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[mission0]

Turn 1-

The sun rises on the inhabitants below as the gods watch on. From the mountains from the southwest to the swamps in the north creatures of all sorts could be seen moving. Dragons high in the mountains looked across the plains, some already far into the plains hunting Deer and other large game. Gators in the northern swamps slept on warm rocks, or set in wait for something to eat. Then there were the civilized cultures of the world.

In the rain forests to the south Wolves were on the prowl, looking for food to feed the rest of the village.

In the Northern forests short creatures threw themselves at their work with unbelievable Zeolous oblivious to what goes on around them.

In the Western Sands men rode over dunes on their chosen mount watching as the sun rose.

In the Eastern Sands music and art were already well under way, however a dark tower shadowed the city hiding secrets that only those who dwelled within knew.


Rizarr turned to each of the gods in turn, from Velen to Kunya and then to Sem'seddin. Two new gods and two older ones. He smiled as he thought of the fun that would be had this game.

"Ladies, Gentlemen, and those between let this Battle of the Gods... Begin", as he finished these words a bright flash went through the board as control was given fully to the gods gathered around.


|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣♣♣f⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌──────○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣s♣♣♣♣⌂♣
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣v
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘......~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂..............|........~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.......♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐♠♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂...t|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

Player Races:

R:Mission0: Ruleen
T:Emperor_Jonathon: Suin
Ψ:Wimdit: SandRiders
Å:Nhip: Akkads

Adventurers:
f:Flintus10: Shen
s:Rooster: Sfidi
v:Virex: Vix

*remember one day turns*

[mission0]

Spoiler: Up High (click to show/hide)

 Rizarr busily moved his pieces around on the board as the first turn began. One piece in particular he payed special attention to moving it this way and that. The mini-statuete was a unique one to him, shining easily with its new and polished marble. Yet the paint that colored it were dull. Indeed Rizarr would be paying special attention to this piece.

Spoiler: Down Below (click to show/hide)

Rone awoke in the den as he always had since he had come of age, and it had been time to move out of his parents house. He sighed at the thought of his adopted parents. Shaking the thought off though Rone took a look around at all the others asleep in the Den, and as always there was a circle of space around where he had slept. It didn't seem like many wanted to sleep with one as him. Liwab and Geru alike slept atop each other in no particular pattern sharing each others warmth. Every night Rone froze in the cold air. With a look of indifference passing across the den, he left the den jumping over groups of others.

Once outside of the Den Rone made his way through the early morning air of the forest. It felt good to walk around in the think air, it felt liberating. Turning a corner he stopped and grabbed the rough bark of a nearby tree to support himself. His magic didn't like to give him a moment of peace, always trying to rip control from him and do damage to him and anything around him. Falling to his knees he heaved a bit before coughing up air. He sat there grasping the bark for a moment as he pushed his own magic back within him. Finally with the magic back under control Rone stood back up, and continued his stroll ignoring or not noticing the deep claw marks in the tree he had used for support.


Shikra was up in her favorite thinking spot. It allowed her a good view of the village as well as a place of peace. Up in this tree she could think. Today she was sitting in this spot trying to figure out what the latest of her dreams was showing her.

She swung her leg back and forth and she thought. Her dream troubled her, it showed a great many things changing whether they were for the better or for the worst she wasn't sure. However one thing was sure, Rone would have to leave the village. Her leg stopped swinging as the thought came to her. She didn't want to send him away but if she didn't, according to her dreams, great disaster would fall upon the Ruleen. Looking down upon the village she didn't see to many beings moving around in the open.

With a sigh she jumped down from her spot in the tree and hip hopped across other branches until she landed on the ground. She would have to find Rone to tell him.

Soon enough Shikra found Rone trying to use his magic to open one of the villages watering holes, which were refilled from the rain that came often and welled up in the tops of the trees. He was struggling, even if there was plenty of water in the hole for others to drink it seemed Rone just wanted to open the refilling tap.

With a great sigh, that no doubt Rone heard with his own keen ears, Shikra walked up behind Rone and placed her paw on his shoulder drawing his attention.


Rone turned around already knowing it was Shikra who was behind him. She was the only one who ever approached him, let alone spoke to him. He smiled at her.

"Heya Shikra how goes it?"

She seemed a bit ashamed as he spoke to her, and stammered a few times before speaking.

"Rone, I'm uh, I'm doing fine. I have been having some odd dreams though'

"Really? What sort of dreams? Tell me I'm interested." Rone listened intently to Shikra, he to had been having grand dreams of himself doing heroic exploits. He never knew what the exploits were but he was always revered in his dreams.

Sighing Shikra decided to just tell him, "Rone, in my dreams you are to be banished from the village. You are to leave for the safety of everyone else."

Rone blinked his eyes not quite taking in what he had just heard. "You, you want me to leave the village? You want me to leave after all I have gone through?" His voice rose with every syllable.

"Rone I don't want you to leave, however I do believe it is necessary."

"Fine Shikra, I will leave if you think it is necessary. However promise me one thing, keep in contact when you can. I know Liwab have powers over nature that can do such things."

She took a step back contemplating what Rone had just said, it was true that Liwab could conjure such magic but it was only done once in any Liwab's lifetime and that was supposed to be towards one mate. It was dangerous to even attempt the spell since Rizarr himself must be in accordance with the mates. It was rare for anyone to share the ability to mind speak with another because of this. Sighing she took a step forward regaining the ground she had lost.

"Fine I'll do it.", with a few murmurs of magic a small talisman grew from a nearby tree and dropped to the ground. She scooped it up and went to work on it quickly.

Rone watched her work, not really knowing exactly what she was doing. He flinched when she had stabbed herself and squeezed a few drops of blood onto the wooden talisman. Grabbing a nearby leaf she placed it in the wound and it stuck to sealing the wound.

Turning around she grabbed a vine and strung it around the talisman hanging it from an effective necklace that the item hung onto snugly. She then handed the necklace to him. Rone looked over the talisman, it was hard almost like stone. It also twisted and twirled in many places not really following a pattern but it still pleased the eye somehow. Looking up though Rone frowned as he saw that Shikra had grown a shade darker.

"Thank you," he said just before putting the necklace around his neck. He walked away then without another word but he felt better somehow, a new feeling was in the back of his mind. As if Shikra were still right beside him. He then felt bad as he remembered the sigh of Shikra's fur had grown darker, making the talisman had obviously been a great strain.

Yes it was, and you better not lose me..

Rone smiled inwardly as he heard the thoughts, obviously the talisman worked.

Rone stopped shortly by the villages supply area and picked up a few things for his journey to wherever he was going. He grabbed a pack, food, a set of extended claws he could use if needed, these he strapped to his belt so he could pull them out quickly. Then when he had all he needed Rone strode out to the north disappearing into the forest, leaving his home behind.

He traveled long and hard, the food he brought lasted him awhile but soon he had to forage and hunt for what he needed. He also skirted the river to ensure that he had plenty of fresh water to drink. Then one day the forest just ended and before him lay a large open plain. It seems, this is the beginning of the unknown to him.

Spoiler: Back to Business (click to show/hide)

After making the Talisman and seeing Rone leave Shikra strode back into the village, in which many were stirring by now. She ignored those who asked her what had happened to her fur, an oddity since Liwab's normally darkened gradually and didn't jump between shades quickly.

She started organizing a group that would go out and explore. They had stayed within their own village for far to long and it was time to explore around and plant new seeds elsewhere.

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣♣♣f⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌──────○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣s♣♣♣♣⌂♣
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣v
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘......~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂.............r|r.......~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.......♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐♠♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂...t|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

To summarize:

Rone sets out on a journey to who knows where by himself and what he has brought with him.

A small group has been sent out to explore and possibly settle elsewhere.

[Emperor_Jonathan]

Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)

                        ♣♣♣♣
                       ┌──t─
                       |T♣♣♣
                       ┘♣♣




            ....
           ──┐t♠
           ..|♠♠

Spoiler: Different. (click to show/hide)

Nai was seated in his throne, his throne room stretched before him. Made from granite and mass produced steel it was plain. Great windows were situated either side of the room and above the two gigantic wooden doors. The doors were open, guarded by many Suin in the finest armour. Nai lifted his head and looked through the great windows at the sky. Clouds were flying overhead against the backdrop of a clear blue sky.

“It's changed.”

Nai looked to who had spoken. An old Suin, old even when they came to the previous world, He was bent over supported by a wooden cane. His eyes dropped as he looked at the sky. Tears started to form and the man collapsed, sobbing and crying he kept muttering “Not again not again not again.” After about five minutes the old Suin became still, unmoving he never spoke again.

Nai knew the old Suin was correct, others in his court muttered to each other that everything was okay and the same. But he could see, far on the horizon he expected the affirming smoke from the distant outposts furnaces to mark their safety.

It never came.

Spoiler: No use crying over spilt milk. (click to show/hide)

“The scouts have come back. Forests surround us, apart for a river to our north and west. It is a large, wide, however slow moving river. I believe we're on the inside bend of the river, our scouts say it's heading to the west.”

“That means that the beginning of the river is to the east.”

“Yes Sir.”

“And what's at the beginning of a river?”

“I don't know sir.”

“Mountains! Mountains mean ore! Ore means industry! Industry means appeasement of Velen. Quickly now, gather up a group of Suin, from the slums where ever. They'll travel to the start of the river and found a mining colony, they'll send ores down. Once they've found their first ore tell them to send a messenger to us.”

The Captain of the Guard ran from the room, sending soldiers to all the inns and taverns. He sent soldiers to gather beasts of burdens and wagons. Nai stood up and walked to the small window in this tower of his castle. It looked over the whole city, even now he could see fighting in the slums, executions in the pavilions trading in the city. He could see the great billowing furnaces and the great furnace-cathedral to the great Velen. Everything was as it should, yet his heart was down. For as he was transported here with this great city, he had lost who was citied as the best Suin, the most suitable king for their people. Nai liked competition, it gave him a chance to hone his skils.

Spoiler: Survival. (click to show/hide)

Narok awoke startled from his dreams. Something had changed. What was it? Bleary eyed he stood up, Le'Zelle was still fast asleep next to him, covered in that oh-so warm cloak they got from the Astroligans. But what woke him up? He looked around.

There were no rocks, no rises, no drops. This was the plains. Plains all around him except for a meandering river to his east and north. He flicked the display of his bionic eye. Nothing except for the heat of a few animals here and there. He flicked it back off and tapped Le'Zelle.

“Eh? What Narok?”

She looked around bleary eyed, only realising after a moment.

“Where are we?!”
“I don't know, come on Le'Zelle. It's dawn we gotta move and we're low on supplies.”

They got up and quickly packed their gear into their packs. Slipping on their armour Narok checked his weapons. All were sharp.

“Alright we either go north or east, we need water from the river.”

“East, towards the rising sun.” Le'Zelle smiled at Narok, he simply nodded and moved out.

Even with an easy pace they got there fairly fast, after only a few days. After filling up their water they looked around.

“Narok, now where?”
“Well Le'Zelle, we go to the forest, across the river.”
“How though? The water is deep and fast we'll never get across.”
“We'll find a way.”

They travelled upriver some way until they came to a bend in the river, it meandered and was slow. It looked obviously shallow. The pair strode through the water and came out on the other side but wet. They looked around and continued in the forest, following Narok they travelled east, hunting game where they could and getting water wherever they could.

Spoiler: The same sites. (click to show/hide)

Velen be damned, why was he here? Rano kept marching alongside the wagon, keeping a steady pace on the banks of the river. Luckily it was wide enough for a caravan. Most of the way anyway. On either side of the river was forest, forest, forest.

Rano was the leader of the expedition to the start of the river, to gain ore from the mountains. The river would be used to send ore down. A leader of twenty Suin he still though, why was he here? It was his job to map out the area. A boring job.

[Flintus10]

Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣f♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌──────○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣s♣♣♣♣⌂♣
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣v
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘......~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂.............r|r.......~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.......♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐♠♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂...t|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

Spoiler: A Journey With No Destination. (click to show/hide)

Muni skidded down the muddy hill able to land on his feet albeit awkwardly, having spent so many years in the mountains traveling through this forest was an almost new experience. He did not like the way trees blocked his view and the ground had been made so slippery due the mud and foliage. One pleasant aspect of this forest was the harmonious noises of the wind traveling through the high canopies, the birds singing melodiously and the faint croaking the origin of which slipped Muni’s mind but nevertheless the sound was pleasant to him.

“Bring glory back to the name Shen” Those were the words that had boomed in his head before only his own thoughts remained. Muni knew that it had to be the Shen’s lost god who had spoken to him but he dared not ask it any questions the fact that it had taken a personal interest in him was enough. Still it did mean that he had little idea on how to go about accomplishing it’s task, worlds were often ripe with warfare often heroes and villains gaining glory and infamy this seemed like the most reasonable course to take but that still left the question of where to begin?

Muni had not seen the outside world for some time and decided he would have to just keep wandering until he found civilization, he looked around and realized the trees had become quite shorter though still towering high but he could see the sky. This gave Muni the impression he was heading towards the edge of the forest and perhaps it would be easy to find civilization if he could see something beyond the damned trees.

[Wimdit]

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣f♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌──t───○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣s♣♣♣♣⌂♣
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣v
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘......~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂.............r|r.......~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.......♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

Spoiler: An Important Meeting (click to show/hide)

Saira couldn't sleep. She had been curled up inside her mount, Tabassum, for the better part of an hour, yet the weariness that usually followed a day's ride was absent. Tabassum didn't seem to be faring much better: not only was her mind still very much awake, Saira could feel her shifting restlessly.

Climbing out of the carapace, she swung onto Tabas' neck. 'Come on, let's go for a run,' she whispered. The Sandrunner grunted aquiescence, breaking into a swift trot. Once out of earshot of her dormant brethren, she accelerated into a full-on gallop. A Sandrunner moving at full speed equates to nearly a metric ton of flesh and bone moving at just over fifty kilometres per hour: an impressive sight, and terrifying if one happens to be in its way.

The two creatures in the way of Tabassum at this particular moment, however, seemed perfectly calm. Skidding to a halt, the two companions saw that the strangers were others of their species. This was unusual, since as far as they knew there was no other tribe anywhere near here, and all the others of their tribe were asleep. Moreover, the Sandrider was sitting on the ground: a sign of great respect. 'Good evening,' he said. 'I am Kunya-Nasab.' Saira opened her mouth to speak. 'Of course, you doubt my word,' he continued, preempting her. 'I expected no less. I suppose you would like proof?' He made a sweeping gesture with one arm, and the desert seemed to explode. Great gouts of sand shot into the air, and as they fell to the ground, Saira dismounted and bowed her head.

'That has convinced you? Then I will explain why I am here. As it happens, this world has been chosen by the gods as the playing field for a... game of sorts. Chosen by other gods,' he added, seeing Saira's questioning look. 'They have placed their own followers on this world, and while the Sandriders are not yet in danger, the possibility exists that one faction or another will decide to prey on us. As such, I have returned to guide and protect you. I have chosen you to be my representative in this world, as it is unlikely that I will be able to manifest as often as I would need to.' He went on. 'You are no doubt curious as to my reasons for choosing you in particular. First, you are not a clan chief. Hence, nobody has a grudge against you, and you will be less likely to incite jealousy. Second, you have a certain charisma. You may not have noticed, but those around you certainly have. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I knew you would look on this as an honour instead of an unpleasant duty.'

As Saira sat digesting this, he spoke again. 'My time is nearly up. Go to my Descendant and tell him to send emissaries to each civilization that has been placed here, offering peace. When you wake tomorrow, you will know where they should go. And to convince the people that you are my prophet...' He rose, walked over to her, and touched her on the forehead. As he did so, a curious, indescribable sensation flowed through her. 'I have given you and Tabassum the ability to change the colour and texture of any part of your skin. Or carapace, as the case may be. Not very practical, perhaps, but it will do. And, if the Descendant is still not convinced, show him my mark.' A glowing symbol appeared on the god's own forehead for a moment. 'He should recognize it. I may be able to grant you other abilities later. See you in your dreams, Saira.' And before she could say a word, he and his Sandrunner had faded away.

She had a lot to think about on the way back.

[Nhiphanter]

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣f♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌──t───○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣s♣♣♣♣å♣
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣v
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘.....å~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂.............r|r.......~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.......♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

The Arrival of Akkad.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The old desert man enjoyed the sunset of the desert. It was always beatiful, to watch the sun descent down into the dunes, coloring the tops with gold at the last moment. He sighed and regretted the fact that he was so old, he would no doubt die soon, useless to the tribe. He blinked his eyes.

As the eyes opened, his brain reeled and gagged in disbelief. Where should have been dynes and endless view, was now a huge, bustling city adorned with hundreds of towers and golden cupolas. He felt tendrils of power reaching out of the city like lightning fast snakes, spreading everywhere in the desert. Memories he didnt remember he had flooded his mind.
He blinked his eyes again. He stood dumbfounded for a second, and then wondered why he did so. The city of those cursed Akkadians had been there for as long as he could remember, there was nothing particularly interesting about it. Infact, he should be driving his camels to the bazaar right now. The eve was coming, and camel milk sold well to the thirsty Akkadians after the hot day.
He walked away to the nearby tent village mumbling something about how the low prices would be the death of him.

In the palace

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Jafar flexed his fingers. This time it went easy. He sipped from his cup, finest poslin ofcourse, and smacked his lips. The materializement charm seemed to be working, since he didnt notice his armchair getting wet from spilt coffee. It was also good to taste something at long last. Living on as a spectre could be quite annoying, as you were stripped of the ability to enjoy from your senses but not the ability to remember how it was to feel them. Well, luckily he could enjoy a material form now, as creepy as it looked.
Looking out of the window, he raised an eyebrow. The view had changed. Just a moment ago he had enjoyed a nice seaview. And now, a desert. Damn shame, that. Floating out of the window, he had a view from his vantage point high atop the city.
And it definitely wasnt the same. The surroundings were something totally different. Far to the north east, he could see the yellow of the desert giving way to the green mat of a forest.
And then it hit him too. His body did a somersault in the air, and his mind reworked its outlook on life. Suddenly, it was the view he had always enjoyed. And he knew, that he would have to start his plans of expansion at long last. Too long had the Akkadians sat in their one city. Theirs was a city state, Jafar wanted an empire.

Hours later, at the Grand Bazaar square.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Hundreds of people milled around the square, leading their camels, laden with food, tools and other essentials of life. Several merchants had decided to stick themselves to the party, leading their own small caravans laden with expensive items and the less essential things. They served also as the providers of the moving armoury and army of the settlers, having a few camels laden with arms and a personal bodyguard of mercenaries. Both parties were ofcourse accompanied by a magistrate to keep the goverments control over the new settlements. Both magistrates were in turn accompanied by a platoon of heavily armed skeletons.
After the general confusion, they finally set out. One to the west, to the plains, and one to the north east, to the forest and supposedly hills. They were supposed to build cities capable of providing food from the plains and ore from the hills.

Summary: Two groups of settlers depart, accompanied by a handful of mercenaries, a mage, and a platoon of heavily armed skeletons. The groups are essentially quite identical, expect from equipment ofcourse.

[Rooster]

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣f♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌──s───○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣♣♣♣♣♣å♣
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣v
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘.....å~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂.............r|r.......~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.......♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

In a groove where the settlers camp, a mysterious figure with a maniacal grim approaches
-Perfect! The ideal test subjects! I finally found them. Yes, they will be great for my tests.
Autopsies on creatures called Suin showed most interesting things. They are the most mutative sentient beings I have ever seen. Their rabbit-like breeding behaviors are just what I needed this whole time!
Sfidi used his shapeshifting powers to look like a settler he just murdered. A suin decaying body laying just nearby with organs ripped out and carefully examined for anomalies, just like Sfidi liked doing to his test subjects. He had no problems with his disguise. Suin aren't that complicated creatures afterall. Once in the camp site Sfidi decided to gather more information.
He approached a young male. Very young. Just out of puberty. Dirty, and skinny, definitelly hungry.
The young Suin was taking care of his wife. Sfidi sensed it. She just got pregnant. If you were a mind reader you would hear a loud maniacal cackle inside his mind.
With a big and honest smile Sfidi spoke.
-Hey there. I'm Fadger. I was just looking for some rope, do you have any?
-Ah, yes, certainly. My name is Gert and this is Junja. I'll give you some, just wait here.
-I'll be most gratefull - Yes! I have them, they bought the hook!
Gert walked into his traveller's tent and soon came out with a finely made cotton rope.
-Thank you good sir. Can I ask you something? What is the point in this whole travel? I myself think that it would be better to stay at home, but we all know that that kind of thinking doesn't lead to any progression, right? - Sfidi tried to get information, and not act odd without any knowledge of what was going on, but luckily he got what he wanted
-Yes, the life in slums is really hard, but it's where we were all born, so I understand your sentimentalism. I was just as happy and surprised as you when the draft was ordered. Velen will be very pleased with us when we'll create a totally new mining colony as one of the first Suin in history. - So that's what it was? Nevermind. I got just enough time I needed. Time to work my talents! Sfidi concentrated, but just a little. He didn't want to kill anybody. He sent a significant magical radiation to Junja. And he suceeded. The young woman fainted. Gert was shocked. He started panicking. He tried to see what was going on, and started screaming for help. With a calm face Sfidi pulled a bottle with a strange blue liquid with green glitter, walked towards Junja and poured it into her mouth. She instantly felt better. They were both disoriented. Just as most of the camp. The potion was an extract from one of his plants. It was highly mutative... to fetuses.
But it was als very invigorating to the body. His plan was all in motion. Soon he would have his first mutants. He had the scariest smile in the world on his face.

I'm the purple "s"

I just moved onto Suin expedition.

Question: How much supposedly a turn lasts? I read somewhere that it was 6 months, but I may be wrong.

[mission0]

Yes it is 6 months.

[Virex]

Spoiler: Scent (click to show/hide)

Never had been and never will be. Justice, such a frail word. Yet what would a worl be without justice?
He did not care for society, possesion or some divine purposes. All he cared for was vengeance, his sweet master. And soon she would claim another soul.
...
...
?
This... Trouble at least. There is to much hatred in the air. Old blood, a new victim and blind, cold rage. Some of them felt ancient, like they had been waiting for ages to get a chance. But their cries were faint and he was not chasing them. Still, with so many victims....

Best not think about it. He should contiue the chase.
....
....
Not think about it is a large word. Thinking never stops and these... beings were not to be ignored. A small diversion couldn't hurt.

Spoiler: Setting Up (click to show/hide)

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣f♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌──s───○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣♣♣♣♣♣åV
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣♣
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘.....å~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂.............r|r.......~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.......♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

They looked like humans. They always do. Somehow, they never show themselves for what they are.
No matter that, a human form is but a form, a house for a soul. And these souls were guilty.

They had set up their camp to the west. He did the same, but at the very least he wasn't as loud as them. And then he saw who was crying for vengeance.
Let's say that the sight of dead wasn't such a problem to Vix. The sight of the skeleton's empty eyes, longing for release though.

[mission0]

TURN 2-

Only half a year has passed and already the races of the world are on the move weather to expand, or to conquer.

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣f♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌──s───○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣♣♣♣♣♣åV
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣♣
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘.....å~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂.............r|r.......~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.......♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

The Ruleen are on the move to expand sending a small party to the north to search for a new place to settle.

The Suin send out a party to gather ore from the rivers beginnings, however a dark shadow has fallen over the party.

The SandRiders flounder around in the desert as they try to organize themselves under a single banner.

The Akkad are already on the move after the slight confusion of their city being moved and their minds rewritten. Who knows what chaos they may wrought?

Other lone adventurers roam the land as well, either spreading chaos, or traveling in search of Civilization only time will tell.

[mission0]

Spoiler: Traveling Sucks (click to show/hide)

Rone had reached the plains some time ago and now traveled easier heading in a north western direction. Grasshoppers bounced around and chirped all around him as he walked through the plains. Every once in awhile a dragon or some other beast would pass by weather through the sky or on the ground. At those moments Rone would get as low as he could, or take cover in tall grass before the creature came to close to notice. It is where Rone can be found at this moment in time.

The dragon walked around in circles sniffing the air, almost as if it could smell where Rone was but just not find him. Rone kept as still as he could in the tall grass not to far away. The tan hair of his wolfish heritage camouflaged his back from being seen to easily. However his tail which was from his wolf side as well was pure white, his rabbit heritage. He tried to keep it down but it quivered every once in awhile as a new thought came into his mind of how the dragon would find him.

Rone bit his tongue as the dragon came closer to him than it had before, it's head almost right above him. Then it was just gone, a gust of wind was all that heralded it's leaving. He sat still for a long time afterwords afraid to attract the beast back to him. Finally after having decided enough time had passed he stood up dusting some of the grass dust off of him. He looked around still not seeing the Dragon.

He walked over to retrieve his pack which he had dropped to make his mad dash to the grass all the quicker. Securing the pack on his back Rone continued his walk putting one white paw in front of the other, cursing himself as he did for not having seen or heard the dragon coming.

"It's not like they aren't that hard to see!" he yelled to no one in particular. Grumbling to himself he observed his surroundings which were still quite barren, none of the animals he had noticed before were around. Deciding to pick up the pace Rone went to all fours using his claws to dig in and get ground, and his Rabbit legs to push off he made great pace.

Rone traveled like this for awhile before he noticed a soft beat of the wind was noticing him. A glance behind him revealed that the Dragon had been following him and was quite close now. He picked up the pace considerably, however the wing beats still got closer. The dash ended however when a large claw came down on him, picking him from the ground and carrying him into the sky. Rone struggled against the claw, tearing at it with his own claws and worming his way back and forth. He finally gave up however as he noticed his own clawing did nothing and the Dragon's strength was just to great. He would just have to enjoy the ride as the land sped by below.

Spoiler: Onward! (click to show/hide)

Trebin looked around himself noting that in almost every direction there was nothing but plains. The landscape had steadily changed since he and his group had left the Forest. The trees had become more and more sparse and the wild life had thinned out a bit as well. His group pressed on through these unfamiliar surroundings though.

They had decided travel along the river in hopes of finding another village along the fresh water. The river also gave a source of freshwater and could be used as a means of transportation on the way back to the village if need be.

He looked back over his group, there weren't many of them. Mostly Geru but there was a few Liwab couples here and there as well.They had only brought what they could carry and gathered most of their food from the surrounding area.

Spoiler: Back Home (click to show/hide)

Shikra could sense where Rone was through the talisman he still wore. She could also sense that he was in distress. Not that she could do anything about it but she still felt horrible about sending him away. She still had the dreams of Rone being sent away and now she thought that it may have meant something else, however it was to late now. She had sent Rone away and it was unlikely he would forgive her for such a thing.

She sighed as she turned back to what she was working on. A new expansion to the worshiping area. She ebbed her magic a bit as the tree warped itself into shape then stopped looking at the work she had just finished. Then started to pray to Rizarr hoping that perhaps he could help her find a way to solve things.

Spoiler: Looking Down (click to show/hide)

Rizarr listened to Shikra's prayers and thoughts at the same time as he watched Rone being carried along by the Dragon. He looked on and didn't do anything, yet. He smiled to himself preferring to see how things turned out first before he interfered in the world before him.

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣f♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌──s───○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣♣♣♣♣♣åV
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣♣
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘r....å~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂..............|........~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.....r.♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

EJ's Turn:

*I will make this brief and do little since this is not my civ*

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The exploration party continued on their way searching for the beginning of the river in hopes of creating a new mining camp to ship ore back down river.

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣f♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌─────t○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣♣♣♣♣♣åV
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣♣
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘r....å~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂..............|........~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.....r.♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

[Wimdit]

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣f♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌──s───○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣♣♣♣♣♣åV
|~~~~~~~~~ψ......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣♣
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘r....å~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~ψ~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂..............|........~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.....r.♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

Spoiler: Musings of a Monarch (click to show/hide)

The old rider sighed contentedly. It had taken months, but the diplomats were finally on their way to these ‘new civilizations’ the prophet-girl spoke of. After she had arrived and shown him the mark of Kunya-Nasab, he had had to gather the clan chiefs. She had wanted him to send out riders immediately, but he had been adamant on that point: if he was not at war, he would do nothing without their consent. Simply finding them during a time when they had not arranged to be at a meeting-place had been a challenge, and then they had had to travel to Five Springs. They had all insisted on each of their tribes being represented, even though there could be nothing that could conceivably be discussed concerning an individual tribe; thankfully, all of the representatives they had elected to send were accompanying the chiefs to the meeting. He had let them go only after securing from each of them a detailed description of where they intended to roam over the next few months. Not for the first time, he wondered why all this was necessary.

The prophet-girl. His ancestor’s choice of messenger didn’t sit well with him. Why her, an untried child from an obscure tribe? Why not him? The girl had even told him exactly why she was chosen. Jealousy? He was the Descendant of Kunya-Nasab; it would be expected that if anyone were chosen, it would be him.  Charisma? He had that, and the respect of the chiefs on top of it. And he was already the closest thing the Sandriders had to a ruler: becoming his god’s messenger would actually make his job easier by taking some of the decision-making out of his hands. That thought stopped him. The decision was out of his hands: Kunya-Nasab was his god, and if he wanted to choose a little girl, then it was not for him to question why.

Spoiler: Speaking of Kunya-Nasab... (click to show/hide)

While his Descendant was musing, Kunya-Nasab was engaged in some introspection of his own. He had watched the envoys leave Five Springs with the weary gratification that follows a very long and impatient wait. It gave him a curious feeling, watching his little people scurry about; he had commanded battles in his time as a mortal, but this board allowed him to see things from an entirely different perspective, and he enjoyed it very much. He supposed that this was the reason the word 'minion' was invented. He knew he shouldn't think of the Sandriders as such, but the word felt so appropriate that he couldn't help it. It was a shame that he couldn't watch the other gods' people as easily: there seemed to be an unspoken rule against leaning over the board and having a look.

[Rooster]

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣f♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌─────t○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣♣♣♣♣♣åV
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣♣
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘r....å~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂..............|........~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.....r.♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The plan is getting along just fine.

Sfidi became quite popular in the last six months. More and more women were starting to suddenly feel ill. He took care of them all. Don't blame him for actually causing all those sick women. Journey to the mountains would take a lot of time. Pregnancies are unavoidable because of that. And that's what Sfidi enjoyed the most. To see a happy pregnant soon-to-become mother. He can certainly flip out and act like mad when he's taking his herb extracts, but when he's sober he's actually a good person. To some extent...

He bacame really close with Gert and Junja. It would be a real shame if Junja's children would be stillborn. Sfidi made whatever he could to control his power. And when the time would come he would convince everyone that he's a messanger from god or something as crazy as that. He would then create a party of mutant heroes, each just as strong as thousand men. Or mutant mosters. It doesn't matter which

Just as usual he conducted his experiments on plants and animals. He caused two headed horses to be born. Some skinless horses, two new breeds of completly harmless flu. But there certainly was something interesting he created. He created a weed-like tree, that was capable of extracting nutrients from basically anything, but was completelly useless, yet matured in two months instead of fifteen years like normal trees. Nothing could be made out of it. Bows were too fragile, it burned like grass, in minutes instead of hours. Completely useless. And destructive to local wildlife ecosystem. Just like he liked them. It might come in handy later.

Sfidi plants fast growing trees in this tile, that will slowly spread.

Note: Sfidi doesn't move on his own anymore, and instead is moved anywhere Suin colonists move

[Flintus10]

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌─f───t○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣♣♣♣♣♣åV
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣♣
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘r....å~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂..............|........~.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.....r.♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

Spoiler: The Crossing (click to show/hide)

Exiting the forest filled Muni with relief, for 9 months he had trudged through that endless swarm of trees and finally he stood on the banks of a great river which spanned miles in both directions and even across he could just make out the…large forest on the other side.

“Lord Save Me…”

Muni stopped realizing he had just spoken to himself out loud. Had he done that often lately? As he thought back he could remember many moments in the forest when he had done the same thing. He had become so used so speaking to his nameless god that he hadn’t realized he was now completely alone as he had been in the mountains before he heard the voices but now it was different he truly felt isolated. Wandering up the river banks he put these thoughts to the back of his head and tried to come up with a plan to accomplish his task.

‘”Well until I find civilization any plan I come up with will be pointless. I do not yet know enough about this world.” This time Muni did not even realize he spoke out loud.

He spent some time wandering up the river banks, it was wide and too deep for him to cross but he eventually found one of the more shallow crossings with plenty of rocks to use to avoid the current. The Shen did not often go near water especially when it flowed so heavily and having been part of a race of poor swimmers along with spending his lifetime up in the high mountains Muni was very skeptical about successfully crossing. Convincing himself that it was this or possibly more months of wandering along the banks he took a deep breath and very slowly waded to the other side. After climbing out drenched he looked up, the trees in this forest were even taller than those of the first…

“If it is the will of god that I wander these damned forest then I guess it must be.”

[Nhiphanter]

(Sorry about the late turn.)
Map:

|~~~~~~~~~.|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠|⌠⌠♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲
|~~~~~~~~~.└──────┬┘....♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲
|~~~~~~~~~....⌠⌠⌠⌠|....┌─f─å─t○⌂⌂
|~~~~~Ψ~~~~......≈|⌠⌠..|T♣♣♣♣♣♣ÅV
|~~~~~~~~~~......≈|≈⌠┌─┘♣♣..~~♣♣♣
|⌂⌂⌂~~~~~~........└─┬┘r.å..Å~Å~~~
|⌂⌂⌂⌂~..~~~.........|.......~~~~~
|▲▲▲⌂⌂..............|.......~~~~~
|▲^▲⌂⌂..............|........å.~~
|▲▲▲○────┐.....r.♠♠♠└──○⌂⌂.......
|▲▲▲▲⌂⌂..└───┐t♠♠♠♠R♠♠♠▲▲▲⌂⌂..≈≈≈
|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂....|♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈

In the palace.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Reports from the new colonies were flowing in. The infrastrukture was well underway on both colonies, and soon they could start producing the essential minerals needed for the day to day living of Akkad. Rationing valuable commodities was nasty business, and it stifled trade and emptied coffers.
Neither of the groups had encountered any significant resistance on their way, only a few hostile native tribes quickly swept aside or enslaved to speed up construction. Several scuffles with a few stronger creatures had caused some casualties, but nothing serious. All in all, Jafar mused, everything was going smoothly. Surprisingly smoothly, not that he would complain. Yet still he knew too little about the surrounding lands, and the possibility of higher cultures. Luckily he had just the right thing for scouting...
Jafar caressed gently the strange ornate metallic cube in his hands. The Tain, it was called. He could still remember picking it up from the ground in some unknown world, into which he was hurled due to a terribly failed attempt of summoning. Later he had learned, through a book he had tracked down in the very same world, that it was used to contain some ancient monsters of the old, imprisoned by a hero named Connacht. The Myrkridias they were called. Terrible beings. And very useful to the one controlling them. Smiling, he shifted one of the ornate handles in the cube, opening a hole through which gray smoke wafted through.
He hoped the four would approve him of using this thing again.

In the plains colony

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

An expedition of recently arrived merchants and settlers were arming themselves just outside the colony, packing foodstuff and hiring a considerable amount of armed guards and archers. Scouts of the city had reported dragons and other nasty predators being somewhat common out in the plains, and none of the merchants wanted to end up fried and eaten. In a few hours, they would leave to the westwards, intending to push forward into the west with the new settler spirit that had overcame the Akkadians. Also, a farseer from the group was convinced of a river further into the west, and every single Akkadian knew that rivers were the meeting points of trade, and trade brought in money.
Atleast the journey would be swifter since they wouldnt have to cross vast expanses of desert but rather the easy plains. In a few hours, they departed for the west.

Considerably much later somewhere in the north

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Birds took into the air somewhere in the forest. The bear sniffed the air and ceased trying fish the tuna from the little forest fjord. Slowly it turned to face the south, from where a loud thrashing was coming nearer and nearer. It seemed as if a pack of some big animals were coming through the forest fast. Suddenly a grey shape with a black mane and a leering mouth full of jagged teeth jumped over it. With a furious roar the bear attempted to fling its paw at it, only to realize the creature was well away his range. It didnt even have time to stare dumbfounded until it realized that its abdomen had been teared open. The light died in its eyes and the myrkridias tore past its corpse.
They had a new smell. A group of creatures, and something else, had passed through here only sometime ago.

Summary: A group of settlers and merchants departs from the plains settlement and heads westward, towards the supposed river.
Two groups of Myrkridias depart from Akkad towards north and south
The settlements are ofcourse founded during this period.

(More detailed info on Myrkridias. (Although badly written, in my eyes today)) http://www.bay12games.com/forum/index.php?topic=22037.msg255213#msg255213