... I don't know if that will have the desired effect here - I think for Abyssia and Agartha, darkness is pretty much their natural habitat, having infravision and all, and as for Atlantis, the depths of the oceans are sure to be at least "dimly lit".  

So now only 2 pretenders are missing, Lanka and Atlantis. I sent PMs to both players, and if they don't respond, I suggest dropping them and starting tomorrow at the latest. Frankly, all this endless waiting is just killing the original anticipation for the game. Anyway, I find it hard to believe that players who don't even check their messages and upload the pretender have enough dedication to send their moves in time and make it through the game. We all know we have been waiting for Elana and that the game should have started this weekend, right? So no need for further waiting.

I won't be able to play. Sorry.

Oops, already sent mine in. Do I have to re-do or can it stand?

I did get a note when I first opened my turn that Pangea had cheated and his Pretender had been auto-nerfed. I assume this was because of a mod?

Okay, the game is on! First move sent.

Ah, yes there are items for each path which will add a level to any commander (or pretender) that will increase their level in that path if they already have at least one level.These items become available when researching Construction level 4, 6, etc. The items available also depend on the magic paths of the crafter, so higher level casters will have access to more and better items, and those with multiple high level paths will have access to even greater items.

You can also use the command "Empower" to permanently increase their level in a chosen path by spending gems, but this is less cost-efficient.

Lastly, there are battlefield spells which will increase your commander's level in a path for the duration of the battle, but cost 100 or more fatigue, which is generally enough to knock the caster unconscious unless they have reinvigorate (either through an item, spell, bless, or natural ability).

Keep in mind that the more powerful battlefield spells require your caster to be carrying gems in their inventory.

I am Liking Tien Chi, they have solid troops.  Tower Shields, composite bows, light lancers/horse archers, and a trampling unit.  diverse magic and many summonable units.  Good solid nation.

Lord Xia, your troops may be excellent, but your petty human need for "administration" will be your undoing.  It is much more effective to simply clothe yourself in swatches of metal and to burn everything in your path.  Bureaucracy stands no chance against inferno! Think of all that papyrus, turned to ashes and embers.

Shot myself in the foot with the nation pick. got bunch of guys runing around the battlefield shurtles, so game decided to finish the job an got me crappy starting position in wasteland

I am in a similar positions, Lord Xia.

Also--Your women cannot resist the viral might of my lusty pans. Join us in our communion with nature. Become one with the land.

Ah, Lilith has found her nation to be quite crappy - partly because of poorly thought out path picks in deciding which Pretender to raise.  Also her troops bite - the wrong way.  Yes, my lads, Lilith speaks of herself in the third person. What?  You wanted a sane opponent?   Didst thou not know?  Anyone who plays in "DD" (Pan, my lad, stop leering, its NOT the DD you imagine) ... its the DD - the Dominions Dimension.  Anyone who plays here is almost assuredly some great creature who was so crazy they successfully slithered out of the insane asylum (or ate it, or burned it,  ... or let them choke on the infamous 'lance maneuver.').  So, lets have some insane fun together!  Oh, I interrupted myself... what was I saying?  Oh, yes, my green demons will pay dearly for the poor choices I made.  - And for choosing such a god-awful shade of green!  In the dark i could pick many better shades of green, but NO...the wizard of wrong colors, the llama-beast - it brings this awful shade of green for my pet demons' skin ...  What?  Aye, the green clashes with the colour of blood.  Why else would it matter? ... its not like my little pets will be around for very long. Well, the BIG pets, I REALLY like them... Ummmmmmm.

Now, my lads, I must get back to trying to salvage something truly demonic from this llama-mess I have inherited.  As our paths cross in this new world, and assuredly they will, lets all have some fun.  Damnation!  Where did that miserable excuse for a yucky little green demon put my candle snuffer?

second turn has been sent from  llama.   My completed second turn has been sent to llama server.  Wow, the graphs really indicate i bite at this game.  Wheres that skinny little demeon when I need him?