Outposts and Rumours

[Tidings]

Homins, I am reproducing some of the many rumours that are flying about Atys for you ponder, and introducing the mysterious Seadun Mac’Dolen.

It was a black night in the alleys of Pyr when the following whispered conversation was heard:

Yes, Stabre Sicco finally told me about their plans.

What did he say?

They are planning to invade our lands.

They already tried... and failed... but when do they plan to try again?

He seemed to be waiting for this. He spoke about this, as if he was expecting to be liberated soon. I’m sure he wouldn’t have said anything if it wasn’t going to happen very soon, as that would give away all his plans.

Did he tell you where they might attack first?

Yes. They won’t actually fight, but just concentrate on the abandoned outposts. He told me they had constructed drills, and wanted to use them to dig for Matoxia.

This information is of major importance. You will doubtless get a promotion out of it. Follow me quickly so that you can repeat all this to my superior.

Both of them departed hurriedly, not noticing any Homins that might have overheard them.

Seadun Mac’Dolen, reports on some Karavan and Kami preaching that he recently witnessed:

At the Karavan Temples of Yrkanis and Fairhaven, the Karavan were preaching. This was rare enough to gather some Homins who were wandering around. I, Seadun Mac’Dolen, soon heard the rumours about this, and moved quickly to both sites in turn. The Karavan’ message was the same, clear and unpolluted, and so I wrote it down and told my mates and friends so they could spread the word.

Homins!

Jena, in her infinite compassion, has been touched by the Homin cause.
A few of you might remember how these lands looked some fifty years ago. To help homins to rebuild their civilisations, we, the Karavan, servants of the true Goddess Jena, offered you then the chance to excavate resources from the depths of Atys without fear of awakening the Great Dragon.

This golden age is now before you once again! Jena looked down at you, at your cause, and from Her eyes fell tears of compassion. She encouraged us to help you further, and to rebuild the big trepans.

Those will be teleported to outposts when you claim one of them, but alas, we have learnt that the Marauders were planning to take them. Do not speak to them! They are Jena’s enemies, corrupted by the Great Dragon’s illusions. Take what you own unto you, these are your lands, created by the Goddess for Her disciples.

Soon, very soon, we will be able to offer you this technology.
May Jena’s light never leave your hearts, loyal Homins!

This is indeed a great piece of news for my guild, as our efforts and researches would not now be useless!

A few days after this (far sooner than I expected) Kami envoys began to preach at the Sanctuaries of Pyr and Zora. But their quick reaction didn’t prevent me from going there and listening to their words. Once again, I wrote it down and warned my allies so that they may spread the message.

Homins!

The Karavan are once again threatening Atys! Fortunately, Ma-Duk knows how to counteract their harmful actions.

Several decades ago, the Karavan discovered special nodes under the Crust. Those special places have been blessed by Ma-Duk and have become very important for Atys’ equilibrium. The Karavan, in their foolish thirst for materials, dug so deeply that they disturbed the Kami's great masterwork.
Unfortunately the followers of the Karavan are too numerous currently for us to claim every nexus. We ought to have them understand they are deceiving themselves and following a false-goddess, the Night’s Empress. Ma-Duk knows how huge this task is, so he decided to help you balance the Karavan’s disastrous excavation like he did fifty years ago.

The Kamis will offer you tree-bores; these plants will grow on a nexus, and plunge their roots deep in the Crust to repair the damage done to Atys' equilibrium. Moreover, those tree-bores will excavate some materials without harming the Bark, so you can benefit from them.

Homins! Seize this opportunity! These special nodes are under the fallen outposts that you have seen everywhere on Atys. But the Karavan won’t be their only enemies to claim those: the Marauders are planning to take outposts as well, for some unknown, dark purpose. They are Ma-Duk’s enemies, for they perform experiments on the Goo and will sooner or later cause a great disaster for all Atys’ life.
May Ma-Duk bless you all, and lead you on the way to the Kamic age.

As sap surges within the Bark, rumours travel fast on Atys. Seadun Mac’Dolen is a name rapidly becoming familiar to all and here I present a brief interview with him in person.

Hi Seadun!

Hi, nice to meet you.

I have been searching for you. I was wondering about this mysterious Homin that I am starting to hear so much about.

Well…I am Seadun Mac’Dolen, spokesperson of the Grand Lodge of Comrades of the Drill.

Comrades of the Drill? Is this a new guild?

Oh no. Our guild was founded at the end of the XXVth century, when the big trepans and bore-trees were destroyed.

So your guild is… hmm we are in 2531, so your guild is older than thirty years old! That’s a lot!

Thirty-six years old exactly! Just one year after the disappearance of tree-bores, and two after the big trepans.

Oh. And what have you been doing since? I hadn’t heard a lot about you…

Our aim has always been to gather knowledge connected to the outpost’s craft industry so that it will never bet forgotten. We remember the golden age when we were able to dig deeply in the Crust to excavate special materials from it. We were there, and have gathered huge stocks to study their applications to homins’ craft.

This sounds interesting. You mean that you will be able to teach us how to use those materials efficiently?

Yes! I have already gotten the authorisations to place some of my best craftsmen in main cities, so you can visit them, and ask them to know more about us, or about the knowledge we are happy to share with you.

But which kind of knowledge exactly will you teach us?

We are a guild of craftsmen who have specialized in outposts’ craft industry. So… what could it be but new ways to use new materials… new to you, at least, hehe.

Yes, new to us. We don’t know a lot about this “golden age”. Why were big trepans and tree-bores removed?

Interesting question, but I wouldn’t have the time to answer you. I still have many Homins to meet, for my message to be heard everywhere! Hmm… I’ll find a solution though… Actually...Great! Would you be happy if I asked some of my guild mates to stay with the craftsmen in order to tell you more about outposts’ history?

You would do this?

Sure! I swear! Well, excuse me now, I really ought to visit other cities, but I am certain that we will meet again soon!

Thanks for you time, Seadun, and good luck for your travels.

[Tidings]

Greetings Homins!

I bring you news from Elias Tryton. He has watched the situation and now wishes to give you his thoughts on the outposts,


Dear Homins!

As we now know, the Kami and Karavan are encouraging you to take and hold the outposts for your guilds.

I would like you to know that I support this unreservedly. The marauders are lawless and wish to destroy everyone and everything that crosses their path with no respect for person or race.

It appears that the marauders have discovered a way to harvest materials from deep under the outposts which if harvested, would give them a big advantage against the races of civilized Homins.

I would however ask you not to install the Kami or Karavan drills when you have taken an outpost, or if you feel that you have to do this, to choose wisely in holding the balance true between the Kami and Karavan. I wish I could give you my own drills, but unfortunately that is beyond my current powers..

Moreover I want to give you a quick heads up: The Outposts are a source of enrichment for everyone. There will be power-hungry homins who would give anything to get the materials from the outposts in their own hands, so be careful.

Elias Tryton

[oldmess]

I would however ask you not to install the Kami or Karavan drills when you have taken an outpost, or if you feel that you have to do this, to choose wisely in holding the balance true between the Kami and Karavan. I wish I could give you my own drills, but unfortunately that is beyond my current powers..

Elias Tryton

So, neutral means neutered? He's suggesting that as a neutral guild, you should put in the effort to take and defend an outpost, but not reap any of the benefits.

Bad call, brothers. I respect any guild that can make neutrality work in these dark times, but to do as Tryton suggests would put you at a disadvantage. Be strong, reap the benefits of your efforts and install whatever features into your outpost that you wish.

[riveit]

At the Karavan Temples of Yrkanis and Fairhaven, the Karavan were preaching.

Homins!

Jena, in her infinite compassion, has been touched by the Homin cause.
A few of you might remember how these lands looked some fifty years ago. To help homins to rebuild their civilisations, we, the Karavan, servants of the true Goddess Jena, offered you then the chance to excavate resources from the depths of Atys without fear of awakening the Great Dragon.

This golden age is now before you once again! Jena looked down at you, at your cause, and from Her eyes fell tears of compassion. She encouraged us to help you further, and to rebuild the big trepans.

Those will be teleported to outposts when you claim one of them ...

Golden Age? What is this thing called gold?

This is the Crystal Age. Crystal is the reason for the wars we wage.

[katriell]

Golden Age? What is this thing called gold?

OOC: Ooo, touche. "Golden" is an invalid expression because the use of it to describe something valuable or great originates from a precious metal. So the proper term would be "Crystalline Age," or even simply "Great Age."

Still OOC: Thanks for bumping this thread, I hadn't seen it before.