@Azel how are mercenaries seen around the Mediterrenean? Are they -as a general rule- seen in a 'this is just business, nothing personal' way, or could we earn meaningful enmity from for example one of the island factions if we did a modest contribution as mercenaries?
[X] Isidoros
-[X] Organize the cults. It is well past time to resume proper worship, lest the gods grow angry for this slight.
[X] Argurios
-[X] Organize Patrols
--[X] The Easterns Mountains
---[X] 1x Unit Archers
[X] Semni
-[X] Attract Workers
--[X] The Mountain Shepherds
---[X] Offer incentives: 2 Wealth
I can definitely see the argument about how getting more Barbori works might lead to tensions, but I think the increased workforce is worth it.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Dec 6, 2018 at 11:48 AM, finished with 704 posts and 13 votes.
[X] Isidoros -[X] Organize the cults. It is well past time to resume proper worship, lest the gods grow angry for this slight. [X] Argurios -[X] Organize Patrols --[X] The Easterns Mountains ---[X] 1x Unit Archers [X] Semni -[X] Attract Workers --[X] The Mountain Shepherds ---[X] Offer incentives: 2 Wealth
[X] Isidoros -[X] Organize the cults. It is well past time to resume proper worship, lest the gods grow angry for this slight. [X] Argurios -[X] Organize Patrols --[X] The Easterns Mountains ---[X] 1x Unit Archers [X] Semni -[X] Start Trading --[X] The Mountain Shepherds
[X] Isidoros
-[X] Organize the cults. It is well past time to resume proper worship, lest the gods grow angry for this slight.
[X] Argurios
-[X] Organize Patrols
--[X] The Easterns Mountains
---[X] 1x Unit Archers
[X] Semni
-[X] Start Trading
--[X] The Mountain Shepherds
// Not too keen on handling an underclass just yet
Vote closed. The update is almost done. I only left the divergent action for last.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Dec 6, 2018 at 1:59 PM, finished with 710 posts and 17 votes.
[X] Isidoros -[X] Organize the cults. It is well past time to resume proper worship, lest the gods grow angry for this slight. [X] Argurios -[X] Organize Patrols --[X] The Easterns Mountains ---[X] 1x Unit Archers [X] Semni -[X] Attract Workers --[X] The Mountain Shepherds ---[X] Offer incentives: 2 Wealth
[X] Isidoros -[X] Organize the cults. It is well past time to resume proper worship, lest the gods grow angry for this slight. [X] Argurios -[X] Organize Patrols --[X] The Easterns Mountains ---[X] 1x Unit Archers [X] Semni -[X] Start Trading --[X] The Mountain Shepherds
The winter dragged on grey and cold with an eye towards the dwindling stocks and another towards the forest edge, wondering if anyone or anything would emerge from under the trees restless and hungry. The people of Hyphyria took heart in seeing their remaining warriors still standing tall armed with fine bronze and ever watchful. They cheered for Argurios as he marched out beyond the boundaries to set guards against whatever may emerge from the mountains. They cheered him not when he returned...
Supplies: 13 (Stock) +2 (Herds) -15 (Upkeep) = 0
***
Nothing so dark as a forest at night, the old saying passed through Argurios' thoughts. Clearly whoever had first said that had never had to go traipsing through mountain passes in winter. With a shiver as he drew his wool cloak tight around his shoulders. The young warrior could feel the chill sinking into the bronze of his armor even trhough the padding underneath, sharper than any dagger. Just a bit farther and they would reach the cave the scouts had found, out of the worst of the cold.
The torch ahead of his flickered in a gust of wind...
The hairs on the back of Argurios neck stood on end. Something was watching, he knew with the certainty of one who had hunted both beast and brigands before. Something that meant him ill.
"Ware, there's something..."
A distant screech broke the silence high and cold like a woman in pain. Just the wind, it was probably just the wind, Argurios tried to tell himself, but in his heart of hearts he was not so certain. Still he could not show fear before his men.
"Get moving!" he barked the order.
For a long while no other sound came save the crunch of gravel underfoot as they walked through the dry gully. The stones were eerily white in the failing moonlight, like the bones of some ancient battle field left unhurried...
A skull staring at him with a cold grin and hollow eyes from the crumbling banks.
When he looked again it was only another chunk of limestone. He unclenched his hand from the hilt of his leaf-bladed sword, knuckles hurting from more than just the cold.
Never had a cave mouth looked more inviting than the opening had. Finally they could have fire and light and food to warm body and soul.
"Betrayer..." The word was softer than a whisper on the wind, so soft that Argurios could have rightly thought he imagined it, were it not for the fact that it was so out of place.
What had he betrayed? Had not been been a loyal son of Orchomenos and then of Hyphyria? Had he not wed his shrew of a wife to keep her barbarous kinsmen from making war on his people?
"Treacherous flesh..." come the answer, a hiss on the night wind. In his mind's eye he saw Eritha's eyes alight with desire. He could almost feel her warm and willing form just out of reach.
"What is it, my lord?" one of the men behind him asked, more bemused than frightened.
They could not hear it, Argurios realized, the challenge he had almost spoken dying in his throat lest his men think him mad or haunted by evil spirits. He had to...
Another screech, this one much closer, sounded through the valley, this one heard by all as the Hyphyrians made camp in haste.
As the flame took to kindling the red feeble flames revealed for the briefest instant the ragged figure of a woman garbed in bloody rags, that same corpse's grin upon her face.
Soon...
The patrol did not linger long in the mountains, nor did they find the paths they sought.
Patrol Failure: Action Wasted, ???
***
Happy is the man whom the gods know not either by face or name, Isidoros thought very privately as he personally escorted the last would-be high priest from his chambers. The doom of Orchomenos had given him a sharp appreciation for divine apathy, so he was most happy indeed to hear priest after priest say that the signs were 'evenly split' or 'hardly of note'. That one exception besides the Smith was Demeter did not surprise him. However, that the Lady of the Harvest was still mildly well disposed towards Hyphyria was a thing to be treasured.
How long the current time of grace would last until the gods began to demand temples of their own and sacrifices upon them Isidoros did not know. For certain the priests were already asking for both.
Cult Organization Major success: No Gods are displeased. Hyphyria is seemingly in a divine grace period
Demeter +4
Poseidon +1
Zeus 0
Hades 0
***
For all the fears that plagued Hyphyria, it still seemed an inviting place if you knew how to speak of it and who to speak to. Semni did not go among the elders, the shepherds with rich flocks. She spent the winter seeking out and enticing the lowly and ambitious that could be found at the edges of any village. She spoke of the arts of the Helens, of their great skill at war and their weapons of bronze that could put man and beast alike to flight. The envoy showed them pottery finer than any seen in these lands, and she said onto them: 'A shadow's shadow of their true arts this is.'
With half the wealth she had been sent forth with she had bribed the indecisive, and with the other half she had bought them supplies for the journey to Hyphyria.
Spring comes with hope, but also with the grim reality of a storehouses almost emptied bare. Pick up to one personal action each.
[] Isidoros
[] Argurios
[] Semni
Available actions:
-[] Organize Patrols
Now that some order has been reestablished in the military, it might be time to organize a better defense for Hyphyria. The lands around the city are full of hidden tracks and passages that could be used to move undetected, so patrolling them might make all the difference if foes approach. (Requires one action per area to set up.)
--[] The Northern Forests
--[] The Eastern Mountains
--[] Along the river to the sea.
--[] The Southern Forests (may cause issues with the Woodsfolk if done without their agreement).
--[] By ship, along the coastline. (Requires one Galley Squadron, can take along one land unit per squadron).
--[] Write-In units to station in the area. Check: Warfare - Strategy
-[] Start an Expedition
The immediate surroundings of Hyphyria are decently explored by now, but what lies beyond the mountains and the forests? It will require a decent force and quite some time to learn more about the lands, but it might yield interesting finds.
--[] Write-In Target
--[] Write-In Units to send Check: Warfare - Strategy
Hero Unit will not be available while the expedition is ongoing and might need to perform other checks, depending on the events.
-[] Start an Invasion
So far you have not seen any place in these lands that boasted a decent force of warriors. The people here might be quarrelsome, but they are no match for Greek soldiers. It might be time to exploit this.
--[] Write-In Target
--[] Write-In Units to send
--[] Write-In War-Goal (Salve Raid, Conquest, etc.) Starts War-Turns
-[] Organize a proper court.
It is past time that Hyphyria gains a proper court. With the military, the artisans and the priests having returned to some semblance of order, all the is left is to fill the palace with life as it deserves. Hyphyria will be a refugee camp no longer, but a proper Greek city. Time Needed: Unknown
Check: Rulership - Administration
Note: A construction project takes one action to start and will then continue without the need for further attention. Costs are consumed per turn, and if the costs can't be paid, construction stalls. Should the construction stall too long, progress might be lost.
-[] Small Palisade
While the amount of lumber left over from the ships doesn't suffice anymore to see this done, you could still build a small palisade around each hill. It would separate parts of the city in case of an attack and not protect the farmlands, but it is cheap and better then nothing.
Construction Cost: 4 Wealth / Turn
Time: 1 Turn
Upkeep: 1 Wealth / Turn Check: Rulership - Administration
-[] Large Palisade
Some of proposed to use the fresh lumber for a grander defensive work. By encircling all the villages and some land around it too, you could protect Hyphyria much better and even the farms would be wholly enclosed by this defense.
Construction Cost: 4 Wealth / Turn
Time: 4 Turns
Upkeep: 2 Wealth / Turn Check: Rulership - Administration
-[] Logging Camp
The forest to the north is ample and there is little reason to not expand your logging operations.
Construction Cost: 3 Wealth / Turn
Time: 1 Turn
Upkeep: 1 Wealth / Turn
Income: 1d6 Wealth / Turn Check: Rulership - Trade
-[] Limestone Quarry
The masons who have fled Orchomenos would like to get back to work and a source of stone would certainly help other construction efforts.
Construction Cost: 5 Wealth / Turn
Time: 4 Turns
Upkeep: 3 Wealth / Turn
Income: 2d6 Wealth / Turn Check: Rulership - Trade
-[] Pottery Kilns
With pottery being so appreciated by the locals the city might be well served increasing production.
Construction Cost: 2 Wealth / Turn
Time: 3 Turns
Upkeep: 1 Wealth / Turn
Income: 1d6 Wealth / Turn Check: Rulership - Trade
-[] Olive Grove
Back in Greece, one of the most common trading goods is olive oil, highly sought after for its taste and the ability to preserve foods.
Converts one Farmstead to a Olive Grove. The building will not produce anything during conversion.
Construction Cost: 1 Wealth / Turn
Time: 20 Turns
Upkeep: 1 Wealth / Turn
Income: 1d6 Wealth / Turn Check: Rulership - Trade
-[] Vineyard
What would a feast be without wine? And what drink should be sacrificed to the gods? Goat milk? It is time to produce wine in Hyphyria, lest it forget the taste altogether.
Converts one Farmstead to a Vineyard. The building will not produce anything during conversion.
Construction Cost: 2 Wealth / Turn
Time: 4 Turns
Upkeep: 1 Wealth / Turn
Income: 1d6 Wealth / Turn Check: Rulership - Trade
-[] Drain the Valleys
The valleys between the hills of Hyphyria are fertile, but too wet to grow anything there. With the preliminary plans drawn up, it is time to start the long project of claiming this rich soil.
Construction Cost: 2 Wealth / Turn
Time: 12 Turns
Upkeep: 2 Wealth / Turn Check: Rulership - Administration & Learning - Sciences
-[] Send someone to negotiate with the local people to deepen ties or heal past insults.
--[] The Woodsfolk
--[] The Northern Villages
--[] The Mountain Shepherds
---[] (Optional) Bring gifts: Write-In amount of Supplies or Wealth to gift
-[] Attract Workers
Hyphyria is yet small and able hands sometimes in short supply. It might be possible to convince some people from the other settlements to settle under Greek rule.
--[] Write-In Target
--[] (Optional) Offer incentives: Write-In how much Wealth to spend. Check: Diplomacy - Charm
-[] Start Trading
While the locals have no great desire for lumber or wool, the talks with the shepherds have revealed that many would be keen to buy Hyphyrian pottery. With some effort, regular trade could be established, profiting all involved and forging closer ties between them.
--[] Write-In Target Check: Diplomacy - Multiple
-[] Sacrifice to the Gods
The gods are fickle beings and demand obedience and sacrifices from mortal men. Those who do not make offerings to them tend to draw their ire while those willing to render unto them great riches might earn their love.
--[] Write-In which God
--[] Write-In amount of Supplies or Wealth to offer Check: Learning - Mysticism
-[] Study Local Legends
Strange tales are told by those daring to venture close to the Woodsfolk's forests, and even Argurios seemed spooked by something uncanny on his latest journey. Maybe it would help to learn from the local people what manner of things stalk the nights in these lands.
Check: Learning - Mysticism
-[] Study Local Faiths
Little do the Hyphyrians know about the gods of the land, even though they seem to somewhat resemble those of Greece. It would be wise to learn more about these beings, lest the people draw their ire unknowingly. Check: Learning - Mysticism
OOC: Well you are walking the razor's edge in terms of resources. You might want to get those expensive warriors earnings their keep.
Damn we really want to have our troops doing some looting/fighting. But heading dick first into the he conflict probably isn't great.
Should we send Argurios to scout the war situation and start fighting based on his judgement? Or send someone else to do Diplo scouting first and have him do stuff locally first.
Damn we really want to have our troops doing some looting/fighting. But heading dick first into the he conflict probably isn't great.
Should we send Argurios to scout the war situation and start fighting based on his judgement? Or send someone else to do Diplo scouting first and have him do stuff locally first.
Great news about the Gods!
I'm very happy about that.
The supply situation is difficult. Trade alone seems unlikely to suffice...
I'm unenthusiastic about starting to pillage our neighbors.
How about we (gasp) trade with the Fey?
Or at least that is my opinion in the face of their obvious spirithood and our natural disadvantage in dealing with them
Personally I think it would be wise for the moment to build up some resources, so that in the next turn we can stat building another Kiln [X] Isidoros
-[X] Organize a proper court.
[X] Argurios
-[X] Study Local Legends
[X] Semni
-[X] Start Trading
--[X] The Mountain Shepherds
Reason:
Isidoros: last time building a court gave us more options per turn, this one should do the same
Argurios: given the fact that something is obviously going on in the backround with him, I would find it very IC for him to study the local legends
Semni: to get the trading started and get some more supplies/wealth into the city
We have Hades, who deals with the dead pretty good, all we need is a temple for him, however given that we need the stone quarry first and need enough wealth for that, I think we are still a long way off from dealing with the ???
We have Hades, who deals with the dead pretty good, all we need is a temple for him, however given that we need the stone quarry first and need enough wealth for that, I think we are still a long way off from dealing with the ???
Whatever the consequences of this may be, there's little we can do about it.
We could check out the area again, but that seems to be more risk than the slim chance of getting something useful is worth.
So now we might have a haunting and no exorcist, or a curse and no cursebreaker, or similar problems with no solution but weathering them out.
Not really no. The pastoral peoples generally get marginalized and assimilated by agricultural civs in that sort of area eventually, but this is the Bronze Age, there is still plenty of room for them to wander with their herds.
We have Hades, his cult is among the cults of our city, all we need is a temple and some sacrifices
Also Egyptian magic is deeply entrenched with the egyptian religion, as such at least in relations of already established afterlifes not really an option, since it would most likely involve convincing people to give up their shot at the paradise for something that their god could easily do as well if the nessecary sacrifices are made
Adhoc vote count started by sidestory on Dec 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM, finished with 25 posts and 8 votes.
[X] Isidoros -[X] Organize a proper court. [X] Argurios -[X] Study Local Legends [X] Semni -[X] Start Trading --[X] The Mountain Shepherds
