Eldritch Chronicle - turn 31 From: thomasSPAMGUARD@clark.net (Mark Thomas) Date: Sat, 14 Aug 1999 00:00:00 +0000 Eldritch is a computer moderated, play-by-email, strategy game of exploration and conquest for a variable number of players. Each player controls a FACTION, a group of champions and units, in a fantasy world where they can build an empire, explore the world, engage in trade, and/or study powerful magic. Each game of Eldritch runs either as an open-ended game, or until one or more factions meets the defined victory conditions. To read more: http://www.pbegames.com (new URL) Moderator email: moderator@pbegames.com (new address) -------------------------------------------------- The Eldritch Chronicle Turn 31 --=== Articles ===-- ==================== The Uplifted [F21] writes: - Well, why aren't we moving? said Abyulla. We have those shadow men to meet and recruit to our cause. What's the cause of this delay? - Master, those guys are still overflowing with their tools and cannot - What? Who? But, they're not even supposed to be there? They should have moved into the craftsman guild by now. Ignore them. Move along, we have delayed too long. Oh, well, we can use the help of Thkhukasa, the Earth Walker. Surely he can slip a few benedictions with the strength of the earth before the invocation of our city fortress that he has planned. Meanwhile, Ryotblah, the Master Necromancer of the Uplifted, emerged from its retreat. Wearing amulets and mantles of power, and surrounded by a halo of floating moonstones (all 50 of them), he proceeded straight to the shrine, next to the nearly finished church. Chasing everyone out, he brought out the scrolls he purchased from traders sooo long ago, and started to incant. Soon, a smoky presence twisted around, echoing the Word of Power he was completing... ==================== The Iron March [F30] writes: Strange goings-on were reported high atop the spires of The Citadel of the Scroll. The populace was greatly put at ease when the Council assured them their next enemy had been selected, and the armies were on the march. ==================== Erewhon [F80] writes: After 20 months, we have become mostly self-sufficient. However, there are some items that we have not been able to find that we must have. Our long distance couriers are willing to fly almost anywhere, and we will pay or trade anything within our power to provide, to obtain any amber or plorn roots. Please contact us if you have access to these items and are willing to trade. Feldraze, Merchant Prince of Delzoun ==================== Tir Cunaxa [F6] writes: Lonto the Fool, you were warned about bringing violence to Tir Cunaxa. You will pay for your disobedience with your life. If you doubt my words, perhaps you should seek the council of your stone giant friend, Gonk the Grinder. Of course, you'll need a necromancer to accomplish that task. You WILL die! ==================== Slash Y [F50] writes: Sven was worried. The Code S director did not react well to his operatives failing to perform a mission. He remembered what happened to the scout who had refused to perform his duties because of poor morale. A Burning Death spell cast by a 9th level fire mage is not pretty to see; and Brad was on his way to the region. Sven decided he had better not fail again. Sven shuddered... ==================== And Friends [F29] writes: "People of Agape" said Mandelson, "Robin, has sent me word that Team 2 have taken the town with no casualties. "The bad news is that there were three other units there. We are in battle configuration and are confident that our forces can cope. "If you are listening Lern the Good, please note that we mean you no harm. We are just as committed to fighting evil as you are. We think your gold dragon is beautiful. And your Pets. "We are sorry about the boiling steam and the militia, but we are sure you understand. "Our forces have been removed from key areas in the beneath, as per our agreement". "We have also found a collapsed keep, sounds interesting" ==================== The Republic of Virtue [F106] writes: "How can they stand living out here?" Lewis wondered for the millionth time as the scout tried to peer out the cave entrance. The sunlight reflecting off the snow turned the whole world into a blinding whiteness that try as he might, his eyes couldn't penetrate. And the cold--he was wearing all the clothes he owned, but even with that the wind coming into the cave chilled him to the core. "Why can't we just stay below and leave these surface dwellers to their own crazy devices?" But the First Citizen had decreed otherwise, and so here he was, trying to weigh whether he would rather die in this blinding hell or die in the Republic's "rooms of re-education." Well, Lewis figured, maybe if he just went out for a little bit at night and grabbed something to show he had actually been out here, his commanders would reassign him to a more cushy job, like cleaning toilets. --==== Rumors ====-- ==================== Dred is interested in discussions with the Bards and their representative Lysahey. Let the dialogue begin. ==================== Who is the BMG? and why are they sending spies around my territory? I feel forced to take drastic steps to keep my holdings safe from unknown spies who do not inform me of the purpose of their presence. ==================== When the time come, I will be ready. All Earth will be conquerd. I promise! From: Dreant, Captain of Gijon to: Arleen, Lord of Darkness ==================== .... and then there was a great light from above and all of the minions of evil threw up their hands and cried out in pain and wonder at the glory of the power of the mighty vision before them as it descended down from the brilliant heavens to the war- ravaged plain .... ==================== I give up. FAB are just too strong. signed, FABIO ==================== You have to believe we're getting better, A little better, all the time� LOVE this game! ==================== It is rumored that an Ooze Node lies 3 leagues southwest of the Free City. ==================== Hi Ho Hi Ho off to War we go � ==================== Behold the beauty of fair Stelenburg! Behold the majesty of her spires! Behold the glistening of the sun upon her granite walls! Behold the folly of her city planners! A city built on the highest point of the continent has no need for a dock or a shipyard! Are they expecting a flood? A word of warning to the faction that is contracted to build the city's merchant guild: Be sure to properly equip it with life preservers lest the dockmaster cite you for violation of the local building code! ==================== Whoever blocks passage northward through Boidwem (55, 39) and beyond, be warned. My brother and I will not be thwarted in our drive to engage the forces of Dorvak. Stand aside or fall to dragon's ire. Galidranicous Makirianicus ==================== The Beastmaster stood before the entrance to the Temple of Winds, deep in the heart of the southern jungles. The great archway gaped wide, the doors long since rotted away. Within he could hear a faint roaring, like wind pouring through a confined space. He paused for a moment, pondering the wisdom of what he was about to do. The Four Winds were notoriously fickle, but they owed him their lives. Besides, they were no friend of Darkness. They would probably lend their might to the forces of light. Probably. The Beastmaster sighed, then pulled forth the great horn, its ivory length wound about with scrollwork of silver and bronze. He put it to his lips and blew a mighty blast. The sound echoed and re-echoed through the deep jungle, gradually fading to nothing. Within the Temple, the roaring sound stilled for a moment, then increased in volume. A faint grinding and rumbling sound reached the Beastmaster's ears, and one of the great bears that followed him nuzzled his hand nerviously. Slowly, a shape formed from the darkness within the temple, followed by another, then another, then a fourth. The great gray shapes slithered forth, gathering around the Beastmaster. With a voice as cold as the polar wind, North spoke first "Why have you awakened us mortal?" "Dorvad is risen again. Your aid is needed ere Darkness covers tha lands again." "Why should we help you little man?" asked South, her steamy breath adding to the heat and damp of the jungle. "Because you do not want to see the Darkness rise either. You may be powerful, but if true Darkness falls, you will fall." "The mortal is correct sister," spoke West, his voice dry as the desert wind. "Besides, we owe him a debt of honor." "A debt of honor," spoke East, the gentle sound of an ocean breeze in her voice. "This is true. We will aid you mortal, but our debt is fulfilled. You will bother us no longer." The Beastmaster nodded, "You are among the greatest of your bretheren. Your aid is invaluable, and more than cancels your debt to me. You have my thanks." "The thanks of a mortal," said North. "Next you will give us your aid." "I would not presume." said the Beastmaster. The Four stared at him for a moment, then East spoke "Perhaps you have learned something over the years mortal. Perhaps." Turning to her sisters and brothers, "Come, it is time. We must see how the world lies now." Like a tornado, the Four leapt into the sky, leaving the Beastmaster in a cloud of dust and broken branches. He watched them as they climbed into the darkening sky, then vanished northward, then smiled. Yes, it was worth the risk. ==================== Q- How many Ursans does it take to change a lightbulb? A- Six: One to administer the project, one to negotiate the price of the bulb, one to study light for several turns, one to provide the leadership, one to heal any injured workers, and one to write about it in this weeks chronicle. ==================== And Friends [F29] has forcefully taken the town of Pledvugib [10302]. 89 Humans of the Pledvugib Militia killed . Awda [c6955] himself personally struck the mill owner. Lern the Good ==================== We have heard of the demise of the revered Scrun Kel the Merchant, head merchant of the Argoth Merchant Guild. The guards and mage that Scrun had were adequate for the usual monsters and thieves that inhabit the world. It is obvious that Blake's Blunderers [F33] are much more sophisticated in their military prowess. However, there are many ways for the Guild to recover their investment. One is headed your way right now... AMG ==================== Well, these elves are starting to concern me, I think one of em's been readin my journal. Least it seems so, cause the elf that brought me my new axe is spose to stay here and talk the local elves into digging up stone and some other stuff for the fellas in town. The fellas that wuz chasin the animals around is gettin better at it, they must be cause they skinned twice as many of the little suckers this week. The folks that went to git the cows are comin back so's the big ants can make some carts, good thing to cause the elf from town brung some folks with him that can dig up rocks. Pretty funny watchin them elves dig them rocks up with their hands and poles you'da thunk they'd have some kinda tools, at least a shovel. The new elf says the guy with the sword is spose to get elected mayor this week. He was sayin some traders showed up with some swords and a bunch of the others wanted to delay the election a week but the sword elf wouldn't have none of it. He also told me a human joined the elves this week, says everybodies excited cause they might be able to build boats now. I think I might wanna find someplace futher from the water than where I'm at, cause the very thought of bein out in the ocean in a pile of wood an elf and a human put together gives me the willies. excerpt from the journal of: Coifhox the hobgoblin, Sheriff of the elf mining camp ==================== Chronicle End Mark ----- Mark Thomas thomasSPAMGUARD@clark.net http://www.clark.net/pub/thomas You can't manage creativity. All you can do is give it a place to work. Remove SPAMGUARD from address when replying. Up