Many things can affect the successful colonization of a planet. Sometimes the seed of survival and civiliaztion falls on fertile soil and prospers; sometimes, it falls on stoney ground or poor soil. It can land in good soil and prosper for a time, then a deluge washes it away. Such was the case on Talbert II. For 200 local years, technological civilization grew and prospered. Then came a rapid climb in average surface temperatures which ended with Talbert II locked in a short but severe "mini ice age" that lasted 1,200 local years. Technology was no match for such forces; in less than a local century, it was reduced the population to a fraction of what it had been and its technology to a stone-age level. Somehow, the Talbertonians managed to cling to existence. When the ice finally began receding again and the planet began warming again, a feudal society began to emerge and many practical technologies were rediscovered. However, writing and the wheel were not among them. The Messenger Guild was created to enable the feudal lords to communicate with other fiefdoms, or with their armies in the field. It expanded over time until even ordinary people were using its services as a kind of oral mail. Individual messengers memorized their messages and were pledged to never devulge them to any other than the person to which the message was addressed. On the rare occasions when a messenger violated that tenant of the Guild, the Guild executed that person. A common Talbertonian saying was "Kill the messenger; kill the message>" It was not uncommon for intriques of the powerful to include the murder of a messanger to keep a message from being delivered. Having no beasts to ride, the successful messanger proved fleet of foot and well-schooled in human behavior. ********************************************* This is my 300th posting at Renderosity--and my 1st Bryce 6 picture. Sure does render much faster! Credits: Bryce 6, Vue 4, and Poser 6. No post work. Figure: DAZ's Aiko3 real. "Nicki" skin mat, "Kathy" hair. Clothing is " Plebeian" by SilverElf (DAZ). Buildings: wonderful "Grobburg" freebie from Danie, Marforno, and Abraham (Renderosity). Trees: "Forest Prime Evil" by Traveler (RDNA. Ferns: Some were a Net freebie and rest were by Modualz (RDNA). Flowers: "Grasslands" by Modualz (RDNA). Sky and ground textures: Bryce 6 presets. A special thank you to you, the viewer, for taking the time to share my artistic journey and especially for those of you who have taken that little extra time to leave a word of encouragement, humor, or needed correction. It's all meant a lot to me. Til next time, Jeremy