Two ships where found today by an Armada warship. The carried the flags of Althainia Empire, Althainia Kingdom, New Thalos, and Dolund'ir. One was burning and rapidly sunk into the ocean. Armada sent out armed divers and quickly boarded the other ship. They report that goblins where lighting small fires on the ship and that yells and bashing noises could be heard from below. The divers quietly took out the goblin guards over the cargo holds and unlatched the hold door. The sight was nothing short of astounding. In the hold were several battalions of elven and human soldiers. The soldiers were quick to group and aided the divers in recapturing the ship. On board the rescued ship was none other than Culain. He is now commanding the ship as it returns to Althainia. The crew of the sunk ship has also been captured while attempting to flee in a lifeboat. The captains of the ships have walked the planks and are no longer among us. The Undauntable now tows the crippled surviving ship in for repairs and to reunite the survivors with their families and leaders.

The Undauntable slowly tugs at the cripple troop carrier, making somewhat good time with the magical assistance Culain offers. Then they hear it. BOOOOM! Then another BOOOOOM!. Then Splash! Then another Splash! Someone was firing on them. BOOOOOM The troop ship takes a hit. "Pirates off the ports bow, admiral" a sailor announces. The ship shutters as another near miss disturbs its voyage. BOOOOMMM... CRASH!!!!

Betrayal aboard the Undauntable

Someone aboard has freed the captive goblins and set fire to the Undauntable's sails. He was just about to turn the cannons in on the ships own hull when he was discovered. Hamilton has betrayed the armada. After a brief fight with some sailors, he was eventually wrestled down and thrown in the brig. But their problems have not yet ended. The pirates have ceased firing on the troop carrier, but have focused their full attention on the Undauntable. The Undauntable, though now immobilized by the spreading blaze, returns fire. A volley of rounds from both sides fall short, but they have become more accurate. The fires are extinguished and the Undauntable finds it still has some maneuverability and begins to take evasive actions. To the surprise of the crew, however, the troop carrier does not follow. Someone else aboard has cut the lines. Traitor seem to be everywhere in the Armada ranks.

For 7 weeks I have called upon the many clans of the lands to do battle. There have been some glorious battles. I present the current standings to you for your review.

Malice 21-0 Valor 17-4 Shalonesti 17-4 Wargar 13-8 Eclipse 11-10 Knighthood 11-10 Armada 6-15 Conclave 5-16 Pirates 2-19 Slayers 2-19

2 matches that may interest you Lord, are the Wargar versus Eclipse in which the #4 playoff spot will be up for grabs if Wargar doesn't show well. Also, Malice takes their unbeaten record against the mighty Elves of Shalonesti. And for your humor, m'lord, if you do enjoy that sort of thing, The Slayers will fight the Pirates to see who will be names Algoron's worst fighting clan of this year.

May you bless me and all who do battle in your name.

(ooc: next week, levels 15, 38, and 51)

No clashes of steel on steel this morning. No screams of rage and pain, except maybe in the healers tents. Early in the morning, the leaders met. It would appear that a war started years ago held little meaning anymore and a cease fire was issued. All forces withdrew. The goblins and the New Thalosians all headed to their respective kingdoms. A peace filtered through the tired, yet jubilant forces, then a sorrow at seeing all that had fallen in such a needless battle, and then compounded sorrow. For word reaches everyone at the news. The transport ship, carrying troops to Arkane had been sunk. All aboard are assumed dead. All, that is, but one man. His name is Culain. He was picked up by the Undauntable and speeded to safety. The pirates opted not to give chase so they might attempt to salvage any loot aboard the sinking ship. Unfortunately for them, they were too late as well. A feat started many years before, catastrophic in its losses and painful to all who beheld it, had finally come to an end. What will the future hold? How will nations recover from a treachery almost forgotten and then thrust back into the faces of a world that had known peace?

Time will tell... time will tell.

Snarkerl raised his head from the ground and yawned. The Dragon's large pointy teeth were the same size as the Balanx who was trying to wake him.

"You've missed the entire war, or at least the first wave!" Austanis said. "I can't tell you what's to come, but I can tell you what you've missed if you like." He said without any emotion in your voice.

"So some mortals went to war and killed one another. What do I care?" The Green Dragon hissed.

"Not quite" Austanis said, "a bit more than that occurred."

The green dragon yawned. "Didn't you alter something historic by waking me up? Go away!"

Austanis "No, you'll be dead in an hour anyway."

Now the Balanx had the Green Dragon's attention.

Snarkerl changed his expression from careless and tired to serious. "Speak. Or you'll be joining me."

"One day, but not today, my green friend." Austanis replied. "The Gods have started a War with each other."

Snarkerl asked "A full war?"

Austanis nodded his head, "All out war. The Good Gods against the Evil with the Neutral Gods caught in between trying to find peace before the world is destroyed. Many in Algoron are dead, much is destroyed."

"How long did I sleep?" asked Snarkerl.

"Not long, especially for a Dragon. You slept about 3 days." Austanis replied. "But as you know, when the Gods choose the affect the world, it happens quickly. Many Dragons slept, as did many mortals. That was not by choice, but by the protection of some Gods."

"So I slept to be protected only to be killed in 1 hour?" The dragon snarled.

"Yes. Your protection has run out." Austanis said without emotion.

"Wonderful!!" The Dragon said sarcastically. "What else happened? Who's dead?"

"The Dragons who did not sleep launched a full assault on the Slayers keep. Much to the mortal's credit, they fended off the Dragon coalition. Their downfall occurred when a Blue Dragon landed awkwardly on top of the keep. It was crushed under the Great Wyrm's weight."

"The Slayers Doom was the result of a fat Blue Dragon landing on them?" The dragon laughed.

"I wouldn't call him fat, big boned for sure, but he was a Great Wyrm, just as you are. Anyway, other clans fell to the Gods themselves. Armada was destroyed by the Pirates. The Gypsies wagons were burned by the Kingdom of Verminasia as order by Malachive. Malachive, son of Necrucifer single handedly destroyed the Pirates killing many and reducing their hideout to rubble. Malice fell before Nadrik and his Knights while Valor was destroyed by Necrucifer and his knights. Eclipse was terminated from within by Renegade Yinn opposition."

"Knighthood and Shadow took out Malice and Valor?" the dragon asked. "And Malachive? I already refused to join him! I knew he'd destroy the world instead of conquering it!"

"Yes." The Balanx replied. "It seems the honorable factions had the discipline to accomplish their lord's goals quickly. There are a lot of survivors and it's my understanding that those left alive are seeking a place in the newer starting clans. The people are calling these new orders Bloodlust, Wrath of Justice and the Order of the Talon."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" The dragon asked.

"I am here to document your death. I am just passing the time with this story. It feels refreshing to share my knowledge, especially knowing you can do no harm with it."

"I suppose I should feel privileged. Continue." The Dragon said again sarcastically. "What of the rest of the World?"

"The Elves enclosed themselves in the forest avoiding the war, as did the Dwarves who shut the mountain's gates. Both thought it was the rest of the world's problems since they were not attacked. A natural reaction I suppose. The Conclave finally did the inevitable and merged the towers under one ruler. They are the same as they were, except unified as 1 conclave with the 3 factions. They are also building a non-warring faction to teach magic. Sebatis even moved the Red Robe tower out of the main focus of these battles, to Ice Wall.

"The Austinians were destroyed by Goblins who simply sought out loot in the time of turmoil. The survivors are now calling themselves the Gray Church and are opening their doors to anyone without constraints.

"A lot of artifacts and magical items were destroyed in the world. Mages seem to have an awful advantage, for now, as the fighting types tend to figure out how to counter that. They've already starting manufacturing better armor types. The Banks have crumbled as they were looted. Looters ran rampant on those kept sleeping as well. Hundreds have been executed for their part in that. Yes, it appears the first wave of this war is over and order is coming back - for now."

"And what of me? How am to die? And why?" The dragon asked nervously.

"You're going to die by Malachive's hand for not joining him." Austanis said.

"And where is he?" The dragon asked.

"You are speaking to him, idiot." Austanis said.

"What?" The dragon asked as he watched Austanis' form change to Malachive's.

"I hope you've enjoyed today's report. Enjoy yourself in Hell dragon." Malachive said with a smile.

Malachive struck his hand into the dragon's chest and pulled out its enormous still beating heart before the Dragon could react.

The dragon's mouth flew wide open as to yell in pain, but before it made a sound, Malachive threw the heart into the dragon's mouth, forcing it to swallow it whole.

Malachive grinned as he simply said "Heh"