MP Game - Yarnspinners

[magnate]

Points for turn 10 yarns: Arco 2, Ermor 1, Machaka 2, Man 2, R'lyeh 2. In case anyone is interested in the precision of this extremely blunt scoring instrument, this turn provides two excellent examples of borderline cases, over which I agonised for some minutes. Ermor is *just* shy of the normal 2 points, and R'lyeh is nanometres away from only 1 point. The line has to be drawn somewhere, and if anybody gives a damn, that's it. Still waiting for my first three-pointer ....

Totals after turn 10:
Abysia 14
Arco 20
Atlantis 2
Caelum 4
Ermor 18
Machaka 12
Man 12
Mictlan 6
R'lyeh 11
Vanheim 4

Points for turn 11 yarns on Thursday.

Rgds,

CC

[Sedna]

Not to sound like a freak with nothing better to do, but...

Was there a delay in hosting? I was under the impression that the turn was going to run today.

[Alneyan]

There has been an annoying delay (involving my computer and a crash), and so the turn will only be executed in a few minutes.

After that, the next turn will run on Friday evening (and not Thursday evening, due to this delay), GMT. My apologises for this problem.

[Alneyan]

Abysia has missed the two Last (or possibly three) turns; does anyone know if the player for Abysia is away, or has left the game? (Abysia itself is not doing too badly)

[CuriousCat]

Machaka: Turn 11

---------------

Cetewayo had many concerns. Primary among these, expanding his territory and with it his power. The recent search for magic in the plains had mixed results. No new source of magic was found. However, a valuable, if mundane, gem mine was found at the edge of the plains. In the short term, this was actually good news. Increased income would quickly result in improved ability to purchase weapons and recruit new units for the army. But would it be enough? During his... illness... squabbling and power plays among the various factions of the Priesthood had resulted in very little progress. The army was too small, there weren't enough people in the research cabals... So many demands.

Well, he was making progress, the army would soon be large enough to consider further territorial expansion. Now, to reassert control WITHIN his empire. This was a thorny problem. He had to assert his power, to seem unassailable. He could not, however, afford to become the rabid lion which would motivate the various factions of the priesthood to unite against him. Especially difficult was the possibility that one or another of these factions was responsible for his "illness". They had a great deal of magical ability and power... but that much? He had to drive home the point that they were HIS priests - that much of their power had its source in HIM. To that end...

At that moment the young priest, Babu, entered. "Master, you summoned me." the priest humbly stated.

Cetewayo smiled and said, "Yes, indeed, I want you to know that I am very pleased and impressed with you." He then hesitated to see what the young man's response would be. To his great pleasure there was no visible response. "Yes, this one would do quite well." he thought to himself. Aloud, he continued, "You are to return to the capital, and be promoted to senior Voice of the Lord."

Shocked, Babu objected, "Master, the leadership will be extremely unhappy - they will not allow me to assume such authority. I am not even a full priest yet. How can I leap from such a low position to one of the highest?"

Cetewayo responded, "You will assume the position on MY authority. The priesthood will be notified of my wishes in their dreams. You will use all of your talents to observe the reactions of your fellow priests. You will find any of your fellows who are... untrustworthy and report them to me."

"Yes, master," Babu tremulously replied. He realized that the next weeks could be the most difficult of his life, as well as possibly his Last. "Master I have further news." Travelers from across the river have arrived in camp. They claim that the ice fairies have come down from their mountains and occupied their homeland."

"They cannot be allowed to cross the river. Babu, after achieving rank, you will assume control of the army and march on the river province west of the capital. I will meet you there. We must cut off the ice fairies approach to the capital." Cetewayo forcefully stated.

After Babu was dismissed Cetewayo again pondered the current state of the world. He was in a deep hole. The presence of Caelum on the border was the worst piece of news he had received since emerging from the crypt. The cold that Caelum brought with them would be very difficult to deal with, and make even a temporary alliance... difficult for both sides. Well, they would have to stay on the other side of the river or they would face the heat of Machaka. On the other front, if Babu survived the dangers of both the capital and the battlefield, he would be a good candidate to become the official Prophet of the Lord. THAT would send a message to the priests. Of course, if he died at the capital Cetewayo would learn a great deal from what happened and from what quarter. Either way, his ends would be served.

[Sedna]

Turn 12, R'lyeh

Undead are so mealy-tasting. Ghouls at least have a little texture, a hint of artificial flavoring. Soulless? Gah! And they never break, so after a while it's just chomp, chomp, chomp. Yet another minion from the beyond the grave, come to devour my brains. As if they could survive that experience. But they never really fill me up, I just get so tired and depressed. God... Yes? Sorry, little joke there.

But, for the greater glory of me, I am called upon to do unpleasant things every once in a while. For next month I've sighted a nice coastal province defended by not-too-crunchy humans. I expect sun-tanned, perfect limbs, with just a hint of salt, and maybe some tropical fruit flavors in there somewhere.

I see so many neighbors now. I'll try to communicate with them, but relying on dolphins to carry Messages has its drawbacks. Our minds have such different ways of handling syntax and meaning. And the brains of the smartest ones are like delicate little flowers of flavor... so I end up sending the dumb ones with Messages.

I really shouldn't carve these ritual history pillars on an empty stomach.

The rest is pretty much just shuffling minions; regrouping my forces to push further onto land into heavily defended provinces, where men dress in giant metal cans and ride tiny little herbivores. It sullies me even to contend with their kind- I've seen worlds snuffed out at a word, C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate...

[puffyn]

---- Arcoscephale, Turn 12 ----

Perhaps now I understand.

Whispers come from the furthest corners of this strange country. Men claim that the gods have returned, and flock to their side, forging empires out of what used to be quiet hamlets and backwaters. Thym... Thymbre knew that these madmen with delusions of god-hood had to be put in their place, or the light of human reason would forever be subdued to the darkness of religious slavery. To stop this descent requires a charismatic leader (Limmy), and a base of power, an empire (which is mine to forge).

This month we march south against Golana, the Last province bordering our home village which has not pledged allegiance to us. The locals describe the Golanites with all sorts of vile slurs, most commonly calling them "lizards" in the local dialect. I look forward to bringing these people together, by the sword if need be.

My new weapon is the mighty elephant. These beasts, far larger than any animal native to Greece, make fearsome weapons of war when properly trained by the locals. They have a tendency to startle easily, crushing our own men, but I am sure the valor of a full phalanx of Silver Shields will give all our troops courage.

Spring has come to these lands, and the slow trek up the mountains, and mad retreat back (in which Limmy was my constant, annoying companion) seem like a bad dream. When... I try not dwell on it, and realize what happened there... it is a bad dream from which I know I shall never awake.

If death awaits me in the swamps of Golana, I shall not cheat it again.
---

[magnate]

Many thanks to Puffyn for proving that it doesn't all have to be about length - I really felt for Pandokos!

Points for turn 11 yarns: Arco 3, Ermor 2, Machaka 2, R'lyeh 2

Totals after turn 11:
Abysia 14
Arco 23
Atlantis 2
Caelum 4
Ermor 20
Machaka 14
Man 12
Mictlan 6
R'lyeh 13
Vanheim 4

Points for turn 12 yarns on .... I dunno - when's turn 13 running? Some time in the next few days, anyway.

Rgds,

CC

[CuriousCat]

Machaka: Turn 12

Babu entered the capital, Balakayo showing what he hoped was considerably more confidence than he felt. Of course, he knew that his god was with him... in spirit anyway, but it would have been much nicer if Cetewayo was present in the not quite flesh. The minor irony of wishing for the physical presence of a ghost managed to distract him for a moment from the greater concerns of dealing with the established priestly hierarchies and overcoming any obstacles that might be put before him.

He went directly to the high temple and was surprised to find a convocation of senior priests awaiting him there. They were already aware of his mission and of the fact that Cetewayo had given him authority. Babu was pleased that the primary emotions he could sense were relief and gratitude. Of course, those with other feelings would never have achieved this level of influence without considerable talent at choosing what emotions they would display. Babu was happy, nevertheless, that the dreaded confrontation had not occurred. He quickly gathered the local reserves and moved, as ordered, to attack the rich province of Syzran. He decided to take one of the most powerful sorcerers from the capital to ensure victory.

Success. Finally. Cetewayo had observed Babu and his performance on the battlefield, but had not interfered. The priest had led well and had used his powers in battle to maintain the morale of the his troops. Indeed, that was what had won the day. The losses were significant on both sides, however the locals had no higher purpose, no divine inspiration. In the end, they broke and ran. Cetewayo noted that Babu had followed his orders quite precisely. However, he also made note of the addition - Azaan the sorcerer. One decision remained, was Babu's initiative a good thing?

[Sedna]

Turn 13, R'lyeh

The sun-kissed residents of my latest conquest were everything I look for in a meal, but I hate it when they run away before I'm done. I cornered the Last one in the deepest stacks of the local library and sucked out his brain (very quietly).

Unfortunately I quarreled with Mr. Flibbles. His reports from the front have become so boring and lifeless that I shouted at him. And now he doesn't hear my voice anymore, and I just don't know where he has gone. Poor Mr. Flibbles... out of the sea...

I guess I didn't expect god-hood to be so much work. As a god, should I concern myself with adjusting tax rates in every province I own, every month? I've mustered my army to help with the whole conquering thing. They're attacking a strong province this month. If they don't all die, I'll hurl them against a city next.

Cthugul hasn't summoned anything cool in ages. I got a new Starspawn, but he really is quite stupid, and doesn't know any of the really nasty spells. My home province was hit by a "bad omen", and now one of my Illithids is cursed for the rest of his life. I mean, "a bad omen"? I can see how the slaves might be a little upset by that, but lifetime trauma? What's next, I get sued for not providing adequate emotional support or something? Gah. It's just too hard to eat everyone who deserves it.

The fire humans have done nothing for many months now. Some leadership crisis perhaps? It would be rather un-sporting to attack them in their current state, but perhaps that is all I need, food with a little more heat. The only other option are the dead lands. Powerful, yes, worthy? unlikely... but ugh. The taste. It makes me shudder.

I have ever been waiting thus. Dreaming...