4 - A
2 - B
Goodbye stranger, we barely knew you.
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Matamata 'Gleaming-Eye' Starwatcher
High Chief of the Teutorgen Tribe
(34AD - 64AD)
Efficency: 36 + 5 (Economy) +5 (Social Order) + 5 (Army Loyalty) + 15 (Nobility Loyalty) + 15 (Council Loyalty) = 81 (Excellent rule)
Ruin the Itnovini: 58 + 5 (Army Power) + 10 (Excellent rule) + 10 (Initial push) = 83
Marriage Diplomacy: 100 + 10 (Excellent rule) + 10 (Initial push) = 120
Agricultural Developments: 92 +5 (Social Order) + 15 (Nobility Loyalty) + 10 (Excellent rule) + 10 (Initial push) = 132
Boats: 63 + 5 (Economy) + 5 (Social Order) +10 (Excellent rule) + 10 (Initial push) = 93
Tribal Grove: 95 + 5 (Social Order) + 10 (Excellent rule) +10 (Initial push) = 120
Longevity: 30
Children: 0 (Eunuch)
High Chief preferred heir:
(0-20: A noble from the tribe, 21-100: brother) = 95
Council agree ?
(0-50: No, 51-100: Yes) = 78 + 20 (Excellent Rule) + 15 (Council Loyalty) = <100
Flood (0-5) = 35
Drought (0-5) = 4
Child of Ugrel Walax, and adopted son of the Starseeker, Matamata had already his fair share of feats when he became the new High Chief, in the tragic context we know. His most famous was during the hunting grounds' dispute with the Comagri, where he left an hand, his genitals and his eye in compensation to Comagri's casualties. After this grisly achievement, and especially after he became the designated heir, a common joke in the tribe was saying that Matamata purposely left his left eye to 'watch over their northern neighbour'.
Growing into a determined yet pragmatic leader, the heir was already a respected, well-established man amongst the Teutorgen when he had to organize the defense against the Itnovini.
Wishing to make an example for all futur foes of the Teutorgen, Matamata contacted the Vaukelgern and Verovii, both neighbours of Teutorgen and Itnovini, with into bargain lands, wealth, slaves and marriages. Out of respect for his late father, and as an opportunity to leave their cursed swamps, the Vaukelgern agreed. Out of lust and ambition, the Verovii agreed as well.
The war was fierce, each side knowing too well no mercy was to be expected. Though the Itnovini fought well, ultimately quantity prevailed. Many Inovini's villages were plundered, their inhabitants killed or enslaved. The most southern population, however, managed to disappear into the forests, to be discovered latter as exiles in the Togevni or the Nivon. It is even said that some moved even deeper into the forests, as far as they could from the Teutorgen's wrath.
The spoils were soon after shared. The Teutorgen arguably had the lion's share, but Verovii and Vaukelgern had their own, the latter even taking most of old and now unoccupied Itnovini's lands. In the matter of lands, Matamata mostly claimed lands between them and the Vaukelgern, even if it meaned the Teutorgens had now too much lands to efficiently used them.
Now that the war's ashes were waning, much was to be done to preserve the peace and good relations between the victors. And much was done. Aside from trading, nobility trips and gifts, the most notorious measure was marriages between leaders' families. And as Matamata had 6 siblings, he was quite willing to give them away.
Though some of his brothers were jealous that he was chosen as High Chief instead of them, they relunctantly agreed to be married, as Matamata's popularity was skyrocketting after his victory. Family links and regular step family feasts contributed to establishing peace between Teutorgens and the northern Comagri, the now reconciliated Vaukelgerns and the Verovii.
Now that his external relations were tamed, Matamata decided to turn his gaze on domestic affairs. His assessment was straightforward: the Teutorgens, like any other tribe, were a gathering of roaming clans inside a more or less well defined land, in an half-nomadic system. Nothing spectacular could ever come from such a society !
The tribe already had agriculture. Clans planted some seeds in the ground before their leave, went traveling somewhere else, and, when they come back, only had to harvest the half-wild plants. But what if, instead, clans were to stay on their ground, cultivating all the year ? More food, better settlements.
Minor chiefs were rather reluctant in a first time: to be still meaned to be vulnerable. But Matamata outpass those fears. You can establish better defenses when you don't have to move every few months. Clans will have more population, as women will have easier time to give birth and care for their children. Ultimately, more people means neighbours will think twice before starting raids like the one done by Itnovini.
Convinced, the chieftains begun to set up the great Teutorgen agricultural transition. Although gradual, the benefits showned with the year, and by the end of Matamata's reign, those who knew the beginning of his rule could tell the difference.
In fact, this was so successful that the local chiefs, who were the main organizers, got back their power lost with the creation of the Advisor's Council.
However, now the Teutorgens could be struck by the common threats of agricultural society, the most prominent for them being flood and drought.
Along with the farming front, Matamata wanted to tame the rivers. In this case as well, chiefs were quite reluctant. Water was dangerous. Nobody wanted to be near rivers when they flooded, so being
on them?. Choosing the most reckless of his followers, Matamata started nonetheless to build small boats to sail through rivers. The first ones were shabby, of course, nothing more than drifting rafts. But through fumbling, rafts became canoe, able to navigate in both way of the rivers. Its speed and bulk capacity unmatched by land, trade florished with tribes living near the rivers, and especially with the populous Western Delta. People of the region soon mimicked more or less successfuly the Teutorgens to extend their own trade system.
The last action of Matamata was also his most symbolic: asking the shamans to establish an holy site, a grove where tribespeople could contact their ancestors. This was a particularly appreciated move, as a way for Teutorgens to keep link with their northern native land. Members of the tribe often went weekly, if not daily to meditate into the Ancestor Grove under the guidance of the shamans.
Matamata died at 59 years old from a lightning heart failure. First Teutorgen leader to die peacefully since the migration, Matamata would be remembered as the High Chief who put in place the agricultural change on the Teutorgen society. But it would be neglecting the rest of his rule, excellent in his whole, pushing the Teutorgen society forwards without antagonizing it. Now the Teutorgens truly feel at home in this new land. A true exemple for next rulers.
As his successor, he chose one of his brother, a choice validated by the Council. The succession would have go smoothly if only the Teutorgens weren't living through their first drought, which destroyed burgeoning crops. Thanks to Matamata's previous measures, the situation is under control... For now.
State of the TribeForm of Government: Tribal Elective Chiefdom
Language of the People: Teutorgen
Language of Court / Nobility: Teutorgen
Tribe Religion: The Old Ways (Ancestors Worship)
Ruling Dynasty: Starwatcher
Economic ProsperityStarvation -
Famine -
Stagnating - >>
Healthy<< -
Prosperous -
BountifulSocial OrderRevolt -
Unrest -
Disquiet - >>
Stable<< -
Contented -
Social OrderMilitary StrenghRag-tag armed civilians -
Informal militia -
Shabby raiders - >>
Tribal warriors<< -
Fierce fighters -
Thou finestArmy LoyaltyKingmaker -
Disloyal -
Falling - >>
Improving<< -
Loyal -
SteadfastNobility PowerDominant -
Autonomous - >>
Strengthening<< -
Weakening -
Marginalized -
Absolute ruleNobility LoyaltyRevolutionary -
Upset -
Discontent -
Quiet ->>
Approving<< -
DevotedCouncil LoyaltyRevolutionary -
Upset -
Discontent -
Quiet ->>
Approving<< -
DevotedIssuesDrought: Pressing issue. The recent drought has devasted food sources of the Teutorgens. Not much unrest is seen yet, thanks to Matamata's fond memories, but we need to take actions quickly.
The Council: The group created by Viset is still loyal to the High Chief, but first cracks is beginning to show, as thanks to agriculture, local chiefs are getting more and more power, at the expense of the Council's.
Overstretching: Because of Itolvini conquest, with have way too much lands under our control, mostly unoccupied and leave to wilderness! Something need to be done, if we don't want this region to be our soft underbelly.
The Vaukelgern case: The Vaukelgern are now totally accepting our rule, even more now that their independant kin is friendly to ours. But still, they are an exogenous people to the Teutorgen, one that could easily be a new foe should the relation worsen.
Agriculture Transition: Our transition to a sedentary civilisation is only beginning, and already threatened by the drought. We definitely need to take care of our vulnerable new system.
Tuatha raids: Northern and western forests are impassable, because of some sharp-eared creatures who live in the area. They do not seem to be numerous, but according to surviving explorers from other tribes, they are nimble and incredibly skilled warriors. Sometimes, they do not wait for explorers to come in their forests and conduct raids on plains' villages to capture, and probably enslave civilians. Teutorgens have not yet suffer any raids, but given their position, it is certainly a question of time. The Comagri are mentionning more regular attacks.
And any issues or goals the player might think of!ModifiersElective Legitimacy: Ruler which is not the one chosen through negociations between High Chief and Council will have an harder time to reign. -5 in effectiness roll if character is in this case.
Early signs of famine: Because of the drought, food is beginning to lack. -5 to roll dealing with Social Order.
Strong relations with neighbors: +5 to rolls involving neighbors' diplomacy.
Map of the know world by 34 AD:
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Vote
The Teutorgens launched the agricultural revolution in the region. How quickly does other tribes do the same ?
A) Very quickly. Tribes who keep their semi-nomadic lifestyle are a small minority
B) Cautiously. They wait to see results for Teutorgens before imitating them
C) Refractory to. Tribes cling into their traditional lifestyle, and Teutorgens is one of the rare tribes to use agriculture
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Ok, these were unholy good rolls again, there's only that drought to spoil Matamata's reign. I may be a bit too generous too with bonus, but we'll see how it goes.
And well, when everything is too good, troubles arrive...
Next player is FakerFanGirl ! Good luck, you have the next two weeks to post your character.
Author
Topic: IC - Fear No Gods | A Low Fantasy Succession Game (Read 2086 times)