Rise Of Man

[Cyclotron]

Azuran
Surizhad - Size 3
Economic
Income 1100 (-400 Trade w/ Teutoberg -2100 mil)
Treasury 1000
Food 500 (-1600 mil)
-Fish 0
-Farm 800
-Fruit 800
-Hunt 500
Ore 200 (-200 Trade w/ Teutoberg -1600 mil)
-Copper -2000
-Iron -200
Lumber 100 (-600 trade w/ Teutoberg 500 mil)

All my trades seem to be negative. In the absence of any apparent gain from trading with Teutoberg, I am wondering why this is beneficial for me.

Edit: Okay, is lumber just reversed then? Am I actually getting +600 lumber in exchange for 400 income and 200 ore?

[bipolarbear]

The listed number indicates how much you gain/lose per turn. The parentheses show what you have that is being lost due to trade and military upkeep. Per turn you make 1200 lumber but due to trade and military upkeep you only retain 100 of it.

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by bipolarbear
The listed number indicates how much you gain/lose per turn. The parentheses show what you have that is being lost due to trade and military upkeep. Per turn you make 1200 lumber but due to trade and military upkeep you only retain 100 of it.

I understand that - but it seems I am only losing, not gaining, from trade (-200, -400, -600...). Please show me in what way I am gaining from this trade, because every trade value appears to be negative. What exactly am I trading, and for what?

[appleciders]

I think at this point, it's going to be simpler just to give everyone the spreadsheet that Bipolarbear and I have been working with. If everyone will pm me their e-mail adress, I'll forward those along, because Poly won't host Excel files.

EDIT: I will still e-mail the spreadsheet to anyone who wants it, and am also trying a different way to demonstrate stats in post #8. Feedback appreciated.

[Rand Al'Tor]

Military orders don't need to be secret at this point, so I'll just post them here.

Regarding the Siege, I'd like the cavalry to strike at the approaching army as soon as they arrive, or rather an hour after, when they might still be tired and haven't fortified yet. The archers are to stay on the walls. If the cavalry is succesfull in sending the troups into disorder, have the infantry charge the camp in full force at night. If they maintain in good order, have the army wait outside the gates, so they can make a stand under the cover of bowmen.

[foolish_icarus]

Singidunum

Diplomacy

An emissary to the Azuran :

People of Surizhad, greetings.
I have traveled over far dark plains, waded and swam many rivers, passed beneath forests and the edges of mountains, traipsed through the very lands of our enemies and your enemies to relay this message.

We do not know where the armies of the Mainyu will move, but once we deduce their plans we would give them battle. We would not have your city fall, for surely they would next come to enslave us, and we are not a people who will be preyed upon. In the coming months let us determine how we may coordinate our efforts to defeat this common foe.

May your god watch over you and grant you wellbeing.


An emissary to the northern city of Akongo (a ship delivered the messenger most of the way) :

People of Akongo, hearken to my words! You know the yoke the Mainyu seek to put on every people other than themselves. Here is your chance to throw it off, when every city is arrayed against them. You may be the chosen slaves of Djanggawul, but slaves you are, and if every other people is collared, you will no longer be so precious to the mad priests of the Mainyu. In alliance, we can crush those that seek to place whips to all our backs.
May courage and dignity guide your choices.


An emissary to the Jahnu :

Hail, people across the sea. We seek to purchase supplies of ore and lumber from you. If you have need of it, we would not seek to rob you of these supplies, but if you have surpluses we would buy up to 200 ore and 1000 lumber.

We also urge to you take council of the events occurring in the lands to your west. The Mainyu have not learned how to swim across the ocean—yet. We suspect that if they subjugate Cernica, they will only keep going east, to the shores of your very island, and all across it if they could manage it. You would show great prudence in taking every effort available to you to help hinder the Mainyu advance.
Be well.

-----

The Singidu are not fond of riding into battle on horses. We will use them for travel, communication, scouting, and mop up as necessary, but we fight best on our own feet. Trade in 10% of our light cavalry for medium infantry.

Forest and wood products are crucial elements of our civilization. The more we can import from elsewhere, the fewer of our own forests we have to cut, and the longer they will provide us defense and food. Import from Jahnu as much timber as they have available, up to 1000 wood/turn.

In these times of war we also require greater supplies of ore. Begin importing 200 ore/turn from Jahnu.

EDIT: Due to their limited supplies, import only 200 wood/turn and no ore from Jahnu.

Set up traps on the River Singidu, watchposts, barges, archers who can fire flaming arrows, submerged obstacles and the like to hinder any attempts for anyone who isn't aware of them to navigate up the river (i.e. marauders/invaders).

Any money that’s left over will go to setting up defensive works. Improve the defensive ramparts around Singidunum itself, making sure we have food and water to resist a siege, and are prepared to thwart efforts to siege under, over, or through our walls.

More importantly, in the countryside around Singidunum set up watch towers and outposts hidden in the forests and on top of hills. These places will be used as communication centers for runners and smoke signals, and strongholds from which to launch forays to harass any approaching army. If any opposing force strikes against us, keep our scouting up to date, attack their troops and supplies in quick, small hit and run efforts then melt away. Should we be attacked, deny the enemy forage—carry away any food and supplies we can before their advance, and destroy what we cannot take. Make paths through the forests that lead astray to confuse their advance.

Only give open battle if we must. Ambushes are our friend—we can use them to substantially weaken the opponent before ever they arrive at our settlements or on the

[Cyclotron]

The ambassador from Singidunum is kept waiting at first; traditionally an audience with the Great King is a privilege for members of the Tribes only, and foreign ambassadors were held hostage for gold payments. After lengthy debate, the King decides to accept the ambassador and send a message in response.

"While we are appreciative of your offer of aid, it is not neccessary and would be counterproductive at this time. Our plans require the undivided attention of our enemies."

------------------------

Khozol, Great King of the Azuran, cast his gaze from the walls of Surizhad to where wisps of smoke were visible a year ago, smoke from the great bridge that the Azuran had burned as they fled from the men of Damballa. The Azuran had never encountered a people that had stood up to them before. How many had run before their horsemen, screaming nonsense about “centaurs” and offering great wealth for their salvation? These men were different – they did not flee, but set the Azuran themselves to flight.

Khozol ran his fingers through his graying beard and considered what he, the Great King, must do. Had his ancestors been in such a situation, when the Azuran still roamed the Ehestephon, the Endless Fields, the solution would have been simple – the Azuran were nomads and could simply depart with their herds for better pastures. But what of the Prophecy? Had Zhursas not foretold that the Azuran would settle at the place of fire? The prophecy had been fulfilled. Khozol knew he could not disappoint his people – and his God – by again taking to the plains. From now on, the Azuran would fight for their new home.

Khozol knew of the rumors circulating within the city – that this was the Last Battle between Zhursas and Agharisus, and soon the world would end and the fate of man would be decided. Khozol offered a prayer to the heavens; if this was the Last Battle, then at least he would carry the banner of righteousness to whatever end. These men of Damballa, crazed and fierce, surely worshipped one of the many faces of wicked Agharisus. To defend would not do – is Zeal not one of the Five Virtues? The righteous man cannot wait for the end, secure in his blessedness. He must give his life to promote righteousness and fight wickedness. The Damballa surely expect us to quail within our walls, Khozol thought. We will not give them the luxury of that.

And so, the next morning, the Great King strode through the streets of Surizhad, clad in the simple white robes of a penitent. The people of Surizhad – artisans, merchants, farmers, slaves – crowded onto the streets to see what was going on. Ehedan of every tribe, called together by the King’s messengers, mixed with the urban citizens in the streets, and even noble Bodihan looked on with interest. The great throng of people followed Khozol as he walked silently up the street towards the Temple of the Sacred Flame, where a great crowd of Zhuriman waited, equally perplexed as to what was happening. As the crowd murmured, the Great King ascended the steps of the Temple, and upon the final step he turned and raised his arms, bidding the crowd to be silent.

“I have heard that the end times are near. There are those of you that say that our defeat was a sign from the heavens, that this is a sign that vile Agharisus and the men that follow him will win the last battle.

“I do not know the future. I cannot see who will win the Last Battle; perhaps the time has already come. Perhaps the world of Agharisus has arrived, and our people are doomed to an eternity of gloom.

“But if these people are correct – and the end times are upon us – what are you doing here? Do you not heed the call of righteousness to battle? Do you not see the armies march and hear the trumpets sound? The blood of the Azuran has been spilled upon the field. Our enemies hound us within sight of our own gates. You know this, and yet I hear only lamenting, only resignation. Who among you yet has faith to stand against the tyrants? If your fate is decided and evil is victorious, then you have nothing to lose on this earth, and only in glorious death will you be released from a world succumbed to evil. But if your fate is still yours – if there is still hope for righteousness and the way of Zhursas – then strike out for Him! To vainly hope is not becoming of a true believer; the true believer takes the bow and spear and marches to war, to make his hope reality. If we do not fight for Zhursas, who will? Righteousness in this world is lost without us.

“I will not wait peacefully for the end to come. I will ride out against the enemy and show them no fear. I will smite the apostates, the wicked children of the earth, with my own arrows between their eyes. I will do this, because I have hope for a world where Zhursas triumphs over all. If the world is lost to us, my people, I will die gloriously for the noblest of causes; if the fate of the world still hangs in the balance, I will triumph over the enemy, and reclaim the honor of our God. There is but one choice to make, and I have made it; I say war, war and glory, glory in the name of Zhursas!”

To the great cheering of the crowd, the Great King lifted the crown from his head and held it before the thousands assembled. “I will not hold the honor of wearing a crown in this holiest of cities while Damballa still festers like a sore upon the earth, despoiling our land and corrupting the world with evil. Let no King of the Azurans wear this crown until Damballa is but ash and cinders. I go to fight for righteousness – who will ride with me?”

--------------------

The Ehedan - the light cavalry tribesmen of the Azuran - are called to begin fierce raids on the land of the enemy (Agharishathban, the "land of the wicked"), as far as the walls of Damballa if they wish. They are good autonomous raiders and the Great King will not interfere with what they do best. He will encourage them instead with promises that their raids are sanctioned by God, and tales of the great wealth of the enemy that can be gained.

Heavy Infantry is not in the style of Azuran warfare, and our 5% will be converted into Archers.

Our plan will be to raid the enemy so vigorously that they will be forced to respond and cross the river in force. They will be allowed to do so, and when they cross our river fleet will strike and destroy any means they have of returning. Our great army will skirmish with them, firing and retreating, and when they are tired we will use our superior mobility to surround them and charge them from all sides with our peerless armored heavy cavalry. Our objective is no survivors, save any taken as slaves that renounce their wicked faith.

Increase our trade with the people of Durghushathban (land of the Black-feet), the Teutons, by 200 income for another 200 lumber, if they agree. We will use the lumber to expand our river fleet.

Though eating fish - indeed the very idea of fish - is foreign to us, we will attempt to look into what bounty Zhasmun, the Lake of Fire, can give us (as well as its rivers).

Because the people of Damballa have been declared to be worshippers of evil, any slaves taken must renounce their faith or be executed. This will be strictly enforced by the Great King and the Zhuriman, the priestly class.

[Micha]

The Teutons agree with the trade increase with the Surizhad.
Also the Light Cavalry is to be dismissed and replaced by 3% archers and 2% Heavy Infantry.

A Scout party will embark westwards to search for a good place for settlement with access to the ocean. Preferably a hilly position, the place should at least provide basic defensive positions.

[appleciders]

Some long-overdue diplomacy before Bipolarbear and I craft the update:

Rajah Manu of Jahnu to Warleader Keran son of Gadon of Fatha

Hear and tremble at the words spoken by Rajah Manu, Emperor of Jahnu, High Admiral of the Seas, and by Celestial Decree Master of the Race of Man:

We of Jahnu welcome discourse with the Fathan people. We have heard tales of the fierceness of your warriors and their skill in battle. Indeed, our advisors and viziers suggest to me that at some point in the future, we may even wish to hire a division of your warriors as mercanaries to more thoroughly subjugate some of our more unruly provinces. But on to more pressing subjects...

At the price you have suggested (200 gold), we will arrange for a small company of shipwrights and sailors to travel to Fatha to instruct your craftsmen in the proper techniques of construction and the operation of such craft. We feel obligated to warn you that it will not be acceptable to us to have these men outside of the Fathan walls, as the Mainyu city Sul is known to be pursuing a naval program and we do not wish their competition. We also suggest that their services will be of little use unless you also procure a sizeable supply of lumber, as the process of building ships is known to be ruinously expensive.

We wish you success in your endevours and the favor of the Gods in your war.

Rajah Manu of Jahnu to the Ruler of Singidunum

Hear and tremble at the words spoken by Rajah Manu, Emperor of Jahnu, High Admiral of the Seas, and by Celestial Decree Master of the Race of Man:

We are always well pleased to hear from our Singidu clients of Cernica, and gladly return to the bargaining table to discuss our exports to you.

At this juncture, we are unable to expand our exports of either iron or copper ore to you. While we would willingly if not ecstatically sell more ore to you if we had it, you already import a significant portion of our iron production and we run our nation on a bare minimum of ore as it is. The short answer is that we have no surplus to export. We will contact our foreign clients and attempt to sell you more ore in the future.

In a similar vein, it is quite difficult for us to expand our exports of lumber to you, as our own navy requires large amounts of lumber each year in upkeep. The greatest amount we can offer is 200 lumber each year.

King Erik the Bear of Akongo to the Ruler of Singidunum
While I appreciate the good nature of your words, I might point out to you that words are little enticement indeed. The Mainyu offer us the inroads to power; you offer nothing but lands to conquer and plunder. You might appreciate the fact that while our armies and navies are currently at home, they are by no means tied down, and if you have nothing to offer us but idle rhetoric, you might find shiploads of plunderers sailing up your river.

[appleciders]

For anyone who's still watching this, Bipolarbear and I are beginning the update. Sorry about the sparse nature of the modding; it's been hectic up here.

[foolish_icarus]

orders updated.

to King Erik the Bear of Akongo :

If shiploads of your plunderers sail up our river, they will never sail back down it again. We offer woeful spear and remorseless arrowhead to your soldiers if they attack us, the Mainyu offer enslavement for your children. Turn against them, and not only will you have their lands, their plunder, you will have valuable goods from us in reward for your wisdom, and much more easily got than if you tried to come here to take our possessions, few of which anyone outside of the People could find in the hidden places of this wide land.

[Micha]

I was actually waiting for a clarification on the ressource stats, as I have no idea what needs improvement and what can be done...

so, for orders, i´d like my people to enjoy themselves and grow!

[bipolarbear]

HOLYCRAPUPDATE!

Update!

Azuran
The cavalry, driven by their thirst for freedom and fear of enslavement, battled their way without remorse through a multitude of Mainyu warriors, women, and children. Splinter ridden remains lay in their wake and paved a crude path directly to the mighty walls of Damballa. Just as they were poised to breach her shell, the mighty city snapped back. The sky grew dark though not grey; and before the call for retreat could be uttered the men had reacted. No sooner did they turn than did the Mainyu, gliding from the treetops, seize upon them with a force like thunder. Many were lost, and many more injured as the Calvary withdrew back down their bloody trail leading right to the gates of their mother city.

The Mainyu at Damballa have incurred significant losses. So too though have the Azuran who, despite having destroyed much of the Damballan’s fleet and supply lines, find themselves partially encircled from the Southeast to the Southwest by a furious and vengeful people. The Mainyu have begun conducting violent spasmodic raids of the city in a double bladed attempt at terrorizing the Azuran, and feeding the Mainyu warriors who live by the Azuran shores.

The Numbers in Brief
Added 200 lumber from Teutons trade
Adjusted military per orders.
Significant losses to the Cavalry
Some fishing has begun in the lake, with small gains in food production
resulting. The lake teems with fish, and much additional food could be
gained by focusing efforts and state funds on fishing.
Fleet expanded by one ship (which is actually a 20% increase).



Singidu
In accordance with the decree, a furtive set of guerilla inspired tactics have been employed. Initially all did as as planned though. Due to the emperor’s insistence on flaming arrows a few archers were betrayed by the winds, and as such the smoke from the fire by which the arrows were lit gave them away both in scent and plume. Though was to be the Mainyu’s one victory in their repeated attempts at raiding Singidunum.

The Kuru endured minor losses of small, though well trained raiding parties on the rivers. On land they made but one attempt, however after losing half of a raiding party to the “Wall of Crimson Thorns” after following a confused cavalryman down a false path, they have not made anymore attempts. The Singidu gained a few units of food from the horsemeat collected.

The Numbers In Brief
Added 200 lumber from Jahnu trade
Small iron ore vein located, limited mining begun.
Army composition changed as per orders.
Minor forays from Kuru are turned away, but take some toll on Singidu army.
Improved wall quality, added sparse watchtower network.



Teutons
East of Surizhad your scouts have found a river who offers her jewels to the Teutons. One is far above in the hills along the river, and the other is by the sea at her delta. (No dirty interpretations of the river! But seriously, you’re either at her peaks or where she leaks.) Also the city of Teutobeg has enjoyed a generous expansion (if you know what I mean) as a result of trade despite poor management.

The Numbers in Brief
Added 200 lumber to Fatha trade, 200 lumber to Azuran trade
Adjusted military per orders.
Two places are reported by his scouts to be ideal for settlement- at the
hilly headwaters of the river to his west, or else at the river mouth, which
has a fair natural harbor. One is defensively ideal, the other is
financially ideal.
Both Fatha and Azuran lumber trades have cued many Teutons to increase their
lumber production, giving the Teutons a slightly larger base lumber production.


Fathan
The Fathan army, thanks to fastidious training and keen motivation were able to hold off a siege by the Mainyu of Sul. The engagement was long and exhausting on both ends though the Fathan refused to be laid to rest. Each time one man would fall surely another rose to take his place and vanquish that man’s slayer. Freedom comes at a price, and against the Mainyu of Sul that price is a high one. The Fathan have suffered considerable losses, though have kept the Mainyu at bay, occupying only the side of the city from the North to the Northeast, and the South.

The Fathan have also erected a new city by the coast. While small and new it brims with potential and more importantly is fueled by the hope of its citizens that it will prosper so that they may be able to better repel the Mainyu.

The Numbers in Brief
Fathan (Rand Al'Tor): No trades
City founded: New Fatha, on the westernmost point of the island.
Production of food and ore slowed by massive battles outside the city walls.
Fathan armies managed to cover the retreat of the settling party, but have
been nearly forced back inside their city
More than one third of the Fathan army
has perished keeping the city from full siege, but the opening allowed the
Fathan cavalry who had been at the coast to return to the city.


Meta Topics
We ware going to run the numbers by email because 'Poly can't /won't/whatever host Excel files, and transferring the numbers into a text form is rather archaic and time consuming thus lowering the quality and frequency of updates. If you send your email address to either ciders or I it would be in your best interest. Set up a fake account if you have to, but we'd really rather that you guys actually have the numbers before posting your orders as they are integral to the game...and stuff.

[foolish_icarus]

Chief Tenseterhas of the Singidu sends word to Rajah Manu of Jahnu :

Singidu's Master of Nets and Hooks has passed word to me that your merchants deal with out enemies in Sul, shipping them lumber. We wish to offer you a sweeter deal. Cease selling to Sul, and sell that lumber to us instead. We will pay 20% more than normal price for that portion of lumber.

[foolish_icarus]

Administrative Structure of Government

Chief. Effectively the highest position of civil power, taking part in many parts of state management.

Honorable Hand of ____ (The treasury; the grounds; the foreign letters et al). An assistant to the Chief.

Master of Brick and Bridge. Akin to a city governor, deals with urban affairs.

Master of Mask and Paint. Religious leader who helps guide the priesthood and laity.

Master of Spear and Bow. General of land military forces.

Master of Oar and Prow. Admiral of water military forces.

Master of Nets and Hooks. Deals with non-military ocean and river matters such as fishing and sea trade.

Master of Plow and Cart. Oversees sedentary agriculture and countryside taxation.

Master of Gates and Wheels. Manages countryside roads, infrastructure, and overland trade.

Master of Picks and Saws. Attends to mining, quarrying, and foresting.

Master of Snares and Brands. Takes care of matters concerning hunting and herding.

Honorable Ear and Voice. Troubleshooters and representatives of the people.

Honorable Judge. Judge in civil disputes.