Part V: Craftsman's Pride
Craftsman's Pride
As the leaves turned from gold to brown and a cold wind began to blow out of the mountains, the thoughts of the people of Hyphyra turned naturally to those crafts and occupations most befitting the dreary winter mouths. Weavers looked to their looms and potters to their wheels. Though they had but little to work with, more mending and fixing than making true works of beauty and grace, all were buoyed to see that on the hill beyond the palace a temple to Orchomenos' ancient patron.
The temple was not near so grand as that the exiles had left behind, no votive smoke heady with the scent of mirth rose from its fires, only the fat of common game and little enough for that, for most of the city still lived on thin root stew made to last as long as could be managed. No walls of stone cunningly wrought had this first temple, only planks of wood that had once been crafted into ships.
Some among the old priests had worried that the Coppersmith might find fault with making him a temple from 'Poseidon's leavings', but Isidoros had been adamant. The exiles would honor their patron now in the hour of their need with what little they possessed and when fate would turn in their favor they would offer onto him things rare and precious, works of great skill. When, not if, had said the lord of the city, and so from mouth to mouth resolve took flight.
To the Greatest Craftsmen were offered with humility the workings of Hyphyra's hands, be they as simple as a statuette chiseled from stone or carved wood, or piece of amber worked into a charm.
Better that they did not all hear me face to face, the bards can make a better shape of my words than I could ever speak, Isidoros thought to himself alone as he entered the temple. The ordering of numbers he knew well but the words by which to move men's hearts had long eluded him.
He had heard from a sage in his youth that men best loved the gods in which they saw themselves, so it was with him with Hephaestus the Smith, though he had never picked up any tool heaver than a stylus. Perhaps this city would be his crafting, or at least the beginning upon which other more skillful hands could work, thought the lord in a rare moment of quiet pride as he looked into the whorls of smoke rising from the sacrificial flames.
So it will be, the voice in his mind sounded like his yet not, roughened by a forge's smoke and weariness like something heard in a dream.
Build Temple: Success. Gained Tempe to Hephaestus. Favor increased
So encouraged by seeing the city's patron given his due and the people beginning to trust in this future did Isidoros look among the men of substance and old blood for one who might aid him in his duties. Though many of his old friends and companions had perished with Orchomenos, their blood lived on.
Among them he chose the one fair of face and clever with his words be they in verse or spoken plainly. Argurios Alexis was his name and though he still had a young man's love of being praised and sung of he had never misstepped for it. Likely as not their exile had helped him mature, for often would Isidoros find him in somber contemplation of home lost behind them and of these new lands filled with strangeness.
Gained Hero: Argurios Alexis (Diplomat)
Thankfully the veil of strangeness was slowly lifting for the scouts brought news from their wanderings.
***
Augewas tightened his belt with a grimace, his stomach rumbling. They said the reward for a job well done was more work, and with that he could agree, but it seemed the reward for a job half done was being given half of what you needed and told to do twice the job. Perhaps he had not been entirely wise to speak up in front of the lord as he had, but still.
On the trail ahead a rabbit started though the dry leaves interrupting is thoughts. Dinner it was, then...
Calling the the swiftest of his men the hunter gave chase trusting that these woods would hold not strange spirits, for they had seen no lights, nor heard any uncanny noises. Alas the rabbit they did not find, for it seems the grace of the Huntress was upon it... and perhaps also upon them. For instead they found a trail winding its way among the trees, not meandering as the paths of beasts were wont to do, but straight and with a purpose.
"Quietly now, but for the love of the Hearth Keeper, don't start a fight if you can help it," the scout called to his fellows. He almost added a jest about not being able to talk to corpses but thought the better of it. That was the sort of thing you said when you were some by the fireside drinking wine not in the middle of the woods.
The path lead them to a clearing near a small lake where a handful of strange houses of sticks wattle and daub lay perched like pelicans upon the shore behind the protection of a low earthen wall. They might count fifty men women and children in all but no more.
"Makes you thankful of the boat houses, eh?" one of the other men spoke up, peering through the bushes at the strange sight.
"We should be cautious," offered another.
Augewas pondered the words, but realized there were more men with him than could fit in the whole of the strange village. Caution was all well and good, but cowardice was rightly despised by men and gods. Hands out in front of him to show that he was unarmed the hunter walked slowly towards the wall.
To his surprise the cries of shock quickly turned to questioning calls and slowly to smiles as they realized the strangers meant no harm.
Though neither side knew the tongue of the other, hands could serve to get one's meaning across quite well. Thus the hunters were invited inside the walls and given food and drink by what must have been the headman of this tiny place, and there was much talking... mostly at not with one another, and the tasting of thin pine needle beer.
"Keep your wits about you," one of his companions hissed at Augewas. "Don't you see the bones?"
Dozens upon dozens of bone charms had been left to clink in the wind under the overhanging roofs it was true, and chilling was the sound they made in the cold winter wind, but Augewas knew them for the bones of birds and beasts and was not afraid. He returned home lighthearted and vindicated in his ways.
Hill Exploration: Success. Discovered tiny local settlement. Friendly relations established
***
The news that there were people in these strange lands even if they were few and poor in arts were greeted with quiet relief in Hyphyra, for some had been whispering that they had traveled into a gods' realm where only spirits dwelt. Not even the failure of the scouts heading into the mountains, turned back by storms and snow, could sour the mood.
Mountain Exploration: Failure. Nothing Found
Then as though they had been waiting for just this moment let more locals showed themselves, this time not truffle eaters hiding in the woods but shepherds moving their flocks from the highs just as was done in the lands of Hellas. Though their tongue was just as uncouth and their dress plain these travelers were welcomed with cautious good cheer, for the Hyphyra had brought no beasts with them on their exile but they knew well the worth of sheep and goats.
The shepherds shared of their bounty as was custom of course, not least to show their beasts were healthy and good to eat, Isidoros suspected, for they likely knew the meaning of the hungry looks the Greeks where throwing their flocks.
"Do you think they have enough wine in them to start talking trade?" he asked Argurios quietly.
"See that one there, the old man who bled and skinned the lambs, and offered their blood to the earth," the younger Hyphyra pointed out quietly. "That one drank but enough not to give insult. With him we will likely have to speak."
How many sheep and goats do you buy?
[] None
[] A small number (Cost 2 wealth. The flocks will begin producing in the spring after the next)
[] As many as they will sell (Cost 4 wealth. The flocks will begin producing in the fall)
Once matters of trade have been dealt with one must look towards the future, one that thankfully includes aid with the many challenges of rule.
What shall you do when spring comes to these lands?
[] [Construction] Farms
Though good land grows scarce you could still try to eck out more food from the earth
Check: Learning - Mysticism, -2 FD due to lack of good space for it
[] [Construction] Woodcutting Camps
The forests to the east and south may be off limits, but to the west, beyond the river, also stand many trees. It will be harder to establish logging camps there, but the wood from the ships is growing sparse and there might be soon no material left to build with.
Check: Rulership - Trade, -1 FD due to circumstances
[] [Construction] Temple of Demeter
Here in this strange earth was a chance to start anew. The people would give due reverence to the Lady of the Harvest so that her wrath was quenched. The fall of Orchomenos would not repeat itself.
Check: Learning - Mysticism, -1 FD due to ongoing enmity of Demeter
[] [Construction] Palisade
Of soldiers the new settlement had many, yet there was no telling what dangers lurked beyond the hills. Even though a palisade was no true wall, it would have helped greatly to see the people safe.
Check: Rulership - Administration
What should the soldiers do once winter releases its grip?
[] [Military] Stay at home to defend Hyphyria in case of attack.
[] [Military] Try to explore some more. (Pick up to 2 options. Can double down on one option.)
-[] The mountains to the east.
-[] The southern shores.
-[] The northern shores.
-[] The northern forests.
With the addition of another pair of hands the work of rule goes easier. Pick one personal action each.
[] Isidoros
[] Argurios
Available actions:
-[] The soldiers are a bit restless after a year of idleness. See if you can organize drills and training to keep them sharp and to potentially expand your forces.
Check: Warfare - Command
-[] Try to organize the artisans. They are currently spread all over the city instead of being clustered around the palace as it is proper.
Check: Rulership - Administration
-[] Organize the cults. It is well past time to resume proper worship, lest the gods grow angry for this slight.
Check: Learning - Mysticism
-[] The wet valleys between the hills are very fertile. Though no work can start yet, winter would be a good time to take measurements and plan how to drain them.
Check: Learning - Sciences
-[] Learn the tongue of the local folk. Though not the most skillful or diligent pupil, Argurios is sure to get the most use from it, but Isidoros would be swifter in study
Check: Learning - Art
-[] Not all your neighbors speak a strange tongue, though uncanny is the way of it. Perhaps these Woodsfoolk can be persuaded to look upon Hyphyra with more than amused tolerance. What wonders might they have to trade? What secrets might they have to tell?
--[] Send Precious gifts (Write in Wealth; Optional)
OOC: Well you had a pretty good run this turn.
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