The Society, Population 302, Era of Cthugha the Sleeper.


The cruel sun shimmered across the endless dunes of sand revealing the strange village. It sits below a large dune and protrudes out of the desert sands like a corpse in an ill-made grave. Strange monoliths stood up above the mud-brick homes on their dunes. Vile and filthy slaves bearing spherical masks crawled out of their dens by their cruel master's demand. Corpses of rotting animals plagued the place as the equally strange inhabitants wandered out of their homes and met at town center to share a meal with one another. Twas the morning and the endless desert sands began to take a strange pinkish color. The ministers and men of state sat above discussing important matters of their government and society while screams and laughter rang about below them. Oh what an odd sight it was. And suddenly, silence. The town became silent as Mr. Marsh sat upon the tall podium once again. "Joy" he screamed "Joy and ecstasy, my friends. Our time has come. Our time to rule this world and all others! No more shall we sit content on our little piece of desert. No more shall we sit idle while there is a land to explore, and perhaps, even conquer. So, my comrades, embrace your hunger, your lust, your desire. This world is ours for the taking!"
The crowd rang out in screams and chants. It was an odd sight indeed.

The Night-Walkers, Population 28 (17 in Khlin, 11 in Imlona)

Age of Rising Shadow, Night of Hidden Light (New Moon)

"For years, the Night-Walkers slept in the treetops of the Homelands, hiding from the world. Awaken, glorious shadows of night, awaken and face the world. Face the world and show it our worth!"
-Estrella

Night has fallen in the Homeland village of Khlin, the light that managed to sneak through the trees now gone. Now, those known as the Night-Walkers are awakening from their huts and nests in the trees. First to awaken is Bolach, chief and elder of these people, pleased to find that the gods have blessed them with a night of total darkness. Second to wake is Haixun, a younger Walker trained in the art of scouting, who has seen the strange intruders who travel into the Homelands when the accursed fire burns away the safety of darkness, taking water and meat.

The tribe stirs with the last of the vile flames being suffocated by the holy waters of darkness, in the sacred night where they may move in total safety from the servants of fire that they must hide from in the day. Now that the tribe has finally risen, Bolach climbs onto a nearby branch and gives the duties of the night. The people accept their responsibilities as they do almost every night, and now that total darkness is upon them in this sacred night, they may begin to debate about important decisions that the tribe must take. Haxiun begins the tribe meeting by speaking of the "Ravenwoods" (known to others as the Ferream) and "Molemen" (Herenthor) who have been reported crossing in and out of the Homelands (as they have for many, many years). He holds up his belief that it is necessary that we begin to interact with these creatures. They seem to have the ability to think and communicate. Others argue that they are dangerous and will destroy the tribe if they find us. This went on for a time until Bolach signaled for silence.

-"Both sides make good points, the moon seems to have gifted them with the waters of thought, as she has done for us. I will speak to the people of Imlona and see if they have any reports on these outsiders."

Bolach then signaled for the young Haxiun to approach

"You wish to have us reveal ourselves to these things from outside the Homelands. You will take the responsibility for tracking them and finding their homes. We need to know who we are dealing with before we start speaking with them."

Haxiun smiled with an air of assurance

"You can count on me, chief. I will have a report for you after the sky-flame is gone tomorrow."

Chief Bolach addressed the rest of the tribe, "I can understand your concerns for our safety, but we must become more connected to our world, for otherwise we will be burnt to ashes by the inferno of destruction that we call time. This council is finished, get to your duties and we will speak again after Haxiun has a report and I have heard the reports from Imlona. May the darkness guide us."

And with that, the council was over, and the people went about their duties for the night, knowing that this may be the beginning of a new era.

Arsuron Population: 158

River Camp: 50
Arsur Coast:43
Lotus Colony: 63

Technological Development

• Copper Working: 2/8
• Fire though Quicklime and Water: 1/5
• Dolphin Domestication: 1/10
• Papyrus: 1/4

The Arsur Coast

It was only a few weeks when the new traders from the Lotus Colony had arrived, bringing wooden built ships and the material itself to the people of the Homeland. As the traders, dressed in new clothes made from the various plants of the rain forest and the naturally red fibers of the bark of trees growing in the rain forest. In addition to this useful new material, the traders brought something tantalizing to the people of the coast. The bark of the natural rain forest trees had been ground into a fine dust and mixed with oils found in the various fruits of the rain forest. The resulting mixture was the red dust suspended into a thick red paste, that when spread upon the cloth created from the reeds native to the Arsur Coast, stained them to the bright red. This blood red dye quickly caught on in popularity among the Arsuron, though it was decided among the alliance elders that the dye would be restricted to a specific garment, the cloak donned by the Arsuron Warriors, in hopes that the bloody red would intimidate their enemies. ArHeg Yifenon, as it came to be called (Blood of the Lotus) was a relatively expensive product, costing at least 10 hand axes for a single bark cup of dye. However, wood was becoming important very quickly, with the standard price of a ships worth of wood being a single Dolphin's skeleton. The result was naturally a heavy increase in the hunting of the Dolphin, and the slow decline of the animal, with heards drifting farther from their homes, and entire sections of the sea becoming devoid of them.

A fisherman named Angos saw a solution to this, using the same method that the Arusron had to control fish and grow their population. Angos was to lead a group of fishers out to sea and find a pod of dolphins and capture several children of both sexes to be bred. When the dolphins were captured, he brother, a very knowledgeable aquafarmer would raise them, and create a sustainable population of dolphins for food and trade. That was the plan at least, and today Angos' fishers would depart and hopefully find what they wanted. On the day of departure, the ships left via a more northern path, to avoid the traditional "curse" that had a tendency to befall those who sailed from the southern shores; the chance of one's ship to burst into flames on the ocean. It was for a long time considered simply to be an action of Yi'am, a rule that the Arsuron were never to violate. But one Aruson became interested in just what it was that made the ships burn like this, and at sea non the less. He had often heard of the sands of this beach, how they seemed to be forever warm, the waters were always heated to just the right temperature so that one would never shiver when entering. This Arsuron was Anfen, and he was determined to learn how to make fire.

Upon journying south of the main camp, he found that the sand truly was hot, very hot, so hot that the groud was at times painful to stick one's toes into, and when he dug into the tightly packed sand, it just seemed to get hotter. The sand, the sand must be what is hot. Walking onto the shoreline, Anfen found that his wet feet also made the sand feel warm. Anfen took a full bark box worth of the sand from the beach onto his ship, and sealed it as tight as he could, before departing home, holding onto the precious sand.

With wood starting to take the place of reeds, many were trying to find uses for them. Often they would be stripped of their bark, to be woven into baskets. It was well known that dried reed bark created a tight basket that could be stowed away on a boat, but many were at a loss as to what to do with the soft fleshy parts in the center of the plant. Traditionally they were thrown away, but one day, a weaver forgot to do so, leaving the soft pieces to dry on accident. When she returned, the pulpy core was dried into a papery material, something light weight and clothlike. The weaver thought of what this might be used for, it did not look strong enough to be a basket material, but it might be useable for clothing, or maybe even as sails. She would try and weave the thin rectangular pieces into a cloth that all could use.

Toolmaker's center
The toolmaker had been laboring tirelessly at the copper ore, shaping, bending, hammering the metal, and shaping the pieces. He had found that the stone could be hammered with a stone into very thin pieces, and twisted and bent unlike any other stone he had ever seen. His colleagues suggested that this could be used in hunting, that the bendable stone could be used to disable prey, to injure them and keep the spear lodged into the animal and recovered after the hunt, and bent back into shape afterwards. The tool makers would continue working with this material, and try and create spear and arrowheads in this stone. Another suggested hammering the edges of a long piece of this metal to create a blade, a blade that could be easily sharpened and repaired. Indeed, many experiments would be done.

Lotus Colony
Lotus Colony had not just survived, but was thriving. The acquisition and trade of wood and dye was turning this former exodus into a rich piece of territory for the Arsuron. It was time, they thought, to spread. The Lotus Arsuron decided to explore the rivers, send 3 canoes each with two people down both of the rivers, and set up trading posts and get agreements with whoever they found. With all hope, it would bring in a great deal of wealth.

One group took the western river (@Raindeer , @Shoggothought); another took the Eastern River (@Diehard243)

Time: Era of Gray (no precise timekeeping system developed)

Platta Civilization

General Statistics:
Population: 103

Relations:
Snow Brutes: Undetermined

Technological Development:
Precise Color Recordkeeping Theory: 3/4

Eye on Colors
In the southern camp, the grey mediator is reflecting on the symbolism of the colors known while holding a brown rock found in an earlier exploration in the west. They are contemplating the symbolism of brown. Traditionally, it has been viewed as a very dark form of yellow (light + red + green = courage + order + life), representing humility or horror. The reason why it shows humility as it is now wisdom instead of productivity with its darkness. But it also shows horror for it could also represent caution instead of wisdom. The reflection is long, as they think that as complexity is growing, the direction that things will go more is unclear. They think it will be largely dependent on how much Platta accept the complexity growing, and as there are some who dislike the complexity, and become more followers than discussion aiders, that the future is seen to be a divide between Platta. The mediator wonders what they should do about it. They believe it is likely to happen, but they don't know what else. Should it be left to happen, tried to be prevented, encouraged? That is what they seek to learn. "Historically, the Platta have been united, but is that what should happen?" is one of the thoughts.

@Elitestpotato
Meanwhile, the Platta observe Faw's response. The caretaker answers, "More Platta far." This is shown by gesturing towards some Platta and then away in the direction of the other camps while appearing to point to Platta in the distance. It is not done towards the west, as that is where they are. When the question of color arises, the Platta interpet it as the question of what are the colors, specifically white, as the Platta don't see it as an absence. The caretaker gets a cloth made for teaching children about the colors as it contains a small amount of every established color. They also bring out a clear cloth and some of the dyes used that aren't as solidified onto a cloth. It includes the colors of red, green, and blue (light, medium, and dark of each), yellow, brown, cyan, purple (light and dark), black, white, and gray. The caretaker points to the white first, and says "white". They then demonstrates the white dye making on a clear cloth explaining and saying "draw white" to explain the action. The caretaker comes closer to show it and allow Faw to attempt it. If Faw does try it, the caretaker then begins to explain the color dissection system that all Platta use which includes the words of "red", "green", "blue", "color plus", "darker", "lighter", "medium brightness", "color total" and how these combine. For example, "white" is "red color plus green color plus blue color plus lighter color total white".

The howling hound clan.
Population: 36 adults, 12 younglings.

The Rootpaw clan
Population: 24 adults, 6 younglings

The era of flame, year three.

The Alpha stood before the Rootpaw clan’s Alpha, both snarling and whipping their tail against the ground while they slowly circled around each other. At an incredible speed the two males pounced at eachother, colliding with a loud thud.

-A few minutes of intense fighting later-

The Howling Hound Clan’s Alpha stood above the other, his fur colored by blood. Most of it his opponents, thankfully. He stepped over his wounded opponent and let out a vicious howl, his clan mates joining in, celebrating his victory.

“You stand under the Howling Hound Clan now. We are joined together as one. You follow me now, not him. Understood?”

The other clan bowed their heads, some reluctantly, others without visible protest.

“From here on out, any female of age that does not have a mate will do so with me until a mate is found. We need to grow stronger!”

While the older ones were arguing and snarling at each other, a youngling snuck over to the Alpha that was currently knocked out and found that a scale that had fallen off had embedded itself into a stick. He took the stick and playfully batted at it. A female looked down and noticed his behavior, but most importantly noted that the scale was digging into the soil while being tossed around. She took it from the youngling and examined it silently.

-Later that day-

The female caught the Alpha’s attention and showed the stick with the scale embedded into it, demonstrating what the youngling had done.

“Could be useful to carve in the trees. Or maybe do other things?”

The Alpha nodded slowly and grunted.

“We will see what this thing can do, and if we can make more.”

The Cindorayi Republic, Population: 152, Year 20 IL, Age of the Quarter Moon

@Elitestpotato

Sonya accepts the hides graciously, thinking that perhaps they could be used for houses or for some kind of wearable protection against wild animals. She offers one of their spears in exchange, and notices immediately that the Brute spear is somewhat thicker and lacks the Cindorayi attention to detail that makes their spears almost flawlessly smooth and pointed by comparison. It is, however, a fearsome instrument.

---

A Cindorayi named Nadya, a hunter by trade, was striding through the forest, when curiously she saw a small worm wrapping itself in a kind of covering. Placing a finger on it, she noted that the material was quite soft and not unlike a stretchier version of rope. Taking the worm once it had wrapped itself up, she brought it back to the village where a few others examined it and thought it would be useful as a material, if they could take it off. Using a knife to attempt to cut it off, however, proved disastrous as the material quickly fell apart and the worm died. Nadya now is convinced that there must be some way to extract it, she is just not sure what.

Great progress continues to be made with the wall of Lunysvet, fused together by large rocks and solidified glina. The wall is quite resistant to any blows the Cindorayi attempt on it, but Viktorya, the scientific councilor, continues to experiment on changing the consistency of the glina. She finally strikes upon an interesting idea: why not use two different consistencies of glina, one to replace the role of stone, and the other to hold it together? She forms and bakes the first mud bricks, and proposes that once they finish the construction of the wall they use this simpler process to improve houses.

Alvith Population: 167 - Age of Rielo
Rielo Village: 84
Scalo Village: 83

The rule of Chief Rielo Kriivith had been a time of prosperity and growth in strength of the Alvith. However to ensure growth the Chief had come to decision that the Alvith must spread out. The unified nameless tribe simply known as Alvith lead currently by Chief Rielo would split. To try and sway more for the idea of splitting, Rielo gathered the elders some of strongest and most experienced in center of village. Among the elders was the old Chief Scalo Kriivith, grandfather of Rielo and chief before him. Chief Rielo stepped onto flat stone in center of village to elevate himself before speaking.

"Great Strength! Strength grow... but! Must part!" Chief Rielo spoke out to elders of tribe.
"Mad! Strength shrink apart! Chief-" Spoke a Elder missing his left arm before being interrupted.
"Hold tongue! Chief Strong, speak more!" Interrupted Scalo who spoke up, supporting the Chief.
"Strength no longer grow! Space for strength, part for space. Greater space, greater strength! Villages strength together great! More village, more strength." Chief Rielo spoke hoping to sway most of Elders.

Was a silence amongst the Elders as they would mutter amongst themselves. While Rielo was Chief, the Elders together held more strength than him. As the minutes passed Chief Rielo thought Elders might brand him mad and exile him, a fate harsh but as not as harsh as being marked for betrayal. The tension could be felt in air, a mother Alvith grabbing child to stop them from wandering to the meeting in center of town. The tension was broke as one of Elders stood to speak.

"Much thought, words mad but more words..." The Elder gestured with her hands "Strength more words... Chief strong but grow all stronger, young strive..." Spoke the female Elder before she sat down on a rock.
"Young strive, become strongest, become chief! One cannot grow strong, two to make young. Part approved." Spoke a Elder that used a wooden spear to help himself up.
"Strength grow! I Scalo go, as strongest! Below Chief, lead parting!" Spoke Scalo and the group departed to divide up village.

It was decided that half of families would go with Scalo on journey to found a new village. No longer would the village be unnamed, with more than one village was time to name the villages. In honor of great strength the first village was named village of Rielo and the new village would be named village of Scalo. Even the oldest amongst the Alvith did not remember a time with more than one village, the Alvith as far as they knew were always a singular village. The great divide into two villages would be a story of how the Alvith grew stronger, told to the young to inspire them to continue pursuit of strength. Huts of bone and hide were deconstructed and Maule a female Alvith herder volunteered to lead half the Ogurk herd to new village. Raclo would say his goodbyes to Chief Rielo as he would go with his mate Maule to new village. Kralo became the senior herder for the Ogurk in village of Rielo and would be in charge of the half of herd that stayed. The parting members led by Scalo numbered almost as those who stayed, two adult males acting as guards for trip while three adult males that lacked mates stayed in village of Rielo.
It was a journey of several weeks, a journey made possibly by ability to stock up on dried meat that supplemented meat of game caught on trek. After a river crossing the Alvith led by Chief Scalo found plains where they would settle in to make village of Scalo. A village of huts with a herd of Ogurk outside village. With the village settled, every season one of unmated adult males would be sent as runner to village of Rielo. The two villages would do best to stay in touch and ensure that while separate the Alvith were stronger.

The Society, Population 302, Era of Cthugha the Sleeper.
Technological Developments:
Copper 1/8
Logic 1/6
Writing 1/6
Agriculture 1/5
The tired Illis walked slowly across the river bank, carrying a basket of gathered fruits and assorted vegetables when he noticed the strange creatures in their canoe. The humanoid creatures looked curiously through their oblong masks. The Illis, mistaking them for other slaves, motioned for them to follow. The creatures exited the boat and nervously followed him, and in the process made several failed attempts to communicate. For a day they traveled with the creature, in hopes of finding civilization. The Illis led them to the Society's main town, where they wandered confused.
"March forward" Mr. Marsh screamed at a large crowd. "That is what Oxameter has taught us. Never stop. Continue marching on, and perhaps, you shall meet that miracle the gods owe us."
The creatures cautiously walked towards the crowd.
"Never forget, my friends, that glory and miracles we shall meet in our future and th-"
Mr. Marsh looked down and noticed the terrified creatures.
"A miracle! The gods have sent us visitors! Look forth, my brethren."
The creatures were unable to communicate verbally however a form of communication was made through drawing pictures on the sands.
*The Ferream draws a picture asking where they came*
(PM in response)
@Nerevarine

A Soruli Story: The Many Eyes Above

That first night was the hardest.

When all had collected to rest in the large mass of limbs and warmth, they did not expect the night sky as it was.

It was so beautiful, so terrifying, so filled with eyes looking back down that it imbedded an idea within each head that rose to look up.

To some there was a fear. An irrational, primal fear that those Soruli gave no thought, no name, yet allowed to overtake them and make them run and hide.

Some in the past ran to the tree, others dug shallows holes in the ground and covered themselves in leaves. There were those that just kept running and running until they were stopped by exhaustion or engulfed by the unknown.

Those that were not afraid quickly realized what the sky eyes were as they found and chased after kin who had been afraid.

This is that the night sky is many eyes staring downward to the earth. These are eyes of family and friends past, who are concerned for those currently walking. When one dies, they then watch from the night sky-

“For what pwoo-pus?” Interrupted a little voice with a curious chirping.

“And what of Ima-Pa?” Questioned another little voice in a lower pitched chirp.

“Ima-Pa got us berry paints and the flowers!”

“Je-Re is testing the new dusts!”

The Soruli interrupted, named Mahl, looked at the large collection of little ones cuddled up close as their chirpings of questions, answers and observations continued on. Irritation for a moment flashed through her red eyes before amusement settled on her face.

Mahl shook her head of pure white fur and feather as she let out a kind cooing sound, “Little Kin of Little Chirps, shh.”

This caused a chain reaction as the some of the panicked little kin spouted words and phrases instead of quieting.

“Shh-shh, quiet!”
“Do not bite the speaker.”
“Listen. Listen.”
“Question in head then mouth.”
“You’re too young to nibble that way.”

The voices and phrases, though high pitched coming from their little bodies, were most certainly not owned by them.

~

Two Years After The Awakening
The Soruli of The Home Tree
Population: 36 + ?
(? - On account of many pregnancies currently active.)

Technological Development:
Animal Husbandry: 2/4
"Herbal Medicine": 1/3

~

Ima had discovered many things that first day.

Odd things of many colors and kinds that hung from the trees, the vines and grew up from the ground. Large plant leaves that could hold all of these things and allow them to be carried back. A creature or two that moved or flew in fashions questionable.

Most of the encountered flora and fauna were peaceful. A slow approach, an offered fruit or nut in hand and that peace was kept.

This was one of the horrific kind.

Batting his staff left and right to keep thrashing vine-like things away, as he fell backward from the branch a call exiting his mouth, “Mica! Cor!”

Taloned hands caught him on the descent to the forest floor, pulling him onto another branch as he huffed and gazed back up at the treetops where the false vines still moves and searched for him.

Cooing and kissing at his forehead, Cor embraced him as Mica made a worried sound and gazed upward to the vines as well.

“Stop this madness.” Cor pleaded.

“I must catch it’s sound so that I may give it peace.” Ima patiently pointed out, ignoring the stinging sensation across his chest and other portions of his body as Cor’s strong arms tightened.

“Plants make no sound like beasts, we went over this.” Mica pointed out from his other side.

“These beasts just look like plants.” Ima again patiently responded, lifting moving a hand to pet Cor’s head. “I will find this one’s sound and quell its wild heart.”

“Whilst we are to keep catching you at each failure and let our own hearts stop their beating?” Mica made a scoffing sound and looked around, producing soft outcries and listening before turning back.

Ima chose to not respond, watching the false vines reposition themselves to hang and wrap around branches below.

~~~

Carried on Cor’s back, Ima gazed up at The Home Tree that his people had woke up under in their drugged ecstasy now helping hold up varying structures made of spare branches, leaves and twisted vines.

Little kin ran up to meet them, chirping and dancing about in happiness in the colors of rainbows, bodies covered in various colors of dusts and paints.

Mahl casually tailed the group of children, similarly colorful as the little ones, if not more so due to her pale skin and fur. Her red eyes looked upon the trio as a coo of concern exited her mouth.

“Another encounter with the false vines…”
~

Soruli looked over and up from their activities around the tree as Ima was carried to the central area to rest upon a collection of soft leaves. Some were grinding nuts and berries to make special pastes for healing. Others making special dusts for play and sensual pleasures.

There were a few that were simply beating drums and singing songs to each other, providing an upbeat tone to the occasion as wildlife scurried about, eating from taloned hands or little leaf mats placed for them on the ground.

To the sounds of the music made some trained with their staffs, swinging and moving as if the length of wood were an extension of their bodies.

The soft pads of Mica’s taloned fingers rubbed some special paste into Ima’s exposed flesh as he sat upon a small provided log and contemplated.

“You have been this way ever since we lost Su.” Mica whispered gently, turning her eyes to gaze at Cor as he played with the little kin. “It’s foolish, Ima. We all had little kin to before the end. Her blood lives. Her stories live through us.”

Ima’s own voice came out in a calm drawl, “And when we die?”

“Our little will pass on her story.”

“They never knew her. They could never know her from just stories from our mouths.”

Mica flinched and Ima paused in his venom. Turning his head to look at her, his head lowering to rub against hers in apology.

The Soruli adapt the shells of certain nuts and the bark of trees into plates and bowls.

Next to Mica, one bowl held a small amount of pink dust. Ima extended a hand and collected a portion, holding it palm up before blowing it gently into Mica’s face.

As she gasped and then breathed it in, her eyelids lowered and her body swayed to the still beating drums.

She blew a larger portion back into his face and as the colors of the world streamed together to a single pin-point within his sight, their bodies rose and began dancing. Bodies close and still too far, breaths short but filled with life.

Thoughts melted away. Worries melted away. Minds melded and bodies simply moved together.

~

Arsuron

Population: 175
Arsur Coast: 52
River Camp: 52 (10 in Rokthan Territory)
Lotus Colony: 69 (4 in Society Territory, 2 stationed to construct Yijen Fork Trading Post, 6 in Soruli Territory)

Technological Progress [+]

• Copper Working: 3/8
• Fire though Quicklime and Water: 2/5
• Dolphin Domestication: 2/10
• Papyrus: 2/4
• The Slave Trade: 1/3

Explorers in Society Territory
@Shoggothought

"Who could have thought such a disgusting landscape could exist", one of the explorers remarked as he and his comrades disembarked from the river. They were a ways away, with 2 of their fellow explorers staying behind at a fork in the River to establish a trading post; soon they would be reunited, and after taking their share, of whatever goods they could secure. Within the next few days, a trade route would be created, and shipments would be off to the Lotus Colony and from there, to the Arsur.

The landscape was, at its most basic, similar to the coastlines of the Arsur, dry, and grassy. Though this grass was not as robust as the papyrus reeds that sprouted up along the Arsur. The patters of the sand dunes seemed strangely unnatural, formenting dislike and near disgust among the explorers for the sand patterns and the rock formations. After a long trek, the explorers had become tired, and considered sitting down and resting; that was until the explorers were approached by what appeared to be diminutive humanoids with their heads encased in spheres. All attempts to speak with them was met with silence. When the creatures began motioning for them to follow, the Arsuron explorers followed, and after a day of long trekking, they were met in a bizarre settlement. The tired explorers then soon decided to try and communicate though the use of their abugida, drawing pictures and the words underneath or drawing a word and then acting out or pointing to its meaning. When both parties were able to communicate through a mix of the Anrethi Abugida and pictures, they answered the question. They drew in the sand, a scentence of words and pictures that translated to
"We are exporers from a far off land at the end of the river. We want to trade." The leader of the four motioned for another to open his bag, which he did so and scattered an example of their wares in the sand, with the question of what the will give for these things.

The Arsuron were trading their famous Red Dye, blood red colored wood, salt dried fish, watermelon, and a few of the green and brown malleable stones that were discovered in their seas. The Arsuron also took a look around, seeing the Illis being put to manual labor. Then they wrote something else in the sand

"what is the cost for one of them?"

Explorers in Soruli Territory
@Diehard243

It was not long before the explorers had come across shows of civilization. While passing through the rainforest, hit one of the canoes, cutting a hole into it. As the boat was dragged out onto the river's coast, bark was cut from one of the trees and placed over the hole, using bone pins hammered in to fix the hole. While repairing the damage, one of the Arsuron caught sight of something moving in the forests. The figure appeared to be some kind of owl, though larger. The curious explorers followed after the creature, hoping to get a better look. The Arsuron tracked and followed the creature, not sure if they would notice them or not.

Arsur Coastline

Progress was slow with the stone, at most they were able to forge blades by grinding the edges of a flattened piece of the stone at an angle against a more granulated stone, but they were at the moment very soft, and while able to cut, they dulled out easily. The flattened pieces were found to bend, and as such, it was determined that if they could be made into a thin spike, they would be useful for spearing fish. That being said, copper was of interest, and fishers were instructed to go to the seabed and collect as many ore as they could find to bring back. Lotus Tribe was given copper ore as well in trade.

It took a while for the Polypodises to fully discuss the topic, as half of them believed the Illis were a gift from the gods and thus do not have any value. Eventually, they decided to bring out three of the Ferream, who decided that a Illis is worth what it gathers, (wood, stone, etc) and thus they decided to see what the creatures had on them. The Ferream decided that the "Bloodwood" was of equal value to a Illis. A trade of a Illis for the strangely colored wood would be fair. And they proceeded to draw the offer in the sands.
[@Nerevarnie]

@Nerevarine

Explorers in Soruli Territory

It was not long before the explorers had come across shows of civilization. While passing through the rainforest, hit one of the canoes, cutting a hole into it. As the boat was dragged out onto the river's coast, bark was cut from one of the trees and placed over the hole, using bone pins hammered in to fix the hole. While repairing the damage, one of the Arsuron caught sight of something moving in the forests. The figure appeared to be some kind of owl, though larger. The curious explorers followed after the creature, hoping to get a better look. The Arsuron tracked and followed the creature, not sure if they would notice them or not.

The area where the Asuron landed had nut-bowls and coconut shells collected into piles to one side, the area lined with moss covered logs and the odd drum left for dancing.

Naho was a Soruli of deep red hair and deep orange eyes. Coconut shaped shells she'd eaten her lunch at on the river side after her bath held water for those still at The Home Tree.

She'd held them close to her chest with her staff balanced on her head as she walked, making a game out of lifting a leg and taking a grand step forward, chirping happily.

Taking step after step, minding the movement of the water in its natural containers, she suddenly heard the hammering echoed back from whence she came and went rigid.

Her fur seemed to almost stand on end on her body as she turned and stared back, kneeling to place her water containing coconuts near the base of a nearby little tree.

She ended up peeking through the bushes around the river spot of feeding and spying on the odd looking... pointy eared things. She tilted her head, seeming like some type of fuzzy owl observing another kind of bird.

Naho stepped back carefully, hoping to sneak away, yet paused as one of the Pointy Eared looked her direction. She suppressed the urge to screech with surprise but still stood up entirely from her crouch staring at them with big eyes of orange before rushing into the forest.

Passing the coconuts in her run, she paused and turned staring at them, then up at the tree towering above.

She quickly climbed and perched herself amid the shade and hanging leaves to observe the Pointy Eared approach with growing anticipation and semi-nervous tweeting sounds.

Looking around herself, thinking of something to offer and seeing nothing, her mind working quickly. Taking in a deep breath, Naho moved to slowly move the hanging leaves aside to gaze down at them from above, pleasant singing sounds coming from her mouth.

The Night-Walkers, Population 30 (18 in Khlin, 12 in Imlona)

Age of Rising Shadow, Morning After Night of Hidden Light (New Moon)

Techs: Inter-Species Communication Method (1/4)

The holy waters of darkness fades, the sky is once again illuminated by the unholy fire. Haixun mutters to himself about how he hates having to find these creatures in this revealing light, but he knows that it is the only way. These mole-men are normally consistent in their path to the river, and could be tracked easily. With the morning sun rising over the sky, Haixun gathered his necessary supplies and set out.

These creatures were easily located, their strange walking motion leaving a distinct path. Haxiun followed from treetops, being careful about where he is climbing as to not be seen. As he was traveling above these creatures, Haxiun was trying to make sense of these strange noises that they made. What could these things be saying? They keep mentioning something called "Hmph". They seem to be debating something. What is this "Hmph"? Finally they made it to the river, and began filling their strange containers with the sacred waters of the Homeland. Trying to understand what these creatures are saying, Haxiun began to look over the branch to see if there are any hints in their movements.

It took one wrong move, one foolish step and Haxiun began tumbling down the branches. Trying to grab onto nearby branches, he only succeeded in making more noise. Thankfully, the branches broke his fall enough that he could see that nothing is broken. Then, he realized what has happened, the sky-flame is bright, he is near the river. They can see him. He looked up and saw these strange creatures staring at him. Haxiun got his feet and sprinted away, jumping away from these giants. He climbed a nearby tree and ran to his home-tribe as fast as possible.

@Joegreenbeen

The Howling Hound Clan.
Population: 42 adults, 16 younglings.

The Rootpaw Clan
Population: 26 adults, 8 younglings.

Technological advancement.
Basic tools: 1 / 2

The era of flame, year four.

Northern den cluster (Former Rootpaw territory)

The male leading the group of three patrolling the borders of their territory while also scouting for tracks of prey stopped, the two females following him calmly sitting down behind him. He leaned his head back in a loud howl, the two females joining in. Shortly after several howls echoed back from the direction of the dens. What made them twitch was the fact that there was responding howls from a direction beyond their territory as well. But it did not sound like any howl they had heard before.

The male rose up on his hind legs and faced the direction the howling had come from, trying to spy what had done it, without luck. A short discussion broke out among the three about how to handle the situation.

They howled together for longer than usual, signifying that they had found something of interest, good or bad, then set out beyond their territory to see what had answered their howls.

With wide eyes and perked ears they slowly made their way across the unknown area, watchful of any plants or creatures they had not encountered in their own territory. They jumped in surprise and once more turned to face the direction of the howling, noticing the sound of different voices, possibly three. An unknown clan?

__________________________________

Southern den cluster (Howling Hound clan home)

The Alpha overwatched as two of the young adults hammered sticks against the scales that had fallen off during the territorial battle a year ago in an attempt to reproduce the embedding that the first stick had shown. One of them came up with the idea of taking a rock and hammering it against the back of the stick while it was held against the scale. Both of the young adults gave up a cheerful barking sound as they had achieved what the Alpha had ordered of them. The young male that had first achieved results jabbed the tool down into the ground and dragged it around, forming the shape of a circle around him.

The Alpha nodded slowly, pleased with the progress. A faint howl was heard in the distance, and the entire cluster of dens responded by howling in unison. He held his paw out towards the young adult whom reluctantly gave away the newly crafted tool. The Alpha lumbered over to a nearby rock and tried his luck on it, only scratching the surface and chipping a small piece of it away. With a grunt he turned over to the nearest tree and used it as one would have done a claw against the bark, managing more precise and clean cuts into the bark.

His experiments were interrupted as a second howl was heard, and once more the cluster responded in unison, the larger and stronger members of the clan wasting no time, dashing off to possibly aid their patrol if necessary.

Time: Era of Gray (no precise timekeeping system developed)

Information


The Rise of Figurative Pyramids

In the eastern camp, the engineer mentioned earlier has recently shared their idea with a resource tracker (order + place = red + blue = purple). They think it will be more helpful as it will allow the resource tracking they do to be better able to account for the growing size of the Platta civilization. They do think it will be harder to be precise for the same reason, but they come up with two additions to the system to make it more possible. This is the noting of approximation, as in "within 5 of" as well as marks for larger numbers than the Platta care to count such as 1,000. This is only understood in terms of 10 of 10 of 10 of something as the highest number used before now was the population (103). The resource tracker says, "I don't think it will get as high as 10 of 10 of 10 within my lifetime but I think we might some day. This innovation will aid many things in the future."

At the next discussion between all Platta (after the parts involving Faw are resolved), this system is explained. A sentry (order = red) tired of the long discussion explains that this could also be used with messengers deliver daily updates and tasks rather than rely on discussion. The Platta think this would save a lot of time, but also could cause misunderstanding of goals. For now, it is done on a trial run with white mediators as the main task writers. Unintentionally, the Platta are moving to a more hierarchical government. Some are aware, and like it. Some are aware, and worry about it.

Arsuron

Population: 200
Arsur Coast: 55
River Camp: 57 (10 in Rokthan Territory)
Lotus Colony: 86 (3 in Society Territory, 2 stationed to construct Yijen Fork Trading Post, 16 enroute to Yijen Fork Trading Post (15 Illis Slaves), 6 in Soruli Territory)

Technological Progress [+]

• Copper Working: 4/8
• Fire though Quicklime and Water: 3/5
• Dolphin Domestication: 3/10
• Papyrus: 3/4
• The Slave Trade: 2/3

Explorers in Society Territory
@Shoggothought
"So, we are in agreement" the merchant drew into the sand, smiling under his mask as he motioned for the merchants to bring them enough lumber for 15 Illis. The new slaves were to be secured with rope and taken up the river to the Yijen Fork Trading post, 3 stationed at the post for construction and the rest taken back to Lotus colony to be sold. As the Illis were being sent back up river, the Leader of the scouts took out a small clay tablet and began writing the agreement, that an Illis will be traded for an equivalent of double that Illis' body weight of bloodwood. The leader made a second copy of the agreement and handed the second clay tablet with the written agreement to one of the Ferream to show that there was no deception. The agreement was written on the first line in the makeshift trade language they were using, the second in proper Arsuron; below that was a seal stamped into the clay as a signature. With this, the agreement would have tangible proof and not be questioned.

Explorers in Soruli Territory
@Diehard243
The explorers had followed the red birdlike being for quite a distance, surprised at its agility and speed. Many times they had lost sight, but the trackers pressed on, until they had lost sight once again. The 6 explorers searched around, before hearing noises coming from a tree. They were bird noises, but louder, more distant, and obviously from a larger creature. The explorers followed the sound, to a tree not far from their location. As they gazed up they caught sight of the bright red being, thought she was covered in more color than they had previously noticed. particularly an ashy grey covering her skin and orange in her shimmering eyes. The Arsuron were for a while stunned at the sight of the bird, and the humanoid shape much like themselves. One explorer suggested trying to speak to the bird, for it might be intelligent, or at the very least it would show they were not hostile for now. The leader of the group cleared his throat and spoke.

"uhh..uh..darúg fïfïg, gehur....nu...ánhur!"

The Weaver

Weaving the inner pulp of the reed was proving to be difficult; while they could indeed be woven like the fibers of the bark, the wet sugary reeds never dried unless they were rolled and pressed to remove the water, but even then they did not dry properly, and sugar made the resulting weave sticky and tacky. But the weaver was not to be deterred, and soon found that soaking the pieces of papyrus reed pulp in water helped to reduce their stickiness, but the problem still remained of the excess water. There must be a way to remove the moisture inside. It was then that she noticed the slabs of wood that builders on the coastline were using, how their flat surfaces could be used to compress the sheets of woven papyrus and help them dry. After acquiring two wooded boards and a heavy stone, the weaver placed the sheets of woven papyrus in them, hoping it would remove the excess liquid.

Alvith Population: 167 - Age of Rielo
Rielo Village: 84
Scalo Village: 83

The Alvith prospered and grew in strength with two separate villages. When together was always threat that food could come short with so many mouths to feed but apart was food for all. Runners between the two villages keeping the flow of information between two villages, keeping them connected. Chief Rielo Kriivith was the strongest chief having beaten Chief Scalo Kriivith in ritual combat to become Chief before the parting of Alvith into two villages. Though the only ones that really traveled between the villages were runners, each village developing its own hierarchy of strength. Krascalo a male Alvith in village of Scalo was number two, having lost in attempts to take title of Chief. In village of Rielo the female Alvith Vonle had risen to number two in terms of strength and also mate of current Chief.
The issue of having enough huts for everyone had not been reached before the split but it would of been something that would of happened sooner rather than later. Huts made from bones and hides had worked for generations but Kaalo a male Alvith was trying to discover a new thing to build homes from. As Kaalo was on a walk outside village he found a patch of earth that had dried to be tough. Dragging his claws on hand over the dirt it resisted his efforts to dig in it much more then softer dirt grass of plains grew from. It came to mind of Kaalo that if he could find a way to use dirt instead of bones and hides then huts could be made more freely as needed. It would also be of much greater ease to repair a hut. The larger huts always suffered issue with a good Ogurk hide for a hut was also a good hide to make clothing from, huts could get into disrepair. Ogurk herd could be hurt if just killed them more then the Alvith needed to for food.
Elsewhere Raclo had adjusted to life in village of Scalo rather well. It was like old times serving Chief Scalo Kriivith again. One day while working on cutting up a freshly killed Ogurk with his son, Raclo thought upon something. The wood tools he used all his life were always a pain to use and in some cases were useless but Raclo had his brute strength for that. Strongest thing Raclo could think of was a rock. When done with work for the day Raclo would gather various rocks to experiment with.

Sun dried clay mud brick 1/4
Stone Tools [replace Wood Tools] 1/8

@Raindeer

Northern Den Cluster (Former Rootpaw territory)

With wide eyes and perked ears they slowly made their way across the unknown area, watchful of any plants or creatures they had not encountered in their own territory. They jumped in surprise and once more turned to face the direction of the howling, noticing the sound of different voices, possibly three. An unknown clan?

Cor stared off and hummed as the noises went silent. He let his legs swing back and forth, brown eyes scanning the area whilst holding up his mane of white fur and feathers, still wet from a small shower that passed over mere moments ago, washing off some of the dusts that were upon his lighter grey flesh and making his whites more bold against the colors of the rainforest.

The Noises of Unison had been heard clearer and clearer as he allowed his sense of hearing to control his path. The noises made back seemed to call the creators closer as intended.

They would soon meet and extend what they could to this new being. They would attempt peace. He caught himself making a chirpy little laugh of glee as Ima and Mica moved beneath his position, continuing a conversation about safety that had been persisting ever since they left The Home Tree, their taloned fingers laying out large leaves to place varying fruits and nuts.

Cor made a sound of affection toward them, causing them to pause their work and look up at him to call it back. Watching the tension seep from their movements and their continued communication lighten in tone made his heart soar forth and his spirits rise.

Eyes caught something, distant but there. Forms lower to the ground than their own, fur and some sleeker portions of flesh.

Cor leaned forward, hands still holding his mane from his face as he lowered his voice and called down, “Plan of Peace! Beings of Unison!”

As he felt Ima and Mica settle next to him on the branch, he slowly raised a hand and waved his pale arm to bring more attention to their posiiton.

~~~

@Nerevarine

Explorers in Soruli Territory

As they gazed up they caught sight of the bright red being, thought she was covered in more color than they had previously noticed. particularly an ashy grey covering her skin and orange in her shimmering eyes. The Arsuron were for a while stunned at the sight of the bird, and the humanoid shape much like themselves. One explorer suggested trying to speak to the bird, for it might be intelligent, or at the very least it would show they were not hostile for now. The leader of the group cleared his throat and spoke.

"uhh..uh..darúg fïfïg, gehur....nu...ánhur!"

Naho tilted her head at the sounds that exited one of the Pointy Eared. She repeated these noises made in her head, making an soft sound of “kyu-kyu” as she processed it.

Her fear subsided despite being outnumbered, comforted by the fact they had not attacked but released a sound like that. Her orange eyes, large curious looked to the six beings below her, taking in what was different from herself and her kin. Their sizes, heights, skin… all so strange.

Were they with injury? Were they hungry? Her mind fluttered from possibility to possibility. Looking for body language to read from.

In slow smooth motions she moved on hands and feet to a more visible spot, then eased one foot under the other to have both legs crossed on the thick branch as casually as if she were upon the solid ground and not above it high enough to be out of their reach and hurt herself were she to fall.

Her eyes almost sparkled as they curved upward, continuing to take them in.

Sharing of food or drink was the easiest method of peace in her thoughts currently and with that her body began leaning forward, as she mirrored the gesture of clearing her throat and opened her mouth to release peace-sounds.

<“Uhh… uh.”> The leader’s voice exited her mouth, higher pitched and softer in its tone. She used the unsure sounding cadence of the first portion with a taloned finger tapping her mouth then extending her body and arm in a long smooth motion so that one taloned finger could point toward the two water containers left on the ground. <“Nu.”>

Then from one container she pointed toward three of the beings. With the other she pointed to the remaining three.

Waiting a moment, she sat up and made a cough-cough noise followed by a soft cawing sound of displeasure.

She extended her hands as if she were picking up the container from the air before herself and leaned her head back as she opened her mouth to mime taking dainty little drinks.

Naho finished the display by lowering the mimed container and making a happy tweeting sound as she bobbed her red head, secretly hoping that they did not dislike the semi-sweet taste on the inside of the hollowed out nut that the containers were made from.

@Diehard243
The leader of the border patrol lead the two females deeper into the unknown territory, licking his nose and twitching lightly as his coarse tongue dragged over his fresh scar along his muzzle, watchful with every step. One of the females gave out a low growl and attracted the other two's attention towards a moving shape rather far up in a tree quite a bit away, seeming to call for their attention. The leader took point and stood up on his hind legs, waddling over towards the bird-like creatures calling for them.

Upon coming closer they noticed that they were far from regular birds. They differed strongly in color but seemed to belong to the same kin.
The group of three looked at each other.

The younger female spoke.

"How do we talk to them? Birds do not growl."

The older one responded.

"They could obviously howl, what says they can not growl?"

They chattered on until the male snarled.

"Silence. We must at least try."

He stepped forth and looked up at the trio, his head tilted lightly to the left in confusion.

"You called for us? You howled? How does a bird howl?"