Succession Game VI: The Balam Warriors of the Wind

[Locutus]

Well, I've been very busy and neglecting my duties myself so I for one am hardly in a position to hold it against you

[Locutus]

So, yservel, have you played yet? If not, I'm gonna have to ask you to send the game on anyway, it's been over 240 hours...

[yservel]

Well... Should we establish the 720 hours rules???





I hope it is not too late...

I sent the file to bothe augusta and hexagoniam...

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Yannick II has been anointed King of maya by the goods. He decided to expend his empire. Nothing else matters. Absolutely nothing else...

3940 production set to nomad for all cities

Road built from Jaina to chichen (via mountains)

3920 embassy established in hexogonian with the Apolyton civilisation.

3840 2 babarians + 1 mayan units are besigning uxmal .Our glorious army crushed the barbarian...

3820 the treacherous mongols are declaring war to us!!!

Yannick immediatly sent his army to crush the intruders.

3800 ceremonial burial has been discovered --> research set to monotheism

3780 another mayan warrior crushed near uxmal

South army created (7 units): Yannick is sending his diplomat to the Huari
town for a "little survey"

3760 constantine completed the pyramids

3740 (10 turn) nomads produced in chichen: production set to shrine

3700 nomad produced in Copan ==> production set to shrine

3660 babroan slaver killed near copan
HUARI has been conquered: a glorious victory for our armies over the inca (purple)!! The empire is extended

2 slinger has survived and a javelin cavalery reinforcement will reinforced
the defense. However a 5 units barbarian units is approching.

The inca seems most dipleased...

3640 the two nomads (in the north and in the south had arrived to their destination:

However, Yannick II died of an infartus when he read a report of the strenght of the Inca...

His successor will have to confirm whether the nomad has to settle
(good strategic location but not many mining ressource)


Summary: His reign has seen the first military victory over a foriegn country.

three nomad has been prduced: two are about to settle.

No trouble has been spotted for the first nomad (in the north)

The second nomad in the south is potentially threathen by a 5 babarian army

The third one is still in

uxmal waiting for 1)the road to be built 2) a cease fire treaty is signed to allow
the settlement of a new city between uxmal and the mongolian city karakorum.

production --when nomad finished- set to shrine in cities.


Three nation out of the 4 discovered are at war against us. However, our civilisation might grow from 5 cities to 8-9 cities.

The next years will be crucial...

The Apolyton seems
to be pleased with us


My succesor will have some pleasent activities...

[yservel]

Nomad ready to settle: Peacefull area but no much res for production.



Who will the 5 unots barbarian units attacks? Haari or the nomads?No army is left in the Haari city and a 4 units army is available in Jaina.



The red cross is the intended target for the nomads, but isn't it a bit dangerous to adventure units in the forest, near a country at war with you??

[hexagonian]

History records after the death of Yannick II, there was a violent coup that occurred in the city of Chichen. Rising to power was a minor noble who claimed to be a direct descendent of the family of Hextapul. Killing all who had any sort of claim to the throne, the self styled ruler, named Hextan, established his line which ruled Maya for over 400 years. Herein is a record of the First Hextan Dynasty, considered by scholars as one of the great moments in Mayan history.

3640BC
Hextan I ascends the throne. Immediately, he proceeds to sire over 300 sons, and places them in the hands of loyalists who would ensure that the bloodline of Hextan would remain available for any future need to regain the throne. Seeing the need for increased defense, Hextan I orders that the people need walls rather than temples. 'Temples are a waste of time since the Mayan people have the divine presence of Hextan himself. The creation of walls will make the people feel safer, and thus happier.' So the stones used for the construction of temples in Uxmal and Chichen are bathed with the blood of the former priests of Yannick II, blessed by Hextan, and placed in large piles surrounding the city.

The barbarians outside of the cities merely laugh...

At the same time, construction of a network of roads continues throughout the empire, and becomes a hallmark of the Hextan dynasty.

Copan switches over to production of a Javelin Corps. Speed and vision are everything in this world...

3620BC
The First Javelin Corps north of Huari is pinned by a large stack of Barbarian raiders. There is little to do but attempt to hide. This proves to be hard, as the plains offer nothing but flat terrain, so the Corps stick their heads in the ground.

The city of Hextapulis is founded, named in honor of the greatest king of the Mayan Empire, and as a means to further strengthen the claims of Hextan I to the line of Hextapul. The city was originally named something else, but history has not recorded this earlier name, as loyalists of Hextan erased all previous records of that earlier name.

A barbarian Slavemaster is sighted west of Chichen. Forces move to intercept...

3600BC
At the Second Battle of Huari, the foolish First Javelin Corps is slaughtered by the raiders. Hextan I does not vow revenge, because of their stupidity. The barbarian raiders disappear into the wilderness.

3580BC
A message from the gods, as the earth shakes uncontrollably in Chichen. Hextan I is killed when six of his wives fall on top of him in the royal bed during the tremors. Hextan II takes the throne.

The barbarian Slavemaster is brutally hunted down and killed.

The city of Hextantin is built in remembrance of Hextan I.

3540BC
The city of Tikal is built, effectively cutting off any peaceful Apolyton expansion plans into Mayan territory. Hextan II is thankful for the longstanding peace treaty between the Apolyton and Mayan people, established by earlier rulers of Maya.

Truly the wisdom of the world resides in the Mayan people...

3520BC to 3500BC
Hextan II dies in his sleep. Hextan III ascends the throne. Several barbarian Slavemasters are picked off, keeping the citizens supplied with blood to paint their houses.

During this time, the cities of Toltec and Tonina are believed to have been established. Toltec has strategic importance because it cuts off the route of peaceful expansionism into Mayan lands by the mongols and the celts.

3480BC
Tikal breaks out in riots. Somewhat reluctantly, Hextan III orders the establishment of 10,000 singers that serenade the people with the exploits of Hextan III. The people of Tikal react with great joy.

3460BC
Hextan III sees the need to prevent the formation of large barbarian armies within Mayan land, so he continues the policy of chasing down any single units that are spotted. A barbarian Javelin Cavalry is sighted and mercilessly slaughtered. At the same time Hextan III recalls the recorded event of the Second Battle of Huari and the missing barbarian hordes and begins to quietly prepare for their eventual reappearance.

3400BC
In a vision right before his death, Hextan III sees the emergence of a great warrior called Hammurabi, and begins preparation to welcome this warrior into the city of Chichen. Hextan IV takes the throne.

3360BC
A lone mongol warrior is spotted outside of Hextantin. Sensing some easy prey, the First Hextantin Army crushes the warrior, but the true nature of the mong(r)ol plan becomes all to apparent as the First Hextantin Army is immediately led into the arms of a large barbarian horde. It is correctly assumed that this was a cunning plan devised by both the mong(r)ols and the barbarians. In a series of quick battles, the massacre of the First Hextantin Army becomes a black mark in Mayan history. (see pic).

The missing barbarian raiders from the Second Battle of Huari reappear between Chichen and Uxmal. However, due to the foresight of Hextan III, forces are able to be quickly assembled to meet this threat.

3340BC to 3240BC
The records have little to say about this time period, except that the walls of Uxmal are completed, and all cities, except Tonina, are connected with a network of roads. It is recorded that the last king of the First Hextan dynasty, Hextan V, is poisoned by one of his wives, who has ties to the Taylorian family.

Thus ends the record of the First Hextan Dynasty...

[Hermann the Lombard]

Yes, the game is still alive!

The Taylorian Dynasty suffered an unfortunate interruption, and the Her'mann Dynasty (the Taker Clan) took their piece of the action. I'm sending the game to Locutus now, and I'll post the account tomorrow, but for now here are a couple of pictures as teasers:

[Hermann the Lombard]

...and our new commercial adventure in the Kingdom of the Celts:

-- Hermann

[child of Thor]

Hurray! for the Her'mann Dynasty! And well taken (wipes sweat from brow - at least it wasn't my fault then..... ).

[Hermann the Lombard]

The “Taker Dynasty” – A Dark Period in Mayan History?

The following text was found on stones that had once been a wall, toppled face-down and buried under a midden heap of bones, offal, and household garbage. Before the wall was toppled, the inscriptions appear to have been defaced by graffiti and spattered with a residue of fruit and fecal material. It appears that someone wanted to excise this material entirely.

The Saga of Her’mann II, the First Taker King

The Mighty Clan of the Great Ruler, once known as “The Takers of the Blame” (“Her’mann” in the Old Tongue), has become, over time, simply “The Takers.” They are the Masters of the Other Enterprises of the Balaam Warriors: Loan-Sharking, Protection, **** Fighting, and the Oldest Profession. In the chaos that follows the fall of the Hextan Dynasty, the foolish Taylorians fail to meet their financial obligations (blackmail payments), and are revealed red-hearted as the murderers of Hextan V. Two representatives of the Taker Clan (Xguido and Xnunzio) confront the Taylorian elders and make them an offer they can’t refuse. The surviving Taylorians flee into exile.

The eldest Taker assumes the name Her’mann II, and orders the construction of a new temple in honor of the beloved (and safely dead) Hextans. The bodies of the murderers lie under the foundation stones, their blood mixed with the mortar, and thus the temple is Taylor-made.

3240 BC: The city Hextantin lies under the threat of the barbarians who slaughtered their namesake Army. The foe camps on the mountains above the city, taunting the small garrison to come out to their doom. The new Ruler takes up the profligate ways of his Ancestors and rushes the completion of slingers to bolster the garrison. Looking further around his Empire, now called a Syndicate, he sees hardly any (surviving) javelin cavalry, and orders the training of warriors changed to the training of riders.

The eldest priest of Chichen emerges from a drug-induced haze and proclaims that the Vision of Hextan III is in jeopardy! That great Ruler foresaw the coming of a warrior to be called “Ham’murabi,” but the auguries now show that the orgy of growth in Chichen will cause the Warriors of Balam to wait another 500 years (and the city won’t grow for 640). Her’mann II puts a stop to the orgy, and now Ham’murabi is expected in only 320 years.
3220: Under the guidance of Her’mann, the wise men of Balam discover the secret of Pottery. The Taker King orders that only the Royal Clan may control the making and selling of this wondrous product. He proclaims, “Since the stuff breaks so easily, more will always be needed. This is called “job security.” Continuing this commercial theme, Her’mann orders the wise men to pursue the secret of Trade. Caravans sound like another excellent opportunity for the Taker Clan [and also for City State, our current tech goal, as well as Copper, Bronze, and Archery].

Uxmal grows to 50,000 hearts, but nearby a barbarian horde slips to the south to avoid the forces gathered by the late Hextan V. Her’mann orders the standards changed from “Second Hextantin Army” to “Jaguar Enforcers.” New cavalry patrols the Great Southwestern Road between Jaina, Tikal, and Huari. The swift riders can move to any of these cities in less than 20 years! Amazing speed!

3200: Rumors and disquiet trouble the People of Balam. Some cities profess to chafe under the so-called “Chichen Yoke,” and malcontents mutter something about “Crossing the Road.” These malcontents, called “comics,” are swiftly sacrificed, but Her’mann realizes that the Syndicate cannot comfortably control more cities until more effective enforcement mechanisms are in place. He orders migrants back to Chichen (where they become malingerers). Learning that another group of migrants is gathering in Palenque, he orders them to study Religion and Salesmanship so that they can be trained to extort money from other empires via “prophecy.”

The Barbarians withdrawing from the Uxmal area will eventually menace the cities of the Southwest, so the Jaguar Enforcers begin a cunning plan to trap and destroy them.

3180: The jaws of the trap begin to close on the Southwest Horde…but suddenly the horde menacing Hextantin moves east toward Uxmal. The cavalry called “The Eye of Her’mann” (also known as “The Plagerizers”) shadow these barbarians and deny them the use of the Great Western Road. More cavalry is hurried to completion in Uxmal (there goes that gold again). Copan grows to 70,000 hearts, Huari to 40,000, and Hextan to 30,000.

3160: The southwest horde is pinned against the coast; soon they must turn at bay. Hextapul grows to 40,000 hearts, and Toltec to 30,000.

3140: The Eye of Her’mann is put out by a sharp stick in the hands of the West Horde. [Didn’t think they could move AND attack.] The Southwest Horde is cornered on a peninsula, but will we destroy them at the cost of Uxmal? Jaina grows to 70,000.

3120: The cornered barbarians paint their faces half blue and chant their war cry: “Comeandgetussucker!” The mighty Jaguar Enforcers strike, and the barbarians are overwhelmed; the gods are well-sated tonight! Tikal grows to 30,000, and Her’mann orders an end to the orgy of growth (outside the Palace, that is). The People of Balam now number almost 600,000 hearts. The unsavory Mongols reject our cease-fire offer, despite a bribe of 100 gold bars 20 years before.

3100: The cavalry of the Jaguar Enforcers (called the Claws of the Jaguar) is detached to meet the menace of the West Barbs, now moving east from Uxmal toward the, um, heartland.

3080: The empire attains the secret of Trade, and the Taker Clan moves to try to control this racket, too. Meanwhile, the wise men are ordered to plan a more suitable form of government for the empire. [I’d prefer to go for Copper/Bronze or for Chariots, but we’re already over the city limit for Dynasty, with one nomad malingering at home.]

The Prophet of Profit is ready in Palenque and moves to Hextapulis to join our Diplomat. These two become the first voyagers in the First Coracle of the Warriors of Balam (a big name for a small boat).

The West Barbarians climb the peaks east of Uxmal, and the miners flee in terror. The Claws of the Jaguar reinforce the garrison of the city. A barbarian spearband tries to surprise the Eagle Enforcers (the Army of the Southwest), but soon their hearts pulse on the altars of the Southwest. Another spearband lies just beyond.

3060: These barbarians have all the nerve! A troop of javelin cavalry is ambushed by barbarian hoplites at the very gates of Chichen! Our cavalry sells itself dearly, but are overcome by the advanced bronze weaponry of the foe.

3040: The wounded warriors relieve the garrison of Uxmal, whose soldiers—along with the Claws of the Jaguar--join the Jaguar Enforcers as the jaws of a cunning trap. The West Barbarians leave the safety of the mountains for the temptations of the Great Western Road. The Taker Clan’s crack team of the Oldest Profession lure the barbarians to their doom. The Third Battle of Uxmal is brief and one-sided as ten Mayan units exterminate the six barbarian units. No hoplite bronze can withstand Kukulkan and His Wrath.

3020: The Jaguar Enforcers begin to refit in Uxmal as the Claws (now reinforced to five troops of javelin cavalry) move to Chichen to act as a swift central reserve. An Incan bireme suddenly appears off Toltec, alarming the inhabitants who have never seen so advanced a craft.

3000: The filthy Incans have pillaged the Toltec Beach, dumping oil and a substance called “medical waste” and then looting the lifeguard stands. Will these fiends stop at nothing??

The Long-Winded Coracle comes in sight of the Celtic coast, and many strange and wondrous sights meet the eyes of the crew. All along the coast the waters are filled with bobbing bladders (a disgusting thought) with meshes of string impeding the local fish. What purpose could these string things have? More wondrous still, a gigantic white sphere lies on the shallow seabed. Celtic fishermen (before their hearts are removed) call the former “nets” and the latter a “pearl.”

2985: The Balam People of the Wind have created a Wonder for the Ages, a Wonder of the World! The Code of Ham’murabi brings new order to the empire. The foremost architect of these new laws is promoted to war leader and placed in command of the Claws of the Jaguar. The Long-Winded Coracle makes landfall near a city named Cork (no wonder those bladders were bobbing), and the Prophet of Profit goes ashore. Since the Celts already hate us, the Diplomat stays onboard.

2970: The Prophet sells indulgences in Cork, then takes the road west past a Celtic hoplite and finds a strong Celtic force of slingers led by strange wheeled contrivances drawn by horses and bearing warriors with javelins. The Coracle moves on to discover a town called Rhymney. A strange clanging echoes across the town, but no one can quite agree what the sound is like. In the south, a road is laid out through the Tonina Pass.

Her’mann II thinks that this upstart Ham’murabi is a danger to the Syndicate, and orders a hit on the rival leader. Unfortunately Xguido and Xnunzio are now in the pay of Ham’murabi, and Her’mann soon sees his own heart beating on the Altar of Chichen. The Takers have always been a heartless bunch, but this is too much…

So ends the inscription.

[child of Thor]

I enjoy your stories as much as you !!
(And i have no problem with changing the tech goal)

[Hermann the Lombard]

Originally posted by child of Thor
I enjoy your stories as much as you !!
(And i have no problem with changing the tech goal)

I'm glad you do; it's the real fun of a succession game. BTW, I have superb timing, having sent *both* succession games to Locutus just before he left on vacation (one day apart). In the likely event that he didn't get to them, I guess I should send the savegame to you. If you don't hear otherwise from our fearless leader, go ahead and play.

[Hermann the Lombard]

CoT: Did you receive the savegame from me? I think we need to skip Locutus' turn this round (and likely next round).

[child of Thor]

Yes i've got it ok, sorry for the delay- i'll play tonight and pass the file on to yservel asap, life loves to get in the way

[child of Thor]

The winds kept howling into CoT's cave, and with it fine flakes of snow cart-wheeled a spiral dance into all but the farthest recesses of his ancient home.
He sat at the back, where the snow didn't quite reach his feet, stareing with his unfocused gaze at the bright opening that roared at him.......he had long since given up asking why he had chosen this place in the vast mountains to the south of Copan.
Something suitable about a demigod living in vast mountains or some such.
Still he was begining to feel as cold as his enviroment, when a shadow apparition appeared before him, a stange pale figure with one eye covered by some contraption and a bald smooth head.The figure spoke,
"CoT I am the spirit of Locutus, also an eternal ruler of our people.I have a problem called reloslic which means i can't rule my people at this time - you will have to travel to Dagoba, er i mean you will have to rule them instead", and with that the spirit vanished.
Time to get out and look around, it had been a good few hundred years since his last wander.He headed out into the storm neither feeling cold nor rasping wind.
Two hours later he was enjoying fine wine and wom...food and feeling much better.

2955bc Set Goal to Dictatorship.200 gold given to Apolyton's(to get faster servers!), Spearmen and slingers sent from Uxmal to Hextantin in our lonely(and vunerable) NW outpost. Road between Uxmal+Toltec in the north started.
Where the Chipi have our city defense units got to?! Apart from our Jaguar army and Uxmal's super garrison we have 2/3rds of our cities with 2 defenders or less!! Are we suffering from desertion? All the more reason for a harsh Dictatorship CoT decides.
Walls are added to most build queues in our exposed cities, and some units to defend our nation. To fund this neccesary work trade caravans are assembled in most cities - we need to get some gold flowing!

2940bc Our Profit in the north discovers a city called Kells and swindles it out of a few gold for a puff of smoke and the tinkle of some bells.
Warriors built in Jaina. I give our maps to Apolyton, hopeing that this will help them feel less trapped by our own cities.

2925bc Crazy Celts dig up our road to Hextantin right outside the gates of Uxmal!Are they mad?
Profit converts Kells to the worship of our Gods and moves on to discover Cardiff(lucky guy! ).
Spearmen created in Toltec, slinger in Copan+Tikal,Javalin cavelry completed in Hextapulis.
Jaguar enforcers moved to Uxmal to sort out the unruly Celts.

2910bc Profit converts Cardiff with a clever trick involveing an oval shaped inflated sheeps bladder.
Jaguar enforcers setout to slap-down the unruly pebble pinching Celts.
Mongols spotted near Hextapulis!A large army of six thousand make our three thousand begin to sweat.
2 javalin cavelry dispatched from Tonia towards the northwest.

2895bc Jaguars attack the Celts. All their showing off in those cart things drawn by horses helped them not one whisker, all four thousand celtic scalps are taken with just a few black eyes for our warriors!
Slaver malingering in Uxmal is sent out to haras the Mongols to the west.
Slaver unit created in Huari, Spearmen in Jaina.

2880bc CoT feels generous to our Apolyton brothers and sends then a gift of 300 gold.
After our conversion of Cardiff to the true faith, the Celts get wise to our Profits future attempts and both Kells and Cardiff revert back to their old religion, Profit decides to attempt no more conversions and feels more at home with his card and parlour tricks anyway.

2865bc CoT decides to enact the recently researched City State, contuary to advice from his advisors, he discovers that it can support more cities than we currently have. Apon further study of the records it appears the previous rulers of the Her'mann dynasty tried to sabotage our empire for future rulers!(maybe to make their rule look more glorious?). CoT sacrifices the guilty advisors for their part in the plot.
Scientist study Copper smelting.
Profit discovers Caernarfon and in a classic 'balls-up' of a simple magic trick he accidently converts the cities population!

2850bc Jaguar enforcers patrol the front keeping and eye out for troublesome Celts and pesky Mongols.
After Caernafon's accidental conversion the city goes into revolt, and our Profit beats a hasty retreat.

2835bc Jaguars move to Hextantin to repulse a Mongol incursion of six thousand soilders.

2805bc Mongol army dissappears into the woods at the site of our magnificent Jaguar cavalry, and the people of Hextantin greet them as true heroes.
Back in Copan CoT summons his new advisors together and lays down a few laws to be followed throughout the Mayan empire.
Commerce and Trade should be undertaken where ever viable.
A minimum garison of four thousand defenders should be built in each city.
Diplomacy should be pursued with any receptive civilisation.
A long term strategy of looking towards taking over the Mongol and Celtic empires should be adhered too. We will then have a large Island empire with only one land border with the Aploytons our good neighbours.So expansion through settlers may not be the best way to 'grow'.
To that end science should be directed to military matters so we can start this process of conquest and a glorious golden age for our people.

The advisors nod nervously, that mad glint in CoT's eyes as he looks at the map, the avaricious gleem of his grin; they know now is no time to argue!

2790bc Spearmen formed in Tikal. 200 gold given to Aployton's.

2760bc Profit moves around Celtic empire with his card trick and rabbit-out-of-habbit show.

2730bc Jaguars defeat a surprise Celtic attack near Hextantin and our first slaves are taken- Ham'murabi parades them through the cities streets!
Trade is conducted with the Apolyton's - DanQ pays us 47gold for our tabacco(after we get him to sign a non-causality agreement).

2715bc Barbarians appear near Jaina, take one look at our magnificent city and run away!Hah - they have not shown their ugly faces for many a century, and now they look a poor match for our superior soilders!

2700bc A warrior unit is sent to chase the barbarian slingers.
Chichen revolts! Our biggest city and our production hub falls into unrest. CoT suspects underground activity by the Incans, they have been too quiet recently.A minstrel called Jason Donovan is sent in to entertain the disgruntled people( )

2685bc Copper smelting is working! research now taken into water-lifts as it is quick to finish!
Bireme built in Jaina and set to patrol the sea just outside the city.A Prophet is put into training - time to convert those misguided Incans to the true Gods(or bleed them dry!).

2670bc Byzantine civilisation discovered by our boat bound diplomat to the north of the Celtic empire. He makes good his shore leave and instead of contracting a local disease, makes a contract of embassy. Also a no-trespasing agreement is made by our side. 100 gold given in friendship to this new neighbour.They appear to hold no grudge against our nation - maybe good allies for the future?

2655bc poor barbarian slingers near Jaina are caught and their flayed bodies adorn the cities gates - we don't want a re-emergence of the barbarian raiders of the old kingdom.
In a turn-around the Celts request a cease-fire, CoT knowing the nature of the Celts agrees to the cease-fire. It will give us time to concentrate on the weaker Mongols and the Celts will soon enough break their treaty - hopefully when we have finished with the Mongols.

2640bc Maps offered to Byzantine empire. Water-lifts design now works well and Archery is undertaken by our wise men.

2625bc Profits from Celtic lands continue to trickle into our coffers.

2610bc In a calculated decision the malingering settlers of Chichen found a city to CoT's honour.He sites the city between Uxmal in the north and Huari in the south, to better link our kingdom and provide him with a better permanent home than his cave in the mountains! roads are built north and south to conect this hitherto murky region.

2595bc Cotz, as the new city is called, is taken residence of and before he hands over the sacred knife of sacrifice to the future ruler of the Maya, CoT in a final show of magnamity gifts 200 gold to the Byzantine empire.

Comfortable in his new surroundings, CoT takes up learning to play a wide vareity of musical instruments; and coupled with his ability to hurl lightning bolts about, makes a brave and mostly successful party for his new city.

[yservel]

To allow the succession game to go on, I post a short transcript of my reign plus 3 pictures:

2580

Back in 3640 Hextan I savagely slaughtered The priests of Yannick II. However, a few survived and wowed revenge: : "This outrage shall not remain unpunished!". They created a secret organisation: "The heart of Yannick"

Hower, they faced more than a millenium of persecutions and blasphemies.

But in 2580, Yannick III, a priest of direct descent of Yannick II knew the time had come to avenge past desacrations.

Most displeased with the unreligious tone of CoT's musics, he decided to ovethraw the actual leader CoT. CoT begged for his life:"please, I shall produce whatever musics you like to animate your religious ceremonies".

In His generosity, Yannick III granted his request: "You will be indeed most useful to bring joy to ceremonies in my names".

Consequently, CoT's skin was used as drums for "His Holy Percussionist", his intestines were used to invent a new instrument: "The Celtic Harp" and his heart was used as a metronomist to rythm religious musics.

Yannick III never wastes useful talents...

The populace shows their happiness by enterprising the buiding of a huge temple: "The Salomon Temple" in Chichen.

He decides the total annihilation of Hextan bloodline. Yannick III decide to start a collection of the eyes of the people from Hextan's bloodlined. 6734 Eyes were collected from the sacrifice of 6735 mens: An innocent has probably been killed in addition to those Hextan's loyalists. For the only time of His life, Yannick III swore:"Holly S..". The two CoT eyes were mixedamong the collection of the Hextan's eyes!!

Hextan's hearts were exposed to public's eyes as a warning to prevent basphemies. The Gods are happy,

His reign may begin:

2550 slave raid in Rhondda
Cardiif converted

2520 Kells converted
Slave master capture near Cork

2505 slavemaster captured in Bokhora
Barbarian killed near Uxmal

2490 Rebellion in Palenque.
+1 entertainer

2475 The incan attack Talec with a 5 fleet army. They are soundly destroyed.
Carmathen converted
prophet built in Jaina

2460 Caernaphon converted
11 unit leaves Uxmal to conquer Rhondda
Rebellion in Uxmal: +1 entertainer.

2430 Archery discovered!
Research set to sail.

2415 Kabna labhna founded

2400 Pucara converted
Priest land in Inca's island.
Army attack Rondda: DAMM THEM, RETREAT RETREAT!!
A warror bravely sacrifice itself to cover the retreat

2375 Sails discovered--> Research set to Drama
Kush's civilisation build the valley of the kings in Mersoe
Cupsinic converted

2340 Priests captured both on celtic and inca's terrotory...: "I find their lack of faith most disturbing..."

2310 Salomon temple built! A huge ceremony is organis. Celebrations lasted days and days. At the end of the celebrations, Yannick III decided to go to his private room contemplate his collection of eyes. Yannick III seemed satisfyed when... Suddently a religious guard heared agonising shouts from His leader: "THE EYES ARE MOOOVVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG GGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"


summary: Salomon temple wonder built many 4 cetic and 2 inca cities converted. All our priests and slavers
captured. Kabah labna founded

[child of Thor]

Originally posted by yservel

Consequently, CoT's skin was used as drums for "His Holy Percussionist", his intestines were used to invent a new instrument: "The Celtic Harp" and his heart was used as a metronomist to rythm religious musics.

Yannick III never wastes useful talents...

Now if you were from Texas i'd be really scared!

[hexagonian]

Here is the post...

[hexagonian]

Due to the foresight of Hextan I of the First Hextan Dynasty, enough descendants of Hextanian blood were a part of the Mayan society to ensure their survival. When the Yannickian family rose to power and attempted to purge the Hextanians, some of the Hextanians were able to escape to in-can shores and were sheltered by the in-can nobility. So with the confusion created with the demise of the direct Yannick line, Hextan XI was able, with the assistance of the in-ca government, to lay a legitimate claim to the Mayan throne, with a call for a return to the past leadership of the Hextanian line. Having done so, Hextan XI established a peace with the in-cans to secure the entire south, and was able to concentrate his efforts on a long-term plan to expand Mayan influence in the west and north.

It was discovered that part of the grand plan included the desire to eventually incorporate in-can territory into Maya, allowing in-ca to grow fat and complacent on their little island until Maya was sufficiently equipped to deal with the 'in-can' problem.

It is also noted that Hextan XI made every effort to purge the land of those with Yannick and Taylorian blood. Those who even had a drop of the impure and tainted blood were violently killed - their blood painted on the walls of prisons, and the bones of their dead ancestors were used as paving material of the slums of Mayan cities.

Thus begins the reign of the Second Hextan Dynasty...

2310BC
Peace is established with the in-cans. Road construction is started to link up Tonina and Kabath Labna. A head and tail count of the Mayan armies is initiated by Hammurabi, as forces start moving toward the north and west for a great military endeavor that has yet to be revealed to the sub-commanders. The vast number of Mayan Javelin Cavalry is divided into a series of task forces that will assist on the defense of the internal Mayan empire, as well as serving on the front lines. Cities are stripped down to the bare necessity to maintain maximum happiness and internal defense.

A diplomatic envoy is dispatched to in-can lands.

2295BC
A lone celt chariot and hoplite are terrorizing the peace-loving Mayan farmers outside of Hextantin and Toltec. A Peace Army is assembled and deployed toward the threat. Hammurabi takes on the task of personally leading the front-line forces, and to ensure that he gains first choice of the slaves that will be captured.

2280BC
Filthy barbarians are killed south of Hextapulis. A small gift of 100 gold, covered by the blood of the barbarians, is sent to the in-cans to grease the wheels of future diplomacy. It is hoped that the blood will also work as a lubricant on the wheels of diplomacy, as barbarians threaten all peace-loving people.

2265BC
The Mayan court is entertained by the clownish antics of a visiting mongol diplomatic envoy, who also proposes a peace treaty between the Mayan and mongol people. After some casual blood sacrifices, the Mayan leadership reluctantly agree to the proposal, for the Mayans are a people who love peace.

Hextan IX notices that there are a lot of idle caravans, so he gently reminds the merchants that they either need to go out and make some gold for the betterment of the Mayan people or take their place as paving material in the merchants district. The following day, gold stocks rise to 213 per 15 years, and all available Mayan routes are manned.

2250BC
The mongol envoy proposes a map exchange. After killing some idle palace slaves as a sacrifice, Hextan XI agrees to the exchange. In a vision, Hextan XI sees the celt people as joyful and willing subject of the Mayan Empire, and thus, the path is made clear for the future goal of the Mayan Peace Armies. Having boxed in the celt chariot by Toltec, Hammurabi gets his slaves as the first fruits of that vision. In an act of supreme mercy, the celt hoplite by Hextantin has his still-beating heart ripped out of his chest, shoved down his convulsing throat and then is drawn and quartered.

After a long and fruitful life, Hextan XI dies in his sleep. His grave is placed in a secret location to prevent any desecration by Taylorian or Yannick sympathizers. Hextan XII takes the throne.

2235BC
Drama is completed. Hextan XII questions the need to proceed to Dictatorship, as he is already Dictator-for-Life. 'Our more immediate concern is for better production and a place to heal our wounded,' so he assigns his researchers to Architecture.

3 celtic chariots are seen fleeing westward from Toltec. Hammurabi and his Peace Army gives chase.

2220BC to 2190BC
Peace units continue to assemble toward the front with the celts.

2175BC
Hextan XIII takes the throne.

Hammurabi takes a fancy to a Macedonian female settler and takes her to work his lands.

In the greatest blunder of the Third Hextan Dynasty, the city of Uxmal falls into the hands of revolting slaves. The city nomach swore that he kept a required garrison unit there, but it becomes clear with all of troop movement in the area, somebody screwed up. The Homeland Army of Love moves to retake the city.

2160BC
Uxmal is retaken, as the revolting slaves attempt to hide in a boat in the middle of a small pond within Uxmal. The idiotic nomach is ground into mortar for the new palace that needs to be built for the new nomach of Uxmal. There is a reported surplus in the PW fund when Uxmal is taken, so more mines are built by Chichen.

2145BC
Architecture is completed and Masonry is started. The assembling of forces continues with over 30 units of solders heading north and west.

2130BC
Hextan XIV takes the throne.

In his first act, he orders the attack on Rhondda. A lone spearman is sent in to investigate the city defenses. Despite earlier reports of heavy defenses in Rhondda, the city is only manned by a single archer. Hammurabi decides to take matters into his own hands and sends in the Third Division of the Peace Army to finish the job, with him safely in the back lines of the attacking army. Many celts are peacefully sent to the next world, and more celt slave find their way into Mayan society.

The PW fund grows, and work commences on a road from the Mayan heartland to Rhondda. Foot-weary soldiers cheer...

2100BC
Hextan XV takes the throne. An embassy established with the in-cans. The documents are signed with the blood of the celt solders who defended Rhondda. The in-cans are suitably awed.

2085BC
The northern campaign against the celts continues, as more slaves are taken by Hammurabi, and the armies continue to push northward into celt land.

2040BC
Hextan XV envisions the start of a ceremony that will honor men who can leap further, run faster and fight harder. Many Chichen residents are placed as laborers in the fields to find and grow performance-enhancing herbs.

2025BC
A reasonable demand to the in-cans for Herbalism, to aid in the development of some drugs called 'ster-oids' is met with derision by the in-cans.

Hammarubi gets more slaves. A heavily-wounded Mayan warrior is accidentally pushed into the city of Caerphilly and falls over a full complement of celt defenders.

Hearing of this, Hextan XV flees from the Royal palace and is never seen again.

[Hermann the Lombard]

Ugh. I have to admit this in TWO threads. The shame, the shame.

I was sick the last two days (back to about 90% now), and before that...

OKAY, OKAY, I ADMIT IT!!!

I WAS FOOLING AROUND WITH ANOTHER GAME!!!

My apologies. I will complete my turn by Sunday. Another variation on the 720-hour rule?

-- HtL

And before you ask, it was Zeus: Master of Olympus.

[hexagonian]

No problem...

I was up until 1:00 last night playing...gasp...civ3!

I'll see how I enjoy it once I have a lot of units to move around though. (Can't say I am too happy with how the units are activated from a stack either and combat is played out as one-on-one battles - that alone is enough to make the game become very tedious after the medieval age).

But I also played a lot of CTP2 last night before tackling civ3

The celts are ripe for the taking - Caerphilly is loaded though. Use your forces wisely.

[Hermann the Lombard]

I'm just confirming that Matthew is skipping this round. If so, I'll play tonight. Sorry for the (continued) delay.

[hexagonian]

A small note,

I will be offline for the next week (through Wed, June 26th), so if somehow, this game gets to me in the next few days, you'll know why it stalled out.

[Locutus]

Guys, I think it's supposed to be my turn now but because my PC broke down I'm afraid I can't play. No idea when I'll be able to fix this problem, might be tonight, might take two weeks Either way, I should be skipped until further notice

[Hermann the Lombard]

Gad. We're dropping like flies. Matthew thought he was going to be able to play, then had to reinstall *everything* from the top, then had illness in the family, now he has to drop out...and Wouter's computer is D.O.A.

I think it's only fair if I pass the game along to CoT. I promise to take care of my next turn in a timely fashion!

-- HtL

[child of Thor]

In a move not unlike a silky side-step by the great Gareth Edwards playing for Wales of yester-year, I might have to pass on this oval ball CTP2 to the next guy in line(i'm trying to forget football ok?!) as it looks unlikely that i will find the time before this weekend. But in the vain hope that dark matter somehow messes up space-time continuem, i'll hang on to the save game for a day or two before posting it on to yservel.

EDIT: Darkmatter exists.I'll post my turn in a day or two and the savegame is on its way to yservel

[child of Thor]

His sensations partially dulled, the blinded and flayed CoT was not expecting the call to power to come when it did. Surely this time was a few centuries to soon? Maybe his state of sensory deprevation was causing the once proud founding father and demi-god to make a mistake. Whatever, power and wealth were wonderous gifts, able to cure the gravest of afflictions.
CoT packed his essentials and headed out from his home in Cotz to travel the highway to his seat of power.Copan and the Mayan people awaited his return(again).

2025bc Empire wide building of units is commisioned, Archers where ranged units are lacking or hoplites for defense.Caravans are built where available - our own internal trade can be betterd by looking abroad, the Apolytons offer good prices for our goods.

2010bc Masonry discovered by our struggling wisemen.They say that to get our techgoal of dictatorship we will need to discover philosophy next. In the time to understand this new advance we could learn 3 of the other options on offer.A difficult choice.
1st peace army digs up road outside Caerphilly.
2nd peace army fortifies in hills just to the east of Caerphilly.
3rd peace army rejoins and pillages as it heads west into mountains, awaiting reinforcements and a new government(!) that will support more than 15 cities.
To the south our diplomat looks for a good landing place on Incan soil.

1995bc More manouvers on the front. 3rd PA(peace army) continues to pillage around Tintagel.
1st PA heads into forest to move under cover and head around Caerphily in a flanking attempt.
New units, mostly hardend footmen, move towards the northern front.
4th PA, on gaurd duty of our border with Mongolia recieves warrior reinforcement.
200 gold given to Byzantine empire as our regaurd had fallen with them(and they will be a good ally when this celtic/mongol pennisula is ours.)

1980bc (lets hope the music was better in b.c. compared to a.d.)
Besides being a fantastic year for hair styles named after fish, The celts surprise our 4th PA with a show of force of 10,000 men!!Its Hoplite warriors look ready to deal death! Our 6,000 men of the 4th PA hope if they are quiet enough, the celts might go away. Foot soilders turn south from the northern front to support the 4th PA.

1965bc Graneries invented! CoT was getting fed up with rotting food and scavanging whenever the harvest was bad. The wisemen advise Herbalism as our next endevour, and CoT wonders what that pungent smoke is coming from under the wisemens door? CoT summons the fire picket just in case.
3,000 men sent from Hextantine to bolster the 4th PA and stop those knocking knees.
Hextantine's slaves try to revolt so 2,000 of the 3,000 reinfocements head home to beat the slaves back down.
Strangely the Celtic army melts away as quickly as it appeared.
Diplomat built in Tikel and sent to awaiting coracle.
Diplomat now on Incan soil holds a reception in Chimbote to sooth relations with our(hard to please) brothers.

1950bc Frontline troops head to their final destinations on our north/west most and slightly vunreable front.

1935bc strange messages are sent to CoT, the wisemen - non to coherent themselves, mumble about a reloslic and an asterix button? CoT orders them out side for some fresh air.
Arrgggh! A 12,000 strong Apolyton army is discoverd by our diplo-coracle in the south! It is just ouside our City of Tikel - inside our border in the woods!!
200 gold rushed to apolyton.
That little panic reverts CoT to old habits. 8hrs work a day is a joke! So 10hrs become the norm and extra food is provided to help feed the nation.

1920bc Herbalism has been discovered and the hardup and tired looking wisemen advise CoT to let them try currency(this way they can fuel their new habbit!).
Huge Apolyton Army now outside the gates of Tikel - our 3,000 garrison will surely fall!!Diplomacy is our only hope(that and Obi-wan).
It worked!!! They agree to withdraw(and CoT offers them our maps to make sure).
200 gold sent to the Incans(they've forgotten our reception already!).
4th PA now 10,000 strong.
3,000 barbarians appear near apolytons 12,000 outside Tikel.The inhabitants of the city watch from their walls to see what happens.

1905bc Apolyton recalls its huge Tikel crushing army as promised and the barbarians fade into the woods.
Chichen's Olympics changed to Temple of Zues(an uncle of Ch'ipi and Raxa) to increase happiness, our work shy people are finding the 10hr days hard to cope with(how soft they have become). Our increased production will have it finished soon and then the glory of the Olympics will be undertaken again.
Dipolomat from Tikel heads into apolyton territory for a bit of recon.....er diplomacy.

1890bc 10,000 Celts appear near the 4th PA, our 10,000 boys give them the 'V' out of respect.
Diplomat from Tikel holds a reception for WesW and marvels at the three 12,000 strong armies he sees marching around apolyton land. They need somewhere to go.
4th PA sends word to the 2nd PA in the north, a trap should be set for this troublesome celtic army. 2nd PA heads south to help out.
4th PA withdraws to pickup 2,000 reserves from Hextantine and draw the celts into our borders and a cunning trap.

1875bc Byzantine suggest exchange of maps as a sign of goodwill - nice of them.
Hextantine is revolting! Its the stench of all those slaves! jugglers are rushed to the streets to entertain the people, although some grumble herbs might better solve the problem.

1860bc Hextantine is calm again.
1st and 3rd PA now at 12,000 men each, hold down our northern front and harrass the vincinity of Caerphilly.
2nd PA heads south into mountains to close the trap on the celts.
4th PA waits for the signal to attack.

1845bc Diplomat from Tikel sees that same 3,000 barbarian army moveing unhinderd through apolyton land-very suspicous, and sends a message to Tikal and Huari,via pigeon, to shore up their defence.

1830bc Currency now understood and map making is embarked on.
Diplomat has to run for his life as the 3,000 barbarians head straight for his location, almost as if they were being directed by someone?

1815bc Diplomat sees a huge creature near Hexagonian. It appears to be the size of a house and has five legs!! The apolytons are a truely advanced and great ally!
2nd and 4th PA close in to spring the trap.

1800bc 4th PA see's the Celts split their army in two, and seizes the opportunity to attack the stronger army of 8,000 men. Their chariots help them not, surprised in the woods 8,000 hearts are pulled from chests at the cost of 3,000 brave mayan warriors.
2nd PA approaches the remaining 2,000 celts.

1785bc Barbarians arekilled near Tonia, trying to steal brickd from our fine roads- no doubt for their stinking hovels.

1770bc 2,000 Celts are crushed by the 2nd PA as it rushes from the mountains to engulf the sorry men.
Diplomat loses the barbarians and stops of for a cup of tea at Immortal wombats city.
Incan bireme appears near Huari - it has a cargo!!
200 gold given to Incans.
200 gold given to Byzantine.

1775bc Maps discovered.Chariots undertaken.
Apolyton 12,000 army back in our borders! they accept to withdraw and a quick move makes them agree to a trade pact- hurray!

1740bc lone barbarian near Chichen.
CoT decides to call it a day - He feels the need to nurse his wounds and is thankfull for the time he spent serving his nation.

[hexagonian]

From Yannick

1725 BC
celt unit dstroyed near hexantin
Dale has been discovered: How can such a brillant civilisation can
choose such crap names for their cities remains a mystery...
1000 babarians killed near chichen...
Recption held in Dale

1710 BC
Tintagel has fallen!! 2 Units lost.

1695 BC
2000 Gold offered to the Apolyton civilisation.

1665 BC
Cork has Fallen! 5 units has been lost. Sadly, they were all of Hextanian descent...
Caerphilly is very well defended. The unit 8 army managed to withdraw without any loss though...
A military pact has been signed with the Apolyton civilisation

1650 BC
An Apolytan emissary suggested us that the Mongolians have to learn where their place is.
Yannick IV couldn't been more agree... An mongolian unit has been destroed near Kakorun.

1635 BC
The Apolytan slaughtered our diplomat!!! They proposed a cease fire immediately accepted...
Macchu picchu (Inca) build the Olympics!
Rhimmey has fallen though but the victorious peacefull army is almost entirely destroyed...

1620 BC
Rebellion in almost all our cities: our empire is too large...
The production is descrease to 8 hour and the wage increased to 12
Commercial route from tintagel to DanQ established for 90 gold with 5 caravans...

1600 - 1500 BC
Reorganisation of our armies. These recents victories have been costly...

[hexagonian]

The in-can and the Mayan people had a long history of political intrigue regarding the leadership of the Mayan people. It is known that the in-cans played a part in the establishment of the Second Hextan Dynasty. 0ver a period of 1,200 years, in-cans were also able to infiltrate key Mayan government positions and to gradually place a pure-blooded in-can ruler in charge of the Mayan society. Thus began the Third Hextan Dynasty.

1500BC
Hextan XX takes command of the Mayan people as a loyal puppet king of the in-can Empire.
Hextan XX's first diplomatic act is to negotiate a peace with the celt and the mongrol nations, as there is an urgent need to rebuild Mayan military forces. He also boost the PW funds to 60% of the GNP, in an effort to quickly create funds to construct a series of forts so future wounded military units can heal quickly. A diplomat is sent to kush.

Hextan XX serches in vain for the great general Hammurabi?Having no idea where he has gone, Hextan commissions the formation of several slavemasters to help augment the Mayan labor pool.

Another Macedonian settler is killed by Mayan forces.

1490BC
Two large apolytonite stacks are noticed in the vicinity of Tikal and are asked to withdraw from Mayan soil. They agree with smiling faces. Hextan XX is relieved, as the southern forces are weak, due to the longstanding peaceful alliance with the apolytonites and the in-cans.

1480BC
Nothing of note here. All quiet in the world, until?

1470BC
The backstabbing celts and mongrols unjustly attack innocent Mayan fishermen off the coast of Cork and Rhondda. Hextan XX vows swift revenge.

1460BC
3 celt charioteers are sent to the peaceful embrace of death. Meanwhile, to the south, the apolytonites continue to trespass on sacred Mayan soil. Hextan XX grows nervous and starts a vast reorganization of military units. The war with the celts and mongrols is put on the back firepot, though it is not ignored.

1440BC
Forces start to muster to the southern Apolyton front, and the reorganization of the Northern Peace armies continues, so that the celt and mongrol threats can also be met.

1420BC
Hextan XXI takes the throne.
The Great Fort of Rhondda is completed, and wounded units climb over one another in an effort to reach the fort to be healed. Faith healing increases 200-fold

Ho, hum...a celt hoplite is mercifully killed - however a new type of warrior is spotted wearing celt colors. Military analysts call the new unit a 'Hypaspist' and are eager to employ the new type of warrior to the Mayan forces.

1410BC
Religious freedom is dealt a severe setback as a celt prophet is killed after converting the people of Cork to the blasphemous celt faith. Only Hextan XXI is to be worshipped.

An embassy with the kushites is established. They are not happy with us for some reason - Hextan XXI does not care though?

1400BC
A suspicious in-can vessel with unknown cargo is asked to move from the waters outside of Huari. The in-cans mock our reasonable request. Tensions mount among the pure-blooded Mayan nobility, but Hextan XXI does nothing to anger his masters?

1390BC
Hextan XXII takes the throne.
The city of Hextantin is attacked by 50,000 force army of mongrols. The defenders of Hextantin withstand the assault with nary a scratch, except the loss of 10,000 residents. All the mongrols die slow painful deaths, and their mutilated carcasses are used to fertilize the farmland around Hextantin.

The apolytonites ask Maya to unite against the kushites. The Mayans agree, thus shutting down the embassy that had been recently established with the kushites. A wasted trip, but with the continual incursions of apolytonites on our soil, we need the apolytonites allies more than the kushites.

1380BC
More glorious victories for the Mayan Peace Armies, as 60,000 celt hypaspists are killed with only the loss of a single Mayan Javelin Cavalry.

Hextan XXII greases the diplomatic wheels of the byzantine empire with a gift of 400 gold.

1360BC
The gift pays off, as we are able to trade Masonry for Cosmology from the byzantines.

The great fort of Jaina is completed - both the north and the south now have recreational facilities for our brave soldiers. Brothels spring up in Jaina overnight.

1340BC
The foresight of Hextan XX is revealed, as the apolytonites show their craven nature and attempt to take Tikal from us. 120,000 apolytonites die attempting to storm the walls. Tikal holds firm. A great celebration is held after the victory. Hextan XXII takes the Mayan/apolytonite treaty, pisses on it, feeds it to the last remaining apolytonite soldier, then takes the soldier and throws him from the walls. It was a moving ceremony.

A second apolytonite army between Tikal and Jaina is slaughtered without the customary Mayan battle mercy that is renowned throughout the world.

A second deal (Barracks for Aqueducts) is negotiated with the byzantines.. Hextan XXII immediately kicks himself for forgetting the little-known effect that prevents upgrading units when the enable advance is traded for rather than researched. Hextan XXII then kills his advisors for their oversight. Blame must never fall on the ruler?

1320BC
Somehow, the apolytonites had managed to sneak 80,000 men to the east of Tonina, and were biding their time until their treacherous attack in 1340BC. Mayan forces are in the vicinity though, and it is hoped that they can be positioned to destroy the intruders.

1310BC
A celt army manages to kill a 60,000-man army. Among the dead is Hextan XXII, who left no descendents. 'Good riddance to bad rubbish' says those of pure Mayan blood. A search for those of the pure Hextan bloodline is started, but with the instability because of the vacant throne, it is anyone's guess who will ascend to lead our people.

[yservel]

Hi all, Here is a picture of the celtic's town conquered during my reign...

[Hermann the Lombard]

The Story of Herm’ann III, Balam Boss

From the Second Taker Dynasty to the Balam Republic

Yes, there was a search for those of the pure Hextan bloodline, but as so often before in the history of the People of the Wind, the emphasis was on the blood. In the wake of the military defeat any Hextans or other In-can sympathizers caught were eviscerated on the altars of Kukulkan, Ch’ipi, and Raxa. Next the people turned to look for those of the Tay’lorian line, but if any of that family survived they remained carefully hidden. Seven cities slipped into disorder. These chaotic conditions once again allowed the Taker Clan to gain control, and the Underworld emerged as Overlords.).

The Balam Warriors of the Wind were used to being ruled by self-proclaimed Gods such as Hextapul and the first yservel, or the offspring of Gods such as Child of Thor. It was no great leap to being ruled by a Godfather. However, the Taker Clan had learned a great deal from the excesses of the First Taker Dynasty and the subsequent seventeen hundred years spent on the lam. The Second Taker Dynasty would be run as a legitimate business while the customary Taker rackets continued uninterrupted, but out of the public Eye (Hextapul’s or otherwise). Another thing they had learned was that the apostrophe moved in the fourteen hundred years between the rule of Herm’ann I, the Taker of the Blame, and the rule of Her’mann II of the Taker Clan. In a return to tradition—and the Taker Family has always valued tradition—the most powerful Taker assumed the name Herm’ann III, Boss of Balam.

1300 BC: The Chichen Army marches boldly to confront the Apolytoners while the army’s detached cavalry, the Chichen Fingers, rode around the Apolytoner army to prevent their escape. Meanwhile, the Boss of Balam offered 400 gold bars to In-ca in return for removal of some In-can archers north of Huari. It might be nice to have *someone* not at war with us, but the arrogant In-cans refuse our offer; they must still think that the Maya are their puppets. They shall learn otherwise!

1290 BC: That In-can tool Hextan XXII has allowed all sorts of unorganized riff-raff to wander the land, disrupting legitimate criminal enterprises. There is an Apolytoner chariot west of Tikal, barbarian hypaspists and chariots EAST of Tikal, a Mongol chariot west of Hextantin, a Celtic mounted archer northwest of Rhondda, and innumerable Celtic biremes plaguing the seas. Herm’ann III lances the first boil, and the Chichen Army destroys the Apolytoner army.

1280 BC: The Scholars of Balam have discovered the principles of a new form of government called “republic.” This form of government seems a ideal environment for Taker enterprises, so Herm’ann orders the end to the city states. Profitable anarchy descends on the land. The Scholars are ordered to learn how to ride and shoot bows at the same time. The Scholars have painful memories of learning to ride in the first place, but Herm’ann assigns his best Project Capo to supervise the research. Damaged Chichen units limp into Kabha Labna to recover. The Boss orders javelin cavalry to seek out any other intruders in Balam lands, and barbarians are found trying to cut the road east of Tikal.

1270 BC: The Balam Republic is declared! Happiness soars, except among the Entertainers Guild: 18 of their number have to find real jobs! In the field, elements of the Jaina Army corner barbarians northeast of Tikal. The In-can forces appear to be withdrawing from the Tikal area (or could be shifting toward Huari). The Balam Boss orders javelin cavalry to tail the In-cans. The first hypaspists of Balam emerge from training in Chichen and march toward Cotz. No fewer than THREE Celtic biremes infest the waters off Cork and Rhymney.

1260 BC: The Celts turn out to be bold and aggressive. Celtic biremes disgorge hypaspists outside Cork. Mounted archers bypass the 4th Peace Army and ride right up to Tintagel. These mounted archers have made a big mistake, as the first pezheteroi of the Balam Republic lead the Army of Tinatagel against the intruders. The survivors are now gainfully employed in Tintagel, as the surviving barbarians are elsewhere. (“Gainful” means “of benefit to Balam, the Takers, or both.)

1250 BC: The army near Kells detaches a force to screen that city while the bulk of the army hurries back to confront—and destroy—the Celtic hypaspists. Two warriors are promoted to Veteran status. An In-can bireme can be seen offshore near the empty fortress of Jaina. The Boss orders forces to occupy the fortress, just in case.

1240 BC: Celtic biremes harry the coast of North Maya, looting goods and pirating trade routes. It is good to see a Mongol bireme doing the same to the Celts near Caerphilly. Good news comes to the Godfather: the Apolytoners have gone to war with the In-cans. He gives 500 gold bars to the In-cans as a symbol of our goodwill.

The Chichen Fingers have reached the Toltec, and they overwhelm the first of two barbarian chariots southwest of Toltec. It is time to concentrate force against Kells, as our new government can safely absorb at least three more cities. The 4th Peace Army detaches four regiments to screen Caerphilly and the approaches to the Fortress of Rhondda. The bulk of the army marches toward Tintagel…to find barbarian hoplites lurking in the sand dunes.

1230 BC: The faithless Mongols launch an unprovoked surprise attack on the Fortress of Rhondda. The newly-raised Second Pezheteroi are taken by surprise and call on the rest of the army for help. The pezheteroi are annihilated, but they are avenged by their comrades, henceforth to be called the Helpme Rhondda. The Balam Boss accepts offers to exchange maps from the loyal Byzantines and the less-loyal In-cans. The Chichen Fingers eliminate the remaining barbarians southwest of Toltec, and the 4th Peace Army does the same in the sand dunes.

The In-can representatives, now inexplicably hostile, again refuse to withdraw their forces, in particular the archers entrenched north of Huari. It may be time to dispose of this irritant; a slavemaster joins the troops watching the archers. The real outrage is that the In-cans claim that WE failed to withdraw. This must refer to our Diplomat in the Coracle near Paracas (and Huari).

1220 BC: We discover Mobile Tactics! Since we can’t research Huntsville Tactics, we begin researching Horse Armor. An earthquake strikes Hexagonia; fortunately that isn’t US. An In-can army menaces Huari; if they won’t withdraw, this is WAR.

It’s war.

We destroy the In=can archers, and the small Jaina Army (archer and slavemaster) reinforces Huari. Mongol archers attempt to bypass Hextantin through the mountains. Part of the garrison moves to block them while the Helpme dispatches a Mongol chariot. Peace Army 4.1 destroys Celtic hypaspists. Our coracle sights FIVE In-can biremems and turns west in periolous, desperate haste. The 4th Peace Army finds MORE barbarian hoplites in the sand dunes. They’re like sand fleas!

1210 BC: The 4th Peace Army swats another flea. The Balam Boss dispatches reinforcements toward the many fronts.

1200 BC: Mongol archers continue north, just out of reach and out of sight, moving from the mountains into the foothills southwest of Rhondda.

Herm’ann III goes to visit the Scholars, who wish to demonstrate the new armor they have developed for use on horseback. He dons some of this “horse armor.” As an exercise, a student will fire a bow at the armor to demonstrate the protection. Herm’ann stands fearlessly, willing the student to shoot fair and true. Herm’ann collapses, the student’s heart—and those of several Scholars--pulses on the altar even before the Balam Boss expires. Back to the drawing (and quartering) board!

So ended the Second Taker Dynasty in the Seventieth Year of the Balam Republic.