I guess I’ll have to split most turns in two parts from now on. I think that updates shouldn’t be too long (60+ images), so nobody gets bored, plus I can post more regularly this way. But if you want giant-ass posts once in a week instead – let me know.
Meanwhile in Thunder Falls.
Believe in Grimwulf. You’ve gotta have Faith.
TURN 26
LATE SPRING IN THE YEAR 3 OF THE ASCENSION WARS
PART 1
What’s all the ruckus? Seems like Caelum’s army is outside my walls again. Let’s take a glimpse.
Well, holy fuck. Looks like Amrav is really pissed off by that last defeat. I've got preparations to make – upcoming battle is nothing like the previous one. Shit just got serious.
But first, let me read other messages real quick.
Butthurt message was delivered.
Hehehe.
Construction 4 is finished! Now I can forge good stuff.
Crispy is now “Prepared to Die Edition”.
Penda didn’t find any A3 sites in Thunder Falls, which isn’t surprising – the province was searched by Headless already. But then
That’s how you search for dem magic sites! Can’t fucking believe there is 5 of them in Helgate. The province brings me almost as much gems as the capital (5 gems in total). Not much use for nature and astral gems atm, but I’ve got a few ideas for nearest future. Luck increase from totem collection affects only Helgate, unfortunately.
Moving on. Brutus wasn’t able to stop Kvase the Vanadrott for another turn, but at least he had a glimpse on reinforcement band, that’s coming after Vanheim’s main army.
Reinforcements are all green and inexperienced, but they are also in perfect shape. Led by two commanders-Vanherses.
Even this small band will be very challenging for Codex Troll’s army.
Sigh. Meanwhile, Kvase the Vanadrott claimed Misty Hollow. I didn’ have any defenders there (just PD 1).
I’m almost tempted to return Penda to the capital and spam some Seeking Arrows, while there is still time. On the other hand, I don’t have much air gems. If everything goes bad, I’ll return the whole Ulm front to the capital to hold defence.
Speaking of Ulm front. They attacked both Midvale and Thunder Falls, just as I expected. Midvale was attacked by forces of Anvilwood.
This looks somewhat like Tallo’s original warband.
The leader is Malo, son of Tallo (yes, I have terminal state of larping, now shuddup).
Malo’s warband is mostly maidens, some mildly experienced, others freshly hired. There also a bunch of old and useless wolves.
Just you wait, mortals. Soon you will all be affected by BoT. Your pets are suffering already.
Time to get pwnd.
Long story short, we managed to kill a bunch of wolves.
Then got anal-raped ourselves.
PD leader-Vanherse fought to the end.
But it’s not like he had a chance.
And so, Midvale was lost. AGAIN.
Codex Troll should deal with that Malo character as soon as he fends off whoever attacked Thunder Falls. Who was it, by the way?
Oh, fffuck.
Agiwulf is back, gentlemen. This time accompanied by Warrior Smith.
The strange thing is his warband. It is actually… small?
I guess he didn’t expect us to stay in Thunder Falls this month. Let’s see how it goes.
Agiwulf and Riso do their buff thing.
Archers shoot zombies. One of the latter loses a head, but still walks. Btw, can’t remember if there is a “Head Lost” affliction in Dominions 4 (maybe it’s commander-only?), but there sure was one in Dominions 3.
This battle was a bit experimental, too. I needed to refresh my memory on Raise Dead spell mechanics.
Last turn there were 26 unburied corpses in the province. Hangadrotts were scripted to cast Raise Dead for two turns each. Being D3 casters, they are able to summon 12 zombies each cast. Questions:
1. Does Raise Dead spell work only if there are unburried corpses availiable?
2. If so, then we shall resurrect 24 zombies after first turn. There will be 2 left. Will Penda/Headless summon those two upon next spell casting, or will it be the usual 12?
Answers incoming!
Yes and yes. The amount of unburried corpses in the province
is EXACTLY how many are available for Raise Dead spell at the start of combat. More can be summoned after somebody dies during battle itself. This game would be so much easier to play without sclerosis.
Agiwulf shoots anti-zombie nuke.
His companion Riso throws Flying Shards that miss. Agiwulf’s archers are more lucky.
Some of their wolves tear a couple of zombies apart. No matter. That’s why we summoned them in the first place.
Penda casts his favorite Terror spell upon hostile infantry.
Headless and Krummi bombard the same squad with another Terror and Frighten.
Troll smites dat wolf.
Zombies try to kill some of them too, but fail to land a single hit, while Helhird moves forward.
Agiwulf casts another Banishment, but misses.
Banishment is one of the few divine spells that actually demands high precision. Agiwulf has Heroic Precision ability, but even that doesn’t guarantee a precise hit.
Riso casts Flying Shards and hits several zombies.
Archers fire at our zombies, making lots of connects. We still have enough of them. Wolves escape.
Terrorizin’!
Agiwulf’s infantry now have 0-3 morale, and only seveal units from the sides have 8. It shouldn't bee too hard to make them rout from now on.
We'll see if that Smite will do the trick. And now, the moment
you I have been waiting for! Krummi vs Agiwulf, round 2!
Now that’s much, much better than before! Thanks to the Ring of the Warrior, Krummi managed to deliver a couple painful ones. Agiwulf’s still gud with that sword, so the hits were delivered upon his arm. Nohing major, but at least he’s weakened. And has only 27 hp. Holy Avenger buff usually targets random hostile units, and this time it targeted one of huskarls, who managed to resist. Holy Avenger isn’t very effective vs Vanir, because it may hit an illusion too. Mini-spoiler: HA didn't hit shit during this battle, so I won't comment on it.
Ragnar charged into enemy infantry this time, chopping a leg clean off, and delivering another painful one, right in the torso.
Helhird is coming.
Krummi parried Agiwulf’s attack with her spear, but then Riso made a bitch move, casting Desiccation. Krummi resisted, tho.
Ulm infantry didn’t run yet. Gotta admit that these guys’ balls are shining bronze.
None of them managed to land a hit. Ragnar dodged/repelled with sword/blocked with shield/deceived with illusions. One Vanir, surrounded by dozen of men.
Some of them went for zombies and left flank Helhirdings, though. They should have run.
Krummi lands another couple of hits, not too damaging though.
Agiwulf has one well-protected arm. No new afflictions, 21 hp left.
His warband is doing much worse, being slaughtered by Ragnar and Helhird.
The leader himself didn’t attempt to attack Krummi this turn, but rather performed another Banishment.
Still, Ulm does not rout yet. Completely surrounded, the warriors pull off one more attempt of breaking through.
Killing a bunch of zombies, and missing Helhirdings terribly.
Archers don’t run as well. They fire and miss.
Penda and Headless Horseman regain consciousness and perform another double Terror.
Helhird slaughters them one by one, while the duel between Krummi and Agiwulf rages on.
She finally pokes his eyes.
It’s a fucking miracle he’s still alive. 5 hp left + 5 Undying.
Ragnar’s performance is awesome too.
A lot of Ulm warriors die on tips of Helhird spears. Some of Helhirdings went for warrior maidens.
Blinded Agiwulf makes another assault on Krummi, just to be repelled by her spear.
Some maidens try to hit Helhirdings in melee, some fire arrows – they all miss. Riso is too exhausted to do anything.
Ulm infantry routs. Most of them have Helhird standing on their path, so they try to chop their way through. To no avail.
Krummi has still to deliver the finishing blow. She is rather exhausted by now (78 fatigue).
Slaughter.
Blind Agiwulf casts Smite. Probably doesn’t care about his target anymore. Helhirding resists.
And that was the last moment of Agiwulf, the Prophet of Kantena.
We quickly finished off the routing enemies, along with fainted Riso. The only survivors of this warband are two wounded maidens and an old wolf.
Let them be. Someone must tell the story of Agiwulf, his war against Helheim, and how it ended up for him. Every skald, bard and troubadour will sing epic songs about this day.
Ulm doesn’t have a prophet now, while we’ve got ours right on the border. Kantena’s dominion is going to feel it. If only we could destroy a temple or two. Oh, well.
Next message?
Today is the big day. Our oldest human has finally reached old age threshold. One of Codex Troll’s serf warriors, that has been with Troll from turn 1 (initial army), is 50 years old now.
Beautiful. It won’t be long before mass dying starts. It will help greatly with our war efforts on Ulm and Caelum fronts.
What is this fucking NOISE?
Give me a break, Amrav. What did you throw at me this time?