Decline 10: New Blood for the Feast

[Grimwulf]

Tomaso, my dear friend. You finally arrived.

Mendoza.

Come, let us talk in my residence. I ordered to prepare a turkey for today's dinner.

I'll pass. That turkey might have been a sorcerer from Mictlan. You never know.

As you wish. I never had a chance to offer my congratulations on your victory over Arcoscephale.

That victory wasn't mine. Cervantes destroyed their army, and paid with his life.

But you fought the forces of Mictlan for the capital city.

No. They escaped as soon as they saw Marignon's army approaching.

And the battle for the city itself?

There was no battle. Former rulers abandoned the entire nation before we even besieged the city. There was nobody left to protect it. Except for one man - Pathos, the Son of Titans.

No matter. You are a hero in the eyes of our people.

Can't say the same about you. I've heard troubling rumors on my way here. About blood sacrifices performed by you.

You know I would never do it, Tomaso. I follow the old ways, just like you. Those were public executions.

You are the Prophet of Marignon now, Mendoza. Be worthy of that honor.

"Honor"? De Prado threw me out, because I aksed questions. I was the only one who dared. His policy will ruin our nation one day.

What policy?

Where do I begin? Tell me, Tomaso. Why do you think we are here, in that God forsaken province, along with entire army of Marignon? Constantly receiving new ships with supplies and reinforcements?

It's simple and obvious. The presence of our forces guarantees peace. Mictlan will never try anything reckless as long as we are here. And Atlantis will not invade our ally Bogarus while the Marignon-Bogarus defensive pact lasts. We are here to lead the armies in case of one of these events occurs. To bring righteous justice.

Hah. No.

No?

We are about to invade T'ien Ch'i. Several captains led by Don Diego de Medrana, an Admiral from Marignon, have their ships ready to set sails.

Nonsense. I would know.

Nobody knows about it yet. Not even the Spy Master. Not even the Admiral! He thinks that the ships are here to support the army in case of war against Mictlan or Atlantis.

Why would de Prado give such a ridiculous order? Attacking T'ien Ch'i now is pure warmongering. We don't have any conflict with their nation. Sure, they are all heretics, but who isn't these days?

Ah, but there is a conflict between T'ien Ch'i and Marignon, a reason worthy enough to declare a war. A reason which cannot be proclaimed in public, for it would be a disgrace for de Prado and Marignon.

I presume you know that reason and this is why you were "exiled".

Exactly.

Well?

Grand Inquisitor needs to protect Lemuria.

Herecy.

It's the truth, even though it sounds revolting.

Why? These unholy abominations must burn in hell. They are our sworn enemies, just as any other undead of the world!

But our economy depends on prosperity of their nation. The head of Royal Bank of Marignon is my good friend. I know for a fact that Lemuria keeps a grand sum of gold in our bank. The Bank pays a modest monthly interest, and...

Lies. Everything's a lie! The Royal Bank would be brought to justice long ago if what you say is true.

That's the whole point! The Kingdom gets most of its income from the loans of the Royal Bank! We can't afford an investigation right now - we need every single gold coin it provides!

God forgive us.

After several nations attacked Lemuria all at once, the latter stopped sending gold, like they used to. My friend told me that if things go at the same pace, Lemuria will close the account soon. They will demand the entire sum of gold back.

What sum are we talking about?

I cannot possibly know. But he said that Marignon might very well go bankrupt if that happens now.

And we cannot even publicly demand T'ien Ch'i to withdraw its forces from Lemuria.

Right, we can't. Lemuria is officially our enemy.

So we'll just attack T'ien Ch'i out of the blue like that? It does not sit well in me.

So far there were no direct orders from de Prado on that matter. We'll see how it goes. Maybe Marignon's economy gets better and we'll be able to afford closing Lemuria's account. Or maybe T'ien Ch'i would decide to cease warfare on their own. After all, it's not like they achieved any success during that war.

 

[KoolNoodles]

RIP T'ien Ch'i. We hardly knew ye.

 

[hello friend]

I never received any envoys from Marignon. Marignon is dealing in bad faith, muttering and scheming with their unsavoury friends. I strongly condemn the actions of their army. I strongly condemn the actions of their navy. I spit upon their leadership, and I thumb my nose at their peasants.

It is the nature of the savage to try to extinguish the light of civilisation. The hoodlum and the dullard will always envy his betters and eye them with hatred concealed.

It will be the duty and pleasure of the T'ien Chi to fight until the last breath. Comest thou at me, brother!

 

[Dreaad]

 

[Grimwulf]

Time to put those hundreds of fiery imps to good use.

 

[Grimwulf]

Muty Zephyr Arsland hello friend

Submit your turns, men. 40mins left.

Edit: goddamit. Postponed 12h. But from now on, I won't extend turns if nobody asks for it - you've been warned.

 

[Zephyr Arsland]

Oh fair master, I have asked for no mercy for I desired none!

Managed to send the turn. Thanks a lot, anyways! The bad times are about to end already. Exams tomorrow.

 

[Grimwulf]

Managed to send the turn. Thanks a lot, anyways! The bad times are about to end already. Exams tomorrow.

No prob man, and good luck on your exams.

Once again, there's nothing bad in postponing the timer, as long as people ask for that in advance. To avoid situations like

• It's so late, better get some sleep. But there's gonna be a new turn in an hour or so. Ok, I can wait an hour, I guess. --- Somebody postpones the turn at the last minute.

• Fug, 30mins left! Not sure if I can submit in time. Eh, Grimwulf and other admins are online - I'm sure somebody keeps an eye on the timer. --- Nobody does.

• Grimwulf, that goddamn eyefucker. He knew there's gonna be a stale from several players, and still didn't extend the turn! I blame him! Can we roll the game back to previous turn? ---

I never asked for admin pass. And now it seems like I'm the only one who does something with it.

 

[Dreaad]

 

[Matalarata]

• I managed to avoid staling multiple times in this game, but not thanks to Grimwulf, no sir!
• REMOVE KEBAB PASSWORD YOU'RE THE ADMIN SMELL
• I'll never reach Udmurtia on foot, this is clearly Grimwulf's fault. FUCK Grimwulf!

 

[Dreaad]

I never asked for admin pass. And now it seems like I'm the only one who does something with it.

I officially thank you for all you do for this community. Your reward shall be more passwords to more games!

 

[Grimwulf]

I hate you, people.

 

[Muty]

I hate you, people.

 

[Matalarata]

Thread reported for brofist harvesting.

Spoiler

 

[Grimwulf]

Keep your fists under control, dammit.

 

[noisenerd]

Just wanted to pop in and say I'm sorry if it seems like I've lost interest. I assure you it's not the case, I just have a lot going on myself at the moment. I don't wanna cry about my problems here, but I've had a few things dropped in my lap that I didn't see coming.

I'm especially sorry to you, Grimwulf , I did drop the ball here and I really appreciate that you caught it.

 

[Grimwulf]

I'm especially sorry to you, Grimwulf , I did drop the ball here and I really appreciate that you caught it.

I didn't do nuthin', but ur welcome. Also, never trust Lizzurd, that sunuva...

 

[sqeecoo]

Don't worry man, these things last for months and your interest levels go up and down. I was pretty inactive too lately due to holiday busyness and using my gaming time for the Witcher 3, but my enthusiasm for this game is finally picking up again as we enter the midgame

 

[Matalarata]

I'm just cold blooded, a lizzurd's enthusiasm can be hard to notice but it's there:

example

 

[KoolNoodles]

Speaking of...

Grimwulf 6hr extension plz.

 

[Grimwulf]

I'm just cold blooded, a lizzurd's enthusiasm can be hard to notice but it's there:

example

Speaking of...

Grimwulf 6hr extension plz.

Done.

 

[sqeecoo]

As christmas approaches, this one goes out to Dayyalu:

 

[Lizzurd]

Wow, this is great! I love this book and this movie pretty well shows it.

 

[Dayyālu]

(Catchy, though)

EDIT: (And that level in CoC: DCE was railroading extreme)

 

[Matalarata]

Sqeecoo that's actually epic!

"...they can dynamite devil s reef, but that will bring no relief..." ... I'm sold.

EDIT: (And that level in CoC: DCE was railroading extreme)

Lies! There were far more llinear and railroaded levels in that same game! Jokes aside, I loved it so much! Up to the refinery it has great atmosphere and dialogue. Then you flush a Shoggoth around, shoo Dagon away with a cannon and fight a starspawn with conventional weapons



My personal favourite, and a much more "Lovecraftian" game imho is: