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 )                                                                         (
(                             NewOrigins Events                             )
 )                              April, Year 1                              (
(                                                                           )
 )       A few peasants are worried about the battle between enemies       (
(       happened in the tundra of Rendprog where 132 combatants were        )
 )    killed. The attackers were victorious.. This battle will be known    (
(                   as Battle of the town of Leserstead.                    )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(          Numerous locals are rumoring about the skirmish between          )
 )      combatants happened in the forests of Chayemner where battle       (
(       ended in a slaughter of one of the sides. This battle will be       )
 )              known as Battle near the town of Leserstead.               (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )       Multiple travelers are talking about the battle between two       (
(      armies happened in the mountains of Inhead where many soldiers       )
 )    will never fight again. This battle will be known as Battle near     (
(                             the town of Sehe.                             )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(     Many locals are talking about a clash between enemies happened in     )
 )    the mountains of Inhead where battle ended in a slaughter of one     (
(      of the sides. This battle will be known as Battle near the town      )
 )                                of Sehe.                                 (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )      Multiple wanderers are worried about the village of Quolebury      (
(       that lies in the Skibracchyck plains, where a rebels murdered       )
 )                                 guards.                                 (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     In the mountains of Sa'endtell, near town of Erwhestead, Giant      (
(      Birds (756) who continue to cause terror to local inhabitants.       )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(         A group of adventurers expelled the Crocodiles (928) who          )
 )      inflicted dread on the inhabitants of the Wammark plains near      (
(                         ocean of Atlantis Ocean.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      In the tundra of Febefe, near city of E'egrad, Ice Wurms (169)       )
 )            who continue to cause fear to local inhabitants.             (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )    In the forests of Sawood, near town of Lelcoerport, Undead (1149)    (
(             who continue to cause dread to local inhabitants.             )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(     In the plains of Fro'agate, near forests of E'y, Undead (691) who     )
 )              continue to cause fear to local inhabitants.               (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     Alarming news were coming from the tundra of Febefe. Commoners      (
(      were terrified by the assassination near the ocean of Atlantis       )
 )                 Ocean. The assassin escaped unnoticed.                  (
(__       _       _       _       _       _       _       _       _       __)
    '-._.-' (___ _) '-._.-' '-._.-' )     ( '-._.-' '-._.-' (__ _ ) '-._.-'
            ( _ __)                (_     _)                (_ ___)
            (__  _)                 '-._.-'                 (___ _)
            '-._.-'                                         '-._.-'

The earth shakes. Strange men appear. Is there a connection?

Seems like a couple of Villages are around us, no one else to be seen yet.

This is tougher than it looks.

Nighbors are preparing army.
We should be ready.

Hmmm.... plan b...

L'horizon s'élargit... nos explorateurs ont même trouvé la mer.
Mais aussi et surtout, des Nains !
Bon, ils semblent un peu primitifs dans cette contrée, mais avec un peu d'éducation, on pourra sans doute en faire quelque chose.

The pale lord stared at the gateway in frustration.  It would not open.  He could almost smell the new lands that awaited, the rolling breakers, the oneness and calm of the surf - three-to-four and glassy.

But the gateway would not open.

Only then did he look at the scroll he had dictated to his little helper.  Only too late did he realise the little helper had not included the password for his orders.

J'espère que cette île sera aussi grande qu'un continent car il y a déjà surpopulation dans les régions découvertes.
nous devons coopérer tous ensemble avec une véritable stratégie de coopération global au delà du simple contrôle de territoire

Honk?

Again, only sea and forest. Should we become sailors and fishermen instead of mages?

bad place! [jump again]

Wistfully wandering into jungle crypts while we set up home. They appear to be empty.

At the entrance to the city, the guards started shouting, pointing in our direction that crocodiles were approaching. Strange. We even turned around. But no, the crocodiles had long since left us behind. The guards must have very good eyesight. And they saw these fucking monsters in the distance. Oh, okay. Let's find the guest yard and wash ourselves off!

- Don't be impertinent to me, lackey!Call the Commander to me immediately and let him take the magicians with him. We will decide where our greatness will be greater! At the same time, we will free the Lord's intestines.
The servant Vasily whispers as he leaves: 
- Old senile, where will I find a sober Commander for you in the morning!

... to be continued

With action, mistakes.  With mistakes, growth.  With growth, knowledge.  With knowledge, power.

The first trader outpost was established in poor tundra regions although settlements in distance promised some profitable opportunities. But then the Enclave reached the second place and that was swamp, which seemed way more welcoming. Currently the only faction that remained nearby was Sunshine, so as our direct messaging channels are not yet established, consider this as a remote greeting.

We are not alone.

The Elder Trees are recruiting orcs and peasants to help build a mining and farming community.  We are friendly

Ok, so who is good at sharing with random people....

Given the island nature of this game, it isn't like it is easy to run away!!!

Traffic jams on every street.
How many players can you get starting adjacent to each other?

Buka
X

Very interesting area.
And it really is a paradise for pirates.

Some plains, some forests, not to bad all told.

The land turned out to be a narrow isthmus, ideal for sailing away from but terrible for settling. Just how crowded was this new world?

Plans are underway but our purse is already feeling light...perhaps we should have studied accounting in the Nexus instead of learning to harness the raw energies of creation. 

We are poor sheep,
No one can save us.
We melt like candles,
Who will save us?!
Save the poor sheep!
Me-me!

Meadow flowers,
Peaceful herds,
And field mice
They scurry back and forth.
There are no prettier places.
Me-me!

Not seeing the gate I was looking for, I asked
"where is the volcano gate"?  The very helpful Nexus
concierge told me the volcano gate advertises "Dance with
the Devil".  I reread all the placards, and found "Dance
with the Devil(*)" on the 8th placard, the placard with
no visible gate.  I couldn't make out the small print
on that placard, from where I stood it seemed to read
"Trprtrdsclmsllrspnsbltyfrtrvlrsfty", or something like
that.  I suppose the prudent thing to have done would have
been to stay in the Nexus for a month and study farsight,
allowing me to safely read the small print from where
I stood.  But I was an impatient squirrel, so instead I
dashed right up to the placard, put my eyes inches from
the fine print, and read (without farsight) "Tour operator
disclaims all responsibility for traveler safety."  I am a
happy go lucky but risk averse squirrel.  This fine print
seemed less safe than the "everything you need within a
month's walk" the other gates promised.  I wassn't sure
I believed those promises; who can climb a volcano in a
single month?  But I was sure "Tour operator disclaims all
responsibility" was not what I wanted on my volcano tour,
so I decided to return to the seven safe gates. But when
I looked up from the sign, I didn't see those seven gates
anymore, I found myself in a beautifully cold tundra.
I looked back at the sign, which now read "Enjoy your
Magical Monster Mystery Tour.  No Refunds, no Returns."

-- Unit 897, Wune

City guards complain of lack of funding and poor quality equipment

Crocodiles are out of sight, but not out of mind. They may still come back to bite us.

Time flies, unclaimed silver flies away even faster.

A friend already!

PHEN is the best :)

Language metaphor: I'm placing it in ruins. There are no people there.

Not a lot of room to move around. Perhaps we should take to the open seas.

Getting warmer

I've received a report of adjacent land from my scouts; it looks like it's populated with numerous species, and most of them are ready to pay for their security. 
Hurriedly, I've taught some guys how to defend themselves and sent them to those villages. Money will swim into my hand soon. 
So far only common resources can be found, like stone, iron, wheat, camels, etc. I have expected more from this fantasy world. 
My thieves guild has failed; no one has approached them for their services. I guess I will have to use them as scouts and order them to investigate further reaches of this land. 
But enternaiment guild should start making some good money. I've got good contracts for some rich guy's birthday. 
The mayor of the city I started in is in complete denial to join my side, and people don't really appreciate his government style. I'm starting to have an idea of replacing him. 
But before that, I've decided to try the aura of fear, maybe it will make him change his mind. My estimate is 2 months before I can cast that spell in this world.

The first of the swarm emerge from the breeding pits into the soft light flickering through the trees.
To the west a dank swamp beckons.
To the east a Pilgrim encounters the first scouts.
Hopefully the locals can accept the swarm on their doorstep and not succumb to the numbing horror the whir of millions of insectoid wings can install in the unwary.

Sending out scouts, lets see what we can find

A Night in the Shadows – My Wild Ride at the Carnival of Shadows

By Wendel G. Flotsam, Senior Entertainment Correspondent

Folks, let me tell you, I’ve been to my fair share of carnivals, circuses, and peculiar traveling shows in my time, but nothing could have prepared me for the mind-bending spectacle that is the Carnival of Shadows. As I stepped through the gates (if you can call those swirling curtains of mist ‘gates’), I knew I was in for an evening like no other. And, judging by the growing crowd that’s flocking here from all corners of Atlantis, I’m not the only one who’s been swept up in the mysterious allure of this magical madhouse.

From the moment I entered, the sheer number of people attending was staggering—Atlantis hasn’t seen this kind of buzz since the Great Bread Shortage of ‘72. Families, thrill-seekers, scholars, and curious folks of all types were eager to see what tricks Old Jobobo and his band of misfits had up their sleeves. And let me tell you, those sleeves are deep.

A Tour Like No Other

I wandered through shadowy tents, each more curious than the last, guided only by the eerie glow of lanterns and the occasional giggle of unseen performers. It felt like a dream—and at times, like a nightmare I couldn’t wake from. At the heart of the carnival, I stumbled upon the much-talked-about Flying Legless Bros., soaring through the sky without a leg to land on. The crowd erupted in cheers as they spun and twirled, and for a brief moment, I thought, “Maybe they really are flying.” But then again, that’s the Carnival of Shadows for you—where reality and illusion blur until you’re not sure where one ends and the other begins.

Then came the Strongmen, bending steel bars like they were strands of spaghetti. One of them crushed a boulder right in front of my eyes, and I swear I felt the ground tremble. The spectators were on their feet, roaring with excitement. “How do they do it?” I asked one of the attendees. “It’s magic!” she exclaimed. She might be right.

The Man Behind the Magic

Of course, no article about the Carnival would be complete without a mention of its enigmatic ringleader, Old Jobobo. The man is everywhere and nowhere at once—one moment he’s on stage cracking jokes, and the next, he’s whispering something unsettling into your ear before vanishing into the mist.

I had the dubious honor of speaking to Jobobo after the show. When I asked him how he managed to pull such a crowd and create such a spectacular event, he grinned (a grin that seemed a little too wide for comfort) and said:

“The trick isn’t making people come to the carnival, friend. It’s making sure they never quite leave… in one piece, anyway.”

I laughed—uneasily—and quickly moved on. Jobobo’s words have stuck with me ever since. But that’s the magic of the Carnival of Shadows, isn’t it? A show that thrills, chills, and haunts you long after the lights have dimmed.

An Unstoppable Success

In just a short time, the Carnival has become the talk of Atlantis. The tents are packed, the crowds are growing by the hour, and word has it, the show is drawing in visitors from distant lands. Some say that even Atlantis’ most distinguished scholars have been spotted lurking among the attractions, trying to figure out just how Jobobo and his crew pull off their acts. Spoiler alert: They haven’t figured it out yet.

So, to anyone who’s on the fence about attending—just go. But heed my advice: keep one hand on your wallet and the other on your sense of reality, because both are in danger of slipping away the moment you step inside.

Final Thoughts

The Carnival of Shadows isn’t just a show—it’s an experience, one that will leave you questioning everything you know about the world (and possibly about yourself). It’s fun, it’s mysterious, and yes, it’s more than a little disturbing. But isn’t that the point?

As for me, I’m already planning my next visit. After all, Old Jobobo did say he’s got a new act in store… something about a “Shadow that watches you back.” I’m not sure what that means, but I intend to find out.

Until then, see you in the shadows.

Wendel G. Flotsam, signing off from the Carnival of Shadows. Don’t wait too long to visit—the carnival may not always be where you think it is… or maybe it never was.

By assimilating other races into our collective, we are bringing them closer to perfection.

The bugs serve time in her skeletal jail. I wonder how the bugs remember Gail?

We were promised a new world full of opportunity but instead find one full of people!

Meeting new people.

Gerard was pleased. having stepped upon this new world, he had received pleasant greetings from several factions. the first cartographers had moved out to explore the surrounding landscape, the first City and Town had been discovered, 

A volcano, yet to be named, was seen in the distance. deserts, forests, mountains and swamps all lay before him.

information from the field was beginning to pour in. the inception of The Great Map was occurring.

To all in this new world, the Cartographers offer a subscription service. Join and you will receive a combined map, The Great Map, without personal details. all are welcome.

Gerard
First of the Map Makers

There are lots of people in this here world

The Pied Piper put down the local newspaper.... his head hung low for some time...

"Right! new change of plans chaps! we cannot compete with this The Carnival of Shadows, they are far too professional and there ads are amazing! I know... I know... some of you were looking forward to being shot out of cannons, riding on horses and cracking whips.. But we have a new purpose. to entertain the whole world!!!!"

the silence that met the Pipers ears was deafening. he grumbled under his breath, kicked a stone and stomped down the hill.

I shall start spreading entertainers through-out these lands. not being able to create circus of his dreams just yet, he would be content with juggling for the locals. maybe he could join up with The Carnival of Shadows ? maybe study under their wise tutelage.

the world was young and there was time to achieve

Enjoy the entertainment in a location near you. we hope not to offend you with our presence or music..

The Sage kept searching....

somewhere on the vast plain lay the one he searched for all this time. 
however the first clue lay just before him, a smouldering caravan, wounded laying beside the road, oxen braying. The Sage wandered over...

Now all he had to do was follow the trail of destruction that the Mendicant left behind him.. 

The optimism of the old ally proved correct. There is indeed place for us to stay here so we will remain and persist.
Also a strange new friendly faction just arrived and has pretty wild ideas about future. Probably noone knows what future will bring, but from what some are gossiping, I assume death and annihilation. 

No horses?!  Arrgghh.
But at least I found some nice friends nearby.

The loneliness is over. Two diplomats have appeared and are welcomed by La Orden de la Sangre.

there is rumor of sphinx roaming the land, if you answer its riddle, you'll get a powerful artifact

Horns and talons twitch
Heat-shimmer fills the crater
Sleeping, or waiting?

Holden! Come back, we'll forgive you everything!

A  seer's dream.  The serpent slithers from fruit to fruit, injecting its venom into each.  Clans of centaurs  arrive to feast at the gathering tree.  For a while they joyfully sing and frolic with long missed family.  But soon the all drift into a hypnotic sleep.  Only 72 of the strongest will awake.  Full of vitriol.  And changed. 
Then there was the thunder of the hooves....

Did you know that this world is about to be taken over by hordes of centaurs?

9 zombies

So who are these strangers that offer kindness and co-operation.  If they speak the truth, then it bodes well.

A new faction has entered the realms ...............

Did anyone see Holden's post about damn islands....

Does anyone know which faction he is playing?

I can see mages throwing fire over those dunes

They are (again!) Borg...

A mangy, decrepit Graywolf! You look like an overgrown rat!