Bluff Tales - Stories of the Fanatikan Resistance [Archive]

FortyJ

Jan 09, 2003, 05:02 PM

900 AD -
The dust has settled from the recent battles and the vile Indians now occupy our fair city. What remains is not a pretty site.

Visitors from all over (Fanatikans, Babylonians, English, etc.) have all been summarily thrown out of their rooms and into the streets. Local residents have been "encouraged" to house these uncivil guests as well.

The casino, merely days before the official Grand Opening, has been transformed into a barracks and mess for the Indian troops. The local commander himself has declared the royal suite atop the casino as his own personal quarters and insists on having room service delivered to him and his staff regularly. You might imagine that the tips our dancers and staff had expected will not be coming and morale is lower than I have ever seen....

I will attempt to reconstruct the actual events of that evening...

Trade Leader Chieftess, Domestic Leader Fionn, myself and our various assistants were all enjoying a dress rehearsal of an opera depicting our victory over Japan. The casino was opening soon and the show was certainly ready. Suddenly, and without warning, terrific explosions, the likes of which many of us had never heard before, could be heard in the distance. The militia sprang into action and the garrisoned troops took to the walls, what was left of them, that is....

Immediately we all could see Indian War Elephants crashing through gaping holes in the western walls surrounding the city. Our troops were there, fighting ferociously to plug the holes in the perimeter. Elephant after elephant would come rushing through the broken wall and fall helplessly upon rows of pikes. The shrill screams coming from those beasts as they tried to kick free of those most lethal pikes were enough to fill me with a momentary sense of sympathy for those poor beasts.

But that moment soon passed as we reached the parapets and saw before us more of these Elephants for as far as the eye could see. Our pikemen below were taking heavy casualties from the first wave of the Indian assault, but were finally getting the upper hand and seemed to be driving the beasts back out of the city.

Lady Chieftess quickly sprang into action. Recognizing the need for reinforcements at the walls, she grabbed the corporal standing next to us and stormed off with him in the direction of the army compound to rouse the remainder of our troops before it was too late.

Sir Fionn also sprang into immediate action, ordering a nearby squire to fetch personal suits of armor. As the squire ran off in the direction of the casino, our Domestic Leader immediately began to attend to the situation at hand, organizing the remaining staff personnel and ordering them to begin preparations for an immediate evacuation of the city. If the city did fall, at least our staff, along with whatever plans, orders, and information we can gather about this surprise attack, will get out and back to the capitol.

After a quick and imperfect dressing in our armor, Fionn and I worked our ways along the walls to the scene of the battle to offer any assistance we could. Never have I seen such bravery before. Our troops on the walls, and below in the rubble fought most valiantly against the seemingly endless tide of War Elephants.

The second wave began their advance on the breach in the walls and despair filled our hearts. The first wave almost broke us... how could we possible withstand another? Just as the second wave neared the walls, Lady Chieftess arrived with a contingent of Spearmen to bolster the defenses and raise the spirits of all who stood on that line. The spears charged to the front and took the full impact of the Elephants charge. In the carnage, I temporarily lost sight of Chieftess.

As terrifying and awesome as the first wave was to behold, the second was doubly so. Our spearmen, though brave and well skilled with their weapons, were no match for the powerful Indian elephants. Spears splintered and people were thrown in virtually every direction as the elephants mercilessly crushed through our defenses.

It was at this moment that I once again caught sight of Lady Chieftess. She was covered in blood, and was being carried away by Sir Fionn who had fortuitously worked his way below during the melee. Before I could even ponder if Lady Chieftess were seriously injured or not, I felt the full force of another explosion as a line of elephants rammed into the wall just below where I stood. The wall gave way and I suddenly found myself falling to the ground along with several large, and frightfully heavy chunks of our walls...

I came to, to find myself back in the casino, my armor off and lying on what appeared to be a makeshift healer's bed. Sitting up abruptly had caught the attention of the nearest healer - a young lass, certainly only an apprentice. "Mi lord," the young girl whispered coming toward me, "you must rest." Then, the world began to fade and everything went black again....

*****

"Sire." came the distant voice as if through a fog. "Sire, please get up." again came the plea, this time complete with a sense of urgency that seemed to shake the cobwebs from my head. Pulling myself together, I slowly sat up (not wanting to repeat my last experience), and took an inventory of the room. As I had suspected earlier, the main hall of the casino had indeed been converted into a healer's tent. Young apprentices were scurrying around tending to the women, children and elderly that were caught in the middle of the Indian surprise attack.

Standing above my bed, right behind the somewhat familiar apprentice, was Lady Chieftess. She was talking to Syrith, the master healer in Huntington. Relieved to see my old friend in much better shape than last I'd seen, I began to rise from my cluster of cusions. Before I could fully get to my feet, I managed to catch a good look at both of their faces, and their expressions told me everything I needed to know.

The worst had happened. The city had been captured, and I suddenly found myself trapped behind enemy lines. Chieftess immediately filled me in on the details of how the Indian elephants had simply overrun our defenses. Rumors that Grandmastoria had also fallen were spreading around the town faster than a speculator at a land tile auction.

In my present situation, I was left to speculate on the rest of our great nation. How bad had it been? Was the fighting limited to only the Rhineland? Are there any other nations involved? I had to find out, but how? The indians had already taken control of the city and were beginning to round up people they considered dangerous.

Upon hearing this, I began to wonder if Fionn had been one of those rounded up. And just like I had said his name in a turn chat, he appeared through a doorway across the hall, walking deliberately and straight towards us. "FortyJ," he addressed me, dropping formalities in light of our current situation, "we've got a problem."....

As if on queue, a squad of Indian soldiers sauntered into the room. "Who's in charge here?" boomed a giant of a man standing in the front of the pack. Nobody moved, prompting the giant to resume his shouting, "This is Boris, the honorable commander of all forces in and around this town." All eyes turned toward a smallish, unhealthy-looking man moving forward away from his entourage.

As he began to speak, all I could think was one day soon, you will regret what you have done here today....

Chieftess

Jan 09, 2003, 06:57 PM

900 AD- Chieftess' Account of the events

It was a hot, steamy subtropical day, with the jungle mist seeping through the mountains. The time was about 5 in the afternoon, and the actors were preparing for the Yokohama resistence scene where our knights reclaim the city. There was to be 2 more act-rehersals before the 7pm dance, and the 11:00pm show that evening. A small division of about 20 pikemen were visiting the casino for added casino security. The rehersal started with a shout to retake the city. That's when it happened. The glass windows shattered, and the earth shook. Was this an earthquake? They are common in the area, as we sit along a mountain range. Before that thought could finish, we heard screams from outside. "WAR ELEPHANTS!", "WHY ARE THEY CHARGING! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!!!!". The invasion was on.

Fionn, FortyJ, and I rushed outside the casino, onto the hill fortification, only to find numerous sillouhetes in the slowly setting sun. These sillouhetes where bashing into the walls, trying to break through into the city. A nearby Spearman commander was inside attending to the chaos. "Commander!" I shouted. "We have an emergency!". We quickly went to the inns in the compound where the troops were staying, and alerted them to the war front. I rushed to open the armory where the weapons and armor (not that there's much for a spearman) were being kept. Some of the early attendees who were just arriving to the casino also came and help distribute the shields and spears. Some were weeping, others cursing in rage, and still others in shock and confusion about what was going on.

We could hear and feel the earth shake constantly. The pounding continued on for what seemed like hours. The pounding slowly died down as the spearmen were nearly ready. "Are our guys winning?" some of us though. The troops raced out only to see a second wave coming towards them... The pounding was increasing, as I started evacuating people from the compound. I was standing at the front gates of the compound, and could see Forty in the distance. Just as I glanced over, I heard a crashing sound from behind, then felt something hit hard. That's when I went down.

*****

The carnage was over. I knew I was laying on something, but I could hear faint groaning. "Lady, you were asleep for an entire week! The Indians have taken the city, but the resistence is holding down the fort in this section of town.". "Wh.. Wha...". I tried to speak.. "Lady, don't talk, save your energy. You where pieced by a spear in your shoulder as the elephants crashed through the compound.".

That was all I remember, then I slept for another 3 days. I finally awoke, feeling grogy from the medicine the appentices have given me. As I looked out into the Great Casino Hall, I could see it was made into a healer's tent. Part of the roof had caved in, and I could see puddles of water. We were in a seperate tent in a room to the left of the main hall. I was able to speak with the people in the hall, including Syrith, the master healer. He told me that Forty was injured, but was recovering in the side room.

Around the casino, I heard rumors of other cities falling. Some even said neighboring cities, such as Grandmastoria feel. Those were the most common. Other rumors were floating around that Strumandrang and Trader's Inn had also fallen, and cities to the north had falling as well. Had the dreaded day come? Is our nation split in half? And where's Fionn? I have yet to see him in the casino after Boris' troops arrived...

CivGeneral

Jan 09, 2003, 09:57 PM

Edit: Story Trashed

Chieftess

Jan 09, 2003, 10:22 PM

You're no fun. :p

CivGeneral

Jan 09, 2003, 10:26 PM

Originally posted by Chieftess
You're no fun. :p

Its my first time posting an actual RPG thingy like Grandmaster did :rolleyes:.
Edit: Edited and removed the Story from above.

gonzo_for_civ

Jan 09, 2003, 10:30 PM

Damn it! Where was I during all this!!!!

Anyways even though I'm leaving most of my stuff in the RPG I'll keep my position here..since I'll be in the chat a lot and I can still script ;)

CivGeneral

Jan 09, 2003, 11:31 PM

900AD
Location: Outside the Goldbluffcasino after the Indian invasion

Grand Admiral CivGeneral has just recived a disstress messave via a carrier pigion. The Goldbluffcasino has been captured by the Indians. CivGeneral decides to help 40J, Chieftess, and Fionn escape the Casino. As CivGeneral rides to the city to sout out the area, he had noticed that the city was in ruins with elephants in every street courner. He knew that liberating Chieftess, 40J, and Fionn would be impossible. So CivGeneral decided to write a message for to the Military Department

To Falcon02,
After reciving a letter from a carrier pigion I have decided to help free Chieftess, 40J, and Fionn. As I went and scouted the area. Breaking them out free would be an impossible task without reenforcements. I have decided to gather up a Resistance movement in the mountans near by the casino.

Thanks,
Grand Admiral CivGeneral
CivGeneral then sends the message to the Military Department via carrier pigeon. CivGeneral then rides to the mountans where he noticed that the citizens of the captured city were heading to the caves there...

Edit: I had to change my story to reflect my role on trying to liberate and organise an uprising in the city.

Grandmaster

Jan 10, 2003, 07:10 AM

Originally posted by CivGeneral

Its my first time posting an actual RPG thingy like Grandmaster did :rolleyes:.

Hey, I'm not the only one.... it was Shaitan, McNulty, Zarn, Octavian, and Padma too....

FortyJ

Jan 10, 2003, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by gonzo_for_civ
Damn it! Where was I during all this!!!!
As I recall, you were on you're honeymoon... :goodjob:

Donovan Zoi

Jan 10, 2003, 01:11 PM

Donovan Zoi had a favorite spot he would go to when he needed to collect his thoughts - a place not impossible to reach by foot but enough of a challenge to distract his mind, momentarily, from the almost certain death of his prince, Lord Shaitan.

At last, he found himself at his destination - a small ledge on the southern side of one of the mountains east of Tlaxcala. Upon reaching this "happy place", Donovan paused to let it all sink in. Prince Shaitan was gone. What was to be expected of Donovan himself as the heir to all of Vanir's minor holdings? What would become of the rival houses of Fanatika without Shaitan's strong presence to ensure peace? Merely days ago, Donovan himself almost left Fanatika for good but found it impossible to leave his adopted homeland in Tlaxcala. He had decided to take mayorship of his beloved city and .....

What's this? Donovan suddenly saw smoke rising from the south and it looked less distant than it should be. Did we declare war on India? There were no talks of it. Did China plan a sneak attack from India's borders? Once again, no reason to suspect such a thing, but more likely. As these thoughts were racing through his mind, Donovan found himself racing down the mountain the way he came in half the time. He had never taken such little care descending a mountainside but seemed to be propelled by instinct.

Donovan ran to his castle, the Presidio, to collect his trusty horse Intrepid. From there he could immediately head south to investigate the source of all the smoke. As he arrived at the main road to Rhineland, Donovan saw a strange sight. One solitary pidgeon flew directly overhead, making its way north.

Having been briefed by General Falcon on such things, Donovan knew the bird was heading for the capital steps in Bavaria. He decided to follow the pidgeon back to the capital. From there he could better organize troops, if needed. Heading north, Donovan was dismayed to see even more smoke coming from the west! Bavaria was soon in his sights, and soon he and Intrepid raced through the great city's streets.

Upon arriving at the capital, Donovan Zoi found our esteemed Foreign Advisor, eyrei, in a near state of shock. At his feet were at least 20 unrolled letters dropped by other pidgeons. And out of the sky fell yet another.

Donovan and eyrei silently stared at the missive and then at each other. The colonel dutifully nodded to the FA Leader, and eyrei picked up the letter. His shaky hands slipped off the ribbon and unrolled it. For what seemed like hours, eyrei stared, and dropped the letter.

eyrei: It is from the President. He, Fionn and Chieftess are bunkered at the casino in Huntington. They were attacked by the Indians.

Donovan(dazed): The Indians? But.....and what is happening in the west?

eyrei: We lost 3 cities and are in line to lose more if we don't act fast.

Donovan: We need to alert all of our fortified knights quickly!

eyrei: Already taken care of. It's good to see you back from your self-imposed exile, Donovan. Shall we go to the war room? General Falcon would appreciate your input.

Donovan: Yes, lets......

As eyrei and Donovan Zoi head up the capital steps, Donovan realizes that Fanatika is and shall always be his home and will never consider leaving again.

Chieftess

Jan 10, 2003, 01:42 PM

900 AD

I went to the pigeon holes to send another message, only to curiously find one missing. "Now, who could have taken one? Forty and I keep the tally" I thought to myself. Then I saw a grayish wing. "A pigeon! But, that's this in under his wings? It's a parcel!". The handwriting certainly looks familar..."

The parcel contained the following.. in purple dye!?

Colored Parcel

After Boris had stormed into the room, I was apparently in the wrong place at the wrong time. That night, troops stormed into my room, taking me as a prisoner for "interferring with the Corporal of Ganges, Boris"! It seems I had blocked their enterence into the main hall when adressing Forty. I also had kept an extra pigeon just in case something like this would occur.

I was sent to the dye fields in the jungle around Ganges. Fortunately, I am used to the sultry air. As I look around, I see that I'm not the only one. There are other resistors from Huntington. ome are dying of jungle fever, some are starving. I don't have much more room to write (I was able to use some nearby dye.. thus the purple color), and it is almost time for the Indian troops to make their rounds again.

Fionn

Falcon02

Jan 10, 2003, 04:10 PM

I was quietly sleeping in the bed of my Castle when I was suddenly awoken by my secretary. She told me the Indians had just launched an offensive against fanatika, and loses were still unknown. I immediately jumped out of my bed, and hurried to the War Room in my Robe, the room was practically empty, and I was furious.

"GET MY MEN BACK IN HERE!!! The time to sleep has passed the time to defend ourselves has come!" Within 20 mins. the Room was full of activity. I also used that time to get out of my Robe and into my uniform and collect my thoughts. People were running around the War room collecting reports of casualties and loses, along with the begaining to plan the counter attack against the Indians.... I was determined that the Indians shall pay dearly for this betrayal. The Elephant hunting had begun.

Admist the frenzy Eyrei and Donovan entered the war room.

"Welcome back to the War Room Donovan, I'm glad your absence wasn't as long as you were expecting. Reports are that they launched their attack first on Androbius in the north, while they attacked Huntingston in the south, both cities fell. I'm not sure of the fate of FortyJ, Chieftess, or Fionn in Huntingston. Later Riga, and then Gunningheim fell. And last I heard Grandmastoria was underseige but expected to defeat the Indian onslaught, and it seems they're gathering near Dapperdan, in preperation for an assault there as well."

"Sir, Carrier Pigeons have reported that FortyJ and Chieftess have been Injured in the attack, nothing is known about Fionn yet," Eyrei said.

"ARG! Why didn't I see this coming... we were so concentrated on either attacking Russia or America, we do something about all those elephants trampling through our lands! But that's in the past we must not let it happen again, but for now our main goal is crushing them. Donovan, help me with planning the counter attack. Eyrei, I suggest you look into possible Military Alliances to help us in this crusade to free those in the cities we lost, esp. Huntington."

"Already started looking into it," Eyrei said.

Then Donovan said, "And on my way over here I already began thinking up a plan, what I suggest now is that we....."

CivGeneral

Jan 10, 2003, 04:25 PM

900AD

CivGeneral sends his message via Carrier pigion to the Jedi Council. He also noticed that another carrier pigion was coming twards him. CivGeneral has noticed the letter came from Fionn (See Chieftess's post). CivGeneral then climbs a lone tree on the hills. CivGeneral observes an occupation force in Huntington. "Hmm, I beleve I should send a carrer pigion to Chieftess and 40J". CivGeneral writes...

Dear 40J, Chieftess, and Fionn
I would like to inform you that I am still alive and well. Luckly I was not at the casino at the time of the attack. I have sent a letter to Jedi Knight Zarn about the situation. I have also notified the Military Department also. I am currently outside the walls of Huntington, and I will be searching for any refugies that may have flead to the mountans and organize an underground resistance movement. Please let me know of your current situation ASAP since I understand that some of you have been taken as POW's, and soe has taken refuge away from the Indian troop's sight.

May the Force be with you,
Grand Admiral CivGeneral, Jedi Knight

CivGeneral then sends the last three carrier pigions he has and hopes that all three of them makes it to there destination. CivGeneral then rides to the mountans to search for Huntington Refugies

Donovan Zoi

Jan 10, 2003, 04:36 PM

Very well, General. Here it is:

Four Rally Points Against India (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41323)

Stuck_as_a_Mac

Jan 10, 2003, 07:27 PM

900 AD
Governor SaaM sets sail from the souther reaches of Cupertania. As former Rhineland Governor, he knows of a path to the city through the mountains. With his saber in hand and a group of his Elite Penguin Guard following him, he will attempt to break into the Casino.
Crash, Boom! A weak spot is found on the shore. The mountain will be scaled, soon.
As the forces of Cupertania head upwards, a hawk flies by. Sir SaaM the Pissed would recognize it anywhere. It is the hawk of Sir Plexus!
With it reads the following message: Prince SaaM, your anoying enemy is a General of India. Yup, thats righ! Boris7 is back! Anyway, CT, Fionn and 40 are trapped in the casino (most likely knew that already). If there is anyway you can help, go ahead! Remeber your saber!
May the Force be With You.

India dosent know what its doing. The Force, The Spirtits and The Doughnut, as well as C:\, The Great Penguin, and The Giant Apple (local Cupertanian Gods). They will pay.

Meanwhile, back on the mountain, we are aproaching Huntington. We can see the city. Parts of it are burning! Those infidels.
Suddenly, I am Grabbed!
"SaaM? Is that you?" a familiar voice says?
"Lady Chieftess?" I ask
The shadowy figure pulls down her hood. It is inded Lady Chieftess. She escorts me and the Penguin Guard back to the casino. It is in ruins. My saber is drawn, and my troops have their muskets loaded. Should we be attacked, Lady Chieftess and I will be safe. I make it to the casino, at last.

More to come, including me dueling Sith Master Boris7!

CivGeneral

Jan 10, 2003, 08:37 PM

900AD
Night time has fallen onto Huntington. CivGeneral has returned from Strider's Strong hold after discovering a bloody mess in Strider's Strong hold and discovered a note from one of Boris's Leutenants saying "We have captured Strider, give us 1250g". CivGeneral knew that Boris was behind all this and decides to follow him to Huntington with a squad of Musketmen.
When CivGeneral and the Musketmen came to the lone tree on the hill where Boris's tracks has stoped. CivGeneral assumes that the Indians are covering up something. CivGeneral decideds to head to the Mountans by Huntington. When I reached to the foot hills of the mountan I was suddenly grabed by two people.
"CivGeneral, we have been expecting you" a mysterious yet fimiliar voice said. CivGeneral asked the cloaked figures "Lady Chieftess? Sir 40J?", CivGeneral said in confusion. One of the Cloaked figure spoked "We have noticed that you have the patch that Fionn has made. We are glad that you have decided to join the Fanatikan Underground Resistance Movement against the Indians. I also noticed that you have brought along with you some musketmen". CivGeneral replied "Strider has been captured by the Indians by one of Boris's Leutenants, I followed his tracks but they stoped by the lone tree on the hill, I assume that the Indian troops were behind in covering up the tracks". The two Shadowy figures escourted CivGeneral and his squad of musketmen back to the casino ruins, Quite a challenge to sneek through the wall and away from the Indian's eyes crawling through abandoned pipes and sespools of water. CivGeneral, the squad of musketmen, and the two cloaked figures heads to one of the tents. Inside the tent were citizens in cloaked uniforms bearing the same patch that I have, the same patch that Fionn has made. The two figures uncloaked themselves and it was infact 40J and Chieftess. at the other side of the tent, CivGeneral also noticed another cloaked figure uncloked himself and reveald to CivGeneral that he was Stuck_as_a_mac and his Elite Guards. Chieftess and 40J hands CivGeneral the cloak. "we need to prepare the initiation for CivGeneral", 40J said.

Strider

Jan 10, 2003, 08:55 PM

A lone pigeon recognizing CivGeneral lands near him with a letter

I write this as a last resort. We must gather any information about our enemies. I am trapped in my own household.... Why they choose me I have no idea.... I don't speak Indian.... I can't hear what there saying over the gunshots anyway. The Indians attack my household.... Not just some small force bent on kidnapping me... A large force.... An army.... I think they find my kingdom would serve as a perfect headquarters for an attack against Fanatika.

Included is a list of enemy information. Numbers, tatics, anything I could find. I plan to charge the enemy... Suicide.... We have no chance of winning.... but we will fight till the end.... I will lead my loyal troops in a final battle against the enemy.... I know I will not survive this day. I may never be found either... lost among the bodies of the dead.

May the Citizens of Fanatika remember me.

Grandmaster

Jan 10, 2003, 09:18 PM

*A carrier pigeon arrives carrying a small note. It lands next to CivGeneral, recognizing him alone out of the crowd in the room. The letter it carries has the following message, written in a dialect of far-off English spoken by Grandmaster and to an extent CivGeneral, but completely unknown to the Indians:*

"Fellow Fanatikans,
The storm is assembling. With the grace of our Military Leader, the Special Forces are gearing up. At daybreak we sail to Huntington. We plan to supply the resistance movement with firearms and other weapons, and to extract necessary government officials. Please be prepared to leave at sunrise, for we will not be able to stay in the city long. If you can disrupt their patrols when we arrive, it would be helpful. Again, be ready to leave the city at sunrise.

--Grandmaster"

*CivGeneral reads the note, and translates it for Chieftess and FortyJ.*

Chieftess: So we are not alone. Those guns will serve us well in combatting the Indians.

FortyJ: Yes, they will. I must only what else they have up their sleeves.

CivGeneral: Well, I take it both of you will be among those rescued tomorrow. It says "necessary government officials," I assume that that means you two, and probably Fionn, if he was still around.

FortyJ: Well, we must prepare. Tomorrow a great defeat will be inflicted upon the Indians.

FortyJ

Jan 10, 2003, 10:41 PM

...an excerpt from Behind Enemy Lines...

"He's what!" shouted FortyJ.

Half-shouted anyway, startled by the echo within what was once the casino's vault, now nothing more than a hollowed and ransacked shell of a room. The Indians had pillaged this room, seizing all of the valuables that it contained. FortyJ had commented to Chieftess at an earlier meeting that it was indeed fortunate that the casino had not yet opened for business and that all the startup funds had not yet arrived. Now, this room was one of a handful of pre-arranged meeting places for the Resistance movement in Huntington.

Chieftess calmly ignored FortyJ's reaction to her report and continued. "He's set up camp in the mountains outside of town. Together with a few dozen citizens that managed to get out of the city during the battle, they've set up a staging area for resistance against the Indians."

"Refugees, you mean. They aren't soldiers. They'll just get themselves hurt, or worse" retorted FortyJ. "General Falcon knows what needs to be done, and he'll have troops here in no time. CivGeneral shouldn't be out there leading a rebellion. He should be back to the capitol researching a new magic that can help us win our kingdom back."

"He's brought those new weapons with him and has armed his brigade with them" stated Chieftess, almost choking on the word brigade. Even she wondered what chances such a force would have against Indian regulars.

"Well then" replied FortyJ, looking around at the handful of people that comprised of the leaders of the resistance cells inside the city, "we should go and see what they're up to." Some of the leaders began to protest, but stopped short, realizing that there was little point in trying to talk their king out of such a plan.

*********

Sneaking out of a walled city is no easy feat. However, there was a reason that the casino was built on the edge of the city, against the wall. A well concealed hallway in the depths of the casino's basement led down and under the walls to a small cave nestled into the mountains on the northeast edge of the city.

FortyJ had used the tunnel many times in the past, but this was the first time he had tried to use it since the invasion. It was a secret passage, in every sense of the term, and he was hoping that it not only a secret, but that it also had withstood the attack and not caved in.

FortyJ led Chieftess and their entourage through the deserted basement from the hollowed out vault to the tunnel entrance. Although originally built to provide a discreet way for VIPs to enter the city, as well as a way to quietly and quickly remove somebody from the city if necessary, it would now become their lifeline to the outside world.

Chieftess eyed FortyJ suspiciously upon arrival at the tunnel entrance. "Any other little secrets I should know about? After all, I am supposed to be part owner of this establishment."

"Only a few" winked FortyJ, and then turned his attention to the group. "Listen up. From here on out, until I give the word, there must be total silence. Understood?"

Heads nodded, a few people muttered their acknowledgement in hushed tones, and FortyJ continued. "Once we are outside, we will head up into the mountains on a path that is conveniently out of view from the city walls.

Chieftess' suspicious glare grew stronger. So much so, that even FortyJ had to crack a half smile at the sight of it. Sadly, he knew that once this war was over, he would have to seal this tunnel up permanently, but no matter, if all goes well, this tunnel could be the key to our victory....

Strider

Jan 10, 2003, 11:29 PM

As Chieftess and FortyJ climb the hill towards CivGeneral they turn there eye's back towards the city... Only to find a gruesome sight. In the exact middle of the town there hangs a lifeless body. Chieftess... turning away from the sight headed back up, but FortyJ stays awhile to exam it.

Upon closer inspection he finds that it resemble's the body form of Strider. Who as far as he know's is still safe in his household. Thinking that it could not be him he turned away and quickly re-joined Chieftess

CivGeneral

Jan 10, 2003, 11:45 PM

900AD
After being initiated into the Fanatikan Resistance Movement. CivGeneral notices that 40J is rather unconfortable having a Science Leader commanding the rebellion. CivGeneral reasures 40J that I was a Military Leader and Deputy in the past and is currently also the Military Chat Rep. "40J, I can understand that you want me to return to the capital, since there is no funding in the science department and thus makes it a very slow time, I had to join and command the rebellion due to my past military experiance.". A faithful friend Stuck steped up in my defense. "He is perfictly capible of taking a command possition, I know I saw him capture the lands of the aztecs and Japan", Stuck said. Soon 40J becomes releaved that there is an experianced leader with Military experiances.
Later in the night CivGeneral follows 40J nad Cheftess through the tunnle and up the mountan. CivGeneral asks 40J "If this war is over, and the Casino is rebuild. Is is possible to get a job in the casino". Later 40J has stoped to examin from a distance Strider's lifeless body, some how CivGeneral's Jedi senses are telling him that Strider is still alive, somewhere

naervod

Jan 10, 2003, 11:47 PM

Castle Nirvana, Shimonseki

Naervod was sitting down to dinner on his vacation. The stress of the Domestic Department and Judiciary was wearing off on him. As his servant brought him his meal, a carrier pigeon zoomed through the window and hit the Count in the leg. He read the message and turned pale as he read the message. Four Fanatikan cities had fallen. The barbaric Indians had captured the President, Trade Leaeder, and his boss, the Domestic Leader. He now had to run the Department for the time being(not in the real game, just for story purposes). Then his servant brought him another message and the servant had to keep the distressed Count from cracking his head on the hard floor after fainting. The Prince of Vanir and long-term mentor and benefactor was missing at sea and presumed dead. He would most likely get some benefit from the Prince's will, but the negative impact was more than the positive impact. This was too much for the young Count. He took his best soldiers, grabbed a pistol and marched out of the castle doors. He was marching to liberate his countries opressed citizens and restore peace to Fanatika, all in the name of Shaitan, former Prince of Vanir. He was to march and meet up with CivGeneral and the rest of the Fanatikans. He knew his mission would be dangerous, slipping behind enemy lines, but he knew he had to do it. He sent a carrier pigeon to CivGeneral to notify him of his departure and to arrange a meeting place.

FortyJ

Jan 11, 2003, 12:27 AM

...continuation from Behind Enemy Lines...

FortyJ, Chieftess and the leaders of the resistance made their way up the mountains quickly. They knew that time was of the essence. If they were not back in the city by morning, there would be trouble.

Something else was troubling FortyJ too - the image of that man, hanging in the center of town. Could that have been Strider? Granted, his eyes weren't what they used to be, and it was a long way away, but it certainly looked alot like the legendary Lord Strider, former leader of the Fanatikan Science department.

He was jolted back to the present by one Carter, the oldest of the resistance leaders, who grabbed him and pulled him to into a nearby outcropping. Up the path, they could hear the faintest of footfalls.

******

Chieftess clung to the branch of the tree and held her breath, but nothing she could do would silence the pounding in her chest. Her heart seemed to beat so loudly that it would surely give away their position to whomever approached.

Slowly, from around a bend in the path ahead, came a number of men, clad in armor. A patrol! Chieftess knew they were outnumbered but their so-called path up the mountain left very little room to maneuver. Perhaps that was the advantage they needed....

As the patrol slowly approached, Chieftess knew something was wrong. They didn't move like any patrol she had ever seen. They moved carefully, attempting to remain as silent as possible; not at all like a patrol. Then, suddenly, she knew why. Governor Stuck_as_a_Mac was in the front of the "patrol".

A sigh of relief swept over her as she reached out and grabbed SaaM by the shoulder. "SaaM, is that you?" she braved.

The man wheeled to face her, and it was indeed SaaM, followed by a squad of Fanatikan soldiers. Upon further examination, Chieftess recognized them as the famed elite Penguin guard. She could not help but smile.

******

Together, the growing swarm of people continued up the path towards the reported location of CivGeneral's base. FortyJ had ordered the Penguin guard to shed their armor, which they finally did, albeit reluctantly. They spent almost an hour hiding the various pieces of armor to prevent any patrols from stumbling across them.

They spent the time traveling to CivGeneral's base camp sharing stories of the attack, briefing each other on the events that transpired that fateful day. SaaM's recounting of the fall of Androbius, Riga and Gunningheim only confirmed what they had overheard from the commandant's conversations earlier this month.

Upon arriving at the location of CivGeneral's secret base, they found it to be deserted. "Apparently, your reports weren't entirely accurate, Chieftess.", FortyJ prodded her.

Any response she may have attempted was quickly muted as one of the Penguin guards raised his hand sharply into the air nearby. Someone approached! There was nowhere to hide here. They were caught out in the open and there was nothing they could do about it. Weapons drawn, they awaited their trespassers.

The troops moved closer, yet unaware of their presence. Calmly, FortyJ stepped forward and before any of the guardsmen could prevent him from doing so, spoke calmly "CivGeneral, we've been expecting you...".

Both Chieftess and SaaM turned towards FortyJ and then back to the stranger before them. Then, they too saw what FortyJ had seen only seconds ago - the patch. Muscles relaxed, weapons lowered, and many sighs were heard.

CivGeneral relayed the tale of Lord Strider's capture and FortyJ's heart sank. He knew. He could try to deny it, but he knew that the man he had seen was, in fact, Strider. These savages would surely pay for this and all other crimes they have committed.

******

"Sire, you must return with us to the palace at once." insisted Lord CivGeneral.

All eyes turned to FortyJ, who stood there silently looking around at the gathering before him. Before him stood some of Fanatika's greatest leaders, and they had come here to risk their lives for him. His thoughts turned back to the town below them - his home.

"No" he replied. "I shall not abandon the good people of this town in their most desperate hour."

"But sire," started Governor SaaM.

"No buts," interrupted FortyJ. "I am needed here. I trust my letters to General Falcon have reached him successfully?"

CivGeneral and SaaM both nodded, reluctantly. They knew what was coming next.

"Excellent. And... we still have the Carrier Pigeons for carrying messages when needed. We can stay in contact that way if necessary. Commandant Boris does not yet know who the lady Chieftess and myself truly are, and I intend to keep it that way. We can learn much more from inside the city than from the seclusion of the palace."

Protestations persisted, but in the end, it was decided that CivGeneral would remain outside the city with the combined force of his musketmen and the elite Penguin guard. Chieftess, SaaM and FortyJ, along with the various leaders of the resistance, returned back down the mountain and into the city to continue their fight from behind enemy lines....

Grandmaster

Jan 11, 2003, 07:18 AM

*In the city of Penguin, across the water from Huntington, a group of soldiers assembled. Their supplies were handed out to them: a dagger, a pistol, a longrifle, ammunition and powder, Indian and Fanatikan passports, 4 blocks of explosive, and some matches. The men were quickly briefed before boarding the caravel.*

GM: OK, men, this morning we re-enter the city of Huntington and teach the Indians the errors fo their ways. This is gonna be a clean operation: we get in, we get the VIPs, we get out. The explosives are only to make a diversion, although it'd be nice if it killed a few of the damned barbarians. Regardless, our main purpose here is to extract FortyJ, Chieftess, and Fionn. Secondary to that is to get weapons to the resistance. Time to go. Give 'em hell, boys.

*The group boards the caravel and set off across the water. It is dark, and a heavy fog shields the large ship from view. Once near the coast, the 2 groups row off in small boats. These they beach, coming just behind an Indian patrol. They stow the boats behind a sand dune, and set of to the city. After searching for a few moments, the 2 teams find a hole in the city walls and sneak in. What they see shocks them: elephants roaming the streets, soldiers beating old women in the streets, once-grand buildings laying in ruins. Once they recover from the initial shock, they part company. Grandmaster, Plexus, Gunning, and Padma set off to find the government officials, while Naervod, Goonie, and Skilord search out the Resistance leaders.*

*Group A, led by Grandmaster, walks through the shadows of the devastated city, looking like any other group of citizens living in wartime Huntington. Under their cloaks they have rifles slung on their backs, a pistol holstered on one leg and a dagger on the other. They wear the patch of the Resistance. As they pass through an empty corridor of the city, they recognize familiar voices. It's FortyJ, Chieftess, CivGeneral, and SaaM! The group enters the room where they are talking, and speak calmy to the surprised resisters,*

GM: No need to be alarmed. It is I, Grandmaster of Aegir, and with me are other loyal Fanatikans. We must not uncloak for fear of being seen, but you must trust us. My troops and I are here to help the Resistance.

FortyJ: How so, Sir Grandmaster?

GM: We have brought weapons for the Resistance to utilize, and also sea transport to get you back to friendly territory.

Chieftess: No! Our place is here, with the Resistance.

Padma: That could be a problem......

GM: No, my Lady, it isn't safe here. They will soon enough find out who you are, and then you will be executed for sure. These barbarians know nothing of diplomatic immunity.

CivGeneral: I must agree, lord and lady. This isn't a good place to be right now.

GM: Not to mention, in an hour or less all hell is going to break loose. We're giving the Resistance guns and bombs, enough to blow a small occupying force to hell and back. And considering we're planting some explosives to cover our escape, there's gonna be a lot of things blowing up, and a lot of royally pissed Indian soldiers. Who knows what they'll do in retribution to those of you who stay? We can't risk loosing you.

FortyJ: General, I've made my decision. We will stay here with the Resistance. The guns will be helpful, but we cannot leave now.

GM: I will follow your orders, sire, but I will not be happy about it. It would be best for Fanatika if you came with us....

*Meanwhile, the other group slowly finds the leaders of the Resistance. They begin to hand out advanced weaponry.*

Resistance Leader: What is this you have here? Not a musket, by any account, but longer, with an odd-shaped barrel....

Naervod: Aye, sir, its a Longrifle. Shoot harder, farther, and more accurately. A good marksman could kill a man on elephant-back from 100 yards.

Resistance Leader: And you have many of them. Are they for us to use against the Indians?

Naervod: Yes. These, as well as these.

*Goonie hands the Resister a heavilly laden pack. Inside are some 40 blocks of potent explosive, each capable of knocking down a stone wall. The pack would probably level a building and then some.*

Resistance Leader: This wil be most helpful in our ongoing struggle. Most of the Indian troops sleep in a single structure at night. If we could slip in under cover of darkness and plant these charges, we could take the building down and blow away the soldiers with it. A million thanks unto you..... whats your name again?

Naervod: I have no name. I am a Colonel that doesn't exist in a unit that was never created. Do you understand?

Resistance Leader: Of course, simple security. I never saw you, becuase you don't exist.

Naervod: That's right.

*The group then heads off in a different direction, to meet up with Group A. Group A is still arguing with FortyJ and Chieftess, but loosing. Finally, it is decided to give the two of them the Longrifles that two of the commandos carry.*

Plexus: That should help you fight off the Indians, m'lord, m'lady.

*Group B arrives, carry only the 12 blocks of explosive that they had been alotted for the "goodbye present" and their sidearms.*

Naervod: Weapons distributed, General.

GM: Good. It seems our VIPs aren't interested in ending the honeymoon just yet, so we're gonna get going without them. They have our rifles, so they should be fine for now. Lets plant the demolitions and get the hell outta this town.

*The soldiers exit the room, and turn down a street to a section of the casino already weakened by war, but still used as a station for Indian troops. Two of the commandos, carrying 6 charges each, approach the wall of the room, unseen by the guards, who are busy drinking confiscated Fanatikan beer. The charges are set, and their fuses lit. The fuses are for approximately 1 minute, so the crowd of warriors has to move fast. They hurry stealthilly away from the structure, and turn down a road heading for the beach to the east. From down the road, they hear a loud hissing noise followed by a deafening *BOOM!* They turn to watch as the room comes crumbling down, crushing those soldiers who had survived the initial blast. Immediately Indian soldiers rush to the scene to try to rescue their comrades, then shots ring out. Rooftop Resistance snipers are picking of the Indian soldiers with the new longrifles.*

GM: Time to leave, boys. Our job is done.

*The men sneak onto the beach, put their boats in the water, and row to the waiting Caravel, which takes them safely back to Penguin.*

CivGeneral

Jan 11, 2003, 10:09 AM

900AD

...continuation from Behind Enemy Lines and Attack at Dawn
Once CivGeneral has arived to his base, 40J gave CivGeneral orders to command the combined forces of musketmen and Elite Penguin Guards. "Ill promes to send carrier pigions to inform you of any updates from the front" CivGeneral said to 40J. "Becareful 40J, and Chieftess." CivGeneral said has he hands Chieftess and 40J a Pistol and some ammo. "May the force be with us" CivGeneral said to the small group. CivGeneral watches as 40J and Chieftess crawls into the tunnel, He hopes the Force will protect thoes two.
Later in the day CivGeneral returned to the city, not to see Chieftess or 40J, but to command the gurella forces along side with Grandmaster. CivGeneral Guides Grandmaster and the gurella forces through the tunnel "Grandmaster, this tunnle should be only known to us. It is an important life line to the Resistance HQ, if discovered by the Indians. Then well...". Grandmaster nodded.
CivGeneral notices that the Indians are making there foot hold in the city building barracks and other military production centers. CivGeneral sets his eyes on the barracks. CivGeneral stelthy lead his squad through the ruins of Huntington. CivGeneral observes upcloase for the first time the ruins of Huntington. CivGeneral thinks to himself, This city looks like France and Germany during World War II, a taile from a faraway place.
CivGeneral and the squad safely reached the Indian Barrack. Armed with a musket and hammer, CivGeneral finds the weekest point on the building. CivGeneral and his quad riged the fuses and lit them, quickly ther ran and hid in the twisted wrekage of an Huntington Townhouse. CivGeneral watches as the Bombs explode causing the Indian Barrack to implode onto itself.
CivGeneral notices at the corner of his eye one of Boris's Leutenants. "I hope my sniper skill are shap" GivGeneral quietly said to himself". CivGeneral attactes a sniper scope that he built himself onto his musket and aims for Boris's Leutenants. Getting the Crosshairs onto the Indian Leutenant, then CivGeneral pulls the triger and takes down the leutenant. "Knocked out one DL, time to head back and meet up with Grandmaster at the beach.
Later in the day abord the caravel, CivGeneral takes up his dutes as admiral and heads into the admiral's room to write a letter to 40J and Cheftess.

Dear Chieftess and 40J,
I wish to inform you that Grandmaster raid in Huntington to criple the Indian military production has been a susess. Luckly with the sniper scope I had built with only wood and lenses, I had taken down one of Boris's Leutenants, a DL of his. I have not seen Fionn within the city yet, But I have faith in the force that he is alright. 40J, Grandmaster and I are awaiting further instructions.

May the Force be with you,
Lord Grand Admiral CivGeneral, Jedi Knight, Fanatikan Resistance Commando

CivGeneral then inserts the paper in the tube, then he tells the faithful bird to fly to Chieftess and 40J. CivGeneral continues to gude the fleet away from Indian waters

Stuck_as_a_Mac

Jan 11, 2003, 02:58 PM

More Behind Enemy Lines
The death of Boris would come, soon. Word had reached me that Strider was being held captive, thanks to the Grandmaster. Penguin, as all Fanatikans know, is the nations gateway into the inner sea. It has always been said if a war was to start, Penguin would bear the Naval bulk. This had finally come true. Now this mission was personal. I called for one of my most trusted warriors, Pippin the Bald. His family was a founding family of Cupertania. I had known him since I was a boy.
"Pippin, come here, please." I beckoned to him from the Roulete table.
"Yes, Prince SaaM the PO'ed?" he replied.
"I am sending you on a mission. It may be dangerous. I need you and a squad of ten of your finest men to go and recapture Baron Strider. He is being held hostage somewhere in this city. I have brought with me a secret weapon, something even the boys in Science dont know about" as I said this, I pulled out a three shot gun. "this gun, when loaded, can fire THREE shots instead of one. Do not let the Indians get these. I have brought eleven of these. I will keep one with me to protect the president. Here is the ammo, the guns, and a map of the underground I created while surveying the city for the Land Office. C:\ Speed, my friend."

With this he left. He gathered up his troops. With that matter under control, I decided I must find Boris. With news of Leninist dead, that left only 4 more dopplegangers. I must destroy them... all of them.....

naervod

Jan 11, 2003, 04:37 PM

From the Journal of Naervod, Earl of Vanir

It has been long and hard, but our mission has succeded. A battle won, but the war was far from over. I returned to Penguin in the late hours of a beautiful January evening. Where I quickly visited the hous of Prince SaaM the PO'ed. There hed told me I must aid Pippin the Bald. Pippin and I were good friends. We had shared many a drink at the Rebel Pub. Now it was time for us to use our friendship to liberate the Baron Strider. I led my team of expert marksmen around the walls of the city and into a back alley. there, I briefed them on their mission. I told them they must cover me as I snuck into the building where the Baron was hostage. I walked up to a window and peeked in. There was complete blackness from the dark of night. Who knows what might be in the room...

To be countinued

Strider

Jan 11, 2003, 06:50 PM

To Grand Admiral CivGeneral

The strangest thing happened to me. My men and I were bent to strike a final hard blow against the enemy. We charged them. It was one of the weirdest moments of my life. Me... Leading my men into battle. Charging with gunshots ringing in my ear's. Then all of a sudden I started falling. When I woke up later that day I figured that I must have hit my head on something hard... got knocked out. I noticed that my cloths were soaked. I quickly looked around and saw... at a distance my Palace... The bridge had collapsed. Fallen under the weight of thousands. It was amazing.... Knowing just hours ago I was certain I was dead.... I quickly rounded up my troops that had not drown when it collapsed. Also amazingly we found many indian troops. There commander had died when the bridge collapsed. With no leader they had no idea what to do. I quickly accepted them into my army hoping that a trust gained through many battles will make them loyal to me. This brought my army back to what it was. Replacing my lost troops.

We headed out. At first we headed south, but when night came we got lost and stopped to make camp. After a supper of fish and wild berries I set watch and created a scouting team. I lead them towards an area that I thought I had seen light hours ago. We found a city... I was not quite sure which city. Not knowing wether it was friendly or not I led my team around the outside walls. We moved along the outside for sometime, but a sudden movement led me to bring my team to a halt and to find cover. What I saw confirmed many of my fears. Two people emerged. I heard some muttered talking, but could not hear what they said. So I snuck closer to hear. I got close enough to hear two names. Chieftess and FortyJ. I had no idea who they were. Though I knew there names brought something up from along time ago. A spark of remberance. I quickly regained my wits and brought my rifle up to shot. They were a danger to me and my men while they were hear. Another spark of remberance kept my hand steady and I quickly lowered my rifle. I would let them live for now.... I lead my team back towards the camp. What I saw on the way there shocked me, but that is a differant story entirely. I cared not a single bit if those two got shot. It was there choice to go wondering out at night with a patrol on there tail. It need not worry me.

But now I got ahead of myself.... That is a differant story.... Hopefully never to be told.

Commander etusk el Minsk.

Strider

Jan 11, 2003, 07:52 PM

To Grand Admiral CivGeneral

We packed up camp that night. I had taken a hit during a recent battle. Why I felt like I had to defend those two I don't know. It just felt like a duty of some sort.

The idoit! Ran right into us. My troops quickly knocked him off his horse. He was wearing a uniform. A uniform that resembled mine. Sir Gunning? Who is Sir Gunning? It didn't matter much to me. What did matter was the letter he carried. Troop orders. From a General Falcon. It was to good to pass up. An army. Was moving straight towards me! It was far to good to pass up. I immediantly turned my army around.

Ehecatl Atzin

Jan 11, 2003, 09:53 PM

Early morning a top the mountains to the north of New PDX, I was surveing the terrain for the Geographical Society, investigating the posibility of building a monument to the archers of the aztec-fanatikan war atop the mountain. The sky was clear so a small group of soldiers and elephants could be seen, across the sea, moving towards fanatikan land. At first I thought it was nothing more than a patrol, judging by the size of the group I thought they where on the hunt of wild men, barbarians as men call them, I lighted my pipe and watched the sunrise in the east while I also kept an eye on the patrol, after all, they where on foreign soil.
As the sun continued to rise I got lost in thought and forgot about the indians, many things crosed my mind but I was sudenly pulled back into reality by the sounds of horns rolling down the hillsides..the indian group was nothing more than the scout, a great army had arisen from the south and was marching thowards Fanatika and it could strike her a fatal blow if it went unstoped.
I released the straps that held the cart to my horse, I mounted and rode downhill as fast as my horse could take me, the steepness of the hill ment nothing to him, he had troted these and far worse lands many times before. The wind ran thru my hair as I descended the mountain.
Their direction was obvious: Huntington; - the casino! ...FortyJ! Chieftess! they must be after the King- I said to myself. –This is not a move Ghandi would make, it’s most unatural of him to attack Fanatika- -but an army of such proportions has only one objective...- As I turned corners and rode thru the wilderness I lost sight of the army and the city, when I finally reached a clearing I saw I was too late, Huntington burned. The first wave of attack had been succesfull. I only hoped they had survived the offense. – Let us hope FortyJ managed to use his secret doors and passageways- I thought.
I still had a distance to cross and if I was to reach them Eklektochtitlan’s defenses should have to hold an atack.
I summoned a hawk and told him to give news to distant friends, -war is at hand, India has been unleashed...- I still could no believe it, this was not something Ghandi would do, I know the man. Something, someone must have possesed him to commit such an act. He acted strangely last I visited him, but to wage open war...
I reached Eklektochtitlan as they prepared defenses. Chaos ran wild in the streets as women anc children fled to the north and men stayed back to defend what was theirs. The winds, normaly coming from the east, had changed, a strong current from the south brought with it the stench of death, smoke and ash filled the air and fumes entered the city, predicting, perhaps, what was to come. A great dark had taken over, as if the shadow of India had grown and engulfed us in it’s wake.
I was permited entrance and helped asess the situation. If the city was to survive the best units should be put forth. –Give me all war-fit men and lad that can hold a sword!- cried out a General. –they can pillage our roads, destroy our mines and burn our farms. We shall rebuild- said another. –General, they are not out to destroy your lands, they are out to destroy you and your people- I replied. –and what would you have me do, master Atzin?! look at my men! they know what happened in Huntington, their bravery hangs on a thread. Do you not know what a raging war-elephant does to a man?!!- Those men where afraid, terrorized at the thought of runing the fate of the defenders of Huntington. As I waited for a reply from the hawk I sent forth I decided to ride into the south, if Eklektochtitlan would fall there would be nothing I could do to stop it, the dice had been thrown.
Hopefully a number of indian soldiers would stay behind to defend the fallen city, that and taking into acount the indians that surelly fell the army would have decreased in size, if not in potency. Eklektochtitlan would have to fend them off, the gateway to Fanatika must remain closed. Rumors filled the streets, soldiers talked that cities as far to the north as Valhalla had fallen under the feet of elephants marching, if it be true or not I could not say. No news of FortyJ, Chieftess, Fionn or Strider. Some feared the worst. I mounted and made way to the gates, I promised the generals I’d send help before a siege commenced. -I’ve walked this land long before the founding of Bavaria and now, I have no time...-
It was as if the wind was on my side, I made excelent time (one day with it’s night) reaching the ourskirts of Huntington, pires of smoke could be seen rising thru the hot, mid day sun as elephants slowly made their rounds amidst the ruins of the city wall. As I instructed my horse to head for safety I thought to myself –I’ve entered and left the city fortress of Samaria unchecked before, this should be no problem.
I walked to a small rock extrution near the mountain as a patrol left the area, -let’s see..- I touched the stone, searching for..-ah! here it is!- the secret entrance of Elbereth (Master Healer of the south during the first age) I wispered the password and the doors opened. A long, dark downward passage way was before me, a spark of light ignited atop my staff & onward I went! The air was dense and still, heavy with the memories of forgoten sounds and angry at the intruder that had forsaken it’s peace. Finally, after a long walk, I came upon a great hall, ascending high atop where light did not reach the cealing. Huge, sturdy pillars suported the roof with many archways to the sides leading to other rooms and halls. A gateway could be seen in the distance, in front of me. I walked in silence as I remembered the inhabitants & original state of this, the underground city of Ered Luin. What a coincidence a city was built right atop of it, and yet these ruins had not yet been found. –such are the secrets a lore master has in his posesion- I thought, as a sly grin flashed thru my face.
-If I’m not mistaken, this gateway will lead me directly under the city’s inner sanctum, now under the posesion of Syrith, where the exit is. I only hope the atack hasn’t bloked the way.-
My fears where disipaded when I saw light at the end of the corridor. I made a sprint for the exit and was greeted by fresh, if not free, air. Plants had overgrown around the exit and my cloak got tangled in quite a few branches as I walked thru the trees. It was a great, wild and ancient garden, Right in the middle of the city, amaizing... Syrith tended it and kept the entrance/exit to Ered Luin safe, after all, those are the halls of his fathers. I’ve known him since before he was a tender sprout or even a seed. It apears his ranger gifts allow him to go unseen from houses to garden to attain his medicine much needed by those still inside the city. He helped me get up to speed on what was happening then I told him of Eklektochtitlan. We shared our concerns over Ghandi’s actions and our doubts he was acting out of his free will. As we walked to FortyJ’s & Chieftess’ hideout he told me of Strider. -...he is brave, he shall find his way back to us.- I replied, but the worry for my old friend could not go unnoticed.
We entered the room and a sigh of relief escaped from my lips, there was Chieftess, injured but unbeaten, and FortyJ, shaken but standing strong. – Hail mighty FortyJ, son of Fanatika, lord of the realm. I have returned...!-

Ehecatl Atzin

Strider

Jan 11, 2003, 10:30 PM

Notes of Sir Amensk Apprentice Historian to Ehecatl Atizin

Just my luck.... I had to be in Utopia.... Of all the places I had to be in Utopia. When the Indians attacked I was immediantly given a musket. I even took place in the final charge. When the bridge collasped I did not know what to do.... The current was so strong. Should I try to swim to shore? Am I destined to drown? Unluckily.... I had a differant destiny before me.

I woke up on a beach of some-sort.... black sand? Where could this place be? I was sun-burnt from the head to the toe. My body ached all over and even worst was the tange in my stomach. Then the rumble. Having no idea where I was or even how I got there I went to the matters at hand first. I needed to find shelter & food.

I searched for hours. My efforts were fruitless. My brain registered that I spent more than 12 hours of wondering.... looking for food. I couldn't take it anymore. I dropped right there. I prayed for my death.

I layed there... on the ground for hours.... atleast a day. Death did not come. I wanted to end it all. So I decided upon a less painful and hopefully faster method. I wadded out into the ocean. I stuck my head under and breath in the water. The sweet taste of death in my mouth I sighed and fell into a deep sleep.

I woke up.... I immediantly noticed that there was footsteps near me. I forced my aching bones to work. I got up and followed them. For days.

Many thoughts came to my mind.... Where am I? Why do I deserve such a fate? These thoughts got me to thinking. What I thought scared me. If I have been wondering days without food... and only salt water to drink. I should be dead. Everything that I live for says that I should be dead. What is this? I got mad at whoever... or whatever is doing this to me. What did they think they were doing? Do they think this is some type of game? Where are they? Under the ground? In my madness and fury I started to dig.

That is where my story begins.

Donovan Zoi

Jan 12, 2003, 12:38 AM

Donovan Zoi prepares for the attack.... (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?postid=703632#post703632)

Stuck_as_a_Mac

Jan 12, 2003, 08:47 AM

@Strider: are you or are you NOT dead!?!
this has a large aspect on my story

Strider

Jan 12, 2003, 10:42 AM

Originally posted by Stuck_As_a_Mac
@Strider: are you or are you NOT dead!?!
this has a large aspect on my story

Read the story.... I am not dead, but ony CivGeneral knows that as he is yet to tell anyone of it.

Grandmaster

Jan 12, 2003, 03:56 PM

*The commandos set out from Neverwinter Castle in the early afternoon, moving swiftly without the weight of heavy packs. They passed by Sturmadrang, looking to all the world like average travelers. In Grandmastoria, they stopped at the Palcae armory to prepare for the upcoming battle. Grandmaster and his assisstants hadned out the supplies: daggers, pistols, passports, and explosives. He quickly briefed the soldiers.*

GM: Men, today we cross the Wire. We're heading straight into hell with this operation, so keep your wits about you at all times. The Curryeaters are gonna have eyes and ears all over the place within their borders, so stealth is of the utmost importance. We have to get in, blow up the armory, and get out without being noticed. Understood?

*The men nod in agreement, each realizing the inherent danger of the mission.*

GM: OK, Padma and I are gonna be leading you people through to Hyderabad. If I give an order as far as movement, and he gives a conflicting one, listen to him. He's a better hunter and tracker than I am.

*The group laughs, lightening up the otherwise stiflingly solemn occasion.*

GM: Then let's go.

Padma: You heard the man. Arm up and let's head out.

*The soldiers travel southwest to Hyderabad, seeing in the distance the mines of the Iron Mountain, where they know Fanatikan prisoners are laboring under inhuman conditions. It is now night and very dark, as thick cloud cover prevents any moonlight from illuminating the scene. The commandos slip over the ruins of the city walls, now crumbling as the city is too big for the walls to accomodate it.*

CivGeneral: So this is what India looks like.....

GM: Shh! I hear a patrol coming.

*A group of Indian soldiers walk by, but the commandos slip back into the shadows and remain completely silent. They count how many Indians there are: 1, 2, 3.... only three of them. Padma, Stuck_as_a_Mac, and Grandmaster nod to each other, and on the count of 3 jump out from the shadows quietly and plunge their daggers into the backs of the soldiers' necks. They die instantly, not uttering a sound. The bodies are dragged into the shadows of the wall, and the commandos move farther into the city. They find the armory, a large stone building in the outer sections of town.*

GM: Demolitions team, place your charges.

*CivGeneral, Stuck_as_a_Mac, and the Trader/Warrior approach the building. After surveying the wall for a few moments, they find the most structurally important area. Here they plant all 60 lbs. of explosives, the largest bomb used by any Fanatikan to date. They set the fuse, a long cotton wick soaked in oil. A strange new fuse delay device was added: basically, another smaller wick with wax on the end, so that when the wick is lit on fire it has to melt away the wax before lighting the next fuse. This delayed the process by about 30 seconds, enough for the commandos to get away. The first wick was lit, and the operatives ran down the street as stealthilly and quickly as possible. They reached the city wall, and waited for the sound of the bomb. Seconds later, a loud hiss was heard, followed by a *BOOM!* that could make a man deaf. The team watched as one of the armory walls collapsed, followed by another. Dust filled the streets, and pieces of debris were scattered up and down the block. When it seemed to be over, another blast was heard. The heat of the bomb had set of a powder keg inside the building, which in turn set off a chain reaction of all the kegs. They exploded with greater force then the bomb had, pushing down the other two walls of the structure. Swords, guns, and other weapons were melted or broken. Boxes of musketballs were torn open by the blast, spraying the half-inch balls of lead around in all directions, inflicting even more damage. The flying balls hit caused sparks, which in turn set of another round of powder explosions. 5 more kegs of powder, in another room, cooked off, sending a massive fireball into the air that illuminated the city. The commandos took this as their cue to leave before Indian troops could arrive. The scaled the wall and headed through the wheat fields. They crossed the border, which was "guarded" by sleeping Indian soldiers and entered Trader's Inn. From here they traveled back to Grandmastoria. By now it was early morning, and the mission has been a success. Within a few hours, news reached the Resistance in Huntington. Indian blood had been spilled on Indian soil, and the attackers had returned unharmed, if maybe a little hard of hearing.*

naervod

Jan 12, 2003, 04:43 PM

From The Resistance

Naervod wiped the sweat off his face after another sucessful mission. He and his snipers had sucessfuly picked off fleeing Indian troops during the chaos caused by the explosions in Hyderabad. He sat in an apartment in Grandmastoria, planning his own mission. The Colonel was going to sneak into India, disguised as an English diplomat and make his way to the palace in Dehli. There he would shoot Gandhi and rid the world of the evil figure which hadattacked his glorious nation. In the dead of night, he set off with the musket and sniper scope CivGeneral had given him, a week's rations, and some ammo, as well as false papers taken from an English spy in Bavaria. At the gate of Grandmastoria he was stopped by a guard, who demanded identification.

Guard: Halt, show me your identification.

*Naervod pulls out his Fanatikan passport and shows it to the guard*

Guard: You may pass, esteemed one, good luck.

*Naervod walks out and begins his trek. The next morning he arrives at Trader's Inn, where he will obtain a disguise for his mission. He walks into a secluded part of town, where a small figure sits hunched over a desk.*

Naervod: Why hello, trader/warrior, is my costume ready?

*T/W rises to his full height. He turns out to be a tall and muscular figure*

T/W: How did you know it was me?

Naervod: I have my ways. Anyways, my costume must be ready by tonight if I am to suceed on schedule.

T/W: Right, right. Here is the costume, just as you asked.

Naervod: Thank you. May the Force be with you.

T/W: And you too.

*Naervod walks out of the shop with a large bag. He goes to the Inn of the Prancing Pony, where he sleeps. At 10 o’clock, Naervod heard a bell ringing. If was curfew. It was also time for him to go.

To be continued...

FortyJ

Jan 12, 2003, 11:41 PM

Apu sulked in solitude as he often did this time of day. His days working the convenience shoppe back in Ganges were only a memory now. Nothing could compare to the cleaning, feeding, and otherwise attending to these enormous beasts on a daily basis and Apu had had enough of it.

He would do about anything to get away from those animals. The smell, he thought, was unbearable. Even latrine duty would be an improvement, he chuckled to himself. Well, almost anything.

Today, he volunteered for and was fortunate enough to get patrol duty. He had been on a "lucky" streak lately, getting patrol five days in a row. Actually, it was lucky that he had discovered that little bit of information about his squad leader six days ago and has been able to cash in on that bit of leverage ever since. Tonight, he was patroling the grounds near command HQ. Those heathen Fanatikans with their gambling and parties.... it's no wonder they fell so quickly to our righteous armies. Their "scientific" ways are surely no match for our religious culture.

Nonetheless, he still didn't like the idea of patroling so closely to the officers. As such, he often times found some dark, secluded place and would sit and ponder his fate. The prime spot he had eyed earlier today was no longer available as some of the locals had set up a makeshift bazaar in the vicinity - too much traffic for his liking. As a result, he had worked his way into what appeared to be a basement to the casino.

Using his spear to steady himself, he slowly pulled himself up to his feet. He was fortunate to find this spot, and he made a point to come back on his next patrol shift. The poorly lit hallway was easy on his eyes and made for a perfect late afternoon nap. Suddenly, he heard voices coming from down an adjoining hallway. In his panic, Apu pressed himself into the corner of the hallway, trying to blend into the shadows as much as possible. Those voices sounded strange, and somewhat hushed. It took a while to quiet his pounding heart, but Apu finally was able to calm hismelf and make out the approaching sounds. They were speaking Fanatikan!

Three silhouettes appeared in the hallway and continued away from Apu's position. He couldn't quite make out what they were saying. He had picked up some of the language during his travels through their lands recently, but not enough to consider himself fluent to be sure. The figures disappeared down another corridor almost as quickly as they appeared.

It seemed like an eternity before Apu could muster the strength to move his legs. Whatever they were up to, he wanted to know. Apu's mind raced with all the possibilities that could unfold before him. Maybe, he could be promoted, and then he would never have to clean up after those elephants again.

Apu quietly made his way down the corridor up to where the three strangers had turned. Unfortunately, they were no longer in sight. He slowly made his way down that hall, now more afraid than optimistic. The visions of promotions and glory had all but vanished from Apu's mind.

In no time at all, he came to the end of the hall. In the dim light, he could not make out much detail, but it appeared that the hallway had caved in during the assault. Where had they gone? Had he chosen the wrong passageway? Apu looked around carefully, and was about to turn back, when something caught his eye.

In the weak torchlight, he had almost missed it - a very thin crack in the wall. Prying his hand into the crack, he was able to pull on the rock. The wall moved, startling him so much, he jumped halfway across the hall, dropping his spear to the ground. Apu cringed as the clang of the spear tip echoed through the hallway.

Slowly, Apu picked up his spear and stepped into the new passageway. The three Fanatikans were nowhere to be seen, but he was certain that they had taken this path. For several long minutes, he made his way down this path. It seemed to dive deeper underground, but always in the same direction. Curiousity took over and soon Apu had almost forgotten completely about the three strangers he had been following. The grade of the passageway changed as the path started uphill. Fresh air hit Apu squarely in the face and without warning, Apu found in a small alcove in the nearby mountains, outside of the city!

The strangers were nowhere to be seen, but he was now more certain than ever that they had taken this path. This would be the answer to his prayers. Finally he had something that could get him a promotion and away from those foul beasts. But, how could he explain being in the basement in the first place. He would probably need more than just the secret tunnel to guarantee his promotion, and he would get it. He'd make sure he'd get it and then get away from those elephants once and for all.

...to be continued...

naervod

Jan 13, 2003, 02:29 PM

From The Resistance

The clock struck 12 midnight and an English diplomat made his way out of the town of Trader's Inn. He did not take the main road, but instead took a small path towards the Indian border. He war carrying a large case as well as a backpack. A few miles out, he opened the case. Inside there was a genuine Fanatikan sniper rifle, with a telescope sight, and grooved barrel to make it the most accurate and long-ranged rifle in the world. He slung it over his back after loading a steel bullet into it. The rifle accidentally caught his hood and it was revealed that the diplomat was actually a Fanatikan, Naervod, Earl of Vanir and Count of New Falkonest.

In the bushes a shadowy figure watched a mysterious man unload an exquisite rifle from its case and sling it over his back. The figure was moving along on the side of the road and suddenly stepped on a twig. The rifle-bearing man dived into the culvert on the side of the road and drew up his sights. He saw the figure moving aimed and shot. The figure collapsed instantly he ran over to the figure and took a good look at it. It was a Fanatikan, except he had Indian papers on him. A spy! Naervod cast the bod into the culvert and continued on. He soon reached a small fence which marked the border between India and Fanatika. This was a small part of the land untouched by the devastating war.

The disguised Fanatikan entered Hyderabad in the early hours of the morning. He got into the city with his English passport. The second phase of his mission was done. He had infiltrated India.

...to be continued...

CivGeneral

Jan 13, 2003, 02:51 PM

Tales of the Bounty Hunter -
The Ruins of Hunington
The mysterious Bounty Hunter climbs the wall of Huntington,. The Bounty Hunter stealthy approached the ruins of the casino looking for 40J with a Bounty on The Indian Elephants. The Bounty Hunter then aproaches to one of the guards. "I am here to see 40J" The Bounty Hunter said as he pulls out a patch of the Fanatikan Resistance. "What brings you here misterious Citizen of Fanatika" said the guard. "I am here to see 40J about a rummor of a Bounty placed on any Indian officer and elephants heads". The Guard heds inside the tent then the Guard escourts the Bounty Hunter inside the tent. "What brings you here to the Resistance HQ, and how did you get through the wall?" questioned 40J. "I am here to confurm to see if the rumors of a bounty is true, I used this to climb over the wall" Said the Bounty Hunter as he shows 40J a Grapiling hook. "Must have been a tough climb with all that armor and weapons" 40J said as he notices the Bounty hunter was wearing armor and a helmet that only shows his eyes, 40J also noticed that the Bounty hunter also has two pistols and a crossbow. "The bounty that Chieftess set for the elephant's tusks are set at 100g each, any Indian officer Dead or alive is worth 200g though I would have to check on that. Perferably that you show me or send it to one of the royal jails the object and/or Indian officer to clam your bounty" said 40J. "Thank you 40J, please let me know if there are any changes to the bounty, Good luck with the rebellion" said the bounty Hunter as he left the tent.
As the Bounty Hunter left, 40J notced something that he has seen before. "Could it be... ...Nah, It could'nt be" said 40J. The Bounty Hunter used the Grapling hook to climb over the wall. The bounty hunter then stealthy sneeked his way to the line tree on the hill. There he noticed an Indian Major riding on a horse to Hunnington. The Bounty Hunter loaded his crossbow and shot at the horse taking the beast down, then the Bounty hunter rushed to bag the Indian Major. Pulling out two pistols, the Bounty hunter shots at the Indian Major injuring him. The Indian Major spoke in Indian and raising his hands up in the air. The Indian Major Tries to speek in English "Ie Surrender, Ie Surrener!". The Bounty Hunnter then ties the Indian Major's hands and legs together. The Bounty Hunter pulls out a map to look for the nearest Royal Jail. The Bounty Hunter then places the Indian Major in a cart, luckly there were some horses that ran to the fields after the Indian seige of Hunningtom. The Bounty Hunner then rides of to Grandmastora to collect his bounty

Strider

Jan 13, 2003, 06:25 PM

From the Notes of Sir Walter K. Hunt General in the Utopian Army

Day 1
Strider.... are famed leader marched us over 500 miles. His intent was unknown, but he seemed to want to get there fast. We got there at nightfall. I did not know where "There" was, but I was happy for the sleep.

Day 2
The next morning we were put to work cutting downs near by tree's and making ships.... galley's out of them. An ocean mission perhaps? What confused me most of all is that Baron Strider has his own ships... Why not march to his palace and get them?

Day 3
Most of us were happy to see the appearence of Sir Gunning. This greatly boosted our moral. We've so far built 3 galley's. One more should be enough to carry the army out to sea.

Strider

Jan 13, 2003, 06:34 PM

Notes of Sir Amensk Apprentice Historian to Ehecatl Atizin

The next day... life made a sudden turn for the better. Barbian's... The one's I use to write about.... There cruelity.... found me. I was overjoyed. They immediantly took me as there slave. A hot meal, some water. I couldn't believe about what I wrote about these people!

I was happy being a slave for the barbs, but then I found even more luck. An army.... a rather small one found us. They killed off the barbs. I lived by hiding behind a tree. They didn't see me. The barbs had forgotten to give me my meal of the day and I was starving. Though I got food everyday it was just barely enough to keep me alive. I devised a plan. When they walk by I'm going to jump one, kill him and eat him. I did just that. A general. A strange one. Was the first I saw. He didn't live two seconds, but my crazed and insane mind didn't think of another factor.

I awoke. It was day break of what I could see. The first thing I saw was an angry face hovering before me. It was the face of Baron Strider. Lord of Utopia! The last person I had seen before this crazy adventure happened to me! I could tell that the only thing that kept me alive was that he recognized me, but he also told me that my time was limited.

At the time I knew not how much of a change that would make.

Ehecatl Atzin

Jan 13, 2003, 10:29 PM

hmmmmm.....Now see here Strider! I barely see the posibility of me recruiting an aprentice of such soft and frankly foolish mind! On what sort of embarrasing position do you leave me before my peers if my "apprentice" not only miswrites about "barbarians" but also plans to attack and eat a person! I would have taught him better than that! :king:
---end of rant, nice story though...

Ehecatl Atzin

CivGeneral

Jan 13, 2003, 11:15 PM

The Russian Sighting, The Liberation
As CivGeneral returned his troops back to huntington right to the lone tree on the hill, he noticed that the Russian army was dangeously closing in. CivGeneral knows that we are at peace with the Russans. CivGeneral knows what to do, He writes a letter to 40J

Dear 40J,
I have just arried to Hunnington, right by the lone tree. From there I ahd noticed that the Russans are comming to push the Indians out of the city. I shall report to you with more information on the situaton

May the force be with you,
Lord Grand Admiral CivGeneral

CivGeneral then puts on the Bounty Hunter armor and leads the attack into Huntington to pushout the Indians. The battle was fearce, a line of musket men fired from the hill, Knights charged to the Indian War Elephants. In the myst of the Chaos CivGeneral heads into Huntington with his platoon of musketmen. Hours later. the attack is over. CivGeneral has liberated Huntington, The resistance in huntington is over. CivGeneral knows that other cities are also under Indian's control. CivGeneral watches as 40J wals to CivGeneral and then Falon02 came by in his stead. "You have fought Bravely CivGeneral, you earned yourself a metal" Said Falcon02. "Thanks for liberating the city, CivGeneral and Falcon02' Said 40J. "So you were the Bounty Hunter that captured the Indian Major" said with a smile 40J. CivGeneral tells 40J that Strider is still alive somewere in Fanatika, CivGeneral knows this since the powers of the force told him once Huntington was liberated. CivGeneral knows the Fanatikan Resistance is not over yet...

naervod

Jan 13, 2003, 11:22 PM

From The Resistance

Naervod crept along the path to Dehli. Over the days he got closer and closer to the capital of India until one day he saw the magnificent gates of Dehli, and behind the gates there was a magnificent palace and tall buildings, and fresh water flowing into the city via the Gahndi Aquaduct. It was a pity that this city would soon fall into the ashes. But that was war and that was life. Night fell as he slept underneath a tree outside the gate. Late at night we used an anchor and rope to scale the walls of Dehli, making no noise. He headed over to the palace. By this time, it was daybreak and he was able to introduce himself as an envoy from the English government supposedly bearing papers detailing an alliance against Fanatika. He looked tired, so the guards were able to get him a room in the palace. He requested a tower room, near the court of Gandhi, saying he liked the view. He quickly locked the door and got ready. Gandhi would be passing through a window across the way in just minutes and that was his only chance to complete the mission until nightfall, when shooting would be much harder in the dark. He loaded the gun and sat patiently by the window. To him, seconds seemed like minutes, minutes seemed like hours, and after what seemed like an eternity one of the guards passed by the window, there was another next to him. It looked like they were carrying a large box. Then he realized what had happened. Gandhi had died in his sleep the night before. Then, he saw a man, not much younger than he. The man was dark-skinned, but he had a pale face. Tears streamed down the young man's face as he walked by. The battle-hardened Count of Numenor thought quickly and pulled the trigger. Two Indian leaders had been killed on the same day. He felt sorry for the young son of Gandhi, but realized it was a necessity of warfare. He would go to the grave of the young man after the war and apologize and repent. But he soon returned to the present after he heard the footsteps of guards clanking down the hallway. He quickly scaled down the side of the tower and sprinted full blast for the gates. He pulled out a pistol and a dagger and as two guards moved to stop him he threw the knife at one and shot at the other. Both missles hit there marks and he sprinted out the gate. After a few days, the Indians lost hope and gave up the search for the assasin. By that time, the English diplomat was sitting in an inn in Grandmastoria quietly drinking a Fanatikan ale as chaos ensued in the Indian government.

Here ends the tale of Naervod and his mission into India. More tales of Naervod will come later on.

Chieftess

Jan 14, 2003, 01:19 PM

The Liberation

A carrier pigeon flew carrying another message from Fionn:

Greetings,

I have a large group of our workers who have fled the dye fields in the jungle. We befriended a young Indian boy, apparently a new recruit. He would not give us his name, but I could tell he tired of the ways his comrades made themselves drunk and treated the prisoners. He led us to a secluded cave in the mountains that he once visited as an Indian Youth Scout (IYS). He spoke fluent Fanatikan, as his troop would often travel down the other side, into Trader's Inn. That is where he learned our language (ironic, considering the Indians gave us the secrets of the alphabet). The youth knew he could be killed for this, but he fashioned weapons from bamboo poles, and made bamboo armor, and trained our people on how to make them. He would also set traps for food, and collect rainwater.

In the meanwhile, (not everyone trusts the youth just yet), we are drawing plans for a diversion. We have heard rumors from others saying that Indian jungle cities are falling to the Chinese one by one. Ganges is said to be their last eastern stronghold. There are stories of other wars starting in this area. Whether they're true or not, I can't be certain. But, one thing is for certain: We are set to head out in a few weeks. Our scouts have seen troops of many nationalities around Huntington. I will cut this short as night is falling.

- Fionn

"Many international troops!?" I though! That must mean the Russians and the Chinese. India must really be feeling the pinch. It was getting late, and I returned to me quarters. I would give the message to FortyJ in the morning.

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

That evening, around midnight, I was awoken to strange trumpeting sounds outside. I entered the main hall to see hundreds of people in confusing, some hiding under tables, others gawking out the windows. I went to the highest level to see what was outside... War Elephants at the northern gates! And more coming from the barracks! I called for FortyJ, who came up to assess the situation. Far to the north, you could see smoke. An ecampment! But, this one seems Russian. To the west, we could see our troops, charging towards the gates! The Indians garrisoned what little musket power they had (an tiny force really, of about 100 men). Their guns were not quick enough as our knights lead the first wave. The resistors in the city were setting off explosives, and harrassing the War Elephants. The Indians had no chance with the uprising as CivGeneral and Falcon's troops entered the city! The battle wasn't over yet! The Indians still had one more group of War Elephants ready to attack. Our knights bravely pressed on, racing down every street, and every ally. A knight would corner an Elephant, and a resistor would finish it off. The battle went on for hours, and by daybreak, the Fanatikan flag was flying once again!

Stuck_as_a_Mac

Jan 14, 2003, 05:16 PM

Pippin returns: We have found strider. He is in our care. your guns did marvels. We hear news of a knightly fleet attacking the city to reclaim it. If Boris7 is to be Killed, Sir SaaM the PO'ed, you kill him now.
Right then, I replied, he must.
Here... dl, dl, dl, dl.......... Ive got a nice unblocker for you..........

Suddenly, a high pitched whiny voice.
"Well, if it isnt Sir SaaM the Kick Me... pleasure seeing you here.."
Boris!
"Boris" I replied, "Youve done a bad thing. Prince Shaitan banished you for a reaspn. Now youve hurt Fanaitka. "
"It was worth it" he responded.
"Now," i stated, "We settle this like men, One account, one weapon."
Quickly, he drew his elephant and I whiped out my lightsaber
"A Jedi!" he screamed.
And the battle began. My saber deflected as many blows as he put out.
"Your time has come, Boris"
*Weeoooeoooo*
And with one fatal swoop, the head of Boris7 came tumbling off his shoulders.
"He is dead. I have have killed him. Thanks be to the Spirtis!!"
All around me Boris's troops came from all directions. I was outnumbered. Suddenly, out of the sky, came Master Zarn and Vice Master CivGeneral
"I sensed a disturbance in the force." Stated Zarn.
Now the battle was fair. Three jedi versus 200 archers, 150 Musketmen and 500 Elephants.
*Weooooooooooeoooooooooooooeoooooooooooooeoooooooo *
And they all came tunbling down.
Meanwhile...
The knights of Fanatika aproached! Huntington was saved! Up came the bluff and freedom!
Fin

Strider

Jan 14, 2003, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by Ehecatl Atzin
hmmmmm.....Now see here Strider! I barely see the posibility of me recruiting an aprentice of such soft and frankly foolish mind! On what sort of embarrasing position do you leave me before my peers if my "apprentice" not only miswrites about "barbarians" but also plans to attack and eat a person! I would have taught him better than that! :king:
---end of rant, nice story though...

Ehecatl Atzin

Think about it Ehecatl.... He spent days without any food and not seeing another living soul ;).

Ehecatl Atzin

Jan 14, 2003, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by Strider

Think about it Ehecatl.... He spent days without any food and not seeing another living soul ;).

:lol: very well, I'll give you that, but no doubt he'll end up dead somewhere ;)

Ehecatl Atzin

FortyJ

Jan 15, 2003, 04:25 PM

You'd think that a trained Jedi would have more control over his hunger pangs... ;)

<><><><><>

FortyJ couldn't believe his eyes. His new casino had been commandeered by this impotent upstart of an Indian commander, and he could do nothing but play the part of the disenchanted casino operator who had no loyalty to any nation's government, as long as the payoffs kept the soldiers off his back.

Since the Indian officers had occupied much of the hotel portion of the casino, and since their religious beliefs made gambling strictly taboo, the casino's cash flow was severely diminished. Of course, there are ways around that, and FortyJ and his executive staff were more than willing to conduct some discreet gambling sessions for the Indian soldiers, officers and grunts alike. The trick to survival in this dangerous game was in letting the officers win a little more than usual without making it too obvious.

FortyJ approached the Royal Suite, now serving as the Commandant's Quarters and the primary planning room for the Southern Indian forces. The door was open, indicating a meeting was in session (no one dared to even knock when the door was closed...), and was flanked by two Indian spear-wielding soldiers. FortyJ showed his papers to the guard on the right, who returned them almost immediately after a most-cursory inspection. FortyJ had come to expect this lack of security and knew that it would be very helpful when the time to evict these inhospitable guests finally arrived.

Entering the room, he saw the normal cast of characters. What was once the most luxurious suite in the casino, could easily be mistaken for council chambers, nice council chambers, but council chambers nonetheless. Certainly nothing anyone would pay 270g to stay in, that's for sure. Holding back curses and attempting to put on a smile for his guests, FortyJ surveyed the room.

Sitting in the King Eklektikos chair, which had been placed directly opposite the door and behind the long unsightly table that the Indians brought in, was Commandant Boris. He gesticulated wildly, as was his normal behavior. Flanking him on both sides were his Captains and Lieutenants, occasionally flinching as each of Boris' arms flailed nearer to them with each gesture. FortyJ had to hold back a chuckle as the thought of Boris accidentally knocking over one of his Captains crept into his mind.

Elsewhere in the room, he saw the usual staff of Indian manservants, scurrying about filling goblets and clearing platters from the table. These so-called staff meetings had degenerated into all-you-can-eat buffets and the chaos that resulted from such events have proven to be invaluable in assisting the resistance in gathering information.

"Come in master Dax", bellowed Commandant Boris. FortyJ had been using this name as a cover to further distance himself from his true identity during the occupation of the city. Since the real Gregory Dax had been sent out of the city immediately after the invasion, it was a reasobly safe name to use. The room grew quiet, and Boris continued, "I was wondering if you could arrange something for me....."

Boris left it hanging for what seemed like an eternity. FortyJ had expected this. It was Boris' way of trying to be clever. FortyJ played along, looking nervously from officer to officer, waiting for the inevitable "Ha! Do not trouble yourself good Dax." Boris chortled. "My request is most benign, I assure you. Morale is quite low since your former countrymen have secured alliances with our neighbors against us. We need something to inspire our troops. Prepare a show detailing the glorious history of the noble and persecuted Indian people."

Persecuted? FortyJ briefly considered showing this commander what real persecution was, but thought better of it. The day of reckoning was coming soon, and he knew it. "At once, Commandant. Will this weekend be soon enough?" He knew the game, and he would play along perfectly, irritating Boris at every move.

*******

The dice bounced up off the wall, coming to rest in the shadows of the deserted street corner, narrowly missing a rather putrid puddle of old rainwater nearby. Instantly the air rang with the muffled cheers and groans from the various Indian soldiers playing todays pickup craps game.

Gonzo settled the accounts. as he did after each round in the streets (too much risk to allow players a tab in an underground gambling game), and gathered the dice. A few of the luckier soldiers insisted that he continue with another round, but he had already remained in this place too long. The higher-ups have turned a blind eye to these games because they remained out of sight. If he were caught, there would be consequences.

He pocketed the dice and thanked all the players for their generous support of the underground gaming industry. Little did they know that their "contributions" would be instrumental in their eventual demise. He turned towards the casino to deposit his winnings (it's never a good idea to be caught roaming the streets with this much gold on your person - a straight-arrow soldier could undo in minutes what he had worked hours to accomplish), but realized that he was only a few minutes from the pub where his new wife had been working since they snuck back into the city. He decided to surprise her.

*******

Apu handed over his losses, confirming his belief that the only good luck you get is the kind you manufacture yourself. Three straight weeks now of patrol duty thanks to his little stretch of good luck. The other day, his squad leader almost insisted on mixing in a few days of KP or something else to hide their arrangement from suspicious eyes, but Apu would have none of that. He knew that his time in the lowly ranks of the military was coming to an end and would not let his sergeant's paranoia ruin it.

Apu glared at Gonzo for a long moment. When he realized that Gonzo had taken notice, he simply smiled and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, oh well. Gonzo was a part of the resistance movement in this city and Apu knew it. Better yet, he was convinced that the entire casino staff was involved and Gonzo would be his key to blowing the whole organization wide open - his ticket to getting out of elephant duty forever.

Standing in the shadows, Apu watched as the other soldiers went their seperate ways and Gonzo started off on his own. Once Gonzo had left his view, he quickly pulled his tunic out of his sack and slipped it over his head and arms, covering his banded armor. Pulling the rope tight around his waist and making a mental note to return for his spear before the end of his shift, he stepped out of the shadows and began his clandestine surveillance of Gonzo, member of the Fanatikan Underground.

to be continued...