The Campaign Builder's Guild

Letter up for new goblins and Tiern up! Gonna have some more tomorrow. ^_^

Messages to Duergar, Succubi, and the Glow up (2 of the ones for last week).

[spoiler=Response to Kafer, Despot of the Duergar]
My congratulations on your strike agains the Abject; it was well recieved among the Nocae, and you have our deepest sympathies for the predation of these 'Demented' Ceremorphs, though I am forced to wonder how one tells the difference between those who admit to their madness and those who claim sanity.

The news of the Succubi's working with the Abject is unfortunate, and I am gladdened to hear it was disrupted, but I confess that I am not overly surprised to hear it. The Succubi are the creatuers of the Kirr, though slightly more agreeable than their noxious summoner. I do not seek to hunt the Succubi down, if that is what you propose, but I hope to take advantage of the opening in the Abject's defenses you have created. To that end, I do request your advice and expertise; some feral Tunnel Hulks, of those you work with so well, are near the borders of my lands. I have thus far kept the creatures placated by food, but attempts to communicate with them beyond that have been utter failures.

Any advice you could have concerning opening a rapport with these creatures would be greatly apprecated, and I'm certain some would serve you well, though others I seek to use against those who apparently are our mutual foes, both the Abject and the Kirr. In addition, since you had some measure of success against the Abject, if you could inform me of all you know of their defenses of their holdings in the Middledeep, I would be greatly appreciative.

If you require more direct assistance against the Demented, I will be happy to provide what I can, though my ability to end aid is limited. Should the worst come to pass, and you find yourself driven from your homes, you may find refuge among the Nocae. I may even suggest sending the non-combatants amongst yourself north and up to my realm, so they may be safe from the coming storm.

Yours,
Dolmar Lestridae
Champion of the Holy Shdow
Defender of Umbrazzid.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Response to Arquenciel]
Your grace is always appreciated, Lady Septena. And speaking of titles, as a minor request, General Lestridae or even Sir Lestridae would be preferred; the title of Lord among my people has connotations that harkens back to the Old Ways, and you understand better than most the power of words, so I am certain you can understand my desire to curb its usage, even when not among my own people. I believe I may have used it in an earlier letter with you; I apologize for the error if I did, but old habits die hardest.

I admit that I had not known of the origins of the Succubi. I am sorry for your progenitor's fall, but it means that even the most basic assumption about creatures of the Abyss cannot be made; since you were created from the aftermath of a God of Light, you nature cannot be inherently evil as some of my scholars suggest. Perhaps the Holy Shadow holds more that could appeal to you than you might suspect, for it is a central tenant of the faith that, so long as its nature is not inherently evil, any creature may chose to follow the Shadowed Paths into the balance between Light and Dark. Or perhaps not; our ways are not for everyone, though more adopt it than I expected.

I do appreciate your honest in the interest of clarity and to prevent me from laboring under a misunderstanding of your states. Still, an objection on scholarly grounds or general distate for the practice are greater seeds for eventual moral objections than some grew through - my own path began with an objection to the sustainability of controlling a slave population that outnumbered the slaver population and was growing far faster. Pragmatism can lead to morality, and it shames me to admit that your sister, Jonquille's, distaste puts her ahead of even where I was until but fifty years prior.

Unfortunately the recent incursions by the Abject have forced my financial situation to be one where I am limited in my options. Speaking of the Abject, I understand a conference between yourself and the minions of the Cerelich were interrupted by an incursion of the Duergar, who was swift to point out your connection to the Abject and the Kirr, giving me hope for a mutual ally when full war erupts again. I do believe it may be wise for you to avoid the lands of the Abject in the Middledeep for the next short period of time, in case situations there heat up again - it may be advisable to conduct further buisness with them in a more secure location.

Minirah's lack of punishment is dissatisifying, but I am not one to be driven by vengance. Should she be taken alive, she will stand just trial for her crimes. Should she be captured and brought to Umbrazzid for that purpose, I would be most financially grateful.

Always a pleasure to speak with you,
Dolmar Lestridae.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Response to the Glow]
Your words are hard to understand, but I think I have grasped the general purpose behind it.

The Abominations were given their unique forms as punishment for defying the Spider-Goddess of the Old Ways; for the hubris of believing they could show compassion, their flesh was warped into the shapes you now see. That taint you sense must be the lingering curse of the Spider-Goddess.

We are the converse, in many ways, of yourself it seems. Where the Dream's Glow is living light, we are blessed with Shadow - shadow made flesh, if you will. If the Dream's Glow is living light, perhaps the Dreamer distilled the Shadow from our flesh – gave life to our Shadow. If you want, I could send one of our clerics to help understand the shadow that has begun to grow.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Message to Knarosh Skullsplitter]
King Knarosh Skullsplitter,
Goblin King of the Goretooth Tribe;

Hail and well met! I am Dolmar Lestridae, of the Nocae, and write to you with some trepidation. The Goretooth tribe lies fairly close to my realm, and our past dealings with Goblins have been less than pleasant, culminating with the eventual elimination of the Red Tide.

I do not wish for war against you and your kind. I hope that we can establish peaceful relations to our mutual benefit.

From my experiences, most dislike and rightfully mistrust the double-speak and slick words many of Elvenkind employ so if I judge you incorrectly forgive me, but I will be forthright; what are your intentions for your people and their future? Can the Nocae count you as a friend or foe? I can assure you, we will be the fiercest of either you have yet encountered, and I hope that friendship can be struck.

General Dolmar Lestridae
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Message to Thane Tiern]
The handwriting of this letter is clearly Phaedra's
My friend,

I will admit that life within Umbrazzid again is much less interesting than life wandering the caverns with you, although I am needed here until the portals complete and my father can more swiftly return to Umbrazzid. Have you any word from your wife? I hope her realms have escaped the predation of the Jabberlings unscathed. Should the need to wander the depths take you again, I beg you to take me with me and save from the dread Wyrm Beuracracy - I fear I will end up as mad as those rebel Ceremorphs if not.

Speaking of those foul creatures, report has reached me they have struck at your deep kin, the Duergar. While what we know of them is hardly encouraging, they are still far more likely to be redeemed than this "Lady of Madness" - I was wondering if you intended to intervene in their fate, and if the Nocae may assist. That being said, rumor holds the Duergar are allied with the Kirr, and we are loathe to trust any who bind ourselves to a people so foul. Given our distance, I expect our assistance would be limited to helping safeguard your lands to free more of your warriors to assist the Duergar, but if we can assist in any other ways, I will be happy to do what we can.

And while we are on the subject of vile beasts, I'm certain you are aware of the emergence of the Goretooth tribe of Goblins to the north of our mutual realm. My father has written them asking for their intent, though we both know how little their word can be trusted. Our faith demands we give the Goblins a chance to prove their worth, much as I hate to admit so; yet it seems as though it would be wise to fortify against a potential war, even if they sing hymns of friendship. I hope we are able to erect an outpost to defend against any potential incusion in the passage leading between their realm and ours.

I also feel I should inform you some Kobolds, clever inventors in the service of Queen Shee-Ra, will soon enter and depart the former lands of the Red Tide. We struck a temporary deal with Queen Shee-Ra, those trapspringers for aid in her war against the lothesome necromancers, for while the kobold's dining habits are repellent, they are far better than the minions of the undead.

As a final matter, our realms have had their weekly trade of seventy five units of metal for one hundred and fifty gold; is such an exchange, or a smaller one, viable this week?

Your friend
Phaedra Lestridae[/spoiler]

[ooc]To do still:
Abject
Shee-Ra
Legion
Succubi[/ooc]
[spoiler=Orders]

[spoiler=Production]
Total
Gold: +750, Metal +65, Food +545
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)
3 Lichen Garden: +75 Food
2 Lizard Pens: +70 Food
Lake: +10 Food
Ald-Anoril (Upperdeep 44)
Goblin Mine +150 gold, +15 Metal
2 Mushroom Gardens +50 Food
Ghostwatch (Uperdeep 42)
Goblin Mine +150 gold, +15 Metal
Dal-Urael (Formerly the Skull Throne) (Upperdeep 43)
Goblin Mine +150 gold, +15 Metal
Mushroom Patch +20 Food
Mushroom Grove +140 Food
Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)
Improved Shadow Elf Mine: +300 gold, +25 Metal
Mushrooms +20 Food
Daed-Waech(Upperdeep 32)
2 Lizard Pens +70 Food
Ald-Elisae (Upperdeep 19)
Mushrooms +20 Food
Lake +10 Food
2 Lizard Pens +70 Food

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Upkeep] (-655 Gold, -190 Food) NOT CURRENT
14 Dragonslayers -42 gold, -14 food
16 Accursed -12 Food
18 Abomination -126 gold, -126 Food
Qulaenaszth -10 Gold, -7 Food
10 Shadow Elf Archers -20 Gold, -10 Food
10 Shadow Elf Swordsmen -20 Gold, -10 Food
7 Shadow Elf Paladins -21 Gold, -7 Food
Deep Gnome Electromancer: -10 Gold, -1 Food
Gnomes -100 gold, -1 Food
4 Gloomdancers -56 Gold, -4 Food
12 Shadow Elf Rangers -96 gold, -12 Food
4 Shadow Elf Clerics -52 gold, -4 Food

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Construction]
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)
Completed Construction:
Ranger's Spire
Drake Nest
Veil of Shadows

Under Construction:
City Wall 1 Week
Spidersilk Armory 1 Week
Gloom Portal (4 Total), 1 Week (Pairs: Umbrazzid-Thousand Halls, Umbrazzid-Rhuad)
Shadow Elf Mine 2 Weeks

Beginning Construction:

Ald-Anoril
Nothing Beginning, Under, Or Complete

Ghostwatch
Nothing Beginning, Under, Or Complete

Dal-Urael(Upperdeep 43)
Nothing Beginning, Under, Or Complete

Daed-Waech(Upperdeep 32)
Completed Construction
Cavern of the Accursed
2 Lizard Pens

Under Construction
Shadowy Architecture 1 Week
City Wall 1 Week

Beginning Construction

Ald-Elisae (Upperdeep 19)
Completed Construction
Cavern of the Accursed
2 Lizard Pens

Under Construction
Shadowy Architecture 1 Week
City Wall 1 Week

Beginning Construction
Shadow Elf Mines (-175 Gold, -15 Metal, 3 Weeks)

Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)
Completed Construction
Cavern of the Accursed
2 Lizard Pens

Under Construction
Shadowy Architecture 1 Week
City Wall 1 Week
Shadow Elf Mine Complex 1 Weeks

Beginning Construction

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Trade]
-52 Gold, -32 Metal to clever smarts for trapspringers upkeep in exchange for 56 gold for Gloomdancer's upkeep.

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Recruitment]
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)

Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Wealth]
Gold: 50
Metal: 287
Food: 1717

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Dungeons and Outposts]
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)
Shadow Spire
Cavern of the Accursed
War Spire
Armory Spire
Temple of Sylssiadil
Ranger's Spire
Drake Nest
3 Lichen Garden
2 Lizard Pens
Spire of Gloom

Defenses
Shadow Architecture
3 Murder Holes
Veil of Shadows

Ald-Anoril
Goblin Mine
Reinforced Gate
Escape Tunnel
2 Mushroom Patches

Defenses
Palisade
Rienforced Gate
Escape Tunnel
Spiked Moat

Ghostwatch
Goblin Mine

Dal-Urael(Upperdeep 43)
Hall of the Goblin King (unusable by Shadow Elves)
Goblin Mine
Mushroom Patch
Mushroom Grove
Goblin Lair  (unusable by Shadow Elves)
Goblin Armory  (unusable by Shadow Elves)
Bat Roost

Defenses
Pallisade
Reinforced Gate
Spiked Moat
Escape Tunnel
3 Murder Holes

Daed-Waech(Upperdeep 32)
2 Lichen Gardens
Cavern of the Accursed

Defenses
Escape Tunnel

Ald-Elisae (Upperdeep 19)
2 Lichen Gardens
Cavern of the Accursed

Defenses
Escape Tunnel  

Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)
Improved Shadow Elf Mine
Shrine of Sylessiadil
2 Lichen Gardens
Cavern of the Accursed

Defenses
Escape Tunnel

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Armies]
Outrunners: Garrisoned Middledeep 40
3 Abominations and Dolmar

Dragonslayers: Stationed at Upperdeep 19 (+2 Morale)
14 Dragonslayers led by Phaedra

Ald-Lothii Guard(Garrisoned at Upperdeep 18)
1 Baeria (Abomination Commander)
1 Accursed
3 Paladins

Daed-Waech Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 32)
2 Abominations Led by Quilidim

Deepwall Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 31)
1 Paladin (Commander)
6 Rangers
2 Archers
1 Cleric

Ald-Elisae Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 19)
5 Swordsmen Led by Eralimae

Northwall Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 26)
1 Paladin (Commander)
6 Rangers
3 Archers
10 Accursed
1 Cleric

Home Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 30)
14 Dragon Slayers led by Phaedra

Homewall Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 29)
1 Paladin (Commander)
Qulaenaszth
20 Deep Gnome Brigadier led by Zururura Izzard Dissenact III
5 Abominations
1 Cleric

Dal-Urael Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 43)
5 Accursed
1 Abomination (Commander - will figure out name later)

Ald-Anoril Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 44)
5 Abominations led by Syndrid
5 Swordsmen
5 Archers led by Pylnorii

Steward of Rhuad
Aerdolm, Garrisoned Upperdeep 42

Grief-Stricken (Lowerdeep 31)
Syndrid

Dwer-Friends
2 Paladins
1 Cleric

Shee-Ra Allies (Upperdeep 60)
4 Gloomdancers

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Orders]
SCRY: Upperdeep 58

At any point, if battle occurs with the succubi, Paladins should focus on blessing them to drive them off. Other forces should only attack them if the Succubi are making hostile damaging attacks OR attempting to dominate.

All Homewall Guard will ungarrison, move to Umbrazzid, garrison, and Pray at the Temple of Sylessiadil before turning to Umbrazzid and regarrisoning (4 speed) (+2 defense, +2 Morale)

All Northwall Guard will ungarrison, move to Ald-Elosai, and Pray at the Shrine of Sylessiadil, then return to Northwall and regarrison (4 speed) (+1 Morale)

At Homewall, Northwall, and Deepwall, the Cleric will cast Ward on the regiments of Rangers Led by the Paladin. The Paladins will bless the same regiment.

The Regiment of Rangers at Deepwall (Upperdeep 31) will use 1 speed to ungarrison, use their free scout action, and then regarrison

If any of homewall, Northwall, or Deepwall are attacked, the garrison of the nearest dungeon (Umbrazzid for Homewall, Ald-Elisae for Northwall, Daed-Waech for Deepwall) Including the commander, will ungarrison and move to defend.

If Homewall is attacked, ranged units should prioritize regiments of detectors or with detectors attached to them, except for the Succubi

If a dungeon is attacked by a force large enough to threaten it, cancel all construction except for any Gloom Glyphs.

Offer the Tunnel Hulks 50 food regardless of if their allegiance can be gained or not to keep them from becoming hostile.

OLD
The Gloom Dancers at Upperdeep 44 will move to Upperdeep 60 (44-43-55-56-58-59-60, 6 Speed)

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Characters]
[ic=Dolmar Lestridae]
Melee Attack: +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 20
Health: 18
Speed: 7
Morale: +7
Special Abilities: Infiltrator, Leadership, Elven Fleetness

Dolmar increases the Melee Damage, Speed and Morale of any army he is leading by +1.  If garrisoned in a Dungeon he increases the Melee Damage and Morale of garrisoned troops by +1.  Any regiment he joins gains his Infiltrator ability.

If a Drake Nest has been constructed, Dolmar can be mounted on a Drake.  If mounted on a Drake he gains the Cavalry and Flying abilities and gains +2 Speed, +2 Defence, and +7 Health.  He can only join regiments of Shadow Elf Drake Riders.  Mounting Dolmar on a Drake costs 25 Gold and 5 Metal (no Upkeep costs, however).
[/ic]

[ic=Phaedra Lestridae]
Phaedra Lestridae is the daughter of Dolmar and Melthalga, a former Witch-Priestess and current Abomination. She's a fairly easygoing and energetic young woman of only 110, and longs to prove herself in battle. She has a stubborn streak, the same streak that led her to refuse to become a Witch-Priestess and spared her from becoming an Abomination - a fortunate event that has unfortunately strenghtened her determination to follow her own path.

Phaedra is exceptionally beautiful when she bothers to make the effort, but typically is only fair since she spends more time prepared for battle than for court apperances. Her hair is kept short, barely to her neck, to keep it out of the way in battle, and her bangs are similarly short. She has a tatoo of a spider over her left eye, a mistake from her youth gotten to appease her mother that she has kept as a reminder of the dangers of allowing oneself to be led against one's judgement.

Ranged Attack: +7
Ranged Damage: 5
Melee Attack: +5
Melee Damage: 3
Defence: 17
Health: 17
Speed: 5
Morale: +4
Abilities Critical Shot, Posion 6 (Melee)
Equipment Gloomrazor, Darksilver Armour[/ic]

[ic= Zururura Izzard Dissenact III]

Zururura Izzard Dissenact III is an eccentric Deep Gnome, an inventor and mage who leads a "Fulgurous Brigade," of Deep Gnomes just as crazed and maniac as she is, each armed with one of her lightning-cannons.  Zururura herself is also a powerful Electromancer and a skilled technician.

Upkeep: 10 Gold, 1 Food
Ranged Attack: +8
Ranged Damage: 10 (Shock)
Melee Attack: +5
Melee Damage: 4
Defence: 20
Health: 15
Speed: 4
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Chain Lightning, Detector, Leadership, Repair

Zururura increases the Morale of any army she is leading by +1.[/ic]

[ic=Fulgurous Brigade]These seasoned Deep Gnomes are armed with ingenious lightning-generating weapons that discharge crackling bolts of puissance.

Upkeep: 5 Gold, 1 Food
Ranged Attack: +5
Ranged Damage: 8 (Shock)
Melee Attack: +2
Melee Damage: 1
Defence: 16
Health: 5
Speed: 4
Morale: +2[/ic]

[ic=Qulaenaszth, Shadow Elf Abomination, Guardian of Umbrazzid]This powerful creature has twice repelled attacks from the hideous Abject.  She is greatly honoured in Umbrazzid for her role in the sacred city's defence.

Upkeep: 10 Gold, 7 Food
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Grudge (Aberrations), Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

While garrisoned in Umbrazzid, Qulaenaszth provides a +1 Morale bonus to other garrisoned troops.[/ic]

[ic=Aerdolm, the Hellsbane, Steward of Rhuard]
Melee Attack: +8
Melee Damage: 10
Defence: 12
Health: 20
Speed: 5
Morale: +6
Special Abilities: Bless, Grudge (Demon), Leadership

Aerdolm proides a +1 Morale Bonus to any army he leads. A regiment lead by Aerdolm gains the Grudge (Demons) Ability[/ic]

[ic=Eralimae, Guardian of Ald-Elisae]
Melee Attack: +8
Melee Damage: 10
Defence: 12
Health: 20
Speed: 5
Morale: +6
Special Abilities: Bless, Grudge (Demon), Leadership

Eralimae proides a +1 Morale Bonus to any army she leads. A regiment lead by Eralimae gains the Grudge (Demons) Ability

[/ic]

[ic=Baeria, Guardian of Ald-Lothii]
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Leadership, Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Baredra provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.

[/ic]

[ic=Quilidim, Guardian of Daed-Waech]
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Leadership, Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Quilidim provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.[/ic]

[ic=Pylnorii, the Ghost]
Pynorri is an Abomination with the lower body of a great spider. Unlike most of her kind, she is an albino. From the waste up she is stunningly beautiful, while her spider-like torso is more akin to a brown recluse than any other kind of spider.
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Grudge (Aberrations), Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Pylnorii provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.[/ic]

[ic=Syndrid, Warden of Ald-Anoril]
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Grudge (Aberrations), Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Syndrid provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.[/ic]

[ic=Dragonslayers (14)]These elite Shadow Elf archers helped the Dwerim slay the Grey Wyrm Scorra.  Their deeds will be renowned for many centuries in the chronicles of the Nocae and the sagas of Dwarves and Dwerim.

Upkeep: 3 Gold, 1 Food
Ranged Attack: +6
Ranged Damage: 4
Melee Attack: +2
Melee Damage: 1
Defence: 16
Health: 7
Speed: 5
Morale: +3
Special Abilities: Grudge (Wyrms)[/ic]

[/spoiler]
[/spoiler]

My orders are in and final, unless I get a message to makes me drastically change them. Also, message to legion up. Rest of messages MAY get in on monday, but crazy week is crazy and nothing I saw was "Must respond for orders this week" critical, which is about what I have the energy to respond to.

Messages! Glow, Tiern, Succubi, Shee-ra! ^_^

Hey, so I got my orders first draft style up in the hizzy. ^_^ Even with a scry order!

Life's super crazy since I basiaclly lost the last four days, so I'm catching up on everything. Of the messages out to me, who 100% totes needs a response this week? I'll be trying to get to all of them, ofc, but if enough time doesn't exist I maaaaaaaay not be getting back to purely RP messages until next week.

ICly Dolmar has gotten some kind of horrible illness that he's just recovering from (art imitates life, anyone?), which totes makes sense; the Nocae were all locked up and isolationist for like a century, so now they're starting to feel the effects of being exposed to all that sick that they weren't exposed to while all tucked away. ^_^;;

[ic]No IC post this week, was sick and now running so crazy mad catching up on life[/ic]
[spoiler=Response to Shee-Ra]

I am glad to hear it. My Gloomdancers, this week, will reach (Upperdeep 60), at which point there will be under your command for a time as we agreed upon.

As for the BattleKobolds, the Legion, we seek a peaceful resolution of the situation with them; we cannot afford a war on two fronts.

If you need aid in your war against the Greyskulls, the Undead, then I'll would be happy to provide what support I can; I have every reason to believe those vile beings will join with the Kirr and Abject in their war against us.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Response to the Succubi]

Greetings to you as well, fair Arquenciel, and I hope this finds you well. I do hope if you forgive me if this letter is not up to the usual quality of our correspondence; I was recently ill, and though fully recovered, I fear I may not be at my most intelligent quite yet.

I think you misunderstood my declaration of your wickedness; it was an admittedly crude attempt at humor, a bit of a pun. But nothing I have learned of your kind thus far has given me reason to believe you guilty of anything so repulsive; and even if so, I - and my people - have suffered greatly for my acting so rashly when faced with something I find morally repugnant; I would not repeat that mistake. It's true if I thought we did not have motivations that differ from each other's, that may be at odds, I would be pathetically naive and not worth discussing anything with, but I am enjoying our discource and hope to continue it; to be honest, I vastly prefer interacting though this medium than warfar; in fact, I attempted to open negotations with the Kirr before hostilities; the respons was my messanger bat, fiendishly mutilated. At some point, I should compliment the Bloodlord on his eloquence in brevity.

It is true that freedom is often an act of will, yet one has to be made aware of the choice for that action - and I believe that fear, will's true enemy, can override that though no fault of their own. It is not simply a matter of numbers, not when the slaves are given crude armaments at best if they are allowed any kind of weapon, yet the Kirr have the best weapons, Sorcerers capable of blanketing an area in toxic fumes, and powerful demons that are far stronger than there mere numbers would indicate. There is also a fear for the children and elderly, or those too starved to fight - I doubt any reprisal against a slave revolt only applies to those who participated in such an action, but extends to their families as well. Combine the above factors with those who, in their fear, curry favor with their masters by ferrying information to them, in addition to "slaves" put among the normal slaves to spy and weed out dissent and revolution, and it's not surprising that so many of them are unwilling or unable to revolt.

During the Old Empire, I was the General of our Armies, and among my duties included controlling the various slaves of the Empire; I am unfortunately and most repentantly familiar with the methods used for supressing attempted rebellion. It...does surpise me to learn that many denzines of the Abyss are in a similar circumstance as well; I had not thought of it's denzines as being slaves to the very plane they call home, yet when phrased that way does make sense. If not for the fact they would likely devour me whole before giving me a chance, I would seek some method of freedom - that does not allow them to rapage capriciously across the mortal world - as well. If more such beings were like yourselves, open to discorse and thought, I might even consider such a thing possible.

If this economic revolution could be accomplished, freeing the Kirr's slaves through economic means, I would be happy to fund such an endeavour with any reasonable upcharge, including the opprotunity cost, costs for avoiding harm, and additional cost for putting yourselves at risk in the goal of freedom. I will admit to being wholly shocked to beleive that two of your sisters object to slavery on moral grounds; further proof that any assumptions about you, save that you ar skilled, would likely be unwise.

I am saddened to hear of my people's death, but at least I know they have returned to the Shadow and are not sufferly further for my inaction. My intelligence within the Bloodlord's realm has been admittedly lacking; the summoner, Minirah. Without betraying the Bloodlord, can you tell me if she was welcomed home with open arms, or if she was dealt with as a failure - a fate I imagine the Bloodlord would respond to as well as I, in my youth, would have, though I imagine he is more creative than I ever was.

I look forward to your response; I greatly enjoy a chance to discuss things with you.

-General Dolmar Lestridae

Protector of Umbrazzid

Champion of the Holy Shadow.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Response to the Glow]

I...what? I don't understand, I'm sorry. Dolmar's mental 'voice' regains it's composure What happened? I'm sorry, but I do not comprehend your words fully. It sound like when Elutae was immersed in the Dream - which is some sort of liquid, it would seem - something unexpected happened.

I urge you caution before you react from fear. We Nocae are creatures of Shadow; we do not believe Shadow to be Evil. Please, try and discern if what is being born is a creature of Shadow or of Darkness. If there was a poison, it was not intended or known; I did not know what would happen when Syndrid gave her sister to you. Please, try and explain more clearly, help me understand so I can help.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Phaedra Talks to Tiern]

"My friend, thank you for your help in stopping those...jabbering beasts, whatever they were. Word has reached me I must return to Umbrazzid for a time; would you join me? It should not lenghten your journey overmuch, as the portal between Umbrazzid and the Mansion should be completed within two weeks of your arrival; by my estimation, it would take the same amount of time for you to wallk the distance. There would be a feast for us, in honor of our victories and in honor of your wedding, as opposed to weeks more on the road.

Also, are the Dwer ready to retake control of the former goblin territories? The deadline given to us by the Glow draws close. Of course, our forces would still remain to aid in their defense, of course, and per the original arragement the gold from those colonies we would still need collect; however, we do not need the metal from those mines, and believe you could put it to better use than we.

Oh, and one other thing. My father wrote to me of the Dwer that seek to worship the Lady of Shadows. He wants to know if there is any action he could take that would help diffuse the situation further, or if it would be best if he only answered questions those who seek the faith may have."

[I can't, to save my life, figure out a non-awakward way to work into a conversation the trade this week; 50 gold for 100 metal insta-trade still good? ^_^

Also, once you take over the goblin territories, I figure the easist way to handle that is to put in an insta-trade every week.]

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Message to Marius]
The Nocae move against the Kirr's allies, the Abject and their Cerelich, in two weeks, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Will you stand with us, or will you prove to be an obstacle? If the former, how many of your men can you spare for the fight? If the latter, will you permit us to rid the underdark of this grate evil, or must we wage a war on two fronts?

[OOC: Sorry for short message, rough week][/spoiler]

[spoiler=Orders]

[spoiler=Production]
Total
Gold: +750, Metal +65, Food +415
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)
3 Lichen Garden: +75 Food
2 Lizard Pens: +70 Food
Lake: +10 Food
Ald-Anoril (Upperdeep 44)
Goblin Mine +150 gold, +15 Metal
2 Mushroom Gardens +50 Food
Ghostwatch (Uperdeep 42)
Goblin Mine +150 gold, +15 Metal
Dal-Urael (Formerly the Skull Throne) (Upperdeep 43)
Goblin Mine +150 gold, +15 Metal
Mushroom Patch +20 Food
Mushroom Grove +140 Food
Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)
Improved Shadow Elf Mine: +300 gold, +25 Metal
Mushrooms +20 Food
Daed-Waech(Upperdeep 32)
N/A
Ald-Elisae (Upperdeep 19)
Mushrooms +20 Food
Lake +10 Food

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Upkeep] (-501 Gold, -172 Food)
14 Dragonslayers (-42 gold, -14 food)
16 Accursed -12 Food
18 Abomination -126 gold, -126 Food
Qulaenaszth -10 Gold, -7 Food
10 Shadow Elf Archers -20 Gold, -10 Food
10 Shadow Elf Swordsmen -20 Gold, -10 Food
5 Shadow Elf Paladins -15 Gold, -4 Food
Deep Gnome Electromancer: -10 Gold, -1 Food
Gnomes -100 gold, -1 Food
4 Gloomdancers (-56 Gold, -4 Food)

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Construction]
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)
Completed Construction:
Ranger's Spire
Drake Nest
Veil of Shadows

Under Construction:
City Wall 2 Weeks
Spidersilk Armory 2 Weeks
Gloom Portal (4 Total), 2 Weeks (Pairs: Umbrazzid-Thousand Halls, Umbrazzid-Rhuad)

Beginning Construction:
Shadow Elf Mine -175 Gold, -15 Metal, 3 Weeks

Ald-Anoril
Nothing Beginning, Under, Or Complete

Ghostwatch
Nothing Beginning, Under, Or Complete

Dal-Urael(Upperdeep 43)
Nothing Beginning, Under, Or Complete

Daed-Waech(Upperdeep 32)
Completed Construction

Under Construction
Cavern of the Accursed 1 Weeks
Shadowy Architecture 2 Weeks
City Wall 2 Weeks
2 Lizard Pens 1 Weeks

Beginning Construction

Ald-Elisae (Upperdeep 19)
Completed Construction

Under Construction
Cavern of the Accursed 1 Weeks
Shadowy Architecture 2 Weeks
City Wall 2 Weeks
2 Lizard Pens 1 Weeks

Beginning Construction

Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)
Completed Construction
Improved Shadow Elf Mines (Arrived Via Gloom Glyph)
Shrine of Sylessiadil (Arrived Via Gloom Glyph)

Under Construction
Cavern of the Accursed 1 Weeks
Shadowy Architecture 2 Weeks
City Wall 2 Weeks
2 Lizard Pens 1 Weeks
Shadow Elf Mine Complex 2 Weeks (Arrived Via Gloom Glyph As Part of Mines)

Beginning Construction

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Trade]
-50 Metal to Dwer, +100 Gold (Mid Week)
-52 Gold, -32 Metal to clever smarts for trapspringers upkeep in exchange for 56 gold for Gloomdancer's upkeep.

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Recruitment]
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10) -490 Gold
4 Clerics (-240 Gold)
12 Shadow Elf Rangers (-290 Gold)

Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Wealth]
Gold: 129
Metal: 237
Food: 1362

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Dungeons and Outposts]
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)
Shadow Spire
Cavern of the Accursed
War Spire
Armory Spire
Temple of Sylssiadil
Ranger's Spire
Drake Nest
3 Lichen Garden
2 Lizard Pens
Spire of Gloom

Defenses
Shadow Architecture
3 Murder Holes
Veil of Shadows

Ald-Anoril
Goblin Mine
Reinforced Gate
Escape Tunnel
2 Mushroom Patches

Defenses
Palisade
Rienforced Gate
Escape Tunnel
Spiked Moat

Ghostwatch
Goblin Mine

Dal-Urael(Upperdeep 43)
Hall of the Goblin King (unusable by Shadow Elves)
Goblin Mine
Mushroom Patch
Mushroom Grove
Goblin Lair  (unusable by Shadow Elves)
Goblin Armory  (unusable by Shadow Elves)
Bat Roost

Defenses
Pallisade
Reinforced Gate
Spiked Moat
Escape Tunnel
3 Murder Holes

Daed-Waech(Upperdeep 32)
Nothing

Defenses
Escape Tunnel

Ald-Elisae (Upperdeep 19)
Nothing

Defenses
Escape Tunnel 

Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)
Improved Shadow Elf Mine
Shrine of Sylessiadil

Defenses
Escape Tunnel

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Armies]
Outrunners: Garrisoned Middledeep 40
3 Abominations and Dolmar

Dragonslayers: Stationed at Upperdeep 19 (+2 Morale)
14 Dragonslayers led by Phaedra

Ald-Lothii Guard(Garrisoned at Upperdeep 18)
1 Baeria (Abomination Commander)
1 Accursed
3 Paladins

Daed-Waech Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 32)
2 Abominations Led by Quilidim

Ald-Elisae Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 19)
5 Swordsmen Led by Eralimae

Home Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 30) (+2 Morale)
Qulaenaszth
5 Archers
20 Deep Gnome Brigadier led by Zururura Izzard Dissenact III
5 Abominations
5 Paladins (Grudge: Demons)
4 Shadow Elf Clerics
12 Shadow Elf Rangers
10 Accursed

Dal-Urael Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 43)
5 Accursed
1 Abomination (Commander - will figure out name later)

Ald-Anoril Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 44)
5 Abominations led by Syndrid
5 Swordsmen
5 Archers led by Pylnorii
4 Gloomdancers

Steward of Rhuad
Aerdolm, Garrisoned Upperdeep 42

Grief-Stricken (Lowerdeep 31)
Syndrid

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Orders]
Home Guard: All Pray at Temple of Sylessiadil (+2 defense, +2 Morale)
Scry Middledeep 20

The 4 Clerics will cast Ward on themselves, the regiment of Paladins, the Regiment of Rangers, and the regiment of Accursed. The Paladins will Bless themselves, the Gnomes, the Rangers, the Abominations, and the Accursed.
Once they have buffed, they will all move to Upperdeep 28 (29-28, 2 speed) to eliminate the Abject present there.
Phaedra and her Dragonslayers will break off from Tiern's company and move to Upperdeep 28 to join the Home Guard in Flanking the Abject force at Upperdeep 28.

After the Abject are eliminated, the Clerics will cast invisibility on themselves and the paladins. they will redeploy as follows:
2 Paladins and 1 Cleric (blessed, invisible, warded, Prayed at Temple) will forced march to Nuln (Upperdeep 31-32-33-34, Middledeep 46-45-44).
Phaedra and her Dragonslayers will return to Umbrazzid and Garrison.
The Gnomes and their Leader, 1 Cleric, 1 Paladin, 5 Abominations, and Qulaenaszth will return to Upperdeep 29 and found an Outpost, Homewall. They are the Homewall Guard.
6 Rangers, 3 Archers, 10 Accursed, 1 Cleric, and 1 Paladin will move to Upperdeep 26 and found an outpost on the Northern (Closes to Ald-Elisae) side of the bridge. This is the Northwall, and they are the Northwall guard.
6 Rangers, 2 Archers, 1 Cleric, and 1 Paladin will move to Upperdeep 31 and found an outpost there. This is the Deepwall, and they are the Deepwall guard.
At each of these, promote the Paladin to Commander. He or she will lead the regiments of Rangers, conferring his or her grudge to them.
STANDING ORDER: If any of homewall, Northwall, or Deepwall are attacked, the garrison of the nearest dungeon (Umbrazzid for Homewall, Ald-Elisae for Northwall, Daed-Waech for Deepwall) Including the commander, will ungarrison and move to defend.
STANDING ORDER: If Homewall is attacked, ranged units should prioritize regiments of detectors or with detectors attached to them; except for
STANDING ORDER: If a dungeon is attacked by a force large enough to threaten it, cancel all construction except for any Gloom Glyphs.

The Gloom Dancers at Upperdeep 44 will move to Upperdeep 60 (44-43-55-56-58-59-60, 6 Speed)

Attempt to offer the Tunnel Hulks another 100 food to try to win their allegiance. (I'll message Kafer next week if need be)
[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Characters]
[ic=Dolmar Lestridae]
Melee Attack: +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 20
Health: 18
Speed: 7
Morale: +7
Special Abilities: Infiltrator, Leadership, Elven Fleetness

Dolmar increases the Melee Damage, Speed and Morale of any army he is leading by +1.  If garrisoned in a Dungeon he increases the Melee Damage and Morale of garrisoned troops by +1.  Any regiment he joins gains his Infiltrator ability.

If a Drake Nest has been constructed, Dolmar can be mounted on a Drake.  If mounted on a Drake he gains the Cavalry and Flying abilities and gains +2 Speed, +2 Defence, and +7 Health.  He can only join regiments of Shadow Elf Drake Riders.  Mounting Dolmar on a Drake costs 25 Gold and 5 Metal (no Upkeep costs, however).
[/ic]

[ic=Phaedra Lestridae]
Phaedra Lestridae is the daughter of Dolmar and Melthalga, a former Witch-Priestess and current Abomination. She's a fairly easygoing and energetic young woman of only 110, and longs to prove herself in battle. She has a stubborn streak, the same streak that led her to refuse to become a Witch-Priestess and spared her from becoming an Abomination - a fortunate event that has unfortunately strenghtened her determination to follow her own path.

Phaedra is exceptionally beautiful when she bothers to make the effort, but typically is only fair since she spends more time prepared for battle than for court apperances. Her hair is kept short, barely to her neck, to keep it out of the way in battle, and her bangs are similarly short. She has a tatoo of a spider over her left eye, a mistake from her youth gotten to appease her mother that she has kept as a reminder of the dangers of allowing oneself to be led against one's judgement.

Ranged Attack: +7
Ranged Damage: 5
Melee Attack: +5
Melee Damage: 3
Defence: 17
Health: 17
Speed: 5
Morale: +4
Abilities Critical Shot, Posion 6 (Melee)
Equipment Gloomrazor, Darksilver Armour[/ic]

[ic= Zururura Izzard Dissenact III]

Zururura Izzard Dissenact III is an eccentric Deep Gnome, an inventor and mage who leads a "Fulgurous Brigade," of Deep Gnomes just as crazed and maniac as she is, each armed with one of her lightning-cannons.  Zururura herself is also a powerful Electromancer and a skilled technician.

Upkeep: 10 Gold, 1 Food
Ranged Attack: +8
Ranged Damage: 10 (Shock)
Melee Attack: +5
Melee Damage: 4
Defence: 20
Health: 15
Speed: 4
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Chain Lightning, Detector, Leadership, Repair

Zururura increases the Morale of any army she is leading by +1.[/ic]

[ic=Fulgurous Brigade]These seasoned Deep Gnomes are armed with ingenious lightning-generating weapons that discharge crackling bolts of puissance.

Upkeep: 5 Gold, 1 Food
Ranged Attack: +5
Ranged Damage: 8 (Shock)
Melee Attack: +2
Melee Damage: 1
Defence: 16
Health: 5
Speed: 4
Morale: +2[/ic]

[ic=Qulaenaszth, Shadow Elf Abomination, Guardian of Umbrazzid]This powerful creature has twice repelled attacks from the hideous Abject.  She is greatly honoured in Umbrazzid for her role in the sacred city's defence.

Upkeep: 10 Gold, 7 Food
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Grudge (Aberrations), Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

While garrisoned in Umbrazzid, Qulaenaszth provides a +1 Morale bonus to other garrisoned troops.[/ic]

[ic=Aerdolm, the Hellsbane, Steward of Rhuard]
Melee Attack: +8
Melee Damage: 10
Defence: 12
Health: 20
Speed: 5
Morale: +6
Special Abilities: Bless, Grudge (Demon), Leadership

Aerdolm proides a +1 Morale Bonus to any army he leads. A regiment lead by Aerdolm gains the Grudge (Demons) Ability[/ic]

[ic=Eralimae, Guardian of Ald-Elisae]
Melee Attack: +8
Melee Damage: 10
Defence: 12
Health: 20
Speed: 5
Morale: +6
Special Abilities: Bless, Grudge (Demon), Leadership

Eralimae proides a +1 Morale Bonus to any army she leads. A regiment lead by Eralimae gains the Grudge (Demons) Ability

[/ic]

[ic=Baeria, Guardian of Ald-Lothii]
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Leadership, Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Baredra provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.

[/ic]

[ic=Quilidim, Guardian of Daed-Waech]
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Leadership, Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Quilidim provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.[/ic]

[ic=Pylnorii, the Ghost]
Pynorri is an Abomination with the lower body of a great spider. Unlike most of her kind, she is an albino. From the waste up she is stunningly beautiful, while her spider-like torso is more akin to a brown recluse than any other kind of spider.
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Grudge (Aberrations), Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Pylnorii provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.[/ic]

[ic=Syndrid, Warden of Ald-Anoril]
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Grudge (Aberrations), Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Syndrid provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.[/ic]

[ic=Dragonslayers (14)]These elite Shadow Elf archers helped the Dwerim slay the Grey Wyrm Scorra.  Their deeds will be renowned for many centuries in the chronicles of the Nocae and the sagas of Dwarves and Dwerim.

Upkeep: 3 Gold, 1 Food
Ranged Attack: +6
Ranged Damage: 4
Melee Attack: +2
Melee Damage: 1
Defence: 16
Health: 7
Speed: 5
Morale: +3
Special Abilities: Grudge (Wyrms)[/ic]

[/spoiler]
[/spoiler]

I'm back from the dead! ^_^

Sorry to everyone I didn't respond to, I was godaweful sick. I'm gonna get my orders hammered out and then try to respond/send messages right quick.

Responded! ^_^

By the by, the succubi got a message from Dolmar. ^_^

Very. ^_^;;

Response to Kafer and Cleversmarts are ready to read (if you're light dragon or llum. Otherwise, don't bother)

Also, now messages to Succubi and Legion up. Brief message to Dwer being sent before I go to bed.

Response to Kafer up. Cleversmarts, I'm waiting for you to post what we discussed OOC IC so's I can respond. ^_^

Edit; forgot to mention there's also a response to the glow in there.

Message for Cleversmart and Glow (that thing i mentioned in my message to the glow takes advantage of the thing we discussed in PM ^_^), responding to last week, up. I believe I still owe a couple other messages from last week, and intend to start new ones.

[ic=To Each and Every, A Chance]

Those are the words emblazoned in the language of Dwarf and Elf and Goblin and Kobold and Orc and Man and dozens of other races, in largest in Deepcommon and beneath that in Surfacecommon, upon the Gate to Ald-Lothii. A city built to house any and all who would come, any who seek a chance to prove their worth, a chance to grow, a chance to learn, a chance to live. Ald-Lothii, Lothe's Honor, named for the Dwer that inspired it.

It is said that Dolmar Lestriade, the Wandering General, recieved word that the gates had been constructed, and that was the first time he smiled since Lothe's death.

No note warns that those who would defile the sanctity of that place, defile the hope of a chance, would be met with a terrible and final fate; the ballistae, the walls, the fortifications built for now only by Nocae but hopefully soon by dozens of other races, make it clear what would happen if any were to try.[/ic]

[ic=Messages]
[Spoiler=Message to the Child of the Glow]
Forgive my delay; I was grieving a fallen friend.

As promised, the goblin bodies are yours, 116 in total; all of their forces I have yet recovered, and more may follow shortly.

As for the Abomination, normally I would find such a thing unthinkable...yet word of your message reached them, and rumors of your powers grow among my people. Two sisters went to fight during the Goblin Wars, and one of them fell. Sindrid is willing, eager, to bring her sister to you to see if she may live again in some fashion, and no effort on my part will dissuade her. She will come to the Tower of Screams by the end of this week with her sister. If you could meet her there...and I beg you, treat her kindly, she is still half mad with grief.

Yours in Alliance,
General Dolmar Lestriade
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Response to the Child]
I know that such a thing is rare, but Sindrid is desperate and willing to try it. I will pray to the Goddess that such a thing is possible, or that if it is not, Sindrid may begin to properly grieve her sister's death.

She will come, with her sister's body. I imagine she will move with all haste and meet you next week.

Thank you for offering the attempt. If there is anything else we could do for you, name it; the Nocae wish to show you what we spoke of when Lothe still lived.

Yours in Friendship,
General Dolmar Lestriade
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Message to the Cleversmart Kobolds]
Your Highness,

My apologies for the delay in this missive, but the funeral of Lothe occupied my mind this week.

The services of your trapspringers would be most welcome, but I cannot send any Abominations to your aid; the tides of war brew again. Your kin, the Kobolds of the Legion, have attack myself and Thane Tiern while I extended the hand of peace, and I need every soldier I have, lest the Abject or Kirr take advantage of this two front war - perhaps one of their engineering. Is there anything else I could offer in exchange for their temporary services? Gold, food, and metal we have in abundance, or perhaps some of our clerics,  I would not need them on a permanent basis, but there are two empty caverns between my cities and my foes below. I would see them filled with traps so the Abject and Kirr would find their numbers greatly reduced as they struck.

Also, I did want to offer my congratulations in your victory against the Ceremorphs Nastydreams. I wish you further victories.

Your Loyal Vassal,
General Dolmar Lestriade
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Response to the Cleversmarts]
Your Majesty,

I am willing to hire the services of 8 of your trapspringers this week, in exchange for the services of the four gloomdancers as you have requested. Where should I send them? And how close to Umbrazzid can your trapspringers arrive? The costs for their hire will arrive next week, and every week the non-food portions of their upkeep will be sent as you requested. Once the traps I need are laid, I will like to keep some of them on retainer - we shall see how many are needed to keep the traps set current.

Your Loyal Vassal,
General Dolmar Lestriade
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Response to Kafer]
Despot Kafer,

I find your sudden curiosity about our war with the Kirr unsettling; do you seek because you wish to join us in our war against them? And we have little option but to continue to prepare for the oncoming storm; the matter between us and the Kirr will only be settled through death, I believe.

A while back you wrote to me to offer the sale of fire-drake eggs. At the time I was unable to make an offer. Should you still have those eggs for sale, or the drakes bred from them, I would purchase a breedable pair for the sum of one-hundred gold. Are you interested?

General Dolmar Lestriade
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=2nd Response to Kafer]
Despot Kafer;

You'll forgive me, but 1000 gold is a sum greater then the week's output of all my holdings combined. I must dismiss that offer out of hand - it is a sum beyond what I could possibly pay. Three hundred is as high as I could go. The only artifact we have recovered is a sacred dagger of our people, Gloomrazor, and its use to you - or any non-elven hand, would be minimal.

As for the Kirr, any allies against them would be welcome; given your proximity to their empire, and their allies, the vile Abject, you should be able to strike soon. To each and every creature there shall be given a chance; therefore, prove to me your alliance by annihilating the Kirr stronghold at Hazer-Nagroth (Middledeep 7). Once it is eliminated and under your control, my forces will move to support your efforts against them. If military might is not an option, than information and details on their troop depositions would go a good way to proving your goodwill.

General Dolmar Lestriade
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Response to Arquenciel]
Greetins to House Septena,

I appreciate your forthrightness, though I cannot help what wonder what your words conceal; it is amazing how many lies the truth may hold.

A wise friend of mine once said that to each and every creature should be given a chance to prove their heart. We have last week founded a city upon that very principal, Ald-Lothii. I have no wish to fight you either; I wish for peace, nothing more, and for all those who desire peace to have it. I'm certain you, at this time, intend for your buisness to damn souls to the Abyss.

At one time, my buisness would have been capturing fresh slaves for the Empress.

I would welcome the chance to share information of a non-military nature with you. For now, we should correspond only through letters; it seems more prudent for me than to meet you in person.

Know this, though; a single chance. Should I learn of treachery against me on your part, then I will sever all communication with you, and will unfortunately need give my warriors orders to attack if they see you, assuming you to be a threat. However, even then - so long as your treachery causes no Nocae, Dwer, or Dwarf to die - I will not order my forces to attempt to engage you, and once the Kirr have fallen, I will be willing to consider re-opening communication - if the treachery is not too egarious. Forgive me the threat, but I must be certain to make clear; as a being who loves peace, you must understand that some times it can only be accomplished through threat of force.

Yours in Shadow;
General Dolmar Lestriade
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Response to Arquenciel]The handwriting of this letter is the same, but less harsh, less angered

You've caught me, Demoness; it's been quite some time since I have last been named hypocrite, and I owe you an apology; you are absolutely right. I do love peace, yet I was the aggressor against the Kirr - and against the Abject, although that was merely an unfortunate encounter that lead to death on both sides. My attack against the Kirr was not wholly unprovoked, although I'm certain the Bloodlord does not know what he did to provoke it - my intent was a rescue mission to free some he held in slavery, for the only thing I love more than peace is freedom.

I hope you'll pardon my rudeness in my last message; not long ago, a friend of mine, Lothe of the Dwer, the same who believed that to each and every creature there should be given a chance, fell in battle against the Goblins of the Red Tide; goblins he had given that chance to. When I myself gave that chance to a Summoner of the Kirr, it cost six of my people either their freedom or, more likely, their lives. These events have made me paranoid and fearful; though that does not excuse my rudeness, I hope it makes it understandable.

I believe you are wicked, but I think you may be insulted if I did not, considering the numerous ways that word could be taken. I believe you mean that you desire peace, though I would be interested to know what you feel of freedom; as intelligent as you seem to be from this brief communication, I think a philosophical discourse with you would be fascinating.

No threats, then, though I cannot promise what my Paladins would do should they enounter yourself or one of your sisters, since their hatred of all spawned from the Abyss is intense. Should you approach one of my cities openly, I emplore you to do so under some guise and inform me of our coming. Should you do so in secret...there is very little I can do, so again emplore you to use guile for your safety, and for the safety of my people from your justified wrath and self defense.

However, mere words do not suffice for the wrong I have done you, so I provide you something of actual worth; information, which my scholars tell me your people value almost as highly as the pleasures of the flesh.

I have recieved mixed reports from my informants as to the relationship between the Kirr and the Duergar, so this may be of no surprise or worth to you, but the Duergar have sought allegiance with my people against your Lord. It's possible this is a scheme the Duergar and Kirr have cooked up to lull my sense of security, it's possible they are sincere and are double-dealing against your lord, or it's possible our goal of peace can be achieved with the Kirr willing to consider knowing there is yet another foe set against him. You can do with this information what you will; it is yours, my gift of apology.

As another matter, your existence presents a unique opprotunity. I would like to be in a situation where I no longer had need to assail the Kirr, yet so long as they keep slaves I find it morally repugnent to allow them to continue. However, I imagine the Kirr would be willing to sell slaves from you, slaves which I am willing to purchase at what I'm sure would be a markup so I could then free them. To purchase them from the Kirr would be to finance my own demise - to purchase them from you seems far safer. And in the process, I am able to continue to fight against them, yet no blood need be shed. Does that interest you, or further discorse at all? Or have I damned any further attempt at conversation with my hasty and unfair words?

I hope this finds you well.

Contritely Yours,
General Dolmar Lestriade
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Response to the Legion]
Hail to the Legion.

I am grieved to hear of this beaucratic mistake. I am more grieved for the Dwer, who died at your soldiers hands, have lost their friends and allies. If you would provide military might to support our campaign against the Kirr - through a direct assault against them - as well as some form of a repayment to the Dwer for the lives lost, it would go a great way towards proving this was simply a mistake.

Also, you currently - I'm sure through another error in interpretation of your orders - consort with vile Wrags that hold a grudge against my allies. I counted 41 of the beasts in the vision the Goddess granted my Oracle, with 52 heads amonst them. If you would send all 52 heads, severed from the bodies of their hosts, the Dwer, Dwarves, and Nocae would be able to be much more comfortable with your desires for a joint effort.

General Dolmar Lestriade
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Second Letter to the Legion]
And to Clarify, we have no particular grievance against the succubi; however, if the Legion marchers, I would vastly prefer they march upon the Kirr. If your Wargs may serve you in that, then their heads could be put to other uses.

General Dolmar Lestriade
Protector of Umbrazzid
Champion of the Holy Shadow[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Message to Tiern]
My friend, I thought you should see what the Legion sent to me;

[spoiler=Copy of Legion Message]
General Dolmar Lestridae,
Protector of Umbrazzid,
Champion of the Holy Shadow -
Hail.

Be assured that the assault upon you and your allies was a matter
of imprecise and bungled commands, and not an abortive attempt
at a preemptive strike.

Know that the commander of the peaceful mission was found abed
in his quarters, yet to depart for the archaeological site of dark and
mythical origin.

Know that his bodyguard, enlarged at our request to suit his rank,
was charged to deliver him solely to the Nocae, and that the others
were seen as interlopers and spies to a woefully untrained mind.

Know that the individual responsible has been executed for his failure.

Know also that the Legion has heard disturbing tales of foul magics
bent to drawing further demonic creatures from the void beneath
our very caves- we recommend a joint strike at the earliest venture
before their powers mature, or dragons forbid, the Kirr make of
themselves slaves to their own ruinous powers.

The following is on a separate torn sheet of hide:
Dolmar -
Sorry about mistake- Senate ordered stupidly
large bodyguard for an engineer. They love
him for designing bathing pools and statues,
foolish lovers of food and show- want to make
engineer happy.

Damn all governments in charge of soldiers!

Anyway, you get choice: Legion marches.
If you want Kirr and succubi dead, we go
down with you. Or not, Legion burns surfacer
lands to the ground.

P.S.
Really, honest mistake. My orders make
sense. If attack was meant, none would survive.
This clearly panic of rookie commander given
position by Senate. He shall not be eaten.[/spoiler]

I have asked for the heads of the Wrags he consorts with as proof this was an error. Time will show if he means that. It seems Ald-Anoril (Upperdeep 44) is the most likely location for their next assault if they use their wargs - can you assist us in reinforcing that region?[/spoiler]

[/ic]
[spoiler=Orders]
Scry: Upperdeep 48 to see what the Legion Kobolds were trying to bargin with up there.

[spoiler=Production]
Total
Gold: +750, Metal +65, Food +415
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)
Improved Shadow Elf Mine: +300 gold, +25 Metal
3 Lichen Garden: +75 Food
2 Lizard Pens: +70 Food
Lake: +10 Food
Ald-Anoril (Upperdeep 44)
Goblin Mine +150 gold, +15 Metal
2 Mushroom Gardens +50 Food
Ghostwatch (Uperdeep 42)
Goblin Mine +150 gold, +15 Metal
Dal-Urael (Formerly the Skull Throne) (Upperdeep 43)
Goblin Mine +150 gold, +15 Metal
Mushroom Patch +20 Food
Mushroom Grove +140 Food
Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)
Mushrooms +20 Food
Daed-Waech(Upperdeep 32)
N/A
Ald-Elisae (Upperdeep 19)
Mushrooms +20 Food
Lake +10 Food

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Upkeep] (-183 Gold, -143 Food)
14 Dragonslayers -42 Gold, -14 Food
6 Accursed -12 Food
13 Abomination -90 Gold, -90 Food
Qulaenaszth -10 Gold, -7 Food
10 Shadow Elf Archers -20 Gold, -10 Food
10 Shadow Elf Swordsmen -20 Gold, -10 Food

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Construction]
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)
Completed Construction:
Temple of Sylessiadil

Under Construction:
Rangers Spire 1 Weeks
Drake Nest 1 Weeks
Shadow Elf Mine Complex 3 Weeks
Veil of Shadows 1 Week
City Wall 3 Weeks
Spidersilk Armory 3 Weeks

Beginning Construction:
Gloom Glyphs, 2 (-200 gold, 1 Week), moving the Improved Shadow Elf Mines (And their in progress upgrade) to Upperdeep 18 and the Shrine of Sylessiadil to Upperdeep 18.
Gloom Portal (4 Total) -300 Gold, 4 Weeks (Pairs: Umbrazzid-Thousand Halls, Umbrazzid-Rhuad)
NOTE: I am not putting the Portals in Dwer bases in my construction, because I don't control those bases. ^_^

Ald-Anoril
Nothing Beginning, Under, Or Complete

Ghostwatch
Nothing Beginning, Under, Or Complete

Dal-Urael(Upperdeep 43)
Nothing Beginning, Under, Or Complete

Daed-Waech(Upperdeep 32)
Completed Construction
Escape Tunnel

Under Construction
Cavern of the Accursed 2 Weeks
Shadowy Architecture 3 Weeks
City Wall 3 Weeks
2 Lizard Pens 2 Weeks

Beginning Construction

Ald-Elisae (Upperdeep 19)
Completed Construction
Escape Tunnel

Under Construction
Cavern of the Accursed 2 Weeks
Shadowy Architecture 3 Weeks
City Wall 3 Weeks
2 Lizard Pens 2 Weeks

Beginning Construction

Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)
Completed Construction
Escape Tunnel

Under Construction
Cavern of the Accursed 2 Weeks
Shadowy Architecture 3 Weeks
City Wall 3 Weeks
2 Lizard Pens 2 Weeks

Beginning Construction

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Trade]
Mid Week Trade: 116 Goblin Bodies to the Glow
Mid Week Trade: 150 Metal To Dwer, Receive 300 Gold

104 Gold, 64 Metal to Cleversmarts

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Recruitment]
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)
Hire Those Gnomes! (-300 Gold)
5 Abominations (-100 Gold)
5 Paladins (Grudge; Demons -100 Gold, -10 Metal)
4 Gloomdancers -160 Gold
10 Accursed (-70 Gold)

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Wealth]
Gold: 203
Metal: 232
Food: 1422

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Dungeons and Outposts]
Umbrazzid (Upperdeep 10)
Shadow Spire
Cavern of the Accursed
War Spire
Armory Spire
Shrine of Sylessiadil
3 Lichen Garden
Improved Shadow Elf Mine
2 Lizard Pens
Spire of Gloom

Defenses
Shadow Architecture
3 Murder Holes

Ald-Anoril
Goblin Mine
Reinforced Gate
Escape Tunnel
2 Mushroom Patches

Defenses
Palisade
Rienforced Gate
Escape Tunnel
Spiked Moat

Ghostwatch
Goblin Mine

Dal-Urael(Upperdeep 43)
Hall of the Goblin King (unusable by Shadow Elves)
Goblin Mine
Mushroom Patch
Mushroom Grove
Goblin Lair  (unusable by Shadow Elves)
Goblin Armory  (unusable by Shadow Elves)
Bat Roost

Defenses
Pallisade
Reinforced Gate
Spiked Moat
Escape Tunnel
3 Murder Holes

Daed-Waech(Upperdeep 32)
Nothing

Defenses
Escape Tunnel

Ald-Elisae (Upperdeep 19)
Nothing

Defenses
Escape Tunnel  

Ald-Lothii(Upperdeep 18)
Nothing

Defenses
Escape Tunnel

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Armies]
Outrunners: Garrisoned Middledeep 40
3 Abominations and Dolmar

Dragonslayers: Stationed at Upperdeep 3 (+2 Morale)
14 Dragonslayers led by Phaedra

Ald-Lothii Guard(Garrisoned at Upperdeep 18)
1 Baeria (Abomination Commander)
1 Accursed
3 Paladins

Daed-Waech Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 32)
2 Abominations Led by Quilidim

Ald-Elisae Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 19)
5 Swordsmen Led by Eralimae

Home Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 30) (+2 Morale)
Qulaenaszth
5 Archers
20 Deep Gnome Brigadier led by Zururura Izzard Dissenact III
5 Abominations
5 Paladins (Grudge: Demons)
4 Gloomdancers

Dal-Urael Guard (Garrisoned at Upperdeep 43)
5 Accursed
1 Abomination (Commander - will figure out name later)

Ald-Anoril Guard
5 Abominations led by Syndrid
5 Swordsmen
5 Archers led by Pylnorii

Steward of Rhuad
Aerdolm, Garrisoned Upperdeep 42

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Orders]
Phaedra will follow Teirn

Offer tunnel hulks 300 food to join.

All units in Dungeon with Temple to pray at it.

Any forces in the same region as a dungeon that I control but not garrisoned within will garrison in that dungeon.

Scry Underdeep 48 as above.

Have The Hellsbane check kobold bodies for ghoul fever.

4 Gloomdancers to forced-march move from Umbrazzid to Upperdeep 44. (29-28-27-26-19-20-21-25-35-45-44, though it shouldn't matter much since they are teleporting.

Sindrid takes Elutae's body to the Fungoids – upperdeep 44 to Middledeep 37-41-42-47-31.

Everyone else hunker down for the oncoming storm.

Keep word out for more mercenaries.

[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Characters]
[ic=Dolmar Lestridae]
Melee Attack: +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 20
Health: 18
Speed: 7
Morale: +7
Special Abilities: Infiltrator, Leadership, Elven Fleetness

Dolmar increases the Melee Damage, Speed and Morale of any army he is leading by +1.  If garrisoned in a Dungeon he increases the Melee Damage and Morale of garrisoned troops by +1.  Any regiment he joins gains his Infiltrator ability.

If a Drake Nest has been constructed, Dolmar can be mounted on a Drake.  If mounted on a Drake he gains the Cavalry and Flying abilities and gains +2 Speed, +2 Defence, and +7 Health.  He can only join regiments of Shadow Elf Drake Riders.  Mounting Dolmar on a Drake costs 25 Gold and 5 Metal (no Upkeep costs, however).
[/ic]

[ic=Phaedra Lestridae]
Phaedra Lestridae is the daughter of Dolmar and Melthalga, a former Witch-Priestess and current Abomination. She's a fairly easygoing and energetic young woman of only 110, and longs to prove herself in battle. She has a stubborn streak, the same streak that led her to refuse to become a Witch-Priestess and spared her from becoming an Abomination - a fortunate event that has unfortunately strenghtened her determination to follow her own path.

Phaedra is exceptionally beautiful when she bothers to make the effort, but typically is only fair since she spends more time prepared for battle than for court apperances. Her hair is kept short, barely to her neck, to keep it out of the way in battle, and her bangs are similarly short. She has a tatoo of a spider over her left eye, a mistake from her youth gotten to appease her mother that she has kept as a reminder of the dangers of allowing oneself to be led against one's judgement.

Ranged Attack: +7
Ranged Damage: 5
Melee Attack: +5
Melee Damage: 3
Defence: 17
Health: 17
Speed: 5
Morale: +4
Abilities Critical Shot, Posion 6 (Melee)
Equipment Gloomrazor, Darksilver Armour[/ic]

[ic= Zururura Izzard Dissenact III]

Zururura Izzard Dissenact III is an eccentric Deep Gnome, an inventor and mage who leads a "Fulgurous Brigade," of Deep Gnomes just as crazed and maniac as she is, each armed with one of her lightning-cannons.  Zururura herself is also a powerful Electromancer and a skilled technician.

Upkeep: 10 Gold, 1 Food
Ranged Attack: +8
Ranged Damage: 10 (Shock)
Melee Attack: +5
Melee Damage: 4
Defence: 20
Health: 15
Speed: 4
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Chain Lightning, Detector, Leadership, Repair

Zururura increases the Morale of any army she is leading by +1.[/ic]

[ic=Fulgurous Brigade]These seasoned Deep Gnomes are armed with ingenious lightning-generating weapons that discharge crackling bolts of puissance.

Upkeep: 5 Gold, 1 Food
Ranged Attack: +5
Ranged Damage: 8 (Shock)
Melee Attack: +2
Melee Damage: 1
Defence: 16
Health: 5
Speed: 4
Morale: +2[/ic]

[ic=Qulaenaszth, Shadow Elf Abomination, Guardian of Umbrazzid]This powerful creature has twice repelled attacks from the hideous Abject.  She is greatly honoured in Umbrazzid for her role in the sacred city's defence.

Upkeep: 10 Gold, 7 Food
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Grudge (Aberrations), Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

While garrisoned in Umbrazzid, Qulaenaszth provides a +1 Morale bonus to other garrisoned troops.[/ic]

[ic=Aerdolm, the Hellsbane, Steward of Rhuard]
Melee Attack: +8
Melee Damage: 10
Defence: 12
Health: 20
Speed: 5
Morale: +6
Special Abilities: Bless, Grudge (Demon), Leadership

Aerdolm proides a +1 Morale Bonus to any army he leads. A regiment lead by Aerdolm gains the Grudge (Demons) Ability[/ic]

[ic=Eralimae, Guardian of Ald-Elisae]
Melee Attack: +8
Melee Damage: 10
Defence: 12
Health: 20
Speed: 5
Morale: +6
Special Abilities: Bless, Grudge (Demon), Leadership

Eralimae proides a +1 Morale Bonus to any army she leads. A regiment lead by Eralimae gains the Grudge (Demons) Ability

[/ic]

[ic=Baeria, Guardian of Ald-Lothii]
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Leadership, Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Baredra provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.

[/ic]

[ic=Quilidim, Guardian of Daed-Waech]
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Leadership, Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Quilidim provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.[/ic]

[ic=Pylnorii, the Ghost]
Pynorri is an Abomination with the lower body of a great spider. Unlike most of her kind, she is an albino. From the waste up she is stunningly beautiful, while her spider-like torso is more akin to a brown recluse than any other kind of spider.
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Grudge (Aberrations), Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Pylnorii provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.[/ic]

[ic=Syndrid, Warden of Ald-Anoril]
Melee Attack:  +10
Melee Damage: 12
Defence: 18
Health: 50
Speed: 6
Morale: +5
Special Abilities: Climbing, Fear (DC 18), Grudge (Aberrations), Large, Poison 6, Regeneration 10

Syndrid provides a +1 Morale bonus any army she leads.[/ic]

[ic=Dragonslayers (14)]These elite Shadow Elf archers helped the Dwerim slay the Grey Wyrm Scorra.  Their deeds will be renowned for many centuries in the chronicles of the Nocae and the sagas of Dwarves and Dwerim.

Upkeep: 3 Gold, 1 Food
Ranged Attack: +6
Ranged Damage: 4
Melee Attack: +2
Melee Damage: 1
Defence: 16
Health: 7
Speed: 5
Morale: +3
Special Abilities: Grudge (Wyrms)[/ic]

[/spoiler]
[/spoiler]