[Arryn]

Turn #21, Early Winter of Year 2
Prelude to war.

This month, no travellers bring word from afar of events in distant lands.

Oedre reports from the Promised Land that the independents there muster two-score fanatics plus heavy and light footmen. This force devoid of cavalry or special creatures increases my puzzlement as to why Ashikaga has not conquered the province yet. Oedre also reports that Atlantis has moved onshore in the farmlands of Ministra (#81) just to the west. Bdvar's report from Lake Crescent shows a force of three-score heavy footemen, crossbowmen, and light footmen. On my western border with Ashikaga, their hero Li T'ieh-Kuai with less than a handful of troops has taken the coastal farmlands of Ancyrna, which borders my provinces (north to south) of Ultima Typhia, Pythium, Black Alps, Iron Range, and Zenthra. This act, plus the current vulnerability of their hero, spurs me to alter my short-term plans. I cannot allow Ashikaga this close to my largest fortress and the heart of my realm.

The Enchantress Pladina (1F2E1N) has joined my researchers at the Well of All Waters.

My realm has:

• __6 Dominion max.
• __5 Temples
• _19 Provinces converted
• 446 Treasury.
• 716 Income. (+24)
• 242 Upkeep. (+30)
• 139 Resources in Jotunheim. (+5)
• 174 Resources in Pythium. (+2)

• _11 Provinces controlled
• Jotunheim: Dom=6, PD=25, Unr=0
• Zenthra: Dom=6, PD=0, Unr=24
• Eribon: Dom=2, PD=7, Unr=0
• Gwyrth: Dom=3, PD=6, Unr=0
• Iron Range: Dom=6, PD=10, Unr=0
• Black Alps: Dom=4, PD=2, Unr=0
• Bel: Dom=2, PD=2, Unr=0
• Pythium: Dom=4, PD=10, Unr=0
• Feral Woods: Dom=1, PD=1, Unr=1
• Ultima Typhia: Dom=4, PD=10, Unr=0
• Well of All Waters: Dom=2, PD=10, Unr=0

Gem income is:

• +1 Fire (17)
• +0 Air (--)
• +6 Water (10)
• +0 Earth (01)
• +6 Astral (10) (includes 3 Clams)
• +1 Death (08)
• +6 Nature (34)

Magical knowledge (stars denote schools being researched):

• 6-Conjuration*
• 3-Alteration
• 0-Evocation
• 4-Construction
• 3-Enchantment
• 0-Thaumaturgy
• 0-Blood Magic
• 120 RPs (of 145 available at labs)

I recruit 5 Jotun spearman and a Scout in Pythium, 3 Jotun spearman in Jotunheim, and another Enchantress in the Well of All Waters. I increase PD in the Black Alps by 1 and raise 2 provincial defenders in Zenthra. These preparations completely drain the treasury of all 446 coins.

I lower the tax rate in Zenthra to 0% in order to quell the unrest (24) there.

I have the Skratti Tunne forge another Clam of Pearls and I allot 10 water gems for the task. The Norna Skade will summon a Firbolg using the ritual of Awaken Sleeper, at a cost of 10 nature gems.

I send Oedre southwest from the Promised Land into Ministra to scout the extent of the Atlantian invasion of land. Bdvar moves further northeast into Moon Lake (#38, another VP spot). The priest Albrecht, unable to contribute further towards raising the faith in Ultima Typhia, is sent east to Bel. In Eribon, the priest Erkeborn continues to preach to the masses, as does Geiserik at the Well of All Waters.

My prophet Grymis, in command of my main army of 33 Jotuns, along with Bove, is ordered to capture the Ashikagan coastal farm province of Saetica. This will cut off the retreat of the Ashikagans in Ancyrna should this battle take place before that in Ancyrna. Saetica has about a score of mobile troops, plus whatever small amount of PD may have been raised in the two months prior to my attack, and I do not anticipate any problems defeating them. My avatar will strike northeastwards at Ancyrna from Zenthra, while the Seithkona Sigrdriva and a bodyguard of 3 newly-recruited Jotun spearmen will strike westwards from Pythium. In preparation, I transfer a Lucky Coin and an Amulet of Antimagic to her via lab from Urd's possession (at the Well). If I am exceptionally fortunate, I may catch the Ashikagan hero napping and kill him before he can escape.

[ February 18, 2004, 00:22: Message edited by: Arryn ]