SkaForHire

Warzone 15: The Battle For Amrakect Location: E12 Who Can Participate: High Council and Desert King (Unless Ulandus clears a path before the deadline) Terrain: Amrakect sits in the Parched Lands, and is the last major settlement before Sultan’s Gate along the Northern Road (do we have another name for this road?). It is a trade depot for the products of the Parched Lands, such as oil, ostrich eggs, trembler pelts, sandcorn, and, in this region, almonds. The city is fed by the aqueduct system from the Rakath, but has limited water, as much of it goes to the large almond farms outside the city. Because the region abuts the Rakath Mountains, the lower clouds of storms traveling East often swell as they cannot get over the range. This causes an buildup of condensation and eventually a briefly wet period twice a year that is excellent for growing crops with short growth times, and watering trees. Amrakect profits from this, as it is the nearest city to these swells, and can produce many obscure trade goods for this part of Kaliphlin, which fetch excellent prices at their markets. History: No one knows for sure when the first settlement of Armrakect was built, it seems to have always been on the map. At least two cities had been built on the location, and the dating of the aqueduct points to parts of the current city being at least four hundred years old. Its proximity to the Valley of Tombs, makes it a popular tourist destination. The city has always been known for almonds and its markets. Before the rise of Katoren, it was the main venue for goods in the northern Parched Lands. Now its market share is split, but still there are Mitgardian traders that refuse to go any further into Kaliphlin than Amrakect, as they believe that the town serves as the perfect depot spot for all Kaliphlin has to offer. The importance of trade in the town is paramount to all other concerns, which is why its leaders chose to stay with the more neutral and trade friendly High Council when the war broke out. Unfortunately, the leader of the traders, Amelia Phantomhive, had gone missing about a year ago. She is quite renowned for her adventures around the world, and it was on one of these adventures she must currently be. However, without clear leadership, a war effort was not mounted quickly enough, and now the Desert King’s Forces are closing in on the city. Mini-challenge: As the Desert King pushes south, his forces seek to envelop the last High Council hold outs. The war has now touched the city of Amrakect. The challenge here is for the High Council to defend the city and the Desert King to take it. This is a challenge of imitation. The battles that are going on within the city should emulate Erynlasgalen’s depictions of Amrakect. (See pictures below). The battle can depict anything, but there should be some tribute or emulation of her work. This will be a judging category put to the judging public. Restrictions: 32x16, with limited overhang. Due Date: May 3rd All of the below images are Erynlasgalen’s (We miss you, wherever you went!) and are meant for reference. Amrakect Market card by erynlasgalen, on Flickr Historica Challenge VI by erynlasgalen, on Flickr (Actually, I am not 100% certain that this is really Amrakect, as I think DM is the one that associated it, but we are just going with it.)

Due date has changed, to better fit the rest of the story. Also, since Warzone 15 will only be HC and DK, this gives Ulandus something to build each week, rather than having two due on April 26th.

Warzone 13: Katoren Break Out Location: F13 Who Can Participate: Everyone Terrain: The Road to Qarkyr is not without its perils, but as the desert gives way to mountains, travelers find relief in this region. Water sources are not as scarce, small hamlets dot the roadside, and the foliage, soil of different hues, and wildlife can be quite pretty in the high desert that stretches towards the Rakath Mountains. History / story: Not much happens in this region, it is mostly known as the road between Qarkyr and Katoren. There were no major battles, no notable citizens, nor nothing of value found in the soil, besides the spare small oil pocket. Mostly, the region has been used to travel through. Until now. Aymeri, Lord of Katoren, is one of the last lords holding out for the High Council, in and increasingly Desert King friendly region of the map. The Desert King has cut his supplies lines, and now Katoren risks losing the ability to feed its people. Although a small town, they are a proud people and will not give up without a fight. Which led Aymeri to his plan – the breakout. The easiest way to supply the city would be to quickly advance his forces along a swath of land to the nearest High Council held territory. However, the map is not his friend in this plan. His advisors devised a way that Katoren troops could take and hold a pathway to the sea, but it would require taking Qarkyr too. Lord Aymeri has confidence in High Council support if he can just get to Qarkyr… and there lies the problem. The land in zone F13 must be crossed. The DK and Ulandus spies have already sniffed a whiff of this plan, and since they cannot use their larger armies within the walls of Qarkyr, they have both turned them on this stretch of land to the west of the city. It is here that Aymeri and his allies must first defeat two armies, and then set their sights on Qarkyr and beyond that, the sea. Mini-challenge: Although it began a forced march for the High Council troops, it soon became a pitched battle between three armies. But Aymeri knew this was coming. Before leaving Katoren, he had many of the houses disassembled for building materials and had his engineers, led by the famed Kaliphlin master engineer Sergio Jarrett(who just so happened to be in the area when the war broke out), craft movable fortifications. This would give the High Council an upper hand over the two other armies who were closing in on them. He also split his forces into stronger light platoons assigned to each of the moving fortresses. He confiscated every ox and horse within his land and assigned each to a team. High Council Builders should depict a scene where these mobile defensive fortifications are used in combat to repel enemies from one or both of the other two sides. Ulandus and Desert King should depict their soldiers overtaking one of these mobile defenses. Special Category: Best high desert foliage (covered in blood…) As this battle happens in the sparse high desert, there should not be any structures besides the mobile defenses. The foliage, rocks, differing hard dirt and sand patterns should be the real star of the show… but there happens to be a battle upon them currently, so they should be splattered in blood and gore, but still retain their natural beauty somehow… The voters will choose the best depiction of High Desert Foliage with combat stains… (you can depict foliage without stains on it too, just need at least some that has been tainted by battle. The winner of this category will be crowned “Enricher of the Soil” of Kaliphlin. Best Transformer: It is not required that your MOC can actually transform from mobile to a stationary defense platform by natural movement – but if it doesn’t, you can enter this category (no taking apart more than a few pieces and putting it back together in a different formation.) You may also submit additional pictures / video of the MOC in your thread. Judges of the entire zone will be asked NOT to judge the results of the zone on the ability of MOCs to transform, but to judge this as an entirely different category. Winner of this category becomes the current“The Historican Master of Transforms,” and will keep that title until another transformer challenge comes up in the future (there won’t be another in this challenge at least. ) Restrictions: 32x16, with limited overhang. Must have an irregular base. Due Date: April 26th

Whoops I was so excited by "Best Urban Trap" I forgot to post the consequences section...

Warzone 14: The Battle For Qarkyr (or The Battle of the Partisans) Location: F14 Who Can Participate: Ulandus and Desert King (Unless HC wins Warzone 13) Terrain: Qarkyr, the gateway to the Rakath, the Eastern Emerald, The Protector of the Ocean Gate, and former Capital of the short lived Dwarven Empire of Varnforge, is the fourth largest city in Kaliphlin after Petraea, Barqa and Queenscross. It sits in the Rakath Moutains, within the Qar-Akhen River Valley. A wall stretches across the valley to stop movement East and West without paying the tolls at Qarkyr first. Long a defensive position, the city has magnificent walls. The architecture is a mixture of Eastern Kaliphlin, and Far Eastern Kaliphlin, the two cultures merged along the most common pathway through the Rakath Mountains that separated them. The Far Eastern Kaliphlin architecture relies heavily on pagodas, hip and gable roofing, enclosures within large buildings, and wood is the main building material. The classic Kaliphlin architecture of East Kaliphlin (the land between the escarpment and the Rakath Mountains) is also prevalent here with domes, arches, towers, stone and mud buildings. The town is somewhat divided between the two cultures, with “The Ocean District” representing a large concentration of people of Far Eastern culture, and the much larger “Trader’s Quarter” which is distinctly Eastern Kaliphlin traders, mostly from Petraea. The rest of the city is pretty much equally divided. There is not a water shortage in the city, and it is famous for its lush gardens and parks throughout the city. History: Despite having a great wall to funnel in all travelers east and west, Qarkyr is as porous as a net. The corruption within its walls is ancient, dating back to when the Dwarven King Archbeard claimed the city as his own a thousand years ago. It was under his rule that the modern blueprint for Qaekyr’s orderly streets and plazas was laid down. The city’s walls were built first by the dwarf engineers, and they have never been penetrated since. Unfortunately, the trader section of the city, humans who had sworn allegiance to Archbeard, made the walls unnecessary. Archbeard’s nemesis, the Sea Goddess Calif – or at least someone claiming to be her – had a mighty eastern seaborne empire growing on the Eastern coast of Kaliphlin. She wanted the Qar-Akhen River valley as a gateway into greater Kaliphlin in order to continue her conquest. When her armies came to the walls of the city, her spies found easy access by bribing the merchants. They betrayed their new king, and he was murdered in his bed by assassins. Calif’s army slipped in soon after and took the dwarves by surprise. They fought to the last man, and not one dwarf survived that night. Calif rewarded the traders by giving them a quarter of the city – the same quarter known as “The Trader’s Quarter” today. However, Calif would not go on to take over the middle of Kaliphlin, as she too was betrayed. One of her new supporters, a trader named Mors’Qo brought her an emerald from one of the nearby mines within the Rakath Mountains. It was the largest emerald anyone in the region had ever seen. It was placed in a necklace for her, but when she put it on she was instantly transformed into a emerald statue. Mors’Qo had bought the enchanted emerald from a dwarf and had intended to kill the Sea Goddess to avenge Archbeard. His plan worked but her supporters through him into the deepest well they could find and sealed it. Her army was stopped, and many settled in Qarkyr, creating a bicultural dynamic that exists today. More recently treachery has played a part in Qarkyr’s history. It has only recently become known how the mighty city fell into the hands of the Desert King early in the Civil War. Its representative to the High Council, Ageven Deraim, Lord of Auner, is a staunch supporter of Ulandus. Likely many of the Far Eastern Kaliphlinites living in the city would have supported their representatives loyalties, but the Traders took quick action at the beginning of the war. Ageven had been preparing defenses back in Auner, when the trade faction opened the gates for a small Desert King force led by Regi Bar’nol. Regi became Lord of the city, and by the time Ageven made it back, there was nothing he could do with his small force against the mighty walls of Qarkyr. Mini-challenge: Ageven and Ulandus were not going to give up the city without a fight. The porous walls would help them as well. He began by bribing Desert King supporters to let his spies within the walls of the city. His spies made contact with the Ocean District, and began to put together a strike force. Soon hundreds of fighters had been smuggled into the city, and finally Lord Regi had caught on. The war in the streets had begun. The challenge here is to build a scene where the two cultures collide – in fighting and in scenery. MOCs should show both types of cultures within the city, as these battles are all happening between the walls of Qarkyr. MOCs should also show the distinctly different peoples of both sides brawling in some manner. There are very few regular troops in this battle – perhaps just commanders and a few footmen. Once side should be winning clearly in your depiction. Supporters of DK should be depicting the rich traders of East Kaliphlin as their allies, while Ulandians have the Far Eastern Kaliphlinites as their allies in this battle. Story and Challenge Addendum if HC wins Warzone 13: Now with Aymeri’s breakout complete, the HC forces have turned their sights on Qarkyr. Knowing that they cannot get their army into the city in masse, Aymeri turned to the tried tactic of bribery to get some of his men into the city. Being the latecomer to the battle, it was easy to see the people most neglected in this war of neighborhoods were the poor and underclasses. The High Council spies noticed something interesting about the lower masses, they had started to pick up on the High Council rhetoric “Viva la Republic!” Although this chant was created by the more privileged lords of Kaliphlin, it has become the chant of the masses. High Councilor Aymeri saw this as an opportunity, albeit dangerous in a time of lords and kings, he would give these people democracy, and thus bring them into the High Council fold – after all, his advisor noted, it works in Queenscross. The High council builders in this challenge take the rabble as their soldiers. They should depict a similar scene as the mini-challenge details, their MOC should show both cultures, but also show the poor High Council supporters doing battle with one or both of the other factions. Special Category: Best Urban Trap! Although builders do not have to create a MOC that has a specific “trap” in it, the MOCer with the best trap will win the title “Trickster of Qarkyr” The trap should be evident just by looking at the MOC, but the story can definitely help explain it. Restrictions: 32x32, with limited overhang. Due Date: May 10th Special Consequences: If High Council Wins WZ 13 and WZ 14, they achieve “March to the Sea” Victory condition, where they are awarded Zone F15 and G15. If Ulandus Wins, they secure G14 as well. If Desert King wins, they secure G13, as Ulandus has overstepped in its attack on Qarkyr, and the counter attack was brutal enough that they lost a zone.

You won in total voting points by 2 points (first place vote = 3 points, 2nd = 2 points, 3rd = 1 point.) She had more first place votes but you had more second and third place votes that brought you ahead of her.

I think you may have, but I forgot to count. I will go back and do that! Actually... We had a tie between Blufiji and Emma. I don't want to be the tiebreaker, so I think it is OK if you both get the title.

Winner: Desert King, Decisive and Overwhelming victory conditions were met. High Council: 1st) LittleJohn 2nd) BrickCurve Ulandus: 1: Kai NRG 2: Narbilu 3: Garmadon 4: Rconn0 Desert King: 1: Jacob Nion 2: Emma 3: Blufiji 4: Hammerhand 5: Disco86 NEXT WARZONE: E12 (I took Emma's suggestion, since I did not see one on JN's post)

WARZONE 6 VOTING THREAD

Who Can Vote: EVERYONE How to Vote: Look at all the MOCs from each side. First, determine which side won this battle. You should base your opinion on a couple different factors: A)Build quality amongst all MOCs B)Number of MOCs of quality [Please remember that Ulandus has a numbers disadvantage here] C) Story of the MOC D) Fit to the Warzone. If you are not familiar with the requirements of the warzone, please at least read the “mini-challenge,” “restrictions,” and “Judging” sections listed below. You can weigh these in any order, or add your own categories. Please consider the three above in your decision though. You may want to clarify or lobby for your favorites in this thread, but you don’t have to write anything if you don’t want to. Next, pick an answer to each question in the poll. In the second three questions it will ask you to pick your favorite MOC from each side. Please judge on quality of MOC and its story. You can add other qualifications to your own judging process if you would like. Finally, submit your vote. Voting ends April 18th (Special thanks goes out to MassEditor for gathering up all the entries so quickly.) Warzone 6: Last Stand of the Salamanders Location: B7 Who Can Participate: Ulandus and Desert King (Unless A path is opened up by the HIGH COUNCIL before the end of the minichallenge) Terrain: After a series of pushes in the Arkbri valley, primarily from the Desert King, the Northern Ulandians find themselves in the crosshairs once again. This time, the 2nd Legion, the Salamanders (green colors) are holding the last remnants of the once vital Northern corridor. This battle takes place around the town of Northwall. sandendonmap by skaforhire, on Flickr Northwall is the last major Kaliphlin settlement going north before the Cedrican Grasslands and Avalonia. Its climate is no longer desert, but tall grasslands with the occasional trees. Northwall itself has high walls, in which the Salamanders and their allies have barricaded themselves behind. The forces of the Desert King are all over the region, including a small siege of the town. The buildings of Northwall and its surroundings are a mix between Kaliphlin and Avalonian. History: Once just a tiny town on the frontier, Northwall has now passed Sand’s End as the northern most Kaliphlin settlement. It is mostly a guard post to keep rogue raiding parties out of the region. Little trade goes through the town, as they do not have the populace to support the vast market days that Sand’s End has. For this reason, most people living in Northwall are related to the military somehow. Mini-challenge: Northwall’s defenses are quite hardy. Desert King forces should depict a clever way to get through( or over, or under) the wall. Ulandus forces should depict a MOC where the Salamanders and allies cleverly repel the oncoming invaders. Both teams need to depict the walls of Northwall in some manner. Both teams should depict Ulandus forces in some manner – they don’t have to be replicas of the forces used in the preludes, but should have green in their color scheme if possible. Secondary judging category: Best Wall. Winner of this title will become “Defensive Architect of Kaliphlin” Restrictions: 16x32 Due Date: April 12th CHALLENGERS: DESERT KING MKJoshA - Never Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth Robuko - The Trojan Candidate Jacob Nion - Tunnel Rats Captain Braunsfeld - Diversion and Defeat Emma - Manticore Umbra-Manis - You Have a Wall... We Have a Runk! (No overall shot, please see topic for more pictures) LordDan - Through the Walls MassEditor - The Fall of Northwall ULANDUS Narbilu - Pre-Occupied Marcu22 - Northwall Defenders Kai NRG - Mummies aren't Good at Math Robin Creations - Defending Northwall Garmadon - Don't Tunnel Under Northwall! Elostirion - Reinforcing the Wall

They currently do not own any squares that are within two zones of the battlefield, so even though there is a path of neutral territory, it is not close enough.

In the forum we have discussed that faith may also be translated as "myth" or a more welcoming attitude to the unknown. We don't really want to bring actual religions in, just fake ones. Wow... Oleon took off. I thought there were more redcoats out there! haha

Week 5 GA v. Week 6 C Voting thread.

VOTING: Anyone can vote! Voting closes April 15th Which side won? Which was the best counter build? Judging criteria: This is a straight one versus one contest. The challenger versus the best (in your opinion) counter build (if there are multiple counter builds). So judge solely on Challenger versus best counter build. Remember, story should play a bit into your judging criteria. Also, a counter must effectively undo the guerrilla attack. Even if the Counter MOC is better, if you don't think it successfully undoes the guerrilla attack, you should probably vote for the guerrilla attack. Thank you! Zone: B8 + Challenger: Garmadon Fortifying the Land by Robert4168/Garmadon, on Flickr Counter: Emma B8+ Kai NRG Wild Shag-bull by gid617, on Flickr Counter: Jacob Nion Zone: J11 Challenger: MKJoshA Counter: Garmadon Monkey Grinder Business by Robert4168/Garmadon, on Flickr Zone: g14 Challenger: MassEditor What Faction can counter: Ulandus No counter? DK wins by default? THREE WAY BATTLE Zone: + Challenger: LordDan G5 My heroes by lorddan413, on Flickr and G5 Goliath Ulandus by The Goliath, on Flickr And Counter: Scarst damsel by scarst21, on Flickr What Faction can counter: High Council (Needs two counters, or one counter that counters them both. If both challengers win, there will be a separate poll next week. High Council must win both counters (or have one build beat both with one build – build must effectively counter both though.) Zone: C3 Challenger: Scarst DSC_2027 by scarst21, on Flickr Counter: LordDan Now Who's Hanging Around? by lorddan413, on Flickr AND Umbra-Manis ZOne: A15 Challenger: Adair COUNTER: MassEditor: See link for picture with figs and story.

I don't want to overburden them too lol. Hopefully our totals add up to the same. I am hoping to get a complete total after WZ 5's voting ends.

Just G14 left now -- I guess there is probably no counter from Ulandus, as Kai probably would have said something! I will post in a few hours before bed, just to give some time for one last doublecheck.

Right, it should have some importance to most everybody, unless specifically explained. It doesn't have to be the elves though. Only so many duels can happen in the winery after all...

Add to that, I need to know specifically which zone is the reward for overwhelming victory since that zone does not get the same protection as the decisive victory.

I knew you had a counter to something, but for the life of me I couldn't find it.

Vote ending early for which side won, so that new squares can make it on the map. I am pretty confident in that 22 vote lead being a decisive and overwhelming victory for DK. That being said I need to know which two the DK team wants out of H10, I9, I11, and J11 We will keep taking votes for best sand and best MOCs on each side until the original deadline of the 12th.

Zone D8: Defended Zone C8: Defended Zone B7: Defended Zone J10: Taken by High Council Zone C9: Defended Zone G:13: Defended Zone D10: Somehow, completely tied. There are no specific rules for a tie, but the rules state: “ If the guerrilla wins, that zone will turn over to their side” Since nobody won the vote, the zone does not turn over to Ulandus. Since all three builders received 14 votes, all three will earn max personal ranking points for their builds.

This is the preliminary list for this week's voting thread, please check for accuracy, I will post the voting thread in the next 24 hours. Zone: B8 + Challenger: Garmadon Fortifying the Land by Robert4168/Garmadon, on Flickr Counter: Emma B8+ Kai NRG Wild Shag-bull by gid617, on Flickr Counter: Jacob Nion Zone: J11 Challenger: MKJoshA Counter: Garmadon Monkey Grinder Business by Robert4168/Garmadon, on Flickr Zone: g14 Challenger: MassEditor What Faction can counter: Ulandus No counter? DK wins by default? THREE WAY BATTLE Zone: + Challenger: LordDan G5 My heroes by lorddan413, on Flickr and G5 Goliath Ulandus by The Goliath, on Flickr And Counter: Scarst damsel by scarst21, on Flickr What Faction can counter: High Council (Needs two counters, or one counter that counters them both. If both challengers win, there will be a separate poll next week. High Council must win both counters (or have one build beat both with one build – build must effectively counter both though.) Zone: C3 Challenger: Scarst DSC_2027 by scarst21, on Flickr Counter: LordDan Now Who's Hanging Around? by lorddan413, on Flickr AND Umbra-Manis ZOne: A15 Challenger: Adair COUNTER: MassEditor: See link for picture with figs and story. A Warrior's Code by MassEditor, on Flickr

Week 6 Guerrilla List (Better Late than never.)

Week 6 Guerrilla Challenges Week 6 Guerrilla Votes: (hold your horses here, I have to set up the voting threads) NOTE: I think some are missing, but if there is not a link in the “Category C Thread” I might miss the build! So make sure to record your attacks there. (And your counters please!) New Challenges: The following challenges have been made. Anyone may counter these Guerrilla Attacks, but remember each builder can only build one counter build each week, so pick wisely. If the challenger wins, they will earn 4 additional points. Each counter is worth 4 points. (This is the last week that the old points values will be used) Voting will happen after the deadline. The winning side either retains the zone or captures the zone. If no one counters the challenger’s MOC, then the zone turns over to the challenger’s side, and they only earn 2 points. Counter builds should have a title with this tag in it: [CG: location, your faction vs the guerrilla's faction] IE: [CG:J13, U vs DK], Non Special Due Date: March 29th, anywhere in the world. Challengers: New Challengers, counters due April 12th Zone: K19 Challenger: Tomsche What Faction can counter: Ulandus Zone: H13 - This is being moved to I13, DK already owns H13 but it was not on the map correctly last week. Challenger: Hammerhand What Faction can counter: Ulandus Zone: A4 Challenger: LordDan What Faction can counter: High Council Zone: j16 + J16 Challenger: Garmadon + Kai What Faction can counter: High Council (Two Counters Needed) New Challengers, Counters due on April 19th (due to distance from frontline) Zone: C15 Challenger: Adair What Faction can counter: Desert King Zone: O16 Challenger: Jacob Nion What Faction can counter: Ulandus Zone: M15 Challenger: Robuko What Faction can counter: Ulandus Zone: L16 Challenger: MassEditor What Faction can counter: Ulandus Zone: K13 Challenger: MKJoshA What Faction can counter: Ulandus “Left Overs from weeks past” Zone: K15 + K15 (Auner, worth 2 VP) Challenger: Jacob Nion + Robuko What Faction can counter: Ulandus (Two Counters Needed) Due Date: April 19th Zone: E2 + E2 (Eastgate, worth 2 VP) Challenger: Disco86 + Jacob Nion What Faction can counter: High Council (Two Counters Required) (Due Date April 12) Did I miss any?

I think this works, so if we have ME for Desert King, Garmadon for Ulandus, any takes for High Council? I may be able to convince the powers that be to reward my new "lieutenants" in some way.