Players have visited 46% of all inhabited regions.

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 )                                                                         (
(                             NewOrigins Events                             )
 )                              July, Year 1                               (
(                                                                           )
 )      Numerous scouts are discussing about an encounter between two      (
(     armies happened in the plains of Pretcong where battle ended in a     )
 )       slaughter of one of the sides. This battle will be known as       (
(                   Battle near the town of Coprengville.                   )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      Handful travelers are worried about a clash between combatants       )
 )       happened in the plains of Pretcong where battle ended in a        (
(        slaughter of one of the sides. This battle will be known as        )
 )                  Battle near the town of Coprengville.                  (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )         Numerous wanderers are talking about a conflict between         (
(     combatants happened in the plains of Squesnys where battle ended      )
 )    in a slaughter of one of the sides. This battle will be known as     (
(                 Battle near the ocean of Atlantis Ocean.                  )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(     Some locals are worried about a clash between enemies happened in     )
 )     the plains of Squesnys where battle ended in a slaughter of one     (
(     of the sides. This battle will be known as Battle near the ocean      )
 )                           of Atlantis Ocean.                            (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )         Numerous wanderers are talking about the battle between         (
(     combatants happened in the jungles of Eccoist where many soldiers     )
 )    will never fight again. This battle will be known as Battle near     (
(                       the ocean of Atlantis Ocean.                        )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(     Multiple travelers are discussing about the town of Miadpri that      )
 )       lies in the Whadutacre mountains, where a rebels decimated        (
(                                  guards.                                  )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      Several peasants have heard about the city of Bepmark that lies      )
 )       in the Ferswingmill jungles, where a villans tried to expel       (
(                       guards but were unsuccessful.                       )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(     Handful merchants are rumoring about the village of Isgrove that      )
 )     lies in the Cioflen forests, where a faction destroyed guards.      (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     A few wanderers are rumoring about rangers who have put to the      (
(        sword Crocodiles (326) near city of Tetmestowe. Freeing the        )
 )                  swamps of Jinrick from their horror.                   (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     In the tundra of Scho'iryr, near mountains of Wymet, Ice Wurms      (
(         (298) who continue to cause terror to local inhabitants.          )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(         In the swamps of Destjont, near ocean of Atlantis Ocean,          )
 )    Crocodiles (439) who continue to cause fear to local inhabitants.    (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     In the swamps of Wechargoct, near town of Coprengville, Lizard      (
(       Men (742) who continue to cause horror to local inhabitants.        )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      In the swamps of Jinrick, near ocean of Atlantis Ocean, Undead       )
 )        (738) who continue to cause anxiety to local inhabitants.        (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )    In the tundra of Botro, near ocean of Atlantis Ocean, Ice Dragon     (
(         (775) who continue to cause horror to local inhabitants.          )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      Worrisome news were coming from the swamps of Heda. Inhabitants      )
 )    were horrified by the assassination near the forests of Antbrook.    (
(                      The assassin escaped unnoticed.                      )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(       Frightening news were coming from the forests of Prausmonaf.        )
 )      Commoners were shocked by the assassination near the town of       (
(                 Prestad. The assassin escaped unnoticed.                  )
 )                                                                         (
(__       _       _       _       _       _       _       _       _       __)
    '-._.-' (___ _) '-._.-' '-._.-' )     ( '-._.-' '-._.-' (__ _ ) '-._.-'
            ( _ __)                (_     _)                (_ ___)
            (__  _)                 '-._.-'                 (___ _)
            '-._.-'                                         '-._.-'

out of the frying pan and into the fire

Hmmm, Traders are blocking our exploration all ready? What sort of Traders are these?

Things are getting better - I have started getting messages from other factions and I met my first player crossing through my hex!

Sometimes it is wise to push forward. Sometimes it is wise to step back.

Out go the fishing lines. We would have thought we would have seen land by now. Perhaps the world is flat.

The pale lord watched as the others' troops filed out of the settlement.  Bear pelts might be nice to sleep on, but there were waves breaking even now, so he and his would leave those victories to others.

As he jogged down the beach, in the distance he could hear shouts, and ursid growls.

And surprisingly, the battle-cries of demons and the screams of their victims.  The scouts hadn't reported those.  Perhaps he should tell them to practice observing the world while they waxed their boards next time.

ça va commencer !!

Alliances have been forged...

Honk! Honk honk honk!

Are we wasting our time building ships? Two more months. If we dont find anything, we jump again.

Small Island... Should we build boats ?

This month has seen some interesting diplomatic events occur. We wonder how they'll play out.

Forest, big city? Haha. I'm lost.. 😶

The Servant Vasily brings the body of a drunken Commander into the barracks
- Line up! The Commander is in the barracks!
The guards reluctantly stand in a row.
- The Decrepit Lord ordered you to go into the forest and fight the wolves. Give the skins to the peasants, leave the commander in the barracks, let him sleep it off. Do it!
- And who are you? Why are you commanding here?!
- I'm not commanding like that! I'm bringing the Lord's will to you stupid people!  And if you ignore it, I will just as accurately report it to the Lord and then your skin will be given to the peasants for crafts. Is everything clear? Do it!
The guards reluctantly take up their weapons and wander towards the forest.

The city opens its secrets to us.  How much longer till we fully understand it?  Not long...

The writing department had full time employment right now, so do not worry if the representatives receive a letter too many or too few. All will be settled in future.

Meanwhile as first producers are started to earn their profits, we offer to markets first cows and wheat packs. No stones yet. But not a year will pass when we will be selling stones and buying artifacts right here in Times. Keep reading. 

Gather the troops.  Gather the swords, cut the evil out at the heart

Well, the money has run out. Time to move on and pillage somewhere else....

The life of a wandering minstrel.

I always enjoy the individualism of my servants.
They are allowed to have their own opinion.
As long as it doesn't contradict my own.

So... looks like we  need even this thin purse of silver.

We're not leaving here!

It's a weird feeling right now!!!
Will there be a repeat of the previous life cycle?

I'm at that stage when I need to submit articles just to keep the money flowing.  Time to up my tax income.

The Council of the Four Winds met in the large chamber set aside for this purpose. All around, civil servants were running around. While the overall strategy had been agreed, there were many disagreements on where to send the last five silver in a particular region, and whether this high elf should study one subject or another. These pieces of micromanagement were taking up a lot of time, and causing multiple sets of orders to be issued. Hopefully everything would be satisfied by the end of the month.

The signals are passed and the code words are given...if all goes well, the oppressive rulership of this town will be thrown off soon. If not, this message and this messenger will soon be irrelevant. 

WoW

------------------------------------------------------------
              Squirrel Chatter                    first July
------------------------------------------------------------

This world seems almost perfect.  Peace with all, everyone
calmly growing and giving and sharing.  This would seem to
be heaven itself were there not last month's assassination.
Although there is no conclusive evidence, squirrels'
prejudice is that this is the work of faction 2.  Squirrels
do not think that faction 2 is evil, just misguided.  We
hope we can convince faction 2 to reform, and to join the
rest of us in our peaceful cooperation with each other.

                                   -- Gate Guards of Woon


Nothing is all bad.  Assassination brought delight, too.
After the storm, a rainbow.  After winter, crocus blooms.
After the assassination, minstrels sprouted up at the site
and everywhere within one month's walk.  Delightful music.

                            -- Sons of Gate Guards of Woon


------------------------------------------------------------
                   Be with us next time for
                   "You Should Gate Out More"  
                   or
                   "How to Have your Gate.au and Eat it Too"
                                                 --Squirrels
------------------------------------------------------------

We need more silver.

Jeremy is concerned. Other factions are everywhere, and he needs somewhere to set up a home base. Out of courtesy, he doesn't want to set up to close to his friends. However, money is running out, and he needs some territory soon. In a desperate rush, he commands his followers to move north, around a lake. Hopefully, there will be a home for him up there.

Good help is really hard to find these days.

Claim your weapons.

This world gives "random" a new definition.

Let's make some silver now!

3-headed, 4-legged snake guards the royal tomb.

Anyone detected by our guards without wearing the insignia of their faction will be denied entry into our lands. A simple introduction of your state and purpose will grant you safe passage.

C'est la vie

There were too many orders to give, I've made some mistakes, several of my people didn't have enough gold to study. 
I should have known better that entertainment is an unstable income source.
So it was decided to rest this month and just go with the flow, no complex math for tax / recruit / study balance.
Just plain old produce & study with money at hand.
Anyway, hot springs are waiting for me, see you next month!

The Swarm welcomes tourists and traders to our humble swamp.  However, please stick strictly to the marked trails as blundering into a breeding pit will only make the larvae happy!

Found some neighbours. friend or foe? Time will tell

New Attraction, The Prancing Plowmen, Dazzles Crowds!

Despite the somber atmosphere surrounding the recent assassination of performer Nylara the Silent, the Carnival of Shadows continues to captivate the hearts and minds of Atlantis’ citizens. Yesterday, the carnival unveiled its latest attraction: The Prancing Plowmen, a troupe of centaur performers who have seamlessly blended their farming origins with the flair of the carnival.

The Prancing Plowmen delivered a jaw-dropping debut performance, combining precision choreography, feats of strength, and comedic charm. The troupe's unique routine featured traditional farming tools turned into props for dazzling tricks and acrobatics, with their signature move—a synchronized gallop through a field of flaming hoops—leaving the audience in awe.

"We wanted to show that hard work and art can be one and the same," said Brystan, the leader of the troupe, when asked about their performance. "Whether we're tilling the soil or prancing under the big top, we bring the same passion and energy."

Still No Leads on Nylara’s Assassination

While the Carnival dazzles crowds, the cloud of tragedy still looms overhead. Authorities have yet to make any progress in their investigation of Nylara's assassination, and with each passing day, tension builds. Investigators report that no clear suspects have emerged, leading some to fear that the assassin may never be brought to justice.

Old Jobobo, as ever, remains at the center of the storm. When asked about the investigation, he only had this to say:

"It is most peculiar, isn’t it? That in a carnival so full of eyes, someone could do something so blind. But we performers have always known one truth: in the shadows, things are never quite as they seem."

Attendance Surges Amidst the Mystery

Despite the tragedy, the Carnival’s popularity has soared to unprecedented levels. Waves of new attendees from across Atlantis continue to arrive daily, eager to witness the spectacles and, perhaps, to catch a glimpse of the ongoing drama. Many have expressed their curiosity about the unsolved mystery, with some hoping that more clues might be revealed during future performances.

"We came for the show, but we’re staying for the intrigue," said one visitor. "It feels like we’re watching a story unfold in real-time, and who knows what’s going to happen next."

Rumors of Secret Envoys Meeting with Old Jobobo

Adding fuel to the fire, rumors have begun circulating about secretive meetings taking place behind the scenes of the Carnival. Eyewitnesses have reportedly seen envoys from unknown factions arriving at odd hours, slipping into the shadows of the carnival’s sprawling tents. Speculation is rampant, with some suggesting these figures are diplomats seeking Jobobo’s magical talents, while others whisper of alliances and political deals being forged in the darkness.

For now, neither Old Jobobo nor the carnival’s staff have addressed these rumors directly, leaving Atlantis abuzz with speculation.

What’s Next for the Carnival of Shadows?

As the Carnival of Shadows marches forward, seemingly unshaken by the chaos surrounding it, Atlantis watches with bated breath. Between the stunning performances of The Prancing Plowmen, the unresolved assassination, and the mysterious meetings in the dead of night, the carnival has become more than just entertainment—it has become the beating heart of Atlantis’ latest drama.

We are the Borg. Existence, as you know it, is over. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Resistance is futile.

Now I don't know but I've been told, there's a nun having fun and she lost her soul.

"Shouldn't the sticky-out thingy point downwards? Who can we sack to cut costs?" - Baffled bureaucrat on a visit to the shipyard. 

Our credits card is pretty much maxed out. A mistake now and some of us will starve. We average a major blunder every three months...

The Great Map was growing

many submissions have been received and the world is starting to take shape.

free for all, submit your map and receive a copy of The Great Map!
preferred contact is via ye olde email.

for the good of all
Mercator

Wondering if I will ever get to start within a reasonable distance of a shaft.

Greetings all in this world!

the Pied Piper comes to spread entertainment and joy to this new world. We may be spreading out in an area near you. we come with one mission - To entertain EVERY hexes in this land. nothing less nothing more. in previous lives, we have sought war and magic, but in this new world, our mission is simple. to spread music and cheer to all of the lands.

please entertain our entertainers in a land near you!

the Pied Piper

The guardsman looked around in surprise. while he could hear a squirrel, he could not see one. had the sun and wine befuddled him....

words of friendship, wise prophecies of the future, spun in the afternoon breeze, but still there was no sign of a squirrel....... 
he best find the Sage! 

Error!!!

Worst starting terrain, and crowded island. But lots of friends, old and new. Should be fun.

The breeze in the forests was a blessing for the elves and centaurs. The brushing of the branches on their bodies was the caress of their mothers: Nature. In the distance, snowy mountains, distant, mysterious...

Volcano's spawn devils

Famous last words. Don't worry, it won't wake up.

Shadow-wrapp'd skulker
Treacherous knives in the dark
Shunn'd by all honour

There has no place in this world for Greywolf!

Where is the weather?

BEWARE: This guy jumps through gates:

Rob in Hood (914) is caught attempting to assassinate The Lemon-Seeker
  (1694) in Fe'eind.

If you see him, cut down his head before he cuts yours.