I will you sand loving savage! Behold! I am Alixenus, Lord-lieutenant of the Venezzian trade guild! You have raided our convoys one too many times and we have come to put an end to it. Using our maritime powers we shall use firehoses and supersoakers to turn your desert to quicksand (strength: water). I know you cannot resist us for my scouts tell me you lack the tech to create even the most basic thermal or incindiary weaponry to burn our war machines with (weakness: fire). En guarde bandit!

This is the reason we will destroy you when dust reaches null sec

I, Vermaak kuvalei, leader of Reaper Nation shall commute your rural areas to scraps (strength: non modernized land) as I see you've very few urban areas (weakness: concrete jungles) and the one you do have is hardly defended, surrender or die

I have no rural areas, for all my lands are afflicted with desert. You fall within a sandtrap of mine, and your men die. However, as you stomp on my land, my caves begin collapsing. The fight eventually calms and we find ourselves even.

[Result: Tie]

Lol no, any unmodernized land counts as rural ( jungle, desert, swamp, etc.)

(Strength: fire) (weakness: places without flammable gas)

Yes, then lets take out the trade fleets of Alixenus!

P.S. There's gold in it for you!

This is the reason we curb stomp you every time we play you.

Is that so? How about you accept our corp battle and prove it.

Go to the War Room for this

I ally myself with your tuna warriors to bring down these trade jockeys!

My sandmen take out the Reaper Nation as my sand has no flammable gas! As they choke out on the lack of flammability, I gain a follower sandman. Then, as the trade ships draw near, I retreat back into the desert, safe from the path of water bombardment...

SANDROMIN!!! You traitorous wretch! I depart on a trade run for a few days after concluding an alliance with and this is what I come back to? Making and breaking friendships with Kuvakei and the tundra men against me! You will pay for this. As for your allies, I give them this one chance to stand down or they shall drown with you!

Terrain: Water, deep enough to float at least a boat.
Strengths: Water, Metal (does that count as Urban?) and Mountains (stone)
Weakness: Fire, Desert and Jungle (or Forrest if Jungle doesn't count)

Income: The trading middle men between nations, collects most currencies from tariffs but prefers to use Florins.

Special: Able to use retrofitted trade ships to carry out an amphibious landing, saturating an area with an excessive amount of heavy infantry in a short time span. However this is a shock and awe tactic and the infantry will have to depart once their objective is acheived.

Well given your tendancy to stab people in the back, I say we limit the alliance to trade and mutual military assistance. You and your forces will not be allowed to travel through Venezzian lands or vice versa. If you can handle an agreement of this magnitude, I might agree to opening an embassy in your lands. I take it Kuvakei is our third member?

Yes, but I say that it isn't that I stab people in the back, but that our lands have a history of much suffering indeed. Our history has been filled with bloodshed, and it has been a while since our people have seen true negotiation and not genocide. However, we reject the embassy for the above reasons. Instead, we shall build a trade route through all of our nations in order to promote harmony between all of us.

I shall trade with you spring water from our oases, and gold from our mines, and in return, I would like to see your offer.

Well water is certainly valuble at sea and Gold is always valuable. I accept your offers. In return Venezzia offers Metal goods such as tools and weapons, various woods and Timbers, wine and Artwork, assuming you have any permanent structures in your desert.

Anyone wanna align with me?

ahem.

BOW DOWN TO MY SUPERIORITY WRETCHED MORTALS! I AM VYZION EYRI, AND NO IT IS NOT A PHONETIC MANIPULATION OF THE WORD VISIONARY. AT ALL.

I lead a tribe of wild logipriests (lol... logipriest) and we assist random lost adventurers out of our untamed, untainted and unexplored jungles. [Terrain]

We are unmatched when it comes to swinging on vines, making love, healing wounded comrades and being happy all the time. [Strengths]

However, against the vile creature that humans term the 'bunny rabbit', which the coddle and coo at as if it is the cutest creature in the universe, we cannot survive. We have, at great risk to our most experienced logipriest squad, acquired a picture of a malignant bunny. [Weakness]
Click at own risk.

Well Vermaak, Sandromin was originally planning on a Trifecta if you want in on this alliance.

The Venezzian trade guild refuses to recognise the Logipriest nation until we have made an ill fated attempt to gauge your strength. As I speak, a squadron of Caravels approach your lands armed with floodgate 9000 water turrets. There is also a Cog armed with a catapult that will rain Stone, Fire and Rabbit meat down upon you.

Oh don't look so shocked, it's what we do.

Due to our generally peaceful nature, we do not react until the rabbit meat starts raining down on us. Then, as our comrades die left and right, paralyzed by the cuteness of the rabbits (even chunks of rabbit meat) then crushed by stone and fire, unable to heal each other with out super healing powers, I run. I gather a small group of Logipriests and run. Straight towards the Venezzian convoy. When they see us, naked except for a loincloth, they laugh. Until we began chanting. Meaningless, really. Who has ever heard of chanting being able to cause catastrophic damage to a giant rabbit catapult? But it seemed to have worked. All weaponry was directed at us. The ominous rumbling signalled the release of the water turrets. We closed our eyes and hoped.

And hope prevails! With a yodelling battle cry, the remains of the logipriest nation, freed from the paralytic rabbit meat in the brief pause of the unrelenting barrage, swung from vines into the midst of the Venezzians, and using vines as ropes and tickling tools, they disabled the catapult. However, we could not do much against the wall of water roaring towards us. So, we braced ourselves and continued to tickle the Venezzians until both sides were swept up in the torrent.

Uh, I think that means its a tie? :D

Uh, I think that means its a tie? :D

I would call it a tie aswell.

Not let me tell you what happened from a Venezzian perspective. The convoy arrayed itself parallel to your shores and gagued the distance to your closest settlements by firing the water turrets high into the air. When we heard people complaining about rain on the wind, we knew we had the range. The Caravels then began uprooting trees with the water turrets in preparation for a colony while the Cog fired an opening Salvo of Salted Rabbit. To be honest, we weren't expecting it to have such a paralytic effect. Unnerving yes, but not paralytic. When no replay came we began firing stone and fireballs, expecting an easy victory. I even broke out a bottle of port as I watched the landing craft being lowered. But then I saw you and your band of madmen, your strange chanting carrying on the wind. The Cog, it's crew being well trained, were already sizing you up for a fireball.

But then we were undone. The fireball was already lit when they began aiming at you. Just as the catapult was about to let fly, the deck caught alight, forcing to crew to begin firefighting (Fire, as you know, is one of Venezzia's weaknesses). It was this lull that allowed your people to counter attack. How your jungle vines reached our ships, I will never know. But before I knew it you were among us. Natives, sailors, builders, marines and the heavy infantry intended to defend our new colony, all joined in a massive melee on the deck of my ship. I saw a great many of your people reduced to naught but Jelly by the swing of a warhammer, or peppered with steel shot. But then my men fell to your vines, tickling their way between the plates of our armour.

The captain of the lead Caravel pannicked and turned his turrets on the rest of the flotilla. We thought the ship was lost and responded in kind. By Day's end, we were all clinging to sunken wrecks.

Well my logipriests retreat to tend to our wounded in our jungle. Disease is spreading... apparently the rabbit meat catapult wasn't launching fresh kill. Typical of traders, really. Sending faulty goods to express distaste.

Also, treasure hunters begin to raid our leafy abode because of a rumour that massive fortunes lie buried in our soil. We, being inhabitants of the forest ever since many of the trees were saplings, cannot confirm these rumours; however, our ancestors were been pirates who decided to bunk down in the forest and give up their plundering ways. Perhaps they also buried their loot. Who knows. Perhaps, the pirates sighted off our shores are related to the pirates who buried this treasure. Perhaps there was a map. Perhaps a puzzle.

Whatever the reason, invasion seems imminent, and our sacred forest may not survive. Coupled with disease and the recent conflict, add a touch of humid, stifling weather, and the logipriest nation will be severely weakened.

Weak enough for any force to crush, manipulate, or enslave...

Weak enough for a sympathetic party to rescue.

What will happen? Stay tuned for the next episode of "The Ultimate Forum Passing-Time Meta-Game RPG Thing for Dust 514 w/ a Ridiculously Long Name... IV"

Dun dun duuun.

Sandromin, Vyzion, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. When I and my crew finally rowed back to Venezzia, the Trade guild was furious with me for such a titanic failure against the Logipriests. I thought my career was over, but then you, Sandromin, sent word of the Pirates. The next day, I hear rumours of treasure hunters planning on plundering the Logipriests. It took many hours, but I convinced the trade guild to endorse my plan.

First, I will locate these pirates who raid our trade lanes and pay them bountiful sums to sail to the Logipriest jungle and attack all the Privateers they find docked there. The Jungle will be saved and the pirates will be sated by the loot they find from one another.

Any questions?

Hmm, I always wondered what lay beyond the northern mountains, now it turns out to be Dwarves of all things! Well those peaks are quite impassable so I don't suppose that I'll be seeing them anytime soon.

Very well, I would request that you bring some merchants with you for we are as interested in your craftsdwarfship as we are in your diplomats. I'll have an escort of our Hamaxe wielding heavy infantry waiting for you when you cross the mountains, that is, if you can tell us where you'll emerge from the mountains

We will be South, at the base of our highest peak.

We will bring merchants, smiths, and our diplomats. We thank your generosity of the escort, but we have our own.

Xavier himself will not be there, for he has pressing matters to attend to.

May I ask the name of your society? I heard it was called the Merchant Guild?



[Out of Character] OP, could you please make a map of sorts, so we could get a good layout of Dustia? Also, could you also make a list of all the Nations? Many thanks.[/Out of Character]

Are we limited to this map or is there room for expansion?

We will be South, at the base of our highest peak.

We will bring merchants, smiths, and our diplomats. We thank your generosity of the escort, but we have our own.

Xavier himself will not be there, for he has pressing matters to attend to.

May I ask the name of your society? I heard it was called the Merchant Guild?



[Out of Character] OP, could you please make a map of sorts, so we could get a good layout of Dustia? Also, could you also make a list of all the Nations? Many thanks.[/Out of Character]

Well after the pirated, bounty hunters, treasure hunters, etc. etc. finally killed each other off we decide to go digging. Surprise surprise. Treasure. Buried beneath our jungle haven is a giant refrigerator which stores the most miraculous substance ever. Chocolate that doesn't make you fat.

This glorious discovery would've been economically terrifying in the wrong hands. Thankfully, I keep my head clear in this incredible situation. If no single faction can possess this... Then every faction must possess it.

In our logiconvention, I arrange the plans. Operation delayed Christmas.

Tomorrow, all around the globe, people will wake up and they will find themselves surrounded by chocolate, without the adverse side effects.

Then, due to the stimulation of the chocolate, people will make love not war, and peace will reign for a day.

The next morning, however, people will realise they are in beds they shouldn't be in.

Darn, this completely circumvents the rest of my strategy. The trade guild shall not be pleased to hear about this...

*checks the map* If you emerge from the mountains' southern borders, head west along the edge of Sandromin's desert to reach Venezzia. We will light signal fires for your envoy.

You may refer to our society as Venezzia. At present the Trade guild and the ruling council are interchangeable.

Oh goody, a free sword. I don't think the Dwarves will be very pleased when they hear you struck Adamantium. You may want to keep that quiet

Well it is a rare find in the desert... besides, they have all the mithrilite ore they could possibly need. Anyways, we're working on a fortress; who happens to have the stone we need to complete it? After all, our desert is very barren and we'd like to place a giant fortress on our main oasis.

It seems that the Trade Guild's messenger pigeon has been struck down by lightning.

In the mean time let's communicate with Sandromin!

[message]We could supply that stone for you, Sandromin.

But of course we would like something in return...

A modest supply of your Adamantium Ore, perhaps?[/message]

Okay, we shall send you several hundred pounds and in return we shall receive stone.

We're in need of ground vehicles, who's supplying?

Done. Expect a convoy in the next two weeks.

I would like to establish a permanent trade rout with you, Sandromin.

It would be beneficial to both of us, we give you an abundance of stone and in return you give us some of your difficult-to-find desert minerals.

What do you say?


A new nation? Well, the only vehicles that us humble nations have, to my knowledge, are chariots. I don't see why you would need them. No wars going on now.

We agree to your trade routes. We shall also send you high-quality desert spices and rubies for whatever you can offer.

You thought that you could keep this trade agreement with the Dwarves hidden from the Trade guild? No matter, we have a counter offer. We have modest quarries in the foothills of the Dwarven mountains. We could quite easily send Stone to you by ship. We have an established trade route and I'm certain our ships could handle the additional load. While I admit that the Dwarves could provide the Stone in much vaster quantities, they would have to haul it over land, through desert, trying to find you amongst the shifting dunes. All the while with a thick beard and a heavy Goatskin coat.

All the guild asks in return is a modest increase in Trade tariffs and some of your strange desert spices.

We agree to your trade routes. We shall also send you high-quality desert spices and rubies for whatever you can offer.

OOC: Anyone else willing to hop in?

You thought that you could keep this trade agreement with the Dwarves hidden from the Trade guild? No matter, we have a counter offer. We have modest quarries in the foothills of the Dwarven mountains. We could quite easily send Stone to you by ship. We have an established trade route and I'm certain our ships could handle the additional load. While I admit that the Dwarves could provide the Stone in much vaster quantities, they would have to haul it over land, through desert, trying to find you amongst the shifting dunes. All the while with a thick beard and a heavy Goatskin coat.

All the guild asks in return is a modest increase in Trade tariffs and some of your strange desert spices.

Done. Expect a convoy in the next two weeks.

I would like to establish a permanent trade rout with you, Sandromin.

It would be beneficial to both of us, we give you an abundance of stone and in return you give us some of your difficult-to-find desert minerals.

What do you say?


A new nation? Well, the only vehicles that us humble nations have, to my knowledge, are chariots. I don't see why you would need them. No wars going on now.

OOC: We need more nations... only 5 nations is not enough. Recruit more people to join us (I want some more intellectual challenges. We can't just have peace all the time).

So in the meantime, I'll create some hostile NPCs using my authority as Game Master... ahuehuehue...

We have Industrial Barbarians to the south! They have teamed up with rogue golems from the northern mountains and have begun a crusade against us!

These barbarians begin sending in large steampunk siege machines to destroy us! The golems are also undermining Dwarven mines and ruining their infrastructure! We must retaliate to fight this scourge!

Edit: I'm also renaming it Dust Fortress: REALM OF DUSTIA (but DUSTIA and the thread name both apply still), much akin to Dwarf Fortress.

It seems the barbarians have set up a fortress on our trade route! We must fight them from both sides...

*as Golems* We have begun building tunnels under your cities! Now, we unleash our wrath and begin digging holes in the middle of your cities and slaughter your citizens! We shall rise from the depths of the caverns and reveal our true dominance!

Dang... well, we gotta fight these Golems I guess... very nasty threat indeed...

Now let's be clear Dwarf, up until a few days ago we thought those mountains were uninhabited and those quarries have been there for years. Furthermore, they are merely in the foothills and are in no way infringing on your or territory or tunnelling into your cities, unless one of your settlements stretches to the Western shore.

Think about this logically, You can make for more money from selling your valuble ores than humdrum stone, my profit margins would naturally be higher due to the fact that I have established infrastructure with the other nations and I don't need to haul stone from the depths of the mountains.

As for this 3 way trade route that Sandromin proposes, it all hinges on whether I have anything the Dwarves want or vice versa...

Agreed. Venezzia is secure from Golem tunnels for the most part on account of the fact that most of the city's foundations are in the sea. I have been eavesdropping on what Merchants I can get close to. Many favour appeasement and negotiation, some even suggest siding with our foes to end the hostilities. I can't say I'm suprised; they think of their coin purses first and Venezzia second.

Do not judge them unfairly. By our laws the merchants are allowed their armies to defend trade routes and to break blockades, it is the duty of the ruling council to make war on behalf of the City. But the council does nothing and our merchants have great influence over the council. If they say negotiate, the council will negotiate. As if that were not enough I have heard rumours that there are those who are planning a coup against the council!

As a Lord Lieutenant my resources are vast, but not limitless. I can investigate these rumours or 'persuade' the pro-peace merchants, but I cannot do both. Tell me, friends, what should I do?

[OOC I am not trying to compete for the roll of Game master here, just trying to flesh out my backstory]

We're nigh defenseless from these golems, we can repel their surface attacks but part of our deep sea mining has become halted completely, we'll happily pay for any of you to send troops that handle sub surface activities better than us.

Agreed. Venezzia is secure from Golem tunnels for the most part on account of the fact that most of the city's foundations are in the sea. I have been eavesdropping on what Merchants I can get close to. Many favour appeasement and negotiation, some even suggest siding with our foes to end the hostilities. I can't say I'm suprised; they think of their coin purses first and Venezzia second.

Do not judge them unfairly. By our laws the merchants are allowed their armies to defend trade routes and to break blockades, it is the duty of the ruling council to make war on behalf of the City. But the council does nothing and our merchants have great influence over the council. If they say negotiate, the council will negotiate. As if that were not enough I have heard rumours that there are those who are planning a coup against the council!

As a Lord Lieutenant my resources are vast, but not limitless. I can investigate these rumours or 'persuade' the pro-peace merchants, but I cannot do both. Tell me, friends, what should I do?

[OOC I am not trying to compete for the roll of Game master here, just trying to flesh out my backstory]

I had hoped that this day would never come. I had prayed that the Doge, leader of the council, would step forward and perform his duty, act decisively, but he has not. He seems genuinely amused by Venezzia's implosion. I am, I was, supposed to be Lord Lieutenant in the Merchant's armies, but it seems like I work on behalf of guild and city. Perhaps this is how the merchants gained their control, they slowly erased the city's army and made the city completely dependent on them and their trade. The council grew fat and lazy. More merchants were elected...

Even if the council is corrupt, they will still bow to the merchants now. Stopping Bribes will do nothing. Marching against the council will throw us into complete chaos and likely make me a target for the rest of my days. The Merchants will direct their forces unpredictably, the militias will die trying to stop my forces and fighting the council guard will be a bloodbath.

If I go down this road, I will not be able to contribute to your fight against the barbarians and I will need your help to have any hope of victory. The only other option is to take what forces i have to help you win this war under the guise of a trade guild 'investment', but it may be too late by the time it is over. I shall think on this. If you truly wish to help me, have the forces you are willing to contribute ready soon.

I never thought Venezzia would be the weak link in this alliance...

This is a big decision. You have time to mull over it. But my troops, nonetheless, stand ready to assist you.

Sandromin's plan seems the most feasible. I will go ahead with it, no more time can be wasted. There should still be some Privateers lying around the cost of the Logipriest nation. See if you can rope them in to help you. In the meantime I will muster my heavy infantry to bolster the guard around my compound and inform my tennants to cease their militia duties, to keep them out of any violence. Once this is done I will start drawing up a convincing plan to stop your 'pirates' for public presentation.

...

Excuse me gentlemen, I could've sworn I just heard the sound of a battering ram hitting my front door.

As the battering ram thuds on your door, a cabinet opens up to a secret passageway! A sandman emerges and begins speaking!

"Come with me if you want to live," he says in a sort of hushed tone.

You follow him into an underground tunnel I had been working on the entire night and your militia is soon to follow. As the battering ram finally breaks down the door, we manage to disguise the the entryway; the enemy is baffled as to where you have gone. Discontent, they leave to search for you somewhere else.

*

As you can see, we have set this all up quite nicely. We don't want this merchant scum in power as much as you.

Any doubts I had about this plan have gone out of the window now!
* Grabs his horn from his belt and blasts out the rallying signal*
There's an abandoned perimeter fort not far from here. I will raise my pennant there so that my men know where to find me.
*Hands a bag of gold and a scroll to the Sandman*
Give these to the town crier in pyerlanze square. It's the one with the clocktower. Tell him to read it in the afternoon address.
Dwarf, I thank the Liberator for his assistance and that he can direct any funds from the privateers to the fort.

If they want a war, they shall have it.

Guards at the Southern dock is strange, it's in the centre of the city; only common goods pass through there. You may call me paranoid, but I believe our enemy is expecting a delivery at those docks. But if he's trying to disguise it as a normal shipment, why the guards? We can't intercept it, the waters around the city are too open, it could come in with any convoy at any time.

The only other explanations are that a crime occured or that is the escort of someone of import. Hm, but why the southern docks?

So we have Golems, NPC industrials & Reapers Awol. To top it off we have Venezzia on the brink of civil war because you can't manage your subordinates? Have I got that right?

Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. If he has not learnt that maxim during his time in the desert then he shall be defeated again. By us, together. My heavy infantry and the skirmishers attached to them have arrived to the fort along with their various camp followers. The cavalry is trying to leave but apparently there's some sort of paperwork issue. That's not a real concern. Besides, if fighting breaks out in the city streets Horses will likely be no more than a hazard.

Do you have any idea on how we can draw this Armok out of hiding?

"Alixenus , Alixenus! A message!"

[message]We need to end this soon, Alixenus. We cannot draw this out. Your men are tiring, the people are starving. I will send a dwarven platoon to aid the base. Spies will also be sent, but they will try to sniff out Armok. Do not worry, we will be as stealthy as a fox. And the pirates, Alixenus. You need to 'capture' them, perhaps it will be your first accomplishment as Supreme Ruler?


Post Script: Have you heard about the Logi Priests? Apparently most of them have turned into 'walking corpses', or 'zombies.' We must do something about this. Hopefully this is not contagious?[/message]

*A bedraggled and bloody messenger arrives at the Fort and enters the command Cabin to find Sandromin and Xavier*
I bring word from Alixenus sirs! He regrets not being able to contact you, but the open fighting has broken out in the city and the battle had turned against him. He has been cut off for the past 24 hours in The house of the broken Lance, surrounded on all sides by loyalist forces. The bulk of our forces being held south of his position by barricades and indirect fire from the North and West harbours.

I cannot say how the fighting began, but I'm sure the Lord lieutenant will be willing to tell you when the current situation is resolved. I have been sent by my superiors to ask whether or not you will send troops into the city immeadiately to help us push through to Alixenus' position.

"But of course! A platoon is already in the fortress."

Xavier quickly writes a letter and hands it to the messenger.

"Go. Give this to my commanding officer. He is stationed at the fort."

As my men ride the boats to the Badlands... we see a beam of light coming from the tallest peak in the area... afraid of what might lie there, but determined to destroy it, my men head towards the light... we must kill the Archnecromancer, once and for all... his race was an abomination on the world, and must be eradicated.

Ah, Sandromin, the World Policeman. Always fixing everyone's problems. I don't know have you do it.

I have 4-5 platoons going to Alixenus' area. Wait for me, I will sent an expeditionary force to the Badlands as well.

In the meantime, could you please tell me about the Archnecromancer? I say I have not even heard of it.

*The mist lifts, his hands still clenched in a fist. Teeth grit, next twist, to look for who's coming next. But there's none left, all around I'm surrounded by death, save a Doge kneeling down in respect*

"Lord lieutenant, why have you done this thing and made war against your own people?"
"I did this for the people, excellency, far more than you, the council or the merchants were willing to do."
"What will you do with me now?"
"Now? Now you ill order your men to stand down. Then you shall decide to retire from public life, as will the council"

*Before the Doge can answer a siege bolt flies through his head, sending him hurtling across the Palazzo de Venezzia. Alixenus turns to see who fired the shot. It was Armok, who casts down the siege bow and draws his weapon*

"Venezzia is mine you peasant!"
"No, Venezzia is for Venezzians. As you will soon find out."
"What? Are you going to kill me? Alone? The Doge's men still hold this square, the fact that you and your fellows got through to drag the Doge out is a testament to the incompetence of your people"
"Yes, I am going to kill you"

*Alixenus draws his Hamaxe and starts walking toward Armok, but falls due to his injured leg. Armok laughs, but abruptly stops when Alixenus picks himself up and builds to an almighty charge toward him*

Alixenus struggles to reply whilst locked in combat with Armok

"No! He killed my Doge! Turned my nation...against itself! He has killed my people and is...in my city! He is....Mine!"

He pauses to duck a savage blow which causes him to fall over. Alixenus then rolls to evade more strikes before getting to his feet.

"Your honour may demand that you kill him, but so does mine!"

Alixenus then unslings his tower shield and flings it at Armok. Before Armok can recover Alixenus charges in and breaks the front legs of his steed with his hamaxe. Whilst Armok struggles from his fallen mount, the weary Lord lieutenant turns to Sandromin.

"What are you even doing here? I didn't send for reinforcements, I was trapped in the command post."

"We are here... because there's much more dire things to heed attention to. Hurry this quickly, if you can. We have worse things to worry about, like the Archnecromancer and the Logizombies... and we'll need your support."

Meanwhile, Xavier at his palace, 4.00PM

*Xavier speaking with his advisors*

"Yes... yes... but if we do this, then..."

*Door bursts open. The two spies walk in.*

Xavier stands and looks surprised. He motions to his advisors.

"Leave, Now."

The Advisors swiftly get up and leave.

Xavier looks into the Spies' eyes. "What of Armok?"

"Dead."

"Hmmmm. I see. Armok is dead. That, complicates things. Dismissed."

The two spies quickly scuttle away.

*Xavier screams in a fit of rage, banging his hand on the table.*

"Now, what? Armok was a brilliant strategist. He could of helped me... Why, he could of helped me take down Sandromin!"

*Bangs hand again*

"No matter, there are others." He looks to the Logipriest Islands.

"No, too...unpredictable."

SPOILER ALERT: IT'S XAVIER'S EVIL TWIN BROTHER!

PLOT TWIST: XAVIER DOESN'T HAVE SIBLINGS!

But erm... very... yes...

[OutofCharacter]Please not that none of you actually heard this; this is just to flesh out my character more.[/OutofCharacter]

Fear not Sandromin, I have initiated emergency muster protocols. All soldiers still capable of fighting are being embarked on everyone ship to make sail for the badlands. We will be ready to depart in 36 hours. The civilian militias will guard the city while we are gone.

*hands a letter to Xavier's officer telling him to have his privateers cease attacking and to begin maneuvering them to be 'captured'

If anyone cares to look at Armok his broken frame is hanging from the montagne gatehouse.

Dwarves are manning the ships? Dwarves have ships? I thought you'd hired human pirates! No matter, as far as the people will know, these 'barbarous raiders' are spending the rest of their lives in the city prison.

By the time you read this I will have set sail for the badlands. I do not know when I will arrive, or where on that continent I will land, save for it being somewhere on the nothern half. This necromancer had better be as grave a threat as you say, or else I am putting Venezzia in great peril for no reason at all!.

Sandromin's battle turns up less epic than he had expected when a piercing blue light flashes blinding both him and his troops. By the time they regain their sight they see only a man wearing an astonishing complex armor of white. Many components being crystal that emit a blue aura similar to before. He silently approaches.

What brings you to the edge of the earth? Well I suppose you can't perceive what is truly around you. However before any proper introductions I must ask a question. Do you come with intentions of peace or hostility? A fair warning, if you were to choose the latter, you would soon regret your decision.

It very well depends. Are you the archnecromancer? Furthermore, am I able to negotiate? And beyond that, what are your intentions?

Archnecromancer? Ah I see. You must be misinformed. The Archnecromancer has been dead for quite sometime now. I'm also guessing you haven't ventured this far west before. You may not realize it but you've endangered yourself and anyone who has followed you. Allow me to introduce myself. I am King Thanatos of Diyad. If you'd do me the pleasure of accompanying me to my kingdom I could better explain your situation. Also if you would excuse my earlier threat. You see people don't tread these lands anymore and when I see you approaching with an army, plus your allies parading in from the distance. It's only logical that I'd take an aggressive stance.

Archnecromancer? Ah I see. You must be misinformed. The Archnecromancer has been dead for quite sometime now. I'm also guessing you haven't ventured this far west before. You may not realize it but you've endangered yourself and anyone who has followed you. Allow me to introduce myself. I am King Thanatos of Diyad. If you'd do me the pleasure of accompanying me to my kingdom I could better explain your situation. Also if you would excuse my earlier threat. You see people don't tread these lands anymore and when I see you approaching with an army, plus your allies parading in from the distance. It's only logical that I'd take an aggressive stance.

Unbeknownst to Thanatos and Sandromin, Venezzians make themselves as obvious as possible when marching so that their scouts and skirmishers can prepare ambushes. And the scouts themselves are tragically unaware that the Sandmen are accompanying Thanatos of their own free will. After reporting the situation to Alixenus, he ordered that the entire army fall silent and proceed at double time whilst he rode ahead to command the Ambush.

"Sandromin may be enchanted, or this is some form of elaborate trap. Either way, we will get to the bottom of this. Concentrate fire upon the newcommer, if any sandmen get in the way, shoot to wound. Fire on my lead"

Perched in an outcrop, his armour smeared in ash for camoflage, the Lord Lieutenant brings his Ash-wood siege crossbow to his shoulder, aims at Thanatos' heart...

And pulls the trigger.

[whole post is OOC]

I love it, I don't recall ever doing something like this and it's highly enjoyable, reading through the threads woven by your fellow writers and watching how their strands are affected by yours.

I suppose we lost the "for DUST 514" thing a while ago but in essence, we're still with it. The whole idea of a universe captured in a universe is present in our story, right? Of fighters, fighting for fighters, who are fighting for the big wigs, who see the deaths of millions as merely the loss of a pawn on their grand chessboard.

The little stories of battles, such as the scrabble between Alixenus and Armok, and then the panning out to observe the bigger picture in terms of the whole world, and more importantly, the effect this little battle has had on the universe.

We've captured DUST in an ever evolving universe of our own, gentlemen.

By the recent reports, my second in command states that the zombies shall be in our lands in 3 days time...

Meanwhile, Thanatos and I are discussing many things. I shall begin with my questions.

"Indeed, what ever did happen to the archnecromancer? Furthermore, I would like to know very much about the entire zombie incident and invasion of the golems that caused it. Who has been causing this mayhem? As you can see, we went to the trouble of coming here just because of this entire incident. Also, Alixenus, you may stand down, as there is no immediate threat. However, you may keep your weapons on you."

It seems we have trouble brewing.

OOC: Who likes this so far? Also, I'm going to be taking this entire forum thread and making it into an forever-growing book. Who likes that idea? And finally, I've decided that we shall base our nations off our heroes, and it shall be much like a saga.

OOC:If we're focusing more on our heroes we should probably note their strengths, weaknesses, special abilities and whatnot. That way we can keep everything a little more organized. It's up to you though Sandromin. If so what format should it be in?

Thanatos removes his crown and rubs his head. He is clearly exhausted, and appears far older than he actually is. As Alixenus speaks he realizes just how much more advanced his kingdom actually was. He decided to speak in simpler terms to avoid confusion or misunderstanding.

"The AN has not revealed his or her self as of now. We have no sure way of finding him. This also means that as of now they pose no immediate threat. The piece of the cipher on the other hand is vital. And we do have the means to find that. It is the key to ridding ourselves of the golems and zombies"

He leads the two into a room. The room is initially dark. The only thing that pierces the darkness is a glowing globe of Dustia hovering above a spiraling structure.

"This device has indicated the final piece lay somewhere far east. We can't distinguish exactly where. I do know however that it would be found in an area that is generally dark. My people have not left this land for quite some time. We have not been father east than here. But you two have. From my knowledge the piece would be located somewhere where perhaps there would have been several odd or supernatural occurrences. Something along the lines of phantoms or agonized souls. A place subject to rumors or folktales. Can you recall any place like that?"

Xavier hadn't even finished talking when Alixenus began discussing emergency exfiltration with his attendants outside the map room. As the attendant runs off, plate armour clanking down the halls, Alixenus turns to address his only co-workers in the entire world. Anger and Fear evident in his voice.

"Oh by the great maker I feared something like this would happen. Now, I know full well that this is one of those 'fight together or die alone' moments and I would personally like to wring the life out of the AN, but Venezzia needs me. If those zombies don't head into the mountains they'll be at the walls of city even if I leave right now. I may trust the people with a conventional foe but this is.... WHAT IS THIS? *throws his helmet on the floor* My Lords I am sorry but this cipher and AN will have to wait. I did not save my city from Armok just to lose it to a bunch of Tree loving cannibals! I will be more than happy to contribute troops to the defence of your homes, but the zombie threat ends now."

Sandromin moved to console the frenzied Venezzian, but Alixenus just bats him away with a heavy gaunlet and points his hamaxe at the Dwarf when he made a similar motion.

"Do not try to stop me, this is for your benefit as much as mine. Try to stop me and I will retract the offer of aid. Zombies first, AN later."

Alixenus regarded Thanatos with nothing but contempt as he picked up his helmet and affixed it to his head. Thanatos may not have been the cause, but Alixenus was certainly going to hold him responsible. The Lord-Lieutenant then turned and stormed out the room, his half-cape billowing about his shoulders, barking orders to the remaining attendants. The echo chamber in his helmet made him sound every inch like the God of War.

"BY THE GREAT MAKER I WILL SLAUGHTER THEM ALL!"

"No Xavier you should return to your people, gather your forces. Try to minimize death. You'll only need to hold out a while longer."

He fiddles with the globe and a flashing light pinpoints the source of the dark magicks in the Logipriest nation.

"It is difficult with only a direction to locate the final piece, but when you narrow it down to a specific area... Well as you can see thanks to you we now know where we're going. Sandromin will come with me. I will send my alkhemist knights to protect his people. Honestly Alixenus is a fool. He came to me looking for an enemy that was already dead. I even invited him to my kingdom. He didn't even ask for my help? How foolish indeed."

As Xavier leaves the palace, Thanatos gestures Sandromin to stand back. Thanatos draws his saber and holds it in the air. Blue alkhemical markings glow from the blade and the floor beneath them begins to shake. Before Sandromin realizes it, the entire room is moving downward. It becomes apparent that it is traveling underground. As Thanatos sheathes his saber he turns to Sandromin.

"Now that I'm sure no one can hear us... There is something alarming I need to discuss with you."

"No Xavier you should return to your people, gather your forces. Try to minimize death. You'll only need to hold out a while longer."

He fiddles with the globe and a flashing light pinpoints the source of the dark magicks in the Logipriest nation.

"It is difficult with only a direction to locate the final piece, but when you narrow it down to a specific area... Well as you can see thanks to you we now know where we're going. Sandromin will come with me. I will send my alkhemist knights to protect his people. Honestly Alixenus is a fool. He came to me looking for an enemy that was already dead. I even invited him to my kingdom. He didn't even ask for my help? How foolish indeed."

As Xavier leaves the palace, Thanatos gestures Sandromin to stand back. Thanatos draws his saber and holds it in the air. Blue alkhemical markings glow from the blade and the floor beneath them begins to shake. Before Sandromin realizes it, the entire room is moving downward. It becomes apparent that it is traveling underground. As Thanatos sheathes his saber he turns to Sandromin.

"Now that I'm sure no one can hear us... There is something alarming I need to discuss with you."

"First of all we need to establish something right now. This is of utmost importance. Are you prepared to become my ally? I say this to you specifically because of all your allies, you are the most trustworthy. Before I became ruler, my kingdom saw dark times. Generations of greed, corruption, and misuse of power has stained our history. And I have worked hard to regain our glory. We weren't supposed to be a secluded nation. Lionus III died 30 years after defeating the AN without an heir. With the loss of such a pivotal figure Parliament took complete control. They censored documents, burned books and cut off ties. Passing off their own as an illegitimate son, to make sure they maintained this power. With my own two hands I ended the Great Civil War that plagued us for two decades. This is our first contact with the outside world in four centuries. And I've chosen to make an ally of you. But will you make one of me. You must choose now."

The room shudders, indicating that its descent is almost finished.

{ooc} I was wondering if it was alright if I could join, I don''t really have a nation Idea but I do have a hero idea that could be interesting so to anyone who reads this and thinks "who is this chump?!" Let me try, please, at least I'm trying right? so here it goes and I also apologize in advance for Alixenus{ooc}

On a hill over watching the advancing Alixenus, a single large silhouette vaguely human stands atop a hill, but a better characterization would be "giant." standing at at least 10 feet tall with massive, powerful limbs and strong wide shoulders, but its body wasn't the only massive thing about it, it was covered head to toe in heavy armor more suited to a siege machine than a man, even equipped with large horns atop its head, much like a bettering ram.

Suddenly without provocation the beast rears it's head back and let's out a bellow as loud and powerful as thunder.
The beast then lowers its head and charges down the hill knocking over a small tree on its way down, a stampede of one charging straight at Alixenus with horns aimed at his chest

{ ooc} sorry I put words in your mouth Alixenus, it's just that you're the only character who I could think of being on a march to your lands, and I also apologize for setting up a place that I made, so again sorry.
P.s. I hope this is alright{ooc}

OOC: That doesn't make sense. We left the same day you left the palace. It only took us 8 minutes to get here. A week couldn't have passed.

Edit: Actually never mind that. If we left the same day that would leave room for a lot of continuity problems considering Alixenus is already in his nation. Let's just say Sandromin and Thanatos discussed a mission plan during the week or something.

"Wouldn't have guessed the doors can only be entered, not exited. No wonder there was no one here. Perhaps I underestimated the Logipriests. To answer your question Sandromin, no. I assure you I am no AN. We only need this piece to finish the cipher. Then I can use it to translate the Dark Arcanum and dispel the magicks which brought about the golem/zombie threat. The Logipriests would immediately return to normal. Now let's end this shall we. What say you Xavier?"

OOC: It could be 8 hours then instead. I just wanted to express the fact that if you left we'd certainly get there first. Didn't mean to make it seem OP.

OOC:I mean we now have a nation full of mechs and androids and Sandromin is fine with that. This isn't really an established Medieval Age. It's Dustia. Diyad was supposed to be the lost city with technology far beyond the other nations. The PAI represents basically the best my nation has to offer it is and always will be the most powerful thing I have.

>Team-R99 reporting. Foreign entities discovered.
>Overseer-R99 replying. Describe foreign entities.
>Entities are humanoid in appearance. With green skin and covered with glowing runes.
>Analyze runes.
>Running image recognition subprogram...
>Accessing languages.db...
>Attempting match...
>Negative, runes do not seem to belong to any documented language.
>Attempt Protocol-C12.
>Affirmative.

And with that, the squad of millitary androids moved in on the logipriests from all directions, phaser rifles set to "stun", and attempting to neutralize and capture their targets for analysis.

The day had been long and hard. Much had been lost. As much as the Logizombies seemed to exhibit some tactical sense, there were a few amongst them that had not stayed with the 'army'. These zombies were not beating at the gates of Venezzia.

They had came upon the city in the dead of night. Most of the gates were shut. The north gate, however, was not. It had been left open for any late Dwarven refugees. The swordsman in the guard post was slumped in a collapsable chair. Half drunk-half asleep. A volunteer like all the others. Alixenus and his forces had returned, but they were recovering in the barracks from their journey. So the Militia was still on duty. The guard never heard the zombie. Everyone heard his screams.

Within 20 minutes, Alixenus had been awokened by a herald with news of the zombies. Within 30 his dressed and armoured. Within 35 he could see the houses all along the North wall ablaze. Some of his troops had been sent off to the Dwarven lands and the desert in case the war dragged on. The ones that were left were the ones that Alixenus wanted to be here. Like the all-merchant units. Like the 2nd heavy horse. The very unit that Alixenus led out of the gate at a full gallop into the zombie hoarde. The gates closed again behind them as they powered through the mass of claws and teeth. Crossbow bolts rained down from the walls, more and more as the professionals arrived.

Alixenus drove his lance through a dwarven zombie and pinned it into the earth. But in that time a dozen more came and overwhelmed his steed. Alixenus swung wildly with his sword as he struggled to get his still-wounded leg free of the stirrup. Tumbling off in a metallic heap, he would surely have been trampled to death had his shield not been on his back.

Venezzia's new ruler awoke several ours later in a daze. The sun was rising, he could tell that much and he could hear something tapping on his helmet. Looking up, he saw it was a carrion crow testing his palatability. Alixenus shooed the Crow off and rose to his feet. Utter horror greeted his eyes. The ground all around him was littered with dead. At least the ground that he could see. The air was thick with acrid smoke from the burning houses and incindiary weapons. The rising sun turned this into an inpenetrable, bitter smog. The outlines of defensive fieldworks resolved themselves around him. Ditches, Gabionades, Timber command posts. The Tattered banner of the 2nd heavy horse stood in front of him. A plate-clad arm still hung onto it, a trail of blood indicating where the owner had gone.

Alixenus checked his shield. Shattered. He dropped it. Next his sword. Gone. Unarmed save for his gauntlets. Then his hearing came back to him. The discordant instruments of war still played around him. The dead were still groaning. There was the crackle of burning wood. The ripping and tearing of flesh. He gazed through the smoke. The command post was too far to go without a weapon. He was still searching for one when a zombie came upon him...

To sharpen our minds, I officially issue this thread as a logic RPG meta-game thing. We will create a faction on this thread (not real, just make one up) and war with one another.... Let me give you an example:

I am Sandromin, leader of the sandmen. We use camouflage in the desert to ambush people. Our strengths are against anything pertaining to vegetation, but our weakness is water.

Let's see where this goes? Huehue...
So, in order to sharpen our minds, let's do this! But there are rules:

1) You must state your strengths and weaknesses. If you are weak against an opponent, you lose, unless...
2) You have a 3:1 "Population" ratio. Each time you win, you gain a 'follower' for your group (population). If you beat out an enemy you're weak to, then you lose 2 people as an aftermath effect... Default Population is 1...
3) You must post an epic battle description, just so people have fun reading this thread...
4) No orbital strikes...
5) You MUST have one weakness and one strength. If you are neutral against an opponent, it results in a stalemate.
6) If you lose all your people, then you revert back to only one person. That one person is you. You can't participate until the next day due to your loss too.
7) No trolling.
8) HAVE FUN! Anything Else Goes!

I'll manage this thread and see where it goes!

Edit Rules:
9) You get 3 types: your base terrain, your strength terrain(s), and your weakness terrain(s). You get 1 base terrain, 3 strengths, and 3 weaknesses.
10) [Reserved for more rules]

no OB?
i quit!

EDIT:well, having read the last page, this went off the deep end.........

OOC Okay Brutus, essentially there's been a zombie apocalypse brewing for a while and it's finally spilled over. Now Sandromin and Thanatos fixed it in a previous post, but my subplot is running slightly behind their's. So we just have to hold out until the Zombies are suddenly roasted in a blinding light from heaven. I was planning on wrapping up this battle in the next post. any objections?

OOC Okay Brutus, essentially there's been a zombie apocalypse brewing for a while and it's finally spilled over. Now Sandromin and Thanatos fixed it in a previous post, but my subplot is running slightly behind their's. So we just have to hold out until the Zombies are suddenly roasted in a blinding light from heaven. I was planning on wrapping up this battle in the next post. any objections?

OOC alright then let's save Venezzia!

"No time to explain now Brutus", Alixenus yelled to his lofty companion as he scooped up a flanged Mace, "Just get me to that hut over there!"

The yelling attracted yet more of the living dead and it was now obvious that fighting their way to the command post was going to be a heroic struggle. But Alixenus was far from a heroic level of health after his ordeal. So, using logical that only a Giant can concoct, Brutus picked up Alixenus and threw him (Under-arm!!!) to the command post.

"Plate armour. he be fine" and with that he proceeded to decimate the surrounding necrotics with his horned helmet.

Alixenus had a relatively pleasant landing: chest first into half a horse. When he picked himself up and got the taste of offal out of his mouth he saw a pack of zombies beating on the door of the command post. He could see no signs of resistance from inside. But then he heard the whoosh of fast flowing water behind him. Turning about he saw one of Venezzia's many 'flood gate' cannons blasting away a pack of zombies: some were disintergrated by the torrent while others were carried away in the deluge. Alixenus could see gunners pointing at the beleagured command post. That cannon would wipe it out. There might not be anyone inside but he had to try.

Charging into the back of the group beating on the door, Alixenus smashed his flanged Mace into the skull of one of the larger specimens dressed in a loin cloth. It twitched and quivered before turning around to try to eat him with what was left of it's mouth. Alixenus struck again and turned most of it's head to pulp. It now wandered aimlessly whilst it's cohorts now seeked vengance. This was no time for artistry or virtuosity. Alixenus attacked with brute force, using himself and the Mace to break limbs and knock down the dead at every opportunity. Mace to the knee. Elbow spike to the eyes. Fist to the nose. Boot to ribs. Severed arm to the arm still attached. and all the while he could hear the cannon slowly filling with water.

Using the remains of his last opponent as a springboard, Alixenus lept onto the roof of the command post and started waving frantically at the cannon. For an eternity it seemed to stay aimed at him. The gunners peering at him with curiosity through the mist. The zombies he just fought through were getting back to their feet. At last Venezzia's defenders turned their bile upon another group of undead. Alixenus slumped over on the roof, exhausted, not caring about the many hands clawing at him.

Brutus casually walked up to him, a tree over his shoulder like a club. He looked at at Alixenus curiously.
"Friend dead?"
"Friend tired"
"Oh, but still fight?"
"Yes"
"fight now?"
"Hmm.... may aswell"

So he heaved himself to his feet, grabbed the Mace and lept off the roof at a human zombie. But as the blow was struck blazing fire came down from the skies, blinding all present. When they felt they could open their eyes again, they found the dead were vanquished. Alixenus found his mace was deep in a pile of ash. He looked puzzled for a moment, then he shrugged, dropped the mace, took off his face guard and sat down on that half a horse.

He said to himself, "Not bad Sandromin, not bad at all. But, I don't think we did too badly ourselves... Yup, Thanatos may have all his fancy magic and such, but I think we did alright"

The smog lifted, it was midday. The birds were singing. The walls had held.

OOC: Well that settles it, 12 hours. That seems realistic. Now it does seem pretty silly to say 8 minutes. I was running on a severe lack of sleep. Trying to make sense of what you're typing whilst half asleep isn't as easy as it may seem. So it was a 12 hour journey. Now back to the story.

The blue markings on the hilt of saber now glow with more intensity, cracking the ground around the alter. Nothing of great effect. More than likely to create an obstacle between himself and Xavier. Gold is slowly invading his once hazel irises. He was now uncharacteristically furious.

"Hear now the gravity of my words. I AM RUNNING OUT OF TIME! Do you have any idea what I sacrificed by coming this far! You could never understand this endless struggle. A struggle between preserving this world or your people! Between protecting yourself, or becoming subject to the cruel path that Fate has set you on. I CAN'T PREVENT THE INEVITABLE!"

He takes from his pocket the rest of the cipher, grabbing the final piece and uniting the two from his pocket he grabs a long thread that he transforms into the Dark Arcanum. Before his very eyes the words and incantations becoming clear to him. After flipping through pages he recited...

"Thorak onvay ohkai corone!"

At that moment the page of the book burned to ashes. The golems had turned to rubble and Logipriest back to humans as promised. But then something unexpected happened. Thanatos drew his saber.... and impaled himself through the chest. The last expression on his face being that of pain. Not physical, but something much much deeper. The book falls near Sandromin's feet, fully translated. Then suddenly time seemed to stop. Xavier and Sandromin were frozen in place. They only watched as an ethereal figure approached Thanatos's lifeless body. The figure appeared to be female. She embraced him almost lovingly.

"It was only inevitable."

It was only a whisper, but her words echoed loudly throughout the room. In an instance, both her and Thanatos's body disappeared, and both Xavier and Sandromin regained control of their bodies as the temple started to collapse around them.

OOC: for simplicity's sake, the memory modification of the logipriests during their transformation back from zombie form only effects identity. That is, we're still speaking English. On a side note, thank god we didn't decide to make up whole new languages yet. Anyway. Identities. This means we don't know who we are, who you are, proper nouns, mostly. We recognise villages, but not their names. If we see a sign saying Venezzia, for example, we will no longer recognise it as a trading, water oriented race of people recently undergone a revolution, but we will then associate you guys as venezzians once more.

END OOC.

-

"Who are you?"
I turned, and a woman was staring at me. She was naked but for a loin cloth and on her body ran the same golden runes over the same greenish skin. The others gathered around and stared at each other as well.
"I... I do not know."

"Why are we here?" The smallest of us squeaked.

"I can't answer that either."

"You know", began a bald, wizened man, the golden lines of runes broken by folds of old skin. "I was looking down at the village, and I saw some who looked similar to us. However, you might not like how they looked."

We all strode over to the edge of the tree line and peered down the hill. I gasped. Strewn across the plain before a coastal town were piles upon piles of ashes, and scattered along the ashes were bodies. Green bodies, with gold runes. They were all dead.

After a long silence, I regained my senses.

"It would seem we are not welcome down there, at least. I assume those were our kind... And we're slaughtered by whoever resides in those towns. Brutes, I'd wager. Look, I see no one else dead besides those who look like us. It did not seem as if we wanted a battle at all."

I turned.

"Friends, I do not know your names. I do not know our purpose. All I know is if we reside here any longer, we will not be treated warmly. We must go."

And with the ringing sense of finality and adventure, I took a step forward... then was paralysed and fell to the ground, unconscious.

>Team-R99 Leader reporting. Capture attempts unsuccessful. Targets appear to have a defense unit outmatching any of us.
>Overseer-R99 responding. Describe defense unit.
>For the Collective's sake, man, I don't have time for this. Here, I'll take a photo ans send it to you.

The team leader's optics flashed as he took a photo of Brutus, after which he broadcasted to his other teammates:

>New squad order: RUN THE [EXPLETIVE REDACTED] AWAY!

The robots then began a strategic retreat towards base, which of course means to say they ran like the cowards they were.