Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

It looks like several folks are getting behind on yarns already. Don't get discouraged; it's ok to lower your standards and keep putting something out there on a regular schedule. I know I will appreciate reading whatever you have to get some flavor from the other nations.

Also, I'm really missing the maps and graphs from recent turns. It feels like a media blackout.

Keep up the good work folks! Make it fun, not like it's work.

Sill

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

You raise a good point Sillhouette. Tauren, can we get maps for turns 12 and 15? I'll grab the score graphs from turn 15 and have them posted later this evening.

P.S. Thanks for reading.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Hey PashaDawg,

Welcome back. I wrote part of my latest yarn just for you... the story is called "How Aetonyx Lost His Tail". Enjoy!

Turn 18

-puffyn

PS. I should also add that, in a deeper, more fundamental way, the yarn is really for Pythium.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Sounds like I have some good reading coming up!

Ugh! And, I better get off my duff and do some writing, too! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Well, a day late, but not a dollar short. Here are the score graphs from turn 15.

Hopefully maps will come soon.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Courtesy of our fine host Tauren, there are now maps posted for turns 12 and 15. See the latest map here. Wonder no more who adjoins the provinces of your foe!

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

It's been 5.5 days now since the last turn. At some point we probably need to start hosting the turns even if one or two people stale (unless, of course, they've asked for a delay of game)

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Well, I finally had time to think about this...my guess is (rot13 so those who wish can work it out themselves):

Znev unf nfgeny zntvp (unq gb or gung be svrel zntvp), Nibpn vf sver (fgnaqf arne gur sver...), Fcver vf nve; gur rneguyl zntvpf: Nzveqba vf rnegu (gnhtug Rfpynir ("fynir"?) rnegu zntvp), Ryxynaq = j (zbirf dhvpxyl), Sberfg vf boivbhfyl angher; gur vasreanyf: Jvp pyrneyl vf n arpebznapre, naq guhf Cbytenir vf oybbq.

I will return the pearl if you will tell me (public or private) what Aftial is.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Thanks for playing. I feel bad not declaring you the winner. Your logic is quite reasonable, and it's only my twisted reasoning that prevents you from being completely correct. I guess I can say no more without ruining it for anyone else who might take a guess.

I never meant to make Aftial's physical form the object of suspense. After all, there is only one pretender form which the Church could possibly recognize as a servant of God.

Turn 12: "Myself, I was not sure about the Angel"

Turn 18: "I reached out to the angel, to Aftial"

Where by "angel", of course I mean the Virtue.

The deeper question of "what" she really is... well...

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

I can think of another configuration for the Three Above that makes sense. Is that where my errors were?

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Pythium Baby-Killing Alleged

Inland (ONN) Rumors continued to surface alleging the wholesale slaughter of infants in territories conquered by the Pythium military. Sources, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, indicated that Pythium standard practice after conquering an enemy province is to put to death any children who might grow up to avenge their father's deaths. The heads of widows of fallen soldiers are shaved, and the harvested hair is used to stuff the pillows of the conquerors.

Reaction from neighboring governments was swift. "It's a clear continuation of Pythium's rampant militarism. After the tragedy of Solian, is anyone truly surprised?" said a source within the nation of Man.

Following Pythium's explosive territorial expansion, diplomatic channels have become more active with calls of condemnation for the so-called "renegade nation." While no nation will go on record as openly calling for a multilateral intervention in the situation, privately, great concern is being expressed in the back hallways of government of all of Pythium's neighbors.

A representative from the government of Pythium could not be contacted for comment before press time.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

<h3>Marignon Defends Culture of Life</h3>

The LORD has forbidden men from raising up the dead, and has given us an example in Ermor of what happens when foolish prides causes us to forsake His wisdom.

It is the policy of the Church of Marignon not to side with the tergiversators who are known to practice death magic and thus imperil the souls of men. This means no trade of materials or information, no mutual defense agreements, and no alliances against a third party. The best such heretics can expect is a frosty peace while the Church chooses to focus on greater threats.

If an offending nation is willing to relinquish the use of the death magic: using neither undead soldiers, nor artifacts made with death gems, nor casting dark rituals, then Marignon will resume normal and friendly relations and work to convert that nation peacefully.

Father Muszinger

997 A.P.P.M., or Turn18 in the common tongue.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Since it looks like no-one else is going to guess...

Your comments on your first guess lead me to believe that you would guess the configuration for the Three Above correctly the second time. However, you were also mislead by Turn 18 when contemplating the Three Below. It was Polgrave who actually made the Skull Talisman for Wic. I didn't think about this contest when writing that yarn or I would have tried to make that more clear.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

So, what's our status? How many people are we waiting for?

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Yes, what is taking so long? We've been slipping into 5 or more days elapsed between turns lately, and it would be nice if we could pick up the pace a little bit...

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

I note in other threads that Pasha and Panther are/were having computer problems. Anyone else we're waiting for?

I've written my turn 21, but it was an easy one (a collection of letters). It'll be up after I see turn 19 or 20, probably, to allow for last-minute additions. But I have trouble getting too far ahead without some deadline-induced panic. Turn 24 needs that kick!

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Djo,

Perhaps you should offer ghost-writing services to some of the quieter nations, if you're running out of things to write? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

What I need is the oh-god-its-turn-24-I've-only-got-a-draft panic...with a side order of and-I-still-need-to-play-the-turn-I've-got-no-money-and-Pythium-is-on-my-doorstep.

I suppose I could use my time to write slanderous accusations against other nations, since that precedent has been set. Or proclamations. Or something.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Pythium turn 18:

Monday: got up late; headache; don't feel like researching today. Need to tell slaves to polish statue base!

Tuesday: what is Brutus doing? Expense account all out of whack. Note to self: slaughter more babies.

Thursday: never order Marignon take-out again; sick all night

Saturday: met attractive female statue in courtyard; just my type, not too chatty, but I don't think she fancies me

Monday: where did weekend go? sigh, back to work; what to do today: (a) conquest, (b) hire more mercenaries, (c) kill babies

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Hehe http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Ermor shouldn't be hard, either:

Ermor, Turn 3:

BRAAAAAAAAAAINS...

Ermor, Turn 6:

BRAAAAAAAAAAINS...

Ermor, Turn 9:

(after killing off some researchers)
BRAAAAAAAAAANES...

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Ermor, Turn 12:

(zombies in the desert)
BAHRAAAAAAAAAIN....

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

*sigh*

This stale was particularly annoying as I had finished my turn, I was just waiting to send it until I got the notice E-mail, in case of diplomacy changeing my orders.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

If it's super-critical to you we could re-run the turn I suppose.

It was, however, 8 days between turns 18 and 19... so I understand why Tauren just ran the turn when the natives (see previous posts by djo and puffyn) started getting restless.

A more consistent schedule would avoid these problems. Since, sadly, a more relaxed schedule doesn't seem to have prompted yarns from all the non-writers who were so excited at the beginning of the game, I propose we should return to a strict three-turns per week schedule once the summer is over.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Ok, I am back up and running (sort of). Late last night, I could not find all the mods for all my games, so I was unable to do anything about any of my turns. I do not even recall which mod I was missing from this game, for it was just too late last night and I was very tired.

Also, because my motherboard crashed in the old computer, I lost all my saved emails. I am going to try and install my old hard drive as a slave in the new computer, but I am a bit worried that I may mess it up since it was unclear from the printed instructions what exactly I should do with the jumper. So I have not done that as yet.

Meanwhile, I would appreciate if the people who sent me emails on this game would resend them so I have them all on record. I do recall that I did not reply to the latest one I received, which was perhaps from Sedna or Alneyan?

Anyway, I hope I am now past this latest crisis, though I am going out of town tomorrow for the weekend to visit the Overseer at his new college.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

It is not super critical, though if it were easy I would certainly like to re-run it. In the future though, I would really like a warning mail or post if I am about to be force hosted.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Are we still waiting for Alneyan or Zen?

I think it's important to keep the game moving along...

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Well, I finally got a login and I wanted my first post to be kudos for the writing in the original Yarnspinners- Which I will be wasting all day reading (only skimmed so far to see quality). And additional Kudos for everything so far on Yarnspinners II. I esp. identify with Sedna's take on R'lyeh and I do the same thing when I play. I can't believe a community like this exists kudos for everyone...

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Glad you liked the writing, hopfully I can supply a little more of it...

BTW, I saw you log on to the dominions channel, it is kind of empty on weekdays but on the weekend it is pretty active.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Hi Aegis,

Always nice to hear from a fan http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I only question your use of the word "wasting" with reference to our beautiful, beautiful yarns...

-puffyn

P.S. Turn?

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

For all our fans...Vanheim turn 21:


In which we read other people's mail.

* * *

Dear Thumesteia,

I am so sorry to hear that your husband has left to fight in the war. My Anteirios is almost never home, either; he spends most of his time in Vanheim. But of course it is far worse for you, coming so close after your daughter's death.

You should know I think about her every day. I cannot express to you the grief I feel. It has hit all of us very hard, especially my own dear Pherios. He has still not recovered from the shock. Even now, he will not come home to me. He remains in the city, convinced that someday, somehow, she will return to him.

Please come to the estate and stay with us for the winter. It will do us both good. I think it will be a gloomy time for us, as the days grow short, and the nights long. Together, we can take comfort in our memories, and assure each other that these dark days will soon end.

Your friend,

Mistepeillia

* * *

My dear Vethru,

We have had major breakthroughs in Project Excelsior. I would like to lock this Father Muszinger in a room with one of my creatures and have him explain his ridiculous proclamation to it. You must come see. And bring Quellian Ji. I have something for him as well.

If you can spare the evening, I have finally found a dwarf who understands that pasta need not always be served with tomato sauce.

And if you can spare the night, so much the better...

Yours,

T.

* * *

To Belletennares of Alteion, Prophet of Vethru, General of the Armies of Vanheim

Cousin,

By now you have heard of Galameteia's death. You should also know that Pherios is not doing very well. He's been staying at my house, since he won't return to the castle. I'm hoping you can help me do something for him.

I found him, you know, on the day that Galameteia died. We haven't told many people, not even Vethru, but his breakdown came before he heard of her death, not after. I was walking home in a storm, when I found him in that courtyard two streets south of my house. He was soaked and shivering and babbling. I got him inside and warm and dry, but he still wasn't making any sense. Over and over, he said, "No joy. No joy."

When he woke the next day, he didn't remember much of it. He said he had some visions and got dizzy and after that, nothing was clear.

And then the news came about Galameteia. He fell apart again. From his ranting, I think he foresaw it. I think he knew that she was going to die, and the vision overwhelmed him.

Cousin, any advice you can give me would be helpful. He barely eats. He sleeps poorly. He won't go home to his mother, and he'll barely speak to his father. Your share his gift. Can you tell me what to do for him? What to say? He's a dear boy, and he has a long life in front of him. We can't let this hang over him.

Love,

Petema

* * *

Anteirios,

Get your *** back to Vanheim! Did you notice the three wagons, forty-seven boxes, and six burly lads that came with this message? They're going to pack up your frelling personal library and bring it back with you. No more back and forth--you stay in the city. Understood?

And do you know anyone who can make sense of this damnable Marignonian politics? I can't make head or tail of these ecclesiastical writs, statements of canon, or whatever other logorrhea they're afflicted with. Start files on all the archbishops, if we haven't already. They aren't all working from the same playbook, and after that silly proclamation of theirs, we've got to figure out who is who.

We need to move on Pythium. Frankly, it'd be easier if they just invaded someone. Maybe we can set Marignon on them, paint them as death worshipers or something like that. Who knows, it might even be true.

Finally, when you get back to the city, could you encourage your son to come back to work? Yes, it was a tragedy, but it's been six weeks, and we're looking at a potential war. We need him now more than ever.

V.

* * *

Lord Hallixene of Ketuzimion,

Sir, I beseech you, please: tell me anything you can about what happened to Galameteia. I know the mission was secret. But I serve Vanheim, too, and Vethru. I am faithful and loyal. I do not ask what you were doing, only what happened to Galameteia. By all that is holy, will you at least tell me why her body was not recovered? Why could we not bring her to the peaks for our final goodbyes?

I pledge to you that I ask no more than is decent and proper. I loved her; will you not give me the peace of mind of knowing how she was lost?

With respect,

Pherios of Alteion

* * *

To Vethru, Prince of Air, Bestower of Good Gifts, Patron of the Rich, Patron of Herbalists, God of Vanheim,

My lord,

Your pardon, sire, for the intrusion, but I believe I have found something you are looking for. Recently I was contacted by a family friend who served with my father in the last war. It seems his granddaughter has begun describing events occurring in far-off lands of which she has no prior knowledge. Her name is Molleteiria, and she will be in the capital next week. If you would like to meet her, I will arrange it.

Your servant,

Neinos of Vanheim

* * *

My dearest Sennei,

This war is wearying. Today I stand in the fields of Belmar, yes, that Belmar, conquered so long ago by Alteion, and once again ours. It is senseless--we fight, the enemy dies, as do some few of ours, while others flee in fear as months of war take their toll on their psyches. And had Belmar merely remembered its place, remembered that it belonged to Vanheim once and therefore always would, all these men, on both sides, may have lived to tend their fields in peace.

But these are not happy years. I hope you will look in on Pherios when you are in the city. He is with Petema. I have written him, but your kind words and understanding ear will serve him better in person than the mere paper I send him. Remember how I was when I foresaw Essemeneilia's passing. You soothed me then; would you try to help him now?

We are one province from open water, my love, but we have been ordered home. I will see you soon, at least for a time. I miss you terribly.

All my love,

Bel

* * *

My lord Vethru,

I regret that I cannot immediately fill your request for information on magic sites within Man. Selena is very protective of her nation. The resources of the capital, you already know. However, although our relations with Selena are now quite good, our diplomats here are under constant observation. Any inquiries on a sensitive subject such as magical resources would be met with instant distrust.

In answer to your question: I don't know. There is no overt evidence, but Selena is a powerful enchantress. She may very well work in the dark arts. Shall I inquire about her thoughts on Marignon's proclamation and see what happens?

On another matter, I ask that you grant me greater latitude in negotiating with Selena and her Minister of State. I believe the time is ripe for a more formal agreement between us. Time, however, is of the essence, as is illustrated by the recent Solian incident.

I await your instructions.

Your voice in Man,

Mirama of Alteion

* * *

My dear Pherios,

I grieve for your loss. These are hard times; war takes more than it gives. It strikes blows that none of us deserve.

Yet it is the blow that strengthens the iron. You, too, will be transformed by your pain. Have courage, and you will persevere and become stronger. Everything Galameteia was remains in your mind. Use those memories. Let them influence what you will become.

Know that we are all with you, and we will always be with you.

My thoughts and hopes go with you,

Someone close to you

* * *

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

You are TOO FUNNY, Djo!

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Seconded; Tauren knows about my status (or lack thereof), so I don't think he was waiting for me. I hope so, anyway. If you can find another player for my little nation, feel free to do so: it should be a player interested in spinning though, as my Pangaea isn't exactly shaping up to become a major power.

*Grumbles* My time on that computer seems to be running out, so I'll cut that post here. */Grumbles*

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

From Tauren's latest e-mail I assume Zen has staled these last few turns. That would explain why the Ulmish attacks on Ermor's borders appear to have gone unchallenged. Zen, are you around? If we don't hear from him soon we should find a sub or go AI (the AI plays Ermor moderately decently).

Any readers/lurkers interested in subbing? Aegis?

Alneyan, you should try to stay in. I enjoy your yarns a lot and you might find that writing them leads to you doing better...

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

I hope we don't have to many players dropping out, it will probably be difficult to find subs who will write yarns too. Yes, it hypocritical of me to be demanding yarns, but in my defense I finally got the turn 6 one in. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Greetings all:

I am going out of town today until late Aug 24 (Wednesday).

Dragonfire11 will be filling in for me while I am away. Be nice to him.

Thanks.

Pasha

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Sedna: my comment about the game strength of Pangaea was more along the lines of "not a leading nation, so leaving it stale isn't so bad" and "the main interest of it is to write yarns"; regular Pangaea was more or less bound to be a weakling, after all, and it doesn't matter that much. I wouldn't expect any yarns anytime soon from me though.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Sorry, but I have to disagree. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Even apart from the very popular white centaur earth/nature bless, base pan is a solid nation. Stealth troops that can be of use even late game, always rolling in nature gems, some very nice unique pretenders, and decent blood magic (with very good patrolers).

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

To return this thread to trash-talkin'... I saw this article on the wiki the other day and thought it should get cross-posted.

<h3> Imictan Asks: Where Is Pythium? </h3>
Imictan (ONN) They came from the hills, destroying homes and businesses, killing livestock and citizens. Months later, the people of Imictan have still not recovered from a devastating troglodyte attack. The reason? The troglodytes still roam the streets, unchallenged.

The people in this former colony of Pythium have nothing but scorn for their abandonment by their former masters. "They dropped their spears and ran," said one resident. "We thought they had gone for reinforcements, but where are they?", asked another. After five months, no reinforcements have arrived.

A sense of betrayal permeates Imictan society. Similar sentiments are echoed in every coffee house--but only during daylight hours, when the monsters are sleeping in their caves. At night, the streets are deserted, as residents huddle together behind makeshift wooden barricades, praying that this night, the troglodytes will attack elsewhere. The people have given up hope that Pythium will rescue them. Increasingly, the discussion is not about to whether to leave their homes and farms, but when.

Imictan's closest neighbor, Vanheim, expressed frustration with the situation. "Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Imictan," said a spokesman for the Konella Koreia, Vanheim's ruling council. "They are innocent victims in Pythium's war of expansion. A nation that makes no pretense of protecting its citizens exhibits the lowest form of moral cowardice."

The people of Imictan appreciate the sympathy but would prefer armed assistance instead. "They're tough SOBs, but they ain't unkillable. Give us some armor and swords, and a couple dozen men, and we'll take 'em out," said a grizzled survivor. One can only hope the people of Imictan can maintain this spirit until somehow, from somewhere, help does arrive.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

<h3>Marignon declares war on Pythium</h3>
To the false prophet: Cibragol,

The LORD alone may justly see the future of this broken world. Those who seek to read the stars and divine His holy plans are blasphemers with no faith in His grace. For this reason, the LORD's most worhty servant Aftial has commanded that we attack the empire of Pythium and smash the heathen oracle. Atone for you sins and prepare to meet the Almighty God!

His weapon on earth,
Father Muszinger

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Vanheim Warns Pythium


Earlier this week, two ships belonging to citizens of Vanheim were attacked and burned off the east coast of the Black Gorge. Five crewmen died and six more were wounded when the ships sank. The two ships, the "Miss Fortune" and the "Maid of Alteion," were entirely destroyed by Pythium's fire catapults.

The vessels were part of a small convoy bringing food and medicine to Imictan, in a humanitarian relief effort following Pythium's brutal reassertion of power over the province's nascent independence movement. We, the rulers of Vanheim, chose to aid our neighbors, who found Pythium's occupying army more brutal than even the troglodytes. Our overtures were met with fiery violence.

We call upon the civilized world to bear witness to these atrocities. Pythium has shed every last vestige of moral decency in its mad, head-long rush of bloody territorialism. No longer can we consider the Pythium empire to be other than a cancerous presence in Inland.

It ends here. Vanheim warns Pythium that its transgressions against the common civility of the community of nations will be the cause of immediate and serious repercussions. We are not the largest of nations, but we are the eldest: we cherish peace, but well we remember war.

So proclaimed, this midwinter's day, second year of Vethru's reign,

In Vethru's name,

The Konella Koreia
Ruling council of Vanheim

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

How are we doing? I guess we missed Friday as the deadline...

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Vanheim turn 24, for your amusement...


In which Vethru visits a neighbor, and Pherios is disturbed by art.


Vethru

Neither of us feels the cold, of course. She grew up with it. I've got no circulation to stop. Nevertheless, a little warmth in winter is pleasant. I use my magic to heat up the mulled wine I've packed. She reaches one white hand out from under the sable furs that cover our knees to take the mug. "Thank you," she murmurs.

"My pleasure," I say, and I transfer my own cup to my left hand so I can return my right arm to its place around her shoulders. We settle back into the loveseat I had installed in the longboat.

It's a beautiful night for a moonlight cruise. The wind is low, the air is crisp, and the ice hasn't formed on the waters of the gorge yet. Everything is frozen and still. It's very romantic. She knows that's not the only reason we're out here, but she doesn't mind. I like that.

"So what have you brought me to see?" she asks.

"The stars, the moon, the waves...the landscape," I say.

"Landscape? These rocks? Why, whatever for?" Her voice is alilt. She's teasing me. She's probably figured it out herself already. I like that, too. I like smart women.

I direct the dead men rowing our boat to bring her about to the southeast. I hand my lady a spyglass and press close to help her aim it to a point on the shore. "Do you see the light at the top of that tall, thin shadow? That is the wizard's tower at Iron Range. We are just off the border of that province and Imictan."

"How curious," she replies. "Now, why would you bring a girl here?"

"For the spectacle, of course." I give a sharp whistle, and Quellian Ji flies up.

"Hey, boss, Lady, how's it going? You folks having a nice night?"

"Yes," I say. "And I think we're ready for the main event. Give the signal. Tell them to make it loud and flashy."

He's gone in an instant. "A show?" she says. "For me?"

I get the boat turned to the north, then I snuggle in next to her. I find a warm place to put my hands.

About five minutes later, we see two large firestorms erupt a few hundred yards away, still a half-mile offshore. They are accompanied by a great deal of shouting and screaming, and the sounding of two ships' bells and horns.

"Oh, my!" she says, with patent insincerity. "I hope no one is hurt."

"Not likely," I say. We watch the fire for a few minutes, then I order us home, before any would-be rescuers arrive.

The dead make a very good oarsmen; their technique is impeccable, hardly a ripple in the water. As a bonus, they hear nothing, and they tell no tales. After a bit of pleasant time-passing, she asks me, "Will take me to that tower, after you invade?"

"My dear, whatever makes you think I want to do that?"

I'm sure she already knows the answer, but it's a fun game to play. She likes to show me how clever she is in picking up the clues and fitting them together. And I like to hear it. As I said, I like smart women.

"All of Paistellus heard your teeth gnashing when Pythium retook Imictan. Now that you can't save them from the troglodytes, I'm sure those burning ships will give you some kind of excuse. The question is, why?"

"It is, indeed," I whisper in her ear.

"Oh! Um, well, you found something in Cimri that brought you to Birman Heights. And there, you found something that made you very happy for a week, at which time you became somewhat disappointed," she says. "Mmm...that's very distracting."

"It's meant to be," I tell her, and I keep it up.

"Ahh...so obviously, you're still searching for whatever it is you're searching for, and you're going to check every place between the two places you had any success finding it. Am I right?"

I tell the dead to stopped rowing. "Exactly, my dear," I say. "What I found under the earth was...an inspired distortion, but one that could only have been created by someone who saw the real thing. It's close. It's got to be nearby."

"What is is?" she asks, excitedly, breathlessly.

"Later," I say, not at all sure that I will tell her later. "You've solved tonight's puzzle. Would you like to collect your prize?"

I make sure she doesn't get in another word.


Pherios

Petema knocked at the door to her library, where I was working. "Am I interrupting?" she asked.

I had been sealing the packets of reports I had been working on. They were not very informative; all I could see for months ahead was turmoil. True war was about to begin. I hoped that my uncle would find something of use in what I had seen.

"No. I was just going to call for a messenger to take this to the castle."

"I'll take it. I'm headed there later."

"You're not my personal courier," I reminded her. "But thanks."

Petema had been very good to me in the last six months. She gave me a room, let me use her library as my office, and never lectured me about why I should talk to Vethru again, or why I should go back to the castle. She just left me alone and let me live, something my parents had a hard time doing.

"Cousin, you have a visitor. I had her wait downstairs until you were through. It's the new seer."

She waited for my reaction. I didn't blame her. When Vethru sent word that another seer had been found, I didn't take it very well. I wasn't ready. I didn't want anything to do with him, after he refused to answer my questions about Galameteia. But I had started working again, and Petema finally convinced me that it would be in the best interests of Vanheim to a least talk to her.

The human girl sat quietly in a chair in the parlor with her hands folded in her lap. She was small, as all young human women are, and plain, even for her race. She stood up when I walked in but didn't say anything until Petema introduced her.

"Pherios, this is Molleteira of Vanheim."

She curtsied deeply, never meeting my eyes. "Thank you for receiving me, Lord Pherios." After that, nothing. She fidgeted, glancing around the room. She looked toward Petema as if seeking permission for something.

Petema said, "Sit down, Molly. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please. If it's not too much trouble."

Petema called for her maid, and after the woman left again, glared at me.

I didn't know quite how to start. "How old are you?"

"Seventeen, my lord."

"Are you full grown? I forget how it is with your people."

Before the girl had a chance to answer, Petema said smoothly, "What Pherios meant is, since you are young, you must find it disturbing to see these visions."

Molly looked uncertainly from me to Petema and back. "Your pardon, sir...ma'am. They aren't visions, not exactly."

Another pause. "Why don't you tell us about it?" said Petema.

"I hear voices," she said. "And sounds. It's like I'm listening in on the future." She seemed reluctant to say any more.

The tea arrived, with some small sweetcakes. I filled my mouth so I wouldn't have to talk.

"How do you make sense of it?" asked Petema. "You must hear things in different languages."

"Yes, Lady, a little. I don't pay attention to that much. But the rest...I understand the words, but I don't understand what they're talking about. Or who's talking. But over time, I started to recognize voices. And pieces started to add up." She had been talking mainly to Petema, but she turned toward me a little. "Lord Pherios, your voice is a lot like your uncle's," she said tentatively.

"You've talked to him?" I asked.

"No, sir."

More silence.

Petema stared at me.

"So have you heard anything recently?" I asked.

"Today I visited the castle. I saw the Valkyries practicing. They were throwing their spears at the statue of an angel. It was screaming. In my mind. I don't know why." She started to sniffle. Her voice became soft. "I hear a lot of shouting and screaming. I hear battle noises. Swords hitting armor. Swords hitting people. It scares me."

For the first time, she looked directly at me. "Is it true? Are we going to war? Have you seen it? Are we all going to die?"

In that moment, I hated Vethru more than ever. There was no cause to bring this poor girl here. "You're not a warrior. What do you do? Are you a farmer?"

"No, my lord. My father is a tailor. I sew dresses."

She sews dresses? What was she doing here?

"This is folly," I told her. "Go home. Ignore the voices if you can. If you can't, climb a high hill and shout what you've heard to the wind. Let everything pass through your mind. Don't keep it. Let it go. You'll be happier."

Petema frowned at me. Molly looked confused. "My lord? Vethru said Vanheim needed me. That I could help."

"You need to help yourself. Don't you see, it will consume you. You may think you've heard horrors, but you haven't even started. What will you do when you hear a woman begging for her baby's life, and the soldiers who laugh at her? When you hear a man burning to death? When you hear the whisper of an evil thing as it pulls itself from the grave?"

Molly shrank into her chair. Tears started to run down her cheeks.

"And that's not the worst of it. Someday you'll hear the voice of someone you love, dying. But you won't know where, or when. What then?"

She was crying loudly now.

"It hurts!" I told her. "You see everything, and you don't know what's true, or what to do. And usually there's nothing you can do. All you can do is watch it happen."

"Pherios, that's enough!" said Petema. "You're upsetting her. Stop it."

"You don't understand. It's like falling into a pit. She can still walk away."

"Can you walk away, cousin? Can you ignore it? I doubt she can. Help her. Help her like you helped Galameteia."

Suddenly, the air froze. Petema opened her mouth to speak, but said nothing. Molly stopped weeping and tilted her head. I saw two birds outside the window--a tiny wren watching a gull with a length of string in its beak. The string had a loop tied in one end.

The moment broke. Molly was staring at me. She burst into fresh tears and fled the room. Petema went after her.

I wondered what she had heard. My voice? My screams? Her own? Molly's face had held that same expression I'd seen too many times on Galameteia's. She'd just been touched by doom. My warnings were too late. Fate marked her, just like it had marked me. And Galameteia.

Petema returned. "That was inexcusable! What is wrong with you? Whatever your problem is with Vethru, you should not take it out on that innocent creature."

"I..."

"I'm not done! We serve, Pherios, never forget it. What you just did is a disgrace to this family. She needed help, and you turned your back. That is not what Alteion does. That is not what you should have done."

"I know. I'm sorry," I said. "It's just so hard..."

"It doesn't matter, cousin. You're better than that. You failed. Are you going to fix it?"

"You're right," I said. "Will you tell her I'm sorry? And ask her to come back again tomorrow?"

"No," she said. "I won't."

"Will you come with me? If I go talk to her?"

After a moment, "No." Her tone said, and you should know better than to ask.

I closed my eyes. "Where is she staying?"

"At the Green Leopard. On Rock Road," she said. "Don't be afraid. You can do it. You've got a good heart. Just remember, she is who she is. She's not Galameteia. She's probably never seen a Van before this week. She's just a scared young woman."

"I'll see her tonight. I promise, I'll be kind."

"You'll go tomorrow. We're having dinner at the mansion tonight."

"Do I have to? Is my mother in town?" My family's concern could be stifling. Intrusive. Uncomfortable, however well-intentioned.

"Everyone is."

"Sennei, too?"

"The whole family. Mirima is back from Man for a week, receiving instructions from Vethru. Belletennares is here with the army. All of Alteion will be under one roof." She didn't say, for what might be the last time. Belletennares would be marching to war again soon.

"I don't know..." I said. Too much potential history in one room. Too much risk of seeing something. Someone. "I don't like going to big dinners anymore."

"It's OK. They know. No poultry. No quills on the desks. No feathers in their hats."

"All right." I wanted to go. I hadn't seen my uncle in nearly a year. But I didn't want the future ambushing me when I was with them.

And then it happened. Damn. I didn't even have to be in the same room as them. In my mind's eye, a flock of birds flew in the wind--gulls, pheasants, herons. Again, as always, recently, a storm arose. I hoped, I prayed...let none of them fall to the earth. Let them all soar.

* * *

A few days later, I visited Galameteia's studio. I'd been paying the rent so her paintings had a place to stay. I hadn't been there for a couple months, but now I needed to feel her influence. If she were still with me, she'd know how to talk to Molly.

I lit a lantern and paced along the wall where Galameteia's visions hung. Where she had seen the future, I only saw her.

"I'm trying," I mumbled. "It's hard. We're too different. Our beautiful city scares her. She doesn't know the first thing about the military. She doesn't know any geography, or much history. She's a country mouse. If only you were here...she'd talk to you."

I stopped by the purple chaos Galameteia said was my doom. "I just didn't want her to end up like you. Or like me, without you."

I went to the end of the room where the big window was. Wait--something had changed. I froze. Only I had the key. Who could be coming in here? And...painting?

I held lantern high to illuminate the partially completed canvas. I had never seen it before. It showed an angry green landscape, with a dark horseman slashed in black in front of the trees.

I began to shudder. I knew the brushstroke. It was hers...almost. Cruder. Angrier. And left undone in frustration.

"No," I said. "Not yet. I'm not ready." I backed out, locked the door. I hadn't protected myself yet. I needed to solidify my memories of Galameteia, set them in stone so firmly that nothing could dislodge them. I wanted to freeze them so they could not be tainted by the tragedy I knew was still destined to occur.

I walked home, head down. Nonetheless, I saw a shadow of something blink across the moon. Whether I was ready or not, no matter how much I dreaded it, the time was coming. I would see her again soon.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Thinking ahead on the schedule...

The current turn (24) is due today. Assuming the usual MWF, we'll have t25 Friday. However, Monday is a holiday in the US. Would anyone (player or host) prefer to push Monday's turn forward? We could run Tues-Fri next week, or something like that.

For the record, I am not going anywhere and can keep the MWF schedule.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

I will be out of town at Mesa Verde National Park from Saturday morning through Monday evening.

I think there are several people in the game not making their moves, which is why all the delays.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Hmm, I can't say I wasn't expecting a little ganging being on the top of the graphs, but this is getting ridiculous.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Make diplomatic overtures! You never know which of your neighbors is able to be cheaply bought off (especially if it's done discreetly)!


And...you're not #1 anymore (in provinces)...and the new #1 nation is kind of preachy...


Disclaimer: all opinions are those of the author, and have nothing to do with my characters, who will do what they want anyway.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

I was going to say something similar to djo. I'll just add that this is not a normal game-- in particular, don't suffer in silence. Shame the cowardly gang that's attacking into giving up with stories of bravery and good in the face of evil*.

* Evil being the parties attacking you excluding the brave inquisition

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Readers at home who wish to see what Quantum is talking about can see the latest graphs here:

http://yarnspinners.improbable.org/i...=Graphs_Turn25

Also, for anyone following the game, this is probably the most useful page on the wiki:

http://yarnspinners.improbable.org/i...:Recentchanges

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

Well, with this many nations ganging at once, there is not much I can offer that they cannot simply grab for themselves. As for allies, even if every nation not attacking me and currently submitting turns joined my side, it would still be an uneven fight (and the chances of that are nil anyway).

Not that I'm complaining, doomed struggles against impossible odds are the things poignant epics are made of. And 'Chronicles of a Doomed Empire' is certainly a catchy yarn title...

On another note, having units that are actually characters really adds some spice to the game. It makes battles so much more interesting when they barely escape death/don't.

Re: PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2
 

No, no, no...you're being far too rational. We're all approximately playing the game, but we're not necessarily doing it as purely rational game-theoretic entities. I (at least) am making decisions based often on story purposes. If I were playing "rationally", the Vans would probably be visiting poor PashaDawg on my south border.

So people may settle for a lot less than what they've already taken! I mean, a carefully-crafted press release, an (insincere) apology (if it's in character), and a few gems given away, who knows what might happen?


And I meant to say something about the characters in battle, too. It's very cool to suddenly see the names you've been reading in the tales show up live and in person (in pixels?).