[center][h3]Turn 9[/h3]

[hider=The Map]
Coming soon!™
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[h3][color=purple]The Mustaqilun Tribe[/color][/h3]
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Master Ful's face was the glassy surface of a lake.

The tengu listened carefully and intently to all that Rukdug said, but searching the calm expression upon his avian face revealed absolutely nothing of the swordsman's disposition. The goblins that accompanied him were similarly impossible to read, but in their case it was because they'd sat upon the ground, closed their eyes, and begun meditating in the shade of a nearby tree as if oblivious to the gawking orcs all around.

"Understand that we are an ascetic order of monks. In better times we remain within secluded temples and contemplate nature; we make only a few weapons to defend ourselves, and we do not hoard wealth and ore. You would have to mine the banded iron from where it sleeps--goblins sometimes find it deep in the dark tunnels beneath the mountains," the Master softly told the orc, and that was all that he'd speak of iron and tribute.

In the end it was the five ninjas that spoke. They finally returned to their feet and revealed their purpose: they were to guide the Mustaqilun's chosen to another of their masters, one who had already begun to mobilize some forces against the oni. Ful seemed a slippery bird, as he'd already vanished as suddenly and quietly as he'd appeared, but the goblins waited the few hours that it took for Rukdug to organize the loudest dissidents under Pak. The goblins led Pak and his scouting party southwest through the foothills, following the mountain range as they skirted around the worst of the slopes. Though the ninjas certainly didn't tarry, they hardly set a grueling pace for the orcs. These ninjas traversed the land relatively slowly without the wolf mounts that Saizo's band had used. The goblins seemed to know the land especially well since they never seemed to run hungry for a lack of berries or other foods that they found. The orcs carried their own weight through hunting a few animals each night right before setting up camp. The few days of travel saw the goblins remain almost completely silent, even among one another. A certain orc named Digzu tried to break the silence once or twice by asking their guides some questions, but the goblins held their tongues--those times that they didn't answer with mere nods, they had only a few short words to say. Eventually the orcs abandoned any attempts at conversation, but Digzu and a few of the others still kept a very close eye on the goblins. There wasn't much to observe beyond the ninjas performing a few more strange meditations and whispering prayers late at night or during the day when they could find relative seclusion and a moment's rest. Very often one or two of the ninjas would quietly break off and not return for several hours, presumably to scout ahead.

Eventually, the goblins stopped leading them through the foothills. They followed a tiny creek that flowed from the mountains. Sometimes they came across great waterfalls and had to sidetrack along small trails to make their way up the cliff faces, but there was certainly a path even if wasn't a well-worn one. Eventually they came halfway up a low mountain and delved into a cave with a spring that was the source of this creek. Inside the cave were numerous wooden crates and cloth sacks of supplies, as well as bedding that was in small patches for goblins and larger ones for what could perhaps be their wolves. Packed inside the cave were at least a dozen ninjas as well as another creature that looked like Ful.

This tengu quickly named himself as Ie, then immediately explained that there was a makeshift rabble of human bandits not far to the south, led by one infamous oni warlord that Ie had a 'personal vendetta' against. The tengu was brief and the orcs didn't understand all of what Ie told them, but from what they did, this oni king was different. The great demon kings hated the living and would invade at any chance they could get, but it had been some hundred years since a dark-hearted sorcerer had opened a portal that had enabled their last attempt. There were some 'wild oni' that had remained behind from previous invasions to hide in the hills and forests as nuisances, but all of the kings had been slain or forced back to their realms in the underworld...all except for this one. Unlike all others, this oni knew a way to sneak into the world of the living without assistance, and had been doing so for decades. Whereas most of the oni kings had bands of likeminded demon sycophants, this one had amassed a sizable following of humans in past years and formed a bandit army.

[hider=The so-called 'Bandit King']
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Ie was already in the process of preparing an ambush, and was adamant about his refusal to let the orcs scout ahead for fear of them being caught and ruining the ploy. Instead, he suggested that they might get to see a powerful oni firsthand and learn more about their new enemy if they...offered more direct assistance to the ninjas.

[hr]

Back at Riverforge, work to start the process of metalworking was quickly stymied as they lacked coal for the furnaces. Mere firewood could generate enough heat to work some of their copper, but alloying it into bronze would require something more. A few quick charcoal kilns were created using the last of the river stones they'd dredged up in weeks past, but having no sizable stockpile of wood to draw upon, the Mustaqilun only managed to produce a tiny quantity of charcoal for the forges.

For whatever it was worth, there had been two separate individuals that had come forth claiming to possess knowledge of how to curse weapons. One was predictably a quiet shaman that probably had some manner of dealings with the old Cult; he claims to be able to make a cursed axe by using it to slowly chop down the very tree from which its handle was made. The other, perhaps more surprisingly, was a lowly miner. The wretch claimed to have once murdered a zealot from the Cult of Darkness and inadvertently stolen his powers. By licking a blade and then exposing it to even worse filth, the miner claims to be able to infuse it with enough malice to make it infest a soul.

The miner and the shaman have already accused one another of lying, and each one also offered to demonstrate the potency of his own curse upon the other.

[b]A) Improve food
B) Improve military technology
C) Improve infrastructure
D) Improve culture
E) Explore
F) Improve resources/technology
G) Prospect the land
H) Expand military
I) Take diplomatic action
X) Other[/b]

[b]Population:[/b] 200 men, 200 women, 99 children.
[b]Military:[/b] No standing military. Militia able to be conscripted up to 60% of adult population.
[b]Livestock:[/b] Numerous partially domesticated boars
[b]Food level:[/b] Average
[b]Resources:[/b] [i][color=gray]copper, zinc, and arsenic[/color][/i] (decent amount; not yet being worked or smelted into alloys), charcoal (tiny amount)
[b]Wealth:[/b] Some semi-precious gemstones
[b]Trade:[/b] Nonexistent
[b]Growth:[/b] [i]Average[/i]
[b]Morale:[/b] Below average (improved by sending away the worst complainers)
[b]Foreign relations:[/b] [color=Gold]Ful's Ninjas: Neutral[/color]
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[h3][color=orange]Orr'gavol: The Hammersworn[/color][/h3]
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In the morning, Makkar's band were met once again by Heel and some of the halflings. They were greeted and given some much-appreciated aid in loading up their sleds with sacks of the grain that they'd bought with promises of steel. Afterwards there was a hearty breakfast of porridge, and then remembering the plight of their starving kin, the dwarves finally bid their host farewell and made their departure. Heel offered a warm goodbye and some parting words about looking out for the natives, and the halflings that were both awake this early in the morning and sober (admittedly not many) came out to wave. Before the dwarves even knew it, the hamlet of Heel's Hundred was in the distance well behind them. Fortunately the light snows hadn't melted, so they were able to use the sleds to a reasonable degree of effectiveness. Their travel went at much the same speed as before even with the considerably burden of all the grain that they were dragging, in part because they now had no need to stop and fish along the coast and also because they were now stronger and in higher spirit than before.

About a week in, as they were coming back very close to the Hovel, there came out a panicked cry as they saw the silhouettes of towering, horned giants far off in the distance. There was a long line of about a dozen of the creatures marching through the plains, and alongside the ones in the middle there walked about as many rhinos. Even from so far away, the dwarves could see humongous packs tied to the beasts' backs. The lead few of the giants held in their hands large poles that just as easily could have been spears as walking sticks; the distance made it hard to see if there were points. But in any case, the dwarves quickly recalled the gist of what the ogre had told them of the plains' natives [i](Anharpo, wasn't that what he'd called them?)[/i] and carried on. They quickly averted their gaze away from the distant herd and carried on with their business, and while one or two dwarves claimed to have seen the distant giants cast a few glances in their direction, others thought it was just their imagination. The grasses were high, so high that they perhaps concealed most of the dwarves, and anyways the giants were heading in some other direction minding their own business.

Now that they knew to look, there were indeed a few obvious signs of the natives. Here and there would be a rocky outcropping poking out from the grass, and a close eye showed that many of them were decorated with a few paintings or quickly-scratched carvings that depicted various animals. Aside from that one near-encounter and the few scattered signs that they stumbled across, their journey back was uneventful; however, their eventual return was anything but. One or two especially homesick dwarves had volunteered to run on ahead once they'd crossed the icy river and reached increasingly familiar parts of the forest. Upon hearing of success, and of [i]hundreds of pounds of good grain[/i], the Hovel's inhabitants stopped listening and immediately left the longhouses to run south through the forest shouting for joy. Makkar and the burdened expedition were relieved when others finally came to drag the accursed sleds for the final stretch, and doubly so when those others had familiar (and bearded!) faces. Morale finally returned to a good place and laughter was heard again for the first time in months.

That first night was permitted to be one of celebration and plenty as the expedition leaders regaled hundreds of listening ears of all that they'd seen, but upon the following day, logic and sanity returned to put a damper upon things. Though they had indeed managed to haul back a great deal of grain and that would make a great difference, when split between hundreds of mouths even such a vast quantity of food could only go so far. Strict rationing was quick to return. Even before Makkar had returned, the fishers that they'd sent back had brought some bounty, and preparations had already been made to send additional fishers to the coast in order to stretch their limited foodstores ever farther. Numerous voices wanted to save some of the grain for seed, and others wanted to send further caravans tin an attempt to purchase more grain, even as there was the question of just [i]what[/i] they could possibly offer for it and of how much grain this [i]Heel[/i] character would be willing to offer. Indeed, word of the familiar-looking outsiders  (and of their strange chieftain) was sending ripples through the Hammersworn society, as were the tales of the plains' foreboding natives, and the more vague whispers of a 'Gordok kingdom' and 'ogre territories' in the 'mountains south' that a few recalled Heel offhandedly mentioning over dinner.

Of course, even as hunger was the most immediate, other worries still remained. There was ever more talk of the Abductor and the Ice Trolls and of the only half-built fortress near the mountains; if Godrim hadn't given them an air of worry, the horrifying attack of the Abductor certainly had.

[b]A) Improve food
B) Improve military technology
C) Improve infrastructure
D) Improve culture
E) Explore
F) Improve resources/technology
G) Prospect the land
H) Expand military
I) Take diplomatic action
X) Other[/b]

[b]Population:[/b] 228 men, 228 women, 111 children.
[b]Military:[/b] No standing military. Militia able to be conscripted up to 30% of adult population.
[b]Food level:[/b] Below average; food stores decreasing
[b]Resources:[/b] Lignite coal (low grade; large amount, increasing), iron ore (substantial quantity, increasing), iron
[b]Wealth:[/b] Nonexistent
[b]Trade:[/b] Nonexistent
[b]Growth:[/b] [i]Average[/i]
[b]Morale:[/b] High, due to food, successful expedition, and teaching the young
[b]Foreign relations:[/b] None
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[h3][color=Blue]Oguurec Dekaan[/color][/h3]
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It took [i]weeks.[/i] Never before had Uxu been teased so badly! They tracked the mysterious forester further east, deep into the mountains, and followed a half dozen little passes and goat paths. Sometimes they'd go days without seeing any signs of the woodsmen that they were following, and they'd think that they'd lost lost the trail and were now stumbling blindly through the wilderness, but then there'd be another taunting sign. A footprint, or the remains of a camp. On this went until Uxu and the ones with her had crossed the mountains to the east. From the slopes of the last mountain in their way, they looked out over the east. Sprawling out across the horizon was a great green carpet, broken only by a few bumps caused by the rolling hills. The woodsman had ran off somewhere into [i]that[/i] forest, the Queen was sure of it!

The thought suddenly occured to her that maybe it would be best to go back. She had come an awfully long way, and maybe Joz would have a hard time keeping order...but then she realized that she was lost in a sense of the word. Sure, she knew that the rest of the goblins were somewhere back west over the mountains, but finding all of those hidden trails and passes a second time would be nearly impossible. With a startled cry that turned into a low growl halfway through, she began stomping down towards the forest with her guard right on her heels. Without purpose or direction, she continued to march through the dense woods until by chance she stumbled across a small road paved with smooth stones. With a smile and a triumphant [i]aha[/i], she then began to lead her party along the road. It took them to a few small bridges that went over streams. Between the bridges and the fact that the road itself was paved, it was easy to imagine that there was some sort of settlement nearby. Perhaps she'd blow it up along with all their bridges! But for now, they left the bridges in case they found themselves suddenly needing to run. Best to leave an unexploded path behind them.

After about an hour, they finally came across a place lit up by fireflies and hanging lanterns!

[hider=Forest Retreat]
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It wasn't especially large; there were just about a half dozen little treehouse complexes wrapping around some mighty oaks. And what was more--nobody in that outpost seemed to realize that Uxu and company were there! What would she do?

[hr]

Without any other tasks to divert the goblins' attention (save for wondering where Uxu went, and occasionally torturing the goats) construction of the Bombastic Spire went quickly. Stieq chose to use the most burnt and splintered pieces of wood, because they had been touched the closest by sacred explosions when the trees were blasted down. He figured that Joz would appreciate that every time the rickety spire creaked and threatened to collapse. On the topic of wood, Stieq had used almost all of it in the construction of the temple.

Just when Stieq and the others began to grow worried about Uxu, Joz had his completed spire and he got to work distracted them with sermons punctuated by explosions. Morale was raised by his fervor!

[b]A) Improve food
B) Improve military technology
C) Improve infrastructure
D) Improve culture
E) Explore
F) Improve resources/technology
G) Prospect the land
H) Expand military
I) Take diplomatic action
X) Other[/b]

[b]Population:[/b] 215 men, 207 women, 91 children.
[b]Livestock:[/b] Small herd of untamed goats
[b]Military:[/b] 15 Kooch Hor mages. Militia able to be conscripted up to 40% of adult population.
[b]Food level:[/b] Below Average
[b]Resources:[/b] Lumber (low amount; low quality)
[b]Wealth:[/b] Nonexistent
[b]Trade:[/b] Nonexistent
[b]Growth:[/b] [i]Average; influenced by low food and racial traits[/i]
[b]Morale:[/b] Above average (influenced by Joz and explosions)
[b]Foreign relations:[/b] [i]None[/i]
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[h3][color=rosybrown]Mol'nan Tribe[/color][/h3]
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In the bellies of the ships there were indeed stowed some sacks of grain, though the stuff was rough and looked more suitable for animal feed or seeding fields than for direct consumption. Perhaps the patronizing empire had given them that in the hopes that they'd settle as peaceful farmers rather than resort to raiding or troubling any denizens of whatever distant land they eventually landed upon. A few sacks of grain had already been found by rats. The chewed seeds were thrown away, but the rats themselves were cooked. No point in being picky or in wasting meat.

The groups that went out by Golth's suggestion had varying amounts of success. Not knowing the native flora, they tasted foods only in small quantities and took only the things that didn't make them feel sick. After a few days of exploration, they discovered dog fennel and bracken fern to be safe and gathered a fair amount of those plants from the sandier soil closer down to the beach. Others found some strange, pea-sized, bright purple berries. The things had a sweet taste and their leaves seemed good for repelling insects if crushed and rubbed over skin. Farther upland, they found some edible briar roots and some minty-smelling leaves that made for decent teas.

Many of those foods weren't especially nourishing and seemed like they would be poo choices for cultivation, but it was nonetheless useful to know that they were safe and edible. Some of the purple berries that they'd found were planted in nearby fields, as was the majority of the grain that had been stowed under the ships. Given time, perhaps those foods would grow. In the meantime, hunting provided them with far more sustenance than did gathering. For fear of straying too far from the settlement, or encountering the gigantic bears, or inadvertently crossing into someone else's territory, the hunting parties kept a fair distance away from the forest where they'd seen the line of painted totems. Though most of the larger animals doubtless lived there, smaller life was still abundant in the grassier plains and down by the coast. The ogres were strong enough to kill some birds and other animals just by throwing stones at them.

[b]Population:[/b] 127 big boys, 128 big girls, 49 lil'uns.
[b]Livestock:[/b] None
[b]Military:[/b] Militia able to be conscripted up to 50% of adult population.
[b]Food level:[/b] Below Average (increasing)
[b]Resources:[/b] Stones (decent quantity)
[b]Wealth:[/b] Nonexistent
[b]Trade:[/b] Nonexistent
[b]Growth:[/b] [i]Low; influenced by low food and racial traits[/i]
[b]Morale:[/b] Above average (they're glad to get out of the forested mountains)
[b]Foreign relations:[/b] [i]None[/i]
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[h3][color=lightgreen]Ekon-Danna[/color][/h3]
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The trolls did not wait too long. They sat upon the mat for the better part of a day, but just as they were beginning to have to think harder for tales to trade, a caravan appeared in the distance. There were wagons pulled by oxen with dozens of horsemen riding ahead and around. This group didn't look like most of the small scouting parties the humans had sent in days past, but then again, at least it didn't look [i]quite[/i] like an army either. One of the human outriders saw the trolls waiting by their totems. He spoke with some of the other men for a few minutes, then a band of them approached. The lead horseman raised a hand in a peace sign, but they all still carried sheathed weapons.

Senwe looked into the human's unfamiliar features and strange face, finally coming to rest his gaze upon the man's eyes. He looked deep into them and saw no fear there, but there was curiosity mixed with perhaps caution, or suspicion. He dismounted and walked a little bit closer, coming to stop about five yards away.

"Greetings, strangers," their leader spoke first. Without waiting for a response, he went on to call out more, "Though of his kingdom, we do not serve in Giwabi's armies. We have no interest in driving you from his borders, whether you be yet another horde come to besiege the kingdom or mere travelers like ourselves. We came as soon as we heard word of your presence, because we are interested in trade and hope that you might be receptive in kind. We have many strong backs for sale, some of which are former warriors that found themselves captured by Giwabi's soldiers. Some that look [i]like you[/i]. We would part with them, provided you have enough gold, or salt, or other goods that we could find use for."

So [i]that[/i] was the precious cargo that they transported in all those wagons. The slaver fell silent as he awaited the trolls' response. His words had inadvertently revealed much about this human kingdom, but it was easy to ignore mention of this 'Giwabi' and of a war in favor of focusing upon what he'd said about some of his...merchandise. If the slaves looked like them, did that mean that other sand trolls had fled north and found themselves captured by these slavers? Was it worth trying to buy them back? Could these humans really be trusted?

[hr]

Putting hands to work digging irrigation ditches and building dikes seemed a prudent move. There were few objections, and for every drop of sweat hat fell and salted the earth, their position became stronger. There was no telling when the mighty rains might come, but when they did come and the sky fell down, the water would be channeled to where it was needed most.

[b]Population:[/b] 168 men, 167 women, 60 children
[b]Livestock:[/b] None
[b]Military:[/b] Militia able to be conscripted up to 50% of adult population.
[b]Food level:[/b] Below Average
[b]Resources:[/b] None
[b]Wealth:[/b] Nonexistent
[b]Trade:[/b] Nonexistent
[b]Growth:[/b] [i]Average; influenced by low food and racial traits[/i]
[b]Morale:[/b] Average
[b]Foreign relations:[/b] [i]Kingdom of Giwabi(Wary)[/i]
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