[llamabeast]

When the Pantokrator disappeared and portents foretold the return of the goddess, there was much celebration amongst the tribes of Sauromatia. The time for honourable war had come again! And once more, the androphags would have something to eat...

And yet, the ancient witch king sat on his throne, and did nothing. The tribes clamoured for action, but the king was too old... he had sat for centuries, gradually consumed by the necromantic magic that kept him from aging, and now he was unable to adapt to the changes taking place around him.

The warrior princesses fought back their frustration, but there seemed nothing they could do - and so the Sauromatian empire stagnated, while those around them expanded rapidly in the new climate of change and empire-building. Then, one morning, the witch king was found dead, poisoned by the blade of an unknown assassin. It seemed the anger of the tribes had grown too much.

While the warrior priestesses and lesser witch kings of the tribes chose a new leader (by means of combat, of course), the High Priestess Sheap took over command of the empire, rapidly dynamising it and raising armies with the vast stockpiles of gold hoarded by the old witch king. An assault from Agartha in the north west was fought off and the position of the tribes was greatly improved.

Now a new ruler has been chosen, and a new witch king sits on the throne. His coronation coincided with the return of the goddess, which was seen as a good portent. The armies of Sauromatia have already swarmed over the surrounding independent provinces, tripling the size of their empire in only two months.

A peace has been found with the Agarthans. They can hardly be blamed for trying to capture the territory of the stagnant empire, but with both sides now possessing large armies a peace treaty seems prudent for both sides.

An army of Arcoscpehale has also been encountered to the east. It is hoped that peace can be negotiated with them as well - the Sauromatians haveplenty of other places to direct their desire for honourable warfare.

A new dawn has arisen for the Sauromatian tribes. They will show honour and respect to those who treat them likewise. Those who do not can expect to be poisoned by hydras, cut down by amazons and eaten by androphags.