Dom III Gone Gold (Domiiigogo) - (Started)

[BigJMoney]

I've been a bit slow in posting these, so there are obviously many of them to come, soon.

Month 6 � The Year Of THE HAG

Smoke rose high into the air like a pillar. A great bonfire and sacrifice went up tonight on the very grounds where a new temple to Yohlla was to be erected. The men in Erkeborn�s war camp celebrated and enjoyed themselves. Even the few survivors remaining in Gynter�s band joined the frivolity. And, why not? What had they left when all their companions had either been slaughtered or run into the wilderness, never to return? Their commander did not join them however, for he was greatly disturbed.

�Wise mother, you are great and powerful. Do you understand that we all trust you with our lives?� Yohlla was with him in his tent, sitting on a soft bench. Were someone to enter, they would not realize the significance of these two, speaking casually and meeting together as they were.

She replied, �Erkeborn, when you ask a question like that of me, I can tell you wish to speak about something. This would be a better conversation if you simply said it to me.�

Her Prophet sighed, �This battle, today; I was lead into it. I did not fight it because I chose to fight, but because I had a dream which told me I must. This is the first time I have seen a prophecy and then seen it fulfilled. Still, I felt today as if we could have lost. This was no easy battle, and there were times when it might have gone the other way. I thought the prophecy implied we were meant to win and that it could be no other way.�

Yohlla replied, �It could not have been. Things happened the way they did, and nobody can change it, not even you could have. However, the prophecy fulfilled its role not in helping you win the fight, but by bringing you onto the stage to perform. It is still up to you to win it. Do not ever forget that, or else you and your men will become complacent. I think today�s lesson was an important one. Still, I feel there is more on your mind than even this.� She was right, there was more he needed to speak with her about.

�We won today, but we had a hard time with these barbarians. They even knew who we fought for, yet still they gave us a difficult time. I cannot imagine what it will be like when we must fight the terrible creatures south of us that can suck the life right out of a horse if moments. Any people who would use such creatures are terrible, indeed.�

�Erkeborn, there is nothing I can tell you that will reassure you, but I will say that you have no choice but to conquer this fear. With my help, there is no creature on this world that can defeat you, except your own fear; not even strange creatures with magnificent powers.�

�But mother, you are so beautiful. I know you will help us, and we will give our lives for you, but how can you protect us from such dark forces?�

The goddess stood up and fidgeted with some of the sparse tent furniture. She paused for a moment and then asked, �Am I young or old?� Rather than wait for his confused response, she continued, �I am both. The reason I appear to you people as young and old belies the very truth of who I am in power. I am wonderful and I am terrible. No, do not interrupt me, son of Ulm, but listen. People everywhere are drawn to me. They realize that I can make their lives better if only they would worship me. This happens, and so I am wonderful to them. What they do not know is that this comes at a price. Wherever I walk in this mortal realm, great misfortune besets those whom I live among. This is not something I desire, but it is who I am. Even now, thousands in the great city have died from a disastrous earthquake that my presence there has caused. Your enemies will know this wrath too, but you must not neglect your role as Prophet, and you must not fear.�

[PashaDawg]

Turn 13 is out.

Deadline is Wednesday night at 9pm Boston time.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 14 is out.

Deadline is Thursday at 9pm Boston Time.

Pasha

[Ballbarian]

The AAR is looking really good Big$!

[PashaDawg]

Turn 15 is out.

Deadline is Friday night at 9:00 pm Boston Time.

Pasha

[BigJMoney]

Month 7 � The Year Of THE HAG

Things were underway once again in the Great City. In fact, even though the leaders had been killed two months previously, the people were working harder than ever to contribute to the war funds. Ruprecht was turning out to be a stern taskmaster and, from the day he had taken over leadership, he had expected a lot from the Ulmans. If anything, he was working harder than anyone, however. Not only was he now running the city and Keep, but day and night he focused on two important tasks. He studied the secrets of the magic of his fathers and he trained young men to do the same. On this particular occasion, he was sending his finest pupil into the world to gain some military experience.

�Son, no matter what the risk is to you, make sure you keep those troops alive! They are your people, and your responsibility. I didn�t teach you any of this stuff for nothing. You don�t go hiding under a rock or in a cave once the enemy comes running at you, but you do what you were trained to do. Now, the spy tells me that he will take you to the field of battle. He should keep you safe until you get there. Hopefully during the months of your service, we will uncover some things that you can learn when you get back. For now, though, our armies need good smiths traveling with them. And, when you aren�t fighting, make sure you are looking after their armor and weapons. That�s good armor they wear out there; the best! But in the heat of the waste lands, they don�t always take good care of it. You keep an eye out, kid, I know you�ll do well.�

The young smith embraced his mentor, and after a final look of approval from Ruprecht, the spy and the smith headed out of the keep and onto the road into the neighboring land. Linshire was the land of the desert nomads to the east. For some time now, they had become familiar with news of the wonderful Yohlla, and the time was come where these people should officially come under the reign of her chosen people.

As warlike as the people of Machaka were, they were also curious. Curious enough to ask questions about Yohlla. And, while they did not express interest in her as a god, it was causing tidings of disturbance and upheaval among many of the communities. Farmers and craftsmen were finding themselves engaged in discussions and meetings more and more about the idea of a woman who called herself a god; enough so, that the Ulmish spy in the province wondered why the late Bune had not considered meeting with some of these people on friendly terms before. If only the right ideas could be planted in their minds�

[BigJMoney]

Month 8 � The Year Of THE HAG

In the desert heat, soldiers armed with spades were digging trenches. In the last battle that the Ulmish regular army fought, not many of their enemies were killed. Very few lay dead in the sands, because most of them had broken easily and retreated. It was almost as if they were waiting for Yohlla�s chosen people to come and subject them. The bodies that did lay motionless would be buried. These people were now his people, and Erkeborn was prepared to respect their dead appropriately.

�What will you do, now that your captain is dead?� asked the Prophet. The mercenary lieutenant he spoke with rubbed his hands together to shake off more sand.

�We will do what we have always done. These lands are torn with war, and we do not think it will be hard for us to find an employer.�

Erkeborn questioned him, �Why not join us? You are experienced men. You would receive better pay than a fresh recruit. I can even set you up as one of my own lieutenants. There is no need to wander, you can fight with us now. We will always be in need of good men.�

The man smirked and replied, �The day I join a regular army is the day my heart stops beating and I lay down to die. I think I speak for my companions here when I say that there is nothing like making this money. I would lose all desire for war if a man commands me to wage it, but while I can make a living for myself by my own sword, I am content with life.� The three men standing around him - the only men left of the Sonnenkinder - nodded in agreement. Erkeborn and the man looked each other in the eye for a bit longer, and then the men began to walk away. He watched them take their belongings and begin the long hike into the dunes. He watched them until they disappeared over the horizon and wondered at their spirit.

�Excuse me, commander?� a clear voice was calling. Erkeborn turned from his gaze to see a young man in earthen and bronze robes. Ah, yes. He had forgotten about this young man who had helped him win the battle so easily.

�Balin! Allow me to congratulate you on your first military operation. It was an easy one to be sure � don�t be fooled � but, I think it was good exercise for you. Actually, I�m glad you are here. There is something I need you to do, and I think this thing will broaden your experience even more. When you finish this project, you may return home right away. Come back to me again tonight after you have looked over the men�s equipment and we will discuss this further.� The young master smith headed toward the tents of the soldiers. It would be easier to look after their things while they were busy digging graves, so this was good timing. As the young man tended to his duty, Erkeborn wondered if he was making a mistake in giving such an important assignment to such a young man. The man had promise and Yohlla had spoken very, very highly of the men Ruprecht would be sending him. Still, this was important. To settle his doubt, he decided that it would be permissible for him and his forces to spend a month resting in these lands while he personally oversaw the first stage of the project. After all, what was one month in the eternal reign of his goddess?

[Edit: Thanks, ballbarian! I just noticed you aren't even in our little game, but you are browsing the AAR. I am very pleased to know it's being enjoyed.]

[KissBlade]

PashaDawg said:
Ok with me!

I'd prefer weekly as things have not quite heated up yet. The majority of my turns are done in about 10 -15 minutes tops. When things get around 25 or wartime, I wouldn't mind slowly down for others. =)

[PashaDawg]

Deadline is Sunday at 9pm GMT -5 (Boston Time).

Pasha

[BigJMoney]

Month 9 � The Year Of THE HAG

If you were to have visited Linshire one month ago, you would have had no idea that this was the same land. What was once a dry desert basin had become a verdant hillside country. Staying for a while had been a good idea. Despite the disapproval of his goddess, he knew that she was the reason their progress had been so rapid. He had never seen men work so hard to search for a well, and they were rewarded for their hard work. Atop the green land, however, was the real reason they were still here. Smoothly cut granite stones formed a low wall that spanned the entire slope. This was the foundation of his peoples� second walled city. Things had gone underway and were now in full swing. Balin had performed phenomenally up to this point, and Erkeborn was confident that he would finish it properly.

To the east, a lonely mountain peninsula stared down upon the foundations at night. Ulm�s commander looked back into the mountain and wondered who lived there. No spies had made it that far east, since they were busy feeding him information from the dangerous lands in the south. He wondered if the people in that mountain had heard of his god yet. He believed they probably did, for, who could not know of the greatness of Yohlla? In his eyes, she was everyone�s mother. Erkeborn heard shouting. It was coming from the entrance to the camp. He made his way in that direction when three riders broke through the darkness, heading toward him. Two of them he recognized as his men, but the third was a dark skinned man he had never seen before. He wore strange clothes marked with bold and bright colors.

�Commander! We can barely understand this man�s tongue, but he carries a piece of parchment and is demanding that you read it. I have opened it to make sure it is safe, but I did not lay my eyes on the message. We have taken his weapons, and we are ready to do with him whatever you ask.�

Their commander replied, �Good. Hand me his message. Maybe it will explain where he is from or who he is.� Erkeborn read the parchment and then looked at the strange man. He paused in thought for a while and then ordered, �Elon, go and take a message from me to my spies. I am altering their assignments. Do not delay. Let this man leave our camp. He should return to his people, immediately. Do not give him any trouble.� He looked down at the message again, and wondered at the true meaning of the words there:

Dear Men of Ulm,

We are not a thoroughfare. Please reroute your spies, or we will continue to kill them.

Sincerely,
Your friends in the lands of Machaka

[Don't worry about me posting diplomatic relations in this 'AAR', because I won't. That would ruin the game. I will try figure out some way to represent it in the story appropriately.]