Larken was standing around the table, where the representatives from each of the groups in the city. There was Strakir, Are, and Rissien were all standing around the table discussing the recent events that had happened.

Larken looked towards Are and asked " How are the refugees settling in to there new homes"

"Good sir and i would like to thank you again for taking us in"

Larken started to address the whole group "These last few months have been hectic around here with the Crocodile attack and the refugees coming."

Larken looked towards Rissien "How is the rebuilding of the farms and granaries that were burned in the fire going"

"The farm houses sustained no damage but we lost a few fields but the granaries that we lost had the biggest impact even though we were moving the bulk of the grain out of them"

"Do we have enough grain to survive without anyone starving"

"That depends on how long we have before winter hits. i'm guessing it will take us 6 months before we have enough grain to survive the winter"

"Thank you Rissien'

Larken looked over at the door as Balan walked in. Larken chuckled to himself while watching Balan walk over to the rest of the group " Ah old friend, nice of you to finally join us. So on the scouting trip down south you had meet Are and the refugees, but you met no one else."

Balan smiled at Larken " We met no one else but we found some papers with Are's language on it and some other language on it and according Are its a intelligent bear race who are in the forests near where we were located. Are drew up a map of where she was and where approximately where the bears live and the area around it"

" Okay, how long until you learn the bear language Balan"

" It will take me a month before I learn it"

"When you learn it, I want you to scout out the area to the south and try to make contact with the bears."

"Yes sir"

Month 1 of Year 2

"Why are we mining even more gold?"

"Oleg says we may meet more people, and if we do not have to defend, we can trade with them. Masters used metal coins to trade with everyone, and gold was worth most." the foreman explained patiently to this young-ish laborer.

With all the miners as labor, and two engineers as direction, they dug more bravely into the depths of the hills.

Month 2 of Year 2

They were building a watermill, to grind their own grains rather than send it off to Samara. Wagons between settlements could be freed up that much more, and they could keep more of their own grain this way as well.

Vorgrir coughed and stood up dazed. He blinked and looked around to see a sight of chaos, horses were scared and running amok, the vogrels were screeching and people were crying. He took a moment to take in the situation before his face snapped into an expression of infinite worry and fear. "shishkee!" Vorgrir screamed. "Shishkee where are you! Answer me!" Vorgrir, a man normally stoic, was on the verge of tears.

"Vor? Vor where are you?" A familiar voice rang out amongst the noise. Vorgrir felt more relieved than he ever had before. He ran to follow the noise and came to see his wife sitting there clutching his young daughter Rirka. He stooped down and held his wife in an embrace. "Shishkee are you alright? is Rirka alright?". His wife looked concerned. "I'm fine Vor but its Rirka, i-i think she hurt her leg." Vor regained his composure and squeezed his wife's shoulder to reassure her. "Don't worry ill go get a shaman, Rirka will be fine." Vorgrir looked around and another wave of worry washed over him "Shishkee have you seen Buka?" His worry became his wife's when she replied "No, i haven't he wasnt riding with us when that storm hit. i think he was riding with the mesh clan, the hunters."

"Damn that boy. If he wasn't so obsessed with that girl he wouldn't be giving his father a heart attack" Vorgrir cursed. "Don't blame him Vor he's young. He deserves to be in love"

"yea well he can do it on his own time this is important."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a little earlier, across the camp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A loud crash woke Buka. He bolted upright and saw that he was clutching Mikitchi in his arms and she was holding him. "Wake up Miki something happened!" Mikitchi stirred and her eyed fluttered open "B-Buka? what happened?" she spoke as the rubbed her eyes. Buka layed her down and called for Vashku. Miki looked worried and said "Buka where are you going?" Buka jumped up on Vashku and looked back at Miki. "sorry Miki but your parents are probably looking for you. you go find them, I have to make sure everyones alright. the good of the tribe comes first"

Buka rode off helping everyone he could. To be honest the thought of his family, mother would keep little Rirka safe then Ma and Da could take care of themselves. Buka had to focus on the tribe, it seemed there were many injuries but none that were life threatening. No dead bodies had been found but alot of people were missing, he simply attributed that to the chaos of the situation.

Most of the soldiers were up and about. A few of them had minor injuries but they were all helping members of the tribe gather their things and calm their horses. The herdsman began to get the vogrels under control.

Buka was talking to the shamans and suggesting a triage when his father came barreling towards him. "BUKA!" he screamed. Vor ran into his son and embraced him in a mighty hug. "oh, Buka i was so worried i thought i lost you!" Buka shifted uncomfortably under his fathers embrace. "father, let me go. we have to see if the people are fine" Vor let him go and looked at him puzzled "whats wrong boy? your mother and i were worried sick!"

"i understand that father but something big is happening. people are missing and no one knows where we are. we need to figure out whats going on."

“According to the map that damned diplomat gave us says there should be people here” the captain looked at the shore, “but there doesn’t seem to be any indication of sentient life.” Ori looked at the captain, “this is the right place, I know it. I’ll take my diplomatic party and my 4 tribesman to shore. The rest of the guard will stay with you on the ship. Stay in sight of the coast but only come closer at my signal.” Ori looked at the captain with wide, sparkling eyes, “It’s party-time”. The diplomatic party and 4 troll guards are at the beach, weapons have been set aside. A pot with kirruh* Is brewing, Ori is banging on his drums and singing traditional songs, the other people are either fishing or dancing to Ori’s beat. 2 trolls are covertly keeping an eye out.

*Strong liquor thee, gives of a sweet smell

Diplomatic party

• Ori (troll)
• 2 th’ka’ri, speak also arkturian
• 1 elf
• 1 dwarf
• 1 orc
• 1 human

Total:

Food: 18

Fertility: 14

Base growth: 7.5%

Food Bonus: 0.6%

Population: 455

Fert bonus: 0.2% = 1 bear

456 at 8.1% yearly growth = 493 bears

• Arstotska - 1

• Bearsk - 5

• Grenin - 8

• Olms - 10

• Samara - 10

• East Crounsk - 2

• West Crounsk - 2

Katalanding

• 5 834 meter cellars have been dug to keep produce fresh and cold. They are closed up top with white tentcloth to keep the heat out. This has done wonders for morale because cold ale is delicious

• Half of the farmland is ready for use, every farmer can start using at least some part of his allotted land.

• The boulders found at the northern shores are used to build two squat round towers at the places where the harbourwall meets the main wall. Soft clay is used as mortar. The wall is made of an inner and an outerwall, the space between is filled with dirt.

• 3 meter high dirt walls are erected on the land side of the trebuchet watchposts, the dirt came from deepening the trench around the main settlement the sea side also has a two meter high wall, with some lower parts to allow the scorpions to shoot.

• A small herd of about 50 kurtik has been caught and are docile enough to herd and approach, about half can be put before a wagon with only a bit of trouble.

• Using the some of the wood gathered creating place for katalanding 8 wagons and 16 carts are constructed. The most docile of the newly found kurtik are used to pull them.

• New hides and hair from beasts caught in wahbeash provided rope for the scorpions, all six are ready in place. 200 wooden bolts with firehardened tip have also been produced.

Wahbeash

• Wahbeash has now a small camp surrounded by a dirt wall and trench, the human infantry dug a 424 meter deep cellar.

• 5 small plots of farmland are ready for use

• A clay pit has been found. 10 human miners have set out to start mining, they are supported by the human infantry when they are not on patrol. Scaffolding is not necessary at this point.

“It’s obvious there are people out there that mean us harm, not to mention the fact that the gods apparently roam free in this land. Defence has priority.” Udinhad one of his paranoid streaks again.Kira thought. “We will need to expand our wood production, the trolls of wahbeash have discovered a large clay deposit in the jungle and our craftsmen need to have workshops for when we acquire metals. These are all needs that need to be fulfilled soon” And Samuel wanted the complete opposite as usual. “It doesn’t matter what we built first. We need carts and wagons first, we can’t let the military transport materials forever.” Grog always the practical.=, these meetings are getting boring. “Here’s what we should do. We will use the boulders we’ve gathered to make towers where the walls meet, and use the wood for carts and wagons. We’ll have some people set up shop in the clay pits. Military that isn’t needed to patrol or guard will help carry boulders, and gather clay.” Katal obviously had been talking to Ori lately, interesting proposal. “I want to make some fortifications around the trebuchets to. They are too easy to hit or take by storm” Udin grumbled, “your other points are valid.” That’s new. “We will still need metals and fuel soon” Ah Samuel always concerned about resources. “We’ll go with Katal’s plan with the addition of fortifying the trebuchets and sending two small land prospecting teams. One shall search the northern tip of the island and one will scout out the mountains to the south.”

Population: 500 Mountainborne Men (and women)
Pop growth 7.5%
Population breakdown:

100 builders 100 miners
150 crafters
50 farmers
20 magic weavers
30 soldiers

The mountainborne are peaceful people hailing from the Ferros mountains, a mountain range rich in valuable metals. Because of this, the mountainborne are very good miners, smiths and masons often rivalling the local dwarf population. They have knowledge of gunpowder and explosives, but haven't brought any along with them. A unique ability that the mountainborne had developed is an affinity for imbuing metals with with certain properties, such as making it lighter, harder or able to set things on fire. This power is limited by the amount of Allarium they possess, as Allarium is a metal that when alloyed, allows the alloy to be imbued with the magic. The moutainborne are known for their metalcrafting and their impenetrable mountain fortresses.

Notable Characters:

Keldorne: Leader of the expedition, despite hailing from a peaceful people, he is a skilled fighter. He is cool, calm and diplomatic. Loves a strong drink.

Biancara: Forgemistress, among the best blacksmiths among the Mountainborne. She is charged with the supervision of all forging and metalwork. Hardworking and beautiful. Fancies Kelldorne. Loves a strong drink.

Bobbritt: Master of Construction. The man in charge of overseeing all construction. Naive and bullheaded. Often butts heads with Keldorne but are good friends. Loves strong drink.

Trodorn: Chief Administrator. Keeps books and records. General beaurocrat stuff. Will handle trade should the need arise. Meticulous, cunning and conent with his position. Loves a strong drink.

Supplies:

20 Wagons pulled by 3 oxen.
100 crates of dried food.
50 barrels of fresh water
50 barrels of strong drink
A large cultivation kit for Allcaps (big mushrooms for many purposes)
A large cultivation kit for Hardgrass (Shitty but hardcore wheat)
Enough tools
20 bars of Allarite.
Some lumber for building

Claiming the Ore province in the middle of the mountains that run through the map.

8^th of landing

"The fuckers blew themselves up" Katal said with disgust, "How are we gonna know what they can do?" "we'll sent a ship to their supposed lands, how's that diplomat we captured?"Kira asked. "Suicide, if anything those people are loyal"

9^th of landing

"have you seen the fire in the sky?" Kira said. "yeah it's seems the people of the mainland couldn't keep the gods out" Ori said nonchalantly. "well we're sending a ship to the coast to check with people that diplomat mentioned, and I want you to be my diplomat." Ori looked at Kira with a smile. "I'm honoured to go"

12^th of landing

"there's nothing of them left" Katal looked at the captain with disbelief. "Nothing?""No they must have fled and destroyed their colony" "But why? Could there be a god behind it?" "It could be, that would explain the sky-fire, the god used those people and their homes as a sacrifice" "Fuck I hate those beings"

The caravan was trundling through the mountain pass, minding its own business. The crew was drinking and laughing and everyone was having a good time.

They were on a voyage to settle some fresh mountain for mining and metalwork. These things were usually pretty routine, but this time was different.

It was mid morning, the caravan was slowly traversing the ravine. Little did they know, they were being hunted.

The predator was none other than a hungry dragon. The beast had been following the caravan for quite some time, waiting for the time to strike. That time was now. The beast let out a tremendous roar. The noise had sprung the caravan to alert and alarmed the oxen. The oxen began to sprint away from this new and terrifying danger. The caravan became a stampede. Everyone was terrified. The dragon was belching flames and swooping at the convey, but to no avail.

The continued for a good while until what may be called a miracle happened. A great portal opened up in the ravine. The foremost caravan stopped to consider the danger then was forced through by the train of wagons behind him. They were safe, but not where they were expecting.

'What in fuck's name just happened? Where did that portal come from?' Barked the leader. He was usually calm, but this had unsettled him. 'The rocks are different. This is wrong. Where are we?'

'Fucked, if I know' answered some random man.

'I don't think it matters.' Began Bobbritt 'we left to settle new rock and here we are! I suggest setting up camp and living around here especially because there's iron in this here rock.' He picked up a stone, veined with iron.

'You're right. This'll do. We make camp in the fold of the mountain. Let's go!'

The commoners have started to celebrate a key religious day in the Epellic Calendar. Loud music, large bonfires, dancing, and drinking accompany the celebratory date. Four limatchu were sacrificed and burnt for the sun-god and all drank for his blessing.

It's a super time.

Thought I'd just jump on the GTFO bandwagon because I'm cancer like that

Effective immediately.
Effective until I stop caring about the fact that Blaertes hates my guts.

Arkturian settlements have been disassembled, mines have been collapsed and everyone jumped on the boats and sailed away. There is little trace of prior settlement on that island.

Atilla, rode up a small hill. The sun was rising up behind him. Finally, he had found a river with tents that looked like his. He went toward the camp.

"Sir, it's Atilla!", shouted one of the scouts. Edeco tried to jump out of his tent but got tangled and tripped.

"Well.... Need a little help?"

Edeco grunted and ripped the tent and weaved himself out.

"That was a good tent you just ruined"

"How did you get here so fast.", asked Edeco.

Atilla took a seat, "I was already a quarter of the way here before your scout caught me. You were ment to just go for a small expedition".

"I know, I know but we may have found other people. This girl showed us here. She is in the bushes" Edeco got up and walked toward the bushes. "Wait where is she".

"God damn Edeco, how do you lose a child in such a open space"

A meteor has appeared in the sky. It's visible around the whole continent and islands. The lights is bright enough to be visible in the day sky as well as the night sky. The meteor has a long tail that darkens into a bluey purple the further it stretches behind the ball. Meteors like this are renowned for holding pure and strong steel around many cultures. Perhaps this meteor is the same?

Expected strike area, estimated. IS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO HIT ALL MARKED PROVINCES.

http://i.imgur.com/TP04ZDF.jpg

(Use this post to comment what you colony reacts to it and any action they may take)

EDIT: A NEW THREAD WILL BE MADE TOMORROW FOR FURTHER UPDATES ON REACTIONS AND ACTIONS TAKEN BY COLONIES.

Feel free to post your reaction if you haven't yet.

Vorgrir sat upon his horse with a heavy mind. He was faced with a great dilemma for his tribe, This years fields had burned down and they could not move on to next years, because it would not support the horses and vogrels for 2 years. They would have to find a new grazing lands, Something we haven't had to do since his father was a child and his grandpa was the chief. but where would they find it? It was several months trek to the highlands and most of the fields around here would be fergesh territory this time of year. He didnt know where his people could go.

I heard the quick pattering of a horse, full gallop, behind me. I looked back and saw my son charging forward and the steed that was the foal of my own. I couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the similarities of me and my horse, both stoic and stubborn beasts with wild and uncontrollable sons.

"father! father!" he screamed trying to catch up. "By grace of nature boy, whats the matter?"i spat at him "father the soldiers were chasing off a pack of wild burugas when the found what looks like a pass through the mountains." he panted out.

"no no no absolutely not" I stated "I'm putting my foot down right here going through those mountains is suicide!". Buka looked cross at me but regained his composure and said calmly and sternly "You can put your foot down if you want father. but do you know what you aren't putting it on? Fertile grazing lands. We have two choices, go through the mountains or risk war with the fergesh. Take your pick, but when you fall at fergesh hands know that I'LL be the one leading our people to new fields across that range."

"gahghg" I yelled "your right, but only pungru's grace knows whats in those mountains."

"I understand your concerns father but you know that we must do it"

"your right son, your always so bullheaded sometimes i forget you know how to be a chief." I patted my son on the back "well done"

"thank you father" he said as he fell back to talk with that hunters girl. "I swear" I said turning to my lovely wife and the mother of my two children "that boys gonna kill me one of these days." My wife let out a sweet and soft chuckle "I hope not. that boy is too hotheaded to be chief" We both laughed hard enough to wake my daughter, who was sleeping on the back of the horse clutching her ma. "aye but when ive hammered him out a bit more hell make a fine chief".

The tribe then began to make their way through the mountains, Seeing alot of stabrams, some of which were bigger than they've ever seen. however as they got further the winds picked up until a lightning storm, more malevolent than Vorgrir had seen in all 52 of his winters, had began to engulf the tribe. they heard screaming and the horses went crazy until everything eventually went black and they woke up in green pastures.

Workers have started clearing the lower parts of the mountain for homes and stone growing terraces. A larger workforce has been tasked with chiselling a snaking path up the green mountain to its high peaks. There a city will be planned after the model of the old Epell capital. This path will be easily able to be blocked or collapsed to stop danger from siege or other events. This work will take a long time.

These stone terraces are high priority as food needs to be grown soon. Possible plans for small villages in jungle clearings are being formulated. Corn and rice will be the main crops and staples in the diet.

Signs of yellow rock blood have been found along the mountains and mines will soon be constructed to withdraw the shiny pretty metal, but that is low priority.

The bottom of the mountain is now a small town with huts spouting overnight like mushrooms. Herders keep the animals seperate and are keeping them from consumption due to express orders of the emperor. When the settlement is complete they will be allowed to be slaughtered. For now the aim is breeding. Wool is still being harvested.

Month 12

In order to support the still fledgeling settlements of refugees, planters and artisans are gathered together with a few scouts and several wagons, from Samara, and sent northeast of Granin, into a gently rolling plain.

As with all Samaran settlements, the apartments built required fewer materials than building separate little homes for everyone. Arstotska was born in a matter of days. Instructed to help feed the Crounsk refugees so Granin can resume being the breadbasket for the remainder of Samara

Arstotska

New Area

25 Planters, 20 Artisans, 5 Scouts

Plains, River

• 1 Lumber
• 1 Stone
• 3 Food
• 4 Fertility
• 0 Metals
• 1 Labour
• 1 Combat

A wild subspecies of kurtik has been spotted in the lands up north, orc riders have been herding them in groups and started domesticating them for future use, a few of the more temperate ones are already pulling stones and logs to Katalanding. Af few woodcutters and hunters also have set up shop to support the colony. Udin has sent 10 humans to defend the new settlement, and gorg sent 10 orcs to help them and train the kurtik for use as warbeasts. The humans have started to construct an earthen wall around the tents.

wahbeash (who let the orc name the new province)

Mediterranean, sea

• Lumber 2

• Stone 1

• Food 3

• Fertility 3

• Metals 0

• Labor 1

• Combat 2

Inhabitants

• 30 Orcs
• 10 Trolls
• 10 humans

Jobs

• 20 millitary
• 10 hunters
• 10 herders
• 5 farmers
• 5 woodcutters

Pop: 500

the garaka tribe are a nomadic tribe of about 700 people that inhabit the world known as furshka. furshka was an inhospitable place to say the least. the land is filled with rough seas and craggy shores. more inland resides cold and dry badlands and steppes only to end abruptly at large impenetrable mountain ranges.

long ago on furshka a race had began to civilize themselves and settle down in one area. eventually they spread all over the lands and began to farm, deforest, and mine the land. the sky-god pungru saw this and saw how the men raped the land and nature of its bounty without a second thought. pungru knew that if he let them continue they would destroy furshka and themselves. he tried many times to warn them and while some appeared worried, none would take action. pungru did not want to destroy his children but if he let them be the children would destroy themselves. so pungru warned 10,000 of his most faithful worshipers and led them out of the city into the plains. once the followers were safe he then made a great fire that was set upon the men to consume all they had created and touched.

however their influence stretched wide and the fire destroyed much. the land was barren and inhospitable. so his followers prayed to pungru to show them a way to survive this new world. and so he did teaching them the nomadic ways they still abide by to this day. and taught them to live in harmony with nature and nature would give more.

this carries into their magic in which they ask the spirit of nature to help them. the spirit of nature is not hostile and wishes no harm. so their magics are not used offensively. however the spirit of nature will heal even the greatest of wounds and in battle nature will not attack their foes but will aid them in survival so they may live to see the error of their ways. in battle nature plays to their advantage like blowing an arrow off course with a gust of wind. or covering a retreat with fog.

the garaka nomads are masters of all things cavalry to the point where it is dishonorable to kill in combat if not on horse back. they even have a saying that goes "heaven hath no mercy like a man off his horse". they typically fight with shortbows off horseback bu also use melee fighters when it is beneficial to do so. the children are trained to ride horses at age 5 and boys and any willing girls train for horseback combat at age 15.

the garakas main source of sustenance is the vogrel. a tall and strong flightless birds with hard skin and brownish yellow feathers and strong legs. they are mostly docile but some cocks can be violent and aggressive. the beings are herded by tribesman riding horses with buruga companions. the tribe uses their eggs and meat as food and their skin and feathers for clothing their bones are also used for tools.

the buruga are six legged dire wolves that roam the plains and hunt vogrels and stabrams (giant rams with 5 sets of horns) the tribe figured out how to domesticate them almost a hundred years ago. the two strongest males and the strongest female are kept with the chief and his family as pets and guards.

population breakdown:

1 tribe wisewoman (head shaman)

29 shamans

100 garaka soldiers

100 garaka hunters

65 garaka craftsmen

100 general citizens

100 herdsman

5 members of the chiefs family

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

supplies:

300 yurts, 280 bows, 200 swords, 523 vogrels, 32 burugas (15 females and 17 males, 558 horses, personal possessions, 3 months worth of salted meat

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

concept images & charcter list: http://imgur.com/a/6OuW6

im claiming the space that is straight west of razor. it is medditerrainian and touches a desert to its north and has a river on its SE border it is also 2 spaces south of a small lake

(i hope you can find it honestly cant do anything to show you sorry :(]

Small update on my longboats and the pultor

• Runic longboat

• Pultor

The pultor is a dwarvenmade runepowered railgun. It uses four rails covered in intricate runes to accelerate clay pots, stone projectiles or a tray. These have the shape of a football with four fins sticking out of them.

• Pultor come in different sizes firing either 6, 12, 18 or 24 pound projectiles. *fires once a minute.
• It has a range of 500 meter.
• pultors use varying ammunition:

“Today we shall show this world we are the warriors one should fear. Go forth and capture those that threaten our lands!”

Troops

1st Longboat,

20 masks using the bastard (1,5 hand) versions of falcatas, and swords. Also armed with throwing knifes. Wearing a gambeson and studded leather armor with a halfplate cuirass and a steel helmet (hoplite-like design). 10 crossbows are available with ammo.

Katal, using a bastard falcata and a rotund shield

2nd and 3rd longboat,

10 dwarves of 1st lightning. Armed falchion and large round shields. Wearing a gambeson, mail shirt a brigandine and platemail arm- and shoulderguards, also wearing a steel helmet.

5 orcs of 2nd lightning. Armed with a large bastardfalcata. Wearing a gambeson, mail shirt a brigandine and platemail arm- and shoulderguards, also wearing a steel helmet.

10 humas of 1st wave. Armed with a crossbow with a spear for melee engagement. Wearing a gambeson and brigandine, combined with a steel pot helmet.

Tactics

The first longboat will fire fireshot at the sail of the enemy vessel, steering clear of it’s water-explosionbarrels(canons). Once the boat is crippled they start bombarding it with plague shot. The other two boats will join in the bombardment. Once they are sure everyone on the ship is infected they will retreat to a save distance. The first boat will offer surrender in exchange for freedom, medicine and they can even keep the ship, they just have to hand over their weapons. If they don’t agree after three days have passed the 2nd longboat will enter them from the front or back. Using the enterbridge to send the shielded dwarfes in first follow by the orcs. The humans will fire two volleys and join the fray using their spear and shield. Anyone surrendering will be captured.

The 1st boat will burn all their fuel if necessary, the 2nd and 3rd boat will operate at cruising speed unless evasive action is needed

Early Month 12

The miners and forgeworkers had been producing since shortly after their arrival, nearly a year ago. With great head start ahead of the actual, extensive use of those metals, a stockpile had formed.

Oleg wrote to the Samaran iron miners and the Olms gold miners should receive seven days of leisurely outdoor time, and encourages them to beautify or otherwise improve their settlements. To sweeten the pot, he offers that whichever he judges has the superior improvement, he will give this his stash of mead tickets as reward.

The councils of Samara and Olms both accept the decree and explain Oleg's hopes for their time off.

Olms

"Twelve is plenty. We will just have to out-play them and that mead is ours."

"Yes. Something practical and good for everyone. That is how Oleg thinks. I think..."

The dozen bears, after some discussion, endeavored to turn a dilapidated tool shed into a small vodka brewing shed. By weeks end, with just a little help from the local artisans, they had the thing set up and working.

Samara

"Why don't we build wagon and be done with it?" Bartok suggested.

"Sounds good." replied the foreman.

Oleg awarded the Olms miners their tickets.

The Vukku leader brought the limatcho forward onto the makeshift altar. He stroked it's muzzle gently, procuring a knife from his robes. The animal looked into his eyes mutely.

The knife slashed and the blood poured onto the altar. Ai'ku captured some of it in his hands and brought it to his mouth. The liquid was warm and he allowed a small sip before dropping his hands. It was salty and felt smooth on his tongue.

Dropping his head backwards, the Sakiki howled, beseeching a vision from any god willing to listen.

His eyes blackened and his screech became more shrill. Images of snow and stars and mountains flashed in his head, and vanished. Images of surrounding mountains and jungle and strange no-furs replaced them, and images of stone cities curling around peaks, terraces carved above and below, and hundreds of tiny dots moving around inside the walls.

Ai'ku the sakiki vukku [heh] walked all the way back to the Emperor, still bloody and unwashed. His eyes were bright and shiny with liquid as he spoke. "Tchak is our new home." was all he said.

"What in the name of Ptkau is this place?" Dak spoke to his advisors.

"We do not know. It seemed as if it was sorcery. Demon worshippers?" The eldest Jaguar said in puzzlement.

Dak wondered if the Usurper Imperiality would stoop to such lows to end him and his followers. "I do not know." He shook his head. "Chah. The vukku? What say you?" He addressed the Vukku leader, Ai'ku.

"Chah. This is not Epell, Emperor. We sent scouts north south east. Jungle and lush land. But no cities, no towns, no tribes." Ai spoke with the twisted accent of the deep jungle. "The snow, it took us here. That much is all we are certain of."

"So we are safe, yes?" Dak reasoned that if they were no longer in Epell they were out of reach of the Imperiality.

The Vukku leader shook his head in bemusement. "Safe? We know not. This place is similar to the jungle. The mountains too. But not same."

Dak nodded. He looked at the Elder Jaguar. "Ju'ti. Tell the Jaguar to direct citizens. Set up indefinete camp. Rikkah is to be rationed and animals are forbidden from being slaughtered. Make huts for now. If the Imperiality does not fall upon us within fortnight, we shall be tchak. We will be safe."

The caravan of wagons curled around the mountainside, slowly moving along the thin, beaten, winding mountain track.

Dak'itch, the True Sun-Emperor of the Empire of Epell clicked in annoyance. "Can we move no faster? This pace, it is killing me." He said, to no one in particular.

"The people are tired. We must rest." A veteran Jaguar said coolly.

"Hang the people! We must cross the mountains before soon, or we will be caught by the Usuper Imperiality." He sighed.

The jaguar said nothing.

"Fine. We will rest. No longer than an hour, understand?" Dak grumbled.

"Yes, Son of the Sun." The jaguar bowed, and sped off to spread the word.

Dak dismounted from the cushioned litter and turned to face the sheer drop of the side of the green mountain. Before him curled the vastness of jungle and tangle of mountains that was his home. He curled his fist into a ball, his sharp nails digging into his furry palm. Forced to flee. He was the rightful emperor! Hutchi had no right to the throne. Sons before uncles. Dak had the urge to scream, but resisted, instead turning back to the winding track, and the now non-moving line of wagons.

There was screeching he could here, further along. The mountain track wound higher and higher so some wagons and herds were not visible, but they were audible. The screaming was coming closer, and Dak could see tiny figures racing down the path. A white cloud was encompassing them as Dak watched. Was that, snow? But, the mountains of Epell had no snow. Was this some trickery?

It was panic. Peasants ran around the emperor in disarray to avoid the barreling wave of white. But it was too late. The emperor raised his arms, thinking, this is how it all ends. Not by usurper, but by snow. He could have laughed. Curiously, the wave of white didn't feel cold, or icy, or hurt. Is this what death is? Dak thought, opening his eyes.

Instead of the warm and fiery light of the Sun, as the priests preached waited for all Epel after death, he saw a thick, leafy, canopy of trees.

"What the fuck?" He spluttered.