Turn 23 Orders Due Back By: Friday, 16th of July 1999

Announcements

Turns went pretty fast, when I got them all in hand <HINT> Life has been busy and chaotic and probably will stay that way. I have managed to get half way through my MCSE Certification, which will continue eating up some amounts of my free time. Also it looks like I may be sent out of town for week or two for training, but no time frame have been given to me from on high.

Warren Hartwell IV was born on 12-12-98 via an unscheduled C-section due to his mom coming down with high blood pressure. I’m sure you all know this by now, but it looks so good on paper. ;>

If you know of any player who has told you that they dropped, and I still have them as playing an open nation, please contact me and let me know, it will make life easier for me.

Remember, I have a new address and phone number.

J The GM enjoyed this turn, be afraid, very afraid….J

Congratulations to Todd Saint Pe' and his wife who are expecting.
Congratulation to Chris Dorn, of Rastrakutas fame on closing his new house.
A big thanks to Warren for helping me process turns. ;>

Starting this turn every day a turn is late all leaders will suffer a –1 BAC per year, up to 7 days, then all leaders will not move, and only investments and builds will get done. This will hopefully make it so I don’t have to undo a full nations turn who’s neighbors have turned in a turn late.

Web Page

Www.isd.net/~ehartwel/main.htm. 

This Turn’s Music …

Led Zeppelin - Three
Third Eye Blind - 3EB
Gallowglass - Taking on Water
They Might be Giants - Apollo 17
Metallica – Ride the Lightening
 Awards!
As made traditional in Sean Harding’s Lords Two or Thomas Harlan’s Lords One … I do not have a clue who started it…

Lord: Logan Vanderlinden, Samanids
Vagabond: Brit Murry, Norman's, DF's can cause pain.
Cameo Appearances by: Boris, and Al-Haj’s apprentice (Turn 16 was the last sighting of them) <For the new players>

Rules Errata and Reminders

Tithe Income: If you are paying a tithe to a Religious Primate and the rate of the tithe is less than 5% then there is no effect to you; you do not lose any money. If the rate of the Tithe is greater than 5%, then you lose 1% of Tax Rate for each percentage point of the tithe over 5.

Bidding on Mercs: When you are making a bid for mercenaries, please make separate bids for mercenary units and mercenary leaders.

New Ruling on the Rule action. After a talk with Thomas, I have found that yet again I was wrong. When your King/Queen/Heir Rules, their 4th stat (The all important hidden stat) is added to your Infra level. The 4th stat is between 1 and 10, so you do not get 100%.

Elite troops: They are available to be built/trained when you achieve tech level 5 or greater, this represents how well your troops are versed in combat

SLAVES ON SHIPS: After some thought and discussions there is a change on slaves and their movements. While on Transports or warships, the ships will move their normal BAC a turn, instead of the 2 BAC that slaves get.

Gm’s Info and the Like

Eddie Hartwell
3945 Perry Ave. No
Robbinsdale, MN, 55422
(612) 504-9886
Ehartwel@isd.net
Or
Alliebeared@yahoo.com
ICQ #: 4146192

ý Troop Conversions

Infantry (500 men = 1 point), Cavalry (500 men = 1 point), Siege Engineers (500 men = 1 point), Warships (5 ships = 1 point), Transports (5 ships = 1 point), Bowmen (50 guns = 1 point)
 
 
 
Asia — -- / N ½ 
Troops: 19c, 14i, 12w, 6t 
Aqrs: c4 s2 I3 w2 
Leaders: Chow Xi’Ping (MB85) 
Liang - [
LoPan, General of the Heavens, Destroyer of Steps, King of China
Diplomacy: None

LoPan grew tired of the society of feudalism that racked his country. The coffers of Liang opened wide as his nation went to an open Society in 5 years. Many people were pleased by this, but many of the old lords were not, and many lost their heads for not agreeing with the holy and righteous LoPan.. Ma Cao and unnamed leader were found dead in the spring of 962AD, both killed by strange daggers, a jade blade, with a black handle, and an unknown red hilt.

When news of Xi-Chang’s revolt reached LoPan’s ears he was saddened, but not entirely surprised.

Szechwan - [
Xi-Chang, King of the noble Szechwan Empire.
Diplomacy: Szechwan (HM), Hubei (F), Funiu (A), Chinling (F), Chiennan (A), Kweichou (F), Ghang’De (T), Hunan (A)

Xi’Chang when he heard that LoPan had ordered a society change he along with the few remaining independent states in China untied to try to resist the Liang Empire.

Yamato - {
Oda Koza, Light of Heaven, Ruler of the Sea’s
Diplomacy: Koguryo (F)

Koza had grand plans for a new city in Koguryo and sent his men to secure their future in his nation. He was surprised when he got word of the city that was always there, and even more with how quickly they joined him. The regions of Nigata and Toyama were cultivated. The following cities were renamed.

Kagoshma in Kagoshma is now called Aikai
Aichi in Aichi is now named Koya
Akita in Akita is now called Oki
Cheju'do in Cheju'do is now Sakai
Shimane in Nigata in now Kanto
Okinawa in Okinawa is now named Hokata
Shikoku in Shikoku in now called Chosokabe

Champa - ¤
Emperor Jeolo, Leader of the Champa, Lord of the South Pacific
Diplomacy: Nanhon (F)

Emperor Liukan passed away in May of 961AD, his son took Jeolo took over with no problems. What became a problem was the question on who should be the next in line. Many people thought his son should be when he becomes of age others, his Uncle Palpatyn II should be. There was lots of debate, and even some fist fights, but nothing was settled.

Toowomba - n
Kanar of the Fishermen
Diplomacy: None

<Open for New Player>

Ahar and his son were lost at sea when a bizarre storm came up and they were both tossed from the ship. Kanar, an able-bodied man took of the nation and opened trade with Champa in an attempt to make some more money for his nation.
 
India And Trans-Asia — N / -- 
Troops: 16I, 11c, 5s, 5W 
Aqrs: c3 i3 w2 s1 
Leaders: Silva Allie Jeffar (M9b4) 
Somewhere in the mountains…

"I am pleased to report that both the Arm and the Knights have been plagued by the nations, mistress. While all goes according to our plans, there has been, well, a problem."

Slowly she turned her head from the map she was studying and under her unflinching gaze he felt every bone in his body freeze over in fear and terror. "What kind of problem?"

He licked his lips, and his voice faltered "The second gem has been found, my liege. Our priest’s say that it was found across the sea, by the rebel off shoot."

She frowned ever so slightly, "This is a problem, which you were right to inform me of, I must consult the books, and possibly the others as well. You may leave."

Gurjara - ¤
Shiasta Queen, Ruler of the Ganges, Heir to the Gupta Empire, Reader of books, Protector of Knowledge
Diplomacy: None

The people who fled from the Horde were resettled into plush farmland and were furnished with supplies and beds better then they had before the traumatic events had unfolded.
Royal Roads, or sea zones now connect all regions of the mighty Shiasta, now orders are sent quickly and efficiently throughout her nation.

Rastrakutas - ¤
The Grand Pooba, Finder of the Weird, Teacher of the Hindu Way, Savior of the Gurjara Nation
Diplomacy: None

Pooba increased his family by a little boy and girl. There was much talk about possible plans of separating the Holy Primacy and the nation into two organizations, but it appears to have been just rumors at this point. The search continued to find the cultist in the nation, and resulted in 2 cells being found. They were promptly burned and 45 would be evil doers found that their heads came off their bodies fairly easily.

Samanids - ¤
Katya Rok Mann Regent for…
Bhaskar, King of the Turkish Hindu’s
Diplomacy: None

In August of 961 the Paige boy found Bhask dead in bed, his face green and swollen. His Son, being only 10 years old was too young to rule the government, and that caused much squawking between noblemen over who should be the regent. His Great-Aunt Katya put an end to the bickering by forcefully taking all who were arguing by the ear and walking them out of the palace (there are advantages for being an old battle axe) and proclaimed herself his regent until he turned 15.

Buryat - n
Bantu, Terror of the Sunni’s, Sacker of Baghdad, Get of Satan.
Diplomacy: None

Bantu had troubles sleeping nightmares racked his brain. A black hand in the dream was always holding a knife to his heart, just on the verge of the killing thrust. He awoke and started reading old reports from his generals. The report about the brutal assassinations of his men seemed to jump from the page. He called for his scribes…

Genghis was out searching for, well no one knows why he was exploring the city late one night. The next morning he was found dead, with his right hand missing. Mass rioting broke out when Bantu unleashed the royal guards’ questions, and brutalizing the people that did it. A Temple of Allah was burned and all the 'priests' were drawn and quartered for their acts. Later it was announced that they were part of the Rumored 'Arm of Allah'

Chagudai returned and told Bantu something that made him very cross, but no one knows what was said. Later he was found dead in Abadan.

Subodai vanished while in Basra.

Saffarid - Z
Odgen, Allah’s chosen, Follower of the truth, Grand Illuminator
Diplomacy: None

No turn received.

New Player Tony Riga

Kingdom of David - Y
Soloman, King of the Jews
Diplomacy: Levant (Hm), Hijaz (EA), Jordon (F), Lebanon (A), Mansura (NT), Petra (F), Sinai (EA)

After being roughed up by the Tulinids, the Ghuzz, and the Buryat, the Jewish people of Levant rose up and formed a small nation in an attempt to prevent any more blood being spilled on their land.
 
Europe — N / N N 
Troops: 15i, 11c, 7B, 8W 
Aqrs: c4 i3 s1 w3 B2 
Leaders: Angus Blackhide (M958) 
In a tavern, somewhere in the east…

He watched from the darkness, waiting for the right time to move. This was not the first time he had been here, in fact over the past month he had walked by here many times, making sure that he know everything there was to know about this location. Slowly he made his way into the abandoned warehouse that his contact awaits.

"So nice you could join us, friend! Come, I have a nice French wine, and some fine Italian pasta. Let us both feast and discuss the business deal I have to offer.", said the man dressed in a red tunic, fur lined books, and scruffy beard growing

"I am not accustomed to loud speech, nor dinner, but if the price is right, I’m willing to change just about anything. Al-Haj said that there was a job that you had?"

"Well, you see there is something that someone has, which my associates want. While normally this is not a problem, the location and the amount of guards makes this a bit more, shall we say tricky?"

"Boris, lets hear about the price, then the details", the young shadow man said.

" Just like an apprentice of Al-Haj, all work, little play," sighed the bug man. "The price, is a fair price, 100 gold for the job, plusa bonus, if you do without being seen. Here are the rest of the details…"

Norman Empire - T
Roland Prince of Wales, Enjoyer of many Soft, Pink, French Peasant Girls, Raider from the North, King of Britain, The Conceited
Diplomacy: Mercia (F)

Roland met with some bishops from the Norse Christian, and was so impressed that he ordered his nation to switch religions. His secret service killed the uprising in Cornwall and Lowlands by assassinating the leaders of the movements, but they couldn't prevent the regions of Brabant, Nivervais, and Vermandois from revolting.

Late in September or 960AD the Crowned Heir and a long time friend gathered up a small army (60 Light Warships, 12,500 Infantry, and 40 Transports) met on the pier and were planning on trying to remove his father from the throne when there was a large crash. His father, along with the bulk of the royal army (38,500 Pike, Spear, and Blade's regiments), had gotten word of this party and tried to crash it. In the end, most of the rebels were rounded up and hung for their crimes, while the leaders got away to France. Princess Nora died in the battle defending her family and her nation.

Other orders were issued, but most had no effect from the civil war.

Duchy of France - W
Balder, Duke of Nivervais, Prince of Wales
Diplomacy: Burgundy (EA), Orleans (EA), Vermandois (F), Nivervais (Hm), Brabant (F), Ile De France (NT)

Balder and his ally managed to escape from the riot on the pier of London. All night they and the 60 Light Transports that managed to get away unscathed sailed, managing to avoid the Norman fleet and landed in Brabant, there they met with the Nobles who also revolted from the Normans, and they joined their meager forces.

Balder spent his time consolidating parts of France, and sending letters to the Eastern Orthodox church begging for help, and sending letters to his family saying he did not want to break his families nation, but he could not convert to this new pagan religion.

Norse Christian Church - T
Unnamed Father
Diplomacy: None

Father Ortdeth died from an unknown illness in 960AD, and thus far his successor has not named himself. Leaders were sent to the Norman Empire to spread the good word around, and met with great success.

Norse - T
Rognvald Hrolfgarson, Lord of Amlodhi’s Quern, Keeper of the Eye of Surtur, Dragon of the North
Diplomacy: None

Herjolf died in 962 from either old age, or a headache from trying to figure out finances. His eldest son, Rognvald took over with out incident. The Slavic regions again were raided, but much to The Norse surprise the Slaves armed them selves and while they still were looted, the managed to kill 2,000 of the Norse Light Infantry in Moravia.

Spanish Empire (Previously the Umayyads) - W
King Juan, King of Spain, Finder of strange Caves, True Servant of God, and Saint of the Orthodox Church
Diplomacy: None

Spring of 961 Juan received word that his former allies to the south were ferrying massive amounts of troops into his homeland. With a meger 3,000 Bow, 2,500 Cavalry, and 1,500 Royal guards he rode to question them. The 50,000+ Heavy horse killed every last one and started moving towards Seville.

When they arrived they found the city undefended and the city in turmoil with 3 factions fighting for control of the government. Rather quickly the city joined the Idrisids.

Kingdom of Aquitaine - W
King Fillipo, King of Spain, rightful ruler of the Spanish Empire
Diplomacy: Aquitaine (HM), Aragon (T), Auvergne (T), Catalonia (F), Gascony (F), Languedoc (EA), Limousin (A), Navarre (T), Valencia (A)

After Juan died and the fall of Seville, King Fillipo, who was visiting his in-laws in the duchy of Aquitaine declared himself the King of Aquitaine and would reunite his father's nation. Sadly for him, only the eastern side of Spain and part of France joined him

Caliphate of Portugal - v
Sadato, Caliphate of Spain, Duke of Lisbon
Diplomacy: Portugal (HM), Estremadura (EA), Galacia (F), Leon (EA), New Castile, Salamanca (EA), Talavera (A)

When his King died Sadato was on-route home to Lisbon. When he hear the news he was saddened by the loose, but somewhat gladdened for the return of Allah to Spain. When he heard that the Idrisids were killing both Muslim and Eastern Orthodox people, he called on the Spanish Muslims to unit against the unjust Muslim King.

Frankish Kingdom of Germany - U
Maxmillian, King of the Last Roman Catholic Kingdom, Heir to the Holy Roman Empire, and all around nice guy
Diplomacy: Carinthia (T), Verona (EA)

Maxmillian was sulking around his palace. It seemed to him that his former adversaries long ago released Lorraine, but all his scribes swore up and down that it was still held by the Norse.

Maxmillian ordered his army to gather around him in 962AD for a ride to ask the nobles of Lorraine what is truly the situation. Many nobles were happy to see him and they rejoined the Empire, but truthfully they were sorry that they had to start paying taxes again.

To the south there was open land, and a port city for Mediterranean trade, which Maxmillian could not resist. So his men were sent to the old capital of the Bulgars and later the capital of the Wudon, the glittering region of Verona. After much discussion, they agreed to merge the economy with the Germans, but nothing more at this time.

The port city of Rhinestadt was established in Swabia, and a city was also built in Bavaria, named Volksstadt.

Byzantine Empire - W
Emperor Alexandra, Destroyer of the Catholics
Diplomacy: None

No turn was received. Anyone know if Les is still alive?

Orthodox Church - W
Father Andrew I, Head of the Orthodox Church, Defender of Constantinople
Diplomacy: None

Father Andrew spent his time looking through history books, and meeting with the nobles of his flock trying to come up with a way to fend of the growing Norse Church.

Rus Vikings - W
Viga Brand, The River Raider
Diplomacy: None

Viga continued trying to earn a few gold by sending out his men to raid the slavs, who again surprised the Vikings by mustering up some troops to try to fend of the large blonde savages. The eldest of the triplets was promoted to heir and there was much rejoicing.
 
Africa — N N N / N 
Troops: 16i, 21c, 10B, 2S 
Aqrs: c4 i2 s2 w2 B3 
Leaders: Zam’ja (M785) 
 
In the dark parts of Africa…

His heart raced in excitement, he had run for the better part of 3 days since he received the report that he had in his position. HE must be informed of the news, nothing could stop him from telling him.

"I have news… that HE… must hear… in regards to HIS latest… endeavors" the messenger panted and wheezed out. In front of him the door opened and HE stepped out, the messenger dropped to his knee’s, stretched out his hand with the messaged and passed out from exhaustion.

He gently took the message from the crumpled boy, and started smiling when he read the simple message… "Success"

Idrisids - v
Karim, King of the Western Sands, Allah’s holy arm, Immigrant headquarters of the world
Diplomacy: None

A very peaceful turn, until Karim saw what he owed his army to retain their services…

Karim ordered his lieutenants to find homes for the immigrants, and to take care of the mess in Spain. So they launched a massive assault into Andalusia and then they repopulated the Muslims there and some in Granada.

Sunni Primate (Formally Oghuzvid Empire) - v
Shamyl, Allah’s chosen, Arm of the righteous, teacher of the ways of Allah.
Diplomacy: None

Shamyl looked at his nation, and wondered if his father on the Steppe’s would have ever thought that his people would one day become the head of an religion.

Open for new player

Boliafna (Formerly Axum)- d
King Phil II, Truth Seeker, Biggest man on the Nile (Only man on the Nile)
Diplomacy: Thebes (EA)

Phill II continued his slave raids upon the smaller nations near by. Toometaman lead an army into Fayum intending to capture the region, and they did, but it was devoid of people, the city however was still populated and they were brought into the Empire by force. A royal road between Soba and Faxum was started to help possible internal trade.

"Thebes, Erivan, the Nile and the newly formed Boliafna Empire is now open for business. All trade ships welcome", the official word was announced at a dinner party in 964AD, by Kind Phill II

Ghana - v
Tillabery, Caliphate of Africa, Chosen of Allah
Diplomacy: None

Tillabery, being a good, yet new member of Islamic faith sent money to Shamyl and requested help effectively running his nation. It was too large for him to handle the paper work of all the administration and still have some form of sanity.

<Open for a new player>

Moli - °
Mandela, War Chief of Africa, Slave Trader extraordinary, The royal Ivory Throne
Diplomacy: None

Open for new player

Faya Marauders - U
Muhammad Ak’law, The Humbeled One
Diplomacy: None

Muhammad married his daughter off to Sid IV (Once of the Wudan) and solidified their tedious alliance. Together they raided regions to almost the East Coast of Africa.

In a surprise move, Sid IV converted the horde over to Roman Catholic, sighting the evils of the Eastern Orthodox, the Norse and the blond bimbo’s from the north, and the weakness of the Sunni nations, what other choice was there.

Open for player
 
The New World — --/-- 
Troops: 15w, 15I, 5B
Aqrs: i2 w1 s1 B2 
Leaders: Large Bull (M759) 
Timuca - ©
Innamed, Chief of the Timuca
Diplomacy: None

Innamed and his children sat around and smoked their peace pipe and await a sign.

<Open for player>

Iroquois - ©
Chasing Hawk
Diplomacy: None

Old Fox did not wake up in March or 961, and his son Chasing Hawk took over the might nation. In the celebration of his promotion he and his new bride conceived their first child, a son.

<Open for a new Player>

Chippewa - ©
High Wind, Leader of the Chippewa Warriors
Diplomacy: None

The unnamed Heir produced a son with his wife.

No Turn Received.

Chickasaw - ©
Bent Toe, Trainer of Bison
Diplomacy: None

Bent Toe continued his quest to tame the wild Bison, and came to a break through… They needed to make saddles to ride them. His son was promoted to heir and took a new name, Raging Elk. Two daughters were born to Bent Toe, proving he was still a true man, despite hie old age.

Hopewell - ©
Cameahwait, King of the Western Skies
Diplomacy: None

Watkuweis died of old age in 962, and his brother, Cameahwait took over, since Watkuweis did not have any children. The regions of Hopi, Ipai, Moapa, Paiute, Tipai, Washo, and Hohokam revolted.

<Open for new Player>

Auum - «
Baby, Queen of South America, The Learned One
Diplomacy: None

Baby spent her time in her plush throne ruling her happy little nation, and in 961AD gave birth to a beautiful set of twin girls, named Bubbles and Bambi. And then things went to hell.

Georgie, Caesor, Ken, and Woogums were all burned at the stake being accused of being in league with the Cult of Cthulu that has been killing leaders left and right the past 50 years.

In an apparent retaliation, strange monsters killed Barbie, Bamph, and Odeon. No one who witnessed it described the monsters in the same way, leaving many people to speculate that monsters did not kill the leaders.

Satan (The leaders name, don't ask me, I'm just the GM) wander around the countryside, and reported many strange things to Queen Baby.

While exploring Wednesday, Harry came across a strange book and while reading it, went stark raving mad and ran off the wilderness. Lucretia read the book, trying to figure out what happened to Harry, and she also went mad.

After all the death's Queen Baby outlawed all religions other then South American, in an attempt to quell the masses and to get a handle on the killing

Maya - ©
Aztecas, Lord of the Sea, Reunify of the Maya Tribes 
Diplomacy: None

Aztecas ordered the regions of Chontal and Kekchi be cultivated, and ordered that the same project should start in the region of Totnac. Many fountains and parks were built in Chichen Itza, and it's now rumored to be the most beautiful city in the New World.

Massive army movement were ordered, most likely to see if the men remembered how to move after the long peace.

ISI Rankings For Turn 22: Anno Domini 965 Lords of the Earth #7

Rank Nation Name MSI ESI Player Name Phone TR Email address and Notes
 
1
Buyat
296.3
3
Lee Foster
12.2
forester@hope.edu
2
Gurjara Empire
288.9
1
Todd Saint Pe' None
52
todd@mcia.com
3
Liang Empire
255.1
2
John Parks 01-612-378-9581
26.6
None
4
Idrisids
178.1
8
(Jim Moffet) 01-612-377-5181
11.6
jmoffet@ghqmodels.com
5
Auum
148.5
10
Zephalinda Baker None
17.2
zephalinda@yahoo.com
6
Byzantine
140.3
6
(Les Nielsen) 01-218-739-0820
18.7
diadochi@hotmail.com
7
Champa Empire
137.9
9
(Charles Hurst) 01-503-653-1178
9.6
Charlesh@teleport.com
8
Rus Vikings
127.5
19
Bob Jacobson 01-612-699-4531
6.2
jacob076@tc.umn.edu
9
Yamato Pirates
112.8
5
Ron Meinung
12.4
rsm4@northcoast.com
10
Maya Empire
104.1
16
(John Stephensen) 01-612-898-5243
11.8
None
11
Rastrakutas
100.2
4
Chris Dorn 01-612-892-9893
13.4
ChrisMDorn@AOL.COM
12
Saffarid
96.7
12
Tony Riga 01-612-455-7351
7.4
None
13
Samanids
88
11
(Logan Vanderlinden) 01-512-472-5017
9.1
loganv87@hotmail.com
14
Norse Vikings
87.4
21
The Old Raven 01-612-721-7302
4.9
None
15
Bolianfna Empire
84.2
7
Bob Chase 01-727-738-1451
18
chaser711@worldnet.att.net
16
Faya Maurders
79.9
32
Open for Player None
0
None
17
Eastern Orth
78.7
17
Ken McGee 01-360-687-0421
1
Keng@pacifier.com
18
Norman Kingdom of England
78.1
13
Brit Murry 01-612-824-7493
8.2
Britten_murray@students.mcad.edu
19
Mali Empire
77.1
14
Open for Player None
10.8
None
20
Ghana Empire
72.3
15
Open for Player None
11.8
None
21
Nobel Kingdom of Szechwan
68.6
20
Open for Player None
2.5
None
22
Frankish Kingdom of Germany
67.1
18
Adam Routio 01-612-240-4480
5.4
adamisky@hotmail.com
23
Toowomba
46.8
23
Open for Player None
5.3
None
24
Oghuzvid Empire
44.8
31
Open for Player None
0.3
None
25
Hopewell City States
44.4
24
Open for Player None
2.2
None
26
Caliphate of Spain
43
25
Open for Player None
2.2
None
27
Kingdom of Aquitaine
37.7
28
Open for Player None
1.4
None
28
Empire of David 
32.3
27
Open for Player None
0.7
None
29
Chickasaw
30.6
29
Ed Eastley 01-813-443-0305
0.9
edeast@aol.com
30
Norse Christian Church
29.5
22
(Michael Callahan)
0.3
eloya@webtv.com
31
Iroquois
25.5
34
Open for Player None
0.4
None
32
Chippewa
23.6
30
Jeff Dwyer 01-813-738-1451
1.4
jsdmm@aol.com
33
Duchy of France
14
26
Open for Player None
1.9
None
34
Timuca
13
33
Open for Player None
0
None
Note: Players whose names are in parentheses owe me money, so pay up! NOW!