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.----      - ---     --     ---   -----   - --       ----  ----   -     ----.
 )                                                                         (
(                             NewOrigins Events                             )
 )                               May, Year 2                               (
(                                                                           )
 )       Multiple wanderers are discussing about a conflict between        (
(     enemies happened in the plains of Furswudost where 12 combatants      )
 )    were killed. The attackers slaughtered all defenders. This battle    (
(           will be known as Battle of the city of Trie'enchbra.            )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      Numerous commoners are whispering about a clash between hostile      )
 )      forces happened in the desert of Ba'a where battle ended in a      (
(        slaughter of one of the sides. This battle will be known as        )
 )                Battle near the ocean of Atlantis Ocean.                 (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )        Many merchants are whispering about the skirmish between         (
(         combatants happened in the mountains of Dayiam where many         )
 )      soldiers will never fight again. This battle will be known as      (
(                     Battle near the town of Crinday.                      )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(        Several merchants are discussing about an encounter between        )
 )        combatants happened in the desert of Blecishchan where 29        (
(     combatants were killed. The attackers slaughtered all defenders.      )
 )    This battle will be known as Battle near the city of Honmioxfiw.     (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )    Many refugees are rumoring about the town of Garhonlyc that lies     (
(         in the Dusdisoun desert, where a rebels expelled guards.          )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(       A few druids are whispering about the village of Ianatbu that       )
 )        lies in the Powann swamps, where a partisans slew guards.        (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     Multiple traders are discussing about the city of Pheakhivgate      (
(       that lies in the Fe'eind mountains, where a rebels decimated        )
 )                                 guards.                                 (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )    Dozen druids are rumoring about rangers who have extinguished Imp    (
(      (6734) near town of Leserstead. Freeing the tundra of Rendprog       )
 )                            from their fear.                             (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )      In the plains of Enthdifield, near town of Ranstead, Tribe of      (
(     Centaurs (176) who continue to cause dread to local inhabitants.      )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(       A group of daredevils destroyed the Pride of Lions (194) who        )
 )     inflicted dread on the inhabitants of the Celcuhfo plains near      (
(                           jungles of Dernglen.                            )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      In the mountains of Sweron, near ocean of Atlantis Ocean, Demon      )
 )         (338) who continue to cause dread to local inhabitants.         (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )    Worrisome news were coming from the forests of Utso. Inhabitants     (
(      were shocked by the assassination near the town of Erwhestead.       )
 )                     The assassin escaped unnoticed.                     (
(__       _       _       _       _       _       _       _       _       __)
    '-._.-' (___ _) '-._.-' '-._.-' )     ( '-._.-' '-._.-' (__ _ ) '-._.-'
            ( _ __)                (_     _)                (_ ___)
            (__  _)                 '-._.-'                 (___ _)
            '-._.-'                                         '-._.-'

Back on track

Suprised to see a Town form from a Village. 

People with papers are showing their true face.
Regions are pillaged. 
Hundreeds of peasants have to flee in terror from their "guards".
Blood is all around.
We should protect these innocent peasants!

The good thing that these people are angry and happy to join our army.
We even managed to recruit several leaders with huge bargain!

It's pretty sad when the bulk of your army consists of a bunch of cranky dead guys...

The bronzed lord smiled at his new beach frontage.  The sky was blue, the clouds fluffy, the sands golden. the seas clear, and the surf looked  promising.

Now if he could just get the band to shut up.  They would indeed in time be most triumphant, but they really needed someone better on lead guitar.

l'étau se resserre sur la bête

Honk honk...? HONK!

Money is bleeding !

"Sir, another attack of local centaur warbands"
"Can't we ask our friendly centaur tribes to help communicating with them?"
"Sir, it looks like they do not like each other as well"
"All that's left to do is get our soldiers in shape and equipped to fend them off then."
"Indeed Sir, we even got lucky, the last centaur warband even left a few good armours we can use"
"Maybe their attacks are not so bad after all ..."

An unexpected outcome! We live in interesting times.

Croco-Refutation! Let's add liars to the list. Well, you understand, writing in a newspaper is one thing, but writing diplomatic letters is... You don't understand, it's something else.

Act Two, Scene Five.

The walls of the fortress near the town. Keys Keeper Vasily and the Weather Magician are on the wall. They look into the distance.

"Cloudin, do you see that sail on the horizon?"
"It's just a small boat, there are no more than two people there. They are not dangerous to us!"
"These are not dangerous, but those to whom they will tell that they saw the coast with mountains, here they can be quite dangerous to us. Have you seen any more mountains in the area? Do you know where else there is so much metal? Do you realize that metal is rare in this world, but there is a lot of wood? Can you guess what this means to those who have metal? right! They'll be sailing to them soon! and such sails on the horizon are the harbingers of future wars for metal. We need more armor! Yes, we have the most of it now, but it's not for long. You magicians should learn how to improve the armor that you have!"
"I get you. I'm going to talk to the guys!"

The dead are surprisingly talkative.  Those who take the time to speak with them may gain insight into the ways of the world.  Let us show you what we have learned....

The trader discussions have again been lit with the newest edition on economic column from squirrel thinkers. The discussion about capital however, degenerated in a lot of low effort commentary as they tried to disentangle how on Atlantis dozen novice farmers would produce 8 grains per month, that led to many directions but to none destination. However, on higher level it was clear that squirrel unit of accounting for the value of capital was quite different as in the Enclave. Traders themselves can agree only the liquid assets, i.e., the silver, as measure of investable capital where this capital over income demonstrated efficiency and risk of operations.
However, income per capita generated more positive discussions as again traders quickly went to calculations on their own level. Some more theoretical minded again inquired whether Zas Dathnesmot would include other kinds of income in their calculations: the method described in Times left out work income, and income from magical means. Those two seemed important contributions in mind of traders, while food consumed did not (other alternative income sources for other could be income taken from monsters or other factions, but that's besides the practical discussion for the trading groups). To consider food consumption as income could lead to accounting scheming where choice to keep food uneaten and use silver on maintenance would decrease income per capita although it had its own challenges if not included. Nevertheless traders came to figure of 27 silver per capita and deemed that number quite high, taking into account the large number of traders that study to become better at their trade. However, the trader councils in their discussions came to radically different conclusion than squirrels - as virgin land is settled and craftsmen, farmers, traders, and logistician reach the end of their training, the income per capita should raise sharply. Only now, when half of traders produce couple of grain piles per month and other half studies better farming techniques could we be so low as this number. Once development ends the figure should be closer to 50 silver per capita in couple years time.

Travelling trees are much harder to control.  Young Ents need to learn before they wander

Progress seems so slow....

Then all of a sudden you go, how am I going to feed all these men!

X      X
XXXXX
 XXXX
  XXX
   XX
    X

No reason really.

We are coming.

We're too late! The world has changed!

It remains only not to die!

Has anyone tried building an AI engine for Atlantis?

Which way should the scout head ashore? North, northwest or northeast? There were sandy beaches as far as they eye could see.
 The lizardman swam ashore and started heading inland. It turned out to be desert, and what did they find but a sphinx. Surely, the curse of the Children of the Four Winds was still active.

Always more to do, always more to do. But don't plan too far in advance or a monster will show up and ruin your plans.

Last to trust

------------------------------------------------------------
              Squirrel Chatter                    second May
------------------------------------------------------------


World population rose slightly more slowly this month than
last month.  Will this be a one month abberation, or will
May of year 2 be the month when our world population graph
changes from concave up to concave down?
                     world population by month                 
  30000  --------------------------------------------------    
        |                                                  |   
        |                                                  |   
        |                                                  |   
  25000 |-                                               **|   
        |                                               *  |   
        |                                             **   |   
        |                                            *     |   
  20000 |-                                          *     -|   
        |                                         **       |   
        |                                       **         |   
        |                                     **           |   
  15000 |-                                   *            -|   
        |                                  **              |   
        |                                **                |   
        |                             ***                  |   
  10000 |-                          **                    -|   
        |                         **                       |   
        |                      ***                         |   
        |                    **                            |   
   5000 |-                 **                             -|   
        |               ***                                |   
        |           ****                                   |   
        |        ***                                       |   
      0  --------------------------------------------------    
           2      4      6      8      10    12     14    16  
                                        --Nanotha, Ersatrork

Neither my per capita income nor Nanotha's capital to income
ratio are worth plotting this month; they are both unchanged
from last month.  26 silver/month and 54 days.
                                     --Zas Dathnesmot, Yglen

We have the good fortune to have discovered a cave with a
dragon.  I wonder whether he or she is friendly?  We should
be good neighbors and visit him or her.
                                          --Watch, Uknebran
                                                               
I took  my livestock  to market, and  was surprised  to find
none  of the  squirrels  who usually live  here.  Where  did
Pinkie Blossum and Miss Blossum trot off to, I wonder? There
is a  new local government,  of the feline  persuasion, much
better  equipped than the old  guard.  New  trade structures
are  being  built;  is  that a  grainary?  Roads  are  being
built  toward  the city.  All  in  all, the  new  government
seems an  improvement on  the old; development  now proceeds
rapidly. Perhaps the people of Dipostan will soon be richer.
Livestock sells  for the same price  it did last time  I was
here, though. I wonder where  the squirrels who used to live
here went?
                              --Soloz Lunrudthazor, Dipostan

------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Be with us next time for
                                    "The cat's pawjamas"  
                                    or
                                    "So fur, so good"
                                                 --Squirrels
------------------------------------------------------------

In a world full of people there's only some want to fly.
Isn't that crazy?

All packed up and ready to go. New lands await.

It took time, but it looks like everyone is doing what they are supposed to do.

"What!?!  They haven't all returned yet?", the stage manager cried.  "Check that they are not held up at the Carnival of Shadows."  He looked frantically around.  Get out there, man!  Stall!  STALL!" He commanded as he shoved the young roustabout through the curtains.

The bewildered looking young man stumbled through the curtains, grabbed his hat off his head, and slowly shambled to the front center of the stage.  He hesitantly opened his mouth as He glanced tenuously over the filling, but not yet full crowd.  Ladies and gentlemen,......and whatever others there may be out there.........W-we are experiencing a few irregular, minor difficulties, and ask y-our patience.
The program will continue momentarily."  He turned and fled quickly from the stage.

Magic is the Gathering.

Gift horses are always welcome.

Oups...

I love dingleberries... It's roosters I can't stand.

These shipyards are noisy places. 

Count seven times and attack once

Arena is full of people. 
Cheering is everywhere.
A man comes to the center of the arena.
"Let the games begin!" He shouts.
Immediatly, two huge teams start to run to the center.
And then bloodshed starts! Swords, horses, pikes, arrows, fists—everything goes into a fight.
From behind, several fireballs are launched from both teams.
After just a few minutes, the enemy team starts to retreat. 
Ah sweet victory.
But then, one of the farmers that was standing behind the entire time and was too afraid todo anything in main battle.
Finaly finds courage and charges. "Lets finish it!"
The main team is unsure what to do. They have already won, and they are tired.
Some other farmers who were also covering behind also decided to join.
In a simple valley of fireball farmers are roasted. What a fool!

Lizardman meets Lizardman on a windswept beach!
I'm sure you know how THIS story goes!

Study takes sooo long!!!

Join the Resistance!

PS. You know where to find us.

Spectacular New High-Wire Act Dazzles at Carnival of Shadows

The Carnival of Shadows has once again raised the bar—this time, literally. Last night, a brand-new high-wire act debuted under the starry skies, leaving the audience breathless. Dubbed the Phantom Walkers, the performers appeared to defy gravity, balancing effortlessly on near-invisible wires strung high above the carnival grounds.

Spectators gasped as the Phantom Walkers performed death-defying flips and somersaults, all while cloaked in shadowy costumes that seemed to blend into the night.

When asked about the daring performance, Old Jobobo mused:
"The higher the walk, the greater the fall… but here at the Carnival, we prefer to rise."

The Phantom Walkers’ act has quickly become the must-see spectacle of the season, leaving Atlantis eager for more.

Human! We used to be exactly like them. Flawed. Weak. Organic. But we evolved to include the synthetic. Now we use both to attain perfection. Your goal should be the same as ours.

I'm a creature of the street and I rip off all the money
I was kicked in the teeth, shoved face first through a window
I got a gangland name and a teardrop tattooed eye
They call me Little Caesar in the brotherhood of crime
I know about the pain, dyin' in an alley with an air-conditioned brain
I know, it's for real, flatlined in an ambulance without a pulse to feel

For those in peril on the sea...there's not much hope, I'm afraid.

After the great upheaval all is peaceful.

This was it. one final chance. all or nothing

The final sally forth was about to happen. 

needing to send money to all the scouts upon the water. alas the fishes dont pay for their wonderful entertainment.
Please dont fear, any soggy minstrels emerging from the seas are friendly and probably very hungry. 

yours in merriment

The water creatures were pleasing Groo, moving out into the world to learn of new things and places. the first city was found, and they had discovered the north pole. 
jungles, plains and volcanoes all appeared from the explored oceans. forming islands and larger land masses. the only trouble groo now had was they were starting to die off, either from lack of food or from the more than occasional pirate/kraken.....

Money. Money. Money.

Honk!?  HONK!

the plains were vast and the cattle were plentiful. Luke cast his gaze across these vast verdant lands. 
there was smoke billowing in the distance and a faint ant trail of a convoy slowly appeared on the horizon. 
looks like more folk were seeking the shelter of the walled city. soon he would know what was going on.

how we wish we were sailing the quiet deep seas

Once more unto the breach ...

One of my orc soldiers said: "Just because I'm green doesn't make me an artichoke."

Empiring minds want to know.

A Graywolf appeared. Shouldn't I punch him in the face?

Wide smiles a veneer
For the inevitable
Sudden betrayal 

We obey.