen People of the most Beautiful and Kind, who grants infinite riches, who sets the world in red and gold, who made land for the faithful, whose heart overflows neverending love, who is Greatest among the Great.

God smiles on you, who know the riches of his reefs and his deeps. God accepts that you may bring him and his chosen people gifts of resources and the beautiful things your crafters have made. And in his infinite kindness, God and his chosen people may bestow upon you the grace of our traders, dreamers and wayfinders.

-Dreamer Hawea

OOC: really could use more resources this turn, I plan to build. Crafters are also welcome. I would offer traders, but I only have 1. Are Dreamers, Wayfarers or Priests of any use?
 


GM:
 
 Spoiler 
I wish to send 2 dreamers to Lazy River Island to explore it.
 
St. Justicar
  The Children of the Sun  
 Message Security 0 
 
 Spoiler: Great Turtle Colony 


To those who traverse the Middle Sea on the shell of the placid leviathan,

May Xiyah look down on your voyage with overflowing benevolence,

The Sun has once again reached down to brush its tails against stone and water. We, its most favoured children, have the honour and the duty of preparing a house worthy of its endless glory. For this we have need of your scrimshanders and your craftsmen. Offer up their labour as a gift and a boon shall in turn be granted to you.
 

 
 Spoiler: Coral Singers 


To those who dwell within and above the lagoon of reefs,

May Xiyah illuminate your works in its infinite mercy,

We have no feud with you, and no cause to seek one. In the spirit of friendship, let it be known that our canoes shall soon sail for Rolling Hills Isle, to claim its riches for the glory of the Sun. We make no claim on any other empty island in the Sea, and ask only that you respect this.
 

 
 Spoiler: Hunt of Alu’li 


To the fanged and scaled hunters of the north,

May Xiyah warm your days and guide your spears,

We have no feud with you, and no cause to seek one. In the spirit of friendship, let it be known that our canoes shall soon sail for Rolling Hills Isle, to claim its riches for the glory of the Sun. We make no claim on any other empty island in the Sea, and ask only that you respect this.
 
Writtensanity
 

Kakili was a priestess, one of the fangless few that led the tribes in matters of spirit. How many moons had it been since she'd been out on the hunt? Too many. At least by her count. Sometimes the gods spirits spoke through warriors who were forced to abandon their spears in the face of their duty to the clan.

That was why she'd volunteered.

To call this a hunt almost felt like an insult, but the songs were clear. As long as there was a chase and blood in the end, then the hunt was sacred. That, and even the oldest songs took time to say that children needed to learn. Perhaps especially now. There were so few left.

The waves had consumed most of the island, leaving the pilgrimage as the only survivors of the clans. The first months had been spent tracking down the living legends that the other hunters  knew  were alive and out there. That was the thing about knowing something in your heart, the world always threatened to prove you wrong.

One of the Scaleings darted off the path and disappeared into the lush undergrowth. Kakili watched for a moment, cocking her head and tasting the air. Once she was sure that the child hadn't found prey she'd missed, she snapped her jaws in its direction. The violet Scaleling yelped and jolted back onto the protected path, to follow the Othare tracks.

Kalili waited for them to catch up with their peers before resuming her plodding pace.

These ones were still too young to know the noble tongue, and still too young to hunt. For now she would track them and treat them as they were, beasts who needed to rise above the rest to join the vaulted ranks of hunters.

 
 Spoiler: To: The Children of the Sun 

 The reply comes over the dreamscape late and rests of the mouths of the dreamers in the taste of burned marrow.  
 There is no spear pointed in your direction.  
 The current heads North. Stalwart and fast. 
 The Priests chant, a call for challenge. 
 A carcass on the beach. Slain for you, should you ask for it. 
 The simple images of the dreamers seem wrapped in song, like the Hunters understand that they must communicate, but they do not understand the languages of the other islands yet.  
 

 
 Spoiler: To The Kahealahana Holt: 

 The reply comes over the dreamscape late and feels like scales rubbing against raw skin. Less painful than direly aware of your presence.  
 The insulated shore of an inlet, guarded from the waves. 
 A nest, guarded by eyes in the darkness. 
 An outstretched claw, hesitant, but open to possibility. 

Its clear that the Hunters struggle with the language of the people, but their music of images is able to carve out a single simple phrase.

Not. Yet.
 
Let'sGetKraken
     The Endless Gaze

        A young Raxi swims through uncharted waters, dreaming… well, not dreaming. That is the purview of Sethrika. But he desperately wants to prove himself to the others. How many dreams must there be, across the Seas, waiting to be discovered? He imagines himself the pioneer, unaware that the waves upon which he skims have been witnessed for millenia. High above, pinpricks of light pierce through the night sky. If the Raxi had been gazing up, instead of outward, he might have noticed the glimmer of intelligence in the stars above. He does not, his mind occupied with the thoughts of discovery and renown.   
  The Warriors of the Sun rest in the shadow of their great mountain. They have watched and waited as their craftsmen and villagers have raised a grand edifice, bloodstained and glorious, to venerate It Above. They are blood-drunk, riding a wave of righteous glory from the sacrifice under the midday sun. Protected as they are during the day by the light of Xiyah, they never think to question what watches them while their god sleeps. They boast and tell tales of the essence of the sun to be reclaimed. Had they eyes for anything more than the glory of Xiyah, they might have seen the constellations above shift and observe their revelry.   
  
    The gray island twists and turns, more a hive than a landmass. It has only a single occupant, split between many shells of flesh and chitin. There is only the Opae. It grieves for the suffering of all that populate the Seas. If only they knew that true immortality waited for them, should they choose to sacrifice something that brings them only pain. It keens into the night as it works, split between a thousand drones, dreaming of a world in which all choose to be one. As it does, far above, another multitude, equally helpless to stop the suffering of mortals, watches in silence.   
 
   Under the vast expanse, a hundred different Holts sail forth with open paws, driven by the struggle for survival and the thrill of the horizon. They carry corals, precious stones, and items crafted by generations of families, who hoard secrets as freely as they trade their goods. On one small ship, a Wayfinder peers downwards, outwards, and upwards, ever-vigilant. There are many dangers across the Middle Sea, and not all of them are apparent, after all, and she has a duty to her people. But to notice the sliver of intelligence that watches her from above, she would need to set her sights much, much higher.    
  
    Across the Middle Sea, a song of reverence and pride resonates from a people that want for nothing, their desires made manifest in divine flesh. Yet for all the bounty they possess, they worry. A warrior, clad in elaborate armour of coral, paces anxiously up and down the rocks, next to the falling water. The Singers know that their place in the world, at its centre, but the ceasing of the storm has left them vulnerable. It brings opportunity, the chance to spread the glory of their God to all the seas, but there are threats to be dealt with too. He looks up, his eyes heavy, and for a moment he swears he sees hundreds of eyes peering down at him, the sky filled with watchful gazes. When he blinks, there are only the stars, unchanged.  
 
   They are a people of action, even after the setting of the sun. Complacency was how the tribe had lost so many. They sharpen their fangs, knowing now a single fundamental truth - there is only the hunt. The arc of the spear, the flash of the blade. Death given and received. One of them sits on the beach, scratching makings on leather. The Alu’li have entrusted her with guiding them in search of glory and salvation, and as she attempts to chart the skies, she grows frustrated. They do not match the rubbings she made the previous night. It is almost as if the stars have shifted in the sky. But that is impossible, of course. Even so, she cannot shake the feeling that she is being watched.    
   It is an endless tapestry of dazzling lights. Images and sounds flash before her, faster and faster. There is too much.She must leave, or risk losing herself forever. Faintly, she feels Them. Just a fragment of a fragment of a fragment of a fragment of a fragment of a -    
 
 She gasps, jerking back, her eyes wide, trembling, her awareness suddenly once again only her own. The woman beside her - elderly, her mentor, she dimly recalls - sits with a half-smile, pride and longing in one. “You did well, child, for your first time seeing through them. You lasted longer than most. Now, sit, and when you can, you will tell me what you saw, and I will in turn tell you what it means for our people.”   
  
 
 Message Encryption 0  
 
 Spoiler: To the Kahealahana Holt 

  The Storms could not hold back the Gaze of the Gods above. So long as they persist, so shall we, in reverence of those who came before and those who may one day come again.   
  With the shift in fortunes, our traders - though not as skilled as yours - are occupied, as our our crafters. We would share our many dreams, but we see that you have no need of them. May the winds carry your people to safe shores; in the seasons to come, we may have much knowledge for your people to use.   
 
GameOfChampions
   Coral Singers   
 
 Spoiler: GM/Coral Singers Only 
The Dreamers of the Coral Singers weave their senses through the shells and corals surrounding the island. They sense the dark evil of a scaled beast hunting through the forest, thirsting for a flesh that its regular prey can no longer provide. Deep below the island is a cave leading below the Dreamers can see. Near the bottom they sense a dying spiritual energy of a sort foreign to their senses.

 
 Spoiler 
There are two complications. The first and immediate concern is a powerful and vicious Lizard Monitor that has gained a taste for human flesh (2 Warriors to beat). The Second is the start of an Event chain, investigate the divine remnants of a dead island spirit for a branching choice outcome (5 Priests to complete).
 

 


 

  Great Turtle Colony 

Encryption 1 
 
 Spoiler: Children of the Sun 
Greetings Sunborn,

We have need of our 'scrimshanders' and 'craftsmen' as you put it. Our Shell Shapers are needed every turn of the sun to make our travels safe for those survivors we have. We are open to trades and exchanges of equal value but you have not earned any gifts to be given at this time...

Maybe your sun will provide.
 
A_Dinosaur
   The Kehealahana Holt  
Encryption 0 
The Opae
 
 Spoiler 
Swarmborn folk of the deep below, we greet you as fellow survivors of the primal storm. The seas grow dangerous, but not yet so dangerous that trade has become impossible. We seek trade, or more specifically traders, and can offer much in exchange. Priests, dreamers, even wayfinders, should the need be dire and the price worthwhile. Would your folk be interested in such a barter?

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Alu’li Hunt
 
 Spoiler 
Not yet then. We wish your folk safe hatchings and successful huntings.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Coral Singers
 
 Spoiler 
Well our tribute will have to be vast and beautiful to warrant such generous gifts of the Coral Singers, may our traders eyes not be blinded by the magnificence of your courts upon their arrival.

Wayfarers would be of great use to the holt, as we will surely seek other lands which could bear sufficient tribute to make worthy your Continued generosity. If you would gift the temporary use your singular trader to us as well as a pair of your wayfinder crews, we would be happy to send tribute of our finest shells and two kins of craftsmen to your halls.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Endless Gaze
 
 Spoiler 
Alas that they are otherwise occupied, but perhaps in future seasons trade will flow between our islands. We will return to Kahealahana in the meantime, though one of our wayfinders wished us to pass a message to your priesthood, you may find it enclosed with this letter.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana

The wonders of the seas never cease, and upon my journey here I had something of a vision. I’m sure I was meant to pass it to your people, but I am uncertain of how to interpret it. I was among a hundred trade ships, sailing through the dangerous seas, but when I gazed down at the water I only saw the lidless reflection of the stars above. No doubt they tried to pass me some message for your folk, but alas I am without knowledge of the meaning.

With wonders and regrets,
Wayfinder Muyara
 


The Raxithakra
 
 Spoiler 
Enigmas of the deep, we greet you as fellow survivors of the primal storm. The seas grow dangerous above and below, but not so dire that trade is impossible yet. Would your folk be interested in exchanging talents for a season? Our people seek traders, and can offer priests, craftsmen, and warriors should there be need of them.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Sunken Eye Raiders
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings Warriors, we of the Kahealahana holt seek to trade with yours should you be open to it. Traders, and wayfinders are what we seek, and can offer the services of our warriors should mercenaries of the finest slingers be among your needs. Would you be interested in such a barter?

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 
bladescape
     The Raxithakra     
 "The first dream is taken once more." 

The whispers slipped through the tides, echoing between the coral and reeds. In the darkness of the depths the Raxi stirred. Their Lady had been silent since the fall, and all the offered dreams of the high priest had found no purchase in the years since. It was disquieting to have their dreams to themselves, to have their sleep disturbed by fleeting desires and regrets. As the whispers crossed the linked webway of houses built into the cracks of their home, the surviving members of the Raxi gathered as one.

 "Thesikathrix." 

The whispers continued, The Path Manifest swam among them once more. Gliding softly between the others, the wend of their limbs touching each they passed, they took position next to the High Priest. None had seen the Path since the fall either, and the light withering around their gills spoke of their age. The Priest turned to the newest arrival in the centre, and spread their limbs around in obescience.

  "Oh Path. Sethrika has seen fit to bestow upon you a dream."   The hush quietened the tempest of the sea, and for a moment all was stillness.   "You shall be Breezespeaker. The old paths will not long be seen, you must tame the breeze to map the new paths."   There was a flutter of muttering as they watched The Path incline head in acknowledgement.

There was no further words spoken at that meeting. All instead listened as the tide itself told them the intents of Thesikathrix.

The Breezespeaker.

A title! For the first time since Sethrika's Slumber. This was a sign that they were blessed once more.



The seas stirred as the Raxithakra woke.


 

 Encryption: 0 
 
 Spoiler: Response to the Kahealahana Holt 
Scavengers of the Seas, we hear you.

We seek no trade at this time, as the dream has yet to be made manifest to us.

Wait until the breeze changes and perhaps we will have interest in such a collaboration.
 

 
 Spoiler: To the Endless Gaze 
Watchers. We see you.

Where below the waves we chart the seas, you follow your eyes in the sky above. Between us we could craft a map spanning all seas seen and unseen.

This is no suggestion for now, as the waves have yet to settle, but we hear of your prescience and would rather collaborate to see the ends of the oceans than to compete.
 
Eldan
 The Coral Singers 

The Council had gathered in a large circle in the meeting hall, an airy structure of pink and golden coral pillars and sheets of woven grass for shade. The large table at the center of the hall was coral too, twelve feet across, a polished midnight blue that reflected the sky above.
The warriors, the dreamers, the wayfarers had all come, in their coral armours, standing outside the hall in the burning sun. Seats at the table were reserved for the elder shapers, who could dream the coral into being, and for Hawea, who spoke to God. Today, he was grim.
"God made the land. He gave us houses, and plants, and crafts, and he gave us beauty. But even God must rest. And when god rests, his power wanes. A storm has come, to break the land and return it to the sea. It has come, and it has gone, and it has caused losses. And it will return, again and again, until its work is done and nothing remains.
As God sleeps, we must resist it. We must save the land. Not just this island. All of them. God has given us stewardship of his creation, his beauty, and we can not allowed to disappoint him."
He gazes at the gathered elders.
"It is  not  what we would wish to do, if we had a choice. But this work is beyond even us. God's beauty is too great for even the chosen ones to save alone. We must speak to the outsiders. They too, will have seen the signs. They must give us the resources we need to save the land, or we will all die. It is that simple."

Kahealahana Holt
 
 Spoiler 
Sadly, we will need our trader to explore an island.

Would you trade either 2 wayfarers for a resource and 1 crafter, or 3 wayfarers for a resource and 2 crafters? We can also offer a priest, if that helps.
 
bladescape
     The Raxithakra     
The tribe had taken court.

The song of the air had spoken

The dream had been gifted.

 
 Spoiler: GM only 
Sending Thesikathrix to plot path to Wildspring, with 2 Dream to discover any complications.
 
A_Dinosaur
    Kahealahana Holt   
Encryption 0 
The Coral Singers
 
 Spoiler 
1 crafter and a resource for two wayfinders, that shall be a trade most agreeable! Your willingness to make these dangerous times more bearable for folk like us continues to speak to the peerless quality of your courts.
 


The Undying Congregation
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings most Spiritual Congregation. We of the Kahealahana holt seek to trade with your flock should you be willing and able. We seek a trader, and would be happy to trade the skills of our priesthood, such as they are, that both our peoples may better fulfill their purpose. Would you be willing to host such a trade?
 
GameOfChampions
   The Raxithakra   
 
 Spoiler: GM Message 
Thesikathrix travels through the Middle Sea, finding a new current their people can use. While on route to Wildspring Island the intrepid explorer senses the currents to another island in the distant reaches of the sea with hints of many conch shells hiding in the depths around it.

The Dreamers sent along with their leader can sense many things on the island but primarily a sense of undeath deep in the heart of the tiny central island within the river. It is weak now but seems to be growing. They do not know when its growth will be sated, only that this undeath will be harder and harder to defeat.

 
 Spoiler 
Route to Wildspring created. Dreamers discover a growing threat in the depths of the island (2 Warriors now, Cost goes up every turn by 1 Warrior until it goes off).

VIP Ability: Thesikathrix discovers an additional route to the Rolling Hills Isle and that there is also  Shells 1  on the island.
 

 


 

  The Sunken Raiders  
 Encryption 1 
 
 Spoiler: The Kehealahana Holt 
Greetings to you fine furry folk,

While Warriors are always welcome we would accept a trade of our trader for a warrior but our main concern is in resources, food, goods, resources. We will trade to get them but we aren't above raiding for our needs.
 


 

  The Undying Congregation  
 Encryption 1 
 
 Spoiler: The Kehealahana Holt 
HEAR THE WORD OF THE UNDYING ONE BELOW AND PLEDGE YOUR LIVES TO HIM TO SURVIVE THIS CURSED EXISTANCE OF STORMS AND LIFE!

THE GREAT GOD BENEATH THE SEAS DEMANDS THE SACRIFICE OF THE INNOCENT, PROVIDE US THE FUEL AND WE SHALL CRAFT YOU MIRACLES,  and that trader,  TO SHAKE YOUR ISLANDS ROOTS TO THE VERY DEPTHS. PROVIDE US THE LIFEBLOOD OF THREE OF YOUR HOLT AND IT SHAAAAAAL BE DONE!
 
St. Justicar
 
 Spoiler: GM Only 


Using my free route to make a path to rolling hills island

Spending 1 WAY to also make a path to the Great Turtle Colony
 
A_Dinosaur
The Kahealahana Holt
Encryption 0

The Sunken Eyed Raiders
 
 Spoiler 
If it is food you are seeking, would you care to trade your traders for food in place of warriors? I could offer 10 food for a trader and a craftsmen, should that be of interest. Gods willing we could even make a lasting deal of some sort!

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Great Turtle Colony
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings Titan Riders! Our people are seeking a few trades at this late hour, would you be willing to trade one of your fine traders in exchange for a priest or some other boon?

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 
GameOfChampions
   Children of the Sun   
 
 Spoiler: GM Message 
The Children manage to find their way to the Rolling Hills island and determine the route of the Great Turtle Colony with ease.
 


 

  Sunken Eyes Raiders 
Encryption 1 
 
 Spoiler: The Kahealahana Holt 
Greetings Holt,

We would take 10 food for a trader and another 10 food for a Craftsmen. We would also accept a resource in place of 10 food.
 


 

  Great Turtle Colony 
Encryption 1 
 
 Spoiler: The Kahealahana Holt 
Greetings Furred Ones,

We are willing to trade, we have a desire for resources at this time it is more difficult to gather them on the turtle. We would send a trader in return for a resource.
 
Writtensanity
 
 Spoiler: To the GM:  


Looking to use the event: 'Dragging the Depths': To Make a route to the Red Isle

Looking to spend 5 Wayfarers on discovering the 'Red Sea'
 
GameOfChampions
   Alu'Li Hunters   
 
 Spoiler: GM Message 
The Hunters use their old knowledge to map out a temporary route to the Red Isle for them to go explore among the lava pools and rock.

On the other side the Hunters band together and bravely set out to travel over the edges of the map and into the distant, and deadly, Red Sea. They know they have arrived when they feel the ever present heat surrounding them, steam clouds in the sky, and islands full of lava in the distance. They had done it.

The Boiling Sea, the Land of Lava, Dragonhome... The Red Sea. They found it.

 
 Spoiler 
Gain 1 VP for being first to explore the Red Sea
 

 
Let'sGetKraken
 
 Spoiler: Spoiler:to All 

 WANTED

ONE WAYFINDER. MUST NOT MIND GAZING INTO THE ABYSS ABOVE. WILL RETURN MOSTLY INTACT.

OFFERING ONE VERY UNAPPRECIATED WARRIOR OR ONE SLIGHTLY UNNERVING TRADER.  
 

 
 Spoiler: To GM only 


Making free route to Coconut Island via turn event. Spending 2 Dreamers on identifying any dangers.

Spending 3 Wayfarers (Ruling Caste) on making a route to the White Sea.
 
bladescape
 Encryption: 0 
 
 Spoiler: To The Endless Gaze 
Our wayfinders fear no path. We hear your request and find it amenable.

One warrior is what we desire. Assistance in dealing with annoyance.
 

 Secret to GM: 
 
 Spoiler: To the GM 
1 Wayfinder + 2 Dreamers to path/explore Coconut Island. I'm assuming that all the Middle Sea is 2 or less given how the first search went.
 
Let'sGetKraken
   The Endless Gaze 

Message Encryption 0  
 
 Spoiler: To the Raxithakra 


Watchers Below.

Competition does not drive us. We wish to venerate the Gods Above. Should the opportunity to work together arise with any of the people of the seas, we will gladly accept. But we note your kindness and are appreciative.

 
 Spoiler: To the legally distinct entity Bladescape 


Done. Though if my warrior dies or is injured on your watch I expect further compensation.
 

 

 
 Spoiler: To the Kahealahana Holt 


We appreciate your kind missive. We kindly ask that you try not to interpret the will of Those Above - without a patron such as ours, that way lies only madness. Our priests will ponder this and see what can be seen beyond sight.

We ask, as our eyes look down, whether you intend to explore the island to your north. We would not see conflict where it can be avoided.
 

 
 Spoiler: To GM only 


2 Wayfinders (Ruling Caste) + 1 Wayfinder from Bladescape to chart a route to the Green Sea.
 
A_Dinosaur
    The Kahealahana Holt   
Encryption 0 
The Endless Gaze
 
 Spoiler 
Wayfinders are precious at this late hour, would you be willing to trade both a warrior and a trader for the wayfinder?

Our own folk intend to seek succour in berry island and skull island, which I hope should be far enough away from your shores as to cause no friction.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Sunken Raiders
 
 Spoiler 
10 food for 1 trader will suffice for now, though I hope future season will see more commerce between our people. There may come a time when we raid together, should you be open to it.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 
Let'sGetKraken
   The Endless Gaze 

Message Encryption 0


   
 Spoiler: To the Kahealahana Holt 


Alas, the Raxithakra contacted us first. Our warrior goes to them.

We thought of Skull Island, but will respect your claim.
 

 
 Spoiler: GM Only 


1 Wayfinder (Ruling Caste) to chart a route to Iron Rock Island, and 2 Dreamers to identify any dangers there.
 
A_Dinosaur
    The Kahealahana Holt   
Encryption 0 
The Endless Gaze
 
 Spoiler 
You show marked respect that we shall not soon forget. Perhaps in future seasons we can share what skull island has to offer.
 


The Great Turtle Colony
 
 Spoiler 
One resource for one trader is a happily accepted deal. Safe waters to your titans travel.
 


GM
 
 Spoiler 
Free route to skull island, 1 wayfinder to chart a route to berry island
 
GameOfChampions
   The Kahealahana Holt   
 
 Spoiler: GM Message 
The brave Iliowai explorer manages to make their way to Berry Island with ease, extending the reach of the Holt one island at a time. They also pull their old knowledge of the currents to find a way to the Skull Island.
 


 

   Raxithakra   
 
 Spoiler: GM Message 
The explorers of the depths make their way to another island safely. The acompanying Dreamers look around the island with no concerns found among the coconut groves.
 


 

   The Endless Gaze   
 
 Spoiler: GM Message 
The explorers of the Endless Gaze brave the seas with their experience. They locate a new current to the Iron Rock Island and the accompanying Dreamers find an ancient tablet with godly energies coming off of it in an unknown writing though it seems to be a guide of some sort.

The Endless Gaze brings their old knowledge to bear as they remember a way to the Coconut Island and their Dreamers GAZE upon it and see that the island is as safe as they remember.

The Wayfinders of the Endless Gaze spread their view even further to the frozen north. As they sail they find the weather blowing icy air and the sea becomes littered with ice floes. They have found the White Sea.

The Icy Death. The Frozen Wastes. Yetihome. The White Sea.

 
 Spoiler 
Gain 1 VP for being first to explore the White Sea.

The complication for the Deific Tablet requires research and mystical powers to unlock. (4 of any combination of Priests/Dreamers. Minimum 1 of each)
 

 


 

  The Sunken Eye Raiders 
Encryption 1 
 
 Spoiler: The Kahealahana Holt 
Agreed. We shall expect our payment. Loss of our Trader will have dire repercutions as well.
 


 

  The Great Turtle Colony 
Encryption 1 
 
 Spoiler: The Kahealahana Holt 
Deal. We shall send a letter of what we craft with our new bounty.
 
mjorkk
   Opae 

Message Encryption 0


   
 Spoiler: To the Kahealahana Holt 


Unfortunately, of the complex drones that I can spare, the speakers for the hive... who you would call "traders" are not among them.  We do, however, seek to maintain good relations with you and your many-minded hive.  As a sign of good faith, we do have two complex warrior drones, and 2 simple drones who's services could be acquired at no cost: we wish your people to know us, and know that we are not monsters, and the best way to learn that is through direct cooperation (OOC, I literally have 2 warriors and 2 villagers just straight up unused this turn, if you want 'em.. genuinely no strings attached)
 

 
 Spoiler: To ALL 


If anyone wishes to learn more of the Hive, we are offering a cultural exchange: 2 Warrior Drones and 2 simple drones, for the simple purpose of letting your people learn about ours and vice versa. As they reached out first, Kalena Holt has first refusal, but otherwise, we would be happy to lend our aid to any who need it.
 

 
 Spoiler: GM Only 


Using Turn Event to find/remember route to Iron Rock Island

Sending VIP 2 Wayfinders, and 2 Priests (Using the VIP's ability) to try and explore the Green Sea.

Sending 1 Dreamer (Ruling Caste) To "forsee" any complications on my free-route island.

Using other Turn Event to add 1 extra unit of bone to the island for this turn only.

2 Wayfinders, 2 Priests, and 1 Dreamer already used in exploration
Free: 30 Food
3 Villagers: +30 Food
3 Villagers: +3 Bone
24 Villagers: Support Maintenance
4 Traders+2 Villagers: Migration
4 Priests+2 Villagers: Seeking Blessing of Ocean's Bounty
3 Dreamers (Ruling Caste) Investing 6 towards another dreamer.
2 Craftsmen (Depending on whether I can use resources immediately or not.  If I can, they're creating 1 Tier-1 Bone Wand for "priests"  If they can't, they're creating 2 craftsmen worth of storm shelters.)
2 Warriors Lent to Kalena Holt at no Cost as a gesture of good faith.
4 Villagers: SPAWN MORE SIMPLE DRONES (Make another villager)
2 Villagers  Lent to Kalena Holt at No Cost as a gesture of good faith.
 
Let'sGetKraken
   The Endless Gaze
   
Encryption 0  
 
 Spoiler: To All 

 
WANTED

1 DREAMER. WILL NEED SEVERAL WEEKS TO RESUME SPEAKING UPON RETURN.

WILLING TO PROVIDE 1 INCREASINGLY UNSETTLING TRADER. LIKE SERIOUSLY. THEY'RE STARTING TO CREEP ME OUT.  
 
bladescape
    The Raxithakra    
 Encryption 0: 
 
 Spoiler: The Endless Gaze 
Once more you grace our tide with an offer we can utilise.

Your Trader, as odd as they are, will be much safer. And perhaps Sethrika will help by taking its dream. The warrior we can make no promises but I assure you all precautions will be taken. And it is for the goal of besting a monster that could hurt those who rely on land in this Middle Sea.
 
Let'sGetKraken
   The Endless Gaze
   
Encryption 0  
 
 Spoiler: To the Raxithakra 


Watchers Below,

It is done.

A noble purpose. Our position is unchanged - we want her back relatively unscathed, as we would any of our flock - but we will be flexible about compensation should something go awry.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 


So I am providing 1 trader and 1 Warrior and am receiving from you in turn 1 Wayfinder and 1 Dreamer.
 

 
A_Dinosaur
    Kahealahana Holt   
Encryption 0 
Ophae
 
 Spoiler 
We are honoured that you would begin our mutual relations with such generosity. We of the Urkit Council will gladly accept and will do our best to reciprocate in turn.
 
Let'sGetKraken
 
 Spoiler: to GM 


2 Wayfinders (Ruling Caste) and 2 supporting villagers spent to chart a route to the Red Sea.
 
GameOfChampions
   Opae   
 
 Spoiler: GM Message 
The Opae ride their drones to the Green Sea, travelling the Middle Sea and into the transitional seas. They know they have arrived when the smell of fertile lands and seas hit their nose. They arrive to a sea filled with seaweed, reefs, and algae everywhere. The paddles of the boats tangled practically every other stroke.

The Lush Sea, The Breeding Grounds, Enthome, The Green Sea.
 


 

   The Endless Gaze   
 
 Spoiler: GM Message 
On the other side of the Sea the Gaze band together and bravely set out to travel over the edges of the map and into the distant, and deadly, Red Sea. They know they have arrived when they feel the ever present heat surrounding them, steam clouds in the sky, and islands full of lava in the distance. They had done it.

The Boiling Sea, the Land of Lava, Dragonhome... The Red Sea. They found it.
 
mjorkk
   Opae 
Message Encryption 0


   
 Spoiler: IC Fluff, for Kahealahana Holt, but open for anybody to read. 

A combination of traditional ships and mind-controlled whales arrives on the shores of Kahealahana Holt, and while the whales are truly mindless slaves, with no more autonomy than the boats joining them, the musclebound complex warrior drones they carry are in-fact quite gregarious and personable, if perhaps single mindedly focused on the perfection and sculpting of their bodies.  Outwardly, though they all have a shrimp in their brain, they are a cosmopolitan bunch, composed of a multitude of races, sparring and training daily unless given direct orders, which they follow with surprising efficiency.  As for the simple drones, while significantly dulled in personality, as if high on too much kava root, are always smiling, and performing their duties to the letter... perhaps sometimes too much to the letter when left unsupervised.  However, all of the drones, complex and simple, seem happy, and while they don't proselytize, if anyone questions them on it, they are more than pleased to pontificate on the bliss that comes from knowing your role in life with exact certainty, and never needing to fear death.
 
GameOfChampions
    Turn 2   
  
The seas rouse themselves as Tribes once more take to them both on the water and under it. Tribes sail through the Middle Sea and explore the islands once more in the aftermath of the Great Storm. Powerful Monsters, Ancient Curses, and Divine Remnants abound as the tribes make landfall.

Yet the complications of the islands are not the only things to occur in these dangerous Seas, the Children of the Sun come out of the Primal Storm looking for blood.

The Colony of the Great Turtle make their way peacefully through the Middle Sea, trading bits and pieces with others in the Sea and living with their great protector. As they sailed the Middle Sea between the islands they found themselves set upon by a fleet of war canoes from all angles.

The Children tie down the great turtle with ropes and board the shell. They kill the few who resist them and in the tribes surrender they liberate the common folk of the colony to join them in the greatness of venerating the sun.


 

   
This new half of the year sees the winds rising once more. The Primal Storm may have been the greatest of its kind but there are constant storms from the depths of the Divine Sea, home of the living storm.

Despite prayers and sacrifices from all over to Tahiso the storm does not stop growing. The storm will continue but in his magnanimous benevolence the Great Tahiso has revealed that the storm is coming.

Related to the oncoming storm the whale pods are surfacing in large groups, feeding in the shallows so as not to need to surface during the storms. The whale pods are favored by the great Tamihiro but are also sources of large amounts of food and ivory to the tribe capable of taking them down.

Be careful not to anger Tamihiro too much though, the taking of his children is never well received.

 
 Spoiler: The Coming Storm 
The storm comes once more. After all parts of the EoT are resolved the storm will take effect. The base effect of every storm is the tribe loses 1d4 villagers and 1 Building is broken (Requires 5 Craft to repair). If a tribe has no building it loses a caste member at random.

Every Storm also has a special effect added to it from the list below. Each effect only happens once a game.
- Storm of Wrath
- Storm of Scouring
- Storm of Exploration
- Storm of Plenty
- Storm of Challenges
- Storm of Gods
 

 
 Spoiler: Whale Hunt 
Tribes can dedicate 4 Wayfinders/Warriors to hunt whales, each one giving 10 food and 1 Ivory. However the tribes can only hunt 2d4+1 whales before the Tamihiro decides to punish the entire Middle Sea, even if they did not participate.
 


 

 Leaderboard 
    Rank 
 Conquest 
 Exploration 
 Prosperity 
 
  First 
 Alu'Li Hunters/Children of the Sun 
 Raxitakra/Endless Gaze 
 Kahealahana Holt 
 
  Second 
 Coral Singers 
 Kahealahana Holt 
 Alu'Li Hunters 
 
  Third 
 Raxithakra 
 Children of the Sun/Alu'Li Hunters 
 Raxitakra 
 
  

The Tribes in first Each gain 1 VP.


 

  First Place with VP is the Children of the Sun  

 

   EoTs due Sunday Feb 24th at Midnight   
bladescape
    The Raxithakra    

The breeze changes once more. The tides skip and churn as the storm approaches. It was not the true storm, but that did not change the danger. The elders watched.

The Breezespeaker spoke.

Beneath the waves dark stone speckled with light surrounded the central meeting hall, as the Raxi gathered en masse. Their people murmured with the tide as the rocks shuffled around them. So soon? Was the storm undone? Was the dream too early?

The faithful did not agree.

Echoing amidst their midst was the song of wonder, and of worry.

 Encryption 0: 
 
 Spoiler: To the Endless Gaze 
Your Warrior and Trader, returned without harm. They dreamt of calmer skies, and return refreshed to see madness once more.

We hope your gatherer returns as soundly. The advance was there to explore, and had not expected to encounter others.

I assume you, as well, explored seas beyond the scope of our own. Would you see slight if we enquired which ones? You may request a more... secure dream if it suits you.
 

 
 Spoiler: To the Children of the Sun 
Oh worshippers of the burning sky, we see your hunt and spoils.

We hope your gatherers returned safely, we had not intended them harm, they merely tried to take that which we were already taking.

May your dreams be as bright as the sky above when you bow.
 

 
 Spoiler: To the GM 
2 Wayfinders + 2 Townsfolk for Red Sea
2 Wayfinders + 2 Townsfolk for the Black Sea

Do I get maps of these as well or is that only at EOT?
 
St. Justicar
    The Children of the Sun    

The isle of the sun was alive was celebration. Bonfires and cooking pits dotted the beach as servants and aspiring humans alike celebrated the great fortune the tribe’s canoes had returned so heavily laden with.  Rich aromas of spit pig and roasted fowl mixed with the sweetness of fresh and stewed fruits. The strong wines had been broken out hours ago, and now joyously discordant music and singing echoed out from a dozen different groups. It was a raucous celebration, a day and a night of true delights before the weather turned and the storms returned.

The experience was quite different for the spoils taken in that glorious victory. The former riders of the Great Turtle had been dragged from their beds amid noxious smoke and predawn light, then beaten into compliance with club and spear butt. All those who now stood upon the beach had submitted quickly – their more courageous brothers and sisters had been left with their huts and tents as funeral pyres.

Those with talent or skill had been quickly separated out by the priests who accompanied the raid. From the rest, the victorious chiefs and warriors each in turn chose a new servant to adopt into their household, who might now tend their fires and prepare their meals.

The more prudent and obeisant among them already rushed around, serving their new master and their companions’ food and drink and performing whatever dance or performance was demanded of them by drunken celebrants. The prouder and less pragmatic amused in less harmless ways – hot coals and fire-cracked turtle shells played prominent roles, for the most human among the Children had grown inured to any mundane heat, and so were entertained by the vulnerability of those within their power.

Eight Cormorant was a war-chief and, if not the foremost of the Children, was skilled and well-respected enough to have no issue gathering up young warriors in his raids and schemes. After this great victory, he was easily the most famous and fearsome man on the island, and the gifts of fine and polished shells he distributed now won him many friends. So, despite the lack of official ceremony or council, the crowd gathered around his far was large and eager to hear him speak.

”Is it not lovely to be the hands of justice? Xiyah itself offered the turtle-dwellers the chance to offer up gifts and aid in building its house on the mountain. For their blasphemy in refusing, they suffered. For our piety in going out to retrieve Xiyah’s gifts from them regardless, we are blessed with gifts of our own. Do you understand me, son?”

The youth next to him by the fire was grown but not yet a man – his skin unmarked by tattoo or scar, his blood unthickened with humanity – but he was hale and well-built, and would surely be a fine warrior once initiated. He nodded as his elder spoke, but could not hide the confusion upon his face. He nodded at the captive even now approaching with a plate of fruit and berries.

“So they have been cursed? If Xiyah took offence, wouldn’t it be more....obvious?” He gestured up at Xiyah, glorious and radiant as it swam through the sky. “The priests have a thousand stories about it’s might and greatness, not so much of it being sneaky or subtle.”

Eight Cormorant laughed. It was a loud and good-matured sound, the thick and vital blood in his veins giving his good humour a strength and echo beyond what mortal lungs would allow. “If a god takes personal offence at you you’ll only wish hot coals were the worst to happen to you. They’re being  tested , that’s all. Some have the stuff of real humans in them, most of the rest will be more workers and thralls enjoying the peace and security of our island. Maybe the rest of the turtle-riders will come to their senses and we can send the more disappointing ones back to them. Who knows?

Whatever the youth might have said in reply to that was interrupted by the tray of fruits finally arriving. Then a pair of other aspiring young warriors got into a proper fight over some youthful triviality, and the whole conversation was forgotten as the fire stood as one and rushed over to cheer and clap as they drew first blood.

*	*	*

The ceremony at the peak of the Mountain of the Sun was far small and more selective in its celebrants, and far less enjoyable for those honoured with the chance to participate.

The house of Xiyah was still far from deserving of its glory, but it was at least no longer an insult to presume it might accept the hospitality. Fine scrimshaw of horn and bone was laid over each window, casting the mud-brick interior in dancing shadows that, when the sun favoured them, evoked various great myths and legends which aspiring priests would learn by heart to regale the other Children with.

But those peripheral rooms were for priests and visitors. The innermost sanctum was more tomb than hut, the fine carvings on its clay walls left obscure unless they caught Xiyah’s interest – for the only illumination was provided by a single opening at the very centre of the ceiling, cut in such a way that there were only an hour or two on a clear and sunny day where there was light enough to work within it.

Three Eclipse and their most favoured acolytes were gathered for the first such auspicious day and hour since the tribe’s warriors has returned victorious, and they were assembled to offer Xiyah its rightful share of the victory. The platter in the centre of the room was fireglass, an ancient and sacred relic from Xiyah’s first visit to the surface of the world – now it was piled high with fine bone and shells, food and drink, dried skin bearing the tattoos of particularly fearsome warriors who had fallen in the raid. The first and finest share of everything, for what else would suffice?

The ritual had begun at the moment of dawn, the doors leading out of the sanctum sealed shut with hot mud as the last celebrant entered. By the time light began to fall within, the air was already heavy and fetid, salty sweat and sweet decay filling every breath and adding to the sense of holy delirium. There were drums and pipes and singing, heavy wine without food to balance it, repetitive chants that emptied the mind and called forth the heart.

As the first light fell, each priest in turn drew a knife across their palm and offered up the wound; the blood bubbling and hissing as it rose into the light.

Three Eclipse was last, as was only right, and made their offering just as Xiyah reached its zenith in the sky. More was taken of them than their juniors, a wispy spiral of red-brown smoke rising up from their hand until they grew faint and needed support to hold their arm out.

Perhaps for a moment they felt fear, a sick worry that they would be emptied out and left a bloodless husk as punishment for presuming to demand the attention of the Sun.

Then the light grew brighter. Like a midday falling star, growing more and more brilliant with each moment. A drop of Xiyah’s own blood, shed in answer to their own – a liquid and molten light, so brilliant as it fell through the sanctum’s opening that it blinded every celebrant.

Then all the offered blood gathered up within the air fell onto it, and the room was filled with steam as if water was poured on a red-hot stone. The light cooled enough that those gathered could just barely stand to open their eyes and look upon it. A solar egg in one moment, and in the next a fully grown bird unfurling its wings. An eight-winged raptor of fire and light, gaining substance as the hair grew hazy and scorched, and the smoke from the immolating offerings below it were added to its claws and feathers.

All gathered were feverish and faint, sweat pouring down their bare, burning skin from being so near a shard of the divine. But Three Eclipse kept their composure and supplicated themselves, and all around them followed suit.

The bird opened its beak, and down on the beach and for an hour’s journey across the water a great, reverberating cry was heard.

The captives grew fearful and confused, but every true devotee of the Sun only redoubled their celebration. For if Xiyah had taken notice of its children, then they were blessed indeed.

  Encryption 0  
 
 Spoiler: Raxithrakra 


No offence was taken, there was bounty enough for all. But our number grow, and each mouth requires fruit and meat to fill it – if you return to Rolling Hills Isle this season, we shall not be so gracious or gentle.

But if you desire friendship, perhaps we can meet on more friendly terms. We have a great bounty of resources, and not enough skilled hands to work them, as well as a brave wayfinder to chart a path to emptier and richer waters – what labor would you ask in exchange?
 

 
 Spoiler: Great Turtle Colony 


Oh squatters upon the shell of the great turtle,

I am glad that you were so forthcoming in providing gifts for the glory of the sun when its children arrived to collect them. You were in fact over-generous –  our beaches teem with villagers of no blood or talent. Do you desire their return? Some exchange might be agreed to.
 
A_Dinosaur
    The Kahealahana Holt   
Encryption 0 
The trade winds billow fair, a boon before the storm. At every corner of the Middle Sea Ilowai come and go aboard outriggers or on the simple strength of their swimming, offering trade in food or goods to those who would wish it. At the Kahealahana Atoll itself, the island bristles with new souls and new skills, Patrol riggers of warriors new and old pull closer to shore and the craftsmen of the holt begin their preparations for the coming season.


Opae
 
 Spoiler 
Your warriors were a grand boon of last season, please, if you need resources for any of your building project or storm preparations, let the Urkit council know and we will do our best to provide it.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


To All
 
 Spoiler 
To all those looking for resources for the coming season, the Kahealahana Holt can provide a wealth of resources from across the isles. We seek traders and warriors this season, and will offer fair prices to any who are interested.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Sunken Eyed Raiders
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings once again to the fearsome folk of the waves. Our trading of last season was a boon to both of our causes I hope. We come seeking much the same this season, as there is always the need for more trade. Would you be willing to trade more food for the services of your trader? We have resources as well should you need them.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


To GM
 
 Spoiler 
Looking to chart a route to Bamboo Island, Lone Prak Island, and potentially Rolling Hills Island as well depending on the costs of the others. Could I get the wayfinder costs to chart those routes?
 
A_Dinosaur
   The Kahealahana Holt  
Encryption 0 
The Children of the Sun
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings Warriors of Light, we of Kahealahana seek trade after the success of your most recent conquests. We have resources and potentially even warriors should your cause need their services. We are seeking traders and craftsmen, would your folk be interested in such a barter?

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 



The Coral Singers
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings Sculptors of Beauty, your generous gifts last season have encouraged many of the holt to think of further tribute in hopes of similar gifts from your halls. We have priests and resources, potentially even warrior mercenaries if your halls seek war. We seek the talents of your traders, or potentially your incredible craftsmanship should it be available.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Undying Congregation
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings once again to the Great and Terrible Congregation, last season the shifting currents prevented sacrifice to be sent to your halls, but perhaps this season we can acquire the services of your traders and craftsmen in exchange for resources? We grasses and shells abound that would surely decorate your shrines in ways pleasing to the everlasting gods.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


To GM
 
 Spoiler 
Gonna Chart a route to Bamboo island and Lone Prak Island for two wayfinders each, plus 2 dreamers to each to uncover any complications. Chart a permanent route to skull island for 1 wayfinder.
 
Eldan
 The Coral Singers 
 Shelter 
To save the world from the storm, they first had to secure themselves. A logical conclusion. But planning soon showed that to be effective, it would have to be errected far above the tide line, where coral would not grow naturally. There simply was no time to dream the building in segments and carry it uphill, so instead, some ingenious planning had to be done. Soon, protected in a little valley between the island's highest hills arose what looked like a whale's ribcage, or the skeleton of a vast hide boat. Massive curved spars, twice the height of a man, grown from porous white coral, light enough to be carried by one man, but tall enough to errect a building. The walls, though, had to be made from other materials. Painstakingly. And so, seashells were layered, one on top of the other, row after row, threaded on strings, an entire hall of overlapping scales, large enough for an entire tribe and all their most valued goods. It would weather this storm, and whatever else would come.

 The Holt  [0]
 
 Spoiler 
His Grace shines on you this turn, for we have decided to bestow upon you two great opportunities. First, you will be allowed to host one of our traders this season, and he will bring with him a most generous gift, intended to spread the beauty of the Lord of Corals to another island.
Additionally, you may send a delegation of your most high-ranking priests, who will be allowed to set foot on our island, to witness and perhaps even assist in the blessing of the Lord of Corals.

-Hawea Coral Dreamer

OOC: Trade to be made is 1 +1 craft good and 1 trader for 2 priests and 1 crafter.
 
GameOfChampions
 Turtle Colony
Encryption 0 
 
 Spoiler: Children of the Sun 
We will never deal with you Children of Blood. Your disregard for our lives only heightens our fury. We shall bring you down or stick in your maw while you devour us at the very least!

 
 Spoiler 
Shockingly they don't want to trade with you
 

 

 
 Spoiler: All 
We would request all who care for love and order to send us warriors or villagers please. We wish to defend our way of life from the bloodthirsty Children of the Sun. We cannot promise to repay anything but you will have our loyalty and friendship.

 
 Spoiler 
Please. Anything Helps
 

 


 

 Sunken Eye Raiders
Encryption 0 
 
 Spoiler: Kahealahana Holt 
Greetings,

The trade last season was good. We would be willing to send you our trader again but would request instead a warrior of the Holt to join us for a season. Possibly instead a powerful weapon to enhance our own warriors.

 
 Spoiler 
Instead of food 1 Warrior or a Weapon item for the Trader this turn.
 

 


 

 The Undying Congregation
Encryption 0 
 
 Spoiler: Kahealahana Holt 
OUR GOD DESIRES ONLY BLOOD TO DECORATE HIS TEMPLES AND WE SHALL DRENCH THEM IN IT. WE HAVE BONE AND IVORY TO GILD AND NOW REQUIRE ONLY ETERNAL RED WATER!

SEND US YOUR SLAVES, YOUR OLD, YOUR YOUNG! WE SHALL BRING THEM PURPOSE!

 
 Spoiler 
They want only villagers. Caste members to sacrifice work too but I doubt that'll work.
 

 


 

 Kahealahana Holt 
 
 Spoiler: GM Only 
All routes created.

Lone Peak island has a powerful and ever hungry energy coming off of it... waiting for blood to feed it. Its a powerful source coming from the center of the island.

Bamboo Island seems to be totally fine. Nothing detected by the dreamers.

 
 Spoiler 
Lone Peak has a complication that costs 3 Warriors to defeat now and will grow more deadly at a rate of +1 Warrior a turn.
 

 
St. Justicar
    The Children of the Sun    
  Encryption 0  
 
 Spoiler: Turtle Colony, All 


Let it be known that the floatsom and barnacles who infest the shell of the great leviathan have insulted and blasphemed against the Sun, and spurned offers of reconciliation in good faith. Xiyah’s rays shall bleach and blister their flesh, and the spears of its children shall pierce their hearts and pluck out their eyes.
 

 
 Spoiler: Kahealahana Holt 


A trader for a warrior we can happily arrange. For anything grander – what sort of resources do you have? Ivory, jade or obsidian we would pay dearly for.
 

 
 Spoiler: Undying Congregation 


Your god is shadowed and noxious to the senses, but you at least know the worth of life. The scavengers atop the great turtle clearly do not – what can you offer in exchange for the villagers they do not care to ransom back?
 

 
 Spoiler: All 


Victory brings riches, but on occasion riches without use. From the Great Turtle Colony we have plucked a fortune of blue shells (tier 2, Way, Trade, Dream, Craft) , for which we have no immediate use. If anyone wishes to acquire them, all fair offers for trade shall be considered.
 
Eldan
 To the Children of the Sun 
 
 Spoiler 
Since your hands, after being turned to war, are too crude to be worthy of such fine raw materials, what is it you desire? The Lord of Corals has many bounties.
 
bladescape
    The Raxithakra    
 To the Children of the Sun: 
 
 Spoiler: Encryption 0 
Hunters of the Burning Sky, we sojourned there to feast before delving to deeper spoils as the dream bades. We have no interest in the small isle. Your obsession with it has been noted.

Our craftsfolk will be busy with the storm this tide. And our wayfinders are beyond these seas. We could perhaps trade in sea routes, as we are busy remapping the five oceans streams, an endeavour we are progressing steadily along.
 

 To the GM: 
 
 Spoiler: Private Request 
Thesikathrix (VIP Way2 = 4 strength route mapping) + 2 Dreamers will be exploring the route to the Island of the Great Tree.
 
Writtensanity
When the day is a dance close to the edge of death, you should spend your evenings dancing in life.

A great pyre is burning on the beach of Alu'li. A massive torch of wood slathered in the oil and blubber of the fish-like monster that the gods had brought to stand against the Hunters. Near it, a set of carvers works in a quiet trance, peeling skin and sinew from the skull of the monster, both harvesting food and making a trophy.

It was a night of celebration, one the hunters sorely needed, but even then, with the darkening sky on the horizon it was clear that the great storm would never truly be over. Waves had been climbing higher in the past days. The dreamers said that it was an echo of old disasters, the priests had started claiming that the tide would only be stayed with blood.

It hadn't taken long for the people to take a side. More monsters would be slain, that was how the Alu'li had always pleased the Gods, and maybe this would be how they could do it in the future.

The call to the hunt would echo over the canopies of Alu'li.

 
 Spoiler: To GM 

Spending 1 Dreamer to add encryption to my messages.

Looking to spend my 5 Wayfinders to make routes to Dragonhome, Burning Crystal and Salamander Island in the Red sea. (If the numbers work)
 


Encryption 1:
 
 Spoiler: To the Children of the Sun 


Our dreamers have seen your call out to the sun.

We offer a bounty of Ivory. Cut from the gnashing tusk-teeth of a seabeast. You said you would offer great wealth for such a bounty. What do you offer for our trophy?
 
Let'sGetKraken
    The Endless Gaze

    Encryption 0

 
 Spoiler:  To the Raxithakra 

 
      All is forgiven. No blood was shed.   
      
Another missive will reach you soon, regarding your request.    
 

 
 Spoiler: To Everyone 


To all who travelled wide, or have dreams of seas beyond our own - the Gaze shares freely, and hope you do in turn. We went to seas of fathomless cold and unceasing flames. We sailed to seas White and Red.

And we now ask in turn - share which seas you have explored, if any. We may share in the glory together. Should we journey on and find that we are not the first to discover a sea, when we could have been warned, as we have in turn, we shall be displeased. And so will the Eyes Above.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


So, if two factions explore a sea in the same phase, they share the VP received. If people share what seas they explored, we can all share the VP for exploring any remaining ones. For only 5 wayfinders, you can claim a VP - in concert with others, of course.

And should your wayfinders be spent... well. We could be persuaded to share, perhaps.

Oh, and should the Gaze explore a sea this turn - as it will do this turn - and finds that it was discovered last turn, it will noticeable cool relations with the Endless Gaze.
 

 
St. Justicar
    The Children of the Sun    
  Encryption 0  
 
 Spoiler: Coral Singers 


We would exchange them for coral of equal weight and richness, should you have it. Ivory, Jade or Obsidian would be equally welcome. Else, we might host some great delegation of craftsmen who come to receive it, should they stay to offer their skills for a time as well.
 

 
 Spoiler: Raxithakra 


We would be greatly interested in a path to one of the further seas, to be sure. What sort of price would you desire for it?
 

 
 Spoiler: Hunters of Alu’li 


We offer in exchange a great bounty of blue shells, gathered with patience and care by the scavengers who live atop the great leviathan who shed them. They catch the light most mesmerisingly, and are well-formed to be worked into tools and trophies both. Would you prefer payment in some other form?
 
bladescape
    The Raxithakra    
 To the Endless Gaze: 
 
 Spoiler: Encryption 0 
We sailed White and Green last tide. We will be charting the Red and Black this tide. This is in response to your global dream
 

 To the Children of the Sun: 
 
 Spoiler: Encryption 0 
Perhaps resources should you have too many to spin? We have uses that are not form-making. Otherwise spare villagers for us to use to harvest that we have found. Perhaps other requests depending on the discoveries of our dreamers soon.

(OOC: As far as I can remember, me "giving you the route" would only reduce the cost, instead of actually giving you the access. Confirming with GM rn but take that into account for costs.)
 
GameOfChampions
 Undying Congregation
Encryption 0 
 
 Spoiler: Children of the Sun 
THE GREAT ONE BELOW ALWAYS THIRSTS FOR THE LIFEBLOOD OF WE MORTAL SCUM. SEND US YOUR UNWORTHY THAT THEY BE MADE GREATER WHEN THEY ARE BESTOWED TO THE UNDYING ONE BELOW! THE GOD BELOW THE DEPTHS SHALL BE TOLD OF YOUR OBEISANCE IN OUR PRAYERS WHILE THE OTHER HEATHENS OF THIS SEA LANGUISH IN FORGOTTEN CORNERS PRAYING THE GOD DOES NOT REMEMBER THEIR DISRESPECT WHEN HE    RISES   

WE SHALL SEND OUR MEMBERS TO PREACH AMONG YOUR CONGREGATION WHILE THEY DO YOUR WORKS.

 
 Spoiler 
They will trade use of a Trader or Craftsmen for a villager to be sacrificed.
 

 


 

 Alu'Li Hunters 
 
 Spoiler: GM Only 
Each of those Islands will cost 2 Way to get to from your home island.
 


 

 The Raxithakra 
 
 Spoiler: GM Only 
The route is completed and the dreamer sent senses a hungry great bird roosting in the branches of the great tree.

While en-route to the island the great explorer discovers a current to the Purple Flowering Island in the Black Sea.
 
bladescape
    The Raxithakra    
 To GM: 
 
 Spoiler: Private 
1 Way + 2 Dream = Frozen Plains Island (White Sea)
1 Way + 2 Dream = Dragonhome Island (Red Sea)
 

 To the Children of the Sun: 
 
 Spoiler: Encryption 0 
We are in need of one single warrior, and know your forces are archons of such martial discipline. Would we be able to trade routes or something else for them?
 
A_Dinosaur
    Kahealahana Holt   
Encryption 0 
The Coral Singers
 
 Spoiler 
A gift of crafting goods from your hall would be a rare honour indeed, our priests shall sing your praises to the gods and our craftsmen will help with whatever fabrications your halls require in this exchange.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Children of the Sun
 
 Spoiler 
The Price you offer is fair, but would you perhaps accept a bounty of 1 coral instead? Our warriors are called away to dangerous isles this season to protect hunting parties, and thus are mighty precious to the cause of our holt.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Endless Gaze
 
 Spoiler 
Alas our wayfinders have already set sail for the living sea, though surely we are not the only ones to chart it. Safe waters and kind winds to your explorers this season though.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Sunken Eyed Raiders
 
 Spoiler 
A fair price, though we could equally offer 1 ivory, a tier 2 resource if you would trade it.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Undying Congregation
 
 Spoiler 
A sacrifice then, 1 villager for the services of your craftsmen. We have a few among us who surely deserve to meet your thirsting gods.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 
St. Justicar
    The Children of the Sun    
  Encryption 0  
 
 Spoiler: Raxithakra 


We would be happy to exchange bone or grass for the current to a distant sea. Our warriors alas are needed in service to the Sun – we could offer one, but the price would be steep. A route as well as the services of one of your Dreamers for the season, say. [Ruling caste warriors are a very valuable resource, sorry]
 

 
 Spoiler: Undying Congregation 


Expect your sacrifice on the tide then, and we shall await your craftsmen on the same.

If you are willing, we would happily provide twice the sacrifices for both potential payments (2 villagers for crafter AND trader)
 

 
 Spoiler: Kahealahanna Holt 


Coral for Cerulean Shells is a trade we would be happy to accept.
 

 
 Spoiler: GM Only 


Spending 1 Wayfinder to create a trade route with the Undying Congregation

Also spending 1 to make a route too Coconut Island as well
 
Let'sGetKraken
    The Endless Gaze

    Encryption 0

 
 Spoiler: GM Only 


2 Wayfinders (Ruling) and 2 villagers used to chart a route to the Black Sea.

2 Wayfinder (Ruling) used to chart a route to Peaks of Ice Island. 2 Dreamers used to identify complications.

2 Wayfinder (Ruling) used to chart a route to Falling Lava Island. 2 Dreamers used to identify complications.
 
A_Dinosaur
    The Kahealahana Holt   
Encryption 0 
The Children of the Sun
 
 Spoiler 
Alas, our need for coral outweighs our need for blue shells. Perhaps commerce will flow on another occasion. We wish you safe sailing through the coming storm.
 


The Undying Congregation
 
 Spoiler 
The hour grows late, and our trades unconfirmed. I will call again in the coming season to see if there is still sacrifice required.
 


The Sunken Eyed Raiders
 
 Spoiler 
The hour grows late, we will send a warrior in exchange for your trader. May your campaigns find success through the coming storm.
 
mjorkk
   Opae 

Message Encryption 0


   
 Spoiler: To the Kahealahana Holt 


We thank you for your offer of trade, though this cycle we have little need of your resources, beyond friendship. We do think fondly on the time we spent with you through the bodies of our warriors, and it was very enlightening.  Your inclination towards storytelling and collective action through trade showed us that sociality tempered by what you call "the market" can be not dissimilar to our own eusociality.  The immortality of telling stories of the dead, and of and social memory is less complete than our own, but it is not entirely as... suicidal... as we once thought.  We do not have the resources to do this at the moment, but in the future, we would be interested in strengthening the bonds between our eusocial hive, and your social hive: there are many more toxic social hives roaming the seas who engage in antisocial behavior from which more healthy hives must be protected. (OOC I've been planning to ultimately forge an alliance in the long run since turn 1, and at-least RP-wise, you are my closest ally.)
 

 
 Spoiler: To Sunken-Eye Raiders 

We also learned of you through your trade relations with our ally.  Your sociality is not a healthy hive, but one based on a slavery and predation far more vile than what the single-minded hives accuse me of.   Unlike you, we will not force any of your individuals to join our hive, as we respect individual autonomy, but we no longer respect the validity of your social hive, and hope that the wiser among you see the wisdom in joining the hive's immortality.  Look at what happened to the denizens of the great turtle, and to your own victims from even smaller tribes.  If you believe that you can escape this fate inevitably, you are fools.  Sapient beings should cooperate, not predate upon each other.  Please see reason.
 

 
 Spoiler: GM Only 


END OF TURN SENT
 
GameOfChampions
    Turn 3    
   
Kihawahine, The Boiling Dragon, raised his head and smelled the air. Usually it was a calming scent of brimstone, ash, and heated stone. Now something was changing it! What was disturbing his lands?

Kihawahine shifted his body and in one smooth motion launched himself upwards, erupting out of the top of the mountain like an eruption of living lava. The great dragon spreads their wings and catches the air, gliding through the air and taking in the spits of stone and mountain in the ever hot sea beneath him. What was that below him?

Are those humans? What were they doing in the Red Sea? Didn’t they all perish in the banishment from the god sea and some big storm a while back?

Hmmm, maybe they have tribute to present to him. The great dragon swoops down to a canoe of humans looking at a massive river of lava on an island. They could figure out tribute later, right now the great dragon was hungry from his nap and needed a snack


 


Whetuga pauses as he finished pulling up his mussel rope, they had laid a dozen thick ropes in the middle of the bed of mussels before leaving for a year as they slowly made their way around the fertile sea. By this point a whole slew of mussels should have grown on the rope but the rope only had a small group of baby mussels not even worth eating.

This was not the first time they had come to a farm and found there food sources already gathered in the last few weeks. Someone was taking their food before they returned to farm it themselves. They had been the only ones in the Fertile Sea for so long, were the new people coming terrifying monsters that were going to kill them all and eat them? Kidnap them and enslave them?

Maybe it was time to start hiding their farms a little more carefully and gather a store of food for trading and/or bribing purposes.


 


Gunnbjorn snaps the thick spinal cord of the seel and slurps down the marrow and juices within. One of the younger cubs snuffles towards the open spine and Gunnbjorn snarls at him, it was his meal and the cub would have to go hunt his own prey. The bear man tosses the rest of the bone into his mouth and crunches down, grinding the tough spine down to nothing, as he gets up.

He gives a loud howl to gather the tribe to him. All over the ice flow the bear tribe gets up from their naps, their meals, and their rough housing. The alpha called.

Gunnbjorn leads his people on the hunt, food was running scare and they needed to find more so the tribe could survive. They take off at a run, a combination of bipedal and all fours, moving over ice flows, islands, and water. The seals were avoiding their routes, the whales had gone deep into the sea, and the herds had been thinned by them already.

The hunger would undo their very tribe soon if they didn’t find anything to eat.

Then they found a sign, a broken canoe with two drowned bodies in it. They had not seen anything like this on the frozen sea before, the Ever Hungry was the last tribe to survive in the Ever White.

There may be fresh blood coming to the sea. Right now though, the tribe was hungry and they had found some food.


 


Oraga dips his paddle in the inky black sea, his canoe slowly sailing along the water without leaving a ripple in the water. He and another pair of canoes are slowly moving through the water, communicating through gentle taps on the canoe rather then talking.

In the distance he sees a torch on another light… another victim joined the sea.


 

 Swim… sea depths…. Food

Eggs?... Female?… dead fish

Big wave!... Fun tides

New friend? Little person!

Little person followers? Shell? Shell!

No Dive… paddle water

Shell shedding… followers… shaping

Little person on head… keeping safe

Canoes… pointy things… followers gone! Attack!

Swim away!... little friend safe!
Pointy things return!... Everyone gone!... Little Friend?

Save Little Friend!... mouth!... dive deep… safe.

… where go?
 

 

 
 Spoiler: Friends are... Turtles? 
The Fall of the Turtle Colonists has seen the great turtle flee with his little friend, the only survivors. They are looking for a new tribe to join to protect them. The tribe able to dedicate the greatest amount to bribe or protect them will be the new home for the Turtle pair.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
You can dedicate Warr/Way/Traders to gain the Tier 1 (Way) VIP. Losing bids are dedicated to stat development of players choice next turn.
 

 

 
 Spoiler: Friends are... Desperate 
NPC's are revealed in the other seas. One in each sea. Actions with NPCs this round are twice as impactful as normal to relations.
 


 

 Leaderboard 
    Rank 
 Conquest 
 Exploration 
 Prosperity 
 
  First 
 Children of the Sun 
 Raxitakra 
 Coral Singers 
 
  Second 
 Alu'li Hunters 
 Endless Gaze 
 Kahealahana Holt 
 
  Third 
 Coral Singers 
 Kahealahana Holt 
 Alu'Li Hunters 
 
  

The Tribes in first Each gain 1 VP.


 

  First Place with VP is the Children of the Sun  

 

   EoTs due Sunday Mar 16th at Midnight   
A_Dinosaur
    The Kahealahana Holt   
Encryption 0 
The rain’s percussion had settled a steady stream into a narrow gully where Pocza and Ewip had settled their snare spot, and from the top of the bank Locja could see the two sullenly pulling up the stakes and moving them higher up out of the softening mud.  With the new context of his scouting, details of the island suddenly stood out sharply, bizarre that they had not already been noticed, the trees with bleached bark, the strange lack of ground ferns, the abundance of bird and bug song, but the utter absence of scurrying creatures that should have thrived in such a nominally lush grove. Digging one paw into the earth behind him for balance, he slid down the bank, extra careful to avoid touching any protruding roots or hanging vines now. At the rustle of his decent, the other two warriors snatched up slings and spears before relaxing at the sight of their missing member.

“Have you spotted our quarry Loc?” She had to shout slightly over the rattle of the downpour. “I’m getting mighty sick of this rain forcing us to remake our traps every hour.”

“Ae, I have spotted it Ewip, and the good news is you’ll need not set anymore snares,” He splashed into the swelling creek with a slight leap, swimming to the other bank to join the others. “Bad news is that we may not have too much time to kill it. There is a great hollow thing at the base of the mount, and our quarry spills out from it. No landshark or Terrorbat as we had thought, it is some great plant thing. I watched it all yesterday until the eve, and in just that time more vines and growths emerged. Its already devoured much of the islands life, and it seeks ever more, look.”

He gestured to the dead trees, and saw the pieces falling into place for his companions, many oddities from past days of scouting and setup slowly coming together to form a complete picture.

Pocza spoke, coiling the now useless snare rope. “If it is a plant creature, I would say fire, but this rain is going to douse that strategy. We could probably get Lurao and Holt Ref to boil salt for us, but that won’t do much to the bark and skin of this thing.”

“I had the same thought,” Locja said, Lurao was a Coral Singer who was helping to survey the island, and Holt Ref was the Ilowai family sent to help him. “But I think it might be like a bottle gourd, just by the leaves and fruit, and those have tap roots. If we can dig it up and salt it, it will whither within a few days.”

Ewip chuckled, “So what? We get some shovels and start scrabbling at the base of a plant that had the Kahealahana dream lodge puking their guts out?”

Locja grinned, whiskers twitching. “Not quite what I had in mind, don’t pack that rope quite yet Poc, I have an idea.”

 Players: 

All
 
 Spoiler 
The Kahealahana Holt once again ply the waters, having survived the latest surge of storms. We seek trade, as we always do, though this season it is the services of craftsmen from all seas that we seek. We can trade in resources abound, or the services of our own fine folk should your islands require them.
 


The Opae
 
 Spoiler 
Allegiance is a fickle thing, though your willingness to help our folk and your trust in our handling of your warriors those seasons ago is worth a great deal in our eyes. There is no question that dangerous hives and holts do dump their poisons into these waters. Alliances require investment to maintain, and while our holt simply cannot spare the people to upkeep such a thing right now, it is certainly something that we can build together in later seasons.

For this immediate season however, is there a project which you seek help on? At the very least we can arrange some favorable trades, if not much more.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Coral Singers
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings once again oh magnificent shapers of beauty. The season was kind to us with regards to resources, and we have bounty to offer as tribute if your halls would grace ours with their blessings once again. Or perhaps you still require the services of our priests, their numbers continue to grow as they find purpose working the blessings of your songs, and we have 3 available to trade should such a host be required.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Aluli Hunters
 
 Spoiler 
Seasons ago, we approached the shaded beaches of your islands, seeking trade, we approach once again, eager to trade for the services of your mysterious craftsmen and to know the secret of how your prosperous reputation has grown so quickly from what we knew of your folk such scant seasons ago.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 
bladescape
    The Raxithakra    
 The seas churned once more, but as the waves settled, the school bustled with activity. The wavefinders went forth once more. The craftsmen rebuilt after the storm ripped through the extensions they had made outside of their shelters. It would not be the last. It was not the first. It was yet another on the tide curling around them. The Dreamer had told them there would be more. They would be ready.

The Dreamers collected together, a spoke of the wheel turning. Each echo of the others speaking was just another that the Raxi heard. Each request and dream on the tide another to give to their dreamer.

The Path stepped forward amongst all, the tide bringing tale of task unfinished, a map incomplete. But soon.

Soon.

The dream echoed and the words of the Raxi filled the seas... 
 To all Players: 
 
 Spoiler: Encryption 0 
The Raxithakra have explored many of the seas now. Our dreams have scoured edges and sailed tides. Our path has paved ways and broken boundaries.

We seek trade. We are willing to pay in maps. Whether it be to the distant Seas or to a specific island. Unfortunately our trails are of those beneath the sea, so while our map of currents will aid you, you will still need wayfinders of your own.

In return, your skilled and able-bodied clansmen would find use in our tribe this tide.(I'm offering to give -2 Wayfinder discounts on Sea Charts or Islands. This is obviously valuable for reducing your costs overhead, so I'm looking for stat trades where possible. Maybe a bundle of items. Warriors/Craftsmen are the most needed this turn.)
 

 To the Kahealahana Holt 
 
 Spoiler: Encryption 0 
Greetings Hunters and speakers. We also seek trade, however our interest in sending our Craftpeople abroad this tide is low. Would there be any other interest you have? Or perhaps the trades we have sent in the dreams of all may interest you.
 

 To the GM: 
 
 Spoiler: Private (GM) 
Thesikathrix + 2 Dreamers to explore the path to Dark Ritual island.
+ Free chart path
+ resource (Trait)
 
St. Justicar
    The Children of the Sun    

The greatest warriors among the Children lined the beach, facing Xiyah as it completed its leisurely swim beneath the horizon. Their canoes say in the surf, each laden with the food, water and tools they might need for their voyage.

Between the men and their boats stood Three Eclipse and a half-dozen of their most favoured acolytes, each with a knife of polished stone in one hand and the hair or scalp of a bound and kneeling captive in the other.

 ”Xiyah is kind and merciful, and as dutiful children we are the same. We have offered the scavengers who soil the back of the Great Turtle reconciliation and friendship, that all slights might be forgiven and a the path to a new future found.

They have spurned us! They have blasphemed! They care not for their cousins or for their future!

It is your duty to answer them. You are the favoured children of the sun. Your arms are strong, and your blood is bright. Reduce all they are to heat and light, and exult in the glory you find in so doing.” 

Now they brandished the knife, their grip on the captive on his knees before them tight enough to keep the panicking man from doing more than lightly wriggling.

 ”The barnacles and scum refused to ransom their kin! They care no more for their siblings and cousins than one barnacle does for another! And Xiyah is merciful, but it is also just! If they care so little for the lives of their tribe, then the warmth of their hearts shall guide us to their homes.” 

Seven knives slashed across seven throats in perfect time. Seven somewhat less favoured acolytes knelt before each, holding up heavy wooden boils to catch every droplet of blood that sprayed and pour from the victims’ throats.

Even before Three Eclipse touched it, it caught the light of the setting in the strangest way. As Xiyah faded from view, it became more and more clear than it had actually begun to faintly glow in its own right.

It was the work of at least an hour to daub each warrior with the correct patterns of bloody war-paint, the glowing sigils on their face and chests that would guide them unerring to the turtle and ensure their spears and arrows found their mark – the light shed blood’s light made the whole labour strange and joyful. Truly, Xiyah had seen, and approved of what they did.

The canoes left soon after the last warrior was adorned.

*	*	*

Those who made their lives atop the Great Turtle had already suffered one deadly raid in the weeks before – most were ready to run as soon as they knew the Children returning. Of course, when the raiders arrived with the rising sun, many didn’t get a chance to put any such plans into action.

It was barely even a battle, really. Blood shed and lives lost, but only from one side – riches won, but little glory.

Still, riches aren’t nothing. The Children of the Sun helped themselves to everything they could carry, brought the most skilled and treasured tribesmen and -women with them with polite but firm directions, and the rest they could catch with kicks and the flat of spears.

Their canoes slid back into the waters heavy and overladen, a dangerous risk as the skies grew dark and the waters choppy. Still, one well worth it for those who returned to the Isle of the Sun safe and weighed down with trophies.

And whatever rot and ruin they left in their wake was soon swallowed by the waves, as the great turtle at last grew tired of the surface and returned to its home within the depths.

  Encryption 0  
 
 Spoiler: Undying Congregation 


Greetings, supplicants of night and rot.

Our arrangement this past season was satisfactory for us. Have you sated your dire patron and won the fortune you seek?
 

 
 Spoiler: Sunken Eye Raiders 


Greetings, oh sharks in the skin of men.

Our warriors will soon sit idle, without enemy to defeat or trial to surpass. A problem you are well aware of, I’m sure. So I ask in the spirit of friendship – have you any appealing purposes to which they might be put?
 

 
 Spoiler: ALL 


Our offer from the season past remains – we have an abundance of blue shells, and would much rather possess coral, ivory or obsidian to offer up for Xiyah’s glory. Failing that, other offers might be accepted as well.

We have need for wayfinders and dreamers as well, and could offer less resources or the services of our own in exchange.
 
mjorkk
  Opae 

Message Encryption 0


  
 Spoiler: To the Kahealahana Holt 

We understand.  Hive-like structures do not evolve overnight, or even over single seasons, through the eusocial signal you call "trust."  As such, we come once again with an offer we believe to be more than fair.  Our number of complex drones has grown faster than expected, and the ability of our simple drones to maintain them has suffered.  We understand that you could make use of construction drones.  We would be more than willing to lend out the services an able bodied team of construction drones (1 unit) and in exchange all we would require is that the "villagers" you have who serve as simple drones for your hive maintain its health during your time of use.  If you were to offer us a pittance of resource for the trouble it would further build our trust, but this is not necessary.  (OOC: Offer 1 Crafter in exchange for you providing that Crafter's upkeep for the turn.  If you also wanted to throw us a bone in the form of a tier 1 resource to be nice, that'd be cool... get it... because bone is a tier 1 resource :D )
 

 
 Spoiler: Raxithakra 

We hear you speak through the dream clearly, and it is fortunate that you do, because we have a glut of warrior drones and little to do with them, but have yet to explore the seas as much as we would like.  If you could provide us with information regarding routs to the white sea, we would gladly be willing to lend you the services of one of our warrior drones.  Do not be alarmed by its appearance: its modifications give it the strength of many men. We do ask that you do not dream at it too hard, as its consciousness exists partially within the hive and its connection to the hive is maintained through the dream: doing so might disrupt its effectiveness.  (OOC: You said you need warriors.  If you're able to give us a discount on exploring the White Sea, we'd lend you a Warrior )
 

 
 Spoiler: Endless Gaze 

We encountered your villagers on Iron Rock island, and we have no desire for physical conflict between our peoples.  We offer a compromise regarding the island: We have no need for its food, but would very much like to continue harvesting the blue shell present.  If you leave our simple drones harvesting blue shell alone, we will gladly leave you all the island's remaining resources.  Having to send complex drones to police the harvesting would escalate the situation, and we would both lose more than what the island is worth. (OOC: This one seems pretty self explanatory, even in IC talk.)
 
A_Dinosaur
    The Kahealahana Holt  
Encryption 0  
 Players 

The Opae
 
 Spoiler 
A fine deal, though our own small folk are remarkably precious after the storms of last season. 1 villager for 1 craftsmen, and we will send a stone this season as a simple favour between friends. Skies know we owe you after lending your warriors and drones before.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Raxithakra
 
 Spoiler 
If your crafters are unavailable we have tragically little trade to engage in this season. Our needs are remarkably specific this season due to how the balance sheets are working out after the storm. Should your craftsmen become available due to any shifting circumstances, we would happily reopen this discussion.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Children of the Sun
 
 Spoiler 
Your offer of trading blue shells is unfortunately still not going to fit into our trade balances this season once again, but if you are seeking wayfinders, or corals and jade, the flotsam has blown in options for such trades, and we continue to need craftsmen. Given your recent victories I’m sure you have plenty!

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Endless Gaze
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings once more to the watchers in the waters. Has your brotherhood any need of resources or the services of our castemen? We seek traders, and have missed opportunities to trade with your folk in previous seasons.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 

 NPCs 

The Sunken Eyed Raiders
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings once again warriors, we seek trade for your craftsmen should they be available.  We have the services of our warriors or a few resources available if you are looking for resources once more.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Depth Farmers
 
 Spoiler 
Greetings to new acquaintances! Our council is recently arrived in the Green Sea, and our code is trade and prosperity, which from what little we have seen of your people is a trait you share. Would you be interested in establishing ties? This season alone we are seeking craftsmen, and in some numbers. We would be willing to trade resources, food, or the services of our own castefolk in exchange.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


GM
 
 Spoiler 
Can we message and/or trade with NPCs whose seas we have not charted?
 
St. Justicar
    The Children of the Sun    
 
 Spoiler: The Holt 


Coral is quite an enticing prize – how many craftmens’ labour would you desire in exchange?

Depending on the answer, we might be willing to offer up more for wayfinders or a route to a distant sea or both.
 
GameOfChampions
  The Undying Congregation 
Encryption: 0 

 

 [UBThe Sunken Ryed Raiders[/U]
Encryption: 0 
 
 Spoiler: Children of the Sun 
Greetings Scions of Sun,

We have no target but we have purpose. We were viciously attacked in our dreams and minds to break apart our group for easier pickings.

We know now who did this but beg for your aid in defending us and finding who dared to attack us unprompted. Please aid us and we shall follow your lead in all things great Scions of the Sun.
 

 
 Spoiler: Kahealahana Holt 
Greetings Rich Urkit of the Holt

We apologize but can not spare any of our fleet at this time. We were viciously attacked and suffered great loses. Our enemy is unknown to us, attacking through the dream and mind to sap our resolve.

We beg for aid. Help us survive and take vengeance on our enemy and we shall follow the council in all things.
 


 

  The Depth Farmers 
Encryption: 0 
 
 Spoiler: Kahealahana Holt 
Greetings Distant Traders

We are always interested in new friends and trade partners. We have a plethora in food and would desire Craftsmen and resources that we can craft and return in exchange for a small fee of food, additional resources, or villagers.

We are also willing to send our traders in return.
 


 

   Raxithakra   
 
 Spoiler: GM Only 
The leader of the Raxi charts a path of currents right to the Dark Ritual Island. The Dreamers that accompany the trip look at the island and sense a force antithetical to the gods but not... hostile. It will take a good force of Dreamers and Priests to understand it.

While en route to the Black Sea the group senses a new current deep in the middle sea that would take them directly to Dragonhome in the Red Sea. It also tastes of... rock.

 
 Spoiler 
Route to Dark Ritual fomplete. Complication is an event that costs 4 Priest/Dream (Minimum one of each) to complete.

Gain route to Deagonhome. It has an additional 1 Stone on it.
 

 


 

   Kahealahana Holt   
 
 Spoiler: GM Only 
You can message those NPCs but can't trade, coordinate, or interact with mechanically. Also there is a large penalty to their opinion of you.
 
A_Dinosaur
Kahealahana Holt
Encryption 0

Players

The Children of the Sun
 
 Spoiler 
Given the value refining coral would provide, we are valuing it at the services of 2 crafters. Though if this price is too great we could potentially work out a larger scale trade to make such a deal work. Perhaps something like 1 coral and 1 wayfinder for 2 craftsmen and a t1 resource?

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


NPCs

The Sunken Eyed Raiders
 
 Spoiler 
Who would cause such damage to you and yours? We could potentially assist your cause, since you have been valuable trade partners these past season, and we would like to see that maintained. Our people are not as great as some at warcraft, but you will find us steadfast allies in a crisis.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Depth Farmers
 
 Spoiler 
Could we perhaps persuade you to trade craftsmen to us this season in exchange for the reverse next season? While this council wouldn’t quite go so far as to call the present situation dire, it would greatly help us if we could assemble just a few more craftsmen this season in order to make our trading in future seasons as smooth as possible. We would certainly not leave you empty handed this season of course, and depending on your needs we could certainly tilt the trade in your favour next season for the inconvenience this season.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 
St. Justicar
    The Children of the Sun    
 
 Spoiler: The Holt 


We will happily take the larger deal. Would you be willing to accept an additional 2 or 3 bundles of bone or grass for a route to any of the further seas, as well?
 

 
 Spoiler: Sunken Eye Raiders 


Attacking through such cowardice and treachery does great shame to whoever is responsible. Have you any idea who might be responsible, or idea of how they might be uncovered?
 

 
 Spoiler: Undying Congregation 


Consider it done. Would you accept 2 sacrifices for one wayfinder and one craftsmen, by chance?
 
mjorkk
   Opae 

Message Encryption 0


   
 Spoiler: To the Kahealahana Holt 


A deal is struck again. The “small folk” as you call them are indeed of greater value than many would believe, and we are grateful for your generosity. We look forward to doing business with you in the future.
 
bladescape
    The Raxithakra    
 Marakur was a child of the dream.

They had been since barely hatched, when still the currents tumbled them through flowing water, since before their tendrils grew strong enough to direct their path.

It was now, however, that they found themselves caught in a different current. The tide had come in, and the Dreamspeakers spoke. Marakur let its sets of eyelids closer over each other. They told it that it would channel Sethrika's dreams. That others had been chosen for the gift. It could not feel the sense of pride at this gift.

Not over the sense of dread.

Marakur was devout, of course. Few in the Dreamers could even fathom of non-belief. Sethrika took part of them and gave it back every day, and that constant interaction was a unity, a bond. Like strands of seaweed tangled together. But to be a Channeler was... different. Marakur knew tales of channelers before the storm. Gifted ones that would give themselves up to be Sethrika's instrument. To direct its will. Marakur shuddered. They had no dreams, but they had a life. They had clutchmates they cared for. Tides they wished to swim.

But a Channeler would swim no tides anymore.

Sethrika called. Marakur answered, despite the fear that filled its tendrils.

And then?

Then... there was no longer a Marakur. 
 To the Opae: 
 
 Spoiler: Encryption 0 
We are happy to share the flow to the White Sea in exchange for temporary use of your drone. We shall not bother it overly, for absence of dream is more likely than abundance.

Still, it will return next tide. Thank you for your co-operation.

(OOC: Happy for this trade. Ty.)
 

 To the GM: 
 
 Spoiler: Private 
2 Wayfinder + 2 Dreamers = Bamboo Island (Green Sea) (Path + Risks)
2 Wayfinders + 2 Dreamers = Walrus Island (White Sea) (Path + Risks)
 
mjorkk
   Opae 

Message Encryption 0


   
 Spoiler: Raxithakra 


A deal is struck, and well worth the services of our war drone. We may be interested in exploring the Black Sea next season if you would care to make another such deal in the future. You will find our complex drones as useful as any caste-member. It is already en route.
 

 
 Spoiler: GM Only 


Committing to sending the warrior to The Raxithakra and the craftsman to The Holt

Sending my VIP+2 Wayfinders, in hopes of exploring the White Sea as soon as data is received from Raxithakra

A proper EOT is incoming.
 
A_Dinosaur
    Kahealahana Holt   
Encryption 0 
The darkness of the cave was near absolute, forcing him to strain his eyes to their widest, this was no job for the blind. Tangled across the cave roof and nearly totally covering the ground, the vines and roots were critical to avoid. Earlier that day, together with his companions, they had slung rocks at a few of the exposed larger vines outside the cave. The vines had reacted by thrashing violently and suddenly, with enough strength to rend the ground and enough sense to surge towards them some distance. Pocza had reacted a fraction later than the others, and been brushed by one of the hairy tendrils, his arm had been numb for hours despite his coat and fur.

Shifting uncomfortably in his own coat, washed with thick grease and smeared further with wax, he picked his way along the exposed ground where available, occasionally having to climb along the walls to avoid the vines. After discussing their plan, they had theorized that the plant couldn’t have been rooted too deeply in the cave, as it seemed to need at least some amount of sunlight. Once the main root was found, they would just need to loop the rope around its base and run the lead back to the cave entrance without triggering the plant to thrash. That would be Ewip’s task, his task was tucked securely at his side in a pair of wax sealed clay pots. Luaro had been typically dismissive of their plan to salt the root, insisting on an extract from ashes that he apparently used to make the soap that scoured his cooking equipment. The stuff burned the nose and peeled the skin, apparently it would be quite deadly to the plant.

Ewip gave a low chirp to halt their progress, pointing to one of the vines up ahead. Unlike the vines nearer the cave entrance, they were pale and bulbous, without the hairs that had proved so dangerous. They inched closer as more of the vines took on this alien appearance, and after completing a full circle, quietly agreed that this must have been the root and began retreading their circle with the rope. These pale vines seemed less sensitive than the exterior ones, where the rope touched they did not move at all, and they easily completed their circle and tied a noose where the ropes met. Logically, the plant could not hear them, but the oppressive stillness of the situation implied an unspoken agreement of silence. Ewip gave him a stiff hug, opening a leather sack of sap and departing without further ceremony, sticking the rope to the cave wall to hold it away from the vines. Locja settled into a dark nook behind the plant wait.

Hours later, he stood, stretching the stiffness from his joints. The plans finale should be arriving soon, and he needed to-

A sharp flute blast signaled only a couple of minutes before the rocks would be tipped.

Locja tore the wax seals with a claw, drawing forth a pot stick like a blade. A loud crack followed the whistle a moment later, and the cave rumbled with the tumble of an avalanche outside. The rope, wetted for strength and greased for smoothness, began to whip any slack out of the line as the great boulder it was tied to made its catastrophic descent.

Locja flinched as the line went taut, the rope heaved at the root of the plant beast, the gravely floor of the cave churning as the weight of the competing forces brutalized the line that connected them. The second or two of the contest seemed to last minutes, before the taproot heaved out of the ground bouncing along the cave violently for a dozen meters before the rope snapped.

Vines nearer the entrance of the cave thrashed in a pained frenzy, foul smelling sap squirting out, bringing Locja to the brink of puking, but positioned as he was well behind the plant, he was at least safe from the vines. He recovered from his stunned state and surged forward, using the ladle to flick globs of the runny paste across the now exposed root. He was half expecting alien screams or further thrashing to occur, but the plant defied that, the taproot and fleshy roots remaining still and inert even as it was poisoned. Outside, the exterior vines continued to thrash and twist, but already their vigor was shrinking. The first jar empty, Locja closed in further, using the stick to smear in more paste anywhere the skin of the root had been broken during the extraction. Small roots began growing from the bottom of the root, fast enough that he could see the progress, and he slashed at those with his dive knife, smearing more paste on the weeping stumps. Eventually his second jar was empty, and he settled into chopping at the new shoots with his knife. At one point one of the predator vines somehow thrashed its way into the back of the cave, but the grease and wax on his coat was enough to protect him from the poison, and he dodged around and chopped it apart too.

An hour later, the thrashing had stopped enough for Locja to clamber out of the cave. Ewip and Pocza were at the pond where the boulder had crashed, swimming around it to retrieve the rope. The vines still twitched here and there, but the predatory danger was gone, nothing left but a wounded beast slowly dying. The island was theirs, and for this symbolic victory, Locja intended to stay.

 Players 

The Children of the Sun
 
 Spoiler 
A done deal then, though if there is a combination that will secure 3 craftsmen instead of 2 we would happily take it.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


The Endless Gaze
 
 Spoiler 
Apologies for the update on our offer, upon discussion with our dream lodge we realized an error in our message, having requested traders instead of the actually desired craftsmen.

The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 
St. Justicar
 
 Spoiler: Holt 

That starts to cut into our own projects, so I'll need to ask for a sharper price - 3 craftsmen, 2 Bone in exchange for 1 coral, 1 wayfinder, and a map to a sea of your choice? [Just let me know so I can use it this turn]
 
A_Dinosaur
    Kahealahana Holt   
Encryption 0 
The Children of the Sun
 
 Spoiler 
Well we would not wish to tread on your projects, nor could we really, I believe such a grand deal would stretch both of our trade networks past their limits. The original deal will work however, 2 craftsmen and a t1 resource for 1 coral and 1 wayfinder.
 
St. Justicar
 
 Spoiler: Holt 

Consider it done, then
 

 
 Spoiler: GM Only 


Spending 1 Wayfinder to chart a route to the Sunken Eye Raiders
 
A_Dinosaur
    Kahealahana Holt  
Encryption 1  

The Coral Singers
 
 Spoiler: Encryption 1 
Apologies for the late hour, but our resource balances are running dire. Please keep in mind that while our source was apparently a one time opportunity, there are many who would not believe us and attack our holt in hopes of stealing what they can from our halls. So when responding, please keep details sparse as you can.

We have found a beautiful thing worthy of your halls, and there are none we would trust to use these materials with the skill and beauty that your craftsmen possess. In our adventures we have found 2 ancient shells. It costed our holt dearly, but we have 2 Ancient Shell (t3 resource, crafters/warriors). If you would craft 1 of these into a crafting item for us, and give us a trader, we will give you the other to build with as you please this season.

With trust and hope,
The Urkit Council of Kahealahana
 


GM
 
 Spoiler 
Spending 1 dreamer on encryption, which doesn't look suspicious at this point at all I'm sure...
 
GameOfChampions
  Depth Farmers 
Encr: 0 
 
 Spoiler: Holt 
Greetings,

We are sorry. At this time we are desperately attempting to build defenses so the outcome of your Turtle colonists do not happen to us. Once we are done with our fortifications we can trade our Craftsmen away.

Until then our offer stands.
 


 

  Sunken Eye Raiders 
Encr: 0 
 
 Spoiler: Holt 
Hail,

Until we can find our attacker and properly defend ourselves we will not be able fo trade. However if you investigate and find our attacker we will be your sworn swords for as long as you desire.
 

 
 Spoiler: Children of the Sun 
Hail,

We do not know. Our attack was out of the blue and we have not made any enemies on the Middle Sea as of yet. If you could find our enemy for us we would be your sworn swords as desired.

Until then we do not have the resources to spare for trade.
 


 

  Undying Congregation 
Encr: 0 
 
 Spoiler: Children of the Sun 
WE SHALL TAKE YOUR UNWANTED AND TUEN THEM TO GLORIOUS PURPOSE! THEY SHALL BE BROUGHT TO THE EMBRACE OF THE ONE TRUE GOD IN THE DEPTHS! TAKE OUR PEOPLE TO BRING THEBWORD OF THE GOD AMONGST YOUR PEOPLE.

 
 Spoiler 
They will take that trade.
 

 
GameOfChampions
    Turn 4   
  
Rengu looks out to his growing flock. Many had come to his temple barges in the last seasons. Remnants of Turtle Riders and Raiders both looking for a place to call home. The weak were culled to slake the Great Undying Ones eternal thirst while the rest were properly educated on the Greatness of the Undying.

Finally, after years of sacrifices and artifice, the time had come for the chains holding down the Undying One to be loosened. The divinities left his god beneath the oceans, to forever struggle to free themself and rise to the Godsea once more. If it took the Great Preacher another hundred years to unleash the Undying then he would make that sacrifice.

He looks out at his feet, the great Temple Barge he rode on filled with three dozen of his most zealous, most powerful, and most loyal followers. He stood on a small podium built into the prow of the ship, not the highest point or the largest but the one able to view the prisons of the oceans as they traveled.

 “LOYAL FOLLOWERS OF THE UNDYING! WE STAND HERE AT THE LEDGE OF A LONG ROAD!” 

It had been some time since he had seen the truth in his youth, pulled by a riptide deep into the sea. Only surviving due to an underwater cave appearing before him. He made his way within, subsisting on the dank water and plentiful shellfish within, slowly growing weaker.

The Undying had reached out to him, guided Rengu to an ancient artifact deep within the cave and promising both power and life.

 “POWERFUL WE HAVE BECOME, US ADHERENTS TO UNDEATH. DEATH CANNOT CLAIM US, LIFE CANNOT BREAK US. WE STAND ABOVE IT ALL!” 

The staff he wielded even now had saved him. The staff kept him alive as he swam out of the save into the depths, being crushed to death and drowning as he went but not dying. He emerged from the waters half dead, half alive, yet not quite either.
His tribe had rejoiced upon finding him alive and well but when he spoke to them of the ways of the Undying they cast him out, only a few of the tribe seeing the truth of the world through his eyes. His first and still most zealous followers.

They set sail into the oceans and started to spread the word.

 “ALL THOSE THAT CALL THE FIVE SEAS THEIR HOME SHALL NOW WITNESS THE POWER OF THE UNDYING ONE. OUR GODS POWER SHALL RIPPLE THROUGH THE SEA AND ALL SHALL PARTAKE OF HIS POWER OR SUFFER HIS WRATH.” 
 
 Spoiler: Rise of the Drowned (Event) 
The Undying Congregation have sacrificed the blood of many to empower their god and he rattled the chains to the five oceans. His power his at its strongest right now and the priests of the seas can channel it with ease. The fallen god needs to be restrained lest his very essence infect the islands of the seas themselves.

 
 Spoiler 
All Undying One Below Blessings are 3 Priests cost. Communal Priest/Dreamer/Warrior event, 21 Stats/VIPs/Items no villagers. If not completed then for every two points failed a random occupied island will get a Curse of One Below.
 

 


 


The Sunken Eye Raiders had lived by one rule to survive the aftermath of the primal storm and subsequent dangerous waters, 'don't sail in disturbed waters'. They avoided the established tribes, did not make waves, and really just tried not to piss people off while surviving on the scraps of the seas. They didn't thrive but they stayed under the radar and survived.

Then they broke their one rule, trading with the great tribes for food and resources. Only months after the first trade they came under attack strange dreams from beyond and compulsions breaking the wills of the hardy raiders. They lost several key members of the fleet and when they begged for help they found not making waves also meant not making allies to aid them. They found themselves alone when the wolves came.

They were savaged brutally through the dream, their enemies making no more attempts to try and pretend this was anything other then an attack. Then as their fleet was splintering from the attacks on their minds the wolves came in their war canoes and with spears aplenty. The Children of the Sun sailed into their midst, spears and oars flashing both. The Children were brutal and left nothing behind, taking all they could from the Fleets stores and remaining peoples.

At the end of it all the seas themselves stilled and they left no trace behind as they sunk to the bottom of the sea.

 Sunken Raiders Destroyed 

 


This new half of the year sees the winds rising once more. The Primal Storm may have been the greatest of its kind but there are constant storms from the depths of the Divine Sea, home of the living storm.

Despite prayers and sacrifices from all over to Tahiso the storm does not stop growing. The storm will continue but in his magnanimous benevolence the Great Tahiso has revealed that the storm is coming but refuses to stop it.

The gods are angered that mortals dare to loosen the chains of their restrained fallen member. They punish all mortals for the sins of the few and work to remove all their works from the seas, returning them to the pristine prison they once were.

 
 Spoiler: Coming Storm 
The storm comes once more. After all parts of the EoT are resolved the storm will take effect. The base effect of every storm is the tribe loses 1d4 villagers and 1 Building is broken (Requires 5 Craft to repair). If a tribe has no building it loses a caste member at random.

Every Storm also has a special effect added to it from the list below. Each effect only happens once a game.
- Storm of Wrath
- Storm of Scouring
- Storm of Exploration
- Storm of Challenges
- Storm of Gods
 


 

 Leaderboard 
    Rank 
 Conquest 
 Exploration 
 Prosperity 
 
  First 
 Children of the Sun 
 Raxitakra 
 Coral Singers 
 
  Second 
 Alu'li Hunters 
 Endless Gaze 
 Kahealahana Holt 
 
  Third 
 Coral Singers 
 Kahealahana Holt 
 Alu'Li Hunters 
 
  

The Tribes in first Each gain 1 VP.


 

  First Place with VP is the Children of the Sun  

 

   EoTs due Sunday April 18th at Midnight   
A_Dinosaur
    Kahealahana Holt  
Encryption 0  
Among the Kahealahana Holt, manufacture was practically an art form, with dozens of secret methods and recipes for every tool, food, material available. Each family passed techniques through their legacy, refining them and mixing them as the families themselves mixed and split between each other. The Primal Storm had changed this perception, now the old tools were practically gone, and each one that remained was all the more precious, the techniques that before guarded competitively were now guarded jealously. New tools were strictly controlled by the Urkit council, as were the resources to craft them.

Now the priest of the Undying had committed a grave crime. Tools were precious, and the craftsmanship to create something as scarce and material rich as chain was a rarity all its own. Even in the ethereal realm of faith and gods, the breaking of chains had angered many of the Kahealahana Holt, the dangers wrought by Urgo’s waking were cause for upset enough, but the destruction of craftsmanship that the breaking of chains had represented had driven many families and factions among the Ilowai into a fury.

 Players 

The Coral Singers
 
 Spoiler 
Thank you for your trade last season, our source was indeed exhausted for those resources, but would your halls graciously receive further tribute from our council in the for of two Jade, or perhaps two Ivory, and in return gift us with further refined tools? Given the blasphemies of the Undying Congregation, we seek dreamer and priestcraft items this season, should that influence your enlightened crafters at all.

[2 t2 resources and you build one into an item for me?]

The Urkit Council
 

 NPCs 

The Sunken Eyed Raiders
 
 Spoiler 
Our efforts to find the perpetrator of your aggressor have been in vain, whomever sought to deal damage to your folk have hidden their efforts with some skill. However, we can potentially still offer shelter from further attacks should it be needed, or should you be facing doom, our halls are fortified against all but the most concerted attacks. You have been staunch and honest trade partners, and we will help if we can.

The Urkit Council
 
mjorkk
   Opae 

Message Encryption 0


   
 Spoiler: Everyone 


IC: “To all the other major political units in the middle sea: we are threatened. Any one of our people could be made to starve by the undying’s hand, and as the seven greatest powers in the middle sea, it is our Kuleana to prevent this suffering. Our oracle-drones have asked the whispers in the dream, and if each of us contributes but three complex-drones’s worth of spiritual or totemic power, this horde will not harm any of us. I will be contributing my three units of spiritual force, but I present this offer to those in dire preparation for the storm. We have spiritual and totemic power to spare. If you lend us two dreamers to aid us in fighting the undying, we will contribute your three dreamers’ worth of fight. If, however, you do not have enough dreamers to make this gesture of good faith, we will accept the aid of a single dreamer or two of any caste.

OOC: 2 dreamers for 3 units of contribution against the event. Assuming you were planning on doing your share, that’s a 1-unit profit to you. I especially want to make sure this event doesn’t trigger.  it also helps us all see who wasn’t planning on contributing their share and risking it for a biscuit.
 
Let'sGetKraken
    The Endless Gaze

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 Spoiler: To The Opae 


As we have long proclaimed, the new gods are capricious in the extreme. We would be glad to support this show of collaboration and unity before the Gods Above.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Will commit 4 Dreamers if you spend 6 of any stats on this event.
 

 
mjorkk
   Opae 

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 Spoiler: Endless Gaze, but also everyone 


IC: “Your gods are strong and you resonate heavily through the dream. More than three voices from a single faith might cause ripples, dissonance, and imbalance. However, if you were to contribute 3 voices to the effort of protecting the middle sea, we would gladly contribute five voices in your name towards our collective Kuleana. Any other faiths may contribute a full three voices if they do wish as well.

OOC: 3 for 5 sound good? I’m more than willing to extend that ratio to anyone else who wants to contribute to the war effort.
 
bladescape
    The Raxithakra    
 That which was Merakur spoke. Others watched, and mourned and celebrated.

The Channeller had taken, and they were now one with the great Dreamer, but no more of them was to be found. Their mind enclasped in the tendrils of Sethrika, they served as voice and adherent for the dream waking. But as celebrated as they were, it was the first words they spoke that chilled the tips of each tendril of the council.

The Lurker Below hunted.

The bloodletters had summoned the attention of their dark god. Sethrika would care not for the other gods, usually, but the Lurker was a jealous god. One that didn't like others existing in its wake. Ones that didn't consume the darkness below in subservience, at least.

The channels of the storm had almost been charted, the Raxi would not consume themselves now. 
 To Everyone: 
 
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The deal changes not this tide. We will accept specialists or multiple goods for guides to seas or islands if anyone requires such assistance. We should be able to provide assistance on any and all routes.
 

 To the Opae: 
 
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Your warrior should have returned with little harm. They were most helpful in helping us rid of a threat, may tides greet your wanderers well.

For your request, is it to send our dreamspeakers to your enclave? We are unsure you could take the burden of trading so often and well with others, if all were to answer your request.

We are stationed to help with the Lurker Below. Not for care of being a 'protector' as you call it, but merely because they are malignant and I see no issue with assisting with their re-sealing.

(OOC: Isn't there a total trades cap that you'd be over if you took everyone's 2 contribution?)
 

 To the GM: 
 
 Spoiler: Private 
2 Dreamers + Thesikathrix to the Highest Route Cost of the 3 I sent in DM. I just want to cap another 3/4 route and see what that gets me for further planning.
 
mjorkk
   Opae 

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 Spoiler: To Raxithakra, but also everyone 


IC: “Fear Not: as long as no single tribe sends too many voices, the chorus of dreams will hold fast. If you wish to contribute, we would be be pleased to have your aid. You are accomplished dreamers.

as for your second offer, our units will likely be tied up in preparing for both the storm and the undead menace. However, we do hope your offer is good next season, as we may well have complex drones to spare after the storm.

OOC: you probably saw, but I checked with GM in discord. The 3-limit applies to sending, not receiving, so any number can contribute to the combined war effort.
 