[blockstart:500]
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A NEW HOPE
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You were tired of being an insignificant pawn in your kings army. You decided to take your wife and venture into the unknown to establish your own legacy.

After a few days, you reached a virgin land full of vast pastures and ancient forests. This is where you will found your own civilization that will endure for centuries.

Look around, talk to the locals, and finally, when you find the right place for a camp, colonize the land and make it your own!

by Joz
2025.

PS.
Special thanks to Rumu for decorating the terrain initially.
[blockend:500]

[blockstart:501]
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THE OLD MAN
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- "Strangers! Watch every step! In the northwest lies a powerful fortress of the Franks, who call themselves rulers of this land.

I used to live in a small village in the south. One night, the Franks raided us, burned our homes, and slaughtered all the villagersincluding my entire family.

May I ask you for something? Take revenge in my name and raze their fortress to the ground!"

- "If the Franks killed everyone in your village, how did you survive?"

- "I didnt survive."
[blockend:501]

[blockstart:502]
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FRANKISH FORTRESS DEFEATED!
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We managed to eliminate the greatest threat in this land.

In the Franks' treasury, we found 1000 units of gold and iron, which we brought to our village and distributed equally to every warehouse.
[blockend:502]

[blockstart:503]
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BANDITS
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In the north, we came across a bandit camp guarding what appears to be the only gold deposits in this land.
[blockend:503]

[blockstart:504]
We found an abandoned boat docked at the shore.

There was no owner nearby, so we decided to take it as a gift from the heavens, meant just for us.
[blockend:504]

[blockstart:505]
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FOREST GRANDPA
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- "Welcome, travelers."

- "Hello. Whats your story? We assume it must be fascinating since you live alone in the forest and havent been eaten by wolves yet."

- "Wolves? Eat me? Im an old lumberjack whos spent his whole life in the forest. To survive, I had to learn how to tame these wild beasts. Ill go further... not just wolves, but also bears, werewolves, and snakebeasts. Id be glad to show you. Just give me the right food as tribute, and Ill tame wild creatures for you."
[blockend:505]

[blockstart:506]
After paying the tribute, the lumberjack tamed 30 wolves for us.
[blockend:506]

[blockstart:507]
After paying the tribute, the lumberjack tamed 30 bears for us.
[blockend:507]

[blockstart:508]
After paying the tribute, the lumberjack tamed 30 werewolves for us.
[blockend:508]

[blockstart:509]
After paying the tribute, the lumberjack tamed 30 snakebeasts for us.
[blockend:509]

[blockstart:510]
The Franks from the southeast grew worried about our rising strength and influence in this land, so they decided to declare war on us.
[blockend:510]

[blockstart:511]
After paying the tribute, the Franks agreed to form an alliance with us.
[blockend:511]

[blockstart:512]
The Byzantines from the southwest grew worried about our rising strength and influence in this land, so they decided to declare war on us.
[blockend:512]

[blockstart:513]
After paying the tribute, the Byzantines agreed to form an alliance with us.
[blockend:513]



[blockstart:514]
The Saracens from the northeast grew worried about our rising strength and influence in this land, so they decided to declare war on us.
[blockend:514]

[blockstart:515]
After paying the tribute, the Saracens agreed to form an alliance with us.
[blockend:515]

[blockstart:516]
The Egyptians from the north grew worried about our rising strength and influence in this land, so they decided to declare war on us.
[blockend:516]

[blockstart:517]
After paying the tribute, the Egyptians agreed to form an alliance with us.
[blockend:517]

[blockstart:518]
The local Vikings grew worried about our rising strength and influence in this land, so they decided to declare war on us.
[blockend:518]

[blockstart:519]
After paying the tribute, the Vikings agreed to form an alliance with us.
[blockend:519]

[blockstart:520]
A bit of gold convinced the southeastern Franks to declare war on their kin.
[blockend:520]

[blockstart:521]
A bit of gold convinced the Byzantines to declare war on the Frankish Fortress.
[blockend:521]

[blockstart:522]
A bit of gold convinced the Saracens to declare war on the Frankish Fortress.
[blockend:522]

[blockstart:523]
A bit of gold convinced the Egyptians to declare war on the Frankish Fortress.
[blockend:523]

[blockstart:524]
A bit of gold convinced the Vikings to declare war on the Frankish Fortress.
[blockend:524]

[blockstart:525]
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THE FRANKS
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In the southeast, in a region isolated from the rest of the land, we encountered the Franks. Are they the same lineage as the Franks from the fortress? Rebels tired of the noise of a medieval city? A colony of Sigurd?

The Franks answered that it was none of the above, yet they did not reveal their origin or the reason for being in this land.
[blockend:525]

[blockstart:526]
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THE BYZANTINES
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In the southwest, the Byzantines have settled. They have traveled a long way and likely, just like us, they desire to claim this land for themselves. Let us stay vigilant.
[blockend:526]

[blockstart:527]
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THE SARACENS
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Among the trodden paths of the northern forest, we came across a tribe of Saracens. They must have arrived recently. Their goal? Only God knows.
[blockend:527]

[blockstart:528]
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THE EGYPTIANS
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Of all people, we never expected to see Egyptians in the heart of continental Europe. Is literally *everyone* here?! All thats missing is the merchant Miguel...
[blockend:528]

[blockstart:529]
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THE VIKINGS
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In the central part of the land, we stumbled upon a Viking colony. Have they come once again to plunder Frankish churches?
[blockend:529]

[blockstart:530]
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THE SCOUT
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Deep within the western forest, we encountered a mercenary scout. He offered, for a small fee, to recon the Frankish Fortress for us. Fully revealing the enemy could be useful for the upcoming siege.
[blockend:530]
