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[Madman198237]

Bluescale Armor
Improvements to our present equipment are desperately needed, for our everyday soldier cannot be allowed to be overcome by the enemy's potions and fearmongering. Therefore, as an improvement to Improved Scale Armor, we will work magic into our soldiers' armor. The use of Blue Jade Dust is known to cause a speed-enhancing effect, and we know that if a Wind chant is applied to the material it will further increase the swiftness of the wearer. Therefore, brilliant shards of Blue Jade Dust are hammered into the scale shirt of Improved Scale Armor (but not into the rest of it, to keep the Mana expenditure low), and a weak Wind chant used while it is created to infuse it with Speed. This produces a set of armor with a minimal cost in mana but a maximally effective benefit to our troops. The steel takes on a faintly blue sheen akin to the edges of our swords.

The armor is also improved yet again in defensive capabilities, with the addition of a padded scale aventail that covers the top of the shoulders, the lower face (look up a real medieval aventail and it'll be clear what I mean if my powers of description have failed once again), and the neck, protecting the wearer from strikes that make it past their shield, or making it safer to forgo the shield and use a two-handed weapon with less fear of lucky arrow strikes.

Targe of the Bloodthirsty
An ensorcelled Northman's Shield, this shield bears the same enchantments as the Horizon's Edge. The metal, however, has been replaced with Stillborn Steel, the unnatural weight intended to improve the shield by making it harder for an enemy to throw it aside or resist a charge from someone carrying the shield. The painted wood bears a faint silver sheen due to the White Jade Dust, while the edge's reinforcements and the central boss bear the blue of the Wind chant it has been exposed to, grant the shield an unnatural weight and the Separation effect. The effects produce a shield that will turn away any blade, whose enchantment will force aside any defense, and whose weight will crush any defender. It is as much a weapon as any axe or sword, its edge capable of throwing enemies or blades away from the holder, the boss and spike of killing anyone trapped by the shield, such as might easily happen when one of the enemy's pikemen or spearmen is forced against the close-ordered ranks behind.

Bluescale Armor: (1) Madman
Targe of the Bloodthirsty: (1) Madman

[TricMagic]

Speed grants Dangerous levels of intensity. BJD alone grants Swiftness, which I think is a bit different from Speed. And honestly, a way of melding dust together is also better that trying to stack multiple effects onto a single piece of armor.


Paradox Shields

By Mixing White Jade Dust into a paint, we can grant our Northman's shields an impressive amount of Weight. Likewise, by using a chant when creating the WJD to grant the effect of Flight, they become feather light to their users while being completely immovable objects against the enemy. A large round shield which can block most attacks without damage, that has light enough weight to not tire the wielder, as well as be used as a bludgeon for the common forces? It's mix of Weight and Lightness is contradictory, but an extremely effective defensive tool, and still lets us keep our identity.

Note that it is theorized that we may need to imbue the paint with magic, and do so through the use of the Wind chant to mix the paint evenly and well with Mana. As this is already something everyone at the Windforges use, it shouldn't cause any additional cost. Then again, we may not need it and the stuff that isn't mixed with Wind works fine. But better to have two test batches and pick the better one than fail due to the intricacy of magic and mana.

Swift Scale Armor: (1) TricMagic
Bluescale Armor: (1) Madman
Targe of the Bloodthirsty: (1) Madman
Paradox Shields: (1) TricMagic

Second can be considered a test in case Water is needed. In such case, it would be Demi and grant information about it. A shield which is heavy to those not the wielder, but also lightweight(but not too light) to the wielder.

If it is determined to be Demi, this points towards Water and perhaps something else being needed for ink and paint. If not, it's something that will be effective in reducing the load and being a great shield against the enemy. It also works with BJD's Swiftness in the Swift Scale Armor, meaning they can block attacks with ease no matter their direction or speed.

[Atomic Chicken]

Sky Cart

With Iqua on our tail and the Xi Shan gouging the land, further bedazzling of our trusty vehicles is clearly justified in the interest of maintaining our lead in strategic mobility.

Take a Sail Cart, remove the wheels and steering mechanism, and apply a thick coat of paint mixed with Flight-imbued BJD so as to release it from the grip of the earth (which is to say, to make it levitate). The lack of friction and flimsy wooden wheels should permit faster and more Chanting-efficient travel with a disregard for trenches and rough terrain.

Here's a possible flying cart revision; a little bare-bones, but it gets the idea across. The extra magic is likely to increase their cost, but having a couple around should be useful nevertheless.

Swift Scale Armor: (1) TricMagic
Bluescale Armor: (1) Madman
Targe of the Bloodthirsty: (2) Madman, AC
Paradox Shields: (1) TricMagic
Sky Cart: (1) AC

[TricMagic]

Refining Sleeping Fire Poison

From a plant known to have soporific properties, poisonous mana is gathered from the plant through the Gathering of Poison, gathered in containers, before being placed into a large Stillborn Steel pot Inscribed with the Life/Chance/Fire Phasing Inscription, and has a lid with Air Phasing Inscribed to close the pot. Wind of Flame is then used directly to heat the Poison, removing Water from it, which leaves a thick, reddish poison with the Mana attributes of Fire & Poison, which consumes the body with a burning pain that disrupts one's control, leading to spasms and unconsciousness.

Gathering of Poison is used on the result to place it in a container, and then to spread it to weapons before battle by the Gathering of Poison Voiceguard Members. However, the nature of this technique means that they don't really qualify as the main part of the Voiceguard anymore, for this method uses multiple magics. Rather, they might be better called the Voice of Apothecaries , responsible for medical treatment,(in the future, as their only medical technique is removal of the poison for the moment) poison distribution,(which is already a basic task, though the new poison is far superior to current scavenging) and research.(future poison and medical research) The Stillborn Steel pots and Windforged Steel containers they use can be washed afterward meaning the main cost is through the use of magic for collection, refinement, and distribution.


Cost. 1 Stillborn Steel Pot[Life/Chance/Fire Phasing] and Lid.[Air Phasing] [Windforged]Steel Containers for gathering and distribution. Windforges means that these can be expected to be available. Leading to 2 Mana cost from the Inscriptions for the Refinement Process.

Gathering of Poison Chanter. Wind of Flame Chanter. 2 Mana Cost. Result is an Expensive Poison, experiment likely leading to a Demi-technique, and the pain and death of our enemies. Though given we can be expected to have such basic chanters on hand, it may just end up being cheaper.

The pot allows direct application of the flame, and the lid removes all the air from the result of boiling/reducing it, trapping the poisonous mana inside with the fire mana passing through. The Stillborn Steel is mostly resilience to fire. A Cold/Fate-based Demi-refinement would of course be better as it could regulate the temperature and perhaps have an interaction with Chance to our benefits. But we don't have that.

Swift Scale Armor: (1)
Bluescale Armor: (1) Madman
Targe of the Bloodthirsty: (3) Madman, AC, TricMagic
Paradox Shields: (1)
Sky Cart: (2) AC, TricMagic

If this doesn't work, it will at least prove my theory.

[Atomic Chicken]

Swift Scale Armor: (1)
Bluescale Armor: (2) Madman, AC
Targe of the Bloodthirsty: (3) Madman, AC, TricMagic
Paradox Shields: (1)
Sky Cart: (1) TricMagic

Decided to transfer my vote in consideration of the points raised on Discord.

[TricMagic]

Ugh... I am saying in discord that that stuff is pointless as armor.

Swiftspeed Cloak

By using a gluey resin on a cloak, the fine BJD enhanced with Speed can be applied to it directly. When worn, it grants the wearer a measure of speed and reflexes that greatly improves one's movement speed and combat survival. The cloak itself is fairly tough too, since the resin once dried grants it a measure of protection against arrows and blades when combined with the BJD's resilience to harm/change.


Swiftspeed Amulet

An amulet made of resin crystallized with the Wind of Cold. Within this Resin is Blue Jade Dust, enhanced with the power of Speed. This amulet grants the wearer increased movement speed and reflexes/swiftness. It is a simplistic item, but extremely effective. [Fluff description:]It surface shines a pale blue tinted purple under the light, and is slightly cool to the touch.

Swift Scale Armor: (1)
Bluescale Armor: (2) Madman, AC
Targe of the Bloodthirsty: (3) Madman, AC, TricMagic
Paradox Shields: (1)
Sky Cart: ()
Refining Sleeping Fire Poison: (1) TricMagic

I mean, our armor already uses steel. BJD grants Swiftness and Speed. But it does not improve the ability of the armor to protect at all. Sure, you could argue the effect, but that can be applied via an item instead. And applying it via item also does not reduce the effectiveness of the armor. And lets one improve the armor later without sacrificing the other enchantment or causing a cost increase.



Hermes Boots

Special Boots made with BJD enchanted with a powerful Flight effect. These boots allow one to soar and skate through the sky. Given to the fastest scouts among the Loji for spotting the enemy movements.

Mana 1+Mana 7-2=6 Mana.
Need an extra mana for this.


Changed the votebox as that armor Will exahust and damage our troops. So poison it is. We are kinda the last, but it's a new experiment and will hopefully be useful, if expensive.

[TricMagic]

Swift Unity Scaled Armor

Improvements to our present equipment are desperately needed, for our everyday soldier cannot be allowed to be overcome by the enemy's potions and fearmongering.  Therefore, as an improvement to the general solider's ability, we work magic into our solider's kit. Other than the Targe of the Bloodthirsty that is being worked on, the Improved Scale Mail receives yet another improvement. In defensive capabilities the addition of a padded scale aventail that covers the top of the shoulders, the lower face (look up a real medieval aventail and it'll be clear what I mean if my powers of description have failed once again), and the neck, helps to protects the wearer from strikes that make it past their shield, and for some, makes it safer to forgo the shield and use a two-handed weapon with less fear of lucky arrow strikes.

In Magic the conical helmet, greaves, and bracers made from our Windforged Steel are mixed with Blue Jade Dust enhanced with the power of Planning via a weak Doom Chant. Actions taken as a unit will be enhanced, leading to greater corporation between groups and faster reactions to the unexpected. The swiftness of their movements is also smooth and coordinated. In a small group or an army, they work very well together thanks to this magic, and in time camaraderie will only magnify this effect.

Swift Scale Armor: (1)
Bluescale Armor: (2) Madman, AC
Targe of the Bloodthirsty: (3) Madman, AC, TricMagic
Paradox Shields: (1)
Sky Cart: ()
Refining Sleeping Fire Poison: ()
Swift Unity Scaled Armor: (1) TricMagic

Took parts from MM's proposal. And it keeps the option to add something to the scales later. Given that after this turn we just need two more seasons for Development Level 3.

[Atomic Chicken]

Doomscale Armour

Improvements to our present equipment are desperately needed, for our everyday soldier cannot be allowed to be overcome by the enemy's potions and fearmongering. Therefore, as an improvement to Improved Scale Armour, we will work magic into our soldiers' armour.

Blue Jade Dust is burnt into existence over the course of a Doom chant, imparting a Planning nature onto the substance. This is subsequently added to the batches of Windforged Steel destined to become armour pieces. To keep costs down, each set should contain a quantity of BJD equivalent to that produced by a Weak rite imbued with a Weak chant, with the dust spread across the various components (intending to fix the cost at 2 Mana). Wearers are expected to display a slight but noticeable increase in speed, discipline and cooperation.

The armour is also improved yet again in defensive capabilities, with the addition of a padded scale aventail that covers the top of the shoulders, the lower face, and the neck, protecting the wearer from strikes that make it past their shield, or making it safer to forgo the shield and use a two-handed weapon with less fear of lucky arrow strikes.

I wrote this before noticing that Tric had already posted their version. In any case, I think it would be good to specify the Mana limit as our allowance for this revision is quite restricted, considering that the unenchanted scale mail already has an Ore deficit and need it to remain cheap.

Swift Scale Armor: (1)
Bluescale Armor: (1) Madman
Targe of the Bloodthirsty: (3) Madman, AC, TricMagic
Paradox Shields: ()
Sky Cart: ()
Refining Sleeping Fire Poison: ()
Swift Unity Scaled Armor: (1) TricMagic
Doomscale Armour: (1) AC

[Madman198237]

Swift Scale Armor: (1)
Bluescale Armor: (0)
Targe of the Bloodthirsty: (3) Madman, AC, TricMagic
Paradox Shields: ()
Sky Cart: ()
Refining Sleeping Fire Poison: ()
Swift Unity Scaled Armor: (1) TricMagic
Doomscale Armour: (2) AC, Madman

Since Wind is evidently a nearly useless element without all the other, better elements backing it up, I guess we'd better do this.

Since we're working with plans, now, I figured I'd write up a very...Loji sort of hero.

Skeld the Malevolent
Named by his enemies, rather than his friends, Skeld is actually a very intelligent and reasonable person. He surrounds himself with like-minded people and makes excellent decisions on what to eat, where to build a new town after being exiled by the heretics, and where is the best place in an enemy's battle line to go start beating enemy soldiers over the heads with their own severed limbs.

Skeld is a brilliant tactical commander, though unfortunately lacking in strategic knowledge. His specialty lies in organizing a battle plan just complicated enough to win and then seeing the plan through to victory. He focuses on the points in a battle that rest on the knife's edge, that can turn the battle one way or the other. A pitched battle on one flank, a thinning line of flagging soldiers, a final desperate charge of the last reserves. He deftly manipulates each turning point until he finds the most crucial one, the one that can win him the battle outright. And then, he makes his own charge, with all his reserves, placing himself in maximum danger.

This isn't as terrible an idea as it might sound, because his fame has won him more than recognition. He is also rich enough to have his own set of incredibly well-made armor and a Horizon's Edge greatsword even longer and heavier than usual. His armor is like normal scale armor, but the scales are each larger and thicker than normal, leading to a heavier, more expensive, harder to make, but far more effective armor. His shield is a Targe of the Bloodthirsty, usually slung over his back but occasionally used to bludgeon more stubborn opponents. Finally, the important thing you should know about Skeld, is that he is a berserker. In command he is cool and reasonable, capable of directing battles so they go the way he wants them to...but when fighting he is not very reasonable, not very cool, and not very capable of anything other than battering everything around him that's not wearing Loji armor until it resembles a crimson paste.

I'm not the happiest with this, but it'd be a proposal that could maximize the effect of the Planning enchantment.

[TricMagic]

Swift Scale Armor: (1)
Bluescale Armor: (0)
Targe of the Bloodthirsty: (3) Madman, AC, TricMagic
Paradox Shields: ()
Sky Cart: ()
Refining Sleeping Fire Poison: ()
Swift Unity Scaled Armor: ()
Doomscale Armour: (3) AC, Madman, TricMagic

Tests, since Windforged steel is noted to be capable of becoming lighter. But we had not the method. Fire Iron was turned to Fire Steel.


Sacred Refinement: Windblessed Steel

Windforged Steel has long been noted as incomplete. And with Elemental materials known to us, one questioned, could this secret be applied to other objects?

Wind has long been used in the Forges, but now, our Chanters turned to using the Rite's Secret to imbuing the Elemental Properties of Wind to Windforged Steel. And we succeeded in Blessing it. Windblessed Steel is extremely light, and even the dullest of edges carry with it a sharp cutting force. And yet it is undoubtedly still as strong. Blunt Weapons are effectively impossible to make with it. Rather, it's natural means is to part all it's swung at, leaving gouges instead of blunt force trauma. It's weight actively works against it in that way. Used in bladed weapons however, it is extremely effective, uncompromising in it's ability to cut. A longsword made of just this material can be wielded with one hand.

However, the main issue is it's lightness. Weaponry often requires weight behind the blows, and while it does deliver, our current weapons do not benefit so much as they do from being made of Stillborn Steel, though one can argue an edge made of it is ideal. In this manner, the Horizon Blade is greatly improved in effectiveness, solving the issue of predictability, as it can now cut more easily even when separation pushes the target away, as they shall still be cut.

For armor however, this lightness means that it is easy to wear. For one on the move, if is quite effective in reducing exhaustion, making it perfect for scouts and skirmishers, as well as for Chanters who do not train their bodies as much. And there are likely other designs one could use the Windblessed Steel in. For now, Windblessed Steel is officially available for our use.

[Talion]

Revision Phase

Targe of the Bloodthirsty

An ensorcelled Northman's Shield, this shield bears the same enchantments as the Horizon's Edge. The metal, however, has been replaced with Stillborn Steel, the unnatural weight intended to improve the shield by making it harder for an enemy to throw it aside or resist a charge from someone carrying the shield. The painted wood bears a faint silver sheen due to the White Jade Dust, while the edge's reinforcements and the central boss bear the blue of the Wind chant it has been exposed to, grant the shield an unnatural weight and the Separation effect. The effects produce a shield that will turn away any blade, whose enchantment will force aside any defense, and whose weight will crush any defender. It is as much a weapon as any axe or sword, its edge capable of throwing enemies or blades away from the holder, the boss and spike of killing anyone trapped by the shield, such as might easily happen when one of the enemy's pikemen or spearmen is forced against the close-ordered ranks behind.

Normal: 4

The effects of a strike with the Targe of the Bloodthirsty can be quite dramatic. The weight behind the shield’s movement can embed the spike more effectively into a target, only for contact with the rest of the shield to press it away again. As a weapon it still has its limits for a sufficiently well armoured target can resist the spike and the shield itself can be used as an aid to avoiding it.

Cheap (Land 2, Ore 1, Mana 2)

Doomscale Armour

Improvements to our present equipment are desperately needed, for our everyday soldier cannot be allowed to be overcome by the enemy's potions and fearmongering. Therefore, as an improvement to Improved Scale Armour, we will work magic into our soldiers' armour.

Blue Jade Dust is burnt into existence over the course of a Doom chant, imparting a Planning nature onto the substance. This is subsequently added to the batches of Windforged Steel destined to become armour pieces. To keep costs down, each set should contain a quantity of BJD equivalent to that produced by a Weak rite imbued with a Weak chant, with the dust spread across the various components (intending to fix the cost at 2 Mana). Wearers are expected to display a slight but noticeable increase in speed, discipline and cooperation.

The armour is also improved yet again in defensive capabilities, with the addition of a padded scale aventail that covers the top of the shoulders, the lower face, and the neck, protecting the wearer from strikes that make it past their shield, or making it safer to forgo the shield and use a two-handed weapon with less fear of lucky arrow strikes.

Normal: 6

The introduction of Fate aligned Blue Jade Dust to what is at this point the standard armour used by our forces has proven to be a great boon. Drawing on the planning aspect of Fate allows our warriors uncanny levels of coordination when working to enact the same plan. Due to the limited quantities of Blue Jade Dust used, the boost to speed can be described as limited but still a noticeable improvement. Particularly when the wearer is turning, they are able to rapidly change direction on the run.

Expensive (Land 2, Ore 2, Mana 2) | Discounted: Cheap

It is now Autumn, Turn 6 Battle Phase

Spoiler: Equipment (click to show/hide)

Mundane Equipment
Longsword: A double-edged blade and a cruciform hilt. A versatile weapon capable of cuts, slices and thrusts. Requires training to wield, can be used one or two handed.
Expensive (Land 2, Ore 2)

War Axe: Can be used as a tool in a pinch, this is a single-handed weapon that does well against heavily armoured foes. Can be used with minimal training.
Cheap (Land 1, Ore 1)

Pavise Shields: Metal reinforced, wooden shields designed to be worn on the back to protect a crossbowman while they reload their crossbow.
Cheap (Land 1, Ore 1)

Northman’s Shield: A round wooden shield with a metal spiked boss. This shield is reinforced with metal around the edges. These shields are carefully painted with unique designs to help identify the hero who wields it.
Cheap (Land 2, Ore 1)

Brigandine Armour: Strips of Windforged Steel cushioned by wool and linen on both sides. Only the vital organs are protected with Steel in order to keep costs low. Cloth gloves and hood help to ensure that every part of the body has at least some protection.
Cheap (Land 2, Ore 1)

Light Crossbow: Based on the bow and mounted horizontally on a frame. Powerful, but reloading is slow and dangerous. Each crossbow has been standardised, allowing even lesser skilled crafters to build a functional weapon of war.
Cheap (Land 2)

Medium Crossbow: A larger, steel reinforced crossbow. This crossbow has a metal stirrup and claw reloading method. Improved bolts allow for greater effectiveness against armour. It also has a superior range compared to the light crossbow.
Cheap (Land 2, Ore 1)

Standard: A flag used to identify units and maintain order in battle.
Cheap (Land 1)

War Cart: A four wheeled cart used to carry crossbowmen to battle. Unfortunately the lack of horses on the island leaves it unusable at the moment.
Cheap (Land 3)

Magical Equipment
Cone of Chill: A chant designed for the many; allowing them to chill the enemy, sapping them of their strength.
Cheap (Land 0, Mana 1)

Dreki Fangs: A barbed bolt of Fire Steel inscribed with Air Phasing. These crossbow bolts heat up in flight to deliver dangerously accurate and lethal strikes out to long range.
Cheap (Land 1, Ore 1, Mana 1)

Wind Cart: A four wheeled cart with a hollow cylinder in the back. This cart is designed to be crewed by a Chanter who is capable of propelling the cart at walking speed using a variant of the Wind Chant.
Cheap (Land 3, Mana 1)

Sail Cart: A four wheeled cart that offers no protection from arrow fire or the elements. This cart contains a revolutionary new steering system that allows a single man to direct the cart by lever. A chanter propels the cart for a portion of the journey.
Cheap (Land 3, Mana 1)

Conflagration Ballista: A ballista mounted rearwards on a smaller variant of the sail cart. It has a variety of ammunition including fire steel or stone balls and large bolts. Rearward firing with a large firing arc.
Expensive (Land 3, Ore 2, Mana 2)

Psalmfounts: A talisman the deep metallic blue of a clear sky. It grants wearers the ability to chant more rapidly, at the cost of greater physical exhaustion. Chants are less burdensome to the wearer’s personal mana supply and the wearer will move a little more rapidly than normal.
Cheap (Land 1, Mana 2 [or Mana 1, BJD 1])

Horizon's Edge: A white greatsword with an edge of blue. It swings with unstoppable force, knocking away all opposition and cutting through that which cannot escape. Strikes can be a little predictable as the wielder seeks to best leverage their advantages.
Expensive (Land 2, Ore 2, Mana 2)

Targe of the Bloodthirsty: A Northman’s Shield made with Stillborn Steel and White Jade Dust. The White Jade Dust is imbued with elemental Separation, enabling the shield to push aside all that would strike at it.
Cheap (Land 2, Ore 1, Mana 2)

Doomscale Armour: The new standard for armour to outfit our warriors, providing extensive protection across the body, shoulders, neck and head. Our magic has been used to improve the speed, discipline and cooperation of the wearer.
Expensive (Land 2, Ore 2, Mana 2) | Discounted: Cheap

Windforged Steel: All metal equipment has been improved with access to Windforged Steel. It has a blue colouration.
Fire Steel: This red coloured steel gives off constant heat.
Stillborn Steel: This light blue coloured steel seems to carry an unnatural weight.
National Expense - Infrastructure

Windforges - Development: 2, Investment: 1/4
Built around the smelteries for Windforged Steel, the Windforges house blacksmiths and apprentices of the Voiceguard to learn together how to produce the finest equipment in large quantities.
Provides a discount to the cost of one design.
Current Design: Improved Scale Armour
National Expense - Selectable Infrastructure (Takes x turns to increase Development where x is present Development level multiplied by 2)

Temple of the Voiceguard: A training ground for the Voiceguard, Chanters trained to use simple cantrips to support our troops in battle.
March: A cooling wind to make an army’s journey easier. (Wind)
Smoke: Obscures the battlefield with smoke. (Spike of Smoke)
Poison: Gathers poison from the local area to douse our weapons. (Gathering of Poison)
Ember: To set fires. (Wind of Embers)
Hellfire: Pillars of flame descend on the enemy. (Wind of Flame)
National Expense - Infrastructure

Stormcrown Fortress: A defensive location positioned to defend the route to the mountains. The Stormcrown Tongues train and work their magic there to change the weather. Should it be besieged they shall instead turn their powerful magic upon their attackers.
National Expense - Infrastructure

[Madman198237]

Lanes
Mountain: (1) Madman
Central: (1) Madman
  - Focus Xi Shan: ()
  - Focus Iqua: (1) Madman
Jungle: (0)

Weather
Mountain:
Abnormal Heat (reducing snowfalls and making people suffer for marching...a thing that we don't do): (1) Madman
Central:
Cold Snaps (to finish off the trifecta of "things going bad for crops" since that's a theme now): (1) Madman
Jungle:
Heat, Humidity, and Storms (maybe hopefully hastening the regrowth of the jungle by lengthening the growing season and providing lots of water, maybe?): (1) Madman

So, uh, yeah. Here be a thing. I'm not sure about the weather, really. I'd prefer to avoid setting fire to the jungle again, hence the water (since we would be defending there, most likely) and the attack into the Mountains. Also because if we can manage to push into the Mountains, we might be able to keep the heat going through the Winter so they don't become impassable, allowing us to steal a march on everyone by assaulting them.

[TricMagic]

Lanes
Mountain: (1) Madman, TricMagic
Central: (2) Madman, TricMagic
  - Focus Xi Shan: ()
  - Focus Iqua: (2) Madman, TricMagic
Jungle: (0)

Weather
Mountain:
Abnormal Heat (reducing snowfalls and making people suffer for marching...a thing that we don't do): (2) Madman, TricMagic
Central:
Cold Snaps (to finish off the trifecta of "things going bad for crops" since that's a theme now): (2) Madman, TricMagic
Jungle:
Heat, Humidity, and Storms (maybe hopefully hastening the regrowth of the jungle by lengthening the growing season and providing lots of water, maybe?): (2) Madman, TricMagic

I don't see an immediate issue. Other than not managing to push through the Jungle.

[Atomic Chicken]

Lanes
Mountain: (3) Madman, TricMagic, AC
Central: (3) Madman, TricMagic, AC
  - Focus Xi Shan: ()
  - Focus Iqua: (3) Madman, TricMagic, AC
Jungle: (0)

Weather
Mountain:
Abnormal Heat (reducing snowfalls and making people suffer for marching...a thing that we don't do): (3) Madman, TricMagic, AC
Central:
Cold Snaps (to finish off the trifecta of "things going bad for crops" since that's a theme now): (3) Madman, TricMagic, AC
Jungle:
Heat, Humidity, and Storms (maybe hopefully hastening the regrowth of the jungle by lengthening the growing season and providing lots of water, maybe?): (3) Madman, TricMagic, AC

[Talion]

Battle Phase

Turn 6 Battle

It seems fate turned against us this time. Both our enemies deployed Earth chants against us with annoying levels of effectiveness. Their fortifications changed the nature of the battle and allowed them to control how many warriors were able to close to melee. We expect this to place emphasis on our Elites until we can more consistently breach their defences.

Yet it was not Chanting alone that was deployed. The Iqua displayed unnatural healing rates as their magic water continues to show supernatural levels of effect. Likewise, their new equipment are new variations on what we have seen before.

No, it is the Xi Shan who are truly troubling this season. They have taken a Chant and combined it with two other forms of magic. We believe one of these is Inscription based on our previous experiments in this area. They have found a way to inscribe their warriors with an enhancement to their general capabilities. Individually these enhancements are not terrifying but combined they produce a warrior at least in physical capability comparable with a hero.

The Strengthened Sword Gauntlets of Xi Shan are superior to Windforged Steel, and the Moonlight iron of Iqua. If such a thing were possible perhaps Moonlight Steel would match it. Of course, it is inferior to Jade. Though Jade Dust only outclasses it in the area of speciality.

It is now Winter, Turn 7 Discovery Phase

Spoiler: Lanes (click to show/hide)

Loji(4/4) [+2 Mana]
Foothills(4/4) [+1 Ore]	Fields(4/4)
Low Passes(3/4)	Forested Hills(4/4)	Forest(4/4)
Arcanis(0/4) [+1 Ore]	|	Jungle(2/4) [+1 Mana Suppressed, Regrowth 3]
High Passes(0/4)	Hills(2/4)	Forest(0/4)
Mountains(0/4)	Savanah(0/4)
Iqua(0/4) [+2 Mana]

Resources: Land 3, Ore 1, Mana 2, 1 Hint Token

Spoiler: Resource Development (click to show/hide)

Loji: Land 1,Mana 2
Fields: Land 1
Foothills: Ore 1
Low Passes:
Forested Hills:
Forest: Land 1

Spoiler: Rune Skills (click to show/hide)

Rune Skills are a measure of your nation’s understanding of the Runes. They are measured as Unskilled, Apprentice, Adept and Master. You cannot make use of Meanings or Elements until you have at least an Apprentice level understanding of them.

Meaning
Shape - Adept - Mana Discount
Attack - Apprentice
Ward - Adept - Mana Discount
Form - Unskilled
Control - Apprentice

Terrestrial Element
Air - Master - Chanting, Fate
Fire - Adept - Refining
Earth - Apprentice
Water - Apprentice
Wood - Adept - Inscription

Celestial Element
Fate - Adept - Naming

Spoiler: Discoveries (click to show/hide)

Discoveries are magical effects you have discovered that you can put to practical use inside Designs.

Chants
Shape(Air), Ward(Air), Attack(Air) - Wind
An expulsion of wind directly away from the chanter. The wind generated is quite strong and grows more powerful the more mana is used to empower the chanter.
(Air Mastery) Our Chanters may direct the Wind as they will.

Shape(Air), Attack(Earth), Ward(Fire) - Wind of Embers
This chant transmutes the wind into embers like the sparks escaping a bonfire directed forward away from the speaker. If these embers land upon suitable kindling they can start fires, but they do not seem overly harmful on their own.
(Air Mastery) Our Chanters may direct the Wind as they will.

Shape(Air) Attack(Air) Ward(Fire) - Wind of Flame
This chant transmutes the wind into fire directed forward away from the speaker. The flames burn hot, charing meat and setting fires. When blocked the advancing wall of flame will expand outwards sideways in a spiral curl before going out.
(Air Mastery) Our Chanters may direct the Wind as they will.

Shape(Earth), Attack(Fire), Ward(Air) - Spike of Smoke
A chant that concentrates smoke into a spike before projecting it forwards away from the speaker. The smoke does not disperse nor does it cause much damage on impact, instead forming into a cloud. It is possible to choke on it if the target remains within the effect for long enough.

Shape(Water) Ward(Wood) Attack(Air) - Gathering of Poison
Draws poison from the environment into a single mass. The effect of the poison depends on what is gathered, but usually only results in rashes or other minor side effects.

Shape(Air) Attack(Air) Ward(Earth) - Wind of Stillness
Transmutes the wind to paradoxical stillness directed away from the speaker. The stillness created is not complete, slowing an arrow or turning a walk into a slog as the air seems to gain the consistency of mud. It seems to have little effect on those who choose to remain unmoving in the face of it and they will have difficulty detecting the wind as it does not buffet them as it should.
(Air Mastery) Our Chanters may direct the Wind as they will.

Shape(Earth) Attack(Earth) Ward(Fire) - Spike of Embers
A chant that concentrates embers into a spike before projecting it forward away from the speaker. The spike of embers is a solid mass capable of inflicting damage on impact. Once it has struck a target the spike breaks showering the area in embers that have the potential to light fires before going out.

Shape(Air) Attack(Air) Ward(Fate) - Wind of Cold
The wind is transmuted by this chant, chilling all that it brushes against as it is directed away from the speaker. The cold is capable of turning rain to ice and is deeply unpleasant to face without protection from the wintery cold. Such a cold can not truly be blocked, merely endured.
(Air Mastery) Our Chanters may direct the Wind as they will.

Shape(Fate), Ward(Fate), Attack(Fate) - Doom
This chant targets an individual within line of sight. It changes their fate and dooms them to follow a path through life of the speaker’s design. A touch of misfortune can lead to a swift death all too easily.

Chanting Secrets
Elemental Materials - Using chanting during the Refining process, we can imbue the material with an elemental property. The chant must be a pure expression of that element such as is the case with our Wind chant.
Wind - Speed/Separation/Flight
Doom - Definition/Plans/Heroic

Inscription Words
Ward(Air) - Fizzle (Rule of 3)
Shape(Earth) Ward(Earth) Ward(Fire) - Fizzle (Double Meaning)

Shape(Air), Ward(Air), Attack(Air) - Air Phasing
This inscription etches the word Phasing in our own language into an item. They can activate the item causing the letters etched to glow blue. Once active the item travels through the air without being impeded by it.
(Air Mastery) Air may be ignored selectively in accordance with the wielder’s will.

Shape(Fate), Attack(Fire) - Life/Chance/Fire Phasing
A variant of the phasing design, this inscription can cause inscribed objects to pass through living flesh and ignore fire. Additionally an item can sometimes phase unpredictably breaking all the rules we thought phasing adhered to. When this phasing occurs seems to be beyond our control.

Shape(Air), Shape(Air), Shape(Air) - Empowered Rune: Shape(Air)

Inscription Secrets
Empowered Voice - An inscription exists that can enhance the power of a chant for a speaker carrying an appropriately inscribed object.
- The inscription requires Rune x3

Empowered Material - Using an Empowered Rune, in the Refining process will give rise to a material with a mana supply for our chanters to draw upon to increase the amount of times they can chant. Having already discovered the heart of this secret, we need but obtain a suitable Refining Rite to make use of it.

Refining Rites
Shape(Air), Ward(Air), Attack(Air) - Blue Jade Dust
We are unable to damage or melt this material. Even with the aid of chanting we do not believe we can materially affect it. The dust can get very hot without any sign of expansion, melting or weakness due to that heat. As a result we have no way of forming items of pure jade. The dust is light and appears to embody the aspect of swiftness. Those handling it finding their movements to be faster as though aided by a playful wind.

Attack(Earth), Ward(Earth), Shape(Earth) - White Jade Dust
This Rite has produced a small quantity of white dust. Like Blue Jade Dust we are unable to damage or melt this material and have no way of forming items of pure White Jade.
The dust embodies the Weight aspect of Earth and items created out of it will carry an unusual amount of weight for those who are not the wielder.

Aspects
Blue Jade - Swiftness
White Jade - Weight

Refining Secrets
Soul Inscription - With the right tool it should be possible to carve the holy scripture upon our very souls. We are uncertain of the value of phasing an immaterial soul into physical substance, but perhaps Empowered Rune would prove a more valuable inscription.

Music - With the right instrument it should be possible to play in harmony with a chant, prolonging their effects and reducing the burden on the speaker.

Demi-Artifice & Artifice - The creation of artifacts from magical materials such as Blue Jade. Such artifacts have a Name, appearance and purpose unique to each Artifact. Rather than needing the standard backing of an effect, the artifact just needs the backing of aspects drawn from magics used in support of the artifact.

Earth Magic
Form[Element], Control[Fate], Ward[Element]

Spoiler: Heroes (click to show/hide)

Elite Units
Voiceguard: Holy magic users dedicated to the Chanting arts. Currently divided into four groups.
Windsingers: In charge of inspiring the army on the march.
Shroudweavers: Battlefield warriors trained to hide soldiers from the enemy.
Apothecaries: Make soldiers ready for battle.
Enkindlers: Light fires with which to purge the wicked.
Hellbringers: Bringers of the unholy fire to purge the enemy with pillars of flame descending from on high.

Jarls of the Maelstrom: Once leaders, rulers and warriors. The Jarls dishonoured themselves in battle against the Glorious Star and now seek to reclaim their place once more at the head of the armies of Loji. Armed and armoured with the finest equipment Loji can produce, though they prefer axes to the longswords wielded by more conventional officers of the army.

The Jarls of the Maelstrom fight with the chant ‘Wind of Stillness’ to stifle their foes even as they themselves move freely with their Air Phasing inscribed equipment. Armed with Axes of Valhalla and Jarls Shield no warrior of Loji is better equipped to face their foe.

Spoiler: Equipment (click to show/hide)

Mundane Equipment
Longsword: A double-edged blade and a cruciform hilt. A versatile weapon capable of cuts, slices and thrusts. Requires training to wield, can be used one or two handed.
Expensive (Land 2, Ore 2)

War Axe: Can be used as a tool in a pinch, this is a single-handed weapon that does well against heavily armoured foes. Can be used with minimal training.
Cheap (Land 1, Ore 1)

Pavise Shields: Metal reinforced, wooden shields designed to be worn on the back to protect a crossbowman while they reload their crossbow.
Cheap (Land 1, Ore 1)

Northman’s Shield: A round wooden shield with a metal spiked boss. This shield is reinforced with metal around the edges. These shields are carefully painted with unique designs to help identify the hero who wields it.
Cheap (Land 2, Ore 1)

Brigandine Armour: Strips of Windforged Steel cushioned by wool and linen on both sides. Only the vital organs are protected with Steel in order to keep costs low. Cloth gloves and hood help to ensure that every part of the body has at least some protection.
Cheap (Land 2, Ore 1)

Light Crossbow: Based on the bow and mounted horizontally on a frame. Powerful, but reloading is slow and dangerous. Each crossbow has been standardised, allowing even lesser skilled crafters to build a functional weapon of war.
Cheap (Land 2)

Medium Crossbow: A larger, steel reinforced crossbow. This crossbow has a metal stirrup and claw reloading method. Improved bolts allow for greater effectiveness against armour. It also has a superior range compared to the light crossbow.
Cheap (Land 2, Ore 1)

Standard: A flag used to identify units and maintain order in battle.
Cheap (Land 1)

War Cart: A four wheeled cart used to carry crossbowmen to battle. Unfortunately the lack of horses on the island leaves it unusable at the moment.
Cheap (Land 3)

Magical Equipment
Cone of Chill: A chant designed for the many; allowing them to chill the enemy, sapping them of their strength.
Cheap (Land 0, Mana 1)

Dreki Fangs: A barbed bolt of Fire Steel inscribed with Air Phasing. These crossbow bolts heat up in flight to deliver dangerously accurate and lethal strikes out to long range.
Cheap (Land 1, Ore 1, Mana 1)

Wind Cart: A four wheeled cart with a hollow cylinder in the back. This cart is designed to be crewed by a Chanter who is capable of propelling the cart at walking speed using a variant of the Wind Chant.
Cheap (Land 3, Mana 1)

Sail Cart: A four wheeled cart that offers no protection from arrow fire or the elements. This cart contains a revolutionary new steering system that allows a single man to direct the cart by lever. A chanter propels the cart for a portion of the journey.
Cheap (Land 3, Mana 1)

Conflagration Ballista: A ballista mounted rearwards on a smaller variant of the sail cart. It has a variety of ammunition including fire steel or stone balls and large bolts. Rearward firing with a large firing arc.
Expensive (Land 3, Ore 2, Mana 2)

Psalmfounts: A talisman the deep metallic blue of a clear sky. It grants wearers the ability to chant more rapidly, at the cost of greater physical exhaustion. Chants are less burdensome to the wearer’s personal mana supply and the wearer will move a little more rapidly than normal.
Cheap (Land 1, Mana 2 [or Mana 1, BJD 1])

Horizon's Edge: A white greatsword with an edge of blue. It swings with unstoppable force, knocking away all opposition and cutting through that which cannot escape. Strikes can be a little predictable as the wielder seeks to best leverage their advantages.
Expensive (Land 2, Ore 2, Mana 2)

Targe of the Bloodthirsty: A Northman’s Shield made with Stillborn Steel and White Jade Dust. The White Jade Dust is imbued with elemental Separation, enabling the shield to push aside all that would strike at it.
Cheap (Land 2, Ore 1, Mana 2)

Doomscale Armour: The new standard for armour to outfit our warriors, providing extensive protection across the body, shoulders, neck and head. Our magic has been used to improve the speed, discipline and cooperation of the wearer.
Expensive (Land 2, Ore 2, Mana 2) | Discounted: Cheap

Windforged Steel: All metal equipment has been improved with access to Windforged Steel. It has a blue colouration.
Fire Steel: This red coloured steel gives off constant heat.
Stillborn Steel: This light blue coloured steel seems to carry an unnatural weight.
National Expense - Infrastructure

Windforges - Development: 2, Investment: 1/4
Built around the smelteries for Windforged Steel, the Windforges house blacksmiths and apprentices of the Voiceguard to learn together how to produce the finest equipment in large quantities.
Provides a discount to the cost of one design.
Current Design: Improved Scale Armour
National Expense - Selectable Infrastructure (Takes x turns to increase Development where x is present Development level multiplied by 2)

Temple of the Voiceguard: A training ground for the Voiceguard, Chanters trained to use simple cantrips to support our troops in battle.
March: A cooling wind to make an army’s journey easier. (Wind)
Smoke: Obscures the battlefield with smoke. (Spike of Smoke)
Poison: Gathers poison from the local area to douse our weapons. (Gathering of Poison)
Ember: To set fires. (Wind of Embers)
Hellfire: Pillars of flame descend on the enemy. (Wind of Flame)
National Expense - Infrastructure

Stormcrown Fortress: A defensive location positioned to defend the route to the mountains. The Stormcrown Tongues train and work their magic there to change the weather. Should it be besieged they shall instead turn their powerful magic upon their attackers.
National Expense - Infrastructure