Gilgamesh's Epic - A Civ4 Tale

[Darkmot]

Chapter 00a – The Setup

After inspired by the great works of great artists like Sisutil and Flouzemaker and many others, I’ve decided to give a shot at Civ4 Stories and Tales to train my writing skills. I chose Gilgamesh of Sumeria.

Why Gilgamesh? I got hooked with him in an instant after reading Civilopedia (good stuff there, who said you can’t learn form game?), then proceed to our next best friends, Wikipedia and Google, to track down his epic story. Sumerian is the first civilization, and The Epic of Gilgamesh is the first story featuring a superhuman. If there’s a way to feel epic playing civilization, it’s by playing Gilgamesh! I do sort of hope after this story finish, maybe, just maybe, Firaxis will decide that Sumeria is one of the civilization in Civ5 vanilla. Child’s dream I know, but one can wish anyway.

I’m going to play at Noble for 2 reasons. First is that I’ve never won at noble. I’ve always started another game if the game become too obvious about victory or lost. And I do still have “buildahollic” sickness, although it’s get better now, because of the few “medical” strategies here.

The second reason is I’m going to play quite role-playing, so I’ll probably execute silly moves and strategies for the sake of the story. So, there you go, whether I win or not, let’s see it together. Without further ado, I present you...

Creative is actually Sumerian trait, not Gilgamesh’s. But let’s see how it will fit with the story. If you’ve read the Epic of Gilgamesh, the protective trait really fits him well. Unfortunately, no records in history (yet) about Sumerian UU, so the imaginary Vulture is the best Civ4 can do (and quite nice too), and it’s really better than Enkidu Warriors at Civ3. One thing to wonder is why Ziggurat replaces Courthouse, instead temple? Eventhough with Priesthood tech, it’s still off place in my opinion. But it does give him easy REX, fueling more the epic feeling.

I know from Sisutil last analysis with Gilgamesh ALC, that Sumeria is not good civilization because it’s lack of focus. Even more reason to play at noble, because I’m going to take all the branch trait of Sumeria. Yes, Archery, Bronzeworking, and Priesthood will be my priorities, and will insert AH if necessary. Let’s see how he will survive in the world like this:

Civ Version: 3.01 (yeah, I’m lazy)
Difficulties: Noble (explanation above)
Map: 2 Continents (my favorite)
Size: Large (again, my favorite)
Speed: Epic (rumor says it’s actually more balanced than Normal)
Victories: Conquest, Cultural, Space Race (I chose this because I think the other victories will left the story quite unfinished (thus, less epic). Sometimes I feel bad because this limitation gives me more edge than restricting me, but I think it’s nicer to role-play if you don’t really need worry to preemptive all the victories)
Options: No Vassal States (I thought if I take the conquest path, we won’t need any Vassal. Later, you’ll see that this is the option that I regret having)

You probably noticed that I’ve chosen my opponents. The reason behind this is because all of my chosen opponents got few or much reputations in this community, and having AIs that got more personalities usually make better stories than the bland one.

Please note that this is my first try to write a finished story, and English is not my native language. So any constructive critics, corrections, suggestions will be very appreciated. Even the grammatical one, or you have other ideas that these lines will be better if I wrote it like this or that, and etc. Another note is like every other writers said, the Civilization calendar is funny, so it’s best to ignore it. I’ll show them sometimes just to show my progress in game, but it shall have no meaning at all in the story.

So! The table has been set! The dice are rolling! Let the story begin!

 

[Darkmot]

Chapter 00b – Prologue

The door opened. A silhouette of man appeared in front of the light outside the room. The light revealed nothing beside the pedestal in the middle of the room, its height was about the man waist, spread wide like an altar.

The man walked slowly approaching the pedestal. His feet grew heavy each step, showed the heavy burden in his heart. His eyes, while full of experiences, showed the sign of a weary wolf. His mind was full of thought, but he kept it to focus on the pedestal. At last, his hand reached slowly on the pedestal, his finger carefully traced it.

On the pedestal laid down a big copper box with bronze lock. With heavy sigh, the man opened the lock, revealed twelve lapis lazuli tablets, arranged one on top another, ordered from the first to the last. Each tablet sized half big as the man torso, written on it the Sumerian alphabets, filling until the edge of each tablets. This, the man thought, is how it all started, while his hand lifted up the first tablet.

And he began to read…

 

[Darkmot]

Chapter 01 – A Rival for The Mighty One

He who has seen everything, I will make him known to the lands.
I will tell about him who experienced all things.

Anu granted him the totality of knowledge of all.
He saw the Secret, discovered the Hidden,
he brought knowledge of the time before the Flood.

He went on a distant journey, pushing himself to exhaustion,
but then was brought to peace.

He carved on a stone story of all his toils,
and built the wall of Uruk-Haven,
the wall of the sacred Kong Miao Temple, the holy sanctuary.

Look at its wall which gleams like copper,
inspect its inner wall, the likes of which no one can equal!
Take hold of the threshold stone--it dates from ancient times!

Go close to the Kong Miao Temple, the residence of Anu,
such as no later king or man ever equaled!
Go up on the wall of Uruk and walk around,
examine its foundation, inspect its brickwork thoroughly.

Is it not the brick structure made of kiln-fired brick,
and did not the Seven Sages themselves lay out its plans?

Find the copper tablet box,
open its lock of bronze,
undo the fastening of its secret opening.

Take and read out from the lapis lazuli tablet
how Gilgamesh went through every hardship.

Gilgamesh was a divine leader of Sumeria. People called him the God King of Uruk, due to his divine heritage. Born as the son of King Lugalbanda and minor goddess Ninsun, shaped by The Great Goddess Aruru herself, Gilgamesh is two-thirds of god and one-third human. His enormous strength was unmatchable. No one was ever able to challenge and bested him. His face is beauty beyond perfection. He was every men’s dream to be and women’s dream to adore.

At a young age he ascended to the throne, though he was bold, strong, eminent, and wise, he ruled the people with tyranny. Every great work created with great number of slave victim behind it, and although with his great mind he tread carefully to not overdo his iron fist, generations after generations, his oppression gave deep scar inside people hearts. But who could challenge him, the mightiest of all? Who could stand before him, the boldest of all?

And on top of that, Gilgamesh claimed that his divine status gave him the right to sleep with brides before their husbands did. Gilgamesh did it in every wedding at Sumeria. But people could not reject him. All they could do was praying to the gods about Gilgamesh’s cruelty. The Sky God Anu heard their plea, and called The Great Goddess Aruru, the one who created Gilgamesh.

It was you, Aruru, who created Gilgamesh,
now create a rival for him.
Let him be equal to Gilgamesh's stormy heart,
let them be a match for each other so that Uruk may find peace!

Aruru washed her hands, and created something from the clay, thrown it to the wilderness. In the wilderness, she created the valiant Enkidu. His whole body was shaggy with hair, he had full head of hair like a woman. He knew neither people nor settled living, and he wore no garments. He ate other animals and walk with lions, his thirst satisfied by the watering hole.

A trapper came face-to-face with him at the opposite of the watering hole. The sight of Enkidu intimidated him, scared him to the bone. His heart pounded so hard, and his face drained of color. But Enkidu and the animals leave him be, and they turned back. After the trapper regained his composure, he went back home and told his father about Enkidu.

Father, a certain fellow has come from the mountains.
He is the mightiest in the land,
his strength is as mighty as the meteorite of Anu!

He continually goes over the mountains,
he continually jostles at the watering place with the animals,
he continually plants his feet opposite the watering place.

I was afraid, so I did not go up to him.
He filled in the pits that I had dug,
wrenched out my traps that I had spread,
released from my grasp the wild animals.
He does not let me make my rounds in the wilderness!

The father listened to him carefully. At last, when he was finished, his father said to him to look for Gilgamesh and told him about this man.

My son, there lives in Uruk a certain Gilgamesh.
There is no one stronger than he,
he is as strong as the meteorite of Anu.

Go, set off to Uruk,
tell Gilgamesh of this Man of Might.

The trapper heeded his father advices, and set journey to Uruk. When he reached there, he asked audience with Gilgamesh, and declared to him about Enkidu. After that, Gilgamesh wandered in thought for a while, and finally said to the trapper.

Go, trapper, bring the harlot, Shamhat, with you.
When the animals are drinking at the watering place
have her take off her robe and expose her sex.
When he sees her he will draw near to her,
and his animals, who grew up in his wilderness, will be alien to him.

The trapper went, bringing the harlot, Shamhat, with him. They set off on the journey, making direct way to the wilderness. On the third day they arrived at the appointed place, the trapper and harlot sat down and made their post. After a few days the animals arrived at the opposite the watering hole. Then he, Enkidu, showed up to join with the animals. Shamhat saw him, a primitive, a savage fellow from the wilderness. The trapper urged her to do what she was told to do.

Shamhat undressed her bosom, exposed her sex to the Enkidu, and he took in her voluptuousness. She was not restrained, but took his energy. She spread out her robe and he lay upon her, she performed for the primitive the task of womankind. His lust groaned over her; for six days and seven nights Enkidu stayed aroused, and had intercourse with the harlot until he was satisfied with her charms.

But when he turned his attention to his animals, the lions shunned Enkidu and darted off, the wild animals distanced themselves from his body. Enkidu’s body went depleted, his knees that wanted to go off with his animals went rigid. Enkidu was diminished, his running was not as before. But then he drew himself up, for his understanding had broadened. His mind had cleared from the savage and primal instinct. Turned around, he sat down at the harlot's feet, gazed into her face, his ears attentive as the harlot spoke.

You are beautiful.
Enkidu, you are become like a god.
Why do you gallop around the wilderness with the wild beasts?

Come, let me bring you into Uruk-Haven,
to the Holy Temple, the residence of Anu,
the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection,
but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull.

What she kept saying found favor in his heart. Became aware of himself, he sought a friend. And then Enkidu spoke to the harlot.

Come, Shamhat, take me away with you.
I will challenge him!
Let me shout out in Uruk: I am the mighty one!
Lead me in and I will change the order of things,
he whose strength is mightiest is the one born in the wilderness!

Shamhat, once again saw the brass spirit inside Enkidu, attempted to calmed him furthermore.

Come, let us go, so he may see your face.
I will lead you to Gilgamesh, for I know where he will be.

Look about, Enkidu, inside Uruk-Haven,
where the people show off in skirted finery,
where every day is a day for some festival,
where the lyre and drum play continually,
where harlots stand about prettily,
exuding voluptuousness, full of laughter
and on the couch of night the sheets are spread."

Enkidu, you who do not know, how to live,
I will show you Gilgamesh, a man of extreme feelings.
Look at him, gaze at his face,
he is a handsome youth, with freshness,
his entire body exudes voluptuousness
He has mightier strength than you,
without sleeping day or night!

Enkidu, it is your wrong thoughts you must change!
It is Gilgamesh whom the gods loves,
and they have enlarged his mind.
Even before you came from the mountain
Gilgamesh in Uruk had dreams about you.

Gilgamesh got up in his bed, confused, bewildered. He had the strangest dreams in his life, two dreams in fact, and they kept haunting his mind relentlessly. Unable to bear it for another day, Gilgamesh told his dream to his mother, Ninsun.

Gilgamesh dreamt about some kind of meteorite fell next to him. He tried to lift it but he couldn’t, and he tried to turn it over without any result. But the people of Uruk was standing around it, praised it, and kissed it as if it were a little baby. Gilgamesh loved it and embraced it as a wife. The mother of Gilgamesh, wise and all-knowing Ninsun, found prophecy inside the dream, and said to him, that there would come a mighty man, a comrade who saved his friend. He was as strong as the meteorite of Anu, and Gilgamesh loved him and embraced him as a wife. And it was him that would repeatedly saved Gilgamesh.

A second time Gilgamesh said to his mother about his other dream. He dreamt of an axe, like the meteorite, the people of Uruk praised it and rejoiced about it. Gilgamesh loved it and embraced it as a wife. Again, Ninsun saw the prophecy behind the meaning of the dream, that there would come a mighty man, a comrade who saved his friend. He was the one that would lift the power of Uruk, and he would bring an age of glory for Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh, saw this as a good omen, and declared.

By the command of Anu, the Great God, so may it to pass!
May I have a friend and adviser, a friend and adviser may I have!
You have interpreted for me the dreams about him!

***to be continued***

 

[Darkmot]

At first I didn’t plan that this story would come out like the original epic of Gilgamesh. But then, after played for a few turns and read again the original manuscript translation of the twelve tablets (eleven actually), I began to see the resemblance more and more. And then I thought, let’s try to fit it anyway.

There were times when the game thrown me a curveball, then I thought, ah well, this is probably as far as the reality can scratch. Then when I do reach to the point of the story, the game revert to synergize with the Gilgamesh’s story again. The coincidence is very scary. Or, as one said it, the RNG is a mean teaser.

For you who have already read the Epic of Gilgamesh, You’ll notice that I fudged the story here and there. I did it to represent the game behind the story, and in my egoistical puny mind, because this is the story of alternate universe of Gilgamesh, it doesn’t have to be the exact copy of our world Gilgamesh, right?

Anyway, enjoy the story, and please tell me if there’s anything wrong, or strange, or whatever irk you. I welcome all the criticism, since I know I’m not perfect (yet).

 

[god of crows45]

great start to what seems like an interesting story

 

[Darkmot]

A compliment! Thank you. I do hope someone would point out if I got wrong on grammar or something like that. I'm going to post the next story in 1 or 2 days.

 

[Rex rgis of Ter]

I like the story! When will we expect the next story?

 

[Darkmot]

Chapter 02 – The Great Duel

Shamhat pulled of her clothing. She clothed Enkidu with one piece, and herself with another piece. Then she asked for Enkidu to stand up and follow her. She brought Enkidu to the shepherds. The shepherds marveled at the sight of him. Enkidu was tall like a mountain. He looked young and mighty, much like Gilgamesh. When he arrived at their place, they placed food and beer in front of him. But Enkidu knew nothing about bread as food, and never been taught to drank beer before. But the harlot spoke to him.

Eat the food, Enkidu, it is the way one lives.
Drink the beer, Enkidu, as is the custom of the land.

Enkidu ate the food until he was sated, and he drank the beer seven jugs. He became expansive and sang with joy. The whole night the shepherds and Enkidu danced and sang, like no other party had ever thrown before.

The next morning Enkidu splashed his shaggy body with water. With the help of Shamhat, he trimmed his body hair and groomed his head. He rubbed himself with oil, and turned into human. He put on some clothing, and became a Warrior. Young and mighty. He took up a weapon and helped the shepherd to chase the lion, so the shepherd could eat and do their job. With Enkidu as their guardian, the herders could lie down. A wakeful man, charismatic leader, he was stronger than any other man.

But the happiness did not last long. One day, a young man came to the shepherds and tell them something, suddenly after that all of them grew silent and had despair looks. Enkidu called out for the young man and ask what the dire news he could bring to make people full of lament. The young man spoke to Enkidu.

People in town have invited me to the wedding,
As is the custom of the land.
I have heaped up tasty delights for the wedding on the ziggurat platter.
The bride has been prepared,
For Gilgamesh, The God King of Uruk,
Come he will, attend he desire.
He will have intercourse with the “destined wife”,
He first, then the husband afterward.
As is the custom of the land.

At the young man’s speech, Enkidu’s face flushed with anger. Without anymore talk, he stormed to the gate of Uruk. Enkidu walked in front, and Shamhat after him. Mighty and intimidating, he stood at the wall gate of Uruk-Haven. The whole land assembled about him. People of Uruk stood around him, praised him, and kissed his feet as if it were little baby.

Suddenly a handsome young man, who stood as mighty as mountain, walked at the streets of Uruk. Gilgamesh, the two-thirds god one-third human, came to claim his first taste for the bride. But Enkidu blocked the marital chamber. His hands stretched to the each edge of the ziggurat door. Their eyes met. Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Two mighty men. The air around them suddenly grew heavy and could suffocate any mortals. Enkidu shout to Gilgamesh.

Stop! Your disgusting desire ends here, right now!
You will gave no more suffering for the married people.
I, Enkidu, will make sure to disable you from this filthy act.

Gilgamesh replied with swift thrust of his hand to Enkidu’s neck. Gilgamesh gripped Enkidu’s neck strongly, and raise Enkidu up with that one hand until above his head. With commanding voice, Gilgamesh said to Enkidu.

You will do no such thing!

The next thing, Gilgamesh tossed Enkidu over his shoulder. But even Enkidu has been tamed and his energy been drained, he still excelled at fighting with his instincts and reflexes. With a somersault flip, he landed gently with his feet and hand. Before Gilgamesh could turn his body, with inhuman speed Enkidu tackled Gilgamesh until they both fell into the inside of Ziggurat. People at the outside couldn’t see them, but suddenly a loud blow heard from the inside, and Enkidu was thrown from the door of ziggurat with high altitude. But once again Enkidu’s tumble made him landed gracefully at the roof of a house. Then Gilgamesh emerged from the ziggurat.

At the roof Enkidu stood, high and mighty, At the ground Gilgamesh stood, strong and unstoppable. Both of them exchanged glares and insults for a while. Suddenly, without a warning, Gilgamesh grabbed a wheeled cart beside him, and hurled it toward Enkidu. But Enkidu was there no more. Exactly form the top of Gilgamesh, Enkidu stroke with a mighty blow, sent Gilgamesh to the ground and cracked it. Angered, Gilgamesh tried to land a blow on Enkidu above him, but the air was the only one he hit.

Enkidu has taken few steps back when Gilgamesh arose. Then, with another quick leap, he charged to Gilgamesh again. This time however, Gilgamesh was ready. He caught Enkidu’s hand while he dodged it, then thrown Enkidu above his shoulder again, but Gilgamesh learned his lesson. Enkidu was thrown to the ground opposite from Gilgamesh, without releasing his hand from Enkidu’s. Without any time and free movement, Enkidu couldn’t soften the impact, and landed with crack on the ground. They evened out.

Their next movement was hard to follow, or even to be stopped, by any mortal men. They exchanged blows, thrown themselves each other, and used any object they could reach as a weapon or something to throw. Enkidu, swift and deadly sharp, Gilgamesh, strong and hit hard. The fighting ensued until dawn of the next day, when they were both tired and injured, couldn’t stand anymore to fight. Exhausted and weary, no more energy to lift their body, they looked to each other again.

But this time they laughed. Long and loud. Their laughter echoed loudly until the edge of the Uruk. At last, Gilgamesh spoke to Enkidu.

Enkidu, you are strong and beautiful.
Your might is as strong as meteorite of Anu.
Your speed is as fast as lightning of Adad.
And your wisdom is as deep as ocean of Ea.
Your perseverance opened my eyes about my wrong ways.
You are the gods sent to be my partner.

Enkidu shook his head and said to Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh, you are the one that mighty and wonderful.
It is you who as strong as meteorite of Anu.
It is you who as fast as lightning of Adad.
And it is you who wise as deep as ocean of Ea.
Your head is elevated over the other men.
The Gods have destined for you the kingship over the people.

After they regained their strength, they stood up and hugged each other. And they became friends. Side by side they walked at the streets of Uruk, praised each other whenever they met people. Gilgamesh invited Enkidu to his residence to meet his mother, the goddess Ninsun.

When they met, Gilgamesh praised Enkidu in front of his mother non-stop. Enkidu’s face reddened with shy from Gilgamesh’s words. When Ninsun saw Gilgamesh’s blabber seemed would never stop, she raised her hand, silencing Gilgamesh. Then she turned to Enkidu.

Enkidu has no father nor mother.
His wild body no one cared before.
He was born in the wilderness, no one raised him.

Enkidu was standing there, silently heard the speech.

Enkidu the Mighty, you are not of my womb,
But now I speak to you along with the sacred advisers of Gilgamesh,
The high priestess, the holy women, the temple servers.

She laid a pendant on Enkidu’s neck.

I have taken Enkidu…
Gilgamesh, I have taken Enkidu as my son.
Let him be your brother,
Who will always guide you and save you,
Who will always walk side by side with you,
He will be your partner…
Your equal.

Enkidu opened his mouth but no words came out of it. He sat down and wept. His eyes filled with tears of joy. His arms felt limp, his strength weakened. They took each other by hand, Gilgamesh and Ninsun to Enkidu. The three of the hugged and cried happily for this occasion. And then, Enkidu made a declaration to Gilgamesh.

By the command of Anu, so it pass.
You have a friend and adviser, a friend and adviser you have.
I will always guide you and save you,
I will always walk side by side with you,
I will be your partner,
Your equal,
…
Your brother…

***to be continued***

 

[Darkmot]

At first, I didn’t have a lot of confidence with this chapter. The original second tablet from our original Epic of Gilgamesh has too many lines missing, unlike the first tablet, and some translations are weird. So this is my chance to have more room in creativity. While this may as fun as eating snacks, it’s not as easy. Especially when the lines that gone missing is the exact line where the battle should be described! I tried to picture how the two mightiest equal men would fight, but it shouldn’t be too overwonder like Dragon Balls. In the end was what you read above. Do you like it?

For you who already read the real Epic of Gilgamesh, you might notice that I end this chapter with only the first part of the second tablet. That’s because I think the second part of the tablet will fit more in the third tablet, so in my story that the way it is. The third tablet only got few lines anyway, so it shouldn’t be a problem. (Or would it? One can only guess if the writer’s mind started to wander).

As always, critics, the way to improve the lines and the story, any suggestions will be much appreciated. Thank you for reading my story.