Sekai (Fantasy NES): The Third Age Begins

Double post. My apologies.

I just called it Turn 4 to include the Pre-lim as Turn 1, but I just edited it. Sorry for the mistake.

To help you all, and this is from the rules: Each Turn/Order, all characters get 10 spending points (used to purchase spells/skills). You are not receiving experience points from updates unless otherwise noted, but the chances are you received some during the last turn anyway, and will receive more as this turn progresses.

"Scimitar" speaks to Malthen (das)


It was a gloomy day, rain had been falling for a while, a very cold rain. "Scimitar" as they are known to outsiders were in a frenzy in their temple. For long, this organization of assassins and elite warriors had long been proud to be fighting the forces of evil. They based themselves out of Malthen because of the kingdom's alignment and its convenient location. In recent years, they had been scouting out the areas around the Orcish kingdom of Zalask, south of Malthen. They had come to the conclusion that something suspicious was going on in the Orcish kingdom, which had not been heard from, not even a taunt or a raid or anything, in some time.

Since these suspicions arose, Scimitar has dispatched several spies and assassins to Zalask, disguised as Orcs by swallowing a unique stone that the organization got a hold of in its expeditions in the northern mountains long ago. Unfortunately, when disguised as Orcs, these organization members cannot use their magic, a severe set-back for any member of Scimitar, who rely on their scimitar swords and their powerful magics. Just this week, word had come back to Malthen. All of the spies and assassins returned, except for three, who remained in Zalask awaiting further instructions from the organization. Here is a letter sent to Malthen regarding Zalask:

To Fein II, King of Malthen,

We have interesting news to report to you. It seems that Zalask, the dreaded Orcish kingdom to the south, has launched an extensive operation for some time to enslave large amounts of Merfolk. The result has been the construction of massive ships of war in their capital port city of Aiock. Our organization has some intelligence regarding Merfolk. They are generally unintelligent creatures, but capable of realizing the defense of their encampments underneath seas, and often are able-bodied and capable of work such as this.

Apparently, Orcish war ships have been going into the Rivesk Gulf and using magically-charged, extremely strong nets to draw in Merfolk and capture them. This is a brutal and disgusting practice that these Orcs have decided to undergo. Merfolk are fast creatures, so some sort of magic must have been used to poison or paralyze them. Our spies have sent back letters documenting the systematic enslavement of these creatures to the point where they are chained, forced to work outside of water. If Merfolk are outside of water for an extended period of time, they will die. Occasionally our spies would see Orcs going to drench the slaves in water, then tie them in chains in a barn-looking structure.

There is an even more grave concern than the enslavement of innocent beings such as Merfolk. The Orcs of Zalask are now in possession of what could be a navy that will rival even the likes of Venetia. If Orcs control the seas, they will employ relentless pirates, and this killing could spread to coastal areas. Zalask in possession of a large navy also means that Zalask can now transport troops easily to any location bordered by these seas. This is indeed terrible news.

Sincerely,

Rank One of the Organization

At the Lair of Kodo the Red Dragon (Ninja Dude) (F-8)


The Goblins were tired and they had just gobbled down some raw lamb's meat that they had found on their journey to the mountain range that held Kodo. The fifteen Goblins sent on this mission by Xogiz are somewhat knowledgeable on the history of Kodo. It is said that Kodo is an ancient and extremely intelligent beast. Kodo has a history of destroying entire villages and eating the inhabitants in the course of a single day. He has unleashed upon Sekai mounds of destruction and casualties. However, since the middle of the Second Age, Kodo has been rather silent, in a deep slumber in his cave in northwestern Sekai. Some say the dragon became tired of the destruction and has adopted a diet of mountain lamb and centaur.

The fifteen Goblins had survived up to now, bypassing the majority of the fierce battles occurring in the Undead War of Aggression (ahem, some mention of these battles and Glotrith's brave warriors might be nice). These Goblins had been sent by Glotrith to attempt to sway Kodo into fighting for their cause. The Goblins crept up to the edge of the cave. The cave was shaking because of Kodo's heavy breathing. He was sleeping. The massive beast in front of them was sleeping, occasionally opening its mouth for a yawn or to click its teeth, but not opening its eyes. "Incredible..." one of the Goblins whispered. The cave was still shaking violently at every breath made by the great red dragon. The Goblins did not know quite how to approach the situation. They got closer and closer, and wondered if they should tie it down while its sleeping or simply wake it up and try to reason with it. Legend said that this beast was quite intelligent and had even once been a High Elf.

The Goblins stood there and whispered to each other, attempting to figure out what to do. It was eight against seven. The dragon would be tied down while he sleeps. The Goblins had brought ropes and chains. Not being the most intelligent of Goblins that Xogiz could have sent, the Goblins began to tie down the dragon with stakes, rope, and chain. Once they had the last chain ready, the chain for his neck, the dragon opened its eyes. There stood two of the Goblins, right in front of its eye. It squinted a bit and then produced an angry expression. The two Goblins jumped back making squirmish movements and cowardly noises.

Kodo roared heavily and blasted his way upward, his head hitting the top of the cave and shaking it, rocks falling onto the ground below, but Kodo not hurt at all. All of the ropes and chains and stakes were now in shambles. Kodo picked up his right claw and made a motion in the direction of the two Goblins that were in his view when he awoke from his slumber. Their guts spilled out all over the cavern floor and their bodies were thrown against the cavern walls, creating the highest form of Goblin modern expressionism ever imagined.

The dragon stood up tall, his neck bent backwards, his mouth open, his nostrils flaring. He was having fun. He immediately pounded his right leg against the floor, and many of the Goblins fell to the floor. Two of them were in front of Kodo, so he bent down, sniffed them, and then ate them. The Goblin in charge was in the back of the group, and he simply screamed, "Kodo!" The dragon quickly looked over in the direction of the head Goblin and began quickly moving in his direction. Kodo was an instant away from swallowing him whole when he said, "Wait! We come from Glotrith! We have journeyed far to get here! Please hear us out!"

Kodo looked at the head Goblin a moment, and thought for a bit. "So you despicable creatures can speak, can you? And here I was, thinking that Goblins could barely express themselves. Now my cave is complete with Goblin art and Goblin language. This is indeed humorous." Each syllable coming out of the great red dragon's mouth shook the cave violently. "Glotrith, eh? I know of Glotrith. A kingdom of stupid, whiny Goblins, correct? Or has the world really changed that much in the last few hundred years?"

"Please, Kodo, listen to us. We have traveled far to get here..."

"Hahaha," Kodo laughed. "Amazing. I can even sense that you are afraid, and I can sense your desperation. Goblins really have been changing in the past few centuries, haven't they? Remarkable!"

"There is much you do not know about Glotrith. You have been in these mountains this whole time. Sekai has changed, great dragon. We are hear to ask for your help. You see, our kingdom, no, much of Sekai is currently under attack by the Undead forces of Xal'Amul. We have been ordered here by our king to save our people, by seeking your help."

"This is getting better and better. Now you are talking about helping your people. I had no idea Goblins could be as noble as Humans. This is good fun. Unfortunately, my good Goblins, I have no interest to help your people." Kodo chuckled some more, and looked sinister, as if about to strike.

"Please, oh great red dragon. The forces of Xalas are far too powerful. Our troops are holding them off for now, but when the next wave comes..." The head Goblin was interrupted.

"Did you say Xalas, my good Goblin?"

"Y-Y-Yes."

Kodo gazed past the Goblins to the exit of the cavern. After this, he breathed heavily and put his head down for a moment. "I will go with you. I will obey your king Xogiz for now." The head Goblin was confused by this sudden turn-around that Kodo made, but he smiled with joy as they exited the cave. The head Goblin kept thinking of the praise he would get from his kingdom and his people for succeeding in swaying Kodo the Red.

Effects

• Glotrith now has control over Kodo the Red, a great red dragon. He will only remain in your command if you use him to fight the Undead forces of Xal'Amul or Xalas himself.

OOC: You may continue the story.

Turn 3 Orders

Dorovel
Type: City-State
New Economy: 556
Last Week's Economy: 526
Current Military (and their location):
213 Infantry at D7
Maintenance: 213 gold
Spells Known: None
Tech Known: Construction
Territories: D7
Spread Realm/Settle Hex: No
Roads: None yet
Purchases (for this turn):
213 Gold to Maintenance
202 Gold towards researching Iron Working.
141 Gold towards raising 47 Archers
Reinvestment: 0 gold (3% Growth Rate)
Special Notes: If possible, move

Dorovel/Lord_Iggy
Capital: Dorovel
Economy: 556
Reinvestment: 0
Growth Rate: 5% (Temporarily reduced to 3%)
Hexes: D7
Improvements: Walls (D7)
Troops: 213 Infantry, 47 Archers
Technology: Construction,
Spells/Skills: None Yet
Build: None
Train: 47 Archers
Research: Iron Working (202/400)
Advantage: All Infantry +1 Defense

Which of these two ways do you want to see my orders?

I would like to, on this day, send out 100 Infantry and 47 Archers towards the Orcish encampment (T6). They will be there in 4 RL days.

Another silly story I made. Since kkmo wants me to make a story about the frontlines of battle, I decided to make this little story.


Some tales say the acts of goblins were “noble” or ‘honorable” during the war with Xalas. And maybe the goblins of Glotrith accept these complements with pride. But the truth is, goblins were still the same since they were made. Cowardly, stupid, and absent minded. This was proven in the battle of Mount Bloodclaw.

It started with about 100 undead shambling up the side of Mount Bloodclaw. Their rotting flesh could be smelled from miles away. This fact would prove important to the battle coming up.

While the company of undead was trying to get past Mount Bloodclaw, a group of 50 goblins marched through the nearby town of Grotiz. Well, marched might not be the right word for what they were doing. The group of goblins was blundering through small villages along the mountains, causing about as much havoc as the undead. Livestock was always missing when they passed through. Bathrooms were deemed unusable for many days. Finally, the villagers of Grotiz had enough. They drove the possibly drunk company on goblins out of the town.

The goblins, now slightly sobered up from the cold mountain winds, smelled something. Something tasty. With speed perhaps unheard of in the whole history of goblin-kind, the warriors raced through the mountains at insane speed, chasing their hopes for a potential meal.

What they soon found was the enemy they had been sent out to fight. Many cried at the sight of the undead. Not from fear, but from disappointment. However, captain Bitflarg had an idea. He told his men they were going to fight, and that it would be their last fight. They would be almost surely marching to their doom. So, he ordered his men to have one last drink before battle. And so his troops did.

The results were nothing short of spectacular. His troops seemed to have no memory of where the smell came from, and when the goblins saw the undead, they saw a bunch of oversized chickens lost in the mountains. They saw a meal.

With roars of hunger, the entire company pulled out their forks and knives and assaulted the enemy. While the undead fought with order, the goblins attacked in an absolute feeding frenzy. Soon, the necromancer controlling this group of undead found himself being gnawed on and stabbed with crude silverware. With the necromancer dead, the rest of the enemy was easy pickings. The more bony undead, such as skeletons, were thrown off the side of the mountain in frustration by hungry goblins. Undead with flesh still on them had a more humiliating fate. Slobbering maws gnawed at their arms. Their legs were ripped off and cut into bite sized pieces. In the end, the goblins had only lost about ten of their men, one of whom choked to death.

“Kodo, um sir, I have orders to direct you south to the frontlines of this war.” A goblin said sheepishly.

“Silence! I know very well where we need to go! I’d rather give up all the treasury I own then take orders from a lowly messenger,” Kodo growled.

The remaining goblins hoped onto Kodo’s back, much to Kodo’s displeasure. With an ear splitting roar, Kodo took flight in all of his glory. His red scales shined in the sunlight as he glided past the peaks of many great mountains. When he needed, Kodo would flap his great wings to push him farther up from the world that seemed so tiny below. It was truly a sight to behold.

While the flight may have lasted a day, it seemed more like a life time for the goblins, who had been holding on to the sails Kodo’s back. Their journey was a mix of wonder, happiness, and unbridled terror. Every breath Kodo took was like a roar of thunder, dispersing the clouds around them.

“I smell something foul,” Kodo sneered. “Undead are close. Soon they shall feel the burn of dragon fire. The might of Kodo shall be felt for the first time in ages! Wait a second!” Kodo stated to fly lower.

“What is it!?” One of the goblins screamed in panic as Kodo started to plummet to the ground.

“Sorry, I haven’t been all too active since I started to reside in my lair.” Kodo said with a yawn. “I shall find a nice spot to land so I can sleep. And another thing: Don’t wake me. If you do, I shall eat half of you and send the other half off the side of a mountain.”

And so the flight ended with the emotion goblins know all too well, fear.

OOC: Troop movement Kodo and his passengers to K7.

Turn four orders

Character: Selot, Mythmonster2
Class/Sex: Warrior, Male
Attack:5/8
Defense:1/2
Movement:1
Hit Points: 3
Spells/Skills: Charge (+1 ATK), Disarm (+1 DEF), Slash (+1 ATK), Gouge (+1 ATK)
Current Location:I-19

Selot continued on his journey, intrigued by the things the Druid had told him. Giant Spiders do not attack? Also, a moral conflict occurred when he encountered the cavalry, as one part of him wished to tell the calvalrymen about their demise, but one part of him didn't. Eventually, he decided he didn't know much about military matters and trusted the generals. (OOC: I pick option 2, don't tell them)Finding more and more spiders, he learned that the spiders' weak point was its eyes, and gouging them was rather effective.

OOC: My characters go to P-9. Tell me what I find and I will tell you who you ar--what I do.

OOC: I'm confused. Did I miss a quest or something? Do I have to post a story on a daily basis to keep up? How much are my characters carrying in terms of spending points and XP? I really have no clue with anything pertaining to my stats. Help the deaf, cure the lepers!

OOC: I'm confused. Did I miss a quest or something? Do I have to post a story on a daily basis to keep up? How much are my characters carrying in terms of spending points and XP? I really have no clue with anything pertaining to my stats. Help the deaf, cure the lepers!

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EXP is given when you do stuff. So in order to get more EXP, you have to do stuff and post about other stuff. Just a small mention of doing stuff will help. But, I will give you EXP nonetheless on the next major update. I am just saying you can get more by doing stuff and posting about it, since this NES is primarily story-driven. After all, what is a "Never Ending Story" without a story?

You get 10 spending points for each character each turn. So you have 10 spending points for each character, that can be spent on spells/skills for them. You can give all 40 to one character, or 30 to one, 10 to another, etc. - you can split them up in various ways.

Hope this helps!

OOC: And my actions? What do my characters see? And of course I understand this is a Never Ending Story! -_- I just dislike it when I get confused by how things work (or don't seem to work). >> Mood: I was attacked by a band of fifteen roaches last night. Don't mess with my head, or you'll feel the might of my broomstick.

flyingchicken said:

OOC: And my actions? What do my characters see? And of course I understand this is a Never Ending Story! -_- I just dislike it when I get confused by how things work (or don't seem to work).

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You have to give me something before I give you something. I gave you a quest in story-form, and there has been no story after it, just a brief mention - so you can go into further detail from here, and then I will continue. Or you can leave it alone, get to P-9, and then I will post something even if you don't (even then, you might want to post that you got to P-9 in some sort of In-Character form, so as to remind me in an interesting fashion), but you'll likely get bonus EXP points if you do bonus stuff. Its like D&D sort of.

OOC: DND sort of, I hear--I was expecting something like "you find a bunch of gnolls barbecuing the merchants. The place is cramped with a bunch of tall trees" then I go off with a story from there. As a player, I dislike providing myself with my own encounters. I'll write the story, you can continue it, but please, please provide the encounter (combat or otherwise). >.<

So, again, I say: How many spending points do I have now (40 times 4 turns or less)? What do my characters see in P-9, where I just told you they went?

flyingchicken said:

OOC: DND sort of, I hear--I was expecting something like "you find a bunch of gnolls barbecuing the merchants. The place is cramped with a bunch of tall trees" then I go off with a story from there. As a player, I dislike providing myself with my own encounters. I'll write the story, you can continue it, but please, please provide the encounter (combat or otherwise). >.<

So, again, I say: How many spending points do I have now (40 times 4 turns or less)? What do my characters see in P-9, where I just told you they went?

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Okay, I'll provide a good encounter for you for sure. It will be very similar to the example you have provided. But if you think about it, there are about seven active players, and if I were to do this for each one of them, it might get a little difficult for me. What lord_joakim did, saying he saw something shiny in a tree, even that helped me to come up with something. But I'll provide you one this time, so no worries.

I explained it: You get 10 spending points per character and per turn. We are on Turn 3 now (4 including preliminary turn), so you do the math. Spending points are only used to purchase new skills/spells and not to add to your stats.

You are not at P-9 yet. Your characters have movement of 1, and you started heading towards P-9 on June 23. It is June 25, and you won't get there until June 27 (it is 4 hexes away from Dhuri, Amaliad).

In any case, I'll give you a little update tonight telling you of stuff you encountered. In any case, lets take this conversation to the OOC thread.

South of Dhuri, Amaliad (flyingchicken) (N-10)

The chaotic group was carrying along, headed to the forest south of Amaliad to inspect the missing caravan that had headed to those areas some weeks ago. Ichthys was growing tired of the boring trek, which had up to now been mysteriously uneventful. Gnash was looking to smash something, and Ichthys even started talking to his skeletons. No matter, soon this boredom would change. The forest began to grow denser and denser the further south they ventured. It was now starting to look more and more like a wild jungle, and Ichthys could see why usually it was only Elves that ventured into these lands. Nightfall came, and the group decided to set up a small fire-less camp under a massive tree that looked like it was thousands of years old.

The group fell asleep, while Ichthys was keeping watch. Ichthys gradually nodded off, and would wake up every now and then and inspect the surroundings. At one point he nodded off, and when he awoke, he could see not far from the camp, rustling in the thick woods, several green creatures. Orcs? he thought. No. There wouldn't be Orcs here. That is nonsense. Ichthys crept up to the location where he noticed the movement, but there was nothing present. He began to walk back to the camp when he heard Gnash grunting and moaning, as if smashing something. Ichthys ran back to camp to find the whole group awake, standing, half-circled by a bunch of Lizardmen, who were flashing their tongues and showing their claws, wearing minimal to no clothing, and some of them even holding spears.

Options

• 1. Kill the Lizardmen for invading your camp uninvited and gain some experience (unknown amount).
• 2. Talk to the Lizardmen and discover that they mean you no harm (unknown effects).
• 3. Kill most of the Lizardmen, capture the remaining or just one. You will have a huge burden controlling one or a few throughout the remainder of your quest, but perhaps you can sell them as slaves to someone outside of Amaliad (unknown effects). Remember that Amaliad does not take kindly to the slavery of natural beings, especially Lizardmen, Reptilian creatures that Amaliad believes deserve honorable deaths.

OOC: And so now, you post a story response based on one of those options.

(Messages are sent all through the land. One happens upon Dorovel. Others reached human. Half-bloods and orcs. Many will want to fight on the high natural walls of the caldura.)

To All that are reached.

Men! Dwarves! Half-bloods! Elves! Goblins! Orcs! Gnomes: ALL!

At the front of the nations. Closest to the menace. We are unattacked: WHY? Our walls are too steep for the undead to climb! We can only be ambushed by the front gate and paths that are only assessible by living beings! We can send troops to help push the undead out! We can do it!


(Think dwarf fortress 5000 10-giant ax weapon traps: want to assault?)

Ninja Dude said:

Message to the Stinky Undead
From: The Glorious Green One, The Smartest and Most Cunning of All, Xogiz

What is this petty invasion I face? Brain-dead, smelly, shambling abominations crossing into my borders? After this petty excuse for a war is over, I'll use Xalas's skull as drinking cup!

To: The Bearded Ones of the North, Du Farthen az Kurlan
From: Your Good Pal Xogiz

Now is the time we must put our differences aside. Quit hiding in in your city and start fighting! Bash the dead ones' heads in! Once we get rid of the infestation in our borders, we'll march to your city and purge the land of this abomination. Then you..I mean WE will go into the desert and stop this at the source. Agreed?

____________________________________________________________​

The Speech​

“My minions! A new foe has arisen from the very earth itself to assault our great kingdom,” Xogiz shouted in a hoarse voice. “These walking abominations of rotting flesh are no more than a simple infestation brought to us by a silly human named X…X…Xalas? Did I say that right? Okay. We will crush him like the bug he is. He has defiled our lands to the north! Are we going to let this stand?”

“NO!” Shouted Xogiz’s army.

“Then let us reclaim what is ours, and then some more! We will plunder Xalas’s lair until not even the deepest vault holds anything. He shall be shown no mercy! Death to the Dead! Go forth, and cut a swath through the hordes of shambling fools!” Xogiz shouted.

The entire cave was in an uproar. Xogiz’s plan had worked. He had gotten his army blood-thirsty and eager for battle. He could feel the intensity in the air. His ears were deafened by the roar of battle cries and shrieks of mindless glee that filled the cave.

Then the march began. Hidden drums boomed with each strike of a club of bone. Mounds of supplies were chucked unto shaky carts and twisted backs. Giggling and shrieking could be heard everywhere. The Goblins were marching to war.

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Ahhh, the mighty kingdom of Goblins. With a message from the Goblin King himself! We will send him a message:

As you know, an Enemy of my Enemy is my friend. But also Dorovel (raises shield against spittle) will eventually have to defend against the menace. So I will send troops to redevouz at your capital. Then they will move to attack the infested lands. All we ask is that Doro (more spittle from goblin scout 'those ********' *slap* by guard) Our companions of the south will be protected.

Yes. 50 Infantry and 20 Archers of our Army will be sent to your capital: May our swords stay sharp!


King Hativ looked at the steep walls of the vale. This is where Dwarves are born. Right here in this valley, where they uses magma for basic forges and the vegetation for farming. However, be brushed off a drum not used for 50 years since the last large group of orcs that climbered up the steep walls: Booommm!!!

Soldiers of the barracks marched out!

Booommm!!!

100 Dwarves. All brave. Stood in bronze armour before him. 50 Archers marched to the sides. He smiled at his men. He knew he can trust them to end the menace.

Booooommm!!!

"Today, a day we shall all hold deep in our hearts and our souls! We will march out! March out from the ansectial home of Dwarves! We will destroy the cowards that uses the dead! That defiles the honor of thousands for war! We will fight him! We wil march! I will fight with all..."

He looked at the goblin scout, who definally didn't understand...

"WE"LL SMASH THEIR PUTRID GUT OUT!"


The crowd roared. The King marched in front. The scout nodded and showed the way to protect his kingdom. As Hatvid passed his brother Yatihad. He muttered, "I want 10 Horsemen, 100 Infantry and 50 archers after our triumph! You are now king!"

And so: THE DECLARATION Of WAR!

To: Du Farthen az Kurlan
From: Xogiz

So just to clarify, you are sending troops to my capital, and then sending them to protect Dorovel?

Ninja Dude said:

To: Du Farthen az Kurlan
From: Xogiz

So just to clarify, you are sending troops to my capital, and then sending them to protect Dorovel?

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Sending to Capital to rendevouz (that means to work out a marching pace/supplies) before moving out against the infestation.

Charles Li said:

Sending to Capital to rendevouz (that means to work out a marching pace/supplies) before moving out against the infestation.

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Well, we pretty much have this front covered. However, news has reached out ears of a large orc invasion on Dorovel. You might want to help out with that first. If we need any help, we'll ask again.

Don't worry about us. We have more than enough power to drive off this abomination.

OOC: Charles, that message is old. I sent it before I had a dragon and 20 really powerful calvalry on my side. I've got this covered.