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[Mel_Vixen]

Turn 11.

Movement: 19:30

The good weather and the lively forest have ensured Mari an good traveling speed asd well as an good meal almost every day. He was somwaht near the next Ruins.

Turn 12:

Movement to X18:Y31

Rp gets updated

[deadlycairn]

Doulos:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Doulso tried to hide the irritation that was welling within him. Their search had revealed nothing. The cave was inhabited by mole men, their high concentration fooling his divinations. They had slaughtered them, using them to further their own skills, but it was still a massive waste of time. While his men hunted down the last few mole-men, Doulos had tried to divine another likely area to search. Finally, it came to him, a strong aura emanating from a position nearly masked by Apoikismos' innate energies. He rounded up the men, told them the destination. They were heading northwest.

Apoikismos:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Doulos looked with consternation at the wall that surrunded Apoikismos. From his perch atop a tree, he could easily see the problem some of the guardsmen had mentioned. The wall was growing. Branches were sprouting out of main body of the wall, and some of the guardtowers were nearly swallowed by leaves. It could be useful though, as at this rate it would not be long before Apoikismos was completely hidden from prying eyes. He gave his orders: The wall was allowed to grow, but not around the guard towers. The branches around them would have to be cut in such a way that the guard towes were hidden from outsiders, but still had a clear view of Apoikismos' surroundings. Now he turned to the other, more pressing matter at hand. They were nearly out of steel, and Mouseion was requesting the remainder for their constructions. Luckily they still had some iron and silver, both necessary for the mages' battlestaffs, but the gold was almost gone. He couldn't deny Mael's request though, he knew she needed it more than they. New recruits would simply have to earn their right to use steel, and only officers would be allowed metal armor, the rest would have bone and leather.
With a heavy heart, he ordered that the iron Mael had requested be delivered. The couriers would be back in about 6 months, if Mael's original travel time was anything to go by.

Mouseion:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

 Mael was running around like she'd lost her head, Agethor observed wryly. She'd just received the message that the iron was being delivered, and would arrive in about three months. It would help them greatly, as work on the buildings could not continue without iron, and in the meantime they had to sleep in the dismal shelters they'd set up on arrival. At least they'd managed to find the herb, he had been worried about what the magic-rich environment would turn them into.

OOC:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Apoikismos begins to camouflage its presence, while it sends nearly all of its iron over to Mouseion to help them build real houses. Recruits begin to practise with copper and wooden weapons.
List of important things in Apoikismos: (There's none in Mouseion yet )
Sturdy wall, partially camouflaged, and with guard towers around perimeter.
Forge (mage with magic gloves) cranking out iron weapons
Barracks
Enough sturdy housing for everyone
 A network of traps surrounding Apoiksismos

Apoikismos Map:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈↑↑↑↑ ↑↑≈≈≈≈≈≈  ≈≈♠♠♠⌂▲^ ▲⌂┌┘♠..≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈↑↑≈ ≈≈≈↑≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈↑↑↑ ↑↑≈≈≈≈≈≈  ≈≈♠♠♠z⌂▲ ⌂○┘♠♠♠≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈↑↑↑ ↑♣♣≈≈≈≈≈  ≈≈≈♣┌──○ ⌂♣♣♣♣≈≈≈ ≈♣≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈↑≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣ ♣♣♣≈≈≈≈≈  ≈≈≈≈│♣♣Z ⌂♣♣≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│

Tell me if anythings particularly overpowered (especially the camouflage), also, who do I talk to about setting up a mine to replenish my metal supply?
Almost forgot, can my civ symbol be a pair of crossed longswords? ( I have no artistic talent whatsoever)

[Dwarfaholic]

Svarlbard:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Hi, folks!"
The Hrun guards looked at each other. Although they couldn't understand Entish, it was clear this was some sort of diplomat. Should they let him in? After some thought, they decided it was for the better
"Uh, hi, bushman. Come on right in."

The Impling's visit of Svarlbard was short. He walked around the village, gazing at the houses and blabbering in his own language. The Hrun around him nodded enthusiastically, trying to understand what he meant. After a tour of the village, the Impling prepared to leave, leaving the bewildered Hrun unsuspecting of what was to come.

Oor- Halok:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The western scout rushed into the Glade.
"Oh, wow, there's a glade here. Nice"
Around him, the other Implings chittered in excitement. What had happened to him, why did he have these new scars?
"Well, you see..."

The Impling recounted his tales of being kidnapped by the Daroth, how they took him to their dark fortress deep beneath the earth, where he was experimented with for months on end. He showed the scars where they had cut off pieces to test regeneration time.
"The food was good, though, so I guess it was all right."
He also told them how he'd finally been released, and found his way here, where he was surprised to find this new Glade. It seemed to him the ents were thriving!

Suddenly, his casual chatting was interrupted by the Protector lumbering in, carrying a small creature with metal armor. The scout pointed at it and told the other it was one of the Daroth. It seemed he had been followed. However, no scout expects for a tree next to him to suddenly reach out and grab him, so he'd been caught.

Commanding the Material to form a cage around the Daroth, the Protector listened to the Impling tell him how the armor was removable, and promptly had some Implings take the equipment. These items were taken back to the Great Glade for examination, along with the prisoner.

Svarlbard:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

For Bors, it had been a pretty normal day. Patrolling the streets, talking to the townsfolk, y'know, the normal things. After this last shift he'd be going home, where his wife, family and warm fireplace awaited. He could almost feel the relaxing warmth of the fire warming his toes, and sighed in happiness. Bors had a good life.
Also, it seemed things were going well for the Hrun. The tree- people they'd met had apparently decided to trust them after all, even to the point of sending an ambassador to this small village of theirs. Could life get any better?, Bors pondered.
To his side, Sven, normally so quite, poked him.
"Hey, Bors. Look, the tree- dudes."
Indeed, the ambassador seemed to be leaving. But it was late, why now? Bors shaked these thoughts, after all, it wasn't his job to think; he was a guard. Besides, the ents probably had a completely different rhythm than the Hrun anyways.
Although he knew the Implings couldn't understand him, Bors still shouted a greeting. They kept walking towards him, deathly silent.
"Sven, why're they walking like that? You'd think they'd respond something, at least greet us in turn."
Sven shrugged. He'd already spoken his regular quota for the day.
Suddenly, he screamed. Talons seemed to grow out of his stomach, blood gushing from the wounds. He collapsed onto the ground, holding his gaping abdomen. Behind him, an Impling emerged, covered in the blood of his victim. But Bors didn't see this. He was already dead.
If his glossy eyes could've still seen, he'd have seen the Implings, the ents he'd trusted, the ents they'd all trusted, open the gates to the rest of his kin. He'd have seen them take to the streets, slaughtering the innocent. Blacksmith Hansson, taken down by a swarm of Implings, screaming to the very end. Farmer Haraldsson, pulled into an alley and shred to ribbons. Old lady Johansdotter, the one who sold the apples at the street, suddenly slumping to the ground, not a sigh escaping from her weathered lips. He would have seen this, and he would have wept.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

When the alarm rang, Agnar was the first one to wake. Almost immediately, his hand was on his axe, and he was shouting orders:
"All right, men, this is no drill, I repeat, this is no drill! Something's attacking the village, and we need to stop it."
Arnvid, always so clumsy, got dressed surprisingly quickly, and was at the door next. He opened the door, and was greeted by a pair of talons to the face.
"Implings! Curse the ents!" Yelled Agnar, with the Hrun around him shouting in anger. The Implings filed into the room, only to be greeted by Agnar's axe.
"Filth! I will see the death of you!"
They were pushed back into the corridor, where the fighting suddenly stopped, both sides being unwilling to push forwards. Outside the tower, the sounds of battle raged on.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Ottar had been patrolling the streets, like usual. There was no crime in Svarlbard he knew about, although that pompous Agnar was always acting like they were going to be attacked any second. Drills for this, drills for that. Ottar sighed. It had been an uneventful evening, like they always were. He liked them that way.
Suddenly, the alarm rang. It was probably only a drill anyways. Still, he picked up his pace and hurried to the Town Hall, to see what the commotion was about. At the site he was greeted by a sight of carnage, with dead and dying Hrun lying about the streets. There was a fight going on at the doors of the Hall, but it was clear the guards were underwhelmed. Still, he lifted his spear and charged into the fray.
Ottar was cut down seconds later. An Impling latched itself to his feet, while two other leapt onto his torso, puncturing his heart and throat.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

It was quite now, outside the tower. Inside, for hours, the garrison guards and the Implings had had a bloodless stalemate, with the only casualties so far an Impling and Arnvid.
Agnar stood at the door, sweat streaming down his brow and axe in his hand. He didn't like this. He didn't like this at all. While the guards were safe for the time being, outside there was no telling what was happening. Without them, the village had surely been overwhelmed. Agnar bit his lip. It was bitter to know that your whole family was dead, while you yourself were trapped behind a swarm of Implings. Still, he'd have to do something soon.
Agnar stood up and talked to his men. For the first time since the attack, somebody broke the eerie silence in the room.
"It's clear that by now, most of Svarlbard is probably dead."
The guards nodded grimly. There was a tear in somebody's eye.
"Those fucking ents did this. Why? I do not know: that I will leave to Erak to find out. How? By treachery, I think, but I am not sure. I do know one thing for sure, though: and that is that no true Hrun would sit around like this, doing nothing, while around him evil was being done. Do you know what I'm talking about?"
The guards clearly agreed, it was visible in their eyes, the way they burned in the little light from the lantern.
"We are going to go now, and we're going to charge down that corridor. Not many of us will survive, I know this, but what else can we do? What else is honourable to do?"
The warriors banged their weapons against their shield: they were willing to fight. They would die, they knew it, but they would die honourably, the Hrun way. Agnar was prepared for the fight of his life, prepared to fend of legions of blood- thirsy Implings, prepared to see his brothers, friends, and himself die.
What happened next, though, was something he was not prepared for.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

The Protector lifted his mace.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Suddenly, the ceiling exploded unto them. Agnar was killed immediately, shards of wood nailing him to the ground. Many other Hrun were knocked out of the tower, and Implings quickly finished them off. The few remaining Hrun, left dazed and panicked, were slaughtered by the Implings.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Summary:
After touring the village and shaking off the Hrun following them, the "ambassador" and his entourage quickly eliminated the few Hrun guarding the gateway and opened the gates. Immediately, Implings started pouring in, masked by the darkness of the night. Almost half a hundred had entered before the alarm was raised, and by then it was too late. The sleepy Hrun guards at the garrison were too slow to awake, and we're locked into the barracks, barely keeping out the tide of Implings. In the streets and the houses there was full chaos, Implings running about eviscerating sleeping civilians and the few guards alike. Only at the townhouse was there some resistance, the guards holding off the Implings long enough for the clerk to let the pidgeons loose. As he watched the last of the birds disappear into the distance, he was struck down.
The only living Hrun were now the guards, trapped in the garrison. The siege was brought to an end, though, when the Protector smashed the building apart, and the last defenders were overwhelmed.


- 480 Implings and two Protectors assault at night.
- In the following, 36 Implings are slain, along with the inhabitants of the village.
- The corpses (and all other organic material) are recycled: ground into a fine paste to make nutritious soil. Any tracks linking the slaugher to the ents are disguised as clean- up crew marks.
- In the event some pigeons were released without a message tied to them. They will most likely have not seen any ents, and will only know there was fear.
- The rest of the equipment is thrown into a hole dug into the ground, which is promptly covered. The hole is far away from the village.

The Great Glade:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Lord, the assault is complete. The Hrun no longer stain our lands."
"You have done well, Lesser. There is more good news, though. As you were crusading for Tranquility, the Guardian of Oor- Halok brought us information about a new race. They can be used to mask our part in the destruction."
"Lord, why would the believe us? We have nothing to show these new creatures killed the Hrun."
Ka- Ram grinned. He picked up a small, glistening item and showed it to the Protector.
"This new race uses shiny items like this for work. We will show this to the Hrun, and thus convince them of the participation of the Small Ones."

Impling messenger, Halas:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"I have mournful news for you, my brothers," wailed the Impling, with one of the apprentices quickly translating.
"Your friends, neighbours and family in Svarlbard have been slain!"
After the apprentice finished translating, there was a great hush in the streets. Everybody stopped dead in their tracks, hypnotized by the eerie message from the ents.
"We were sending diplomats to your peaceful home, only to find it in ruins! Corpses scattered about, dead mothers holding their children, too soon taken from life! We watched this carnage, and we wept."
The crowd on the streets started whispering amongst themselves. Who could have done this?
"Amongst the burning houses and slaughtered innocents we found the culprits. There were no living amongst them, but we found on them this!", the Impling shouted, holding up the Daroth axe.
"This tool killed you brothers and mothers, uncles and friends! The ones who used this are sullied with the lives of their victims!"
There was even more unrest. Were the Daroth truly this untrustworthy?
The Impling continued:
"But do not lose yourselves to anger, my friends. After all, they probably had some good reason to this. Right?"
A voice from the crowd shouted:
"Nothing justifies murder!"
The shouter was quickly silenced by the Hrun around him, but still one could feel the rage brewing in the mass. The Impling grinned inwards: This was going exactly as planned.

The Impling is carrying:
- One Stone of Communication
- One Daroth Axe
- One Hrun Helmet

[Poltifar]

Only the good die young

Turn 12: The meaning of Duty (WARNING: its big. REAL big)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

As the Renegades approached yet another location they had divined about previously, they saw a small village in the distance. Getting closer, they felt something wrong in the air, a feeling of depression. None of the farmers farming the rice fields around the town wore a smile. One of them looks up, "Ah, travelers, we don't get that often. Further up ahead there is a inn, if that is what you are searching for"

As the team continues, they smell a sweet alcoholic smell in the air, indicating the presence of a still in this village. Finally arriving at the inn, they are greeted in by a old lady. "How unusual to have guests during that time of the year...."
"Good day," replied Poltifar, "we are just passing travelers."
"Take my advise and pass through further and come back in a week or so. You are coming at the wrong time for a relaxed travel"
"Oh, and why my that be?"
"Because the 8th fullmoon of the year is approaching. The 8th fullmoon of the year is the day the sacrifice is chosen."
At the mention of sacrifice, Poltifar starts having a weird sense of Deja-vu, "A sacrifice? What god do you worship that demands a sacrifice?"
"It is not a god, it is a curse! do not speak of things you know nothing off"
"I see. Might we ask more about this curse?"
"It began 108 years ago. A great beasts, with 8 heads and 8 tails and a body like a mountain appeared in the village. From then on, every 8th fullmoon of the year, the fullmoon turns red and a arrow marks the sacrifice. You will witness it soon enough. Though I cannot understand how anyone would go out at night to see that terrible moon...or how anyone would want to hear the cries of the sacrifice when it realizes it's fate... It is so sad..."
"Yes, we can see how horrible it must be living under these circumstances. You know, we might be able to help you somewhat..."
"Fool. No one has ever been able to even enter the mooncave alive. Only the chosen sacrifice may enter it. Many have failed and many have perished."
Deciding to change the subject, Poltifar instead asks, "Well it seems your village here has a still. Might we ask what do you produce in it?"
"Oh yes, we produce a really good sake here. Our head brewer currently produces 7 times refined liquor. It is a shame that she can't refine it even more..."
"And why is that?"
"Because of the creature's curse. The brewer has tried many times to refine the liquor more, but according to her, the rice is too cursed for that to work. Now, if you excuse me, the sun is starting to set, and I have no wish to linger around to witness the horrible spectacle."

After the old lady goes up to sleep, the Renegades remain in the inn's main room and watch the sunset from the window. Lost in thought, their eyes wander over the horizon. In a deep vivid orange, the sun steadily approaches the edge of the world. The very moment the sun touches the horizon, their eyes are caught in a sight that fills them not only with mezmerisation, but with honest fear. Where the sun touches the nearby hills, the forest is set ablaze. Flames as black as tar creep over the forest, swallow the world around the Renegades. Even the sky catches fire and the world is caught in nothingness, black nothingness. One after the other, all stars are swallowed but 8 of them, each one glowing in a different color. Forming a circle in the sky, the stars begin to spin themselves, and a white bolt of light impacts on the village, leaving it shaking like in an earthquake. In an instand, light returns to the sky. The whole world is swallowed in the eerie glow of a blood colored moon that appeared in the middle of the 8 unholy stars. Where the bolt impacted, a white arrow was stuck into a roof.

Hurrying out of the inn, the Renegades head towards the house on which's roof the arrow had stuck. As they approach the house, they hear screaming from inside. They are filled with so much sadness that their hearts can barely stand them without bursting apart. The door bursts open, and a woman runs out of the house, covered in tears. She shouts at the sky, "Not my last one! NOT MY LAST ONE! You have taken 7 already! Don't take my 8th daughter as well!

She collapses on the ground, sobbing. Out of the house comes a young girl, probably somewhere between 7 and 9 (in other words, 8 ). She goes to her mother and holds her. She is not crying. "Don't worry mama. I am not afraid"

Giving her mother a last hug, she turns around and walks away, towards the forest.

Poltifar, deciding finally to step in, calmly but sternly say to the girl, "Wait." The girl obediently stops and waits. Then, turning to the mother, he asks, "Are you by any chance the still operator?"
Sobbing, the woman doesn't seem to hear his question. Starting to get angry, Poltifar raises his voice, "Answer me woman, are you or are you not the brewer of this village?"
The woman speaks, barely understandably between her sobs, "Please, save my girl..."
"We will, but for that, we will need your help."
Finally calming down a bit, the woman asks, "My help?"
"Yes. Tell us, why did you never refine your liquor an 8th time?"
"Because... because it was too hard."
"Well, are you willing to try to refine it again, for your daughter's sake?"
The woman, suddenly beaming and her spirits up, runs to the still and gets to work. 4 hours later, she comes out with 8 barrels of 8 times refined liquor.

Poltifar sets off towards the cave with his group and the little girl, with the warriors carrying the barrels. At the cave, Poltifar orders them to take on their usual formation. That order was the mistake that was to be fatal to one of them.

As soon as the explorer, who was walking in front as she always did, steps through the door, it swings shut violently. The whole world around her seemed to have changed. Where once was a forest, there is only wasteland now. Were once were her companions, there is only emptyness now. And where once was nothing is now the absolutely gigantic entry into a cave. Only one of the barrels remain by her side.

On the outside, the whole group tries and tries, but even their combined might isn't able to leave a single scratch or dent on the huge dours.

Back in the cave, the explorer breifly tries to open the doors, yet upon failing, picks up the barrel and moves on in. After walking through long, winded tunnels, over and over covered in all sort of symbols she does not understand, she finds herself inside a gigantic chamber of proportions she can barely make out. In the middle, there is an island floating in the air, with 8 stone bridges leading to it. Trees grew on that island, and a gigantic bell out of gold was placed on it. The whole area was lit by the red light of the moon shining in from a hole in the ceiling.

The explorer moves unto the island and rings the bell. The ring lets out a deafening loud boom. The island under her starts to shake. She runs back, taking the barrel with her, just as the bridges turn. From somewhere under the island, a head emerges, followed by 7 other heads. All of the heads have their eyes on the explorer.

Each of the heads looks different. The first head looks fierce, and is wearing a bright red helmet. The second head looks tired, and is wearing a miners helmet. The third head is smiling, and is wearing a bright shining crown of crystals. The fourth head looks bored, and is wearing a towel around his head. The 5th head looks ancient, and is wearing a flag on it's head that moves in the wind. The 6th head looks curious. He wears some sort of mechanical contraption shaped like lightning. The 7th head looks indifferent. He is wearing armor, even on his neck. The 8th head looks angry. He wears nothing on his head.

All 8 heads position themsleves infront of the explorer, and speak in unison, "What is this ? you are not the sacrifice. Are my eyes getting bad over the years? I marked the house of the brewer!"

"I am very sorry for the intrusion, but we were bringing the sacrifice along with some liquor. But can you tell me, why do you demand a sacrifice from the brewer? and from the rest of the village?"
"my reasons are not of your interest." the heads violently move the explorer out of the way and go for the sake. Sadly it is not enough for all of them. The dragon does not even seem drunk, and even worse, not satisfied.
"We have more outside. please, let us bring it in"
"First, you tell me how you dare not bring me the sacrifice I demanded !"
"But we WERE bringing her, but we wanted to bring the sake as a first gift"
"How about I skip the sake and have you instead?!", says the angry head.
"But why would you eat me when the sacrifice you asked for yourself is waiting? And also, youldnt you prefer to eat the 8th of the same group you already ate?"
The ancient head interrupts. "We will just have her next year. we have time!"
He throws a gale like wind at her, throwing her at the wall.

In a moment of panic, the explorer hatches a crazy plan, and says to the ancient head, "You seem to be the leader around here, seeing how grand, majestic, and ancient you are. shouldnt YOU be the one making the decisions around here?"

The angry had roars at her, a black cloud of mist flying towards her. The explorer manages to dodge, but her left arm is caught in the mist. It shrivvels away like a dry flower.
"I AM THE LEADER! HOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT?! YOU THINK THE OLD MAN RULES? WATCH"

He attacks the old head and rips it right off. The heads begin to argue amongst each other. Where the old head falls to the ground, the explorer can hear something strange. Ss it hits the ground, a very melodic and pleasing sound erupts from within the head.

Running to the torn head, the explorer notices that the flag on its head is actually a sword. The sword is a absolute masterwork that has rarely ever met it's own. It was entirely made out of deep green jade, in one piece. The surface is perfectly smooth. The blade has no parry, it was rather formed like a stick, perfectly straight and smooth.

Turning to the arguing heads, the explorer shouts, at the top of her lungs, to be heard. Before she can form a full sentence though, the heads notice her and stop arguing. Their eyes widen, seemingly in shock. Amongst each other, they say, "She has THAT? Where did she get it from? Didn't we eat the person who last wielded it?"

The fierce head approaches the explorer, "Give me that. This is no toy"
"What do you give me in exchange for it?"
The dragon roars loudly at her. "This was no trade, it was a demand!"
"Tough luck then," says the explorer mockingly.

The fierce head loses its patience and tries to ram the explorer. Out of reflex, the explorer swings the sword. The head is cut right through. Not just the head. The entire neck is cut through up to the base. The other heads immediatly spring to action. The smiling head seems to prepare something, so does the curious head. She swings the sword, and now that she has a better view, she can see how it works. The blade seems to extend with her swing, even able to cut targets at a great distance. She manages to cut right through the ceatures face.

However, this was the last thing on earth these eyes ever saw. From the crown of the smiling head erupts a great flash of light. The explorer is blinded. She stumbles blindly, and can hear the heads laugh. She tries to cast a spell to enhance her remaining sense, but the dragons seem to notice this and a wave of water pushes her back to the wall. The heads laugh again.

The explorer, dtermined not to give in this easily, stands up with her back to the wall, and swings the sword madily infront of her. At her swing, she feels that one of the heads has been cut, but the sword then seems to get stuck in something. She hear's the voice of the indifferent head, "Eh? Such a dull blade."

She tries to pull the blade, but instead feels something pulling her through the air. While she falls, she points the blade downwards. It gets stuck in the ground and stops her flight. She hears that someone is in agony (the indifferent head tried to grab the blade with its mouth. It was impaled completely.)

As she shorten the blade to reach the ground, something hits her and crushes some of her ribs, and she falls to the ground. While there, she swings the blade again and again, and feels how she manages to cut another two heads.

Over the pain she feels, a very eerie presence forces itself and an angry voice fills her head. Well done.... It sounds very weak... The explorer hears how blood gushes... But... Not... just... from the dragon......

Skip to Poltifar's group.

Just as Poltifar was about to go completely and utterly mad and insane and throw an armaggedon-like spell at the door, the moon returns to normal, and the door very easily opens. As they move inside, they look around. And find, among 8 severed dragon heads, a small pool of blood. Poltifar approaches, bends down, and takes the sword from the explorer's dead hands. As the others of the group gasp at the dead body, some even crying for the loss of their good friend and teammate, Terna Farstrider, the greatest explorer of her race, Poltifar seems unfazed. Yet, he hangs the sword on his back, and picks up the boddy gingerly with both hands, and goes out withought uttering a word.

While the rest of the team moves towards the village to tell them that the dragon is dead and the curse lifeted, and also to drown their sorrows in the 7 remaining barrels of sake, Poltifar carries the body to a nearby hill, were he burries it deep in the ground. Then, retreiving alot of gold from the wagons, he shapes them into a statue. A statue of Terna Farstrider. On the statue's front, he fashens a plaque and engraves on it: 'Here lies Terna Farstrider, the great explorer, member of the Renegades, one of the bravest people I have ever met.' Finally, he channeled all his power into creating a curse. Anyone who would defile the statue or the location would be cut in two as if by the very sword for which Terna had died. And if the person somehow survived this, and took a piece of the gold or the whole statue, then the gold would disintegrate into black worthless dust and blow to the wind.

As he was going down the hill, Poltifar made an oath for his dead comrade and on the sword. For as long as he lived, he would never again send someone in front to be killed. From now on, he would do his duty as a leader. He would always be upfront, no matter how dangerous or deadly the situation is. And it is like that, that in Poltifar's black and chaotic mind suddenly appeared a speck of understandment. Understandment of duty, honour, and loyalty.

============================================================

The Renegades then move east to the last ruin discovered up to now.


│≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣ ♣♣♣♣⌂▲▲⌂ ⌂├┘⌂⌂▲○─ ──┘♣≈≈≈≈  ≈♣♣≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣♣♣│└┐ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈─ ○┌┘♣≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣ ♣♣♣⌂⌂▲⌂⌂ ♣│⌂⌂▲^▲⌂ ♣♣♣♣♣≈≈≈  ≈≈♣≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣♣♣│♣≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈.♣ ♣│♣♣≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈♣♣┌ ─┐♣⌂⌂▲⌂♣ ♣└≈⌂⌂⌂⌂♣ ♣♣♣♣♣♣?≈  ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣♣♣│♣≈ ≈≈≈≈..♣♣ ○┘♣≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈──┘ ♣└─○▲▲⌂♣ ♣♣│♣♣⌂○┐ ♣♣╞╞♣♣♣♣  ♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ♣♣♣♣♣│≈≈ ≈≈≈..♣♣♣ ⌂♣♣≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈♣♣♣♣ ♣♣♣⌂▲⌂⌂♣♣ ♣│♣♣♣⌂│ ♣╞√√√♣♣♣  ♣♣♣≈≈≈≈♣ ♣♣♣♣♣└≈≈ ≈≈≈───○▲ ⌂♣♣≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈♣♣♣♣♣♣ ♣┌─○⌂⌂♣♣ ♣♣└┐♣♣♣│ ♣♣√√√♣♣♣  ♣♣♣♣♣│♣♣ ♣♣♣♣♣V≈≈ ≈≈.♣♣⌂▲⌂ ♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈♣♣♣♣┌ ─┘♣┌○⌂♣♣ ♣♣♣└┐♣♣└ ┐♣√√√♣♣♣  ♣♣♣♣♣└┐≈ ≈♣♣♣♣♣≈≈ ≈≈.┌≈○⌂♣ ♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈♣♣┌┘ ♣♣L│⌂♣♣♣ ♣♣♣♣≈≈≈♣ │♣♣♣♣♣♣♣  ♣♣♣♣≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈♣♣♣≈≈ ≈≈─┘⌂▲⌂♣ ♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│40                                                                      │
│≈≈≈≈─┬┘♣ ♣♣┌┘⌂♣♣♣ ♣♣♣≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣♣♣♣♣♣  ♣♣♣♣≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈♣v≈≈ ≈≈♣♣⌂▲♣♣ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈♣│♣♣ ♣♣│♣░░♣♣ ♣░♣≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈.♣♣♣♣♣  ♣♣♣♣≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈♣♣≈≈ ≈♣♣⌂▲⌂♣♣ ≈≈≈♣≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈┘♣♣ ♣♣│⌂░░░░ ░░≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈.♣♣♣♣♣  ♣♣♣♣♣≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈♣≈≈≈ ≈──○⌂♣♣≈ ≈≈♣♣≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣ ♣♣≈≈L♣░░ ♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈.#♣♣r  $♣♣♣?≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣▲○─≈≈ ≈♣⌂≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣ .≈≈≈≈≈♣♣ ♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈.&♣  ♣♣♣♣♣.≈≈ ≈≈≈♣≈≈≈≈ ≈♣⌂⌂♣♣≈≈ ≈♣♣≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣ ♣..≈≈♣♣♣ ♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣  ♣♣&♣♣..≈ ≈.♣♣≈≈≈≈ ≈┌○♣♣≈≈≈ ≈♣≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣ ♣♣♣♣│♣♣♣ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣  ♣♣♣♣♣♣.. .♣♣♣♣≈≈≈ ─┘♣♣≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣ ♣♣♣♣└┐♣≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♣  ♣≈≈≈≈♣.. .○⌂♣♣≈≈≈ ♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│48                                                                      │

Status

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Members of the Renegades:

-Poltifar Chaoswielder: Master of all arcane secrets known to the Renegades and some not, he is one of the most powerful mages of his race that has ever lived. Very powerful melee and ranged warriormage, using melee weapon (normally longsword) in unison with magic. The leader of the organization. 17 years old (atleast, in appearance...)
-Seandar Ironfist: A grizzled old warrior, favoring the greatsword. He has lived through many battles and campaigns, and thus has alot of experience. 49 years old.
-Jonil Truestrike: Seandar's young son, and an already well-trained user of the greatsword, as his father is. 17 years old.
-Emily Dawnbow: A very skilled bow-user, also dables in the arcane arts, allowing her to shoot magically enhanced amunition. 16 years old.
-Terna Farstrider: An experienced explorer, having seen alot of the old continent and wanting to explore the new one even more thouroughly. Experienced with the bow and spear. 27 years old. (dead and in a soul bottle)
-Ernest Windwalker: A daydreaming scholar who has great power in the wind and weather domains. 25 years old.
-Klin Diceking: A merry rogue and gambler with incredible luck and great skill in stealth and light weapons. 21 years old.
-Farn Earthmover: A stubborn yet sympathetic earth-wielding mage, also a good fighter when using the hammer and axe. 24 years old.
-Inglan Steelshaper: A young magesmith who still hasn't really proven himself. 19 years old.
-Anna Dreamweaver: A spirit mage with a wide array of spells and power, yet most are non-offensive. Also, a diviner and has some powers over dreams. 20 years old.
-Godroy Fireheart: The group's pyromancer, has a quick temper yet is very charismatic. Very powerful in offensive fire magic, but not much else. 25 years old.
-Jikul Nevercold: A boastful ice mage, always ready to show off his magical powers. 24 years old.
-1 medic/healer
-2 swordsman (1 of them dead and in a soul bottle)
-1 spearman
-1 crossbowman/hunter (dead and in a soul bottle)
-1 builder/architect
-1 scholar/philosopher
-3 normal Rachti hunters
-2 Rachti hunters that are also good summoners

Magical research:
Current: (i have consulted a GM for the ammount of turns the research takes)
-Poltifars SECOND SECRET PROJECT: 2/6 turns
-Arcane Cloak spell: 2/2 turns [COMPLETED]

Completed:
-Poltifar's Soul Capture spell
-Basic Golem research (clay) [takes 4 turns to build and animate]

Special Holdings:
-Basic Magewagon (x10): 4 carrying tons of gold, 1 carrying 5 mongloid villager prisoners, 1 carrying lab equipment (basically a moving lab), 1 carrying a library of magical research, 3 for carrying all other stuff and also for carrying the Renegades themselves when they aren't on foot
-3 filled Soul Bottles
-A black tome radiating power
-A silver chalice radiating power
-Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (=Japanese version of Excalibur)

Other:

	plains	forest	jungle	hills	swamp	desert	rocky hills	tundra	high montains	sea	on river
Normal Renegade Speed	8	9	5	8	4	7	8	6	1	N/A	5
Basic Magewagon speed	8	7	3	7	N/A	6	6	5	N/A	N/A	4
Pop Cap	80	90	70	60	20	10	20	8	5	60	+40
Rachti Speed Unfrozen terrain	9	8	4	8	1	7	8	10	2	3	N/A
Rachti Speed Frozen terrain	9	7	7	8	6	7	8	10	2	5	8

[Prometheus]

Turn 12

The training of the guard and soldiers was proceeding surprisingly well. The citizens were getting quite used to the foreigners by now. They were especially grateful for the Tower's help and Xanthis was becoming known as the Husk that Heals.
Work on restoration of the road network continued. Repaving the cleared paths proceeded very quickly. They would be done very soon.
As a part of the planned caravan route between the Empire and Akkad, a group of 20 migrated to the source of a river that, according to the Akkadians, leads straight into their capital city. The migrants cleared a whole new path on the way there. Some road workers followed behind to make it easier to travel.


│64                                                                      │
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♠♠≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈♠♠  ♠♠♠┌┘♠║♠ ⌂⌂¥│♠♠♠♠ ♠♠♠♠≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈♠≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈♠♠♠  ┌──┘♠♠╚═ ══╣└┐♠♠♠ ♠♠♠♠≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈♠≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈♠┌──  ┘¥♠♠♠♠♠♠ ♠♠╚╗│♠♠♠ ♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈♠♠♠♠≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈♠♠≈≈ ≈≈≈I└┐≈≈ ≈≈♠┌─┘♠♠  ♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠ ♠♠♠║└┐♠♠ ♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♠⌂▲○─≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈♠♠♠♠≈ ≈≈♠║♠└─┐ y♠┌┘♠♠♠♠  ♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠ ♠♠♠╚¥├┐♠ ♠♠≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈⌂▲^▲⌂≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈♠♠♠└┐ ♠♠I╣♠♠♠└ ──┘♠♠♠♠♠  ♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠ ♠♠♠♠≈┘│♠ ♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈ ┌─○▲⌂≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈♠♠♠♠├ ┐♠♠I═I♠♠ ♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠  ♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠ ♠♠♠♠│♠└┐ ♠♠♠♠♠♠≈≈ ┘♠♠♠≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈♠≈≈ ≈≈≈≈♠♠♠│ └I═╩I╣♠♠ ♠♠♠♠♠♠♠~  ~~~♠♠♠♠♠ ♠♠♠♠│♠♠└ ┐♠♠♠♠≈≈≈ ≈♠≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│72                                                                      │
│≈≈≈≈♠♠≈≈ ≈≈≈≈♠♠♠│ ♠└┐♠♠║♠♠ ♠♠♠♠~~~~  ~~~~~~♠♠ ♠♠♠♠└┐♠♠ └──┐≈≈≈≈ ≈♠≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈♠♠F♠└ ┐♠│♠♠╚═I ♠~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~ ~♠♠♠♠│♠♠ ♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈♠♠♠♠♠ │♠└┐♠♠♠└ ──┐~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~ ~~♠♠♠└┐♠ ♠≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈♠≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈♠♠♠♠ │♠♠│♠~~~ ~~└─┐~~~  ≈↑~~~~~~ ~~~♠♠♠└┐ ♠≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈♠♠ │♠♠│~~~~ ~┌─↑Ç───  ┐~~~~~~~ ~~~♠♠♠♠├ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈♠♠≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈┐♠ └┐♠○~~~~ ┌┘~~↑~~~  └Ç≈≈~~~~ ~~~♠♠♠♠≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈♠└┐ ⌂f⌂I⌂~~┌ ┘~~~~~~≈  ≈≈≈≈~~~~ ~~~~♠♠♠≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈♠≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈≈♠♠♠♠└ ○▲▲▲⌂Ç○┘ ~~~~~~~~  ~≈≈≈≈≈~~ ~~~~~♠♠≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈≈♠≈≈≈≈≈│


(Trading post set up at river source at the desert's edge and a rough road is set up to link it to the existing network.)

[Akroma]

Turn 13  - beginning of autumn


The autumn starts this year with strong wind from the west. The hot summer caused big clouds to build up, and the occasional thunderstorm comes down on the northern continent.


notice:


This map is still lacking YOUR civ symbol. Please me PM me with a small icon, or at least an description of what you want for an icon, so that I can add you anc complete the map.


Next turn: Sunday, 9pm gmt

request by Nahkh: A request to all players:
Please keep an up-to-date list of your settlements and their significant structures (such as forges, walls, academies etc) and post it in spoiler tags in your posts. This is to allow the GMs to quickly see what a city has without waiting for the player to come online or going through all the posts. Thank you.

[Zako]

((Its go time. ))

Halas:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

After the messenger had left, the Hrun were in a quiet uproar. Surely the daroth weren't this untrust worthy? They seemed friendly...

Malor the misia was on the wall, obeying the "Double the guards! IN ALL DIRECTIONS!" order from Erak, when he saw them. The daroth embassadors riding on a wolf with a Hrun messenger.

"LOOK! OUT AT SEA! DO YOU SEE THAT!" he screamed, thinking fast. He wanted to talk to these daroth personally, as they seemed to get along with the messenger.

Naturally, after he shouted this, everyone went to look,  even the guards after some encouragement. He silently kept the gates open as the messenger rode in. He quickly dismounted them himself, and grabbed the embassadors and carried them, hands over their mouths, whispering to the messenger to follow him quickly. He rushed to his hut with the messenger in quick persuit, all while the whole town was distracted.

"What are they doing here?"

"They are embassadors for their kind, they want to be fri-"

"You're lucky that I saw you lot first! They could have been killed coming here! Haven't you heard the news?"

"What? We've been on the ride for days, tell us."

"Svarlbard was destroyed some days ago by the daroth, according to the ents."

The messenger understood immediately why he took them here. He wasn't kidnapping the embassadors, he was saving their lives.

"Stay here and tell them this, Ill go get Erak and the Druid quietly."

Some time later, Erak and the Druid burst in and recoiled in shock at the daroth standing there. Erak was about to draw FoeReaver when he was stopped by Malor, his uncle, by laying a hand to his arm.

"Alright, lets hear what they have to say."

The daroth immediately started talking amounst themselves for a bit, and stopped when the druid made a shocking announcement.

"Erak, I can understand them!"

"Really? How so?"

"They speak part of the language of the rocks. Its been changed a bit, but its understandable. Like broken speach to us."

"Can you talk to them?"

"Of course chieftain, what do you want to say to them?"

Erak told him, and the druid translated immediately, much to the supprise of the daroth.

"Leader Erak want know why kill village up north?"

"We didn't know you could talk like us! And what are you talking about? We would never attack when we have intentions to be peaceful!"

"Village destroyed by daroth. Tree-men say so."

"Tree-men? You mean those walking bushes? They must be lying then."

"Messenger brung daroth axe, Hrun helm, from village."

"I assure you, we have no purpose for fighting your kind!"

The druid told Erak who was silent for a while before replying;

"Ok, heres what we do. Keep the embassadors here, and tell them that we keep them here for their safety for the time being. Send one of your apprentices north to Stukiodia, where he will pick up a escort of 10 guards. He will also tell them to double their guard and focus on building their wall. He and his guard will go to where Svarlbard was and investigate to see if the daroth actually did attack. It may be someone else for all we know. After sending a messenger pigeon back, they will run to the city of the Daroth to be embassadors for us. Remember, we are of peaceful intent, but want answers. Is this clear?"

The Hrun nodded in acknowledgement, and when about their tasks immediately, the daroth embassadors looking on curiously.

Stukiodia:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The apprentice energed from his earth bubble and told them of the news. He aqquired his guards and they ran to Svarlbard.

Svarlbard clearing:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Its gone. Its all just...gone."

This was what was first said as the group of 11 arrived at where Svarlbard once was. They got to work immediately, the druid asking the trees for answers, the guards carefully checking for tracks.

"We found no tracks, apprentice."

"The trees say that they noticed noone but Hrun here."

"But it would have taken over 100 lesser foes to destroy this village! Why is there no sign of them?!"

"Perhaps..."

The apprentice talked to the trees again, and after waiting a minute replyed;

"There has been no plant deaths lately. An army would have left a trail of some sort, trampling plants and that. Why is there none?"

They were all silent, and after thinking carefully concluded that the Daroth weren't responsible for this, since they would have been noticed by the trees. They said this in their messgae they sent before running to the mountains.

Some days later in Halas:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Sir! A message from the apprentice up north!"

The Hrun soldier ran to Erak, who was supervising the construction of the extention of the stone wall, which will encompass the dock area as well. Better safe than sorry. ((This will be finished, with gate, on the next turn due to the sheer amount of people working on it.))

"Not a single trail? Not even the trees have seen anything?"

"It appears so."

Erak thought about this carefully, then left for his hut where the Daroth embassadors were kept in secret, and summoned the druid to him. When he got there, the daroth embassadors stopped admiring his trophies and looked to the druid expectantly.

"Ask if they have any sway over nature."

"Why?"

"Just do it. Trust me."

He complied and the 2 daroth looked at him strangely before replying.

"They say that they do not whatsoever."

"This message just arrived from your apprentice up north. It says that the entire village was destroyed and there is nothing left. Not even ruins or ash, just a clearing of churned soil."

"Not even ruins?"

"No. There were no trails from the small army that must have taken them by suprise, and the trees say that they saw nothing peculiar. I want to know if the trees would think if the daroth stand out."

"Obviously sir. I-"
The druid stopped as he realised what Erak was getting at. If the trees saw nothing peculiar, then the daroth obviously weren't responsible.

"Im going to check the pigeons, stay here."

He came back a minute later, holding one of the tired pigeons.

"It says that it saw a moving tree in the distance. All the pigeons were released simultaneously, and were confused so they saw nothing else."

"A moving tree you say? You don't think we were back-stabbed by the ents, do you?"

"The do have the motives, after all, their lord wanted to kill me on the spot."

"I wouldn't put it past him to plan this, so that we have no allies in this land." Erak paused momentairly before continuing.

"That evil bastard, he wants us all dead."

"It appears so..."

"Hmmm, well, we will fight fire with fire then. Heres what we will do..."

((Need to talk on IRC for the plans that follow. Nahkh, dwarfaholic and Kashyyk are needed! And I too would have thought that a group of 80 would have killed more than 12 implings...))

((Akroma, just replace the most northen symbol for Hrun settlement with a small v, to represent the group of 11 Hrun running to the mountains.))

[coelocanth]

Settlements

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Location	Name	Population	Pop Cap	Modifier	Race	Next Turn
35,20	Astmeban	164	670		Daroth	194
47,19	Karrack	5	450		Daroth	6
20,25	Kelash	36	590		Daroth	43
42,27	Great Glade	654	1350		Ent Impling	902
42,27	Great Glade	1	33		Ent Lord	1
42,27	Great Glade	34	420		Ent Material	40
42,27	Great Glade	6	213		Ent Protector	6
39,27	Tur-Aarok	66	1040		Ent Impling	92
45,27	Tur-Har	58	840		Ent Impling	80
42,24	Tur-Dok	58	1250		Ent Impling	80
42,30	Tur-Telos	66	900		Ent Impling	92
36,26	Oor-Halok	1	233		Ent Protector	1
36,26	Oor-Halok	5	470		Ent Material	6
36,26	Oor-Halok	93	1460		Ent Impling	128
20,60	Seristis tower	25	100		Mage	26
29,44	Angartheris	5	100		Mage	5
19,70	Ehn’gha / Odua	199	300	178(Trade,Hospitality)	Iraxi	235
19,70	Ehn’gha / Odua	10	0	22(Hospitality)	Akkadian	13
19,70	(ruined city)	70	550	-40(Trade)	Iraxi	83
18,72	(ruined city)	70	820	-40(Trade)	Iraxi	83
21,72	(ruined city)	70	480	-40(Trade)	Iraxi	83
22,71	(ruined city)	70	465	-40(Trade)	Iraxi	83
22,69	(ruined city)	54	800	-40(Trade)	Iraxi	64
20,79	(mining colony)	19	275		Iraxi	22
24,74	(trading post)	23	750		Iraxi	27
14,74	Tel Yolanda	359	450		Crocrolen	381
15,84	Vol Sundar	0	280	(Abandoned)	Abandoned	0
29,85	Tel Tikal	251	340	45(Trade)	Crocrolen	284
24,87	Tel Sarangis	443	630	-30(Trade)	Crocrolen	481
24,90	Tel Sirtis	357	540	-10(Trade)	Crocrolen	400
23,83	Tel Kendar	273	385	30(Trade)	Crocrolen	308
22,93	Tel Santos	366	630	-30(Trade)	Crocrolen	424
21,90	Tel Sicata	288	600	-20(Trade)	Crocrolen	383
26,84	Tel Corathon	221	340		Crocrolen	250
21,87	Tel Kytos	179	290	30(Trade)	Crocrolen	214
24,96	Tel Theris	186	555	-15(Trade)	Crocrolen	247
25,99	Tel Keltine	133	585		Crocrolen	176
28,101	Tel Tenethior	133	455		Crocrolen	176
13,44	Huis Hoop	441	465	340(Trade)	Ipetian	520
18,46	Zuiden Kust	152	740	-120(Trade)	Ipetian	195
11,40	(North town)	93	1010	-140(Trade)	Ipetian	120
14,47	(south town)	93	880	-80(Trade)	Ipetian	120
29,77	Akkad	507	800		Akkadian	562
34,78	Ac Acasid	189	440		Akkadian	233
22,80	Jyeraz	61	380		Akkadian	75
24,80	(fort)	42	450		Akkadian	52
59,23	Kavla Niti	647	765		Anqip	673
56,11	(mine)	0	245		Anqip	0
45,31	Stukiodia	158	750		Hrun	186
45,31	Stukiodia	12	375		Hrun Wolf Mount	14
46,38	Halas	222	620	-1(Prisoners)	Hrun	262
46,38	Halas	1	0	1(Prisoners)	Ent Impling	1
46,38	Halas	19	310		Hrun Wolf Mount	24
41,23	Svarlbard	0	750		Destroyed	0
40,116	Apoikismos	107	530		Arti-Tokans	126
39,108	Mouseion	35	510		Arti-Tokans	42
39,8	Anmod	269	407.5		Covad	292
36,11	Modan	0	430		Abandoned	0
39,7	Doman	44	292.5		Covad	53
43,65	きぼう(kibou)	145	800		Tengu	185
41,62	ﾌｫｰｼﾞ (fo-ji)	36	490		Tengu	46
45,69	ちりょく(chiryoku)	30	820		Tengu	38
34,67	くさまら(kusamara)	19	830		Tengu	24
41,54	沿岸(engan)	19	580		Tengu	24

Groups

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Location	Leader Name	Population	Race
Modan,	Ton	5	Daroth
Great Glade,	(Tracker)	1	Daroth
19,22	(scouts)	2	Daroth
9,26	(scouts)	2	Daroth
26,30	(scouts)	2	Daroth
37,28	(scouts)	2	Daroth
28,46	Jaleen	4	Mage
30,44	Poltifar	24	Renegades
57,14	(explorers)	4	Anqip
38,114	Doulos	20	Arti-Tokans
21,101	(explorers)	15	Crocrolen
?,?	(diplomats)	5	Hrun

Adventurers

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Location	Name	Companions	Race
18,31	Mari Narena		Seyec
11,54	Bahad		Akkadian

((83 hrun and 4 wolf mounts slaughtered with only 12 implings killed, thought they'd have put up more of a fight...))

[Dwarfaholic]

((What can I say? Implings are the awesome
Also, they had a Protector, too.))

Apprentice & entourage:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The Implings waited amidst the trees. Behind them, the Protector creaked in the wind. It was a fine day to kill, and a fine day to die. One of the Implings grinned. The target was approaching.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

"I wonder what the Daroth'll be like.", said one of the guards. The apprentice smiled. Even in these dark times, the Hrun had their usual cheeriness.
Suddenly, the apprentice stopped. There was something wrong here. The trees were strangely silent. Did that bush rustle, did that tree move?
Then it dawned to him.
"Ambush!" Yelled the apprentice, as the Implings poured out of the woods. They were expecting an easy victory, like they had in Svarlbard. They didn't get one.
"Watch out for the palisade!", an Impling yelled.
"The what?", responded another.
A Hrun chopped up both.

For a while, the guards kept away the tide of ents. They were too many, though, and the arrival of the Protector removed the last of their chances.
Swinging his club, the Protector broke apart the Hrun forces, killing a few in the progress. Still, they fought on, wounding the Protector heavily before finally, the last one was dead.
The ents were the only ones left standing. Yet this was no victory.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

Summary:

Ents ambush Hrun. Fighting ensues, with very few Hrun casualties. Protector arrives, breaking the Hrun into small, isolated pairs. These are taken down.

- Ent side: 160 Implings, Protector.
- Hrun side: 10 Hrun, Apprentice
- Casualties: 45 Implings, 10 Hrun, Apprentice. Protector wounded.

Afterwards, the survivors retreated to the nearest Glade.

- All ents, except those involved in the ambush, move to Oor- Halok to hibernate.
This includes Futh- Ra, who first moves west into the river, then moves one square north while in the river to lose any tracks, and then moves normally to Oor- Halok.
- The ents involved in the ambush move to (41, 26) and make a new, temporarial glade there.

[Kashyyk]

Settlements:
Astmeban:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

44 migrants have been sent to Karrack, to help build our port. 120 is the count for workers. the 'Kelast Road' will be finished soon.

Smoothing: 270/400
Paving: 120/600

Kelash:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

An excerpt from the Journal of Dell, son of Ren.
We now have 36 in our town, a great increase. Soon we will be the forge of the empire!

Stone fort: 93/200

Karrack:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

the Migrants arrive, homes and a farm are dug, and the boat has been brought to the port. A stockade will be built, before the designs for a stone fort are followed.

Stockade: 49/100
stone fort: 0/200

Scouts:
Hrun Embassidors:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

When the Hrun had left them alone the two Daroth sat and stared at the wall. Their friends were dead, slaughtered by those bush-men. They will get Vengeance!

KNorth:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Almost at the peak. Great vision range.

KWest:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Examines the coast. looking for a good site to settle.

KEast:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Retreats back up the edge of the lake, away from the ent Glades.

KSouth:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

spirals around filling in the gaps.

Tracker:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Captured by the ents.

Significant structures:
[spoilerAstmeban: Stone fort (over entrance shaft), Partial road to Kelash.
Kelash:partial stone fort (over entrance shaft) flux, coal, iron and gold mines.
Karrack:Partial stockade 5 man boat.[/spoiler]
Civ map:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

┌────────────────────────────────Map──64*128──────────────────────────────┐
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈8≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈1≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈2≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈3 ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈4≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈4≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈5≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈6│
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God Map:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

│8                                                                 │
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│24                                                                      │
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│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ♣└────○⌂ ▲▲⌂⌂└┐♣♣ └┐♣♣♣♣♣│  ♣♣♣│├┘♣♣ ┌┘│♣♣≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ┘♣♣♣≈≈≈≈│
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│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈────○⌂▲ ▲⌂⌂♣♣└┐♣ ♣│..≈≈≈≈  ≈≈≈≈♣♣♣┌ ┘♣♣│♣♣≈≈ ≈≈≈♣⌂≈≈≈ ≈♣≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣♣♣⌂▲▲ ▲⌂♣♣b♣└┬ ┐└≈≈≈≈≈≈  ≈≈≈≈≈≈♣│ ♣♣♣└┐♣≈≈ ≈≈≈..≈≈≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ b♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲ ▲⌂♣♣♣┌─┘ └─≈≈≈♣♣♣  ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈┘ ♣W♣♣└┐♣≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈└ ──┐♣⌂⌂▲▲ ⌂⌂♣♣⌂│♣♣ ♣└─≈≈≈♣♣  ♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ♣♣♣♣V│♣♣ ♣≈≈≈≈≈≈♣ ♣♣┌┘≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♣ ♣♣└─○▲▲▲ ○┐┌─○○⌂♣ ♣♣♣≈≈≈≈≈  ♣♣♣≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣♣♣├┐♣ ♣≈≈≈≈≈≈♣ ⌂♣│♣≈≈≈≈│
│32                                                                      │
│≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣ ♣♣♣♣⌂▲▲⌂ ⌂├┘⌂⌂▲○─ ──┘♣≈≈≈≈  ≈♣♣≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣♣♣│└┐ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈─ ○┌┘♣≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣ ♣♣♣⌂⌂▲⌂⌂ ♣│⌂⌂▲^▲⌂ ♣♣♣♣♣≈≈≈  ≈≈♣≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣♣♣│♣≈ ≈≈≈≈≈≈.♣ ♣│♣♣≈≈≈≈│
│≈≈≈≈≈♣♣┌ ─┐♣⌂⌂▲⌂♣ ♣└≈⌂⌂⌂⌂♣ ♣♣♣♣♣♣♣≈  ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣♣♣│♣≈ ≈≈≈≈..♣♣ ○┘♣≈≈≈≈≈│

I too agree that there ought to have been more ent casualties, especially as there were Daroth at Svarlbard. And Ton wasn't in Modan he died in the defence of Svalbard, along with two others.

[Akroma]

((What is up with you people reserving posts when the turn just started ? Well whatever))

Of crows and squids:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

This is part two of the meeting of the Tengu and the Iraxi. For the first part, read prometheus post. For the third, read Istrians post.


The directions the weird squidman gave the scouts was more than laking, but with the road between that town and the squid-capital it was easy to find. The city was big, very big, truly worth a capital. But it's pompous appearance was destroyed by the fact that it was mostly in ruins. It must have been a terrible war that came upon them, or maybe a earthquake..
But despite that, there was bustling activity in the streets. Not wanting to lose any time with sightseeing, the scouts made their way to the tallest building, obviously some sort of palast.
Obviously, it was not easy to get inside, seeing how the guards were unable to understand anything they said. But wih a few scetches it was possible to convey the message that they were sent here from the northern squid-city. One of the squids slithered nto the temple, and shortly afterwards, they were led inside.
The room seemed to be an office of some sort, and on a desk sat yet another of these squid people. Not wanting to insult the creature, that seemed to be of a higher rank, they Tengu only kneeled before it, not wanting to seems impudent.

"Pardon the intrusion. We are scouts from Hanebun'ya."

"Oh, do seat yourselves", a voice speaks. For some strange reason, the scouts understood what is said despite now knowing the language.

Nervously, the tengu sat down on the chairs at the desk.


 "How come you speak our language, my lord?" "I don't."
Brief silence and a puzzled look on the faces of the Tengu filled the room.

 "It's complicated and I can assume that you are not here to discuss technicalities.But where are my manners? Welcome to Ehn'gha."

" We came from the great Nation of Hanebun'ya. We have been instructed to make contact with any nation we encounter on your exploration westwards. If it is in your interest, we would like to arrange a meeting between you and one of our diplomats"

 "Ah. You are not trained to lie well enough. That is fine." A strange sound that could be intrepreted as a light-hearted chuckle. "Would either one of you care to stay while your diplomats arrive? I am sure they would appreciate a briefing from one of your own, yes?"

 "I am very sorry, but our instructions are to scout this land. Any delay would be a disgrace to us, who have ben scouts for entire life. Hoever if you were able to provide us with the maps of your nation, we would save enough time to spent some time in your hospitality"

 "Hmm. Why not? I'm afraid our most extensive maps, however, aren't very...recent. What fresh information of the surrounding lands we have is quite limited, as we've been busy rebuilding. But that you propably inferred from the state of our settlements, yes?"

 "Please excuse our impudence, but from the statement of your settlements we figrued that your nation was recovering from a war"

 "Oh, not war. Something far more unpleasant. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

" Any information about your nation you can give us is precious to us"

"I'm afraid you're asking for more than you can carry. There is vast amounts of what we can tell, but I think your diplomatic envoy will be able to deal with it better."
The squid-man leaned forward to peer at the scouts. The third eye on his forehead was even more disconcerting than the generally strange physiology of the species.
 "I sincerely wish luck on your journey. I hope you have only good things to report to your superiors. Tell them that the Eternal Emperor sends his personal welcome. I would give you a letter to them, but I fear you wouldn't be able to understand the writing.If you wish, you can rest for a while in the guest quarters before you go.Farewell, scouts-for-life."
 The Emperor turned back to his paperwork.

"Then we shall take our leave. We will sent a bird with a message to Kibou, the capital of Hanebun'ya. You can expect the diplomats arrival in about 20 weeks"

 "Mm-hmm." The Emperor flicked a dismissing tentacle.

A far more pleasant meeting than they had reckoned with, but before they could take off to write their report, something that would totaly ruined their day came down the street.

(continued in part 3, by istrian)



After that, they wrote their report to Emperor Madara, and sent a crow to deliver it.
While telling mostly good things about the weird squid-people, they also mentioned that they were friendly with a
Gashadokuro, more than enough reason not to trust them...

((Gashadokuro = a undead skelletton of a person that has never been buried))

                           ≈≈≈
                          ≈≈¥≈≈
                         ≈♠♠╟┘♠≈
                        ≈♠♠┌╢♠♠♠≈
                       ≈│♠♠│♠♠♠♠┌≈
                       ≈│♠┌┘♠♠♠┌┘≈ 
                      ≈♠└┐│♠♠♠♠│♠♠≈
                      ≈♠♠└┤♠║♠♠│♠♠♠≈
                    ≈≈♠♠♠♠└┐║≈≈┘♠♠♠≈≈
                  ≈≈──┐♠♠♠╔╪¥▲≈≈≈♠♠♠♠≈
                 ≈≈♠♠♠└─┐♠║○▲^⌂≈♠♠♠♠♠♠≈
                ≈≈♠♠♠♠♠♠├─╫○⌂⌂○┐♠♠♠♠♠♠♠≈
                ≈≈♠♠♠♠♠┌┘♠║♠⌂⌂¥│♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠≈
               ≈≈♠♠♠┌──┘♠♠╩═══╣└┐♠♠♠♠♠♠♠≈
       ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♠┌──┘¥══♠♠♠♠♠♠╚╗│♠♠♠♠♠♠≈
     ≈≈I└┐≈≈≈≈♠┌─┘♠♠>♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠║└┐♠♠♠♠♠≈
    ≈≈♠║♠└─┐♠♠┌┘♠♠♠♠♠♠♠   ♠♠♠♠♠╚¥├┐♠♠♠≈
    ♠♠I╣♠♠♠└──┘♠♠♠          ♠♠♠♠≈┘│♠♠♠♠≈
    ┐♠♠I═I♠♠♠♠♠              ♠♠♠│♠└┐♠♠♠♠♠♠≈
    └I═yI╣♠♠                 ♠♠♠│♠♠└┐♠♠♠♠≈
      ┐♠♠║♠♠                 ♠♠♠└┐♠♠└──┐≈
                             ♠♠♠♠│♠♠♠♠♠≈
                             ~♠♠♠└┐♠♠≈≈
                              ~♠♠♠└┐♠≈
                              ~♠♠♠♠├≈
                                ♠♠♠


Yozuka, the rice-farmer

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Today, as every day, Yozuka got up with the first light of the day. His joints made cracking noises as he strechted himself, worn down from the hard work on the field. The breakfast was plain, but filling, rice and cold fish from yesterday. The breakfast was probably Yozuka's favourite moment of the day, because that early in the morning, his 5 children were still reasonably calm. At dinner time they would usually be full of energy, and eating in a relaxed athmosphere was a little hard with 2 boys and 3 girls swarming around. But he loved his children nevertheless.

The last harvest was just brought in, and today, he would have to prepare the fields for the next season. That was hard, muddy work, today even moreso, as he and his two sons would be on their own today.
It was the day of the first fullmoon in autumn, the moon watching festival. Every first full moon of a season, the woman would pound rice the whole day, to form it into a fine paste, called mochi. Pounding mochi was hard work, and took easily the whole day. With a heavy wooden mallet, one woman would pound the rice, and between the hits, a second woman would knead the rice with her hands. Added to the rice were cherries, coloring the mochi in a light pink and giving it a sweet flavour.
Or so it would be done in the old world. But in this new world, the cherry trees still had to grow big enough to yielg enough cherries, and so the population of Chiryoku was forced to take peaches instead. They grew here in abundance, that was why the mountains in the west of Chiryoku had earned itself the name "momotake", the peach mountain.

The work on the field was hard, and the mud of the fields clogged together their feathers, but work went exceptionally fast today. The woman were singing the traditional song that was sung while pounding the mochi, and it motivated Yozuka and his sons to work even harder today. After only 5 hours, the field was ready for tomorrow, when the rice was going to be planted.
Of course, their wings had been ruined by the mud.
Thankfully, Yozuka just recently finished building a proper bathroom, and with bamboo pipes from the river, they even didn't have to fill it bucket per bucket. Of course, only cold water was avaiable. If he wanted to take a hot bath, he would have to make a fire and heat the water before, which could take easily up to three hours. But how did his grandfather always say? Cold water toughens up the body. And it seemed to work. Yozuka could count the times he had been sick in his entire life on only one hand.
Finishing his bath, Yozuka looked up to the sky and saw that it wwas at least an entire hour until the sun would go down. Perfect!

He would spent the time until the moon watching festival playing Go with his neighbour, Mazuda. Yozuka and Mazuda had been friends for their entire life,a nd often spent their evenings together playing Go, a board game with black and white token. Taking turns, you would place tokens on the board, trying to enclose as much territory as possible, while keeping the other player from doing so.
Mazuda was a carpenter. It was thanks to him that Yozukas house had a proper bathroom.

"Hey, did you hear? they discovered hot springs at Kibou", said Mazuda placing his token. He had taken the white tokens, as always.

"No I didn't. But it sure sounds nice. It has been ages since I last visited a hot spring."

"I am thinking of spending the winter with my family at the hotsprings. Maybe you want to come with us? Bring your family along."

"No, I am sorry, but Kibou is so far away. If I was to spent a week up there in winter, I would be late for the rice planting in the beginning of spring."

"Such a shame," muttered Mazuda, lost in thought. "Remember how we used to spy on the girls in the hotspring back in Mahoyiga? That was nice..."

Not answering, Yakuza placed his black token. Mazuda couldn't believe his eyes.

"Oh you magnificent old bastard. Abusing the distraction to win the game. You cheater!"

"Who do you call cheater, you blind pervert!"


For a second, both of them glared at each other, their faces getting so close their noses touched. Then they laid back and laughed loud and heartly.

"That's 231 losses, 232 wins, 3 draws. Looks like I am in the lead".

Laughing, the two friends made their way to the festival madow. Families had gathered all over the place, drinking warm sake and enjoying their mochi.
Only Yokuza wasn't enjoying his...he hated peaches...

List of significant structures in my cities, For Nahkh only:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Kibou: The main temple, several minor temples, the main castle and fortress, a small city wall
Chiryoku: An important temple, no walls yet, no fortress
Fo-ji:The most important forge, several mines, a minor fortress, no walls yet, bridges in the west, a minor temple
Engan: Surrounded by water on 3 sides, a shipyard (but no ships yet), a minor temple
Kasamura: only a minor temple, no walls yet

[Istrian]

Angartheris
Autumn - Second week

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Finally Jaleen and her party joined Elestris. Selene immediately set on creating a portal area in one of the central buildings. It would not take long, perhaps a week or two to carve all the required runes. Sendar meanwhile set on studying the ground and the submerged city. He wanted mostly to see the likelihood of the remainder of the city to sink beneath the waves, as well as the amount of power required to bring the underwater city above the water level. He decided that he would use the students to help him during the raising ritual. He could have done it alone, but he really wanted to see their abilities. If the structure of the city was sound, a failure wouldn't endanger the other buildings.

Jaleen did not have much to do, so she decided to go see the sights the city had to offer, the museums Elestris had spoken about. For some reason this city was quite comforting to her as it reminded her of her childhood in the most civilised city in the universe : Imperia Aureali. Its large streets, its tall buildings of white marble, the Imperial Palace on the western shore of the island where it was built.

After visiting the museums she decided to lend a hand to the Runeblades who were moving the art pieces to the center of the city. Some of them weighted many tonnes and her air magic helped well with moving them safely to their intended destination.

Eventually the portal was finished, and some Novices were sent to the city, some to help, some to learn, and some to be tested...

Seristis Tower
Autumn – Second week

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Time was well after midnight, students were asleep, and most Grandmasters were still eating their evening meal. Eating was a big word, most of them would just drop by the Dining Hall to get something to eat, then would go to wherever they wanted to spend time, either their rooms, their offices, the library, or a lab.

A portal opened outside, on the platform leading to Ehn'Gha, and Xanthis stepped out. He was walking hurriedly. He passed by a Runeblade, keeping guard outside the main door to the tower.

“Gather the Runeblades, quickly. Something big has entered Ehn'Gha. Find mages too. Everyone is to gather in the main hall as soon as possible.”

The Runeblade did not hesitate, it was not his place to question orders from a Grandmaster. In no time most of the Tower was warned that something was happening somewhere. Most mages showed great curiosity, but others just went to sleep peacefully. Eventually three mages arrived to the Main Hall, flanked by as many Runeblades. The portals inside the Tower were really useful for moving around quickly.

“What is it Xanthis ? Something big in Squidland ?” asked Carvanil.
“Don't be so disrespectful” snapped Akrashah.
“This is not the right time for such a discussion” said Xanthis. “Sirilanai detected that the Akkadians have teleported something into Odua. I smelled fear and death, so we must act now.”
“Do you think there will be a battle ?” asked Akrashah.
“I believe the battle has already begun.”

With that the mages left, the ones going were Sekhfar, Xanthis, Ostralin and Carvanil. Akrashah stayed behind to gather her healing potions and herbs to help the wounded after the battle and would join them later. The Runeblades also left.

And so, five mages and three Runeblades stepped out on the streets of Odua to battle whatever has entered the city...

Angartheris
Autumn - Fourth week

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

“Do you understand me well ? If you want to be admitted to the Principle of Destruction you will have to show me you have the will and endurance required to use destructive magics. Now, do you see these buildings out there ? You will be admitted if you manage to make 500 kg of steel out of these buildings. 500 kg each.” said Dazhmar to the four Novices in front of him.

They were rather unimpressed and began smiling, or whatever could pass for smiling for an Iraxi, and chatting among themselves. They were expecting something more difficult as an entrance test and were agreeably surprised to find out it was much easier than what they were preparing for. In a few weeks they would be allowed to wear a new robe, to reflect their change in status.

Dazhmar remembered something important he had forgotten during his speech and added “Before next week begins. Steel of the same quality as this bar.” He wave a bar of steel around, one of those he had melted himself.

Suddenly the chatter died and the Novices were looking at the Grandmaster Pyromancer with large eyes. 500 kg in one week ? That was nearly impossible as they would have to go without sleep for a whole week. And they would have to be able to distinguish between the materials they were melting in an advanced tiredness state.

“You should hurry, time has begun.” finished Dazhmar.

The Novices looked at each other, then slithered off at high speed toward the nearest building, eager to start. All of them knew that time was short, and that is they failed here they would have only two tries left to enter the Principle of Destruction.

A few blocks away from there, two Novices were told about the entrance test into the Principle of Change by Lithios. They would have to help restoring the books in the library. They would have to start at dawn and do it until dusk. Of course the restoration spell was difficult and dangerous to the books, as if it failed the book would most likely end up half restored and half rotten, which was bad, as it would destroy the book. Anyone who destroyed a book would immediately fail the test.

“Metaphorically speaking, I am asking you to show patience and determination, as Change is not instantaneous and as such, even though you might end up Initiates of Change, you will still need to wait until your efforts pay off.” finished Lithios.

He showed them once again how to restore a text, made them repeat the spell a few times to make sure they mastered it and showed them to a part of the library that contained better preserved books. After all, he did not want them to destroy any of the precious writings that were here, so he had them start with simple restoration. He only hoped that the other instructors taught them the value of books and that they should respect any text they come across.

Seristis Tower – A chamber deep underground
Autumn – Fourth week

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

“So you want to try the Test of Creation, eh youngsters ?” asked Athan rhetorically as he already knew the answer to that question. “Well, I've got something very classic for you. Something many did before you and many will do after you. I want you to enchant an item, with any power you want. If the enchantment is of good quality you'll pass. You can submit the item any time you like, I'll always be around. There is only one thing : the item must be made from one of the steel bars in this room.”

He smiled. He had personally enchanted these bars to resist enchantment, so the Novices will have to study it first, then unbind it, and finally place their own enchantment in it.

“If you are looking for examples of enchantments, you can try reading “Mystical Apparatus Through the Ages”. You can find some copies in the library.” He smiled again when he thought about what would happen if they tried to bind something above his own binding on the bars. That would definitely teach them to be careful when dealing with anything even remotely magical. The three Novices probably won't last long anyway.

Seristis Tower - Outside
Autumn - Fifth week

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Xanthis and Kirlin stood in the forest outside the tower. Two novices stood in front of them, waiting to be tested. Xanthis was unhappy that the test he had submitted was refused, just because it would endanger the lives of Iraxi children. Nonetheless he would at least participate in this one, which was more standard but more straining for the Novices.

The test was rather simple, they would have to make a tree grow out of the ground. While it seemed to be easy there was a small catch, while the students would be focusing on making the tree, Xanthis would send powerful mindwaves to break their concentration. It would be up to the Novices to decide if they would rather focus on the tree growth despite hostile conditions, or if they would devote a part of their power to protecting themselves from Xanthis' onslaught.

Kirlin was just here to watch the growth of the trees, to see if the students were skipping important parts of the growth of the tree. She herself had taught them the basics of making trees grow, and now it was time to see if they were able to remember the theory while their mind was under heavy assault.

Finally the test began...

Ehn'Gha / Odua
Autumn – Sixth week

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Xanthis relaxed once again. He had just finished curing another Iraxi child and that was probably the last for the day. He decided to go out to the Iraxi vaults of knowledge again, as he liked to spend time there when he wasn't needed for anything else. Even to a young lich like him the company of musty tomes of lore was very familiar, much more familiar than a tavern.

On his way out he heard some Iraxi talking. It was mostly about some foreigners who had come from the north-east and were now meeting the Emperor at the palace. Xanthis remembered what Selene had said. A great disturbance in the north-east, something had entered this world there. Perhaps these foreigners knew about it, or perhaps they were the ones who cause it in the first place.

In any case it was worth investigating, so Xanthis started to walk toward the palace, where they were still likely to be. He was lucky as he reached the palace as two winged creatures walked out of it. He guessed these were the foreigners, as they looked foreign enough. Especially with those umbrellas. Xanthis laughed inwardly. Harpies with umbrellas ? How believable would that be ? In any case he approached them and began to ask a question when he saw the scouts take out their paper umbrellas, no matter how silly they looked, and opened them like shields.

"Guards! there are undead attacking your city" they shouted while motioning the nearby guards and trying to shoo Xanthis away, and obviously oblivious to the fact that the guards did not speak a word of their language.

The guards stopped to look at the stupid foreigners, watching that they don't cause trouble. Xanthis noticed the amusement in their eyes at the silly appearance of the foreigners with their paper umbrellas. Nonehteless Xanthis decided to try to establish a peaceful communication and said, in their tongue.

"I gather you are the foreigners I just heard about. Did you really come from the north-east ?" At the same time he cast a spell to see if the harpies tried to lie.

A pair of Imperial Guards approached and said : "Is there a problem?"
"These people seem to dislike my species." answered Xanthis.
"It speaks! Why can the Gashadokuro speak!" said a harpy, referring to the skeletal appearance of the lich.
"Don't listen it is trying to curse us!" replied the other.

The guards looked at the Tengu quizzically, not understanding what they were saying, and visibly amused by their silly paper umbrellas.

"Be gone, you horrible abomination. We are poor scouts and hold nothing of value for you!"
"And we taste bad as well!"
"They do seem rather upset. What are they saying?" asked one guard.
"Here, now you should be able to understand what they say." answered Xanthis after casting a spell on the guards.
“How do you know we are from the east!” said one of the scouts, realizing he had been asked a question.
“Speak, you cursed creature.” added the other.
“Now that's downright rude.” said one of the guards to the other.
"The Iraxi are at least well-mannered enough to answer questions. That's how most people learn things, you know ?" said Xanthis to the scouts, sarcastically.
"The only knowledge such an abomination against all gods should gain is how death feels"
"I get that treatment very often. Fortunately I know better than to feel offended." said Xanthis to the guards, to assure them that he wasn't going to try anything violent.
"I know how death feels, and it doesn't feel any different than life."
"You are a cursed creature. Now tell me what you want from us, Gashadokuro!"

Despite Xanthis' efforts the guards tensed slightly, ready to step between the two parties.

"Did you come into this world from another world ?" asked Xanthis of the scouts.
"Yes we did."
"Through a portal ?"
"Yes"
"Why do you want to know that, you evil spirit"
"Who is the mage who created such a portal and why did he make it ?"
"It was our goddess herself, you wretched pile of bones! Our goddess loves us"
“And she does not love the undead"
"Why is this ?"
"Why ? Because death is the most natural thing in this world. Cursed creatures like you defy that and sully the beautiful world created for you with your presence"
"Indeed death is natural, but does it matter when it happens ? The only thing that matters is that it happens sooner or later. In time I will die, and by then I will be ready to receive eternal rest. Until then I have to keep busy."

One of the Tengu scouts spat on the ground. "The time for your death has come long ago. It was a unholy curse that keeps these bones together. Unless you are buried, you will find nothing, not even rest"
"Now, and despite the fact that you have been very rude to me I will bid you farewell and wish you safe travels." finished Xanthis turning around and casting a mindworm agains the two offenders. The Tengu took off without looking at him.

“At least the Iraxi don't discriminate against the undead” said Xanthis to the two guards as he left to write a report to the Elchmistress about the meeting. Also to ask some Iraxi if they knew how these creatures called themselves, something he forgot to ask.

Seristis Tower - Elchmistress' Office
Autumn - Sixth week

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The windy days of autumn always brought back sad memories and some people were always trying to keep busy to avoid remembering. Werelath was one of these people, and she was carefully reading the reports piled up on her table.

The most interesting reports were about the success rate of the tests, which were rather high. Xith, despite being late in entering the Tower, managed to create an enchanted flaming sword of very high quality. It was a standard enchantment, but according to Athan it was so masterfully done that Xith more than deserved the title of Initiate. Another Novice,, managed to make a rod of lightning, the enchantment would probably last only a few centuries and the item needed to be recharged after a few uses, but it was good enough. The third candidate was severely hurt in an explosion and was now recovering, obviously he failed the test.

Results from the Test of Change were just perfect, both Novices passed the test. Obviously they had to, considering that if they failed the test Lithios would have had them killed on the spot. Books were of great value to the Tower, especially books that spoke of an ancient civilization of which little remained.

The Tests of Destruction had an average result, with half of the testees passing. It was uncommon though that all Novices decided to try the tests at the same time. Perhaps it was the Iraxi way of acting.

Sekhfar also reported that, after a few weeks of heavy labor, he finished placing the runes and enchantments around Angartheris. These should be enough to assert the Tower's presence in the city and to keep curious people away.

Xanthis wrote about meeting the creatures that caused the strange disturbance in the east. They were harpy-like in shape, and wore silly paper umbrellas. They were also heavily prejudices against undead. From what he gathered they were called Tengu and had introduced themselves as peaceful. Also, they wore silly paper umbrellas. From their way of speaking their scouts were deeply religious, an it was very likely that their race as well.

He also reported an attack by the Akkadians against the city of Ehn'gha in the second week of the season. He sent all that has been found in their embassy, and other useful things that were lying around. Some of these things were bodies of strange creatures, which would require analysis. Sirilanai added that he felt these creatures had a high death affinity, which would make them weak against fire and Schools of the Principle of Creation. Among the belongings of the ambassadors were also found a strange amulet whose flows were linked with death and mind, as well as a book about Akkad. There was also a fair bit of gold, about 2000 gold pieces, all stamped within Akkad.

Xanthis also struck a deal with the Iraxi. They would send enough masons and glassworkers to restore Angartheris, and will receive enough steel to arm their soldiers for a war.

News about the battle in Ehn'Gha was kept from the students, as it was a Tower policy to keep all students away from the disturbances of the outside world. The Elchmistress was less than pleased however with the Tower getting involved into a war. A meeting of the Council was called for.

Status

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Long-distance portals :

Tower <-> Ehn'gha / Odua
Tower <-> Sphere cave
Tower <-> Angartheris

Active trade :
To Iraxi (began turn 14) : 2 tonnes of steel per turn for 2 years in exchange of 50 masons and 20 glassworkers for 4 years.
Groups :

Angartheris status :
- 14.5t average quality steel
- 1400 texts restored

Projects :
Sphere research (channeling) : 4 turns
Sphere research (history) : 2 turns / 3 weeks

Personnel :
16 Grandmasters / 1 Elchmistress

2 Initiates of Creation :
- (Iraxi) : Xith(M), Qlosh(F)

2 Initiates of Change :
- (Iraxi) : Qirosh(M), Ixlis(M)

1 Initiates of Balance :
- (Iraxi) : Zira(F)

2 Initiates of Destruction :
- (Iraxi) : Yline(F), Xlistu(F)
 
11 Novices
- (Iraxi) : Zaxik(M), Rileq(M), Iuxai(F), Zulai(F)

8 Runeblades

Non-playing GM Eyes-only

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Main Tower :
- On an island with tall cliffs surrounding it, some beaches.
- A teleportation pad on one of the beaches, heavily defended by runes and enchantments (see image page 1)
- Extensive underground galleries, some completely isolated caves
- Heavy use of portals to move around, especially to the isolate caves. Some portals are locked by specific “keys”.

Note : Most if not all portals require some sort of key to activate. It can be a person, a passphrase, a spell, an item, or anything else.

Angartheris :
- Illusion runes on the entrances to the city
- Barrier runes surrounding the core of the outpost

Known Map

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

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[Poltifar]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't

Turn 13: Head Quarters

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Instead of what they were thinking of, the Renegades found an abandoned castle in desrepair filled with no treasure and no monsters. They were hoping for more hack-and-slash and maybe an artifact or two, but oh well. Atleast this seemed to be the perfect place to build their first true HQ in this world.

They parked the wagons inside, and the builder started rebuilding and reinforcing the structures, while the rest of the group made themselves at home and contined their research.

Poltifar decided also to build a new defense, to help maintain his secrecy. He erects an enchanted monolith that maintains a special Arcane cloak around the fortress, preventing any scrying and other forms of detection, including detecting magic or the presence of the fortress itself. Any scrying or other magical searching would show only more forest, and there is no way to detect a fluctuation in the flow. It simply isnt there in all ways when tried to viewed with magic. The only way to stop this effect was to destroy the monolith. The fortress could still be visible by eye, but since it was a low fortress and surrounded my hundreds of miles of trees, it would have to suffice for now.

Also, the Rachti set up a large amount of Thalon (crystaldragonflies) to scout the surrounding area at all times and report anything that might happen in the area or enter the area.


│≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣ ♣♣♣♣⌂▲▲⌂ ⌂├┘⌂⌂▲○─ ──┘♣≈≈≈≈  ≈♣♣≈≈≈≈≈ ≈♣♣♣♣│└┐ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈─ ○┌┘♣≈≈≈≈│
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│40                                                                      │
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│48                                                                      │

Status

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Members of the Renegades:

-Poltifar Chaoswielder: Master of all arcane secrets known to the Renegades and some not, he is one of the most powerful mages of his race that has ever lived. Very powerful melee and ranged warriormage, using melee weapon (normally longsword) in unison with magic. The leader of the organization. 17 years old (atleast, in appearance...)
-Seandar Ironfist: A grizzled old warrior, favoring the greatsword. He has lived through many battles and campaigns, and thus has alot of experience. 49 years old.
-Jonil Truestrike: Seandar's young son, and an already well-trained user of the greatsword, as his father is. 17 years old.
-Emily Dawnbow: A very skilled bow-user, also dables in the arcane arts, allowing her to shoot magically enhanced amunition. 16 years old.
-Terna Farstrider: An experienced explorer, having seen alot of the old continent and wanting to explore the new one even more thouroughly. Experienced with the bow and spear. 27 years old. (dead and in a soul bottle)
-Ernest Windwalker: A daydreaming scholar who has great power in the wind and weather domains. 25 years old.
-Klin Diceking: A merry rogue and gambler with incredible luck and great skill in stealth and light weapons. 21 years old.
-Farn Earthmover: A stubborn yet sympathetic earth-wielding mage, also a good fighter when using the hammer and axe. 24 years old.
-Inglan Steelshaper: A young magesmith who still hasn't really proven himself. 19 years old.
-Anna Dreamweaver: A spirit mage with a wide array of spells and power, yet most are non-offensive. Also, a diviner and has some powers over dreams. 20 years old.
-Godroy Fireheart: The group's pyromancer, has a quick temper yet is very charismatic. Very powerful in offensive fire magic, but not much else. 25 years old.
-Jikul Nevercold: A boastful ice mage, always ready to show off his magical powers. 24 years old.
-1 medic/healer
-2 swordsman (1 of them dead and in a soul bottle)
-1 spearman
-1 crossbowman/hunter (dead and in a soul bottle)
-1 builder/architect
-1 scholar/philosopher
-3 normal Rachti hunters
-2 Rachti hunters that are also good summoners

Magical research:
Current: (i have consulted a GM for the ammount of turns the research takes)
-Poltifars SECOND SECRET PROJECT: 3/6 turns

Completed:
-Poltifar's Soul Capture spell
-Basic Golem research (clay) [takes 4 turns to build and animate]
-Arcane Cloak spell: 2/2 turns

Special Holdings:
-Basic Magewagon (x10): 4 carrying tons of gold, 1 carrying 5 mongloid villager prisoners, 1 carrying lab equipment (basically a moving lab), 1 carrying a library of magical research, 3 for carrying all other stuff and also for carrying the Renegades themselves when they aren't on foot
-3 filled Soul Bottles
-A black tome radiating power
-A silver chalice radiating power
-Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (=Japanese version of Excalibur)

Other:

	plains	forest	jungle	hills	swamp	desert	rocky hills	tundra	high montains	sea	on river
Normal Renegade Speed	8	9	5	8	4	7	8	6	1	N/A	5
Basic Magewagon speed	8	7	3	7	N/A	6	6	5	N/A	N/A	4
Pop Cap	80	90	70	60	20	10	20	8	5	60	+40
Rachti Speed Unfrozen terrain	9	8	4	8	1	7	8	10	2	3	N/A
Rachti Speed Frozen terrain	9	7	7	8	6	7	8	10	2	5	8

[Nhiphanter]

turn 13

Akkad, tower.

The hydra corpse had been finally hauled from Ac acasid to the capital, after a few preliminary preservation spells cast into the corpse in Ac acasid to prevent it from rotting any further. The most talented necromancers of the magistrates stood around the corpse somewhere in the tower dungeons.

The work began, and bandages and sewns were made, embalming fluids to harden the rotten skin into a natural armor, steel reinforcements added to teeths and claws, spells wowen to protect the body from harm and finally... the two orbs.
Some powerful lifedrain spells had been cast on the orbs, and they had been succesfully linked to the well of souls, effectively turning the energy into magic energy.
It was thus presumed, that the closer the orbs would be together, the more powerful the life drain ability of the zombie hydra, but also larger the risk that the whole thing would suddenly blow up in great release of energy...

Ac acasid, Jafar's tower

The light flickering in the windows of the nightly tower did not bode good, strange shadows were cast over the city. Some Akkadians stopped to watch for awhile, but soon got bored, for they trusted that whatever the grand vizier was planning, it didnt involve them.

Within the tower Jafar held Tain in his hands. The Tain was trembling, and the flickering of lights had ceased. There was an extremely tense expression on his face, as his eyes were locked on the trembling box.
This would be mayhaps the most important day of his life, for today the force to wrest the control of Akkad to himself would soon be in his hands.

Then the lid burst open, a veil of darkness spreading out of it like fog. Soon it began to form shapes, like humanoids. They had bent backs, manes of greasy droping hair, menacing claws and expressions that just told of great evil.

The binding... would begin.

Ehn'gha, embassy

The air was tense inside the embassy, for the moment Jafar wanted the binding to be done would be soon. Just then, the central rune of the circle flared with blue light. The binding would begin...

The mages moved to their positions beside the circle and began the summoning. The misplacer spell had been placed on the circle, and thus the Myrkridia wouldnt appear in the circle, but rather outside around the embassy. In a few moments, the summoning took effect, and darkness began to swirl out of the circle, materializing from nowhere. Soon it had drifted out, through the walls not caring about material touch.
The mages ran to the topside. For all the trouble, they wanted to see the carnage.

Ehn'gha, outside

The darkness swirling through the embassy walls was largely unnoticed to the Iraxian populace drifting around the streets. very fast the swirls began to concentrate into vaguely humainoid shapes around the streets, causing some confusion among the Iraxi.

Then, nightmares took form in the streets. The swirls suddenly took much, much more material forms, the Iraxi screamed wildly to get away from the beast as it throwed its head back and let out a growl that echoed off the buildings of the street, fractions of second later, 19 more growls joined it as the rest of the beasts materialized. In the general chaos, slaughter began.
The first myrkridia leapt onto the nearest Iraxi, burying its fangs into his head, shaking wildly and tearing it along with the long neck apart from the chitinous husk. Growling wildly the creature proceeded to throw the next victim with the head, stunning him and leaping next to the Iraxi. The beast proceeded to pound the chitinous shell of the Iraxian with series of gory slashes, claws digging into flesh and intestines. In a blink of an eye the ripped and teared Iraxi body was thrown aside and the next one of the panicking citizens attacked.

The slaughter and the screams of the Iraxi were well heard into the top of the pyramid the embassy was, where Khmer and Radataz were enjoying the view onto the streets. The stones were by now red with the blood of the Iraxi, dismembered tentacles twitching on ground and splinters of broken chitins buried into the soft flesh of the corpses. Blood and viscera colored the walls of the buildings as the Myrkridias broke through the doors with sheer force, slaughtering the civilians inside and dragging them to the streets. There were women and children, boys and men. All killed without mercy or pity.
The Myrkridia had divided into packs, each going to different directions of the district, though still slaughtering mercilessly everyone coming in their way.

Suddenly Radataz shouted and looked onto the direction of the palace. From the direction, several of the tower mages,that had so arrogantly interrupted messed their plans in the city, and a small host of Iraxi guardsmen were approaching. Before the mages came the warriors they had been told to be "Runeblades" approached. There were still 6 of the Myrkridias on this street, killing off the remainder of the Iraxis in here.
Two of the Myrkridia took note of the approaching group that obviously meant to fight them, and charged at them in very fast speed, growling deafeningly.
In a few seconds, the remaining four began to run towards them.

A fierce and short battle ensued, with the cold, calm runeblades hacking away at the Myrkridia, their battle prowess clearly showing. Two of the runeblades got some blunted backhand hits and tackles from the Myrkridia before killing them off, but one was seriously injured on hand as one of the beasts had tried to rip the arm off. Heavy bleeding was coming from below the hanging shreds of flesh of the arm, tendons badly cut. The Iraxi guardsmen, visibly shocked by the bloodbath and appearance of the bloodcovered beasts, had played little role in this first clash between the Myrkridia and them.
One of the tower mages had apparently practiced someform of necromancy as one of the dead Iraxi corpses rose from the ground. It was a gory sight. Most of its tentacles had been ripped off or ripped to shreds, its chitinous husk mostly smashed to pieces and only two thirds of the head remained, the brains looking like they would slide out anymoment.
The injured runeblade was apparently sent back to the tower, for with that arm he wouldnt be of much use.

Suddenly about Hundred Iraxi soldiers appeared from nowhere, and one of the tower mages seemingly ceased casting. Khmer coincided it could only be an illusion. Sadly, he did not have command over the Myrkridia. The mages and their host headed to west, but were clearly aiming for the embassy. Radataz was becoming uneasy. Somehow he felt... odd. He realized he was thinking about his past life. Shaking his head he dug out the control charm of the gargoyles and handed it over to Khmer. He knew better what do to in these situations.

Down in the street the Tower mages had met an another group of the Myrkridias, just finishing off the last of the Iraxi. As they saw the numbers of the Iraxian soldiers, they quickly turned their tail and began to ran away. One of the mages began to cast spells that seemed to turn the bones of some of the Iraxi bodies into arrows, though there wasnt much bones to go with. Only one of the bone arrows managed to hit a Myrkridia, though it got straight into the head, pushing through so hard that the point came through the temple. The beast fell immeadiatetly dead on the ground, its blood coloring the pavement with new darker hue of red.
At the sametime, the gargoyles around the embassy pyramid took into air and flew to the two necromancers atop the pyramid. The bone arrows twirling towards the two mages snapped into splinters as they met the shielding bodies of the animated statues. One of the arrows homever managed to slip past, burying itself straight into the heart of Radataz, making him to cough up blood for a few seconds and then falling down, dead. He slumped down the steps of the pyramid, leaving behind a trail of blood spatterings.

Down in the street the runeblades had reached the Myrkridias.
In the resulting bloodshedding, one of the Runeblades was injured on leg during a particularly fierce fight with one of the beasts, and 3 of the myrkridias were killed, their limbs chopped off by the professional strikes of the warriors.
Some way behind, 3 of the Iraxi guard were fleeing in terror. Probably set off by the limbs and bodies strewn across the streets.

Someway behind, the bodies of a few Myrkridia began to twitch, and slowly rose of the ground. At the top of the pyramid, the remaining mage was obviously casting a spell.
They began to make their way towards their enemies.
At the sametime, seven of the gargoyles suddenly began to charge towards the runeblades, seeking to crush them with the sheer mass behind their stony tackle from above.
One of the mages noticed this, as he was obviously trying to interrupt Khmers casting with somesort of mindwaves, and promptly send towards the charging gargoyles a force wave, pushing them back and breaking their charge. A melee ensued, with the Iraxi militia and the runeblades fighting against the hulking gargoyles. The mighty punches of the gargoyles killed three of the Iraxi militia, their chitinhusks smashed to splinters. One of the Runeblades was wounded badly on the back by the claws of one gargoyle, but it didnt matter as the Runeblade in question happened to be a zombie.
The gargoyles homever... were mostly smashed. Four of them were completely destroyed, only pebbles and parts remaining, and five destroyed beyond use.

Some of the Myrkridia were still alive, rampaging through the city, but by now heading towards the jungles. Three of them reached the leafy shadows.

Back at the embassy, Khmer could hear the tower mages coming. He was fleeing as fast as he could, down down down the floors of the pyramid interiors, eventually reaching the summoning circle. He ordered the remaining gargoyle that he had took for guard to stand at the doors to hold back the mages when they would eventually charge down.
He proceeded to send out summon calls to Ac acasid, into Jafars tower. His calls were not answered. Khmer screamed out in frustration and tears of fear were beginning form in his eyes as he desperately send out more summoning calls, the iron hand of fear twisting his innards so hardly he felt sick.
Suddenly, the prime rune flared. All weight lifted from his heart as Khmer let out a maniacal laugh and stepped into the circle, raising his hands and proceeding to chant the summoning rites, the prime rune pulsing and telling that the other end was working too.
Just as his last sights on the embassy were cast, the tower mages burst in, engaging in a fast fight with the remaining gargoyle.
Khmer laughed, and in a blink of an eye, only the circle remained, its runes flaring out.

So was the first battle of Akkads

casualties:
Iraxi:  Lost 82 civilians and 3 guards. 34 injured civilians.
Tower: None, only wounds.
Akkads: 17 Myrkridias, 10 gargoyles and 1 necromancer.

Overall, a great succession!

[Prometheus]

Turn 13

Ehn'gha

Dark times had befallen the Eternal Empire of Irax. The foreigners from the desert had treacherously summoned horrible beasts into the city. More than eighty dead, dozens more wounded. If it hadn't been for the assistance of the Tower, many more would have been lost. They also advised to cremate the bodies, as the Akkadians were identified as necromancers and the bodies might be raised as hostile soldiers. The mass cremation begun soon after.
For the first time since emerging from the vaults the Emperor felt weary. The loss of so many had been hard, but it was made worse by the fact that he did not know any reason for the attack. They had no outstanding resources apart from their knowledge. They were no threat, as the Akkadians lived in an environment especially deadly to the Iraxi, and they hadn't even attacked any specific targets. They simply attacked the populace for no apparent rhyme nor reason. It was purely barbaric slaughter.
The Akkadian merchants were promptly placed under arrest and held in another building. They would be questioned as to any reason for the attack and firmly reminded that many lives, including their own, depended on how well they co-operated.
The Tower had agreed to a trade. They would give enough steel to fully equip the growing army. Many Irax had volunteered to join, furious over the unprovoked attack and there was no real shortage of fighters. They would need training. Fortunately the Tower had agreed to have Inifius the Runeblade train some of them. Trained soldiers was a nearly nonexistent resource. In exchange they would send quite a lot of masons and glassmakers to one of the Tower's settlements.
It was doubtful if infantry alone would be enough to prevent further attacks. The construction below the palace was continuing, but a few problems had arisen. They required the touch of a mage. He would have to ask when would the trainee mages be allowed to visit. He would have to come up with a believable excuse. Gizash was not comfortable lying to their benefactors but the project would have to be kept secret as long as possible.

Also, as a precaution the planned trading post at the source of the river Yufrat was undergoing many changes. A defensive wall was set up around it, turning it into a fortress. It was partially set up over the river, with floodgates. Perhaps they could force the Akkadians into negotiations, although everyone had to expect the worst. These were violent, duplicitous people after all.

A ways to the west of the new fortress reportedly lay an ancient, large structure. A few scouts were dispatched to make preliminary reports. They would observe the temple to see if was still in use. If not, they would enter and map the place.

A few weeks later strange, winged people visited the northern docks. After a few problems with the language barrier they revealed themselves to be from the north-east, and were seeking a leader. They were pointed in the direction of central Ehn'gha, and the took off without further delay. The local fishers and boat makers seemed to take it in stride, as strange creatures from foreign lands had been visiting for a while now.