[COR-AMRCA] Mokolei Expedition

[Elostirion]

As I haven't managed to comment in detail yet on all your great MOCs (and great they all are, both lore-wise and MOC-wise), I will just give you all the praise you deserve in the quickest manner: WONDERFUL WORK!

Please give us more. Just great. :-) 

[Puvel]

I agree with Elostirion. Hadn't had time to read the entire things so far but I'm happy I did now.

Excellent writing and beautiful builds, keep it up!

[Professor Thaum]

@Lord Buckethead

Now it's time to press on! The route is traced and the convoy can now benefit from an experienced guide and a map. All the conditions are right to embrace the deserts of the Northern Mokolei steppes.

Let's get this show on the road! Head south, through a dry and arid landscape so very different from the open sea. Luckily Rashid, the guide, is full of valuable guidance, allowing the convoy to optimize freshwater supplies and to refuel in many an oasis. Every plotted oasis, Rashid takes the lead to ensure that the place is free and approachable. 

Just a few minutes ealier, Rashid went ahead to the next oasis you can see on the horizon to prepare, but out of nowhere, a sand storm is starting to rise. No way to escape, the storm is quickly on you and the sand begins to sting the convoy

"Keep it tight" yells someone before the crushing puff of the storm muffles every sounds. you just have time to gather your wits before it turns into a "tanout" (whiteout but in tan ).

• What precautions do you take to outlast the sandstorm? Do you press on to the oasis, take shelter behind a large rock formation nearby, or do you buckle down where you are? Show how the expedition reacts to the storm.
• The storm has now passed, and the expedition is is largely unscathed, although sand seems to have come in everywhere. As the dust settles, something appears nearby. The moving sands have uncovered what looks like it has been covered for a long time. Show what the sands have revealed. Is it the ruins of an ancient temple, the ribs of a ship, the skeleton of a fossil, or something entirely different?
• We survived the storm and found something mysterious. Should we make an extended stop at the oasis to recover our strength, press on towards our goal, or start investigating the uncovered conundrum? Show the next step of the expedition.

The expedition has to solve all three tasks to continue the adventure. Choose carefully, as the offered possibilities all depends on your builds!

[Lord Buckethead]

Post for events that occur in Tazelft outside of the expedition.

 

[Lord Buckethead]

"Do you see him?" asked Fernsby.

"No Captain, just sand as far as the eye can see." Replied Williams.

"Hmmmm, do you think we'll make it before we get hit?"

"I can't say for certain sir, but I shouldn't think so. The storm appears to be moving quite fast."

 

"Very well then, tell the expedition to buckle down." Ordered Fernsby.

_______________________________

The expedition clung on for dear life, anything that wasn't strapped down being blown away by the storm.

After several hours, the barrage of sand finally lifted. Some members of the expedition had sustained minor injuries but on the whole the expedition was in fine health.

The storm had however uncovered something.

_______________________________

This is the start of our continuation of our expedition. I should first apologize for delaying it so long, we were all quite busy. I'll hand it over to @Bregir to continue the story. Thank you for viewing.

 

[Mesabi]

Excellent Build Lord Buckethead, and great continuation of the story. Glad to see you pick up the project some more, as this was one of the AMCRAs I was most excited for. I can't wait to see Bregir's builds as well. 

[Bregir]

As the storm passed, and the expedition came out of their hiding, a strange sight had appeared.

Under a curious tree, an entrance to something underground had been uncovered by the shifting sands.

Being proper Corlanders, this was a find that had to be explored further...

To be continued...

[Bregir]

After gently prying the door open, a long hallway was uncovered, leading down, into the sandstone underneath the desert sand.

A couple of ETTC Sepoys were tasked with taking point in exploring the complex, with clear instructions to avoid disturbing it more than absolutely necessary.

After a flight of stairs down, they encountered an underground stream, the only way forward being a narrow ledge along the walls of the crypts.

Further up ahead, a decapitated skeleton was lying clenched under a heavy axe.

"Seems like someone made it here before us... And triggered a trap!" one sepoy said. "Good for us!" he added and proceeded boldly forward.

His more careful (and more perceptive) comrade only just managed to save him. "Duck!" he yelled and yanked at the backpack just before a brass blade came swinging at great speed.

Hearts beating fast, the two sepoys hurriedly warned the rest of the expedition and sat down for a rest, leaving further exploration to others...

 

To be continued....

@Lord Buckethead

[Lord Buckethead]

With renewed caution the expedition made its way deeper into the crypts. After some time the traps became more and more scarce until the expedition was unhindered by them. Tunnels sprang into every direction from the main stream, the expedition however, elected to stay as one. On the walls they found scribbles of text that resembled that of the Guelphian languages, in some rooms they found catacombs and in others places of worship. One of the scientists guessed that they had discovered one of the rumored underground cities that had been constructed by the indigenous population to shield themselves from Mokolei rule.

A pair of Sepoys soon found out they weren't the first foreigners to find this archaeological breakthrough.

It was unclear what had happened to the original inhabitants, but it was obvious that they were long gone.

To be continued....

@Ayrlego

 

[Ayrlego]

Meanwhile, back on the surface, the main body of the expedition had realised that they were running low on fresh water. Rashid, the guide hired to assist the expedition in making the overland journey to Morghun, told them of a nearby oasis from which they could resupply. So while the main body of the party investigated the ruins uncovered by the storm, Lieutenant Williams had been assigned a small party to find the oasis and bring back water to the main body. Guided by Rashid, finding the oasis had been easy. Now Lieutenant Williams watched Sergeant Doyle and his men fill barrels with precious fresh water from the oasis.

[Professor Thaum]

A nice vignette display by LB, Ayrlego and Bregir.

 

The brass blade out of the wall is really well done !

[blackdeathgr]

I am always glad to read of your exploits in this foreign Empire!

[Mesabi]

@Lord Buckethead, @Bregir, and the ETTC

In the Underground City:

The ancient city must have been massive once, but now many of the passages had collapsed. The traps almost seemed like a later addition, and the designs on them were not the same as the rest of the city. 

The guelphian scribbles seemed to be written by explorers who long ago visited the complex. It also seemed an Madrician explorer had once entered the city, but had become trapped there. 

From what they could find on the walls, the city was from the Ancient Halosian empire, and mined Taconite long ago. When the Mok empire swept north as the Halosian empire fell, the miners moved into the underground structure to escape the Mok, and continued to mine iron for almost 100 years before they stopped. 

Food must have been brought in to these upper levels in exchange for iron, and it seemed that the city had actually prospered without the Halosian empire's control. Then, something had driven them out. 

The expedition recovered three major areas of interest on the first level. 

The first was a library, once filled with hundreds of scrolls. Of the few that remained, there were maps of other underground mines/cities of the ancient Halosian empire, maps of the complex, and what appeared to be a partial history of the Halosian empire.

The second was a chapel, dedicated to Hades, and containing an ancient relic. The relic was obviously valuable, and 'blessed' to the members of the expedition who believed that superstitious nonsense. 

Finally, was a sealed door, leading to the lower part of the complex. The seal was thick, and inscribed with every language of the Halosian and Mok language from ancient times. a quick translation read: 'DO NOT ENTER: CURSEDEATH BEHIND' 

Expedition options:

(Optional)

• Translate the library's scrolls: The library has a wealth of ancient information that will be useful to the expedition, including locations of other underground cities. (1 build required showing the expedition doing the translations: Will yield useful information)
• Excavate the Chapel: The Chapel is partially collapsed, but the artifact is mostly unscathed. You may excavate the chapel and extract the artifact. (1 build required showing the excavation: Will yield a BoBS land combat card after the object is appraised.)
• Crack open the Seal: The Seal is very thick, and is probably trapped on the other side. (1 build required showing the seal being breached: This will have severe consequences, and will keep the expedition in the underground city for at least the next turn. If you take this option, you cannot reach Morghun this turn.)

If 'Crack open the Seal' is not taken: To Morghun

Afterwards, the expedition regrouped, and marched to Morghun. The journey was uneventful, and they soon found themselves at the city gates. 

Morghun was a storied city, once a part of the Ancient Merlonic Empire, that had been absorbed by the Ancient Halosians a millennia before their fall. Today, the city was governed by Satrap Angeliki, whose family had governed it for almost 500 years. The city was renowned for their large public bathes, and an ancient monument to Poseidon. Most of the city worshiped Ra or Odin's pantheon however. The expedition weighed their options. 

Explore the city: (optional)

• Visit the local Satrap: Satrap Angeliki will require a gift to visit, but he can offer you insight into your journey ahead. (minus 100 Dbs, but learn advice on the coming routes. 1 build required)
• Visit the local sites: This will significantly improve the morale of your men. (1 build required.)

After spending some time in Morghun, the expedition will continue.

There are two routes you may take. 

(1 build required)

Through the Midlands Mountains: Steep, and rocky, this mountain range is thought to be the highest in the world. Travel will be difficult, but you will not leave Mokolei territory, and you will not be threatened by any military forces. The map also shows that several of the underground cities are located in the mountains, so there will be an option of reaching them as well. 

Through the Pyros desert. This route will take you to A'Anbaal, the capital of Tellvok, and then south through the great Pyros desert. The journey will be quicker than the one through the mountains, but you may encounter armed gangs of nomads in the desert. You may also risk relations with the Mokolei, though not significantly. This route will also bring you through the ruins of the Pyros empire. 

You may only take 1 route

The Map has also been updated to reflect new routes you may take:

Spoiler

Mokolei map 2.0 by North White, on Flickr

 

Edited July 11, 2018 by Mesabi
clarified options.