From The Sands

> Mandatory Activities and Artificial Famine.

>Have court magicians and priests look into the excess to determine if there is any underlying demonic activity that is exacerbating the gluttony of the people

>Jevinder: Look into correspondence for a way to communicate better with your sister. Nothin that would be what could be used against your people, but the news your sister may not hear when a country or three away.

When the Mandatory Outdoor Activities Decree was established, interest in sports started to pick up, but with many still keeping the same eating habits, most people were still overweight… until the secret Artificial Famine started to take effect.

Farms were not only sabotaged, much of the excess food was discreetly exported to other nations. Ngugi-Mahru’s government was richer, but its people were being deceived. When the people asked why they could not ship food from overseas, the government responded by rationing all incoming food.

Then they had the idea of rewarding athletes with surplus food. The people started to become motivated to train in athleticism, and soon sports teams started forming.

Meanwhile, local demon experts suspected there might have been otherworldly influences at work, but they could not find any conclusive evidence. Future historians noted that cultists were active in Ngugi-Mahru at the time, but the increased gluttony might not have been the intended result of their practices.

Prince Jevinder was far more interested in his sister and her journey than the goings-on in the nation. He sent her a letter, carved in wood so that she could easily read it with her sense of touch.

Less than month later, he received a reply from Princess Yena. She did not divulge her location, but she did share one major piece of news: She hatched a Tower Beast from an abandoned egg!

What was this creature she hatched herself? (Choose only one from the following)

- Garada
Element: Water
Intelligence: Insect-level
Diet: Meat. Any meat.

This tiny grey bird is a lot stronger and faster than it looks. Despite its small wings it is very capable of chasing after much larger creatures and its talons are so sharp they can pierce through iron. Garadas usually fly in large flocks of twelve to fifty, and when they get hungry they will immediately attack the nearest moving creature. When resting, they lie on top of the surface of water, looking very much like stones unless something stirs them. Many tamed Garadas serve in the Ngugi-Mahru military and police for hunting down fugitives.

- Runivern
Element: Metal
Intelligence: Inconsistent
Diet: Titanium and titanium alloys

The Runivern is unique in that it feeds exclusively on titanium and its various alloys, making them the only predator feared by the metallic Sadanio. Found at the 6,000th floor of the Shadowless Tower, Runivern are covered in glowing runes that are unknown to any language.

Normally, Runivern would just feed on titanium deposits found around the Tower, which magically regenerate after a set period of time. However, if it spots Sadanio, the Runivern will relentlessly hunt them down.

The runes covering their bodies offer substantial protection from demons, as discovered by their tamers. A popular theory is that the Runivern actually evolved to grow these runes on their scales in response to a demonic intrusion, as Floor 8,000 has evidence of demonic artifacts.

- Tyrant
Element: Wind
Intelligence: Raven-level
Diet: Meat

Resembling a scorpion with tentacles, the Tyrant lives in the 1111th floor of the Shadowless Tower, an area that can be best described as a rainforest full of spirals.

It only lays eggs when certain it is not being watched, even by other Tyrants. The creature's name comes from its ability to coerce other creatures into finding food for it.

Tyrants have very well-developed vocal cords, which they use for communicating with other species. Though their tentacles are actually very weak, they are laced with chemicals that can make other beasts receptive to commands. Their level of control is so strong, they can even convince other Tower Beasts to feed their own young to the Tyrant.

Tamed Tyrants have confirmed the theory that the creatures can consciously alter the chemical formulae of their venom, and can even turn it into effective medicine. They are commonly found serving at pharmacies all over the world. Unsurprisingly, the Ngugi-Mahru government also uses Tyrants as interrogation tools.


>_

*NGUGI-MAHRU WORLD STATUS*

Global Reputation: High Standing, Steady Tourism, Growing Trade
Average Life Expectancy: 73 years
Wealth: Very Wealthy (ranked 2nd in world)
Military: Powerful, Respected
Science: Advanced, Respected
Allies: Madagar, Yeshiko, The Old Country (Malkin)
Wars: None

Miscellaneous Note: The Shadowless Tower was still a controversial topic in the international community. However, sales of discounted food stores reduced tensions somewhat. Sightings of Princess Yena, journeying eastwards under the pseudonym Coin, fueled rumors that Ngugi-Mahru was trying to hide her in case of a secret attack so that she could reveal herself as a surviving heir to the throne. Others claimed she was hiding a secret of her own, perhaps a pregnancy from a torrid affair or a stolen artifact from the royal chambers. Princess Yena’s covert travels became common knowledge, and some people even claimed to be her in order to gain favors. Queen Sajar was quick to respond to any falsehoods, but there would always be another scammer around the corner.

*YENA’S STATUS *
Princess Yena’s Personal Money - 388 gold, 12 silver, 10 copper

Skill:
Cosmic Crafter - Can Craft Otherworldly Objects into items

Retinue:
Hessel - Bodyguard (Guardian Shield: Arrows and other solid projectiles cannot harm her)
Reyq - Scholar

Cosmic Artifacts:
Levitation Orb - Can levitate up to 4 inches. Worth 40 gold.
Reflector Talisman - Reflects ALL magic, even beneficial ones. Worth 1000 gold.

No Tamed Tower Beast (to be determined)

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Shadowless Tower exploration progress: 21%

World Map: https://i.imgur.com/V6xZODN.jpg

TOWER BEAST TREATISE