Sexual Civilizations

[That_One_Guy]

TURN 1: SPRING (Yay~)
Junta Tribe (Grape_Drink) Pop: 100, Food: 100, Metals/Ores/Wood: 100 (overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The great Tribe of the Frozen Wastes, the snow barely bothers these men and women and the houses made using snow and the occasional wood that was found nearby, the world expands beyond your eyes and the compass technology your tribe had attained helps you find your way back, but also goes crazy when something is near.
Research Opportunities: Wheel, Bronze, Mathematics, Archery, Drugs
Building Opportunities: Walls(defense), barracks(offense), Hunting Lodge(Increased hunting/foraging chances), Mine(Increases chances for metals/ores), Forester (plant trees), Lumber mill (increase chances for wood), Brothel (Morale and some Pop)

Etokai Tribe (Taria) Pop: 100, Food: 100, Metal/Ores/Wood: 100 (overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The swamps changed you, forged you, the years here have mutated your bodies into those of wasp-like creatures, but the swamps no longer effect you and it even helped you concoct drugs that'll effect your enemies minds and bodies. The homes you built are one with the trees, building homes inside of them, but there are still things that require you to chop down the weaker trees to use.
Research Opportunities: Wheel, Mathematics, Archery, Farming, Sea Faring
Building Opportunities: Walls(Defense), Barracks(Offense), Hunting Lodge(Increased Hunting/Foraging Chances), Mine (Increases Chances for Metals/Ores), Forester (Plant trees), Lumber Mill (Increases chances for more wood), Brothel(morale, and some pop)

Daughters of the Fallen (Phoenixcz) Pop: 100, Food: 100, Metal/Ores/Wood: 100 (overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The radiated deserts shows heat off your people's tanned and darkened bodies, your dragoons and cavalry always on the prowl. Your home was made from the remains of an ancient ship, guided by unknown (as of yet) means, it is always on the move practically every season, it has done this for centuries to the point that no one questions it. But one day, you'll discover it's secrets and until then, you'll live off the land whilst building on top of the half-ship with the resources you find.
Research Opportunities: Wheels, Mathematics, Archery, Bronze, Compass
Building Opportunities: Wall(Defense), Barracks(Offense), Stable(Offense and Exploration), Hunting Lodge(Hunting and Foraging), Forester (Plant Trees), Lumber Mill (Wood), Brothel (morale and some pop)

Eiorheart's First (Tsai) Pop: 100, Food: 100, Metal/Ores/Wood: 100 (overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The great land that you live off of, with it's forests, rivers, grand mountains, and vast oceans, seemed like a godsend to you. Your Tribe live off of the hunt and the metals they find go into new armor, weapons, and tools for your people. But your men feel there is more out there to discover.
Research Opportunities: Wheels, Mathematics, Archery, Riding, Compass
Building Opportunities: Walls(defense), Barracks(offense), Hunting Lodge(Hunting and Foraging), (Forester (Plant trees), Lumber Mill (Wood), Brothel (Moral and some Pop), Mines (Metals and Ores)

Athena's Chosen (LoneWolf) Pop: 100, Food: 100, Metal/Ores/Wood: 100 (overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The Temperate climate has helped the new Tribe, forming and becoming whole. The Understandings of math have also helped in ways thought impossible by other means, your home of brick and clay stand a testament to the life that will begin anew.
Research Opportunities: Wheel, Archery, Bronze, Compass, Riding
Building Opportunies: Walls(Defense), Barracks(Offense),Hunting Lodge(Hunting and Foraging), Research Hall (Research), Lumber Mill (wood), Brothel (Moral and pop), Mines (metals and ores)

[Tsai]

With their village finally up and running with the basic necessities Aster takes great pride in what he and his people manged to do in such a short time. Looking around Aster believes it would be best to build up the defenses of the village Assigning 30 villagers to building a wall. After he receives the plans for the wall and approves it he moves to get his wisest sages to learn as well as teach others more about the natural world. Assign 30 to research mathematics. Lastly due to the great success of the village so far and the success of the people he rewards 30 people in his great hall for fun and merriment: Assign 30 people to fucking.

As the night goes on Aster is spending time with his wife in his personal quarters. They eat some of the food the servants prepared for the feast and after much wine they soon find themselves in each other's embrace making love, with hopes that a the great lady Hera may bear a son.

[Grape_Drink]

The large man eyed his old aunt with disdain as he listened to her words. The Firedancer clan was a necessary evil, but their ways often lead towards the way of the schism.

"Nephew, I beseech you, let us harvest the roots of this land to build magics capable of benefiting our people or hindering our enemies, surely these herbal remedies would benefit our cause, no?!"

Lorik simply shook his head in contemplation, the Watersplitter clan's leader speaking out.

"Witch! We are warriors, not degenerate filth! To rely on such tactics-"

"Enough!" Boomed Lorik's voice as he looked between the clanheads. "I have made my decision. You need not fight amongst yourselves, my elders, my friends. It is Spring, a time of celebration of new life! Let us argue again when the night sky's lights have passed, but for now we must utilize our new invention, this needle magic, to further our cause, to spread the Völkisch way."

Turning around, he exited the hovel, breathing in the fresh scent of spring. The aurora lights had begun to appear more frequently, and morning graced them for the first time in four months. Soon, the animals would begin to leave their nestings anew. Summer would be the time of the hunt and mating so that children could be birthed at the end of winter as a gift from the divines, but for now, they needed to take the initiative. Other tribes (if they were around) would be mating like wild animals with warmth flowing back to their skin, producing cursed children that would require feeding through the winter, when they should be saving their enthusiasm with discipline for the coming of summer. Discipline was the way of the Junta, and so would the tradition continue.

His nostrils flaring in the cool air, Lorik looked upon his people, one hundred men and women strong as they had gathered at the center of the lodgings to hear his decisions. His voice boomed upon the frozen lands as he spoke proudly and with gusto.

"My brothers, my sisters, a new day dawns upon us, and you have all done well! The winter has been harsh, and I mourn for those old and young who were lost to the cold, but we must push onwards... For the sake of our clans, for the sake of all who behold us, and see us as gods! We, the Junta of Iceheart, the Völkisch clans, the Dreadnought Clan, we are here today because we are strong. Where others have failed, we have succeeded. Look to your left, to your right, thank these men and women, these brothers and sisters in arms, for each one is a sinew that holds the grip of your shield, your sword, your spear... We have been reborn of the cold and winter air, we have survived through the harshest winters and deadly summers. We... Are the fist of Iceheart!"

A rallying cry called forth from his people as they beat against their shields and into the ground, firey health invigorating their cold bodies at their leader's words... It was time...

"Now, my brothers and sisters, I ask that you show restraint for some time yet... Many will be prone with their lustful ways given these spring winds, and they will be celebrating... Celebration shall come, worry not, but for now we must bury our dead and make way for the new year. Stone singers, I request that you put all available work to the research of how we might utilize our hunting tools in defense against our enemies. Windriders, put together your scouts and have them prepare for the spring journey. Use our needle magics to find what you can, whether it be better hunting grounds or ancient relics of the schism... My lustful brothers and sisters of the Firedancers, I ask that for now, you place your discipline and frustrations towards the planting of new life for our children in springs to come... Karn, my good friend, leader of the Watersplitters... I ask that you have our finest guard the clan, and that they accompany us all on our missions... Together, we shall succeed!"

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

((30 towards researching archery, 30 towards Exploration, 30 towards Building forests/forester))

...


Ingjald stood upon the mountain range with her small squad. They had been travelling for quite some time, exploring the land, recording everything they found no matter how miniscule. Her biological brother had assigned her as one of the leaders of the expedition, and she would not return empty handed... Now was the time to further the clan, and prove her worth in hopes of one day being elected as the clan head of the Windriders. She sipped from her drinking horn as she looked upon her accompanying squad.

"That's enough for today, my friends. We have traveled long and hard... Let us rest for now, and continue in the morning. Tonight we dine and keep watch for those who would lurk in the shadows, and tomorrow we strike out anew in search of ancient arts."

[Taria]

The first day dawns on what seems to be the first moment of awareness for the Etokai tribe. A lone man stands in front of the Big Tree and smells confused. Curiosity getting the better of her, a female approaches. "Food?" The Etokai man shakes his head. "Not food, big food hole." He begins crawling all over the tree, chipping into it with primitive tools. Other men begin congregating around him, instinctively aware of what to do. They chatter among each other in broken sentences. "Food hole." "Big big." "Hunt home." (30 building Hunting Lodge)

The congregation of women nearby watching the men at work quickly become bored with this mysterious activity. One of them begins rubbing her belly and shouts, "Food!" This appears to cause an uproar among the other women as they start to hop up and down and chant, "Food food hungry hungry, food!" Still hopping up and down excitedly, they form a rag-tag band of travelers and begin wandering out of the village. (30 hunting)

Grand Luna takes in a deep breath as she receives the scents of her Children. Such curious activity they have been up to! She is aware of their intent on productivity, food is good. Food means more Etokai. Her glorious wings and antennae shiver and dust the area with powerful musk. The nearby women amusing themselves with eroded children's play toys suddenly stop what they're doing and twitch their antennae. "Hnnn...mmm" several women start to frisk the nearby harem men attending to Grand Luna, their big fuzzy arms rubbing all over the smaller men's thighs as they begin to pant nervously. Some women start to run outside of the main building and tackle the nearest man they seem, abducting a few of the men attempting to go help with the construction project. Soon a good third of the tribe is entirely wrapped up in a habitual orgy as the men are stripped of their already sparse clothing, and the continually naked women excitedly bounce up and down against their small torsos sporting huge erections. The biggest part of the orgy is happening inside the large atrium housing Grand Luna, she herself smiling warmly as she strokes her own body, happy to exude her pheromones and simply watch the copious sex show. However, there are even some couplings fucking right outside of the Hunting Tree, the preoccupied men pausing momentarily to point at the happily distressed moth boys while they chuckle. "Looky, fuck boy!" "Itty bitty getting sexed, hehe." (30 fucking fun times)

[Phoenixcz]

Start of another green (well, greener, there isn't much vegetation in most of the Cursed land even at the best of times) season sees the Daughters under rule of a new Captain, after the previous met her untimely, but heroic end at the claws of a great rock-beast, whose hard skull now decorates Captain Kamas's grave. Being a Captain won't be easy for Anouke, while she's popular with younger Daughters and her looks help her win the favour of men, elders don't like her innovative mindset, saying that Captains should follow the traditions of their ancestors.

Well, while some traditions are well and good, others will get you killed by rock-beasts, a fate Captain Anouke has no interest in. There must be some way to improve the Daughter's combat abilities. The speed of their riding birds allows them to take first strike, but larger rock-beasts are often tough enough to survive a huntresses spear to take revenge. If there was some better way to fight from a distance...it will break tradition, of course, but a tradition which will get warriors killed isn't very useful.

A second order of business will be a more traditional: a reward for those who distinguished themselves in the previous seasons, a bribe for those less loyal to a new Captain, and a way to keep the tribe's numbers up. While Daughters take care of their needs and desires between themselves, being granted the right to mate is a honor. And if they get pregnant and give birth to a son, they are seen as blessed by the ancestors. And the ancestors wouldn't bless the Daughters if they didn't approve the Captain's leadership, would they?

The last order is a little unconventional too. While maintenance and repair of tools and weapons is usually left for colder season, Captain Anouke have greater plans in mind...plans which will make surviving in the Cursed land easier for every Daughter

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

30 researching Archery, 30 fucking, 30 building Hunting Lodge

[LoneWolf]

Raphael stood at the door of his hut, watching a pair of swiftwings dart and weave above the village. The first appearance of the birds was the traditional sign of spring on Hellas; he decided that seeing two at once was a good omen.

"Spring, Raph." A voice from behind him echoed his thoughts and he turned with a smile. Michael was one of his oldest friends, and now one of his chief lieutenants.

"So it is. Take a hunting party out to the falls, the first pike always return with the swiftwings. We'll all enjoy some fresh meat, and I want to hold a feast to kick off the new year."

His friend nodded. "I was going to suggest that. I saw boar tracks yesterday, as well. Two days, and I'll give you a feast fit for a king."

"Excellent. I know I can count on you."

Raphael clapped one hand on the other man's shoulder, then both turned to go their own way. Raphael walked briskly past the rows of brick houses towards the edge of the village. As he expected, several of the tribe were already gathered there, clearing the debris from a patch of ground that looked no different to the rest of the outskirts. No different, that is, if you didn't know that it had been earmarked for the construction of a new Research Hall. They had called themselves Athena's Chosen, after all, and what better way to honor their patron than to raise a shrine to knowledge and learning? Many of the long winter nights had been spent planning the new construction, and Raphael was confident that the new building would be as grand - and, equally important, as useful - as the fledgling tribe could make it.

And if their namesake was the Goddess of War as well as Wisdom? Well, there would come a time for that, too...

---

Michael crept carefully through the bushes, eyes watching the herd ahead of him. It had taken more than an hour to work his way round to the down-wind side of them, time not spent on gathering the food that was their official purpose for this trip. Still, there would be plenty of time for that later. His quarry might not make such good eating as some of the native animals, but there was a reason humans had brought Terran horses to the planet: to ride them. It was the same reason that he had jumped at the chance when he saw the herd grazing near cover that might let him get this close without spooking them, the reason four more of his best hunters had also dropped the hunt for food and stalked on silent feet to either side of him.

The back of his mind carried the knowledge that none of the tribe knew how to ride, or even to train a horse or make the saddle and bridle that would allow a rider to control them, but for now none of that mattered. He crept closer, hands easing out the cords of his bolas, eyes picking out a young black near the edge of the herd. For now, all that mattered was taking one - or better yet, a breeding pair - alive.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

30 to hunting, 30 to construct a research hall, 30 to research riding.

[That_One_Guy]

2nd Turn: Mid Spring
Eiorheart's First (Tsai)Pop:100 Food: 95 Metals/Ores/Wood: 80(Overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

First Action(7) The building of the walls has gone tremendously well, they look like they'd stand the test of time themselves. Built Walls
Second Action(7) The research has also been coming along well, as if your people had a deep understanding of it already. Learned Mathematics
Third Action(2) Nothing can be said of the merriment though, the population probably wans't feeling it, and therefore no population increase. half-pop use this turn (15 instead of 30)
Research Opportunities: Wheels, Archery, Riding, Compass, Seafaring
Building Opportunities: Barracks(offense), Hunting Lodge(Hunting and Foraging), (Forester (Plant trees), Lumber Mill (Wood), Brothel (Moral and some Pop), Mines (Metals and Ores), Towers (Defense)

Junta Tribe (Grape_Drink)Pop:100 Food:90 metals/ores/wood: 80 (overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

First Action(8)With great skill, your men have mastered the use of the bow as a weapon, no longer will you have to worry about getting close to the enemy where you stand a chance of dying yourself. Researched bow.
Second Action(9)As the exploration group spread out, in search of anything that they can use. They come across a mountain of snow that makes a metallic noise. Another group have also spotted tracks, Human tracks...(discovered an old ship(needs to be explored) and a tribal village)
Third Action(6)Though, with hardship, the building of a forester has been completed, and the first seeds of new trees have been planted, who knows what awaits once(if) they sprout.
Research Opportunities: Wheel, Bronze, Mathematics, Riding, Drugs
Building Opportunities: Walls(defense), barracks(offense), Hunting Lodge(Increased hunting/foraging chances), Mine(Increases chances for metals/ores), Lumber mill (increase chances for wood), Brothel (Morale and some Pop)

Etokai Tribe (Taria) Pop:100 Food: 120 Metals/Ores/Wood: 80 (overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

First Action(9) The creation of a hunting lodge didn't take long as the great moth people hummed about quickly and finished the work in no time flat. Completed Hunting Lodge
Second Action(7) Hunting was a bit harsh, but you brought back some food for the colony, so things don't look so grim. +30 food
Third Action(4) Unfortunately, even with all the sexing and mass orgy, there shall be no population growth this early spring. (half-population to use, 15 instead of 30)
Research Opportunities: Wheel, Mathematics, Archery, Farming, Sea Faring
Building Opportunities: Walls(Defense), Barracks(Offense),Scout Tent (Increase Exploration), Mine (Increases Chances for Metals/Ores), Forester (Plant trees), Lumber Mill (Increases chances for more wood), Brothel(morale, and some pop)

Daughters of the Fallen (Phoenixcz)Pop: 100 Food: 90 Metals/Ores/Wood: 80

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

First Action(6)It took a lot of creative minds (The harder we pull back, the farther and stronger it goes!) but you've finally pulled off how to use the bow as an offensive weapon, this will come in handy. Archery researched.
Second Action(4) Alas, there shall be no children born this day, but they hold no grudge against you, for these lands hold much darkness to your people.
Third Action(6) With much work, and a dear conservation of resources, the Hunting Lodge has been completed and ready for use. Completed Hunting Lodge
Research Opportunities: Wheels, Mathematics, Drugs, Bronze, Compass
Building Opportunities: Wall(Defense), Barracks(Offense), Stable(Offense and Exploration), Scouts tent (Increased Exploration), Forester (Plant Trees), Lumber Mill (Wood), Brothel (morale and some pop)

Athena's Chosen (LoneWolf)Pop: 100 Food: 110 Metals/Ores/Wood: 80

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

First Action(8) It took some looking, but food had been found and brought back, ready for the grand feast. +20 food
Second Action(7)It was tough work and problems arose in the first few weeks towards the month, but it finally came to fruition and the Research Hall has been completed.
Third Action(4) Unfortunately, the scholars could not comprehend the use of riding a horse, but they may or may not be on to something, but now that the research hall is done, they plan to have something for use (Cannot use next turn, may have a breakthrough then.)
Building Opportunies: Walls(Defense), Barracks(Offense),Hunting Lodge(Hunting and Foraging), Lumber Mill (wood), Brothel (Moral and pop), Mines (metals and ores)

[Tsai]

The stage is set and Lord Aster sits in on his throne inside the war room with his most trusted advisers: old friends, new allies, and a few other. They sit and discuss the progress made over the past couple months. The leading stone smith, Garl Ironfists, sets up. "My lord the wall has been completed to specification and if i do say so myself it is beyond expectations, We've finished in record time and i believe the wall is impregnable so long as there are no defectors among the peasantry. I..i heard about the...accident at the festival my lord." Aster waves off the last comment.
"Do not worry old friend, that peasant needed to know his place, he's lucky i didnt order to take off his head, but enough of that. Grandfather what have you and the other sages have learned, have you made progress?" A wizened old man in white robes stands up as Garl seats himself again.
"Oh..oh yes Aster though it seems our people have had a knack for being smiths and the best of the brightest, but we have learned to create better war machines and improve our hunter's bows so that they may pierce even the best armor. I would recommend we set aside some of our resources to prototyping and making some new bows for the men." Aster gives a nod to the old man who sits back down, when a knight clad in beautiful armor takes stands up. "My lord i believe it is time we stop idling around the village, my scouts and soldiers grow weary and thirst for battle, i say you and i must lead a scouting expedition to find me lands and peoples. It would a great benefit to our people as riches untold lie undiscovered." Aster again nods at the man, his most trusted general Sir Brightblade.
"Yes i belive that would be for the best, well we'll have some resources left over, in case we do encounter anything out there, a hostile village or kingdom, Garl i need you and the rest of the men who are not going with me to construct a barracks and prepare ourselves."

At an hour after the war room meeting has concluded Sir Brightblade and Aster muster together 28 other men and prepare for the expedition. "My lord here is a map i drew of the surrounding area. It isnt much but it's what we can see from the highest point of the village. If we want any chance go growing and prospering we need to secure new deposits of resources." Brightblade points to a few areas of interest on the map. "Beyond that there is only the unknown for all we know there are dragons out there, you remember when you and i fought that dragon with your father dont you." Aster looks at the old man laughing to himself a bit before saying, "i certainly dont remember there being a dragon, but yes we must be careful. Now lets get a move on, we should make as much progress as possible before nightfall." Aster pauses to take a look at the 28 men gathered. "Okay men! Raise the standard and prepare to move, say your final good byes if you have any." As they leave a cheer goes out as the people watch the detachment leave to explore an unknown world.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

15 research Archery, 30 exploration, 30 building barracks.

[Taria]

Unsated still, the herd of Etokai women begin to romping outside leaving a pile of exhausted men on the floor who look up hazily at the Grand Luna who smiles down upon them from her large nest, and taps her chin thoughtfully. Just as the hunting lodge is complete, a horny group of women tackle the constructors to the ground where they stand, christening the newly built hovel with the fluids of sex and sweat. (30 for more fucking! )

The hunting party returns gnawing hungrily on the food even as they drag it in large sacs behind them. Seeing the new hole they wander in curiously. Stepping over the couples wrapped up in sex, seeing random fornication sprawling through the village is not such an unusual sight, they discover a small group of men hiding out in a small store room. "What this?" The leader of the hunting party asks, casually hanging her over-sized club over her shoulder. "New hunty hole!" One of the men chirps out flailing his arms excitedly. "Make kill stick, keep here. Teach hunt." The woman tosses her club to the floor and takes a look at a stowed spear. "Teach hunt? Wanga best huntress, no need better." The man attempts to show Wanga how this new tool of his would be better suited for hunting than the primitive club, and she reluctantly follows his demonstrations. Meanwhile another congregation of men and women split off from these two to experiment with a radical new idea. A scar-covered male named Woogly spouts his name repeatedly to the other to get their attention as he bends a long curved piece of wood without it breaking. "Woogly think this stick special!" He begin smacking random object in the room with it to little effect, until someone finally suggests, "Maybe tie string to it?" "Yes string!" The group begins finding other pieces of wood like it and tying string before flailing them around and trying to toss them at targets. (30 research archery, yay string!)

In the middle of the village Grand Luna etches random lines in the ground while wiping the sweat from the brows of exhausted men around her. A few more are drawn to her by her kindness and comforting scent as they relax and enjoy a small meal. Even the few women of the group are are uncharacteristically reserved as they bob back and forth and hum a little song. Others begin to mimic Luna, drawing lines in the dirt as they all sing, forming a variety of pleasant shapes, the greater purpose of such an activity still far far away from fruition in their minds. (15 researching farming)

[Grape_Drink]

Weeks had passed by since that initial speech as Lorik walked through the hovels towards Frosthaven, the central town building. The spring equinox would soon be approaching. Things were going well, which made him nervous. There was always a calm before the ice storm... He plopped himself outside the main building as he watched the StoneSinger clanhead teaching a group of Firedancer females how to utilize their military bow.

"You see, my dear, you can pull it back far enough now to shoot at an enemy or prey at a much larger distance now, and these barbs will ensure that it causes quite a bit of damage to them. If you find yourself weak and unable to use your arms, you can even pull it back with your feet to further increase how far it will shoot!"

He could see the clanhead's hands gently fondling her bottom as he noted the churning in his own loins... His people would need to blow off some steam, but he needed them at their finest for just a bit longer... There was much he wished to do, but only so much time.

...

The four clanheads sat at the table, many spectators watching from the sidelines, their voices hushed as Lorik deliberated...

"Our food. It should last through the spring, yes?"

"This is true. If we ration carefully, we should be alright, though do you not feel that such an action is reckless?"

"Our scouts bring word of another village. I would rather send emissaries there to stitch them into our clans, but if push came to shove, and our supplies fell too low, we could always raid them... My dear aunt, how goes the forrester work?"

"It is complete, Lorik, though I would ask that you allow us to blow off some steam... After all, I'm not sure how many of us will make it through the spring at this rate. You might have a mutiny if you don't allow for some festivities before then."

It was true... He would rather continue to look into ways to improve their clan, but he couldn't just ignore his people's needs forever, and he was indebted to them for all the hard work recently.

"Karn, the watersplitters have been observing those who would create dissidence, yes?"

"But of course, my friend."

"Then grant those who would cause the most issues, the youngest, leave for the next two weeks from standard duties. I'm sure they will begin to bounce about like the pot gutted snow rodents before too long."

"And what of your own plans, Lorik? Surely this will interfere with them?"

"It is true. Still, we will have time to-"

The door blasted open as a woman wrapped in furs, Injald, stood before the clanheads. She held herself with pride as she stood at attention.

"Lorik! I bring news of our travels!"

"Hmm? I trust this is important enough to interrupt our meeting, sister?"

"A great mountain that resounded like metal has been located to the far south west. I woudl request a second expedition to explore this to its fullest!"

"A metal mountain? My niece, surely you jest?"

Gears began to rotate in Lorik's head as he thought quickly. Either they had managed to find an amazing source of metal, or they had discovered the magic of the ancients... And either one needed immediate investment!

"No, I doubt she jests... We must arrange for a new expedition to explore this metallic mountain to its fullest! This is a great find, my brothers and sisters in arms! I have made my decision... Karn, continue with our plan. My sister, Ingjald, I bid you to acquire a large expeditionary force to explore this metallic mountain. As for the rest of us... We must begin to construct a wall to defend our clans. Something from which we might stand atop of it like divines looking down upon their foes as we rain arrows upon their degenerate hides. This is my decision, and I put my ultimate trust and faith for you all to be behind this."

The great hunt at the end of spring would soon be approaching, and he would require all of his men and women to be at their finest for it. He really wanted to improve their hunting lodge, but this would have to wait until the completion of their task. With the rate they were growing, other clans would see the opportunity to strike and steal their technology if he wasn't careful.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

((30 Building a Wall, 30 exploring the ship (since I don't think I can split 15/15 between the ship and village atm), and 30 fucking- specifically 30 of the "mosty likely to rebel" fucking to keep them docile))

...

Karn began shoveling together as much snow and ice as he could with his fellow tribesfolk. It would melt partially come summer, but for now it would make a good base, and they could reinforce it with a stone and wood structure. His son was busy nailing and tightening resourced to use in the construction of this wall... With something to defend their clans, they could more efficiently research technology. The new bows had evened the game between the brutality of the Watersplitters and the physical weakness of the other tribes, but even he appreciated them for their role they played. He was Lorik's best friend, and he understood that said friend would do everything in his power to further their technology. The watersplitters would be using steel by the end of the year as a commodity rather than for the most priviledged among the tribe if he had any say in it... For now though, he pounded things into place and directed the flow of resources... The future was looking bright.

[LoneWolf]

I wonder if this is how a spear feels? The absurdity of the thought made Michael smile, even as he watched the grass rising rapidly to meet him. He hit the ground in a hard, tumbling roll, then lay still for a moment, the broken cord in his hand catching his eye. It's breaking, now. I'm not sure whether that's better or worse than losing my grip. Pushing himself up to a sitting position, he stared across at his nemesis: a sleek black stallion who stood shaking off the remains of a crude bridle. On the other hand, it's definitely taking him longer to throw me. That has to be a good sign, anyway.

"Not looking quite so pleased with himself anymore, is he?"

One of the other would-be horsemen walked across to offer his hand, and Micheal clasped it to haul himself to his feet.

"Aye, and isn't that a thing to be proud of? 'Oh, the horse beats me every time, but he has to work for it now.'"

Both of them spoke lightly, but the other man's eyes shone with a fey light that belied his casual tone. Michael knew his own eyes carried the same look - all the 'riders' did, now. They'd glimpsed the potential beneath the wild hell-rides and sudden, crashing falls... and they were determined to reach it.

Many of the tribe were helping with the attempt to train the horses, but the actual riders (or attempted riders) had narrowed to a small handful. It appeared that being flung head-first through the air day-in, day-out for very little visible progress was a prospect that appealed to a ... limited demographic: 'young' and 'male'. And, to their elders at least, 'dedicated' - a word some managed to make sound an awful lot like 'foolish'. Regardless, even many of those who declined to wrestle with a creature three or four times their size were agreed on one point: the project would continue.

They stood for a moment, then Michael threw back his head and laughed. "Help me catch him again, will you? I'm not done flying yet."

---

Raphael stood in the firelight, looking around at the faces of his followers. The feast originally planned for the arrival of spring had been delayed, with many of the tribe being distracted as everything they tried ran into unexpected difficulties. The arched roof of the research hall had been particularly vexing: it had been designed to push the boundaries of their capabilities... and push them it had. Still, the store houses were filling, the new hall rose proudly over the surrounding houses, and the mood of the tribe seemed buoyant despite their challenges.

"You followed me here because you believed me when I said we could do more than just scratch out a living and dream of days gone by. You trusted that I would lead you to great things."

He swept a hand round his surroundings, taking in the brick houses, the majestic research hall, and the food and drink piled on benches around the bonfires.

"And this is what we have achieved, in less than a year. Sound homes, good food and good friends. By the standards of any tribe we knew, we live a happy life."

He paused for a moment, then stepped forward, eyes flashing, voice suddenly raised in challenge. "But I say that we are not them. We are Athena's Chosen, and for us this - all of this - is simply a good start."

He lets the last words hang in the silence for a few moments, then continues in a more normal tone, "Still, it is a good start. We have worked hard for it, and we will do so again, but now we celebrate. Tonight and tomorrow, let Bacchus rule! Eat, drink, and be merry, and let the world take care of itself."

Raphael steps back amid cheers as the tribe turn their attention to the feast surrounding them. The festival proper might only be one day, but it might pay to slow the pace for a week or two as well. There is more work to be done expanding the village, but not everyone can work on the building-site at once, and he'd like to have at least a few mounted scouts before sending expeditions to search further afield. He dwells on such thoughts for another few moments, then puts them aside and turns his attention to the rising music and chatter of the celebration. A chief should lead by example, after all.

---

Some time later, in one of the houses on the edge of the firelight, Michael's companion from earlier slid a hand up to cup the breast of the young woman lying on his bed. As she closed her eyes and moaned softly, a corner of his mind reflected that there were definite advantages to a reputation as a young daredevil. Then his playmate reached up to pull him down to her, and he forgot such trifles to concentrate on more important matters...

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

30 to build a hunting lodge, 30 to fucking, 30 to continue researching riding. I'm voluntarily extending the lock on this last one: they'll keep going till it's done, come hell or high water. (Which, fingers crossed, will hopefully be this turn anyway and it won't matter.)

[Phoenixcz]

(Though I don't have time to write something better, I don't want to slow the game down. I'll just post actions and add more elaborate description tomorrow.)

Captain's first order is to put our new weapons to use and gather food to feed the tribe, hides to clothe the tribe, and bones and horns to turn into tools and decorations.

Captain's second order is to try to understand the magic our home uses to find its way through the wastes.

Captain's last order is to build common shelter for our mounts, so they could be tended to without the need for every warrior to take care to hers all the time.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

30 hunting, 30 researching Compass, 15 building Stable

[That_One_Guy]

Turn 3: Third Half of Spring
Eiorheart's First (Tsai)Pop:100 Food: 90 Metals/Ores/Wood: 60(Overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

First Action(4)You have unfortunately been unable to research this new technology, as there is something about a stick and string that baffles your men, but they refuse to give up and will try again
Second Action(8)As your men searched through your world, a group find a Tribal Village(6) that are Despotic in rule.
Third Action(5) With effort, your men get the barracks up and about and you're now ready in case you must defend your home.
Building Opportunities: Smithy(increased attack/defense for battles), Hunting Lodge(Hunting and Foraging), (Forester (Plant trees), Lumber Mill (Wood), Brothel (Moral and some Pop), Mines (Metals and Ores), Towers (Defense)

Etokai Tribe (Taria)Pop:115 Food: 110 Metals/Ores/Wood: 80 (overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

First Action(6) More determined then before, the moth-people go at it, grinding against each other in a mass orgy of buzzing and cumming. +15 pop(Only Half Pop availiable next turn, 15 instead of 30)
Second Action(4) The work on the Bow befuddled them and they began to gather around and try to figure out how to make this work!(Unable to use till next turn)
Third Action(3) Across from them, the buzzing moths were still digging around the ground, but still couldn't come up with anything either and became determined to find out how it'll be done! (Unable to use till next turn. You only get one action next turn)
Building Opportunities: Walls(Defense), Barracks(Offense),Scout Tent (Increase Exploration), Mine (Increases Chances for Metals/Ores), Forester (Plant trees), Lumber Mill (Increases chances for more wood), Brothel(morale, and some pop)

Junta Tribe (Grape_Drink)Pop:100 Food:100 metals/ores/wood: 90 (overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

First Action(8) WIth a lot of effort, mostly finding the right tools and resources, the walls are finally made, and it looked like it'd do just fine.
Second Action(5)The corridors were cold and damp, the walls metal that echoed down the halls, as if the former crew was yelling back. For the most part, the ship looked well preserved, frozen in the snow. But, mostly the group find most of the doors unabled to be opened, a red blinking light at the sides of them asking for passkeys...the doors that are open you have found metals that were probably used for welding now can be used by you, and some well preserved stocks of food. +20 Metals, +20 food.(Further Exploration unlocked with Computers Research)
Third Action(4) Your men have the time of their lives, but children do not come this time, on the other hand, morale is good and there isn't a chance for rebelling (only 15 people next turn can be used for an action)
Research Opportunities: Wheel, Bronze, Mathematics, Riding, Drugs
Building Opportunities: Towers(Defense), barracks(offense), Hunting Lodge(Increased hunting/foraging chances), Mine(Increases chances for metals/ores), Lumber mill (increase chances for wood), Brothel (Morale and some Pop)

Athena's Chosen (LoneWolf)Pop: 100 Food: 100 Metals/Ores/Wood: 60

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

First Action(5)The hunting lodge took awhile, but once it was done, you knew that food wouldn't be as much of a problem anymore. Completed Hunting Lodge
Second Action(6)The people feasted, on food and body, they moaned and moved as one and soon you had a few more people in your tribe. +15 Population
Third Action(6) After a long while, they finally figured out how to ride and now are ready to use their new ability to hunt and fight. Researched Riding
Research Opportunities: Wheel, Archery, Bronze, Compass, Drugs
Building Opportunities: Walls(defense), barracks(offense),Scount's Tent (Increased Exploration), Mine(Increases chances for metals/ores), Lumber mill (increase chances for wood), Brothel (Morale and some Pop)

Daughters of the Fallen (Phoenixcz)Pop: 100 Food: 95 Metals/Ores/Wood: 60

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

(Sorry, I can't give ya the bonuses, so let's hope ya get these)First Action(4) The hunt doesn't bode too well, but they are still able to bring back food. +15 food
Second Action(1) The research is hindered, unable to figure how to make the compass point in the right direction. They will spend the next turn figuring this out
Third Action(4)The building of the stable isn't nearly done, but it is close, It looks like they'll have to spend one turn finishing it. (Only one action next turn, Building will be done without roll next turn and research will be rolled again)

Toryan Tribe(Stickasensei)Pop:100 Food: 100 Metal/Ores/Wood: 100 (Overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Your people awaken in the forest that you made your home in, the trees are your buildings, whatever was in the air here in this world has sense transformed the humans into ent-like creatures, covered in the moss and wood that they've protected.
Research Opportunities: Wheel, Bronze, Riding, Archery, Drugs
Building Opportunities: Walls(defense), barracks(offense), Hunting Lodge(Increased hunting/foraging chances), Mine(Increases chances for metals/ores), Forester (plant trees), Lumber mill (increase chances for wood), Brothel (Morale and some Pop)

The Redsun Horde(Fawkes)Pop:100 Food:100 Metals/Ores/Wood:100 (overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The desert sun beats down on your tanned skins as your nomads have settled in this area, your slaves are working on setting things up for your people and hoping that they won't be abused for a bad job. The world expands across all horizon, ready to be tamed and made whole.
Research Opportunities: Wheel, Drugs, Archery, Compass, Mathematics
Building Opportunities: Walls(Defense), Barracks(Offense), Hunting Lodge(Increased Hunting/Foraging Chances), Mine (Increases Chances for Metals/Ores), Forester (Plant trees), Lumber Mill (Increases chances for more wood), Brothel(morale, and some pop)

Dark Ones (Goryokaku)pop:100 food:100 Metals/Ores/Wood:100(overall)

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The seas lay about you every which way, your, floating where the currents take you. Land is extremely scarce, making wood hard to find and rarely used, but who knows what lays here. Your people have learned to breathe underwater, but only for a few hours before having to come back. Maybe there is something at the bottom of the seas, maybe somewhere in the horizon is something that will begin a great pilgrimage.
Research Opportunities: Wheel, Drugs, Archery, Compass, Mathematics
Building Opportunities: Walls(Defense), Barracks(Offense), Hunting Lodge(Increased Hunting/Foraging Chances), Mine (Increases Chances for Metals/Ores),Greenhouse (Plant Trees in safety), Lumber Mill (Increases chances for more wood), Brothel(morale, and some pop)

[Taria]

With most the tribe settling down for the month after many intense orgies. The men are free to engage in a discourse of thoughtful experimentation. While the woman attempt to help out as best they can, it is clear they are there for their own amusement, and lack the seriousness that the chore likely entails. Wanga soon grows bored of this idea of using string and wood to make some kind of flailing ranged weapon that is clearly useless, and is itching for a hunt. Her impatience can be smelled through out the entire lodge and soon her own friends are feeling pent up as well. "Wanga be going." She states matter-of-factly to no one in particular, and then leads her posse out of the village do do a little exploration, a lot of them seem to be napping from the sex, unfortunately. (15 exploring)

"What you think up in the sky at night?"

"Binka say it shiny bugs, trapped in sky web."

"No no, big balls of swamp gas that exploded so hard they got stuck!"

Wanga grunts as she looks around at the group, resting on a log in their make-shift campsite. "Wanga hear old stories about what up there. Evil thing call Taxes. Why we don't go there. Only things inedible are Death and Taxes."

The group shudders at this confused message that somehow creates an image of horror in their minds. "Binka really hope Taxes don't come find us."

[Goryokaku]

Kal floats through the city ship as it floats watching her people as they go about their daily tasks the people had been at peace, they had been drifting for years and Kal had watched over then. Guided them here and there. She'd helped them adapt to their world though they mostly forgot what they originally were, she passes over a couple of children screaming and laughing shrilly. She wondered if any of them truly understood that they needed to evolve to grow stronger on this planet, this water world.

She floated up a level and found her self looking at a two young adults whispering quietly to each other. Kal sallied up close to them, wondering what they were talking about.

“We can't Riz, you know it's not allowed with out consent from the high priestess,” the girl mumbled shyly, she looked like she wanted the man in front of her, she was giving off pheromones that intrigued Kal.

“Mal no-one will know, it's just the two of us here,” Riz said he seemed to be more aggressive, Kal spoke out loud “And me, too but don't worry I wont say anything.”

“Riz I won't break our laws for an hour of fun,” Mal said quickly replied, Kal began to laugh and leaned over to the young woman, and blew gently into her ear speaking softly ”Take him”

The young woman Mal seemed to lose all her self control and began to kiss her male friend passionately as Kal floated further on her wind sweeping through the deck and hitting all the young adults here. (Fuck 30)


Kal moved into the High Priestesses room moving over towards the mirror, Mizsara smiled as her goddess came into view, “What guidance do you bring this time Kal?”

Kal looked at her priestess with a fond smile, “Your need to build some fishing boats Mizsara, your going your people are going to need extra food dear. You'll be entering the Salt Water oceans soon, so they're will be plentiful for your people to catch.”

Mizsara nodded, “Very well my goddess, we'll begin construction of the hunting boats, I suppose the wind that blew through earlier was caused by you?” (30 Build Hunting Lodge)

Kal nodded, “An interesting couple were taking too long to get to mating so I helped give the girl a little courage might have over done it, Anyway I'll leave you be for now Mizsara know that I'm always watching over your people.”

Kal floated away from the mirror leaving her high priestess alone, she wanted to see what those they called their thinkers were doing. The thinkers were a dangerous group of mad men in Kal's opinion they saw things and acted in such strange fashion that it never stopped surprising her every time they came up with something new through pure coincidence. She floated into what they called the laboratory and watched the men work it was amazing to see as they worked.

One of them seemed to huddled over an interesting little device, that piqued Kal's interest, she moved in closer to see what he was looking at. As she got closer Kal saw the bowl and water he had out he was trying to place something in the centre of the bowl just resting on the water. Kal watched smiled as he moved back and looked at the bowl with disgust whatever he wanted to happen hadn't taken effect.

“You do know your nuts right, Allen?” one of the thinkers said as he came over to the make who was beginning to lose interest in the bowl.

“I might be mad, but I'm pretty sure I was onto something, Dr Rozark,” Allen said as he tapped the bowl hoping for some movement. Kal placed a finger in the water a mischievous grin on her lips.

“There isn't any way to make something constantly point north Allen, you know it's impossible we rely on the goddess guidance to lead us through these oceans.” Rozark said, as he looked at the bowl, Kal moved her fingers through the water and a little ripple came from where her finger was.

“I know the goddess will lead us Rozark, but think of the possibilities if we knew which way was north we could always know which direction we are travelling in, we could find places we've already been to with one of the exploration ships. Heck we could scout out locations we are headed to with out having to disturb the goddess.” Allen, sighed he knew the goddess was always protecting them but he felt that they had to be able to stand on their own two feet they had to make their goddess proud of them. Kal blinked at his statement it was like they didn't want her but liking into his thoughts told her otherwise, so she stroked Allens head, then and began to whisper gently into his ear. (30 research Compass)

[Phoenixcz]

It looks like the ancestors really aren't pleased with Captain Anouke's leadership. No children were conceived from the pairings she allowed, and the prey is scarce, though bows made a difference and allowed to bring back meat even in this desolate area. Anouke's opponents in the tribe are quick to point that out, and while the Captain and her supporters are reminding them that things like this has happened before, a possibility of future mutiny hangs on the Captain's mind. Would it be better to return to traditions, and be noted in history as just another unremarkable Captain?

Anouke watches the Sun falling beyond the horizon. Nights are unconfortably cold this early into the year, but the Captain's quarter is better furnished then the common dwellings. And if even that wasn't enough, she needs just a word to get herself some men or women to keep her warm. Many captains has indulged themselves in the men's company as they wished, though Anouke prefers to restrain herself. No need to provoke her opponents by debauchery when the rest of the tribe suffers from bad fortune.

She's waken from her thoughts by knock on the doorframe. A simple curtain serving in the place of door provides only a little privacy, not any security to speak of. Anouke turns around to meet her visitor, and is a little surprised when she recognises ancient Se-isi, oldest member of the tribe and a leader of tribal men. Men are still following the Captain's leadership, of course, but they choose a leader of their own, usualy oldest or wisest one. While they are on average stronger then tribeswomen, there's too few of them to allow them risk their lives as warriors or hunters- a fate some of them resent. Men's elders are wise, and more concerned with intellectual and spiritual pursuits, and usualy lives longer then woman thanks to safer lifestyle. Many Captains has listened to their advice, and their diplomatic skills prevented more then once internal dispute.

"I've heard of your concerns about the rightness of your decisions, Captain." says the old man "You've chosen a hard path for any Captain to follow, a path of search for knowledge, and a defiance to old traditions. Few had the courage to admit that some skills are more important then martial prowess and an adherence to ancestor's customs. Don't worry about our current misfortune, it is not a god's curse, just a stroke of bad luck. I think that the history will remember your efforts better then the rule of some Captains who never dared to do something unconventional. And I think you'd be surprised what some of your predecessors accomplished...after all, all traditions had to start somehow. Follow me, I'll show you, if you want.

A little reassured Anouke follows the elder from curiousity. He leads her down, into a hole in the surface of the great moving metalic mountain, to a secretive shrine where the Daughters, or more precisely the wisemen keeps the records of names and deeds of previous Captains and scrolls and tablets of tribal lore and history.

Next day, Captains gathers the whole tribe before a rise. Behind her stands the elder Se-isi and her friend and second-in-command, First Officer Samira. Anouke is dressed in her ceremonial dress: thin white bra and loincloth from rare cloth obtained from a distant settled tribe, which doesn't hide much of her slener tanned body, and ample jewells, some hers, some from previous Captains. Her clothes itself marks this as an important occassion, though most of the tribe doesn't yet know what's on Anouke's mind. She watches the crowd for a moment, then begins to speak:

"Some of you thinks I've called an ancestor's curse upon the Daughters by not following their traditions. But I just do my duty to fulfill the promise to Fallen! We won't get the power stolen from the Fallen back by following the traditions. If we could, our ancestors would've got it before back! We must search, we must learn and prepare ourselves for our rightful inheritance! We can't hope the god's magic will come to us on its own, we must claim it for ourselves! We don't know how our metal mountain moves, how it finds it path, or how it was made...but that's the piece of the Fallen's magic right beneath our feets! If we won't understand it's workings, how can we hope to understand even greater power? It is time to change the old traditions and start a new ones of our own! And if any of you disagrees and dares to challenge your Captain..." Anouke smiles at the crowd, then turns her head toward Samira and reaches for a staff younger woman is holding, a staff commonly used in non-lethal training combat. "You're welcome to try who's got the ancestor's favor!"

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

As the other two groups already have their orders, the next order is to gather supplies and equipment for when it'll be time to start exploring the rest of the world. (30 building Scout's tent)

[Fawkes]

"I'm very sorry Warlord, but there's nothing we can do. We can't lead you to other tribes to raid if there aren't an-"

"ENOUGH!"

As Drakthar had listened to the pleading scouts excuses, his always small reserves of patience rapidly exhausted themselves. It was more then the pathetic spectacle before him really, he was displeased and worried for the future. The past months had been filled with mighty victories, but now all of the clans they had been preying upon were either crushed and enslaved or fled beyond the Horde's reach. It seemed that all there was left around his great army was the Sun's desolate kingdom.

Standing up from his intricately detailed throne of bronze and stone, he addressed the scout. "I shall give you one more chance Thetirn, take everyone with an ounce of direction or pathfinding in them, and find me something. Another bunch of weakling to subjugate, and you will be rewarded. Some resource or artifact, and you can try again. But return to me empty-handed, and I'll take your manhood and let everyone from the smiths to the slaves do what they want to your mate and daughter. Now get out of my sight!"

Next he turned to his chief advisers, the Second Warlord Adar and Second Smith Thalu. "The warriors grow restless and dissatisfied without combat, and I will not have them burn down my city in some drunken rampage. Take as many slaves as you need and construct some organized housing and a training yard for them, then actually force them onto it. If we have noone to fight, then we'll be twice as prepared for when we do. By the time the explorers return, I want some semblance of discipline across my troops!"

As his advisers hurried to fulfill his orders, Drakthar sat down heavily on his throne. Looking out of his makeshift palace (Really just the most impressive hut), he saw that several dozen warriors and freemen were willing to risk his bad mood to have their disputes resolved in some final manner. Before he began, he waived for one his slaves to come and attend him.

His current favorite had been the princess of one of the last tribes he had conquered. A lithe, slender beauty with dusky skin, dark hair and a slender build, he'd taken a immediate liking to her and claimed her as a personal slave. Her complete innocence had made breaking her both relatively easy and enjoyable, and now he took great joy in parading her around his subjects in nothing but a pair of shackles binding her hands behind her and a heavy bronze collar denoting that she was his property.

Now she stood before him, and he quickly forced her to her knees and pulled his hardening member out in front of her face. As she, well-trained in the consequences of refusal, began pleasuring him Drakthar sighed in contentment and waved for the first petitioners to enter. Looking down at her bobbing head, he considered. He would one day need an heir, and she was one of the relatively few women in the Horde who had never been with another man.

That night, he filled her with his seed and bade the girl stay in his chambers. At least twice a day he made a point of taking her until he had a reason to be out of the city or he was sure she was pregnant.

For the rest of the warrior cast, those not exploring anyway, having a woman to themselves was something of a dream. Despite this, with little else to do they filled as much of their days as possible with fucking, passing around slaves and mates like party favors. A popular punishment for women who displease their masters was simple to tie them in some public area for a few days, allowing any passing man to use the unfortunate as he pleased.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

30-explore
30-build Barracks
30-Fuck

[LoneWolf]

Raphael and several of his key lieutenants sat in the village hall, discussing the tribe's prospects for the future.

"We can't just stay here in the village forever - we need to send scouts out to see what's out there. We don't even know where the nearest other tribes are - for all we know, an army could come over the hill tomorrow!" Michael leant forward and waved a hand towards the outside. "Now that we've got the horses trained, they'd be perfect for this kind of mission. Let me take out a scouting party and see what we can find!"

"And then what?" The older man on Raphael's other side shook his head. "You'd go out, gallop around the countryside for a week or two and come back, and we'd have no idea where you'd covered or what you'd missed. Partial knowledge can be worse than no knowledge at all - if you think you know what's out there, you stop watching so carefully. That's fine if you're right, but if you aren't it can get you killed."

"We've been over this enough." Raphael leant forward. "We all agree that we need to start thinking about our surroundings, but Gabriel's right. Knowing what isn't out there is as important as knowing what is, and that means making sure there are no gaps in our search." He turned to address the older man directly. "That's your job. We'll put up a new scout's headquarters, and I want you to start thinking about equipping it. Maps, navigation, supplies... everything you can think of."

He turned back to Michael. "Meanwhile, you and I will take the horses out, but we'll stay close to the village for now. I want to get a better idea for what a rider can do compared to a man."

---

Gabriel sat near a fire in the research hall, lost in thought. The new building was underway and he'd already put some of the villagers to work making supplies for it. The tribe was familiar enough with what was needed for a long journey, though, and that didn't really need full-time oversight. Now he was wondering about unconventional techniques - surely there was something else that would help. Suddenly, an old memory surfaced: a performance he'd seen years ago using lodestones. That had been just a novel trick - entertaining, but not much more. Still, perhaps there was a possibility there...

---

Raphael reined in his horse and sat watching the other hunters thunder through the valley after their quarry. The new mounts certainly made a difference - there was no way someone could chase down a longhorn on foot - but it was a tradeoff of speed against stealth. He was starting to get a feel for how the horses moved, and he'd seen as much of the terrain in the last few days of riding as he had in several months previously. If Michael and the others could catch a few of the herd they were currently chasing, the trip would be a complete success.

He smiled at that last thought and nudged his horse back into motion, relishing the feel of the wind on his face. These hunting trips had been the first long rides anyone in the tribe had been on, and he was pretty sure several of his men would consider them worthwhile even if they caught nothing at all.

After all, this was fun.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

30 to build a scout's tent, 30 to research compass, 15 to hunt

[Stickasensi]

"Great people of Tribe of the Tree's!" Tree speaker Toryan spoke loudly to the assembly of his village " We, today have been given the Tree's blessing to expand! We are now allowed to make our presence known to others and to become the great civilization our planet wishes us to be!" The crowd gathered among the tree tops which served as both the tribes lookout and guard tower as well as their gathering place. They stood atop wooden log walkways and planked platforms that connected the various sized trees each of which was a different size and the largest tree belonged to Tree Speaker Toryan who was recently elected to his position in the Tree of Life and as would the next leader of this tribe two years from now. The Tree of life was located in the central platform which overlooked all the other trees. This upper most platform was the most important of the various levels of their village, it housed the political offices and the humble military that they possessed and underneath the tree tops among the trunks and branches were the housing and stores that served the people of the Toryan tribe to a great extent, the raised height of their village allowed them a degree of safety from the other tribes and even the creatures that inhabited the lands below.


"The Trees, They allow us passage to the future of the Toryan tribe..." Scouting leader Branchling Root-Seer Spoke softly as his company of men slowly climbed down the branches of the tree's. The shadows of their brethren above them living safely in their homes loomed over them masking their decent to the dangerous floor of the forest they knew and cared for. "Why must The Tree's give us permission to grow? They cannot stop us!" A new recruit spoke from the ranks that crawled down beside the Scout Leader. "Because child, The Tree's have lived longer than us and their wisdom grows far beyond ours. They did not allow our predecessors to bloom and you see what remains of them." Swinging along the branches another recruit says "What remains?". Root-Seer Smiles and simply speaks a single word before dropping a great height leaving the others a little behind as he catches branches along his decent slowing him down to a safe landing speed "Exactly."

"The Tree's have given us our seed, We use their seed. We make them grow, We make them bloom. The Tree's make us bloom, The Tree's make us grow." A single woman mumbled to herself sitting in her hollowed out tree, holding various things that dropped from the sacred trees. There were so many patches of dirt on the floor that grass had started to grow from the fertilized dirt patches, a good thing too because it meant some of the things she held within her hands could bloom and give birth to the green that gave her kind life. "They gave us life, We give protection. They gave us skin, We give them kin. They give us wisdom, We give them love. " She said touching her arm that had a top layer of moss growing from her chitinous bark skin.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Build: Forester (30 People) , Explore (30 People) , Research: Archery (30 People)

[Tsai]

A great and grand celebration was held as the exploration expedition came home with much success. They've discovered a new tribe a ways away from the village now, they it is time to grow and expand the influence of your great home. Lord Aster convenes in the planning room with his advisers once again after being away for months. Aster and Sir Brightblade both step up to announce they're findings with Brightblade speaking first.
"My lord and i have seemed to encounter a people with similar traditions to ours but they're King or lord is in total and utter control of his villagers, unlike our lord who gives fiefs to those worthy, such as everyone around this table, I recommend we strike and take their lands as our own. We could benefit greatly from the resources and more peasants mean more to do the manual labor around our ever growing village.

Aster remains silent until the knight's deliberations are over before offering a secondary option. "Everyone. Even though taking their village would be great in the short term we must worry about our people and soldiers first, I dont believe we have the weapons or armor to take an entire village. I say we propose a trade agreement and scout the village till we are suitably equipped. Garl do you believe you can get a smithy up and running?

Garl looks at him before doing some calculations in his head. "Aye, M'lord i dont think i can. My men are running low on met'als, woods, and stone we're gonna need to gather more before we can do more unless we risk running low in times of need." Aster nods before looking at his grandfather again who seems to be asleep in his chair.

Grandfather wake up, have you made progress? At this point the old man is startled awake and not really sure as to what is going on before someone whispers to him about the bows.
Oh....sorry Aster, unfortunately we didnt have much to spare when we tried to make head way with the new err... weapons. We're gonna need a bit more time and maybe some more men to test them. An annoyed look comes across aster's face but waves him off saying he'll get the men he needs. The council convenes and all the men go their separate ways.

Outside once again Aster is suited in his armor waiting for the arrival of Sir Brightblade. As he walks up with a group of men all ready for another expedition back into the wilds. My Lord are you sure about this? What if those men are dastardly and try to slay us in our sleep? I wont risk the lives of our people for a farce.

"Brightblade your council is noted but think of the men and woman who will lose their lives in open combat against an unknown enemy. It is best we gain their trust now, then maybe we can oust their king and replace them with one of the nobles from our court. For now a trade mission with be established are we clear? Sir Brightblade gives a nod and rallies the men before setting off once again.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

30 to research archery 30 to gather 30 to diplomacy