The Forging of the Kuriotates (FfH 2.15 game story)

[Nikis-Knight]

This is a story to show off Fall from Heaven 2 mod, version 15, released 8/11/06. Settings were 8 AI's on a large Pangea map, using Monarch dificulty.

I could tell that my hosts expected payment for the meal. The only payment a dusty old traveler like me would pay. “So,” I began, bending down and pulling the innkeepers young son onto my lap, “I suppose you would like a tale?”
He nodded vigorously. “Yes sir. One with dragons!”
“Hush now, Carda, we want to hear a true story,” scolded his mother.
“Then you are both in luck. I have only one story to tell, and it is a true one. And there is not just one dragon, lad. Shall I begin at the beginning?”

I was there when Kwythellar was founded.

“Hold it,” said the innkeeper. “That city is ancient. Are you telling me that you are a thousand years old?”

“Merely 500 years, my friend. I have pondered how it happened many times. Perhaps whatever force gave the boy eternal youth gave me… well, obviously not eternal youth, but longevity, at least. Or perhaps when history has need of a person, it doesn’t easily let go. Doubt me if you will, but hear the tale and decide for yourself.”

I was there when Kwythellar was founded. My first memory is of him, or at least the first that remains to this day. Cardith Lorda.

He couldn’t have been but five years older than me when he appeared in our little village on the day of the thaw, as the Age of Winter ended. Yet he spoke with wisdom and strength beyond his age, of taking the lost and turning them into a people. My family was convinced. We packed our bags and followed him immediately.


The city of Kwythellar was founded that year. In another tongue, Cardith said, the word meant unity. And his lands would be Kurios, or the new land. He inspired people by his very presence—how else to explain that the citizens that flocked to his cities were willing to travel further each day in their labors, knowing that they would return to his city?

My parents, formerly gatherers, set about learning a new trade. Recreating knowledge that had been lost to the winter, Cardith said.


Meanwhile my brother and I followed the reports of his scouts with unconcealed enthusiasm. We had never been out of our little valley before. What mysteries awaited our young nation?

In year 3, stragglers from a nearby village were found, bringing ancient lore. Blizzards obscured the roads during the Age of Winter, but we would put their knowledge of exploration to good use. Five years later, word arrived that another people had been met—the Dwarven nation of Khazad, led by Kandros Fir.

He distrusted Cardith initially, felt his goodness an act. But good news arrived then as well—another village was found, its refugees bringing with them the knowledge of the calendar. These stories continued to come in throughout my childhood, tales of distant peoples, of wild beasts, strange lands. My brother Mark joined another unit of scouts in the 17th year of rebirth—the same year we learned of the existence of the Sheaim.
They were also a people new since Age of Rebirth, but not one who celebrated the new age. Whispers escaped their borders of dark goals and evil plans. I’m sure you know some of what followed, but Cardith, in those days, still hoped for brotherhood with all. We were so very naïve then.
Speaking of evil, word reached us that evil incarnate had set up a kingdom on Erebus. Cardith instructed his people to stay well away from his lands, but who needed such a warning? After finding the Infernals, we never heard from that scout again, and the seeds of mistrust were planted.
My own brother, meanwhile, sent back word of frightening beasts all too close to home, and we began to think about ways to subdue them.

Meanwhile, it was time for me to contribute to our community, having learned the laborer’s trade, and I set out. I conferred frequently with Cardith Lorda, and I suspect, though I didn’t notice it at the time, that it was around this time that my aging began to slow. From my work in field and our scouts' inspection of the wild beasts, we soon gained the wisdom of domestication of animals. Cardith declared that we should study the best ways to preserve our culture.
A strange people were met to the east, as the scouts of several nations converged by chance.

When their borders were found, walking dead were seen nearby. We suspected some fell magic from their lands was to blame.

Mark was ordered to return home, and he brought reports with him of Hill Giants and of Giant Spiders, and, perhaps more frightening, that Orcs were preparing to march on cities. But good news came as well, that the lands nearby were ripe for settlement. The whole city came out to watch those first settlers head out, and Cardith designed a monument for Kwythellar to honor their bravery.

The city was named Naggarond, or Providence.


(edit:cut a few pics)

 

[Nikis-Knight]

Mark was nearing old age, training his replacement, when he sent back word of another nation, the Bannor, led by Sabathiel, an Angel on a mission not dissimilar to our own. Peaceful ties were established, and Cardith was confident that the Bannor would remain our allies. We needed some, near to so many peoples that we distrusted or feared.

All the more so a few years later, when news came that caused a panic in our streets. Refugees from the south, peaceful trappers, alerted us to the fact that the Barbarian King, Orthus, stalked the land, again looking for conquest and carnage. We delayed training new settlers in lieu of warriors. Vastly outmatched though they were, they pledged their lives to the Kuriotates survival.
It was I who first spotted him. I had no training in combat, and quickly fled, with our small force of warriors heading to intercept him.

However, the very next year we learned that the dreaded Barbarian had been slain already, though it wasn’t for sometime that we learned by whom. Kandros Fir had studied alchemy, and used this suspect knowledge to create a monstrosity of his own, Typhoid Mary. The mighty king had been felled by plague!

Time was spent, building and exploring. The 80s were a momentous decade—Kandros Fir founded a religion, we discovered interesting metals in two locations near Kwythellar, and then Sabathiel declared war on Kandros Fir. Worried that the war might come to us, we looked into mysticism, hoping for wisdom in what to do. Meanwhile, our scout had reached a sea to the east, and so we negotiated rights of passage with Sabathiel.
Another Settler was ready to head out—but some Orcs had beaten us to the site we desired. There could be no reasoning with them, so Cardith declared that we should train our warriors in the use of bronze axes and remove their city.
The lands of Bannor were quite extensive by this point, as my now late brother Mark’s old scout unit discovered. Easily defensible as well, and Cardith decided that though war would be best avoided with the Dwarves, if we needed to choose sides, Sabathiel would be the best choice. Sure enough, Kandros’ emissary asked us for assistance, and we politely declined. Our scouts took careful note of the locations of his and Sabathiel’s copper deposits. Then they made a very interesting discovery—Kandros allowed the Infernals free passage through his lands. We began to plan for war, though the Barbarians to our north would make things difficult until the training yards were operational.
This happened very soon in Kwythellar, in the same year that a warrior defended our pig farm from an orcish incursion. He learned much from this, about fighting Orcs and about fighting hand to hand in general, so we ordered him home to upgrade. News came that peace returned to our neighbors at this time.

Cardith ordered our people to stay ever vigilant. However, he felt confident to send Orc-Bane away with a settler, finally!
More dwarves were found to the south, and at first we feared that our rivals were so extensive. But it was not the Khazad, it was Garrim Gyr’s tinkers the Luchuirp. They would prove to be great friends in the years to come.

The scouts bid them welcome and pressed on to uncover what lay beyond.
In the early years of the new century, things became difficult. The people in Naggarond were unhappy, and our scouts, so far to the south, were never heard from again. Worse, the Sidar were expanding quite close to us, and conflict was inevitable if we founded our city where we planned.
They would soon put Cardith’s leadership to its first test.
Hyol of the Orcs was burned after Orc-Bane destroyed their defenders.

Avelorn was founded and began a monument to Orc-Bane. And the people of Naggarond were placated when we brought their gold out of the nearby hills. But not by me. By this time I had long since put away my pick and hoe, and taken up residence in the palace as an advisor. I was well over a hundred, though it felt like merely middle age. Cardith however, had the same bright young visage I remembered from the day of the thaw, and odd as it sounds, when I was with him, I never though to question this. Kurios WAS Cardith, as so it seemed only natural that as we prospered, he should ever be there to lead us. I was not alone in this sentiment. As the years past, we had begun to question calling him our “chief” and taken to calling him lord. And so it was announced, to his amusement, that he would be our god-king, and we would serve him all the more fervently.

We were not the only ones thinking about gods in those days, however. We received news that two new religions had been founded, Fellowship of the Leaves, and the Octopus Overlords. Also, adherents of the Khazad’s Rune’s of Kilmorph spread into our lands. Cardith declined their urgings to adopt their creed formally, though welcomed any who wished to settle in our lands to do so. The subsequent decades were peaceful, save for the occasional Orc, though hints of what would come later were shown when the Infernal and Sheaim messengers threatened us to break our bonds of friendship with the Bannor and Lucuirp respectively. Meanwhile, we focused on our society, putting in writing a code of laws, and developing philosophy. In the midst of this, we were contacted by a new civilization—the feared Calabim. They hated us from the start, and things would only get worse, we knew.

In the year 168, our prophets awoke screaming in Kwythellar, ranting about the end of days. Our priests took note of these visions and gleaned insights from them, but it was quite worrying nonetheless.

We spoke with the other leaders about this. Garrim Gyr agreed to strengthen our relationship with a trade. Os-Gabella merely laughed at us, while Kandros admitted we were his worst enemy. We realized that these prophecies may indeed be of the end of days. Especially when word reached us in year 179 that Kuldevind, our nearest Sheaim neighbor, had founded a cult, worshiping beasts of destruction, the ancient dragons. I informed Cardith, but he merely smiled and said, “They will not trouble us.” I was not so confident, but then, I didn’t know then what I know now about my lord. The very next year, though, I had cause to doubt him. One of these ancient beasts was awakened, and right on our doorstep.

 

[Nikis-Knight]

In the year 189, I had a vision from Junil, elder of the gods. He had seen what dark plans grew in the mind of Os-Gabella, had discovered the abominations that the Sidar had become, and had grown tired of tolerating the stench of the Infernal upon Erebus. Cardith was chosen to spread the law of Junil, the Order, and I was chosen convince Cardith.

He was very receptive. Furthermore, Garrim Gyr was seemed quite eager to hear more about our new faith, and we decided that converting our neighbors should be a priority. Sabathiel was still quite friendly towards us, and we peacefully gained knowledge of Trade and Warfare from him.

Shortly into the third century, we finished deciphering the Code of Junil, and adherents flocked to our Holy city to learn them. One of those who came to us after this momentous event was the leader of the Mercurians, Basium. An angel with a singular mission, he definitely deserved our support, though I mistrusted him, as he followed the elven creed.

Then it began. Morgoth of the Sidar declared war on us. We were in the middle of building temples of the Order, and were not prepared for his attack. So we made a deal with Sabathiel, and gained some knowledge in the bargain, though why he had studied necromancy, I couldn’t guess.

Orc-Bane, the unit that had taken Hyol, now defended the city that we had long ago put in its place from a hunter. I myself left my lord’s side to aid those at the front lines, bringing healing and the peace of confession.

To our surprise and relief, Garrim Gyr declared war on Morgoth soon after. Meanwhile, we decided to harness the natural mana near our palace to create chaos mana so our adepts, being trained, could influence the chaos of battle.

Once complete, that adept sped the completion of the mana, and learned chaos and water spells, for war and peace. The water spell spring allowed him to bring the oasis which had been near our capital for ages to its full potential, and it’d do the same of other deserts in our land.
The discovery of Iron working led to a disturbing surprise—we had none of this vital metal in our lands, nor did our allies. Our enemies, however, did, so we decided to strike before they learned how to use it. In year 228, our fortunes improved. Not only did a great sage set up an academy in Naggarond, but the renowned hero, Valin Phanuel, joined us out of respect for our faith. He was strong then, but would only get stronger and with his help, we hoped we could take the iron from the blasphemous Sidar.


[To be continued]

 

[Nikis-Knight]

So this first war went on. In the year 230, as Valin and I led our troops into enemy lands, we received word that one of the Bannor cities had been razed. Five years later, after felling a few hunters that Morgoth had sent our way, he offered peace. Though it pained Cardith to refuse, I counseled him that if he gave in now, they would only return when they were stronger and we were weaker. So our heroes pushed closer to their capital of Talzas. The adept along with us learned nature magic, giving us an advantage in the forest. But we had left Avelorn lightly defended, and hunters soon appeared around it. They quickly trained a warrior, to upgrade to an axe man. Meanwhile our sages discovered animal master, and Naggarond began to train a scout to upgrade to a ranger. However, these might not be sufficient if the Sidar learned to shape their iron in time. We could only hope that Sabathiel or Garrim Gyr had pillaged their mines… Alas, even with hunters, they were able to defile the holy city of Avelorn. I wept when news reached me, deep in enemy lands, that I could not return and free it. Our ranger would have to do.
We had no siege when we reached Talzas, but Junil was with me, and fire rained down on the defenders, softening them up for Valin’s advances.

Then a discovery was made in Kwythellar—the Altar of Luonnotar. This would give all of our troops a blessing when they finished training, in any city. It was a great boon. And one we would need. Avelorn had been reinforced with many archers.

Basium had declared war on Morgoth also, and while this might have been welcome news, we knew he owed us no favors, and may be trying to keep Avelorn for the Mercurians. Our rangers were ordered to be very careful in laying siege to the city, lest we give it to our rivals.


Orc-bane was lost attacking Talzas, and that wasn’t the only unit, but Valin’s strength grew enough to compensate. Finally Avelorn was almost ours, and it appeared peace could be in sight. Then the fruits of an earlier era ripened. Kiros Fir declared war on us, taking out two workers as he did so. Avelorn returned to us the next year, and our rangers made haste towards Naggarond, the Khazad border. A confessor, trained in our capital, as finished then as well. Just in time. Hyboream, the Infernal’s leader, joined in the war on the Kuriotates.

 

[Nikis-Knight]

Once again we called upon our allies, trading iron working to the Lucuirp for war and mathematics, and making a similar deal with the Bannor. But there were so many hell hounds advancing upon our homeland, many feared it would not be enough. But a ring of flames was used to great effect, and the noble confessor even survived the ensuing rage of the demons. Further good news was able to be sent to Cardith in my own hand—Talzas was ours. Though very little of the area was loyal to us, that would change if we made some more Sidar cities into Kuriotate settlements.

Which wouldn’t be easy, with the infamous Typhoid Mary stalking us. To our horror, we discovered she was immune to the power of Junil: our flames did not touch her.

It would take courage to defeat her, and so our recent adept learned just that spell. It did the trick. Our victorious ranger was rewarded with Orthus’ Axe. And the Plague. Cardith promised to have his personal Confessor attend to them at once, but the brave men wouldn’t leave the field of battle. The plague didn’t prevent him from knocking down a few Hell Hounds.

Zarla, the Sidar city between Kurios lands and our new conquest of Talzas, was taken by Valin’s might and my faith. It was turned into a settlement, and Kwythellar began training archers to fortify our new conquests. I began to hope that I might soon be able to return to Cardith’s side, even if it would still be as a war advisor.

 

[Nikis-Knight]

With things looking up, we agreed to trade Feral bond to Garrim Gyr for Fanatacism, That his fervor for his gods would be greater than ours for Junil was a disgrace, but now we would be able to train disciples as Crusaders. We also feel it is time for a change in civics, and take up caste system, Protect the Meek, and Foreign trade. While the people were still adjusting to the change, much to our shock, Hyboream declared war on Os-Gabella. A pox on both their houses, I said with a smile when I heard the news. As much as he detested making a deal with the devil, Cardith accepted peace with the Infernals when it was offered a few years later. Two fronts was enough for our war.
In Naggarond, we had been noticing livestock go missing for sometime. In the year 389, we found our why. Baron Duin Halfmoon appeared and enlisted in our cause. We knew his reputation, but accepted nonetheless. Werewolves may be vicious beasts, but we were surrounded by enemies.

In the coming years, we took a Khazad city and pressed on towards the Sidar city with the iron, Raas. It fell to Valin’s party in 286. Not only did it have iron nearby, but two wonders inside, the Tomb of Succellus and the Catacomb Liberalus. A few years later, seeing his friendliness with Basium, Cardith made peace with Kandros. Junil must have agreed with this decision, for the next year a breakthrough was made in our studies of Unquestioning Obedience. We set to work on learning the mysteries of Summoning.
Then a colossal roar was heard as far away a Kwythellar. Acheron the Red was beaten by our ally Sabathiel. Our people rejoiced at this, for having the beast’s stronghold so close to us had been a constant worry, though I though Cardith seemed almost melancholy in the years to come. Sabathiel came and invited us to convert to Runes of Kilmorph. Cardith turned the tables on him though, and he swore fealty to the Code of Junil before he left.
Soon enough the Sidar capital fell, and their end was in sight. Their people, those who would turn away from their evils, were welcomed to our lands. That same year we learned the secrets of summoning, and our worthy adepts were quickly promoted to conjurers. The land of Kurios spread across continent, from the Northern sea in the west, to the Great Ocean at our eastern edge.



In the year 301, Aheptr left the Bannor to join us. More importantly, the brought the Dragon’s Hoard with them, gems, gold, and mithril. We would need it—that same year, Os-Gabella declared war on us, with Valin and myself far to the East. Again we were sucker punched at the worst time, but again we would prevail. But not in Aheptr. It was taken by the Sheaim immediately, for they had had units trapped in the frozen north. In the year 304 all was well. We had returned to Naggarond and slew some Sheaim adepts. Then in 305 disaster struck. The capital fell into Os-Gabella’s hands due to a naval landing. We had powerful units deployed around the area, but the capital had overextended itself. We raced to recapture it and see to our lord’s safety.

Cardith Lorda survived, of course. The Sheaim interlopers… They felt my wrath. Kwythellar was retaken, though our palace was relocated to Naggarond. Baron Duin Halfmoon, Valin, and our brave hunter who had slain Typhoid Mary (who took the name Witch Hunter after that day); we made quick work of the attackers, though it shamed me that they should have been able to get so close.

 

[Mahatmajon]

So what happened?!?!?!?111oneoneone. You're killing me with the suspense!

 

[jafink]

Good job so far.

 

[Nikis-Knight]

I got carried away and had to finish. But I got some pics so I'll finish typing.

 

[AciDemon]

yeah do that! nice story, my friend!

 

[Nikis-Knight]

[tab]Kwythellar was retaken, and in the process some of the ranking Sheaim soldiers were taken captive. They were questioned, and our confessors managed to divine their dark secrets before allowing the holy fire to consume them. Os-Gabella was determined to end her eternal existence, if it damned the entire world. Her scholars shared a desire to end the world, and had found and tamed a dark force towards that end.

[tab]Peaceful Cardith had little choice but continue the campaign even after our original holdings were regained upon hearing this news. Kuldevind was close to our borders, and the heart of the dark Cult of the Dragon dwelt there. Our forces regrouped, I led a crusade into enemy territory. The only casualty was the Baron, and I was not sorry to see his demise. When one leads a holy War, he should give care not to offend the gods, and the savage Halfmoon was nothing if not offensive.

[tab]I was set to call forth the cleansing fires and wipe this city from the earth, but Cardith's messenger bid me stay my hand. He hoped to learn from this cult, and despite my misgivings, I followed my Lord's wish. The Sheaim, meanwhile, offered terms again, and we accepted a cease fire we both knew would not hold, for Kandros thought to strike us again while we were occupied.



[tab]The people of Ultigar, a cosmopolitan lot of humans and dwarves due to it's location on several key trade routes, were welcomed to the burgeoning Kuriotate empire.

[tab]The new Dwarven war was short and easy, and as we were interested in defending ourselves rather than punishing the Khazad, terms were accepted. Valin negotiated with Kandros Fir, as I was called back to Kwythellar. Recent research into Theology and Divine Right allowed me to more explicitly codify the precepts of our faith, as revealed to me by Junil.

[tab]I see it now as Hubris, but at the time mere zeal in my infallible god and his chosen king, that I was then gripped by a desire to hunt down from our lands all mannor of heresy and corruption. Thus was I given the title of Inquisitor General, and passed on the mantle of his excellency's personal Confessor to my acolyte. New powers were given me, and these I used to the furtherance of our cause, but often too agressively, I fear. I had many disagreements with Cardith over my tactics, and my spirit quarled with his, or so I assume. For the first time in two centuries, I felt myself age, though not enough to infirm me.

 

[Nikis-Knight]

[tab]Despite these quarrels, Cardith and I agreed on one thing--the need to return our attentions to our Sheaim rivals. I treated with Sabathiel, and he concurred, promising to support us should we need him. It turned out that my old friend had a surprise that should prove their asistance moot. As I returned from Bannor lands, I heard rumors from Kwythellar, strange rumors that couldn't be true but worried me nonetheless.

[tab]Cardith learned much from the Cult in Kuldevind, and he used these secrets of Divine Essence to bring forth into flesh the eternal force that had been sustaining him, and indirectly me, all these years.

Eurobatres, the Golden Dragon.



[tab]So set we forth upon our final crusade, the one that shaped the world into what you know today. With a roar did we advance upon the Sheaim border...



[tab] And with a roar did they answer. There were more eternal forces than Eurobatres, and Os-Gabella's secret was a dark mirror of ours--Abashi the Black Dragon.

 

[Nikis-Knight]

I led Eurobatres and our Holy warriors to clash with the Sheaim.

The brave Paladins were the first of many to fall the the Dragon's acid breath and jagged teeth.

[tab] Eurobatres prepared for the confrontation that we all expected to decide the war. But our spies caught a glimpse of the plans of the Sheaim. They knew the ferocity with which our champions would match each other, and they were hoping to recreate some of the calamities of the ancient days by piting these two beasts against each other.
[tab]The mad babbling of the Dragon Cultists made more sense now. The magic power unleashed in this battle could be used by the Sheaim to power their fell rituals, and fuel the apocalypse. I prayed to Junil for guidance, hoping for anwers. The only one I got was the fiercest test my faith could recieve. My ancient frame would be the vessel of Junil's power, but I must face Abashi myself.



[tab]I walked step by step, holding Abashi's gaze with mine, doubting little that this would be my last day. I felt my old friend Cardith Lorda's spirit, and drew on the courage of our people and our champion. Then the power of Junil came on Abashi. He thrashed about, nearly destroying me inadvertantly, but in the end he faced me again, as a servant.

[tab]After the Sheaim's grand plan was thwarted, they were desparate. Who knows what they promised the Calabim, but they joined in the war against us. To our aid came our old friend Sabathiel, who held the rear while the Dragons took the Vanguard.

[tab]In the end, evil was banished from the land. Os-Gabella, the immortal woman, was left her life and retinue, but banished to the ends of Erebus.

This is how the world looked when our crusade ended:


...
[tab]The child has fallen asleep, though his mother, and father even, have been listening in rapt attention, unable to bring themselves to interupt my incredible tale. Now the Innkeeper turns to me and says, "You are Davad the Lawbringer? You commanded Abashi and led Eurobatres? A fascinating story old man, equal part history and insanity, I've little doubt. Still, you've earned your lodgings."
[tab]I smiled, mischievious even at my age. I bid my host look out his window and past the hills. "I have some friends who can corroborate my story."

 

[wilboman]

Not a bad story. Shame you started on it before all of seZ's incredibly unit art made it in

 

[Rando]

Amazing story - great job! Very well written as well.

 

[Bad Player]

Great story Nikis! If I could write well and wasn't lazy I would put up one myself!

 

[LBaeldeth]

I noticed in the screenshot featuring Baron Halfmoon there was a message that said "Lycanthropy has spread." I know units with the Werewolf promotion can spawn Ravenous Werewolves if they defeat a living unit, but do they also "passively" infect allied troops? What did that message mean?

 

[Nikis-Knight]

I noticed in the screenshot featuring Baron Halfmoon there was a message that said "Lycanthropy has spread." I know units with the Werewolf promotion can spawn Ravenous Werewolves if they defeat a living unit, but do they also "passively" infect allied troops? What did that message mean?

It gives that message as notification when a new were-wolf is spawned after defeating an enemy with a were-wolf already under your control.

 

[Roland787]

excellent story on what ive read so far, just subscribing to this thread so i can get to it easily when i got more time to read it. thanks for the story tho, makes me feel all that much better when i use my Sheaims to destroy the world ill make sure to annihilate the Kuriotates first

 

[feydras]

Fantastic story Nikis-Knight! It kept me pulling me along. Occassionally, i would think about game strategies in play but then i would be pulled back into the story reasons you used. Truly excellent stuff. Thanks for sharing it!

- feydras