MP Game - Yarnspinners

[Sedna]

Turn 15, R'lyeh

My little corner of this world is slowly taking shape. I am unbounded to the north, and can expand there for some time without interference from others. I've become quite confident in my ability to eat and rout these measly humans. My next attack will be on a heavily defended province, but Death doesn't scare me, I met him at this party on Epsilon Eridani one time... a very dry sense of humor.

I was told by lunch that the other would-be-gods are outpacing me in magical research now that I've left my dark undersea lab to feast. I'll summon some brains, but I don't really expect them to discover much without my brilliant tentacle guiding them.

I've chosen a site for my first coastal province. It is a good site, with moderately useful human crossbows, a library for sages, and a pleasant little path running down the cliffs to tide-pools where humans often bring their children to play. I anticipate many good spawns....

My first task force is going to spend a few seasons regrouping. Meteorite guards have an annoying habit of scattering in battle, and some sort of fodder is necessary to protect my precious, nummy, Illithids. I'll... "volunteer" a few humans to replace them, and collect some of the less pathetic runaways. They deserve death, not a second chance at glory, so I'll be sure to put them at the front of my formations with orders to attack the k-nig-its. A second task force is slowly making their way upriver through the mud to Red Lake, where they shall burst forth upon the witless inhabitants, spewing death.

[CuriousCat]

Machaka: Turn 14

Cetewayo was livid. The only good news he had received in the month was a few nature gems being found in one of his territories. As if he had a use for them at the moment... At least none of the other pretenders in the world had attacked. Of course, it didn't seem that there was a need since his useless subjects couldn't deal with a handful of independents. Killing a few villagers calmed him a bit... but only a bit. He felt a little guilty. He could hardly afford to loose anyone from his domain. He was a little confused by the upset his little diVersion caused. Wasn't he not quite living proof that there was life after dead?

He had plenty of pressing concerns to get his mind off of the army's failure. Man was to the North, a large and intimidating presence. Across the river, the nation of Caelum was attempting to complete the box that would make it impossible for Machaka to flourish...

He had to put the bad news behind him and salvage what he could. Babu would become prophet. He might not be the best possible choice, but he was the best available choice. Hopefully a prophet would help bolster the domain while it recovered from recent setbacks.

[magnate]

Ok, looks like we're down to three regular yarnspinners:

Turn 12: R'lyeh 2, Arco 2, Machaka 2
Turn 13: R'lyeh 2, Arco 2, Machaka 3

Totals after turn 13:
Abysia 14
Arco 27
Atlantis 2
Caelum 4
Ermor 20
Machaka 19
Man 12
Mictlan 6
R'lyeh 17
Vanheim 4

Hope the rest of you are still enjoying it,

CC

[CuriousCat]

Machaka: Turn 15

"Master, a messenger from Man has arrived," nervously stated the messenger. He recalled the previous messenger from Caelum and the foul mood Cetewayo had displayed as a result. After the past months' military failures, the messenger was justifiably concerned that being near the god could soon become dangerous to one's health.

"Yes, show him in." Cetewayo again wished for the splendor of the Capital. After the military failures, the camp wasn't terribly impressive as an example of imposing military might. Of course, rumors reported that Man may have had a few stumbles recently, even, if rumor were to be believed, to the loss of their false god. Of course, that would only be temporary. Even the pitifully weak priests of Man would see that their deity returned.

Cetewayo was, again, concerned. Man was rumored to be the most powerful faction in the world. Even with the temporary loss of their leader... it would not do to 'upset' them. Diplomacy was so - distasteful. However, in this case it was more than necessary. It might be the only hope for survival. Regardless, he would not be a beggar. His nation was not without resources. Hopefully, allies could yet be found and the current situation remedied. In the mean time though, enemies would be most unfortunate.

The man entered. He was indeed a man. However, there was something almost imperceptibly subtle that hinted at something else. Cetewayo knew that few others in the world at this time would notice these slight differences. An even smaller number would have the necessary experience to know the fact to which these differences hinted. Cetewayo, however, was from a time long past and had seen the Tuatha himself. Indeed, he remembered the potency of their magic. Thankfully, their time had passed. However, these men had inherited more than a little of that magic, along with an air of otherness and an oh so slight exotic cast to their features.

The herald announced, "The honored emissary, Olwin of the Vale, representative of the faction of Man." Olwin performed an acceptable obeisance, nothing extravagant, yet not disrespectful.

"Welcome to our lands Olwin." stated Cetewayo as he observed the young man. Olwin was obviously a bit warm. The lands of the Machaka were uncomfortable for most races. However, this man was not suffering as the emissary from Caelum had suffered. Olwin did betray some arrogance as well. However, it was more the condescension of the 'Civilized' toward the tribal 'primitive' instead of the disdain for an inferior form of life the winged messenger had evidenced. Again, Cetewayo wished to be in the Capital. Balakavo would have driven such assumptions of superiority out of this one. Indeed, these were cross-breed woodsmen! Cetewayo forced himself to control his temper before anything unfortunate could happen. This man did represent the most powerful nation in the region, if not the world, after all. He continued, "Would you care for some refreshment?" as he gestured to a tray bearing an assortment of libations.

The selection included the native Kaf, heated of course, as well as a variety of chilled drinks, some imported from the Vale itself. To Cetewayo's surprise Olwin reached out and lifted the cup of Kaf. He inhaled the aroma and displayed obvious pleasure. Either the man was an accomplished actor or he enjoyed the smell. Olwin then replaced the cup. "Kaf is a rare treat that is indeed a welcome refreshment during the winter in my homeland. However, in this heat it would not be so refreshing. Instead, if you would not think less of me, I will partake of this excellent vintage." stated Olwin as he selected the best of the chilled wine from the Vale.

The two continued rather meaningless pleasantries until finally arriving at their business. "My mistress does not desire war at this time," stated Olwin, "However, if you commit an offense against our dominion, such offense will bring swift retribution from the Vale."

"Indeed, I would expect nothing less," responded Cetewayo.

An eon of meaningless formalities and pleasantries later Cetewayo was again alone with his thoughts. Reconstituting the army was first priority. However, gathering more intelligence about the world situation had to remain a high priority as well. Rumor could only tell him so much. More concrete information would be required.

[Alneyan]

Since I have received only two turn files for the current turn (Machaka and R'lyeh), I will take the liberty of postponing the turn for an undetermined period of time. Having more than half the players stale does not simply look like a good idea.

Incidentally Magnate, can I interest you in actually playing in the game? Three nations are currently virtually leaderless, so I suppose you could play one or two among them (they are Atlantis, Abysia and Mictlan). A typical turn is very fast for them, and would not take more than a few minutes, receiving and sending the turn included.

[puffyn]

---- Arcoscephale, Turn 15 ----

On the one hand, I now have five more glorious elephants. On the other hand, I had forgotten what it was like to be around Amshula.

"So this is your shrine, is it?" she said in lieu of the pleasantries exchanged by normal people on first meeting. "I thought you were going for something a little more, you know, grand." She ran a finger over a slightly uneven section of wall. "But the rustic look kind of works, too."

I breathed in and out, carefully. Think of the elephants, I thought to myself. We leave tomorrow to fight an unknown and potentially powerful force, headed by some self-styled Queen Unu'ishimma, and I do not know what to expect there. I am even open to the idea that reports of numerous horned serpents among her troops must be taken at face value. And Amshula, for some reason, commands respect among the troops as someone who would be helpful in this fight.

But why, I really couldn't say.

"Thymbre always felt that simple was better than ornate and overdone," I replied. If she proceeded to be contrary, then perhaps I would have an excuse to... but no. Mustn't give her an excuse to run off into the fens looking for mystical midges or some sort. Not before I got the elephants under my command, that is. I settled for a small jab.

"After all, what's the point of fancy and ornate month-long ceremonies if they don't, you know, find anything?"

---

[magnate]

Alneyan - thanks for the offer, that's very kind. Sadly my video card has just died so I have no access from home at the moment.

I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable in any case, but at least I have an excuse for the time being!

I guess there aren't going to be any more yarns for turn 14, so I'll put the scores up as soon as I get a breather here.

CC

[Alneyan]

I will start writing a yarn on tomorrow (our time), but that will be for turn 15.

Oh, and to go on with the fun, Karacan seems to be AWOL at the moment, and I haven't heard anything from Caelum and Vanheim for the Last few days. Of course, Abysia and Atlantis are still leaderless, so that means only Arcoscephale, Machaka, Man and R'lyeh are being played.

Should we wait a little while longer, while attempting once more to find a replacing player or three? The only other option I can think of would be "everybody plays two nations, and we ask a kind third party to check for things such as gems gifts and the like".

I see no problem with your playing Magnate; the only matter would be if you submitted yarns, as rating them would be a bit hard. Maybe the other players could do the rating, or we would simply follow some sort of guideline, or another benevolent player outside the game.

[Alneyan]

Here goes a double post. I will be attempting to lure in a few French players to this game, and hopefully one or two will be interested enough to step in.

Otherwise, another drastic solution would be for me to withdraw as Man, to find a player for this nation, and to take care of all the others.

[Yvelina]

I play Vanheim. I am really having trouble getting into this game. It is just too long between turns when you are not 'yarning', and I keep forgetting about them. And then my Last turn got lost (the Last I sent, I just forgot about the very Last one)

Vanheim is doing JUST fine. I am still in the running... It's just that I cannot get myself to run. And we really chose poorly in beginning the yarn. My boyfriend and I tried to write as if we were writing about each other. I.e. I was imitating his style of thinking, and he mine. What a mess, really.