Divine Intervention VI: Caliph of Catastrophe

[Arakhor]

As the Caliph lay tossing and turning during a long, hot night, he dreamt of a dark shadow, vast in power and size, which simultaneously dwarfed and darkened the land below.

"I am Anshar," the shadowy entity seemed to say to him, "God of Knowledge and those that dwell in the night. The God of Balance hates all civilisations and wishes you ill. He has sent the numberless Quecha of the Copper Plume barbarians against your meagre city, but I am here to lend you aid." Shadowy tendrils lance off the entity and worm their way towards the young city below and, ask they strike the ground, full armed men take on corporeal form.

"These are the Blades in Darkness, loyal men who will serve you well. They bring with them a new style of fighting, one better suited to a growing city than mere clubmen. Make them ready for the Copper Plumes' assault upon all that is civilised and you will be rewarded with more of the many secrets I can teach you."

The shadow grows serious and a chill tremor passes down Mehmed's spine. "My prophet roams your lands for My purposes. You will not harm him or you will taste a portion of my wrath. Seek out the Forest of the Night and maintain its arboreal sanctity within your land and Erebus will come to your city and teach you of My ways. Allow it to be despoiled and again I will be most wrathful."

Then the shadowy presence is gone, but it is clear that this was no mundane dream.

Spoiler Gods only :

In keeping with the theme of Charles' idea, I've placed a village (the city upgradable one) adjacent to each of the three nearest copper resources. There are two Quechas with Combat I and Shock set to AI City Defence guarding each village, known as the Copper Plumes. I have also revealed the area of all three villages to Mehmed.

I removed the foundation of Hinduism from the Babylonians (a double holy city is a little much!) and gave Hinduism to the Persians. Instead, Hammurabi learnt Writing and gained a Confucian temple in both cities. Mehmed gained Hunting and two Spearmen ("the Blades in Darkness") in his city. There is also now a promoted barbarian Great Prophet called Erebus near Istanbul.

Spoiler Anshar's Quest :

1. Expand your cultural borders to include the Forest of the Night and never chop/clear it as a sign of devotion to Anshar. In return, he will bring Confucianism to your realm.
2. Never, ever harm Erebus, the Great Prophet. Severe vengeance will fall upon any who do.
3. If you can defeat the God of Balance's Quechas, Anshar will be amused. If either or both of the Blades of Darkness remain alive, there will be due reward.

 

[Terrance888]

The God of Balance seeks to help those on the end of the scale, those unbalanced, to balance the world. The only gifts it gives are to those who show that they are willing to be a pivot in my activities.

As the shadows left, Mehmed felt slighty feverish: should he follow Ashnar? Should he try to decipher the rumors of the so-called God of Balance? But suddenly, he felt calm, a figure, not tall or short, nor entirely male or female, or even disternably human or animal, appeared.

The figure spoke "I and the god of Balance, and I seek ways to keep the world as it is. I protect the meek and curse the strong. However, in every world I have an Acoyete. Whoever it was, he or she must be strong enough to do what is right, and protect the weak. I have noticed you, and a few others. I seen your dislike of 'barbarians' but if you don't attack, a friendly surprise will happen."

Spoiler New Quest :

I noticed the massive growth of your power. Don't be in the top two or the last two and I will give a reward. BTW if the barbs get a spawning event then I would consider them out of the equasion.

Spoiler Gods :

If he spares all the Quechas, then I will spawn three vassal states if possible, if not then I will spawn three cities, upgrade the quechas to swordsmen, and have it all join him. Afterall: if he is to be my Acoyete, he must be strong meh?

 

[Diamondeye]

Spoiler Gods (esp. Charles Li) :

Three vassals and a lot of swordsmen are a bit much. Remember not to edit twice (I know you haven't, but keep it in mind).
Perhaps as a reward, instead of the vassals, you can simply have some of the barbarian units join him (and later on even their cities). If they are on the copper, though, someone will kill them sooner rather than later.

Also, Arakhor, normally, we don't grant techs. I doubt Hunting will do any serious harm, but keep it in mind.

 

[TheForestAuro]

Got it.
Expect an Update within 24 hours

 

[TheForestAuro]

Mehmed awoke with a fire in his eyes, dreams and nightmares haunting him in his sleep. Brushing aside the flap of his tent, two dark warriors stood before him, spears held lax.

"So you are the two he sent, then. If Anshar speaks true in my dreams, then the Scale God must as well..."

Eyes peering towards the horizon Mehmed sent his vision across the fields, through the spirit of his people and towards the southern jungles. In the spirit world he saw these copper-plumed defenders, their villages, and the metal itself. Blinking to return his sight to his body, he turned to face the warriors.

"Go and find these villages, and burn them to the ground. Any enemy of progress is an enemy of mine."

The warriors nodded, dissolving into darkness as thick clouds dispersed towards the south, as Mehmed began chuckling. "Oh, Lord of Balance, I do not seek a world where everyone is equal - I seek a world where I am the most powerful and may do whatever I please. You would do well to remember that."

But even as he spoke, he saw an old man on the horizon, staring at him from atop the nearby hills. A chill entered his body, and he looked away to recompose himself. Perhaps the Scale God isn't so bad after all...

-----

The Copper Plumes had fled. With an army of darkness wielding powerful new technology against them, the barbarians had completely abandoned their city in fear. The Blades took their instructions seriously, and ransacked the village for all it was worth.

But perhaps the scale god or some other source of primal courage re-entered the plumes, for no sooner had the Blades reduced the village to mere cottages did they return to the village.

The quick defeat and subsequent capture of the Copper Plumes would be later known as the first recorded instance of Ottoman Slavery, something that would persist in great numbers for many years to come within the Empire.

-----

A group of settlers was formed, and sent out to the south to settle near the lucky stones. An arguement broke out between the settlers and the Tribal officials sent with them, about where to place the new settlement.

"But if we set the village equally between the Lucky Stones and the Copper, then we will be able to harvest both eventually and have access to the great Southern Waters!"

"The Caliph specifically said he needs access to the Stone immediately. Specifically for a 'Great Project', I have been told. So can it and keep moving."

And thus "Lucky Stones" was settled.

Exploring northwards, the warrior-scouts that Mehmed had originally sent came scurrying back to meet with the Caliph.

"Caliph! Holiness! We have discovered other people - other civilizations!"

"Tell me more, Quickly w-"

But before anything else could be said, the entourage entered. Several club-wielding warriors and an extremely fat woman entered, and the Caliph had to stop himself from laughing aloud.

"My name is Elizabeth, and England greets you kindly."

And before anything else could be said, several scouts stepped into the tent followed by a well-dressed gentlemen

"And I am Wang Kon, Emperor of Korea. Deal faithfully with us, and we will deal faithfully with you."

Still, before any words could be uttered, a third man entered into the equation - several archers protecting a rather fat man.

"And I am Kublai Khan"

...and with a sudden cry, a bloodied ottoman entered the tent with a spear jutting from his chest, gurgling a last few syllables before collapsing. A tall, athletic man entered last, sporting a grin. "..and I am Shaka!"

-----

The scouts pressed north, past the Mongolians and into quite habitable land and eventually, to a truely alarming discovery - that the great Southern Waters were also the great NORTHERN waters.

But as the scout stared over the waters and to his homeland on the other side, he was puzzled as to the thing being constructed all across the border. It was as if Mehmed had decided to define all of his borders with a Great, Giant...

"...Wall!" exclaimed Mehmed with a laugh.


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

Quest Status:

* Do not touch Erebus - Completed
* Culturally Expand over The Forest of the Night - Still in Progress
* Defeat Quechas - Partially Completed - I have killed off like 6 of them, but there are still two hanging around. However, due to the great wall, I am immune to them, which might possibly be more amusing to Anshar
* Do not destroy the Plumes/Villages - Failed
* Settle Succella's Spot - Still in Progress
* Build a Wonder for a Bon Chance! - Completed

 

[Terrance888]

The God of Balance suddenly opened his eyes, his iris dilating: His scale suddenly jumped, a name slid onto the floor. The God, neither male nor female, bent down and picked up the name: it held such weight! It will unbalance this world, and if possible, unblanance other worlds! He chanced a glance at the paper...

The god tried not to fall... to let oneself to be so unbalanced by a single name! There... there must be a way! There must be a way!

He lept off his observation post and headed inside.


Got it!

Spoiler Gods :

Decided William and Wang are in some trouble: will build some free roads and change a few tiles. Also took away the barb Quechas and have a Fast Worker called Copper Shackles for Mehmed.

The God arrived again at the palace. "Oh, I have no spite for you, Mehmed, for you are strong and mightly. But other are weaker than you, and your land hold much for your size,

Your slaves, those who I have touched, are cowering, they will not last a geneartion. Treat them well and they will join you, treat them evily and they will fled, brining much of their enslaved brethern with them.

Find those who are at the Eastern Edge of the world, for they will be considered blessed, for they have been given disasterous circumstances. Respect them, treat them as anyone else, test their defences.

Finally: I am watching the possible future: will you conquere the entire planet and rule for a thousand more years? Will you reach for the stars and conquer a weaker world? Will you show that your people are the smartest, the most advanced, the greatest of the world? It is for you, and others, to decide..."

Spoiler Quest :

Have the Copper Shackles build only roads and cottages, no mines, chopping or farming! However, if they chip while building a cottage it is ok. If they are treated well your city will grow, if not they it will shrink as they ralley their fellows and escape. Give them a chance to be productive!

 

[Nictel]

The god of the dice smiled as he saw the giant wall being erected. "YES, YES!! This is what I was talking about! I'll gladly give you another bon chance for that! Let me see where are we now.. Ah yes."

Number of Bon Chance: 2

Good choices

• Gain 2 workers
• Gain 3 axemen
• Your villages and cottages turn in to towns.
• All available city improvements are build in your capital
• Gain a workboat
• Gain a fish resource in the lake near your capital

Bad choices

• xxxxx gains 3 axemen
• xxxxx gains 2 workers
• xxxxx gains a settler
• xxxxx lands get fully roaded
• xxxxxxxxx gets all available city improvements
• xxxxxx gains 2 settlers

Spoiler NFTFAE :

Shaka, Shaka, Shaka, Shaka, Amsterdam, Willem

"So I think you'll be able to pick a nice list from that. Also since you didn't like my last bon chance how is this: If you roll a six I'll give you a slave army which would be able to build the most glorious structures! Of course they'll die quickly but they'll be able to build some nifty buildings before they do. If you roll a 1-5 all AI cities will be getting a barracks and granary. Remember you have a possible two chances for this! Without downsides if you fail twice. (So the AI gets a bonus only once!)"

Spoiler Free for all :

Your capital will get a population of 51.

 

[Terrance888]

The God of Balance finished his work: Examining his work: Growth of plants reconquering desert, a rise of a mountain culture to the east, a whisper of the sands to the west, and the acceptance of the Copper Plumes' enslavements: he have given their villages a chance. He wondered if that chance made another god stronger.

 

[Arakhor]

As the Great Ottoman Wall was swiftly built to rebuff the advances of the Copper Plume barbarians, the God of Darkness looked down and was indeed amused. With a single divine thought, three roads sprang into existence, two leading to known sites of copper ore and the third pushing over the hills, past a new area of quality stone, to the Forest of the Night.

As His divine consciousness expanded throughout the great oasis searching for his chosen prophet, Erebus, He was strangely disappointed. So, the mortals do not care for My words, eh? Then they shall not care for peace! Messengers of the God Anshar sped their way to three great northern nations, bearing ill words from their neighbours, and soon the northern coastline was plunged into war.

Then, on a murky, overcast night, the God of Secrets came once to the Caliph in a dream. "There are five great rivers in this world, including the River Oceanus, which you call the Great Southern Waters. Explore all five rivers to earn my favour, but be warned, at the mouth of the longest river lies the mysterious Island of the Dead. It has recently been taken over foolish mortals who not realise its power. Conquer and settle the island and the spirits of the after-world will be able to rest easily once more.

"Know that I did enjoy your ingenious and skilled construction to thwart those barbarians and I have shown you the way to sources of copper and stone as a reward. It is a shame that you wasted half the spear-men that I sent you, but I have sent new skill and vigour into the hearts and minds of those men who remain. Knowledge of my teachings still awaits you when you claim the Forest of the Night for your empire."

Then Anshar's presence is gone from the room once more

Spoiler Anshar's Quests :

Locate the mouths of the Tiber, Lethe and Severn rivers and sail to the two widest points of the River Oceanus (the Great Northern/Southern Waters). There your exploration will be rewarded.

Follow the great River of Souls to its mouth, where the City of the Dead lies. There you must seize and hold Abydos, City of the Dead. Removing such a powerful menace will lead only to your enrichment and advancement. Not doing so will lead to hostile spirits vainly seeking to reach the after-life and terrorising the populace in return.

Spoiler Gods only :

I named the four rivers on the map (the Lethe, the Tiber, the Severn and the River of Souls) and the central waters (the River Oceanus). Someone had placed two heavily promoted spearmen on the central island (now named the Island of the Dead), so I added two strong defending archers and created the city of Abydos, which is size 3 and has a Dun, Barracks and Lighthouse.

I gave Babylon -1 population and created two temples and a Confucian Academy in their empire and set the next largest civilisations (Portugese, Mongolians and Aztecs) in a three-way war. I also built some roads and dug up some stone next to the Forest of the Night.

 

[TheForestAuro]

Mehmed tossed and turned as the dice pummeled him with choices.

Roll of the Dice
1.Gain 3 axemen
2.Gain a fish resource in the lake near your capital
3.All available city improvements are build in your capital
4.xxxxxxxxx gets all available city improvements
5.xxxxx gains 2 workers
6.xxxxx lands get fully roaded

"I cannot take this Bon Chance...even were the slave army to come, my populance would be so unhappy for centuries to come..."

 

[Diamondeye]

Mehmed woke up. Standing in his room, illuminated as if somehow the rays of the sun could reach her inside the palace, at night, stood the Goddess. She smiled and approached, her green robe dragging behind her.

"Caliph Mehmed, I have come to help you. To help you guide your people well.
I am Succella, the Goddess of Nature. As you know, a devoted follower of mine, the hermit, lives to the east. Settling a new city there would enable him to help watch over your people as he watches over his flock of sheep.

But that is not all. I have seen a vision of a great wonder, a garden larger than even this palace. Fulfill my vision and build this garden, and you shall be rewarded."

It was as if the room became completely dark again when the Goddess disappeared into thin air. Mehmed fell back in his bed to sleep, but the words of Succella stayed with him...

Spoiler The quest :

-Build the city on the sign (this turnset!)
-Build the Hanging Gardens

Spoiler gods (and someone to do my intervention) :

Spawn some barbarian animals near the copper to Mehmed's immidiate west.

 

[Nictel]

Got it.....

 

[Nictel]

The dice rolled and landed on a single eye.

"Ha Mehmed! You fail to see a good deal, who cares for a few unhappy faces! But with so much luck I think I can give you a slightly harder challenge for your next Bon Chance!
Destroy another civilization!"

Spoiler OOC :

Added in 3 axemen and did Diamondeye's changes.

Blegh hit the reply button instead of the edit one.

 

[CCRunner]

Got it.........once Nictel posts the save

 

[Nictel]

Save? What save. It's there you just didn't look in the right place. (A)

 

[CCRunner]

G'day mate. Me name's Steve. Gave ya some gold I did. Lucky lucky gold. And some nice desert to go along wit it. Never can have enough desert ya know. Yup, desert surely be nice. Gotcha some stone too matey.

Spoiler :

Gave Shaka gold, but desert-fied his city. City got floodplains to offset this. Also gave a barracks AND ikhanda

Gave Forest gold and stone, but made both tiles desert.

Made a city of the ancients.

Sorry on the crap but I'm rushed. it's not done yet but you can play. No quests or anything. Just come back in a few hours to read the rest. Enjoy the annoying accent too

 

[Terrance888]

Opps .

 

[TheForestAuro]

Waiting on the Story from CCRunner, then will play the turnset.

(Officially "Got It", but won't open it until I hear from him.)

 

[TheForestAuro]

That'll do. I'll post up the turnset sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening

 

[Arsonist]

Forest, this looks quality, but every Divine Intervention game needs a God of the Sea, Ilmagua.

I was getting bored of being the God of Luck anyway