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<center>Turn #41, Late Summer of Year 4
Biting off more than I can chew?</center>

<center>Part 1 of 2</center>

Rimdriva's Acashic Record ritual upon Arnbeg reveals two magical astral sites: a Painted Cave (1 pearl), and a Maze (2 pearls).

Marignon defeats over a score of amazons to retake the indy province of Polgrave.

Swanuth the Firbolg, in command of 20 Jotun spearmen and 8 vine ogres, attacks the independent farmlands of Helmshire, defended by 2 commanders, 10 heavy infantry, 23 fanatics, and 22 archers. Joining in the battle is commander Theag with 5 troglodytes and a bodyguard of 4 vine ogres. The trogs carve a swath of death through the center of the indies, despite being the target of unrelenting volleys from the enemy archers. The combination of the firbolg and trogs proves to be irresistable and the indies soon rout. Only a half-score fanatics, infantry, and archers escape the field, only to be hunted down and killed later.

Vanheim, with over two-score troops, easily slaughters Caelum's four PD in Emryc.

Ualgo (carrying a Sceptre of Authority), in command of a company of 19 Jotuns plus a bodyguard of one vine ogre and one Jotun axeman, together with the priests Albrecht and Geiserek (carrying Sceptres of Authority and with one vine ogre apiece as bodyguards), attacks the mountain province of Banded Hills which Vanheim defends with only 4 PD, 8 archers, and 8 black hawks. The enemy archers rout immediately after releasing but a single volley, and the Jotuns eliminate the PD and hawks with contemptuous ease. My victorious priests raze the Vanheim temple.

My wyrm Jorgun finds only 5 PD hiding in the Ulmish forest of Dendra Nigra, which soon become a very light snack.

My prophet Grymis, commanding 23 Jotuns, plus a bodyguard of one Jotun axeman, attacks the Ulmish forest-covered mountains of Validun, which is defended by 2 commanders of Ulm, a priest (PD), 3 infantry of Ulm (flail), 1 heavy infantry, 18 raptors, 9 slingers, and 5 crossbowmen (PD). Only 2 infantry of Ulm and 9 raptors escape my Jotuns, who suffer no losses of their own.

Bove, commanding 26 Jotuns, attacks the Ulmish mountains of Bergamum, along with the priest named Erkeborn (carrying a Sceptre of Authority and with a bodyguard of one vine ogre and one Jotun axeman). The defenders number 1 priest (PD), 3 nightmares, 4 amazons, 1 sapper, and 6 crossbowmen (PD). Bove single-handedly kills the nightmares and sapper, and 3 of the amazons fall to the advancing Jotuns, who lose of their number (mainly due to wounds sustained in earlier battles). Only a single amazon escapes to carry word of their defeat back to Ulm. As my troops raze the Ulmish temple they discover a Copper Cliff yielding magical gems (1 earth and 1 fire).

Orion and his Eternal Knights are in the employ of Vanheim, and located in the province of Welrydh (NE of the Pillar of the World). These very powerful mercenaries, which I absentmindedly neglected to hire at my peril Last month, now threaten to recapture Banded Hills and possibly cause me much further mischief. I can only hope that Vanheim commits another strategic mistake (greater than my own in not hiring Orion) and directs this formidable force against Mictlan instead of against me.

My realm grew by another 15% this past month, but I am stretched dangerously thin. I am gambling on the timidity of my opponents, a little luck, and my strong PD to hold on to these gains. It is not a strategy that would work were my opponents more aggressive or had more foresight.

Other activity of note in the world:

Atlantis takes Aole from Vanheim.
Vanheim takes Fucan from Atlantis.
Vanheim takes Sleepy Mountains from Mictlan.

Turn #41 overview (1174x1002)

My researchers achieve mastery of the fourth level of Alteration and the eighth level of Construction magics, and expect to achieve mastery of the fifth level of Alteration by the end of the month.

My realm has:

__10 Dominion max.
__27 Temples
__45 Provinces converted
1418 Treasury.
2145 Income. (+148)
_664 Upkeep. (-2)

39 Provinces controlled (border provinces listed below)
Isurian: Dom=1, PD=10, Unr=5
Helmshire: Dom=4, PD=0, Unr=20
Saeborea: Dom=7, PD=20, Unr=4
Ultima Typhia: Dom=9, PD=20, Unr=1
Well of All Waters: Dom=10, PD=17, Unr=0
Arnbeg: Dom=5, PD=10, Unr=9
Betane: Dom=-1, PD=0, Unr=10
Banded Hills: Dom=-1, PD=0, Unr=27
Dendra Nigra: Dom=1, PD=0, Unr=22
Clon: Dom=-1, PD=10, Unr=1
Validun: Dom=1, PD=0, Unr=11
Kratas: Dom=1, PD=20, Unr=1
Wold: Dom=-3, PD=10, Unr=0
Bergamum: Dom=-3, PD=0, Unr=17

Gem income is:

+11 Fire (19)
+_7 Air (17)
+14 Water (19)
+_8 Earth (08)
+30 Astral (28) (includes 20 Clams)
+_3 Death (13)
+12 Nature (12)

Magical knowledge (stars denote schools being researched):

7-Conjuration*
4-Alteration*
7-Evocation
8-Construction
6-Enchantment
5-Thaumaturgy
0-Blood Magic
304 RPs (of 408 available at labs)

<center>To be continued in Part 2 ...</center>

[ April 19, 2004, 01:24: Message edited by: Arryn ]