Picture this: humanity never got to be at the top of the food chain! From the dawn of time, humans have been running scared from all sorts of terrifying things. Bigger enemies, magical throat-slicing elves, and non-stop predators. Sound like fun? Well, this new isekai quest says, "Yes, please!"
Humanity has finally found a little peace in a rift valley after generations of wandering. But, guess what? That peace may end at any moment—and it's time for YOU to step up! Pick any non-controversial person from anywhere between 4000 B.C. and 1900 A.D., plop them into this wild fantasy world, and get ready for some serious dice-rolling action.
The history and mythos of humanity begin with a single emotion. Fear. Fear of nature, fear of darkness, the wild, and the endless pains that life brings over time. Maybe, fear drove humans to create shelter, sharpen sticks and stones, and bring about civilization. But what if endless fears surrounded humanity? Fears of beings that could use magic to cut throats from a distance, the strength and size of taller and wider enemies, and the endless numbers of voracious predators?
For the humanity of this world, there has been no respite ever since the first human woke up to learn that it wasn't the apex predator of the world but rather one among the several fighting for the right to exist. Humanity has wandered and spread but never settled into a single forest, cave, or valley that they could call their own for more than a few generations.
As humanity wanders from place to place so do the stories and mythos of fear, a humanity driven by fear to seek a haven for their lives. Heroes of humanity are few, most of them known for inflicting a pyrrhic defeat on their enemies so that others could escape. But now that is about to change...Somewhat.
In a secluded rift valley, an old god awakens with a tremor as the humans arrive at their land. Malnourished and weakened, the band of humans that have managed to arrive at this place is composed of a myriad of bands that have merged to form a single tribe. A few generations pass, then a few more, and then a dozen. Small huts and stone fires turn into mud brick houses and small temples. It is a respite from fear but all good things must come to an end...
But before that...
This Story is brought to you by ROB/ASB Productions
Due to the isekai protagonist strikes (They all want more girls in their harems) and the banning of the use of trucks across most of the multiverse, the ROBs have decided that it has to get its pool of new isekai recruits from "somewhere" and that somewhere is no longer high school students or Japanese oji-sans. Modern-day escapism is so old-fashioned so today we bring you new protagonists from not-so-modern history...and that protagonist is YOU!
Yes, you! You wheat-harvesting peasant from the middle ages!
Also, you! The one knight that opened its visor and got an arrow to the face during the Siege of Viena!
Mabe...not you, Political commissar from WW2 but we will consult on how problematic you are with our talking dogs marketing consultants.
...Ehem! What do you mean that there are other more important historical characters that we could bring from history to aid humans from an isekai world? What is an Octavian? Napoleon? I thought all humans cared about was Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, and making memes about political figures.
Regardless, if they are part of the crowd so be it! We will give entertainment to the masses through the means of Isekai production!
Welcome to another fever dream quest. This one will work as a succession quest you can isekai anyone from history up from 4000 B.C. to 1900 A.D. to a world where humanity really needs great heroes and what a better pool of heroes than the ones from our own history right? Of course, things won't be so easy and yeah, humanity has it rough in this fantasy world. For the characters, as a QM I will have a preference for characters that are original and not necessarily taken from a wikipedia page but beyond that feel free to bring about your own character. Regardless, I will shield myself from any anachronistic or ahistorical behavior of any such characters by saying that ROB just doesn't know much about history and changes them a fair bit. Characters are only isekaeid with their bodies and some clothes, nothing else!
Basic Rules and Mechanics
Questers will claim a spot on the waitlist, once it is their turn they will proceed to post a character template on the thread with their character. Each character will possess certain stats levels and numbers which are customizable according to a point-based system. All characters will also be able to perform a number of goals while they live in this fantasy world, these can be general goals like organizing humanity, exploration, or training soldiers but can be more specific. Character longevity will determined by a roll, so general goals are often preferred in case you end up with a long-lived character.
All characters have a 1d100 Dice per rank in each particular stat. Which will be used to determine how far the character goes into their goals during their lifetime. Goals are not based on a single stat but rather present multiple challenges representing the multi-faceted nature of creating a long-lasting impact on society and the world at large. However, if your only goal is to kill someone then it will probably only involve one main roll and then secondary rolls for its aftermath.
All goals of a character act with a progression, that's to say, they will remain as possible projects even if they are in their final form or completed by the end of that character's life. For example, a character that attempted to start a cult but didn't manage to get it widespread won't have completely failed as the next character may be able to have an easier time promoting the cult or coopting for his own purposes. As such, legacies of work may be continued to a certain extent.
Omakes will grant the questers the ability to grant bonuses to their actions of a particular character or increase the starting attribute points by up to three for one character.
Factions / Organizations may pop up from time to time, these organizations may be write-ins from questers or given by the GM, regardless, the quest as a whole will be able to influence these factions and organizations in a similar way to a riot quest.
Character Sheet Format
Name: The name of this character. (Not necessarily major historical figure) Point of Isekai (POI): Historical Year in which the character has been taken from. Anyone from 4000 BCE to 1900 AD. Description: A rough physical description of what they look like. Personality: Describe their personality: Attributes: 6 + 1d10 Roll or take 11. (Specify while claiming a spot in waitlist) Virtues: Describe the virtue of these characters, one good thing that can be anything from liking animals to being charitable Sins: Describe the sins of this character, be it pride, greed, etc. There must be at least one. Summary: Write a summary of this character, origins, how their original life went, and so on. Goals:
-1 Lifetime Goal - Long-term goals for this character that encompass a wide variety of subject or a single specific whale-hunt.
-2 Secondary Goals: - Two side-quests that you wish your character to partake in, medium-term exploration, advancing the political status of your family, etc.
-2 Misc Actions - Small things that history won't remember but may be helpful in the short or long term.
Traits:
-Write-in Fluff trait that relates to this character, a combination of background and abilities that show a particular side to this character.
Attributes: All ranks in each stat are provided with 1d100 to assign to a variety of actions. Each will have a completion level determined by the GM from 25 for the simplest of goals to very large-scale goals in the ranges of 500 and above. The ranks go from 1 to 8 with 7 being considered as the maximum baseline human level abilities and 8 being considered beyond what humanity is normally capable of doing. Going from Rank 6 to 7 and 7 to 8 costs 2 and 3 Attribute Points respectively. Otherwise, all attribute points come with a single attribute point associated with its cost. All attributes begin at Rank 1, with the exception of Magic.
Administration: Generally related to the capacity to organize and lead people towards less military-minded goals. A good administrator can help build pyramids, administrate a sprawling empire, improve efficiency through better organization, and is better at delegating tasks to subordinates.
Diplomacy: Your ability to convince and reach deals with other entities, this applies both for making deals with foreign nations and factions within humanity. This extends to your natural charisma as a speaker and pragmatism when it comes to achieving consensus.
Intrigue: Subterfuge and wit, assassination and exploration. This is for generally scheming methods within political and economic frames, if you want to fabricate evidence, or eliminate a high-ranking person, this is your stat.
Lore: Your ability to come up with new ideas and implement them, also your ability to not only formulate ideas but also pass them down to disciples and keep knowledge alive.
Fervor: This is the ability of your character for religious/ideological inspiration, expect prophets and those wishing to found long-lasting organizations to have at least a few points into Fervor.
Martial: Your character's ability to deal with military tactics, affects their calm and presence on the battlefield in commanding and strategic roles. However, you may have the greatest tactical mind but without points in administration and diplomacy, they may not be able to succeed fully as full-fledged generals and commanders.
Prowess: Refers to your character's ability in individual battle, swamp this with trait points if you wish to create legendary warriors who may be worshipped, feared, or shunned for their actions.
Magic: Magic is real! This trait refers to the general potential of your character, however, you are limited by things such as theory and knowledge to use it to its full capabilities.
-> Basic Elemental Magic: Limited control of the elements.
-> Basic Healing Magic: Limited ability to enhance and heal in the moment.
-> Basic Astrological Magic: Ability to predict weather patterns and engage in prophecies.
The Wanderers of K'etal
Initial Stats of Humanity
Centralization: Tribal. Your piece of humanity is far too small to be splintered just yet, it works along tribal and familial connections made up of the different humans that wandered and joined the group.
Stability: Stable. The piece of land you call home has managed to avoid petty infighting for now.
Population: Very Small. Barely twenty thousand humans live in the Rift Valley that most humans call home. Not much to go about.
Food Availability: Limited. Water and fertile land are limited in this area, with the local population having to hunt and gather in nearby dangerous forests to gain some food surplus.
Threat Level: High. In this world, wild animals and flora can cause significant damage to human populations often requiring sacrifices to ensure the survival of the majority.
Technological Level: Limited Bronze Age. Humans have knowledge of metalworking, astrology, and mathematics however there aren't the necessary complex networks of trade and specialization to allow them to reach greater levels of complexity.
Traits:
The situational and cultural aspects of this society are defined by Ethos which can change and confer bonuses and also maluses to certain actions taken as a whole by this society.
Tribal: The societal structure of this society revolves around extended family identities and common features like language and kinship, the different groups that have joined the original wanderers also hold their own clans and tribes as separate with their own cultural traditions, though, how united remains to be seen. [-10 to Centralization-related rolls, +10 towards Stability]
Nomads: The mythos of these people tell of endless danger outside of the Rift Valley and that one day they will return. Everyone must be ready to leave at a heartbeat's notice as the elders wander of complacency and staying in this land for too long. [-10 to Settlement and Urbanization Type Rolls][+15 to Exploration and Resettling]
Survivalists: The people are ready to sweat and bleed so that they can survive, they are used to hardships and nature's trials. One will find amongst them many willing to do anything to protect their family and loved ones even if it must come to the worst. [+10 to Defensive Goals]
Starting Situation:
The wandering remains of humanity have settled into a valley surrounded by rocky hills and small patches of desert. They have named this place K'etal for its relative tranquility and distance from the other centers of civilization that they have fled from. They don't have much knowledge of the lands surrounding them. The main threat to their way of life remains nature with the risk of droughts ever-present. The local fauna consists of valley raptors, mud and desert worms, flying bats, and some more usual wildlife.
Most of the food comes from hunting, gathering, and the few fields that are being worked on. The humans of this place have built several small villages in the valley with the K'etal being the largest and holding a temple that acts as a shrine to a variety of gods and godesses. Many of the houses are made of mud bricks and some stone. The people have a loose tribal system of government where they elect elders every few years, but most of the power lies with local strongmen and women who can protect their families and the people around them.
The humans that have arrived here are a ragtag bunch, some have arrived from the north in the distant past. Others have come from the west and the sea. A few have come from the east, and very few from the south. Their tales of dangers consist of scaled beasts to the north, to the south green-skinned small folk with a penchant for cannibalism, fur-coated giants to the mountains in the far east, and a variety of monsters and other beings to the west that have driven these humans to the edges of the world.
The humans have managed to arrive here in relative peace but the danger always looms, for they are not alone in this world...For they now focus on...
(These represent overall focuses for humanity that will be active during the life of the first Isekaed character)
Pick 1
[X] Exploration: There are those who wish to continue exploring the nearby lands for food sources and exploration, as dangerous as this could be it is nonetheless something that could grant the humans some options for expansion and even tell of dangers.
[X] Food and Shelter: Settling and focusing on the valley is what will bring prosperity, the tribes and clans entrench further into their little patches of land adapting more to the land around them.
[X] Worshipping the Gods: The shrine is a sacred land and it is through worship that you will be able to bring about unity and stability to the different tribes of humanity.
[X] Migration: It won't suffice to stay in this valley forever, a few tribes will begin to move and form a new settlement around the edges of the valley.
Centralization: Tribal. Your piece of humanity is far too small to be splintered just yet, it works along tribal and familial connections made up of the different humans that wandered and joined the group.
Stability: Stable. The religious differences remain but have stabilized after the victory against the Giants.
Population: 50,286
Food Availability: Surplus. The agricultural techniques of K'etal improve but the initial population boom begins to slow down.
Threat Level: Medium. In this world, wild animals and flora can cause significant damage to human populations often requiring sacrifices to ensure the survival of the majority.
Technological Level: Limited Bronze Age. Humans have knowledge of metalworking, astrology, and mathematics however there aren't the necessary complex networks of trade and specialization to allow them to reach greater levels of complexity.
Geography and Weather:
The land settled by the wanderers of K'etal is a temperate territory with some amount of rainfall falling constantly throughout the year, the land to the south and west tends to be higher in altitude than that to the north. A single small river with not much water passes through the territory, it is navigable by canoes and other vessels of similar size. The land is relatively fertile enough with forests covering much of the non-arid land surrounding the territory.
Temperatures vary from a comfortable 22° C in summer to -1° in Winter, as such, cultivation is seasonal and relies on rainwater, aquifers, and also enough temperature to keep working. The lower lands are mostly grasslands of the temperate variety, with the higher territories having plenty of forests around.
Traits:
The situational and cultural aspects of this society are defined by Ethos which can change and confer bonuses and also maluses to certain actions taken as a whole by this society. All of these apply to the DC.
Tribal: The societal structure of this society revolves around extended family identities and common features like language and kinship, the different groups that have joined the original wanderers also hold their own clans and tribes as separate with their own cultural traditions, though, how united remains to be seen. [-10 to Centralization-related, +10 towards Stability]
Nomads: The mythos of these people tell of endless danger outside of the Rift Valley and that one day they will return. Everyone must be ready to leave at a heartbeat's notice as the elders wander of complacency and staying in this land for too long. [+10 to Settlement and Urbanization Type ][-15 to Exploration and Resettling]
Survivalists: The people are ready to sweat and bleed so that they can survive, they are used to hardships and nature's trials. One will find amongst them many willing to do anything to protect their family and loved ones even if it must come to the worst. [-10 to Defensive Goals]
Compassion: Yoshua's teachings focused on compassion among the sons of God. This compassion extends to selflessness, virtue, and worship of god. Their beliefs instill a communal sense of belonging and of hope for the future. [-5 Towards Stability [Bonus or Malus may increase as time goes on]]
Supremacy: Humanity may be weak, but even in weakness it finds strength. Anyone stronger than them must be put to the sword and burn in the flames. [-5 to Conflict]
Non-Active:
- Enshrined Ancestors: Constructing shrines for ancestor and spirit worship has become something of a small tradition for the people of Clan Parat and it may spread into other tribes. This dedication to the past will grant greater social cohesion for family units and a source of pride for noble families. [Grants a small bonus to stability rolls]
- Confucian Etiquette: The ways to follow social harmony and behave have been taught by Sun Fen to the people of Clan Parat, they will certainly gain their usefulness for diplomacy and stability. [Grants a small bonus to diplomacy and stability rolls]
Diplomacy:
The Giants of the Forest:
Description: Bipedal beings that sort of reassemble humans that stand from 4 to 6 meters in height. Dangerous in combat and territorial.
Population: 0 (1?)
Status: Defeated
The Xinra:
Description: Humanoids with grey skin, tattoed skin and a strange language. They reassemble humans in all but those aspects. They
Locations: Yamet [Low Brick Walls]
Trade Goods: Small Domesticated Animals, Textiles
Population: 10k
Status: Neutral
The Centaurs:
Description: Half-humanoid and half-horse, these beings are fast and seem to thrive around the plains and grasslands. They were last seen in the north east successfully pursuing and killing a Giant that was fleeing from them.
Locations: Unknown
Population: Unknkown
Status: Neutral
Characters of Interest:
Anrus: The next flame bearer after Izzi, he is tired of the incessant squabbles between Yoshuanites and the Sons of Suhurta, he will attempt to centralize power and bring forth a unification of doctrine where Izzi had previous failed even if it means conflict for the wanderers of K'tal.
Factions of Interest:
Lieto Clan:
Locations: Neutheol [5.4k]
History: Wanderers from the southern lands, they took a stranger by the name of Niel Strähl and gain increased relevance amongst the clans. The son of Niel, Thriel remains as chieftain of this clan.
Clan Urua:
Locations: K'etal [5.2k]
History: Clan Urua was the one to lead the efforts to drive off the river raptors from this valley and land. While successful they incurred several casualties. During the life of Yoshua, some converted to the monotheistic religion due to the healing done by the "Son of God".
AyabaniClan:
Locations: Mycoltha [3.2k]
History: Wanderers from the northern lands, took a stranger by the name of Mario, they gained knowledge of wells and irrigation, with a little specialization on mushroom brew that make them feel energized.
Parat Clan:
Locations: Batar [6k]
History: The Parat are an influential clan from the northern grasslands, they accepted a woman by the name of Sun Fen, who attempted to ingrain with etiquette and ways to organize their defense. They currently have a warhost of 50 warrior that are well trained and disciplined, something that they have begun to use to leverage their power over other smaller tribes in the area. [50 Warriors]
Followers of Yoshua:
Members: 10k
History: Those who followed the preacher of Yoshua during his lifetime, while a minority amongst the K'tali, have been known to praise the miracles of Yoshua's healing. It is said that some of them are able to continue healing just as Yoshua did, though their healing is minor at best.
Chosen of Suhurta:
Members: 10k
History: Brought upon by the destruction of Viru at the hands of Ryumen and the burning of the forests with endless clouds of ash, they believe in the amalgamation of a god of destruction, fury, and fire. His name is Suhurta and his champion is tasked with the defense of K'tal and the Cauldron of Flames.
Mythos:
Legends of Fear: Humanity fears and it has managed to escape its greatest fears for the time being. [The Victory against the giants begins to fade the Legends of Fear][Inactive]
Shelt, Minor God of Agriculture and Shelter: A relatively new god that had appeared within the mythos not long before the settlement of K'etal. He protects and provides for the farmer, shepherd, and herder. Influenced by Niel Strähl towards enhanced organization and more pragmatic management of foodstuffs.
The One God: Yahweh, one true god of humanity, a god that guarantees bodily resurrection, peace, and love at the end of times. A comforting religion for people who are on the edge of death.
Suhurta: God of Fire, Destruction, and Fury. Tied to vengeance and the defense of family, he is very different to the Yahweh of Yoshua and provides a world in which the strength to destroy your enemies is paramount.
Technological Archives:
Agricultural:
-Crop Rotation
-Crop Selection
-Improved Early Crop Irrigation
Livestock: -Domestication of Magnificient Hoof [124/ 450]
Military:
-Warrior Families [0/50][will lead into Warrior Caste]
-Basic Military Knowledge [Non-active useful when there are larger armies and commanders]
Knowledge:
-Rudimentary Records
Urban:
-Urban Planning Added [Not very relevant but will help later on]
-Improved Early Shelters and Huts. [Enhanced protection against the elements]
-Wells [Better water sanitation and siege duration]
Magic:
-Healing Insights
-Elemental Fire Insights
-Basic Mana Infused Potions
Longevity: 1d50 = 43 **The Swiss in Another World**
It had been two years since the fall of the Helvetic Republic in 1803, the Swiss cantons once more returned to independence from the French and a semblance of normality had begun to return to the lands of Switzerland and the Alpine region as a whole. This return to normalcy was a welcome sight for the Swiss-Germans, while there were those amongst the Swiss who would go on to fight in the Napoleonic Wars as mercenaries the vast majority of the Swiss returned to their farmsteads and small settlements to continue their lives. One of these men was a simple man by the name of Niel Strähl, he had been a farmer before the arrival of the French and the fall of the cantons but during the time of the Helvetic Republic, he was drafted into a militia that would go on to be part of the defense of Zurich from the Russian Army.
His service as a militia ended in a few years, with the subsequent collapse of the Helvetic Republic. Niel returned to the farm that had been in the family for centuries now. The farm was located in the canton of Schaffhausen in the village of Herblingen, Niel's farm was on the outskirts of the town, and the nearest neighbor was a kilometer away. As such, Niel had plenty of land and the resources of the farm to work with, while there were other farms and homesteads around his farmstead was one of the largest. It wasn't uncommon for Niel to wake up early in the morning and tend to the animals before working on the farm's fields. Today was no different from the other days for Niel, who had just woken up from a rather peaceful slumber.
However, as soon as he woke up and got out of bed, he would see silhouettes out on his farm and the noise of a variety of people. He had no idea what was going on so he would grab his rifle and get ready to fire at whoever had decided to invade his farm. It was probably Russian bandits, the deserters that weren't able to make their way home back to Russia. He would run towards the door and open it with his rifle in his hands, and...that would be the last that he would see of his old world as a Russian deserter had a pistol in hand, and he would shoot Niel straight on in his chest.
Niel wouldn't feel the bullet, just a sudden burst of pain before falling down and passing out. His vision would turn black and all that he could hear was the shouting of a language he couldn't understand, he thought he would die right there on the floor. That was until suddenly he woke up again, in the middle of a valley, and his wound was gone. It would take him some time to get back on his feet and look at his surroundings, he would be able to see a few villages made of mud brick, and stone in the distance. Everything around him was completely different to his homeland from the animals that he was used to in the Alps, these looked nothing like anything he had seen; to the plants and weather, the sun shining...in a different manner.
**Raptors and Spears**
The Swiss farmer would soon find himself found by the local inhabitants of K'etal, the people here were not entirely unlike his people back home. Their features were far more diverse and varied than he had expected, from the black-skinned to the white and olive-skinned, their language wasn't anything like what he had expected to hear as well. Not German, Italian, Latin, French, or anything he could recognize as being remotely similar to any language that he knew.
It would take a while for him to understand these people and adapt to the local culture of this place. There were some who were reluctant to let him join the ranks of the wanderers of K'etal, he could be a spy from another civilization but he came at the right time and moment, he would be tested by helping K'etal herd off a large concentration of river raptors that were coming close to one of the settlements. Given nothing more than a spear with a bronze tip and some basic clothing, he would be thrown in with a group of locals that were tasked with this.
As he and his group moved to the raptors they would be attacked, these beasts weren't like anything he had ever fought before, they were half as tall as a normal human and had a beak and a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth that could tear a human's arm off in one move. Not only that they came in groups and packs, making them dangerous when it came to killing them or hunting them. He would watch as humans did their best to deal with the onslaught of the riverine raptors, losing dozens amongst them to the beasts watching as bodies were dragged back and eaten, but the humans were strong and Niel's experience with bayonets helped him survive, and kill several riverine raptors, though he knew himself how close he was to death several times and he had several cuts and bruises in his body by the end. He even managed to save another human's life as a raptor tried to take a bite of their throat, saving their lives, and giving him some renown in K'etal and amongst its tribes. He would be welcomed into one of the clans of K'etal.
It took several years for him to fully adapt to this place, he would settle in a village known as Neutheol that was commanded by clan Lieto, a medium-sized clan of around a thousand people. As he would come to find out, life here was harsh and the need to work was ever-present. Nonetheless, Niel's usual diligent attitude helped him get accustomed to the rhythm of work but he couldn't deny that the foodstuffs available to him were of lesser quality than what he was used to eating at his old home, wheat here was tough and hard to eat and the grains tasted horrible, even when baked properly he didn't enjoy eating them. The meat did have a fair taste when cooked right but it was nowhere near the taste of beef and pork. He would learn of the lack of water, the tales of escape and the difficulty with which the humans of this world planted their crops and fought against pests, predators, and nature to ensure their survival even in this land of green.
Niel understood the main problems for the humans of this land, lack of irrigation and some agricultural techniques to boost their productivity and survival chances. Here, he did not have an America like he did back at home with already domesticated varieties, if the people of K'etal did have one advantage was that by nature of their scattered origins, they did have access to seeds from several places. Things that could be considered lentils, beans and barely variants, sorghum, chickpeas, some beans and potatoes, rice and cassava in some quantities, and a wide variety of other foods.
But none of these plants were truly domesticated and not many were actually domesticated for human consumption, as he came to find out that humans were not the only ones in this strange world and that other civilizations were growing in the far fringes of the world. Though, his understanding of them was limited to the mythology and religious traditions of the various groups. The biggest challenge for Niel however remained the lack of proper agriculture that the humans had, they grew crops in patches, sometimes without drainage or irrigation systems in place, and they left a lot of land unused due to the difficulty of cultivating said land. It took a good number of years, but after several crop failures and the eventual discovery of how to effectively drain and irrigate, Niel managed to provide the first step towards improving the livelihoods of the people in this world.
It took years upon years to finally get the first rotation crop pattern done well enough, begin selection of crops and improve efficiency of irrigation. But he wasn't without challenges, first of all, it was mostly his clan that adopted these changes in their lands, others took longer to implement some of these methods and others were reluctant to change, as when he failed a negative religious connotation spread. The Gods were angered by his actions, and so forth...and he did the priests and shamans, their knowledge of their stars and the moons of this world allowed him a semblance of a calendar that was sufficient to keep track of the time.
He would have to tackle this issue by talking with the elders of each tribe in K'etal. Not only relying on his experience and knowledge but also spiritual fervor. His methods would improve the yield of harvest, help prevent starvation during the long winters, and allow for a more stable food supply throughout the seasons. If anyone needed proof of the gods' approval they had it before them. Thus, a minor guardian spirit of the Lieto would ascend to Godhood in the mythos of K'etal, a minor god by the name of Shelt, the protector of the farmers and the shepherd of herds, and one who granted wisdom to those seeking to tend to the lands and harvests.
By the end of his relatively longevous life, he would have done much for improvement in K'etal. Four decades of work improving agriculture. During his old age, he would eventually become part of the priesthood of who was beginning to be seen as his patron god.
[Shelt enters the mythos of K'etal as a minor human god of agriculture]
[Food availability goes from Limited to Stable]
[Population grows from 22,530 to 26,919 during the lifetime of Niel bonus from Food and Shelter]
[Technologies List: Crop Rotation, Crop Selection, Early Improved Irrigation]
The Swiss don't only take on agriculture but also attempt to find domesticable animals, as useful as goats and sheep may be they aren't exactly enough in this harsh land. He looks for potential creatures across the local regions, and with some success, he finds some good species worth attempting domestication. However, his attempts to domesticate are not as successful as his attempts at enhancing agricultural.
There were a series of problems, the first being the ferocity of most local wildlife, not only did they react with hostility to human contact, but they tended to require constant maintenance and attention by someone who had the strength to contain them or the means to control them, a major problem considering the circumstances in the land. A second issue was that the amount of food that would have to be diverted from the current needs to feeding livestock would be too demanding for the tribes of K'etal. It would only be when his methods begin to be taken by more than a few of the clans and the surplus begins to grow, that he will try once more. It takes some experimentation and breeding.
In the end, he would have a few options available but nowhere near the amount of food or size, and growth rate of cattle or pigs as he knew of in his old world.
[Must pick one to begin domestication. These are ordered in level of difficulty to domesticate. ]
[X] Lazy Snakes: Small serpentine-like beings that could burrow and hide in rocky areas, not poisonous or lethal to humans they possessed some nutritious values. They were easy to maintain, reproduce, and grow. Their diet consisted of roots, insects, and some greenery. These animals could also provide fat for some oil for medicine.
[X] Fox Sheep: Some of these creatures lived in the deserts south of K'etal. A long-necked animal covered in short brown fur, a face much like that of a canine, and two long tails. This particular animal had two peculiarities, the first is its ability to climb most obstacles in its path by using its claws, hooves, and long neck to reach higher places. Its second feature is that it can survive without drinking for prolonged periods. However, they reproduce slowly compared to most other animals and while their meat was good, they could produce milk.
[X] Dead Legs: Slow-moving bipeds that could go between walking in a bipedal or quadrupedal manner, their necks and snouts were long with their nostrils having small teeth-like tendrils around them. Most of the bones in their legs were visible which earned them their name from the wandering tribes, with their flesh appearing almost decaying. These animals consumed roots and some greenery and had some ease to being tamed. Albeit not very nice looking.
[X] Magnificent Hoof: This creature reminded the farmer of a very angry horse, these hoofed creatures had four eyes that provided good depth perception, and their bodies were like those of small more nimble but still robust elephants with their legs covered. Very territorial and aggressive these ungulate creatures were capable of killing lone humans if provoked. Their main source of food was leaves from trees. They were no easy task and the Swiss would find only minor success with domestication. Regardless, if one tamed a handful of these creatures, it would be a great asset both for transporting and also protecting villages given their aggression.
**Planning the Cities of Mud and Brick**
Urban Planning
DC: 60+10 = 70
Administration + Lore + Diplomacy = (66 +78 +16 +90) = 250 = 2 Successes
While the humans of K'etal had no real need for proper cities and their largest settlement was very much that, a mere town in the grand scheme of things. With the rising population, the expansion of arable land, and the development of basic sanitation facilities. There was an increase in the number of houses and warehouses built, and Niel's experience with the Swiss ways of organization and architectural design had proven useful here.
He would make the foundations and groundworks for the larger town to grow beyond its mud brick walls, expand irrigation, plant trees along its sides for shade, and use basic mathematics for plotting streets. It allowed for a more orderly look at the town of K'etal, the minor towns of Neutheol, Dovenal, and Ulthos benefited greatly from Niel's plans. Many clans enjoyed having warmer and fresher homes, while disposal of waste in the valleys and the small rivers would ensure that most diseases were flushed down the stream instead of sticking inside the towns.
Though, not an engineer and unable to craft glass. The house that Niel would build for his family was reminiscent of Swiss design with a rectangular base and diagonal roof slopes in the case of water precipitation, he would include stoned foundations for added protection against erosion in the long run. Overall it gave the homes of Niel's kin the resemblance to chalets in the valleys of the mountains that had inspired this man, this design would go on to be replicated by those who sought to emulate their wise elder, but the expense of woodworking would keep their prevalence limited to very few in the town of Neutheol. Windmills were outside his reach due to a lack of technical capability and resources but grain storage proved a welcome addition to his repertoire of ideas.
[Urban Planning Added, Improved Early Shelters and Huts, Added]
Niel settles down in the village of Neutheol, his work in improving the yields of his field, organizing the harvests of grains, and animal husbandry brought him a significant amount of respect from the villagers of this area. Though, gaining said respect though decades of hard work he did have somebody at his side to support him through most of these struggles.
That woman was Mehet, a member of Clan Lieto. She was one of the first people to listen to the outsider who had arrived a few years back. She hadn't listened to the words of the rumors about this strange blonde-haired foreigner and approached him herself. What she found was not something out of legend, but someone who despite his unusual origin seemed fairly normal. However, as he talked about ideas and changes, she saw the opportunity to improve her position and life conditions.
Together, they would help bring new techniques and ideas to the lands of Clan Lieto, Mehet had been essential in dealing with the more superstitious members of this clan and the surrounding clans. Her diplomatic approach to conflicts eased many concerns of the different people that composed K'etal, she was a natural diplomat who aided Niel greatly. In due time, they would form a relationship and together would have six children, three boys and three girls. However, not all would be good, out of the six children two would die from disease at an early age and a third would meet his fate at the hands of the raptors and reptilian predators of the surrounding lands. Still, the three remaining children of the couple would aid the Strahl family in their legacy in future generations, marrying into important clans and continuing the legacy of their father.
Relationships within the family were caring, Niel and Mehet had no qualms with showing affection in public with their children as a family, this proved important for the young members of their family who would grow up to be calm and respectful to their parents. Though wishing for his family to read and remain literate, he knew that he would only be able to pass practical experience and some concepts down to them for his own memory wasn't flawless either. Niel's diligence and stubbornness when working rubbed on the younger members of the family who grew up seeing their father spend countless hours working for them.
One trait that Niel passed down to his sons and daughters was greed. Not a malicious greed, but he was the kind to squeeze every cent when possible to guarantee the continued rise of his household. The Lieto turned more pragmatic in their dealings with neighboring tribes, forming trade pacts to bring goods that had eluded their ancestors and exchange surpluses in foodstuffs and animal hides.
After his passing, his son Thriel, son of Niel would get to the position of chieftain of the Lieto clan.
**Nobility and Priesthood**
DC: 80-20 From Current Situation of Humanity - 20 From Previous Successes = 40
Nobility Standing: Diplomacy + Administration = (74 +68 +88 +2) = 232 -> 3x Successes
Due to the egalitarian structure of the Wanderers of K'etal, there wasn't really such thing as nobility to speak of. It was much more common for the clans to organize themselves as separate entities under collective leadership when it came to important matters. All the same, there was room for social mobility and it wasn't rare to find several clans that had been "eaten" by more powerful and prosperous tribes that expanded to occupy most of the population centers within K'etal. If there was something that did matter was a family's or clan's fame and deeds. Here, the Strahl had plenty to prove and thanks to Mehet the political situation and relationships with other clans was made easier to navigate.
They gained some importance due to their contribution to farming and as such to the overall improvement of the condition of humanity in these lands. Later on, he would be a shaman of the God of Agriculture and Harvest, Shelt. By now an aging man, his figure became a sign of respectability and leadership, with Clan Lieto becoming recognized amongst the surrounding tribes and clans as a bastion of hard work and determination to succeed against the harsh environment of this valley.
The deeds of Lieto would certainly last a few generations, but then again, who remembers the man who provided seeds in his lifetime? But his impact on the Lieto clan may be longer lasting indeed.
[Lieto Clan gains some notability in the small scheme of things.]
The Wanderers of K'etal
Initial Stats of Humanity
Centralization: Tribal. Your piece of humanity is far too small to be splintered just yet, it works along tribal and familial connections made up of the different humans that wandered and joined the group.
Stability: Stable. The piece of land you call home has managed to avoid petty infighting for now.
Food Availability: Stable. Improved techniques and a period of rainfall have ensured that for now, food is enough to sustain the population and allow it to grow in this area.
Threat Level: High. In this world, wild animals and flora can cause significant damage to human populations often requiring sacrifices to ensure the survival of the majority.
Technological Level: Limited Bronze Age. Humans have knowledge of metalworking, astrology, and mathematics however there aren't the necessary complex networks of trade and specialization to allow them to reach greater levels of complexity.
Geography and Weather:
The land settled by the wanderers of K'etal is a temperate territory with some amount of rainfall falling constantly throughout the year, the land to the south and west tends to be higher in altitude than that to the north. A single small river with not much water passes through the territory, it is navigable by canoes and other vessels of similar size. The land is relatively fertile enough with forests covering much of the non-arid land surrounding the territory.
Temperatures vary from a comfortable 22° C in summer to -1° in Winter, as such, cultivation is seasonal and relies on rainwater, aquifers, and also enough temperature to keep working. The lower lands are mostly grasslands of the temperate variety, with the higher territories having plenty of forests around.
Traits:
The situational and cultural aspects of this society are defined by Ethos which can change and confer bonuses and also maluses to certain actions taken as a whole by this society.
Tribal: The societal structure of this society revolves around extended family identities and common features like language and kinship, the different groups that have joined the original wanderers also hold their own clans and tribes as separate with their own cultural traditions, though, how united remains to be seen. [-10 to Centralization-related rolls, +10 towards Stability]
Nomads: The mythos of these people tell of endless danger outside of the Rift Valley and that one day they will return. Everyone must be ready to leave at a heartbeat's notice as the elders wander of complacency and staying in this land for too long. [-10 to Settlement and Urbanization Type Rolls][+15 to Exploration and Resettling]
Survivalists: The people are ready to sweat and bleed so that they can survive, they are used to hardships and nature's trials. One will find amongst them many willing to do anything to protect their family and loved ones even if it must come to the worst. [+10 to Defensive Goals]
Clans of Interest:
Lieto Clan:
Locations: Neutheol [1,692]
History: Wanderers from the southern lands, they took a stranger by the name of Niel Strähl and gain increased relevance amongst the clans.
Mythos:
Legends of Fear: Humanity fears and it has managed to escape its greatest fears for the time being.
Shelt, Minor God of Agriculture and Shelter: A relatively new god that had appeared within the mythos not long before the settlement of K'etal. He protects and provides for the farmer, shepherd, and herder. Influenced by Niel Strähl towards enhanced organization and more pragmatic management of foodstuffs.
Urban:
-Urban Planning Added [Not very relevant but will help later on]
-Improved Early Shelters and Huts. [Enhanced protection against the elements]
The Situation:
The life of Niel Strähl and his efforts to enhance the food situation of humanity wasn't the only main event in this period. Particularly, a major earthquake shook the earth during 20 I.T right in time for the first shows of enhanced agricultural produce due to the new techniques, however, the food availability also generated another problem and that was that it attracted further attacks by the river raptors that were thankfully fend off through collective defense. Nonetheless, it ensured that there would be plenty of losses amongst the various clans in defense. The result is that some clans are beginning to erect defenses amongst their towns to better protect their homes, abandoning farming fields in more dangerous regions of the valley. [Wanderers of K'etal lose 1000 Population]
[X] Clans will erect fortifications! Reduces Food bonuses due to the need to enclose and protect fields, but gains a bonus to defend of human villages and towns.
[X] Destroy the river raptor breeding grounds. The river raptors must be exterminated if we are to continue living in this land and prosper. Many will die but this may secure our future.
[X] Life Goes on. Raptors will continue to pose a threat.
The rest of the period was relatively peaceful for the wanderers of K'etal, there were no enslavers, no exterminators, and not many great catastrophes heading their way or so it seemed. After all, this was a relatively isolated piece of land surrounded by rocky deserts, arid grasslands, and desert. These were the leftovers that humanity was beginning to call their home. That was until the recent passing of Niel Niel Strähl, with his passing a small clan of Giants (no more than 15) came to set up in the forests of the valley. Giants are known for being relatively solitary creatures working in family units rather than in grander numbers, however, if they can speak it is not known but they communicate somehow with one another.
Extremely dangerous and territorial, the giants are roughly two times the size of the tallest humans generally stronger, and better protected by their skin, muscles, and bones, while also being fast if need to be. Those with a history of the Giants in their mythos know that sometimes it is better to appease them by offering tribute rather than fighting them outright. However, they also have an unknown attitude making them rather unpredictable when it comes to dealing with them. Fighting them is not completely out of the question due to their small numbers but it will be an expensive endeavor in blood and tears.
[X] The Wanderers take up arms! The clans go to war against the Giants, how many clans will sign up for this remains unknown but it will be an expensive affair nonetheless.
[X] Tribute is offered: The Giants preferred food is meat, animal, or otherwise. The humans may begin to hunt the larger animals to offer them to Giants as a sign of peace.
[X] Diplomacy: If the clans can communicate with the Giants, then maybe there is a chance of peaceful coexistence. Though there are no memories of such a thing happening in any of the clans.
[X] Life goes on. No need to ruffle your feathers just because a few giants have arrived at the forests.
[X] Diplomacy: If the clans can communicate with the Giants, then maybe there is a chance of peaceful coexistence. Though there are no memories of such a thing happening in any of the clans.
[X] Destroy the river raptor breeding grounds. The river raptors must be exterminated if we are to continue living in this land and prosper. Many will die but this may secure our future.
[X] Magnificient Hoof
Crit Policy:
The current crit policy is any number between 98 to 100 to give you some chances of crits.
Chapter 2: **Yoshua son of Joseph**
Many people know the story of Jesus Christ, the Christian savior, born to a virgin, killed for our sins, and resurrected on the third day, to be one of the most influential people in the history of humanity. But before the bible and its Latin translations came to be, there was a man named Yoshua in the land of Judah and Galilee. Born in a time period of turmoil for the Jewish people, the Romans came and took control of the government. The Pharisees were often at odds with the Sadducees over the interpretations of their ancient laws and rituals. And a radicalized faction of zealots who sought to free Judah from the rule of the Roman Empire (Your friends the People's Front of Judea).
Yet, paradoxically this was also a time of greater cultural exchange and cosmopolitan attitudes in Judah, Hellenism led to increased exposure to new ideas and beliefs from Greece and Rome, ideas that were at odds with the written law of the Jewish people but that could also coexist under the interpretation of the oral law. Even amongst the teachers of the people, there was dissent on what should be allowed and what shouldn't in the eyes of the faith.
Talks of resurrection and of the coming of a messiah who would deliver them from their enemies. Old legends that were transmitted amongst the Jews of a time in which their people flourished, when the temple stood tall, and Jerusalem was the capital of a kingdom stretching across many lands. Stories told by grandfathers of the exodus out of Egypt, the days of old of Moses, Samson, David, and Solomon, Joshua the mighty general leading the Hebrew armies against their foes, and Gideon son of Yoash defeating a whole army with nothing more than a sword in his hand and 300 torches. Many were in expectation of the coming of the new messiah who would unite the twelve tribes of Israel and deliver them from foreign rule, as to add another tale to the many of the Jewish traditions.
But the Messiah that would be most remembered wouldn't be a man of great strength nor of kingship descent but rather a common carpenter from a simple town north of Jerusalem...At around the age of thirty, he would begin his ministry and travel throughout Judah and Samaria to preach to his people and to those who would hear his message. Knowingly or not he had begun a journey that took him to a hill to be crucified and executed under the authority of Pontius Pilate, to his trial, conviction, sentencing to death, and subsequent execution, buried in a stone tomb near the place of his crucifixion.
"God, God why hast thou forsaken me?", cried he from the cross, dying from exhaustion, blood loss, suffocation and dehydration, being struck down by an eagle spear by a Roman Legionnaire...and then darkness, followed by an awakening that he had expected for his sacrifice must have meant something to the heavens.
Light hit his eyes with a bright white shine, as he rose from his sleep, and walked forward. There were no wounds on him, his flesh was as clean and pure as any infant of his people, his clothing felt renewed in their fabrics and cloth, the sun shone brightly over the skies and the light breeze brought a cool feeling upon his skin. He wondered if this was this had been the bodily resurrection that had been promised. There was for certain green and forests that surrounded him.
This couldn't be Canaan, the landscape was too different. Yet, there was beauty and peace to these plains, hills, and forested areas. The nearby stream and river invited him to come take a drink and to cleanse himself. While he looked over these hills and mountains he pondered where he was now, as the angels of heaven seemed silent, for now.
He could spot figures moving in the distance, people as far as he could tell, and not unlike the men of Canaan, black-skinned, olive-skinned, and some even like the Romans and Greeks that he had encountered during his days as a preacher. The only difference that he could see with these individuals was that their clothes seemed far more primitive than the clothes of his fellow compatriots, but perhaps this was the way it was meant to be. Humble and primitive, following God's guidance.
He would eventually meet with the locals of this area, the valley of K'etal as it was called in their tongue, though initially reluctant and suspicious of him, the wanderers of K'etal allowed him entry into the town. Everything seemed far more rudimentary, his knowledge of carpentry made him wonder why relied on mud brick rather than wood when they had plenty of trees in the forests. What was clear was that the people of K'etal lived a simple and rustic way of life. One that would come to find out wasn't his land nor the Kingdom of Heaven...
**A Flock without Guidance**
Yoshua would find out soon that the people here lived lives very distant from the teachings that his people had received through Yahveh. Though they had gods that they prayed to, their ceremonies and festivals felt like pagan rites and idolatrous beliefs, and their practices of offerings seemed more focused on the appeasement of the unseen forces. God was not here among them and that was for sure, the languages differed from the spoken languages of Judah, and the land itself looked very unfamiliar to him. Which posed a question...Why had he been brought here at all?
His resurrection was a fact for as far as he could tell he was breathing and alive, which meant that his resurrection was factual. Therefore, the arrival to this strange land had been divine intervention after all, regardless of the intention behind this action. But if there were no twelve tribes, no knowledge of God nor scripture. Then what? There had to be a purpose for his resurrection. Why?
The learned Yoshua scrounged in his mind a dozen or more possible explanations that were nonetheless shown down by none other than himself. What prophecy was now fulfilled that would explain this situation? Were the end of times not supposed to be near but to what point? There were no Romans or chosen people here. No nations as he knew it existed.
Thus he remained for the moment as a silent stranger who slowly acclimated himself to the community of humans that he now had been taken into, years of practice in meditation would surely help him as he tried to decipher the meaning behind God's actions in sending him to this faraway land. His skills in carpentry did assist him greatly when it came to settling in and integrating into the town and clan of K'etal. The craftsmanship that went behind creating tables, chairs, doors, and even huts was unlike anything done by the inhabitants of these villages. His skill became valuable and for a while, he felt like the son of a carpenter he had been before his enlightenment to his true purpose and mission as the Son of God.
Though he spent many of his days simply praying and wondering where God's voice had gone, no answer from heaven above was forthcoming. Could this be a punishment or a reward for his suffering at Golgotha? So he waited, hoping for some kind of revelation to come...
One day whilst deep in thought he heard cries from the distance of a young man who was being attacked by one of the local beasts, these raptor-like animals were a constant menace for the villagers and hunters that traversed these areas and were responsible for dozens if not hundreds of deaths each year. The tribes of this land were organizing to deal with this threat once and for all, a danger that had been relatively unknown to him back in Judea and that now was part of reality.
The young man managed to escape the grasp of one of these scaled beasts but fell upon a small patch of uneven soil that caused his ankle to twist, and sprained and dislocated. Unable to move without aid he yelled in pain, screaming for anyone who could listen to him for help. If he was left there he would be left to die from hunger, thirst or worse to be eaten by another group of creatures in this land.
A calm and selfless Yoshua endangered himself to rescue him and carry him back to the nearest village, it would be no easy task but his experiences had taught him not to abandon another soul so he didn't do it this time. He inspected the wound with his hands but just as he did so, he felt a burning feeling within him that flowed into his hands like a pulsing flame. At this moment, he felt something familiar within him...something that he hadn't felt since before his crucifixion. It wasn't the enlightenment of his youth but faith.
The ankle of the young man began to heal, the bruise changing in color rapidly as the broken bone returned to its natural alignment inside of the foot, with the flesh quickly restoring itself. For the young man, there were no words for what had just happened to him, for this man had saved him both from death and healed him of his injury. But beyond that, he had been witness to a miracle.
While Yoshua understood that what he had done was indeed miraculous he wasn't truly satisfied. Something within him screamed that there was more to it than a mere healing. God had allowed him to have the power to heal, like the prophets of old like Elijah and Elisha who had used this holy power for great acts. Yet, the people here had no knowledge of God nor the word of prophets. A thought came to his mind...This may be God's purpose after all. To give the Good Word to these people who dwelled here in K'etal and prepare them not for the imminent coming of the Kingdom of God but for the salvation of their souls and guidance to the path of Yahweh. A sense of urgency rushed through Yoshua as he realized what his task was to be here.
Yoshua would bring the young man back to his hometown and thus a new chapter in his life began in earnest.
The wanderers of K'etal did not know of a Yahweh, nor of worshipping a single god. Were they to forsake their guardian spirits, the moon, the sun, and all the gods that made the world as it was? Wasn't the river and the earth gods not worthy of praise as well? But they knew of a miracle, they knew of tales of other beings that were able to cast miracles and curses upon the world, and Yoshua, a stranger had been the first amongst their kind to wield such evident power.
Perhaps Yoshua spoke of a god much greater than those they had always known, a god whose dominions were far broader and deeper than those they worshipped. It was hard for them to understand, the concepts of salvation, reincarnation, and soul but they were soothing nonetheless, they promised to encounter those who had fallen long ago and that was an idea that brought comfort.
Shamans and priests tried their best to stop his attempts to introduce a new religion amongst them, the village elders worried about the implications of listening to a single being and putting all of the gods on his side alone. But it wasn't easy for the humans to simply ignore such miracles and signs of power either, rumors spread between clans. Many began to convert to his words and to believe in the existence of Yahweh, his mercy, and miracles that had happened before and continued to happen as he showed his powers for healing those wounded and curing the sick.
But if there was someone in the clans that could vouch for his claims, it was the Lieto. The chieftain Thriel, Strahl, and his kin had heard stories from his father and mother. They remembered when their father told them to pray to one particular god before his father became a priest of Shelt. They recognized similarities and gave unto him protection and respect to continue his work.
The work of Yoshua here wasn't easy at all, he had trouble even picking twelve disciples as he had done before due to the local culture of the Wanderers of K'etal. Many still saw his god as a competitor to the already existing gods and goddesses, not understanding his teachings. Nonetheless, he would go on to have twelve once more, ten men and two women who would become his closest followers. Who aided him in translating the words of God into the local tongues and teaching the ways of Yahweh.
[Followers of Yoshua added as a faction of interest]
While Yoshua wandered amongst the tribes to find converts to his belief, the war bands that were preparing to face the raptors in battle were becoming ready and would head out towards the hunting grounds of their enemy to finish them off. This was a time in which food had begun to be more available as the techniques of Niel were refined and adopted further by a new generation of farmers. Enough to allow for the sharing and communion amongst Yoshua's followers, but also enough to draw the attention of the riverine raptors.
Their breeding grounds were closest to rivers and freshwater sources which were the main source of water for the wanderers. When the raptors settled in one location, they could quickly deplete it and kill off local wildlife unless humans drove them off or they moved on to look elsewhere for prey.
Chief Valgor Celo of the Clan Urua would be leading the tribes to put to the flame each and every nest and burrow hole where these pests hid. One day, with torches in hand and armed with weapons. They set upon these creatures that were dangerous during the day and extremely lethal at night. The groups would approach from several directions encircling these predators before they would even be aware of what was coming to them. But this plan did not work to perfection, the riverine raptors quickly picked up on the sound of footsteps and movement by the humans that came near them.
They attacked in packs with zeal against the humans with teeth and claws. The wanderers would succeed against the raptors...at first, the raptors that escaped were like alarms to other broods of river raptors. Even as the first breeding ground was destroyed, the others would rally together in response to the attack against their territory. Packs upon packs descending upon the hunting humans, they would be wise enough to know when the humans had left and organize an attack on a defenseless village...Leaving only the stench of death and blood.
The wanderers had drawn the ire of the beasts and a beastly war would occur. The K'tali would attack with greater zeal than before, burning and cutting down the raptors until their numbers were thinned significantly. Their tactics, tools, and ability to herd and kill these monsters through teamwork gave them the edge needed to secure victory after countless losses. By the end of this, most of the raptors were either dead or fled away from the valleys but they were not exterminated. Instead, they would migrate northwards and be pests to other places.
During this time Yoshua healed and preached for many moons, from the clan of Neit to the smaller clan of Erbaros and many others. At the end of the period of strife with the riverine raptors, the news reached Yoshua who would proclaim this victory to be a sign of God's providence. In the midst of the strife, he continued preaching and reaching new converts in secret and in public. Many were eager to believe in the god that could grant them respite from pain and even though Yoshua could not fully heal limbs even with all of his powers and faith, his touch was said to soothe pain and his presence filled those around him with a sense of serenity.
This earned him a significant following from Clan Urua, Clan Lieto, and a few other minor clans of the area who saw the benefit of believing in the prophet and his words. Regardless of this, they had suffered losses against the riverine raptors that numbered over 3000 souls, a blow that wouldn't be so easily recovered from by the wanderers.
[-2000 Population]
[Riverine Raptors expelled from this land.]
[Food goes to Surplus]
**Nephilim**
When times were more peaceful, the clans began to discuss a newer issue, one of great concern. The giants that had settled into the forests of the highlands were still there and they were a threat to their safety. Unpredictable in their behavior and impossible to negotiate or talk with, the chieftains considered the possibility of driving them away by blood as they had paid it to the riverine raptors. But they also were aware of how powerful these creatures were.
They decided instead to conserve their forces and send a few of their men to attempt the impossible by any means necessary, talk or find some form of arrangement to coexist with these giants. The tallest of the K'tali was chosen to go forth and meet with these titans of the forest and try to establish some sort of dialogue. This individual, who would be remembered in the annals of the wanderers was Chugara Loen.
At the height of six feet and five inches, he was the tallest member of the Wanderers of K'etal. A strong warrior who had fought against the riverine raptors during the conflict and had survived his ordeal. He was no coward but a brave warrior willing to go into an unknown land in the hopes of preventing a massacre of his kinsmen. With the backing of his clan, the Calenath. And a minor faction of the Lieto who were supporting him in this quest, he set off.
Chugara would trek for several days before finding one of the giants wandering about in the forests. A giant clad in primitive clothing, a mix of furs and hide made of animals that he did not recognize, and some from the wilderness of K'etal. He felt small before the giant, a feeling that he had hardly experienced since leaving childhood behind, but he didn't show fear for he had seen the jaws of death.
Instead, he made gestures and spoke as diplomatically as he could with the giant. The giant merely frowned at the small man that was before him, regardless, he seemed uninterested to talk or discuss as it walked away ignoring the human's attempts to negotiate or discuss matters. Angered by this treatment Chugara threw rocks at the giant hoping to draw its attention. Which would not be an event devoid of consequences. He managed to get the attention of the behemoth alright, but not the kind that he wanted. Furious at being struck by rocks thrown by such an insignificant creature, the giant charged back at the human and shoved him onto the ground in retaliation.
Things did not escalate further and Chugara learned not to throw stones at giants anymore but it did earn him some favor with his peers amongst the chieftains for trying to talk things out. However, he promised to return and he did. This time bearing gifts as an apology for his previous transgression. It took some time to find the giant, but when he did he offered trinkets of bronze and copper to the giant. Trinkets that for the giant were mere children's toys and baubles.
Yet the trinkets were accepted and placed in a pouch. A message was received but not understood and Chugara returned to the main town of the Valley once again empty-handed. The chieftains once more held a meeting discussing possible next steps, the gift-giving had been successful to some extent. Things would remain like this for the remainder of the life of Yoshua, who upon hearing that the giants were real believed them akin to Nephilim or fallen ones from the scripture and thought cautiously of what dangers they could represent.
Regardless, raids by the giants never materialized and so the giants remained in their territory and the Wanderers in their own territories. Though there was unease, the tribes and clans knew not to disturb or anger them. Perhaps they would pay the price for not removing this menace...or reap a benefit. Only time will tell.
[The giants remain at peace with the humans of K'tal for now]
**Works of Charity**
Go around and do your best to feed and clothe the poor and needy.
DC: 40 (Base) = 35
+ 15 (Survalist: Sacrifices must be made)
- 10 (Results of the River Raptor War)
- 10 (Stable Food Supply)
- 10 (Peacemaker)
In a somewhat egalitarian tribal society like this one, Yoshua saw an opportunity, however small for the creation of a new community that could truly come to terms with the fact that everyone was equal in the eyes of God regardless of rank or class. But first, he had to begin by aiding those that were mostly on the fringes of this small society. Those who could not work, those maimed or injured were seen as less productive members of the Wanderer communities. To this end, he began to care for those unable to work, instilling in his followers the teachings of charity. It's not that the tribes didn't understand this concept as it was extremely familiar, but it was done to those of their kin and only in very few cases for those belonging to other tribes.
The hunt of the riverine raptors provided a chance to put this into practice. Due to the heavy casualties suffered against the raptors, there were a few smaller clans that became severely weakened by the conflict. Leaving them with limited manpower and resources, with fewer people to work the land or conduct labor or other activities in the household. To these, Yoshua taught his disciples to help them recover, whether by feeding, donating money, or helping out in practical work like farming or gathering firewood, this was done selflessly for the sake of compassion and empathy and to a lesser degree to build social ties of gratitude with the smaller tribes.
"What you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me."
In these words were contained the mission of Yoshua, to help the poor and vulnerable even in their darkest moment, giving hope and spreading the good word.
Writing was rudimentary if almost non-existent amongst the K'tali, they knew Niel scribbled into leather or carved into stone sometimes but they couldn't grasp his ideas completely when they read these pieces. The people of K'tali also spoke multiple languages due to their different origins making the creation of a single written form difficult, therefore, seeing this and knowing that there was a lack of texts for learning Yoshua began to work with his disciples in creating symbols and meanings, but nothing far too complex. Nothing like a written language but more like pictographs to communicate certain words such as "god", "love", and "heaven".
His followers would continue this tradition and carve into stone slates these pictographs along with stories from the life of Yoshua and some other teachings he shared with them. These records while not all-encompassing ensured that to some extent the teachings of Yoshua would remain passed down for future generations and that some aspects of his life could be known at some point.
"And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"
While the world may differ greatly from Canaan and the lands that he knew, it was clear that just as nature itself was in this world. It is said that once a Magnificient Hoof that escaped captivity charged right at him but turned around upon recognizing who was standing in front of him. He would walk amongst the creatures of K'etal, petting them, feeding them, and seemingly taming them. For some reason or another, his presence was calming even to the riverine raptors that had proven to be a dangerous force to the people of K'tali and especially for his disciples.
By the last days of his life, he had become known amongst the locals as an animal whisperer of sorts, being able to calm angry or restless beasts that caused havoc in their communities. This allowed the K'tali to learn not to fear but to understand these creatures, after all, they could be companions of humanity in this world as God intended.
[Domestication of the Magnificient Hoof reduced in length by 50 years]
**The End of the Son of God**
Yoshua would come to live another twelve years in this land, his passing would occur in his sleep or so his disciples claimed, found resting eternally without suffering or pain, unlike before. His body was preserved and embalmed in the fashion that his disciples were used to seeing amongst their relatives and neighbors. Thus his tomb was created and later his remains were placed under careful watch inside a building erected for him, and his memory and honor. His teachings would not resonate with all of the K'tali and many still believed the monotheistic beliefs that he preached to be no more than another collection of beliefs like those of other peoples in this land.
Still, Yoshua would gain a respectable number of followers by the end of his natural life cycle and the seeds planted in this valley would perhaps bear fruit in the future as well.
The Wanderers of K'etal
56 I.T
Initial Stats of Humanity
Centralization: Tribal. Your piece of humanity is far too small to be splintered just yet, it works along tribal and familial connections made up of the different humans that wandered and joined the group.
Stability: Stable. The piece of land you call home has managed to avoid petty infighting for now.
Food Availability: Surplus. The agricultural techniques of K'etal continue to improve and enhance, a new generation has made more widespread use of Niel's techniques. You are very much below the carrying capacity of this land.
Threat Level: Medium. In this world, wild animals and flora can cause significant damage to human populations often requiring sacrifices to ensure the survival of the majority.
Technological Level: Limited Bronze Age. Humans have knowledge of metalworking, astrology, and mathematics however there aren't the necessary complex networks of trade and specialization to allow them to reach greater levels of complexity.
Geography and Weather:
The land settled by the wanderers of K'etal is a temperate territory with some amount of rainfall falling constantly throughout the year, the land to the south and west tends to be higher in altitude than that to the north. A single small river with not much water passes through the territory, it is navigable by canoes and other vessels of similar size. The land is relatively fertile enough with forests covering much of the non-arid land surrounding the territory.
Temperatures vary from a comfortable 22° C in summer to -1° in Winter, as such, cultivation is seasonal and relies on rainwater, aquifers, and also enough temperature to keep working. The lower lands are mostly grasslands of the temperate variety, with the higher territories having plenty of forests around.
Traits:
The situational and cultural aspects of this society are defined by Ethos which can change and confer bonuses and also maluses to certain actions taken as a whole by this society.
Tribal: The societal structure of this society revolves around extended family identities and common features like language and kinship, the different groups that have joined the original wanderers also hold their own clans and tribes as separate with their own cultural traditions, though, how united remains to be seen. [-10 to Centralization-related rolls, +10 towards Stability]
Nomads: The mythos of these people tell of endless danger outside of the Rift Valley and that one day they will return. Everyone must be ready to leave at a heartbeat's notice as the elders wander of complacency and staying in this land for too long. [+10 to Settlement and Urbanization Type Rolls][+15 to Exploration and Resettling]
Survivalists: The people are ready to sweat and bleed so that they can survive, they are used to hardships and nature's trials. One will find amongst them many willing to do anything to protect their family and loved ones even if it must come to the worst. [+10 to Defensive Goals]
Compassion: Yoshua's teachings focused on compassion among the sons of God. This compassion extends to selflessness, virtue, and worship of god. Their beliefs instill a communal sense of belonging and of hope for the future. [+5 Towards Stability [Bonus or Malus may increase as time goes on]]
Diplomacy:
The Giants of the Forest:
Description: Bipedal beings that sort of reassemble humans that stand from 4 to 6 meters in height. Dangerous in combat and territorial.
Population: 19
Status: Peaceful
Factions of Interest:
Lieto Clan:
Locations: Neutheol [1,800]
History: Wanderers from the southern lands, they took a stranger by the name of Niel Strähl and gain increased relevance amongst the clans. The son of Niel, Thriel remains as chieftain of this clan.
Clan Urua:
Locations: K'etal [3,500]
History: Clan Urua was the one to lead the efforts to drive off the river raptors from this valley and land. While successful they incurred several casualties. During the life of Yoshua, some converted to the monotheistic religion due to the healing done by the "Son of God".
Calenath:
Locations: Viru [500]
History: They are small clansmen that were once fishermen and are now hunters and farmers closer to the higher lands to the east. Chugara Loen the champion sent to talk to the giants lives amongst them.
Followers of Yoshua:
Members: 1,200
History: Those who followed the preacher of Yoshua during his lifetime, while a minority amongst the K'tali, have been known to praise the miracles of Yoshua's healing. It is said that some of them are able to continue healing just as Yoshua did, though their healing is minor at best.
Mythos:
Legends of Fear: Humanity fears and it has managed to escape its greatest fears for the time being.
Shelt, Minor God of Agriculture and Shelter: A relatively new god that had appeared within the mythos not long before the settlement of K'etal. He protects and provides for the farmer, shepherd, and herder. Influenced by Niel Strähl towards enhanced organization and more pragmatic management of foodstuffs.
The One God: Yahweh, one true god of humanity, a god that guarantees bodily resurrection, peace, and love at the end of times. A comforting religion for people who are on the edge of death.
Urban:
-Urban Planning Added [Not very relevant but will help later on]
-Improved Early Shelters and Huts. [Enhanced protection against the elements]
The Situation:
The life of Yoshua while short at only 12 years of length during his stay in K'tal has some lasting impacts on the ideology of the people of K'tal. The dealings with the giants and the destruction of the riverine raptor threat ensure safety for the wanderers of K'tal and many already believe that staying here is for the best. [Nomad may be lost in further turns]
Food surplus growing means that the population is growing as well, though, the losses of the raptor war are heavy, tribesmen of K'tal are having more and more children as time passes in order to cultivate more land. Especially now that the raptors can't go sneaking around the river valleys to get a snack.
The domestication of the Magnificient Hoof continues, though, it will take many generations to get them to a domesticable and somewhat peaceful variant, it will ensure a good source of food and an animal that can go pasturing around the northern plains and grasslands next to the river.
Another family of giants (7) has settled near the original family that came into this valley. Many hope they are the last of them that wander into this area. However, with peace reigning amongst the tribes and giants it seems that there isn't a reason to worry about them just yet.
Life goes on. [No significant events occur this turn that demand the attention of the tribes]
The cicadas chirp their monotone songs as the light breeze pushes waves of golden sand across the coastline of what will once be known as Nihon. There is peace in the air, the rays of sunshine bright across a quiet beach of clear golden sands stretching for miles across this landscape. The island of Kyushu stands idyllic in its pristine beauty, the majestic snow-capped mountain ranges rise in the distance beyond the thick jungles that stretch inland, their summits bathed in sunlight. The smell of saltwater fills the air as the sound of the wind whistling across the shore becomes almost overwhelming in its gentle melody.
A boat in the distance disrupts the tranquil silence of this place. With its sails open, and propelled by paddles made by hand it cuts across the shallow blue sea waters. From within, a group of rough merchants travels towards these sandy shores. Their ship holds within its belly goods, rice, jewels, silk, metalwork, and spices. Another growing sign of civilization leaving its cradles to venture outward and trade. With wave passed over, with each cart moved, and with each step taken, the world becomes more and more human and the pristine ignorance of a new dawn erodes and leaves its place to new creations.
The cicadas will chirp and the birds will sing, ignorant of the lives that they are meant to witness and observe throughout millennia to come. A mere three miles away, a small village catches the light of dawn, wooden shacks surround a central hut decorated with religious banners made of cloth and straw, the sun reflecting over the huts made out of wood of palm trees. They are a tight group that has come to notice that they have been stolen from over the last few weeks. Mostly bags of rice and some fruits.
They set one young man to stay at their warehouse at night. Armed only with his senses, the brave soul stays at the warehouse's doors where the food is kept to prevent thieves from stealing more. The moon rises and shines down over the island, stars above sparkle with radiance and grace, it is not long until his eyes begin to feel heavy and weary from waiting for hours without rest. Sleep begins to settle upon him when he hears a faint sound, like breathing coming from nearby.
In the dark of night, two pairs of red eyes stare back at the sleepy young villager, illuminated by the pale glow of the lunar reflection. It is a man, or maybe not a man...But it surely doesn't look like one, standing in the shadows of night. His skin is bronze-tanned with muscles that bulk out from his skin, it is the body of a man who has exerted physical force for more than thirty years without rest, the natural development of muscle tissue is a sign of both experience and strength. The boy panics going to grab the nearest tool available to him which happens to be a crude bamboo spear carved into a spear tip and thrusts it towards the man in a foolish act of courage.
"Haaahhhh!!!" The boy yells, his voice echoing through the air.
The man does not need to doge against a puny young man like him, his hand catches the bamboo spear and pushes it aside, shoving aside the boy and into the ground. He looks kind of like his son, but he does not have time to ponder over something irrelevant as that, his family needs sustenance. The people here have scared most of the animals or killed them for themselves. They also seem to have enough food here so what's the problem? He goes to grab the nearest bag of rice with his free hand, he carries it with ease and right in time. The darkness becomes illuminated by torches carried by a bunch of the villagers armed with bows, spears, and torches, the orange-red flickers of light casting strange shadows onto the ground.
But right as he turns to run, his eyes catch the red glint of blood on the floor and it takes a second or two to register the lifeless body of the boy on the ground, his chest pierced with the same bamboo spear he was carrying. Ryumen feels his error with guilt and a slight bit of panic, he did not mean for him to die, even though he himself has brought death to many before in combat. The reality settles quickly though and he knows he must run.
He rushes to the jungle behind the village and begins to run, the villagers go after him and an arrow whoshes right past him, but it misses. But the next does not miss, hitting his leg he falls onto the ground and cries out loud in pain. The villagers approach him in anger and fury, screaming curses at the intruder who killed one of their own. Their anger is delivered throughout the night, captured, beaten, and tortured Ryumen knows his fate is sealed in his heart and he shall join the world beyond. In a few days, he accepts it as inevitable ready to follow what will come, but then he hears the cries of children and that of a woman...His family is being led up in front of him...
They hold a sharp blade at the neck of his oldest child who screams for his father to save him, tears flowing down from his face. The sounds are like music to their ears as they cry and beg for forgiveness, their vengeance cannot be satiated nor quenched. The youngest screams and wails but is met with a fist of rage from one of the guards, knocking her unconscious on the ground. The scene is gruesome and heartwrenching to behold for the giant who knows he cannot stop his own fate let alone that of his loved ones.
The sharp metallic blades cut their throats, cold and swift. Blood flows through the air as their lives fade into blackness, the heads thrown towards the feet of their murderer as tears flow down his face. As he reaches for the head of his oldest son in horror and disbelief the executioner severs the hands of the titan causing him to roar in pain. The man is about to shatter at the death of both his offspring, his wife weeps unable to cope with the sight of her own sons murdered. His breathing slows down and then becomes frenetic and ragged, his vision becomes blurry as the anger burns through him. He shouts in anger until his throat is dry, and then sorrow settles in as tears pour down his cheeks...
The villagers now satisfied leave him to agonize, for a few more moments before striking at his wife and taking her away. Now filled with despair and shame for failing his family, Ryumen awaits his end. It comes at the hand of a man who looks familiar, the blade rises and then his head is hacked away from his shoulders.
A pair of crows awaken him with their beaks pecking at his fingers, the sunlight strikes his body and he feels warmth, he breathes, and blinks once again...Then once again and a third time. He sits upright and touches his neck with his hands, he is alive. How is he alive?! No wound on his neck either. His head turns from side to side rapidly, he hopes it had all been a bad dream. He looks for his sons, for his wife and all that he sees is green pastures and forests unlike his own, the two crows caw at him and then fly off. Confused and afraid he searches frantically for any signs of his family but he finds none.
He weeps again, falling to his knees on the soft grass below him. He feels an anger so deep that he wishes for his own death, he had gotten his wish before and now here he was forced to live again knowing of his failures. His anger burns within him, his heart heavy and aching with grief, regret, and vengeance...pure vengeance. His fists strike against the grassy ground again and again until they draw blood but he does not care. He shouts and roars at the skies hoping they will send thunderbolts to strike him down and bring him peace from this agony. But with each strike, a spark grows within him and he keeps pounding the ground, the air becomes hotter and hotter each time and soon his very body begins to burn with an intense heat that only grows with each passing moment...
At this moment a beam of red-hot energy erupts forth from his body, engulfing everything around him. The grass touched by his fist begins to burn, the fire spreading outwards in waves that engulf everything. Everything from his eyes to his feet burns, and he can feel himself burning, his skin almost melting away from the sheer intensity of his emotions. Yet, he does not care instead he looks at the ground and then his palms in flames, he clenches his fist tighter as flames leap from within his palm. A feeling of power floods his entire body and suddenly there is nothing else he cares about except the flames licking at his feet, his clothes begin to smoke and burst into flame but he pays no mind to it whatsoever. The hair on his arms, legs, chest, and head is burnt to a crisp as is everything around him...and it feels amazing, pure, and honest...It feels true to his heart's desires. The pain he feels in his own body is soothing and frees him from his burdens, the flames are warm but do not burn him like a forest fire or the wrathful sun.
Slowly, he turns his gaze from the fiery horizon to see how far he can see through these flames. The trees are ablaze in bright orange tongues, their leaves charred and crackling in the wind as they fall to the ground. He wanders like this without purpose for what may have been days or weeks, until the flames on his body are controlled, but his skin is dyed red and is hot to the touch. After he calms himself, he takes a break at the base of a hill to regain his bearings but it isn't easy because every time he thinks about what happened in his village, those feelings come rushing back. The villagers deserved death for killing innocent young children who never harmed anyone nor deserved anything done to them...He had made a mistake but it was not theirs to pay.
He would kill the lot of them. But where to start? He had no idea where he was...What if they were far away from this place? Would he be able to travel to their village and give them the justice they deserved?
"I am going to slaughter you all..." He mumbles between gritted teeth as he tries to contain his hatred for those responsible for his misfortunes. He swears to make their blood boil until it bubbles in their veins. The crows follow him in the skies and squawk at him every morning. His search is not long as he finds the K'tali village of Viru soon enough, a community built near the higher forests of the region. For three days, he watches as their people go on with their daily lives, working on farms and homes, and preparing meals together. He sees them laughing at jokes, telling stories around campfires lit with wood branches...
There is no sign of the people from the other village that had attacked him and his family. They are different...but so similar to the ones, he had watched with his sons.
"Papa, can we go talk to them?" His son had asked him once before.
"No my son, it is better for us not to disturb them."
"Why papa?" Asked the little one.
"They don't trust us. We cannot change that."
"But why?"
"It's the way of things..."
"Oh..."
"Don't fret little one, there are good things too in this world. You and I can enjoy them together."
This memory fills his mind and fuels his fury towards these people, all of them deserve the punishment of burning alive for their treacherous deeds against him and his kin. His steps take him closer to their village each day, waiting for his chance to strike when all eyes are turned elsewhere and away from watching him closely, unaware of what looms beneath their noses...Until finally...One evening, just as dusk approached over the lush canopy of foliage surrounding these humans...Ryumen approaches those who shelter in petty shelters made of branches and mud...Those who dare to exist despite living their days in misery, he sees one man, in particular, sitting in front of his hut sharpening his stone axe and speaking with a few friends.
The man raises his eyes to meet Ryomen's glare, sensing something sinister approaching, but before he can raise the alarm call it is already too late. His face contorted into a mask of terror as flames leap towards his feet like wild beasts hungry for flesh. Ryumen's body becomes enveloped in crimson flames and the wooden huts burst into flames in seconds causing mass confusion amongst the villagers, dozens rush outside screaming while others remain trapped within their hovels as their roofs collapse under intense heat. In minutes, it all burns.
In hours all that remains is just black ash from one end to the other. The crows feast on the flesh of the fallen men who could not escape their deaths amidst such carnage. Many have escaped but at least a hundred bodies lay burnt to charcoal amidst the flames. The stench of burned hair permeates the air alongside that of scorched fat and meat.
For those who flee to K'tal, they will speak of how they have met a God of Vengeance, of Wrath, and of Fire. "Suharta" they will call him, and they shall fear his name. Where he walks death follows swiftly behind, bringing ruin upon everything he touches...
[Suharta's Flame is Born as part of the K'tali mythos, Viru is lost to the flames of Suhura and 100 Population Perish as a result of Ryumen's arrival]
Ryumen doesn't know whether he agonizes, feels guilt, or soothes at the burning of the village. The aftermath of his vengeance leaves him empty, the flames around his body calming and the hot burning feeling no longer distracts his mind as it did before. He considers taking his own life for his failure and transgressions, especially after seeing the body of another young boy amongst the charred remains, yet, he decides otherwise, deciding instead to follow one simple truth that echoes within him.
Survival.
His previous life had centered around combat, and so far his new life seemed to mirror much of that. He finds animals to burn and cook with his flames, feasting upon their carcasses without mercy. Leaving only their skeletal bodies to be found by the K'tali that followed behind him. Ryumen finds and defeats whatever creature challenges him, his burning of the forests creates chaos amongst the fauna of these lands due to the destruction of their habitats.
Whatever lurking creatures hid within the forests are unknown to wanderers of K'tal, but Ryumen is not invincible nor immortal. The animals with thick skin are most dangerous to Ryumen and he learns that even with newfound powers he must use his hunting abilities and hunt he does. Each time he is in sight, the wanderers of K'tal can count more scars on his body, however, if there is somebody who isn't amused by the survival of Ryumen it is the giants. After relocating their camp multiple times due to the fires, a single giant finds the source of the fire that plagues them.
The skin of Ryumen looks almost crisp to the giant, but he sees the flames around the hands of the smaller humanoid and understands what is going on. Fearless or dumb, the giant charges at Ryumen, his feet rumbling on the ground as he closes the distance between them. Ryumen catches sight of the behemoth, and with his hand, he raises a stream of fire towards the behemoth whose feet stop as the fire burns at the skin of his arm. The behemoth lets out a groan of pain but charges once again towards Ryumen.
Ryumen feels within him the adrenaline of combat that once dominated his younger life, the hunt and thrill of the chase. When the behemoth tries to strike Ryumen dodges the blow by lunging to the side, the magic within him burning as he feels the same sensations as he did when he first awoke after his death.
However, unlike that first time, this time he focuses his magic not only internally but outward, the flames engulfing his arms and hands as he reaches for the leg of the giant and grasps his skin. The giant yowls in pain, the exposed skin is scorched and immediately the flesh is roasted through the force and magic that flows through Ryumen. The giant kicks at Ryumen with his other leg, sending him a few feet away. That Ryumen stands as if nothing happened may be a testament to his toughness or simply the adrenaline coursing through his body. He understands even in his anger and rage that staying too close to the giant may not be productive, instead, he conjures a ball of flame in his hand and throws it at the giant.
The fireball explodes upon impact against the giant who recoils once more in pain, covering himself instinctively with his arms. He stands up again though limp and attempts to throw rocks at the man-made out of fire. But he is weakened by the flames that struck his leg. He drops down to his knees in exhaustion, his skin seared and burnt where the magic of Ryumen scorched him. Ryumen watches, still consumed by his inner fire that seeks to devour and destroy. He launches flame after flame at the giant, burning each patch of exposed skin until the giant dies from pain and exhaustion but not before harshly speaking through gritted teeth.
Ryumen understood nothing but stood victorious over the dead corpse of the giant, but the pain of being hit by the giant awakened his injury and the mana used through the battle sapped the energy out of Ryumen...He rests, but it's only a matter of time until the giants retaliate.
For a decade, Ryumen will hunt and be hunted by the giants of the forest this results in a showdown where five more giants die at the hands of Ryumen, and his experience and ability to control his magic become more and more pronounced. Each time he uses it, the flames burn stronger within him, the flame becoming a part of himself and his own nature. But the giants aren't forgiving nor unwilling, in each engagement Ryumen is left more injured and scarred until finally, a last confrontation brings him to limp his way back to safety.
**The Chosen of Suhurta**
For much of the K'tali population, the sighting of Suharta has become legendary in its own right and the clouds of smoke rising over the horizon are a show of his power over the forests. The black ash that remains from the conflagration created by Suharta serves as a warning to all tribes of the Wanderers of K'tal that they should keep to their own borders lest the wrathful God of Fire consume them. Things turn even more complicated as the beasts of the forests wander into the lowlands to avoid the fires, leading to deaths from conflict with the beasts that descend near the towns of the K'tali.
The followers of Yoshua must deal with the death of their pastor and prophet, for a moment it would seem like a religious rift could emerge. But instead of splintering into different beliefs, however, with his twelve apostles chosen by Yoshua, the work continues and the spread of the word is more important than ever before. However, even they struggle to comprehend and craft their own story from the events that unfold before them. For some, it could be a sign of punishment from Yahweh, and for others, a sign that Yahweh was mourning the death of the apostle Yoshua.
But while the Followers of Yoshua adapt, a new cult arises the Chosen of Suhurta who are mostly concerned with appeasing the raging god of fire with sacrifices and ceremonies to ensure their safety. An amalgamation of spirits and gods of the tribes he represents the uncontrollable nature of wildfire and of wrath, the kind of god that is unpredictable and unrelenting. They burn animals and food in the name of Suhurta believing that the act will satisfy the God of Fire and thus ensure their own survival.
The clouds of ash and smoke do subside after a few months, the following years the mythos of Suhurta are left to consolidate on their own for a while. The Sons of Yoshua are hard at work making sure to keep alive the healing magic left by the man who walked among them.
Then this all changes when a weakened Ryumen appears on the other side of the river, they see a man of almost red and tarred skin collapsing after years of fight and hunting against the giants all on his own in the forests above. The Followers of Yoshua are amongst the first to head over in canoes to help carry him back to the town. His burns are extensive and horrible and many suspect that he will pass away from infection soon enough as he barely breathes during these next few weeks.
However, he does not. What appears to be burns are merely his skin and his body recovers at a rapid speed, the healing and treatment of the Sons of Yoshua only increase the said speed of recovery. But the more he recovers, the more his body warms, the K'tali fear a fever but that is not what is occurring here. Ryumen finally awakens, his eyes and body boiling as they had done before, but this time his fury is soothed not by the hunt, nor by survival or revenge but by the faces of a dozen men and women dressed in white robes chanting songs for him in a language that he has never heard. Taking care of him and providing him with water and nourishment.
He recognizes their clothes, their furs to be similar to those of the villagers of the town that he had burnt. He had long come to realize that he had burnt not his captors and executors, but innocent bystanders and families that had nothing to do with it. The guilt eats at him now that he is here just like when he had killed that boy accidentally.
However, Ryumen's does not remain soothed for long and the Chosen of Suhurta claim him to be a warrior sent by their lord and that his flame burns eternal for them. They celebrate his arrival and when the flames around his body make themselves present they offer themselves in service to him. The survivors of Viru...though, they loathe him and wish for him to be dealt with and removed from this place as they remember the horror that was brought upon them when his rage became incandescent.
Ryumen's stay over at K'tal is short but clear, his mind struggles with the fact that he is being saved by the shelter dwellers, worshipped by others, and also loathed by the survivors of Viru...He finds the followers of Yoshua weak and fearful of his power, he finds the Chosen of Suhurta to be submissive and easily broken. For the ones that loathe him, he only considers them cowards for there was no true valor in them nor courage, if they wished to punish him like they had done in his previous life then they should do it and not use their tongues as daggers.
He sets off unwilling to deal with the shelter dwellers any longer and returns to his roaming grounds across the forested hills.
[Chosen of Suhurt and Followers of Yoshua are at odds with each other]
Meanwhile, the giants of the forest have not forgotten nor forgiven what occurred in their settlement with Ryumen. Their camp moves ever close to the K'tali as the small humanoids share in similarities with the demon of fire who scorched many of their kin. Ryumen is hunted once more and when the K'tali go to hunt, they are seen and set upon by the giants, their fury upon the humanoids takes place in brutal battle with clubs and maces. The K'tali use their bows and arrows to attack them from afar but the giants don't care anymore, they are filled with anger and thirst for vengeance for the kin that they have lost. The conflicts are bloody and numerous and the villages of K'tal are soon found in danger of an attack.
Ryumen sets upon one of these combats watching as the K'tali are battered by the giants, he knows that his presence caused this to happen but he refuses to intervene to aid them. He sees their weakness, unable to stand against the giants on their own...But he also sees their endurance and willingness to fight, their ability to use weapons beyond brute strength and overwhelming size impress him as they stand up against impossible odds time after time. The survival instinct to protect their loved ones and to defend the homestead is remarkable. When the hunting party is almost wiped out, Ryumen intervenes in the fighting using fireballs to fend off the tired giants who retreat with a final glare at him.
It is then that he decides to teach the K'tali the ways to defend themselves. It is said that Suhurta himself aided Ryumen in the burning of a crater of eternal flame where the ground is pitch dark and the heat comes off in waves of smoldering anger and embers of rage. This crater becomes known as "Yak'atlar" meaning Cauldron of Flames. There Ryumen awaits and meditates for years, the K'tali are first stranged at the sight before the Chosen of Suhurta heads to the site.
They are greeted by an expression full of contempt, the trials begin shortly with Ryumen exposing them to the heat, to risk of the death and they do not fare well, many are cooked alive in the process. Ryumen finds it necessary, many of the weaker-willed men and women of K'tal do not survive. The followers of Yoshua do not approve of this but there is little they can do since most of the sacrifices happen to the members of the Cult of Suhurta. Thus, Ryumen's teachings continue unable to stand against him or his power over the fire, he teaches them how to endure through pain, to persist and push forward, to harness the power of the earth itself to channel into their weapons...
And slowly, many of his disciples grow stronger as the cauldron continues to smolder. The Chosen of Suhurta grow stronger, their belief in the God of Fire in the flesh as his chosen uses his flames to teach and defend the wanderers of K'tal against the giants. Yet, the Followers of Yoshua also grow in faith. In the name of Yahweh, they seek to end the violence of Ryumen, and his cruel training which ends up killing so many of those he teaches. The wanderers of K'tal are soon taking one worship or the other, the soothing healing of Yahweh or the flames of Suhurta.
[Wanderers of K'tal gain elemental fire insight and healing insight as the powers of Yoshua and Ryumen are undisputed and now sought by the K'tali]
DC: 70 (Base, mostly due to Ryumen's large mana power and the fact that he is not very coach)
Another decade passes as Ryumen grows older reaching his sixties as he keeps pushing his chosen further and harder. Many fail and succumb to the fires but he makes a point of showing them the value of life through hardship, and discipline. Amongst the Chosen of Suhurta a few seem able to control the flames, a very few though not to the extent of Ryumen by any stretch...Ryumen's quest to find a successor is unsuccessful so far and his time running short. Until a young woman of short brown hair and amber eyes enters the cauldron.
The sight is completely unusual for Ryumen as he hasn't seen any female participate in his cauldron. Her eyes are filled with the same loathing and hatred he once had and she bears it with such certainty he cannot deny her attempt to try to get through.
Her name is Izzi, her older brother one of the worshipers of Suhurta and herself a believer in the teachings of Yoshua before joining the chosen. Her brother attempted to enter the cauldron and was found dead, his body burned and taken back to the town...Blessed with the capability to heal Izzi did her utmost to try and save her brother, risking her own life as she stayed next to his side for hours healing and praying for Yahweh to answer her plea.
He did not and her brother died regardless. Her hatred for Suhurta, for the cauldron, and Ryumen burns with her heart aflame. She blames the god of flames for her brother's passing and for the misery it has brought upon his people. Spurred on by a vision in her sleep of the death of Ryumen through the blade of vengeance she embarks to confront the man and champion that have wrought suffering for her people. As soon as she sets foot in the Cauldron, Ryumen realizes that he's found what he needs as he stares right at a mirror of himself.
The pain does not matter and she stays in the cauldron for weeks where others have only survived hours, her determination drives her on, and her focus keeps her mind sharp despite the torment of the fire and the anguish it inflicts on her body. Her own healing helped her to withstand the stress and exhaustion that normally would've been too much for a single individual...She recites prayers of the heavenly father, but it is her anger that allows her to draw mana and survive.
The rest of the story is mixed with details that favor either the Chosen of Suhurta or the Followers of Yoshua depending on whom you ask. However, for the wanderers of K'tal, the truth is simple. Ryumen's successor is Izzi, Ryumen's death is unknown some say that his student felled him, and others that it was Yahweh who struck him down.
Regardless...Izzi having achieved her objective, returns to K'tal and helps in its protection and right on time as the Giants continue their skirmishes against the humans.
The Wanderers of K'etal
88 I.T
Initial Stats of Humanity
Centralization: Tribal. Your piece of humanity is far too small to be splintered just yet, it works along tribal and familial connections made up of the different humans that wandered and joined the group.
Stability: Weakening. The religious differences shown by two different incarnations of power have led to a decrease in cohesion amongst the wanderers.
Food Availability: Surplus. The agricultural techniques of K'etal continue to improve and enhance, a new generation has made more widespread use of Niel's techniques. You are very much below the carrying capacity of this land.
Threat Level: Medium. In this world, wild animals and flora can cause significant damage to human populations often requiring sacrifices to ensure the survival of the majority.
Technological Level: Limited Bronze Age. Humans have knowledge of metalworking, astrology, and mathematics however there aren't the necessary complex networks of trade and specialization to allow them to reach greater levels of complexity.
Geography and Weather:
The land settled by the wanderers of K'etal is a temperate territory with some amount of rainfall falling constantly throughout the year, the land to the south and west tends to be higher in altitude than that to the north. A single small river with not much water passes through the territory, it is navigable by canoes and other vessels of similar size. The land is relatively fertile enough with forests covering much of the non-arid land surrounding the territory.
Temperatures vary from a comfortable 22° C in summer to -1° in Winter, as such, cultivation is seasonal and relies on rainwater, aquifers, and also enough temperature to keep working. The lower lands are mostly grasslands of the temperate variety, with the higher territories having plenty of forests around.
Traits:
The situational and cultural aspects of this society are defined by Ethos which can change and confer bonuses and also maluses to certain actions taken as a whole by this society. All of these apply to the DC.
Tribal: The societal structure of this society revolves around extended family identities and common features like language and kinship, the different groups that have joined the original wanderers also hold their own clans and tribes as separate with their own cultural traditions, though, how united remains to be seen. [-10 to Centralization-related , +10 towards Stability]
Nomads: The mythos of these people tell of endless danger outside of the Rift Valley and that one day they will return. Everyone must be ready to leave at a heartbeat's notice as the elders wander of complacency and staying in this land for too long. [+10 to Settlement and Urbanization Type ][-15 to Exploration and Resettling]
Survivalists: The people are ready to sweat and bleed so that they can survive, they are used to hardships and nature's trials. One will find amongst them many willing to do anything to protect their family and loved ones even if it must come to the worst. [-10 to Defensive Goals]
Compassion: Yoshua's teachings focused on compassion among the sons of God. This compassion extends to selflessness, virtue, and worship of god. Their beliefs instill a communal sense of belonging and of hope for the future. [-5 Towards Stability [Bonus or Malus may increase as time goes on]]
Supremacy: Humanity may be weak, but even in weakness it finds strength. Anyone stronger than them must be put to the sword and burn in the flames. [-5 to Conflict]
Diplomacy:
The Giants of the Forest:
Description: Bipedal beings that sort of reassemble humans that stand from 4 to 6 meters in height. Dangerous in combat and territorial.
Population: 32
Status: War
Characters of Interest:
Izzi: The successor to Ryumen, someone able and capable of holding both healing and fire magic at her disposal. Though, not to the levels of Ryumen or Yoshua, she is very skilled and amongst the best practicers of the forces of magic. Now that the one who killed her brother is gone, she is left with a burden put on her by the Followers of Yoshua and the Chosen of Suhurta, as they claim her to be blessed by each of their respective Gods.
Factions of Interest:
Lieto Clan:
Locations: Neutheol [4,800]
History: Wanderers from the southern lands, they took a stranger by the name of Niel Strähl and gain increased relevance amongst the clans. The son of Niel, Thriel remains as chieftain of this clan.
Clan Urua:
Locations: K'etal [4,500]
History: Clan Urua was the one to lead the efforts to drive off the river raptors from this valley and land. While successful they incurred several casualties. During the life of Yoshua, some converted to the monotheistic religion due to the healing done by the "Son of God".
Followers of Yoshua:
Members: 5,000
History: Those who followed the preacher of Yoshua during his lifetime, while a minority amongst the K'tali, have been known to praise the miracles of Yoshua's healing. It is said that some of them are able to continue healing just as Yoshua did, though their healing is minor at best.
Chosen of Suhurta:
Members: 8,000
History: Brought upon by the destruction of Viru at the hands of Ryumen and the burning of the forests with endless clouds of ash, they believe in the amalgamation of a god of destruction, fury, and fire. His name is Suhurta and his champion is tasked with the defense of K'tal and the Cauldron of Flames.
Mythos:
Legends of Fear: Humanity fears and it has managed to escape its greatest fears for the time being.
Shelt, Minor God of Agriculture and Shelter: A relatively new god that had appeared within the mythos not long before the settlement of K'etal. He protects and provides for the farmer, shepherd, and herder. Influenced by Niel Strähl towards enhanced organization and more pragmatic management of foodstuffs.
The One God: Yahweh, one true god of humanity, a god that guarantees bodily resurrection, peace, and love at the end of times. A comforting religion for people who are on the edge of death. Suhurta: God of Fire, Destruction, and Fury. Tied to vengeance and the defense of family, he is very different to the Yahweh of Yoshua and provides a world in which the strength to destroy your enemies is paramount.
Livestock: -Domestication of Magnificient Hoof [77 / 450]
Urban:
-Urban Planning Added [Not very relevant but will help later on]
-Improved Early Shelters and Huts. [Enhanced protection against the elements]
Magic:
-Healing Insights
-Elemental Fire Insights
The Situation:
Thirty-two years for the wanderers of K'tal. These are years of chaos, destruction, and the start of a war that they didn't wish to start. But these are also years of consolidation, two opposing faiths rising amongst the tribes of K'tal. The Followers of Yoshua and the Chosen of Suhurta, with a singular character in the form of Izzi may just tilt the balance in favor of one or the other. At the same time, the techniques of Niel continue to provide a boon for the people as food becomes less of an issue for the wanderers. The population reached thirty-five thousand souls roughly.
The giants angered at the loss of their kin at the hands of Ryumen are now a threat to the wanderers of K'tal, especially after a few more families of Giants made their way to this land. If they are all related to each other, it is unknown but they have seemingly joined in the hostilities against the humans nonetheless. Meanwhile, the tribes prepare warbands to defend themselves against the towering giants using everything they can at their disposal to try and fend off their attacks.
In K'tal proper, the political situation is tense. Unity is seemingly out of reach as the followers of Yoshua and Chosen of Suhurta are at odds with each other, while not driving away from the focus against the Giants, the situation difficult any really major concerted action against them.
Meanwhile, there have been sights of bands of humans to the north-west and humanoids beings to the far east. Though unable to tell what they are for now, it does tell that time is passing and this land may not be as isolated as it was when the wanderers first arrived here.
The burnt forests may also provide good farmland for the growth of the wanderers, which would be useful for growth if not for the fact that the giants would just put an end to any attempts to build settlements east of the river to rest rather quickly.
Izzi may lean one way or the other regarding her beliefs...What does she choose?
[X] Suhurta: Ryumen's teachings were right, only the power to destroy will help undo any injustice on this world. Suhurta represents the power of fire and that with which to burn your enemies.
[X] Unity: She attempts to reconcile Suhurta's and Yoshua's teachings, the all-powerful Yahweh also brought destruction to other people according to Yoshua, but power without justice and order is nothing.
[X] Yahweh: Only Yoshua and Yahweh represent kindness and light, she focuses on what she learned of Suhurta and Ryumen and rejects it. Mercy, kindness, and forgiveness are the only things that can defeat darkness. Use the power of God to defend yourself and your brethren.
The year 1769 was a mostly peaceful year in Europe, the enlightenment began to bloom amongst the high society of the continent, and the age of science and discovery started to displace the ancient traditional systems of nobility. New thinkers spread throughout the continent, challenging old ideas and replacing them with innovative thinking, even questioning centuries-old notions about religion, medicine, or science...However, in less than a decade the American Revolution will erupt into flames. Two decades later...the French Revolution will behead a king and open the door to a new era that had long been set in motion.
However, these were not the concerns of the city of Venice or of its workers as they toiled to construct new infrastructure works the likes of which benefited from advances in geometry, calculus, and engineering that only improved the overall quality of life in the city. Amongst those day laborers who worked on the new works of the enlightened century was Mario, a happy man in his late twenties with soft blue eyes and a bright attitude for the most part, his hair was neatly groomed except for the mustache on his face that had grown somewhat bushier in the last few months.
Even from the times of the Romans, the need for sewage and clean water had been essential for the development of cities, and a big reason for why Rome prospered for so long was simply because it had a complex network of pipes to move fresh water and remove wastewater and rainwater...Without this, a great city like Rome would have ceased to be much sooner as its inhabitants succumbed to diseases of sanitation brought about by unclean streets, stagnant waters, and poor sewage practices.
Like his Roman ancestors, Mario had gotten himself into a bit of trouble today. Mario had climbed down a narrow shaft that led to one of the bigger wells in the city, his purpose here was to engage in maintenance on the area by removing the silt and debris accumulated around the bricked tunnel of water that kept the city alive. Even underground, the bricks were built in the arching shape characteristic of Roman architecture as was the vaulted ceiling above him.
There wasn't too much of anything else besides the flowing canal that brought fresh water from outside the city to its inhabitants. His tools consisted of a spade he used to collect dirt and sand from the edges of the water tunnels and deposit them inside buckets, which were then hauled up the shaft by ropes and pulleys to be emptied in appropriate places outside the city walls. The spades themselves were quite crude, usually made from wood with a flat metal edge at one end...They certainly weren't designed to be used as anything more than basic gardening equipment. Yet, he worked here in almost darkness trying to dig out dirt, silt, and mud.
Mario reminisced of the times that he pretended to be in the middle of a siege with his brother, they had heard the tales of the Spanish, Italian, and Dutch sappers who would excavate mines under fortifications and collapse them in order to create a breech...hearing that it was fairly common for the unlucky sap to be entombed beneath the castle foundations with no chance of escape terrified Mario when he was little. But his duty as an older brother meant that he always needed to reassure his younger brother as they worked.
His hunger only rose as the hours passed with his mind recalling the memories of eating a warm plate of pasta alongside his brother Luigi in their house in Tuscany. The savory taste of the noodles mixed in tomato sauce. A faint sigh escaped his lips that he meant to calm down by eating something. However, in his lack of presence of mind instead of reaching for his poach, he reached with his dirty hand for one of the small mushrooms that grew inside of the underground chamber. His eyes still fixed upon the muddy surface of the ground he took a bite out of one of them...
Something felt wrong when the soft texture of the fungus touched his tongue and throat. His mouth tasted slightly salty and sour at once, followed by a sharp tingly sensation in his chest. Everything went black as he tried to swallow again, coughing several times before feeling nausea take over causing his stomach contents to come up in spurts. His vision blurred and his few last moments were spent trying to breathe amidst the overwhelming pain in his lungs as he spat blood on the floor.
In his death, his eyes roll over showing the whites, and then stop moving entirely leaving him prone on the cold, wet brick floor with only the sounds of flowing water as a sign of company, a small red spotted mushroom lying near his head.
Heaven's light didn't greet him. Instead, he would wake up in a daze amongst the foliage and trees of an unknown world.
**Izzi of K'tal**
Izzi: 2 Successes
While Mario is just awakening, Izzi returns to K'tal with news of the death of Ryumen by her hands. She finds herself caught between the Chosen of Suhurta who wish to make her their new champion, and the followers of Yoshua who believe that her powers have been gifted by Yahweh. Much like Ryumen before, Izzi finds her abilities are a fraction of what Yoshua or Ryumen were able to accomplish but even that is enough to place her above all amongst the humans. Her body shows the scars of her time in the circle of fire, scars that even her healing can't erase from her body. Even then Izzi takes her time to come to terms with her own power and responsibilities. It takes a journey through the valleys of K'tal until she comes upon Viru. Or whatever is left of the village. Its ruins remain a grim reminder of what fire could bring in its wake but she is not alone as the giants have come to visit as well. They camp around and it is then that Izzi watches them use humans as slaves.
She watches a young man carrying a large pile of sticks with a weary look in her eyes, and bruises over her legs and arms. Izzi recalls stories that she heard of children who the giants took during their incursions to capture and enslave the tribe members. But seeing it like this leaves a bitter taste in her mouth and the urge to act. Her chest fills once more with the same anger that she felt upon losing her brother and she asks Yahweh for patience so that she can face them properly and free the enslaved.
Not long after, she returns to K'tal in the midst of discussions between the K'tali regarding the Yoshuanites and the Chosen of Suhurta, though these names mean little to her since she seeks to understand what she holds as her faith and what she has become. What should have been a heated discussion turned quiet upon her appearance in the city center, as they saw her stand in front of the temple with a crowd. She speaks.
"I who bear the flame of Suhurta and the mercy of Yahweh ask you to listen!"
"God of compassion! God of the fire! You have given me the power to save my people, both are in me."
"Both speak through me."
"Listen to me sons and daughters of K'tal!" She says with conviction "I see the great legged across our river. They kill and enslave our brothers, our sisters, and our children. They walk upon our soil and claim it as their own. They reap our lives with impunity and yet we do not strike back as we should."
"To fear is to serve. To serve is to sacrifice yourself to those who demand you do so." She hugs herself and speaks loudly as to reach the ears of every single person in the gathering. "It is through the compassion of the One that I understand the meaning behind Suhurta's wrath, fire purifies the earth. As it cleanses the soul, it burns away the evil that plagues us..."
"And so..." She raises her hands to show the signs of magic that course through them. "...My brothers and sisters...Together we must act in the name of K'tal and expel the great-legged and their atrocities from this valley." With this, the spell cast a roaring flame burst forth from her hands into the night sky, igniting a battle cry.
"No longer will we remain cowards to their might. No longer will we cower in the face of their violence, their cruelty. Let us burn their forests and scatter their ashes. So let it be that no memory of their crimes will ever resurface from their ashes."
"So sayeth, the daughter of Yahweh and Champion of Suhurta: Izzi!"
For a moment there is silence before a roar of approval spreads through the crowd and into the rest of K'tal proper. For a moment, a temporary truce is accepted between the Chosen and the Followers. The theological debates may come later with payback but for now, Izzi forms up unity to fight against the enemies of humanity.
**Arrival of a Certain Italian**
Mario arrives at the entrance of K'tal right as night falls, the torches around the town of K'tal help him find it, and to be honest, his first impressions are quite positive as he marvels at the scenery of the village and the orderly placement of the houses within it. It is severely more rustic though, almost as if it was from the time of the Romans or even before. Just a few hours previously, he was pondering the fact that he was here and the circumstances of his previous death to finding this little spot of civilization...Well, perhaps calling it civilization might be a stretch considering the clothing style looks like the fur coats worn by ancient Germanic tribes.
Nonetheless, Mario keeps an easy smile even as he walks past people who seem very much different from the people of his home. The language is also an impediment but not one he cannot overcome. He speaks several languages, having worked for Frenchman, Englishmen, Spaniard, German, and Dutch. His natural talent and exposure made learning new tongues relatively easier and now he found himself struggling to understand the strange words of this new place.
A few people stare at him for a moment but pay him no heed, assuming him to be an outsider from another tribe or perhaps some sort of foreigner, though none approach him or even try to talk to him for which he is grateful. Though, some do eye his clothes with curiosity, but no more than that.
His arrival coincides with Izzi's attempt at gathering the tribes of K'tal to fight against the giants as a unified force. Due to his early charm and ability to cook, he is quickly well-received by one of the tribes of K'tal and even joins a hunting party shortly after, it becomes clear that Mario has good physical endurance but this does not translate to mental ability. For sure, he is good with spades and pickaxes but using them for digging and clearing the debris isn't exactly going to do anything useful in terms of combat. If only he had his brother with him he could brave it out for his sake, but out on his own, his ability to fight is limited.
The tribe that takes him is the Ayabani who came from further north. Already known for their dancing and cheerful attitude even in the face of great threats, they welcome him easily and accept him into their homes. His role at the beginning is mostly that of a cook and helper on their farms, they quickly grew fond of him due to his kind mannerisms and friendliness, soon earning the nickname "Dove" from the elder of the tribe due to him being relatively harmless and peaceful.
But the time for war arrives soon and Mario can tell by the armament of the warriors of the clan as they don armor crafted from leather, bone, and bronze. A host against the giants has been formed a year after Izzi called for the tribes of K'tal to rise to the occasion and so far Mario has trained for about half of the year attempting to learn how to throw spears and javelins at moving targets and other methods of hunting but ultimately fails to master much beyond picking mushrooms and cooking a mean vegetable stew.
**Great Legged Enemies**
For humanity, its memories of fighting back against greater threats aren't short with each tribe having pride for having made it this long into a harsh world. However, it consists mostly of pyrrhic victories and conflicts that have pushed them to the brink of extinction. Their hope and belief have managed to get them this far, however, even so, they know they are facing a stronger foe in individual strength than themselves. But now the human tribes are united even if temporarily under a single leader.
The Yoshuanites kneel on the ground with their hands in prayer to their god, while the Suhurtans meditate around fires believing that they'll absorb some of their energies by doing so. They haven't come to fully integrate their beliefs into a single entity like Izzi has attempted to do, but they can't deny that their respective God favors them in some way. The host stands at the thousands, at the minimum three thousand of the strongest, bravest, and best hunters of the tribe armed to the teeth for war. With spears, bows, slings, knives, and swords, they aim to match the giants' raw size and power.
There is something that makes this mobilization possible, first of all, with the threat of the river raptors gone and their villages and camps relatively safe from the wild fauna for now. Second of all food production is at a higher level than ever, with fewer dedicated to hunting and gathering and more able to take care of matters at home. Finally, the ability to heal and use fire magic is invaluable to the efforts of warfare. Healing allows wounds to close quicker, and bones to mend faster thus keeping fighters alive for longer...The flames meanwhile provide a quick way to deter the Giants and ensure that they have less opportunity to counter-attack.
The day of the crossing of the Yban river, the one next to K'tal, arrives soon. Several tribes and bands cross under a warm sun, over their encounters with the giants the wanderers have come to understand their strengths. For one, they are stronger, faster, and more resilient. For two, they can grow to enormous heights, towering above many humans, which often results in fear from the tribes. However, they also tire faster and are fewer in number. Izzi hopes to tire them out enough before battle to allow for a much easier defeat.
The first weeks are spent sending scouts ahead of the main group. Mostly men, and youths skilled in stealthy movements through the underbrush. Some never return as it becomes clear that great-legged also have eyesight that rivals and sometimes surpasses that of Humans. But those who return do so with information regarding their movements and the size of their parties which range from three to ten individuals.
The wanderers and the giants soon come to skirmish and engage, Izzi attempts her best to coordinate the tribes and warbands together, they act in tandem sometimes to overwhelm the enemy at opportune times such as in small ambushes with bows. This works at first, with casualties for both sides at least even, maybe even in favor of the humans. A few giants are felled but they soon come to answer in kind, the giants are patient and skilled hunters as well and they have one advantage and that is range. A hurled rock or stick goes farther and carries more force than that of the humans, when the tribesman is hit the damage is significant, at times leaving limbs broken, concussions, and torn muscles. While healing can mitigate the smaller injuries, those severe ones cause deaths and invalids among the human ranks.
Nonetheless, the wanderers under Izzi appear to be making progress and make use of forest fires to circle the giants into chokepoints where their advantage in height is mitigated or to block off access to parts of the forest altogether forcing the giants to move along preselected paths. Their knowledge of the local environment gives them an advantage over the giants who aren't as familiar with these woods as the wanderers of K'tal. Things appear to be going well with trophies already taken from the bodies of the fallen foes.
Throughout this, Mario finds himself helping others by creating mushroom stews. He is already surprised by the miracle of healing or the control of fire that the humans of this land can wield, and he does feel drawn towards learning some of the latter in his own time as the military campaign presses onwards. The fauna, the animals, and the giant enemies are all clear signs that he wasn't in Italy or his world anymore. He had heard of Mars and Venus before, perhaps this world belonged to a different celestial body? If he could find his brother here...
His absentmindedness returns to him but as a boon rather than a deadly mistake. The stew he prepares is delicious, to say the least, mixing in a combination of yellow-spotted mushrooms and black ones to give the meat a more savory flavor while providing the extra nutritional value of edible fungi. One of the mushrooms does react strangely to him, seemingly glowing when he touches it, but he gives it no mind as he prepares his stew. After it is served, the results are clear. The Ayabani warriors are given a sudden surge of energy the next day. For one, the Ayabani are faster, more focused, and more enduring than yesterday.
However, Mario does not notice it as he is deadly tired the next day. The Ayabani do keep asking for the same stew before battle and they gain good enough results for their tribe. It soon became a tradition amongst them to eat it before going to battle. Mario's industrious mind helps him quickly deduce why his fellow friends are asking for it and its effects. In a way, he is able to infuse the mushrooms with mana to make them gain certain properties, he doesn't understand how or why but it does work and he gets a slight chuckle from it. He does comply with the Ayabani's requests of course because why wouldn't you? It just makes him feel better in the long run, helping folks out like that.
Soon warriors from other tribes begin to ask for Mario to cook some for them as well and the man smiles brightly. While he himself isn't a fighter by any means, Mario can at the very least cook and prepare a good meal. The warriors, healers, and other staff enjoy his meals greatly which lifts spirits amidst the difficulties of campaigning gaining a level of respect from the tribal elders and shamans of K'tal as a whole.
[Gain battle brews as a path towards magic and potions]
As Mario cooks, fights between the giants and humans continue, sometimes it is the humans that ambush them, other times the opposite happens and the Giants lay a trap for the humans instead. Some battles even lead to multiple casualties for the humans, and though Izzi does her best, her efforts can't always guarantee the safety of her people and it pains her to watch someone die. Nonetheless, the war has been largely successful so far, the wandering tribes have adapted to the forest tactics and the Giants are slowly but surely getting tired out.
A month and then another passes, and the skirmishing continues. The final confrontation takes place right as the Giant's number dwindles, the Giant's slave now freed and helping against them as well. This time, instead of circling or surrounding, Izzi has the troops surround one of the largest and oldest of the Giants, one she calls the "Elder". A graying behemoth, easily taller than the rest of its peers, and possibly wiser for it.
The battle ends with hundreds of casualties on the side of the humans but the Giants are felled at last. The cost has not been cheap but the land of K'tal remains free of giants or at least the ones they knew of.
The day after the burial of the dead, they watch as the skies turn crimson and dark with the scent of blood lingering in the air. Only to hear a thunderous sound in the morning that clears the clouds from far away, the source of which is unknown. This is taken as an omen by the tribes as well whether sent by Suhurta or Yahweh to herald a coming change. But the united tribes do return with pride and glory to their territory.
[Local giants defeated]
[Stability increased to "Stable" due to the united victory]
**The Return and the Urbanite**
Lifetime: Diplomacy + Lore: Rank 5 (24 +63 +56 +36 +98) = 277) = 1 Success
DC: 50 (Base) + 10 (Nomads) + 15 (Lack of Large Urban Centers) - 5 (Niel's Teachings) = 70
Similar to Niel, Mario's return to his tribe's village ensures that he is received as a member of the clan and can stay amongst the K'tali. He sets up shop with his cooking skills, however, he is also more interested in providing more knowledge to the clansmen. He isn't that enthused about the rustic look of the buildings and towns, and he sees much that can be improved from the houses to the small canals used for irrigation. Not as high up as Niel, he does most of this job on his own with a single apprentice by the name of Ginri who comes to follow Mario as he teaches his techniques to the village folk.
Though his work with irrigation isn't entirely without precedence, the city-dwelling Mario still lacks knowledge about crops, wildlife, and building materials which can impede his plans. This frustrates him but his natural calm demeanor allows him to cool down whenever he tries something new that ends up in failure or otherwise ends poorly. On the bright side of things, Ginri turns out to be quite the learner when it comes to handling water and canalization, he helps set up several wells that will help in dry times and when the river is low in level.
Wells some level of filtration do provide some good level of water sanitation and the disposal of waste becomes much more streamlined allowing the settlement to remain healthy without needing to resort to having someone fetch water from outside the village's gates, something that would likely risk more than it is worth if it involves wild beasts.
He continues his work on the other tribes of K'tal, offering his services wherever possible in exchange for resources to do other tasks like irrigation systems and the construction of wells to store water. He gains the name "Water Dove" amongst the tribes due to his always leaving behind canals, ponds, and water holes whenever he settles somewhere, alongside his gentle demeanor. All in all, the years that passed since the conflict with the giants have been peaceful and beneficial to all involved as Mario helps build up the village infrastructure.
[Improved Wells: Helps with sanitation & increases the duration of sieges]
His friendly attitude also helps him connect the different tribes and organize feasts between them, strengthening the ties between tribes to some extent. Once he has a better grasp of the language and the culture of the K'tali, he comes to understand the problems around the Yoshuanites and Suhurtese. First of all, his religious knowledge from back in Europe helps him realize that they may be talking about his God and Jesus. The fact that they know him doesn't surprise him too much either since God must have reached everyone in the universe by now and sent someone or a prophet or even Himself in a way to announce His will.
As for the more animistic beliefs of the wanderers, he does not mind them too much but the usual problems between the religions do trouble him to some degree, particularly in the extreme adherence to the doctrines by some of the elders. Nonetheless, he manages to foster cooperation by inviting them to various banquets and celebrations. His food and slight experimentation with mushrooms also helped bring peace among the tribes since their use helped the human metabolism and body become a little stronger overall...They do note the strange reactions though of some individuals to specific species, sometimes making the person slightly glow in the night but he does have time to iron out the kinks of his cooking.
Slowly but surely the various tribes from the Lieto to the Urua begin to partake in the same festivities to which many travel to K'tali during important dates. The Yoshuanites and Chosen of Suhurta both do celebrate the victory over the Giants, but also mesh well in their efforts to praise their deities...This does help the two religions become a little closer to one another and brings a bit more stability between the tribes even if not unity per se something that Izzi remains hard at work but not quite successful with it so far.
[Gain Common Festivities: +5 to Stability Rolls while Tribal]
Mario and his assistant Ginri travel quite often to dig wells, cook, engage in feasts, and find new mushrooms. The last of these was one of Mario's favorite things to do, especially if he could add it to a dish later on. However, to find the best mushrooms he would have to travel back to the forest that had been settled by the Giants and now lied empty of their presence. It is in one of these travels that they find a giant youth, this taking place years after the initial incursion. The giant youth doesn't seem particularly threatened by the human's presence despite towering above them...Mario draws two and two together, knowing that he was probably hidden away when they came in and felled his larger brethren. He feels bad for the youth and decides to spend time with him and befriend him.
Ginri keeps wary of him but follows Mario's example. He asks Mario what would the tribes think of interacting with him given their experiences with the giants of before. But Mario simply states that not every Giant must be hostile, after all, he himself isn't from K'tal and yet here he is. He gets his point across to Ginri and soon they find themselves returning regularly to spend time with him and get to know the child more as he grows. Mario nicknames him Yoshar due to his personality and somewhat silly voice though he is a fun guy and always ready to play games with Ginri and Mario when he visits.
They keep this a secret even as Mario grows older and greyer and as his pupil ages with him. They help him hide and remain undetected by the rest of the tribe but once it becomes clear that the humans of K'tal will return to the forest and this side of the river, they tell him to go east where hopefully, he'll be safer. Given that giants age slower than humans, the youth remains a youth even as Mario reaches 65 years old. He decides to go for one last adventure and accompanies Yoshar East. This won't be easy though as he fears that he'll never see the villagers of K'tal ever again. All his friends and colleagues. He says his goodbyes to the Ayabani and leaves.
He spends his last few years with the giant youngster whom he treated as a son teaching him the ropes of surviving on your own with a more solitary existence, he tells him stories about his home in Europe, the wars, his brother, and how the sewers were really underground castles where only the bravest of sappers would walk, the wonders of civilization...and sadly he begins to slip away in a cold winter evening while he laid there resting. Content that this time he was not alone but with family nonetheless.
And so...he passes away leaving an impact on the village of the Ayabani with their newfound knowledge regarding wells, the usage of herbs and potions, and the growth of mushrooms in general. A good plumber in another world.
The Wanderers of K'etal
120 I.T
Initial Stats of Humanity
Centralization: Tribal. Your piece of humanity is far too small to be splintered just yet, it works along tribal and familial connections made up of the different humans that wandered and joined the group.
Stability: Stable. The religious differences remain but have stabilized after the victory against the Giants.
Population: 45,921 - 1000 [War against the Giants] - 300 (Giant Earthquake) = 44,621
Food Availability: Surplus. The agricultural techniques of K'etal improve but the initial population boom begins to slow down.
Threat Level: Medium. In this world, wild animals and flora can cause significant damage to human populations often requiring sacrifices to ensure the survival of the majority.
Technological Level: Limited Bronze Age. Humans have knowledge of metalworking, astrology, and mathematics however there aren't the necessary complex networks of trade and specialization to allow them to reach greater levels of complexity.
Geography and Weather:
The land settled by the wanderers of K'etal is a temperate territory with some amount of rainfall falling constantly throughout the year, the land to the south and west tends to be higher in altitude than that to the north. A single small river with not much water passes through the territory, it is navigable by canoes and other vessels of similar size. The land is relatively fertile enough with forests covering much of the non-arid land surrounding the territory.
Temperatures vary from a comfortable 22° C in summer to -1° in Winter, as such, cultivation is seasonal and relies on rainwater, aquifers, and also enough temperature to keep working. The lower lands are mostly grasslands of the temperate variety, with the higher territories having plenty of forests around.
Traits:
The situational and cultural aspects of this society are defined by Ethos which can change and confer bonuses and also maluses to certain actions taken as a whole by this society. All of these apply to the DC.
Tribal: The societal structure of this society revolves around extended family identities and common features like language and kinship, the different groups that have joined the original wanderers also hold their own clans and tribes as separate with their own cultural traditions, though, how united remains to be seen. [-10 to Centralization-related, +10 towards Stability]
Nomads: The mythos of these people tell of endless danger outside of the Rift Valley and that one day they will return. Everyone must be ready to leave at a heartbeat's notice as the elders wander of complacency and staying in this land for too long. [+10 to Settlement and Urbanization Type ][-15 to Exploration and Resettling]
Survivalists: The people are ready to sweat and bleed so that they can survive, they are used to hardships and nature's trials. One will find amongst them many willing to do anything to protect their family and loved ones even if it must come to the worst. [-10 to Defensive Goals]
Compassion: Yoshua's teachings focused on compassion among the sons of God. This compassion extends to selflessness, virtue, and worship of god. Their beliefs instill a communal sense of belonging and of hope for the future. [-5 Towards Stability [Bonus or Malus may increase as time goes on]]
Supremacy: Humanity may be weak, but even in weakness it finds strength. Anyone stronger than them must be put to the sword and burn in the flames. [-5 to Conflict]
Diplomacy:
The Giants of the Forest:
Description: Bipedal beings that sort of reassemble humans that stand from 4 to 6 meters in height. Dangerous in combat and territorial.
Population: 0 (1?)
Status: Defeated
Characters of Interest:
Izzi: The successor to Ryumen, someone able and capable of holding both healing and fire magic at her disposal. Though, not to the levels of Ryumen or Yoshua, she is very skilled and amongst the best practicers of the forces of magic. Now that the one who killed her brother is gone, she is left with a burden put on her by the Followers of Yoshua and the Chosen of Suhurta, as they claim her to be blessed by each of their respective Gods.
Factions of Interest:
Lieto Clan:
Locations: Neutheol [5.2k]
History: Wanderers from the southern lands, they took a stranger by the name of Niel Strähl and gain increased relevance amongst the clans. The son of Niel, Thriel remains as chieftain of this clan.
Clan Urua:
Locations: K'etal [5k]
History: Clan Urua was the one to lead the efforts to drive off the river raptors from this valley and land. While successful they incurred several casualties. During the life of Yoshua, some converted to the monotheistic religion due to the healing done by the "Son of God".
AyabaniClan:
Locations: Mycoltha [3k]
History: Wanderers from the northern lands, took a stranger by the name of Mario, they gained knowledge of wells and irrigation, with a little specialization on mushroom brew that make them feel energized.
Followers of Yoshua:
Members: 8k
History: Those who followed the preacher of Yoshua during his lifetime, while a minority amongst the K'tali, have been known to praise the miracles of Yoshua's healing. It is said that some of them are able to continue healing just as Yoshua did, though their healing is minor at best.
Chosen of Suhurta:
Members: 9k
History: Brought upon by the destruction of Viru at the hands of Ryumen and the burning of the forests with endless clouds of ash, they believe in the amalgamation of a god of destruction, fury, and fire. His name is Suhurta and his champion is tasked with the defense of K'tal and the Cauldron of Flames.
Mythos:
Legends of Fear: Humanity fears and it has managed to escape its greatest fears for the time being. [The Victory against the giants begins to fade the Legends of Fear]
Shelt, Minor God of Agriculture and Shelter: A relatively new god that had appeared within the mythos not long before the settlement of K'etal. He protects and provides for the farmer, shepherd, and herder. Influenced by Niel Strähl towards enhanced organization and more pragmatic management of foodstuffs.
The One God: Yahweh, one true god of humanity, a god that guarantees bodily resurrection, peace, and love at the end of times. A comforting religion for people who are on the edge of death.
Suhurta: God of Fire, Destruction, and Fury. Tied to vengeance and the defense of family, he is very different to the Yahweh of Yoshua and provides a world in which the strength to destroy your enemies is paramount.
Livestock: -Domestication of Magnificient Hoof [109/ 450]
Urban:
-Urban Planning Added [Not very relevant but will help later on]
-Improved Early Shelters and Huts. [Enhanced protection against the elements]
-Wells [Better water sanitation and siege duration]
Magic:
-Healing Insights
-Elemental Fire Insights
-Basic Mana Infused Potions
The Situation:
Another thirty-two years have passed for the wanderers of K'tal, united in Yahweh and Suhurta under Izzi they have been victorious against the Giants. The temporary religious truce has helped to somewhat soothe the tensions between the two, but the teachings of Yoshua seem to fade and change just as does the one by the Chosen of Suhurta. Izzi attempted her best to unite both faiths but her success was more martial than religious, the division between the two remains but each side looks more at the other with peer and quality. Neither can deny the hand that heals and the flaming hand. Both continue to pursue their respective's God's place as the one with lesser enthusiasm. It seems that for now two facets of humanity shall be represented by two different Gods. The one who can speak through them shall be known as Flamebearer, though, there is no immediate successor to Izzi.
One event that will be recorded in the history of the wanderers is the time when day turned crimson and left the humans baffled as to what had happened. Events like this have been recorded before great calamities before, though, this omen appears to have taken place far away enough to not have an immediate effect on the wanderers for now. The skies and thunderous sounds appears to come from the West.
A few years later, another important sight is made as a flight of large winged creatures is seen traveling west toward where the first sound was heard. Whether these events are related remains unknown to the wanderers.
The humanoids that were sighted in the north have been sighted again by parties of hunters, however, the hunters themselves begin to doubt if they are human at all. They seem unwilling to interact and have not yet settled anywhere known to the wanderers.
Finally, right as Mario sets off on his journey a major earthquake takes place. One that lasts for hours before finally subsiding, thanks to it taking place at night and the small but useful town preparations only a couple hundred of people perish. Mostly due to ground slides. A few weeks later, dark noxious green smoke is spotted by hunters to the East.
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Chapter 5: Sun Fen, the "Stone" 121 I.T to 136 I.T
The sound of the carriage wheels passing over the dusty road is one that Sun Fen has grown accustomed to after years of living this far west. It is because of that fact that the whistling of an arrow that incrusts itself on her wooden window is enough to alarm her. Her instincts awaken at the danger, but the first whistle was only the beginning. Arrows begin to whistle and land on the bodies of her escort, the horses cry in pain as they are hit and the shouts and cries of pain of the men are but silenced. Sun Fen and her servants stay in the carriage, she takes a dagger for occasions such as this.
The small weapon is not meant to fight off her enemies. She wouldn't be dumb enough to provoke her like a wild dog, instead, she takes a moment to calm down her servants. Her words probably won't do much for the terrible fate that awaits them, but she has a far more grueling task ahead of her. She recites the teachings of Confucius inside of her mind and remembers that she promised her husband that no humiliation would come to him from her part. Her stoic bravado and personality are put to the test in these final moments, she unsheathes the dagger and aligns the tip of the blade against her chest.
She will sorely miss her son and daughter, but she knows that they will be strong enough. The approaching steps of armored footmen grow louder, the distinguishable lamellar armor on them is but proof that her ambushers are no mere bandits. She knows she doesn't have much more time, so she incrusts the blade against herself. The pain is a crucible that lasts for a short few moments...She sees the blood pour down onto the carriage's floor. Her only lament is that she did not do enough for her family and loved ones...In her last moment, she ponders if her father would be proud of her...
Happenings in K'tal
The position of flame bearer for the wanderers of K'tal goes vacant the day that an old Izzie dies. The tensions between the Yoshuanites and the Followers of Suhurta appear to bubble to the surface once more. However, the position is quickly filled by a man by the name of Anrus. A retainer of Izzi when she lived. Without the giant threat, his task is mostly to keep the internal peace of the tribes of K'tal. His ideas though are to push forward for a concentration of power and put in line both the Yoshuanites and the Followers of Suhurta, either through force as he saw strength win humanity's victories.
[Anrus pushes towards forceful harmonization of the Yoshuanites and the Followers of Suhurta. Pushing towards centralization of the K'tal. He will attempt to form a chiefdom of the tribes near K'tal.]
The defeat of the Giants and their virtual extermination from the local lands has pushed for the humans to gain a little bit of pride and less terror from their surroundings. Their control of the flame and the ability to heal allows them to secure some sort of respite from the chaos of the world.
[Legends of Fear is no longer active. Another win for humanity against a non-human enemy will completely remove it. But it can be reactivated]
As the clans that live near the Yban River begin to grow and gain power over the smaller tribes, small-level conflicts occur over which land belongs to which tribe for agriculture. These conflicts led to the losing tribes often packing up and leaving for better prospects. This has pushed human settlements farther and farther away from the town of K'tal. Where the territory is far more unknown and dangerous, however, with new land, new opportunities also arise.
[Humanity's growth will lead to growth towards one particular cardinal direction. You must choose where humanity expands towards but beware expansion as it may bring you into conflict with other races.]
A Lady of Han
Sun Fen wakes up not in the middle of a deserted field, nor rocks or near danger. Instead, the lady awakens next to fields of strange vegetation. She is quickly sighted by the local tribesmen who upon seeing her marvel at her silk clothing. The embroidery and quality of craftsmanship are nothing they have seen before, and their instincts tell the farmers that she must be someone important. Perhaps, from some other tribe. Of course, when she is taken to the local clan chief, they come to the realization that she does not come from any tribe or clan at all. She is entirely foreign.
Her language is far too different from that of the locals, her mannerisms and etiquette do strange them and even amuse the K'tali. Sun Fen finds herself frustrated at the lack of communication, she doesn't have an answer to where she is and neither does she have an answer to her supposed previous demise. Instead, she is surrounded by tribesmen of the hills. The kind that was in her land was foreign and unwilling to partake in the civilization of her people. Barbarians.
They are clearly not her captors, for they do not even speak a language similar to hers. They are neither demons or spirits playing with her, for their smell and their attitude is far too real for it to be mistaken. Nonetheless, the Parat tribe welcomes her. This tribe is north of Ulthos and K'tal, north due to settling in the lower grasslands that are close to the desert. Here the ground is not as deep as the one in K'tal but the Vila make do by means of partaking in the Maghoof, the load-bearing animal that has begun to bear a more docile breed and that is helping the K'tali with the carrying of loads and even the clearing of ground for seeds.
The strange creature with four eyes certainly surprises Sun Fen as the creature looks like a horse but in all the wrong ways, still, she is accustomed to eating strange food that has a much different taste to the meat and rice of her homeland. She comes to realize that the people here live much harsher lives but her diligent nature makes her an asset in the daily work that must be tended to in the tribe. From weaving and knitting, something that only her handmaidens used to do, to cleaning and harvesting of food. All these tasks make her recoil at the thought of somebody in her family watching her do what she was doing now. For her to be so low, where was the order and harmony?
The final nail in the coffin to the fact that she would never see her family or homeland again was the strange conjured magic that she saw before her eyes. Once when a man started a fire not with flintstones but with the sole use of his hand with a flame appearing on his palm. The other, was when a boy's bruises were healed when her mother came running after him and placed her hand while reciting prayers to the tribe's gods and spirits.
Just in what realm was she in?
[Sun Fen arrives at the northern tribe of Parat]
Neighbours and Foreigners
The period of peace that humanity in these lands had lasted for long enough, with the war against the giants that illusion of peace had shattered. First, the river raptors and then the Giants. Humanity would find no respite with beings that were different than them. They had fled from greater terrors and fates, only to see themselves once more in need of defending themselves. However, the Giants were merely the beginning.
One day when Sun Fen was out in the fields, helping a local shaman gather herbs, mushrooms, and the like to make medicines. She sees a giant...A true giant running away from something... She is warned by the great mother shaman to leave, but her eyes are unable to be taken off the spectacle that soon unfolds before her eyes.
The giant is pursued by armored riders, who ride at speed while throwing arrows and javelins at the Giant. In the grasslands there is no cover tall or big enough for the giant, instead, the leather coverings of the Giant are filled with arrows much in the same way that they once were when Izzi gathered the K'tali against them. The battle between the Giant and the riders is not so much a battle as they attempt to tire him out, the giant lashing out against and shouting cries of pain against its enemies. Finally, the Giant appears tired enough and stops. Two riders then gain distance before charging at the giant with long spears that are incrusted deep into the Giant's knees, leaving him unable to stand, and then this act repeats again and again, each time targeting a different body part until the Giant is dead.
Sun Fen watched the whole affair wondering if the riders could be identified...Not that she was allowed to see them from up close by great mother shaman. However, when the battles stop and the riders finally stop. Her eyes finally reveal to her their true form. It was not a rider and his horse that she was seeing but half-men and half-horse beasts. Their faces elongated and their features alien to her. The group of centaurs could not be larger than twelve, and when the Giant falls they are quick to take pace to go back.
The centaurs and the men of the tribe Parat make eye contact no longer after...A tense moment later, the centaurs withdraw from the grasslands. Clearly not interested in seeking out a fight with the humans.
The news of this sighting spread across the human tribes like wildfire. The Chosen of Suhurta conducts rituals in preparation for war, while Flame Bearer Anrus takes advantage of this to hold meetings with members of both the Yoshuanites and the Chosen of Suhurta. This brief period of unity allowing him influence to reduce the influence of certain members of both factions unwilling to make talk or deals with him.
However, no further sightings of the centaurs are made for the time being. Whatever they came to do, it seemed as if they had finished it and left back to where they came from. However, the knowledge that the Centaurs now know about them does bring some worry to the K'tali.
[The Northern Parat Tribe sights the Centaurs hunting a giant. They appear to come from farther east.]
The years pass and Sun Fen slowly begins to come to terms with her station, her philosophy also identifying several of the points that Confucius had made about societal harmony. She comes to the conclusion that the people here may be a little rough, but they are honest, united, and willing to ensure social harmony at least within tribes. The only problem that she comes to measure is the fanaticism of the Sons of Suhurta and the Yoshuanites, always pushing for the teachings of their God and the need to make sacrifices for them. However, with time passing and the tight leash that Flame Bearer Anrus holds over them, it seems that they are more and more willing to tolerate each other.
Sun Fen's last conclusion is that if she is to be of any help to the people of this land and to ensure her own station, where she may actually guide and advise these people then she needs a way to gain political power. She hears from Izzi and knows that a woman may raise to quite a high position in this society, but she believes in the old traditional way of marriage. It isn't easy for her to start anew with a new family, a new husband, and perhaps a new family...But she sees no other option, especially with the kind of beasts that she had seen previously roaming these lands.
The sight of the Giant being felled with dozens of arrows on his body does remind her of her past death...and she doesn't wish to commit the same mistake twice.
Sun Fen does arrive at the right moment and the right time. The chief of the tribe that she had met was an old man and it seemed that the Chief's son had taken an interest in her, mostly attracted to her firm personality and ways of handling conflict not with confrontation but with sheer will of mind to put them to shame through silence or indifference. Sun Fen had long noticed this interest and made use of it to marry him. She wore her silk dress, though, she attempted to dye it as red as she could for the wedding, and conducted a marriage ceremony similar to that of her people as best she could. The festivities of the Chief's son were certainly grand with plenty of celebration, romance, and a warm restful night.
The man she had married was Ikos, a man who had his own ideas for the tribe and who placed the same worry about the sighting of the Centaurs as Sun Fen. They both would soon tackle that problem and with good reason.
[Sun Fen marries into the Parut Chief's family. Her husband's name is Ikos]
A New Neighbour
The Parut were warned about the humanoids with strange eyes that were in the desert. Though, they weren't sighted that many times afterward, many believed them to be perhaps other groups of humans who preferred living in the desert rather than risk the fauna of the grasslands and forests. However, they couldn't be more wrong.
One day, when a Parut hunting party went north, they indeed found said humanoids. A town of them in fact had settled between the deserts in the north of the Yban river. Probably thousands of them had built a mud brick wall around their town and begun to farm their territory. When sighted, the Parut with their spears, bows, and slings, were met by a small party of disciplined soldiers wearing armor made out of fabrics. Their faces were certainly close to human. However, their skin was in the tones of grey and silver, with their arms and legs seemingly covered in tattoos of black dye. Their eyes were also bright gold, their frames slightly thinner than counterparts of the Parut tribesmen. However, beyond that, their structure was human and so were their voices.
The meeting between the two wasn't as tense as with that of the Centaurs but it was certainly something. Communication could not be made with no shared language, however, the word Xinra is spoken to the tribesmen. Not much else is known about them other than they appear to have settled further north. Their technological level appears to be similar to that of the K'tali albeit with slightly more refined workings to their society and the quality of their crafts.
Trade soon begins between the Parut and the Xinra, first foodstuffs, seeds, and then small animals that the Xinra have domesticated. Soon, other tribes will also want to get into this trade but for now, many questions are left for the K'tali about their new northern neighbors.
[The K'tali meet with the Xinra, seemingly humans but with grey skin and strange tattoos, they speak in a foreign tongue not familiar to any of the tribes. The town of Yamet is discovered.]
Sun Fen's first objective was to prepare proper warriors who could fight off any threat to her clan and her family. She needed a military, an army something that wasn't a completely foreign concept to the people of K'tal but it would be hard to implement in the still-growing small rural society of humanity. She envisioned something akin to the Confucian ideal for a soldier, loyal, disciplined, and separated from other tasks that may hamper their trade.
She got the approval of Ikos as their town of Batar would clearly need defenses in case of a Centaur attack or in case the Xinra of Yamet would prove to be enemies in the future. Besides, a few river raptors had stayed around as castaways and needed extermination. So Sun Fen got to work and she did.
She sought to pick families amongst those that had displayed prowess in martial combat. Then, she began to instruct the males from those families and even some women who wished to partake in training in the ways of fighting. She did not have the swords, armor, or spears of her homeland, but she managed to achieve similar equipment by trade with K'tal and its few artisan blacksmiths. She also instructed the families to stop field work and made sure that they would attend training.
It took several years and lots of effort, alongside some resistance from other families that saw the warrior families not working but finally. Sun Fen was successful. She armed a fifty-strong disciplined core of clan guards, she even taught them a formation or two for combat with other such armies. They were proper warriors, though, she knew that warrior families would take a while for them to gain the traditions and experience of those of her homeland. They are better equipped than the men from other tribes through investment and discipline. They are soon tested though not fully against another clan that was settling near the lands of the Parat, the sheer formation under the guidance of Sun Fen was enough to deter the other tribe from attacking and leaving their stake on the land for the Parat. This increased the influence of Parat with its fellow tribes in the northern grasslands, helping it consolidate power.
In particular, one aspect that Sun Fen emphasized was the need for a combination of both the martial knowledge and the supernatural power of the flames, they could carry. Knowing that using both in formation could be effective against enemies.
[K'tal gains "Warrior Families" which grant a semi-professional standing forces, this will spread fully in 50 years. Parat gains 50 Warriors. The knowledge of the warrior family system devised by Sun Fen will spread to other tribes and K'tal proper.]
Her second attempt to establish an oral curriculum to teach new officers would be much harder to achieve. In particular, because there were few if any educated people in K'tal and her tribe, and the number of soldiers wasn't great enough to warrant anyone learning such a curriculum. Instead, she manages to create a small oral poem that she puts to leather records similar to those used by the Yoshuanites. In there, she explains a few basic aspects of warfare and leading men, though, not all-encompassing it is a good start for officers in the future.
[Basic Military Knowledge gained as part of technological archive though not active until larger semi-standing armies are organized.]
Sun Fen prepared a family shrine for her new family, one that was rudimentary but that had enough to honor her new shared ancestors and those of her previous life. She conducted complex rituals for honoring them that were certainly more extensive than those of the burials or cremations that the Parat practiced. Ikos soon accompanies Sun Fen in honoring his father and ancestors, and by leading by example the rest of the tribe follow suit. Soon, small shrines were built with praying of warding off spirits and wishing for boons with their gods.
[Gain progress into "Enshrined Ancestors" ethos which will provide a stability bonus]
Perhaps, a more difficult task than all before was about teaching her new offspring about Confucius. Here Sun Fen didn't have any teachers, tutors, or scriptures to go off, instead, all she had were her manners, her memories, and her wish to see her new family act in a proper way to ensure the social harmony of the tribe. One way or another, she instilled into her children the principles of social harmony, in particular, loyalty, righteousness, and propriety. While she wouldn't live long enough to see her new offspring grow into proper men and women, she knew that they would be prepared to show the other tribesmen the right way in which to act as leaders and deal with talks.
[Gain progress into "Confucian Etiquette" ethos which will grant a stability bonus and also influence the Parat Clan ]
Sun Fen's new life in this world would not last very long, she would die at a mere eighteen years after arrival. What would take her was an illness and she would die in relative peace, something that she didn't have a previous privilege. She had achieved much for tribe Parat, in particular, preparing them for a future of conflict and hopefully for them to have a greater role amongst the wanderers of K'tal.
The Wanderers of K'etal
120 I.T
Initial Stats of Humanity
Centralization: Tribal. Your piece of humanity is far too small to be splintered just yet, it works along tribal and familial connections made up of the different humans that wandered and joined the group.
Stability: Stable. The religious differences remain but have stabilized after the victory against the Giants.
Population: 50,286
Food Availability: Surplus. The agricultural techniques of K'etal improve but the initial population boom begins to slow down.
Threat Level: Medium. In this world, wild animals and flora can cause significant damage to human populations often requiring sacrifices to ensure the survival of the majority.
Technological Level: Limited Bronze Age. Humans have knowledge of metalworking, astrology, and mathematics however there aren't the necessary complex networks of trade and specialization to allow them to reach greater levels of complexity.
Geography and Weather:
The land settled by the wanderers of K'etal is a temperate territory with some amount of rainfall falling constantly throughout the year, the land to the south and west tends to be higher in altitude than that to the north. A single small river with not much water passes through the territory, it is navigable by canoes and other vessels of similar size. The land is relatively fertile enough with forests covering much of the non-arid land surrounding the territory.
Temperatures vary from a comfortable 22° C in summer to -1° in Winter, as such, cultivation is seasonal and relies on rainwater, aquifers, and also enough temperature to keep working. The lower lands are mostly grasslands of the temperate variety, with the higher territories having plenty of forests around.
Traits:
The situational and cultural aspects of this society are defined by Ethos which can change and confer bonuses and also maluses to certain actions taken as a whole by this society. All of these apply to the DC.
Tribal: The societal structure of this society revolves around extended family identities and common features like language and kinship, the different groups that have joined the original wanderers also hold their own clans and tribes as separate with their own cultural traditions, though, how united remains to be seen. [-10 to Centralization-related, +10 towards Stability]
Nomads: The mythos of these people tell of endless danger outside of the Rift Valley and that one day they will return. Everyone must be ready to leave at a heartbeat's notice as the elders wander of complacency and staying in this land for too long. [+10 to Settlement and Urbanization Type ][-15 to Exploration and Resettling]
Survivalists: The people are ready to sweat and bleed so that they can survive, they are used to hardships and nature's trials. One will find amongst them many willing to do anything to protect their family and loved ones even if it must come to the worst. [-10 to Defensive Goals]
Compassion: Yoshua's teachings focused on compassion among the sons of God. This compassion extends to selflessness, virtue, and worship of god. Their beliefs instill a communal sense of belonging and of hope for the future. [-5 Towards Stability [Bonus or Malus may increase as time goes on]]
Supremacy: Humanity may be weak, but even in weakness it finds strength. Anyone stronger than them must be put to the sword and burn in the flames. [-5 to Conflict]
Non-Active:
- Enshrined Ancestors: Constructing shrines for ancestor and spirit worship has become something of a small tradition for the people of Clan Parat and it may spread into other tribes. This dedication to the past will grant greater social cohesion for family units and a source of pride for noble families. [Grants a small bonus to stability rolls]
- Confucian Etiquette: The ways to follow social harmony and behave have been taught by Sun Fen to the people of Clan Parat, they will certainly gain their usefulness for diplomacy and stability. [Grants a small bonus to diplomacy and stability rolls]
Diplomacy:
The Giants of the Forest:
Description: Bipedal beings that sort of reassemble humans that stand from 4 to 6 meters in height. Dangerous in combat and territorial.
Population: 0 (1?)
Status: Defeated
The Xinra:
Description: Humanoids with grey skin, tattoed skin and a strange language. They reassemble humans in all but those aspects. They
Locations: Yamet [Low Brick Walls]
Trade Goods: Small Domesticated Animals, Textiles
Population: 10k
Status: Neutral
The Centaurs:
Description: Half-humanoid and half-horse, these beings are fast and seem to thrive around the plains and grasslands. They were last seen in the north east successfully pursuing and killing a Giant that was fleeing from them.
Locations: Unknown
Population: Unknkown
Status: Neutral
Characters of Interest:
Anrus: The next flame bearer after Izzi, he is tired of the incessant squabbles between Yoshuanites and the Sons of Suhurta, he will attempt to centralize power and bring forth a unification of doctrine where Izzi had previous failed even if it means conflict for the wanderers of K'tal.
Factions of Interest:
Lieto Clan:
Locations: Neutheol [5.4k]
History: Wanderers from the southern lands, they took a stranger by the name of Niel Strähl and gain increased relevance amongst the clans. The son of Niel, Thriel remains as chieftain of this clan.
Clan Urua:
Locations: K'etal [5.2k]
History: Clan Urua was the one to lead the efforts to drive off the river raptors from this valley and land. While successful they incurred several casualties. During the life of Yoshua, some converted to the monotheistic religion due to the healing done by the "Son of God".
AyabaniClan:
Locations: Mycoltha [3.2k]
History: Wanderers from the northern lands, took a stranger by the name of Mario, they gained knowledge of wells and irrigation, with a little specialization on mushroom brew that make them feel energized.
Parat Clan:
Locations: Batar [6k]
History: The Parat are an influential clan from the northern grasslands, they accepted a woman by the name of Sun Fen, who attempted to ingrain with etiquette and ways to organize their defense. They currently have a warhost of 50 warrior that are well trained and disciplined, something that they have begun to use to leverage their power over other smaller tribes in the area. [50 Warriors]
Followers of Yoshua:
Members: 10k
History: Those who followed the preacher of Yoshua during his lifetime, while a minority amongst the K'tali, have been known to praise the miracles of Yoshua's healing. It is said that some of them are able to continue healing just as Yoshua did, though their healing is minor at best.
Chosen of Suhurta:
Members: 10k
History: Brought upon by the destruction of Viru at the hands of Ryumen and the burning of the forests with endless clouds of ash, they believe in the amalgamation of a god of destruction, fury, and fire. His name is Suhurta and his champion is tasked with the defense of K'tal and the Cauldron of Flames.
Mythos:
Legends of Fear: Humanity fears and it has managed to escape its greatest fears for the time being. [The Victory against the giants begins to fade the Legends of Fear][Inactive]
Shelt, Minor God of Agriculture and Shelter: A relatively new god that had appeared within the mythos not long before the settlement of K'etal. He protects and provides for the farmer, shepherd, and herder. Influenced by Niel Strähl towards enhanced organization and more pragmatic management of foodstuffs.
The One God: Yahweh, one true god of humanity, a god that guarantees bodily resurrection, peace, and love at the end of times. A comforting religion for people who are on the edge of death.
Suhurta: God of Fire, Destruction, and Fury. Tied to vengeance and the defense of family, he is very different to the Yahweh of Yoshua and provides a world in which the strength to destroy your enemies is paramount.
Technological Archives:
Agricultural:
-Crop Rotation
-Crop Selection
-Improved Early Crop Irrigation
Livestock: -Domestication of Magnificient Hoof [124/ 450]
Military:
-Warrior Families [0/50][will lead into Warrior Caste]
-Basic Military Knowledge [Non-active useful when there are larger armies and commanders]
Knowledge:
-Rudimentary Records
Urban:
-Urban Planning Added [Not very relevant but will help later on]
-Improved Early Shelters and Huts. [Enhanced protection against the elements]
-Wells [Better water sanitation and siege duration]
Magic:
-Healing Insights
-Elemental Fire Insights
-Basic Mana Infused Potions
The Situation:
Fifteen more years pass for the wanderers of K'tal, and the death of Izzi marks a new era one where Flame Bearer Anrus will attempt to centralize power around K'tal and to unify both the Yoshuanites and Chosen of Suhurta through force if needed. The arrival of Sun Fen to the north in the tribe of Parat coincides with the sighting of Centaurs and the Xinra. Humanity is much less alone than it was before and it seems that Anrus will indeed be required to unite the tribes further in preparation for future times. Now it remains to be seen if he will have as much support as needed to achieve that goal...
[X] Centralize: The new flame bearer will attempt to impose harsh measures to ensure the unity of K'tal and begin to gather influence around him.
[X] Confederate: The tribes won't support Anrus but they will attempt to organize around a more cohesive confederation of tribes to better deal with external threats.
Meanwhile, the expansion of humanity continues and it is expected to continue even further. The tribesmen of K'tal will pick a particular direction to expand into.
[X] East: The vast forests must be burned so that humanity may continue to expand in the valleys. [Faster Growth]
[X] North: Following the Yban River and expanding our settlements across the northern grasslands is the next forwards for the tribesmen. [Standard Growth, More contact with Xinras, Greater Focus on Domestication and Herding]
[X] West: The efforts of the tribesmen are to the west where they may find copper, tin, and arid highlands where they may settle in relative safety. [Smaller Growth, Mining Development]
[X] South: To the south, there are some arid lands but with valleys that may just be protected by mountains and hills, that land will surely be a boon and safer for any settlers. [Standard Growth, Long-Term Safer Growth]
The traditions and knowledge of the supernatural amongst the K'tali grows with time. They have had access to magic for less than a century, but its usage has shown its clear benefits. The K'tali focus on expanding their knowledge in one particular path...
[X] Healing
[X] Flames
[X] Potions
Contact with the Xinra brings the humans closer to forming a diplomatic relationship with someone similar to them. The Parat tribe is particularly well positioned to take advantage of any trade or actions with the Xinra.
[X] Raids: Raiding the Xinra and testing their meddle may be best for the tribes, its better to teach them that we are not to be messed with.
[X] Trade: Continue trading with the Xinra, we both to stand to benefit from such trade.
[X] Alliance: Enlist the Xinra to become our future allies through efforts to gain their trust.
Finally, with a hundred years of relative peace and constant growth. Humanity has begun to set root on this land. This brings with it the question of whether the tribes will decide to band closer together in cities or if on the contrary, it is better for them to remain separate in their own fortified holdings. Pick 1 to replace "Nomads" traits.
[X] Urbanites: The K'tali will begin to disband their smaller settlements and concentrate around larger towns and cities.
[X] Fort Dwellers: The smaller settlements will continue and they will gain further defenses, though, centralization efforts will be harder as a result.
God of the Land
The being who awoke with the arrival of the humans into the valley gained further strength with their numbers and victories. Though, it must slumber once more. The more it slumbers, the more its powers grow, however, the more alone it leaves the humans who arrived at the valley. The being slumbers for...
(Pick 1. This will be the length of the interlude between this character and the next arriving into K'tal.)
[X] 100 Years [1 Pick]
[X] 300 Years [2 Picks]
However, with its slumber come boons for the next travelers who find themselves within these lands. However, the boon will remain an unknown.
(Pick 1 if you picked 100 Years or 2 Picks if you picked 300 Years. These will confer unlocks for future isekai characters related to the particular wording. )
[X] Arcane
[X] Growth
[X] Mind
[X] Body
[X] Material
OOC: Planning phase, this will last for 48 hours. Then I will open plan voting, feel free to ask any questions. Post your plans.
