As the twenty eighth tyrn of Pavilion begins much of the world is embroiled in a desperate war of some sort or another. The Domo empire collapses, a titan emerging from its corpse, leaving a path of death in its wake. The jungles of the west are thick with blood and broken chitin as two monstrous hives wage bloody war. In more distant corners of the world scholars study the mysteries of the world, spirits of magic and the sometimes thin veil between worlds. Wizards brood in their towers, the adenic elves retreat from the world, and peaceful Vencia watches the wars to the south with concern. But for a moment let us consider the actors on the stage.

> The Holy Kingdom of Barza
Wielders of mighty geomantic and divine power, smiths, missionaries, and above all else soldiers, the Kingdom of Barza has worked tirelessly for many turns to contain threat after threat to Pavilion. With arcane metals that purifies darkness and can cut magic itself they stand as protectors of this world.

> Orcmanie
Far to the north Orcmanie stands as a bastion of peace, a stabilizing force for the region raising their considerable martial might only ever in defense of others. Armed with finely crafted steel and accompanied by mighty beasts they have accrued a vast empire.

> Vencia
A peaceful people, yet one ready to defend themselves the people of Vencia concern themselves more with fine food and the contemplation of the divine than the art of war, though considerable construction of mighty walls speaks to the war filled lands to the south.

> Ordalan
A land of fierce warrior women, divinely empowered by fire and lightning. Some are called demons, horned and silver skinned. Others are called weretiger, never fully human again. All call themselves Nixen, defenders of Ordalan, sworn to vengeance against their many enemies.

> Krovia
A surprisingly spiritual people, the hulking sharkmen of Krovia are fierce warriors to be sure, using blood magic to both heal and empower. Nonetheless the sharkmen are cunning diplomats as well, striking deals as often as they launch their fearsome raids.

> Vitruvia
The peculiar alchemy born of Vitruvia come in all shapes and sizes, as do their passions. Some work with the Rocs, mighty birds of the sky. Others prefer alchemy, metallurgy, runework, or civil engineering. A dispassionate people, Vitruvian arms have only ever been raised for coin, and on the behalf of other nations at that.

> Guliseare
The harpies of Guliseare are religious zealots to their core, seeing all others of Pavilion as Lessers. The first aggressors of the new age, much of their effort has been poured into creating fearsome warriors of the sky. As their airship designs become more widespread they may inadvertently change the world however.

> Habitun
The secretive Habitun Cult has focused its efforts primarily on the esoteric arts, piercing the veil between what is and what could have been. With a highly educated population they reach out to meddle in the affairs of far off lands. Wielding strange magic and portals to alternate realities they prepare for a world without the sun.

> Krawl
Alien invaders from a distant world, the Krawl attack with teeming masses of diverse and strange monstrous creatures, seeking to devour and consume all before them. Led by a team of ‘High Minds’ the Krawl are otherwise mindless abominations, knowing only to consume.

> Vizari
A college of wizards and scholars, the Vizari found themselves in a distant land after a catastrophic magical accident. Set back, but not broken they have rebuilt and continued their studies of the arcane.

> Skrit
A vast hive of insects, the Skrit have only one true objective, to grow and expand across the world, ignoring the protests of other races as they stream across the border. Their only true obstacle is the Krawl hive, who seeks to do the same. Having come to dominate all manner of life around them, the Skrit consider it only a matter of time before they conquer the Krawl as well.

> Urotti
The dwarves of Urotti are latecomers to the stage of the world, but nonetheless have built a respectable nation for themselves, rich in resources and busy with industry. Their crowning achievement are the Deep Roads, subterranean paths that span hundreds of miles between cities and outposts.

> Turbans
An offshoot of the Domo, these mercantile people have negotiated and bargained themselves into a secure future, weaving deals and alliances while enriching themselves with coin in the process.

> Khurnaire
The newest actor to take the stage, it remains to be seen if the people of Khurnaire will escape the shadow of the Domo or be consumed by it.

TURN 28 BEGINS!

>>6277047 (OP)
Luxor's Mercy be good! The Monster made in the Domo's Death knell still marches! Justinian is still nowhere to be found and the Needle, a most holy and potent artifact is still missing. Though with the Silver Threads permeating the Abomination that desolates Barzantine Countryside with every step, he suspects he knows where both are.... Still there is nothing for it, the Generals marshall the army to attempt another assault on the Mosnter. It must fall and soon, lest Barza be destroyed. Hopefully the Aide Tacitus has acquired was worth it.

Action 1: Theodoropolis has been seized, the Bandits removed, and the city itself is now firmly under Barzantine control. Yet the City itself is still ailing from mismanagement and neglect. A source of stone is sought out for the reconstruction of the city, because it will fall further into decay otherwise.

Action 2: Likewise the City is in dire need of a Forge complex, as it cannot create metal or forge anything until such a place is created, and the Soldiery and levies from the city will be in desperate need of arms and armor for the trials and travails coming and extant.

Military: Resist the Monster as best as we are able. Attempt to inflict maximal damage to it while minimizing harm to our forces. Barza will not fall here!

Missionary: All the Civilized lands and many of the Barbaroi ones have been shown Luxor's light, at least in part. There are some that do not believe in the Spiritual and only pay lip service to those they believe are deluded fools, like the homonculi to the north and the Merchants to the far south. There are others that have instead chosen to syncretize his message with their own flawed ones, like the Bloodthirsty Krovians or the Polytheistic Orcmen. Yet there are others who cling so strongly to thier own idols that spreading his light is impossible, like the Wing Harpies of Gulisaere or the Dark-skinned elves of Habitun. Yet amongst civilized peoples who are not close minded zealots there are two nations that has not had a dedicated movement spreading Luxor's message to them. The Adenic Elves, and the Dwarves to the Far North. That changes now. The Faithful of Luxor move towards Adenai, to spread the Holy Word.

>>6277047 (OP)

>Action 1 - Forge in Grib
Grib's been seeing a lot more warrior folks passing through, as of late. The double delicacy of Maned Frog and Mollusc has rich merchants clamoring for samples to send abroad, but those with full pockets and nothing better to do will always prefer to hunt a fresh bunch themselves. Wounded soldiers returning from the ant frontline may decide that a few weeks on the hippie-ish island is exactly what they need to aid in their speedy recovery. The recent discovery of the Giant's Glade only sparks greater fervor for the warlike to visit the otherwise peaceful island. If nothing else, the leaders of Grib need this forge to properly outfit their own men to help keep the peace.

>Action 2 - Military History Archive in Grib
No Krovian is ever truly a pacifist (or if they are, its officially classed as a mental illness) but the closest to exist is those who choose to permanently reside among the cyan shrooms of Grib. Still, it doesn't do to become TOO peaceful, and with many more soldiers showing up and hanging about, a not-so-gentle reminder may be in order to toughen up the softer local Krovians. Great Stele's are erected, scenes of battle and tales of history carved into the monolithic rocks, with smaller tablets being used to record further historic details. Let the fires of years past ignite new passions in the youth of tomorrow!

War Action - Wary Rest
These damn elves and their effervescent raiding. The cowards refuse to do anything but run and hide, striking where they can remain unseen. The Krovian army works to once again secure it's food supply, and if possible, catch these interlopers in the act.

Scouting - Once more watching for supply line raiders.

>>6277047 (OP)

>Action 1: A Forge for Portblanc
The northern town has long been the premier source for Tin; a forge in the town will allow us to export refined ingots rather then lumps of raw ore, as well as allowing the Orcmen of the blanc isle to repair, maintain and equip their metallurgy without waiting for ship from Rooin in every instance.

>Action 2: Metal for Cadon
Count Hetzgrub Moonhurleur organises a search for metal within his domain. Iron is both the goal and the most likely target, for Cadon is famed for red Granite and it is the presence of Iron with the rock that gives it such rich colour.

>War Action: Fresh Muster
With veterans of the war now stood down, and many granted with land and titles in the territories of Colnaude, there are many boots that need filling. And so the army welcomes in the next generation to the ranks, the Serjeants putting these Orcmen recruits through their paces whilst new errant scions and valorous promotes come to fill up the gaps in our cavalry lists. The Orcman army will be made ready once more.

>Bureau Renseignement: The childe of house Hitab
The Habitun seek a missing scion of their kind, believed to have taken ship to the Orcmanie. As such, the Bureau Renseignement are charged to seek this individual out; to maintain a watch on his whereabouts and actions, and to capture and remand him should he attempt to leave our lands.

Action 1: Great Aqueduct project

We shall use various bump based systems to expand our water-related resources. Create aqueducts which lead into more deserty lands to help bring water to the lands there. This should aid in growing our population and making the land more inhabitable.

Action 2: Water conservation
methods are introduced to aidi n water conversation. floting parasols are installed above the great river to prevent evaporation and magic cooling devices are installed in the water. Cooling it should further lessedn losses of water via evaporation.

Once more, and sadly so soon, the King is Dead. Long Live the King!
By the great grace of our Lord Aagen,
who has granted us this tyrn of the sun, and in remembrance of our own blessed father, I, King Talarin of the Venks in my sixth tyrn upon Swiftarn do hereby order;
>New lumber camps to be built in lands shared with the Skrit
>Construction of a port across the Tarn from Avesten to access whatever tropical curios there lie

>>6277047 (OP)
Nation: The School of Basic Spiritual Competence, The Scholarium of Subversions, The Academy-Archive of Khurnaire, The Mystery Delving Company, The Conquering School, The Sorrowful Ones, The Vvardenstat, The Border March
Races: Ashen Humans, Vizari Humans, Gnolls, Nagas, Werewolves, the occasional Slaug and Half-Slaug. No Soft-Legs. All that hungers for knowledge is welcome.
Capital: Khurnaire

» FOR OUR LORD IS THE DARK «

Or so they say.

The Sages of Khurnaire has sacrificed many things in the pursuit of comfort and a stable life. All glories, all pursuits of meaningful strength, abandoned and forsaken for tomorrow and next year. It is a way of time, that even existing accrues its benefits, and for the Sages, it would be an ever-growing pile of gold and various accounts of healthy financial stock at the heart of their institute, and a many a crop of personal projects and dead-end discoveries now lying in the dark.

No one had much of anything to convince the collective to act to though, beyond a continual expansion of their complex and cadres, somebody else below them to supervise or assist the handling of mollusks, the management of birds, the breeding of boars, or most unfortunately, to teach the Turbans the detachment required for spirit scouting, and all the effort required to house them in the (Civilized Sacrifice) cells without any unwanted attention looking in. So many layers hidden and blatant to keep secrets and culture alive.

It would take a stranger from up north, running away from some ritual or another, and certain ideas spoken in eager ears to rouse O Khurnaire. "The world has wronged us. The spirits tricked us. We have power." Ancient ideas, nonexistent ideas, wrong ideas, but the Sages had forgotten why such thoughts were kept away from them now.

The Lords Gold and Steel has seen it fit to grant the Stranger their rightful title as Lord Mana, and so all Khurnaire sees the Stranger's call to prove their strength against the DARK as true.

>>6277815
>>6277047 (OP)
Coffers are emptied. Men and tool gathered. The Sages are too busy reexamining old notes on many mysteries to be of any use. Still, there is no shortage of the desperate, the eager to climb, the expendable, in Kuttikrahr and elsewhere in Turban lands. The heat troubles all.

>Establish Fort Khurkhashuin on the Ruins of Huirsas'toir.
>Establish Fort Naar'ur on the New Isle.
This must be done. The New Isle is key to preventing the Dark's escape west. Khurkhashuin to the north. It seems the Zas, and the Witchs' Forest, are far too filled with spirit to be eaten by the Dark? Curious.

>>6277047 (OP)
>Cruelty to the helpless is not a sign of strength, but WEAKNESS in character. Conversely, mercy to the enemy is a sign of WEAKNESS in foresight.
- Excerpt from tyrnly sermon from the Cognita Cathedral


Action 1: Build the city of Gronn Dal [collective of venk and nacheter refugees]
>It is a simple supply and demand matter. High demand in Bikube, nay, Habitun entire for scholars and researchers, but nary enough supply. Conversely, high demand of mancers and warriors on the warfront, but nary enough supply. No offense intended, but a fraction of your kind are bringing their full potential, as it is. Conversely, many of our best mancers are researching subjects they've not much of interest in.
>Aside, Bikube has had little to no competition in research funding, with its fancy p-that is to say, they need impetus to stop gobbling funding and start producing results, lest the funding be pulled.
>Thus, I propose: New Gronn Dal, cosmopolitan center of trade, research, and expatriates with no better land to return to. The matters of your vulnerabilities will be addressed, and your current lacking ability in matters of magical access are already under work and research by experts. Every ten scholars that emigrate to my city will free up a mancer of ours to go test their theories on the warfront, with glee and relish, and with far greater effect on the war effort. The holy and magical warriors will be interviewed by our own researchers, and be subjects of our own research of wind-less magic, I think it was called. Not an expert on that subject myself.
>You will have to work to earn your keep, but you have an eternity to do so, I was made to understand.`
- Gronn Dal mayor, spreading open papyrus depicting New Gronn Dal plans
"Farces and Triumphs In The Arts: Vol 3"

>Great opportunity awaits across the lake.
>Habitun opening her doors for first wave of pioneers.
>Farmers, craftsmen, homesteaders, fishermen, and more.
>Free transportation and pre-allotted plot of land.
>Limited slots.
- Notice posted across Avesten walls and boards

>>6278056
Action 2: Sword Surfing (2/?)
>As demonstrated, sword surfing could be the future for ou-
- Siemen Raqqas
Excerpt from "Habitun Council Public Issue Proposals: Northern Quadrant, Level 5, 3rd Wall, Shelf #4, Issue #902239", before it was interrupted by Issue #902240

>Behold, a crystal sphere. [Stige proceeded to smash said sphere with a hammer, causing shards to fly in radius, injuring attendees]
>Easy to craft, easy to destroy. But oh no, it harms the user. [Stige showcases bloodied arms. Proceeds to quickly heal himself with Shadowmancy]
>Behold a crystal Porcupine. [Stige proceeded to tap said crystal "porcupine" with a strange dual-pronged fork. Crystal started humming at increasing rate. Stige throws porcupine at approaching guard. Crystal porcupine humming reaches zenith, shattering after six total seconds]
>Harder to craft. Easy to throw, harms someone else.
>Behold, a pregnant crystal porcupine. [Stige proceeded to tap said pregnant crystal porcupine with "fork", before throwing it at approaching guards. Porcupine shatters, scattering "babies", which shatter one second after]
>I'll be in my lab. [Stige proceeded to meld into shadow, and disappear]
- Stige Sukon
"Habitun Council Public Issue Proposals: Northern Quadrant, Level 5, 3rd Wall, Shelf #4, Issue #902240"

>Stige Sukon is wanted for disciplining after assaulting four Habitun Council guards. Present him and his innovation at earliest convenience.
- Missive from Habitun council to house Sukon

>Stige has not come home since two tyrns.
- Reply from house Sukon

>Stige is in my workshop. Entertaining as his ideas are, I ask you take him away, as I can no longer bear his stench in my vicinity.
- Missive from True Katan to Habitun council

>Attached Porcupine Round samples. Need a ballista to prime and deliver. Council dissatisfied by my presentation for reasons inconceivable.
- Missive from Stige Sukon to an Urotti smith

Actual Action 2: Porcupine Rounds (Delivery Mechanism developed by Urotti)


Agrimensores Guild: Scour Habitun for Magical Resources (2/3)

>>6278058
Intrigue Action:
Scour Orcmanie for Wyverns (3/3) [Delayed]
Harass Domo Flesh Titan [Approved]
>Task: Intercept rampaging titanic flesh titan with Fracture Blade traps augmented with Shadow Runes
>Assets: 36 Huntsmen w/Prolonged Incursion Gearset, 8 Siblings w/Tyrn Proselytization Gearset, 4 Bakhold Pouncers w/Marathon Gearset, 4 Medqa-Harnesses, 164 Fracture Blades, 588 Shadow Rune Stamps, Writ Of Passage Signed by Orcmanie and Barzaentine Kings
>Strategem: Split into 4 teams. Team 1 monitors flesh titan, Team 2 provides overwatch for monitoring Team 1 against flanking attacks or marauders, Teams 3 and 4 lay fracture blade and shadow rune traps alongside projected path in hard-to-reach/spot spaces. Switch responsibilities around every 2 days. Collect or destroy fracture blades and shadow rune stamps left behind - DO NOT allow flesh titan to collect either.
>Success Metrics: Defeat of flesh titan by either full crystallization, or intercepting foreign forces.
- Briefing for Operation Crunchy Statuary


War: Salt the Dark Lake (skrit poison or Terra's Bubbles)
>Haimen (krovians) have been starved, and now retreat to their homeland to resupply. We've a tyrn of neither they, nor the main Krawl force interfering. I intend on making good use of it.
>Shadowmancers will chart a course with the Shadow Ants. Initial poisoning should begin with the Chili Pepper farms, from whence the Dark Lake garrison derives its primary nourishment. Thorough destruction is preferred, but secondary to the Dark Lake itself.
>Utilize the hidden routes to lay strategic deposits of poison in watering wells, granaries, mess halls -or whatever they have that passes for them. Fire may follow when the garrison is sufficiently weakened, but what is most important is rendering the city and its amenities utterly harmful to the Krawl, that they would have to rebuild it from scratch, or forego it entirely in their upcoming counter-offensive.
>Should the Gronn Dal mayor prove successful, the Krawl's own warbeast could be used in conjunction with our Bakhold Pouncers in delivering the final blow, and sinking the city itself under the waves. I hear it is a great digger. We could use such a thing back home, should it survive...
- Marshal Bjorn Sayyad
Excerpt from war briefing

>Despite confusing name, Dark City is not a lake, but a massive spire.
- Forward Scout Report#42

>Continue with the plan, reserve a contingent of Shadowmancers to place Fracture Blades on spire shadow. Stagger placement, remove when patrols approach, take your time to drain it.
- Marshal Bjorn Sayyad
Excerpt from followup war briefing

>>6277047 (OP)
1&2. Search for resources, rolled already, Angora Rabbits and Emeralds.
The Vizari can not really take the time to rest. The nation lacks the usual resources most nations would rely upon, though the mages don't really need such things, as well food and warmth are constant concerns in this cold home. Diviners make their predictions and men go out to find what could be riches, resources, or more mushrooms.

The first group find their way to a group of rabbits not yet discovered. Large, fluffy, and somehow less skiddish towards humans than most others they're easily domesticated and farmed for their meat and fur; though some take to keeping the creatures as pets.

The second group are far more fruitful compared to the others; as the diviners point towards hills that hold fortune and they diviners did not lie. Green emeralds are uncovered and a mine quickly set up. After some testing it is found that, like most other gems that come to market, the emeralds can store quite a bit of mana, though it has an affinity with protection magic oddly enough.

>>6277047 (OP)
Action 1: Diamond Runeworks (upgrade Runic Workshop)

Incorporating precision engineered diamond tools in our rune engraving allows for more potent runic engravings than ever before. Chisels, high fidelity graining tools and more are swiftly exchanged for diamond variants courtesy of imported Skrit gemstones.
While the Urotti to the north experiment with vastly wider varieties of runes that we have access to in our libraries, we focus our efforts on unbeatable quality.

Indeed, the entire runic workshop expands into a colossal sprawl that dominates an entire sector of Holtzahnad, now dubbed simply “The Runeworks”, a place sufficient to equip all the armies of Vitruvia

Action 2: Expand Reagent Farms

A recent audit has found that a surprising amount of Vitruvians are malnourished or born deficient in some way. After a thorough investigation, it is deduced that lack of nutrition and vital life-giving substances during gestation are responsible for this. Indeed, it is quite possible that all Vitruvians created since the vanishing of the Masters have been created slightly incorrectly due to a shortage of vital developmental chemicals!

In order to begin rectifying this issue, an immediate expansion of the farming sectors is ordered, with Sabbatical to manage the expanded crop rotas.

>>6277047 (OP)
After much debate, the vote is cast, Princess Roza of house Waldetrudis becomes Queen of Ordalan. There had been much expectation between house Siglinda's trade focus and house Grimhallow's Emberglen focus, but the opposition between the two allowed house Waldetrudis to gain the slight edge in votes over both of them.

>Action 1: Building of the Pyronix Sanctuary southwest of Sturnes. A place better equipped to handle the Pyronixen, with ample space, quarters and activities.
With the deaths of so many Pyronixen, the Church of Schwaerz gets involved. Because a Tigernix needs to take in several Immortal Flames to even start the Pyronix transformation, that entails a significant influence in the church, making the loss of Pyronixen more noticeable than that of Pyre Axes. Inspections of the Pyronix dungeons discovers most of them to be woefully inadequate. Cramped and cold, unfit for even commoners. The reason for needing the dungeon remains though, the Pyronixen are unstable until the transformation is complete, a danger to the public, especially in Sturnes where most dungeons are found. Any Pyronix rampage could turn into a slaughter in the streets. The church thus creates a Pyronix Sanctuary outside the city, where space is plentiful and they can stretch their legs, as well as newly constructed quarters that are more befitting the lower nobility that the Pyronixen are.

>Action 2: Pyronix bath reform. Providing baths and clean clothes to the Pyronixen, as well as plenty of food and drink. To improve bloodflow.
When Queen Roza hears of the trouble involving the Pyronixen, she decides to get involved as well, demanding a reform in how the Pyronixen are handled. As most Pyronixen are lower nobility it is an easy case to make that they should enjoy the luxuries of their class, even when transforming. Roza demands that baths be provided to the Pyronixen, as well as clean clothes and bedding, not for cleanliness, but bloodflow, as vitality is the counter to illness. She also demands they never restrict them from food or booze, even as a form of punishment. These reforms cause many dungeons to close down, sending their Pyronixen to the new sanctuary, who struggles to accomodate. But then Queen Roza offers her assistance, providing the manpower and money necessary to expand the sanctuary, but also embedding her officials into the church, managing these new resources. Thus increasing Roza's influence.

>Military: Holding off the Domo death titan, until Vitruvia's weapon is brought to bear.
In the lull of the fighting, the envoys of Queen Roza of house Waldetrudis has negotiated with Vitruvia, a deal has been struck. Messengers are sent and Sasha's battle plan is changed, they are to focus on harrying the titan's advance, until the Virtuvian weapon arrives to destroy it. Sasha is upset that she doesn't get to deliver the killing blow, but she has witnessed the destruction left in the titan's wake, and will be pleased with its destruction.

>>6277047 (OP)
The purpose of these actions is to make the greatest preparations possible for the continued war effort. This includes expanding Our food stores and finally activating Our magic abilities.

>1 Darkroe’s magic
With rachni the spider demon removed from Our collective consciousness, the time has finally come for Us to finish Our bridge over this endlessly vast gap. The path is clear, Our magic power (school) will be realized, and so too will Our connection to the krawl’s favorite planar monster, Darkroe. Rivaruo fills in for Maja as she handles the front lines, trusted with this sacred duty after having been able to kick around and prove herself for a while since her creation. Novenary was exempt from the same, due to his nature as a loose cannon.

And so, standing on the precipice of the pit of ruin, also known as Vizari’s Folley, Riva directs the amassed krawl within Geloup Gris to form into its vortex. The ground rumbles as the whirlwind towers out of the pit’s center, stopping shortly above ground level. Having taken the entire amassment of bodies and krawl into itself, it has a wide brim. It is then that Riva sets a trajectory, to Darkroe, coordinates loosely memorized genetically since the beginning of the krawl itself. She uses her direct control to force Geloup Gris to self-disperse its entire body, with magic force in tow, inside the vortex. With all the raw power that was Geloup Gris suddenly at her fingertips, she finally whips the remaining vortex on its side and extends it instantly across space time. Soon, the midsection and end of the vortex vanish, and all that remains, floating above the center of the pit, is a spinning hole. A permanent rift in space time to one permanently selected location. The (magic school) portal was opened. Riva takes the first liberty to launch herself through, no bother yet to make a bridge, to meet the mythical monster of might and magic.

(Pic related: red amalgamate: Darkroe) It is said that Darkroe speaks in four voices at once, given his single head with multiple faces. None but the high krawl may interpret his teachings, as each voice is meant for a single one at a time. With his help, We will craft great spells. Like a dragon of death, the tail, wings, claws, and single, forward, gaping maw emerge in a primordial uproar.

>>6278999
>>6277047 (OP)
(2/2)

>2 The Xelles Forest (extra map icon from expansion of the original?)
Our lava fungus, the Xelles, is a great resource for the krawl, though it is currently only a single one. We have not attempted to propogate it, granted, as long as this species has contact with lava flow, they won’t fully mature. Until they wither, their spores don’t spread into the lava that they need to grow. So, We will attempt their expansion manually. In order to raise a Xelles forest under ground, We will scrape spore samples from the fruiting body’s cup of sturdy mycelium, then distribute them into Our lava flow. Once complete, this will allow Us to gain general-use access to very high quality krawl food sources. If there isn’t enough Lava, then make this action an excavation instead. (Pic related: a Xelles from the side, and the fruiting body on the top of the Xelles.)

>Intrigue: where are the nachetar going? We idly watch their forces disperse, even sacrificing a handful of troops to get in close. They never attack or show any aggression, just observe from a safe distance.

>>6278893
Addendum: Big Fishing

Terminate the Pike with extreme prejudice.
That is all.

>>6279419
>>6277534

Yeah, kill the Scouting war action and join in on this.

>>6277047 (OP)
> Action 1: Call a Moot of the Realm
By royal decree King Torin summoned forth the miners, masons, smiths, and engineers of every clan and craft-hall to assemble within the grand halls of Thul-Garuhm. A grand feasting was prepared, laden with roast game, mushroom pies, and kegs of crimson ale drawn fresh from the royal vaults.

Amid the revelry, the King stood atop the Anvil Throne and presented the moot with a problem: the mines and the deep roads are growing deep and vast and demanded a new system to keep the shafts dry and workable. Teams gathered around hearth-fires and planning tables, sketching pump designs on soot-slates and stone parchment. Tinkers from Virn-Lodahr proposed a chain-lift driven by wheel pressure, while engineers from the coast envisioned bellows sealed in resin to drive water up through rune-inscribed valves.

> Action 2: Forge a Ballista Launching System
As the moot continued, a curious delegation from the Habitun joined the festivities scholars and shadowmancers bearing strange crystalline artifacts. After several mugs of fire ale and a short demonstration that left a bench splintered and two stewards mildly lacerated, they laid out their request: a launching mechanism for unstable, volatile crystal munitions.

Intrigued, the dwarves pored over the designs. After spirited discussion, a solution emerged: a double-limbed torsion ballista mounted with a runic stabilization cradle. Forged from a reverb iron alloy and fitted with shock-absorbing struts, this mechanism would launch the crystal "porcupines" at velocity while minimizing stress on the payload. In place of standard trigger mechanisms, the dwarves devised a pressurized rune-spark ignition tuned with fine runecraft, allowing timed detonation to synchronize with airburst effects. A prototype was promised before the next Tyrn.

>>6279761
> Action 3: Build an Apiary Village in Thanduil’s Hollow

Far from the bustle of the lives within the average hold, within the gentler corners of the south a new curiosity took root among certain farmers, wisewomen, and hearth cooks after word had reached their ears of a new golden substance called honey, said to be both healing and hearty. Intrigued, these dwarves set questions upon passing merchants and wandering folk where their inquiries eventually reached the ears of a pair of wandering Habitun scholars.

These elven lorekeepers appeared with an offer. They would teach these dwarves about the art of bee tending in return for a share of the harvest to send to their Habitun kin. It was a fourth son of a minor lord stout and shrewd, who accepted the pact and rallied those interested.

With royal blessing and clanstone in hand, they journeyed east to the ancient forest of Tusindårsskoven. There they founded a humble village where homes where dug into the hills with care. Small streams were diverted to feed gardens, while artificial hives were built from carved wood, amber steel, and polished stone

> Rumors:

Hollow-Eyed Watchers: Rangers from Der et’Tharn whisper of strange pale figures glimpsed at night—tall, root-bound things that leave no tracks and vanish with the morning dew.

Cracks in the Deep Road: Engineers at the moot report unexpected fissures forming near the old workshops—some swear they humming.

Echoes Beneath: A miner in Thul-Garuhm’s lower shaft claimed he heard tapping that matched the forge rhythm—though no work was being done nearby.

Crimson Frost: Apiarists returning from Thanduil’s Hollow speak of a strange crimson frost seen clinging to certain flowers—none dare harvest from them.

>>6277048
>Mold the mind.
Free will adds layers of complexities and risks to the way of Skritsciety. It is a delicate balance after all, each skrit knows its place and purpose. The Skritar though, burdened with the kindling of sentience, lack such clarity. Thus Central takes steps to ensure that the Skritari become properly "educated" as to their what is expected of them and how to serve the swarm. Taking queues from the Venks and the Cult, it identifies the perfect tool for the job: Religion. And so Central becomes "Mother", the life giver of the Skritari, she who lives within and among them. May they serve her well, praise her for bringing them into the world, and make her proud!

>Improve infrastructure.
A lot of advances in all sorts of different fields have allowed the Skrit to thrive and rise from their humble beginnings. But there is one field they have been slacking on: Infrastructure. Their colonies and networks are still stuck in the old ways, and it is time to shine upon it the light of innovation, so says mighty Central. It begins to experiment with improved designs and methods to reinforce colonial infrastructure, improve overal logistics within and between them, and craft theories on how to better govern them.

>>6279800
Replace action 1 Mold the mind with the following:

>Enrich the mind
Religion will give the children a purpose to serve and a law to abide. But the Skrit never needed these and have gotten as far as they have. What good is having a servant that is blindly obedient, but offers no value? The only thing of value when it comes to the skritarii is their intelligence, able to think freely without Central's input. Thus we must strengthen this quality of theirs and enrich their minds. Newborns are given a rough litmus test to evaluate where their intellectual strengths are, after which Mother assigns them a doctrine of study. Each skritarii will be assigned a field to specialize in and master under the Mother's guidance and tutelage.