[Scott Hebert]

Turn 5

Irma regarded the young-looking man before her. "Excuse me? You believe I have made an error?"

"Yes, my Queen. And as Castellan of your Keep..." The man trailed off. Of course, he was more than merely a man now. The new Castellan, who succumbed to the Malediction and fed on his father's corpse.

Irma continued to stare at him. "And this error I made was..?"

"My Lady, the Barbarians, while useful, were destined to be ground into dust facing C'tis's defenders. There was no need to pay the dead." His face seemed troubled, as if he was not sure of the wisdom of questioning his Queen's judgement.

Irma chuckled slightly. "Fear not, Baron Ulrich. You can be my advisor, until such time as you become unfit for service." Ulrich bowed his head in acknowledgement, and if Irma was not mistaken, relief. "Make ready a reinforcement column to send to C'tis, and find what mercenaries you can as well. I think the Serpent's Mausoleum will make a fitting summer cottage for me."

--

Abysia names Ba'al Chozron the Anathemant Warlock as their Prophet. Always a pleasure... :|

As noted in the story above, I successfully take out the PD in C'tis, but I lose all of Rexor's Barbarians but Rexor in the process. It would have been better to not pay for him again.

I give orders for Karl and Rexor to siege in C'tis. Nan Bagor moves in to reinforce the siege. Zierod (my new Wolfherd) takes the Rangers and the Wolves in Ulm and Sneaks to Zimmria. Ulrich meanwhile takes the Morningstar Infantry in Ulm and moves to Fenatice. Finally, Irma and her coven research.

For taxes, I increase taxes in Zimmria to 80%, and reduce taxes in C'tis to 50%.

I note that Dante's Stingers are available to hire, and so I pay 160g to hire them straight into C'tis. I also pay 102g for a Fortuneteller and a Ranger in Ulm.

Status:

Treasury: 7
Income: 284 (+55)
Upkeep: 57 (+6)
Gems: 5A/5S/15D/5N
GI: +1S/+3D/+3N
Research: 39/39 points, Construction 2 should be researched next turn.

Next update: Turn 6.