Table of Contents

• Early bronze era
  • The Askatarium
  • Border-Talk with the Zupa
  • A (small) change in governance
  • Neftis, the Farsighted
  • ciu sco tegluntra
  • The third city
• Middle bronze era
  • Scholar Gathering in Palanteinc – The result
  • Civil Law
  • Disputing our believes in the Hulu Kingdom
    • Presentation of belief and its gods (Presaard)
    • Debate (Dekasha)
    • Talks on each belief’s main pillars and Qualities (Quejabiya)
    • Debate on their imperfections (Silbec)

Bronze Era

Early bronze era

NOTE: This section still refers to the original mapgame Palanteinc. The content might still change.

Attending the askatarium, the strong-willed Zupans and a shift in governing ethics

We sent only a handful of warriors and scouts to accompany our small tribunal, the wisewoman Luica and our strongman Nentius. We played a game of Uutha.

The Askatarium

Our wisewoman held a presentation (in the Trestmari) on how to gain poison from a local frog and snake and how to dilute said poison to cure some ailments. She won! Joy over joy!

We will forever remember the Inkarsk as a Good nation that hosted such an event for everyone to learn and grow. Also they showed us the sunmari (sunclock)!

Sadly, our people did not win in any of the other categories. Our strongman Nentius pushed himself too far. Still, we cheered for our neighbors!

Border-Talk with the Zupa

In order to keep the peace, we have sacrificed much of what we had hoped we could call our own land. Nevertheless, we are glad to have the Zupa close to us – and friendly, hopefully. They have not yet signed our Non-Aggression treaty.

Leaving us shocked, they wanted to gift us 500 slaves, mutilated, their tongues cut off. We were horrified and could only decline. This has left a gap between our nations.

A (small) change in governance

But also, it has shown us how important it is to know more about our neighbors. And that maybe not all of us are fit to lead? Certainly, less and less individuals throw their name into the basket.

As it stands, only seven families remain very active. We wonder where this may leave us.

Governance shift from true sortition (Cleromancy) to only a select few families repeatedly contributing to the sortition.

Neftis, the Farsighted

In what will soon be declared a defining moment, Neftis – Ammon Dex Neftis – can finally rest easy. His agenda to construct the freshwater aqueduct was successful. The water wheel is up and running and our cisterns are full. 

ciu sco tegluntra

Our hands are reaching

As our world grows larger we seek the aid of our neighbors. Our small tribunals have often been ill equipped to handle difficult situations with people that are still so foreign to us. 

We ask if our neighbors would be so kind as to send us each a teacher of their language and culture, so that we can equip our leaders with the knowledge necessary to speak to you in even terms. Our gracious and kind and good neighbors have agreed to send us at least one of their teachers:

• City of Agade: The Senate sees this as a worthy expense and endeavor.
• ZUPA: ZUPA SHALL SEND HIS MOST INTELLIGENT SLAVES TO TEACH YOU OF THE GLORIOUS MOAN DIALECT.
• Theocracy of Ornbar: The Theocracy is glad to help their neighbors learn of their ways and language. Glory to the Great Lizard!
• People of Inkarsk: A Group of Inkarsk scholars is send to meet up with the Delegation in Palanteinc. The might of the word is important for every civilization.
• Hulu Kingdom: The Hulu Kindgom is sending The famed Envoy Obidawa Cama to Palanteinc, may this be the day where we earn new friends and prosperity through peace

The climate is warm and slightly humid at best – unbearably hot and damp at its worst. The jungle on one hand and the ocean on the other, water finds its way. The green hell opens to  -in comparison- barren looking fields alongside a wide river. Situated at the river fork stands a large waterwheel and some few fishermen’s boats scour the shallower parts of the fork.

Palanteinc is a big city, though from afar it is hard to say where it begins. There is a wooden fence – to keep out most of the more dangerous wildlife -, not even worth mentioning as a true barricade.

Aside from larger clusters of housing and the obvious larger “main roads” in between, the houses stand close, large and small. Some are connected on a second story via a sheltered pathway, others have their upper stories leaning onto the other for support. Characteristic are the large, open windows and archways, only sometimes closed off with coarse curtains. There is a marketplace, close to the entrance, littered with tents and stalls.

On top of the ascending hill one can see the outline of the Meeting Hall -the giant forum that holds the original meeting stone- and behind that a glimpse of the Grand Temple.

Your delegation is received just outside the “gates”. Once the first envoy arrives with their entourage, many Haensiu drop whatever work of the day they had been doing. They flock to the streets, eager to see and greet the newcomers. They shout amongst themselves and slowly make way, keeping each other at bay. “We’ve only started building a common inn.”, your guide says with almost perfect grammar, but horribly butchers some words in their pronounciation. “But we would have wanted you close by anyway. One of our clans will be providing for you. You have a room and good food and company, if you wish. Whoever has accompanied you will, of course, be cared for in the same way and living close by.”

Later in the day you are shown the “prud” (school). It is a building close to the Meeting Hall. You are informed that usually, a smaller “core” of students will attend, but you are reminded that the lessons you teach are open to anyone. Your guide fears that, during the first days, you will be bombarded with questions and see many faces. He asks you to be kind and patient. 

The Clan that takes you in will throw a small household festivity to greet you and establish you as a guest in their home. They ask you to abide to local laws and to respect the people of Palanteinc.

The third city

Tesic’mo Ceinc (lit. “city of the west”)

The People of Palanteinc wish to invite their neighbors for a short celebration in honor of their new city on the western side of the island – Tesic’mo Ceinc. The celebration will last for an entire week and the people partaking are asked to come with only a small entourage, as the city cannot hold too many visitors yet.

Theocracy of Ornbar: Ruiith Goldweave and his companions are in the area due to his journey across the eastern isles observing the sacred children of the Great Lizard and will make a small detour to the new city.

Middle bronze era

The Scholar Gathering in Palanteinc, a dead lizard, the Civil Law for every citizen set in stone, the Hulian Agora

Scholar Gathering in Palanteinc – The result

After the Scholarly Gathering in Palanteinc nears its end, the people and the (by now) second council in charge are relieved to find that the common people have become a lot less fearful of their new neighbors. The exchange between the many cultures had a very positive impact on all Palanteinc people and many more of the common farmers are enthused to participate in political life again, with some very few of their youngest easily picking up one of the new languages passed down.

Even more positive news came to light at the very end of the gathering, as two of the foreign scholars sent to Palanteinc have found love and purpose in their now new home country.

The council was more than happy to pronounce the following marriages:

• Ceratesk of the Inkarsk will marry Fadia Pimu Iliya
  The council heard the wishes of Ceratesk and found the name “Talidin” an excellent name.
  From now on, the two will start the Talidin family within the Fadia clan. May they find happiness and prosper and have many healthy children! We pronounce you Fadia Talidin Ceratesk and Fadia Talidin Iliya.
  Traditionally, the wedding was made official by the Nupa in Palanteinc and, after the naming ceremony a week later, the Fadia Clan makes sure to throw a huge party for the newlyweds.
  Additionally, since Ceratesk is of the Inkarsk, their wedding traditions have also been observed. Next to the very informal and public ceremony, the clergy, the Nupa, the more prominent members of the two clans have gathered again. Both proposed cut into their lower arm and the (little) blood is caught in a goblet and stirred by one of the priests.
  Subra, who has become a close friend of Ceratesk, will remain in Palanteinc as well and be a clan-guest for the Fadia. It is rumored he will join the Hunters.
• Rahliia Wheathill will marry Glaecans Skitas Stessa
  From now on, the two will start the Affataroe family within the Glaecans clan.
  May they find happiness and prosper! We pronounce you Glaecans Affataroe Rahliia and Glaecans Affataroe Stessa.
• Obidaya Cama will marry Qir Nar Hatessa.
  From now on, the two will start the Nimidege family within the Glaecans clan.
  May they find happiness and prosper!
  We pronounce you Qir Nimidege Obidaya and Qir Nimidege Obidaya Hatessa.

The Palanteinc wish everyone who leaves them this day a safe journey home and may they keep the Palanteinc in their hearts as good friends and reliable neighbors.

The guests are seen off at the harbour in the west. The entire town waves them off. 

Every Clan has given their guests – **whether or not they leave or stay** – a special gift. 

The **Scholars from the Republic of Agade** leave with a set of connecting cogwheels made of stone. The apparatus looks to be lovingly crafted and can be hung -if fastened properly-. The Cogwheels are a symbol of the Clan. The apparatus is more of a toy. Some of the wheels can be turned with a handle. Depending on what end and what position they are in, they emit a rattling or grinding sound. Every now and then a bell is heard.

The **Scholars from Inkarsk** receive 9 special sets of tinctures and ointments. The boxes can be opened and small flasks and flat caskets are filled with rubbing salves and more. On the inside of the cover are inscriptions how to use what medicine, both in Palanteinc and Inkarsk. The scholars can only estimate that these sets must have taken the clan over a year to assemble.

The **Envoys from the Hulu Kingdom** receive weapons such as throwing spears, crafted from the best available wood and adorned with carvings. They also are gifted hides/furs from jaguars and tigers and snake-leather belts.

Additionally, the Envoys are always welcome to come visit the Clan Qir and join in on their hunting trips.

The **slaves sent to us from ZUPA** … (still pending)

The **clergy from Ornbar** receives, both for their participation in the Gathering and their ongoing goodwill and support, incense and a third temple to the Great Lizard in our new city in the West. 

Additionally, they are asked on their opinion on the great *Onc-Ceinc-Descux* and how to best please the throat of fire.

Additionally:

• Picked up the Inkarsk “easier” letters to write faster
  Both versions are taught. In the next era we might lean to writing names in our old letters and verbes and other parts of a sentence with easier letters (think of the Japanese lettering system!)
• Some clans have basically “adopted” their guests. This is generally seen as a VERY GOOD thing by all of the Palanteinc People.
  We are ready for change but will not forget who we are.
• The City in the West may become more important in the future. Already there is talk of making it a port city. Furthermore, Agade has asked us if they could leave ambassadors within our lands – but the climate around Palanteinc is not for them.
  We offered that they may stay in our new city to the West.

Civil Law

We wrote down our code of law for our citizens. Currently it only deals with crime and punishment and focuses on who is a citizen of Palanteinc.

Disputing our believes in the Hulu Kingdom

As the age of religious skepticism still reigns over the Hululand, the Monarchy has invited every nation to send their holy delegates on this first Hulian Agora to talk about the beliefs everyone thinks is worthy.

The Agora will be held in the Capital where every holy delegate shall be received with appropriate care and respect to their traditions (sent in advance if it’s the first interaction with us).

Everyone is welcome to also pitch their religion on the hulu people as of now they do not know what to believe.

The People of Palanteinc send out  an elder priest and a younger  novice to teach the good Hulu people about their religion. They bring with them a humble gift of 9 lap pigs and jade to show their gratitude. (Quintar Kallux Ania   and   Thebeque Arn Larrus shall be attending.)

The Agora will be on many stages just like as follows:

• Presentation of each belief and it’s gods (Presaard)
• Debate (Dekasha)
• Talks on each belief’s main pilars and Qualities (Quejabiya)
• Debate on their imperfections (Silbec)
• Questioning of other beliefs (Queshkik)
• Debate to defend your belief (Secfaa)
• Words of conclusion (Conitam)

Presentation of belief and its gods (Presaard)

The novice starts by retelling an old tale of two tribes – the Siceintru and the Geintra. The tribes met when one was fleeing south from a famine. The two tribes merged into one and, to this day, their meeting place still stands – our meeting stone in the Meeting Hall of Palanteinc. Today we cannot really say who of us is of what origin. Some speak of distinct telltale signs, but to us, we are all the same. The tribes both had their set of gods and it was decided that none was to be left behind. 

The actual presentation is held by the older priest from the Quintar clan while the novice makes sure the clay tablets are passed around. On the tablets one can find the names of the gods and their main attributes, written in traditional Palanteinc. 

“Before speaking of our gods, we must preface that we are not sure that these are all that there are. We have seen them well within our people, but we have been talking about adding more, once they have fully revealed themselves to us.”

“Indeed, the gods are within us, helping us in our daily tasks. In some individuals they can be seen clearly and daily, in others, they leave for a time, only to return in one’s most dire need.”

“Our gods have no face for they are not people, like us -you and me-, so we cannot have statues or paintings of them. But we do have a grand temple, in which one can pray to all the gods and ask for their wise counsel and assistance.”

“Aside from prayers and occasional offerings at the family’s shrine at home, our temples demand no sacrifice or special service. Us priests are patient listeners and wise counselors ourselves and we try and see and understand the will of the gods in everything around us.”

“Every year at the start of the dry season we celebrate the good will of the gods and hope and ask for more in the coming year. The people who have felt most blessed by the respective god are tasked to prepare the food and drinks for that night on which the god is celebrated. As of today, the festival takes 12 days as we worship 12 gods.”

“Here are the gods who we worship, who bestow upon us their gifts to use wisely and who revel in our success:

• The Hunter – Niks-Desament
• The Gatherer or Farmer – Niks-Deaem
• The Doctor or Caretaker – Niks-Dekaraks
• The Fighter or Soldier – Niks-Dekituks
• The Child or the Student – Niks-Cab
• The Parent or the Teacher – Niks-Ho
• The Constructor or Maker or Creator – Niks-Tekarsks
• The Story and the storyteller – Niks-Feumam
• The Fool or Trickster – Niks-Tegau
• The Heart or Lover or the Devoted one – Niks-Tequioxont
• The Great Lizard
• The Throat of Fire – Onc-Ceinc-Descux”

“Not all of these are the same. Some may know of the Great Lizard? We have adopted the faith of our oldest neighbors – the Ornbar. The Great Lizard is one of the many gods. He lives in our midst and we care for his children daily. Some of the more difficult teachings we cannot -and we want not- enforce on our people.”

“As for the Throat of Fire… The maw is a mystery to us. We know not how to worship it or what this god wants.”

At the end of his speech, the elder priest sums up: “Our gods give us a promise of a bright tomorrow and our will to please them makes us the good and busy people we are today. There is only the present and the near future which will soon all be past. We are born. We live. We die. As long as there are Haensiu there will be our gods.” He bows his head, indicating he has finished speaking.

Debate (Dekasha)

“For the Palanteinc, life is final. Death awaits us all. We are all born under the same sun and we all try and make the best of our lives. Furthermore, we try and improve the lives of those around us, our communities – because there is only one life to live.

So far we can clearly see the gods in each of our people. In some they shine brighter than others, but no one is ever truly without. A life after death? We see no evidence of this. 

We understand that death is a necessary part of life. All mortal beings must come to an end. This is no source for sadness or fear.

Still, us Palanteinc are not blind. We too can see the allure of a life after death. But it is our belief that there is no life after death. Eternity is for the gods alone.”

Talks on each belief’s main pillars and Qualities (Quejabiya)

“Within our religious activities, there too are three pillars: 

One, the private side. There are talks you have with the gods, asking for guidance or answers, thanking them for a bountiful harvest – the reasons for such a talk are just as numerous as our people. Small sacrifices may be made, according to what you can spare and what you feel is appropriate.

Second, the public side. We have our recurring festivities, where we worship the gods together. This strengthens our belief and helps us grow closer with our neighbors. Our people can come to visit the temple and ask the clergy, if they should need advice in how to best commune or interpret a gods decision.

This brings us to the third pillar: The clergy. They are a watchful eye over tradition and change. With their intricate knowledge of our traditions and our culture, they are the ones who initiate a new god, if one should be found, and make sure the old gods and the new can coexist in harmony.

Together, these three pillars form a strong basis and make our people content. 

It is important to understand the place of religion within our culture.

Our religion helps our people to guide them while the religion itself has little of guidelines and rules. All the gods have different preferences but they would be too many to list.

Our religion is a piece of us. We do not feel it on our shoulders as a heavy weight or view it as a dreadful task that needs to be accomplished. It is simply there. It exists with us daily. Only some days we feel our gods strongly within us, when they lift our spirits and we succeed tremendously.

Equally important are the lives of our people, that they live good lives and that we make sure to help our neighbors.

For example, we commend the Valurianism for encompassing that which our people do outside of religion – Diligence and Compassion. Very important.

We are here during these times to present our faith. We seek not to convert anyone. But we do believe our faith is a good one. Good, we find, is most often, more than enough. It leaves room for failures and bad times, such is the fate of us mortal beings, while still leaving us with the knowledge that tomorrow will be better.”

Debate on their imperfections (Silbec)

Proof

NWLR_tv (Republic of Agade)

The Agadian people have always been skeptical in the idea of a creator being of pure good.

Tho we don’t deny an afterlife, ones actions shouldn’t be guided by anyone but themselves, with the world naturally balancing the good and evil out. (We believe in Karma tho we don’t have a name for it yet) The Agadian people do believe in what they see and what they have seen is a Child of a Blood God, a Race of God children aided by there followers, and within the night skies at certain times an entity soaring through the stars.

As far as Agadians are concerned these are the only religions with evidence and proof are the Ornbari,  the Hulu and The Vraconian religions.

Tho we respect the Zarreans “Path” and the Palanteincs peaceful ways (also the Mountain God) as these help enlighten the soul and bring calm to the practitioners

With this the elderly Agadian delegate steps down and ask a Hulu gaurds where the drinks are and that he’s too old for this. 

Hulu Kingdom [E-Plays] 

the guard points him to a table near the delegates filled with fruits and wine

The Hulu Delegates share the same thought, but not in that deep level of meaning 

People of Palanteinc (Sevik)

You speak of truth when talking about religion and faith. A more grounded person, far removed from such practices, would laugh at the notion.

We do not laugh. Are our people, firm in their belief and prosperous practices, not proof enough?

We understand that our religious system can be seen as… small… anything but grand. We have no blood God and we do not link ourselves to children from heaven. Nor have we seen this creature soaring through the night skies.

Iraxian Seekers(HGD3ATH)

Your choice of what faiths are real and which are not seem arbitrary. 

Evil and good ebb and flow based on the actions and the sins of those in the world they are never truly in balance. However we do agree that in order for one to be good there must be evil for one to compare oneself against in the world.

Besides what is more important being a perfect yet aloof creator or an attentive and caring one who also puts both their followers and followers of other faiths first.

Any god which is unable to love and appreciate followers of other deities and desire their redemption even if he doesn’t agree with their beliefs is a tyrant.