The Unforgiving Princess

[Kristoffer O]

Hmm, I have become somewhat enamoured with the recent AAR-writing, so I though I should give it a shot as well.

I'll use a map that isn't included in the game (IIRC), but I can add it for download later. It is a simple hand drawn, scanned map I made as an experiment. It was rather quick to do (drawing is a lot quicker than working on the computer), so if you like it I can easily make more of the same kind. About 65 provinces east-west wraparound.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/AAR_Aramea.jpg

[Kristoffer O]

Spring, Year 1 of Her Reign

From the Heavens She came. Malkuth, the Unforgiving princess, Queen of the Sky.

The black priests that first caught Her attention had other names they called her. Names She did not approve of, but until She had become manifest there was little She could do about that. She had been imprisoned for centuries and She would not let the key to freedom be lost only because She did not like the follies of the human mind.

The humans who had found faith in Her were in need of help. Their kingdom a ruin and their faith shattered. They needed Her guidance perhaps as much as She needed their prayers.

But She was not alone. The human race is a fickle one and they pray to many gods. Tagg Klatu, She could recall the name, but nothing more, was praised as Lord of Rivers and King of Pestilence by the cursed nation of Man.

Another being of remarkable arrogance had been worshiped for a while as King of Kings, the Fortifier, the Brilliant God, the One that Contains Everything. King of Kings! She would have to do something about this when Her shackles were broken. Slay a couple of unimaginative priests to start with, then slay the pompous lord of Marignon.

The backward nation of Jomon seem to have found a backward God to prove their worth. Kintoshi, the Earthmonster, the Unshakable, Patron of Arbitrators. Hardly worth any notice.

But humans are not the only people left in the wake of the Pantokrator's Realm. Abominable lava-men and their crossbred inhabitants. Practitioners of bloodmagic and vices even worse. Not that She cared much, her own people had adopted bloodmagic long before the malediction hit them. Before the arrival of the Pantokrator and the Celestial ban on blood magic She and her worshipers had practiced the same magic that the Abysians now use. Dantheol, God of Astral Fires, God of Heavenly Fires, the Mountain Lord is their chosen Lord. Claiming dominion over fire and mountain, heaven and star, this might prove a powerful adversary.

A final contestant to godhood has emerged, and he seems to be free already. A coward hiding during the Pantokrator's reign, but free to roam the world while She has to wait for her shackles to break. The Burning Soul, Prince of Flames is worshiped by the ugly lizardmen of C'tis. Unaesthetic parodies of the divine shape. They even needed tails not to loose balance. Their creator must have been blind, primitive or just plain mean.

Anyway, these lesser pretenders were no match for the Unforgiving Princess. She would show them the truth and the light.

She needed a servant, and found Thorismund. A simple man, but with useful skills. He would do for now. Hopefully the zealous priests would leave him to Her schemes. They had occasionally killed promising subjects in the misconception that she disproved of magic. The malediction obviously still haunted her people. Better lure some of these Illuminated Ones to her service. They seem capable of avoiding the inquisition.

She also needed faithful servants ready to die for her and she found the Ruined Keep. Subject to a vile Hunger the Ghoul Guardians of the Keep promised to be a most loyal and powerful force, if properly fed.

--------

Thorismund awoke with a headache. He had had too much to drink, or too little perhaps. He still remembered the previous week. Bad that! He had been out on a mission in the Tintalan Mesa when the vision had struck him. Every evening for a week She had appeared in the splendor of the setting sun. He had tried to close his eyes, but it didn't help him much. Her demanding voice still echoed in his brain and made the headache worse.

Why me? He asked to no one in particular. I never wanted any attention, especially from an imprisoned Princess with questionable motives. OK. Just give me a pint of ale and be done with it.

---------

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/AAR_1_map.jpg

Malkuth is an imprisoned Virtue. Her dominion is the Sky, the warmth of Blood and the comfort in Afterlife. In other words, she has Air, blood and death magic.

Under Her will Ulm is orderly and productive, but she is a stern Lady and misfortunes often hit the land and mages better ply their trade somewhere else. THe traces of the malediction still lingers.

Thorismund is a Ranger Captain. He is now reluctantly becoming the Prophet of the Unforgiving Princess.

I recruit a Member of the Second Tier and a Couple of Ghoul Guardians.

[Kristoffer O]

Late Spring

While She was imprisoned the land suffered from a devastating curse. The fall of the Pantokrator and the vast arcane energies released at that time must have affected her along with the prison of the Pantokrators making. Misfortune haunts the land and She can feel it in Herself as a taint. Hopefully it will go away when she breaks free of this poisoned prison.

The population seem to have survived the taint remarkably well though. Fortunetellers divine the near future to avert disastrous events. She would have need of this woundrous ability.

As She in Her divine wisdom foresaw the false gods of the lizardmen and the humans of Jomon seem manifest and active in the politics of their subjects. Divination and unusual signs in the sky indicate that these nations were aided in their magical research by divine hands. At least two cowardly gosd then. Perhaps better that way. She could remember the vast powers of the Imprisoned Ones.

An old and vaguely familiar precense is making itself known in Vault. A false faith is spreading. Albert, the Member of the Second Tier of the Illuminated Ones will have to explore the matter and find the source of the malign precense.

----------

Thorismund felt stupid. The irresistible Voice had told him to follow the army of Witterich up to the Tintalan Mesa and lead the soldiers to victory. He knew Witterich. He was a a no nonsense kind of Commander and would not let go of his army, just because some drunken ranger claimed the Virtue had spoken to him. Thorismund decided to tag along and avoid direct confrontation with the captain. His headache subsided considerably.

For a moment he had thought about following a strangely robed man named Albert to Vault, the City Isle in the east, to escape the will of Malkuth, but the Unforgiving Princess blessed him with an Unforgiving Headache and he went to the garrison to find Witterich. In the shadows of the gate he stopped dead in his steps. Three ghastly apparitions in ancient armors stared at him with hungry eyes.

The Unforgiving Princess obviously were about to reshape his home in her image. Whatever thet image was. In his visions She was beautiful, but bringing the cursed Ghoul Guardians into the capital was everything but beautiful. Falling to the temptation of the malediction they were cursed with unsatiable hunger for human flesh. What they were doing in the garrison he prefered not to think about. He quickly walked past the apparitions to find Witterich.

--------

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/AAR_2_map.jpg


I sent Witterich with his army to Tintalan Mesa together with Thorismund.

Albert is sent to Vault to find the source of the enemy faith. The gray movement arrow indicates he is sneaking.

A fortuneteller is recruited along with more Ghoul Guardians and another ranger.

[Nerfix]

Cool, very cool! The concept is unusual, a Virtue with Air, Blood and Death.

I like the narrative, a drunk rangers becoming a prophet sure is unusual. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[st.patrik]

Kristoffer O said:
Hmm, I have become somewhat enamoured with the recent AAR-writing, so I though I should give it a shot as well.



Oh No! Now no-one will read mine anymore http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Kristoffer O]

Don't worry. I have mainly old dom2 nations in my AAR. I leave the news for you and make a tale for new players unfamiliar with the game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[JaydedOne]

st.patrik said:

Oh No! Now no-one will read mine anymore http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif



*grin* I'm happily reading them all and wanting twice as many more.

[okiN]

JaydedOne said:
*grin* I'm happily reading them all and wanting twice as many more.



Ditto. I still haven't gotten my Dreamlands AAR. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[quantum_mechani]

okiN said:

JaydedOne said:
*grin* I'm happily reading them all and wanting twice as many more.



Ditto. I still haven't gotten my Dreamlands AAR. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Dreamlands is late Atlantis's arch enemy, so rest assured you will be hearing about them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Agrajag]

Pretty cool map!
And an interesting AAR as well.
KO, you must be a true renaissance man.
*applause*

[DominionsFan]

st.patrik said:

Kristoffer O said:
Hmm, I have become somewhat enamoured with the recent AAR-writing, so I though I should give it a shot as well.



Oh No! Now no-one will read mine anymore http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif



Nah, we are all hungry for more and more AARs until the game is out, so we read all AAR topics, dont worry. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Kris, thanks for this AAR thread btw. The only sad thing is, that the more AARs I read, I become more and more impatient to install Doms 3. and play and play and play and .. arghhhh... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[okiN]

quantum_mechani said:Dreamlands is late Atlantis's arch enemy, so rest assured you will be hearing about them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif



Right enough, and I'm very excited about your AAR. However, seeing them crushed under your heel isn't the same as seeing you lead them to victory and learning how they play as a nation.

[Kristoffer O]

Early Summer, Year One in Her Reign

Words of Poison have spread. The False Ones are stirring and their subjects are flaunting their arogance for all to see. Edgar the Castellan, cursed be his name, has claimed singular reception of the unholy blessings of the King of Pestilence, Tagg Klatu, Lord of Man. She is not worried by such, but her temper is rising. Arrogance is a sin before the Unforgiving Princess.

Alecto, commander and lord general of the Abysian armies, have likewise claimed prophethood. Danethol, False God of Heavenly Fires have chosen well, because Alecto is already known throughout the world and many praise his name. Alecto will have to die the ugly death.

But not all words are poison. The Word of the Queen of the Sky is spreading and the faithful grow more numerous. Despite the presence of the much feared Ghoul Guardians. Witterich's successful campaign in the Tintalan Mesa and the revealing of the Prophet, Thorismund, have been good for morale in the city of Tintala.

She had chosen well. Thorismund finally acted, albeit a bit reluctant, and used Her gentle Name to comfort his frends and Her Unforgiving Name to smite the heathens.

The victory was as it should be.

Rumor of the battle has reached Tintala. In taverns all around the city, ministrels and troubadours praise the bravery of Thorismund and Witterich. Fortunately there were no ministrels present at the battle. The bravery displayed by the so called heroes was miniscule at best.

The dry wasteland west of the Tintalan Mesa is inhabited by a fierce tribe of uncivilized savages. They dress in hides and wolf pelts and worship ancestors and wolves, almost without distinction. Thorismund and Witterich will show them civilization. Hopefully they will enter battle this time. Such acts are great for morale, and will create more stuff for the ministrels to sing about.

Arcane words spoken through reverberations in the spheres have reached Her from Vault. The port is infested with heretics. Lizardmen of dubious motives sit in dark taverns near the docks and whisper with forked tongues, spreading the words of a False God. Tap, the Burning Soul, have several small shrines in the city already. More alarming still, C'tis and the city of Lent lies just a month by boat to the east. Albert has much to do. He will probably need further aid if he is to administer the downfall of C'tis.

This city of smugglers and merchants must be taken and cleansed. Fortunately there seem to be a group of mercenaries well suited to the task. Hector and his heavy horsemen should be able to deliver the city, at leas with the aid of the Ghoul Guard.

Gaiale, a fortuneteller, was rounded up and placed in the Ruined Keep. Since the Keep is rarely visited by the Black Priests she can probably work on magical projects without being put to the flames. Also the Keep is more influenced by the misfortunes of the land and Gaiale's ability of divination is probably best used here. It is unlikely thet these fortunetellers are learned enough to practice the schools of magic, so Gaiale is instructed to delve into the structured arcana of earlier times. The school of alteration should profit the young nation. There is much that need altering. But the recent appearence of the C'tissian threat makes the school of evocation more urgent. The Illuminated Ones need battle evocations when the time has come to destroy the Burning Soul of C'tis.

---------

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/AAR_3_smite.jpg

Thorismund glanced around nervously. The last couple of days had not been good. Since the battle no one treated him as they should. Bowing and begging and smirking and hailing him whenever he wanted to be left alone, and that had become a perpetual wish by now. He tried to hide at times, but the Unforgiving Headache forced him to remain with Witterich and his army. They were heroes now, he had heard. Witterich looked like one, but Thorismund only felt silly.

It had started there in the middle of the battle. When he saw his friends suffer he called upon Her Name, and his friends heard Her through his voice. Afterwards they said that he was surrounded by an eerie glow. He knew well what they meant. The glow was still there. It would not go away, and it hurt his eyes when he tried to sleep. It hurt his head. It was almost as annoying as the constant voice in his head.

He had called Her Unforgiving Name in the battle as well. He had slain with
his voice alone. He was ready to throw up. Hopefully She would come up with his meagre breakfast. He would place his heel on her head and make it ache. Stupid God.

And now She wanted him to lead the few remaining men into the Tintalan Waste. He knew the land. If the wolf tribes would not kill them starvation would. The wolf tribes were fierce warriors and recent reports had informed Witterich that the tribesmen outnumbered his troops by two to one. Still the Goddess wanted them to pursue the task. He feared that She wanted him to become a martyr. He didn't like the prospect of that, but he had plans of his own. He hadn't survived this long by being brave.

-------------

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/AAR_3_map.jpg

I send Albert into C'tis and recruit another Second Tier Member and some ghouls.

Gaiala is set to research evocation.

Witterich and Thorismund are sent to try overwhelming odds.
Thorismund is set to Sermon, Smite, smite, smite, smite, retreat.
Witterich hold x5 and attack.

I place a bid on Hector.

[Nerfix]

I really like the narrative, and the prophet character. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

So, Iron Faith and Black Forest has been married together eh?

[okiN]

Ooh, this just keeps getting better and better.

[BigJMoney]

What are the names of the other eras of Ulm? Also, I noticed from another AAR that the Argatha have some very heavily armored troops. Is their armor even better than the legendary Blackplated Ulm?

=$= Big J Money =$=

[Endoperez]

BigJMoney said:
What are the names of the other eras of Ulm? Also, I noticed from another AAR that the Argatha have some very heavily armored troops. Is their armor even better than the legendary Blackplated Ulm?



Enigma of Steel, Forges of Ulm, Black Forest. They are shamanistic barbarians, The Old Guys and an amalgam of the themes, respectively.

I'm not sure, but there can't be any comparison since Agarthans improved their technique notably between Middle and Late ages, while those few of Ulm's Master Smiths that survived the Malediction got burned as heretics. I feel safe to say that the Blind Guards' helmets without eyeholes are better than the strongest helms of best Ulmish Black Steel, though. During the age of MA Agartha, there are still real water-born, stone-eating Agarthans, and rare few that have reached the size of Jotuns. They never stop growing, you know. And it's quite a bit tougher to make good armor for them.

[okiN]

"Enigma of Steel"... where have I heard that before...?

http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/5266/conantt3.jpg

[Kristoffer O]

Indeed! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Pair that one with the Teutoburger woods and you're right on track.

[Kristoffer O]

Sorry about the lack of updates. I have been somewhat preoccupied.

[Nerfix]

Kristoffer O said:
Sorry about the lack of updates. I have been somewhat preoccupied.

I hope it's the demo that has been preoccupying you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Nah, it's ok no matter what it is. Schools have started there too, right?

[Kristoffer O]

Actually it's not the demo. THe demo will not take too much time. But school has indeed started. But that is good. I like my new students. Some of them has been very inquisitive regarding dominions http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif. Before today they were more interested in hearing me sing though, but that is taken care of now http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[JaydedOne]

I'm sure you've answered this before, but it's been years, so I forget the answer. What age/level of student do you teach, Kristoffer?

[Kristoffer O]

16-18 years of age. It is called the 'gymnasium' in swedish. Not sure what it's called elsewhere. Precollege perhaps. The formative years, or some of them at least http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif. And they still freak out when you start to sing http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[JaydedOne]

*nod* It's called 'high school' in the U.S. and generally runs four years from roughly the 14-18 age range.

And I imagine it would freak them out. They're at that awkward in-between age where they're both too young and too old to just join in. ;-)

[DominionsFan]

Kristoffer O said:
16-18 years of age. It is called the 'gymnasium' in swedish. Not sure what it's called elsewhere. Precollege perhaps. The formative years, or some of them at least http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif. And they still freak out when you start to sing http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif



Nop it is called "gimnazium" here in Hungary, and actually I am learning in a gimnazium, and this is my last year thankfully.
However I don't like school unlike you..and especially I don't like latin, it is too hard compared to english for example, I was stupid enough to pick up that language 3 years ago, hell knows why. I won't use it ever..oh well http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif .. and I don't like math and..ok I shut up. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[The Black Captain]

Try teaching 7th and 8th graders history. 12-14 years old and wise (in their not so humble opinions) beyond their years.

[Ygorl]

Honestly, I don't think a Hungarian has any room to complain about *any* language being difficult. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[DominionsFan]

Ygorl said:
Honestly, I don't think a Hungarian has any room to complain about *any* language being difficult. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif



Hehe. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Nerfix]

Kristoffer O said:
Some of them has been very inquisitive regarding dominions http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.

That's good. Nothing better than a whole new generation of players the honour your newest game... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[DominionsFan]

Kristoffer O said:
THe demo will not take too much time.




Woot! Demo is out soon! *drools* http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Kristoffer O]

> I don't like latin

How can you not? I envy everyone that has been forced to study it. I miss it sorely. Now I'm stuck with french and too lazy to learn latin.

> Try teaching 7th and 8th graders history. 12-14 years old and wise (in their not so humble opinions) beyond their years.

Isn't that endearing http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Still, I have never taught kids of that age, and I believe it would be quite hard work. I had kids 9-11 for one year a couple of years ago. That was very fun, but rather taxing http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif and I have no idea if I actually taught them anything.

[Agrajag]

If you were my teacher, you'd be too busy explaining to me the new mechanics and other cool stuff of Dom3 to actually teach http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif
(Kind of like my Citizenship teacher, which mostly just goes on and on about his political opinion after an unrelated remark from some student http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif)

[DominionsFan]

Kristoffer O said:
> I don't like latin

How can you not? I envy everyone that has been forced to study it. I miss it sorely. Now I'm stuck with french and too lazy to learn latin.




Well I don't know Kris...I just don't like it..you know there are various things in life what you won't like ever, this is one of those for me.
Basically my biggest problem is that I hate to study anything. I prefer sports [fighting sports] over everything what is related to school. Probably if I wouldn't start to work in my father's nightclub from the next year, I would try to be a professional fighter. [kickboxing, kempo, and later on K1] I am an "action type" person instead of a good student. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
I guess you've met with a person like me already, so you understand what am I trying to say. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
But hey! I think that this is totally ok, even a teacher like you can accept it. Not everyone wants to be a lawyer or something like that.

[BigJMoney]

Why can't you be a professional fighter? Nightclub? Bah, that's just a job you need to make money. Use that money to get into the sport you want to get into. Do what you desire.

=$=

[Kristoffer O]

> Not everyone wants to be a lawyer or something like that.

I very much hope so. A world full of lawyers would be horrible http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

> I guess you've met with a person like me already, so you understand what am I trying to say.

I'm not sure if I have met anyone like you (how could I know), but I have met lots of people, and I believe I understand what you mean.

Still, you are lucky enough to know a few phrases that you could use in Dominions, or in other games. Perhaps find correct plural form of Augur. I think we call them Augurs atm, and thet is not right. Augur Elder could be given a proper latin name. Without much efforts you can always find some small things that make a language fun. Or you could search for latin descriptions of the Seraphim or other angelic beings and try to translate them.

Hmm, sorry, I hope you don't mind me trying to influence you http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[DominionsFan]

BigJMoney said:
Why can't you be a professional fighter? Nightclub? Bah, that's just a job you need to make money. Use that money to get into the sport you want to get into. Do what you desire.

=$=



Yes, that might happen. I won't stop training even when I start to work of course. I shall see how these things gonna turn out, and I will decide what to do in time. If I choose to be a professional, that will require huge amount of time / day. Example a professional fighter is training like 5-8 hours/day/5 times a week and 3-5 hours on weekends. This is just "normal" training, other then this, you must run like 10-15 kilometers all day. Hardcore. You cannot do anything else, when you are training, so this will be a very hard choice for me. Thankfully I know the right people to train with, if I choose to be a pro. Right now Im training with a world champ kickboxer and a kempo master, but only 2 hours / day at average.




Kristoffer O said:
> Not everyone wants to be a lawyer or something like that.

I very much hope so. A world full of lawyers would be horrible http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

> I guess you've met with a person like me already, so you understand what am I trying to say.

I'm not sure if I have met anyone like you (how could I know), but I have met lots of people, and I believe I understand what you mean.

Still, you are lucky enough to know a few phrases that you could use in Dominions, or in other games. Perhaps find correct plural form of Augur. I think we call them Augurs atm, and thet is not right. Augur Elder could be given a proper latin name. Without much efforts you can always find some small things that make a language fun. Or you could search for latin descriptions of the Seraphim or other angelic beings and try to translate them.

Hmm, sorry, I hope you don't mind me trying to influence you http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif




Yeah Kris, I know that latin can help a lot, especially if someone would like to learn more languages.
Anyways Im glad that you understood what I was trying to say, because some people just cannot understand it sadly. They are like "what?! how can you prefer sports over school?!" My own mother cannot understand it for example... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif


*Edit*
Damn we went off-topic again, as usual. This should be in the introduce yourself topic maybe. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Kristoffer O]

[/b]Summer, Year One in Her Reign[/b]

Arcane words had reached Her from Lent City in the kingdom of C'tis. Albert had landed in the port below the Tel City of Lent. His words had been shrill and difficult to discern. He spoke of a sprawling city on top of a hill full of caves and tombs. In the city itself was a great temple outside wich stood an army of chained beings fed with baskets of rotting flesh. Ghouls not unlike the Ghoul Guardians of the Ruined Keep. Atop the great temple stood a being of Shadow and Flame. Tap, the Burning Soul, Prince of Flames, a Moloch, robed in horrible might, awaited adoration from a great procession of lizards, living and dead.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/AAR_4_report.jpg

Albert claimed 340 talents were collected in the city monthly. That would soon diminish.


Witterich did well. He and Thorismund defeated the Wolf tribes and their shaman, but Her Prophet seemed to have a will of his own. He had retreated from the battle. She would now have to give him new orders. Fortunately he had fled towards the capital. She had plans for him there.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/AAR_4_battle.jpg

Hector Stark had signed the contract and was given orders to conquer Vault. He would receive aid from Totila, an Illuminated One of the Second Tier and a handful of Ghould Guardians.


Since Totila wasn't able enough a mage to keep the Ghoul Guardians in line, they had already eaten a couple of unsuspecting guards, She made Her will made manifest in the sudden fervor of the religious order of the black templars. The formidable knights would serve her better while there were not enough mages able to lead the Ghoul Guardians.


Another mecenary captain, Bulrek and his city guard was willing to work for the highest bidder. His precense would be most welcome in the Tintalaln Waste, since Witterichs armies were severely decimated.

The discovery of Jomonese troops in Windfall Range just beyond the Tintalan Waste further advocated a mercenary precense in the waste.

---------

Thorismund smiled. The Voice had gone. He was free at last. In the confusion of the battle he had succeeded in sneaking away. He was now on his way back to the capital and the Black Rose, his favourite tavern.

Still he had a gnawing feeling that something wasn't right. Could it be that She wanted him to go to the capital for another nasty surprise. He shuddered. Part from hangover, part from his dark thoughts.

----------

I set Adelbert to instill uprising.

I send Totila and Hector west to Vault with a handful of Ghoul Guardians

Thorismund is returned home.

I place a bid for Bulrek and recruit a 2nd tier member and two black templars.

[Nerfix]

Interesting update! It seems the map is rather crowded.

Could we perhaps see the recruit roster of the Black Forest?

[JaydedOne]

The above screen shot is interesting to me because it suggests functionality that I don't recall being in Dom2 (assuming it's a native screenshot and not modified)

Can you click on units in the battle viewer and see their stats as seems to be the case above with Dernan?

[Agrajag]

Tel City?
The only meaning I can think of is the word "Tel" in hebrew, which would make a "Tel City" into a city on a small mountain.
So is "Tel" some word I don't know of, or is my original conjecture correct? (I searched Dictionary.com and was unable to find a translation for Tel)

I must be missing something >_< (Maybe "Tel" is some C'tissian word?)

EDIT: JaydedOne, you can select individual units during battle replays in Dom2 as well

[Kristoffer O]

Late Summer, Year One in Her Reign

In Her divine wisdom Vault was taken. The precense of the Lizardmen was but the beginning of a conquest. When Hector and Totila arrived the City was already taken, but after a swift battle the Lizards were expelled from the streets. Still, faith in Tap, the Burning Soul lingers. The war has to be taken to Lent, and faith the false God must be extinguished. Thorismund will have much to do.

Bulrek agreed to serve. And so he will.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/AAR_5_battle.jpg

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Apparently the Black Rose was out of spirits, priests' orders, but that was no problem for a hero. A dozen couriers, recent friends and easily impressed youngsters ran away in search for liquors. Worse, the Voice was back. As suspected.

He moaned as the room became brighter. Two huge men entered the tavern. They wore ancient black plate armors and white cloaks. He instantly disliked them. He disliked them even more as they walked up to his table and demanded that the rabble around him leave. He quickly grabbed his bottle. The two stared at him disapprovingly, but didn't take it from him. One of them started to say something, but so did the Voice.

The next day he was on his way to Vault with two Black Templars and a slightly insane fellow leading five ghouls from the Keep.

Fortunately he had found three old friends, rangers of the balck forest. He had relieved them of their former duties. A privilege of being a hero.

[Kristoffer O]

> The only meaning I can think of is the word "Tel" in hebrew, which would make a "Tel City" into a city on a small mountain.

A Tel City is indeed a hill city. The tel is originally a man made hill of layer upon layer of ancient cities. A hill of ruins so to speak.

[Kristoffer O]

Black Forest Ulm recruit list.
http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/AAR_5_recruit.jpg

And for those who are new to the game.
http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/AAR_5_guardian.jpg

[Nerfix]

Well, gotta say, marrying together the two Ulmish themes from Dominions 2 is a pretty interesting solution.

Hmm, I've been thinking of modding late era Ulm into souped up Iron Faith when the game comes out...

[BigJMoney]

Did anyone else notice how many Cavalry he had on the field for "Late Summer, year 1"? What is that, turn 6? The doubled economic scale must really have an effect on accelerating the game. Combine that with cutting the amount of effective research you do in half, and I bet Dominions3 will be very, very different. In fact, I predict Dom3 will introduce a new "mid-game" phase to Dominions. In DomII, there is early game, which is expansion, and late game, which is creating the largest/best possible armies and overwhelming your enemy. For Dom3, I bet early game will be fast expansion, mid game will be "clash of the armies", and late game will come very late when people finally hit the powerful spells and magic items, and the world hits cataclysm. I can't wait. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

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[okiN]

BigJMoney said:
Did anyone else notice how many Cavalry he had on the field for "Late Summer, year 1"? What is that, turn 6? The doubled economic scale must really have an effect on accelerating the game. Combine that with cutting the amount of effective research you do in half, and I bet Dominions3 will be very, very different. In fact, I predict Dom3 will introduce a new "mid-game" phase to Dominions. In DomII, there is early game, which is expansion, and late game, which is creating the largest/best possible armies and overwhelming your enemy. For Dom3, I bet early game will be fast expansion, mid game will be "clash of the armies", and late game will come very late when people finally hit the powerful spells and magic items, and the world hits cataclysm. I can't wait. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

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I think you missed the part where he hired Hector's Heavy Horsemen. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[BigJMoney]

Oops! Eh hehehe... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

All that meat, and no potatoes. :shrug:

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[PvK]

Mmm, although players can ALSO multiply the gold and/or resources and/or as game settings when they start a new game, which definitely can make a huge difference in the size of armies etc.