[Forum Game] The Long Winter

[chopak]

"I will represent clan Xiuhcoatl in Tlatoani trials" Tall woman with dark red hair stated "I am Eleuia Xiuhcoatl. The oldest of the Chosen Ones trained by Xipil herself. With Xiuhcoatl's blessing I shall pass the trials and lead our tribe".

( ( She will be cautious in battle and in the hunt))

 

[Ironhide G1]

"I will run for Tlatonai. I will show the strength of the Maximotl clan," said Gaius Maximus Fortis. "I will hunt and fight cautiously."

 

[Luftwafer]

As my fore fathers before me, my tribe believes that the God king does not answer to any man, whether they are Tlatoni or not. due to this belief I will announce that I will not be running for this post.

I also warn the future Tlatoni that if he intefers with my tribe, then we will rip down the walls we built around the Capital and secede

 

[Rovsea]

Clan Tlanextic warns that any talk of a tribal Secession will be met by our tribes displeasure. We want everybody here to work together, for the common good of all, and no tribe should weaken our nation out of spite or petty differences.

 

[happycats517]

((Hey guys, sorry, but I'm out. I've lost interest in this game, through no fault of the other players or Emilersej. Just fell out of the mood to play this type of game. Thanks Emil for GMing and best of luck to the other players))

 

[Emilersej]

Chapter VII: Trial of Three Champions
Although Cecmitzl's innovation for the Trial of New Ideas was pretty lame, it was new, and he, Elehuia and Xaiotl all made it all the way through the Trials without making any major mistakes. It was truly an exciting set of trials this time.

So, according to custom, the three champions met on a carefully smoothed out and entirely flat field below Acaluaccaquixtepetl, completely void of even the smallest pebble, and made ready for the duel. The three-way duel began, and Cecmitzl quickly approached Elehuia and hurled her out of the field. Then, only he and Xaiotl were left, and they brawled for several hours. It was the longest, most intense Tlatoani duel in the history of Atlauhtipan.

Both combatants heavily exhausted and severely bruised, the sun started setting, and in the darkness of dusk, Cecmitzl finally landed one heavy blow, which knocked Xaiotl out, leaving Cecmitzl as the victor. The Snow-Wanderers had retaken the Tlatoaniship!

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Orders due in 48 hours!

 

[Galren]

After a few days of rest and making sure his opponents would be fine, Cecmiztl was at the necentlaliliztl, preparing to bring up the disappearance of the Yotoli clan among the heads of the tribe.

"Heads of the necentlaliliztl. For some time now, the Yotoli have been occupying the lands of the Atlaticquipiltzmeh even though it was earlier decided they were to only have the Acaluaccaquixtepetl. There are signs that the Yotoli are going to die out soon, so I believe that now is the time to resolve this issue. In previous years, the clans had agreed to distribute the lands of the Atlaticquipiltzmeh by Quixpix's plan. The succession of these lands has already been resolved by the necentlaliliztl*, and thus a new vote is not necessary. However, the Yotoli had more than these lands. They also have an Instrument Workshop and the Acaluaccaquixtepetl. In particular, the Acaluaccaquixtepetl was a sacred site for the Yotoli. If anybody wishes to claim these buildings, then they can declare their intent to do so.** "

The new head of the Cecuecacayotin Zeltzin, the older sister of Cecmiztl, spoke after Cecmitzl finished.

"Out of respect for the other clans that share the Yotoli's pantheon, the Cecuecacayotin will not claim the Acaluaccaquixtepetl. The Cecuecacayotin also propose that the instrument maker should go to the government in order to resolve the deficit it has been having for many years."

*((Since the Yotoli had claimed the lands before they were distributed under the plan, we were obligated to try and get them off the land. But considering they are about to die out, I think we should honor Quixpix's plan for the lands originally.))

**((This isn't a first come, first serve basis. That would be unfair for people who live in different time zones. If there is a dispute when multiple clans claim the same building ... well, we'll have to see how negotiations will go.))

((CORRECTION: I spelled Cecmiztl's name wrong. It is supposed to be Cecmiztl.))

 

[Rovsea]

While Clan Tlanextic is of the same faith as the Yolotli, we do not feel the need to claim any of their holy properties now. Truthfully,we found ourselves disagreeing with their more secular policies, so we never became as close as our beliefs may suggest.

 

[chopak]

"I would like to congratulate our new Tlatoani. May you rule wise and just." Xipil bowed to the new leader. "Now to the matters at hand: My clan will not claim any of the Yotolis' lands or buildings. However they were not the only Clan that considers some land as holy. We, the Xiuhcoatl, see the Tepoztepetl as our holy site. We will not allow any clan to settle there, so unfortunately your proposal from before the trials to split this land evenly is out of the question." Xipil paused for a while and continued: "We understand however, that Holy Rocks, which some of you call copper, might be useful to our Tribe. That's why, in exchange for respecting our claim, we will take it upon ourselves to build and maintain mining operation there and transport copper to Atlauhtipan for all Clans to use."

 

[Galren]

Head Zeltzin looked a bit confused at the Xiuhcoatl's Holy Rocks, at first, but regained her composure. From what she knew of the Xiuhcoatl, they didn't specifically mention any kind of holy rock and the recent acquisition of Tepoztepetl was thought to be a strategic one. She couldn't blame them, though. Copper samples from the clan's traders had a very nice shade of green to it and looked quite pretty. After considering the Xiuhcoatl's proposal, Zeltzin turned to Xipil.

"Xipil, your Holy Rocks are rumored to be much better material for weapons and tools than stone. These are only rumors though, although our crafters* are very eager to acquire adequate supply of them in order to begin experimenting properly.** The Cecuecacayotin and I will respect your request, and suggest instead that we split the lands of Quaquahuicalla evenly."

*((I'm not sure whether to call them smiths or not. After all, they aren't working with metal yet.))

**((There's another source of copper to the south, which is not claimed by anybody. It's quite plausible that traders may have exchanged small samples of copper between one another. Plus, there may be rumors of another nation that has good access to copper and how good it is with tools and weapons. Believe me or not, but people like a good bit of gossip, even if a bit exaggerated.))

((From what I looked up, tepuztli or tepoztli means copper, iron, or steel in Nahuatl. Teocuitlatl means precious metal or gold, and iztac teocuitlatl is silver, translating literally to white gold or white precious metal. Since the hill of copper is called Tepoztepetl, is it right to assume tepoztli will refer to copper and tepuztli will refer to iron later on?))

 

[chopak]

"We will gladly share this gift of Xiuhcoatl with other clans and will start constructing mine as soon as possible"
((I assumed that copper deposits in Tepoztepetl were actually red (like cuprite), not green (malachite), and that's why they are considered to be the gift from Fire Serpent. Of course other ores might be present in this world, so the fact that Zeltzin's knowledge is "copper ore = green" is ok.))

 

[Emilersej]

Chapter IX: The Settling of Quaquahuicalla
The first years of Cecmiztl's reign were peaceful, with little of note happening, except for the first small shipments of copper from the mines of Tepoztepetl being sailed to the capital, and for the clansmen of Necuametzli, who had never before undertaken anything noteworthy, began preparing an expedition to Beyond-the-Mountain, where they sought to claim new lands.

Also, among the Cuallitechichic was born a man called Acachtopahuiqui, He-Who-Does-Things-The-Earliest. He was the son of a medicine man from Atlauhtipan, and from a very young age, he began helping his father with his business. By the age of 12, he helped his father expand his business greatly, and by the age of 15, he became member of the Apothecary's Guild. He quickly advanced within the Guild, and by the age of 18, he rose to the rank of Master. He clearly was destined for great things.

But Camotlalpan and Atlauhtipan were once again overpopulated, and in the fifteenth year of Cecmiztl's reign, many young clansmen from Clan Cecuecacayotin, Xiuhcoatl and the Achtopochtecapiltzmeh set out to settle down in the woods of Quaquahuicalla. At first, there had been plans to settle surplus population at Tepoztepetl, but Clan Xiuhcoatl would not allow other clans to settle there due to the presence of holy rocks. It was the same rocks that were shipped to Atlauhtipan, but this apparently didn't constitute any problem.

Thus, the final destination for the migration became the woods of Quaquahuicalla, but this region was already claimed (but sparsely inhabited) by Clan Maximotl, and conflicts between them and the Cecuecacayotin, Xiuhcoatl and Achtopochtecapiltzmeh settlers soon erupted, as Maximotl clansmen accused settlers of trespassing on their lands. In Cecmiztl's eighteenth year as Tlatoani, a newly-built Xiuhcoatl longhouse was burned down by unknown perpetrators.

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So, before I continue playing, I'd like @Ironhide G1 to react on the settling of his lands and @Galren , @chopak and @barkardes to react on the burning of the house. Will this conlict be solved with weapons or words?

Also, @aedan777 should decide whether he wants his promising merchant/medicine man Acachtopahuiqui to dedicate his life to research and invention (invent Classical Lifestyle), or expanding the clan's trading business (+1 food, +6 wealth)

 

[barkardes]

We are enraged about the burning of the house.The same can happen to us anytime.And I know who did this.Everybody knows.Some selfish man who doesn't want to share a land they can't use well.If we could populate here,everybody would benefit.They can't process the wood because they don't have enough population to do so.
But I'm a peaceful man.I offer two solutions.We can discuss.
1)Land will be evenly distributed.Maximotl and Xiuhcoat will solve the problem between themselves.
Everybody will have 1/4 of the land.
2)We will share the land and I will pay 30 golds to Maximotl to make them happy.But nothing comes out of good.I will get a bigger share in the land.
5/24 to Maximotl,4/24 to Cecuecacayotin,4/24 to Xiuhcoatl,11/24 to Achtopochtecapiltzmeh
Numbers can be discussed but I think this numbers are fair.
((In Civ5 you buy a land for at least 20 gold for a useless land and that's a valuable land.I know that this is Civ4 but when I think logically number seems fine.))

I can't accept to leave the lands we have settled.If there is no agreement I'm sad to say that there is no option other than war.Even though I'm a peaceful man I don't avoid war when it's necessary.

 

[Ironhide G1]

The current head of the Maximotl Fortis branch, Gaius, looked angry. "Who did this nonsense? I never ordered the burning! Right now I am looking to see if anyone in this branch of the Maximotl did it. It was stupid thing to do, even for the family's sake. What have we to gain by burning this? Hate and scorn and arguments from the others clans. These arsonists clearly do not have mymclan's interests at heart!"

Then calming down a bit, Gaius continued, "It does not escape me someone may have burned it to blacken our clan. We will give 30 coins to the victims as recompence for deeds thr clan may not have done, but for now I will assume rogue members of the Maximotl did this. I know some of my clansman are angry. Believe me, after this event, I will talk long and hard with them about clan duty and respect of other clans."

"Here is a compromise that I think will settle everyone's needs. Regardless of the circumstances that have happened, we are still the first to settle the land and work it, before the last Tlatonai came to power even. Therefore we should have the biggest piece. We will pay each of the new settler clans 10 gold pieces, and distribute the land as such:

9/24 to clan Maximotl, -60 gold pieces
5/24 Cecuecacayotin +10 gp
5/24 Xiuhcoatl+40 gp
5/24 Achtopochtecapiltzmeh+10 gp

((Do I have enough money to do this?))

 

[barkardes]

((You have 57 gold.Must ask this to GM.))
I should have asked you first about that.It looks you are a wise man.A wise man wouldn't burn that house down.
I already have a lot of gold and I need some production to make it to more money.Others can accept having the gold.I will let you keep your 10 gold,but I will have 1/24 more land than what you proposed.So that makes 1/4 of the land for me.Deal?

 

[Ironhide G1]

Alright. Deal.

 

[chopak]

"You are a wise and just man, Gaius Maximotl. We want peace between our clans, and thus we accept your compensation for damages, as well as your proposed deal to work this land together. Let no conflicts split our tribe."

 

[Galren]

"This plan shall work," Zeltzin began, "although the Cecuecacayotin do not wish for the gold. Like the Achtopochtecapiltzmeh, perhaps we could have 1/24 of your share in exchange for giving back the gold? Of course, if you do not wish for this to happen, we will accept the gold."

((On an unrelated note, I am going to be a very salty person if I get nothing done this turn because the production on the spreadsheet was calculated wrong. I'm pretty sure going from -38 production to 61 production in 94 turns is wrong when I have 5.22 production per turn at this stage.))

 

[aedan777]

The promising medicine man Acachtopahuiqui will dedicate his life to research and invention, seeking to increase the standards of living for our tribe as well as others.

 

[Ironhide G1]

"This plan shall work," Zeltzin began, "although the Cecuecacayotin do not wish for the gold. Like the Achtopochtecapiltzmeh, perhaps we could have 1/24 of your share in exchange for giving back the gold? Of course, if you do not wish for this to happen, we will accept the gold."

I would very much like to keep the land, but I guess we could give you 1/24 more.

Final Count:

7/ 24 to clan Maximotl, -40 gold pieces
6/24 Cecuecacayotin
5/24 Xiuhcoatl +40 gp
6/24 Achtopochtecapiltzmeh