This is my first AAR, happy to take short questions/comments but not strategy advice. I'll normally be having a turn (or 2...) then posting, with the gaps increasing over time.
I'm avoiding (most?) game exploits, not using teleport, etc. I'm assuming the AI has been significantly improved.
Italics are aside comments to readers.
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Jordan slowly crept through the royal library, barefoot tiptoeing past the sleeping archivist as the moonlight bounced around the silver-edged books. Having recently turned 18, Jordan was legitimately able to access the royal histories, even if the king and queen rather that they remained untouched. Things were not so easy “in the old days” and the language matched the harsh conditions. Of course, things were not much better now, with war constantly on the horizon and allies threatening to become enemies. Jordan was also motivated knowing that Alexis, the youngest royal, would be insanely jealous. Reaching the locked shelves, and using the royal key received as a birthday present, Jordan unlocked the cabinets and reached in, past the dried rats-tail, green bear paw, and chipped midnight stone, to grab the first book.
Its spine cracked and pages smelling old, it was unlike the books in the recently constructed buildings. Undoing the protective bindings, Jordan turned the first page over, barely recognizing the scrawl that the young Celestan, the not-quite-eager-monarch, had used…
Day 1, of the rest of my life
My name is Celestan, this is my journal. I am the eldest child of Zekerebast and Kiloseevemee, dirt farmers with a fertile plot of land a few dozen metres long and a dozen wide. My life used to be hard but simple, the largest threat I faced was being beaten by my twin elder brothers each time we played “warlord” by the ancient ruined fort. My father’s father was a teacher, and we still have the tattered readers – my father is barely literate but words hold great meaning to me. They make sense. I like the idea of being a traveller, with just some books and no worries. Now look at me.
It began last winter. My life’s role was to take the goats out to find anything edible for them, so we can live off their milk and eventual meat. I like the outdoors. I cannot stand being inside for long. One of those days with the goats, we were caught by a sand-blizzard. It was rough enough to take the skin off and so we sheltered in caves. While the goats licked the fungal walls, I braved my fear and explored deeper and eventually found a great shimmering blue crystal, an ancient shard I learned later. Touching it, I experienced cold warmth across my body, a tingling lethargy that deeply scared me. But soon the walls seemed to pulsate and close in on me, so I quickly left it, trying to forget it. I later on went home with the goats, crystal unspoken. Nightmares of closing cave walls lasted for days.
Weeks later I was far south chasing vultures for their eggs, and got lost and deeply hungry. I feared for my life from the local bears, bandits and wolves. I curled near a long-dead tree. As I leaned against it, I wished with all my heart that it still bore fruit. Again the tingling lethargy filled my body, but this time spread from me, into the tree and into the land around. It was filled with verdant life, an area dozens times larger than the family farm! When I got home and told my family, my brothers scoffed, but my parents not so. With the few books we possessed, with tales of strange machines and magic, they said it sounded like the act of a channeller. Once they saw the verdant grassland they were convinced. They said great things will now happen, word of my power will spread, and strangers will feel threatened, so life will never be the same again.
My time is now. We will reclaim our lost heritage.
World: Xobril: Medium World, 10 Opponents, all Victory conditions, Hard Difficulty Creatures and minor Factions enabled, normal pacing
Sovereign: Celestan Tracker (goat-hunter), Attunement (crystal energy), Brilliant (lover of words) Insane (claustrophobic)
Faction: Zauberer Wanderlust, Educated, Resourceful, Influencial
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Spring, 159
My parents were right. A travelling peddler somehow heard about my abilities, and he said he would tell others. My parents even gave him one of our few sacks of potatoes to do so. He seemed in awe of me, saying that I would inspire others, like the magical kings of old, even jibbing that I needed to settle a kingdom and start producing heirs as soon as possible! As he said, I am one of the few, one of the mighty, one of the channellers in this forsaken land. Some great energy is welling up inside me. Whatever these powers emerging in me are I do not know, but I know that my scattered people need a hero and I will heed their call. Although a silly old man, he was right. I realized I needed to take stock of my surroundings, and of what natural resources lay near me.
With my magic, now I am the warlord, or lord of magic even. My older two brothers Xavier and Zach have promised to work with me, to be my guardians, my sentinels, and I have promised to share my power with them. If there is a throne then I think they can have it, as the idea of being trapped inside a castle scares me. I want nothing to do with something as huge as a town. I don’t know how much my life growing up on my parent’s scratch farm will help, I’ve walked hardly more than ½ a day away my entire life, the world is unknown to me. This morning I set out, to survey the land around me from atop Goat hill with my messenger vulture (we used to use pigeons, but the vultures ate them – bad for us, worse for the pigeons).
I can see very little – the deadwood forests spread west and east, the verdant land to the west and that crystal somewhere to the north. There is a distant shore east, and far to the south I recall ruins that my father and I explored many years ago and found those books.
While my father started preparing a great house of light to attract all good-hearted peoples, I sent Xavier south and Zach west and I bought some good travelling boots, and a spare set, and explored the local area. Zach has reported sighting our distant uncle, Ratek, in the hills and is heading his way. To my great surprise there were old bandit camps just a few days north, filled with old materials (25+10)! It’s been a hard but interesting winter, but a fairly good start to my new life. I've even had the chance to keep reading my books, reading about the quests of old and the knowledge they needed.
At this stage I briefly considered starting over (Ctrl-N?) due to the lack of buildings around me, but decided to keep going regardless. The materials somewhat negated taking resourceful as part of my faction, but hopefully metal will be rarer. The library south has influenced my strategy clearly, ‘quests’ here I come! I’ll keep using the sentinels to explore south and west to find people, and Ratek was a good tech-focused find as once joined, he can search those locations, so I can swing East and North.
Summer, 159 AC
These bandits were advanced, I found a stash (8) of metal! Ratek was willing to join my cause for a stipend, to pay for relocation costs and to overlook my brother Zach's lack of education, and immediately added his technical skills to my research. Father says the tower goes well, but is concerned that the fertile land needs looking after as well. I'd send mother out, but I doubt she'd be impressed at that idea! I'm sure it'll be fine by next Spring. Meanwhile, Xavier has mentioned seeing several females. I'm not surprised, as he took those papers from under his bed. But he promises they are real ones, which is a possibility as our second cousins live out that way, although we have not heard from them in years.
Rilis? Me want!
Fall, 159 AC
While Zach keeps heading west, I sent Ratek circling towards the south. Meanwhile, not only did Xavier make contact with one of the heavily clad women, Rilis, she seemed almost eager to join us for free. Almost. But most of my remaining limited resources was worth it. Rilis immediately wanted to head inland towards something glinting she'd seen, so I sent Ratek some new directions by vulture mail, and headed on. I later learned Xavier almost immediately caused trouble ...
So while my brothers were finding old and new friends, I manage to nearly get myself lost on the edges of the northern arctic lands. I'd managed to find MORE metal, and then an old Ventri mine. That explains all the metal, although not the midnight stone that weighed down my pocket (apparently Ratek has one too?). I think I'll curve around quickly to the North, this coast line looks pretty close and is bound to hit mountains soon enough.
Got Rilis, got no cash. I get the feeling nothing much is up here.
Winter, 159 AC
Much discontent. My eagerness for Rilis has obliterated the family coffers. We cant buy seed to plant the new fertile land. Father is furious. Being on the wintery front is now a good thing. I've sighted that to the NW probaby lies mountains, I'll go and see, but it might mean going past Home again. The Rilis/Xavier and Ratek/Zach teams are working well enough, my brothers do the hard scouting work, while the specialists sweep in where they need to go. One phenomenal find is a second ruins of a library, of which we had no idea! Apparently Rilis spent time there, so knew about it, as a young girl. Apparently she is also no blood relative, which makes the wheels of my mind turn.
I need to check out some of these distant "Inns". I hate buildings and the idea of four walls around me is unbearable, but I can not put it off any longer. Well, maybe just for another year or so as they are pretty far away.
Should not have taken the risk and bought extra boots for me to carry in case I ran into someone. I'm sure the small delay in development will be made up though, with 3 people searching. I've also realised I did not get a Janusk! Is this a feature of a more difficult setting?
Spring-Summer, 160 AC
New rule, stuff the pairs! I was right about the mountains, I had to curve around near home, wasting good time to avoid those uncrossable peaks (if only I could reduce them...), but now head into the grassland to the north. Meanwhile, we've made contact with another group of people, of a fallen race, the Magnar. Father tells me they are exceptionally dangerous, and when they get going they can be unstoppable. Rilis agreed, and while she detoured to acquire more reusable materials for us (25), she is now heading at greatest speed around to where Ratek is staying. Ratek remains nervous, he is near the Magnar, but has recently been charged by a hag to seek out a magical compass of some kind? He says it should be a simple a-to-b task and will update me in a few months. Back home, our small hut is now crammed with half a dozen strangers, some with magical knowledge enough to start putting together a basic laboratory. I've been encouraging my parents to find someone to go set up a new hut nearer to those libraries. They agree and have been working on all the gear for that, but finding and training someone will take a few months longer. Xavier gets the feeling he is heading into a dead end, which might be good for the distant future, but otherwise has just been a good long walk for him!
Wish I'd gone north first! Bummer.
Fall 160
Things have become a lot more interesting. Firstly, I braved that steel-trap box of an inn, the cheer crowds nearly overwhelmed. The next thing I remember is some young man talking about a great item forged by his great grandfather but needs 3 midnight stones or something. I'm sure I agreed, but how was I to know that his grandfather lived in the gap between me and Magnar! I was thinking of going the other way, I can see some distant abandoned crates on the horizen, when a v-mail from my mother reminded me that i needed to meet up with the others to get their stones, and that girls liked Rilis liked men with some experience, so I really shoud be fighting from the front if I wanted to get on top of things. She's quite right, I better get there ASAP, although I might be too late to make it look like I'm contributing.
Secondly, Magnar is now only one issue - the people of Umber have aggressively introduced themselves as well. They seem peaceful for now, but I have my doubts. Two powerful nasty foes on my doorstep? This does not bode well. Where are the other good people of this land?! Rilis is apparently double-timing around the mountains and Ratek is keeping away from Umber while he seeks the old hag. Zach presses on ever westward, while Xavier confirms that he was right, it was a giant dead-end and now he is going to miss all the action! I've told him to come back north and then head further north, and we'll meet up again some time.
Max pop, no cash. Time to declare war on some enemies to free their resources! I also dont want Rilis to outpace me in experience, although there are other options...
Summer 161
It's been over half a year. Poor Rilis, I treated her badly, making her run back and forth, getting the stone from Ratek, getting it to me, then getting my spare boots, and taking them to Ratek. She'll think I'm a little crazy. Perhaps so.
Anyway, I now have a giant pulsating sovereign sized broadsword. Sweet. That crazy old coot managed to turn three perfect stones and some starmetal into an impressive weapon. I considered giving it to Rilis, but she seemed pretty attached to her "scream, stab and kill" methodology. I did not push her further. So after travelling cross-country, I'm now heading towards Magnar. On my way though I spotted a fiery crystal poking from the ground, it drew my attention like a needle to a lodestone. That area NW of Home looks powerfully promising.
Ratek found us a little money, that went straight into building a farm, the people are demanding bread and circuses - which is all nice, but they'll be getting potatoes. Xavier has scouted west and now met messengers from a well-dressed lord called Kraxis! Good grief, I'm feeling surrounded. He seems reasonable so far, maybe he wont be so bad? Xavier is coming back to help with the battle with Magnar, and maybe he can pick up and pass on some good tips.
Mr Sebastian, a gentleman from Home, has volunteered to settle the new technology focused settlement. He left with little fuss, preferring solitude to a busy 10 person house, although he reports hearing wolf howling near by. Problem is that I think he is right, Zach also has mentioned that and said he has found wolf droppings. Zach has fought ferrets and gophers, surely a wolf wont be too much different? Because of the NW, I've asked mother to find someone else brave enough to go NW - although I may need to clear it of anything really nasty first!
Winter 161
Truly a winter of my discontent, with conflict on two fronts (one of my making). Zach's v-mails were getting quite worried, and he even mentioned seeing a darkling. I've decided that while Magnar is a threat, I can not afford to have a weak southern border, wolves can destroy settlements and all. I turned around and spent most of fall trudging southwards, past where I got my funky sword, and onwards. I was able to visit a second witch hut that Ratek told me about, but she's sent us on to a third, unfortunately I did not have the time to investigate another strange occurance, I needed to get south quickly. To my delight I was able to have a warm meal at the newly established Techne (some ancient word I think). Only Mr Sebastian was there, and he seemed quite friendly, but I could not stay for long. He tells me that the men and women there have built a little laboratory, and researching fiery weapon magic. Fine by me. I've gone out to make some noise to attract that wolf while Zach skirts by. While he should be able to handle it, my sword is now bigger than his (easy as he uses a spear but I love to taunt), and that Darkling looms closeby the same. I'm not sure where Zach should go next, I'm rethinking a far north route for him. There also is that nearby adventurer, who keeps threatening me but I ignore him, he is just talking himself up to get my money and I have very little!
News from Rilis, they have been investigating the nearby hills, picking up some bits and pieces, talking to the witches sister, and have a few destinations to go to on the way back. My tales of ancient quests seems to have opened up some opportunities for them. Both she and Ratek and circling round for an attack on Hanagi, Magnar's only settlement. Really, just ONE Magnar? Rilis wanted to go hunt Magnar herself, he's been sighted further south, but I encouraged her to work with Ratek, with promises of hot random-meat-stew if they are successful. Rilis has been boasting that at least they will be fighting real foes while I'm in the backwaters again, and Ratek seems to be supporting her. Maybe I'll let them lose...
Hanagi without Magnar is unusual with all my nearby loitering, is the AI like me off ignoring it's main city ?
It would have been easy to get one of the neighbours to pay me to declare war but I avoided that sub-cheat. Two battles on the way, lets see if the AI in battle has really improved.
Spring 162
The bloody wolf attacked me! He caught me by surprised and nearly ripped my arm off - luckily not my sword arm. I was able to finish him off with some medium injury. I decided to swing around south and I finished off that darkling too, who was also a lot HARDer than I expected. I've left pretty battered (4 hp) and bruised and am heading north again - I might stay in Techne for a bit, I can cope while its still a hut or 2! Work has started on rebuilding and exploring the ancient ruins of the library to the south, it is closer to Techne so that makes sense. I've encouraged Zach to camp between the two settlements, ready to race to help the other when necessary, but we need some better roads! I've also encouarged both settlements to focus on building some more huts, Home is over stretched (and needs a new name) and Techne will grow quickly with all those libraries to rebuild.
I was thinking, Rilis did not jump into bed with people she just met... what about people she hadn't met? I sent a ring od darkling bone wrapped in wolf hide to her and she accepted my wedding proposal! Excellent. Note to self, visit her sometime soon and meet her face to face.
Note how the border goes weird at the top of the screen near the location? Something odd there.
---I was equally nervous about the wedding as the Magnar battle. Fortunately that too went well, they both took a bit of a battering (Ratek has not stopped complaining for weeks) and are resting up while Magnar makes the next move. Theyve seen him lurking outside, but now we have advantage! Apparently it is quite a town, with a farm and all, and some strange green crystal to the south. I've told them to avoid for now, just rest up over spring, enjoy the lack of cats and dogs and the plentiful meat pies, and keep an eye out. The people of Hanagi seem quite happy to jump sides, though of course that does not bode well if Magnar comes back with a vengence!
AI was much the same as before - wolf and darkling seemed the same, and in Hanagi, I could use Ratek to make the others run around while Rilis just whacked them. Her crushing blow ability is still abusable - just use it last when you only have 1 action left, rather the beginning to use up all her actions.
Oh, and the victory words are mine - not a game feature - though I think they look fine.
Summer 162
Well, it looks like Magnar's strategy was to sit there and moon us. Rilis was not going to have that. After spending most of spring working on her muscle tone (Str 10 to 15 with double leveling), she led Ratek (raised stats to min 10, then to Int) out to a triumphant victory. The waste of space that was Magnar is gone, thanks to a gigantic thrust by Rilis and a tepid poke by Ratek. I have advised them to rest up till at least Winter to regain their strength. Rilis says she'll consider it, and also happens to mention that while defeating Magnar, they decided to scout south-east a bit and, oh, scouted some kind of ancient temple... just like her, such casual mention of something so major! Is it close enough to Riratte, or will I need more settlers? There are some dissidents in Riratte, so I'm getting Rilis to train them up so they can leave and build a new settlement. As I see it, the more small settlements around the better - big ones just scare me.
I've decide to stay in Techne for at least a season as well, those wolf wounds got infected and it will take me several months to fight this infection. But thats fine, there are plenty of tatters of books I can piece together and bind for fun. That adventurer fellow still wanders around - it would be nice if he declared to my side. Maybe after exploring all those glittering areas north of Riratte (the southern one that is.. are my cartographers confused?) I'll have enough cash to hire him, he seems quick of foot. Xavier is coming around to join his brother Zach. Between them, they should be able to handle any single threat. I have my doubts that just one may be able to fight off a threat. Perhaps I need to train up some soldiers? But using what, pointed sticks and wolfskin armour? Father would volunteer I'm sure, he likes sticks. I need to go search that final hag's home, perhaps after all this she has the compass - what is she, hag #4? I've also been working on my muscle and moves, I need to become quite a warrior with this sword (str, dex, con all up).
My proximity sent Umber and Kraxis running home, will the AI be smart enough to come back to get the locations before me?
Spring 163
Well, nearly one month on and here we are. Rilis wanted to push on after a short break, and so Ratek and I trudged on as well. We are all a bit beaten up, but hopefully 9 months of marching will be good for us. Yeah right. On the way west I ran into Zach heading east to meet up with Xavier. Lucky I did, for shortly afterwards we ran into a large spider - Zach took a nasty nip but I smote it well! It even had a few goldar in its nest from its last victim! Zach feels more confident now he has battle experience, and we parted and went on our ways. Xavier remained camped, watching that guy.
With summer around the corner, many of my little settlements have nearly finished various constructions and trainings. Meanwhile, as I swing around the Western Mounts, I've spotted a peasant, lurking in the hills. Cunning Umber has sent a guard out to outpost/scout, or is he doing what Xavier is? Who knows, I should be able to deal with him. Meanwhile, Ratek and Rilis have some some more abandoned materials, a map to some far off place, and some wolves. Oh yes, two sets of wolves. Ratek though it was just 1, but Rilis revealed another. Hopefully the wolves will attack her, or at least one each. Otherwise, she will have a field day. I can imagine the pillow talk... "Hey hun, I killed a wolf." "So what? I killed two". Women.
Hopefully we can all come together for an assault on the real Riratte, hopefully we'll catch it without Umber but if not it will be quite a battle. Rilis will be pleased.
Is the peasant-guard a new part of AI? Or random?
Summer 163
The wolves are apparently more timid up north, they just sat there all spring, evading and avoiding. Come summer, Ratek arrived for his wolf training, and Rilis took him hunting. Not only timid, but almost toothless - there was barely a scratch between them them after both battles! While Ratek then went east towards me, Rilis cleaned up the local environment, noticing TWO distant battlefields to the north (no evidence, the cartographers refuse to map up). She too is heading in towards me and Umber. Me on the other hand, circled around the peasant, ready to strike and move on when Rilis gives the signal (after exploring an old alchemist's house or something?)
Back Home, another pioneering spirit left, heading north. Problem is, he's spotted another large spider. Xavier probably said "It's only a Black Widow" because I got a rather angry v-mail! I'm sending both my brothers to investigate, and I've told father to start training a stick-weilding peasant. Three towns will be hard to guard, and I'm regretting telling Hanagi to focus on a settler too - oh well, they seem safe for now, surrounded by mountains and not too far from me. I wonder how those fire boys and girls in the lab are coming along? It's sure taking a long time to get anywhere.
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Wolves were not too bright, but fair enough. Blocking and dodging saved Rilis nearly everytime - so they seem to be working fine now too.
Fall 163
Plans continue as intended. Rilis found and downed a strange potion containing much wisdom. But how? The three of us are converging on Riratte, and there is no sign of their leader? Perhaps like Kraxis he ran when he saw us coming? I can only hope, although his men look much tougher. Another soldier emerged from his town, but I bypassed them both - stealth is handy like that.
Anyway, the new pioneer out east has apparently spotted a spider the size of a housecat and is fleeing north from it. I did counsel going south back to safe territory and towards by brothers, but he was stubborn to get out of my parents house as fast and far as possible. I can understand. MY brothers are coming together and should converge to take out this spider, cat-sized or not they should be able to handle it easily enough. My little hamlets build on, Home is now growing thanks to the new hut it built, although by the sounds going on inside another one may be needed soon enough.
Will Riratte put up a fight? I really expected the AI to be better, otherwise I would have gone a harder difficulty setting.And where are the legions of creatures that some people complain about, has this been toned down as well? Again I did not use the semi-abuse of getting someone to pay me to attack Umber. This should really only be a "I approach you" deal, not one where I can go fishing for cash to do something I was already going to do!
Winter to pre-move Spring 164
164 has proven to be a very busy and complex year so far, and its just started! Firstly, out east, Home grew to such a large hamlet that people were able to consider specializing, but instead I encouraged them to search for some creatures that might help us guard the region. And indeed these Eastern Wolves are a very trainable group, unlike the viscious southern and passive northern ones. Five great wolves were able to be trained, and under Zach's leadership they thrashed the spider to pieces! Wolf-pack tactics are great with injuries spread equally around.
I've rechristened Home as the Town of Wolving, that is Wolvington. Xavier meanwhile, complaining, is heading south to Techne, while Zach leads his wolves to take out the rest of the spiders on the horizen to give free roaming to Alfonz, the pioneer from Ho... Wolvington. Rolls off the tounge! There are also plenty of interesting objects out there to explore, but Alfonz does not seem interested in them.
Meanwhile, out west, the three of us got together and successfully took Riratte - the barely put up a fight at all, just a few scratches between us! Goodbye to Orihooneab and the Umber family line!
We then worked together to get rid of one of the local soldiers, and while we rested in Riratte (I've been practising my social graces but I hate walls), Rilis went out and found a bulging bag of 50gp! I sent it to Mr Sebastian, who I got to go out and hire Arvix (he wanted 60gp and new boots, damn him) who can go explore out east, as I'm sure more nasty wildlife must have been disturbed, and there have been sightings of a hut there too. He can come around ane meet us near Alfonz. Techne also reports rediscovering the means to harvest ores and metals from the ground, which would be great if we could find a gold mine, as Arvis will be an expensive hire as well. They are beginning to keep doing so, and I need to get a V-mail to them quickly to tell them to focus on magical knowledge, as I bet that will be the key to victory in the distant future and these crystals I keep finding are yearning to be harnessed for their power! Back here, between us we've got 2 midnight stones, we are nearly there - I think if we find a third I'll go back myself to get that shield made while Rilis heads east. That is, presuming Mr Umber (what's his name?) causes us no trouble! Lets see.
Oh, and in early spring Hanagi reported the breeding of nearly half a dozen obedient spiders. Not quite what I expected (giant cave bear anyone?), and I've told them in the future to focus on improving their study of the arcane, by at least 20%! They tell me they are building a laboratory chain down towards that old temple, which is acceptable.
AI is no match for simple strategy. Very disappointing.
The guardian unit(s) is such an obvious choice in most games, little upkeep for a decent unit - seems a bit powerful really.
Spring 164
Victory again! We have further purified the gene pool by eliminating Umber's foul orange contribution! On the way to doing so, Rilis found yet another midnight stone, so I'm taking them to that old man to the south who promiesed he can make me a shield. Would be nice to have one to go with my sword, I wonder if it's magical too? Rilis and Ratek are staying over in Riratte. They've suggested a renaming, Risotto, and I've agreed. Next Summer Rilis will head east to eventually meet up with Arvix OR at least clean up all those shiny places and Ratek will do the same to the NW and W.
Men and women filled with pioneering spirit are popping up all over the place - is that three now? One from Techne is heading towards that grove of living trees, as we'll need lots of wood for future buildings. One from Wolvington is coyly staying away from the cat-sized spiders, and I dont blame him. And one from the newly christened Arachnarcane is making a line for the horses and iron I finally spotted saw last year. Meanwhile, the weakest of the Arachnarcane spiders is being sent around the coast, to make sure my scouts have missed nothing, and the rest of them are flanking the pioneer to keep him safe from harm. That soldier up there is gone, I guess he deserted? Rilis keeps telling me about another old temple to the far NW. Maybe Ratek can check it more closely to see if its worth salvaging.
Off east, Arvix has spotted a Brigand! I knew something must be there eventually! Luckily he's got some wounded wolves and by freshly trained peasant from Wolvington to back him up on his way to that distant hut. They'll slow him down, but at least keep him safe! Meanwhile, my cash is going in the wrong direction - where's my gold mine?!
So, 2 enemies down, 3 towns + 3 soon, and 1 spell nearly half-researched! The pacing is worrisome, so is the fact this is a medium world!
Fall 164
All is well - several new hamlets have been built. Woodton near those gnarly trees, Graymare near the horses and metal, and Shardrasia near those shards and fertile soil up north. Arvix and the wolves defeated the brigand, but took some decent blows while doing so - one wolf and the peasant retreated. They split up and explored, and have seen a bear at a distance. He could be quite a foe, so they aim to recombine and take him together.
Near Shardrosia, the spiders were finished off but many bites were suffered, so the wolves and my brother are resting up over winter. Meanwhile both Rilis and Ratek are beginning to circle around - Ratek is fully fit, but Rilis still carries wounds but shrugs them off as minor. There are some foes she can see and nothing is going to stop her getting them!
My southern spider friend has circled around, but found nothing new, and the others are progressing toward the land of Kraxis. Good idea, but I am still quite hurt, so I will also rest up in Graymare for several months while my poor broken bones have a chance to set and heal! I am still losing money hand over fist, but I am not worried as yet.
Spring 165
The bear battle went fairly well, the wounded wolves are slinking back to Wolvington while Arvix goes around the mountains. They explored a bit more around the snowy wastes but felt little new - I'll need a very hardy pioneer to survive in those temperatures. Explorers are still doing so, as are shiny-finders. I'm still resting up in Graymare, and while Ratek has found a few coins, I've told all the hamlets to focus on new huts for my people - they cost little to make and nothing to keep up, giving a chance for my kingdom, and its taxes, to grow! A few random women seem to be wandering around my lands - all the men seem to be long gone? They seem harmless, there's only so much a weaver can do, but I'll need to watch them in case they have an off-month.
Have sent fruit basket to Kraxis, just to stay friendly for now. Rilis is unsure whether to race back to help me, to follow after Ratek through that mountain pass, or to keep exploring. She is concerned her spear might rust. Right. The wolves in Shardrasia will head north to scout ahead to help her choose. Not much will happen until I head west, sword and shield at the ready, perhaps next Winter? I've told my researchers we need to build some proper connections between my towns, so that they can share defensive forces (especially the fleet of foot wolves), and they are diplomatically researching to meet my needs, which is a lot easier now that one ancient library has finally been rebuilt! All my little hamlets are telling me there are so many resources that need attending to, so much to choose but so little time and money.
Fall 165
Bah, who needs winter. After writing my last entry I noticed that the borders of Kraxis were sneaking a lot closer towards mine - their surveyers were out laying new pegs and their foul aura despoils the land. So off I went, me and my spider allies, and Mawranec fell with limited harm to my side. We'll stay till winter and see what happens, as I can see there are some troops and Mr Kraxis himself (I do need to learn their names).
Meanwhile, further north Ratek and Rilis are heading for that pass (Rilis is running faster as she has heard there is a bandit there trying to extort people). Meanwhile my Cartographers are renaming my cities, and even bequeathing them to other side. I think its time we get some new cartographers.
Again, easy enough victory, and at least their sovereign was pretty close. Problem is, not close enough! Thats 3 for 3.
Spring 166
The war-machine rolls on! After blitzing through Mawranec, I finished up the last of the traitors of the Kraxis, and was left nearly on the border with the good, friendly, respectful Altar people, my natural allies. Then I saw they had a gold mine. With precision timing, a v-mail from my parents informed me that not only have they have encouraged many of my cities to build road-constructing caravans, but that my researchers have successfully deciphered the means to wrap weapons in fiery doom. So I did so, and then hurled my magical might across the world to light up Rilis's spear as well. I'm sure she will not mind a bit! It takes something out of me to maintain it, so I may not unless I really need it.
Rilis got back almost immediately, saying she loves her new spear, so thanks for the birthday present. Birthday? Sure, thats what I intended. She even said dont bother trying to learn how to seal wounds shut, not only did they easily slay the bandit, but they also took his dinner! She says its the very first time she's ever done that, same here.
Over winter I allied with a new merchant friend (short on combat ability, long on cash!), left my slow spider allies aside, and drove into their city, changing the name and obliterating all memory of the Altar overlord from history. The people are finding me a benevolent despot, especially while they are building my new gold mine! There is also an ancient temple and a shard nearby, these will suit me well as I focus on my more powerful magical heritage. Yellowcane will soon be my major money generator, I need some people to work it though - time to introduce some conscription. Oh, all this is going to my head, I think I will rest in Yellowcane for a bit while my new friend finishes his survey and joins me here.
Again, no sovereign, but in this case thats to be expected. However, note all the special locations - Altar should have swept these up years ago! I thought the AI was meant to do this now? Remember Umber and the 50gp purse? They ALSO did not pick up locations right beside their city.
Fall 166
I decided I could not wait - Procipinee was far too close and was eyeing up MY gold mine. So I went out and gave her and that guy with the funny hat a good whipping. His remains are all over the place, she managed to somehow vanish at the last possible moment! Bizarre. I then noticed that Altar, in all its mixed-race arrogance, ignores the plenty that our ancestors have left us. So while my spider friends are coming in and heading north to spy the land towards Procipinee for me, I headed south, grabbed some gilder on the ground, met up with Vaenia and whapped a spider than snuck up from the south! We've now moved into position to launch an attack on Ideatro, to free the people from his Kingdom ... so they can be part of my Kingdom. Meanwhile, I hear technology research into magic is progressing, soon we can use those ancient temples as intended, and so are about 5 caravans, going somewhere important I'm sure. I can start plaaning my assault tonight, it might actually be a challenge.
More untouched locations - silly HARD AI.---
I've also just heard word from my dear wife, apparently she and Ratek are putting their weapons to good use - killing two gigantic bears! While one of my loyal wolves are chasing after them to bolster their numbers, it seems they are having a fun time finding all sorts of goodies and scaring local outlaws. However, she's also identified some more nasty people and they will head towards them soon, Rilis can not wait to stab more people (I'm sure Ratek is less eager, so far from home).
Winter 166
These wretched Altarians are the toughest people yet! I conquered their capital, but got stabbed four times for my trouble. I was not expecting such vigour from Hethranae, but she could even give Rilis a run for her money! Well, Ratek perhaps. I free them from Relias and all they are doing is throwing garbage at me, calling for their kind king?! I’ll show them whose kind, kind with an iron fist! Regardless, I’m resting up here for a while my wounds are staunched while Vaenia goes exploring to the south, overseeing the new shard spot as he goes, and apparently he has already found a stash of something.
Meanwhile, Rilis tells me the outlaw they spotted fled for his life north, but they caught him and executed him for his nasty ways. Heading on north they are approaching those civilizations, but its looks like they’ll have to venture past a mother bear’s den to get there.
Back in the empire, I mean kingdom, one of my brighter wolves hunted down a Rilis-like-talented gentleman called Qayidd with a message to join us, which he did – very cheaply in fact! Although he needs boots and a weapon. Luckily Rilis has a spare dagger for him for when he catches up.
Arvix has found a potion that increases intelligence, and doesn’t understand what it does. Where do I find these people? I’ve told him to catch up with Qayidd while he goes and waits for his new boots and give him the precious vial. My watchteams to the north and far east are exploring north and south just in case, and my 7 caravan are now travelling the land, building roads as they go. I’ll likely end up with some spaghetti like mess, but close enough.
Altar posed little threat - althiough an 11 attack Hethranae was a surprise. Thats the third time no sovereign is in sight, yet level 0 locations are lying around.
Summer 167
All continues well - Vaenia was happy with his finds, and now approach Imajadr to offer them term. Hah! No, offer them death at the end of my sword!! Procipinee will regret the day that we attacked her unprovoked. Well, she probably already does as she is resting up in her town, lets see her magically vanish out of this! I can see that she two has trained up some men with sharp sticks and even convinced some guy to go build her a new hamlet. We'll have to deal with them, although I bet they'll all go hide behind their row of ferns and bushes!
Rilis says she is getting worried about me. I told her to go have some babies, cook me some eggs, or something else useful for a change. She replied that at the moment, all baby-making activities are off. This did not improve my mood, but it did give me something to mull about.
Procipinee, the sovereign, has to be there , but I note all locations are gone - unless there were none nearby to begin with? Relias is nowhere to be seen, perhaps cornered by beasts?
Winter 167
After a long 6 month campaign, Imajadr finally fell. Their people fought more visciously than Altar's and again I got quite a series of wounds. I think they could have even overwhelmed if I had not brought my spider buddies along (wish I had all 6, I've sent a request that two leave the Risotto borderlands and come join me), if Vaenia had not counselled wisdom, and if we had not used the terrain wisely to make some avenue-traps. Again I'll be resting up, giving second thoughts to going out as I am. I've sent my spider buddies back to Ideatro, I get the feeling Relias is hiding the other way from me, as I did not see him in Procipinee's land.
I've also asked this reseacher called Muvueratha to join me. She was just loitering around looking for a patron and I thought what the heck, I'm rolling in gilder so I hired her. Now I realise I cant start building a stables which was the next plan. Oh well, she'll be fine to come join me in Imajadr before we head into the great unknown.
Clearly I've been a jerk to Relis, so I apologised. She says its okay, she and Ratek have been busy killing 3 bandits, 2 bears, a wolf and a darkling recently, and she too could do with a break or some reinforcements. I've told her some are on the way, and she is weighing up whether she is strong enough to mount another campaign. Apparently I've got a man who talks to birds back at Wolvington, and apparently the view of my kingdom is just marvelous, cascading light and all.
With her troops, Procipinee was an even match for me - this is how tough they should have been from the very beginning! I've got 3 earth/water shards and 1 fire shard, but the fire magic is still a whole lot more appealing - why doesn't water magics grip of winter, etc, get affected by shards? ALL of EACH shards magic should be majorly shard affected.
Spring 168
Apparently Rilis did not bother to tell me she was pregnant, no wonder she was getting all motherly protective and kicking the hell out of anything that moved! How lucky was I when I mocked her to go make some babies?! I'm now the proud father of a bouncing baby girl - we've decided to name her after Rilis' grandmother. Rilis is tying her in a basket and still taking her into battle. Crazy woman, but one hell of a mother to tangle with! (20 damage on her special strike!)
Jordan looked up from her book, that was HER they were talking about! But yet, she thought, I'm not that old either? Whats going on? She read on...
Fall 168
I've decided not to wait for Muvueratha, she'll catch up anyway, sending back her observations as she goes. The spiders are too slow, they and us (me and Vaenia) are taking separate routes although we can always fall back if something nasty appears.
Rilis has decided to also push on, the Empire of Yithril seems to be a lot weaker than she first thought, and with Ratek backing her up she hopes to take it and then rest while the others catch up with her... and so she can spend some time doing whatever mothers do with babies.
Verga is in his town, but he was just sighted beside it. Note the three untouched location on the map.
Spring 169
Rilis launched a powerful offensive that very nearly got her killed. The most surprising reason was again the spouse of the sovereign, rather than Verga himself, who was quite humbled in his death. Irorvume, his spouse was a spear-weilding maniac, charging up the field and thrusting wildly, her personally trained peasant behind her. By the time Verga knew what was going on, Rilis was crushing his will to live with a spear blow that would cripple a dragon (I'm guessing)! Ratek escaped unscathed, but then he has a habit of fighting around Rilis, taking advantage of weakened opponents, and is now exploring some special locations near by that Verga seems to have completely ignored (sigh).
So while Rilis has her problems, I've gone mine.
The bears and the outlaws I can handle, it's when Vaenia decides to let his hair down and dress like my wife that I get a little bit worried. It seems that quite a few of my people occasionally do this, I'm not sure why, but in his case his hair colour was such a perfect match it seems he could not resist. I think he is just jealous of her spear.
Note, mis-picturing seems to happen once every few turns - especially after a save or a load.
I've had very few OOM or other CTD errors, no problems with many-merchant routes, visible rendering effects, or the host of other minor complaints on the boards. Stability seems to be very much improved for now.
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