The History of the World VII . . . .

[Frank Johnson]

The Discovery of King Taro I: The Full Epic

The Discovery of King Taro I: The Full Epic

[LzPrst]

Oden's Journey Home

This is the story of Oden's journey home from the Well of Knowledge and his eventual Ascendancy to Godhood. It is a tale that has passed for generations from one teller of stories to another.



Oden's Oddysee



Thought and Memory
Oden left the well of Mimir and travelled from Jotunheimen, the land of the giants, back into the lands of Midgard. He walked through a crowded forest and heard the screaming of ravens. Come forth Hugin! he called. And the Raven flew to a branch, looking down on Oden. "I am Oden and I know your voice. From this day forth you will speak to me".

-Why should be your servant forever more? Quoth the Raven.

"For I am Oden, Lord of the Vikings, Son of the Sun, You are Thought, and you belong with me, as does your brother, Memory. Munin, come forth!"

And a second Raven appeared.

-Curses, cried the first Raven, you know our names and you know our being. We have no choice, but come with you if you demand it so.

"You have no choice as I can command you by my will, this is true, but I will give you one nonetheless. Choose to stay in the wilderness if you wish, but you will always be lost here without home and without purpose. I will shape you and strengthen you and you will serve me in return. Your freedom will be yours to command, but you will be loyal to me. Your names will be called out in respect and honor, and you will live forever strong within my halls. So tell me, Hugin, and Munin, will you swear loyalty to Oden, God of the Vikings?"

-Your proposition is fair and honorable, we will come with you. Quoth the Ravens, forevermore.


The Company of Wolves
Walking with Hugin and Munin on each shoulder Oden made his way through the great forests. During the night he rested under the full moon. Suddenly a Howl was heard. Wolves of vicious and voracious form made their appearance in the moonlit clearing, growling with menace.

"I have been expecting you dear Freki and Geri. Your qualities are needed in the home of the Vikings."

-Who are you to command us by name? Spake the Wolf named Freki. The others howled and growled angrily and hungrily.

"I am Oden, Ruler of the Vikings and you belong with me and my people. Your strengths are their nature, nowhere else will you find a more fitting home or a better Lord."

-We know of the Vikings, growled Geri, Njaal the wanderer killed our kind, why should we trust you?

"For I am the keeper of Wisdom, Thought and Memory, I remember when Njaal slaid the Wolves, I was there and so was my Raven, Munin. I know you attacked Njaal to eat him and his wanderers, and that you failed. You are of course angry, but you would do no less yourself if attacked and his strength earns your respect. With my skills your desires and natures will be developed to uncomparable strenghts, with your skills my people will become stronger still. Fierceness and Greed, come with me and I will make you stronger and richer."

-Your offer intrigues us. We will join you and share our strengths with your people if you hold what you promise.

And so Oden was companied by the Wolves Freki and Geri.


The Secrets of the Hills
Travelling further north Oden walked up on a great hill and looked out across the farstretching river valley.
"Here I will sleep tonight for I am tired of all my wanderings." He sent his wolves to fetch food and his Ravens to look for signs of life.

Sitting against a great stone on the hill, Oden closed his eye and rested. As he slept he dreamt that he was falling, and was awoken suddenly by his back hitting the rock floor. There was total darkness about him. I must have moved in my sleep thought Oden and rose up to stretch. But he was quickly hindered from standing up as his head smacked into a hard surface above his head.
"Where am I, muttered Oden, slightly confused by the darkness and pain in his head."

-In the halls of the dwarves! Squeaked a voice in the dark. You came in through our gate to the top of the hill. It is hidden, but you found it. How did you find it?
-Yes, yes! Tell us how you found it!? Cried many voices from the dark.

"I sat and rested my back against the great stone and fell asleep..."

-Asleep!? He found the entrance in his sleep! I told you it was too easy to find! I told you all! screamed another voice.

-Kill him! Quickly, before he can get out and tell others of his kind of our presence! several voices shouted in unison.

"Now, Now, No need for that, said Oden, surely your hospitality is greater than so. And regardless, I know of your kind from before. I am Oden, drinker of the well of wisdom. I know all about these lands, and all that inhabit them, even under the ground. I just didnt know of this particular entrance to the Dwarven Kingdom."

-It's new! said the darkness.
-I built it! cried yet another voice.
-He knows about us! whined a third.

"Your secret will not be shared with the outside world, said Oden, I have come here by chance, but now that I am here I demand to be treated well, for if any of your kind would ever visit my halls, you would sure be treated well."

-We would? questioned one.
-Noone treats dwarves nicely! declared a second voice.
-He's mad! announced a third.

"Enough of this riddling in the dark, said Oden, take me to your King so I may give my respects."

And so Oden was taken to meet the King of the Dwarves, Augburm Hauvsplitar. The King being wiser than his subjects welcomed Oden and showed him the great riches of the Dwarven Kingdoms. Precious metals and Gems beyond count lay in the stone halls below the hills. Oden demanded that the Dwarfking teach him how to mine such riches and the Dwarfking agreed reluctantly. Seeing the tools of the Dwarves Oden further demanded to learn the secret of smithing, and once again the Dwarf King obliged. Finally Oden demanded to know how to carve rock with such skill and the Dwarfking said he would tell him only if Oden would tell him of his journey and his people, and swear to never give away any entrance to the Dwarven Kingdom. Oden thanked the Dwarfking and told him many thrilling tales of the outside world and the land of the giants, so much that the Dwarfking became wild with wanderlust and said that he would one day come to visit Oden in his halls.

Oden was then escorted back to the entrance and promised to never reveal it to any living creature. With a satisfied smile on his face Oden now slept soundly, resting against a small tree standing on the hill.


Oden's Return and Ascendancy
After travelling for many months Oden finally reached the hills of Nidaros. His people welcomed him and his companions well and also the knowledge and skills he brought. But Oden was weary of Midgard and of leading the Vikings. He appointed a strong young man to rule in his stead and then left Nidaros again. Travelling for many more months Oden finally found a great land of unparallelled wonder, it was Asgard, the land of the Godlike Æsir. Here he settled and it would be his home until the end of the earth.

But Oden did not leave the Vikings for good, he would return with more knowledge and many adventures...

[condor223]

From the beginning of time, when my family came from the stars, we have lived in this land along the Nile. Generations have passed with the ebb and flow of the Great River Nile. We have grown grain for eons, traveled our river, and worshiped our gods. The great ancestors look to the stars for their origins.

The great ones of my past bore the names of the powerful animal gods. We have examined the role of good conduct.

The great ancestors were Horus “Crocodile’” Horus Hat-Hor, Horus Iry-Hor, Horus Ka, Horus “Scorpion” and I Horus Narmer, the Baleful Catfish! We have worn the white crown of Upper Egypt forever! It is I, the joiner of two lands, who will rule the Nile and wear the double crown. We have chosen to be buried in Abydos and Saqqara.. these mastaba tomb dot the landscape in the dry zone. We live!

This day I send forth in the name of Horus, my son, to expand the land of Egypt. It is my wish that the cities of Egypt be governed by nomarchs, to lead the land and follow my rule. They shall provide Egypt, I, Horus, with labour during the floods, to demonstrate the power of the state.

Father’s reign was most prosperous. His great tomb was built of mud brick. I myself, prepare a hidden resting place. It is built in two phases, since my power has expanded to encompass nearly all of the Black Land. My power is growing, the gods are pleased, each and every one of them, grown in the great gathering of nomes, each is worshiped for its power and gifts.
My lady Queen, the Goddess, and I enjoy hippo hunting in our graceful boat upon the Nile. I hunt with the throwing stick! We visit the potters, the farmers, relax and enjoy good bread and honey, meat and fowl. All this is our right, for we are gods of the land, pointing to our origin in the stars. It is also my right to conquer the entire land, taking heads and putting the fear of me into all who do not respect my power. When they respect my divinity, I shall be like a good father to them, ruling them in wisdom.

These years, our family has met the travelers from distant lands. First came India and China, and later the Arabs, with promises of further trade and good will. Indeed, we are quite distant from them, so they will be no problem for expanding in our land.

The wild beasts have taken many of the travelers! Time after time, they come from the darkenss and carry off our precious dead, denying them eternal life. May the gods curse the wild beasts.

[OzzyKP]

Nebaioth - "Father, the courier you sent to Bulgaria has returned."

Ishmael - *cough* "Ah yes, and their response?"

Nebaioth - "Well.... apparently he was not permitted entry across the Bulgarian border. He was blocked."

Ishmael - "What? So the message never arrived? Those *cough* damn Bulgarians. He was marked quite clearly as an official envoy of the house of Ishmael, how *aack* dare they stop him at the border."

Nebaioth - "I'm sure it was a misunderstanding. Incompetant border guards, or miscommunication. I wouldn't think the Bulgarian chief intended to block our courier as an intentional slight against us."

Ishmael - "I certainly hope not. However *coughcough* this isn't the first hostile act from the Bulgarians. Let us hope this is an mistake and the people *hack* responsible for it are dealt with. Let us hope for both our sakes. This is an important matter and this message must get through."

Nebaioth - "Yes father, I will send another courier."

Ishmael - "Tell him to hurry! Or I shall.... I.... ....."

Ishmael, far advanced in age, suddenly collapses on the floor.

Nebaioth - "Father! Kedar, Adbeel, come quick!"

(OOC - Toni clean out your inbox!)

[LzPrst]

Oluf's Outreach

A group of men sat seated around a massive stone table. Around the table was built a great hall. A Longhouse, stretching across an entire hilltop. Built upon a stonebase covered with carvings of Dragons, Longships, Serpents, Wolves and Men.

They debated for hours, screaming and cursing. Violence erupted, a flintaxe was drawn and slammed into the Stone Table. The axe splintered into a thousand pieces. The Table was of a rock not of this world. Silence ensued. The man who had destroyed his axe spoke out.

" We have found tribes other than ourselves. Strange and unusual they are, as is their customs and their language. We have founds lands to the south and east stretching further than anything we could ever have imagined. But these lands are shared by our neighbours. And there are no lakes or seas of size or fertility. And much of the land is dry and dead. To the east there is a small narrow strip of sandcovered land. Our scouts have told us that it could easily be dug out by a permanent settlement. Such a canal would allow us access to the eastern ocean! A water of unknown vastness, with a long and fertile coast. But the people of the east, the Carthagians, are closer to this land and want it for themselves. We must send our warriors and TAKE THIS LAND FOR OURSELVES! We must have access to the eastern ocean, our safety and trade depends on it."

Wild shouts of agreement rung through the halls. Some shout WAR! The commotion eases when a massive man with flaming red hair standing a head above most others stands up.

-You damned traders. You will send our warriors out to die for anything and nothing. We have not even spoken with this tribe. They may allow us to build there, or they may even build the canal for us! We must contact them before we start howling for the release of the dogs of war!

Muttering and nodding follows. The commotion ends and a decision is made to send an envoy to the Carthagians.



The Pigman

Having left the land of the Vikings the great redheaded bear of a man travels east with his companions. Crossing the dry deadlands they eventually arrive at the narrow sandstrip of land. Here they are met by a surprising sight. Hundreds, thousands of Carthagians, men, women and children, wandering, crossing the great narrow landline, led by a man whose stench of pig reached all the way to the other side of the landbridge.

Meeting with Pilka Pigstrong, Oluf the Redbearded discussed for lengths with him eachother's peoples wishes and plans. Pigstrong and Oluf came to an agreement and the deal was celebrated with much joy, dancing and food.

The day after Pigstrong told Oluf of his plans of where he would lead his people, but he explained also that the deal they had made must be approved by the master and leader of Carthage, Elissar. Oluf started the journey to Carthage to bring the proposal to Elissar for its final approval.

((OOC: Prussia. Finish this story at your leisure. (preferably before the session)))

[Prussia]

"PIGSTRONG, THE CHAMPION OF CARTHAGE, HAS SENT US A FOREIGNER. CARTHAGE: OLUF THE VIKING!"

The courtyard was utterly silent. The only sound was the echo of the Wise One Jainua. Where normally a gathering of this degree, maybe 200,000 or so, would have been if a barbarian tribe was slain, or if a new champion/minister/wise one was crowned, but this was not a time of celebration.

A broad shouldered, muscle-bound, red haired lumbering of a man walked out into the elevated platform of the courtyard. The quiet was so present, it was defeaning. Perhaps the only sounds that could be heard for miles around were the loud stomp as this towering beast of a warrior walked out, clad in his armour, weapon sheathed, with a sullen, yet calm and fierce look on his face.

"PEOPLE OF CARTHAGE! I AM OLUF OF THE VIKINGS! WE ARE A STRONG-WILLED, HONORABLE, AND RELIGIOUS PEOPLE! WE HAVE RECENTLY STUMBLED UPON YOUR GROWING CIVILIZATION, AND OUR LEADERS ARE IMPRESSED. IN FACT, WE ARE SO IMPRESSED, WE WILL NOT DESTROY YOU."

Silence. Oluf was dumbfounded that they did not erupt in celebration when he so blatantly lied about not destroying them. After all, the others did. Perhaps these people were smarter. After all, the warriors Oluf's men encountered were not as brainless as the pesky barbarians. Perhaps these were a smarter people.

Truth be told, Oluf didn't know what to say next.

"I...Uh..The Viking peop-Empire, in fact...is...uh-interested, that maybe an...uh, alliance could be worked out?"

Murmurs spread across the crowd like wind sweeps across a prarie. Oluf could see some nods, some quiet arguing, and some people deep in thought. Looking over at the wise men he could see them quietely disscussing amongst themselves. "This alliance would be benefitial," was all he heard from the Wise Men.

Queen Elissa was smiling.

With this bit of confidence, Oluf continued.

"If it would please the citizens of the Carthaginian empire, my people, the vikings, would like to become partners, allies, and if it be Oden's will, friends. We shall war together, dine together, and reap the fruits of the see...Together."

This time the reaction was much larger and louder. Many members of the crowd were beaming, some were shaking hands, laughing, pointing at Oluf and there was a distant rumble of a cheer of, "Alliance! Alliance! Alliance!"

Oluf waited for a minute, and by the time he was done waiting, that rumble grew into a cheer. Thousands of people were raising their fists and cheering, "Praise Oluf! ALLIANCE! ALLIANCE!" More and more joined in the cheer, even the wise ones, until almost every man, woman, and child in the courtyard was screaming, "ALLIANCE! ALLIANCE! ALLIANCE!

Oluf smiled broadly, and boomed:

PEOPLE OF CARTHAGE! DO NOT BE HUMBLE IN YOUR WAYS! WITH THIS VIKING-CARTHAGINIAN ALLIANCE, NO NATION WILL STAND IN OUR WAY! NOT A SINGLE ONE! WE WILL BE STRONGER THAN THE WIND, TOUGHER THAN THE ROCK, AND MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE SEA! JOIN THE VIKING PEOPLE! I, YOU, AND MY PEOPLE WILL NOT REGRET IT!

The reaction was tremendous. A Tidal wave of cheers ripped through the courtyard, out into the city of carthage, and could be heard from miles, and miles away. The screaming of, "ALLIANCE! ALLIANCE!" was muffled by the sheer noise of 200,000 people screaming, cheering, laughing, smiling, crying, and praying the the Being.

"Thank you, Carthage. Fare thee well."

Oluf stepped off the platform, but not before receiving another round of cheering a loud booming "OLUF! OLUF! OLUF!"

Oluf beamed at the people, the wise ones, and Elissa--



Queen Elissa was not smiling.



She stepped onto the platform, and in 20 seconds the courtyard was as gravely silent as it was before. They knew what was happening. Everyone who could see her face stopped cheering. She was not smiling - That's usually bad.

Oluf also noticed this, and his smile was wiped from his face. He watched from a distance, noticing the quickest way to escape if need be. He realized it was futile, there were guards everywhere, he'd never escape. But Aha! There was a ladder over there, maybe if he climbed on the house and jumped from the roof over to-

Too late. Carthaginian guards positioned themselves defending the raised platform and throne. Oddly enough, they were not paying him any attention.

"CITIZENS OF CARTHAGE! I, YOUR BEAUTIFUL QUEEN OF CARTHAGE, ELISSA THE BEAUTIFUL, HAS MADE MY DECISION."

She smiled.

"An alliance there will be."

The crowd erupted. There was no way to describe the noise.

OOC - The save does not work. It only leads me to the thing about, "We are still waiting for... What would you like to do?" And it gives the voting screen. I can't get access to any of the vital information. What do I do?

OOC 2-Lz, if you have something to talk about, you can PM me. (An alliance, maybe )

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by Prussia
OOC - The save does not work. It only leads me to the thing about, "We are still waiting for... What would you like to do?" And it gives the voting screen. I can't get access to any of the vital information. What do I do?

Select "save and continue".

Be sure when you have opened the save you do not advance the turn. That could expose secrets about the other players you shouldn't know.

That goes for everyone.


btw, great posts everyone. Keep it up.

[LzPrst]

((OOC: great storypickup prussia. had me bouncing on my chair there for a second I'll boil together something in good time ))

[MMC]

It was a Tuesday. A very wet Tuesday, but a Tuesday nonetheless. Jimmy Brickfoot decided to take a walk on the wild side. Unfortunately he walked directly into a tree. Dazed, and touched by amnesia, he forgot the way home to his nomadic tribe, the English.
Whist clumsy, he was not completely stupid, and soon realised that if he could not find his way back, he would have to find shelter where he was. He stumbled across a small grassy peninsula between the forest and a coast line that had so much fish and crab in it, that a few deft throws of a rock and Jimmy had all the food he'd need for weeks. Walking back to the tree-line, he designed his shelter in his head ----->

Eventually, the rest of his tribe found him, still building away. He'd built one hut, gotten bored, and built 6 more, so he could have somewhere new to sleep each day of the week. When the other tribe members arrived, they found a large jumble of huts of all different shapes and sizes. At first, they laughed at Jimmy, until he pointed out all the food in the water. He soon convinced the tribal elders that staying put would be a good thing, and that he had had an idea to get even more fish for the tribe than was possible from the shore.

Before long, he had been elected head of the village by the elders, and in moment of insanity (these moments usually lasted pretty much 24/7), decreed that the village and the surrounding lands should be called the English Happy Funland. The night before, the elders, knowing what he was planning to annouce, decreed that the village itself would be called by a more traditional English name: London. And thus, London became the capital of the empire that would be know as the English Happy Funland, with the inhabitants calling themselves the Happy Funglish (Jimmy's idea again).

Over several years, the village of London grew, flourishing into a happy place to live. Jimmy's fishing project had succeeded, resulting in a boat (named after the Big Old Apple Trees it was made from ) that could harvest months worth of fish at a time. Harold, the tribe's former champion and defender returned from exploring to find the tribe settled in strange buildings. After resting and healing injuries he had sustained on his journies, he told the village of the places he had seen. His favourite appeared to be a sea of sand, causing some of the younger tribe members to call him Harry the Desert Hippy.

He told of another tribe who had also settled down, and who seemed remarkably friendly. When he mentioned the name of the tribe, however, the senior elders muttered about evil legends. Harold had also heard of the legends, but he refused to believe that the French tribe, whom he had met, were the same tribe from the legends, even if they had the same name. He had also met another tribe who called themselves the Romans, however he had been unable to talk to any of the village elders.

Whilst he was in the village, Harold taught some of the youths about some of the tricks he had picked up on the way, such as using the trees to slow the advance of attackers such as wild animals. Some of the youths were bright enough to realise that slowing the attack, whilst beneficial, also meant slowing the defender, so they decided to try and come up with a way to make the movements of the tribe faster without helping the enemy. Soon, they found that a network of secret paths would do the trick, and using round stones or logs, they could travel quickly along these paths and any attackers would never be able to find them. Setting out on an expedition to build these roads, they formed a work-party vowing to improve the lot of the village through any means necessary.

Not long after the youths had left, they met a stranger who did not match the description of any of the tribes Harold had told them about. He did not appear to be a warrior, yet he seemed perfectly at home in the forest and able to take care of himself. After what seemed like an eternity of gesturing, the youths had picked up enough of the stranger's language to understand that his name was Njål and he hailed from the Viking tribe. One of the youths used his knowledge of the secret roads to run back to the village, where he was given permission to trade with the Viking man. Running back to relay the message, the youth bumped into another man, obviously of the same tribe as Njål. This man was not a warrior either, yet neither was he like Njål. He appeared to know who the youth was, and what the youth had to say. When he mentioned his name, the youth gasped, as he had heard Njål mention this great man with much reverance. His name was Oden.

After rejoining Njål and the other youths, Oden listened to the full message from the elders of London. He agreed to trade peacefully with the English / Happy Funglish people, partly because they amused him and Njål, but partly because he was frustrated about something and just wanted to go home (or so the youths thought). After agreeing to tell the Viking people to accept any offers of trade from the English people (for as long as the English did likewise), Oden and Njål left to continue their journey, and the youths returned to building a network of roads.

Harold returned to the French people and walked up to their capital. All the men were either out gathering food, or were exploring like Harold, so had he so wished, Harold could have walked in a ravaged all the women he could want, and could have plundered all the shiny things he could find. However, Harold was a friendly man and immediately declared to the women and children "There shall be peace!"

Soon, the French men returned from gthering food, and Harold told the whole village of his exploits. It wasn't long before the French elders agreed to send a messenger to London annoucing friendship beween the two tribes. Long would the two nation live, and great would the two nations be. Harold gave the messenger his bone necklace as a sign of his patronage of the agreement. Before he left, he told the French elders of a lone peak, which stood in-between the two villages. Using this peak as a reference, as the French claimed to have heard of it from their own explorers, Harold and the elders agreed that neither nation should expand beyond that peak. Intending to deliver the same ultimatum to the Roman tribe, Harold declared the peak to be called 'Tri-Point Peak', and left the French lands.

[Robert]

Arjuna the archer

Arjuna left the room of Varuna, the 2nd leader of the Indians. "Find ways to improve our strenghts to defend against the barbarians for I fear that they will cause us much trouble in the future" Varuna had said to him. Find new ways. An important order. Proud as Arjuna was with this order he walked into the woods immediately.

When he walked beneath the trees a voice could be heard: "Close your eyes Arjuna, and walk". In fear he looked around to see where this voice came from, and then it came again: "Close your eyes Arjuna, and walk". Arjuna closed his eyes and he walked further. He opened his eyes again to be sure he wasn't going to hit anything. "Close your eyes Arjuna" the voice cried again. He closed his eyes, and walked. Scared. Then he walked into some branches of a tree, they bended while Arjuna kept on walking but his feet hitted something on the ground, he lost control, and the branches trowed him back on the ground.
"Open your eyes now", the voice said. "Only a fool walks with his eyes closed, don't be a fool and admire the gift of sight from now on, Arjuna!"

Arjuna continued to walk untill he heard the voice again: "fall on your knees and crawl over the ground". Arjuna ignored the voice and continued to walk in a normal way. "Crawl on your knees" the voice screamed. Arjuna did as he was commanded. He crawled and hurted his hands, his knees, he didn't progress much. Then the voice was heard again: "Stand on your feet now, only a fool crawles on his knees, don't be a fool, Arjuna, and admire the gift of height from now on."

Arjuna was puzzled and continue his journey. When the voice was heard again he quickly returned: "No, I won't run after the beasts! I am not a fool and I will not give in to you again."
"So wise you are", the voice responded, "and still you didn't found the weapon for your chief. Those who don't want to be helped can help themselves." and then the voice was gone. "I WILL help myself", Arjuna screamed.
Silence.
"So, what is it, that you tried to tell me? Or were you only making a fool of me?". "I am no fool! And I will not close my eyes nor will I crawl like a baby again!"
Silence.

"running behind beasts all by myself. As if I'll ever catch one." Arjuna mumbled. He broke a small branch from a tree and trowed it away in anger. Arjuna was suprised to see that the branch had hitted a small rabbit and killed it. The place were the branch was broken from the tree was planted into the body of the rabbit and killed it. Arjuna took more branches and tried to trow them again. But it didn't work again. There was not enough power and not enough luck to plant a branch into the body of the rabbit again. Not to mention that he wasn't even able to hit the rabbit most of the time.

"I need more power", Arjuna concluded. He thought about his fall on the ground earlier that day. The branches of the tree had trowed him backwards after he tried to bend them. Then he saw a stick that was slightly bended by itself. He picked it up, tried to bend it even more and let it go. It swooped back into it's original position. Arjuna took the rope that held his clothes together and bound it to both sides of the branch. He pulled the rope backwards, which bended the branch, then he let the rope go which was straigthened immediately with much power. Then he picked up one of the sharp branches and tried to trow it away with power.

After days of trying and excercising without eating and without sleeping, Arjuna figured it out how to use his bow. He returned to Rho-Delhi and ran into the house of Varuna. "Dear leader" he said, "I've made your weapon".

From that moment on the Indians used arrows and bows for hunting and the defense of their city. They searched for heigh places, like hills, to build defensive positions for they discovered that heigh places were very good for firing arrows from.

[deity]

Book 1: The pre-kingdom era

---
From Palaeolithic beginnings did come a Stone Age tribe from the bitter ice and snow. A southerly region on the edge of a great unknown continent saw the first congregation of early man.

The Choson

Not far from ice fields and deer and in a dense dark forested valley a river flowed to the icy southern waters where some crabs were available. Many tribes of Eastern barbarians gradually settled here and called it Seoul. Although not yet a kingdom a common family name was Choson meaning the "Land of the Morning Calm". It was to become known as Ko Choson one day but in the 4th millennium BC organisation was not centralised and leadership was sporadic. Endeavours in early learning were patchy.

There was a favourite story that one day the people of Ko Choson would become the Tong-i or Eastern bowmen and a legendary founder Tan-gun would be born. This was the campfire story-teller’s prophecy and several tribal elders were called Tan-gun.

Buddhism

But in 4000BC Tan-gun’s ancestors looked to religion to warm their hearts and souls in this bitterly God-forsaken land. Buddhism was regarded as their first ever technological development and this became the way of all the Choson. Any other existence was unthinkable and as if by magic the surrounding forests became calmer.

Exploration

Choson warriors were already exploring new lands and Buddhism was their weapon. Besides discovering better land a northerly tribe of Celts was encountered and friendly relations ensued, or so it is believed. But the distances seemed so vast that the people in Seoul were disinterested. The explorers were on their own, only bonded to their homeland by Buddhism.

A silver Seoul

Already possessing Mining skills a rich silver mine was built near the first town of Seoul; however there was no easy means of transportation as silver was loaded onto beasts of burden for cartage to Seoul through dense forests.

The valley provided deer and much fur so precision Hunting evolved as a key means of survival. A better means of crab fishing was pondered and experiments were showing signs of an increased yield from the sea.

Now in 2935BC the more scientifically inclined were experimenting with prototype bows and new weapons were slated for discovery soon to vastly improve their hunting skills and to prepare for any incursions by unfriendly tribes.
---

[LzPrst]

A few days later when the partying had eased down, Oluf went to speak with the masters of Carthage again.

Oluf:
Right, about this alliance. Now that we have agreed on making one, we should probably think about what it means to be in an alliance. To be honest, we vikings have not had many dealings with other tribes and an alliance is new to us. Yet I gather that it is similar to friendship, but between tribes.

As for now our alliance is a mere agreement among friends, but in time, when contact between our tribes becomes easier, the greatmen of the Vikings will send one of our children to be raised and taught by your greatmen, and in return you will send one of yours to us. In this way our people will learn of eachother's ways and our friendship will grow stronger.

Yet now I must return home to report the success of my mission. I bid you all farewell and if any of you wish to come with me on my return home to see the lands of the Vikings, you are welcome to share our company and our home. I wish you Strength and Prosperity.



The Return Home

Travelling with his men for many months Oluf and his party finally reached the Eastern forests of Nidaros. They entered the village and walked to the top of the hill where The Great Longhouse stood. Here they gathered all the greatmen of the Vikings and told of their journey, their meeting with Pigstrong and their experience at The Great Hall of Carthage. Finishing his tale Oluf sat down at his place by the great stone table and waited for the response. He did not have to wait long.

An ALLIANCE!? Are you mad!? To tie ourselves so closely to a people we do not know, that we barely have contact with!? What manner of rashness has begotten you? Hear me my fellow Vikings, we cannot accept such an agreement, how do we know that they are not planning to betray us once we have most foolishly deemed them friends. What good can come out of such a roping together of our people? Nothing! They are so far away and so strange that it takes years to just get there. How can we have contact with them? I say this "alliance" is most foolish and most hastened!

A cloaked and hooded man emerges from the shadows of the corner of the hall.

Have you heard nothing that Oluf has said? He has spoken with these people and he has been most successful. They wish friendship and you would turn them away? They have agreed to dividing the land between us in a fair and honorable way, yet you are dissatisfied with this? Oluf has gained us a friend in the east, how can having one less foe and one more friend, however far away, be rash? No, it is you who is rash. Who will not listen to sense and reason.

The Great Longhouse fell silent as if struck by magic. Later some said that it was magic and that this was merely a ploy to lure out and rid the Vikings of some of their more foolish leaders. Dumbstruck the speaker stared with disbelief at the old man. The others sat still as turned to stone.

How dare you old fool!? Do you not know who I am?

You are Idar, the Greedy. A good quality in a greatman, but with no strength or honor to counterweigh his greed he becomes most foolish. I know all about you, my Ravens fly out daily to this place and others and whispers to me the deeds of men. Yours are not honorable, and you hide behind your wealth and your twisting words. I tell you, be wise and approve of Oluf's alliance with the Easterners or you will lose more than your pride.

Ravens? What are you babbling about, enough! Have this foolish ranting old madman thrown out into the mud and let him not into our hall again!

But the others sat quiet still.

What have gotten into you? Have you been spellbound by this foolish old wanderer, who is so old that he does not know that only greatmen are to be here? Throw him out!

Oluf rose from his seat and said with an angry voice.

You have questioned and ridiculed my judgment in my dealings with the foreigners, this is an insult, but one should not quarrel over a mere insult spoken in haste. Yet you have three times called this man a fool. If you had any wisdom of your own you would have listened to his words, but clearly you are the fool if you cannot recognize Oden himself. I see no choice but to challenge you to HOLMGAUNG!

The color drained from Idar's face so quickly that one would think he had never seen the sun. He stared in disbelief at the old man who now lifted his hood and stared back with his only eye, grudgingly with anger and disrespect.

HOLMGAUNG IT IS! Shouted Oden in a spiteful tone, a wicked smile on his face.



HOLMGAUNG

One of the Carthagians that had accompanied Oluf back to Nidaros was confused by the greatmen storming out of The Great Longhouse and the shouts of "HOLMGAUNG!". He turned to one of Oluf's men and asked what was going on. Oluf's man Erlend the Clever told him, a HOLME is a small island, no more than a hundred paces in length or width. Two men are given weapons of their choice and then two boats will carry them each to the HOLME. The two men will then walk, which is GANGE in the Viking tongue, until they meet in HOLMGAUNG, islandwalk it could be translated as perhaps. One boat will return the next day and pick up the survivor. It is the Viking way of settling a dispute among men when there is no other way to come to agreement, it is rare for mostly a settlement can be reached through a mediator, but today something most unusual must have occurred in The Great Longhouse. We will see tomorrow the results.

At daybreak the next day down by the rocky coastline two boats prepared to set out. On the hill overlooking the craggy rocks stood young and old, nearly the entire Viking tribe was gathered. There had not been a HOLMGAUNG in a hundred years. And some were taking bets. The odds were Goat:Chicken in favor of Idar. He was known to be skilled with the bow and even though Oluf would crush him in close combat few doubted that he would get near enough before he was brought down by a dozen arrows.

By the first boat Idar strung his bow and tested it a few times. He also sharpened two bone daggers and placed them on his back. He then sharpened his small flint knife and put it in his boot. Acknowledging that he was ready he set out with the first boat.

Oluf was unsure of what weapon to use. He was stronger than most men, but he knew that Idar was quick and agile and that his arrows could pierce a mans heart at 50 paces. The club was his preferred weapon, he certainly knew how to wield it, but it was too clumsy for this fight. As he was considering his choices a Raven flew over the craggy coast and landed on a stone in front of Oluf.
"Eaaaar!" Cried the Raven. Oluf looked with uncertainty at the Raven, then picked up a long wooden spear with a flint tip. "Sheeeeer!" Cried the Raven a second time, Oluf thought for a while then picked up a shield and fastened it to his left hand. "Haaak!" Cried the Raven a third time and then took off. Olaf picked up a flint axe and fastened it to his belt. He then stepped into the boat and it sailed out into the misty waters.

[Fransiski]

Story of early Celts and Bremmus

I am Bremmus, chief of the Celts, our lands are generous to us, and there is no lack of food from the rich nobles who own cows and sheep to our poor bard who when he is feeding at least keep the peace. Our women are satisfied and their bellies are full with our offspring, it is a time of peace , and their goddess Tailtiu bless our recolts and our newborn are healthy and fat. For us men it is a different matter, we aspire for war and bloodsheet , Teutates our god of war is frowning upon us, swords are forged , arrows are made but for now their ending will not know the sweet feeling of cutting through human flesh.

The mind of our diplomats are also getting slippery in those time of peace as they do not train their most deadly skills against foreign tribes. Our young men are restless and they make up the lack of war with drinking and hunting our wives and daughters, even our sheeps are not safe !! Some are even busying themselves with even more immoral and deprived activities like games, it’s mainly done with dices nowadays who know what kind of new shades this useless and evil activity will take in the future.

Aye I pray for battle and conquest but for now we will busy ourselves to build new towns, fortify to tribe and getting stronger, in the hope that one day Teutates will smile upon us and I may die on a battlefield , meeting my maker with a sword bloodied on both ends. One day but not today…

Bremmus

[condor223]

Pharaoh's Decree, A party to celebrate our Unified Land!

Hor's D'Oeuvres

Hummus b'tahini
Mashed chick peas & sesame tahini, seasoned with garlic and lemon juice.
Baba Ghanouj

Mashed eggplant and sesame tahini with garlic.
Ful m'dammas

Main Courses

Kebab Hala
Chicken or lamb, stewed with onions, fresh herbs and spices, then baked until tender.
Shish Kebab
Marinated lamb or Nile fish, grilled with vegetables on a skewer.
Kefta Mishwe

Desserts

Baklava
Layered paper thin pastry with nuts and honey.
Fresh Figs

His Royal Majesty is most pleased.

[Prussia]

HEAR YE, HEAR YE, PEOPLE OF CARTHAGE! A GREAT DAY HAS BEFALLEN US! THE GREAT MASTERS OF CARTHAGE HAVE ACCEPTED THE ALLIANCE PROPOSED BY OLUF THE GREAT! FOREVER WILL WE REMEMBER THIS DAY, AS THE DAY OUR TWO PEOPLES UNITED UNDER A BANNER OF FRIENDSHIP! WE WILL SURELY PROSPER!

The same crowd had amassed as last time, except this time, each man, woman and child was holding a small banner, all carrying the new flag of the Cartho-Viking Alliance. It technically wasn't the official flag, but the Wise one Lorder saw it lying outside The Great Hall of Carthage, one morning. It had seemed to just appear there, and all he could see was a raven flying off into the distance...



ALL WE CAN DO, FRIENDS, IS NOW WAIT. OLUF THE GREAT HAS PROMISED TO PROPOSE THE ALLIANCE TO HIS LEADERS. THE BEING HAS DECREED THAT IT WILL BE ACCEPTED, BUT ALL WE CAN DO IS WAIT. IN THE MEANTIME, QUEEN ELISSE THE BEAUTIFUL HAS DECREED THIS DAY A HOLIDAY! LET US CELEBRATE, AND RAISE OUR VOICES TO THE SKY!

And so the partying began. Food peddalers rushed out into the assembly area carrying pork, drink, and merriment. Everyone ate, celebrated, partied, and rejoiced. It was truly a glorious day. Everyone was happy.

Pigstrong beamed. Sitting on his comftorable new chair atop the elevated platform with the rest of the council of elders, he looked out upon his people, and he let out a sigh of relief.

Naturally, one day after the alliance proposal Pigstrong was renamed Pigstrong the Vigilant, and named to the council of elders. He was welcomed with open arms, and a unanimous vote of approval for his admittance. Queen Elissa personally thanked him... In her own special way...

Pigstrong stepped off the pedestal, and started to walk home. He had enough partying for a while. All he wanted was sleep. It took him a long time to figure out a replacement for his troops, but he decided on Legust, now known as Earthstrong. He would be a suitable replacement for Pigstrong's unit.

Pigstrong walked into his empty house. His wife was most likely at the celebration, and he looked forward to a long, uninterrupted night with her. He walked into his chamber...


...And there stood a massive man in a dark cloak.

"Wha-" Pigstrong started, but was quickly muffled by four muscular arms. Pigstrong struggled and struggled, and since he was built like an ox, he would have broken free if it was one man, but alas, it was two. He didn't stand a chance. He was brought to his knees, beaten, tied and bound.

"You think this alliance will last? You are foolish. Pigstrong the Imbecile, is what they will refer to you. Your name will be for a shame, as the man who brought both Carthage and Viking to their knees, wraggled by war with each other...
"

Pigstrong resisted and lashed out. The men were two powerful. They took him down.

"When you get to hell... Tell them Loki sent you."

Pigstrong's eyes went wide and he was knocked out. His body was heaved onto a cart, the three men got on and they smuggled Pigstrong out of the city.