Hear ye! Hear ye! The Lizard King becomes Emperor of the Echo Cluster!

In a brief outgoing address Emperor Mentar said:

"Oh, it's about time that I finally get released from my office, and I'm more than glad that it happens to be an old friend of mine. It would probably be even more exact to use the word 'mentor' instead. In the past, while I was learning the ropes of the NUniverse, it was Emork I turned to when I was in need of insights and opinions. If anything, it's been a little joke of providence that I reached the top office before him - and now, that is corrected.

I'm sure that he'll be a fantastic Emperor and master the title's inherent difficulties the same way he has mastered his opponents throughout his life: With diligence, tenacity and a biiig, big portion of curbstomp!

After me, who was trying to be fair and polite to everyone, it will be funny to watch how all the brownnosers will handle someone who won't have any qualms to tell it like it is. Just look at Emork: In the Aries war he picked an ally early and then never looked back and simply whipped all of his enemies into submission. Quite a different approach to mine, which was sweet-talking myself into office, wouldn't you say so?"

When asked about his own plans, he replied:

"Me? I'll finally be free of the ceremonial duties, thank goodness! Now I'll focus my view on things that really matter, like the legs of my prized adjutant! I'll have to go before someone else notices and steals her away!"

Thank you Emperor Mentar (0035-0042). Your reign was entertaining and fruitful! Your name will never be forgotten. May you rise again.

All Hail Emperor Emork!

In typical Lizard fashion Emork attacked early in the Aries war. Choosing to ally with the Evil Empire, Eustache Dauger, to his south he forged a critical relationship which would last the entire 184 turns of the war and provide him the necessary tools to complete his victory. His first victim was the Robots led by Supreme Commander Forger who was well equipped but lost his carriers against Lizard owned Gorbies. Despite the early loss Forger somehow he managed to survive the entire game. Great tenacity!  

Meanwhile on the far side of the cluster all eyes were focused on Jobo of the Cyborg who attacked the Crystals led by Mckone early but could not finish him. Perhaps the most feared opponent entering this battle he faced a large force limiting his expansion for the first half of the game. Finally the combined forces of the Evil Empire and the Lizards became the larger threat and a "mega alliance" was formed to attempt to slow their advance. Led by Jobo, Tristan_Mo of the Colonies and a powerful Seveiht of the Rebels they held the line. But Emork's meticulous play, carefully cracking one large carrier after another on the hardened hulls of Lizard owned Gorbies took it's toll on Seveiht and the embattled commander was forced to quit the battlefield from stress. We hope to see him return in good health one day. This led to the collapse of the northern flank and from this point forward only one thing could have tipped the tide of the war. The turning of his stalwart ally Eustache Dauger of the Evil Empire could have done it, however, this is an event that never took place. Instead he chose loyalty to the end. An admirable trait which will leave him in obscurity and forgotten by history in Emork's shadow.  

Jobo and Tristan_Mo along with Zver of the Feds, Jomii of the Privateers and Bluejay of the birds fought on valiantly and relentlessly extending the Aries War to the longest championship campaign yet.  

During the entire campaign Emork utilized his newly envisioned Merlin Build Control technique which has prompted wide scale admiration and loathing. Certainly no method of warfare has provoked such outrage for generations. The debate rages on in the Senate on how to curb the use of such tactics. Regardless of the outcome, Emork has proven resourceful and successful. His deep knowledge of warfare in the Echo Cluster will affect commanders for years to come.

Year 0042 will officially be known as the 1st Year of the Reign of Emork the Lizard King.

To honor the occasion, The Imperial Senate has once again asked the Emperor to commission a new Ship Hull Design to use as his command ship. Once designed by Emperor Emork the new Lizard ship will be named by the Senate and become available to be researched for Campaign battles by all future Lizard commanders.  

Prizes and Awards

Thank you to all the participants of the Aries War for such an exciting match! With each championship match the community gets stronger and better thanks to your fun and energetic participation. We are happy to award the following prizes for this championship match:

1. Winner: Emperor Emork receives the grand prize of a Lifetime Free Premium Membership to Planets Nu. Congratulations!
   
   
2. Survival: The following players all receive a 3 month free membership to Planets Nu for surviving to the end of the game: Zver, of the Solar Federation, Blue Jay of the Birdmen, Jomiii of the Privateers, Jobo of the Cyborg, Mckone of the Crystals, Forger of the Robots, Eustache Dauger of the Evil Empire and Tristan_Mo of the Colonies. Well played! This was the most survivors ever in a championship match.
   
   
3. Spirit: To be decided. At this time I would like to ask all players who participated in the match to vote for one other player other than Emork that they feel had the best overall gamesmanship, diplomatic flourish, and game spirit and deserves the 3 month premium membership Spirit award. Please message Joshua with your vote. You do not have to have survived to the end to have a vote.  
   
   
4. Crowd Favorite: Lastly, I would like to invite the entire Planets Nu community to vote for your favorite commander in the Aries War using the poll below. The winner will receive a 3 month premium membership. Please vote only once!  

The game page can be found at http://planets.nu/#/sector/60116