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The reports from the heartlands is promising, the barbarian and undead presence is all but gone, save for that barbarian scion. The banditry is an issue though, as bandits are a slippery bunch. Still, these lands shall soon feed us, and there are some veterans that may prove useful. Queen Leutgard Siglinda trots around the countryside, paying a visit to the halls and temples of the reclaimed lands, assuring the people that she is there for them, that we shall not lose this land ever again.
>Diplo with Barzaentines. First contact established.
Reports come in from captain-sister Ida in the east, a kingdom in the mountains called Barzaentines. Despite the Nixian unease, the encounter was cordial, the Barza has yet to show hostility. Hopefully it remains so.
>Action 1: Establish Hunting Grounds Northeast of Sturnes (capital of Ordalan).
Despite the reclaiming of the heartlands, the hunger pangs persist. Farming takes time, and there is much to rebuild. However, the lands have grown wild in our absence, so the forests are rife with quarry. Not only that, but there are a plenty of veterans eager to hunt, as skirmishers take relatively few casualties. Thus, hunting grounds emerge, and would immediately see food adorn the tables of Ordalan. The hunters do have to sell their wares cheap, as the hungry masses simply don't have much to offer, but they are able to negotiate for minor titles from the church, which will help them if any lesser nobles decide to mess with them.
>Action 2: Develop Archery.
As the hunters ply their trade, one weapon excels, the bow and arrow. It is a versatile weapon, as hunters become stronger they can use heavier bows, suited for larger game. These heavy bownix soon get offers to work for the Ashen Dawn, helping to track bandits, and their heavy bows are useful in killing bandits, able to pierce weaker shields and armour. These archers are an odd bunch, as even though they are ranged units, they wear chainmail more often than the Spears do, because their pay allows it. This makes them a difficult force to engage, as while they are no match for formation of spearmen, if the spearmen go out of formation to chase them, those who advance too far will be surrounded and cut down, thereby making it difficult for them to chase down the archers, allowing them to skirmish.
