Be productive and strong; explore new land and find a way to survive.

   _.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._.-=-._
.----      - ---     --     ---   -----   - --       ----  ----   -     ----.
 )                                                                         (
(                             NewOrigins Events                             )
 )                            September, Year 1                            (
(                                                                           )
 )      A few travelers are discussing about a fight between hostile       (
(      forces happened in the desert of Blecishchan where 2 combatants      )
 )    were killed. The attackers were victorious.. This battle will be     (
(                known as Battle of the city of Knotjeholm.                 )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(        Some druids are worried about a conflict between two armies        )
 )       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.                      (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )      Handful dockers are talking about a conflict between enemies       (
(        happened in the desert of Blecishchan where 1 combatant was        )
 )    killed. The attackers slaughtered all defenders. This battle will    (
(               be known as Battle of the city of Knotjeholm.               )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(        Some locals have heard about a fight between hostile forces        )
 )       happened in the desert of Blecishchan where 1 combatant was       (
(     killed. The attackers slaughtered all defenders. This battle will     )
 )              be known as Battle of the city of Knotjeholm.              (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     Multiple refugees are talking about a conflict between hostile      (
(      forces happened in the desert of Blecishchan where 1 combatant       )
 )    was killed. The attackers slaughtered all defenders. This battle     (
(            will be known as Battle of the city of Knotjeholm.             )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      Numerous adventurers are rumoring about the town of Icpool that      )
 )        lies in the Haerum swamps, where a faction killed guards.        (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )     In the plains of Loli, near ocean of Atlantis Ocean, Yeti (203)     (
(            who continue to cause horror to local inhabitants.             )
 )                                                                         (
(                          .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                          )
 )                                                                         (
(      In the tundra of Eri, near city of Toydintburg, Ice Wurms (248)      )
 )           who continue to cause horror to local inhabitants.            (
(                                                                           )
 )                         .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.                         (
(                                                                           )
 )    In the chasms of Ehi, near ocean of The Undersea, Demon (594) who    (
(               continue to cause fear to local inhabitants.                )
 )                                                                         (
(__       _       _       _       _       _       _       _       _       __)
    '-._.-' (___ _) '-._.-' '-._.-' )     ( '-._.-' '-._.-' (__ _ ) '-._.-'
            ( _ __)                (_     _)                (_ ___)
            (__  _)                 '-._.-'                 (___ _)
            '-._.-'                                         '-._.-'

We're having a great time. No news of any evildoers.

Our transporters got lucky, we found a wagon with the centaurs we evicted. That  will help moving our stone around.

Things have taken a turn for the worse on turn seven: “ I'm sorry, your faction has been eliminated.”

Beavers already knows that there are trees on the island but do we have the real wood?

Our intelligence services have uncovered plentiful sources of iron, silver, and wood. Unfortunately the only resource we're close to is fish.

The pale lord contemplated the shore.  Across the sparkling blue, the other side of the bay with its steep cliff seemed inhospitable.

The village seemed peaceful now.  The new recruits had been most egregious failures, unable even to manage the most tame of ankle biters.  It was probably best they'd left.  

For now, there was only the serenity of the surf, and the contemplation of fire.

Nos amis sont de plus en plus nombreux et c'est une bonne chose

This could be interesting...

HONK!

Mistakes were made. We hope we are not too late.

We need to settle there

We're starting to communicate with people further afield. An idea of the world is forming

Crocodile in the green river
Quietly dozing under the moon,
Death awaits a fool.

- Who are you and what do you need here?
- We are migrants from the swamp, we came to the city at the invitation of the Lord, we will live here on benefits!
- And, well, then go help the peasants!
- Uh no! we will settle in the city and live on benefits, sometimes oppressing the population, but we will vote for the Lord and support him with all his crazy ideas, and we will also act as tax collectors while the city guard is absent.
- By the way, why do you have guards' weapons?
- We found him in the woods.
- Well, then settle down and start collecting taxes. We have to pay benefits for you from something. By the way, taxes will have to be raised...

The Orcs (and it was they) began to disperse around the neighborhood in a masterly manner

Local peasants silently and with amazement observe this picture...

Now we seek knowledge of more of the world.  All will be known...

A Tragic Loss

A misunderstood error that is sent to wrong recipient cause misallocated silver and capital and most of the unclaimed silver reserves are wasted last month. This loss in profit is tragic and as a sideffect it may also lead to starvation later so expansion of trade outposts is now delayed. Will competitors race ahead of us?!

Ah yes.  too much weight does not help....

Not much happening on this side of the world....

Is that a ship I see before me ?

These stealthman here for a reason!

What's wrong with me?

My eyes didn't have time to look, as if lightning flashed images.
I remember how I received the order to retreat from my commander.
But we did not have time to retreat, the enemy caught up with us.
I was killed...

I remember exactly how I fell after being hit by a bullet.
As I pressed my hand to my neck. As between my fingers, my blood began to flow in a rapid river. How I tried to open my mouth to shout something, but I couldn't do it.
My eyes began to close, I tried to open them, and at first I succeeded. But over time I couldn't do it anymore.
And darkness began...

Then came the cold. Slowly, like a shadow rising at sunset.
But now I see lightning, I see the ground.
But everything has an orange tint.
I try to blink and it works. But I can still see between my eyelids.
I'm starting to feel myself, but it's not me anymore.
I realized this when I started blinking.
How can it be?
Am I alive again?

No matter what I do, I can't convince my mail server that the Times articles aren't spam.  They come through for a turn, and then stop again.

The Children of the Four Winds discovered new problems with cartography. It seemed monsters kept munching any scouts sent too far north or south. Perhaps it was time to build a boat and explore by sea instead?

Our little island is beginning to fill up with visitors. Everyone claims such peaceful intentions...entertainers, traders, merchants, diplomats. Presumably one of them is telling a lie, but who? 

Karma will overtake us all.

------------------------------------------------------------
              Squirrel Chatter               first September
------------------------------------------------------------


The plains village of Uprun seems a pleasant, peaceful place
to settle.  I so enjoy our halcyon world.
                                  --Sunny Marigold, Cenintco

The swamp village of Ianatbu looks like a pleasant, peaceful
place to settle.  This world is good.
                                             --Ethel, Powann

The forest city of Baimark is impressive.  Imposing.   A bit
frightening, really. Many factions live here, including some
very old individuals.    It has been related to me by Tinoth 
Nothisosed on the authority of Chatterer that one of those I
see here was in the nexus with Chatterer. I stand now in the
presence of a powerful ancient. I sure hope this city is all 
rainbows and unicorns, happiness, joy, and conviviality like 
all the other lands the squirrels have visited.
                                --Mister Sandwich, Chayemner

This tundra is ruined.    The natives have fled, their homes
are destroyed, they now sell their services for starvation
wages.   Two months ago my beloved student, Mister Sandwich,
tried to ride into adjacent tundra where the town of
Leserstead was once held by the first faction, and he was
forbidden entry to the town.      Last month I tried to ride
into the desert, and even though I was with Chatterer in
the eastern tundra, I too was forbidden.    Cooling my heels
in this ruined tundra, I taught my students from The Times.
At the end of the lesson, I raed to them Book 7, verse 336: 
"Famous last words: I'll explore a little farther.    I hear
there's trouble over there and might see a battle."  And was 
enlightened. I, disciple of Chatterer, with Chatterer at the 
establishment of squirrels' eastern lands, stopped that very
day my wandering proselytization, settled down, studied 
farming, and began to heal the world.
                                         --Tinoth Nothisosed

Oh, look, another ice cave with another ice dragon. I wonder 
whether this dragon is friendlier than the last one?    I'll 
just duck into this cave to visit this dragon and say hello.
                                        --Kalinin, Nenttheen

Last month's visut to the bog thing was a deligt. This month
I have the good fortune to have discovered the crypt with 69
skeletons, and 5 undead.  I wonder whether they are friends?  
I shall let them know that I am in the neighborhood. Perhaps
I'll invite them to tea.
                                                --Wara, E'in

Seeking a place to shelter from the rain, I was lucky to find
another crypt, this one with only 52 skeletons, but 9 undead.
I wonder whether they like goblins?   I'll just knock on this
door of the crypt and find out.
                                             --Ethel, Powann

------------------------------------------------------------
                        Be with us next time for
                        "Brighten the coroner where you are"  
                        or
                        "Home of the grave"
                                                 --Squirrels
------------------------------------------------------------

Follow that airplane
of course I’m high this is
an emergency

Jeremy finally has a plan! There are lots of friends around, too many in fact. The island is large and the desert is plentiful, but scouts are everywhere. Everyone else is laying claim to everything, something Jeremy was too slow to do. However, he has discovered the benefits of gating! If he can gate to another region, preferably with his followers, he might be able to set up base there. It means saying goodbye to his friends, but he needs some foothold in order to survive into the endgame, and it's probably not going to be mage-based. In just 6-7 turns, he will be able to leave this island. Until then, his followers must support themselves however they can.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In an effort to keep all my units alive, 4 divisions have been sent out to tax regions that appear unoccupied by anything but scouts. If one of these four (Econquest I - IV) is causing problems for you, please let me know in Discord and I'll stop. I'm very flexible.

These units are not used to share. They took it from their leaders.

Someone is missing.

There are clouds in the southern skies.

Do you want to live forever? :)

We praise the symbol of the Sun!

Who says the world is flat? We can prove it is round. Donut round.

What's next?

My people were attacked! By some horrible monsters, that looked like scorpions. Where did they come from? Are others safe? so many questions...
I've simplified orders to my people, no longer I do tax/education cost calculations, just spending the money I have right now, without planning for the silver I make this month.
Still not sure what magic to learn, decided to try some summoning, dragons sound promising, but learning how is way too long.
Made some friends with my neighbors, hopefully trade relations will improve people's lives.

Starting to get very cramped here.  Hopefully all these neighbours remain friendly.

Another slow month

The Grand Spectacle – Carnival of Shadows Unveils Illusionary Marvel

Last night, the Carnival of Shadows introduced what can only be described as its most ambitious and mind-bending attraction yet: The Veil of Realms. This grand illusionary performance had spectators on their feet, jaws dropped, as Old Jobobo and his crew of illusionists unveiled a spectacle unlike anything Atlantis has ever seen.

The Veil of Realms transformed the main tent into a swirling canvas of alternate worlds, each more fantastical than the last. Audiences were guided through what felt like entire dimensions—floating islands in the sky, underwater cities, and towering castles of glass—without ever leaving their seats. The illusion was so vivid that some attendees reportedly felt sea spray on their faces during the undersea journey.

Jobobo himself orchestrated the show, standing in the center of the stage, controlling these otherworldly scenes with a mere flick of his wrist. When asked how he created such a grand display, he smiled and said, “Reality is a fragile thing, easily bent. I simply showed them what was already there.”

The show has already become the talk of Atlantis, with long lines forming each night for a chance to witness The Veil of Realms. Critics are calling it Jobobo’s most breathtaking illusion yet, while others wonder if these visions were more than just illusions.

Whatever the truth, one thing is certain: the Carnival of Shadows has raised the bar once again.

Such a noble creature. A quality we sometimes lack. We will add your distinctiveness to our own. Welcome home... 

He smells the breath of sweet human sin and deeply breathes it in, Prince of Darkness!

The great exodus begins ... the survivors will have great tales to tell.

Welcome to the Dark Web.
MetaVillain has hacked the arrivals and departures master board crystal for the Gate Authorities main switching hub and downloaded last months data:

Arrivals

TIME    ARRIVING FROM           FLIGHT  GATE    REMARKS

08:00:  NEXUS                   GD462   017     CANCELLED       NO PASSENGER   CONNECTION CANCELLED
08:00:  NEXUS                   EV463   063     CANCELLED       NO PASSENGER   CONNECTION CANCELLED		
11:45   HELL                      EV616   666     ARRIVED         CONNECTS WITH  12:00 FLIGHT EV616 AT GATE 666
08:00:  NEXUS			 GD176   076     CANCELLED       NO PASSENGER   CONNECTION CANCELLED
11:00:  FROZEN WORLD   RF384   067     LANDING         HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE SURVIVORS
12:00:  NEXUS			  EV681   081     CANCELLED       NO PASSENGER   CONNECTION CANCELLED
13:55   HEAVEN                 GD321   043     CANCELLED       CONNECTIONS CANCELLED

Departures:

TIME    DESTINATION		FLIGHT	GATE	REMARKS	

01:40   HELL                    EV616   666     DEPARTED        FINALLY. ORDER MORE NUTS PASSENGERS
10:15   HELL			EV666   666     DELAYED		NOT BOARDING STANDBYS. AGAIN. 
12:05   UNDERWORLD 		EV616	666     ON TIME         PILOTS CONGATS FOR NEW POSTING MR DEVIL. NO DELAY FOR YOU SIR!
12:45   HELL			EV666   666     DELAYED         NO PASSENGERS AND STILL DELAYED	
09:40   HEAVEN			GD116   321  	CANCELLED	

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  

AYS ANNOUNCES ALL FLIGHTS ARE DELAYED ... REMAIN SEATED IN YOUR ACID BATH  ... FLY WITH THE ANGELS ... GOOD AIRWAYS ... MR CODY RED7 PLEASE REPORT TO GATE 067 ... MR CODY RED7 TO GATE 067 IMMEDIATELY ... AND BRING THE SHEEPDOGS WE HAVE STOWAWAYS ...

Ah well, blame is usually slung about after attacks

The cartographers are people of the pen and not the sword. we implore SuperBob to halt these attacks on our traders. we have a noble mission, to provide mapping to all who contribute.

Shen Kuo gazed over the ocean. hope lay not far away, friends had offered hope. one day he may sail back to avenge his master, Mercator.

We still offer mapping trade. with over 8 contributors and now the underworld, The Great Map survives and grows. over 400 hexes mapped

The Pied Piper jumped again and again, searching this world. he was finding squirrels everywhere he went...

most people were friendly that he had met so far. he had even opened up and underground entertainment industry. pity only Trolls were interested in his entertainers.....

Merriment and entertainment to all!

Groo was mad...

that Ice Dagon had eaten the Sage and his sister, even tho he despised her.... and half his army....

how could Groo fight such a beast.... 

My mind.

Lurking in the swamp and jungle.

Lucky Luke cast his gaze across the mountain range. the big city drew him like a moth to a lamp.

hopefully folks around these parts will be friendly, Luke mused to himself.

slouching in his saddle and strumming his guitar, Luke sauntered towards the city, playing a tune his father had taught him when young.

lets see if he could create something in this world

Bloody crocodiles...

Authorities have managed to decipher a cryptic message-taunt from the Gate Mage Killer.
Mae mages yn ddrwg ac ni fydd y byd yn eu galaru! Heddlu 
melltigedig, daliwch fi os gallwch chi!
Mages are evil and the world will not mourn them! Police, 
accursed, catch me if you can!

Profile of the killer. Male. Lives near the vicinity of the crimes and knows the area well. Possibly employed as a messenger or trader. Probably wants a more ominous nickname. Often returns home covered in blood and says its just paint from his arts classes. 

An over-thick vine
Hangs with tight-crushing menace
Waiting not sleeping

All that is written in The Times is true.