Story of Tlaloc - another MoM AAR

This is an AAR of another Master of Magic game, this time done on latest functional unofficial patch's Hard mode, since my strategy game skills have been diminishing lately. Small amount of land (which results in islands). Smaller images because most of it had been played on a netbook.
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A warmongering wizard with notions of godhood, Tlaloc plays up his mystique as a wizard-priest by holding sacrificial rites. The mixed fear and frenzy he instils in his troops produces real results on the battlefield.

Tlaloc aims to convert the entirety of Arcanus and Myrror into a brutal slave empire. He will stand at its doctrinal center, rubbing the coins of Nature and Death together as its ultimate broker of fertility and retribution. From that position, he will assess his next moves. The Wizard sees anything outside of his control as a matter to be rearranged.

All bow before Tlaloc!

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The latter mantra soon had ingrained itself into the lizardman minds of what was previously the lizardman town of Hob, and what is now called Tlalotepec, the capital of Tlaloc's empire. Tlaloc's scouts obeyed his orders without questions when he sent them to map the surrounding lands before returning to the city in order to patrol its streets while Tlaloc himself uncovered the world of Arcanus and Myrror using Earth Lore.

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At first, Tlaloc determined the character of the primary (meaning, wizard-led) inhabitants of Myrror. They were the Draconians - also lizard-like, but with far greater intelligence and able to fly. Obviously, Tlaloc reckoned, they would make a fine addition to his empire someday.

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A more pressing concern was the town of High Men uncovered to the West of Tlaloc's possessions. The High Men were somewhat more rebellious subjects than the lizards - but also far more useful long-term.

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In fact, the small (but still larger than Tlaloc's empire at this point) independent kingdom of which the High Men were a part of consisted of not only High Men in the north, but also more populous Barbarians in the south as well. Even the latter, more ferocious ethnicity, would not be a problem for Tlalocian, but the rival wizard controlling the Orc land further to the west, was.

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Further northwest there was a continent of another rival wizard, filled with Halflings and Orcs.

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Tlalotepec was a bursting city, and, like any other bursting city, it had its rebels and malcontents. Realizing that, Tlaloc ordered a Shrine to him to be built. After all, according to the impeccable research of Tlaloc's Sociology Institute, ritual sacrifices of the most prominent malcontents is a great way to keep the social order.

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The leader of these Orcs to the west of the independent kingdom was a human wizard from a small tribe of nomads. Tlaloc appreciated the wizard's knowledge of Nature magic, since their interests coincided in this regard, but disliked his high-minded talk of loyalty and honor.

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Brax the Dwarf was a useful addition to Tlaloc's forces, and, while Tlaloc disliked the stout, ale-addicted Dwarf, he was forced to admit that Brax was more likeable than his lazy lizardmen subjects or the flirty sprites. The latter were too jovial and didn't treat Tlaloc with the respect he felt he was entitled to - but they were willing to fight for him, and this was enough to make them useful.

Far more concerning, however, was Raven's rate of expansion. He had quickly subdued the independent kingdom and was spreading his Orcs far and wide all over the continent. Something needed to be done about this.

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This "something" was "lizards with special, better-designed pointy sticks".

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Tlaloc discovers the Web spell. The image of Raven trapped in a web brings a cruel smile to his face.

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He also ordered a new city to be found, the town of Chalco next to the copper deposit and a temple full of Guardian Spirits. The wimpy Life creatures don't wander outside, so there's no danger to the city's lizardmen inhabitants, which is good. Tlaloc is the only one they're allowed to fear.

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Finally, the army was ready. It consisted of playful Sprites and slow, but though Lizardmen Halberdiers some of whom were graciously blessed with resistance to elemental magic. The army bypassed the small Orc settlement, going directly to the High Men city of York.

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The city's defences were puny, no match for Tlaloc's army.

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Besides, the Draconian from Myrror was already on Arcanus, fighting Raven.

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Defenders of York fell like butter to Tlaloc's Lizardmen.

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Still, their ranks have lessened a bit, requiring remaining in the city for some time in order to rest and prevent its recapture. Furthermore, Tlaloc's scouting Sprites found another Wizard (and were promptly eliminated by this Wizard the following turn).

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Compared to Kali, even Tlaloc doesn't look that bad.

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Tlaloc spends a lot of funds on York. His High Men subjects are much more valuable than Lizardmen ones, and he needs the services of their Pikemen in order to press further onto Raven's capital.

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Raven, greatly disturbed by the loss of his city, thought he had found the counter to Tlaloc's armies, summoning the help of Nagas from the depths of Arcanus' waters. The Nagas had obliterated Tlaloc's small scouting expedition, justifying Raven's hopes.

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However, the Nagas failed in attacking the capital, Tlalotepec. Tlaloc had placed half the Nagas under Black Sleep...

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And the other half was destroyed by a massive counter-assault of rank-and-file Lizardmen.

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Desperate, Raven enlisted the help of Lidia the Bard to inspire his weak Orc troops in another assault on Tlalotepec.

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Lidia hoped that her Elvish Scalemail would improve her odds, but her hopes were in vain, with it ending up being claimed by Brax the Dwarf.

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Raven then turned to Kali for help. Kali did declare war on Tlaloc, but she didn't send any troops.

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Meanwhile, Tlaloc, seeing Raven's army completely exhausted, had attacked his capital with the combination of Lizardmen who conquered York and Pikemen from York itself. Internal tensions in this army were greatly lessened by Tlaloc promising to put the troublemakers to Black Sleep.

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The puny Orc Bowmen and Sprites eliminated a unit of Pikemen, but were quickly neutralized by Webbing.

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Raven turned out not even to have the strength for an attempt at a Spell of Return. This, along with his refusal to use Death magic, was a further proof of how foolish, pathetic and weak he was.

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The Draconian from Myrror, though, seemed competent enough for Tlaloc to trade with him.

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Although Orcs were punier in statute and weaker than Lizardmen, they knew arcane Druidic animist lore, which they had no choice but to offer to their new overlord.

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Celebrations were held in Tlalotepec, with many Lizardmen sacrificed for the glory of Tlaloc, as the Armorers' Guild is finished. Now only building a Stable separated us from Dragon Turtles.

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The celebrations became even more... intense as the Animists' Guild was built in Raven's former capital.

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However, bad news were on the horizon. Kali's Ghouls were approaching Oxenaak.

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Tlaloc did not take the threat seriously ar first. But then, Kali assaulted the Orc city...

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This was the result. The Orcs, subdued by Kali's Ghouls and Zombies, remembered Tlaloc's celebrations almost fondly.

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The High Men and the Barbarian city in the west, showed here, now form Tlaloc empire's western border, with the independent Barbarian city (ex-Raven settlement) being captured by Tlaloc's Pikemen on the following turn

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But the Pikemen army assembled to counter Kali...

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had suffered the same gruesome fate as the army defending Oxenaak.

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Fortunately for Tlaloc, Kali was willing to sign a peace treaty. Tlaloc even had to swallow his pride and give Kali a minor Death spell in tribute.

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Then Tlaloc started to breed the Dragon Turtles to get revenge on Kali. The new army trained itself on various wild lairs.

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Brax received a Sword of Mallana, found in one of the lairs, for his generalship.

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High Men architects and intellectuals diligently worked on building a Cathedral dedicated to Tlaloc.

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Brax's arny was enough to protect York, although not enough to cover all of Tlaloc's empire. In the light of York's importance, protecting it was decided to be the highest priority -

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- especially in the light of Kali desiring more of Tlaloc's lands.

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Kali's armies, partially made of Tlaloc's former units defeated by Ghouls, dominated the countryside.

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York, however, remained secure with its Cathedral and started to organize an Armorers' Guild.

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Kali's armies, however, conquered the Barbarian city right in the middle of Tlaloc's empire.

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Here it is on the map:

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Tlaloc reviewed his allocation of magical power. Clearly, more arcane and complex strategies were needed to defeat Kali.

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Kali's Werewolves, along with her Ghouls, proved to be very difficult to deal with. Tlaloc researched the Lycantropy spell himself, guarding his cities with at least one detachment of Werevolves.

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Emboldened by her previous successes, Kali attacked Brax's army...

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- and suffered a resounding defeat.

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This greatly emboldened Tlaloc, who sensed that the tide of this war begins to turn.

 

Another hastily-thrown army of Kali was destroyed by Brax and his Turtles.

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And finally, High Men smiths and clerics began training Paladins in the name of Tlaloc.

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Barbarians in Hamburg, the town in the middle of Tlaloc's empire captured by Kali, were restless. It was time to strike.

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The Eagle Paladins of Tlaloc, parading through York, inspired both awe and fear in the citizenry's hearts.

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The Paladins were a more flashy sight than the Dragon Turtles, despite the latter's ability to breath fire.

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But Kali, seeing Tlaloc's renewed might, had her own answer to it - the Shadow Demons. As a small contingent of Turtles was scouting the Halfling core of Kali's empire, the Demons fell on the Barbarian city to the south of York, and captured it for their mistress.

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The Demons were met by Brax and his army. The Black Channeled Undead Dragon Turtles and the Paladins were the pride of Tlaloc. Kali casted Wrack, but it hardly had much of an effect on Tlaloc's hardened troops.

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The Demons proved to be less powerful than Kali thought.

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The Barbarian city of Hamburg was the next in line.

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Kali managed to Possess one of the Turtles.

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But Tlaloc won the Battle for Hamburg, anyway.

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These are the cities that were recaptured in this Tlalocian counteroffensive.

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Kali, dismayed by her losses, signed peace with Tlaloc.

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Sss'ra made an opportunistic failed attack at a Tlalocian city.

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Tlaloc's Earth Lore revealed the lands of a yet unmet wizard whose troops fly a yellow banner (it can be seen in the slight red circle on the minimap).

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Kali's Halfling capital is also revealed in all its glory as Tlaloc collects his Paladins in order to conquer it.

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The Jewel of Tlalocia, the city of York, prepares the wharfs in order to build the ships necessary to take the fight to Kali's continent.

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Kali declared war again, capturing the in-between Barbarian city of Hamburg with her Shadow Demons. But Tlaloc didn't care, for he had he ultimate weapon against Kali's Shadow Demons and Slingers - Black Channeled Paladins. True, this weapon eventually exhausted itself due to Black Channeled units being unable to heal, but in the meantime, it was truly awe-inspiring.

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Tlaloc's Armada sailed to Kali's lands.

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It landed.

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But just as Tlaloc's army was approaching Kali's capital...

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It was conquered by the Draconian Airships under the yellow banners, signifying the first contact between the empires of Tlaloc and Oberic.

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The Black Paladins easily conquered Kali's remaining Halfling cities on the continent. However, many cities at Tlaloc's continent continued to swear loyalty to her. Her troops were not enough to conquer any of Tlaloc's cities, but enough to continuously harass Tlaloc.

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One of Tlaloc's expeditions found Shadow Demons in ruins.

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Kali returned to a Barbarian city on Tlaloc's continent.

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The city was well-defended, actually holding Death Knights at one point. However, when Kali decided that Wraiths would do the job just as well, Tlaloc decided to strike.

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Tlaloc's first attempt was unsuccessful.

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His second one, with Paladins being supported by Orc Magicians, finally cracked Kali's new fortress open, defeating the witch. She was immediately magically transported to the pyramid of Tlalotepec, where she was sacrificed for the glory of Tlaloc.

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Tlaloc's treatment of Kali alarmed other wizards.

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This was the state of Arcanus and Myrror at the time (Sawtooth is Oberic's capital).

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This is what Oberic the Lizard Lord's capital looked like. Apparently, many of the lizard population were unhappy with their overlord.

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Army of Lizard Turtles gathered next to Tlalotepec for an overseas strike at Sawtooth.

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While Tlaloc, the self-proclaimed God of Rain, summons Ice Storms over Oberic's capital.

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The torrent of storms was effective in thinning Sawtooth's garrison out.

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Still, Oberic's capital was defended by Sir Thomas, a knight who swore personal emnity to Tlaloc.

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First attack on Sawtooth killed Thomas, but Oberic's Javelineers defeated the remaining Turtles.

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Oberic had Death Knights, but foolishly kept them away from his capital.

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Continuous Ice Storms prevented Sawtooth from being reinforced properly.

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Tlaloc's army of Wyvern Riders and Doom Drakes from former Sss'ra's cities on Arcanus easily captured Oberic's capital.

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Death Knights. That was the reason why once Tlaloc captured Oberic's capital, Tlaloc's victory was basically assured.

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Oberic returning from his forced exile and capturing some ex-Kali cities only marginally inconvenienced Tlaloc.

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Death Knights easily cut a swath to Oberic's new capital on Myrror.

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The only notable event was Tlaloc's and Oberic's Death Knights meeting each other in battle.

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And soon...

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Sss'ra's ca'pit'al foll'ow'ed s'oon, leaving Tlaloc as the only true Master of Magic.

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