Re: The second game
 

Whaddya mean where are we? We don't have access to Jomonese territory to attack it, apart from the raiding group which came through - that we attacked, smashed up and routed this turn.

Bear in mind we have to devote resources to defending against Teutanion aggression as well.

If you want us to do something specific such as travelling through provinces you currently control, you'll have to let us know.

Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Today, the Kingdom of Ulm mourns the noble knights who laid their lives at the
gates of Kharam Dzu. Yes, there were some defeatists who urged a withdrawal to
our homelands. But the Priesthood felt that it was our responsibility to shield
the world from the former Black Templars who now call themselves Blood Drakes.

We did not abandon the poor dwarfs of Kharam Dzu to the demonic beasts. Instead,
our armies met the hordes of Sanguinia, and the battle shook the very walls of the
mountain fortress. The losses on both sides were staggering, but eventually,
the cowardly vampires and the corrupted Blood Drakes fled the field, allowing their
soulless minions to be finally laid to rest.

But our struggle against the bloodthirsty vampires is only beginning. Many of
the former dwarf villages are still suffering under the yoke of Sanguinia.
Deadly taxes and unholy blood rites are decimating the population. But let the
innocent and defenseless take heart! Our forces will soon be moving south, to
end the bloody reign of terror. Our policies will be no different from those in
the already liberated lands. No taxes until prosperity is restored and no
patrolling until those rioting against the vampires have had a chance to return
to their homes! Of course, this amnesty does not apply to those who joined the
oppressors' militia and turned on their brothers.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Wow.

I hate this race. They're so [censored] useless. This has to be the fourth battle that I've lost when the calvary are ONTOP OF THE ARCHERS and then route.

Jazzepi

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

OOC: Did you see that the Phoenix Guards had fear? That and the various clouds they were under might have something to do with it.

IC: NEENER NEENER

Pure OCC
 

I am having trouble connecting. I tried supplying the numerical IP address, but
it does not seem to help. Can you please make sure that no one stalls?

As for the map, I have to admit that I like it. I did not get a single straight
grassland province, and my numerous cavalry troops are reduced to infantry speed,
but I love the choke points and familiar locations. Of course it helps that my
scales are very good for income (order/production/life) and that Ulm is notoriously
resource hungry. But as a rule, I like complex maps. Parganos is one of my
favorites, for example.

By the way, what is a good place to discuss the mods? I would also like to reserve
the elves if there is another, third mod game in the works.

Re: Pure OCC
 

Do you mean a place to discuss the mods in relation to each other, or themselves? I would think the original mod thread would be good for the latter. By the way, Google does a much better job at searching the forums than the "forum search" does. This game is pretty fun in that I have NO idea what to expect from some nations. I haven't even seen any Teutanian or Sanguinian troops, and don't really know what else to expect from Jomon.

If we're talking about relative balance, I have no idea how the dwarves were supposed to compete. Yeah, they had a really bad start... but there seems to be no depth to the nation at all, and their troops suuuuuuck.

Re: Pure OCC
 

I'm playing the dwarves in the second mod game and currently I'm doing ok, but I can't seem to escape constant losses due to lack of armour. Anyway I boosted them a little bit from the version used in this game.

If you want to talk about the balance of the nations in the mod game as they stack up to each other, I suggest making a new thread in the mods and maps forum.

If you want to comment specifically about flavour, abilities, units etc for a single nation then go to the original thread made for that mod. You can find it by using the mod list in the maps and mods forum.

If you want to talk about the pricing and overall balance of a single nation, go to the CBM mods thread, which is on the first page. All the nations in this mod game used the CBM balance versions, which were made by me.

Re: Pure OCC
 

Unable to connect.

Re: Pure OCC
 

same here, I think Ich is on vacation for one more week.

Re: Pure OCC
 

Well, I guess this puts the game on hold for a week. In all honesty, I welcome
the break. Lately, I have been having a hard time finding the time to play.
My company is moving a manufacturing site, and after our IT guy at the new
site quit, my boss decided that my department should just 'tough it out'
until we finish the move...

Re: Pure OCC
 

It appears to be working now.

Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

How dare you!

At a time when Ulm is fighting the demonic shock cavalry of Sangvinia, how does
Jomon dare to bring a demonic horde to Ulm's borders?! Since our very first
communications, we were very absolutely clear as to the consequences of any
demonic troops being brought to our attention.

All those serving Jomon have been declared an abomination unto Lady Elena!

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Pfff.

Jazzepi

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

I second the Pfff.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Pfff is a typical demon sound. As if further proof were needed.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

> Pfff is a typical demon sound. As if further proof were needed.

You are looking for a job in the Inquisition, or wanting to tease the Priesthood? It's not as if Ulm looks to need much excuse to declare abominations left and right!

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Actually, Sombre is very much correct. "Pfff" is exactly the sound demons make
when a quarrel embeds itself in their gut. Our soldiers have become quite used
to the sound. And, of course, by that time, no further proof is needed.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Alright, I'm going AI. I'll remember to avoid pacts with people who use roleplaying as a pretext to ignore them at their convenience, not that it matters much.

Jazzepi

Very much out of character
 

Hold a freaking second! I have every single piece of correspondence ever
exchanged between the two of us. I sent you four messages:

In the first I agreed to three turns of peace, during which you would observed.
I said I would be looking for demons, undead, and blood slaves.

In the second I agreed to a three turn non-aggression pact, and once again, I
stipulated that I will not tolerate unholy activity. I asked for clarification
on one point of the agreement. You did clarify it.

In the third, I spelled out the terms, and twice I stated "We will attack if we see
demons, undead, or sacrificial slaves." I explicitly asked you to return the
signed treaty, i.e. to confirm my terms. You did not answer that message.

In the fourth, after seeing Dog Soldiers in the castle near my borders, I
pretended being unsure whether they were "the members of a strangely named
regiment, or unholy crossbreeds". I stated that I was worried that you had not
returned my previous message, that Ulm "will exit the treaty in the most
honorable manner", and would still give you the three months that the treaty
called for. I had no plans to attack, but by no means was I bound by any
treaties after those three turns.

So, Hell no, I am not ignoring any treaties! Even if you had confirmed the
treaty, which you did not, even if I had not exited it correctly, which I did,
you had the audacity to bring demons to my freaking borders, which was a
violation of the terms of the treaty, and which I made damn clear in every single
message.

I, the player, demand an apology.

Re: Very much out of character
 

Oh no, those are definitely the terms of the treaty. It's really silly though, if you look at Jomon's makeup every caster, almost all commanders, and the high morale units are demons/undead. There's no possible way for me to even come close to abiding by the terms of it. Since I'm breaking it all the time, you might as well have a free "breaking of the treaty card" ready.

Also, I didn't bring those units to you borders, you attack Sylvania and happened to stumble upon them. You ignored the fact that I had "dogmen" commanders earlier during the establishment of the treaty, and offered not to push your scouts any deeper. That seems a fairly trite convenience to me. I mean, really, if you're trying to be uber anti-demon/undead/blood sacrifice I think it is your duty to investigate with that, and other, scouts instead of just leaving it up in the air.

But however you want to play your nations is fine, and I did agree to the terms, which in my opinion you know, and I know, I could never abide by simply by the makeup of Jomon's recruitable units. I didn't mean to offend you personally, but I will be much more wary of making pacts with people who are heavy role players. I'm here to play the game itself. Role playing is not high on my list, at all.

Admittedly pretext is a bad word to use. I don't think there was any subterfuge in Tuidjy's treaty, but invariably the reason the treaty was broken is for role playing, and not strategic, reasons.

Jazzepi

Re: Very much out of character
 

Well, I had announced that I considered Ulm at war with the demons very early.
I was surprised you were asking for a treaty, but technically, what did the
priests know about Jomon? They had not seen demons, the troops we'd seen
happened to be mercenaries and humans, and you were being peaceful. I thought it
made sense that they would accept. Afterwards, when the scouts noticed the Dog
soldiers, it was only player knowledge that told me they were demons. I thought
the treaty was untenable, and I exited it, following the terms to the letter.

As for he final 'pretext', yes, I was moving east, but you did bring demons at my
original borders. By that time, I had decided to invade, but remember that the
treaty was no longer current. Furthermore, I had just discovered that Ulm's
national summons are undead... and I discovered it by summoning them, so the
priests could only object to demons with a straight face.

I am usually not a roleplayer. I am making an effort in this game, because I
love the mod... but I do not use roleplaying as an excuse to lie and cheat. In
any case, now that the misunderstanding is cleared, it's time to get down to
business. And business for Ulm is mostly killing demons. It is amazing how much
of that we have been doing, lately.

By the way, do not feel bad about this game. It's hard to survive as the central
power. The only thing has worked for me is to pair the neighbors two by two and
start a war with half of them, letting the other half have more than they
deserve. You pulled it off perfectly with Vaettiheim and Teutianon, and Ulm was
constantly at war anyway. The elves were your downfall. We are only bringing
the last nail to the coffin. And it looks like a crossbow quarrel :-)

Re: Very much out of character
 

I seriously don't think that Jomon has any game against Sylvania, they're just far too vulnerable to the massed archers thing + fear shock troops. Despite getting my butt wooped on a strategic level by Sylvania's raiders, even at a tactical level I NEVER won a single decisive battle despite mixing morale 17 demons with the calavary, and bringing along priests to spam sermon of courage.

For about the 10th time this game I managed to attack Sylvania in their capital. Killed their god. Had the entire force surrounded by an overwhelming force of calvary and demons, and they just broke.... again. It's soooo frustrating.

The low morale thing + lack of shields makes me really scratch my head on how you're suppose to play this nation against massed archers. You just get abused from afar so badly by the time you close your lower morale forces you to route.

I'm playing the regular LA Jomon in another game and it's extremely refreshing. The high morale + sermon of courage + fighting in friendly dominion gave me calvary with 17 morale against Abysian humanbred infantry with 9 morale. Despite charging through a horde of arrow fire, and fireballs the calvary and infantry didn't have a single squad break.

So, basically, I think Sombre made this mod if that's correct? Something has to give with this whole morale deal, it's just too bad to play it the way it is right now. I would shudder to think what would happen to New Jomon against a nation with panic-spam. Here are my suggestions.

1. You give them real chaff troops. Not the extremely low morale ones they have right now. Give them troops that are "equivalent" to the lobo guards that Ry'leh has. They need to be mindless. It's okay if they still have low protection, no shields, just as long as you have something to catch arrows while the unprotected low morale calvary flank. I think this would be the best, and most thematic, suggestion. It's easy to see why the enslaved samurai thrulls would be mindless. You could say that the calvary represent an elite group of Jomon warriors that are not mindless, but just enslaved.

2. Give the nation access to air for fog warrior and arrow fend.

3. Give the nation a level 3 priest to recruit, preferably one with flying, so that they can cast fanaticism by giving that level 3 priest the rank of prophet.

4. Give them access to a troop type with shields.

I'm not the best player in the world, but I think I'm OKay, but these are the suggestions I have.

Jazzepi

Re: Very much out of character
 

To Tuidjy: To the Ulmish they aren't undead in the sense of reanimated corpses or ghouls or vampires, they're effectively angelic/spirit beings given physical form by the White Priests. They're as holy and righteous as the xenophobic supercharged crusaders (Reborn guard), terminator like portable brainwashing/gulag/killing machines (Anchorites) and heretic torturing inquisitors (black priests). As a deeply religious nation, Ulm Reborn turn hypocrisy into an art form, so deeming enemy undead as unholy shouldn't be a problem for them.

Attacking Sylvania out of nowhere is also entirely justifiable for Ulm - they can happily be roleplayed as an /extremely/ aggressive nation.


Jazzepi: Thanks for your suggestions. Let me go through them bit by bit.

1. I could indeed give them some mindless samurai, that's a good suggestion and fits the theme, so I'll think about what I can do. They're getting mindless undead handmaidens in the next version, which they will be able to amass in quite some quantity a low level death magic spell. They will be relatively good units too, better than ghouls/skellies etc. Let me say at this point I don't understand your constant emphasis on the cavalry - you keep complaining about how awful they are, but you continued to use them as your main unit. They are supposed to have a morale issue, it's a feature of the race - they are cheap considering how much damage they can do - if you can stop them from routing they are a bargain. If you can't,.. well you might want to build something else. If the other options (the thrall infantry etc) are no good, well that needs to be mentioned/changed.

2. They already have BFEWD in the late era and all at level 2+ guaranteed. They'll have to find another way around problems vs missile fire. You can't always have a perfect answer to everything.

3. A flying level 3 priest just because their troops have a morale issue? They just aren't that religious, so they aren't getting above level 2. They will have some more and different maiden commanders in the next version though, including a blood hunter and a cheap on-foot seducer/spy.

4. If I gave them shields they wouldn't be very jomonese.

I'm unsure as to how Jomon Broken stacks up vs Jomon. I believe they have more powerful magic, but clearly they lack the higher quality general troops and the longbows. If they are significantly weaker, I am completely willing to improve the nation in an effort to improve their balance, but I'm not going to add shields or air magic or remove the lack of morale or give them level 3 flying priests because that's a matter of flavour and theme more than balance.

Of course it's possible that some of Sylvania's units are overpowered - the sacred is currently looking a bit too good to me, but they have their own weaknesses. I agree that Jomon Broken doesn't match up too well against them, but as long as it isn't a hopeless wash, that doesn't bother me much.

Re: Very much out of character
 

2. Sorry, I should have been more clear. No no, I wasn't suggesting you give them air in addition to what they have already, just in replacement of something else. You could remove one of the girls, and add a "hanged girl" and associate her with air.

3. It doesn't have to be flying. It would just be nice to have a priest that doesn't move slow than most of the units. Again, this was only a suggestion on how you could provide them with a way to deal with low morale. If it fits into the flavor or not, that's up to you. I believe, and I could be wrong, that fanaticism and sermon of courage stack.

4. Again, just another suggestion.

1. I keep using the calvary because there's nothing else that I felt was going to be effective against archers. IMO, the mêlée troops suffer exactly the same problem that the calvary, except the problem is even worse because they move much slower than the calvary. So not only are they going to route from arrow fire, they're going to do it from much farther away relative to the archers then the calvary. The only thing I probably could have built instead was the high protection high morale shield less troops, but then those are demons. The fact that you can banish them always kills it for me, and that's just another "archer" unit to bash on them while they're crawling across the battle screen. It's such a huge liability, and for note, one of the nastier things that happened in the last battle I fought in was, of course, the much feared banishment spam.

Honestly I don't really have a vested interest in what you do with the nation. It's a very neat nation thematically (I love the drown/burned/buried girls for mages). I'm just giving suggestions. I don't want you to feel offended over what I've said, I'm just trying to voice what my experiences were picking up the nation and playing it in multiplayer.

Jazzepi

Ulm Reborn as I see them
 

It's your mod, but it's also my nation ;-) I see them a bit different than you do.

For me, the two most important things about Ulm are that they survived a
horrible civil war and the revelation they received to end it. I like how you
left the exact nature of the Aufklarung unclear. In my book, every Ulmish
believer experiences prophetic daydreams that show what their fate would have
been without the Aufklarung, i.e. in the official time line. So they are aware,
of what Ulm would have been - dying population, immortal vampires, blood hunting,
human sacrifice, summoned demons, etc...

Thus, as far as I am concerned, the believers of Lady Elena are completely
self-righteous, very brave, and at the same time, very afraid of what might have
been or still may come to pass. Any slavery, vampirism, or demons are a total
abomination. Think about guilt, too. Some of these knights, priests, and
guardians would have become the monsters of Late Age Ulm. They dream of being
vampires, ghouls, and of sacrificing their daughters. And they are still normal
human beings, who feel about this the way you and I would.

Yes, Ulm Reborn is insanely paranoid and aggressive. Any, and I mean any,
threats to their security, or hints of blood magic and demonic presence sends
them into righteous indignation, mobilization and full on assault. On the other
hand, they live with their guilt, and try their best to be honorable in all their
dealings. They want to distance themselves from the people they dream they would
have become. When their paranoia is not actively engaged, they're pacifists!

Oh, and right now, there is a Theological debate within the Priesthood about
death magic and undead. It is clear that not all death magic is forbidden,
given that lady Elena knows quite a bit and that some of the heroes of the Civil
War are returning as undead. It is also obvious that undead without free will
or those that feed on the living are an abomination. Everything else is a grey
area, and the discussion is raging. Very polite discussion, if I may add, as
everyone is afraid of another Civil War. It is bad enough that the old one is
still being waged - in the South, Ulm's armies are fighting the Blood Drakes,
who used to be Black Templars themselves.

Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

We are greatly worried that the perennial ennui has once again gotten hold of
our elven friends. For two months now, no orders have been given to the troops
operating behind Jomon's lines and many of the elven raiders have been cornered
and slain by the demons' thralls. Ulm is distraught by the decline of Sylvania's
fortunes, and would like to hear from the elven leadership.

Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

For a long time, the Priesthood of Ulm has been deeply suspicious of the
Vaettiheim confederacy. While proclaiming their love of freedom and racial
harmony, they were conducting a propaganda campaign against Ulm. Their obvious
attempts to turn the nations of the Light against each other were vile and
deceitful, but also clumsy and ineffective. Unwilling to risk the lives of our
citizens, the Priesthood chose not to take action.

But early this morning, we received a message from one of our faithful, who had
been sent to observe the goblins in their homelands. The brave soul had followed
the rumors of blood hunting to a forest in the far northeast, and risked his life
to approach a suspicious group of old women. He had barely gotten a good look at
them when a huge pack of wolves discovered him, and attacked.

We are sorry to say that he was eventually ran down and slain, but not before
managing to release one of his messenger pigeons. He reports that the Vaetti
hags had abducted no less than ten human girls from their families, and had
prepared them for use in blood sacrifice. Even more damning, a goblin lord was
seen amongst the wolves, proving that the cultists were operating with the full
support of Vaettiheim's rulers. It's clear what place the Vaetti vision of racial
harmony has reserved for the rest of us - that of slaves and blood sacrifices.

The vile creatures of Vaettiheim have been declared an abomination upon Lady Elena.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Gee what a surprise. Interesting that it should coincide exactly with your attack force reaching my borders ;]

Well come then Ulmish conquerors, let's be having you.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

As a matter of fact, until we received word of your unholy practices, we were only
drafting a proclamation that was warning you to stay away from the lands still held
by the demons of Jomon. If you were to take some time away from tormenting little
girls, and were to instead review the reports of your own patrollers you might
notice that your hags were indeed observed by one of our men.

Do you think that we would have picked today to start a war with an enemy that our
forces cannot really reach, and especially at a time when we are already engaged
on two separate fronts? The only reason that the might of Ulm is now being
marshalled against Vaettiheim is the fact that you were caught preying on the
defenseless, and that your involvement with blood magic has been proven beyond doubt.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

"You have been declared an abomination unto Lady Elena. " (Kharad Dzum 16/07/2007)

"They've been declared an abomination unto Lady Elena, and their days are numbered." (Sanguinia 1/08/2007)

"All those serving Jomon have been declared an abomination unto Lady Elena!" (New Jomon 20/08/2007)

"The vile creatures of Vaettiheim have been declared an abomination upon Lady Elena." (Vaettiheim 29/08/2007)

I am not in game, but can I start taking bets on next abomination? Is Lady Elena related to Nuggan ?

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Talk like that will get you declared an abomination upon Lady Elena in no time.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

By the time I'd read that declaration (oh so unexpected as it was, hah) you'd already attacked me and taken a province. You will continue to do so every turn, so I have no idea where you're getting 'cannot really reach'.

Sure we're using blood magic. And because you've declared war and been directly involved in the destruction of 3 civilisations we're going to be flaying and butchering a whole lot more innocent girls just getting the firepower to defend ourselves. So congratulations on that score ;]

But honestly the vaetti girls come willingly. Our mages need to spend time finding the maidens with the right kind of blood, it's true, but this is more like a talent contest. They volunteer. The unrest is merely a result of jealous families wreaking havoc when their 'little angel' isn't picked for the national honour of giving her life to defend our culture against tyrants like you.

The facts speak for themselves. We have initiated no wars and at all times merely defended ourselves. You have started 4 wars and invaded 4 other nations - usually those vastly weaker than yourselves. In the divine history of the multiverse, your Elena will be remembered as nothing more than a schoolyard bully. Provided you Ulmish even know how to write.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Actually, Jomon started the war with Vaettiheim and Sylvania was there to "defend the forestdwellers". With no help from the goblins, we were forced to recruit help from the Lady Elena.

The Dwarves were unfortunately subsumed under Ulmish rule due to their drunken incompetent leadership and a "goddess" who cared more about "paths" than a proper resource infrastructure.

We cannot comment on the war with the vampires and the Ulmish beef with Sylvania's magic, since Sylvania has has strict "Don't ask, don't tell" policy with blood magic.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

To be fair, I picked the Goddess's paths.

Although I was going for a pure, chaste bringer of peace and wisdom, who would use her paths wisely, to benefit all dwarfkind with new sources of gems, so that we could feed the hungry, starving children of all nations, equally

...ok, yes, we were planning to feed the hungry, starving children to demons in return for an unbeatable war-machine, but let me ask you this, would they have gone hungry in the belly of an imp?

Is that not shelter, is that not warmth? is that not-dare I say it-love? A love the likes of which you shall never understand? Can your logic explain that away? Where's your intolerant society now? Where are all your dollars when
all you really need is a hug?

Explain that one, Santa! Explain that to your little elves and magic reindeer! In hell! that's where!

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Honeybadger: You were apparently also going for a turtling strat, what with the both of the two provinces you had stuffed full of PD. You're partly responsible for New Ulm running off with the game because you made such a godawful start with Kharam Dzu. I heard about it from Morky and lch. Not to worry though, in the second mod game, Mods Over Europe, I've avenged Kharam Dzu's humiliating loss by stomping New Ulm into fine paste and selling it to the vampires as skincare.

Morkilus: If you're just roleplaying, no problem. If you're seriously questioning why you got no help from me against Jomon, I don't know what planet you're on. I destroyed 3 or 4 large raiding parties that came near me - other than that I had no border with them because your invasion worked so well. Last time you complained about getting no help I asked you to confirm if you wanted me to move through your provinces in order to attack them and got no response. If you've buddied up with New Ulm then I guess you can take second or third place or something when he's declared the winner. Congratulations. I intend to give him a fight because it's more fun at this point than just giving up :]

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Hey Tuidjy, just wanted to say I appreciate your RP posts - I've been really enjoying following this game via the thread.

Re: Proclamation of the Prieshood of Ulm Reborn
 

Anytime I post about stuff going on in a game, it's roleplaying to me unless I'm talking about a bug, hosting, or issues with getting me turn in. With this in mind:

Sylvania was the smallest and weakest power since the unfortunate dwarves when it was brought under the current leadership. When we saw the attack on Vaettiheim, we could have easily waited for both nations to feel the burden of war before attacking one of them. Instead, we decided to fight one of the largest powers at that time in a total war. We have had the demons at our gates twice. We have lost all territories around our capitol several times. Our God has fallen. But we persevere through the might of our Phoenix Guard and Ulm's sieging force that shut down Jomon's recruitment in the North. Has Ulm benefited from such an alliance? Of course. Ulm has helped in the raiding of Italy, but once Jomon has been stomped completely, we shall retake all of their lands except for the several offered to Ulm in the North. Be assured Sylvania does not "give up" in its endeavors, and its God shall be righteously angry when he is called back from the Void. But first, Jomon must be stomped completely.

Re: Proclamation of Server Inaccessibility
 

I could not connect last night. Was the server down?

Re: Proclamation of Server Inaccessibility
 

I could not connect either. Is it up now?

Re: Proclamation of Server Inaccessibility
 

Ahh yes, the hypocritical worshippers of Lady Elena of course sent no less than a Mummy adorned with all the most powerful artifacts to conquer poor Sanguinian villagers.
The evil wind of leprosy that this creature, foul even by Sanguinian standards, kills all that surrounds it.

The Sanguinian nobles, in their hour of demise, laughs loudly as the goody doodies are finally exposed for the filth that they are.

Re: Proclamation of Server Inaccessibility
 

Pics or it's not true.

The vampires twist the Truth again
 

Of course it is not true. Yes, another of Ulm's fallen heroes has returned from
the dead to continue battling evil in all its guises. He is not the first holy
undead whose duty is stronger than the chains of Tartarus. Our elven allies have
seen a storm hero closing the ring around Jomon's capital.

But it is not poor villagers that are being killed. It's brainwashed vampire
collaborators, the members of the militia that allows the bloodsucking monsters
to maintain their control over the peasantry. Ulm has liberated a dozen
provinces. With almost no exception, the population has been taxed nearly to
extinction. The unrest levels are usually at least twice higher than necessary
to forbid any kind of productive activity in the province. Once Ulm assumes
control, the taxes are waived until law and order is restored. The same is true
for the provinces freed from the cat demons' yoke.

The above is representative of Ulm's ideology. Abominations are dealt with,
efficiently and without mercy, innocents are protected, treated with honour and
kindness, and welcomed to the faithful of Lady Elena.

And of course, the rest of the vampires proclamation is pure nonsense as well.
The wind of leprosy does not kill anyone. It will disease those who oppose
liberating armies, but their lives are forfeit anyway. Even into unlife, the
heroes of Ulm know their duty. No innocent is ever exposed to the horrible wind,
and the local population is safe.

As for his equipment, I am sure that it looks mighty and powerful to backward
vampires who know nothing beyond preying on peasants and hiding from the Light.
But the truth is, Ulm has been able to forge these magical items since the
first year after the Civil War. No artifacts or even very powerful magical
items have been carried by our men into battle.

Re: The vampires twist the Truth again
 

What would an Ulmish hero be doing in tartarus with ancient imprisoned titans, monsters and the like? Ulm wasn't even founded when they were thrown into Tartarus.

This all sounds like death magic to me. So are Ulm harvesting gems from corpses now?

Re: The vampires twist the Truth again
 

Be careful, Sombre. Such talk will get you declared an abomination etc. etc.

Re: The vampires twist the Truth again
 

It's too late, he's already declared Vaettiheim an abomination.

Other abominations recently declared include: toast, wednesdays, touching your teeth with your tongue, being surprised, the angle at which a pig's tail curls, frosted glass, red and green, lampshades, thick milkshake straws, stationary featuring characters from Peanuts, cliches in westerns, squares and apricots.

Re: The vampires twist the Truth again
 

Also: Misspelling stationery.

Re: The vampires twist the Truth again
 

Maybe I meant 'featuring characters from Peanuts' that do not move :]

Three word posts are now an abomination unto Sombrelina.

Re: The vampires twist the Truth again
 

This means war!

Time to enlighten these backward goblins
 

The mouthpiece of Freya had been repeatedly warned about his propaganda, but it
was not words that sealed his fate. Vaettiheim was declared an abomination for
its unholy sacrifice of human children.

And once again, the goblins reveal their arrogance and ignorance. They dare to
call us illiterate, when more than two thirds of those elevated to command are
librarians and archivists. They question our ability to write, but if they can
read, it is clear that they do not go out of their way to learn.

Let us enlighten you...

Yes, Tartarus was created a long time ago, and was originally used to imprison
titans and their ilk, but anyone who endangered the rule of the Pantocrator could
be thrown there. As the ages went by, even mortals who had insulted lesser
deities found themselves in that gloomy pit. Sisyphus and Tantalus are two of
the sinners whom our hero saw there. They are no titans, and if indeed they are
monsters, it is their actions, not their appearance made them such.

After the Pantocrator disappeared, the lesser entities that served him were left
without supervision or guidance. Some of them are even now trying to ascend to
Godhood. Others, with less ambition, just cling to their former occupations.
The Caretakers of Tartarus seem to be afraid of the growing power of Lady Elena.
When our white priest, a hero of considerable power and renown, lost his life,
the cowards threw him in Tartarus, rather than let his holiness and sense of
purpose challenge their power in the afterlife.

Of course, Lady Elena would never let a righteous soul in Her service suffer the
indignities of the pit, not if She can help it. Some find their own way to our
white priests, and are reborn as Star Heroes and Storm Heroes. Many are content
to find a final rest. Other are unfortunately lost amongst the innumerable souls
than populate the afterlife. But when the soul of a hero shines brightly from
the depths of Tartarus, Lady Elena has no trouble to reach and pull it out.

It is a pity that She does not have, yet, the power to return a man into his own
living body. A mummy is what he became, and the wind of disease is something we
all have to live with. But he is a hero, a faithful of Lady Elena, and he knowns
his duty. All care is taken that no innocent is harmed, and if it were to
happen, no effort would be spared to heal the unfortunate.

As for the use of death magic, the Priesthood of Ulm recently held a Council of
the Faith, which spent months discussing the issue of Death Magic. It was
decided that its use does not always constitute an abomination. It would be
cruel to reject the help of the undead driven by their duty. Ulmish angels,
heroes returned to life, even humble revenants - as long as they serve of their
free will, and do not prey on the faithful or on the innocent, they are welcome
to our ranks. As for gathering death gems from corpses, or raising undead
troops... these activities are indeed forbidden. They are disrespectful to the
fallen, be they friends or enemies.

Re: Time to enlighten these backward goblins
 

We didn't sacrifice human children - they were Vaetti who settled the provinces who surround our new home. If they look like human children it is only in the sense that your penitent look like Marignese flagellants, your White Priests like adepts of a certain magic order and your winged undead look like Caelians.

Our Dark Master awaits the power struggle between the followers of Seith and the new order of Sorcery to end. At this point hundreds of honoured slaves shall be sacrificed and the world will witness the release of his agents. If Ulm seeks monsters and abominations, they shall have them.