July 27th, 2020
One common Obrexian tradition that spans the entire length of the country, from Hawk's Landing up to the Lian Clan holdings is to be kind to strangers. It isn't uncommon for someone of great means to not show it, and the general belief that the more kindness in the world the better. This does not extend to those that are known and notorious freeloaders, but if you need a bed for the night, or a meal or two, most are willing to provide it free of charge. This has largely cropped up as a tradition across Obrexia since around 900 FC, but it is still going strong today with no signs of stopping.

(Semi-living post/jumping off point)
By spring of the year 56 SC, diplomats have been spread across a good portion of the known world. They all arrive bringing great gifts, composed of fine wines and quality quilts. Gifts brought to help pave the way for future diplomatic negotiations, as some set sail quicker than others, to arrive at roughly the same time the world around.

Some ships more beleaguered than others, arrive in the realms of Domoutso, Kisaevin, Martoise, Teltebhann, Anaetyr, Bryborough, Inoa Ranas, and Coghan. Some of these realms, such as Bryborough and Coghan had been heard of, but diplomats and merchants had likely never encountered them, but they came prepared, with multiple methods of communication, as well as any interpreters that could be found along the way.

All come bearing a treaty, one to clear out the Black Fog pirate scourge the world around. Many realms, such as Helios in the west, were generally thought to be too far to bring any naval forces to bear, and other realms such as Ornthas were seen as falling to infighting in recent years, and were thought unready to step onto the world stage to help with problems at large.

The treaty is outlined thusly:

Greetings, Rulers of your respective realms, I, Bryson Hawkson, Ruler of Obrexia, have seen in the world at large a threat to us all. I would request your aid in securing our waters, for the purposes of trade, as well as to eradicate this threat once and for all. I have been in office a long time, and I think I have many years left in me, but most of the navy have not faced these before, as many of those veterans have retired since the first arrival of the this scourge.

I would seek your cooperation, as well as safe harbours to buy supplies as well as receive repairs, and would offer the same in turn. I am willing to put forth considerable portions of my own naval forces, a good half of what is available to help fight, and I am more than understanding if you are not able to do so. If you are lacking in naval assets, all I ask is for our ships to be able to dock within your harbours.

Furthermore, I would hope to open lines of protected trade, between our realms of Obrexia, Domoutso, Kisaevin, Martoise, Teltebhann, Anaetyr, Bryborough, Inoa Ranas, and Coghan. If this is not possible at the current point in time, I would understand, but I think it would be beneficial to us all to promote trade between our great realms, so that we may prosper together.

I think it fair to extend the offer to all realms with ports upon our fair seas, and should others that you know wish to join, I think it fair to send a ship to all of our realms, outlining that they will follow this treaty, before receiving the benefits therein.

I would coin the name the Coalition of the Azure Hunt, as we attempt to hunt these dastardly pirates into extinction. I hope that you join me in this endeavor, as well as enjoy the gifts that I have ordered be sent, along with the messengers and diplomats.

The Hawk of Hawk's Landing with the cityscape behind it.

July 14th, 2020
The city of Hawk's Landing does not come from the current Ruler's title as The Hawk Druid, but rather from a more ancient Hawk Druid, also of mixed descent between the Daoine and the Obrex tribes. Leival Isle was settled many years ago, around 740 FC. The specific Hawk Druid that Hawk's Landing was named after was Albright Hawkson, and the current Ruler, Bryson Hawkson, took inspiration from the name before adopting the name Hawkson for himself. It has since become a tradition for all druids to take a kind of ancestral name of past druids of the same breed of animal, with many Deer druids taking on the last name Doe, and many wolf druids taking on the name Gealach.

The Hawk of Hawk's Landing with the cityscape behind it.

July 12th, 2020

News travels quite quickly across Obrexia due to the existence of a fairly large amount of messenger birds, usually hawks or kestrels trained to deliver messages to certain settlements before taking messages back to where they came from. This pattern is repeated, and thus word can spread faster than by land or sea would normally allow. Most messages have to be kept small, and nothing larger than a small stone can be sent, but many birds can be released with a chain of messages to get larger amounts of information across. This system has very little failure rate, as the birds usually only deviate for snacks mid-flight, and even then, not all of them do. There are not many natural predators to birds of prey in many parts of Obrexia, and thus the messages are safer than if left to a lesser type of bird.

July 15th, 2020

One Daoine holiday that is celebrated is the Star Dance, initially, this was a celebration only for those that managed to bring in enough food to survive the winter, but as the Daoine have become more communal it has extended into a celebration for all. It starts with a feast as the sun goes down on the Autumnal Equinox, lasting well into the night with games and other activities. One such activity is to release a painted pig to chase through the underbrush, and once caught, the family that manages to get it keeps it for their own winter larder. Children are the main participants, but it is an open competition for all adolescents. Many adults also participate to make sure the children don't stray too far or are put in any danger, though they don't get to chase the pig specifically. They sometimes give hints as to where the pig has gone if the children are lost or looking in the wrong area. Another favourite activity is the titular one, being the Star Dance. This dance is performed around an upright pole, and ribbons are weaved together around the pole by the participants. The dance starts when the moon is directly overhead and is about welcoming the stars as the nights get longer from then on. There is a similar dance during the Vernal Equinox, but it is about welcoming the sun and saying goodbye to the stars for a time.

July 17th, 2020
Druids can occur anywhere in the world, so long as a parter animal has been steeped in magic, and the soul binding ritual occurs in a place of concentrated magic. (Summary of last night's lore discussion, use druids if you want, I am saying that there is no reason to not use them, and it would be cool, thanks.)

July 19th, 2020
Birthdays are generally celebrated during the new year, with all the people born in that year turning 1 as the new year comes, this leads to some being up to 13 months apart but still being the same age, but this is generally seen as fine. Many do not keep an accurate enough calendar to know their exact birthday, but more important figures do. Many places have smaller celebrations at the end of the month, as that is something that most can track rather easily, but for official censuses and contracts, ages are given as if their birthday was on the new year.

July 27th, 2021
Druids often come in to reinforce the walls of the mines, and help refresh the air deep in the ground.

July 26th, 2021
Many tomes in the High Library have been protected in such a manner that they could survive for years underwater.

July 25th, 2021
Tidal pools keep items swept at sea often, bringing mostly valueless items, but sometimes a diamond in the rough appears.

July 24th, 2021
Squid are caught and served in many coastal towns, though some detest the texture.

July 23rd, 2021
Most settlements in the north are growing at a pretty rapid pace.

July 22nd, 2021
Daoine settlements have stagnated in their growth in recent years, with more moving away to live in Obrex cities for greater opportunities.

July 21st, 2021
Most insects are tolerated, so far as they are put outside and not killed when found in the home. There are of course those that have a particular disdain for them who do indeed squash them.

July 20th, 2021
Frogs and other amphibians are also a protein source, frog legs in particular being considered a delicacy in some regions.

July 19th, 2021
Timber is collected year-round, with locals guiding seasonal workers, directing them to each tree that is ready to be collected while preserving those that are not yet optimal.

July 18th, 2021
Native to the Sea Mountains, native weasels are a common sight, if one knows how to spot their grey coats among the rocks.