[Scott Hebert]

Turn 7

"Your report, Castellan?"

Ulrich bowed before his Queen. "My Lady, fate has smiled upon us. The evil serpents of C'tis have been overthrown, and the secrets their Archmage leader had secreted in his Mausoleum are now ours."

"Most excellent. I now have a home away from home... although it does strike me..." Irma quirked her lips in what was almost a smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty? Do you need anything?"

Irma shook her head slightly. "A small lesson in statecraft, Baron Ulrich. As you recall, the Illuminated Society recently paid me a call, asking for a place they could carry out their plots and schemes. Naturally, I could not give them the Keep, but..."

Ulrich smiled as well. "Now you have another Fortification that they can occupy. They gain access to the Archmage's research..."

"And I gain access to perhaps the best cabal in the world." She rose from her throne. "Baron, send word to the Order and tell them they may have use of the Mausoleum. Eata should be able to carry my words to them. Now, if there is nothing else..." His small cough interrupted her. "Yes? Is there something else?"

"We have sighted the Spiders of Machaka on our northwest frontier, Great Lady."

"Ah... hopefully a worthier adversary than the snakes. Has my coven finished my accouterments yet?"

"They have, My Lady."

"Then I must give Machaka a proper welcome, now mustn't I?"

--

At the battle in C'tis, they had their Archmage (AAAADDDD and something else), a Shaman, and their Serpent Dancers. What they were missing was a Priest to bless them. Had they had one, the assault may have gone differently. In any event, not much to talk about there. About the scariest thing (NPI) was the Archmage's Terror spells.

But they died, and I lost few units.

I was able to purchase the Farstrikers.

Arcoscephale made a Strategos their Prophet. At least I know they're playing the base theme.

Machaka is 2 provinces away from Ulm to the NE. To be more specific, there are 2 provinces that are adjacent both to Ulm and their territory that I can see.

My battle plan for the moment is to try to swallow up as much territory between me and them as a buffer.

One attack squad, made up of Dante's Stingers, Arnaud's Farstrikers, and Ulrich's Morningstars, is attacking Zanthrast, a province cradled by C'tis, Zimmria, and Fenatice.

The second squad, made up of Karl's forces, attacks Akesta, above Zanthrast.

The third squad, Irma by herself, is attacking Cun Aral, the province between Machaka and Ulm that I have positive dominion in. She has the equipment I forged for her Last turn, with orders of (Quickness)/(Stoneskin)/(Earth Might)/Attack Rear. I am slightly concerned that she is going after Barbarians, who if they can get through the Ethereal/Luck combo, can do some serious damage.

My wolfherds (2 in C'tis and 1 in Ulm) all Summon Wolves.

Ulga, Evita, and Coma in Ulm all Research.

Eata moves to C'tis to Research/protect from bad events.

Taxes in Zimmria and C'tis are increased to 80% and 90% respectively.

In Ulm, a Fortuneteller and 4 Rangers are recruited.
In C'tis, a Member of the Second Tier is recruited.

Status:

Treasury 0
Income 386 (+56)
Upkeep 68 (+4)
Gems: 5A/2S/19D/4N
Gem Income: +1S/+6D/+3N (C'tis, booyah)
Research: 21 points, researching Enchantment 1

... and I've caught up to where I was a couple of months ago. (Don't worry. I haven't been playing.) From now on, it's 2.12 (albeit with a VQ that is illegal under 2.12).