Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[escaped lurker]

The 7th Courtly Battle of the Underworld

As expected, there was no resistance to holding this contest to lessen the number of Courtiers. Not that anybody would have been much able to do so, especially after "he" had weakened them, and taken all of their assets as his own. The caretaker did not dawdle much, and after spinning "The Wheel of Misfortune" for each courtier in private, they soon were about to leave court and settle into their new footholds. They obviously also got their promised 200 Soul, and some showed themselves even brazen enough to discuss how it best would be spent...

Clapping his hands to gain the attention of the contestans, Zathras gave some last words;

"Well then, If there are any questions left, it would be wise to ask them now. Else I really would suggest that you take matters into your own hands now. Anyways, with that I declare the 7th Courtly Battle of the Underworld as started and running!"

Spoiler: The story so far. For those that may want it. (click to show/hide)

And thus it stands empty.. of all things, the throne!

Not any kind of throne, oh no, mind me. The Throne of the Underworld. While it is empty, don`t even think of climbing on it, because it is empty for a specific reason. Wich will be recounted in timely fashion, for those Interested...


A few minutes prior...;

All was going as amiably good - or worse, if you want so - as it always seems to do. There seems to be no real increase or decrease in the total power of the Underworld, footholds in the Mortal World are highly contested by the Upperworld, and the later does not seem to be winning either. Buisness as usual, one would say.

This changed when one the Fallen - Juhibilius, previous Archangel-Class - came onto the stage, to deliver his impeccable written report; "... which is why I would propose there should be fortifications added at "
Swoosh

With a single movement of him, the 5th-ranked Being of the Underworld went up in flames. And the real deal, mind me - This one will get a purging for sure. A big amount of eyepairs focused on the strongest at Court - and subsequently of the whole Underworld as well.

"What? I dreaded him talking any further. Not like he won`t come back soon - the first three rounds in the Purgatorium did not help, and I swear Ol`Shiny up there  makes him more annoying each time. On Purpose!" What a dreadfully insightfull comment - There are only two beings able to identify a soul that has been reborn, but such a notion is quite new to a big part of the court. Well, not me, actually. I have known Juhibilius previous Incarnation - it was somehow obvious.

He shifts around in his throne, seemingly pondering whatever issue he is about to create. He really likes to find something to ease the boredom, and maybe even the quite unimpressive workload that he has. Within a few moment a toothy smile lights up his face - Not a good sign, as the Veteran Courtiers will know. Actually, there is never anything positive happening at court, unless you count one devouring the other as such a thing.

"The Court is too big again", he exclaims "Who is willing to listen to all you lowlifes spouting your crap? Not like there is much of a difference with you arround..."

"Zathras..." I snap to attention, as usual "You do the honours this time around. I will only see one third of them alive by the time I wake up. Make sure of it, and record it all!"

With a final snap of his fingers, all the soulpowers of the courtiers are set on a meagre, but even level. Obviously he will keep the rest for himself. Not like he would really need it, but he is not one to give out charity. He also hands me - Zathras, should that not be obvious by now - a binding contract, that enables him to confiscate all troops and riches from the courtiers. Taking the hard work of your subordinates by force - how unquestionable evil. He really is in one of his moods today.

And thus the 7th Courtly Battle of the Underworld has begunn. It will be my third one, and I will be the administrator yet again. A clearly favorable position, wich will leave almost no doubt to my survival. He is clearly showing favoritism here - not that anyone would mind, but some of the bootlickers ought to hurt right now. He leaves the Court for his private Quarters, and I am now to explain the Rules he set down for this round...

"Well then, fellow courtiers. I would think all have gathered that "He" wants to keep our numbers short, as to make the court-sessions more short-lived. You also might have beholden a decrease in your powers - with a few pityable young ones even having gained some."
A quick study of the hall shows that I have the attention of most. Even the veterans will want to know how it will be this time around, and thus I continue;

"The Rules are quite easy this time around; Everyone of us will be granted a foothold, 200 Soul, and the aquisition of troops and infrastructure is allowed. Binding Pacts are allowed, as would be alliances. Foul play, Betrayal, Subtlety and Brutality are very encouraged, as usual. We will only end as soon as "he" awakens, or there are only two courtiers left. There are also some rules to impede the stronges and leading ones, but those will only come into play later..."
After rattling down the - luckily this time around quite short and understandable - Set of Rules, the Courtiers are quick to disperse to their new domicils. "He" has only granted one week of impunity towards them afterall.

The OOC-Link. Which more should want ;P

Recap on frequently needed Rules. For more in-depth matters, refer to the OOC-Thread.

Spoiler: Units (click to show/hide)

Troops: You can either produce them at a Barrack, or hire them on the "Open Market".
Cost - 10 Soul to train, 15 Soul to hire.


Imps: They will flock to the stronger Courtiers as a boon, or will be an expense on the lesser ones. Needed as Workers.
Cost - 5 Soul


Agents: A rare breed of beast, needed for Subterfuge.
Cost - 50 Soul

Spoiler: Buildings and Foothold (click to show/hide)

Footholds;
Every foothold is able to house 4 kind of buildings, and gives an income of 40 Soul per round.

Buildings;
Barracks: Allow you to train up to 5 Troops per Level and Round. You will also be granted a free Troop per Level and Round.
Cost - 80 Soul
Torture Pits: Will give you 20 Soul per Level and Round. Needs 5 Imps per Level to function.
Cost - 60 Soul
Smithy: Will give you 10 Soul and 5% Defence Bonus to Foothold per Level and - Soul - per Round. Needs 3 Imps per Level to function. Can be tasked with creating Armour or Weapons for you - Results will vary greatly.
Cost - 85 Soul
Chantery: Will give you one random Soul-Essence per Round and Level. Allows you to spend 5 Soul to define the Type that will be gained. 4 Imps per Level. Can be tasked with creating magickal Equipment for you - Results will vary greatly.
Cost - 70 Soul
Battlements: Will give you 10% Defence Bonus to Foothold per Level. Needs 2 Imps on Maintenance each Level.
Cost - 80 Soul
Keep: Will give you 5% Defence Bonus to Foothold per Level and 10 Soul per connected Foothold aquired. Unique Building.
Cost - 175 Soul
Defiled Shrine: Needed for Advanced Spellery,  Chance of Associated Skills costing less
Cost - 120 Soul
Hellevator: Needed for Advanced Military Jobs,  Chance of Associated Skills costing less
Cost - 120 Soul
Soul-Quarry: Needed for Advanced Construction, Chance of Associated Skills costing less
Cost - 120 Soul
Underground Kennels: Needed for Advanced Subterfuge,  Chance of Associated Skills costing less
Cost - 120 Soul

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Battle Actions:
Defend Foothold (Default Action, can be strengthend with Action Point) - Connected Footholds may be defended by the same troops, minus Malus on Initiative
Attack Foothold
Allied Attack - Optional Betrayal (Bonus Initiative against "Allied Troops"), Optional lookout for Betrayal ( Lesser Initiative against Foothold )
Raid the Surface World - Gain Soul from selling captured souls - Advanced
Battle on the Surface World - Payment from the Underworld's Demenesque, based on Performance - Advanced
Advance on or Upgrade a Skill - While it takes time to do so, it is an Investment worth considering - Special

Subterfuge Actions:
Station Counterspys (Default Action, can be strengthend with Action Point)
Scout Foothold - Gain Information on said Foothold, possible Boni to Troop-Attacks there
Sabotage Foothold - Sabotage Buildings or Troops in Foothold - Advanced
Sabotage Courtier - Steal Soul or Items from a fellow Courtier - Advanced
Advance on or Upgrade a Skill - While it takes time to do so, it is an Investment worth considering - Special

Spell Action:
Cast LVL x Spell - Level of Spell is equivalent with needed Action Points - LVL 3 Spells and higher are Advanced
Advance on or Upgrade a Skill - While it takes time to do so, it is an Investment worth considering - Special

Build Action:
Build Building - Obviously needs empty Space in a Foothold
Upgrade Building - Level Upgraded to is equivalent with needed Action Points
Work for the Underworld's Demenesque - "He" has an unfinishable Monument under Construction - Advanced
Construct Fortifications on the Surface World - Possible Danger pays additional - Advanced
Advance on or Upgrade a Skill - While it takes time to do so, it is an Investment worth considering - Special

Courtier Actions:
Partake in Attack - Might not always be the best idea, as it leaves you away from your Footholds and can get you killed or wounded.
Rally to your Cause - You might gain Troops, Imps, or even Agents. Largely depends on your Overall Skills and Standing.
Research Magick - Just as it says, you will study and research magic for new Spells to unleash.
Oversee Construction - Will give a Discount on the overseen Construction, and reduce Upgrades by 1 Build-Action
Form Binding Pact - Needs only to be performed by the Initiator. Obviously allows for a Binding Pact to be signed.
Lick your Wounds - There is a place and time for everything. And this "everything" sometimes includes being a lazy bum as to not strain yourself. Fancy that.

[Mlamlah]

Emerick wraps his wings about himself protectively, giving in to deep thought. Such a fool HE could be, willing to jeopardize the order of his kingdom just for a moment of amusement. A war that will happen in an eyeblink stands to effect the entire cosmos, but he'll takes the greatest risk in this venture. For now the forces of hell are even more scattered and divided, even more at eachother's throats to gain power. It's time that stability and order be allowed a place in the underworld.

Emerick would like all of the assorted noble's of Hell to know that he is willing to provide the service of his magic to other lords in trade, though conditionally. Those who seek out his service must provide a small amount of soul to him in exchange for an updated spell list of his, as a show of faith. The onetime use of any spell may then be bargained for.

[mastahcheese]

Ready

Let's go!

[escaped lurker]

The 7th Courtly Battle of the Underworld
End of the First Cycle

The first cycle was especially fraught with chaos, as many lesser demons tried their hand at getting control over one of the areas. Some Upstarts even succeeded in these maneuvers, and a lot of the regions in the Central Underworld were taken porperty by some form of these medium-level beings, or some rag-tag group of similiar individuals. The markets did not yet recover after the first week, with speculations running high as a result of the recently started proceedings. As for the courtiers, they were exhaustingly unimaginative in their tasks, with no-one staging anything worthy of note...

Looking down a last time unto the magical pergament - angel hide, the tint on it won't bleach for millenia - Zathras seemed satisfied. "He" was not a big fan of long-winded paragraphs, and it was close enough to the truth anyways. Looking at the empty throne that omniously loomed over the slowly-filling court, it really was missing something. Not that "he" would not skip every now and then, or rather, at every possible chance - but, with the knowledge that he truly was missing, it might look even beckoning to some..

Brushing away such thougs, the slightly ancient courtier made his way to the "Wheel of Misfortune", and under the eyes of many, gave it a vigorous spin... and spinning it did! Very continiously and unnecessarily long at that. Zathras made a mental note to not give it as much as strong a start next time. After some extended minutes of showing no signs of slowing down, it unexpectedly and instantaniously stopped at a certain number. One which's result was not quite that interesting, but the caretaker did his duty none-the less.

"The Wheel has choosen. A foothold will be revealed!" Exlamations filled the hall, and sure enough, even some tension. Getting discovered that early really could spell doom on some. But not this time, sadly, and so he continued;

"It is the 6th District - There is currently no specific owner of it, and neither any infrastructure of note - but a Group of Undead seem to have occupied it. As they only number 15, I guess their days will be hencefort quite numbered as well... With that taken care of, let me tell you that it pains me too see you all so very healthy and alive, and hope that this will be subject to change in the next cycles. Unless you want to fail "his" orders. Do us all a favour and get started on killing each other. That will be all for this week."

Taking no interest in the sparse conversations of the other courtiers, Zathras left the court leisurely...

[Mlamlah]

Emerick begins to speak to any hanging around the court at a volume uncommon for him. "We are now at a crossroads, each and every one of us. We are expected to kill one another, it is true, but not all of your opponents need to die to satisfy obligation and ambition. For now, we are weak, scattered, and divided, each and every one of us, none of us have much hope of survival if we merely spend all of our effort destroying eachother haphazardly. So I offer to all of you a piece of wisdom: Work with one another. Let us form allegiances and shed blood as comrades, not enemies. I myself am willing to open diplomacy and visit the table with any of you. We are all going to kill, and we are all going to bleed, but take care that you bleed and kill for a purpose that will bring you closer to survival, and not closer to your doom."
At that he waits, gauging the reaction of those remaining in the court, determining if they are worth his time, or if they will need to be put down.

[scapheap]

"And opened myself to another betrayal. Pardon me for not jumping on this deal any time soon." Says the one winged Angel known as Lux, who lost the other to a now former friend.

[Mlamlah]

Emerick cocks his head, and flexes his wings slightly. "So you stand alone then. Do you think you can hold your own against the rest of the courtiers all on your own?" Emerick was not expressing sarcasm, at least not openly. He seemed to be asking an earnest question.

[scapheap]

Lux look Emerick in the eyes "I do not plan to stand alone, it just I'm not quick to make allies I don't trust. It someone can prove they are trustworthy, then I have no problem joining, but we are in hell, most of us are here because we are untrustworthy. So pardon me if I take your statement with a pinch of salt."

[Mlamlah]

"What then would you suggest Lux? I in the very least can offer trade, of spell, soul and soul-essence as i eventually come by it. I'll also have you know i am unwilling to show any courtesy another will not pay to me, i am willing to give a show of faith, but only if another offers the same."