An aMAZEing story

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 3:10 am

Chapter 13 - Part 2 - "The Beast trapped in the Canyon."

While Eldad pressed South and Bjorn returned North to recruit and train a new army, small but elite garrisons were being organized to check or delay any attempt by the trapped armies of Skankerad to escape and pursue them. While the army group in the far north had been destroyed at the fortress of Nixx, Bjorn knew that at least one large army group was in the box canyon, while a second of unknown size was trapped between the desert and the Great Sea. In addition, there were unexplored lands to the West of the Desert that could well harbor more troops. Recruits and armaments were sent to the blocking forces, but none could be sure they would live long.

The first thunder clap came from the canyon and rolled northward.

Skankerad launches GCAs on your Province #22
20 GCAs are used in the Attack.
Skankerad launches GCAs on your Province #22
10 GCAs are used in the Attack.

** Your Province #22 is under attack from Skankerad
He uses these 48 troops: °° 35 Armies, °° 13 Knights
His Fight Level is = 1.310

You have these 2 troops for Defense: °° 2 Archers
Your Fight Level is = 1.919

Once again, the forest of the Nell would change hands. The small group of archers that had been sent to watch the enemy was little more than a screening force. The "Rain of Terror" destroyed 60% of the force, but the few remaining troops took a fair toll of the attackers before disappearing into the dense forest.

** You have lost the battle - 46 Units invade the Province.

** Your Province #21 is under attack from Skankerad
He uses these 46 troops: °° 35 Armies, °° 11 Knights
His Fight Level is = 1.334

You have these 30 troops for Defense :
°° 25 Armies, °° 5 Archers
Your Fight Level is = 1.380

The enemy force had escaped the canyon. With renewed confidence they pressed on to the North. Bjorn had dispatched some trained reinforcements to the area, but they did not have time to be properly armed for the battle. Five battle groups were created, with a set of archers to anchor each group. Within each group the infantry would lie in concealment in the deep forest and attack in conjunction with the archers support from the trees. The enemy knights were as ill suited to this terrain as his armies and great loss was inflicted on the enemy. The defenses of the province were excellent and afforded great cover to the defending force.

In spite of the excellent planning, the attacking forces were more than up to the challenge. They cleverly exposed several of the traps that were set before they could be sprung. With average luck the attacking force should have been repelled, but this battle was to belong to the forces of Skankerad.

** You have lost the battle - 4 Units invade the Province.

The once mighty force was reduced to few well trained cadres. These troops were certainly some of the best trained troops that Skankerad could field, but they were too few to press their advance further. They took over the impressive defensive works of the forest and prepared to defend them.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 3:35 am

Chapter 13 - Part 3 - "The Beast trapped in the Marsh"

While Eldad had marched South, he had recruited many new men, given them Pikes and sent them North to the desert to reinforce the small garrison there. He could not tell them what to expect, other than some sort of assault from either the East or the West, but most likely from the East. They improved the defenses, threw what magic and projectiles they found into the area to the East and waited.

** Your Province #26 is under attack from Skankerad
He uses these 35 troops: °° 35 Armies
His Fight Level is = 1.120

You have these 14 troops for Defense: °° 14 Pikemen
Your Fight Level is = 1.280

The enemy banners had many ribbons, which spoke of many successful battles. The enemy was not as coordinated as one might expect from veteran troops, quite possibly due to the earlier spell that had been cast upon their province. The defensive works of the province assisted the pikemen well. There were no enemy knights to impale upon their pikes, so the enemy infantry would have to do. The early part of the battle went well for the alliance forces, but in the late afternoon a breach appeared in the line that could not be filled with reserves. Their formations broken and the solid line of pikes being no more, the enemy forces fell upon them and put them to the sword.

The valiant defenders had been up to the task, but there were too many opponents to allow victory this day. The surviving pikemen fled in several directions.

** You have lost the battle - 10 Units invade the Province.

The victorious force did not sit still, but immediately set out in pursuit of Eldad. Having defeated the blocking force, they advanced unopposed back through the lands to the south. Eventually they reached the small covering force left in the fields to cover the advance on the fortress of Elroon. Medad and his knights prepared to do battle on the plains.

** Your Province #67 is under attack from Skankerad
He uses these 10 troops: °° 10 Armies
His Fight Level is = 1.584

You have these 3 troops for Defense : °° 3 Knights
Your Fight Level is = 2.941

The knights with Medad were a small force, but they had been in training a long time and survived many battles. While the pursuing army was no bunch of novices, they would more than meet there match in these mighty mounted warriors. Small battles can be the most unpredictable, but being on favored terrain with favorable weather gave Medad all the advantage he needed.

The attacking army was tired after a long, hard march. Rather than wait for them to deploy, Medad advanced with his knights and attacked before they could deploy for battle. His veteran horsemen made quick work of the enemy force. They were soon dispersed with scattered survivors retreating to the north.

++ You have won the battle - 1 Units remain.

The battle won, Medad and his survivors settled in to detain any further attacks from Skankerad's forces. Couriers arrived from Eldad with news of great advances in the South and reports that he had reached the Great Sea to the South. The couriers had orders to proceed North to the camp of Bjorn, but Medad stopped them. He now knew the enemy was to their rear, but he had no idea of their strength or exact location. He would await the arrival of Eldad with reinforcements before they returned North.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 3:38 am

Chapter 14 - Part 1 - "Expelled from the Market"

At each point in the Great Wall where a 'rift' was detected the population of the areas built roads to them. The opportunities for adventure that these new lands presented called many. Most of the adventures joined the great armies that were forming and roaming the land. The formation and movement of these great armies and their supply trains were the driving force behind the creation of these great roadways.

Times such as these also offered opportunities for those wise to trading. The desires for new goods by the population and the needs of the men in the armies called many to this trade. These traders and their wagons would travel the roads, buying or trading items in one place for goods they could get a better price for down the road. It was a dangerous trade, as a wrong turn or meeting with a hostile army could result in losing more than just the goods and his wagon. As always, some were wildly successful traders, some eked out a bare existance and others just vanished without a trace.

Where the great roads came to a 'rift' in each province, a trading post would be set up. The pubs in these places became a favorite gathering place for these traders. After entering the area through the Great Wall, they would set up shop and sell what they could and have a good time before restocking the wagon for the return trip. As so often happens in places where liquor is consumed, there was more than just goods and services being traded in town.

With the army usually away campaigning, it was the task of the mage guild to maintain security in the provinces of the alliance. Even George's vision could not see all that needed to be seen in the land. For as long as the Kabobs had mined the diamonds, the mages spies had kept a keen watch on all that went on. As the alliance grew and spread to new lands, they had spent some time recruiting and training spies from the residents of the new lands as well. Curiously, finding good recruits was never a problem. Keeping them alive very long was another matter.

Bjorn was puzzled by the Disciples ability to keep their effectiveness so high when his successful attacks rarely found any trace of workers actually performing this task. The answer to this riddle lies in this network of traders and roads. The mages spies found that the Disciples were adept at using the trading centers and roadways to collect information and keep their leaders informed. There method of communication was unknown to the spies, but they were sure this was the source of the enemy's high Effectiveness.

The Mistress Mage set to work looking through the Book of Stone to see if there was some way to battle this. Buried in the book, in a section dealt with spells that were of no value, she found something that might work. It was not a difficult spell to make, but she felt it could at least disrupt the enemy effectiveness for a time. At least it was worth a try.

++ You cast the Spell #98-TRIBETURNER [RND TRIBE] on Province #32
++ You randomly change the Tribe from Skankerad.

There is an old saying, "Better the devil you know, than the one you don't." The Queen of Diamonds decided that the devil she knew was becoming a pain. She would would take a chance on the devil she did not know.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 4:09 am

Chapter 14 - Part 2 - "Once more, into the woods"

Skankerad's attack into the forest of the Nell had run out of steam. Bjorn and his retinue had spent the previous six months recruiting and training a new army to replace the one sent south. During this interlude, the armies of Skankerad had pressed forward through the forest of the Nell and back to the 'rift' that lead to the fortress of Nixx. This enemy army was now well trained, but the Nell defenders had taken a terrific toll of the enemy during their advance. Bjorn now collected the survivors from the battle in the forest, added them to his new army, called on the mages one more time for help in leading this new army forward and rushed headlong back into the forest.

++ You cast the Spell #90-PUSHER ...the Level there is now 1.405.

++ You are attacking Province#21 from Skankerad
You use these 48 troops: °° 19 Armies, °° 15 Archers, °° 13 Knights, °° 1 Creature : Red Spirit [+0.4]
Your Basic Level is... 1.405

The enemy has these 4 troops for Defense :
°° 3 Armies, °° 1 Knights
The Basic Level of the enemy is... 1.790

Led by the creature with the support of his many archers, the enemy armies were quickly cut down. The army advanced back through the lands so recently loss and quickly recovered what workers they could. They proceeded into the Great Desert, the site of so many other battles and the earlier training camp of the Disciples. There would be no battle this time, as the enemy training camps were deserted.

Once again, the residents of the desert provided much useful information about the where abouts of Skanerad's army. There was a rift to the East where a great army had emerged to overcome the defensive force that Bjorn had left behind. Believing the area might no longer have recruits for any armies, a small scouting force was sent in that direction.

The Disciple horde from the East had moved South in pursuit of Eldad and Medad. Bjorn was quite confident that no matter how good this force was, his first army was more than a match for them. He could move after this enemy force and trap it between the two armies, but that could leave a possible enemy force in his rear.

No, that would not do. Best to leave a blocking force in the province and move to the West. He must develop the enemy position in that direction before he could consider moving South. Leaving a small force to hold the desert fortifications once again, he led his army through the rift in the Western Wall. It did not take him long to find the enemy.

++ You are attacking Province#29 from Skankerad
You use these 27 troops: °° 10 Armies, °° 5 Archers, °° 11 Knights, °° 1 Creature : Red Spirit [+0.4]
Your Basic Level is... 1.65

The enemy has these 45 troops for Defense:°° 45 Armies
The Basic Level of the enemy is... 1.300

The enemy force had clearly been in training, as they moved smartly to their defensive positions. Using the archers for long range support, Bjorn sent the armies and knights into the defensive works. The archers were able to keep the enemy armies busy until the armies could breach the defenses, offering an opening to the knights. The mounted knights were well suitted to this sort of battle and with their Red Spirit to inspire them they cut down the enemy armies in droves.

As the rest of the army was destroying the main group of defenders, the Spirit took off after some fleeing enemy troops. Before some knights could organize and ride to his assistance, these last four enemy armies sprang a trap that killed the Spirit. It would be their undoing, as the time they lost in doing so allowed the some armies and archers and armies to catch up to them and bring them to battle, destroying the enemy force utterly.

The loss of the Red Spirit that they had been with since the start of their training was a great loss to the army. They beseeched Bjorn to find a replacement for it. This was more properly a task for the mage, so Bjorn asked those with him if they could find the gems to create a suitable replacement for the lost Spirit. They assured him that they would look into it immediately, sending to Erstwind for anything they might need.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 4:24 am

Chapter 14 - Part 3 - "The calm before the Storm"

Eldad prepared to leave his great fortress of Elsanix with it's view of the Great Sea. Medad had fought a great battle in the North and claimed that the road back to Erstwind would soon be opened. Eldad felt his time here had come to an end. Save for a few rebel forces that may lie to the East, there were certainly no more forces that Skankerad could bring to the battle. He would leave the garrison commander with enough troops to both hold the fortress and control the surrounding area and deal with any rebel forces that might be off to the East.

The evening before he was to depart, the Captain of the Guard came to his chamber and wakened him from his sleep. He handed him this report from one his most trusted spies.

>> You receive the following transmission :
#ID Name POP ARM LEVEL PIK ARC KNI CAT CREA MAG
===============================================
70 NozzWeyr2 61 89 1.175 0 0 0 0 #14 0
===============================================

A Black Golem. If the force it was leading was more experienced, it would be a frightful thing. It would be his duty to keep this army from gaining the experience necessary to increase the strength of this Golem.

It was too late to summon reinforcements. He would send the non-combatants out of the fortress to the North and hope they could out run the foe. He would stay with the garrison to lead the defense as long as possible, but against such a horde the best he could hope for was to kill as many of them as possible and perhaps kill the Golem.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 4:11 am

Chapter 15 - Part 1 - "The Storm"

If there were any who doubted the existance of a second Disciple on the island, the events of the last two months would dispel any such notion. While the forces of Skankerad had been almost expelled from the island, the strength of the Southern Lights indicated that their source wielded much power. Much more than the Disciple Skankerad could manage.

By now, through unofficial channels, rumors and the grapevine that conveys such information in all places and times, just about everyone knew that the Southern Lights were the work of a malevolent source. In spite of their best efforts, none of the mages were sure their efforts could block the assault for long. Thus far they had managed to parry every attempt at breaching the magical defensive wall. Perhaps the enemy did not have the power to break through from such a distance, or perhaps he was busy elsewhere.

At the start of the harvest season, the world was torn assunder and the Southern Lights grew to such an intensity that the sky actually appeared to fall to the island.

---------------------------|>>-------------------------------
>> Massielita casts #Spell MONS.BURNER
>> He destroys 375 Points of your Magic resistance. The spell fizzled !
---------------------------<<|-------------------------------
---------------------------|>>-------------------------------
>> Massielita casts #Spell CORNBURNER
>> He destroys 255 Points of your Magic resistance.
** You have no Magic resistance left !
** He destroys 50% of your stocked Corn!
---------------------------<<|-------------------------------
---------------------------|>>-------------------------------
>> Massielita casts #Spell BRAINWASH [AIM]
>> He destroys 28 Points of your Magic resistance.
** You have no Magic resistance left !
>> Province #13 - The Workers now have a useless Aim !
---------------------------<<|-------------------------------

The effect was devastating. Many of the grain silo's used to store the harvest were destroyed. The workers of Erstwind, so vital to the war effort, fled from their work to hide in the dark corners of the mines. Those that served the mages and the did the administrative work of the alliance were lost for the time being. It would take some time to get them back to their work, but the loss of the stored food could not be replaced. For the first time since the great adventure began, food would have to be rationed until the losses could be made good.

One thing was certain. This magical attack would surely be the prelude to a ground offensive to follow.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 4:42 am

Chapter 15 - Part 2 - "The tide begins to rise"

As Bjorn prepared to lead his invasion force forward into Skankerad's lands to the West, he witnessed the effects of the Southern Lights on all around him. While it seemed to some that the sky was falling onto the island, the province the army occupied was subjected to something more than just the power of a malevolent mage. The dreaded "Rain of Terror" from the time of Fredo reappeared, this time in the hands of the Skankerad.

Skankerad launches GCAs on your Province #29
The Attack comes out of Province #32 and is long-range.
>> He is aiming at your 6 Knights ** All targeted Units have been destroyed.
Skankerad launches GCAs on your Province #29
The Attack comes out of Province #32 and is long-range.
>> He is aiming at your 11 Armies ** All targeted Units have been destroyed.
Skankerad launches GCAs on your Province #29
The Attack comes out of Province #32 and is long-range.
>> He is aiming at your 2 Archers ** All targeted Units have been destroyed.

In spite of his best efforts and those of his trusted Guard, the army would not hold together. The combination of events proved too much for this army. They would stand and fight if they could see the enemy, but to be assailed by a foe they could neither see nor defend against was too much. All fled in terror, carrying Bjorn and his retinue along with them. Bjorn would have to return to the place where he began and try to build yet another army. He was not sure it was possible.

In the South, Eldad did his best to hold the fortress of Elsanix. He had ordered all of the projectiles in the areas around the fortress brought to the parapet and sent in the direction of the foe. If he could just kill the Golem or enough of the attackers, perhaps the fortress could be saved.

++ You use 7 GCAs in the attack on Province #70
++ You use 55 GCAs in the attack on Province #70

Unfortunately, he had no Kabob engineers with him. The archers he had led to the fortress were not adept with these weapons and the local residents did not know much about the magic of these weapons either. While many found their mark, the Golem survived the bombardment and led the forces of Skankerad through the rift and to the gates of the fortress.

** Your Province #63 is under attack from Skankerad
He uses these 65 troops: °° 64 Armies, °° 1 Creature : Black Golem [+1.0]**
His Basic Level is.... 1.175

You have these 19 troops for Defense : °° 6 Armies, °° 4 Archers, °° 9 Catapults
Your Basic Level is... 1.476

The defenses of the fortress were more than a match for the effect of the Golem. The catapults exacted a heavy toll on the advancing armies as they approached the fortress. With their Black Golem in the lead, the forces of Skankerad pressed their attack with wreckless abandon. When an army was destroyed, two were ready to take it's place.

Eventually the Golem reached the gates of the fortress and pummeled them to dust. With no champion to stand up to this foe and the failure of all their attempts to trap the Golem and banish it, the enemy breached the fortress wall and slaughtered the remaining defenders. Only a few managed to escape through the Northern rift and out into the fields.

** You have lost the battle - 33 Units invade the Province.

Flush with their victory, the victors did not rest and regroup, but pressed forward in pursuit of the fleeing survivors. The pursuit lasted for several weeks, eventually bringing them back to the great Scholar fortress of Eloon. Mindless to their earlier losses, they waited for the entire army to come up and then followed the Golem toward the great fortress. The Golem was more than happy to enter the province with the mountains, but here he found what remained of Bjorn's first army group. They would not be easy to dislodge.

** Your Province #66 is under attack from Skankerad
He uses these 33 troops: °° 32 Armies, °° 1 Creature : Black Golem [+1.0]**
His Basic Level is.... 1.817

You have these 27 troops for Defense: °° 5 Armies, °° 7 Pikemen, °° 14 Catapults, °° 1 Creature : Red Golem [+0.4]
Your Basic Level is... 1.787

The defenses of the fortress were formidable. Due to the many catapults that assisted in the defense of the mountains, the Red Golem in the army gave a greater boost to the defense than the Black Golem gave to the armies of Skankerad. The outcome was never in doubt. The first wave of the attack was slaughtered with virtually no loss to the defenders. As the second wave advanced, the Black Golem was finally dispelled by a few well placed catapults as the pikemen barred the exit back to the plains. The ensuing slaughter was as one-sided as any battle they had fought thus far. With losses only one tenth that of the enemy, the alliance forces planned their counter attack.

++ You have won the battle - 24 Units remain.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 4:26 am

Chapter 16 - Part 1 - "Refugees"

Weeks passed after the destruction of Bjorns second army group with no organized formation to be found. The roads back through the rifts were filled with the detritus and wreckage of the shattered army. The first attempts to rally the broken army took place near an old training ground. New recruits were brought forward to establish the camp and draw in the refugees fleeing before the anticipated attack of the armies of Skankerad. The bearers of some of the old battle standards came to the camp and, in time, the survivors rallied to the colors. Rebuilding this army group would take time, time Bjorn was not sure he had.

There were those who came in from the front who were not members of the ill fated second army group. Many came from lands beyond the front. Places where the Kabobs and other members of the alliance had yet to travel. Some of these refugees had sworn their fealty to one called "The Duke", who was said to be of the Kaomarian Guard. George, in one of his visions, had made mention of "Duke", but nothing more had been heard from him and no one was sure if such a person had ever existed.

These warriors of the Kaomarian Guard were well trained, but in need of weapons. Their army group had been routed by another Disciple who called himself "Massielita". They spoke of horrific events that preceded the onslaught of the Disciples armies. They had experienced what the alliance had come to call the "Southern Lights" up close and personal. To meet this threat to their very existance they had ventured South to seek the source and met with initial success. But, while the army campaigned against Massielita, the armies of Skankerad descended unexpectedly upon their home lands. As the rumors spread of the loss of their citadel, the armies had broken up as many rushed back to see what could be done to reverse this disaster. But it was too late. Without the war material supplied by their population, the army ran out of supplies just as the hordes of Massielita's Disciples advanced upon them. Caught between the twin Disciples, their entire empire had crumbled to dust.

These few survivors were all that remained of the Kaomarian Guard. Bjorn's advisors met with them often to see what could be learned of their ways of combat, but they would prove to be of little use as trainers. They would join the army and fight the Disciples, but they held out little hope that the Disciples could be stopped.

There was another group of people, wise but not militaristic, who came into the camp with ways similar to the Scholar Raw, whose castle Eloon was now the stronghold of the Southern Alliance. Their story was that of Korexus, a mighty Scholar. For a short while they made their home in a quiet valley with access to the Southern Shores of the Island of AMAZEment, building up for a breakout. They saw the armies of Duke and Skankerad go by and bided their time.

Their fate was sealed when armies of the Disciple "Massielita" came to their valley. They spoke of a "Rain of Terror" that was unimagineable to those who only heard the story. The same force that utterly destroyed Bjorn's second army group had done the same to the armies of Korexus. Very few had escaped from this Valley of Death. Suspecting that they would never be able to return to their valley, Bjorn offered them passage to the South and the citadel of Eloon. At least the people there were familiar with the ways of the Scholars and they might be able to help Eldad battle the Disciples there.

These tales of disasters at the hands of the Disciples did not bode well for the alliance. While Bjorn and his allies had spent much energy battleing Skankerad, the Disciple Massielita had assembled a war machine of unmatched power in the land. All appeared to fall before his minions. Bjorn would need help to battle these two foes, but where could he find them? Was there any help to be found, or would he have to face the Disciples alone? Tide and time appeared to be working against him now.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 5:10 am

Chapter 16 - Part 2 - "Last Chance for Glory"

Eldad and Medad held a council of war in the fortress of Eloon. Skankerad's Golem and what was left of his army had pursued Eldad all the way there, but in their haste had rushed upon the citadel without proper preparations and been slaughtered. Medad had trained the defenders well and constructed many catapults to repel any invader. But could they hold off a more determined foe? Could they counter attack and retake the lost lands? These were the questions they needed to answer.

Even though they had established a link with the Northern half of the empire, they received little news from that direction. They know only that momentus events were taking place as the alliance attempted to push West, but the details of their progress was unknown. Like everywhere else, they had seen their rations cut and knew that the corn supply had sufered a major loss. The vast plains between Eloon and Skankerads citadel of Elsanix would be important to replacing the lost corn, so the decision was made to attack south and attempt to retake the lost lands. Medad did not know if the army could succeed in such an offensive, but agreed to join the offensive. Perhaps Skankerad had used up all his strength in the last assault and this would be no more than a walk in the park. If they were to advance at all, the time was now.

They should have known better. As the army set out from the citadel and approached the rift to the south the sky was again filled with that awful sound.

Skankerad launches GCAs on your Province #66
6 GCAs are used in the Attack. [+HIT] - He destroys 1 Creature.

In what had to be a lucky shot, the Golem leading the advance fell to an incoming projectile. He had fought well in the mountains and was not too keen on leading this advance into the plains beyond the Great Wall, but the promise of new mountains to the South had been enough to encourage the Golem forward. Now the mountains of Eloon would be his resting place.

The rest of the army pressed through the rift to the South and deployed in line of battle. The enemy was more than ready for them.

++ You are attacking Province#65 from Skankerad
You use these 38 troops: °° 16 Armies, °° 6 Pikemen, °° 3 Knights, °° 13 Catapults
Your Basic Level is... 1.575

The Knights would be the key to the battle, but they had to be protected by the armies and pikemen. Three "Battles" were formed for the advance, each with a single army of knights at the core. The remaining forces were distributed evenly to the three "battles". Groups 1 and 2 would advance and group 3 with Eldad in command would act as the reserve. They advanced into a fog.

The enemy has these 31 troops for Defense:
°° 5 Armies, °° 15 Knights, °° 10 Catapults, °° 1 Creature : White Spirit [+0.2]
The Basic Level of the enemy is... 1.000

The army of Skankerad was well prepared. They could either defend the plains or attack into the mountain. Had Eldad known that the enemy force contained that many knights he would most certainly have avoided this battle. The enemy force could run circles around his slower army with their White Spirit leading the attack.

But the fog played tricks on both sides. Neither side was able to fully see the opposing force and the Great battle was broken into many smaller battles as the advancing army engaged smaller enemy groups one at a time. In a battle that should have seen the defender win inflicting almost twice as many losses as he absorbed, the attacking force exacted even losses, even killing the enemy creature early into the battle. As the enemy knights were slain one after the other, the battle level of the Disciples army began to falter.

Still, the excellent defense of the province and the vast number of enemy knights inflicted terrific losses on the attacking force. The fog never lifted and Eldad's three battles worked their way across the plain killing the enemy forces where ever they found them. By nightfall there were no enemy formations left. The battles that Eldad had formed had also ceased to exist. What was left was a rag tag bunch of survivors.

++ You have won the battle !! 5 Units invade the Province.

His creature and all his knights had been slain. Only a few armies, pikemen and catapults remained. But to turn back now would be to admit defeat. Best to press forward as far as possible and sieze whatever they could before more enemy forces appeared. None expected to make it back alive, but none expected to live long even if they retreated now either. This was their last chance for glory.

For the next three weeks Eldad led this small force on a raid deep into Skankerads homeland. As long as there was light, the force pressed forward. Much to their great joy, they found only workers and peasants tending the herds or working the factories. Even the fortress of ElsaNix opened their gates to the advancing force when they approached. They had seen enough slaughter and were no longer willing to risk life and limb when an opposing army appeared at the gate.

This time Eldad did not stop at Elsanix, but pressed on the East to see where the vast horde of armies had come from. He found very little population, but many people working. Every remnant of Skanerad's presence was eliminated from the South. Still, just as with all the other Kaomarians, no trace of Skankerad was found. Rumor had it that he had taken up residence in the center of the island and was now living in the former fortress of the Kaomariain Guard.

Eldad sent news of this great victory North, along with the remants of Army Group 1. This army group would now be disbanded, as what was left of it would not be able to stand up even to militia, let alone the host of Disciples that were expected to attack in the near future.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 2:18 am

Chapter 17 - Part 1 - "Detecting the Secret Entrance"

Following his liberation of the Fortress of Nixx, Alrec spent the next couple of years honing his magic skills and researching the old books of magic found in the fortress. His army garrisioned the fortress, while spies kept an eye to the rift at the North end of the province. He had received reports on a regular basis that all agreed there were no armies and very little population in that province. The fighting had moved to the South and there was no reason to believe that Nixx would be under siege any time soon.

Every so often a rider would come in from Bjorn's camp requesting new recruits for the army or some spell that might benefit the armies in battle. Each of these riders had a tale to tell about the fighting to the South. Usually the messangers brought news of terrible battles and the slaughter that was going on to the South. This was usually the prelude to the request for more troops. Alrec always made sure to gain as much information as possible from these messangers to see if he could gain some insight into the ways the Disciples of WOK conduct war.

The news from Eldad concerned him most. No one could explain the appearance of the great Disciple host at the gates of Elsanix in the last war in the South. Alrec had a theory, but he hesitated to share it with anyone lest he be thought a fool. His readings indicated that it might be possible to TELEPORT large groups of men and material from one province to another, as long as there was friendly control in both of them. While there was knowledge of a TELEPORT spell in the tomes, these spells required casting and each targeted specific items moving the to the Magician that cast the spell. Alrec believed that once a minimum level of Magical knowledge was achieved, it might be possible to have forces simply "MOVE" from one province to a non-adjacent provice. If what he had been told was true, it appeared that the Disciples had done this. In addition, it appeared that they could do so even if there was no continuous path of friendly provinces. Such a power could allow large enemy forces to appear unexpectedly in areas believed to be secure.

If this were indeed possible, then the province North of Nixx must be taken before a large force could appear there. While it was of little military value, this "Secret Entrance" to the Northern Empire must be closed before the enemy used it to their advantage.

The Southern Lights were very active this season. Alrec well knew that this could not be good. Even his corner of the Empire was feeling the effects of the limited corn supply. The sky again began to come down all around him.

>> Massielita casts #Spell BAGBURNER [ALL IN BAG]**
>> He destroys 290 Points of your Magic resistance.
** You have no Magic resistance left ! ** He destroys all your 22 Diamonds !

The Keeper of the Gems reported that the entire stock of gems being used for the creation of spells had dissolved into puddles! The mages were already at work creating new spells and the loss of these gems would bring their efforts to naught. The creation of spells was a time consuming matter, so Alrec ordered them to contine. The miners were still at work and it was possible that they could deliver enough gems in time to complete the spells. At this point, it was all he could hope for.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 2:41 am

Chapter 17 - Part 2 - "Closing the Secret Entrance"

The corn shortage had presented serious problems for all the members of the alliance. The effectiveness of the armies had reached an all time low. To add insult to injury, the Disciples continued their assault on the effectiveness of the armies.

>> Massielita casts #Spell FEAR [EFF 0-10%]** >> He destroys 46 Points of your Magic resistance.
** You have no Magic resistance left ! >> He destroys 6% Effectiveness.

The mages guild was ill prepared to defend against this onslaught, but did it's best to counter the magic being cast against it.

++ You cast the Spell #84-MORALE [5 EFF] on Province #13

Alrec could not delay. The magical powers of the Disciples now ruled the land. He had to move to secure the province North of Nixx or risk facing a powerful enemy army that he was not sure he could counter. As he prepared to send out a small force to secure the province a rider came in from the Northern rift, furiously beating his horse. He gave this report.

** Your Province #20 is under attack from Skankerad
He uses these 1 troops: °° 1 Armies - His Basic Level is.... 1.000

Too late! The enemy was already upon him. This single scouting army was probably being sent forward to test the defenses as a prelude to the main attack. He must deal with this scout first.

You have these 14 troops for Defense:°° 3 Armies,°° 10 Catapults,°° 1 Creature : Green Golem [+0.5] - Your Basic Level is... 1.441

Caught off guard, two catapults were lost before the intruder could be despatched. It was now time to see what lay in store for the following season. Alrec sent out his own scouting party as a "Recon in Force". He meant them to win the province if possible, but was not hopeful.

++ You are attacking Province#19 from Skankerad
You use these 2 troops: °° 1 Armies, °° 1 Catapults - Your Basic Level is... 1.453.

Much to Alrec's delight a rider returned quickly from the attacking army.

++ The enemy has no Troops for Defense !

The threat from the North had been erased. His spies were a bit perplexed by all this, but they surmised that some of the workers in the province had been converted into this single army. They had no knowledge of even the possibility that Skankerad could have teleported this army there. The population approved of the action, as the crop in the new province would hopefully relieve the low corn levels. Alrec kept the knowledge of the Teleport from them, but did send a message to Bjorn with what he knew. It was necessary that Bjorn be aware of the possibility of this enemy action.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 3:18 am

Chapter 17 - Part 3 - "The Other Disciple appears"

While Bjorn was busy rebuilding his army, some reinforcements were sent to face down and delay any attempt by Skankerad to interrupt their training. Plans were made to send forward a small army group to attack Skankerad and see where his main army might be. Refugees fleeing from the Disciples had provided reasonably accurate maps of the area and the advancing armies would be able to confirm them by following the roads being established in each area.

The Great Desert Crossroad had to be held at all costs. A large body of pikemen and knights had been sent there to man the defenses. While the pikemen dug in and improved the defenses, the knights continued to the plains West of the desert were they would be better suited to defend. Like all the forces throughout the empire, their effectiveness was at an all time low, so they hoped to avoid any significant combat until they could rebuild their effectiveness.

As they planned to move forward against Skankerad to test his defense, they were set upon by an army group from the other Disciple. The banners of these enemy forces were not those of Skankerad, but they did carry the mark of the Disciples. Having absorbed the blows of the Magic of Massielita, they would now face his armies.

** Your Province #29 is under attack from Massielita
He uses these 30 troops: °° 30 Armies - His Basic Level is.... 1.400

The enemy army was well trained, but their armor was new and their banners unbloodied. Their ranks were at the full strength of new units, not the depleted ranks of veterans. It appeared that the enemy wished to first test the defenses of the Alliance before commiting his main army.

You have these 12 troops for Defense:°° 1 Armies,°° 10 Knights,°° 1 Creature : White Spirit [+0.2] - Your Basic Level is... 1.332

On a good day, this army would have been an even match for the attackers. But, this was not a good day. The knights and their horses had been made weak by the low rations and did not fight well this day. They exacted 3:1 losses at the start of the battle, but the Spirit that led them that day fell to a swarm of enemy troops from a single batallion and the tide quickly turned. Following the loss of the Spirit the outcome of the battle was never in doubt.

** You have lost the battle - 14 Units invade the Province.

A few survivors made their way back to the training grounds in the desert to alert the defenders. The pikemen put down their tools and took up their pikes. They would impale the invaders on their long pikes.

** Your Province #26 is under attack from Massielita
He uses these 14 troops: °° 14 Armies - His Basic Level is.... 1.580

You have these 30 troops for Defense: °° 30 Pikemen - Your Basic Level is... 1.332

Once again the low effectiveness of the defenders played a role in the battle. The enemy forces had improved in their most recent battle and even with the defenses of the province benefiting the Pikemen it was a close battle. Sensing the weakness of their opponent, the small group of attackers pressed forware with wreckless abandon. The first wave of attackers swarmed over the trenches and upon the defensive wall. As they scaled the defensive wall the Pikemen found themselves unable to hold in all places. The fortifications were breached in several places, but the small reserve was able to contain each of the breakthroughs. In what would normally have been an easy victory, the tired pikemen barely held on to their base.

++ You have won the battle - 8 Units remain.

Losses had been heavy on both sides. An attempt was made to bury the bodies, but there were too many of them and too few survivors. News was sent back to the recruitment center with news of the battle and the never ending request for reinforcements. The survivors dug in and waited for whatever might come next. All they knew for certain was that the Dessert crossroad would be busy again as soon as the enemy regrouped.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Sun Nov 23, 2003 4:05 am

Chapter 18 - "All quiet on the Western Front"

The Southern Lights had become the Southern Storms. They always started out the same, with that bright glow on the horizon as the Magic of Massielita met the "Dome of Protection" over the lands of the alliance. In the beginning there was confidence that only the sky would light up. Later, as the power of the Disciple magic grew, there was uncertainty as to whether the dome would hold or not. Now, it was never in doubt. The Magical offensive now brought ruin to the lands in every season. The Mages of Erstwind could no longer summon the power to defend against the on slaught, nor create the spells to counter it. This time the bolts from the sky again sought out the corn cribs.

>> Massielita casts #Spell CORNBURNER [50% CORN]**
>> ** You have no Magic resistance left !** He destroys 50% of your stocked Corn!

In the face of this, the military buildup continued. Bjorn was busy raising and trainging yet another army. The days of wild eyed adventurers joining the military to see the world was gone. There was hardly a family in all the land that had not been touched by the never ending battle deaths. Still, it was not difficult finding recruits. In the face of the never ending terrors from the sky, all knew that only a final offensive to end the reign of the Disciples would bring peace to the Island. The recruits rolled in, the workers provided the weapons of war and the magicians provided what spy information and spells they could to assist in the effort.

++ You cast the Spell #90-PUSHER [0.3 LEV]

Bjorn hurried new recruits to the crossroads in the desert. Eldad sent troops and supplies from the South. There was a great deal of movement of troops and material all throughout the land. The defense of the desert was improved as they awaited the attack of the Disciples. However, no attack was made this season. It was as if the Disciple was daring Bjorn to attack. The truth was probably even more sinister. Bjorn had seen the effects of the earlier assault on his corn supply and the drastic loss of EFFECTIVENESS that resulted from it. It was quite possible that the Disciple was simply going to sit down and wait for his magic to weaken the alliance to the point where it could no longer offer effective resistance.

What started out as a great adventure so many years ago had now come down to this. A war of survival. All the resources of the land had to be committed to the next battle.

Bjorn prepared to send out a scouting party to assess the enemy strength. They had no sooner started from their position when the "Terror" fell from the sky.

Massielita launches GCAs on your Province #26
29 GCAs are used in the Attack. >> He is aiming at your 8 Pikemen
** All targeted Units have been destroyed.

It would be up to the spies of the mages to see if they could provide any insight into the enemy position. There would be no attacks for the time being.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:03 am

Chapter 19 - Part 1 - "Lunacy"

>> Massielita casts #Spell FEAR [EFF 0-10%]**
>> He destroys 46 Points of your Magic resistance. The spell fizzled !

Mingo stood outside the command tent watching the Southern Lights. They were still bright, but the frequent devastation that often came with them was not present in this season. Perhaps the power that sourced them was distracted or weakening. Perhaps the mages of Erstwind had found a way to counter them by strengthening the Magic Aura over the lands. It was of little consequence to Mingo. He was a Captain of Pikemen, sent to this God forsaken desert to hold the line against the advancing Disciples. Given what little information he had obtained since arriving here there seemed little doubt that neither he nor his men would be long for this world.

He had trained most of his men on the Tundra of Solezra and they were not comfortable with this terrain, but their training would serve them well here. The defenses were strong and they could inflict a stinging rebuke to any force less than twice their level, but the chances of holding it against the force arrayed beyond the rift was virtually zero. One of the first things a commander must do is seek to learn about the enemy. His spies had come back with the following information the previous week.
>> You receive the following transmission:
#ID Name POP ARM LEVEL PIK ARC KNI CAT CREA MAG
29 SpornEir2 253 5 2.967 5 0 17 0 #28 0
#ID Name WOK AIM DFS SPY GCA TREE CROP CITY TER
29 SpornEir2 28 +HARV 0.6 5 60 0 188 NO PL

He would be hard pressed to defend against this force. The "Rain of Terror", from which there was no defense, would probably be the ruin of them all. He had to but hope that the foe was unaware of the type of units with him and his forces would be spared.

As was the rule, he had sent this information to Bjorn in the hope it would hasten the arrival of reinforcements for his small band. Mingo did not really enjoy being the overall commander and would gladly turn over the top command to any superior officer who might ride in with the reinforcements.

The rider had returned but an hour ago with Bjorn's reply. Having read it, Mingo sent for Mongo, his Chief of Staff. Mingo and Mongo had been together since this great adventure had begun. They had marched with Bjorn in the early campaigns against Lord Fredo when the war was young. They had come to respect his knowledge of the ways of the Island of AMAZEment, the care he showed for his men and his keen sense of what needs to be done on any battlefield. The reply he held in his hand, which bore the seal of Bjorn, stunned him. Before determining his next course of action, Mingo had to show it to Mongo.

Mongo arrived within an hour. Saying nothing, Mingo returned his salute and handed the order to Mongo for him to read.

"Greetings Captain Mingo;

It is good to hear that you are well. The information your rider has provided is most welcome and will prove to be a decisive bit of information. In fact, it could be the single most important document I have received in all the war.

Now your orders. Enclosed with these orders are two maps provided by refugees from the Kaomarian known as "Korexus". He has left these lands but bids us good fortune as we work to liberate those he left behind in the hands of the Disciples.

Marked out on these maps are the roads and rifts that will lead you to Castle Eyrsurn, which was once the home of The Kaomarian Guard and to the citadel of Syer where Korexus left his kin. You are ordered to advance your army from their trenches and follow these routes, destroying all Disciples in your path. When you reach these citadels, raise the banner of the alliance and prepare the defenses. Reinforcements will follow you along the trail you blaze.

You must trust me on this, old friend. While I have the utmost confidence in the report you sent me, know that it has been put to good use to pave the path you are ordered to follow. The rider carries with him a spell that will assist you paving this path. Have your mage cast it upon your own province just prior to your advance.

Time is of the essence. Do not wait for further reinforcements, as you must march within 12 hours of receiving this order. God speed, old friend."

Mongo returned the order to Mingo. "Well Mongo, old friend. What say you? Has our noble leader lost his mind?"

Without any change in his facial expression or his posture, Mongo replied in the famous words that would become the battle cry of the Pikemen of Bjorn.

"Mongo only pawn in game of life."

At once, Mingo relaxed and realized what must be done. "You are right, of course. There are forces at work here we cannot fathom. While Bjorn has not always been right, he has not failed us in a crisis yet. We will emblazon our standard with your reply and take the battle to the enemy. Call out the troops and prepare for battle!

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:45 am

Chapter 19 - Part 2 - "Up in Smoke"

++ You cast the Spell #83-20 FINGERS [20 GCA] on Province #26.

With his small army group assembled, the mage cast the spell and added these new armaments to their arsenal. The creature had to be the top priority, so almost 1/2 of the projectiles were set to seek it out. The rest were sent after the knights, as they would be a great deal of trouble in the plains beyond the rift.

++ You use 10 GCAs in the attack on Province #29
++ You are targeting the Creature in the Province.
++ You use 15 GCAs in the attack on Province #29
++ You are targeting the Knights in the Province.

The army of Pikemen advanced to their suspected doom. Initial reports were that their bombardment had failed to find the creature and little damage was done to the enemy knights. Still, their few projectiles caused a noise beyond the rift that gave pause to even the most experienced troops. Mongo attributed it to the rather odd acoustics associated with the Great Wall in this part of the island. It was known from the maps that a great mountain range existed beyond the plains, so the sound of the projectiles impact is probably echoing off the far mountain and into the wall.

As they advanced, the expected onslaught from the Sky commenced.

Massielita launches GCAs on your Province #26
20 GCAs are used in the Attack.
>> He is aiming at your 14 Pikemen
40 GCAs are used in the Attack.
>> All GCAs miss - he aimed at some non-existant Armies

There was no place to run to, no place to hide. The Pikemen advanced through the torrent of projectiles all the way to the Great Wall and the rift that would take them to the plains. Fully 75% of his army was destroyed in the desert. They reached the relative safety of the Great Wall and reorganized the survivors into two small battle groups. Mongo would follow the map to Erysurn, while Mingo would take the road south to Syer. All this assumed that they could do the impossible and actually destroy the enemy forces beyond the rift. Into the wall and the plains beyond they went.

++ You are attacking Province#29 from Massielita
You use these 4 troops: °° 4 Pikemen

++ The enemy has no Troops for Defense !

There are no words that suitably describe what the attackers saw as they came through the rift and deployed into the plain. The silence was deafening. They advanced through the wreckage of what had once been a well trained army. The population of the province seemed stunned and the workers in the fields were clearing the wreckage as much as they were trying to harvest the crops. No one offered resistance to the advancing army, but no one offered encouragement either. The mood of the pikemen was as reserved as the population of the province and the small army advanced in silence.

What magic was this? The projectiles they had sent into the province were few, but the damage done here would have required almost 10 times the number they used. Perhaps the magic in the spell they had used was very special indeed, multiplying the effect of each GCA. The mages with Mingo assured him that no such magic was known to them, so how to explain it? Perhaps the search for allies had born fruit, but of this Mingo could only speculate.

The roads were just as the maps indicated, but the armies of Bjorn had been here before so they knew the way to the Southern rift. The pikemen were overjoyed to see the land beyond the plains was their old familiar tundra. There was no opposition to their advance and they quickly made themselves at home there. The two groups then split up to follow their respective routes. Mongo moved to the right to assault Castle Erysurn, while Mingo pushed South toward Syer.

Mingo drove south, now confident that Bjorn would only send him on a mission with some chance of success. He passed through another plains and another desert, then into the mountains to the gates of Syer.

++ You are attacking Province#56 from Massielita
You use these 2 troops: °° 2 Pikemen
++ The enemy has no Troops for Defense !

After their long march, the Pikemen were glad to finally achieve their objective. There were more lands beyond the fortress, but their orders told them to stop here and prepare the defenses. That is what they would do.

Mongo and his pikemen had the much shorter march, but he would be advancing upon Skankerad instead of Massielita. He too encountered no resistance.

++ You are attacking Province#32 from Skankerad
You use these 2 troops: °° 2 Pikemen
++ The enemy has no Troops for Defense !

Mongo would have liked to continue forward, but his men were more interested in getting some R and R in the city. The residents of the city spoke of large numbers of men in the forest to the south of the city. Mongo decided that he would have to take out a scouting party soon and see what was out there.

In the meantime, the pikemen waited for the reinforcements that Bjorn had promised would follow.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 2:41 am

Chapter 19 - Part 3 - "The Frontier"

The Tundra of Solezra was often referred to as the end of the world. As far as Bjorn and the alliance was concerned, the description was accurate. A great road led from the neighboring lands of the empire to the center of the province, but there it ended. There were some scarce resources there that made mining profitable, but other than that there was little or no reason to go there. The community at the end of the road never even bothered to give the city a name. It was simply known as the "Last city".

The wasteland beyond was largely unexplored. A few miners and explorers had ventured out into the tundra, but they usually returned after a few months with nothing to show for their efforts.

One of the favorite stories that was brought back from the tundra was that of a great beast who lived along the Great Wall at the end of the world. Most of the population of the tundra knew the Great Wall was out there and many had explored it at one time or another. If there was a way through it, if a 'rift' had formed somewhere out there in the Great Wall, none had bothered to map its location. Those who searched for it and did not return were assumed to have been taken by the "Beast of the Wall". The Wall was a MAZE of passages out there and the beast was rumored to live in the MAZE. The Minotaur of this age.

There were the occasional visitors from the citadel of Erstwind who passed through every so often, but they would usually just stop in the city for a day or two to rest and stock provisions before continuing. Assumed to be the usual administrators (and spies) of the empire, they would inquire about the local business and the update them on the overall state of affairs in the empire, but they never discussed what they were doing out in the Tundra. Some thought they knew of a rift in the Great Wall and had ventured "beyond the end of the world", but others laughed at the idea. If they had traveled to lands beyond, they would surely have returned with new goods to trade and stories to tell.

Unknown to all those who lived there, George had been able to see a bit of what lay beyond the Tundra in his visions. The mages had reason to send the occasional expedition to check out the accuracy of these visions. The mages contributed to most of the rumors about the Great Wall in that area, just to keep the curious away. With the war to the South consuming all the energy of the empire, it was best to convince everyone that this was the end of the world.

These were strange times on the Island of aMAZEment and strange things were about to come to this province at the end of the world. There had been a garrison of pikemen here for several years, but they had finally been called away to the war in the South. Since then the garrison buildings at the end of the Great Road had been empty.

But now, there was activity around the garrison buildings once again. The forces that occupied it did not arrive on the Great Road, but they came in from the frontier. A few at first, with standards and emblems on their shields that were unfamiliar to the veterans. Veteran troops of battles unknown to anyone in the empire. They kept away from the city and posted their guards to keep the populace at a distance.

When they were ready, they took to the Great Road. They were rumored to be minions of the "Beast of the Wall", some called them "Fiends from the frontier". They filled the road as far as the eye could see. A seemingly endless line of men and war machines streaming forth from the Tundra, onto the road and off to the East. A army of "Fiends" They marched with purpose, deliberate but with the casual swager of those familiar with long marches and hard fighting. Their battle standards bore the wear and tear of an army that has faced several battles. Battles unknown and unknowable to those who write this history.

All they pass have to wonder, "Where goes this mighty army? What is their crusade?"

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Sat Dec 06, 2003 3:25 am

Chapter 20 - "Planning"

The Nell Forest is a very large place. It extends south from the citadel of Nixx for over 100 miles. To the East lies the Great Sea and to the West lies the Great Nyr Plain. The timber of that forest has provided a great deal of the war machine that Bjorn has used in his campaigns against the Disciples of WOK. Even now the workers carefully manage the forest and continue to supply the war effort with enough raw material to outfit every soldier with weapons. As we draw toward the end of our story, the Nell Forest now contains something new, something imported from the West, which may well lead to the final battle for this aMAZEing island.

In the Great Desert, where roads from four rifts in the Great Wall converge, a conference is held. From the swamps to the East, where Bjorn is training his new army group, a contingent of riders arrive and set up camp. From the rift that leads to the Nell Forest another contingent of riders arrives. These are not men of the alliance, but warriors from the West. They are rumored to be a vast horde, but the Nell Forest conceals their true strength. They have left their homelands on a great Crusade, a mission to end the wars and bring peace to the island. Allister and his fiends have come to assist the alliance in the destruction of the Disciples of WOK.

A Council of War is held at the crossroads. The two Kamarians, Bjorn and Allister compare maps and notes. Spheres of Influence are determined and a plan of action against the Disciples is agreed upon. The mages will combine their powers and the armed forces will act in concert against the foes. If the operation is successful, then Bjorn will acknowledge Allister and Lord of the West, while Bjorn will become Lord of the East.

At the outset of this great adventure many had visions of an island reunited under a single Kaomarian. Under different circumstances that might be possible, but that opportunity is now past. The populace grows weary of the constant warfare and the crops in the field need time to rejuvenate. The Island proved to be far larger than anyone had imagined with such a variation of people and places that make it ungovernable by a single monarch.

Perhaps in some future time, when all who are now alive have gone on to the next world, the provinces of this island will each go their own way and become independant provinces. Perhaps a new Kaomarian will arise from the people to unite them and another great war will be fought. That will remain conjecture for now. In this time, in this place, Bjorn and Allister make their plans to convince the Disciples of WOK that their time on this island is up.

The Southern Lights are quiet in this season. Perhaps the Disciples mages are busy with internal matters. The mages for Erstwind turn their attention to the needs of the population.

++ You cast the Spell #92-NOURISH [50 CROP]
++ You cast the Spell #86-RAIN [20% CORN]

More food is available, some tax money is raised and the economy improves.

There is a flurry of activity around the newly won cities to the South.

++ You use 14 GCAs in the attack on Province #31
++ You are targeting the 45 Armies in the Province.
++ You use 36 GCAs in the attack on Province #31
++ You are targeting the 38 Armies in the Province
++ You use 7 GCAs in the attack on Province #55
++ You are targeting the 30 GCAs in the Province.
++ Massielita launches GCAs on your Province #56
10 GCAs are used in the Attack. >> He is aiming at your 2 Pikemen
++ Massielita launches GCAs on your Province #56
10 GCAs are used in the Attack. >> All GCAs miss - he aimed at some non-existant Armies.

After the fury from the sky, no armies advanced. It appeared that the two sides in this affair were content to sit down and rain terror upon each other.

But the two Kaomarian's and their consorts that met in the Desert Crossroad knew better. After two days of consultation, each returned to their army. They would make their best effort to bring an end to the fighting on the island. They knew it would not be done by throwing stones at the enemy, but by sending in the ground troops and slugging it out.

As they parted, Bjorn handed the following note to Allister.

Code: Select all

#ID  Name           POP   ARM  LEVEL  PIK  ARC  KNI  CAT  CREA MAG
=================================================================
  43  Shillfidd1     178   0    1.000  0    0    45   0    -    0 
  44  NuzuExla2      230   0    1.000  0    0    0    0    -    0 
  45  Equillan2      236   0    2.284  0    30   0    36   -    0 
  46  Ennobia1       203   0    1.000  0    0    45   0    -    1 
  58  ElopSvi2       266   45   2.284  15   0    30   0    -    0

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 2:12 am

Chapter 21 - Part 1 - "More Mages Make Massive MRES"

The mages of Erstwind, let by the Queen of Hearts, labored mightily to stop the damage being inflicted by the Southern Lights. Since the storm that had destroyed the entire stockpile of Gems, many more workers had been assigned to the task of mining the gems of the island and collecting them in the towers. The alliance now controlled six centers of magic and the combined knowledge of those six centers was now to be focused at Erstwind as they prepared for the final confrontation with the Disciples.

From Erstwind and Nixx in the North came the early knowledge of magic.

From Eloon and Elsanix in the south came the gems to replace those lost to the BAGBURNER.

From Eyr and Syer in the Valley of Death came the added mages necessary to reinforce the magical shield over the alliance and blunt the impact of the Disciples magic.

The coveted black diamonds had finally returned to the inventory of the mages. Now, instead of creating the spells that would damage their foes, the mages used these gems to protect the empire from the ravages of war and benefit of the armed forces. From the spires of Erstwind came a light that would serve to counter the depradations of the Disciples magic. The first of several such spells that were in preparation.

++ You cast the Spell #88-PROTECT [200 MRES]

But this spell appeared to have an unexpected and undesireable side effect. In recent seasons, George had been able to provide very detailed visions of the lands occupied by the Mighty Massielita. After this spell was cast his visions became cloudy. What had once been a view of his lands as clear as looking through a clean window, now was dimmed. George could not account for his sudden loss of sight and blamed it upon the PROTECT spell the mages had cast.

Unknown to George, the Mages of Massielita had begun to sense the presence of an outsider. Far too often the forces of Bjorn and Allister had correctly identified the disposition of their forces. At first what was thought to be the work of enemy spies was revealed to be even more complex than that. The cloak that covers the land and conceals it from the view of outsiders had been comprimised and they knew it. With great effort they corrected the flaw that allowed George to see through them and once again the actions of the Disciples were hidden from view.

** Your Spycode didnt work on any fellow Player !

Knowledge is fleeting. The armies of the alliance would now have to venture forth and hasten the final conflict before their information became too old.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 3:05 am

Chapter 21 - Part 2 - "Into the Valley of Death"

Following the advance of the pikemen by Mingo and Mongo, the valley that lead south to the citadel of Syer had been very quiet. For reasons not entirely clear to Bjorn and his advisors, the Disciples had not attempted to retake it. While Bjorn labored to build a new army group he had despatched reinforcements to the two citadels to repel any attacks upon them. Thus far the enemy had declinded to attack either of them. Due to the back and forth battle up and down the valley, most of the soldiers had come to call it the Valley of Death. Most of the population and workers had either been killed or moved out, leaving the valley bereft of economic value but still vital to military operations.

Allister and Bjorn had each collected the best army they could muster for one last drive into the valley. Allister would drive toward Massielita, while Bjorn would work on the destruction of Skankerad. Bjorn wished his ally good fortune on the road and allowed the army of Fiends to race ahead of him.

Allister's Fiends marched forth from their concealment in the Nell forest. Across the desert and into the valley their seemingly endless lines of troops and wagons went, driving south for the Western Road toward the lands of Massie.

** Your Province #59 is under attack from Allister Fiend
He uses these 313 troops: °° 45 Archers, °° 126 Knights, °° 141 Catapults, °° 1 Creature : Black Spirit.

His army was so vast that the outriders on either flank could each see the Great Wall on their respective sides of the valley. The riders on both flanks saw simply a continuous barrier that reached to the sky. Because the Great Wall ran from North to South on both sides the valley it was in shadow for most of the morning and evening. Only at midday would the sun shine down the valley. Since the rifts in the Great Wall were only visiable in the twilight of early morning and evening, it was very difficult to find any break in the Great Wall. Perhaps this accounts for how Massie had taken Korexus by surprise and won out over him. At the end of the valley there was a vast desert that ended facing the Great Wall to the South. From there a road led to the west and into the citadel of Syer where Mingo and his pikemen garrisoned the fort.

The army of Disciples had made a strong effort to conceal the rift in the Great Wall that allowed them to enter the valley undetected. Even with the maps provided by Korexus it was was not easy to locate the rift to the west. Allister's scouts were up to the task though, as no army can march over any given terrain and not leave some mark of their passing. They knew from their spies that the rift would lead to a forested area. Careful tracking along with the maps finally uncovered the way west.

Allister's army encamped at the site of the rift while his scouts went through to reconoiter the enemy defenses. After a couple of days, rested and equipt for battle, Allister led his army through the rift and into the lands of Massielita. Other Scribes will have to record what happend there, as Bjorn sent no one along to record what happened.

*************

Bjorn had been collecting and training his newest army just outside the Great Desert Crossroad. Once Allister passed through the desert and down the valley, Bjorn was ready to lead his army along the same road to the relief of the valiant Pikemen and the final confrontation with Skankerad.

He gathered his army and used the magic of Erstwind to raise his troops to a level suitable for the campaign. There were enough weapons to go around and the war machines were made ready for battle. As the last of Allister's army passed through the rift and into the valley, the mages of Erstwind made their way through the ranks making final preparations for the advance.

++ You cast the Spell #90-PUSHER [0.3 LEV]
++ You cast the Spell #90-PUSHER [0.3 LEV]

Not long after the dust in the desert had settled, even as the desert began to remove any trace of the army that had passed through, Bjorn led his army through the same desert and into the valley. It was expected to be the last time any army moved through this historic area. The sands of time and the winds of the desert would soon erase any trace of the historic events that had taken place here.

++ You are attacking Province#26:
You use these 154 troops: °° 10 Armies, °° 39 Pikemen, °° 30 Archers, °° 34 Knights, °° 40 Catapults, °° 1 Creature : Yellow Dragon.

They marched into the valley and then turned south. In time they would come to the same crossroad that Mingo and Mongo had come to earlier. The army would have to deal with Skankerad and then secure the area to the south around Syer, confident that it could accomplish both goals.

As they made their camp in the tundra, riders came from the South with news that Allister had breached the defenses of the Disciples and was advancing west. Other messengers arrived from Eyr to the West with rumors that Skankerad was still recruiting new armies to his banner.

The storm clouds were gathering. There was still much heavy fighting to be done before the peace could be one. The armies made ready for the messy work to be done.

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 1:13 am

Chapter 22 - Part 1 - "A city with a view"

The army reseted in the desert for only two days. There was an unnatural quiet in the wake of Allister's army. It was as if all living things had either fled to higher ground or buried themselves in the sand to evade the encroaching horde. In the light of the full moon the terrain had the look and sound of a vast plain after a heavy snowfall. There is an endless sea of white light and the only sound is that of the wind.

With two tasks to be done, Bjorn split the army. The catapult armies were sent south to Syer to secure the area south and west of the fortress. The mages spies had determined that there were no enemy forces in the area, but the catapults would not be needed where Bjorn was going. These armies reached the fortress and sent out small forces that successfully secured the areas to the south and west without incident.

The Pikemen were left to hold the desert in case a disaster befell Allister's army. They would block the way and at least slow down any counterattack.

Bjorn would move to Eyr with the Knights of Nyr and the Sej archers that had served him so well. The garrison there was strong enough to hold back any attack from Skankerad, but not strong enough to advance upon him. If Skankerad were to be sent to the gatekeeper, Bjorn wanted to be there.

Just as the last remaining knights were preparing to leave the camp, a rider from Allister's army came into the camp. He handed a report to Bjorn, returned to his mount and raced back to the front. It was always good to see a soldier anxious to return to battle.

Code: Select all

You use these 313 troops:
°° 45 Archers, °° 126 Knights, °° 141 Catapults, °° 1 Creature : Black Spirit [+1.0]**
Your Fight Level is = 12.453 - °° Your starting Attack Power (PATT) is 123.285

Compared to the battles Bjorn had engaged in, these numbers were staggering. While the efforts to raise the overall level of his troops were not without their own reward, it was clear that large numbers of troops in their preferred terrain would easily counter any such training. It was a lesson Bjorn and his advisers took note of.

Confident that the forces of the Disciple Massie would not be able to stand up against this force, Bjorn rode out the head of his army and through the rift that led to the fortress of Eyr. In spite of all he had seen during this aMAZEing adventure, this would be ride that he would long remember.

They rode from the desert into the mountains. The climb was incredible. The road up to the citadel was so steep that knights had to dismount and walk their steeds in places. The streams from the melting snow in the mountains did not flow to the plains and forests below, it rushed to them like a steed that has been stung by a bee. The sounds of the water crashing over the slopes in many waterfalls at times drowned out any attempt to speak to the person next to you.

As they ascended Bjorn sensed that there was something special about this place. Before this great adventure began he had been the King of Diamonds, mining in the mountains of Erstwind. It was not the thin air that affected him at this height, although he knew that he was ascending to a great altitude. it was something IN the mountains here that he knew was magical. At first he suspected the Dark Stone. While this could not be discounted, he did not feel the magic was malevolent. He would ponder this for now.

The climb was arduous. Both man and beast were weary with the climb, but on they went. After two weeks on the march, they came to the citadel of Eyr, the starting point of the Kaomarian Guard. This fortress was not only the highest point in the mountain, but most likely the highest point on the entire island. From the top of the battlements you could probably see most of the way to the great sea if not for the clouds. On a clear day it was possible to see the Great Wall in all directions, but never over the top of it. All that was visible over the Great Wall was the sky and the birds that flew there.

Even his advisors admired this mighty citadel in the sky. When Bjorn announced that this would be the capital of their vast empire he received no arguement. Of the six citadels that were now within the boundry of the alliance, this was the most central location. The gems to be mined in these mountains were certainly going to be special. The Kabob engineers in the group began to scout for abandoned mines and made plans to enlarge the fortress. There was much magic to be discovered here and the runes of the Kaomarian Guard, at least those not taken by the Disciples during their tenure here, would be useful.

But before any of this could come to pass, there was one very important task that had to be attended to. His name was Skankerad.