7 Clan
Contents |
PROLOGUE
When asked to compile a comprehensive history of the Seven Clan (henceforth Clan, 7s or 7Clan), my first reaction was to immediately shun the responsibility of so large a task. Obviously, because I am lazy (and I mean with a bit L). And, I confess, due to not only the Seven Clan being one of the oldest organizations in the game, but also, and specially, due to it being THE most active ever to bless - or plague, depending on the perspective - our tiny, but beloved, universe.
I have formally joined the 7Clan in July 2005 and I have been, in very broad terms, collecting bits of our history since then. I do have a general idea of what happened before (there are good storytellers in our ranks), but I will ask your understanding in judging the veracity of these facts, since I can only vouch for the honesty of the people who have transmitted it to me, and not for many of the facts themselves. Still, from July 2005 onwards, I shall be as methodical and as biased (that’s me!) as possible in describing all the events that I can remember and assemble together.
I cannot presume to write a more complex story of Aegis, so that you could frame and better understand the consequences and motivations behind our actions. Hence, everything here must be collated with the other histories of the several Aegean empires, which I urge you to read. Therefore, I shall make references to all the really important aspects of our internal history, always trying, however, to summarily allude to the implications upon the whole universe of the game.
This piece of Aegean history is a result of neither vanity nor arrogance. While I am quite sure that, here and there, I might sound haughty and conceited about what we have built – and destroyed – I can promise you, dear reader, that it derives solely from the immense pride that I take upon the workings of such a diverse, intense and, why not, lunatic, family. The delight of walking the lands of Aegis, shoulder to shoulder, with veritable giants. To have dedicated my life to the Seven Clan, ripping social fabrics, shredding entire empires and regularly shuffling the power structures of the game.
Deus Vult
The Friendly Mercenary
THE GERMINAL 7s
The Lords of the Seven Hills, the Seven Clan flag kingdom, was originally dubbed the Kaikan Alliance, and lead by Smirff, the legendary patriarch of the Clan. Slowly gaining military experience and knowledge, by means of a few kingdom-to-kingdom skirmishes, so usual in the days of yonder, the group was to encounter regular death at the hands of several aggressors. But the kingdom only came to be disbanded by means of an unfortunate and unexpected Divine Intervention (coding error, frequent in the first versions, how one could expect and understand).
From these ashes, though, arose the Lords of the Seven Hills, by the hands of Smirff, PunyOne and Leonardo. While still not considered a major force, this little but already respected group was dragged onto a larger conflict between the gigantesque forces – relative, of course, to the average kingdom and province sizes of such a young game (who had been online for not more than 6 months, according to my sources) – of Lord Mjuk and Alhana.
Lord Mjuk contacted Smirff with a proposal he could not refuse: 100 M gold for two fake attacks upon the lands of Alhana. This, obviously, would trigger her immediate response, leaving her offset onto an attacking stance – thus exposing her flank to Mjuk’s men.
I shall post the two attacks as a souvenir of the past. An interesting reminder of what this game once was, and of how it evolved and developed, becoming more complex and immersive. Those capable of decoding a battle report will, undoubtedly, be able to immediately understand what I am speaking of:
Attack #1:
Your troops suffer losses upon crossing the enemy moat.
The enemy receives reinforcements from his king.
1750 of your men attacked 17738 of the enemy.
35 officers coordinate the attack.
Your forces were outmatched by 54%.
You lost 1750 soldiers in the attack.
Your forces managed to kill 546 enemy soldiers.
150 of our Siege trebuchet were killed.
300 of our Aesir ravagers were killed.
600 of our Dwarf axemen were killed.
700 of our Elven sun warriors were killed.
We killed 508 Paladin faith keepers.
The king`s losses...
We killed 39 Phalanx.
Attack #2:
Your troops suffer losses upon crossing the enemy moat.
The enemy receives reinforcements from his king.
400 of your men attacked 17111 of the enemy.
8 officers coordinate the attack.
Your forces never stood a chance, it was a suicide attack!
Your forces were outmatched by 90%.
You lost 400 soldiers in the attack.
Your forces managed to kill 56 enemy soldiers.
200 of our Siege ballista were killed.
200 of our Siege trebuchet were killed.
We killed 52 Paladin faith keepers.
The king`s losses...
We killed 5 Phalanx.
These two simple attacks, upon one of the top kingdoms of Aegis, triggered a war between the aforementioned forces, which would last for several days. The Lords were razed and left to die, but won the incredible amount of 100M gold pieces.
The mercenaries were born… bathing in blood money.
CLAN AURORA
Now, as one might expect, this kind of identity is bound not to be tolerated by a number of players. The Mercenaries are dangerous entities, as they perform tasks for their contractor without revealing his identity, even when (and it seldom does) costs them their own physical integrity. Many other mercenary groups emerged – back then and until today, but it takes a special fibre and concentration to perform this role. The 7 came to become seasoned and battle routined. But also assumed to be a nuisance that was better disposed of before it could harm the imperial lords of the game. Many, many fights between this era and until the infamous Troika wars, lead to the impossibility of participating actively in the downfall of the Troika kingdoms, for both having been paid not to (obvious contractor) and because the Lords had been “conveniently” razed a few weeks before the power claim. After the more-famous-than-anything-else Troika Wars, who still played a crucial role in the social definition of Aegis for quite a period of time, and that were, indeed, shocking for a “virginal” Aegis, the Clan was invited – by king Minahasa – to form, among others, the Republic of Aegis. An organization dedicated to prevent conflicts such as the one who had just happened: to militarily castrate any potential tyrant before he could actually put his plans to practice.
But, alas, the Clan exists to be backstabbed by the “morally superior” community. Admittedly, when agreeing upon a Hit, sometimes, if the formulation was smart, the composition was ‘bent’ diplomatically to suit our clans’ needs. But never broken! Nor “ventilated” to others when refused. But soon the 7s started to learn that hell itself is full of the most honourable intentions and that a few sovereigns considered trust and relations to be discardable, suiting their instant needs. This has been an axial realization, which has perpetuated itself upon our essence until today. Something that the elder warriors transmit to the new recruits, right from the beginning of their training.
When the first focuses of hypergrowing first occurred, the Clan was vehemently against it (although we have come to review our position for a good reason, that is the effort for a veteran player to rebuild his province after getting razed or reset, something that happens all too frequently, due to our intrinsic life style). When the “Varda issue” occurred, for those who can remember, we strongly opposed her strategy. After having the issue settled diplomatically, the clan got backstabbed by the ‘honourable’ Knights of Honour, their rationale being avenging the reputation of such an esteemed and morally adamant lady (as we later came to discover, when she tampered with the game code in order to cast a flurry of Rains of Fire over many innocent players). We had to rebuild our provinces once more, swearing to pay a visit back to those who had desecrated our land. A successful revenge took place some time after: Hassan, CAPEC, Hilandrius, Kharm and many others, mostly residing in Kameleea a Seere, Drunken Corsairs and Academy of Aegis, were demolished in a matter of minutes.
Thus satiating our lust for justice. The Clan showed its teeth, for the first time, to any other potential “moral paladins”.
SEVEN REVAMPED
While having participated actively on the aforesaid conflict I was nothing but a foot soldier then, dedicating most of my time to understanding the mechanism behind the Aegean society, while still relishing the occasional, and ever entertaining, opportunity for wielding my sword for the mercenaries. Nonetheless, I mainly focused on my brother Mourato’s Tempestas Imperium, then known as the Second Vendetta, and lead by Ascanius, the Greedy Leprechaun. It then came to be that the re-emergent Klau Empire (whose history I would like to see remembered in these halls) saw it fit to attack and reset several of the SV’s provinces, claiming vendetta (appropriately) rights over some of the members. Now, any desire for retribution would definitely not seem very straightforward, especially since the resurrected Klau was still a much-feared empire, maintaining deep roots in the Aegean structure and with a daunting reputation, which put many a bay. I was then offered the help of the Seven Clan, who kindly and generously helped me settle the score, for the price of nothing but my undying loyalty and my help concerning the newly inaugurated 7 Clan Public Relations Campaign. And, here I am now, old and tired, still giving word of the Clan’s extraordinary feats along its restless and active life. From this day on, I have lived, breathed, died and resurrected. From this day on, my friends, I’d give my own blood for the Clan’s ethos.
The outcome was astounding. Just before Christmas, the Klau was duly beheaded, its land aspersed with rock salt, and its leaders’ corpses covered with pure lime. Jingling bells were heard throughout the land, people cheering for the decisive victory over an empire that was, once more, casting its dark shadow over the Aegean people. Naturally, this was met with a certain feeling of pleasure and recognition by the populace, as proven by the hordes of young adventurers swarming to our conscription offices. The Clan gained momentum to establish itself as one of the major military powers, counting with 3 full kingdoms in Adarkis: the Lords of the Seven Hills, The Gods of the Seven Skies and The Pirates of the Seven Seas, as well as a tiny outpost in Merlidia, named the Seven Shields of Lusitania, used for accomplishing smaller tasks in the recently discovered Merlidian continent.
The next step, that gave way to the height of the Seven Clan’s reputation near almost all strata of the Adarkian society, started with a most singular event: a simple plunder contract upon the lands if King Gbarabe, from the Elderian Rebel Aliance.
As an explanation: The entire continent of Elderis had been, up until then, a constant plateau for fratricide wars, constant bickering among (mostly) warring kingdoms, dispersed in their own natural and individual identities. While much more developed than Merlidia, the lack of natural predators, so to speak, instituted certain… particularities concerning the Art of War. Such as the extensive usage of slingers and an utter lack of organisation. Now, while this might seem ludicrous – and, yes, it is a gross exaggeration – it may be explained by two factors: #1, Elderis was a new continent, compared to Adarkis, and its kingdoms, while almost of the same size, in general terms, were mostly constituted by completely inexperienced people; which leads us to factor #2: the Elderian continent (server) attracted, in its own right, a whole new generation of players, who did fail to see the need to establishing themselves in Adarkis, first, hence drinking, tasting and living the finer points of Aegean warfare.
Now, King Gbarabe, I was saying, was easy pickings for the seasoned clansmen. A few plunders that generated quite an (predictable, predicted and desired) effect: Uproar! Consternation! The Adarkians dared to set foot upon Elderis! An entire continent, who would easily fall prey to the menacing – and internally exhausted and constrained by age-old diplomatic alliances (yes, it was like this back then as well) – foreigners from the Old Continent. From this pandemonium, Kiru - another chat favourite and serious “heart collector” of the (angsty, acne-ridden teenage) males who invariably compose the greater part of our society – sketched the rudiments of the GEA: the Great Elderian Alliance was born, forged to become the first barrier of protection of any self-respecting elderian citizen.
Their first measure: to declare war on the Seven Clan!
They even set a date. And were kind enough as to set it to an hour during which the greater part of our ranks would be ready to defend its land and our banners to the last drop of blood. When the prescheduled attacks began, the first waves met a full garrison of Clan warriors, in battle armour, ready to annihilate their offensive. The first attacker saw its structures reduced to rubble instantly. 3 clansmen attacked at the same time. The second attacker met the same dire consequences, as the Clan’s officers were struggling to organise conveniently their over excited men, setting up optimal attacking times and allocating specific men to specific targets.
Needless to say, this first clash of the GEA was an utter failure. Both militarily and diplomatically, as the GEA senators uttered insults and threats towards Adarkis as a whole. This would set a drowsy and semi-stagnated continent on fire. All of a sudden, the Clan started receiving diplomats from every quadrant of society, lusting to attack the disrespectful and smug elderians as soon as possible, with the added (and very appealing) bonus of getting to attack someone, without moral or diplomatic obligations.
The combined assault, lead by Clan generals, was a success that echoed for years to come. Not only it did wonders for our reputation, but also it had a very interesting financial turnover, with the commercialization of the reputed “I went to Elderis and all I brought was this lousy T-shirt” avatars. As part of the Cessation of Hostilities pact, the GEA was disbanded. The Clan sworn not to harass Elderian kingdoms for a vast number of turns, allowing them to breathe and to rebuild in peace. From this day on, Elderis gained a new soul, burying the dead and tending to the living. It was the dawn of one the great Elderian Houses – The Specter of Steel, or SoS – bred in the battlefield, adopting a whole new warrior code, much inspired by the Adarkian lesson.
But I will report on this most beautiful relationship, between the two titans, at a later date.
DAWN OF THE META-EMPIRES
The gathered momentum and renewed reputation lead the Clan officials to face two apparently paradoxal factors: First, the Clan grew to an immense size, both in pure military might and in the total number of participants. Second, and as a consequence, the original intentions and essence of the Clan were greatly altered due to the fact that we started to receive much larger – and politically more relevant – contract proposals, as we were seen as a main power per se, capable of directly dealing with the instituted forces, and not as a simple “empowering structure”, able to help tipping the balance between the vaster forces of Aegis.
The continent of Adarkis was also experiencing a somewhat acute stagnation, spearheaded and endorsed by truly huge kingdoms, mostly filled with inactive or unwieldy provinces, remnants still of the age of gold hoarders. The universal continuum was slowly grinding to a halt. And it was time to invert the situation. Out of boredom, of a desire to use the myriad of powerful tools at our service and, naturally, imbued by a sense of “civil duty” towards Aegis, the Clan started preparing a mass onslaught over as many targets as we possibly could (via contract proposal or just on our own accord), thus forcing kings and sovereigns to adapt and to seek proper integration within the game military and diplomatic structures. The first seeds of the scourge that would sweep Aegis were to be broadcasted here… but put on hold, lurking, waiting for the proper timing and development.
I shall quote directly from an historical account that I wrote in the wake of the conflict:
“After claiming the victory over Elderis, the Clan entered an unheard state of grace. Recruits flocked to its recruitment offices and war encampments grew astonishingly, fed by the gold brought overseas and by the bustling commerce that derived from such an activity. Despite the continual complaints of some of the most orthodox Clan members, advocating the Spartan conditions of recent times, the encampments kept on growing, scarring the surrounding land, deforesting whole areas, establishing not only more military accommodations and training grounds, but also even taking the unseen liberty of indulging on mundane commodities, such as pubs or an efficient amenities system. But, still, it was the ring of massive fortresses, seen ranging through the seven hills that characterize our main territory, which caught the visitor’s attention and inspired the admiration of people throughout the land.
Recent changes on the political and ethical fabric of Adarkis led the Clan Council to sense a completely new set of opportunities. The dynamic fulcrum of the continent, put back in its place not so long ago, at the cost of several hundred thousands of lives, was being destabilized again…
The rot of gold and the eerie peace made of fear and apathy inaugurated the age of the scavengers and cowards. The Imperial Forums, where once mighty kings forged alliances or declared war against their foes, were now taken solely by provincial lords, seeking nothing but financial retribution – “reparation money”, as they call it - or a pact to protect their meagre belongings from the every day more frequent marauding raiders, growing conglomerates of thugs and scavengers that, many a time, recruited their conscripts resorting by force. With nothing else to do but to aspire to claiming the Imperial throne, most of the already established kingdoms throughout Adarkis started to focus on “mass growth” strategies, investing in civil construction and, most of the time, leaving their provinces with nothing but a small garrison of troops. The continent was starting to become stagnant, void of life, weak enough as to attract the attention of the more disciplined and eager forces from beyond the seas.
Shortly after a retaliatory attack over Clostridia – as a small revenge for the massacre of the Merlidian Clan’s outpost leaders – the Seven Clan Council was summoned. A “cloaked gentleman” offered the directions for an Adarkian Eldorado - an inactive and apparently bland province who was said to contain vast riches - in exchange for the considerable downsizing of the mighty Brothers in Arms kingdom. A formidable opponent, and a job that, we were most aware, held more than just the apparent intention. The need to finance the ever growing Clan, as well as the undeniable lust for battle, lead to the unanimous acceptance of that task.
The contractor did not lie, and, despite the losses, the attack revealed most profitable, not only because the almost dormant BiA stored enough resources to finance several other raids, but also because it would arouse the first embers of the fire that was about to deflagrate.
Stimulated by the promise of war, contracts proposals started pouring from all quadrants of Aegis, aiming at most of the Aegean kingdoms in all three continents. From those we accepted, the Dreadlords – for whom we even offered a price reduction (Merlidia still echoes in our minds) – were the first to taste our steel, followed by the Noble Dutchman, easily brought to their needs not more than 200 turns later. These few weeks, marked by rampant contractual attacks and by a very noticeable tactical war frenzy, was also, to our distaste and shame, the period that brought a new addition to the war game… the resetting vultures, the scourges of any civilized society, that were – later on – hunted down and put to death like rabid dogs, like they deserve.
By then, those who never fought a war, those who never suffered the loss of loved ones, those who lack the decency of gallant warfare, those who fear their shadows so much that will rather live in darkness, were already uttering the word “reset” with such an appalling ease that, in a matter of days, it became the most common word in many palaces. A plot to destroy the only remnant of the old Adarkis, of the great lords and of the epic battles, was finally being put in motion. The status quo of the weak and of the rot by gold – personified by the bizarre Nazgul I, an emperor whose legitimacy the Clan still does not recognize – would have to be consolidated.
Eventually, thanks to our intricate intelligence system, the confirmation of an impending attack reached the Clan Stronghold, and an immediate call to arms was instated.
The Noble Land kingdom was quickly and effortlessly shown the consequences of plotting to destroy the Clan. But the assaulters were already waiting for the exact moment, so, while the unsuspecting Clan heavy assault troops were claiming the spoils of their raid on the Nobles, Diplo7Hills and AndyKnight were ambushed by a pack of provincial leaders, whose Protection armies served the remaining provinces. Caught off guard, unable to retrain proper troops, the remaining members of the Clan assisted, with disgust, to the vicious assaults on their kings. Their defences held fast for countless dozens of attacks. Incapable of breaching through the massive armies of seasoned Clan phalanxes, the attackers had to resort to the work of Mages and Priests, calling forth enough Rains of Fire and Wraths of God as to bring the two provinces to their knees. Along with Diplo7Hills, several smaller Clan members, such as Tiggerpuss, and many of the cadets stationed on the Seven Shields of Lusitania, were slain in their beds on that infamous night.
As soon as they could, the Clan generals issued an immediate warning and some legions were deployed. In a few moments the onslaught was stopped. At least one of the pack leaders, the head of the Tirshatta, was severely crippled and left to die, while the other attackers were effectively repelled.
Logistically and tactically incapable of pushing further, the attackers had to stop, agreeing on a 48 hour Cease Fire. Their leaders rejoiced, boasted, and tried to humiliate our sacred name. The Clan’s dignity was questioned by people not worthy enough as be slain by a sword. The cowards and the intellectual weaklings joined the grim festivities, gathering for an easy feast on the bodies of the moribund… or so they thought. Suddenly, everyone was a staunch adept of the Order of the Templar Knights, an obscure flock of even more obscure kingdoms and pseudo-Empires, of nominal and self-proclaimed “peaceful” intentions. “Reset the Clan”, they said, “Rid Aegis of the mercenaries”…
Due to the countless “business” trips to other continents, however, the Clan members developed quite a sense for finding and dealing with rats. While agreeing with the Cease Fire, the Council was fully aware of the OTKs intentions. They had the upper hand and, considering very recent events, they would flood the political channels with dribble and impossible requests, while plotting to launch a final strike to deal with their enemies on a more “permanent” fashion.
Fortunately, Adarkis is still the home of many noble kings and queens. Being both conscious of the Seven’s role and stalwart defenders of decent warfare and behaviour, a pro-Clan coalition was formed. The brave people from the mighty Heaven Empire, the noble RO kingdoms, the historic Hibernia and Elysium, the recent, yet already seasoned Tempestas Imperium and the gracious Citadel Incognita, among others, offered not only their direct protection, but also the services of their legions.
As soon as the Cease Fire ended, the OTK and followers restarted their attacks. But an unexpected volley of fire met the first raids. Confused and disoriented, the Templars resorted to multiple path attacks and to sending wave after wave of their seemingly endless cohorts. Many smaller provinces were used and sacrificed, involuntarily, to pave the way for larger armies. The skies lit with fire, life was drained by the will of the Gods, and the rivers were polluted with blood… The mighty AndyKnight, attracting all of the OTK’s firepower, heroically fell in battle, under heavy siege, giving the Gods of the Seven Skies’ crown to Eyeglass, court jester. The 330M Net province, featuring a Grand Tower of Magic, put up a defence like no one had ever seen before, even though being far from its full strength, due to the circumstances. Withstanding more than one hundred attacks, it still managed to sustain a continuous barrage of fire for countless turns. Vast hordes of shield bearers stood aside its regular troops. Slowly but surely, deprived of support buildings due to the several Rains of Fire it had withstood, Eyeglass started to falter, generously sending his last few men to support the ones he swore to protect. Despite their attempts, due to the garrison’s generals (Hermes and AndyKnight) unsurpassable military skill, all the assailants – perhaps more than 25 different ones – failed to defeat Eyeglass’ armies in battle… one province against 25. But it was a victory with a bitter taste, for his province would eventually be cowardly incinerated during the night, while its men were recovering from their wounds.
The pro-Clan faction’s display of sheer power lead its enemies to quickly withdraw from the battlefield. Some of the OTK kingdoms rapidly surrendered or fled, hastily announcing a moral victory, that they knew being far from guaranteed. Deaths were staged on the Empire Forum, hoping to avoid further punishment. It is said that the now famous drama-queen was offered starring roles on several Elderian Elvenwood theatre companies, looking forward to produce comedy plays re-enacting this ludicrous event. Even more revolting, perhaps, were those who had recently sung praises of their vast kingdom’s military superiority and moral authority, but that soiled themselves at the first sight of peril. Out of pity, they have been mercifully allowed to carry on they pathetic existence. The “hit and run-as-hell” tactic is now being taught on Clan War Academies, as a sure way of being cast away in disgrace from our armies.
In an extraordinary manoeuvre, several armies were standing ready to strike the “coup de grace” on the OTK leaders, but refrained from dropping to their enemies’ level. This coalition’s foundation was based on the principles of dignity, honourable warfare and of mutual respect for skill and history. Ancient enemies fought together to prevent a major crime. To corrupt themselves by resorting to actually destroying their enemies’ provinces would have taught them nothing, and would have demeaned the principles behind the Clan and provisional “allies”.
(…)
This conflict was the largest ever in the history of Aegis, surpassing the Clan’s assault on Elderis or the famed Troika wars. The means and kingdoms involved, the gross amount of lost networth and the number of turns marked by continuous war have no parallel in Aegean history. But the sands of time continue their perpetual motion, and one never knows what might arouse Mars once again. On one hand, the Clan – aware that it must answer for its deeds on its own – knows that its enemies will not make the same mistakes, and, on the other, the OTK – that has lost the initial effect of surprise – is perfectly aware that it has ran out of chances, and thus, that another conflict will have dire consequences.”
A suivre (weather allowing)