Turn #41, Late Summer of Year 4
Biting off more than I can chew?
Part 2 of 2
I raise 10 PD in Beltane, Validun, Dendra Nigra, Helmshire. I raise 20 PD in Banded Hills, raise the PD in Wold by 10 (to 20), and raise the PD in Isurian by 2 (to 12). New temples are to be built in Clon, Wold, Kratas, and Isurian. These preparations drain the treasury of 1408 coins.
The taxes of Betane, Clon, Wold, and Kratas are raised back to normal. Taxes remain at 90% in Isurian, and 80% in Arnbeg. Taxes are lowered to zero in Banded Hills, and lowered to 80% in Validun, 60% in Dendra Nigra and Helmshire, and 50% in Bergamum.
The Ivy King Thomm continues a monthly ritual of
Awakening
Vine Ogres, at a cost of 1 nature gem each month. The Norna Rimdriva prepares to invoke the ritual of
Acashic Record upon the province of Dendra Nigra, for which I allot 25 of the astral pearls in the treasury. The Skratti Tunne, using a Dwarven Hammer, forges a
Clam of Pearls at a cost of only 7 water gems. The Wizard Retheric, using a Dwarven Hammer, forges another
Clam of Pearls at a cost of only 7 water gems. Seithkona cast
Dark Knowledge upon the provinces of Kratas, Wold, Clon, and Validun, expending almost all of my precious death gems. The Enchantress Pladina forges a
Fever Fetish, at a cost of 5 fire and 5 nature gems. The Enchantress Sade forges a
Fever Fetish, at a cost of 5 fire and 5 nature gems. The Enchantress Kara will cast
Fires from Afar upon the forces of Ulm at Minz, consuming the remaining 9 fire gems in the treasury, plus 2 astral pearls (via alchemy). The Enchantress Petrona, using a Dwarven Hammer, forges a
Bag of Winds at a cost of only 15 air gems.
Swanuth the Firbolg, in command of 20 Jotun spearmen, 12 vine ogres, and 5 troglodytes moves from Helmshire to Eribon. Tahmar, with six longdead giants, moves from the Well to rendezvous with Swanuth at Eribon. Commander Theag moves from Helmshire to Black Alps. The Bane Lord Ashsoul moves from Jotunheim to Black Alps.
My wyrm Jorgun will attack The Second Forest, which is reported to have approximately threescore archers, infantry of Ulm, crossbowman, black plate infantry, and raptors. This should finally eliminate the Ulmish threat to my mage enclave at the Well.
My prophet Grymis, commanding 23 Jotuns, plus a bodyguard of one Jotun axeman, moves northeast to attack the Ulmish plains of Dun Vale, where as many as 50 slingers, raptors, and sappers reportedly await.
Bove, commanding 25 Jotuns, along with the priest named Erkeborn (carrying a Sceptre of Authority and with a bodyguard of one vine ogre and one Jotun axeman), will attack northwestwards into the Ulmish plains of Cuna Eral held by an estimated twoscore heavy infantry and archers.
Rod the Firbolg, leading a company of 18 Jotun spearmen, along with two priests moves from Man to the Rim Mountains in order to defend against a likely attack from Vanheim's forces in Fucan.
Commander Ualgo (carrying a Sceptre of Authority), leading of a company of 19 Jotuns plus a bodyguard of one vine ogre and one Jotun axeman, together with the priests Albrecht and Geiserek (carrying Sceptres of Authority and with one vine ogre apiece as bodyguards), will attack from Banded Hills west into the plains province of The Pillar of the World. Vanheim reportedly is defending with only a score of light infantry and archers. My position along this front with Vanheim is precarious, especially with Orion's mercenaries close by in Welrydh, so I intend to move out of Orion's likely path while at the same time do a bit of raiding and temple-razing. If I am fortunate, I may be able to distract Vanheim into chasing my force with Orion, which is preferable by far to having Orion raiding my western provinces.
Five priests (each carrying a Sceptre of Authority, and with a bodyguard of one vine ogre apiece) attack westwards from Man into the plains of Momephe, which Vanheim appears to be holding with a score of light infantry and black hawks.
Priest movements: Gunthamun moves from Saeborea to Helmshire. Hermann moves from Arnbeg to Ivenmoor. Arnold moves from Imictan to Validun. Clodomir moves from Agenor to Betane. Adolf moves from Agenor to Man.
Turn #41 plotted movement (1174x1002)