New "Ancient Empires" PBEM created

[Kull]

Abandonment?

Question to Chris 62: For future reference, what's the rule in other PBEMs for determining when someone has abandoned the game?

(Edited to remove non-applicable individual reference)

[Stefan Härtel]

Allright, I'm off till Friday, Kull is taking my turns.
Have a nice game till then.

[Chris 62]

Usually they are never asked to play again by whomever they screwed, unless there was some compelling real life reason they cut out, such as:

Computer failure
Sickness in familiy
Death in familiy

Some people, especially students use the excuse of finals or midterms, but this is invalid UNLESS prior warning is given.
To just not show is considered bad form.
There should be NO REASON some word can't be given, and once it is, it is accepted usually.

Right now, I'm still playing two games started a year and a half ago, with the same people, and they near completion, so unless you can commit to this for a year, don't bother.

[Civfan]

here we go

[germanos]

Assyrian Sages.

Along the banks of the Tigris, that mighty and life bringing river, many stories and romours travel. At these banks, where civilization is born, youth, with all its foolishness but yet the promise of greatness, puts its mark down.
The great city of Nineveh, with its great walls, and residence of the wise and mercifull Cheiftain Sargon, was founded right here on fertile side of the River. A marvelous spot, just as there are so many other great spots to find on the vast stretches this river brings to the inhabitants of this Pearl of the Tigris. Raised in this green environment, the people of Niniveh can only follow their harts, and stay loyal and bound to the Great goddess of the Tigris. The people travel on small rafts both up- and downstream the river to scout the possibilities their habitat gives.
Those who dare, travel in the vast wasteland West of the city, while the mountains East are being avoided. The Goddess Tigris will withdraw her protection from those who travel in these strange sloping lands.

The people of Nineveh have not settled long ago on the Banks of the Tigris. It was their Cheiftain Sargon who had led them to this place, and who convinced them they should build more sturdy shelters that they had ever done before, and he vowed their days of wandering the vast plains were over, now that they found the wealth of this beautifull river. The plentiness of water, giving the plains a previously unknown fertility to the plains surrounding the settlement, finally put the quest of the Assyrian Tribe to an end. With this sound encampment well established, this place that people soon started to call home, the Chieftain ordered the men out to scout the surroundings, but added the message they should return home once their food had run out half, so they could return to replenish their stocks, and rejoice in seeing their families again.

When the first men returned, they brought back unimaginable riches in Gold, knowledge and Slaves, and stories of fellow wandering Tribes and villages. Blessed by this fortune that the Goddess of the Tigris had granted upon him and his people, Sargon ordered more young men, well equiped through the funds that had reached his palace, to venture out along the river banks, and to take the enslaved people with them, so they may find new places to settle, and to live as free men within the Assyrian Empire. Traveling fast downstream, the young men quickly granted the Slaves their freedom, and they settled near the River on the place called Calah, which means Furtune in Assyrian. It was a well choosen name, because when the young Assyrians scouted the immediate vicinity of Calah, they met a group of wandering people, who were traveling fast on Horsedraw carts, and bearing powerfull Arms. These people, who named themselves Charioteers, were so astonished by the sight of the Assyrian settlement, that they offered their services to Sargon's emissaries, and informed the young men from Nineveh of the presence of the nearby hostile Village.
Soon the Charioteers drove of westwards, and overran the villagers. The crossing of the river to the village was not without risk (something the youngsters from Nineveh knew very well), and the brave but reckless Charioteers were allmost completely annihilated. The Tigris turned red with blood, and it took a long time before all the wreckadge from the charioteers was recovered from the river, and brought back to Calah. Excited by these events, the previously enslaved people of Calah escorted the captives from the village back to Niniveh, showing their allegiance to Sargon, making clear the faith that Sargon had put in them had not been wasted, and secretly hoping that Sargon would be as generous to the new Slaves, as he had been to them.
Again, Sargon send off the Slaves to settle somewhere peacefully under the reign of Assyria.

In the meanwhile, those dare-devils that had ventured into the vast plains, from which their ancestors had come and from whom they had inherited wild and skary Sages, halted in front of a hut, not knowing what to do. When they finaly approached the hut they found it empty except for a strange construction and some naps made out of clay. Those tired of wandering the wastelands stayed and worked at the construction to duplicate the clay naps, which were sturdy, and much largers their wooden naps had ever been. And by doing so, they discovered the skill of Pottery. Those who were impatient and loved the far stretches of plains traveled further West, into the unknown…

[Kull]

Memphis: The War Leader

To the average villager Memphis is a satisfying place to live, so long as you don't mind having a life without secrets. As with every village in every land, not only have you lived with these people all your life, you're related to them too. Fortunately for the gene pool, Memphis is an important crossroads, the gateway between the Delta and the Nile valley. So men with the bravery and fortitude to risk travel in the dangerous ancient world were not uncommon - and they found more than a few women who were bored with the norms of village life. Over the millenia these men and women left behind a significant gift - children with a genetic predisposition for bravery and risk-taking.

On the morning after the men of Memphis first learned of kings and armies and mass killings, the word had spread to every corner of the town. All agreed that something had to be done, and everyone had a different plan for doing it. "Let's pack up and move so far south that these "kings" will never find us!" "No, we must build walls and prepare our defenses!" "Why not kill all visitors? That way no one will know we are here!" "We could ally with the village down south, ask one of the Libyans to be our King and combine our forces into an army!" For every idea there was a counter-argument, and the debate swayed back and forth throughout the days that followed.

Like most villages of it's time, Memphis was "governed" by a council of elders. In times of difficulty they could and did appoint a single headman who would organize the town to fend off predators and unruly visitors or help recuperate from natural disasters like floods and locusts. In past crises, headmen were appointed based on wealth or social status - but that would not serve to deter an invader. No, something different was called for now, and it fell to Merneptah, the oldest of the elders, a tottering ancient of 60 summers, to suggest the solution. "We need a man of war, so lets hold a contest. He who is strongest, bravest, and handiest with a weapon is the one best able to train our young men and - may Ra forgive us - lead them into battle." Once suggested, the solution seemed only too obvious and was immediately adopted by unanimous acclaim. A series of physical tests was agreed upon, and the contest set for the following day.

And so it was that on a quiet October morning a stranger wandered up the South road and entered Memphis. You couldn't say he went unnoticed - not many men are clothed in lionskin - but most of the townsfolk were absent, gathered noisily to the north for the War Leader contest. If the stranger noticed the unusual silence, he gave no sign. Ignoring the few dogs and children that followed curiously in his wake, the stranger walked to the village center and helped himself to several long draughts from the local well. Oblivious to his surroundings the visitor set aside his great spear, removed the lion cloak and washed away his dust and grime. His ablutions complete, the man gathered his possessions and began to stride quickly towards the East road - which is when it happened - the feel of something tugging upon his lion's tail! Sometimes it is the smallest of events that have the largest repercussions, and so it was here.

For the first time emotions played across the face of the stranger - first anger, and then turning, consternation and finally, amusement. For there stood a small boy with two tiny fists wrapped firmly about the tail, legs splayed wide in a vain attempt to slow him down. But stop he did, and as the boy's lips moved and one hand pointed frantically to the north, the stranger bent down to listen and his face changed yet again. From bemusement to thoughtfulness, and finally - almost regretfully - the steely determination of before. But this time it is different - there seems a greater sense of purpose - and it grows stronger as he gazes north - seeming to hear for the first time the distant voices of the clamoring crowd. From a pocket in his cloak, the man pulls forth a lion's tooth and gifts it to the awestruck child. Then turning once more he heads north - towards a suddenly revealed destiny - followed by the excited shouts of children and the frantic barking of their dogs.

[Chris 62]

The Hitte don't know much and throw stones at each other for entertainment.

[Kull]

Ecbatana: Horses for Persia!

Led by the nobleman Cyaxares the men of Persia descend swiftly upon the small mountain village, taking it unawares. Here, high in the hills east of Ecbatana, occurs an event full of omen and portent! These villagers are the proud possessors of a great herd of horses, which they give to Cyaxares in token of their submission to Persia. With skilled riders recruited from the village, the marvelous beasts now comprise a great addition to the armed might of Persia. Led now by Cyaxares and several of his veterans, the horsemen set off on explorations to the north and east, the miles rapidly devoured beneath the pounding hooves.

As they ride, Cyaxares thinks back to the recent Royal Council. There the king promised his nobles that glory beckoned and Persia's quiet days were at an end. Already settlers were scouting the country to the north and soon a second city would rise as gateway to the Northern Passage.

[Steve Clark]

I think I lost track, whose turn is it now?

[germanos]

See post One on page One. The one after Persia. I think that is you, but not sure and too lazy to check.

[Steve Clark]

Details to follow whenever I get some time write...

[yop73]

Minoan soldiers who already have battle-experience defeat a barbarian town in the western site of Crete. The people (or should we say "things") who were living in the city were enslaved. A band of repairers is underway to rebuild the city, but now in the name of Minos.

[Chris 62]

[Civfan]

chris 62, check your file. i think its the wrong one. i'm missing a city here!

[Steve Clark]

I think after yop took his turn, it should be Year 3450.