Succession Game VI: The Balam Warriors of the Wind

[Locutus]

The 6th succession game has begun! I don't have time right now but I'll post the first summary shortly.

Edit: the website for this game can be found here.

[child of Thor]

BUMP or something????????

[Locutus]

Sorry it took so long guys, I had problems with my Internet connection all weekend so I couldn't post this earlier I hope it was worth the wait...

I haven't had time to make a website yet, I'll do that later this week. To give you a chance to see a picture of the game anyway, I attached one.

---

A long time ago (actually it was 9002 years ago, in 7000 BC), in a country far away (actually, it was in Mexico), a band of wandering Nomads, who called themselves Mayas, was traveling through a great desert. They came from far north and had been on a journey for many moons; they were looking for a suitable place to settle and start a new existance. They had traversed vast lands, crossed steep mountains, fought famine and defeated savage barbarians in the search from a sign from their god, Kukulcan - god of wind and thunder - to indicate that they had reached their new home.
One night, Kukulcan appeared in the dream of one of the priests of these Nomads, Locutus, and told him to head east, into the hills and to abandon the river near which they were camping. The next day Locutus told the whole tribe about his dream and a long discussion between the men of the tribe followed: was it really wise to leave the rich banks of the river and head further into the destert? Was Locutus really visited by their god or had the hot desert sun been too much for him?
Eventually it was decided to head into the hills after all, and so they went. As they entered the hills a storm broke out and they needed to cover. The only place suitable for this was an odd formation of rocks (a ruin) in the distance, so they fled there. However, some fierce savages already occupied these ruins and in the middle of a storm, the Mayas found themselves fighting these savages. The Maya warriors, dressed in Jaguar (= Balam in Maya) pelts, were experienced warriors and soon drove the most aggressive savages away. The others, in the form of a regiment of sepa were so impressed by the determination and skill of the Mayas and requested if they could serve these mighty warriors, so much were they in awe by these mighty warriors who worshipped the god of the wind and had this god as an ally in combat. They Mayas granted their request and the savages, a regiment of Spearmen, gave their new rulers the honourable nickname 'Warriors of the Wind'.

The new Maya Spearman regiment immediately left for a reconnaissance mission, to find signs of Kukulcan, and in 6980 BC entered another ruin, where they found their old comrades who had fled in the brief battle with the Maya Nomads and convinced them to join the Mayas as well. While the Nomads moved back towards the fertile banks of the river, the Spearmen headed west and south for further reconnaissance.

In 6840 BC, the Nomads were camping on the banks of the river, near the coast of a great water and near large fields of wheat, when Locutus had another dream. He was an eagle land on a cactus and eating a snake. At first, he didn't think much of it but the next morning, as he was preparing the sacrifice of a captured barbarian to Kukulcan, he saw an eagle land on a cactus and eating a snake. Surely, this was the sign they had been looking for! The Mayas were over the moon and immediately founded their first permanent settlement, they called it Copan. They built an altar for human sacrifice and, in honor of Kukulcan, many captured barbarians were sacrificed - and there was much rejoicing.

They also and immediately began gathering men to form a third regiment of Spearman to further explore the lands around their new home. And Locutus, chosen as the leader of the Mayas, ordered his priests to start researching a way to make the transportation of commodities to and within the city easier, using a concept the priests called a 'wheel'.

In 6920 BC, one of the Spearman regiments entered yet more ruins, this time to find nothing.

6840 BC: A rumour reached Locutus: some far-away tribe, the Incas, had apparently started to construct a large structure called 'Stonehenge'.

6820 BC: Another rumour reached the Maya city: the Byzantines had also started to build Stonehenge.

In 6800 BC the first regiment of Spearman is completed and sent out on a reconnaissance mission. Meanwhile, the people of Copan start to gather to form another band of Nomads which would have to found a second city.

6620 BC: Reports of yet another ruin, not far from Copan, reach Locutus. This excites the (now very old) man so much that he dies of a hart attack.


[Author's note: the true history buffs will have noticed that I mixed in elements of both Mayan *and* Aztec history/mythology in this story. This is deliberate, call it poetic license]

[child of Thor]

After the death of their honoured first leader Locutus,the people of Copán turned to the sea and their Creator Grandparents, Xpiyacoc and Xmucane, they were wise and respected amongst all the Gods.
“Help us honoured Creators of all life”, they beseeched,
“Send us a guide in these troubled times, so we may continue to prosper and grow.”
The Old Ones heard the pleas of their people, and disturbed from their slumber they arose from the bottom of the sea to consult with the Sky God Juraqan, the Heart of the Sky. He didn’t share their concerns for the people of Copan,
“My children Ch’ipi and Raxa are too busy to waste time watching over these humans, besides they do not send me offerings – look they don’t even have a temple! What do they expect of me when they scorn me with their indifference!”.
The Wise Grandparents shook their heads sadly,
“Heart of the Sky, you do not surprise us with your anger, still if you would only take a look at our people you would see that they have much potential, and like a small child will remember any kindness you show them.”
Before Juraqan could answer, his Son Ch’ipi interrupted with a clash of Thunder.
“Father, Creator Grandparents are wise and we should do as they suggest, let me travel down to Copan and I will give child to one of the women. Her son will be chosen as their leader and will ensure you shall never be forsaken again.”
Heart of the Sky liked what his Son had said and agreed to send him. The Creator Grandparents praised Heart of the Sky for his wisdom and returned to the sea, happy that they had resolved their people’s problem.
Ch’ipi travelled as a bolt of lightening to the outskirts of Copan and visited the first woman he saw. Instantly she was with child and he told her what she must do.
The women ran to tell the people of Copan what had befallen her, and upon finishing her tale her child came into the world with a rumble of thunder.
“He shall be named after this storm and his Father,” she proclaimed,
“I name him child of Thor(Thor being their word for thunderstorm), and he will lead us and we shall gain the blessings of the Gods of the Sky.”
The People of Copan cheered and held a crowning feast to celebrate this special day, and gave thanks to The Sky for this gift.
Heart of the Sky and his children looked down on the people of Copan and their new leader child of Thor, and it was good.

6620 BC child of Thor(or CoT as he became known to his people), looked around the kingdom of the Mayan’s he had inherited and decided his people needed to work harder, so he increased their food share to help fuel this extra effort. He also cancelled all public works and put the extra hands this freed up in helping to equip the settlers that were being created in Copan. He advised the wise men to work towards a Dynasty to ensure their future and increase their efficiency, but left them working on an object called ‘Wheel’. CoT sends message to his spearmen that they are to explore and map as much territory as they can.

6600 BC Spearmen just to the north of Copan enter some ruins near the coast, it appears to be a deserted town and they find 411 gold coins which they take, even if some of them feel it might bring bad luck.
Another troop of spearmen following the coast on the north east border of the kingdom, come upon a harsh desert but decide to cross it and follow their orders to map out and explore the Mayan peoples surroundings.
Spearmen in the south east of the kingdom spend months hacking through prime jungle just to find more jungle waiting for them. They swear the leaches are getting bigger and offer a silent prayer to the Sky God to strike down the mosquitoes that are plaguing them.

6580 BC The jungle finally gives way and in the distance is the tantalising site of fallen pillars of man-made structures. Rubbing their sore limbs they head towards this mosquito free place.

6560 BC The ruins are empty, strange carvings adorn the black rocks but give no clue as to who or where these people are or what may have befell them. The spearmen leave this sad place and head south west, feeling a strange wonder at how frail their individual lives are compared to those ageless rock carvings.

6540 BC Back home in Copan a population boom adds a further 10,000 people to the village. People mutter that CoT is holding too many late night parties and that he should know better, being half a God himself. He defends himself saying that his Father is a Sky God after all and everyone knows what they are like, besides they didn’t have the pressures of trying to prepare a colony of settlers, and who were they to question him? Did they want him to call the Sky down onto their heads? The village council wisely decide to concede the point and Friday is appointed late night party night from that point forward.

6520 BC Still somewhat slightly demoralised after their non-encounter at the black ruins, the spearmen now to the south of Copan, come upon the shores of a new sea. After a few complaints that he over rules, the captain of the troop names this new sea the Dead Sea, after those lost people from the ruins. As he leads his men west along the coast he wistfully thinks of home and his beautiful fiancé waiting for him to return.

6480 BC Travelling minstrels bring news that Apolyton I has started construction of a wondrous thing called ‘StonedHenge’. After watching and listening to the minstrel’s ballad, CoT still feels non the wiser.

6460 BC More of CoT’s friends grow old and die, such is the lot of mortal man. The next forty years is spent trying to find out what the ‘StonedHenge’ is, that the civilisation of Apolyton is building. Despite their best efforts, our wise men can offer no explanation. My godlike powers seem to be limited to longevity and the ability to summon storms. The Gods don’t answer my calls and the fact that something is going on somewhere, but not knowing exactly what is very annoying(There is a rumble of Thunder and dark clouds gather over Copan). For centuries now reinforcements travel across our lands to replenish our scouts and keep the effort going.

6400 BC Spearmen in SW see ruins and decide to explore. Spearmen in NE discover a new resource on the coast and call it ‘Dye’ after the soldier who fell into it.

6380 BC Spearmen in the SW explore the ruins all day and decide to spend the night. Their leader suffers from a strange dream and wakes the next day with the knowledge of Agriculture, a messenger is sent to report to the Capital.

6360 BC Spearmen in the SE enter ruins and find 498 gold in treasure.

6340 BC A wandering madman tells of a Ghengis Khan building the mysterious ‘Stonedhenge’. Spearmen in the NE find a band of mercenaries lost in a forest, they ask to join the Empire. They are sent back to Copan to bolster the town’s defence.

6320 BC Copan sends out Settlers to found a new village. CoT orders the building of a Ziggurat, secretly he hopes it might please the Gods.

6280 BC Spearmen in the East walk into an ambush set by barbarians wielding a strange a cowardly ranged weapon. The barbarians flee before our mighty warriors. The village of Chichen is founded near the lake of Fish, and a warrior unit is put into training.

6220 BC Heading back to Copan, the mercenary army sees a band of barbarians and attacks. They win the battle but receive heavy losses, and decide to head back to the city as quickly as they can.
Back in Copan CoT faces the council of Elders again, this time they ask for proof of his Godly patronage. They say they fear he might be a demon from the underworld and unless he can prove direct contact to the honoured Grandparents he will have to leave Copan. CoT flies into a rage and burns one of the elders to a crisp with a bolt of Lightning. He tries in vain to get his Father to come to his aid, all to no avail. He leaves Copan in shame, vowing to return and retake his position when they are more worthy. Huge storms lash the Kingdom for three nights and days, the people wonder if they made the right choice after all and shudder at the prophecy CoT uttered on his departure.

[Hermann the Lombard]

Ch’ipi travelled as a bolt of lightening to the outskirts of Copan and visited the first woman he saw. Instantly she was with child and he told her what she must do. The women ran to tell the people of Copan what had befallen her, and upon finishing her tale her child came into the world with a rumble of thunder.
“He shall be named after this storm and his Father,” she proclaimed,
“I name him child of Thor(Thor being their word for thunderstorm), and he will lead us and we shall gain the blessings of the Gods of the Sky.”

My guess is that his mother was Thor after that lightning pregnancy.

Curse? What curse?

[yservel]

Hi sorry for the delay, I will improved the story later but here is what happenns


6200 I decided to change the production of my towns. I changed the production from ziggourat to nomads on both town:

The time has come for expansion not for litterature for f***sake!!!!

around 6100 Copan produces nomad: I rushed it a liitle bit. I spent the 1200 gold

6080-6000 Alarm!!!!!!!!!!! Barbarians!!! tons of barbarians!!!!!! an army of 4 slingers has been detected + various group of barbarian dtected by
exploration units...WHO said it was quite???? prduction set to spearman on Copan.

6020 Hit and run tatics, I lead a group of spearman to take some barbarians heads. I decided to put head on huge pikes at the entrances of the two
cities... BLOOD WILL BE SHED!!

6000 chichen produces nomad, the estern army has been cowardly ambushed by barbarians... The other northen/eastern exploration unit is coming back
to defend the city but they seems to be wary of attacking my cities...for some reasons...

5880 terrible plague! copan reduced by 1--->Why??

5860 A GLORIOUS VICTORY for the south army....More heads taken...

5840 Discovery of writing... It reminded me that I should have opened my notepad to describe the events of my reigns...
However, altough though our people already found a god: (ME!!), they feel the need to find a proper way to worship me (now Him)
and therefore seeked His advice on that matter... He replied: "taking babarians heads is good but not enough, you also need to
take their heart to feed the Sun and Himself and then, you will be worthy enough to worship Him: It will take around 16 generations of 20 years. He shall call it "Religion"...

5820 He needs more bloods for f***sacke...He is most dipleased: as a result a terrible plague reduced copan by 1...

5800 He made one with the Sun. As an ultime command, He ordered His people to explore the western land and to behead and beheart more barbarians and then to expend expend expend...



Here is it enjoy and...good luck...

Kind regards Yannick

I am going to send some pictures as well

[yservel]

I will improve the story later...

[Matthew Taylor]

Where are we and who currently has the game?

[Locutus]

Agusta should have the game now, but I haven't heard from him in a while. I've been very busy lately so until now I didn't have time to keep this (or the other) game rolling but I'll start working on it tonight. Yservel, if you read this, could you email the game to hexagonian? If Agusta doesn't give some sort of response really, really soon he'll have to skip his first turn.

[Locutus]

I still owe y'all this: a pic of CoT's game...

[Locutus]

...and one of yservel's.

[child of Thor]

Thanks Locutus!
Hmm.... for future ref if i want to add the pic at the time of posting is it with the 'IMG' button(as i look at it from this reply panal) and if it is what text would i use in the pop-up box, say if my pic was called 'civ.jpg1' for example? The 'http' it offers perplex's me Do i need to put it on a web-site first?And if so which is the best way of doing that(is there a place poly provides?).Save you the hassel next time(things are getting too busy around here ). Thanks again.

EDIT: read the FAQ on this, so is there a poly site i can use for the hyperlink? or shall we just send them to you?

[Locutus]

The IMG thingie is only useful if you have the file on a webiste. To post 'from your harddisk', use the 'attach file' option at the bottom of the reply screen (just above the 'Submit reply' button). Press the 'Browse...' button to find the file on your HDD.

Edit: once the website is up, all pics should probably go there anyway...

[hexagonian]

In the year 2000, archeologists located a large stone in the city of Copan. Dating placed the stone at about the late 6th millenium BC. The stone was plain, except for a singular mark in the center which had the appearance of an all-seeing eye.

Over the last two years, the archeologists were able to translate the meaning of the unusual marking, Below is the translation.

''Legends told of the creators of this world - of Wombat-tapul, the god of heroes, Trigg-tapul, the god of progress, Martin-tapul, the god of commerce, Blue-tapul, the god of war, Locu-tapul, the god of thought, Dale-tapul, the god of discourse, Wes-tapul, the god of tradition, and many others. Over all was the all-seeing Eye, Hextapul - He who laid the rules of nature and the foundation of this world. It was rumored that the Eye would appear from time to time to guide His people, and would carry the mark of a red eye with a six-sided pupil. With the passing of Yannick I, such a man appeared at the courts of Copan, and was immediately placed upon the throne. Here is the record of His reign.''

5800BC
A cryptic message appeared in the skies warning that the world would be flooded. The Eye said it was a trick to fool the weak-minded.
The army of the East, renamed the Right Eye of Hex, blunders into a large stack of slingers. They manage to bluff their way into the wilderness, as they continue to head southward.

5780BC
The army of the West, renamed the Left Eye of Hex, is pursued by a stack of three spearman northward.

5760BC
With the completion of a warrior in Chichen, the Eye sees the potential to create a vast army from that city, so the sole purpose of Chichen becomes a training ground for the bloody art of war.

5720BC
The city of Jaina is built - The Eye searches in vain for a way to change the name of the city to Hextapul, but even He who sees all seems to have a limit as to what He can do. A farmer is put to work, as the land is mountainous. A spearman is built to save the maintenance costs that would accrue over time. The Eye is cheap...

5700-5680BC
A hapless Warrior army from Copan stumbles into a stack of 5 Barbarian slingers as it was marching toward Chichen. Attempting the same trick as the Right Eye of Hextapul, the Warrior army is destroyed. It seems that the Barbarians are not as stupid as they were before. The Eye couldn't see the danger, as He was occupied with some of the women in the palace.

5640BC
The Right Eye of Hex is stymied attempting to move westward by a stack of two Barbarian Spearmen. A long game of cat-and-mouse ensues for the next 240 years.

5620BC
Uxmal completes a Spearman - in an effort to move it to the West, it comes into contact with a celt Slaver army fortified outside the city. It is assumed that the Slaver was biding its time until the people of Uxmal grew numerous enough so that the Slaver could leech off the population like a blood-sucking tick. The Eye asks the celts to withdraw the Slaver. He was met with the return of the emmissary's head. Having no other choice, the Slaver's army still-beating hearts were ripped from their chests. War is declared by the celts. The Eye saw that declaration coming...

5600BC
A means to more effectively worship the Eye was discovered by the installation of loyal men who would set up a set of rules for sacrifice and traditional ceremonies to define the meaning of worship. There is some grumbling, but the grumblers become the first sacrifices. The grumbling ceases. To further cement His hold on the people, The Eye decides to use His powers to procreate more offspring, in the hope that someday, He could pass the throne to someone of divine blood.

5580BC
More cryptic messages - more laughter from the palace.

5560BC - 5440BC
All quiet, except for the constant jangle of Barbarian armies as they move like ghosts around the Mayan cities. Uxmal has seen up to 7 Barbarian units stacked up. There is little to do but gamble and pray (now that we have Religion).

5400BC
Contact with a strange people called in-cans, who have sailed next to the Unnamed Army of the South, led by the Eye himself. The Eye feels generous and gives the in-cans 100 marks of gold. The in-cans do not seemed pleases by His generosity. Nevertheless, it is hoped that in the next 20 years, a fair exchange of world knowledge can be arranged.
The army then enters into the ruins of a strange ancient race of people. Temporary blinded by the darkness, The Eye stumbles into a pit and is crushed by 256 marks of gold.

It is later discovered that the redness seen in the eye of The Eye was caused by chronic drunkeness.

''Here ends the recorded history of Hextapul I, also called The Eye.''

Pic will be added later...

[hexagonian]

...and here is is.

[Hermann the Lombard]

Nicely done, Hex.

[Immortal Wombat]

Originally posted by hexagonian
''Legends told of the creators of this world - of Wombat-tapul, the god of heroes, Trigg-tapul, the god of progress, Martin-tapul, the god of commerce, Blue-tapul, the god of war, Locu-tapul, the god of thought, Dale-tapul, the god of discourse, Wes-tapul, the god of tradition, and many others.

The city of Jaina is built - The Eye searches in vain for a way to change the name of the city to Hextapul, but even He who sees all seems to have a limit as to what He can do.

right-click (on city) -> rename city

[Locutus]

Finally it's there, the website is online! It's here.

[Matthew Taylor]

5380 BC (1)

It is good to be King. It would be better without so many barbarians
camped outside our cities. Three Spearmen were ordered to join the ranks
of the defenders of Uxmal, but the city fell to the barbarian horde before
they could mount the ramparts. Troops are dispatched to remove the
barbarians outside the capital, as they are making the ladies of the court
nervous. They scurry away even as a new barbarian horde of 5 units
appears outside of Chichen. Exploration of the western and southern
peninsulas continues with little to report.

5360 BC (2)

The Army is recalled from Copan to deal with the threat to Chichen. Uxmal
will be avenged, but not today. The Western scouts report they got some
beaver. Perhaps they have been in the field too long?

5340 BC (3)

The Barbarian stack outside of Chichen disappears to the south after
splitting off a two stack to intercept our returning eastern scout, who
evades to the north. It is a clever ruse, but a scout dispatched outside
the city (and quickly hurrying back in) reports two more barbs joined the
stack to the south. A lone barbarian appears outside of Copan and is
quickly dispatched. There are reports of war between the Mongols and
Celts, wherever they might be.

5320 (4)

Damnation! Our evading scout was ambushed by a previously unseen two
stack. The neighborhood just is not safe anymore!

5300 (5)

The garrison of Chichen sortied to dispatch a loan barbarian. One warrior
displayed exceptional valor and was decorated. Our northwestern scout was
spotted by a barbarian two stack. We anticipate his loss.

5280 (6)

The scout evaded to the west. We hope he is not pinned by a second force.


5260 (7)

A barbarian 2 stack appeared to the east of Chichen. Our force returning
from Copan engaged and destroyed them, but one of our brave warriors fell
to the deadly combination of spearman and slinger. We must learn this
skill!

Public works spending increased to 30%. This will slow recruiting, but a
road network will allow better deployment of our forces.

5240 (8)

The Southern scout has met the Apolyton people. We hope to make some tech
trades. The Taylorian dynasty, the first amongst our people, is
established. Work begins on capturing and training those fast four legged
things running around and eating the crops.

5220 (9)

A barbarian six stack appears near Chichen then fades away as our scout
retires. The army in Chichen is now 9 strong.

We have encountered the Mongolians.

A Diplomat has been ordered to better handle our relations with foreign
states.

5200 (10)

The garrison of Chichen Sortied to eliminate a Barbarian scout. It was a
trick, there are 7 more of them behind the ridge. We will stand firm and
withdraw after the anticipated battle.

5180 (11)

The barbarians had no stomach for an even fight. The citizens of Jaina
have been too long without contact and have begun to riot. We have
ordered some entertainment to calm them down.

5160 (12)

A time of resting. The road between Chichen and Copan is much appreciated
by the colonists from Copan who first move to Chichen looking for an
escort.

5140 (13)

The Barbarians return to Chichen. We are loath to engage them absent
slingers of our own.

5120 (14)

We watch and wait.

5100 (15)

It's quiet, too quiet ?

5080 (16)

The Barbarians are on the road. We will engage before they can destroy
our hard work. Losses will be heavy we fear.

Praise be to our glorious army. Eight went forth against the barbarians,
five survived the battle in which all the barbarians were destroyed. A
triumph is ordered for their return.

5060 (17)

Barbarians breed like flies. A loan slinger appears from the east and is
dispatched, delaying the return of some of our brave lads.

5040 (18)

Another barbarian slinger is across the road. A spearman from Copan
eliminates him with ease. A new civilization, the Celts perhaps, is
sighted to our northwest.

5020 (19)

A foreign warrior appears outside of Chichen. Our wise men think they
understand how the slingers work and begin testing their theories.

5000 (20)

A scout is dispatched to the unsurveyed lands near Chichen. The warrior
disappears without a word.

[Locutus]

Website has been updated with Matthew's story (no pic). Hermann has already played his turn and was waiting for Matthew before writing his story, he should be posting soon. I will start playing my turn in about 3 seconds

[Hermann the Lombard]

The Tay’lorian Dynasty weathered the storm of barbarians, but now the Balam People marvel and tremble as a great lightning storm is answered by a storm of fire from the sacred peaks across the Lake of Fishes west of Chichen. The people cry out with questions: “Is it the return of Child of Thor? Is it Kukulcan? Is it Ch’ipi?” The priests gather to reveal the meaning of this fearsome spectacle.

The priests proclaim that the lightning has cracked open a portal into the underworld, just as it did to allow the world to emerge. They proclaim that this new world requires a new leader, and the sacrifice of the remaining Tay-lors. They who have overstayed their time object to this interpretation, but their hearts are taken from them and all objections cease. A new leader is sought among the nobles, but the nobles observe that the life expectancy of the Kings is less than ideal…and thus the slowest among them is chosen and named Taker of the Blame, or Herm’ann in village dialect.

Thus begins the Second Dynasty of the People of the Wind.

4980

Herm’ann calls on the nobles of the land to report the progress of Balam. They emerge from hiding and show Herm’ann many things. A group of Nomads has been carousing in Chichen for almost 200 years, ostensibly waiting for military escort into the barbarian wilderlands.

Yet another group of Nomads is almost ready to march in distant Jaina, and Herm’ann is appalled to learn that the city has but one regiment of militia spearmen to defend it. The city awaits easy capture, just as Uxmal had done. First the King calls for conversion to produce Warriors instead of Nomads, but the nobles cry out that 200 years of effort would be lost. But what if the city is lost? And what hope would unescorted nomads have in these barbarous lands? Jaina could have produced four regiments in the time it took to create these nomads, but only one regiment of warriors could be produced from among these soft nomads. With heavy heart, Herm’ann orders gold sent to produce the nomads more swiftly. “They shall not leave Jaina until both the city and the nomads can be properly defended!”

The nobles tell Herm’ann that a new resource called a “Diplomat” will soon be ready in Chichen. “How many atlatl can this “Diplomat” wield?” asks Herm’ann. “None,” they reply, “for Diplomats are men of peace.” Herm’ann cries “Then let them find peace on the sacrificial altars!” The nobles calm Herm’ann (and point out where Kings usually go, themselves), saying that Diplomats can be used to find new sources of hearts for the altars.

4960

The new Diplomat immediately shows unexpected value, detecting an Apolytoner warrior east of Chichen, and two barbarian warriors west of the Lake of Fishes. The nomads in Jaina are ordered to hide for a few hundred years. A road to the eastern frontier is begun, in the hopes that the nomads hiding in Chichen can soon—and swiftly—march east to found a new city.

4940

A unit of spearmen returns from the Sacred Peaks, bearing tales of being surrounded by hordes of barbarians, and frightening them away with fearsome displays. Herm’ann greets them: “It is good that you are so fearsome to barbarians, for you shall escort the nomads to the east as soon as the road is complete. Frighten the barbarians away from the nomads.” The diplomat scouts upriver, spotting barbarian slingers in the hills above the headwaters.

4920

The Apolytoner warrior now enter the road outside the gates of Copan, just as the barbarian warriors approach the road from the west. Perhaps they will kill each other? Just in case, Herm’ann sends cups and plates of gold to the Apolytoners, but they reject the offer of an exchange of maps.

The road is ready, the diplomat scouts ahead, and the nomads march east, escorted by the Fearsome Spearmen and the least-injured regiment of warriors (as the army of Chichen is still recovering from the great fight under the dynasty of the Tay-lors).

4900

There is great celebration, and many barbarians are sacrificed in the name of Kukulcan, Ch’ipi, and Child of Thor: a new city is founded, Palenque, close enough for mutual support with Chichen and Copan. The nomads form a regiment of militia, and the city begins raising a regiment of sepa. An Apolytoner envoy offers to exchange maps, and though the altars are getting a bit dry, the envoy is allowed to leave with maps and heart intact. The new maps reveal four great cities and an empire covering most of a large peninsula to the southwest. It also shows barbarian slingers shadowing Apolyton armies, just as they have shadowed the Warriors of Balam. Meanwhile, along the north road, the barbarians and the Apolyton warriors seem to have frightened each other away, though the new Copan Regiment of Warriors claims the credit for clearing the road.

4880

The Unnamed Army of the South comes in sight of the walls of the great city the Apolytoners call by the mysterious name, MarkG. The Spearmen called The Remaining Eye of Hextapul are accosted in the north by barbarians twice their number, and the brave spearmen head for the hills.

4860

Barbarian slingers are on the east road at the very gates of Chichen! The diplomat does careful reconnaissance, and claimes that there is no force lying in wait beyond the slingers. Herm’ann takes personal command of the mighty Army of Chichen as they prepare to dry-gulch the lone slinger, but an incautious Ritual of Enterkey gives the slingers time to escape.

4840

The evil slingers have pillaged the east road, isolating Palenque! If only the People of Balam knew the secret of those deadly slings!

4820

And lo! The Secret of Sling is revealed to our Wise Men, and the barbarians hurry away into the wilderness. All production in all cities is immediately devoted to training fearsome Slingers of Balam. Herm’ann has a dream in which he sees Warriors in Jaguar Pelts sitting atop the swift four-legged cropstealers, and Grandfather Xpiyacoc appears and utters the strange words: “Combined Arms!” Herm’ann cannot imagine what good can come from having both arms in one sleeve, but he still orders the Wise Men to reveal the meaning of this dream.

Travellers tell the People of Balam that some place called “Armagh” suffered an earthquake. Herm’ann proclaims “Better them than us” and sacrifices the travellers. (So much for the tourist industry.) Cryptic runes appear on the Msgs Stone at the Great Temple of Kukulkan. The runes begin with mention of the earthquake in Armagh, but continue with the following dread words: “A force 28 earthquake struck near the city of Jaima.” The people look to the south in fear. Is Jaima gone? No refugees appear from the mountains, and swift runners soon return with news that the city still stands. A religious crisis breaks out: did the Msgs Stone lie?

4800

The first regiment of the Slingers of Balam emerges from training. The barbarians are nowhere to be seen, the cowards!

4780

Soon, barbarian slingers enter the river valley northeast of Chichen. Spearmen backed by the Slingers of Balam are on them like a fierce wind! The barbarians soon wash the altars with their blood! The Second Slingers—thanks to large quantities of gold—are now ready in Jaima, doubling the (pitiful) garrison. Gold is sent to Mongolia as the Left Eye of Hextapul hasten west across their land (just ahead of the barbarians).

4760

The Mongolians ask to exchange maps, and their maps reveal that the Left Eye of Hextapul is almost surrounded by Mongolian cities with unpronouncible names like “Ka-ra-ko-ram” and “Sam-ar-kand.” None are as mighty as the legendary MarkG, but none are as large as Great Chichen, either.

Herm’ann hails the new Slingers on their victorious return to Chichen. He calls on the People of Balam to celebrate in the Most Holy Manner: “Farm by day and procreate by night! Make our cities grow!”

4740

Herm’ann’s plan bears immediate, um, “fruit,” as both Copan and Distant Jaina grow, and the Third Slingers are ready in Copan. Repairs begin on the eastern road. A pasture is laid out on the tiny scrap of arable land outside Jaina between the mountains and the sea. Oh, for a road to Jaina! There is a relatively short route through the mountains, but we have no way to defend the road. Perhaps once we master the swift crop-stealers…

The Left Eye of Hextapul march out of Mongolia and into the waiting arms of a barbarian ambush! It seems that vision is still clouded.

4720

Backed against the cliffs, the Spearmen of the Left Eye face certain death. At the last moment, they rush to the pack animals and reach beneath the packs. The barbarians hesitate; what weapons do these Balamese have? Horrors! Fearsome biological weapons! They have the meat given them by the Mongolians, carefully aged on the backs of the pack animals! The barbarians flee in terror!

4700

Outnumbered two to one, the spearmen pursue the barbarians, brandishing the Dreaded Steak Tartare!

4680

The People of Balam remain fruitful, and both Chichen and Palenque expand.

4660

Rumors reach Chichen that Lost Uxmal has grown as well. Our vengeance abides…

4640

The orgy of growth continues as Copan surpasses 60,000 hearts. Gold hastens the training of more warriors in Chichen, but on verge of being ready, they are ordered to retrain with slings. Barbarians approach Copan from the east.

4620

Barbarian spearmen pollute the road to Copan with their presence, and the warriors and slingers of Copan spring forth to slay or capture the intruders. Those not fortunate enough to die on the road momentarily see their still-beating hearts on the altar of Copan…and yet another spearband is right behind these.

4600

The Copan Warriors and Slingers fall upon these new victims, and again the altars run red with barbarian blood. Unfortunately the river valley runs red with Mayan blood, as only a handful of the warriors survive the battle. For their valor, the survivors are given the jade badges of veteran status. Herm’ann orders gold to speed the training of the slingers in Chichen.

4580

The treasurer approaches Herm’ann with his heart in his mouth, bearing bad news: “Sir, our treasury is quickly running out of funds. We must generate more gold quickly or we will be forced to sell city improvements to pay our expenses.” The treasurer loses heart, but soon Herm’ann follows the wretched treasurer to the altar, as angry nobles proclaim that Herm’ann has lost the favor of the gods (when in fact he has lost the gold of the nobles). In this year Chichen grows to 80,000 hearts, and Palenque grows to 40,000, surpassing the older Jaina.



(Sorry about the delay; trouble getting an Internet connection from my hotel on this business trip.) -- HtL

[Locutus]

Originally posted by Locutus
I will start playing my turn in about 3 seconds

Unfortunately someone managed to interrupt me in those three seconds between posting that post and starting the game and I haven't gotten around to playing since (in part due to 'community service', as you all know if you read these forums ). I don't know exactly when Hermann mailed me the file but regardless of whether or not it was more than 72h ago, I won't have time to play until tomorrow (or rather, later today). Apologies for the delay

[Locutus]

After Her'mann almost bankrupted the Mayan state, the successful merchant Locutus is chosen to lead the Mayan people in 4580 BC. Locutus realizes that Uxmal, due to it's strategic location, is of pivotal importance for the commercial welfare of the nation and declares he shall do everything in his power to drive out the nefarious Barbarian infidels who currently rule the town. Production queus in all cities are changed to offensive units and the armies are reorganised to prepare for the assault. In the mean time, a Diplomat and Nomad are sent to the south to expand the empire there and spy on Apolyton.

4560 BC: Rumors reach the court in Copán: the Celtic city of Kells suffers from an earthquake. Satisfied, Locutus sacrifices 12 civil servants to thank Kukulcán. A band of Warrior is built in Copán, production on Slingers is begun.

In 4540 BC the worst financial problems have been resolved and Locutus can even afford to meet with envoys of the In-cans and offer them 100 Gold.

4480 BC: A messenger reports that he overheard a conversation of a group of Barbarian reconnaissance units speak of something called a 'Pyrimad', which a far-away people called the 'Buzontines' are apparently building. Not know what the hell this man is talking about, Locutus sacrifices the messenger at the altar of Copán.

4440 BC: Jaina completes a Warrior and immediately joins together with some Slingers already in the city and departs for Uxmal. Realizing that the city is surrounded by mountains and therefore extra vulnerable for Barbarian attacks, Locutus orders the city leaders to start working on a Spearman to strenghten the city's defensive garrison. A sizable army of Barbarians (size 4) threathens the south-bound Nomad. The Mayan Nomads grow restless since they realize that their light escort cannot stop such a large force of Barbarians.

4420 BC: A Mayan envoy reaches the court of the In-cans and an exchange of maps is agreed, as a token of the connectiveness and friendship between both our nations. It is discovered that some Incan Nomads occupy the lands around the site that was to be the new home of our own Nomad.

In 44400 BC, a regiment of Slingers is standing ready in Copán, more Slingers are being readied. These Slingers are immediately put to work and together with other forces in the Mayan capital defeat a small band of Barbarians Slingers wandering just outside the city walls.

In the mean time, the In-cans found a city right next to the spot where Locutus wanted to place his own city. Since he sees lucrative trading opportunities with the Incans for the future, he decides to respect the Incan city and borders and selects a new location for his Nomads to head for.

4380 BC: A far-away Kingdom, called Kush, goes to war with Apolyton, Maya's southern neighbours. This pleases Locutus as he is convinced this will keep the Polytubbies busy for a while and give him the opportunity to campaign free of worry in the north. He sends armies from Palenque and Copán on their way to join with the army from Jaina.

In 4360 BC one of the bravest and most experienced regiments of our army, the Empirial Guard of Copán, in spite of it's weakened state due to recent skirmishes, attacks and defeats a regiment of Barbarian Slingers outside the capital. As troops leave Chichen en route to Uxmal, Locutus's strategic masterplan for the liberation of Uxmal is now gaining momentum.

4340 BC: Chichen builds Warriors and starts working on Slingers. The various armies of all Mayan cities meet in the mountains east of Chichen and, in a sacred ceremony where many hearts are ripped from chests in honor of Kukulcán, they merge together to form a the largest army the world has ever seen: the 'Wrath of Kukulcán'. After the ceremony, the new army marches towards Uxmal, with the intent of attacking the city from the mountains.

4320 BC: to ensure the success of the mission of the Wrath of Kukulcán, Locutus makes the ultimate sacrifice: at the main altar of Copán, he rips out his own heart and sacrifices himself to Kukulcán.

(Below: strategic masterplan of Locutus II, drawn only days before his death - source: Mexico Institute of Archeology)

[child of Thor]

Is the pic a suggestion?Or an absolute? I will be able to play my turn either 2morrow morning or thursday evening, will have posted on to yservel Friday latest - is this o.k? If i can't do 2morrow i can post it on same day. Work stuff.

[Locutus]

It's my strategic masterplan, which is completely unrelated to your strategic masterplan (assuming you have one)... If ours plans happen to overlap, that's pure coincidence...

That's fine with me. Thanks for letting us know in advance...

[child of Thor]

Originally posted by Locutus
It's my strategic masterplan, which is completely unrelated to your strategic masterplan (assuming you have one)... If ours plans happen to overlap, that's pure coincidence...

'assuming you have one' , what's that about then?Just because i wanted to build a Ziggurt when we had a couple barbs running around in the early game The reason we lost Uxmal was that the God's were angry with our lack of devotion
Your Stategic masterplan looks ok to me, i'd be vexed into getting Uxmal back too(and i will - blood shall run)

EDIT: oh yeah i'll build a Ziggurt/temple too - just you see (if i have enough cash?).

The Title Picture on the site is very cool - where's it from?

[Locutus]

The Title Picture on the site is very cool - where's it from?

Thanks I searched for ages and ages and ages, but I couldn't find anything suitable as 'title picture' for the Maya (too big, too small, too blurred, etc). Then finally I more or less accidentilly bumped into that one and a whole bunch of other good looking Mayan pictures here, apparently designed for some documentary (it was a draw between this one and the one of Copan, I choose this one because it looked better after resizing). This guy apparently also designed graphics for computer games such as James Bond: Agent Under Fire and Final Fantasy, a great artist...

[child of Thor]

Around Copan villagers gather the wheat from the rivers bank, enjoying the warm summer sun on their backs and caring little for the odd swarm of mosquito that ventures from the shade. Children play, laughing as they splash in the cool water.
It is a good day, and even the sadness over their recent leader’s sacrifice seems to partially lift from the people’s shoulders. Tomorrow can take care of it’s self, today is a good day.
No heed is paid to a shambling figure in rags, just another wanderer, as it walks down the cool shaded streets to the town centre. Just an unfamiliar face taking in the sites of the Capitol.
The head Council meet to discuss the problem that their Dynasty has no heir to continue the line(well not legitimate anyways). Bastards aplenty exist but if that avenue is taken then the Mayan empire might implode with civil war.
Their ponderings are shattered as the stout wooden doors crash open, dust and bright sunlight spear into the room. The captain of the guard gasp’s in surprise as he levels his spear at the intruder, but his spoken cry of alarm goes unsounded – the strangers gaze freezing him to the spot.
‘I HAVE RETURNED!’, thunders the stranger, ‘Go prepare my chambers and tell all that I, child of Thor am back to serve my people.’

4320BC – After a hurried ceremony CoT gets to work. Our Cities are not well defended yet so orders for lots more units are added to build queues around the empire(and a ziggurt is placed on order for Copan). Chichen is too big and crowding out Copans land, so a new pasture is created to help the city grow. To the south a barbarian horde threatens to destroy our new settler and the one unit of spearmen on escort duty feels the icy hand of death about it. The accompanying Diplomat heads South, away from the potential slaughter, to establish an Embassy with the Incan peoples.

4300BC – Wisemen discover Horse riding, after a very bruising time falling off the strange four legged beasts that used to eat all their crops. Feeling that something a lot less personally painful should be undertaken next, they decide that if they had got someone else to break the Horses in (preferably without objection), then they would have been able to keep the ‘missus’ much happier. Putting their wise collective heads together they come up with a concept called ‘Slavery’.

4280BC – Spearmen in the south retreat to hills to prepare their defence. ‘Dig you worthless dogs! Dig!’ is the shout from their commander, before he loses his composure and starts to dig his own hole(not to hide in, really.).
Poor Spearmen in the Celtic wilderness decide that on their own they can do little against this superior nation – just flies to a lion. So they start the long journey home.

4260BC – Embassy established with the Incans, and an exchange of scalps cements the ceremony. A slinger is built and joins the city defence of Copan.

4240BC – The unit of Spearmen camped on the hills to the south never live to see dawn. At night the barbarians attack and volley after volley from the savages picks off our brave men. Still they give the settlers time to make a getaway.
BLOOD SHALL RUN: Wrath of Kukulcan.
Months of toil through the mountains, brings the army to the foothills of Uxmal, once a proud city of the empire – now a rats den of barbarity. Using night as a shroud the jaguar pelts move stealthily over the walls and silently slaughter the 11 units of defenders before they have time to mount a counter attack! Victory! and Uxmal is once more ours! Three units of our brave warriors will feast in the halls of our ancestors tonight – the commander of the Army sacrifices 10,000 barbarians in homage to their souls and the streets run red.
Slingers built in palenque. Spearmen built in Jaina.
200 gold given to the Incan empire to build our bonds.

4220BC – Nomads in the south head deeper into the forests to hide themselves from the barbarians. 7 units from wrath of kukulcan are sent south to avenge our spearmen and rid the south of this Barbarian scourge.
A new road from Chichen to Uxmal is commissioned. Units of javilin horse will be able to better patrol our empire when it is complete.
Maps are given to the Incans. CoT begins to think that they are not very responsive to our generosity.

4180BC – Cowardly barbarian slingers murder our settlers! Vengence sweeps down from the north. An extra unit of spears joins the defence of Copan.
The Great West Road is complete! Now we can patrol our empire more effectively, and to this end Javalin cavalry are commissioned in various cities. A spearman is added to city defence in Copan.

4140BC – spearmen join militia in Chichen.

4160BC – Barbarian slingers dispatched outside the gate of Uxmal, they were trying to pillage our lands and now their heads adorn pikes as a warning to their kind – they shall find no mercy from our people. The alters of Uxmal run hot and red with their hearts.

4100BC – Finally we understand Slavery after using barbarian captives to repair damage they did to some roads near Copan. With this in mind our Wisemen decide that Brickmaking would compliment the use of Slaves.
Shock news – our Diplomat gets spiked with BoomBom Juice while visiting the Incans in Huari, the delusional man throws a lavish reception that empties our royal coffers!!
The people panic and a population boom increases the cities of Copan, Chichen, Palenque and Jaina.

4080BC – maybe word of our depleted coffers reaches the Empire of Apolyton, for two units of apolyton spearmen foolishly attacks our hardend army Wrath of Kukulcan. Perplexed by this turn of events CoT sends our disgraced diplomat to grovel for a cease-fire, which the Apolytons agree too very readily, maybe they realised it was a mistake to attack us?

4040BC – Spearmen return to our kingdom from their long northern journey! A celebration is held in Uxmal, although no alcohol is drunk as they are put on city defence a few hours later. Warriors are sent from Chichen to use the Great West Road and strengthen the defence of Uxmal, frequent barbarian raids near that city seem suspicious.


4000BC – Wrath of Kukulcan gets vengence for our slaughtered Settlers. Four score hearts are ripped from the defeated enemy and eaten.
A Peace Treaty is struck with the Apolytons – our disgraced diplomat redeems his earlier digression and if he can successfully establish an embassy then maybe his heart will stay in his chest.

3980BC – At last! Ziggurt built in Copan. A mighty storm heralds the rain to keep our crops and fields fertile. The Gods are pleased and CoT summons Ch’ipi and Raxa from the top of the Ziggurt, the sky is split by Lighting.
The Wisemen accept that CoT is of the Legend as carved in the temples, and this new structure adds to their ability of understanding the world around them.

3960BC – Wrath of Kukulcan has served its purpose well. After a special ceremony the units are divided and sent to all corners of our kingdom to shore up our new impressive city defences. CoT has an idea that a few Rapid Response units should be built to attack the barbarian incursions into our territory.

3940BC – Brickmaking is discovered, plans to build huge monuments and city walls fill the minds of our architects. Our wisemen look to City State as a good form of government and Ceremonial burial is chosen to lead to that goal.
Child of Thor is happy that his people are in a defensible state and peace has been struck with the Apolytons, their science is better than ours and maybe we could trade with them.

So early one morning CoT gathers his few possessions and quietly leaves his chamber. He heads south to the mountains, maybe he shall travel the kingdom killing barbarians whenever he finds them? Whatever, he feels the weight lift of his shoulders as he sets off down the dusty track to the south. The sun shines, and bird-song accompanies him on his journey, he hums a local tune. The farmers glance up at the sound of the song, but pay him little heed, this ragged traveller.

[child of Thor]

Locutus, the image i wanted to attach was too big so i've zipped it instead.Can't get to photoshop so maybe you could make it fit on for the Balam website?

[yservel]

oups... I guess I am a bit late... I will play and post the result of my glorious reign this saturday...

I totally forgot to play my turn...