Praetor

The Karakhwa >Cloud Hunter sat in her throne hunched over with her elbows on her knees and her head down, staring at the floor in front of her intently. Blood dripped from her fingers, dribbling down her gore-soaked forearms and staining her finely crafted leather pants. “Where is Kiss the Sun?” she asked. One of the priestesses stepped forward. She wore a grey cloak of fine cloth, with a golden mask hiding her features. It stared back at Cloud Hunter and she could almost imagine a small smile curling its golden edges. “Oh Shà Hashtaal, he is in his quarters, sleeping.” “Have him brought here,” she said, turning away from the priestess and leaning back in her chair. The open sky roiled with clouds ahead of her, as the room opened up onto the back of her Battlecruiser, The Heart of the Storm. He didn’t take long to arrive, haggard and thin as he was, she had still given him fine clothing, though he wore it poorly. The moment he stepped through the door, he bowed low, and kept bowing until he arrived in front of her and knelt, with his brow against the floor. “Your summoned me, Shà Hashtaal?” “I cannot sleep,” said Cloud Hunter. Silence for a beat. “You wi-” “I was not done,” she snapped, and she saw him flinch. Good. “I cannot sleep,” she said again, plucking a dagger from her waist and slipping it around her fingers like water. “When I close my eyes, I see Heart of Iron, I see the feats that earn him glory against the Klendari.” Her hand closed around the dagger so tight that her flesh turned white. “He is claiming my glory in the skies.” Another pause. “Shà Hashtaal, may I sit?” A flash of anger drove through her like a dart and for a moment, she contemplated kicking him backwards into the sky. She could have done with Heart of Iron, she should have done it, just like she had before. With a growl, she sprang from her throne and stepped over the dessicated corpse of her last sacrifice, her bare feet splashing in the congealing blood. “Sit, then, and speak. Your goddess will heed your words.” “You are too generous,” murmured Kiss the Sun, sitting with his legs crossed and looking up at her. “Yes?” said Cloud Hunter, pacing back and forth in front of her throne. “Go home, Cloud Hunter,” he said, and she froze, turning to him with wide eyes. For the first time in years, she took a good look at him, his emaciated body, his hollow eyes, with deep dark bags gathered beneath them like cobwebs in the corner of a disused room. He looked like half a corpse if not more. Around her, her priestesses rose as one, small blades appeared from their sleeves, their golden masks seeming to glare down at Kiss the Sun with holy wrath. But Cloud Hunter held up her hand and walked up to him herself, grabbing him by his shirt and lifting him up. So light, so frail. “What did you just say?” she whispered in a flat voice, so much flatter than her violently spiking fury. “Go home, Cloud Hunter,” he said again, a weak hand scrabbling at her wrist. “Go home, back to your people. Join again in the cause of the Karakhwa. Forgo this dream of yours, it will only lead you to ruin. Do this, or death will take you so much more swiftly than it should.” He took a shuddering breath. “Be the woman you once were again.” His body was limp, slack and the weakness of his flesh made Cloud Hunter snarl. She lifted him up and carried him over to the edge, until his toes dragged against the laquered wood that divided sky from ship. She leaned forward and whispered into his ear. “My mother once tried to stop me. She threatened to tell our chief what I was doing, what my ambitions were.” She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment. “She thought she was being good to me. That she knew better than I how to live my life.” She pulled back and looked at him. “Do you know what I did to her?” He opened his mouth just as she let him go with a shove. He tipped over the edge and fell, tumbling into the darkness below. “Hmh,” said Cloud Hunter after a pause. He hadn’t screamed, that was good. Then she turned back to her priestesses, who once more knelt around her blood-covered throne of bone, gold and stone. “Summon the warlfeet. There are heathens to be killed.” Expenses Battlecruiser, 8ASP, 30.000G, Armored, Regular. 7 Yotal’s Hawk, 21ASP, 35.000G, Veteran. 2 Corvettes, 1ASP, 2.000G, Veteran. 10AP From Bellica (10.000 sent) 500 Thunderbirds, 15AP, 40.000G, Regular. 20.000 Native Infantry, 4AP, 12.000G, Regular. Research Passive Slot: A difficult task lies ahead. Project ASTRAL PLANE. (1903) -Funded: Altitude Control Measures (1896) Actions -Fortification of the Throne of Thunder underway. A massive project at which Cloud Hunter throws slaves with absolutely no regard for their well-being. Nothing new for her, but she WILL not lose this incredible boon that has been dropped at her feet. (40.000G into fortifying the massive vitramite cluster with bunkers, defenses, etc.) -Solomon continues his adventures! -This year is spent consolidating gains in Kahia for Cloud Hunter. She immediately has all the chiefs of Carrieux swear allegiance to her, and kills all who show any sign of dissidence. All of them have their children taken by her Priestesses, who will begin brainwashing them, while her Sodrieux troops assisst in cleaning up the Carrieux military, ensuring that they have loyal men at the top while Cloud Hunter launches the same massive brainwashing campaign as with the Sodrieux. Temples are built in her name, sacrifices are made, and loyalty is repaid with security, while those who disobey are enslaved and sent to the Vitramite Mines beneath the Throne of Thunder, a horrible place of death and suffering. She makes an effort to consolidate her gains, have loyal followers in key positions and secure her position. (7.000G) -Karakhwa raiding continues, but only in Klendari. (Military operations in Discord)

The Karakhwa Expenses 2 Heavy Industry (15.000G) 2 Steel Mills (5.000G) 4 Airshipyard (40.000G) 1 Battlecruiser, 18.000G 4ASP 8 Yotal’s Hawks, 40.000G, Veteran, 21ASP 100 Thunderbirds, Regular, 3AP, 10.000G [REDACTED EXPENSE] Research Passive Slot: A difficult task lies ahead. Project ASTRAL PLANE. (Mod) -Funded: Altitude Control Measures (1896) Actions Fortification of Yotal’s Steps continues. (My mountains.) Various networks and node are created, forming overlapping networks of bunkers, typically focused around a central ammunition depot buried deep within specific mountains. All in all, the same as always, creating impenetrable layers of defenses stretching dozens of kilometers out from Yotal’s Throne. (23.000G) (85k invested) Cloud Hunter on the move! (Mod) 20.000 Gold is sent to the Carnelian Sultanate. 10.000 Gold excess.

The Karakhwa -Disgust overwhelms Solomon as he learns of the terrorist attacks that have wrought such damage and death upon Cumberland. Loyalty may have faltered, but his blood runs hot at the thought of his homeland burning in such a dishonorable way. Disheartened, he turns his Destroyer west, to the sea and beyond, to Carnelian colonies. After all, all Karakhwa are free, who will stop him but duty itself? -In Sardia, Heart of Iron turns his attention to a new target, something far different from the typical mudman. The Klendari loom on the horizon, casting a long shadow over Sardia, and ships alone will not stop them. It is genius and guile that will gnaw at their foundations until they crumble. Many a night is spent around the communal fire, discussing tactics and plans with his Iron Dogs. Chases Fire speaks always of raids, of the old way, but even if Heart of Iron keeps his face steady, doubt tickles at his heart. The old way will not stop the Klendari monolith. A far larger stone is needed to put a halt to them… -A lone corvette flies to Port Carnelia, where it docks and announces to the world that it is from Cloud Hunter’s expedition into the west. They claim to have circumnavigated the world, and bring her glorious feat with them, while she reaps the riches of her accomplishment in a new world. A glorious moment for the Karakhwa, and Cloud Hunter. They claim that she has named the ocean between Koibita and the north-eastern continent the Hasselic Ocean, after her tribe, and the new land upon which she has landed is to be called Kahia. ------------- Mountains rose up all around the lead ship like silent sentinels, peering down at the Karakhwa fleet as it scurried through their dresses. The rain and mist lay upon their slopes like dark capes, rolling down in sheets and turning their sharp crags into uncertain peaks. Somewhere, thunder cracked, like a shattering glacier, and Cloud Hunter smiled. She stood at the prow of her new vessel, the Heart of the Storm. Long burnished windpipes wound out from the prow, along the sides of the ship and to the back, from which a deep, vibrating wail emenated and melding into the screaming wind. Her men ran about her in a frenzy, preparing the ship for the oncoming storm. One of her new warchiefs had insinuated that it might be best to avoid the storm and circumvent the mountains. She had hamstrung him and left him to hang on the prow of her ship, letting the windpipes capture his voice and amplify it for the rest of the fleet. Her hands curled into tight fists, her golden bracelets jangling. He had lacked faith, to even suggest it- She took a deep breath and turned to Kiss the Sun, who stood behind her, his hands clasped behind his back. He was thinner now, than before, and his eyes were deep-set and shadowed. Not nearly as attractive as he had once been. A shame. “Make sure the followers do not panic in the storm. Anyone who does dies.” “Shà Hashtaal?” “You heard me,” she snapped, turning away from him and staring at the storm with avid eyes. It towered above her, roiling forth from the mountains and towering above even them. How could anyone do anything but worship such tremendous power? “I have brought this storm forth, and it will bend to my will. Those who panic lack faith.” Then she spun around ot him and grabbed him by the chin, her golden nails dug into his dark skin. “Don’t you agree?” She could see herself reflected in his dark eyes, her eyes surrounded by gold and grey paint. “Of course, Shà Hashtaal.” With a nod, she spun around and leapt up onto the railing as a violent gust of wind shook the ship. Her men adjusted with the prowess of those born in the air, and she held tightly to a rope, balancing precariously, with nought but darkness and clouds below her. She imagined herself, as seen by the others. Powerful, proud. A goddess amongst mortals. A wide grind covered her face and she leapt to the very front of her ship, standing atop the newly added figurehead. It was made entirely of the bones of those sacrificed to her glory on the towering altar in the Throne of Thunder, laquered in the gold pulled from the mines in which her people toiled. Crafted and moulded from skulls, ribs, femurs, it drew a perfect shape, a woman with her arms held out to her sides, staring up at the sky with empty eye sockets made of bone. It was her. Expenditures 4 Steel Mills (10.000G) 3 Heavy Industry (22.500G) -8 Yotal’s Hawks, Veteran. (24 ASP) (40.000G) -100 Thunderbirds, Regular. (3 AP) (7.000G) -Cloud Hunter raises 5.000 Hashtaali infantrymen. (1AP) (2000G) 30k excess moved over to the next year. Research -Passive Slot: The Porcupine Semi-Auto shotgun. (1993) -Funded: Altitude Control Measures (1996) -Project TARP (MOD) (10.000G) -40.000G is sent to Carnelia, to fund project Black Rain. Actions -The Tribe Fleets have been recalled from their raiding, and took part in the destructive attack on Perzah. Indeed, it is the Arawaja tribe who can proudly lay claim to the scalp of the Perzahn Shah. Their leader, Stares in Silence, Ship-Father of the Battlecruiser Barbed Vulture, wears it on his waist. -Heart of Iron now directs his fleets towards the Klendari. There is a war to win. He personally leads the main fleet (and all thunderbirds) in their move against Corvin in the south, while he tasks Shadow of the Day with his own critical mission… (MOD) -Solomon goes west, to Koibita, to follow the trail given to him in his dreams. -Cloud Hunter finally tires of having so few followers. The world must bow before her, or burn, and thus armed with her fleet and a horde of followers, she flies forth. (Mod) -Continued Fortification of Yotal’s Throne and the mountains around it, creating a massive system of interconnecting tunnels spanning dozens of miles in every direction, with hundreds of rocket emplacements, cannons, AA batteries, torpedo launchers, etc. (20.000G) (62k invested)

1528 World Events Galaharian shipping along the southern Narosi coast is his particularly hard by pirates this year. Many tons of goods are sunk or captured and when chased, these ships typically flee into Danwenti ports. These ships all seem to fly a variety of different flags and one is even found in Revar’s gulf, though the Galaharian navy chases it off easily enough, badly damaging it before it loses them in a bank of natural mist. Xian does not move this year, but an army of indeterminate size is now camping but a few miles from the border, if the distant pillars of smoke and the much more regular military sightings are to be believed. Another year of successful savage slaughtering in the north-west. The Walrus, General Von Mokäu has almost completely exterminated Auldic tribes from the main land, pushing them into the sea, where they flee north on their canoes. He returns to the capital laden with slaves and glory, and the Swine ranger who helped him are rewarded. (+10.000G to the Swine, 100 rangers to elite status.) Nothing new happens this year within the Symon Empire. But embers that continue to glow are just as dangerous as a raging fire. Towards the turn of the year, during some unpleasant storms, the first Eadni ships vanish. Then the next, and more after. A few weeks later, all of their remaining ships have fled to port and dare not venture forth again. The Elean blockade has been officially lifted, and the Eadni fleet, if rumors are to be believed, sliced in half with many of its ships disappearing in think banks of fog. The Kingdom of Danwent The eagles continue to grow in numbers and in obedience, but the breeding program will take many more years to bear fruit. The political situation in Symon is tenuous to say the least. Many nobles are more and more willing to speak openly about their issues with the Empire, when once this was done behind closed doors only. Already, various groups are rising out of this quagmire of dissidence. Notably, the loyalists who still staunchly support Emperor Almeric IV. These are led by Serros Dunwick, Lord of the Southern Armies. The remaining groups are hard to define as many are obscure spiderwebs that bind many lords together. However, There seem to be those who are against the continued rule of the Emperor, and those who seek to reform his rule. This year, the Danwent troops winter around Serros Dunwick’s castle. They are well treated and provided for and the lords and generals are often invited to dine with Serros when he is present. Indeed, much of his time seems to be spent on the move, either supressing republicans, scouting the eastern border, or in Loswarn to speak for the Loyalists. The Kingdom of Five A year of war, with little more to add than a mounting death count. The Empire of Bourdeleaux With so much war all over the world, many of Revar’s mercenaries are away from their holdings in Batista’s Landing. However, there are still a good few groups. Perhaps about 10.000 men of average renown over a handful of groups. Most of the well known parties have already been contracted. The Commonwealth of Ruhn The price of PPMS stock plummets at this news as investors rush to their nearest Exchange to sell their stocks before they hit the bedrock. An all-around panic. Just how will the Poopums family manage this anti-capitalistic behavior?! The Free-Market is being restricted!! A great work indeed. A testament to their faith. And as the temple is finished, a small node of harsh green light appears upon the most central of altars and hangs there, pulsing exactly once an hour, every hour. (Discord) Preparations, preparations… (Discord) A group of raiders has begun to attack southern Ruhnnite holdings at random, killing villagers and setting fire to crops. Thank god that Poopums Holdings LLC. doesn’t have any land in the south! (-5000G) The Galaharian League Pirate raids (explained in world events) affect League commerce in southern Naros. (-7500G) Blackmarrow accepts trade with Galahar, and it’s not long before Galaharian trade barges are flowing into Blackmarrow. They are allowed to stay at the Bone Keep, on the border, but can go no further into the Duchy. It seems that the towering and dour people of Blackmarrow have little love for these mercantile folk. In Galahar’s eastern holding in Revar’s Gulf, a group of men from a land they call Surya arrive, seeking contact. The Holy Kingdom of Elea Stargazing. (Require notes from back at home.) Barely any of the “scholars” of Ulyadar finally manage to get a grasp of the telescope designs after a year of frustrated explaining from Elean scientists. The Ulyadari engineers still have blank faces when the designs are shown to them, and thus the knowledge exchange will take more time. The Kingdom of Volarucio Herzaka leaders accept the delegation. (discord) The Crusade is called, and alongside it, the union of the Volarucian church and the True Chapel is announced. The head of this new church, formerly the head of the True Chapel, blesses the crusade and calls on those of the faith to defend Auld from the heathen menace to the West. Men rally to the call, ready to fight for their god, and those who already wield swords in the name of their god find themselves emboldened, gripping their swords tightly, standing just a tad more firmly in battle. Religious fervor burns in their hearts. The only remarkable thing near Auld if the Chapel of True Knauledge itself. Kingdom of Fyr-Darrick The ballista project sees progress, but not an end. Engineers report the main issue to be a problem with extreme inaccuracy of the ballista, with the bolts veering off in wildly different directions. Duchy of Ulyadar The expedition into the Stitches’ mood grows dimmer at the sky above them dimms with ash. Dark clouds belch forth from the volcanoes far away, spewing their horrid stench along with their coal black clouds, until the expedition can smell nothing but sulfur, and see nothing but a dim, pathetic circle of light barely piercing the dark veil above them. Then they enter the stitches, and there is nothing but darkness, ash and stink. They cough, some spit blood, others develop rashes. A horrible trial spent walking through a treacherous, tortured landscape of blackened lichen, poisoned, boiling water and deformed creatures that track their every step. Men die here and there, falling into ravines, disappearing into the night, hit by boulders… The Stitches seem to turn on them at every turn and by the time they once more exit from them, only 90 men are left, with empty hands to show for their terrible trials. 75 more die in the coming months from lung diseases and cancers. The armor seems to feed off blood, using it to fuel him further and further. The more blood, the more powerful it is, though sacrificial blood seems far less efficient than blood shed in battle. As for the second voice, it rebels whenever it is not in battle, screaming and raging at Knut, urging him to kill, to maim, to bleed his enemies dry. It seems to want nothing more than neverending bloodshed. The red metal continues to yield nothing. With their engineers not yet grasping the telescope’s mechanics or design, they are unable to construct and utilise one this year. Ulyadar seemingly lacks scholars imaginative enough to immediately implement the blueprints the Eleans present to them, though further explanation and education by those southern scholars will undoubtedly help them. The Kingdom Hilmedhi The attempts at building the precise scope the Hilmedhi seek are still not met with success. The dwarfmen’s engineers sense that milestones are being passed but more investment will still be necessary to attain the quality of scope requested. Ashur’s staff is put into the Nexus. It flashes, rumbled and trembles, and as the light recedes, he find it once again, seemingly unchanged. Yet when he touches it, 9 spheres emerge from the air around it, floating peacefully. A thought of his can send them spinning around with deadly speed, all around him, like bullets. Surya The expedition goes well, and Surya establishes contact with Galahar and the Cities of Passan. (Discord for Passan} Fortress Libraries The BOOK of KNOWLEDGE (Discord) The research into a farseeing scope sees promising advances, with a working example created. However, the telescope is far too large and unwieldly for personal transport, and the image it presents to the user too blurry to be useful. Mechanised literature production proves a sly mistress, as engineers still end up with ruined clothes and regular jamming of the machine itself. The Librarians are certainly getting closer to a working model, but vengeance evades the robes for now.

1891 – The Karakhwa A burning freighter spiralled past the bridge, trailing debris and sailors. Their screams were almost audible through the thick, reinforced glass of the Red Petal’s bridge. Shadow of the Day could almost imagine them, flames wreathing their bodies in agony, charring their skin, bubbling lips throwing out their last, boiling breaths in hopeless wails of pain. His hand twitched around his cane, jerking it around the floor with a skittering sound. He licked his lips, sloughing off his jaw like rubber and took a wet, mucus-filled breath. It rattled through his lungs like a plug being pulled from a tub. “Bring him in,” he rasped. One of the braves near him looked at him for a brief moment. Their eyes met, and Shadow of the Day saw disgust in the mans face. He snarled and rapped his cane on the floor. “Go.” “Yes, Ship-Father,” said the man, nodding and leaving the bridge. A moment later, he re-appeared, leading a procession of a dozen braves, all of them liberally covered in blood. Shadow of the Day’s eyes darted down to the tomahawks at their sides. Each one was covered in gore. These men moved upon the deck with a sinuous grace, so perfectly balanced and poised that it seemed like they were about to pounce at any moment. “My Vultures return,” said Shadow of the Day, beckoning them forward. “With a gift.” He chuckled to himself, his laugh echoing through the silent room like a wet boot being squished into mud. “He is the only surviving officer. The others died,” said the lead Vulture, his eyes unflinching, staring straight into Shadow of the Day’s. They were like two slivers of flint, grey and flat. “Good.” Shadow of the Day motioned with one gloved hand and the group of Wind Devils parted, revealing a shabby looking man with a rough sailors beard and a thread-bare, blood-stained Valdish merchant navy uniform. He had a massive bruise over one eyes, but the last remaining one glared at Shadow of the Day with enough hatred for two. “Welcome,” said Shadow of the Day. “I hope you find our hospitality to you-” he bent over, his lungs burning as he hacked and coughed until a wedge of phlegm pushed into his mouth like a slug. He lifted his veil and hacked it onto the ground. With a growl, he stood up straight. “Your name?” “Captain Tuvick of the Valdek Merchant Navy,” said the man. “Tuvick,” said Shadow of the Day. He took a limping step forward and looked down at the man, leaning heavily on his cane. “I’m sorry for your men, I’m sure they fought bravely.” “We are an unarmed freighter,” ground out Tuvick. “There was no fight, you gutless coward.” “Of course, of course,” said Shadow of the Day. “Your soldiers offer no better a fight.” He paused and coughed, wincing beneath his veil. “It is hard to ah… tell the difference.” “The relief fleet will judge your fate,” said Tuvick, crossing his corded arms over his chest. “Relief fleet or not, surely you must realize, you are doomed,” replied Shadow of the Day. “Better to die now, than turn into a twisted creature like you,” said Tuvick. He hawked and spat his wad of tobacco onto Shadow of the Day’s black robes. It clung to them and Shadow of the Day howled with anger, lifting his can and smashing it down on Tuvick’s head. The first blow stunned him, but he remained standing. The second one brought him to his knees, blood leaking from a gash on his head. The third put him on all fours. By the time Shadow of the Day was done, his face was a bloody, ruined pulp. Shards of broken bone stuck to Shadow of the Day’s cane like nails in a club. He gasped and wheezed, his lungs struggling furiously to fill as he stumbled away from the corpse and collapsed into his captains chair. He grasped his cane heavily, the shattered bone cutting into his gloved hand. “Wrap this up. We are leaving,” he hissed, before collapsing into a fit of coughs. ----- The hidden journal of Kiss the Sun, Ship-Father under the Warchief Cloud Hunter, known to her new people as Shà Hashtaal, Goddess of the Storms. 1st of June I fear that I may have led my Warchief down a path from whence I cannot lift her. Day by day, she spirals deeper into madness. The braves follow her with the blind adoration of those who see naught but glory in her eyes. But I see the madness, the will to see all bow before her for no other reason than to be the only one standing. 10th of June The colony goes well, but the slaves suffer. I try to relieve their pain where I can, but Cloud Hunter rarely lets me from her sight. She heeds my words, for now. Yesterday, she ordered the structuring of her nation. I aided in this. I am proud of it. It goes as such: The Throne of Thunder shall act as the centerpoint of the People. The chiefs must gather twice a year. They are to be seated in two curved lines, with Cloud Hunter at the end on one side, and an open doorway into the sky on the other. Those in favor will be seated closest to her, and receive the best weapons, the best roaming grounds. They also receive priority in all matters. They are her sycophants, the fake loyalists. Those who have accrued her ire see themselves sitting at the very back. It is their people who have it the worst. Many slaves are taken from their ranks. 7th of August Today, Cloud Hunter had the first human sacrifice in her name. A boy, a slave who had stolen, was brought to an altar below the Throne of Thunder. His heart was torn from his chest and the blood squeezed onto his face as he died. She watched from the railing of the Storm Chaser, smiling the whole time. 8th of August Another sacrifice. She has mandated that they be done every morning in her honor, with wrongdoers taken from the worst of the tribes. 10th of October I no longer see her without her facepaint of gold and white. Her eyes seem to burn with a vigorous cruelty of the likes that I have not seen in years. She is always surrounded by her priests now, young girls who attend to her every need, picked from the most loyal of the children below. They are everywhere, I hear the braves call them the Golden Eyes. 30th of December No time to write. The Golden Eyes watch everything. I saw two little girls have a slave executed for cursing Shà Hashtaal. She rarely speaks to me anymore. All must bow. Expenses 3 Shipyards are built extra. (30.000G) Two Battlecruisers, Regular, Armored. (39.000G) (8ASP) Four Yotal’s Hawks, Veteran. (20.000G) (12ASP) Wind Devils, Regular. (7.000G) (4AP) 86k surplus Research Slot 1: Porcupine Semi-Automatic Shotgun. (1893) Funded: Altitude Control Measures (1896 with 31k) (15k invested this turn) (66.000k total) 26.000G is sent to the Carnelian Sultnate. Actions >Continued Fortification of the mountains all around Yotal’s Throne, additional bunkers, tunnels, zones of overlapping AA fire, etc. (15k) (42.5k invested total) >Raids on Klendari trade continue without abaiting, though it is not Cockroach that Ran who leads them, for her is in the New Worlds to the west (yes, this was a mistake in my last post)! Instead, the raids are led by Chases Fire, the Iron Dog and loyalist to Heart of Iron. He leads his group with a brutal, rugged efficiency born of a long lifetime of looting, finally at the prow of his new Battlecruiser, the Spirit of Blood. Once again, he aims to capture, plunder and kill. (1 Battlecruiser, the Spirit of Blood, captured from the Cumberlandish people. 1 Veteran cruiser, 1 Yotal’s Hawks, 2 Destroyers, 7 corvettes.) >This year, Shadow of the Day turns away from Valdek. Instead, he focuses his attention on Ozan, isolated as it is from its benefactor. After some initial prodding raids to test their air capabilities, he begins raiding them, searching for weak-points to exploit, so as to hit their industry, railways and cities. (1 Battlecruiser, The Barbed Vulture, 1 veteran cruiser, the Red Petal , 1 Yotal’s Hawk, 1 regular cruiser, 2 Destroyers, 5 corvettes.) >Raids on Valdek continue. (1 Battlecruiser, The Rusting Dawn, 1 regular cruiser, 2 Yotal’s Hawks, 4 corvettes) >Solomon follows the raids against Valdek, and keeps an ear open for any murmur of strange folk and red orbs... >Cloud Hunter continues to spiral into madness. (See RP) Concretely, she sends her new people in search of rare goods, potential places to raid and anything of interest in the surrounding area.

The Karakhwa I don’t have time to write RP, so here is a vide of Shadow of the Day, filmed by Venzeiatic film-makers. Solomon The pull continues to yank him towards the West, but Solomon hesistates and lingers with the Karakhwa raiders, unwilling to leave them for the unexplored world to the west. After all, if he were to leave now, perhaps he would lose all the progress he had made within their culture, and more importantly, lose any chance of one day being able to earn Heart of Iron’s approval enough to ask for his daughters hand in marriage. Expenses Ship-Building Battlecruiser, The Forward Unto Dusk, Armored. 4ASP, 18.000G. Yotal’s Hawk, Two, Veteran. 6ASP, 10.000G. Corvettes, Six, Veteran. 3ASP, 6000G. Thunderbirds, 100, Regular. 3AP, 8000G. 83.800 in excess. Research Continued investment into the Altitude Control Technology. (1896 with 31k) (51k invested total now) The Porcupine Shotgun continues to be researched. (1893) Actions Continued fortification of the mountains. Many small bunkers are drilled into the rock, littering the mountains for dozens upon dozens of kilometers around Yotal’s Throne with a network of bunkers and firing platforms armed with Carnelian AA guns and Quadruple HMG’s all of them with overlapping fields of fire. Some emplacements even have air-torpedo positions or small hangars for corvettes to hide in. (20.000G) (27.5k invested total) 25.000G sent to Carnelians. Continued investment into the Altitude Control Technology. (1896 with 31k) (51k invested total now) Operation Vitriol. (10.000G) (Mod) Shadow of the Day prepares for another raid… against Valdek. On par with usual karakhwa strategy, they scout and try to avoid concentrations of enemy forces, attacking instead wherever they have an opening, in small groups. They try to damage civilian industry, industry or whatever they can reliably hit. (3 Yotal’s Hawks, 7 Corvettes, 1 Regular Cruiser) The Karakhwa continue to raid ruthlessly. This year, they stalk trading ships going to the Klendari Sultanate and attack isolated targets, or small convoys. Some are simply destroyed, especially if they seem to be shipping bulk goods, but more valuable ones are attacked by ambush, with Wind Devils dropping from above and attempting to board them. The process is also attempted on Klendari warships, with Wind Devils dropping on them in sudden ambushes. To be honest, they don’t discriminate much between Klendari trade and international trade or military ships. The raid is commanded by Cockroach that Runs. Of course, they act like raiders. They flee true combat, do not engage large groups and only attack when the cards are in their favor. (1 Battlecruiser, The Iron Roach, 1 Veteran Cruiser, 1 Regular Cruiser, 5 Corvettes, 4 Destroyers) Rough Area of Operations. 8.800 excess gold is stored for next year.

The Karakhwa The deck was still awash with blood when Heart of Iron called forth for the Ritual of Home. Solomon stepped over a corpse, it’s face blown away by buckshot. Little desert flies, their backs green and their wings black, were already crawling over the flesh and a heavy stink rose from the body as it burned beneath the unforgiving desert sun. He wrinkled his nose and looked away as bile burned the back of his throat. With a grunt, Solomon wiped at his lips. It wasn’t the bodies that evoked the roiling nausea in the pit of his stomach, no, he had seen far worse in the moving city. “I have killed my kin,” he said as his boots slapped through the blood. Two braves walked past him, holding a body. It was an officer, one of the last men to surrender his pistol to Solomon in the bridge. He could still remember his face, marred by a deep glare as he thrust his pistol into Solomon’s hands with a muttered ‘traitor’. That man hadn’t feared death, and now he had been welcomed into its embrace with the same dignity and disdain with which he had dealt with surrender. A small frown crossed his pale lips, and the only stain on his uniform came from a neat hole in his abdomen. Even his white gloves were nearly pristine. The braves heaved him over the edge of the ship, letting his body fall to the ground far below. Every brave that had fought on the ship was now gathered in front of the superstructure, where Heart of Iron stood on a secondary gun turret, leaning heavily on his cane and swaying with the gentle rocking of the ship. He looked down at them all, his eyes meeting Solomons for a brief instant. Cold, distant. “You have honored Yotal,” said Heart of Iron, his gruff voice rumbling across the deck like distant thunder. The crowd of braves stilled like an audience of cumberlandish children at a play, their eyes fixed on the Warchief. “You have honored your tribes. Yotakal, Usso, Isissopo, Ashastawa, Muhowk. Only Yotal knows the first man to set foot upon this ship, and I am but a man.” Many a nod, a few mumbles of assent. Solomon nodded with them. It was clear that no one had expected Heart of Iron to give the ship to a first boarder. It was too important of a home, to big of a boarding party. A few people looked in his direction and Solomon felt a tight knot of excitement in his gut. He had been the one to take the captain prisoner, the one to take the bridge. Would this be his chance to prove himself? “As such, I must chose a brave who fought his way through the many halls of this ship, letting blood and showing bravery in Yotal’s gaze. Many a mudman was claimed his courage, and I can do nothing but try to reward him, as Yotal will reward him in the Second Skies.” Solomon almost lurched forward then, a smile on his lips. “Step forward, Chases Fire, of my Iron Dogs, and take that which is yours by the right of bravery, blood and Yotal.” ——— Heart of Iron held court in the mess hall of his ship when it came to public affairs. The central fireplace would cut his shadow out of the air like solid obsidian as he stood before it, speaking on the affairs of the Yotakal tribe and the Karakhwa people as a whole. For more private affairs, he preferred the open airs, where Yotal could bear witness to the whispered words and perfidious plots, and judge them accordingly. Cloud Hunter had seen it all as a child, heard him explain to her why he did this or that, and she had rolled her eyes with youthful arrogance. Today, she would still have rolled her eyes, if Heart of Iron had not been looking straight at her, standing at the prow of his heavy cruiser. “Who is he?” “Who is who,” said Cloud Hunter, crossing her arms and looking at him with a raised eyebrow. “Your new ship-father.” “One of my tribesmen, a good man.” “A man who hides his face.” “Some cannot live with the shame of being so scarred,” replied Cloud Hunter with a small shrug. “You judge men by their looks now?” Heart of Iron lifted a hand and gave her a small frown. It pulled a small feeling of shame out of something deep within Cloud Hunter’s mind and she glared at him, her jaw tightening, at if to gnash down on the unwanted emotion. She wasn’t a damn child anymore. “Cloud Hunter, I have heard troubling things about your behaviour over the past years.” “I am warchief of the Hasse, you do not have the right to judge my behaviour,” she snapped, her fingers clenching at her biceps tightly. “No, but I can warn you,” he said, relaxing a bit and giving her a tired, worried look. “My father before me was wild as you are. A man who spilled blood so willingly that eventually, it was all that he could see.” Heart of Iron sighed and leaned on the railing. Such a flimsy wooden protection. So easy to tip him over. “He stopped loving my mother, barely recognized me anymore. He could dream only of blood, plunder and battle. So violent was he, that eventually the Sultan of Carnelia had him imprisoned, judged and executed.” For a moment, he said nothing, his eyes drifting away from Cloud Hunter, and into the horizon where his father sailed the second skies, free of his earthly anchors. “I miss him, and I still care for him, but I do not mourn him,” said Heart of Iron eventually, turning back to her and laying the full force of his authority upon her. “Do not end up like him, lest history repeat itself.” Cloud Hunter took a step forward and leaned down until she was looking him straight in the eyes. “I am Cloud Hunter of the Hasse, and I will never let myself be taken by some mudmen, to be judged and killed like a mud-ridden dog.” Did he really think so little of her, that she would allow herself to be taken alive by those she could raid so easily? “That was not the point of the story, child,” said Heart of Iron, disappointment flashing in his eyes. “Then speak plainly, or speak to me no more.” Another deep sigh, held within as if ruminated, then blown out again. “Very well. You will go to explore the unknown seas with the caravan this year. Refuse and I will invoke my right as Warchief of all Karakhwa to exile you to the mud.” “You wouldn’t dare!” said Cloud Hunter, reeling back and glaring at him, her face twisted into a furious mask. “I will do what I must,” snapped Heart of Iron, his voice ringing like a hammer on hot iron. “Do as you are told, clear your head of your bloodlust, and return to me again,” he said, his voice dropping back into an almost begging tone. “Return to me as the woman I once knew.” Expenses One battlecruiser, 4 ASP, Regular, Full Steel Armor, 18000G One Yotal’s Hawk, 3 ASP, Veteran, 5000G Two corvettes, 1 ASP, Veteran, 2000G 100 Thunderbirds, 3AP, 7000G Research Passive Slot: Research is put into a new, better shotgun, capable of rapid semi-automatic or automatic fire, with a drum or normal magazine attachment for speed of reload, and firing capacity. It will be called the Porcupine Mk1. Funded: Systems to control altitude gain and loss for more explosive gains and the ability to go much higher. (With 16k completion in 1897) (Investing 15k now) (Total 31k invested) 20.000G Is sent to the Carnelian Sultanate. Actions -Kiss the Sun returns to the new world, followed by a fleet of 1 Battlecruiser, 5 destroyers, 1 Yotal’s Hawk, 4 corvettes and a freighter filled with the equipment necessary to start up some simple industrial practices such as fuel production, etc. (1 Battlecruiser, 5 destroyers, 1 Yotal’s Hawk, 4 corvettes, 1 Freighter) -Raiders hit the Valdek this year. They are led by Chases Fire in his ship, the Solar Flare. 1 Yotal’s Hawk, 4 corvettes and 3 destroyers will probe the Valdek for weaknesses, seeking to raid their border towns, mines, or settlements. Wind Devil’s have replaced all marine groups, and are to be used if capturing freighters or warships is possible. The Yotal’s Hawk will obviously be used to scout extensively. (1 Yotal’s Hawk, 3 Destroyers, 4 Corvettes) -The Klendari raids are conducted by Shadow of the Day in the cruiser The Red Petal. He will target schools, universities, to kill professors first, then students. The goal is to create a long-term brain-drain. The rest of the fleet will raid as before. Alltogether; (2 Cruisers, 3 Destroyers, 5 Corvettes.) -Solomon participates in the Klendari raids, but his eyes are on the western horizon, and his thoughts troubled. Something pulls him to the west, to the open seas... -The repairs to the newly captured battlecruiser, the Spirit of Blood, are finished. -AA emplacements, bunkers, torpédo launch stations and cannons begin to be dispersed in Yotal's Throne and the area around it within the mountains, to create a network of defensive positions burrowed within the mountains that would deter even the bravest. This is only the first step of the project, named Project Armadillo. (7.500g invested.)

The Karakhwa Cloud Hunter kept a small cabin near the front of the Stormchaser. It was a cramped space, no more than a cot and a small pathway beside it to make ones way to the door. The blankets were threadbare and old, made from intricately woven and worn down cloth, so old that it was almost uniformly gray now. She paced back and forth, the floorboards creaking beneath her as Kiss the Sun sat on her bed, his legs folded neatly and his face impassive. “Heart of Iron humiliated me,” she snapped, making a cutting gesture with her hand. Small scars littered her fingers, a thousand splinters, a hundred cuts. “And there is nothing I can do about it.” “Our warchief has too much influence, too much respect-” “He is not your warchief,” she snarled, spinning towards him and glaring down at him with eyes full of embers. “I am. Not him. Me!” “Calm yourself,” said Kiss the Sun, looking past her, to the hand resting upon one of the many weapons hooked to her wall. For a moment, it looked as if Cloud Hunter would explode, then she looked back, almost surprised by the touch of cold steel beneath her fingers, and slowly lifted them from the weapon. With a deep breath, she nodded. “Right. Calm.” Kiss the Sun reached out and brushed a finger against her arm. “You need more than raids and blood to win this war of influence.” “That is what I know.” “And Heart Of Iron will always have known more of it. Seek your power elsewhere.” “What do you suggest, then?” said Cloud Hunter, seeming to struggle with the words, as if such a question were an unfamiliar obstacle for her lips to form. “Heart Of Iron has the hearts of all but my tribe, and his honor,” she spat out the word like a curse, “makes him untouchable.” “Find others who are apart,” said Kiss the Sun. “Gather the rejects. The dishonored, the criminals, the murderers.” He rose from his sitting position, the sunlight shining through the porthole now burning in his eyes, like two golden fires. “Give them ships. Give them chiefs. You can keep them in check.” “Of course I can,” said Cloud Hunter with a frown, barely seeming to acknowledge his final words. “They’re scum. All they need is a whip.” Then she shook her head. “I can gather these dogs, but leading a pack of animals will not turn the others away from Heart of Iron.” “Solomon Keynes, then,” said Kiss the Sun. “What?” “Solomon Keynes, the foreigner.” “I know who the white boy is,” snapped Cloud Hunter, her voice grating with irritation. “Why him?” “He wants to be bound to Sunlight that Dances, it is said amongst the men.” “Then he’s as stupid as his foreign coat makes him look.” “Maybe, but he has been blessed, and people are look to him now more than ever, after the capture of the Spirit of Blood. Get him on your side, and then you may begin to win people over.” Cloud Hunter said no more, she just nodded, a thoughtful look on her face, and jerked her head towards the door. “Leave me. Return tonight.” Expenses Civilian Industry: 17 (85.000G) Steel Mill: 1 (2.500G) Vitramite Mine: 1 (5.000G) Vitraium Refinery: 1 (5.000G) Air Shipyard: 2 (20.000G) Battlecruiser: 1, Regular. 4ASP, 12.000G Destroyer: 1, Veteran. 2ASP, 3.000G The Wind Devils, their purpose forgotten since the end of the great war, are finally called back into action. Donning their old kites, slinging axes and shotguns around their waists and painting their faces with their distinctive marks once more, these old war hawks will train a new generation of fighters. Dispersed as marines across all ships and caravans, they are once more ready to rain blood upon the mud below in Yotal’s name. (4AP, 6000G) Excess 23.000G Research Sky Wolf torpedo project continues. In addition to the torpedo, tests are carried out to have launchers capable of firing multiple ones at once attached to destroyers and corvettes. (1889) (Passive slot) Funded Research: The Karakhwa now seek a new method of altitude control for their Vitraium cores. Perhaps new casing, or new pressure systems. Either way, the aim is to achieve a new method of regulating altitude which would allow for far quicker gains or decreases than ever before. (16.000G) 13.000G is sent to the Carnelian Sultanate Actions -Two corvettes and a destroyer along with a section of one of the many Karakhwa caravans sails south-west, towards the sea...and beyond. They go well-prepared, with food, water, gas, etc. Along the way, they will do the Karakhwa way of hunting, which consists of either dipping down to the sea to fish, or netting birds mid-flight. Water will be collected from rain. (4.000G) (1 Destroyer, 2 corvettes) -The Karakhwa turn their bloody tomahawks on many a target this year. The first is the Free Junta. Four corvettes and five destroyers are tasked with these raids. They will try to hit railroads, mines and (heavy) industrial zones with incendiary and high explosive bombs or other tools of the trade. Cloud Hunter has her own plans though…. (Mod) (Four corvettes, Five destroyers) -The Klendari raids continue, as usual. The Iron Dogs continue to attack industrial zones, air shipyards, railroads, mines… The raids never end and they never take prisoners. (Four Destroyers, four corvettes.) -Finally, the Karakhwa also turn to raiding international trade, hitting freighters sailing towards the Klendari and either destroying them, or capturing them along with their goods. For now, they only seem to target trade going into the Klendari lands… or coming out. (1 Yotal’s Hawk, 1 Destroyer, 3 corvettes.) -Repairs to the Spirit of Blood, the newly captured Karakhwa battlecruiser are undertaken.

The Karakhwa Heart of Iron stood before a group of his best chiefs. The Iron Dogs stood nearest, their favor denoted by their proximity. Each of them was a grizzled veteran of war, with the singular woman in the group look nearly as much like a man as the rest, her face pock-marked by gasoline burns and shrapnel. To the side, stood Cloud Hunter and her followers, whose names Heart of Iron had failed to ask after. He would have to remedy that. “We will strike at their industry once more this year, hitting them in the places that will make them bleed the most. The Klendari cannot be allowed to modernize so quickly, they must be kept in check. As f-” “Why?” said a clear voice, cutting through his authoritative rumble like glass. Heart of Iron looked up and found Cloud Hunter staring him in the eyes, with her arms crossed. Damned girl, when was she going to learn? “Because we aid our allies,” said Heart of Iron. “And destroying their infrastructure will stall a threat that may one day come for Yotal’s Throne.” “Why do we protect the Carnelians? What have they done for us but return us our just freedom?” A rumble moved through the crowd of chiefs then, and one old war dog at the front pulled his pipe out of his toothless gums long enough to spit and look at Cloud Hunter with beady, bright eyes. “You speak like child. Why why why? Silence yourself, hear your elders wisdom.” “Your elders wisdom will struggle to pass through your rotting gums, He Who Choses Fire,” snapped Cloud Hunter, before turning to the crowd. “We are raiders, chosen of the sky. Why should we help those who enslaved us? Why should we not loot and plunder the Klendari for our own gain, instead of their own?” “Cloud Hunter,” said Heart of Iron, his voice crackling with ancient thunder. “You will be silent for the rest of this council, or you will not raid for this season.” She was wild, she had been ever since she was a child. But this was no longer acceptable. To so openly challenge him, to so easily challenge tradition. But as she subsided back into her corner, a furious look on her face, Heart of Iron’s unease came not from her, but from the almost approving looks he had seen scattered throughout the crowd when she spoke. ---------------------- “Dear Mother, I know that this letter is likely not to reach you, or that tragedy may have befallen you in my absence. I know too that you may burn it when you read my name upon the envelope. I do not write to apologize for abandoning you, Theresa and Joseph, nor do I write to notify you of my imminent return. Your resentment no doubt runs deep, and that I brought shame unto the family in abandoning Cumberland during the war. Yet I write this from the deck of my own ship, manned by a crew more loyal than any officer could hope for in the navy, for these men and women are my family. Instead, I write to you now to tell you that I have found a path, opened to me in the heart of carnage. This path will never lead me home, and I have found peace in this. With this letter, I have included enough gold for you to sustain Theresa and Joseph until she marries, and he is of age to work. I wish you the best in life, whether you believe me or not. Your Son, Solomon” Solomon lifted his pen from the parchment and tapped away the extra ink before leaning back and sighing. The serenity that had envelopped him since meeting the woman within the moving cities carcass had scared him before. Now though, he could see it for what it was. Peace. Acceptance of a path that he could not see, veiled as it was by the vaporous twists and turns of the future. He put a hand on the saber, lying on the desk in front of him and closed his eyes for a moment, letting the feeling of peace sink down to his very bones, like a warm shower. Peace had beaten him a path through his troubles, massaging away the many knots of anxiety that still twisted within him at the many prospects that lay ahead of him. Now, there was only one path. The one that he chose, when the time came to chose. Expenses Civilian Districts: 17 (85.000G) New Settlement: 1 (5.500G) Air Shipyard: 1 (10.000G) Vitramite Mine: 1 (5.000G) Vitraium Refinery: 1 (5.000G) Heavy Industry: 1 (7.500G) Yotal’s Hawk, 5000G, Veteran, 3ASP 4 Corvettes, 4000G, Veteran, 2ASP 100 Thunderbirds, 8000G, Regular, 3AP 14.500G in excess is shipped to the Carnelian Sultanate. Research Godwhisperer ends. In its stead, a new project is launched. One to perfect and advance air-baised torpedoes to a whole new level. Faster, more accurate, more powerful. The new model is to be launched from destroyers or corvettes and is designed for quick reloading. It is labelled the Sky Wolf by Karakhwa science men. (Passive Slot) Actions Once again, the Karakhwa fleets muster to launch their raids. 1 Yotal’s Hawk, with two fighters attached. 12 Destroyers 8 Corvettes This time, they split once more into many small groups, typically numbering no more than three ships, but more likely 2 or 1. They will strike quick and deep, aiming to disrupt railways, factories, mines and quarries, or resource rich areas while Yotal’s Hawk flies high in the heavens and scouts a prime target for Cloud Hunter and her squadron of 2 destroyers and 1 corvette. Indeed, they will aim for an ambitious strike, trying to use the Yotal’s intel to raid a major production facility, be it either a coal mine, a factory or even a university, should it not be too well ensconced within Klendari secure airspace. If a target is found, then guns, bombs and tomahawks will fall upon the target, leaving nothing but ruins before leaving once more. No mercy for the people of the mud.

The Karakhwa The airship burned a spiral down to the earth, tracing its descent in black smoke and falling bodies. The air inside was boiling, so hot that Heart of Iron could feel the skin on his back crisping and charing even as he struggled at the controls. “Come, we must go now!” shouted one of the crewmembers, grabbing his shoulder and jerking him back from the controls. “We must go!” “Then go,” said Heart of Iron, spinning around and shoving the man back towards the nearest exit. For all the good it would do him. The escape boats were all burnt or gone by now. “I will stay,” yelled, before turning back to the controls. He laid his hands on them and hissed in pain. They were burning hot. “You’re a fool, Heart of Iron. A dead fool!” yelled the man. Then he was gone. The ground was closing in and the air valves were not responding. He needed more energy from the last of the vitrium. Maybe he could slow the landing enough, just enough to stop a catastrophic structural failure. All it would take- But the ground was closing in too fast. The white sheets of sand consumed his vision, his hands were sealed to the controls by the heat, his eyebrows were singing off- Heart of Iron woke with a start, sitting up quickly and looking around. A familiar bedroll, with his ancestral rug on the wall and his wife curled up beside him, her iron colored hair flowing freely. He pushed aside the covers and stood. Beside him, she shifted and looked up at him with amber eyes. “A nightmare?” “Yes,” he said, looking down at his hands. They were mottled, scarred and many of his fingers were fused together. Useless. “Which one?” “The crash aboard the Spirit of Revenge.” His wife sat up, the blankets falling to her waist, revealing the enormously intricate tattoos covering her entire body up to her neck. “You know what that means, don’t you?” “I have dreamed it every time a threat has risen that threatened to end me or my own,” he said, slowly curling his hands into tight fists. “And everytime, I have overcome it.” She rose and walked up to him, putting a hand on his old, withered chest, it was cold enough to make his hairs stand on end. “This threat will not come from outside the tribes,” she said. “I can sense resentment. Anger. A hunger for power. It grows and festers within our own.” “You speak of Cloud Hunter,” said Heart of Iron, stepping back and frowning at her. “Who else but that vicious girl?” said his wife, her eyes flashing with anger. “She would be the last to turn on me, wife,” said Heart of Iron, steel lining his tone like wires. “I will hear no more of such betrayals. Even from you.” Expenses 15 Civilian Industry (75.000G) New caravan (city) (5.500G) 4 Vitramite Mines (20.000G) 4 Vitraium Refineries (20.000G) 1 Yotal’s Hawk, Destroyer, 3ASP, 5000G, Veteran 4 Corvettes, Veteran, 2ASP, 4000G Science Godwhisperer Continues (1887) Oxygen tanks continues (1888) Actions -Heart of Iron’s warhounds, staunch loyalists to the last, raid once more this year, in greater numbers. They call themselves the Iron Dogs, and launch various raids with 6 destroyers and 4 corvettes in small groups, or alone. This year, they specifically target Klendari infrastructure, hitting bridges, traintracks, mines, factories. Whatever they can hit without embroiling themselves into dangerous airspace or enemy formations. The goal is clear, to disrupt this modernization of the Klendari state. -Cloud Hunter also returns from her travels, and with her she brings back her small fleet. They, contrary to the Iron Dogs, will focus on raiding on the Klendari for ships and material. Guns, dhows, destroyers. They focus on ambushing and boarding isolated ships and taking them home, or stripping them of useful technology. -Solomon continues to dream, his ship sailing over the sands to the west as he tries to understand himself anew.

The Karakhwa Three men standing in the corner of the deck on a starry night. The wind blew through them like a crowd, pushing against them and cutting away their words with its bustle. Still, they huddled together and spoke in low voices, their eyes glinting nervously in the night. “Yotal has forsaken her, she has brought us nothing in this raid but scraps and slaughter,” said one, his hands twisting nervously at his waist. “Don’t speak such nonsense,” growled the second, with a mean scar trying his neck back together. “She’s just forgotten what it means to lead for the people.” The third stayed silent, his arms crossed and his face dour. And so they spoke as the airship crawled its way through the dark sky, accompanied by the wind and the dull roar of the ocean far below. “She is cursed,” said the nervous one. “She will bring us all down with her when Yotal casts her from the heavens.” “Casts me from the heavens?” said Cloud Hunter said, stepping out from the shadows cast by a doorway. “Warchief,” said the dour man, his expression unchanged. Cloud Hunter nodded to him and gestured to the door. “Wake the tribe.” He nodded and disappeared as Cloud Hunter turned towards the two others. “Moves like Lizard, Swift Water,” she said, nodding her head. “Two brothers, plotting against their warchief. Your mother would be disappointed.” “She would be proud,” grunted Swift Wind in his gravelly voice. “Can you say the same?” A spark of fury burst forth for a moment and Cloud Hunter grabbed her tomahawk before taking a deep breath and relaxing. “I do not need her pride, mutineer,” she said as the crew began to filter out until they filled the deck, lit only by the stars and a pale moon. “Hasse, it is said that Yotal has forsaken me,” she shouted, lifting her weapon above her head and pacing around next to the railing. “That I should be challenged!” She spun towards Moves like Lizard, a furious scowl on her face. “You will watch,” she said to Swift Water as she leapt up onto the railing diving safety from the void of open air below them. Without holding onto any ropes, she balanced there, pointing her weapon at Moves like Lizard. “Come then, if you think Yotal has abandoned me, join me, let us see who he casts down first.” “Warchief, I did not mean-” “Bring him up here,” she snapped, pointing at two crewmen. They immediately stepped forward and grabbed Moves like Lizard, forcing him up to the railing and shoving him in the back. “Climb, traitor,” growled one of them. “Warchief, listen,” said Swift Wind, his eyes fixated upon his brother, his hands clenched at his side. “No, Swift Wind. You shall listen,” she said as she walked along the balustrade until she reached Moves Like Lizard. As he stood, balanced precariously, she grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and turned towards Swift Wind. “You will listen very closely.” Then she shoved the nervous man off the balustrade, sending him flailing into space. Swift Wind’s face turned to a mask of furious grief as he shouted in denial, his voice mixing with his brother’s scream as he fell, tossed away from the ship like garbage on a high wind. “Yotal curse you!” yelled Swift Wind as he leapt forward, charging her. Cloud Hunter darted off the balustrade and slipped to the side as he ran at her. Her tomahawk flashed and landed in the back of his knee, felling him against the railing. He shouted in pain and tried to roll around, but Cloud Hunter grabbed him by the back of his rough tunic and heaved him overboard in one swift move. At least he had the balls to keep his screams to himself, she thought as she turned back to the crew. “I am the Stormchaser and I am Warchief. If you challenge me, you will die. If you join me, you will be covered in glory by the time the Second Heaven welcomes you.” Mechanics Expenses: Economy: 14 Civ Industry (70.000G) Industry: 2 Steel Mills (5.000G) 1 Heavy Industry (7.500G) 1 Air Shipyard (10.000G) Military: 2 Veteran Destroyers (6.000G) 100 Regular Fighters (6.000G) Excess: 14.000G Research: Oxygen Tanks (1888) (19k invested) Project Godwhisperer (1887) An excess of 14.000G is dedicated to hiring more researchers and getting them better equipment, to accelerate the process. Actions -Solomon rejoins the fleet after his curious encounter in the desert. He keeps the cloak in his quarters and never takes it out of its cupboard, but the sword has almost unconsciously gained a place at his hip. Unfortunately for him, the Karakhwa are a suspicious people, and the changes undergone in the desert alienate him from his crew. He spends much time contemplating the red orb, and trying to understand the pain in his head, now that being among his crew seems to generate naught but discomfort. As for the boy, he is tended to by the medicine man on board, and pried with questions at to what happened… (Mod) -Heart of Iron sends out 3 destroyers on raiding missions into Klendari airspace. All crewed by hardened captains and hard-line loyalists fo Heart of Iron himself. Many of their captains partook in the bloody air battles above Carnelia during the great war and are eager for another strike against their foe. They will hunt trading vessels and attempt to disrupt industrial activity wherever they can. But as willy pirates, they do try and avoid the enemy patrols, and all strike in different regions! (Mod)

The Karakhwa “There exists a legend within the Karakhwa of a time in which strife divides the people of the sky, splitting them apart like thunder in the night. A time when one who vanquishes the storms will rise above those who vanquish the chains. It is said that they will fight bitterly, but the stormchaser will bring great change to the Karakhwa. Their ship will be weighed down with the tablets of their fallen foes and their windpipes will vibrate with Yotal’s divine might. All people will fear them, and all people will know them. Their name will echo like rolling thunder across the skies even once they take their place with the second heavens. They will hail you for centuries to come.” “Me?” said the small girl, her eyes burning with intensity and reflected firelight. In her hands was a small wooden tomahawk, gripped so tightly that her fingers where white. “Not you,” said the speaker, leaning down and tapping her on the nose with a callused finger. She smiled warmly, dark tresses falling around her face, and adjusted the multicolored blanket hanging around the girls shoulders. Their ship rocked and a gust of wind filtered over the wind-barriers, tossing their fire around. The young girl shivered and pulled closer to her mother, who sighed happily and put an arm around her, pulling her close and squeezing her against her bosom. It had been a long day and the girl was tired, her lids falling heavy over her eyes as she glanced up at her mother. “What will I be, then?” “You will be a hero, not a bringer of strife, my little cloud hunter.” Mechanics Expenses: Economy Civilian Industry: 9 (45.000) Trade Depots: 2 (20.000) Industry Heavy Industry: 1 (7500) Air Shipyard: 2 (20000) Military 100 Regular Fighters: 2AP (7000) 1 Veteran Destroyer T1: 2AP (3000) Excess 10,300 Actions This year, Heart of Iron directs the elements of the fleet under his command to consolidate at Yotal’s Throne during the chief’s moot. After which he dispatches 2 Destroyers and 1 corvette to perform minor scouting and raiding operations in nothern Klendari, to assess the situation and other potential fleet elements. The remainder of those under his command will stay for the year in Yotal’s Throne, or escorting their caravans in the nearby airspace. Research Project Godwhispered (1887) Work continues on the pressurized oxygen canisters for pilots and aircrews. (10.300G) (18600G invested) (1891 end turn at a rate of 8.300G a turn.)

The Karakhwa Income: 68.000 Economic Civilian Industry: 2 (10.000) Trade Depots: 3 (30.000) Industrial Steel Mill: 1 (2.500) Vitramite Mine: 1 (5.000) Vitraium Refinery: 1 (5.000) Military Regular Fighter Wing: 2AP (7000) 2 Corvettes: 1ASP (2000) Excess 8300G excess Actions: -Now content with the situation between the Carelian and their enemies, the Karakhwa turn to viciously raiding their Klendari neighbors, sending raiding bands reaving through the skies, with corvettes and destroyers scouting ahead before the bands hit villages, vulnerable mines, farms, etc. They pillage, burn and scalp, but take no slaves. Instead, those who resist are killed, the rest are often marked with ritual daggers upon their cheeks with various symbols. Forces: 3 Destroyers, 3 Corvettes, 1 cruiser -For an unknown reason, the railway above the supposed Karakhwa regions is hit this turn by a series of vicious bombardments, apparently presighted and executed in isolated regions, often over vulnerable spots such as bridges, valleys, etc. Three groups numbering a roughly equal force all attack a few areas as simultaneously as possible in an attempt to obliterate the railroad use, before disappearing once more. Forces: 3 Heavy Cruisers, 4 Cruisers, 2 Destroyers. Research: -Project Godwhisperer Continues (1887) (Funded) -A new project begins, one whose focus is to work on pressuring and containing oxygen in cans to be used by pilots and crews at extreme altitudes in an effort to massively increase their operating ceiling and their effectiveness vis-à-vis to their adversairies in altitudes with thin air. (8300G)

The Karakhwa Income: 39.000 One steel mill is built in the belly of Yotal’s Throne. (2.500G) Airships are the blood of the Karakhwa and only a few tribes have mastered the art of their construction. But they can always use more space to work their wonders. (10.000G) Heavy industry, even nomads value it. (7.500G) One Trading Ship is built and hooked onto a caravan. Full of goods and exact data on stores and prices, it will no doubt add quite a lot of revenue to the caravan this year. (10.000G) Civilian industry, always important. (10.000) Passive Research - Project Godwhisperer Actions -A few small groups of ships break off to roam the berber regions, hitting merchant ships or attacking small caravans and villages. Ultimately, they are testing their strength and responsiveness, along with a little bit of loot if they can find any! (Mod) -4 Destroyers, all crewed by veterans, along with 2 corvettes and 1 cruiser are dedicated to this task. -Trade if offered to all nations around and beyond, through their trade caravans who may trade with nations near Carnelia. (Mod) -Actions on the frontlines. (Mod Action)

The Karakhwan Name of Nation: the Karakhwan, the People of the Sky Type of Government: Nomadic tribalism with a circle of convening chiefs. The Nomadic chiefs and the sedentary chiefs of Yotal’s Throne convene once a year for a great moot in which they discuss the issues faced by the Tribes. History/Culture: The Karakhwan are born of the many tribes that once wandered around this region, worshipping various gods and fighting amongst each other for centuries. Their ties to this place go back to prehistory, as do their wars. Seven-hundred years ago though, the chiefs were finally unified by the threat of the Carnelian’s to the north. They finally gathered upon what has now become Yotal’s Throne, where they decided that together they would hold against the menace. For the next five-hundred years, they raided their northern neighbors, until three-hundred years ago, they Carnelians launched an invasion of apocalyptic proportions and finally subjugated them, turning them into a vassal state. Fast-forward to the Great War and the Karakhwan have continued a nomadic existence, though their society is now split between the sedentary people of Yotal’s Throne and the true nomads, warriors and merchants alike. Their relations with the Carnelians have mollified over the centuries and when called to war, they answer. Unfortunately for the Carnelians, the Karakhwan’s arrived to late for their fleets of tribe ships to save them from the crippling defeat at Kelkit. Yet, led by Heart of Iron, their fleets did stop the Carnelians from facing total defeat by engaging their enemies in a series of glorious and bloody victories in the skies. It is said that the Karakhwan bleed blood and oil, both pouring from the sky in equal proportion, for so many were lost in the defense of their liege-lords. Yet, victory was achieved and as a reward for their selfless heroism, the Karakhwan were given their freedom by the Carnelian Sultan. Still, bonds of blood and steel cannot be forgotten so easily, and they have yet to return to their old ways of raiding the sultans holdings.... Points: Size: 6 While many of the Tribes are still Nomadic, many sedentary folk have filled the great tiered magnificence of Yotal’s Throne with their families. As such, perhaps 30%-40% of the population remains nomadic, while the remainder lives in one great city and the surrounding area. Yotal’s Throne itself riddles the mountain upon which it was built with warrens and streets through which run artfully crafted tubes that bring air and song to all. 50 Million population 1 Metropolis 5 Caravans Army/Navy: 0 The Karakhwan are raiders and warriors at heart, but their fights stay in the sky. To fight on the ground is both crude as well as an insult to Yotal, who would see their sacrifice occur within his own realm. Aviation: 10 For the glory of Yotal himself! Adorned with their wind organs and their totals and religious markings, the Karakhwan raiding fleets howl their way through the skies, pendants clinking in the wind, their hulls adorned with the markings of Yotal. It is in the blood of every single Karak to find his place in the skies. It goes beyond duty, for it is etched into their very bones. 3 Heavy Cruisers The Yotakal Tribe ship The Ibombe Tribe ship The Nvda Tribe ship 5 Cruisers 5 Destroyers 2 Corvettes Industry: 4 The Karakhwa are not particularly industrially inclined apart from their ship-building industry, for which they have a deep passion and an long-standing craft. Indeed, it helps that Yotal’s Throne sits on a solid vein of Vitrium! 4 Vitrium Mines 4 Vitrium Refineries Economy: 8 The Karakhwan are both raiders and traders at heart. Their warships may reave, but their caravans bear many riches acquired during their long travels. 5 Commercial Districts 3 Commercial Infrastructure Education: 2 Development: 0 “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” -Medicine Man Marty Notable characters: Solomon Keynes, of the Siroko -A defector from a foreign land who married into a tribe and joined them. An excellent officer, he commands his own destroyer as the son in law of its Chief. Solomon was once a soldier during the great war but crash landed his plane into Karakhwa land. He evaded capture for a while and put up a brave fight but he was eventually captured, where he learned to appreciate the freedom of their lifestyle and after the peace, he decided to stay and marry his wife, Star of the Desert. He often clashes with Heart of Iron, for he has far more regard for his subordinates and tries very hard to get them to accept him. Heart of Iron, of the Yotakal -The Great Chief, Lord of Reavers and the man who single-handedly led the Karakhwa through some of their most brutal and glorious battles of the great war. He is often recognized as single-handedly having earned his people their independence. Known for features carved of stone and a ruthless disregard for anything but victory. He is ageing, but still sees more glory before he must ultimately die in battle, for die in battle he must. Cloud Hunter, of the Hasse -The leader of the best Karakhwa scouts, Cloud Hunter is a risk-taking woman who has an an addiction to adrenaline. Only in her late twenties, she is already scarred from various crashes and near-death experiences. The glory she has accumulated has led many suitors to her door, but she has been heard to say that she is married only to the sky. Her hot-headed approach to life has made her a legendary figure among the Karakhwa, though it has not earned her the approval of Heart of Iron. Nation Idea: Sons in the Sky: Every 5 million population grants 1 free destroyers. All Destroyer & corvette crews are automatically veterans. Unique Units: The Wind Devils: Elite raiders equipped with glide-suits, they are trained to drop from altitude and land upon enemy ships. Excellent close combat fighters, they specialize in fighting within the tight confines of ships, using axes, knives and guns, these face-painted killers turns the once security of ones own ship into a warren of nightmares. Yotal’s Hawks: Destroyer-sized ships, the Hawks are capable of ultra high-altitude flight and are equipped to have two planes attached to them. They also have excellent scouting equipment, including very good optics, etc. Along with this, they are built to have very high G tolerance for sharp dives, etc. Thunderbirds: Very high G resistance. Capable of carrying all sorts of explosives, these planes have wind organs of their own that produce an eerie wail when opened. For Dive Bombers, the Thunderbirds are surprisingly agile and rapid once their load has been dropped, allowing them to act as fighters with very few disadvantages compared to their dedicated brethren. Excellent climbing speed and acceleration, but mediocre dogfighters, they prefer to dive over and over. Map Position:

The Rulership of Nùr Lady Ziin “I witness grief everyday. Yet I have never born its weight until now.” Age: 121 “Daughter lost at sea. Had 100 prisoners executed. The pain cannot be drowned in blood. Taking my Executioners to seek retribution.” In a rare display, Lady Ziin orders her 500 Executioners of Gamalgan to sail to Ithil-Dagor and await further instructions. She leads them personally, leaving the Citadel of Nightmares, Sûr, in the hands of her SiC, Lord Krast. Lord Skinsail “I’ll have every one of their captains hung from the mast in chains.” -Spoken after ordering the retreat near Badeburg. Age: 60 No journal entry is written on the particularly hectic night after his near encounter with the foreign fleet. Lady Ecthelos “You have been inducted into the Temple of Edema for your gift, but it is your will that will keep you here.” Age: 254 “It is a year of preparation. A great year of training and acclimation to the winds of war that murmur their violent whispers into all of our ears. Soon, Edema shall break the dam and unleash upon us war such as we have never seen it. I can smell it in the air. Blood red clouds hang heavy in the sky, waiting to burst. The seas echo with the cries of the dying, pulled down into their watery guts. I pray for the wars to come, that the Godwoken face foes worthy of the title and are welcomed into Edema’s hallowed halls as heroes, their bloody weapon laid at his feet, their final wounds laid bare, so that he may judge them all worthy to sit beside him, along Al’Palas, Mikthrilios and Tarwa, our legendary forefathers.” Lord Druzii “Only a couple hundred slaves? What is this, the Mediocre Slaving of 982?” Age: 188 “A bad year. What on earth where they thinking, putting a mongrel like Skinsail in command?” The God-Woken The Elders Lady Ecthelos, The Everwarrior Age: 253 Weapons of Choice: Shield and her falchion, Narcrest Largely considered to be the greatest Godwoken in recorded history, she is also instrumental in writing down the teachings of the Godwoken, both for the military and those who will follow in her footsteps. Lord Belisor, The Bloodsinger Age: 280 Weapon of Choice: Halberd, Varangil Blind in both eyes from a battle-axe slash across his face many dozens of years ago. Chief advisor to Lady Ecthelos, held in reverence for being one of the youngest Kal to ever enter a battle-trance. Lord Mithros, The Terrible Age: 222 Weapon of Choice: Two-Handed Sword, Mirmora Known for being as cold as his steel. Mithros is famous for showing no trace of kalinity while in battle. A cold, calculating robotic creature, taken by the trance, in battle he is a brutally efficient killing machine. Lady Shiva, The Merciful Age: 235 Weapon of Choice: Shield & Mace, Astrak Particularly famous for ordering the execution of 2.000 slaves after a slave revolt in a northern mine when she was a mere teenager of 50. It was at the time considered as an act of mercy, as the Mori slavemasters would have given them far crueler fates than a swift execution. She has maintained this strange vein of mercy throughout her life as a warrior. Lord Rachmanil, The Thoughtful Age: 212 Weapon of Choice: Shield & Sword, Quill An avid follower of Ecthelos’ writings and one of her closest academic advisors, he is the author of various treatises on philosophy, morality and war. He is also missing three fingers on his left hand and is the only one of the five to have fallen into his battle-trance as an average soldier in his 100th year. Lord Persos Lord Fulmiros Lord Kuuza Lady Thrall Lord Dagorlad Lord Festus Lady Dradim Lady Voral Lord Krixus Lady Lliadrin Lord Kalant Lord Zuave Lord Testal Lady Sylva Lord Mormegil Lord Valar The Initiates: Lord Morgol Lord Süza Actions: -The construction of a Mothership (Illhar) and as many raiding ships as possible continues in Gwelln. [Mod] -The fortification of Ithil-Dagor and its War-Temple continues. [Mod] -The training and recruitment of what Kal generals hope might be 150 Lizard Knights, 1000 infantrymen and 500 crossbowmen continues. -Too ambitious, a common failing of the Mori. Still, they learn from their mistakes and this year, the shipwrights focus solely on the smaller raiding ships. They will do all in their power and use their great well of accumulated ship-building knowledge to make them ever more maneuverable and fast without sacrificing anymore carrying capacity. [Mod] -Envoys are sent to the Kingdom of ogres. Offering slaves and trade in return for mighty ogre warriors to aid in their wars, in return for a slice of the loot. [Mod] -An attempt to tame some ice wolves using methods similar to those used to break slaves is made. It cannot be said that the Mori are kind masters to any of those below them. They hope to turn them into effective hunting and scouting brethren for their slaving raids. [Mod] -Spiders move in the shadows. [Mod] -The fleet musters to a force of 80 Raiding ships, 8 Carracks and 1 Illhar. The remaining 18 Raiding ships, 2 Carracks and 1 Illhar patrol or remain in safe waters. This newly mustered fleet reaves south, capturing any foreign merchant ship, slavings its people and plundering its goods. It uses a solid screen of raiding ships and launches occasional raids on the small neighboring nations, striking at night in small numbers and pulling back just as quickly. It’s goal is to sweep through the sea, hunting smaller fleets and military ships or trade vessels, using scouts and attacking at night when they can. [Mod]

The Rulership of Nùr Lady Ziin “Men never speak more truly than when their balls are resting upon a dagger’s edge.” Age: 120 “Entry 45: -Training of the Gamalgan proceeding. Tested Program 31b, live subjects with greatsword. Achieved 91% success rate on first-strike lethal through heavy armor. Will continued to use. -Continued interrogation of Ex-Lord Falimra. Arrogant Kal, great pleasure to see him squirm. -Sent letter to daughter. May have left house of Ziin, still daughter. May be at risk while exploring past Bundesreich. Concerned. -Heard rumor. Maybe have new subjects to interrogate. Learn weaknesses of nearby nations. Routine. Maybe use experimental interrogation once important information has been extracted. Interrogation Program 8bb = potential.” Lord Skinsail “Flay him till I can see his spine, then keep going.” Age: 59 “As expected, the seas were quiet and exquisite with the moonlight reflecting upon them. I look forward to the glory that this shall bring to my house. They all thought I was too young for this, that my inexperience would cost me, yet who sits here, and who sinks to the bottom of the splintered sea? I will show them all just how high Skinsail will rise. I am excited for the coming days. They will be bloody and full of plunder and when I return, perhaps I shall be named permanent Admiral of the Fleet of Dreams, not some replacement because the actual admiral had an unfortunate accident. This is my hour, and when I have reached the top, I will flay those who scoffed at me until their spine is nothing but dust.” Lady Ecthelos “The dream is but a spark, turning the souls of the worthy into the stars that they always were.” Age: 253 “I do not believe that the wars to come will be my last, yet all Battle-Dreamers must approach every battle as if it is the one in which they shall finally be sent to meet Edema in his gilded halls within the heavens. Truly, to think in any other way is to invite his wrath upon oneself. Edema sees us all as we are, vulnerable flesh, trembling with the ecstasy of bloodshed. If one does not throw themselves into this true form of living, if one does not forgo the very thought of survival, then one has not truly surrendered themselves to Edema’s will. Note: Yes. An apt passage for the recruits to read. I am sure that my scribes will agree.” Lord Druzii “That one has nice ****, have her waiting in my chamber when the auction is over.” Age: 187 “I made a lot of money today. Good shipment from down south. Some filthy slaver tried to shill me and I had his cock cut off and stuffed into his mouth. Said I’d kill him if he didn’t walk back to his ship with it there all the way. Crazy savage managed to make it. I still took his slaves though, sold them for a pretty penny to Oziiris in Malväs. In other news, I’m looking forward to the fresh shipments from Gwelln in the coming months. Fresh meat for the breederies is always welcome. A little bit of foreign fire always makes for strong stock. Had a minor uprising within some of the newly arrived cattle, but it was quickly put down. I think the captain had two of the ring-leaders tied down, then cut them open just enough to let spiders crawl into them for hours on end. Excellent! I have had him promoted.” A brief look at the great warriors of Nùr The Executioners of Gamalgan “The Depraved” Home Base: Sûr, The Citadel of Nightmares Lady Ziin’s personal legion, they are a terrible force on the battlefield. Almost immune to pain through rigorous training, when they do fill it, it is said that they take an almost masochistic pleasure in it. This depravity is only increased by their own cruel pleasure at inflicting great pain on their adversaries. Clad in heavy armor and favoring great broadswords, they cleave through their enemies and relish every drop of blood that their deadly blades reap. The Knights of Mälvas “The Cold Ones” Home Base: Mälvas, The City of Chains The Greatest noble knights of both Mori and Kal descent, they ride great lizards, whose hunger is as terrible as their claws. Agile and mighty, these lizards are larger than the common horse, and are capable of horrifying shrieks and hisses. The downside is of course, their feral nature, which may lead to a loss of control in the harshest of situations, when the rider can no longer maintain them under their thrall. Clad in heavy armor and equipped with spears and their personal weapon of choice, along with a shield, they are a sight to behold upon the battlefield. The Battle-Dreamers of Ecthelos “The Godwoken” Home Base: Ithil-Dagor The Battle-Dreamers, legend of legends, the greatest warriors that the Kingdom of Nùr has ever produced. Touched by Edema, these Kal are capable of unbelieve feats of bravery and skill. Indeed, their skill often surpasses the natural limits of their body both in speed, strength, reflexes and prescience. It is said that when in their battle trance, they are capable of dodging arrows before they even leave their foes bow, to parry blows even as their adversary is preparing to strike. Gods on the battlefield, they are a sight to behold, clad in heavy armor, with fiery highlights and great halberds of whatever weapon they might chose. Often, the Battle-Dreamers do not operate as a unit, instead leading their own section of the battlefield, or their own army, with a hoste of attendants at their side. The Attendants of Edema Home Base: Ithil-Dagor Priests of Edema, they are selected from the very best of Kal veterans, and chosen for their piety. They train relentlessly and glory in battle. Acting as both aids to the Battle-Dreamers and as standard-bearers in battle, none would wish to face them on the field, to be sure! Mod & Player Actions [Mod] The Fleet of Dreams sets sail for the first Great Slaving of the decade. At it’s head, Lord Skinsail stands upon the prow of the Chained Reaper, his massive black homeship, it’s mast laden with the bloodied chains of fallen slaves that clink in the wind like dreary bells. They will sail far out at sea, attacking and slaving any ship they see on their way, until they reach the coasts of Illuwe. There, they will fracture into groups to raid vulnerable villages and small towns, filling their holds before sailing south to Vano’Sa, then Baderberg. Once their holds are full, they will return with plunder and slaves to Gwelln. Dedicated fleet = 1 Mothership, 4 Carracks, 40 Raiding ships, 12 Slaving Ships A Mori envoy is sent to the people of Lyonesse. (Discord) A Kal envoy is sent to the Imperium Sanctum, fair-skinned and scarred from battle, with golden eyes and clad in simple but well-used armor. He brings a scroll from the King of Chain, Ech-Dagor, the Mist Reaver, Admiral of the Fleet of Dreams. Within, the King demands a tribute of slaves and gold every year, lest the Imperium Sanctum feel the wrath of the Fleet of Dreams. [Mod] Ithil-Dagor, citadel and home of the Kal, is to be fortified this year and the following ones. As one of the few land based territories of Nùr, it is particularly vulnerable. The expert masons and architects of the Kingdom are to build it into a great citadel-temple to Edema, lord of war. Within, the Battle-Dreamers of Lady Ecthelos shall train their talents, and find new recruits for the wars to come. [Mod] The ship-yards in the frozen seas around Mälvas and in the Gwelln bay are to pump out as many raiding ships as they can, and hopefully begin building a large Cityship, a sort of base for long-range slaving operations. [Mod] More Mori and Kal are sent to the barracks for training. The Kal go for the glory of war itself, the Mori for power and prestige. The aim is to recruit much infantry and crossbowmen. Along with this, nobles are told to saddle their Cold-One lizards and prepare for war. (Recruiting infantry, crossbowmen and Lizard-Knights.) [Mod] Two raiding ships, captained by Captain Liiza Aukerlion and Captain Rava Mirkiz sail south, to go along the coast and explore the southern, warm reaches of the world. Aukerlion sails with the blessing of Lloth’s priestesses, seeking religious similitudes in the world, while Mirkiz sails with the chains of slavery clinking upon his masts, seeking the tithe of flesh and blood that his King demands. An envoy is sent to the Khan. [Mod] An envoy is sent to the people of Ort Har. (Discord) [Mod] The shipwrights of Gwelln study the blade their ships further, hoping to increase their speed, resilience, endurance to long trips and every other aspect, to turn them into the sleekest, deadliest vessels upon the seas. [Mod] Intense training of certain specific units, with much time poured into them. Namely, the Mori Executioners of Gamalgar, personal legion of Lady Ziin, the Mistress of the Nightmare Keep of Sûr. As well, the Godwoken, the chosen battle-dreamers of Lady Ecthelos of Ithil-Dagor. They number 500 and 20 (+250 elite attendants) respectively.

The Mori-Kal of Nùr Discord: You have it. Civilisation (Name): The Mori-Kal Capital (Name): Mälvas, the City of Chains. Government (Empire, Republic, etc, you may go into details): The Mori-Kal live in a Kingdom ruled by a King and Queen of both noble races within the Kingdom. An old agreement after the War of Division led to this agreement that has held the Kingdom together for many an age. It is called the Rulership of Nùr. The nation is currently ruled by King Ech-Dagor, the Mist Reaver, the Dark Star, Admiral of the Fleet of Dreams and Leash Master of the slave legions. Along with Queen Helegòth, the Cold Flower, Mistress of a Thousand Eyes. They sit on the Throne of Chain and the Throne of Blades. Obviously, they represent the two major tenants of the nation, slavery and war. Racial Distribution (Primary Race, probably minorities?): The Mori-Kal are divided between two sub-species, the Mori and the Kal. The mori account for about 75% of the population, with the Kal accounting for 25%. Uncounted are the massive amounts of slaves bred from birth of captured. They almost certainly outnumber the Mori-Kal. The Mori are black or grey skinned beings with varying colors of hair often ranging from black to ash-white. They are taller than humans, with typically unicolor black or red eyes and haughty features. The Kal are fair-skinned with mostly blond or brown hair. Taller than the Mori, they are also more conventionally beautiful, as they more closely resemble humans, though their eyes are either unicolor gold or light blue. Racial traits (as needed): NOTE: The two chosen traits present here (Lloth’s gift and the Battle-Trance are also the only magic possessed by the Mori-Kal.) The Mori: Significantly extended lives. (250+ years) Night-vision. Agility. Lolth’s gift (A chosen few are able to move with nigh-perfect stealth, speed and agility while possessing extremely good reflexes. This is a rare gift, always recognized by a spider-like birthmark on their forehead.) They are somewhat weaker in the sun. The Kal: Significantly extended lives. (300+ years) Increased strength, endurance, speed. Edema’s Battle-Trance. (When in battle, their best warriors can possibly enter a war-trance in which they seem to almost move with some sort of premonition. They seem to be able to dodge blows they could not have known were coming, or attack with perfect timing to fell an enemy with unnatural speed. This ability is not very common, occurring more within their chosen elite, but also occasionally occurring to a rank and file soldier. Slow Breeding, small numbers. Cattle-Folk: Bred for slavery humans. Compliant, dumb, empty shells used for all sorts of labor. Some are trained for more advanced tasks. Religion (Whatever you prefer, you may be creative): The Mori worship Lloth, queen of Spiders. She values those whose cunning and wit guide them through life and rewards those who look out for themselves. Her priests are all female and she herself is always represented as a female. Priestesses of Lloth are chosen at birth through rituals, and commited to their temples immediately. Their parents are often killed after to prevent any attachements for the children. This is not legal and is always done in secret, though many officials look the other way. Her worship involves much blood and sacrifice and the magic that filters through this is blood-related, though few and rare are her gifted acolytes. The largest celebration to Lloth is the Winter Solstice, also called The Day of Darkness. Many families buy a sacrifice slave, a special stock bred to be sacrificed on this day each year by entrepreneuring merchants. They then either kill them in a public sacrifice, or with friends and family, after which they mark themselves with the slaves blood and feast for the entire day. The Kal worship Edema, Lord of War. He values courage, honor and glorious deaths above all else and his priests, while not disciminated by sex, must all have been warriors for years, killed many a foe and fought to earn their place as a priest of War. They are often the Standard-Bearers for the army when it marches to war. Edema, Lord of War Technology & Arcana (that is notable; have you pursued magic? Be fair and remember to do tradeoffs): Arcana is limited only to the Chosen aspects of their gods. In terms of technology, the Mori-Kal are great shipwrights and architects. Their knowledge of steel-work and armor is excellent, though perhaps not above average when compared to other established nations. Indeed, they shine mostly through their incredibly well crafted ships of all sizes as well as their cities, forts and their ability to craft beautiful - if often gothically terrifying in the mori’s case - buildings. Their ships are fast, tough and they are able to design a variety of highly useful variants, from massive floating ‘cities’ to small, lethal raiding ships capable of sneaking up rivers. Their buildings are, for lack of a better word, stunning and resilient. Stone blocks that last centuries and fit together as seamlessly as a river meeting the sea. Great towers and looming walls, beautiful spires and delicate bridges. That is the art of the Mori-Kal. Ultimately, they are much more technologically than magically inclined, having no innate magical powers beyond the chosen of their two deities. Description (Culture, history, politics etc): x Much has been described above. However, it all began for the Mori and the Kal perhaps 1000 years ago, when their people met and clashed violently. For two hundred years, the growing nations clashed, fractured, fought once again, and continued to fight between themselves and against each other. Until finally, they were unified in the year 300 by the marriage of the most powerful Lord and Lady of the Mori & Kal. The Great Master Kiln-Dagor and the Warlady Minevra. Since then, the Mori and Kal have slowly assimilated, though they remain starkly divided in many ways. While a Mori may live on the same street as a Kal, many establishments cater to one or the other, their fashions often diverge, though trends may intertwine. Districts are often formed over time, seperating the two and they both strictly adhere to their own religions, with heathens (miscreants who chose to worship the others god) being strictly punished and willingly handed over. While the Kal live as a minority which is in part due to their war-like nature as well as what is often considered to be a much more selective breeding process on the part of the Kal, they entertain many leading positions due to their natural leadership skills. As such, the royal court is typicall about half Mori half Kal, fluctuating depending on the rulers preferences and the political landscape. The King and Queen hold absolute authority and each have their own Councils, which often convene to discuss the issues of the realm. This may lead to some confusing and long meetings, as both the King and the Queen have their own respective High Priests along with various advisors, generals, etc. The culture is typically extremely elitist, with those who have power holding absolute sway over those who do not. This is reflected both in normal society as well as between slaves and masters. Self-interest is a predominant factor and many are those who seek glory and power at the expense of their equals. Slavery is an enormous part of Mori-Kal culture. Indeed, it is said that for every Mori-Kal, there are two slaves. A significant majority of them are bred for slavery from birth, while a minority come from raids or slaving campaigns. These are often separated and sent amongst the ‘cattle-folk’ to avoid resistance and break their will, as bred slaves have practically never rebelled in Mori-Kal history. The Mori are typically far crueller to their slaves, as the culture of power originates from within their ranks. The Kal, on the other hand, have adopted slavery and simply use them as one would a tool, without cruetly but without any consideration for them either. It goes almost without saying that the Mori and Kal are both arrogant and consider themselves to be ethnically superior to all others. Geography & location (As detailed as you wish, with a note on the map below as to where your realm would be in existence): The Mori-Kal originate from the blasted northern reaches of the world and still continue to live there to this day. Here lies their capital, built on an ancient battle-ground between the two, Mälvas, City of Chains. It sits in a land of ice and ash, as active volcanoes continue to spew forth their magma in the region, though at a safe distance for the people of the city. The Capital is predominantly inhabited by Mori, who favor the nigh-perpetual ash-induced darkness of the region. Mälvas is ruled by King Ech-Dagor and Queen Helegòth. Omor, the City of Slaves, was built upon a small island to the south of Mälvas by The Great Reaver Aùdr in 550. Here, many of the slaves are bred and grown for work within the nation. While is it not cast into eternal night by Volcanoes, Omor is a place of misery and gloom. It is inhabited mainly by traders and specialist slave trainers and breeders. Few live here who do not participate in the slave business, though it is an opportune place for foreign traders to come and inspect the goods. Omor is one of the cities with the greatest Mori-Kal to slave discrepancy, as it is almost a 90% slave to master ratio. It is ruled by Lord Druzii, the Slavemaster. Ithil-Dagor, the City of Steel is a popular place for the Kal, who inhabit it in far greater numbers than most cities within the Kingdom. It is a city of war, in which many of the legions are trained. It is also one of the greatest citadels within the Rulership, sitting upon a high cliff with only a narrow landbridge leading to it and many thick, great walls. It is ruled by the Legendary Battle-Dreamer Lady Ecthelos, a Kal. Gwelln, City of Sails is the principal base for the Mori-Kal fleets. From here, they launch massive slaving campaigns upon their neighbors. The city is located within a narrow bay, with fleets positioning themselves on either side and bridges spanning above them. Many towers and forts protect the path into the city itself. It is ruled by Lord Skinsail, a Mori known for flaying disobedient sailors to the bone. Sûr, the Citadel of Nightmares. The Prison city of Sûr is a hellish place full of suffering and terror. Within its moulding walls lies a place of absolute depravity in which Lady Ziin, the King and Queen’s personal interrogator experiments upon his captives in the most horrific ways. He leads a legion of pain, soldiers who revel in the suffering of their foes, both mental and physical. Special Creatures of Nùr: The Krimian Lizards aka “Cold Ones” (Tamed and lethal) Location: North The Glacier Wyrms (Untamed and lethal) Location: Far north Otto’s Owls (Untamed non-lethal) Location: Ithil-Dagor The Skiirv (Domesticable, potentially lethal) Location: North Size (Tying in with racial distribution, as well as geographic location. Be just, the map is only that big):

The Foundry The 3rd CCC is finally finished. (2S) More droidbois pour onto the newly settled barren planet to build Heavy Industry! They make sure to tear the ozone layer apart on their way, ripping away the atmosphere with absurd amounts of pollution! (150.000C into Heavy Industry) (30 Heavy Industry) 312 A is stockpiled. 26 M. 16.000 C is stockpiled. 7 R is dedicated to the Assault Factories, to continue perfecting them. (132R invested) 25 R is spent towards Tier 1 Military Industry. (25/25R) 2 S is stockpiled.

The Foundry 2S is Dedicated to a CCC. (2S left) The new colony is swarmed by billions upon billions of worker drones as Foundry 5 is finally built. (80.000C into 10 T1 Military Infrastructure) The newest colony ship is sent out to scout a new sector and settle it for further Foundries. (The northernmost one.) More work on the assault factory. Droids don’t get salty about delays though. Definitely not. (32R) (125R invested) 232 A is stockpiled. 74500 C is stockpiled. 6 M is stockpiled.

The Foundry 111000 C 222 billion tons of Alloys are put into the production of more drone bodies. 152 billion tons are stockpiled for later use. (222A x 45.000.000) (10 billion droids) The colony ship is sent to settle another sector of space. (The bottom left) Another colony ship is built. (8M) 10M, 10A and 6S along with 50.000C is dedicated to another CCC. (4S left) More work into the assault factory. (22R) (93 R invested)

The Foundry Actions 118000C Another CCC is built in a mobile bunker position on the core homeworld. (50k C, 10A, 10M, 10S) (2 Total) A new factory ship (colony ship) is built. (8M) Light infantry spider droids are built to be stocked for future use. (4M, 4S) (400.000 droids total) Work on the Assault Factory continues. (22R) (71R invested)

1527 World Events In the far west, the Xian Kingdom remains an inscrutable place. Horsemen now patrol their border with Surya, and their fleet has been seen sailing along the coast in small groups. Generan Von Mokaü has struck another blow against the Auldic Tribes by capturing one of the key chieftains and having him carted back to the capital, where he was paraded down the streets and then executed in front of a large crowd. Mokaü’s Bastards and their Swine companions have no pushed back many of the Auldic tribes and brought a near complete halt to their raids, murdering thousands of them and causing many to flee back to the frigid islands from whence they came from. As a reward for the destruction of the Republicans, and pressured by a court that fears for the stability of the Symon Empire, Emperor Almeric IV names Serros the Lord of the Southern Armies. There, he clamps down hard on dissent, forcing some reticent lords to send their unused armies north. In the rest of the Symon Empire, dissent continues to bubble below the surface and in the far north, with Scezar Lockwater now in Ischyros, some lords have openly refused to pay taxes, send levies or acknowledge Emperor Almeric IV’s commands. A particularly violent storm has swept across the Loba desert in the past year, raining fire across lands previously thought immune to such dangers. Winds poured tons of sand into the sky and sent them swirling through the desert in giant tornadoes. Who knows what may now lie uncovered… In a historic move, Lord Lucius Blackmarrow has decreed that he will send Two-thousand men to guard the Stitches from the south, and stop any incursion from Ulyadar lands, or… beyond. Trident, now relieved from the pressure of the Volarucian army, decrees that it due to the Volarucian unwillingness to repay their loan, it will now begin to fund the Lithborn empire in their war of defense against the Volarucian oathbreakers. The result is the massing of disparate mercenary groups gathered near Trident. The Kingdom of Danwent The peaks of the Aulem mountains are relatively small compared to those of the roots, but they are jagged and many of the nests are inacessible. Nonetheless, the adepts climb, risk their lives, and bait the eagles closer. Finally, after weeks, they gain their trust and through speech, manage to gain the subservience of a few of these proud creatures. Most are about 4 meters in wingspan, with the largest domesticated specimen having a wingspan of 5.5 meters. The Games prove to be an ever more popular distraction from war and drudgery and once again, thousands flock to Danwent to watch the athletes display their skills to the world. (dealt with your own rewards in discord) With the prospect of a marriage between Symon and Danwent, the empire sends a dowry of 25.000 gold to the Kingdom, along with various swords, armors and other artifacts of historical significance to adorn Thoryus’ home(s). The Holy Kingdom of Elea Eadni raids do not abate this year. If anything, they practically intensify as ports and villages are attacked from the sea repeatedly. One port is burnt to the ground by their raids, rendering it completely irreparable. (-12.500G) Secret projects…?! (Discord) A strange man approaches the capital, with a heavy cloak and whispered words of a vital opportunity for the king… (Discord) The Kingdom of Five The pirate raids continue, ever more violent as much of the Swine fleet is occupied in the south. The Meldans accept the apology in good grace and assure the Swine that they are doing _everything_ in their power to stop the pirates. (-10.000G) A great wonder indeed, though the thought of it could strike fear in those not aligned with the faith of the pigfolk… The Walrus of Öbergrad always appreciates the arrival of even more men lacking any sort of moral compass and willing to kill anyone they’re told to! Another hastily built fortress to line up against the incoming Suryan menace. The research into the walls prove that either within or without, the swinium beams prove to do little more than prop up the walls while having very little effect of anything at all. Ultimately, once the stone is bashed apart, the Swinium pillars contribute very little. Before that happens, they do not make the stones stronger. But as the year wanes, a group of people approach the royal palace, asking to speak to Dakkar… (discord) The Princedom of Volarucio The newly appointed Lord of the Southern armies agrees to allow the Volarucian’s into his home, though he clearly holds little love for them. (Discord) Jeryn of House Inkwater refuses to negotiate any further until the debt has been fully repayed. He stipulates that at this point, any other decision would be insulting to Trident’s treasured history as merchants. They have given ample warning to Volarucio, and now expect a repayment in full, immediately, or they will continue to fund the Volarucian enemies. The Chapel welcomes the envoys. (Discord) The Empire of Bourdeleaux A sign of approval for Bourdeleaux’s actions in the north? Either way, two fervent men of the clergy find themselves uplifted with new powers this year. (+2 magi) Dupuis and his men thus sail through the straights of Golûn and find themselves in ever more foreign lands, where the people are yellow of skin and wear strange, colorful clothes. Even stranger, they live in tiered cities, with the nobility rarely leaving the upper levels connected by bridges. (Xian Discovered) Surya At the cusp of the year, the Suryan’s receive word from the people of Sekh. It is a polite apology from a group of explorers, who ask the Suryans to overlook their masters dislike for their alliance. Contrary to their rulers, they would be glad to aid in an expedition into the desert! For they themselves have the ambition to explore it further, but they simply lack the resources. (Discord) The Commonwealth of Ruhn And as the year progresses, so does Melchior on his long journey. (Discord) The Poopums dynasty continues to expand as he takes over many other farms and decides to make Poopums LLC. go public, gaining a historic start on the RUhn Stock MarkeT (RUST). He starts the day at 5 potatoes per share and ends it at 25 potatoes per share. Soon he will be rolling in them thar ‘taters. The Galaharian League In the Storm Keep, more men are caught wandering towards the forest with glazed eyes. Some are found dead at the foot of the walls that they apparently clambered over without a second thought. In total, at least 30 of them have disappeared into the woods last year and slipped through the watchful gaze of their brothers. It does not take long for the explorers to find the Desert, as it dominates the northern horizon as they go along the coast. What lies inside of it is an entirely other story, however. Unfortunately, Princess Ori was present at the Danwenti King’s choosing of a bride and is thus incapable of being on the boat! (People of Sehk discovered.) The People of Sehk are willing to buy 2000 slaves for the construction of their capital, at a price of 5.000G. The Kingdom of Fyr-Darrick The ballistae projects continue at a steady pace. Firing multiple bolts is no easy task and there is still work to be done. The Duchy of Ulyadar Grain indeed! In such a hostile climate it seems almost impossible, but there fertile slices of land around the ravines full of boiling lava allow for some truly spectacular growth! Including all sorts of vegetables and fruits that shouldn’t grow at such latitudes. Finally, the Elean scientists have managed to create a functional telescope that one can handle with both hands. It offers a clear view of the sky and the stars above, though it will not hold up to the elements or to long trips. The eleans are the ones that have developed the expertise, while the ulyadi scientists remain quite clueless. The research on the blood armor continues to yield no results. As for Knut, as he puts on the armor, he feels a burning sensation throughout his body as the flesh melds with steel and the armor fuses itself to his body in an agonizing episode of pure torture. Hours spent within the rigid steel coffin until finally the pain begins to ease, though it never truly goes away, like a haze in the back of his mind. By the end, he can feel the armor fused to his flesh like a cage, but with it, he feels as if his mind has been expanded by a second entity, the mind of the armor itself. It is a raging torrent of bloodshed and endless fury, screaming for a battle, but acting like a second brain that aids his blows, helps him dodge and takes over a plethora of instinctive measures while sucking the blood from its surface to heal him and even mend the living metal with which it has been crafted. With all that, it also offers speed and strength that he could not have possessed before. The Kingdom of Numeria What more is there to say beyond the unending war at its very doorstep? And the glow in the mountains continues to grow. This year, some report that it has even pulsed with brighter flashes, like a thundercloud rent apart by a flash of lightning. The Morning Kingdom A quiet year, apart from all those children disappearing within the crypts of the undercity! The Kingdom of Hilmedhi The Free Cities, as distant as they are, protest the outlawing of slavery with the rare merchants that come this far but for the most part, the ban does not pull much of a reaction from these nations within range of Hilmedhi trade. Though confused, the men do practice how to raise the tents fast and manage it on a reliable basis. The telescopes are most excellent, but to make them into a scope will still require work. The enchantment for longer range on crossbows is not particularly complicated, but requires a lot of time and care. As such, it is rated as a Medium Enchantment. The city of Dohrimi certainly appreciates the gift and puts it to good use for the poor of the city, boosting the entire city upward by starting at the foundations. (+2000 G per turn from improvements.) As the now familiar flash of the Nexus fades, the Golem steps out of the area and looms over its creators. Then it breaks into four smaller man-sized boulders, forms rough balls and begins to roll around them like billiard balls! The Fortress Libraries The riders reave through the land, slaughtering hundreds of bloated throats in their messy little villages and camps. A few thousand-strong groups try to attack them, but they dodge them and burn a swath through the land, no doubt killing many thousand and pulling a lot of attention to themselves before riding back north with scouts reporting that many individual groups have begun to mass near the northern reaches of their territory. The book of knowledge??! (Discord) A printing press. A strange idea that still requires work after many a messy mess that resulted in ink-covered robes!

The Foundry // foundrycal.app = y.113 Actions 171000C 156 A 22R + 5 (last turn bonus I forgot) >diverting_resources to foundry_001C >processing request… >resource_allocation.jpeg = granted >100.000eu allocated 10 Basic Industry Facilities are built on the new colony. (100.000C) (colony capped out) (Overcap of 8 in labor. To make them run next turn, will deactivate 8 HI.) Work on the Assault Factory continues. (27R) (49R invested) >stockpiling… shipment_4593859 >count = 20gtA >stockpiling… shipment_4593860 >count = 20gtA >stockpiling… shipment_4593861 >count = 20gtA >stockpiling… shipment_4593862 >count = 20gtA >stockpile_count_y.113 = 80gtA >totalcount = 234gtA -234 Alloys stockpiled total. Model_41 Light Infantry droids are built in their designated modular production lines. As light infantry droids, they are 50cmx50cm spider droids with magnetic spiders legs with little hooks to climb any surface. They have multi-spectrum eyes all around their head and a swivel gun on their head. Thanks to (20R) into modularization and robot quality, they are modular and capable of housing a variety of weapon systems and programs. (4 units. 4M & 4S) 71k C stockpiled.

The Foundry // foundrycal.app = y.112 >navsys.exe >run powercheck.protocol >... >... >power_levels = optimal >if power_levels = optimal then undocksequence(colony.ship_001C) >allocating programs to colony.ship_001C… >programcap = 200.000.000.000. >unit.count = 200.000uc >colony.ship_001C coordinates set => 45’ 501’ 67’ 901° In inefficient organic terms, a colony ship is launched to the region directly east of the southern Foundry region. >Available energy_unit count = 150.000eu >heavy_industry_count = 17 >optimalcalc.exe >executing… >optimal = 20 >diverting_resources... More Heavy Industry (45.000) (20 total) (Two sectors capped) >eu_count = 105.000 >excesscount = 105.000 >storing 105.000 energy_units... Science >accessing secure_database_3B0571 >assaultfactory.blpt >allocating programs… -Work on the Assault Factory begins. (22R) (22R invested) -It will hold 150.000 troops -It will hold 10.000 worker drones -It will have the facilities to produce more by recycling fallen droids or using materials from the region around it. -It has no weapons beyond point defense. -It has massive engines, huge shock absorbers and as much armor as humanly possible. -It is a one-trick ship. The goal is to turn its engines on to full blast and brute force through enemy defenses with speed and armor. Then, without minimal deceleration, it is to crash into the target location, causing enough of a shockwave to clear out surrounding defenses before unloading its troops and drones. The troops fight while the drones retrieve broken droids and materials from the surrounding area to produce more droids. -Once it has crash-landed it cannot be brought back into orbit, but it can be recycled to regain ½ the price of the ship after it has been used.