End of the Beginning of the End

EQandcivfanatic · Sep 3, 2015

Update 4: Year 4

I hate to break this to you, but as a rule, wizards are nasty people. They're powerful, capricious, ruthless, egotistical, used to getting their own way. That's being kind.

-Balthazar Orilon, Headman of Nede

Inter-Faction Reports

WAR IN THE HIGHLANDS. The Shu State and the Followers of Orbaes remain locked in a war for dominance in the Highlands. The Followers have remained strictly on the defensive, maintaining mounted patrols in the no-mans-lands between the two towns. These patrols helped alert the Followers when the Shu States reinforced army launched another march. The skirmishers of the Followers inflicted a number of casualties through hit and run raids, using their lighter armor and weapons to evade attempts by the Shu cavalry to force them to retreat. When the Shu reached the Church of Orbaes, they attempted to raid the town, only to find that a new metal wall had been constructed, preventing easy access. They sought to draw out the Orbaes militia into an open battle, and succeeded. The Orbaes militia was not alone, but accompanied by robed mages and militia from the Conclave of Alim to the southeast. Numerous mages and a hundred more militia than the Shu expected were brought out onto the battlefield. Rather than being drawn into the Shu States prepared trap, the Conclave and Followers relied upon ranged weapons to inflict terrible damage through fire and arrow upon the Shus lines. Having no ranged weapons of their own, the Shu were forced to simply take it, in a shield wall while Follower skirmishers whittled down the Shu cavalry. After dozens of Shu soldiers had been killed by arrows and magic, the Followers and Conclave advanced, and easily broke the already wrecked lines of the Shu. The Shu army was forced to flee the battlefield once again, returning home as the Followers skirmishers harassed them the entire way back.

Faction Reports

Anmari Collective

Spoiler :

The Anmari Collective faced severe troubles throughout the year, casting a constant pall upon the looming game tournament. Thankfully the tournament itself went off without a hitch, but it has firmly established a rivalry between competitors. Lumber has been sold off on the open market to support the purchase of food, which turned out to be a happy coincidence as a major fire ravaged the food stores that had previously existed. Much of the old food supply was wiped out, thankfully to be replaced by enterprising merchants. Fishing brought in less food than last year, which fishermen have blamed on mysteriously weakened schools of fish throughout the region. The happiest news on the home front was when magicka was used to lure a bear to the town and tame it. Though some people were frightened when it was discovered that the amulet used was completely ineffective, it turned out the bear had bonded with one of the hunters in town, who now keeps it as a loyal pet. So far, some people have suggested riding it, but no one wants to be the first to try.

Patrols continued to explore the Icy Finger, looking for anything of value or use in the region. They have tracked mammoth herds and dens of sabre cats and bears. This year they discovered a far more powerful force residing in the region, though with numbers of less than one hundred. The immense and aggressive ice giants have been found to roam in the southern parts of the region. These massive creatures were thought extinct before the Great War and are known to be both physically strong and powerful in elemental frost magic. One unfortunate patrol was almost completely wiped out by one of the smaller giants, until a nimble archer named Jem Calithan scaled the giant and managed to put arrows through its eyes. He has been lauded as a hero for this feat, as the few survivors of the patrol returned home.

Turn Stat Changes

Spoiler :

Challenge: Some of our leaders are still demanding that the hunter who controls the bear we captured make an attempt to ride it or train it for others to ride. The hunter claims that such an attempt will likely turn the bear belligerent and result in multiple deaths. How do we respond to this conflict?

Blackwood Elves of Unkurra

Spoiler :

The Blackwood Elves faced a threat from within, finding one of their own preying upon elven women. Efforts to catch the murderer were undertaken by a new group called the Gardeners, who used plantlife to observe the town during both night and day. These methods of observation helped catch the deranged murderer, a human male who was summarily executed. The community has sought to further improve its security by attempting to take out the feared Iron Tower not far from Unkurra itself. They attempted to use magicka and moisture to rust the iron of the tower and the elementals defending it. While this proved to be a successful maneuver against the elementals outside of the tower it quickly became clear that the tower itself was immune to rust, likely out of defensive spells by its mysterious occupant. Attempts to communicate with the occupant were cut short when a fireball from the top of the tower disintegrated a half dozen archers in one go.

Another important expedition was sent west to explore neighboring regions to the Weeping Hills. They found that to the west lays a great forest, full of old trees and wildlife. A mage attempted to commune with the trees, but something went wrong, resulting in his death from unknown causes. The expedition found its way into the area known as Occitania, bringing gifts to the town of Tevios. The town was very welcoming and told the scouts about a nearby fortress of militaristic dwarves known as Das Großoccitanian Reich. They advised the elves to keep their distance, as the dwarves were known to be a bit volatile. They also warned of spirits, which they had named Chaneques, that were known to sever a persons soul from their body. These spirits were believed to be a myth, but they soon began attacking those within the expedition during the return journey. The expedition began slowly dying one by one of heart failure and apparent natural causes as their souls were stripped from them, and only one made it back to Unkurra, just barely able to report everything that had happened before he passed away.

Turn Stat Changes

Spoiler :

Challenge: Our people are concerned that the chaneques may have accompanied the sole survivor of the western expedition back to our town. People have reported odd paranormal activity within their homes, furniture moving, and doors closing. They have asked that our mages investigate, and the response has been that we either need proper clerics to cleanse the town, or we could use 300 Magicka to disperse any magical creatures within. On the other hand, some people believe that the story related by the scout scared a few people who are weak of will, and the chaneques have not been brought here. How do we respond to this issue?

Bone Ridge Covenant

Spoiler :

The Bone Ridge Covenant has continued to maintain its position as a major stop for trading in the northern seas of new Gensin. All sorts of supplies and equipment have made their way to trading posts on the coasts of Bone Ridge, as merchants set up shop in the area. Ample amounts of ore were sold out of the mines of the dwarven fortress in the mountains, while other construction materials and supplies were brought in. These helped fuel the construction of new infrastructure and buildings in Eztli itself, including a college and more advanced smithing and developing facilities. New mines have been dug deep into the earth of the Bone Ridge, but dwarves at the base of the mine have stated that there is movement below in the darkness that could threaten the fortress. Another major effort was the construction of three new longboats which were sent out into the high seas to scout and explore the other islands of the northern seas.

An expedition to the northwest found a hilly island, and managed to scout it, but found a heavily fortified port, with cannon and numerous guards. Subtle scouts and spying identified the place as Marauders Cove, the primary nest of pirates and buccaneers in Gensin. The longboats wisely avoided the harbor, realizing that it had far more power than they could hope to overcome. Another went west and found an island which appeared to be a severed part of a large tract of farmlands. In the center stands a massive tower that appears to be plated with platinum. This tower is clearly a mage tower of some size and power, likely replete with magical artifacts and treasure. The last expedition was sent southwest, and the two ships were separated by a storm. They came ashore at a jungle island, and one ship eventually found the other in the pair, brought ashore, but completely abandoned. Tracks led into the jungle, but none came out. Scouts reported large feline creatures, called jaguars within the jungles, very predatory and nearly killed several of the Covenants men.

Also on the home front, food was left for a wandering human mage travelling down in the lower reaches of the Bone Ridge. He seemed to mostly ignore the food and water and eventually wandered off into an unknown area. Without many scouts remaining in Bone Ridge itself, the dwarves found it hard to keep track of him and his journeys. A few of the dwarves did have the nagging feeling that a great opportunity may have been lost.

Turn Stat Changes

Spoiler :

Challenge: We have dug too deep! In the process of digging out all of these new mines, we have found what could literally be the mother of all bone worms. We have managed to awaken thousands of the creatures in addition to the largest one we have ever seen, and they are swarming through the mines and could find their way up into the rest of the fortress. The only way to prevent catastrophe, should they move up the mines is to demolish the ones we have dug, and even then we risk them burrowing through the much softer rubble and corridors we have inadvertently created for them. On the other hand, the massive amount of Ore we are receiving from the mines could finance our economy for some time, and they may not make their way up. How do we respond to this crisis?

Clan Blackfist

Spoiler :

Conclave of Alim

Spoiler :

Das Großoccitanian Reich

Spoiler :

Dawnbreaker Cult

Spoiler :

Followers of Orbaes

Spoiler :

The Followers of Orbaes have continued to fight marauders from the Shu State for control of the Highlands. They managed to reach an agreement with the Conclave of Alim in neighboring Thedas for protection, providing the Conclave with a massive amount of food and water in exchange for their support in the impending battle. When the mages and militia of the Conclave arrived, they were sequestered in the town and prepared for the fight to come. These soldiers proved a very unwelcome surprise for the Shu, as the army was sent out after several attacked by knights on patrols. In the battle that came, the mages of the Conclave and the archers of the Followers rained down hell upon the helpless footmen and knights of the Shu State. When the final charge was launched by the militia, the Shu broke, running back to their town after yet another defeat. The Followers remained vigilant against further attacks throughout the year, but it seemed likely that they would not make another attempt until they recouped their losses.

Turn Stat Changes

Spoiler :

Challenge: Some of our people have proposed that we erect a shrine to those who have died in the battles against the Shu State. They have suggested that we dedicate 40 Wood and 40 Ore to the construction of an elaborate shrine and memorial to those who have gave their lives for this war. On the other hand, these are resources which could be valuable to other projects. How do we respond to this proposal?

Imortan Seventeen Brotherhood

Spoiler :

Great change has been felt by the Imortan Seventeen Brotherhood. The first was a severe geological restructuring of the entire area. The mages first felt the region become substantially hotter and more humid, as flood waters have seeped in from neighboring Meeahmee, and turned the lower areas into swamps. Then what had been hills rapidly grew into craggy mountains, and valleys turned into canyons, as the dungeon itself was sent soaring towards the top of a peak at high speed. The elevation of the entire town had shifted and transformed, as the old roads and paths were broken and shattered and the land once more became unfamiliar to the people of the Brotherhood. Workers found the soil at the new elevation no longer suited to any but the hardiest plants and none of them proved edible. Thankfully there were plenty of fallen trees and loose rocks for workers to collect and bring to the stores of the dungeon.

An expedition attempted to make it to the coast to find the town of Slope, which had been scouted in the previous year. To some surprise of the expedition, they found Slope in a deep valley still on the coast, barely keeping their heads above marshwaters seeping in from the east. When a demand was read for the town to join the Brotherhood, the elders of Slope accepted with almost unseemly haste. Desperate and scared, they have willingly turned their resources and community to the Brotherhood. The town offers a limited port for the brotherhood should they ever turn their eyes to the seas.

Turn Stat Changes

Spoiler :

Challenge: With Slope added to our Brotherhood, we are faced with the matter of how to govern them. We could allow the local elders to retain authority and thus have some support from the population, or we could appoint a mage to be the new governor of the town. Either way, we must have some way to demonstrate authority to the peasantry. How shall we rule our new holding?

Institute of the Arcane

Spoiler :

The Institute of the Arcane has sought an alternative solution to the shortage of water they have faced. To prepare the ground for the solution in mind, they began to arm themselves with new and old weapons from the institutes arsenal. An assembled militia and the majority of mages marched to the town of Nede, which had previously offered offense to scouts sent out into the Wizardlands. Starting the attack with a barrage of fireballs, which set parts of the town aflame, the Nede militia was taken by surprise. The majority of the Institutes militia was focused upon taking people alive, and managed to do so while Nedes forces attempted to rally. The mages tried to break up these attempts, but there proved to be too many angry people looking to bash mage skulls in. When a half dozen mages had died, the rest decided that it was an opportune time to leave.

The captured peasants from Nede were brought back to the Institute with the promise of enslavement to look forward to. Instead, they were assembled and sacrificed in mass to generate more magical power for a great spell. This spell was used to enchant an old chalice to provide the institute with unending water .The chalices only limitation was in the amount it was able to provide at any given time, but still offered more than enough for the entire staff and student body. The Everlasting Chalice is under heavy guard, offering a much-needed relief to the faction as a whole.

Turn Stat Changes

Spoiler :

Challenge: Our most powerful mages have suggested that we have a hierarchy to the amount of water that people are allowed to consume base on their status in the community. While we do have plenty to go around, they feel that a little rationing would help confirm the castes and structure of the institute. On the other hand, the rest of the population is less in favor of reinforcing the structure, believing the water should be divided among the whole faction equally and without any rationing. How do we respond to this debate?

EQandcivfanatic · Sep 3, 2015

Karaz Holdouts

Spoiler :

Kingdom of Celestis

Spoiler :

Knights of Ynys Gaer

Spoiler :

Maig'ir zalin ra'si

Spoiler :

The Maig'ir zalin ra'si once more focused their attention on the nearby Swampkin Lair, hoping to reach it and explore the treasures and what lay behind the apparent hostility and evil within. New archers and mages were trained and equipped, prepared for the battle to come. Unfortunately, the expedition sent to scour the Lair fell victim to the swampkin, who seemed prepared for this attempt after previous interactions. Using their apparent knowledge of the marshes, the swampkin managed to close in upon the ranged forces of the expedition and engage them in close combat. The mages and archers were torn to shreds, and only a few were able to escape from the Lair with their lives. They came home empty-handed and warning of the apparent organization and skill in combat of the swampkin.

An expedition sent west into the plains had more luck, surveying the region and attempting to find anything of interest. They found what appeared to be an old oasis, surrounded by trees. Apparently, the old spring within had opened up into a large series of caverns. According to the scouts these caverns appear full of ravenous demons, fighting each other and occasionally raiding out into the plains into hunt for food. They marked the oasis as extremely dangerous, naming it the Gateway Oasis, as it appears to represent and entryway into the worst possible depths. One the home front, one elf apparently went mad, locking himself in his quarters for months before coming out. He then declared himself the new Emperor of Gensin as he began deploying a massive and intimidating device. Unfortunately, the device seemed to malfunction, and upon attempting to kick his creation into life, it fell over on the crazed elf, breaking and killing him in the process. Attempts by mages to figure out what the device was supposed to do appear fruitless, as it only appears to be a random assortment of gears and bits of wood.

Turn Stat Changes

Spoiler :

Challenge: We have the wreckage of the device created by the maddened elf collected in an old storage shed. Some of our mages want to spend more time examining it, just in case it actually could be put to use. Others believe that it was just the efforts of a madman, and likely is just a collection of junk, advising that we not waste time and resources to figure out what it is. How do we respond to this debate?

Pelgia

Spoiler :

Prohibitionists

Spoiler :

Shu State

Spoiler :

The Shu State once again mustered its strength for a new fight against the Followers of Orbaes. Dozens of people were recruited to arm themselves as new soldiers and footmen to take the field in battle. With a new army assembled, the Shu army headed west again to win the war decisively in the hills of the Highlands. When the army arrived at the Followers’ town, the knights began raiding the outskirts, attempting to draw out the enemy army into battle. They succeeded, but were quickly dismayed at the sheer number of militia and soldiers exiting the newly built walls. The army was lined up in prepared formation, but they were not able to counter the ranged capacity of the Followers and their allies from the Conclave of Alim. Magefire and arrows rained down upon the Shu warriors, and they had no way to retaliate. It was a testament to their will that they managed to stick to the plan and withstand the initial bombardment. Unfortunately, when the enemy army finally charged, there simply were not enough Shu warriors left alive to withstand the assault. The Shu forces collapsed and they were harassed all the way home by enemy cavalry in their retreat.

Turn Stat Changes

Spoiler :

Challenge: A mysterious and powerful magical being has appeared to us and made an offer. It has offered our ruler a drink that will allegedly grant all of our people incredible martial power, some resistance to magical attacks, and the physical ability to win our war. In exchange, we will have to wage war upon magic users throughout the world, whenever and wherever we encounter them. If we fail to do so, the ramifications could be incredibly dire. Should we accept this being’s offer?

Starborn Walkers

Spoiler :

Stonebeard Clan

Spoiler :

University of the Rose

Spoiler :

Vinya Falas

Spoiler :

Windgard

Spoiler :

The elves of Windgard have continued their war against the dryads of the forests that surround them. The humans of Lost Town in particular mobilized to face the threat, assembling their militia and intentionally felling trees to attract the enemy. These efforts were mostly successful, though a few elves were slain in the combined battles that took place. The humans were incredibly grateful for the presence of elven healers, helping to maintain the lines. The elves attempted to use a messenger who claimed to speak for the trees in a curse against the dryads, but as it turned out the messenger had no contact to the forest or the dryads and was just a particularly hairy dwarf. After casting a curse intended for the whole dryad population, the curse was instead focused just upon this individual. This resulted in what was left of the dwarf being spread across several hundred yards of forest.

Turn Stat Changes

Spoiler :

Challenge: The dryads have appeared to cast a powerful new spell! Trees are growing to unprecedented heights at great speed, rapidly moving towards our farms and town, tearing up any artificial structures in their wake. Trees are actually growing faster than we can cut them down, and we are concerned this could cause severe damage to our town. Some of our mages have suggested a massive firestorm to be the answer, claiming that a magical fire cast with 500 Magicka could not be stopped by any other magic. Others claim that this hasn’t worked before, and we would have better luck simply warding our town and surrounding area against unwanted growth with 300 Magicka. How do we respond to these proposals and impending crisis?

Wissenschaft
As food and water became too short, the people of Wissenschaft fell into anarchy when their leader disappeared. Lifelong comrades began to turn on each other for scraps of food and drops of water, and it did not take long for hundreds to be dead in the dust. The encampment quickly disbanded and the rest of the faction dissolved, leaving only a ruined camp behind it. The survivors headed off for a variety of destinations, as their attempts at succeeding in this new Gensin were met with failure.

Market Prices

Food: 108 Gold for 1 Food

Water: 85 Gold for 1 Water

Lumber: 302 Gold for 1 Lumber

Ore: 323 Gold for 1 Ore

Swords: 71 Gold for 1 Sword

Spears: 30 Gold for 1 Spear

Crossbows: 64 Gold for 1 Crossbow

Horses: 56 Gold for 1 Horse

NPC Diplomacy

To: Knights of Ynys Gaer
From: Sandwatch

At this time we have no desire to be ruled by a petty tyrant. We are fully prepared for any attack you intend on making, and thank you for the timely warning. Our stockpiles are large, and our new walls are ready to repulse any attempt at capture.

OOC

Would anyone with more artistic talent than myself be interested in creating a better map from what we have, ideally with terrain and so forth? I’m planning on doing a simple terrain/town map with names of towns and regions this weekend after the update, but if someone else can, I’d appreciate it. The current map just really isn’t cutting it, so, definitely going to need a bit of a revamping.

Just a note that archers DO require swords or spears to be trained, so they are not defenseless when attacked up close. Some of you have forgotten this, but thankfully there were always stockpiles of swords to draw from in each case. Also, remember that soldiers come with their weapons they were trained with and do not need to be equipped with any.

@thomas.berubeg: 35 Magicka just wasn’t enough to do anything to slow consumption, so it was not spent, allowing for its use in the next turn. Also the negative 20 applied to your Magicka is the automatic deduction for the death curse you requested.

World Map

Spoiler :

Shadowbound · Sep 3, 2015

Link to video.

Golden1Knight · Sep 3, 2015

Great update.

Well, I got a hero, but not the one I expected lol

Kind of a Robin Hood to deal with. Damn.

Zappericus · Sep 3, 2015

*shades*

Link to video.

christos200 · Sep 3, 2015

Nice update although it went terrible for me. I had the right tactics once again but I was again outnumbered. Also, I never expected that mages would support the Followers. The situation sucks, but I shall give it a last try and drink this magical potion.

christos200 · Sep 3, 2015

From: Shu
To: Conclave

If you withdraw your forces, we shall pay you a large amount of gold (up to 8,000 gold). If you do not, we will deal with you as mortal enemies.

From: Shu
To: World

We are ready to pay 12,000 Gold to any state which attacks the Followers.

Everblack · Sep 3, 2015

From: Followers of Orbaes
To: Shu State

King of Shu this war is madness why are you so intend on our demise. Have both our people not suffer enough. This pointless war has got you nothing but many dead and nothing to show for it. Let us end this madness for both are people sake. If you can't even see it in your heart that this is wrong then you have shown yourself a poor leader. Put whatever pride that drive you to go to such deep end. For even if you kill me my people will always believe in the true king our father Orbaes and will never submit to you.

ps: Kudos to Shadowbound video

double ps: I see what you did there EQandcivfanatic with Clan Blackfist challenge and I approve.

Grandkhan · Sep 3, 2015

Git gud unmagic scrubs. Wizards rule OK.

Excellent update EQ! Than went pretty well, ultimately, even if it did thin down my pop a bit.

Decamper · Sep 3, 2015

Great update!

gay_Aleks · Sep 3, 2015

Grandkhan said:
Git gud unmagic scrubs. Wizards rule OK.

Excellent update EQ! Than went pretty well, ultimately, even if it did thin down my pop a bit.

They never learn, do they?

Grandkhan · Sep 4, 2015

Tolni said:
They never learn, do they?

To be fair, hard to learn when you're dead.

EQandcivfanatic · Sep 5, 2015

This is the fair warning that I intend to start updating on Tuesday.

gay_Aleks · Sep 5, 2015

After two weeks without EBE, a quick update would be swell

christos200 · Sep 5, 2015

From: Shu
To: Followers

We can accept peace as long as you agree to not send missionaries to Shu. In return, we can give you 1,000 gold.

Shadowbound · Sep 5, 2015

From Windgard
To Lost Town

Friends, we are hoping to acquire 250 lumber to continue to build our settlement. Can you spare some wood?

EQandcivfanatic · Sep 5, 2015

To: Windgard
From: Lost Town

We are more than happy to provide lumber to our good allies.

Grandkhan · Sep 5, 2015

Quick question: does the halving of component costs for the Innovative trait apply to gold costs of buildings as well?

EQandcivfanatic · Sep 6, 2015

@Grandkhan: No.

Everblack · Sep 6, 2015

From: Followers of Orbaes
To: Shu State

We will accept the 1,000 gold for peace and we will not send any of our followers to you settlement but like I said before if your people come over to us wanting to learn about Orbaes we will not refuse them.

End of the Beginning of the End

Zailing Captain

Zailing Captain

Incorrugible

Emperor

Euro scumbag

Never tell me the odds

Never tell me the odds

Blacker then you

Telvanni Master Wizard

..!

from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!

Telvanni Master Wizard

Zailing Captain

from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!

Never tell me the odds

Incorrugible

Zailing Captain

Telvanni Master Wizard

Zailing Captain

Blacker then you

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