We stand with Ukraine. Please support Ukrainian army to defend against Russian invasion.

Times Turn 16

   _.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._
.----      - ---     --     ---   -----   - --       ----  ----   -     ----.
 )                                                                         (
(                             NewOrigins Events                             )
 )                               May, Year 2                               (
(                                                                           )
 )       Handful scouts are talking about a clash between combatants       (
(        happened in the swamps of Co'inhen where battle ended in a         )
 )       slaughter of one of the sides. This battle will be known as       (
(                   Battle near the forests of Dasknonla.                   )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(        Multiple dockers are discussing about the skirmish between         )
 )    enemies happened in the desert of Hisand where many soldiers will    (
(      never fight again. This battle will be known as Battle near the      )
 )                        ocean of Atlantis Ocean.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     Numerous travelers are discussing about the battle between two      (
(       armies happened in the plains of Silne where 1 combatant was        )
 )     killed. The defenders were furious and put all attackers to the     (
(       sword. This battle will be known as Battle near the ocean of        )
 )                             Atlantis Ocean.                             (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     Some peasants are talking about the skirmish between Church of      (
(      The Holy Deed (26) and a villans happened in the plains of Rodi      )
 )      where 1 combatant was killed. Powerful magic was used in the       (
(     battle. The attackers slaughtered all defenders. This battle will     )
 )          be known as Battle near the ocean of Atlantis Ocean.           (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )      Some dockers are discussing about a fight between combatants       (
(       happened in the swamps of Pangmore where 104 combatants were        )
 )    killed. The attackers were victorious.. This battle will be known    (
(                  as Battle near the mountains of Swebac.                  )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      Some commoners are rumoring about the town of Ito that lies in       )
 )           the Inteng plains, where a faction murdered guards.           (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )    Dozen wanderers are whispering about the town of Nentli that lies    (
(         in the Miu'ia desert, where a rebels extinguished guards.         )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      Several commoners are rumoring about the village of Odbertmoss       )
 )    that lies in the Lideeme swamps, where a rebels massacred guards.    (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     A few merchants are whispering about the city of Baicstowe that     (
(        lies in the Cotell mountains, where an opposition massacred        )
 )                                 guards.                                 (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )       Some merchants are worried about daredevils who have killed       (
(     Sandlings (619) near ocean of Atlantis Ocean. Freeing the desert      )
 )                      of Miu'ia from their terror.                       (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     Numerous peasants are rumoring about hunters who have slew Yeti     (
(     (258) near ocean of Atlantis Ocean. Freeing the tundra of Coldior     )
 )                            from their fear.                             (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )    Some travelers have heard about hunters who have slew Kobold Pack    (
(        (931) near ocean of Atlantis Ocean. Freeing the forests of         )
 )                        Wardcot from their dread.                        (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )      In the caverns of Bebyerta, near ocean of The Undersea, Drow       (
(      Warriors (982) who continue to cause fear to local inhabitants.      )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      In the plains of Rodi, near ocean of Atlantis Ocean, Evil Mages      )
 )        (645) who continue to cause terror to local inhabitants.         (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     In the tundra of Mygec, near ocean of Atlantis Ocean, Ice Wurms     (
(         (193) who continue to cause anxiety to local inhabitants.         )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(     In the jungles of Pefda, near forests of Pulishaw, Undead (7825)      )
 )           who continue to cause anxiety to local inhabitants.           (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )      In the chasms of Siymanesh, near ocean of The Undersea, Devil      (
(         (1077) who continue to cause terror to local inhabitants.         )
 )                                                                         (
(__       _       _       _       _       _       _       _       _       __)
    '-._.-' (___ _) '-._.-' '-._.-' )     ( '-._.-' '-._.-' (__ _ ) '-._.-'
            ( _ __)                (_     _)                (_ ___)
            (__  _)                 '-._.-'                 (___ _)
            '-._.-'                                         '-._.-'

Players have visited 87% of all inhabited regions.

Quests

In the swamp of Samore roams the Crocodiles (355). Free the world from this menace and be rewarded!
In the forest of Starath roams the Wolf Pack (318). Free the world from this menace and be rewarded!
In the underforest of Bakut roams the Dragon (478). Free the world from this menace and be rewarded!
In the mountain of Flelspidug roams the Grizzly Bears (181). Free the world from this menace and be rewarded!
Build a Temple in A'ynch for the glory of the Gods.
Seek a token of the Ancient Ones legacy amongst the stone of Slegladdes.
Build a Temple in Baquaudblir for the glory of the Gods.
In the jungle of Stenlut lurks the Great Apes (1833). Free the world from this menace and be rewarded!
Seek a token of the Ancient Ones legacy amongst the livestock of Ruhan.
Build a Temple in Ca'a for the glory of the Gods.
In the underforest of Miorlriras roams the Troll Pack (479). Free the world from this menace and be rewarded!
In the desert of Chrastnasest lurks the Evil Mages (632). Free the world from this menace and be rewarded!
Build a Temple in Blarnfashire for the glory of the Gods.
Seek a token of the Ancient Ones legacy amongst the furs of Ihietway.
Build a Temple in Ascan for the glory of the Gods.
Seek a token of the Ancient Ones legacy amongst the herbs of Wichy'om.
Seek a token of the Ancient Ones legacy amongst the ironwood of Illford.
Seek a token of the Ancient Ones legacy amongst the mithril of Smabo.
In the forest of Dabastpre lurks the Kobold Pack (1045). Free the world from this menace and be rewarded!
Build a Temple in Allswirnan for the glory of the Gods.

Articles

It's not the smartest idea to pay for articles. 
Maybe it's just necessary to give out 200 to all active people and then articles will be written from the heart?
Darlocks (107)
The investor brochure showed a grand mage school... but all I see are empty patches of land with signs hammer in them that say "place Mage Tower here"! :-)
Thornhaven (108)
Why is there light in the underworld?
It seems to me that the laws of nature do not apply here.
Time flies too fast...
I think we are stuck here...
MMF (113)
A fabled forest horse! We shall take excellent care of it. It can wander through the bluebell groves and munch on foxgloves and fly agaric. We're sure that'll turn out fine.
Idle Vice (12)
While the fortunes of the world are being made, I'm just helping with delivery... And I'm perfectly happy with that.

- Plums Here There
Kroll Empire (123)
Please don't hurt me mr merfolk!
Faction (124)
There seems to be a lot of bloodshed in the plains to the northwest. Good thing that won't happen in the swamps. These lizards lick it all up after they're done with the killing. 
Disencharmed (125)
The previous leader had no luck and was eliminated. We have full trust in the new one
Night Watch (127)
Embarrassing. Planned a big party, promises of good times, and plunder. Nobody came.
Them (15)
The sea voyage was not too succesful. We found much sea and ship did not perish in storm. But we found no land. Now we will sail in Skyraiders direction and look for land there.
Lords of the Sky (16)
".... I saw it sticking out of a book in the back of the shop, so I took it when no one was looking."
    "And?  What is it?"
"A map!  It extends thrice as far as anything I've heard of around town before."
    "What else?"
"I saw a tunnel entrance drawn down in a corner.  I bet you there's treasure down that hole..."
    "But no danger... right?    Right?"
Kiiran (17)
Well now.  Isn't that interesting.. I wonder how that stayed hidden for so long.
Atlanteans of Yore (19)
Need more silver!
Crooked Hooves (20)
We are Borg!
Borg (21)
Retribution will be swift...
Punkers (22)
Guards forgot to guards and there are visitors in the middle of town:
- Yeti (258), Creatures (2), 4 yeti [YETI].
- Yeti (878), Creatures (2), avoiding, 3 yeti [YETI].
Good that old snake remained in tundra..
The Wolves of Isengard (25)
They survived! Images of comrades-in-arms falling dead, horror binding the heart and the terrible last roar of the falling lich surfaced in jis memory... too many losses! the price of victory is too high! an old rusty weapon and a strange stick were a reward for them for lose friends. The elders were right! time is lost, people cannot be returned. But the news of victory was already flying ahead of them. They entered the crypt as a bunch of heroes, and came out as apostles carrying the light of True Faith to new lands. That's it! no more adventures! The construction of the Church is now a priority for him!
Church of The Holy Deed (26)
Turning point in the game, it happens when you have aggressive players around
Friendly people (27)
The South is too aggressive. For a lot of red...
Rainbow Falcons (29)
If you encounter one of my units or are denied entrance in a region by me, please contact me by game message.
The Merry Magicians (3)
Time to burn.
Dogs of war (31)
Greylords High Command announces:

An aggressive behavior of the Tailenders (97) and Monster Hnters (85) has been observed in the last weeks. Innocent messengers of my people have been executed. We await an apology or we will avenge the innocent deaths of our people. 
Greylords (32)
Big news ! Critical lack of silver.

..That's not news.
Three (33)
The citizens turned to stare as they jogged down the main thoroughfare.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the fold of He Who Waits Beneath.  Your happiness is important to us, which is why we are here to relieve you of the heavy burden of self-governance," orated the priest.

With a smoothness spawned of regular practice, the guards drew up into serried ranks, their swords glistening like flames in the torchlight.

"Or," grinned the priest, "we can do this the hard way."
Cthonic Underground (35)
First battle... First war ?
Silver Hand (36)
Spring is here. Ishtar is preparing the dances for the warmer weather.
Babylon (37)
The Clan once more seeks local input to their economic improvement of the local lands.  Silence continues from some of the locals, so the Clan will continue to lead the tribes of this land into a new age.
Clan McTavish (38)
Lands are getting crowded and good neighbors taking closer look at our lands...
WindMasters (39)
I don't feel sorry for anyone, no one. Not you, not me, not him.
Gyperboreya (4)
These promises must be fulfilled! You can lose allies by getting carried away with your own entertainment. You are lucky, the losses are huge, the gains are negligible for this stage of development. Come to the rescue immediately!
Danado (40)
The chief architect decided that the Children of the Four Winds should engage in civic pride. "Let us rename the town at the heart of our lands! We can have a grand ceremony unveiling the plaque!"

After discovering renaming a town costs 20000 silver, it was decided this could wait.
The Children of the Four Winds (41)
I like the smell of fireballs in the morning... It smells... It smells like victory.
OrTOdox (42)
Oh! Our faction is the leader in camel breeding !
SkyRaiders (46)
From the diary of Gale Swifthands

There are many benefits to running a thieves' guild. One of them is gathering intelligence. We have aquired a pretty extensive map about this world. Our little empire seems so insignificant compared to the entirety of this world. The underworld looks especially big and well populated. And deadly. Evil warriors and magicians, Illythids, Storm giants, dragons and demonkind all to kill the unaware explorer. Our scouts are dying down there by the handful. We cannot recruit enough of them. Perhaps it's time to outsource underworld exploration?
Enough of the logistical and administrative stuff. It's time for action. This week we are having a battle drill with our increasing garrison. Shakaa ordered a general assembly. I hope it doesn't end in disaster. Orcs and gnolls are a quarrelsome bunch.
Sticky Hands (48)
In the sky a star shines brightly,
She calls me to her place.
But I walk the earth without knowing
Where will my path lead me?
A star is burning in my heart,
Lights my way in the dark.
But when I look at her
Then I understand that she is far away.
Dark League (5)
Ok, I can deal with my UW scouts being mutilated by Dragons, mauled by Demons and devoured by Devils. But seriously, nibbled by a pack of rats? How embarrassing!
Brown Bread (50)
[Orders ice dwarves to fight].
Tyranny (51)
I see many people have their orders in within a few minutes.

How many of them are AI or ML????
Greywolf (52)
I think I have been forgetting this the last few turns.  One day I will need the silver.
Mantzikert (53)
Unexpectedly, our first ship was left undamaged after the attack.
One of our scouts managed to set a foot on it. But we still need new sailors...
Iron Dwarves (54)
no other factions seem to care that we still don't have the vodka, we will have to do some some drunk advancing around the lands for them to understand the importance of the matter. 
Drunken Dwarves (59)
April, Year 2

The winds of conflict blow fiercely this month. Our scouts, once again, have been targeted by Yet Another Faction (9). Their audacity knows no bounds. An envoy from Nentli was ambushed in the desert of Miu'ia. The attackers were powerful, and our combined forces with The Guardsmen could not repel them. We suffered significant losses.

Elsewhere, the plains of Edicort have become a battleground. The Crooked Hooves, a faction we've been monitoring, clashed with both the Friendly people and OrTOdox. The Hooves emerged victorious in both confrontations, leaving a trail of casualties in their wake. Their strength is noteworthy.

On a brighter note, another town has come under our influence. Its guards were no match for our might, and the citizens now look to us for leadership. But the underworld presents its own challenges. Dragons, creatures of immense power and fury, roam its depths. One such beast devoured our scout, a grim reminder of the dangers that lurk below.

Our battle group continues its march, with a new settlement in sight. We prepare for the challenges ahead, ever vigilant and resolute. The Order of Obsidian Shadow will prevail.

- Malagor
The Order of Obsidian Shadow (6)
Each turn I learn something new about this game.
Eventually I may even understand >85% of how things work.
Until then I feel like bait, so I will hide where it feels safe. (apparently no-where is safe)
XOT (60)
So much water, all we can see are lizards swimming miles from land, they must be knackered. 
Malibu West (62)
Confusion.

They thought that faction was sleeping. Judging by the number by skeletons wandering around its home region they thought it was close to death. 
So they had been happily settling newly arrived factions, and dubious characters at that, on nearby lands left empty. Lands which were not theirs to give.
It has awoken. Oooops... 

Changing the subject, confusion reigns in the outpost regions too. A Kong from the south has wiped out the entire garrisons of a jungle and its supporting forest region.
Luckily the irwd training pool, and a handful of others, survived for now. They are fleeing North towards the band of wild centaurs which left the plains and moved south.
It looks like guarding a region does not keep units with superior riding skill out. Otherwise those centaurs would be in the plains still, hopefully annoying the shadowy 
Elf queen instead of us.
Rurikids (65)
At this point, I'm just in it for the silver.
Fon (69)
Leneli Ume celebrates the theft of her horse, Rustbelly.  Hazard of hanging around gates, Leneli, supposes.  She hopes the thief treats him kindly, and remembers to feed him an apple every now and then.  Goodbye, Rustbelly, I hope you have many more fine adventures.  And I hope your new rider treats you well, pastures you often, and brings you treats on holidays.

Oma Niyo is bored.  There is nothing to do except wait for the new month.  After 31 long days, the Atlantis Times dated April, Year 2 arrives.  Oma Niyo happily begins reading.  Slaughter in the plains.  Skirmish in the mountains.  Fighting in the swamps.  Government peacefully replaced by free and fair elections in two mountain cities; outgoing government gives gracious concession speeches and promises to support the new government in loyal opposition.  Oma Niyo is very happy about that part, though she knows her edition is translated from the original, and she wonders whether the original report was bloodier.
Monsters seem to be peacefully withdrawing from their swamps and forests and plains.  The only monsters any still seem to be worried about are a few unquiet dead in the swamps and jungles.  Truly, the world is peacefully getting safer, if the editors of her translated edition of the Times may be believed.
An abundance of quests are available to keep the knights amused without going to war against each other.  Rainbows and happiness all over.  It seems Disencharmed has found a huge plundered swamp.  One wonders where the plunderers are now?  Some reports of petty theft.  Crooked Hooves report war, but no one else does.  Doesn't a war usually have at least two sides?  Oma wonders who Crooked Hooves are playing with?  Perhaps Punkers, who report conflict in the underworld?  Xot has discovered gold.  And Fon is offering safe travel.  Truly things are looking up.  Oma Niyo reads to the very end of the Times.  And when she reads the last sentence, she weeps.

Racenu usually ignores the wood elves.  Flighty, careless, carefree things, wood elves.  And not that bright.  Still, Racenu is touched by Oma's sobs, and asks if there is something he can help with.

Oma replies "They say we don't want to write articles."  Is it because every month's comments are written by someone else, so there is no lasting story strung together, no personalities to care about?  Is it because we have no cookies?  Why are our celebrations so unsatisfying to the general readership?

Racenu wishes he had continued ignoring wood elves.  Who can understand what a wood elf cares about?  But he says, as kindly as he can "It was just a rumor.  You can't believe all the rumors.  I don't know anything about cookies, but I think the Atlantis Times article you contribute to a few months ago was a fine example.  Maybe not as exciting as the story of Ba'a the sheep, which I excitedly wait for each month, but there was a little information about our world hidden in your article, and you are still around to write another one.  Why you could be one of the lasting stories, strung together.  You could be a personality to care about.  Just write another article.  I'm sure the rumors will get better."  And Racenu makes his departure toward the nearby village as quickly as he can, before he is drawn into more wood elf irrelancies.  Why do wood elves care about the Atlantis Times?  And why would anyone get their feelings hurt by a rumor.  Racenu clears his mind of such things and focuses on important issues of village government.

Oma wonders what to write about.  Well, we don't have any mountain cities here, but there is a tiny village down this forest trail.  She could follow the high elf, and teach the villagers about free and fair elections.  Oma decides to also follow the path into the village, and to look for candidates who have ideas about how the village could be run to be more fun and carefree.  What if, for example, we all took the month off, ate the food we have stored in the granary before it went bad, attended theatrical performances, sang songs, and danced?  Wouldn't that be a better way to run a village?

Ed can barely feel the world anymore.  Each month Ed becomes a bit more ancestral.  But Ed feels Oma's distress, and does what he can in the spirit world to organize something newsworthy in Oma's village.
celebrants (7)
Again we have met more friends in the UW. Lets hope friendships happen again.
The Filras (8)
Drow definitely do not like the surface. Especially boats. We have just lost first vessel. The captain just ran away from it chasing some gnolls
Drow (82)
The Kraken has been found
Monster hunters (85)
No jumps this time.
Yet Another Faction (9)
A red waterfall of the setting sun poured from the sky.
Kariya felt the approach of the comet a long time ago, and understood that the forests would soon be covered with ice.
While packing, Kariya took one last look at her beautiful possessions.
Paykiss (92)
Les transports s'organisent et vont se multiplier pour augmenter la fréquence de passage.
Le renforcement des troupes continue et la production d'équipement est au point.
The Lands Kepper (93)
Chapter 10: The Whispered Doubts
As the biting cold of the long winter set in, discontent began to stir in the hearts of some. A faction within Revenge of Cone, led by a charismatic orator named Veren, started questioning the authenticity of the Conus Mysticus. "Is it not just a pine cone?" Veren mused aloud during a gathering. "Have we not just been attributing our success to a mere artifact while it is truly our hard work and resilience?"

His words resonated with many, especially those who had faced hardships during the winter. Seeds of doubt were sown, challenging the very core of their beliefs.
Revenge of the Cone (95)
Finally some peace!
Tailenders (97)

Rumors

Who are Borg?
The hysteria of the Gray Wolf is understandable! Early aggression will not remain unanswered, and there are fewer and fewer forces to protect!
No news from Aval, what is happening with him, is he alive?
A good drow is a dead drow
Nothing compares...
No-thing compares...

To yew.
The Church of the Holy Deed has screwed up again! It is more correct to say - pissed itself!
It all seems a little peaceful at the moment.  Anyone want a war?
Hordes of undeads are coming from the far north. They will arrive soon!
Heard from below an open window.  "First we send thieves to plague them, then assassins, then...."
Beware the wizard who casts a shadow large enough to stand in.