Pontigermanicus
Two days passed, and Anton reached an agreement with Kyros and Herul on a design for the longhouse. They got to work, and Gerald officially became Anton's apprentice, actively helping out. They began the construction, and the carpenters and hut builders learned about the simple Ondol system. The Ondol consists of three main parts:
1) The first part is the kitchen, which is situated lower than the Thageding.
2) The second part is the intermediary space, protected by stone, with a simple windscreen and a chimney for smoke to exit.
3) The third part is the Ondol floor, made of stone with regular indentations to retain heat longer, and a wooden floor to prevent it from getting too hot.
The longhouse is a mix of Pontic and Germanic architecture. It is a wooden building with two floors, supported by many wooden columns. The ground floor is smaller than the first floor and includes a "Thagading room" with many benches and tables. There is also an armory and a material storage room behind heavily secured doors, and a right-turning spiral staircase leading to the next floor. The right-turning staircase is intentionally designed to disrupt attackers, who are usually right-handed, during sword fights. On the upper floor are the documentarium and the map room. The top floor houses the Tameío (treasury). Additionally, everything is built to be wheelchair accessible, and a simple pulley lift connects all the rooms.
The wooden columns are intended to artistically represent various cultures. The roof is pointed, and creatures, dragon heads, or similar figures look down from the roof. Anton was inspired by Gothic architecture. It appears otherworldly, and the people liked it. Everything went smoothly, and the small government house was completed. The craftsmen and builders were enthusiastic about the Ondol and recognized Anton as a master craftsman and architect. Following Anton's example, the Skirian construction style with Ondol was applied to every house.
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Bretonic Wars
On the coasts of Londinjon, Camulodunon, and Cantu, many sailing ships can be seen on the horizon. Some ships bear red crests with a winged sea monster. Another displays a white background with a red griffin. Additionally, various crests with animals, swords, and shields can be seen: bulls, horses, lynxes, shields, swords, spears in various designs. Endless ships are sailing towards Bretonia.
On one of the ships sits a Germanic king, who sees the fertile land of the Bretons and shouts loudly into the world with great anticipation: "I, OLAF LETHING OF ANGLIA, CLAIM THIS NEW LAND FOR MYSELF! HAHAHAHA! LOWER THE SAILS. ON TO ANGLIA!"
On another ship, a man sits with his eyes closed in a chair, seemingly asleep. A woman approaches the man and says: "My Lord Meaca of Saexe, we are about to land. Where should we establish New Saxony?"
The man looks at the woman with a serious expression and says: "Laure, tell them we will land in the south. The others will all be in the north."
"Understood! My Lord."
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Thagading
Three months have passed, and the city stands in full splendor. It offers plenty of space for the residents, who seem satisfied for the time being. However, there are still many tents outside, and a building frenzy has taken over the people. The first fields have been planted.
The city was erected at the expense of the forest and offers a lot of light. The first wells are being built, and the first trade routes are forming.
The first Thagading in several years could finally be held. A Thageding is a meeting of the tribe, and many important people from Nyskiria have gathered in the room.
Anton begins the Thagading and discusses the current situation of the tribe with the various representatives of the cities and villages. The representative from Vounosa in southern Nyskiria, named Nikos Laskaris, reports: "My Futhark, the vines are thriving well, and wine production can begin in early autumn. Unfortunately, we have infrastructural problems on Semnos. It is difficult to get materials up the mountain."
Anton thinks for a while until an idea comes to him: "Let's build a wide Roman road to the south and connect Semnoz with Björnfels and the capital Auli. Any objections?"
"No objections!" say all the members of the Thageding.
The other representatives report, and there seem to be no significant problems. The representative from Wòdland, Thorismund Turciling, reports on the invasion of the Franks and Burgundians into Gaul and the Saxons and Angles into Britannia: "My Futhark, in my experience with the Saxons and Franks, they will not be content with little land like we are. They will certainly want everything, and this could lead to a mass exodus of the Celts. Consider a measure before this happens."
Anton nods to Thorismund and says: "I will think about it, thank you, Thorismund."
After the representatives of the seven major cities, the local village elders speak. They report on the progress of their villages in the surrounding area. Food production seems to be thriving. However, a few villages could not plant anything due to their location and could only present wood.
"My Futhark, our villages Twige, Alperade, and Bärtorf are in the alpine region. We can't plant anything and only produce wood and stone."
Frijja says to everyone in the room: "The cities and villages are growing, the people have well-sealed houses, and we are safe in the mountains, allowing us to spread out here in peace. We only need enough food and firewood. Anton, do you have a solution for this?"
The people look at Anton, and he appears somewhat overwhelmed. He leans back in his chair and says: "Hmm... How about a new village in the western hills with a crop rotation technique for farming and replanting trees in the nearby area to reduce tree consumption? I suggest spruce wood as it generally grows faster. The village should be called "Läu" like the lion."
The Germanic people in Thageding have no idea what a lion is, but they agree with the idea.
"I should also visit the villages that cannot grow food. I'm sure we will find something for you."
Frijja looks approvingly at Anton and says: "The second point is—" Frijja kneels before Anton and says: "By Woden and all the gods, I swear absolute loyalty to you, Anton Lombard, the Futhark!"
A middle-aged man speaks: "As Futhark, that is indisputable. I swear by the gods that I pledge loyalty to you, Anton Lombard!"
An old lady adds: "Yes, and my house is wonderfully warm, and this Ondol is good for my back. I have not met a wiser leader than you. I swear loyalty to you, my child!"
Herul: "Thanks to you, I am not permanently bedridden! I will serve you with the best of intentions, Anton, my Jarl."
Kyros: "I am still grateful that my people and I were allowed to settle with you as equals. I owe this primarily to Frijja and Anton, and I swear loyalty to you in the name of Jesus Christ and the Lord."
The others in the room also kneel shortly after and swear loyalty: "We swear loyalty to you, Anton Lombard, the Futhark and the new Jarl of the tribe!"
Anton says to the Thagading: "I am very grateful to you for swearing loyalty to me, and I gladly accept your oath!"
Anton kneels before the Thageding and promises: "I, Anton Lombard, swear and pledge that Nyskiria will become a land where everyone can be happy and free! I serve you, the people of Nyskiria, and make no distinctions between ethnicities and classes!"
Anton's emotions are stirred, and the promise of a glorious future makes his heart beat faster. He stands up, and the dazzling light of the moon shines into the Thageding.