STORY: Saga of the Great Underground Empire

[Zorkk]

Introduction
------------

For years upon years they had struggled. A harsh land throwing all it's might against them. The odds of survival had outweighed them, but somehow, against them all, these people had survived through the ages. Through the hottest the days just after the dinosaurs were gone, and then the coldest nights of the ice age that lasted for generations, these hardy people found a way to survive...underground. Food was their biggest problem, of course, and no one is sure how they managed to feed themselves, but cannibalism is the main theory.

Now though, the time had come. For the last couple of generations the world had changed. Become milder, and more balanced. No longer have to stay hidden deep in the earth from the elements these people grew brave. They had been collecting fruits, roots & vegetables from above ground for some time now, and the population was growing quite fast. The caverns & homes of their predecessors were now all cramped with people.

Young Zorkk had always dreamed of living outdoors. He went with his father as often as he could on the hunting & gathering trips. When he asked why they all didn't move outside, his father just shuddered at the thought, and told him to never repeat that. Nonetheless, little Zorkk grew into a man with the idea of moving up in life.

After some few years, Zorkk grew to be something of a visionary among his people. Everyone was tired of living so close to one another, and being so cramped, yet the habits of our forefathers are the hardest to break. To most of these people, the thought of living "up there" with all the open space was terrifying enough, to keep the rumblings of not enough space to a minimum. It also kept Zorkk's plan in the ground.

In time, enough young people become of age, and grew up believing as Zorkk did. This group grew and grew. Very quiet, in corners & late at night, when the Elders couldn't hear, the word and the idea was spread. Life outdoors! Among the birds, the trees and the sun. Soon there was a cult of followers, waiting for direction from their leader, awaiting the day they would emerge.

In secret, Zorkk made the preparations. He knew the elders would never approve, and would probably kill him if they found out. Soon after the last snows melted, and the days were warm, Zorkk signaled his following that they would leave on the next new moon. Two weeks went by, and the final preparations were made. Everyone was ready for their new, harsher life, and the excitement could hardly be contained.

The new moon came, and soon out of caves and holes in the ground they emerged. A large group of people stood around, waiting for Zorkk. He arrived last, helping carry their youngest member, a 2 week old newborn, braving this new world they would conquer. They traveled all that night, and by morning were far away from their people. Most were frightened, and uneasy, but Zorkk led with authority, and they would all follow him to the ends of the earth.

After going on for a few months Zorkk realized they would have to get shelter soon, because the days were getting shorter, and the nights longer and colder. It was time to settle down... time to find that perfect spot... time to start his Great Underground Empire!

[Zorkk]

The Beginning
-------------

One morning, Zorkk woke up to a bright, and beautiful day. His band of followers were getting very weary, and he knew he had to find a spot soon. This morning was unlike other mornings tho. Everyone was look around excitedly, apparently they all thought this spot looked good enuf. After taking a good look, Zorkk agreed, and set down his roots

What follows is a journal of the Great Underground Empire, as it flows through history. Set down for future generations by it's leaders, in the hope that they will create a lasting, significant empire in this new world


4000 BC
The great city of Frobozz is founded, mainly because our people are bloody tired of walking all over the place. I (zorkk) quickly set aside ground for my palace, and have set out arrangements for all my people. Luckily we're close to a river and the people can bath and have fresh water. They were getting rather stinky, myself included. It's nice to finally have a home.

I've started some of our brightest members on a quest for a way to bury our dead. On the long road behind us, we left far too many corpses for the carrion eaters. Now we can hopefully find a way to give our dead the respect they deserve.

Also, knowing we need to learn more about the land around us, I've told my people to start training themselves, and I expect to see results soon.

To make it easier for us, i've had our worked move to start a road to the game. Then our hunters can return quicker. So far, so good.

3950 BC
This river we're on, seems to flow in both directions, as far as the eye can see. Perhaps one day we can follow them to their source. I wonder what other wonderous sites we'll see.

The workers reported today that they're starting digging on our road. I'm very pleased, and can't wait for them to finish. I'm hungry!

3900 BC
Our workers aren't going fast enough. While we're getting some food into Frobozz, more is needed. Pretty soon I might have to go on a diet like the rest of my people, and that just wouldn't be good. Ahh, nonetheless, work does continue on the road, and it will soon be done.

3850 BC
These last few seasons have been very uneventful. Our people have been grumbling again, and it's getting harder to control them. If only I could hurry those workers on the road!

3800 BC
What a great moment this is!!! The people have finally finished training, and I'm just about to order our first military warrior to go out and see what he can find for us to the north. We've also managed to finished the road, so finally the people are getting plenty of food, and I'm even seeing a bit of extra cash in the old treasury! Oh it's good to be the Despot!

Knowing that my people were quite recently barbarians, I feel the need for a little more security around the town, So i've decided to start my own personal bodyguard. I expect to have this protection soon. The people were, right, this was a great place to start, and I'm seeing very good results from them.

I've noticed a very nice plot of fertile soil to our SE, so I've got our road builders on their way there now.


3750 BC


3750 BC
A runner has come back from our first warriors! They climbed onto a hill this morning, an have spotted another excellent spot for our second great city! Wow, these guys are thinking just like me! Must be all that hard driving I did early on. I told the runner to rush back, and get them to continue exploring up there.

3700 BC
I got another report today, our warriors have been sticking to the hilltops, and have scouted out more land. It's looking rather uneven up there, but still fairly peaceful.

3650 BC
GOLD! The warriors have spotted some gold in one of the hills. Luckily I've been able to keep this quiet, or else half my people would leave. They've been turning into quite the greedy lot these days!

I've told the worker group to start irrigating some farmland. I know it's early yet, but the sooner we have some in place, the sooner we'll all be eating our fill each day, and growing fast.

3600 BC
My bodyguards are all trained finally. I've noticed too, the people are a little more settled now, so I've decided I'm safe and to use my bodyguards for more exploring, this time to the south. I feel safe doing this, as I havn't seen any barbarians yet.

I've also decided to start a new group of settlers. With the fertile land just north of us, I see some benefits in starting to harvest it as soon as possible.

And now we've seen what looks like ocean to the north and south. Could we be the only ones here??

3550 BC
After going north as much as possible, I've told the first warriors to head sw, in the hopes of discovering some more city sites. I have high expectations. The bodyguards continued south, but haven't discovered much more yet.

My workers finished their irrigating, and have moved into the wheat fields, and I'm going to get them irrigating them right away.

Here at home, our storehouses are almost full, and I'm seeing many many new births. Next year looks like it's going to be our best ever for newborns!

3500 BC
I've decided at the last moment, that we need another warrior before we can settle new lands. Our people are growing, but not fast enough. The warriors continue on their way, with unfortunatly, nothing exciting to report.

3450 BC
With the 3rd warrior done, I'm quite happy with our military. I'm sending this newest recruit up north, to try and uncover more territory for us.

Again, no reports from my previous explorers. I'm starting to get worried that my people will have to do without some luxury goods to keep them happy.

3400 BC
The wheat field irrigation is finally done! Now we're seeing the right kind of growth. I'm happy with my workers, but it's not time for a holiday yet. I've told them to put a road too.

My W/SW going warriors have discoverd some more gold, while the S ones have nothing to say.

3350 BC
Its starting to look more and more like we've emerged onto an Island with no company. While this thought has some advantages, I'd prefer to meet others, if they're out here.

3300 BC
Today some riders brought me some good news! Our first warriors (S/SW) ones have discovered 2 nomad encampments. I'm going to send another warrior down there as well, just in case... you never know what those tribes can bring us.

My worker travelled the full length of our road today! Acompanied by a parade on main street when they went thru town! Things are going good so far!

3250 BC
I've gotten the site of our 2nd city all planed out. The 3rd too, unless we suddenly discover another race, which I'm doubting heavily at this point. MY first warriors are about to enter one of the tribal villages, and I'm axiously awaiting their report.

3200 BC
Well, we had some friendly Parthians share with us what they knew of the land. This will greatly assist me in determining where to go. They've told us about a fairly large heard of wild cows, so I can hopefully head over there soon and see for myself.

The worker I've set to extending our road on the path to our second city. It seems like we can't go very far north at all, as the coast is on 3 sides. The other warriors are continuing to explore.

3150 BC
I've been starting to feel old Recently, and I know my time to pass on comes soon. I hate to think my researches have not yet found a way to bury me, so I've request a pyre for my funeral, and that my ashes be buried in the soil.

I only hope my predecessors will read my tale, and see my vision, and carry on this great work i've begun.

3100 BC
Fantastic News! Today another tribe has taught us their Warrior Code. I know future generations will put this to good use.

Our new settler is starting his journey to the intended citysite. I've chosen it as the best site to maximize the usage of our land, but i'm uncertain if i shall live to hear of it's name.

The land is becomming more and more clear to me everyday, and it seems there's a large expanses of unclaimed land to our SW, and I know someday in the future, it will be flooded with the colours of the great underground empire.

3050 BC
Our roads and our City are growing perfectly. My people have made me proud, and now it is time for me to pass on my rule. I remember a newborn that started this journey with us. A newborn that has grown up to be a great man. I know that leaving my empire to him will be for the best.

Somewhere between 3050 and 3000 BC the great Despot Zorkk passed away. Going to join his ancestors.


3000 BC

And now it's time for HawaiiFive-O to take over!

[HawaiiFive-O]

"The Despot Is Dead!", "Long Live The Despot!"

These were the cheers that greeted me as I left the Great Zorkk's former abode. I had been by his side as he breathed his last. Now was my turn to lead our people to glory.

As I walked to my new palace, I mused that ol' Zorkk had been disappointed that we had never figured out how to give him a proper Ceremonial Burial. Perhaps his passing would inspire our sages. Regardless, I gave the order to have him cremated on a funeral pyre (per his last wish), and sat down to review our peoples' situation.

We weren't the most advanced people around, or at least that's what my advisors kept squawking about. We knew of Bronze Working, Masonry, Warrior Code and that's all. The elusive Ceremonial Burial will still some time off.

I reviewed our economic situation. 63 ducats in the bank and growing! Too bad we had nothing to spend it on...

Checking into our construction orders, I changed Zorkk's last order of another Warrior- we were already over our supply limit for military units and were having to spend one ducat a season to support our Worker. Looking over the available infrastructure, I opted to start construction of a Barracks.

Time marched on during my reign:

3000 BC:
I ordered our Workers to continue the Great Northern Road. Our Settler was already halfway to the spot Zorkk had picked out, and I saw no need to go against his dying wishes. Our exploring Warriors in the North, discovering there was no new land to explore, were ordered home to Frobozz. Our two Warriors in the South continued exploration.

2950 BC:
Our Southern exploration continues. Nothing exciting to report.

2900 BC:
Our Settlers reach our new city location. We name the city Ruatha. It has a lovely ocean view. We commission a new Spearman for home defense. With the additional population, we can support a larger military. I switch the Barracks at Frobozz to a Spearman.

2850 BC:
Our Worker is ordered to complete the Great Northern Road to the gates of Ruatha. The Southern exploration continues apace, no sign of any other inhabitants. Where is everyone? Are we alone upon this earth?

2800 BC:
Our Warriors make it to the capital of Frobozz. They regale the populace with stories of their harrowing explorations.

2750 BC:
The Great Northern Road is complete. I order ancillary roads constructed around Ruatha to promote trade around that fair city. One of our exploring Warriors in the South report coming upon a vast desert. Perhaps this searing sea of sand is the reason we haven't encountered anyone else?

2710 BC:
Our Spearman at Frobozz is complete. I retain them for city defense. The tales of romance and adventure told by our Warriors has inspired many of the residents of Frobozz to form another city. I begin organizing another party of Settlers to accomodate their wishes.

2670-2630 BC:
Exploration of the Southern lands continues. Still no sign of habitation.

2590 BC:
One of our exploring Warriors draws near a barbarian village. Would the residents be friendly or homicidal maniacs? We'd know in 40 years.


2550 BC:
Ahh! The friendly folk of the Harappan village shower our Warriors with gold trinkets, which I immediately confiscate and add to the Royal Treasury.

2510 BC:
It is decided that our 3rd city will be built to the south. There are some forests of Spice that I am eager to bring under our control. We will set up a city halfway to the Spice and leave it to future Despots to secure these luxuries for our people. There are some outstanding potential city sites to the north, but as our empire is basically in a cul-de-sac, it is not necessary to expand our borders north, yet. With this in mind, our Worker is ordered south, below Frobozz, to begin construction of the Despot's Way.

2470 BC:
Great rejoicing! Our sages finally report they've figured out the secrets of Ceremonial Burial. I sleep a little easier this night knowing I'll get a proper send off when Death finally claims me. After much deliberation, I command our Sages to research Pottery. Our population growth is too slow, and a Granary would do much to speed our cities growth. In the North, Ruatha finishes it's Spearman, and we begin construction of yet another Settler.

2430 BC:
Our intrepid Settlers from Frobozz are ready to strike out. A new temple, dedicated to the Great Sky God is begun. The Settlers strike out, with our Warriors for escort. Our Spearman now has the run of the town. In the south, our Warriors come across two groups of unfriendly Bactrian Warriors.

2390 BC:
Check that, there are actually 3 Bactrian war parties. Our Warriors turn east in an attempt to skirt the Bactrian territory.

2350 BC:
It's no good, the Bactrians are in hot pursuit. Spying a hill, our Warriors head for the high ground. Closer to Frobozz, the wisdom of our Warrior escort for the Settlers is realized as a Cuman war party is spotted! I roust the Spearmen from Frobozz and send them down the Despot's Way in an effort to locate the Cuman encampment.

2310 BC:
Our escorting Warriors are victorious! The Settlers breathe a sigh of relief.

2270 BC:
We found our third city, Telgar, under the shadow of a great mountain. A Spearman is commissioned for defense. Our brave Warriors in the South dig in on the hill, all three Bactrian war parties are closing in...

2230 BC:
The morning air resounds with the clash of stone axes, as our Warriors fight off two of the Bactrian war parties. This first taste of battle emboldens our Warriors, making them Veterans. The last Bactrian war party circles, and our Warriors prepare to face them in battle.

2190 BC:
The last year of my reign sees our forces victorious again! Our Spearmen from Frobozz locates and disperses the Cuman encampment. Our Veteran Warriors easily dispatch the last Bactrian war party, and sets out to locate the home village of these unsavory Bactrians.

As Death's cold hands closes upon me, I pause to reflect. My reign has seen our empire triple in size. We have won our first victories, researched our first advance, connected our towns with roads. Yes, there is much to be proud of, but... are we alone save for unruly barbarians? I am never to know that answer. Perhaps my hand picked successor, Pisthetaerus would find out...

[Pisthetaerus]

ok, time to get this going, no pics . . . tried sending em to you Zorkk but no reploy. For reference--there are two warriors exploring one following the eastern coast, one the western. I simply designated them Eastern and Western warriors respectivley. Edited with pictures now




The ascension of Lord Pisthetaerus is shrouded in confusion. After Hawaii-Five-O’s death, there was a brief period of time in which no one ruled. Out of this anarchy Pisthetaerus was able to gain control. Rumors persist that treachery and murder were involved in his rise to power. However, these things would be quite characteristic of his reign. Pisthetaerus’ reign was marked by blood, much of it from our own people.

Pisthetaerus explicitly expressed the importance of continuation of his predecessor’s wishes. Thus the scouts were sent out to “civilize and put the continent under our rule.” Both the eastern and western scouts discovered “barbarian” villages.

It was said that they were nothing more than peaceful peoples, but the Emperor insisted on their subjugation. Thus it was that the Eastern warriors entered the village and ransacked it. They captured much gold for the glory of the Emperor, and the survivors were enslaved and sent back to Fribozz.

The other village, which was inhabited by a people called the Khosians, on the west, did not succumb so easy. It is said that a sympathetic warrior tipped them of. They planned to ambush the party as they entered the village. When they did so, the warriors found the village empty. At this time the barbarians rose out of hiding surrounding our warriors and attacked. The battle lasted for two days, and in the end it was our people who were victorious. This was the beginning of a long campaign by the various villages to defend themselves against the horrors of Emperor Pisthetaerus.

Meanwhile in the home territory, Ruatha became overpopulated and gaining the blessing of the Emperor, sent a group of citizens to found a city to the west, on the Coast. People started to use clay pots to store food for the brutal winters, and this became commonplace. It was also heard that the priests were working on some new mystical things. Our warriors continued on the quest, discovering more spices heading west. The Eastern warrior found more barbarians coming to fight in the mountains from the south. They would win another battle in the Emperor’s honor and continue on his quest of subjugation.

The eastern warrior continued south and discovered that the barbarian tribes in this area also had access to exotic spices. The settlers from Ruatha reached the sea and founded a city called Paraudra. Workers completed the road to Telgar and were ordered to continue southward.

The Eastern Warrior found the village the barbarians were coming from along with another force. They fought savagely but the barbarians were killed in the end, opening the rather defenseless village to the evils of the Emperor’s minions. Again the villagers attempt to ambush the troops but this time they were aware of the tactic and win much easier.

The Western warriors attack the village. The Villagers possess strange weapons of war. They capture the horses that graze nearby and domesticate them. They then attach something that can roll they call a “chariot.” This made taking out the village and encampment tougher, but still we were victorious. The Warriors sent back details of this design which emplyed this round "wheel" of their enemy’s weapons for our own use to our emperor’s delight.

It is at this time, 1600 BC or so that the cruelness of the Emperor became known at last to his own people. It is said that his domestic policies hurt the people of the cities, making them pay high taxes in order to support his opulence. Finally, having enough of it, the governor of Frobozz organized a revolt and took over the city. The Emperor was at his retreat outside the city at the time. The governor attempted to assassinate the emperor but it failed. Enraged the Emperor headed back to the city with all the loyal troops he could muster.



For one week the city burned. For one week the city was in turmoil. For one week, our people fought each other. And in the end, the Emperor was the victor. Fully one third of the city had been completely loyal to the governor. And now one third of the city would pay.

In the first day of the revolt, people set fire to and destroyed the temple that Hawaii-five-o had begun and that was still under construction. This was another source of the citizen’s consternation. It required much labor and the people had to pay for it. The emperor saw their unhappiness about such a project, and made sure to show the people the rightness of such a project. Thus it is that he made his great claim, that all would heed the Emperor. He rounded up the surviving rebels, their wives, their slaves, their children, and addressed them.

“Fools. You have doomed yourself. Do you not understand that you are mine, to do with as I please? You have destroyed a great work, and it shall be you, with your blood and your bones that will build a greater one. I order the construction of a new Temple, to be built by you traitors. You shall make this temple out of the bones of your dead fellows. And when you die in working, your fellows will take your bones and put them into the temple. No one is to be spared, not wives, not children, not slaves. When the temple is complete the rest of you shall be killed, and your bones will be the finishing adornments to the glory of the Empire.”

And thus they built a new temple. And they built it with their bones. One third of the people of Frobozz were worked to death. The Temple of Bones, as it is called, is truly a chilling reminder of the reign of Pisthetaerus. It is said that anywhere one stands a skull’s empty eye sockets stare down on you. One cannot help but shudder as one walks up steps of bones. When the temple was completed Pisthetaerus ordered the work on a greater project dubbed the pyramids. No one dared question him lest he decide to adorn this one with bones as well.

The army had developed a new tactic in dealing with the barbarians. The village would be sacked and the women and children put into slavery. The men, instead of being killed, would be conscripted into the existing army and split up, creating two new units. This was done to two villages. Any resistances or encampments were destroyed, until the entire known continent was under the rule of his illustrious emperor. Meanwhile, people began to make pilgrimages to local mystics or oracles, which were said to be able to tell the future. It is said that one of these mystics told the Emperor “beware strange creatures in the infinite blue.”

The Emperor took this to heed and never ventured to the coast scared of a monster eating him. One day, the emperor was praying in his Temple of Bones, his trusted general Ixnay came in and told him of recent events. A barbarian ship was seen off the coast.



The emperor did not know that Ixnay’s mother was a slave originally from the Sabador Tribe. Fearing that the emperor would seek to kill more people, Ixnay attacked him with a dagger he had concealed. The emperor was killed, and Ixnay exited the temple as the new Emperor.

[ixnay]

As the great emporer Ixnay surveyed his newly acquired empire, he decreed that his wise men should turn their attention to discovering a new alloy that could be used to make stronger weapons. In 1475, some of the people of Paraudra struck out to found a new city to the south, where large herds of cattle were seen. In 1450 some brave citizens of Ruatha also struck out to found a city to the south. As the adventurers moved out to the south, the citizens of Telgar rose up in disorder. Ixnay quickly ordered some of the female citizens to train as belly dancers to pacify the unruly mobs. In 1275, the town of Hrotherson was founded. 50 years later, Endirc was founded near some rare spices that, if traded throughout the land, could make the citizens happy that their food was no longer bland.

In 1125, a band of barbarians riding horses was spotted coming towards Hrotherson. Reinforcements were quickly dispatched to defend the city. The barbarians were no match for the well trained troops defending the city. In 1050, the great Temple of Telgar was completed, meaning that the city's many belly dancers were no longer needed to pacify the populace. Some of them began to attend the temple and became spiritually fulfilled. Meanwhile, some of the troops exploring the darkness to the south came upon a tribe of Mauryan warriors that taught us how to effectively ride horses in warfare. In 1025 our wise men discovered how to use some ore found by explorers far to the south to make stronger weapons. Unfortunately, the only source of this "iron" was located deep in the mountains to the south. As Ixnay's health began failing, he recieved reports that some of his warriors had defeated a camp of hostile barbarians to the south. Soon afterwards, Ixnay passed away, ultimately a forgettable leader that did little for his people other than to help season their food. Emporer Jerkwaterbox ascended to the throne in 950 BC to rule the Great Underground Empire.

[zapperio]

Good Job guys!

Keep it up.

PS Judging from the screenshots, the difference sn00py's graphics make is astounding.

Zap

[HawaiiFive-O]

I was thinking the same thing myself. Sn00py's graphics look great!

[Zorkk]

Yeah.. snoopys graphics look good, i think i'll have to get them and throw them in my game! hehe =) too bad there's so many different graphics that he can't do them all ohwell.. hehe

Zorkk

[Zorkk]

Hmmmmm.. Jerkwaterbox seems to be AWOL....

I'll send him another e-mail, and we'll hopefully see something from him soon!

Zorkk

[HawaiiFive-O]

Any sign of Jerkwaterbox?

[jerkwaterbox]

i get 72 hours do i not? that means that i do not have to have it postd til tomorrow. sorry about the wait though, i have been working on an important project.

[Zorkk]

Yes, you get 72 hours! =)

Just don't wanna lose anyone! Have fun with your project!!

The Great Underground Empire awaits you!

Zorkk

[jerkwaterbox]

sorry about my lateness, i was having trouble uploading my pics, seems to be working now though. i should have my turn up in the next little while

[Zorkk]

hey Jerkwater, it's getting pretty late where I am.... any chance your turn will be up soon???

Zorkk

[Zorkk]

Hmmm...

Well unfortunatly jerkwater is taking far too long here, it's been well over 72 hours. I'm at work for the next 6 hours, but after i'm off work, if there's still no more story, i'll download the save game, and take some turns...

Z

[HawaiiFive-O]

If you don't hear from Jerkwaterbox pretty soon, that sounds good.

I'll keep watching this space for my turn.

[Zorkk]

In another thread,

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...threadid=35279

jerkwaterbox has said his computer is messed. While i do very much hate to lose a player, looks like we need to keep on going. A substitute would be very welcome if anyone out there wants too join in, just download the save game, and play turns. Either way, i'll have turns posted by tommorrow.

Zorkk

[jerkwaterbox]

hey, can you guys find someone to replace me, my computer is messed, i am lucky i got to post here without it freezeing. so i am very sorry everyone.

[Zorkk]

By some strange fate of the gods, Jerkwaterbox was not to ascend to the throne this year, and rather, in his place, Zorkk the 2nd was proclaimed! How this unknown heir of our founder had been brought up, no one was quite sure, but the first despot, truly enjoyed his activities. The resemblance was almost perfect, a twin, but alas, we had not discovered genetic engineering yet...

So arise to the throne did Zorkk II, and as he surveyed his land he felt the need to make a few changes to things. One of the first things he did was distribute some luxuries to his populace! 10 % of taxes will now be returned to every one. Let me tell you, there was much cheering going on, but no parties yet. There seemed to be some more tax revenue left, so upping research seemed like a good thing to do. The alphabet would be learned much sooner now. It seems the Temple in Ruatha only has a few years left, so with a loud bellow to his minister of construction, construction was forced ahead, unfortunately, we lost some good people in the process.

Look around, it seemed there were vast expanses of land the need to be settled quickly. While our people needed places of worship, the need for more cities was more urgent to Zorkk, so he order more settlers built, canceling some temples.

Paraudra and Ruatha completed their temples at the same time, and it was decided that they would next work on a worker, and a spearman respectively. With our expanding culture, there would be more need of troops, and infrastructure.

In 875 BC, some Cuman warrior appeared next to our warrior. We quickly decided to charge them, and the ensuing battle was soon over, our veteran forces victorious. On the home front, our working was finally finished the road to spices, now our people could be happy, and enjoy much tastier food.

While the treasure was now losing some money each year, Zorkk II felt that it could handle it, at least until the next great discovery. With spices starting to roll into town, he also felt that they may soon see productive years again.

It was decided that the citizens Ruatha need to make another sacrifice for the benefit of our people, and quickly produced a spearman for us. He was sent to our capital Frobozz for our defense.



A few years passed, and our veteran warriors found the Cuman village. Striking without fear, they quickly razed it to the ground, and looted all there was. Our worker started another road in some spice fields to the south of Endirc.

Frobozz was expanding at a very nice rate, and we soon saw that the Pyramids would be complete even sooner.

http://www.gue.ca/civ3/800bca.jpg (optional pic of Frobozz)

Emperor Zorkk was very pleased with his people, and decided to continue the tax relief program. At the same time, realizing more defensive forces would be needed; another spearman was ordered in Paraudra.

Around 800 BC our scholars finally put together our first alphabet. This new system of symbols was very intreging, and the scholars were directed to continue with these letters, and see what they could develop A group of settlers were also dispatched that year to a very hopeful site. It seemed perfect for a seat of government, being very central to the southern half of the island. A spearman accompanied them, to see them safely to their destination.

Soon after, another groups of settlers wanted to depart from Telgar, so they were sent on their way south, to another fertile farming location. The town meanwhile, started to train some workers to help build our growing network of roads. Our warriors had been continuing south for some time again, this time to act as scouts in case some visitors from that other piece of land came by.

The temple being produced in Endirc was progressing nicely, but still not fast enough. Some more of the population was sacrificed in a massive construction effort. Thank goodness our people would be happy for the temple, or else they might have risen up in revolt of Zorkk's heavy-handed treatment.



A road from Telgar to Endirc was started, and would pass through some hill with gold peeping on the surface. Should be very profitable. Our veteran warriors encounter some Harappan scouts in the wandering around the mountains. It seemed they were coming towards them, so their captain had his troops fortify their position in anticipation of an attack.

For a week, both sides just watched each other, and then one cloudy night, the Harappans attacked us in the middle of the night. We lost a few men in the first bit of fighting, but as more of our forces were roused by the sounds of battle, we quickly rallied, and slaughtered our foes. Celebrating their victory, our now elite warriors decided to stay encamped for a little more, in their mountain retreat.

Zimora was founded in the year 650BC, a temple being first on the list for construction. Soon afterwards, the city of Lazzarus was founded to the northwest of Zimora. The Kingdom was expanding nicely now, and soon we will have iron within our grasp.

After some years of peaceful growth, with not much new, a new settler and spearman were produced, and sent on the way south, to found another city for our great nation. The roads were continuing nicely, and the completion of the pyramids was now in sight.

Frobozz continued growing, and as it grew bigger, more people volunteered to help build our pyramids, and now they would be done even sooner than before. With an eye for expansion still, Zorkk continued propaganda to raise more settlers for the founding of new cities. There was still plenty of resources out there for the taking. Our warriors were slowly making their way down to the southern peninsula.

In 550BC the citizens of Hrotherson, overcome with religious zeal, threw themselves into the completion of the temple there. The ground was christened with the blood of their toils.

At the end of Zorkk's reign in 550 BC, from some unknown source, it was learned that a German city of Berlin has erected the pyramids. Overcome with grief, that all his work was in vain, Zorkk the 2nd suffered a massive stoke, and was put to rest alongside his forbearers.

[zapperio]

That has got to be one of the sweetest starting position ever.

Zap

[Zorkk]

hehehe... yeah.. I'm quite happy with it now I think. I was worried it would be too smal (this is a large map) but it looks like everything is good! hehehehe shoudl turn out to be a good game! =)

Zorkk

[HawaiiFive-O]

excerpted from the Encyclopedia Undergroundica

The reign of HawaiiFive-O, the Second Of His Name, also known as HawaiiFive-O the Builder, was nondescript.

By this time, the Peoples of the Great Underground Empire had been above ground for almost 2500 years. Indeed, there was much discussion over the continued use of the Underground Empire moniker, in light of that fact.

But the name stuck. Old habits die hard. It should be noted that these discussions continue to this day, it is one of the hallmarks of the Underground culture and a mainstay at office parties.

Back to the reign of HawaiiFive-O the Builder. Our records of his reign are more complete than that of his predecessors, as the Underground Empire had by this point discovered Writing. HawaiiFive-O the Builder was very fond of writing about himself, to the point of vanity.

It is interesting that on the obelisks he commissioned to commemorate his rule, he makes constant mention of the completion of two great projects- the Oracle of Frobozz and the Colossus of Paraudra. Yet solid archaelogical evidence has shown that the Oracle was actually commissioned by Zorkk the Second, and completed just two years into HawaiiFive-O's reign. And while HawaiiFive-O did apparently begin construction of the Colossus, he most certainly did not live to see it completed, as archeological digs at Paraudra conclusively show that it was during the reign of Pisthetaerus II that the Colossus was finished.

So what can we make of HawaiiFive-O's reign? Looking beyond his own self-promoting obelisks, we see that his reign can be described as uneventful. The cities of Igen and Ista were founded, further extending the Underground Empire's influence in the south.

This early map shows the placement of Igen in the East, and the Spearman/Settler team in the West, on some hills about to found Ista.



Technology wise, sages and soothsayers started on the discovery of Philosophy, as HawaiiFive-O dreamed of a government for the people, of the people.

Many civic buildings were completed, some through patience, others through the cracking of the whip. By the end of his reign, most cities boasted a Granary and Temple, and several had Barracks to turn out Veteran soldiers for defense against the barbarian tribes which existed in such numbers in the Alps at the base of the continent.

HawaiiFive-O's reign also saw the creation of great teams of Workers roaming the landscape, taming the wild and increasing both the population and industry of the burgeoning cities. It is believed that Worker teams increased by 333% during his reign.

His greatest dream was the creation of a Grand Canal, from the desert Oasis in the South, to water the plains around Ista, Igen, Zimorra, and Lazzarus. With that in mind, he dispatched four teams of Workers to the area. Unfortunately he passed on before work could begin.



With his passing, Pisthetaerus II ascended to the throne of the Great Underground Empire.

[Pisthetaerus]

Pisthetaerus II’s reign can be characterized by many things—development, growth, bumbling idiocy, confusion, and indecisiveness. Pisthetaerus II’s attempt at policy in his early years was to continue along the path of his predecessors, more cities were be founded, more infrastructure built. Frobozz was the first city in his reign to send settlers out to found a new city. Rather than continue southward, Pisthetaerus II saw many “holes” in the empire and sought to fill them.

A GUI wise man named Socrates started a something called philosophy, and a new movement was on to write books about him. More settlers were built and the first gap was filled with the founding of Krom. Pisthetaerus the first had originally designated this site for settlement, but for various bureaucratic reasons had been left unsettled.

Then one of the most important moments in GUI history occurred. Reports came back that a foreign peoples had settled upon the southern most tip of the GUI continent!



This disturbed many people for the oracles did tell them that the continent was made by the gods for the people of GUI. Pisthetaerus II, in one of his seemingly decisive moves (but possibly one of his more confused actions), decided to meet and possibly, well, probably, attack these peoples. He ordered the warriors stationed in the mountains southward, along with a road built to the southern part of the continent for the troops. Several cities were ordered to train archers and spearmen.

But it was not an all out effort; most cities still built improvements or settlers. Paraudra completed the Colossus and was ordered to draft some troops. Later, Pisthetaerus II switched orders for a granary. These orders came despite the fact that Paraudra did not have a fresh water source and could not support more people. With the great books about Socrates written, the Pythagoreans went about their way studying triangles and such. Pisthetaerus II once again ordered Paraudra to built a great wonder, this time a library to hold a copy of every book ever written ever, particularly every one written about Socrates.

It was at about this time that the elite warriors closed in the on the city of New Ulunde and were poised to attack. But before they could make any hostile movements, a representative of the Zulu so-called leader met them and an agreement was arranged. The Zulus gave GUI codes of laws while we gave them copies of our books about Socrates. They weren’t too enamored with Socrates so we had to throw in some gold as well. It was during these negotiations that Gui delegates peeked at the Zulu notes and noticed that the Zulus controlled eighteen other cities!

This of course scared Pisthetaerus II even more and confused him even more. He ordered several more regiments to be built and prepare for an attack. But at the same time, afraid of war too soon, he removed his troops from the borders of New Ulundi at the behest of Shaka. Several more cities were founded and some were ordered to build more branches of the great library to be in Paraudra. The newly founded city of Farnvar was ordered to send its garrison of defending spearman. Before the mistake was realized, they were two full seasons out of range. There were many other cases of those confusing times, such as workers being given orders, and then those orders were reversed.

In the meantime, with the lack of presence of military in the hills, more barbarians appeared, killing a set of workers who were building a road to several new proposed city sites along the west coast. A settler headed in that direction had to stop at Lazzarus and wait for safety. Even now, barbarian horsemen are about to attack that city and pray to the Gods that they do not win.

In the end of his reign, Pisthetaerus II made one last definitive and yet indecisive decision. Finally, all four divisions of warriors had reached the gates of New Ulundi. But Pisthetaerus II decreed that the decision for war was to be left to his succesor.

[Pisthetaerus]

an attached file would of course be useful

[ixnay]

As Ixnay II took the throne, he was faced with a dilemma of immense proportions. Should he attack the Zulu, who have tread on the sacred ground of the GUE? Should he keep peace with them and try to contain them? It was not an easy decision to make. Knowing that the Zulu must have had some knowledge of shipbuilding and mapmaking to have made it to the sacred island, Ixnay decided to try and acquire the Zulu maps and knowledge. Ixnay traded copies of the maps and was astounded by all of the land claimed by the Zulu. However, the Zulu wanted more than half of the gold in the treasury for the technology, so Ixnay wisely decided to hold off. Surveying the newly acquired maps of Zulu territory, he noticed that there were no traces of iron on their island. Realizing that there was only one source of iron on the southern tip of the island, Ixnay decided to drive the Zulu from the sacred land and secure the iron for the Great underground empire. In 260 AD, troops moved in position to take the city of New Ulundi. Ignoring the threats coming from Shaka, war was declared. Meanwhile, a gigantic barbarian raiding party appeared south of Ista. They were all beaten back by the lightly armed spearmen, but the last barbarian managed to make it into the city and ransack the work on the temple. Most of the troops sent to attack New Ulundi perished without causing any causalties. Ixnay decided to wait for stronger reinforcements before trying to capture the city. However, while his troops were retreating, Zulu reinforcements were dropped by ships behind the retreating forces. To his amazement, though, these were not forces come to finish off what was left of the GUE's army, but an expiditionary force come to found a new city. In the year 290, word from travelers came that the Aztecs had completed a Great Library, even greater than the one planned in paraudra. The city of Yidnich was founded in the great desert near the oasis, to act as an outpost for the troops moving south. As cities completed their libraries and temples, they were set to train more troops for the assault on the zulu cities to the south. The secrets of map making were eventually discovered, and Paraudra was ordered to commission the first GUE ship. Later, a colony was set up to supply the Underground Empire's Army with the iron they needed to make stronger weapons. However, Ixnay was shocked to discover that another group of peoples, claling themselves "English" had settled to the south of the island. Would he have to drive them away too? A group of explorers were quickly sent to make contact with them. However, the English were discovered to be nothing more than stuck-up snobs who, though technilogically advanced, would not trade anything at a reasonable price. And so, as his reign came to a close, ixnay hoped that with new technologies and weapons, that the Great Underground Empire could vanquish its enemies under his successor.

[HawaiiFive-O]

Hey Zorkk, what's the status?

Is Jerkwaterbox's computer fixed? It is his turn. Or do we need to skip him again?

Just wondering. I'm waiting for the patch to begin a new game, and looking to get a quick Civ3 fix in.

[Zorkk]

Well.. no sign of Jerkwaterbox anywhere, so I guess he's out for this one! I'll take my turns tonight, and hopefully post them too! =)

Z

[Zorkk]

Since there's now a patch for the game, I was wondering what everyone's plans are? I myself have already installed the patch. Do we wish to continue with the patch in place? or restart a new story?

Z

[ixnay]

I have the patch - fine with me if we keep going on this game...

[HawaiiFive-O]

Since the patch is compatible with saved games, I'm OK with continuing this game.

Or if you want to start another, that's cool too.