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Chapter 1

Lady Leonora of House Pyronix

I sigh as at the winter winds sweep in off the mountain. "We need to start farming, if we are to survive here." The farmer nods, and I point to a bare hill on the land. "There is a good spot, and start up a market too." He hurries out and I fold my arms, the world so quiet it made me question the peace. Was nobody else out there?

House Pyronix builds a farm and market.

People - 5

Food - 80

Gold - 300

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>>Lady Selene of House Lunar<<

I glance north across the the flat land that seemed to stretch on forever. Tall grass was bent over by the wind, the occasional tree sticking out starkly against the landscape. I could see a few miles away to the east lay a forest. As for its size, I couldn't tell. We had been heading to land west of here, a hot tropical place. But instead we had landed here. I had decided to stay here. In the storm our ships had been damaged, and our food supply was low.

"Build a farm," I direct some of my men. "We need the food."

A few nod, and scurry off to do my bidding. I walk through the temporary housing we had set up, thinking. Was there anything else we needed at the moment? A market. If there were any others out here, we could trade with them. Or fight them, but hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

All of a sudden my full responsibility comes crashing down on me. I had to lead these people. These people who stared at me hopefully as I walked by, trusting me to make the right decisions. What if I failed them? What if I brought this community to ruin? What if...?

No more what ifs. I told myself. Focus on the now.

Beckoning my builders over to me, I tell them to start with building a market. They look at me doubtfully, as if they don't believe any others could be out here, but start to do as I say. I take a deep breath and head towards my "manor", currently a small shack a little larger than the other small shacks. I needed to think.

House Lunar builds a market and a farm.

People - 5

Food - 80

Gold - 300

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Daily Post

All is calm in the east, as Kadin’s birds sing quietly to the morning’s peace. Meanwhile, Anatolia prepares for another hot day.

Two new houses are welcomed on Kadin's shores

House Pyronix

A farm and market has been built. 5 people stroll into the encampment.

House Lunar

A farm and market has been built. 6 people are welcomed around the camp fires

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Lady Leonora of House Pyronix

I nod to the Farmers. "Another, for extra grain. We need more gold if this is to work, and now that the markets are running..." I'm interrupted as a ranger rushes in.

"We've spotted life!" He shouts, and I frown.

"Show me."

As he leads me up the mountain sides, I hold my breath and wait in anticipation. This was what we would be facing. If we were lucky, they would be hospitable. We had no people trained in combat. If we weren't careful... I look out over the rocky edge and gaze out to the horizon. The forest stretches far, and it's so lost in the distance, I couldn't say myself. The ranger passes me a looking lens, and I peer through it. Tents... They're new here too.

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"Send an envoy. We need to find out if these people are peaceful... and literate." I pass the lens back and he nods.

House Pyronix builds a second farm, and sends and envoy of peace to House Lunar

People - 5

Food - 105

Gold - 100

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>>Lady Selene of House Lunar<<

A scout bursts in. My head jolts up in his direction, and I'm about to snap at his obvious breach of protocol, before I take in the anxious look on his face and the fact he came back much sooner than expected.

"What?" I query, after he stands there for a few seconds, not saying anything.

"Sorry Lady Selene," he apologizes quickly. "I just came to inform you of an envoy from another settlement we've received."

More people! My heart soared. I might not be alone on this vast, strange, place after all!

"Send them in," I told him, after completely composing my features. He nodded, then seemed to consider that might be disrespectful, and a mortified look appeared on his face.

"Of course Lady Selene," he quickly amended, and hurried out. I sighed. There seemed to be none of my people that I could consider a friend. They were all so formal. Maybe... no.

House Lunae accepts House Pyronix's envoy.

People - 11

Food - 104

Gold - 300

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~--Lady Annalise of House Erosella--~

I look around proudly at my people and the land.

It was time to build and make our people proud of what they live in.

"Farmer, please make a farm, we need resources as soon as possible," I ordered softly.

I looked onward as I admired the landscape.

A farm will not be enough for my people, I thought as I called my builders.

"We need a market for trade and exporting," I told them as they scurried off to begin.

House Erosella builds one farm and market.

People - 5 people

Food - 80 units

Gold - 300g

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Lady Leonora of House Pyronix

As the farmers finish a second round of work, I count the sacks of grain being hauled from the shacks to a cart. "A good thing there is an international market, else we would have been in trouble." I jest, and the leading farmer laughs heartily. "Aye, luck be on our side lass. Let's hope those merchants be on it, too."

As we chuckle, the ranger from before returns with the envoy. "Peace, My Lady."

I nod, and dismiss him. I needed to think through our next strategy. "Have the cart sent immediately, with as much food as we can spare. Have all the gold sent to the farmers for a third farm."

The lead farmer nods, and shouts to his men as I stride away. This should work nicely. If we are lucky, we will have peace for a very long time.

House Pyronix sends 150 units of food to market, and receives 150g in returns.

A third farm is being built.

People - 0

Food - 30

Gold - 50

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Lady Katarina of Gryllidae

"Well, what have we here?" Katarina chirps

"I suppose we should send some envoys to our neighbors, Pyronix, Erosella, and Lunar, and let them know we mean no threat."

She turns to a servant:

"In the mean time, we shall build a market and plant some winter wheat."

People: 5

Food: 80

Gold: 300

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>>Lady Selene of House Lunar<<

What to do now? I was lost. I didn't know how to do this!

My most trusted advisor, James, comes up behind me and taps my shoulder. I start, and whip around. As I see it's only him, I utter I sigh of relief.

"Don't startle me like that," I muttered. He laughed. I glared at him.

"Lady Selene, we should build more farms," he says in a more serious tone.

"But of course. Get started on that right away. Have our scouts found any more civilization?" I ask, wondering if there were even more people on this continent.

"No-" he starts to say, then another scout runs up.

"I've found another camp Lady!" She is bouncing in her toes. She was quite young to be a scout, but I know she was one of my best.

"Really? Send, um, send a..." Should I send a spy mission or an envoy of peace? I freeze up.

"Send an envoy of peace, Lady," James whispers in my ear. I nod and take a deep breath.

"Send an envoy of peace," I state confidently, as if I had known what to do the whole time.

My scouts smile had faltered as I blundered, but was now back, if somewhat pasted on.

"Right away Lady Selene." She hurried off.

I turn to James. "I can trust you to handle the building of the farms?" He nods. "Good." I walk away as he starts to yell orders.

Am I really cut out for this leader business?

House Lunar sends an envoy of peace to House Erosella, and builds one farm.

People: 6

Food: 128

Gold: 100

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