MP Game - Yarnspinners

[Cheezeninja]

--Abysia turn 2--


The city was ever so slowly starting to wake up, like a drunk coming out of an overlong stupor. Mutterings and incantations could be heard from the wizards tower again, the smithy hammers were clanging again, the giant waterwheels of the mills were turning again, and men once more moved with a sense of purpose. And everywhere there was Vaphoron, telling anyone who would listen that their new Queen was no mere mortal, but the incarnation of the One Goddess herself! Vaphoron was truly one gifted with words and many a heart did he sway... though in darker circles it was sometimes said he was gifted with daggers as well. But one had only to be in the presence of the new Queen (who was swiftly elected by the council after the rather sudden retirement of the King... and do Kings really 'retire' anyway?) to feel that She was something beyond ordinary. The sight of Her lofting through the air towards the castle and the quiver of excitement, lust, and fear it sent through all who viewed it swayed even more hearts that Vaphoron's clever tounge.

[deccan]

When is zapmeister going to award points? At the end of it all?

[Zapmeister]

deccan said:
When is zapmeister going to award points? At the end of it all?

A running total of points for story text is maintained in the first post of this thread. Points for score graphs will be awarded at the end of the game.

[YellowCactus]

---Mictlan 2---
(Accounts of a warrior-slave)

Three pillars, carved of ancient Oak, were sunken today. Planted deep into the barren salt flats near Bestula. For nearly a season we've labored here. Preparing the alter of Sethra 'the Lustful Mother of us all!' to recieve infernal courtship. So now we wait, shivering upon these cold plains for that which SHE calls 'Bune'. Tents stand against the salty sands, and supply wagons roll in weekly, bearing news of Mother Sethra's glorious Ascention. Sometimes I wander what a 'Bune' is....but Lord Templar Ninamous seems confident enough something will come through eventually.

[Karacan]

Ermor: Turn 2

Angmar, my army's general, has returned successfully from the village near my tomb. A little bloodshed was required to part the villagers from their valuables, but noone who was not expendable was damaged, and the corpses will serve my purposes well. The surviving villagers are apparently unhappy, but they will soon see the wisdom of my way.

Already my wealth has attracted a band of willing followers. Magnus' Crossbows has arrived in front of my dark keep, willing to fight for me as long as I am willing to pay them.

Magnus brings with him rumours from distant lands, and they tell of the rising of false gods and the fools that worship them. In Abysia, Arcoscephale and Caelum, words of false faith are spread with enthusiasm by false and powerless prophets. Only I know what is good for the world, and the world hear only me.

My spies and scouts also finally deliver the reports of the nearby provinces' military strengths, and after some consideration I decide to send Angmar and the mercenaries into a rich farmland province, while I myself conduct a ritual of my ancient home, calling an elder spirit skilled in magic to my aid.

It is time for battle, for I am Noth, Lover of War.

[Yvelina]

--- Vanheim II ---

One thing’s for sure. If I need the enemy thoroughly counted, I have the man for it. I sent a scout north to see how the local toughs feel about joining my glorious campaign… It seems that they were more interested in archery practice. My guy had to dodge some arrows, but he managed to get a good feel for the enemy’s numbers. Hell, he actually got an exact count. I would have preferred a few ears, and I would have settled for a lower count. Sixty seven men under arms, and even the archers are better armoured than anyone under my command. I am not sending troops in there. Green as my men are, they are bound to be decimated…

It’s a big cosmic joke. It seems that one of the things I taught them has stuck – everyone and his grandmother thinks he's a competant navigator. So, of course, every province near Vanheim has a port, and a sizable city that must have grown around it. Oh, and a sizable group of well-equipped, mounted mercenaries guarding it. As much as I hate to admit it, my own troops are a joke compared to what surrounds us.

I am not getting enough recruits, and news of my return are not spreading as fast as I would like it. The one decent wizard that showed up has a hard time bending the knee. I had hoped that he would become my prophet, but he remains unconvinced. I know one way, but then I would have to raise him, and frankly, I do not like undead. He spends all his time in the library, looking for who knows what.

This whole ascension business will be more challenging that I thought.

[Tuidjy]

Caelum, Turn 2


I had hoped that I would find in Caelum the peace that I was denied in the
grave. It was not meant to be. Our little nation is an island of calm in the
middle of a sea of turmoil. As my self-proclaimed prophet spreads the word of
our achievements, pilgrims from the nearby provinces flock to the temple. They
bear grim news. Ruthless warlords, fanatic tribal chiefs, and hedge wizards
have gathered bands of brigands and unemployed mercenaries, and have
proclaimed themselves lords of nearby lands. They take anything they like from
the small folks, and drown any protests in blood.

Not a day goes by without some dust-covered traveler asking for our help. The
stories are similar, but every new one makes it harder for me to ignore the
pleas. I am not sure why, but I am starting to feel reponsible to those who
place their faith in me and my followers. The Prophet feels the same, I think.
He is preparing for a journey to the south – he hopes to sway the local warlord
into aligning himself with us. I am worried about the boy. He is taking only
a few warriors as an escort, fearing to give offense or to appear threatening.
He says that his faith will be his shield, but I know that I am no deity, and
am very glad he is taking his ice aegis with him.

While he is gone, his place in the library will be taken by an Arch Seraph that
recently joined us. He is very old, and remembers the glory days of Caelum. I
think he offered his services because he thought that we have a chance to
restore order and peace in the former imperial lands. Somehow, I appreciate
his trust a lot more than any blind belief, no matter how ardent. I am quite
impressed with the old guy. He is a master of air magic and quite comfortable
with water and nature. It is strange, though, that once he manages to teach me
any spell, I am able to cast it with less strain and more power than he does.
He is firmly convinced that I have great potential, and insists we concentrate
on Alteration spells. Supposedly, these will help keep me around long enough
to come into my power, which he insists is considerable.

Unfortunately, I am not the only one. All across the world, beings of unusual
power have arisen, and are expanding their spheres of influence. Liches,
vampires, ancient gods and ambitious titans, they all seek to forge empires.
Maybe I am worrying for nothing - they may be driven by their believers’ best
interests, and yearn for peace and prosperity, just as I do.

I certainly hope so...