Round 4: Begin!
Years 2043-2045 of the 99,803rd Era of the Imperial Calendar
Round 4 will close on Sunday, March 24th.
Announcements!
Please ensure that the names you assign to rolls are unambiguous and cannot be plausibly changed or rearranged after the fact (such as numbering actions and referring to rolls by their action number). Simply copying the action into the roll name will be accepted.
The Basu-Rahman Group effect A Doctrine of Flexible Epistemology is changed to the following:
Basu-Rahman has no official religion. All Media supports controlled by BRG do not decay to Open, and they may act as though they follow any religion when performing Conversion actions.
Discovery!
Explorations, prospecting, and other news from afar
Maps of Tekhum
Tekhum
Region numbers marked on the overall solar system map above indicate single-region natural and artificial satellites. New space stations and similar regions created during the game will be added to this map.
Badal
Sansar
Firmament
Not to scale.
Aridyin
Veehra
Mekhala
Distances not to scale.
Thousands of cowboy hat-wearing bees swarm the aerostat in Region 1, each sending vital data on atmospheric composition, temperature, and hive location suitability back to their Queen. Though the aerostat is maintaining position above Badal’s north pole, a thorough survey reveals that the interior is in complete disrepair, and the aerostat seems totally uninhabited - perhaps never having been resettled after the War of Eternal Bombardments. However, the survey bees make a second, much more intriguing discovery: over two-thirds of the aerostat’s internal volume is occupied by a bizarre network of brass pipes and unshielded copper cables, twisting over and around and sometimes passing through each other. Perfunctory attempts by the exploration team to restart the system or determine its purpose fail, but a permanent base established in the region would be able to study the strange rune-etched central console more effectively.
The Arkhive Æternal sends an expedition to Region 1, an uninhabited colonizable region! A country that owns [Region 1] may use a TN 12 Faith action to attempt to divine enough of the region’s mind-bending pipework to restart the aerostat-wide system. The effects are unknown, but given how much effort evidently went into constructing the system, it must surely be positive.
Exploration on behalf of others is the business model of the Llort Society, and they begin in the northwest of Sansar. Making contact with the inhabitants of the long peninsula is easy, but convincing them the Llort are in fact aliens from another world rather than some elaborate prank or LARP proves more difficult. Still, the eventual discussions are friendly enough, and the Llort explorers leave with more than sufficient survey data on the region.
The Llort Society Protectorate sends a mission to Region 22, discovering a region with a Majority of Data Witches, a Minority of Digital Utopians, two Trade Posts of Roleplaying Games (Art and Cultural Products), a Desired Import of Planetary Vehicles, and 2 units of native defenders! They gain +1 to one Sway in the region this round.
Academics are eternally curious, and in this case their curiosity is turned outward from their borders. Several student field trips are scheduled for the unknown and potentially dangerous wilderness to the northwest. Most notable among their findings are the magical ink that seems unique to the region and the fierce intra-nicene debate that characterizes the region’s religious culture. The survey discovers something else, too: the overgrown and partially eroded remains of a crater, containing the rusting wreckage of an ancient starship. Preliminary analysis suggests the ship predates the War of Eternal Bombardments, and may even have been destroyed in it. Though too damaged to put back into service as it once was, it could still contain salvageable technology.
The Old Tavisham Academy sends an expedition to Region 47, discovering a region with a Majority of Celebrity Veneration, a Minority of Authorial Intent, two Trade Posts of Ensorcelled Ink (Magical Items), a Desired Import of Fauna, and 5 units of native defenders! They gain +1 to one Buyout in the region this round. Any country may attempt a TN 12 Military or Intrigue action to attempt to salvage pre-War technology from the crashed warship: the highest roller will gain an Artifact.
Despite years of speculation, the Castaways’ investigation into the Veehran Triangle conclusively disproved the idea that it lay south of the Great Western Waste. Still, more accurate charts are never a bad thing to have, even if to the careless eye, the region seems merely to be another dust-blasted, uninhabited wasteland. The explorers quickly discover a curious feature: the region’s ground is studded at regular intervals with huge pipes, each rising from an unknown underground source perhaps twenty meters into the air. Towards the center of the region, the survey party discovers something clearly artificial: a set of three concentric rings of concrete bunkers, with what seems to be an observation tower at the center. Delving into the compound, they find a pitch-black network of tunnels, tubes, tanks, and vents beneath the sand, eventually leading to a control bunker. Though the bunker’s computers are long since dead and their magnetic tapes seemingly wiped, the survey party reports only one conclusion to fit the facts: this region must have once housed a terraforming project, abandoned before or during the War of Eternal Bombardments.
The Castaways of the Loop send an expedition to Region 60, an uninhabited colonizable region! A country that controls Region 60 and possesses the Nuclear Fusion technology may take a TN 12 Economy or Intrigue action to attempt to reactivate the abandoned terraforming equipment, the consequences of which will be unknown, though likely positive. Alternatively, they may scrap the accessible equipment for parts with an unrolled Economy action, gaining two Treasure.
With extra pairs of dust-goggles (which can be worn under or over a mask, don’t worry) and fine-tooth combs to filter the desert sands, the Peludo hope to achieve where they previously failed. They run into Hecaton Karcheras Katos from the Llort Society Protectorate, who is also exploring the region. The combined expedition provides a thorough datafile on the region to both Elect, characterizing its single dominant religion as “somewhat uncomfortable” and its primary export as “historically and economically unique”.
The Counts of Mirage and the Llort Society Protectorate send an expedition to Region 61, discovering a region with a Majority of Radiant Dreams, one Trade Post of Tripedal Mecha (Planetary Vehicles), a Desired Import of Fuel and Power, and 3 units of native defenders! They both gain +1 to one Buyout in the region this round.
Continuing their efforts to expand their charts of Veehra’s deserts, the Castaways dispatch diplomatic envoys to their north. If the natives are surprised to encounter a group of foreigners containing no less than four versions of the same person, they don’t mention it. In fact, aside from the fact that the natives have plentiful food sources, Rasha(s) reports that their society bears some striking, unexpected, and frankly implausible similarities to that of the Loop-Born. Furthermore, ground-penetrating radar reveals that the region is home to a vast complex, buried deep beneath the region’s great mountain, and an entrance is quickly identified in the northeast. Preliminary attempts to enter the bunker, however, are defeated by automated defense systems, and the explorers are forced to retreat with two casualties.
The Castaways of the Loop send a diplomatic mission to Region 63, discovering a region with a Majority of Eternal Recurrence, a Minority of Cycle Breakers, three Trade Posts of Veehran Wheat (Fruits and Vegetables), a Desired Import of Fabrics and Textile Products, and 2 units of native defenders! They gain +1 to one Sway in the region this round. Any country with the Dust Hardening technology may dispatch a special forces team to attempt to force the underground complex with a TN 12 Military or Intrigue action. The highest rolling country may discover something special within.
The Group of Seventeen doesn’t expect to find much life this close to Veehra’s brutally cold northern pole, but their explorers’ report defies pessimistic predictions. Still, it is more focused on the economic significance of the pigments produced by the region than on the polar dwellers’ society or government.
The Castaways of the Loop send an expedition to Region 64, discovering a region with a Majority of Felinism, two Trade Posts of Davisonian Paints (Luxury Goods), a Desired Import of Construction Materials, and 2 units of native defenders! They gain +1 to one Buyout in the region this round.
Recently arrived on the scene of the Elect, the High Witch of the Shattered Coven orders exploration spinward of Mek-01. The explorers find a region high in available “land” and quite low in existing inhabitants; for what reason cannot be determined, but the mission finds no locals to make contact with. However, they do not return totally empty handed: a strange radar reflection catches the explorers’ eyes, and soon they find - half-buried within the region’s major asteroid - what appears to be a derelict spaceship. This is no spartan military vessel or dented mining drone, however: the shining paint and golden lettering prove beyond a doubt that the craft was once a luxury space liner. How it came to be in its current state is unclear, but perhaps it still holds secrets for the curious.
The Shattered Coven sends a mission to Region 80, an uninhabited colonizable region! Any country may use a rolled Military or Intrigue action with an unknown TN to dispatch a team of treasure hunters to secure the space liner’s wreck. Countries possessing the Aclaustrophobic Psychiatry technology gain a +2 bonus to this roll. Any ancient passenger cargo or other valuables will be split as evenly as possible between all successful rolls.
The Imperial Court was kind enough to provide extra supplies for exploration. Time to put them to use… on the moons! Bafatis explorers with an eye to colonization and exploitation of Veehra’s two small moons are perhaps surprised to find indigenous populations inhabiting both, explaining decades of strange astronomical observations from the surface. The nearer of the two moons proves to have a dedicated mercenary establishment, and one which is eager to expand into new markets.
The Bafatis Dynasty sends an expedition to Region 106, discovering a region with a Majority of Quantum Predestination, a Minority of Nominative Determinism, two Trade Posts of Cornelian Mercenaries (Soldiers), a Desired Import of Precious Minerals, and 5 units of native defenders! They gain +1 to one Buyout in the region this round.
On the farther of Veehra’s moons, Bafatis explorers note the presence of significant chemical industry, dedicated to the production and packaging of plastics.
The Bafatis Dynasty sends an expedition to Region 107, discovering a region with no dominant religion, Minorities of The Long Dark, The Following Dark, and The Waiting Dark, three Trade Posts of Sheet Polymer (Construction Materials), a Desired Import of Meats and Animal Products, and 3 units of native defenders! They gain +1 to one Buyout in the region this round.
The Wicklund Salvagers fly to Firmament in search of additional materials to salvage in the ancient ruins of Region 109, observing proper salvage rites. They find that this segment of the ring, like the region over Grigialfheim, is also inhabited, by a group with both notable similarities and differences to those spacefarers. In a remarkable coincidence, the local economy also seems to be founded on salvage, and positive relations are quickly cultivated.
The Wicklund Salvagers send a diplomatic mission to Region 109, discovering a region with a Majority of Rhadamanthenes, one Trade Post of Salvage Ships (Spacecraft), a Desired Import of Fruits and Vegetables, and 3 units of native defenders! They gain +1 to one Sway in the region this round.
Growth!
Expansion, development, unification, and similar forms of growth and prosperity
Oskar dei Fiori capitalizes upon the opportunity opened by the White Pawns’ triumph in winning the race to land on the moon by rushing the timetable for full occupation. The Fiorid Principality of Verdalfheim colonizes region 103! Region 103 gains a Desired Import of Fruits and Vegetables
Eminent Ambassador Puala Lomchat is satisfied by the terms and conditions of integration proposed by the residents of Region 28. Caipe Ushere presses their claim, gaining control of the region and 1 ground unit!
The inhabitants of the sunward asteroids are satisfied with C.A.S.S.I.O.P.E.’s proposal for confederation. CASSIOPE presses their claim, gaining control of the region and 1 ground unit!
Kanmara engineers begin to draft plans for a defense station on a neutral aerostat. The Eucrus Alliance establishes a Confederation Claim on Region 14
Pirates prove to be good at assembling flat-pack apiaries. Perhaps it’s the wide array of mechanical and engineering tools they have integrated into various cyborg body parts. The Arkhive Æternal begins to construct a Hive in the North Way Cluster (Region 2) [1/5].
Three years after the delivery and construction of apiary materials, the Hive in the Height of Utopia has weathered the most critical period for new colonies. The Arkhive Æternal continues Hive establishment in the Height of Utopia (Region 10) [2/5].
Statecraft!
Cultural events, diplomatic overtures, foreign relations, and domestic affairs
Crime is not second nature to raiders of the North Way Cluster - it is first nature. The Black Cloud Coalition develops a new Cultural Identity: Property Wrongs, which increases the die size for Theft rolls to 2d8
The Eucrus Alliance develops a new Cultural Identity: Unity of Purpose, which increases the die size for Sway rolls to 2d8
In the marriage of their scions, House Ebonne and the House of Fire commit to the bonds of kinship and amity. Should any force threaten the safety or sovereignty of House Ebonne or the House of Fire, that force shall meet the combined resistance of two Houses.
Caipe Ushere hosts the wedding of Artavasdes II and Princess Monite Akari Ebonne d’Laforet
- CUS trades Wet Navy Ships to HOF
- HOF trades Vacuum Adaptation to CUS
- CUS gains a weak marriage claim on Dur-Shalkhir (Region 76)
- HOF gains a weak marriage claim on Caipe Ushere (Region 29)
- HOB gifts 1 treasure to CUS
The Arkhive Æternal hosts the Second Hexenniel Conference for the Liberation of Knowledge and Fostering of Growth in Sansar
- ARK trades Badalian Megadirigibles to MSQ
- ARK trades Wet Navy Ships to UHS
- ARK trades Aclaustrophobic Psychiatry, Algorithmic Imagination, Arcane Amplification, In Vivo Modification, Nuclear Fusion, Xenolinguistic Cataloguing, Badalian Megadirigibles to RRE, WIC, and WTP
- WIC trades 1 treasure to MSQ
- UHS trades 1 treasure to MIR
Eilif Dhaoine hosts the Aonach of 2040
The Arkhive Æternal shares Wet Navy Ships with the Llort Society Protectorate through their shared Embassy
The Soom-Clan Marauders share Vacuum Adaptation and Nuclear Fusion with the Sorcerers of New Kildora through their shared Embassy
The Durats of Burtzlund share Aclaustrophobic Psychiatry, Algorithmic Imagination, Arcane Amplification, In Vivo Modification, Xenolinguistic Cataloguing, and Badalian Megadirigibles with the White Pawns through their shared Trade Route
Coedd begins to train a new mouthpiece for its local plant goddess, introducing a new dynastic heir (4 Diplomacy, 1 Military, 4 Economy, 2 Faith, 4 Intrigue)
The Durats of Burtzlund declare a new heir pod composed of an undefined number of individual durats acting as one, Bok Gvcboz Tihimfrejunklscare (3 Diplomacy, 4 Military, 4 Economy, 3 Faith, 3 Intrigue)
The heiress of Lord Ziven of the Houses of Senkar, Arann Alegre, rises to prominence (1 Diplomacy, 4 Military, 2 Economy, 4 Faith, 2 Intrigue)
Alfheim’s Committee of Lunar Inquiry declares that Aridyin is to be the sole domain of the Fiorid Principality, a confident claim that the current government may have difficulty enforcing!
The Arkhive Æternal welcomes a former ruler of the Glix Combined Commonwealth into their number!
DIC impresses the Government of Region 90
ILU sways the Government of Region 8
WTP sways the Government of Region 21
WTU impresses the Merchants in Region 18 using Noble Metals as Ores and Alloys
WTU impresses the Merchants in Region 70 using Assembly Line Robots as Industrial Machinery
WTU impresses the Merchants in Region 110 using Union Crews as Specialists
Trade!
Buyouts, trade routes, and other economic shenanigans
The Loyalists do not let civil unrest stand in the way of infrastructure improvement. The Bironian Bulwark raises an Arcology in the Biron Crosspaths (Region 17), the Novacore Foundaries, which grants a bonus to Sacks
The Radiant Republic of Erisdor raises an Arcology in Erisdor (Region 32), the Black Foundry, which grants a bonus to Offensive Ground battles
The Bafatis Dynasty raises an Arcology in Voletha (Region 71), Valona, which grants a bonus to Colonization
The Dwarven Industrial Coalition lives up to its name by putting the I in Industrial. The production capacity of Meltorian Ale in Region 90 is increased by an incredible 100% in only a few short years! Region 90 gains a new Trading Post owned by DIC.
The Solar Trade Center gains another valued trading partner, the Fiorid Principality of Verdalfheim, who have forged a Trade Route over the mountains of down-right Chonkia to the Durats of Burtzlund
The Combined Commonwealth of Glix has apparently heard that Sansar has food, leading to the establishment of a new Trade Route with the Glorious Purifiers
CUS buys out TP 3 in the Great Western Waste (Region 62) for Todd, spending a treasure
DIC buys out TP 3 in al-Miraiya (Region 88) for Crystal Weave
FBC buys out TP 2 of Region 7 for Winged Camels
FBC buys out TP 2 of Region 8 for Atmospheric Scrubbers
GCC buys out TP 3 in the Space-Kelp Cluster (Region 87) for Space Kelp
HOB buys out TP 2 in Dur-Shalkir (Region 76) for Uranium
HOB buys out TP 1 in Et Cetera HQ (Region 91) for Gold
HOB buys out TP 1 in Region 82 for Flavored Algae Product
ILU buys out TP 2 in Anjahar (Region 11) for Synthetic Proteins
KRB buys out TP 3 in Dur-Shalkhir (Region 76) for Uranium
MIR buys out TP 1 in Region 53 for Sorcerous Swords
MIR buys out TP 1 in Region 70 for Corvée Labor
RAT buys out TP 1 in Region 110 for Stage Trees
RAT buys out TP 2 in Region 37 for Assembly Line Robots
RRE buys out TP 3 in the Arvax Plains (Region 54) for Deuterium, spending a treasure
SEV buys out TP 3 in Kildora (Region 73) for Silver Serpents
TAV buys out TP 1 in Region 26 for Lumber
TAV buys out TP 2 in Region 26 for Lumber
WTU buys out TP 1 in Region 28 for Bamboo
WTU buys out TP 1 in Region 51 for Ryban Fish
WTU buys out TP 1 in Region 56 for Gene Samples
WTU buys out TP 3 in Region 79 for Brahmaguptite on behalf of RAT
Treasure Gained
BAF gains 1 passive treasure
BRB gains 1 passive treasure
CAS gains 1 passive treasure and hoards 3 treasure
CUS gains 1 passive treasure
FBC gains 2 passive treasure and hoards 1 treasure
GLO gains 1 passive treasure
HOB gains 1 passive treasure
HOF gains 1 passive treasure
MIR gains 1 passive treasure and hoards 1 treasure
MSQ gains 1 passive treasure
RAT gains 1 passive treasure
RRE gains 1 passive treasure
SCM gains 1 passive treasure
SEV gains 1 passive treasure
UHS gains 1 passive treasure
WIC gains 1 passive treasure
Faith!
Conversions, organization, and other such matters of faith
Coedd aids Coedd-Meat. Coedd hinders not-Coedd-Meat.
Coedd sets the Size 10 bonus for Coedd to +1 to offensive ground battles on Sansar
With GM permission, Coedd modifies the Size 5 bonus for Coedd to +1 to Investigations on Sansar
The Glorious Purifiers adopt Coedd as their state faith.
Deciding to ignore the debate about whether Coedd is a god by announcing that Coedd is a good friend regardless, Eilif Dhaoine adopts Coedd as their state faith.
The faithful of the Cloudburst Confederation open their homes, workplaces, and hearts to the glory of the ever-watchful Avva. The sun’s blinding light shines through every corner of Agbada, leaving behind no unbelievers. The Cult of Avva is raised to Sole status in Agbada (Region 52).
ARK introduces a Minority of Coedd to Region 31
BRB raises Fascination to Plurality in the Biron Crosspaths (Region 17), forcing Holy Orders’ Vows to drop to Minority status
CBC introduces a Minority of the Cult of Avva to Region 53
COE introduces a Minority of Coedd in Region 38
COE introduces a Minority of Coedd in Region 45
LSP raises the Imperial Cult to Plurality in Kish (Region 79), forcing the Ophonic Mysteries to drop to Minority status
SNK raises the Cult of the Mother Serpent to Plurality in the Great Western Waste (Region 62), forcing Requiem for the Loop to drop to Minority status
UNC introduces a Minority of Paragonism in Region 4
UNC introduces a Minority of Paragonism in Region 7
UNC introduces a Minority of Paragonism in Region 8
UNC introduces a Minority of Paragonism in Region 14
Wonder!
Miracles and inventions, ancient relics, and spectacular undertakings
A nanite-rich relic originally from the Twilight League has been discovered in the Black Tower, the Iron Masquerade’s mausoleum of soul vessels. The cybernetic eyeball, dubbed the Eye of the Storm, inflicts -2 to enemy leader loss rolls when surgically implanted into a character.
Might!
Military matters of all kinds, be it warfare or strategic developments
The old and the new clash, as the House of Lithium asserts its right to rule the Crosspaths through trial by combat. The Bironian Bulwark recruits a new General, General Shi Lithium (score: 9)! Shi Lithium is able to deploy the tactical doctrine of Legendary Duelist: -4 to enemy leader loss rolls
Using space transports and dropships, supported by ground attack fighters and orbital bombardment, the Bafatis drop units all over the place, seeking to disrupt enemy supply lines and confusing the enemy about the main point of attack. The Bafatis Dynasty recruits a new General, General Golari (score: 7)! General Golari is able to deploy the tactical doctrine of They Are Everywhere: +3 battle, +10% own casualties
The Combined Commonwealth of Glix raises a Fortress in the Parrot’s Perch (Region 84). Don’t ask where they got all the military supplies for it.
The city of Narsai is enclosed in a transparent protective Apiforme Dome, thanks to archeotech that the Iron Monarch mysteriously dredged up from the underground mines. The Iron Masquerade raises a Fortress in the City of Narsai (Region 69)
A network of needle-like structures floats at a fixed distance from Senkar, forming a network of glittering force fields to keep out any unauthorized intruders. The United Houses of Senkar raise a Fortress, the Mirror Towers, in Senkar (Region 16).
The Hammer’s military prowess is no longer unknowable, undefined, ethereal. It has coalesced upon the number 7.
Invasions!
Many thanks to Kythia, Gengy, and Zab for their help with this section.
The Illuminated Utopian establishes Orbital Superiority over Badal
Far above Badal the spacecraft of the Illuminated Utopians assemble a fleet. The planet spins lazily below them while light scout craft search the moons and the far side of the planet for opposition. Finding none, Legate Victolus (Mil 7) is satisfied that the battles below will not be interrupted by other space fleets and begins rapidly redeploying troops from one area of fighting to another.
The Glorious Purifiers and Illuminated Utopian invade Region 8
Titania (Mil 5) herself leads Purifier troops in an assault on the aerostats they have set their sights upon, supported by her Illuminated Utopian Allies above. Two units of Glorious Purifiers have been transported over from distant Sansar and Titania has spared no expense in equipping them for this invasion.
They are met by two units under the control of an AI that refers to itself as Mistress Clean (Mil 3). Generations ago the automated maintenance computers of this aerostat had been given broader control over the workings of the population and the additional responsibility had, over time, overloaded its processing. Now it runs a fanatically mysophobic “clean-ocracy” - possibly the only one in Tekhum. Repel the filth! automated voices screech from speakers Germcarriers in corridor four! Repel the filth! As it seeks to deploy its forces against the offworld germs the purifiers presumably carry and, by extension, the purifiers themselves. Hordes of well-scrubbed personnel in immaculate white clothing run to follow its orders and keep their corridors pristine.
Mistress Clean [NPC] (Mil 3) succeeds in using Measured Advance (-10% casualties for both
At first the battle seems to be going badly for the Glorious Purifiers. A steady measured advance by Mistress Clean’s forces holds their boarding parties in docking bays despite the speed with which reinforcements can be redeployed. However, as the firefights in the docking bays increase in pitch there is a corresponding increase in missed shots scourging blackened burnt track along the walls. Mistress Clean’s forces don’t break the fight to clean, of course, they’re not automata. But Mistress Clean herself’s orders become increasingly erratic as it struggles to prioritise between its new responsibilities as battle commander and its age-old responsibilities as cleaning supervisor. Units are just as often ordered to report to cleaning stores seven as they are to reinforce docking bay 3, and the confusion and lack of central direction this causes eventually gives the battle to the invaders.
GLO Victory! GLO gain control of Region 8!
The Eucrus Alliance and Illuminated Utopian invade Region 19
Still under the aegis of the Illuminate Utopian’s space supremacy, General Mata Vai (Mil 8) leads two units of alliance troops in an attempt to expand the alliance’s land. From the start, General Vai had decided this battle could be won by waiting until they could see “the whites” of their eyes and Alliance troops are deployed with this tactic in mind.
They are met by a numerically superior force of four units led by Puppetmaster Valix (Mil 2) variously called “the Puppetmaster”, “the Manipulator”, or “the Power behind the Throne”. His titles are inaccurate though - decades ago there was a true master manipulator as a power behind the throne. So effective was she at this task that her son took the throne and the various epithets his mother had held became little more than titles of this new dynasty. Now, despite his sinister sounding title he is an average example of the weak chinned minor rulers that were never seriously considered for the elect.
General Mata Vai [TEA] (Mil 8) succeeds in using Point-Blank Ordnance (+2 Battle, +10% enemy casualties)
In truth, a highly trained experienced General was always going to be more than a match for “the Shadow” and the Eucrus Alliance find little problems. Valix attempts to move his troops forwards together in a measured advance but Vai’s point blank ordnance blows holes in their lines and they lack the morale to hold. The initial campaign is essentially over after that first engagement but final consolidation takes much longer; the scattered native troops constantly reforming, fighting minor skirmishes and then fleeing again to reform in a different configuration elsewhere. Sadly, a manner of fighting that General Vai’s use of ordnance is less effective against. Of course, this is all a coda and the ultimate end was never in doubt.
TEA Victory! Natives lose 2 units! TEA gain control of Region 19!
The Bironian Bulwark Civil War
With the mortal threat of the Black Cloud Coalition literally on the horizon, Admiral Kazi of the Order of Sodium fires up the engines of those starships still loyal to him and takes to the sky above the sky. But he is not the only Bironian to do so, and Bironian forces belonging to the Neon Syndicate, aided by Hǎi Píng of the Black Cloud Coalition, rapidly dismember what little defense the Loyalists can put up. It might have been a more protracted battle had Kazi not been, in a shocking turn of affairs, abducted directly off his flagship, leaving his outnumbered forces in disarray. Syndicate orbital superiority is trivially achieved and the pirates begin broadcasting jamming signals to interfere with Loyalist coordination on the “ground”.
Archknight Yanji Argon faces odds no less stacked against him as he attempts to defend the Biron Crosspaths from the onslaught of pirates and traitors, but a knight who returned from death surely cannot fall here, not now! Captain Jie Meifeng’s piratical air force attempts to push the Loyalists to their breaking point, exploiting their greater maneuverability and space support to strike from nowhere and vanish just as quickly, but the Archknight’s defenders are at first able to keep up with the assault, and it seems as though Fate might agree with Yanji. But as the civil war rages on, it becomes evident that he cannot be everywhere at once, and with the House of Lithium refusing to provide aid, his forces are too exhausted and outnumbered to continue. Though the Loyalists inflict favorable casualties and suffer few themselves, these tactical victories are insufficient to stop one strategic breakthrough after another, one small group of Knights perhaps left encircled on a lesser airship while another might be overrun in the streets of the Flagstone as the Coalition forces steadily move inward. There is no formal capitulation: when Jie Meifeng reaches the Council chambers, the Archknight is already gone.
The Neon Syndicate, assisted by BCC, is victorious in the Bironian Civil War! BIR loses 1 space unit! BCC loses 1 ground unit! See Terror for further events in the civil war....
The Radiant Republic of Erisdor invades Eskor (Region 30)
A minor Radiant Republic Captain has his chance for glory when he is put in charge of the Erisdor space fleet. No substantial opposition is expected from the collapsing Union of Eskor, and these expectations are met. Still, the Captain does a competent job of securing the space and of supporting the ground troops and a promotion isn’t unthinkable.
On the ground, Aine Uistein (Mil 9) leads three Republic units in a series of meticulously planned attacks on regional government offices and centers of civilian control, attempting to first paralyze and then control the organs of government. The Starborn Champion (Mil 8) and the three units of the Starborn Disciples stand in the Republic’s way - a priest of the Fallen Star, self-appointed guardian of the Cult’s truth, and farmers, millers, sailors and soldiers alike who rose to support him as his Starborn Disciples. He is not unused to combat, and his forces’ survival of the chaos in Eskor can attest to their discipline and ability.
The Starborn Disciples put up a good fight at first, using the dense and confusing terrain of the orchards to lure in and trap small Erisdor forces, but they prove unable to weather orbital fire support for long. With no ability to contest the Radiant Republic’s space superiority, they are gradually driven back, hedgerow by hedgerow, in a series of suburban skirmishes. With fighting nearing the capital and two-thirds of the Disciples killed, wounded, or missing, Aine Uistein offers the opportunity to preserve what is left of Eskor, and after negotiations, the Union accepts. Republic troops enter the Union capital without firing a shot, annexing another member of the Elect.
RRE victory! RRE loses 1 unit! RRE gains Region 30! RRE Impresses Region 30's Government!
The Fiorid Principality of Verdalfheim invades Region 35
With full control of the Verdalf forces, Arni dei Fiori (Mil 9) seizes upon this opportunity to claim the southern peninsula beyond the Mezzavegg. The are supported by Hinrik dei Fiori (Mil 5) and the full power of the Principality space fleet.
The southern combatants (in as much as they could even be considered combatants) are nominally under the command of the Son of Dejan. Their defense forces are comprised of four volunteer legions, though their training has atrophied over years of peace.
Arni dei Fiori [ALF] leads his troops in Relentless Butchery (+20% enemy casualties)
Orbital bombardment begins before the southern forces are even aware of the invasion. The fleet takes out communications arrays and command posts ahead of the ground invasion. Fortifications along the Mezzavegg fell within hours of the initial bombardments. By the time the Son of Dejan was able to muster any real resistance they had already retreated halfway across the region. Arni dei Fiori had prepared for a full six month campaign. He had expected to have to slowly and torturously carve his way south. He relished the thought. Instead when he went to meet the Son of Dejan on the field on the second day of battle the southern forces crumbled. The best of them had died in their beds the morning of the initial bombardment. In his own way, Hinrik had the last laugh.
ALF Victory! Natives Lose 2 Units! ALF gain control of Region 35!
Eilif Dhaoine invades The Flowering Lands (Region 42)
Eilif Dhaoine invades the Flowering Lands, once controlled by the Cerulean Kingdom. While Queen Ausiliatrice Vitelli once ruled, those of Eilif Dhaoine find only the Queen's Deputy struggling to hold things together with minimal backing from local leadership, and only a ragtag group of militia to truly keep the area safe. Still, that ragtag group on the ground is able to push back against Giomad of Fairnead's orders to bleed the defenders dry! Yet, Podrick Ceave is undefended against, and has clear ability to make a careful advance; once in position, responding begrudingly to Giomad's command, Ceave and their ships are able to turn the tide easily within Eilif Dhaoine's victory. It seems that the Cerulean Kingdom would sail among the Elect once more... under new leadership: Clagath of Deargabh.
ELD Victory! No units lost. ELD gains region 42!
The Durats of Burtzlund and White Pawns invade Region 110
In a coalition of forces, the White Pawns and the Durats of Burtzlund work together to acquire the Firmament colony (110). Captain Sekira's leadership and the Durats eagerness results in some miscommunications on how tactics are handled, allowing for the vaunted Techrunner and their Minosian Defenders to seem to have the upper hand as the measured advances of both armies circle each other in a deadly dance on the ground. Ultimately, however, with the aid of the White Pawns and Durats bombardments from uncontested space, the Techrunner has no choice but to surrender the Firmament to Captain Sekira's command... a command that is promptly turned over to the Durats of Burtzlund.
WTP + RAT victory! No units lost. RAT gains region 110!
The House of Fire invades Region 81
The House of Fire makes inroads to attempt to claim the relatively small Mekhalan colony to their northwest. Their endeavor to do so, led by Turtanu-Ziqpu Ra'ima, is swiftly met with an understudy of the still-captive Litigator Prime, a commander who simply refers to himself as The Clerk. Ra'ima is quick to order their space units to maneuver in the practiced manner of In the Light of the Chastising Stars, which has the Clerk's ships chasing them every which way at first... but the battle sharply turns. Rather than missiles or laser-fire, the Clerk's ships broadcast debilitating electronic warfare; lengthy user end agreements that have to be read before every round of House of Fire missiles can be fired, terrifying cease and desist orders with so much verbiage and consequences that even the trained forces under Rai'ma's command are confused and broken. One ship's captain becomes so annoyed, she doesn't bother to read the terms of the contract in front of her and just scrolls to the end and - apparently - clicks 'Accept'. Her ship blows up, and her entire crew is lost. Only from the remains is the House of Fire able to piece this together later. Thoroughly frustrated, and fearing further reprisal, Turtanu-Ziqpu Ra'ima orders a retreat; ship crew avoid the commander for days, hearing the constant frustrated mutterings of "Lawyers! They fight with Lawyers! That's a war crime!"
Defender victory! HOF loses 1 Space Unit.
The Dwarven Industrial Coalition invades Region 95
Fresh from victory in the Great Bar Brawl antispinward of the Central Claims, Dr. Horace Thorn returns to the Industrial Coalition's capital with a second round of aggression. Aiming to secure the space between the Central Claims and the new exclave, he launches a surprise attack on the region in between, bombarding them with drones and missiles in a devastating first strike. Despite suffering substantial losses, the defenders put up a good fight, with their commander singlehandedly destroying a number of dwarven ships in close-range combat. Unfortunately for the region's independence, however, their tactical victories do not equate to strategic success, and the tempo of the campaign is always set by Dr. Thorn up until the very last note.
DIC victory! DIC loses 1 space unit! DIC gains region 95!
Basu-Rahaman Presents: Live Reports on the Veehran Conflagration!
"This is Janni Rasan, with Basu-Rahman Group coming to you live from the ground on Veehra, where local politics are boiling over! We have reports of multiple factions condensing like so little rain here on Veehra."
"That's right, Janni. I'm Rimble Task, your eye in the sky. Things are really kicking off here in orbit. We have three fleets competing for control! The first is commanded by God-King Okan Kiniun himself."
"I wouldn't want to tangle with him."
"No, you wouldn't Janni. They don't call him God-King for nothing. He has clear control of the field despite fielding comparatively few ships. Seems like he's really setting the tempo up here." Rimble pauses for canned laughter to play. "But seriously, this is no laughing matter. The Arvaxine Populate has fielded their own fleet, led by an unknown commander."
"Sounds like a rough first day."
"Too true, Janni, too true. Despite a numerical advantage, the God-King just has them out maneuvered. But wait? What's that? Emperor no, it's..."
The feed cuts to static briefly.
"Sssnake newsss, with your hossts, Snaka Sela and Hashu Tend! We've interrupted local broadcasts to bring you LIVE SNAKING SNEWS from the war front. Our glorious champion, Void-leader Seraphine, is commanding the combined forces of the Twilight League, the Soom-Clan Marauders, and our glorious Sorcerers of New Kaldora. After weeks of feinting and mind games, the real engagement has begun. Coalition forces outnumber the so called god-king and Arvaxine forces combined. It seems superior tactics only go so far against superior numbers."
"It's hard to get a clear view of the action, but Coalition ships are engaging the Cloudburst Confederation's fleet at close range. Those are New Kaldoran pleasure yachts, right in the thick of it. They truly are the bravest of us, Snaka."
"We are truly blessed to witness this today, Hashu..."
"What do you mean they overrode the feed? *****ING FIX IT."
"AND we're live! We seem to be having technical trouble, but right now we're getting reports that some psychopathic sorcerers from New Kaldora have crashed their yachts into the God-King's personal ship. The Cloudburst forces are scattering under heavy losses, and even the Arvaxing Populate forces seem cowed by this act of... terror."
"Rimble, I'm hearing reports that escape pods were seen descending towards the planet. It seems that God-King Okan Kinium has survived against all odds."
"That's a ray of light on this dark day, Janni. I'm hearing that Void-leader Seraphine has issued a statement claiming orbital control, and it seems like no one is left to challenge her. In the aftermath it seems that the Sorcerers of New Kaldora and the Cloudburst Confederation have each lost a fleet, while the Arvaxine Populate space forces have managed to withdraw with no losses."
TWI/SCM/SNK coalition wins the Veehra Space Front. SNK and CBC lose 1 unit each.
"We're going to go ahead and cut to our informant on the ground outside our Veehra base in [Region 55]."
The feed cuts to screams and explosions, before immediately returning to Janni.
"Sorry, it appears the orbital bombardment has already begun."
"We've got a fresh sscoop from our informants embedded with Soom-Clan infantry. They've crushed Antithotron's resistance and seized the region. It seems they picked up new allies in the righteous armies of High Ishtanos, who are in this war to crush that fake news organization, Basu-Rahman Group, for their insulting advertising and frankly subpar reporting. Warlord Sigrid lead the coalition through a chaotic situation on the ground, as Arvaxine Populate forces seem to have made a play to capitalize on the destabilization of the region before being smashed out of the way."
"Orbital support really took Antithotron's artillery to task here, Hashu. They weren't able to put up nearly as much of a fight even when they could decide who to shoot at."
"And I don't think the Warlord ever had any intention of letting them sort it out."
"She did not. Her forces smashed the opposition lines like it was just another training exercise. In the end Antithroton chose to surrender to Ishtahn forces, probably hoping they'd be more merciful than the Warlord."
"They're probably right."
SCM victory! Defenders lose 2 units! SCM loses 1 unit! ISH loses no units! AVP loses 1 unit! SCM gains Region 55! SCM captures Antithotron!
"It's been a rough few months here on Veehra, but we've finally got some good news. Our live thick-of-the-action crews embedded with Count Federico of [Region 56] discovered a scandal cutting to the very core of this conflict! The Metagenic Turk, a supposed genetically engineered automaton, predestined for this battle, is nothing more than a drone! Our brave reporters have tracked down it's operating crew and ripped the lid off this deception.
"Furthermore with the deceit revealed local support for the Turk has crumbled. Their troops deserted in record numbers, but not fast enough to keep from locking the Soom-Clan forces in a classic Veehran quagmire. Taking advantage of distracted coalition space forces and the slow Soom-Clan troops, General Olodolo of the Cloudburst Confederation was able to seize the capital, establishing control of the region. From there General Olodolo was able to rally his troops, and in the end Yaki Soom and Count Frederico were forced to withdraw!
CBC victory! Defenders lose 2 units! SCM loses 1 unit! CBC gains Region 56!
"We have new reports that a detachment of the pathetic forces of the Cloudburst Confederation has gotten lost! Yes, so-called 'Prince' Aki Kinuin has taken his royal guard to fight stubborn fishmongers on the northern seacoasts. Has nobody told him where the war is, Snaka?"
"Haha, clearly not, Hashu, but not only has he wandered away from the main fronts, the prince was soundly thwarted by the Grandmaster."
"He lost to fishermen?!"
"That he did, Hashu! The Grandmaster clearly has a well-deserved reputation, and the whole series of battles played out as if the Grandmaster was guiding both sides. The little Prince never missed a chance to misstep, and with Void-leader Seraphine still controlling orbit there was no hope of air support. Eventually the Grandmaster's forces trapped the royal guard in a basin and was able to blast them back to Agbada."
"We've learned today that Prince Aki Kinuin was able to escape from [Region 53] with a handful of troops despite heavy losses and make it back to Cloudburst Confederation holdings. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family in this trying time."
Defender victory! CBC loses 1 unit!
Units Raised
ARV raises 1 ground unit and 2 space units. AVP exceeds its unit cap and loses 1 ground unit and 1 space unit.
COV raises 2 space units
DIC raises 1 ground unit
GLO raises 1 space unit
HOF raises 2 space units
ILU raises 1 space unit
ISH raises 1 ground unit
KRB raises 1 space unit
RAT raises 1 ground unit and 1 space unit
SCM raises 1 ground unit
SNK raises 1 space unit
TWI raises 1 ground unit
Schemes!
Coercion, betrayals, and spycraft
Three Kanites are forcibly ejected from the grounds of the Imperial Embassy in Region 21! Apparently they used the ongoing discussions between White Pawns leaders and the local regional government as cover to acquire passcodes for the Embassy complex and broke in under the dead of night. The White Pawns officially denounce their actions, and they claim they only wanted to learn more about the Emperor’s majesty and long, storied history. The Empire, for its part, seems mildly amused by the attempt, and issues no censure save a restriction on the infiltrators returning to the Embassy. A warning is issued, though; further offenses will not be treated so leniently.
Coedd has been a presence and an ally in the Arkhive for so long that forms that were previously completed in triplicate are now completed in quadruplicate so a copy can be sent to Coedd. The chief linguist from Coedd at the Arkhive now wears a badge labeled “Chief Spy.” Coedd openly gains one Contact in the Arkhive Æternal
In what might be seen as potential future retribution for the Khylokian assaults on Biarbu Electronic Edibles harvesting operations, the Biarbu Society begins recruiting citizens of the Reign of Blood sympathetic or bribable enough to cooperate. BRB openly gains one Contact in KRB
A series of what the Glix government dubs “anti-burglaries” takes place in Parrot’s Perch, targeting members of the Ancestral Queens cult. Nothing is taken, but something is left: Audiobooks and hand-drawn schematics describing the science and construction of watercraft (along with what appear to be notes on chemical biomarkers and pheromone communication). The Combined Commonwealth of Glix gains the Wet Navy Ships technology!
In the wake of the Dhaoine’s invasion, the locals of Region 41 seem frightened enough to search for a foreigner to counterbalance their new rulers. GLO gains control of TP 2 in Region 41 for Uniforms
With the Union and others regarding the region with skepticism, labor exporters on Veehra move towards closer relationships with the Glorious Purifiers. GLO coerces TP 2 in Region 70 for Corvée Labor
Terror!
Violence, upheaval, murder, and destruction
On behalf of the Fiorid Principality of Verdalfheim, a small fleet of ships led by Barun khysee-Guyu of the Khylokian Reign of Blood is sent to a designated rendezvous point near Sansar. They soon receive garbled radio contact ordering them to leave the Elder Blood dossier onboard and disembark, and the Khylokians exit once again for Mekhala. Careful observers witness a small shuttlecraft depart shortly thereafter from the underside of Firmament (corresponding to Region 109). It travels to the rendezvous point, disgorging a number of bulky, ambiguously humanoid figures who spacewalk over to take control of the Khylokian ships. Careful and uncareful observers alike note the violent departure of the commandeered ships shortly thereafter, blasting up and out of the orbital plane into deep space, followed by a second automated shuttlecraft departing Firmament: this one travels downwards to Sansar, landing near Radicefst and opening to reveal Eydis dei Fiori, who has to be cut out of the pile of seatbelts and straps holding her in place for re-entry.
With the knightly orders of the Bironian Bulwark in disarray following their defeat at the hands of the Black Cloud Coalition, the leadership of almost every warring faction falls into chaos….
Archknight Yanji Argon has disappeared! Rumor claims that as the battle turned against him, he escaped the Biron Crosspaths by secret tunnels and fled to Anjahar, concealing himself in a shipping case of synthetic protein. However, no one in the victorious Coalition, the defeated Bulwark, or the Eucrus Alliance can confirm his location. For now, he seems to have vanished from the face of Tekhum….
Admiral Kazi of the Order of Sodium has been abducted! Bridge crew on his flagship noted an unusual silence coming from his quarters, and after receiving no response to knocks, entered to find a Bironian-sized hull breach to vacuum and the Admiral gone! At first assuming an assassination, the flagship scanned for evidence of the culprits, but instead discovered the Admiral’s space-suited body being loaded onto a personal long-range space vessel. Pressed by Coalition forces, the fleet was unable to successfully pursue the kidnappers, and Admiral Kazi disappeared, bound for one of the outer orbits….
Neon Syndicate Treasurer Boyin has been murdered! A small group of Syndicate mercenaries, citing various grievances including dissatisfaction with their pay, breaches security perimeters and breaks into his office, where they hold a kangaroo court to decide the Treasurer’s fate: execution. Remembering the Archknight’s miraculous survival, the mercenaries decide to make doubly sure that the “kingpin” will not be returning, and blow his head off with a heavily modified shotgun before dumping his corpse out of a nearby window into the Cloud Sea. Syndicate security is able to subdue and capture most of the mercenaries, but too late to save Treasurer Boyin….
Of the leaders of the four factions, only General Shi Lithium remains unscathed - and in possession of the Sword of Revolutions, claimed from Yanji in his humiliating leadership duel. Whether this is the power of the sword or merely the whims of Fate is unknown, but with the civil war still unresolved, no one can afford too many mistakes.
The Khylokians are intrigued by alien biology, to the extent that it can expand the field of sanguimancy. They collect blood samples of a few avian-like traders, bypassing the more polite consent forms for fluid harvesting.
The Khylokian Reign of Blood sacks TP 1 in Shiwa Yun (Region 6) for Electronic Edibles, gaining 1 treasure. The TP becomes open. BRB spends 1 treasure on their failed resistance
Vesperites enjoy varied and engaging pastimes, such as book burning and cattle rustling.
The Twilight League sacks TP 1 in Region 66 for Spellbooks, both spending and gaining 1 treasure. The TP becomes open.
The Twilight League attempts to sack TP 1 in Ishtahnos (Region 65) for Veehran Aurochs, spending 1 treasure and failing
Organizations!
The Imperial Court
The Imperial Court thanks all those who have contributed to the current project of the Imperial College, both in access to records and more substantial research assistance.
ALF has contributed one fluff piece and two actions.
ARK has contributed one fluff piece.
BAF has contributed one fluff piece.
BIR has contributed one fluff piece and two actions.
BCC has contributed one fluff piece and two actions.
BRB has contributed one fluff piece.
CBC has contributed one fluff piece and one action.
COE has contributed one fluff piece.
COV has contributed one fluff piece and two actions.
CUS has contributed one fluff piece and two actions.
ELD has contributed one fluff piece.
FBC has contributed one fluff piece.
GCC has contributed one fluff piece and two actions.
GLO has contributed one fluff piece and one action.
HOB has contributed one fluff piece.
HOF has contributed one fluff piece.
ILU has contributed one fluff piece and one action.
ISH has contributed one fluff piece.
KRB has contributed one fluff piece.
LSP has contributed one fluff piece and one action.
MIR has contributed one fluff piece.
MSQ has contributed one fluff piece.
SEV has contributed one fluff piece and one action.
SCM has contributed one fluff piece and one action.
SNK has contributed one fluff piece and one action.
TAV has contributed one fluff piece and one action.
TEA has contributed one fluff piece and one action.
UHS has contributed one fluff piece and two actions.
UNC has contributed one action.
WIC has contributed one fluff piece and two actions.
RAT has contributed one fluff piece.
Once again, the Dwarves promise the legend of the Progenitor. Once again, it does not eventuate, and now, it is too late. Though scholars would be interested to hear it, no rewards will be offered to the Dwarven Industrial Conglomerate.
The project is now completed, and the promised rewards are shared.
Receiving 1 Treasure: ARK, BAF, BRB, COE, ELD, FBC, HOB, HOF, ISH, KRB, MIR, MSQ, UNC, RAT
Receiving 3 Treasure: CBC, GLO, ILU, LSP, SEV, SCM, SNK, TAV, TEA
Receiving 3 Treasure and 1 EMP Favour: ALF, BIR, BCC, COV, CUS, GCC, UHS, WIC
The Empire appreciates the diplomatic outreach of the following…
ALF rises to EMP Rep 1.
COV rises to EMP Rep 1.
CUS rises to EMP Rep 3.
HOF rises to EMP Rep 1.
LSP rises to EMP Rep 1.
SNK rises to EMP Rep 1.
Caipe Ushere is welcomed to the ranks of the Imperial Senate, where they will enjoy great power and influence!
The following members of the Elect are thanked for their payments. They have been dutifully logged by the Imperial Tax Collectors.
ARK pays 1 treasure to EMP
WIC pays 1 treasure to EMP
CUS pays 1 treasure to EMP
UHS pays 1 treasure to EMP
MIR pays 1 treasure to EMP
TWI pays 1 treasure to EMP
ISH pays 1 treasure to EMP
BAF pays 1 treasure to EMP
MSQ pays 1 treasure to EMP
BRB pays 1 treasure to EMP
HOB pays 1 treasure to EMP
WTP pays 1 treasure to EMP
The following shall know the Emperor’s… displeasure.
Though the merchants of the region of Coedd plead for exemption in the consideration of Coedd’s conduct, their pleas fall on deaf ears. “If you were so concerned with the failure of your overlords to pay taxes,” one memo states, “why didn’t you just pay them yourselves?” COE falls to EMP Rep -1.
It seems the people of Eilif Dhaoine consider themselves above the Emperor’s law. ELD falls to EMP Rep -1.
No amount of financial trickery can disguise that the Federation of Badalian Chaebols did not pay so much as a kroesid to the Empire. FBC falls to EMP Rep -1.
The project of human improvement is no excuse to neglect worldly affairs. UNC falls to EMP Rep -1.
Republican sentiment is perfectly acceptable, but neglecting Imperial taxes is less so. RRE falls to EMP Rep -1.
Diplomatic outreach from the Fiorids offsets the displeasure of the Court for their failure to pay taxes. ALF remains at EMP Rep 0.
It does not matter how nicely appointed their ships are, the Glorious Purifiers still neglected to pay their taxes. GLO falls to EMP Rep -1.
It seems the Cloudburst Confederation have mistaken the hiding of the sun’s gaze by the clouds for hiding the gaze of the Empire. CBC falls to EMP Rep -1.
The Empire is less than impressed with the decision of the Arvaxine to fight wars rather than pay taxes. AVP falls to EMP Rep -1.
Much like with their promised mytho-histories, the Dwarves fail to deliver. DIC falls to EMP Rep -1.
Pan-Tekhum Worker’s and Trader’s Union
The Union thanks the following for their show of solidarity…
SCM rises to WTU Rep 1.
CAS rises to WTU Rep 2.
Inspectors will deliver their reports once they are tabulated. In the meantime, records are published of where has accepted inspections, and where they have been rejected.
ARK welcomes Union inspectors
BRB welcomes Union inspectors
GLO welcomes Union inspectors
DIC welcomes Union inspectors
SCM welcomes Union inspectors
RAT welcomes Union inspectors
RRE welcomes Union inspectors
CBC welcomes Union inspectors
GCC welcomes Union inspectors
CUS welcomes Union inspectors
BCC welcomes Union inspectors
LSP welcomes Union inspectors
SEV welcomes Union inspectors
MIR welcomes Union inspectors
BAF welcomes Union inspectors
UNC welcomes Union inspectors
RRE welcomes Union inspectors
Coedd’s silence is not received favorably, but ultimately the merchants are the ones whose conduct the Union is interested in. COE accepts inspection.
The Union is unimpressed by the response of the United Houses, but technically, their clerks concede through gritted teeth, they do have a duty to demonstrate qualification in the location of their intended inspections, however odious they find them. UHS is considered to have delayed their inspection, but will likely be looked on unfavourably.
The Union does not take kindly to being given the run-around; theirs is a moral mandate, not a legal one. Still, the desired forms will be obtained. ILU is considered to have delayed their inspection, but will likely be looked on unfavourably.
Without access, permission for inspections is meaningless. ALF is considered to have refused inspection, and loses 1 WTU Rep.
RRE spends a Diplomacy action to enact workplace reforms. This will favourably affect their inspection.
RRE gains 1 treasure for raising an Arcology
BIR gains 1 treasure for raising an Arcology
BAF gains 1 treasure for raising an Arcology
The Basu-Rahman Group
The Houses will be well-informed. UHS goes into one favour debt with BRG.
The Basu-Rahman Group opens its offices to certain interested parties…
ELD rises to BRG Rep 1.
BCC rises to BRG Rep 1.
SEV rises to BRG Rep 1.
UHS rises to BRG Rep 1, spending 1 Treasure.
Badal has become a hotspot for Basu-Rahman media, and a planetary subsidiary is created- Perfect Media, a company dedicated to showing you the true potential of all sophonts. Building A Better You, Together.
UHS submits their media support to Full-Spectrum Media Packages. UHS gains 2 Treasure and rises to BRG Rep 2.
BCC submits their media support to Full-Spectrum Media Packages. BCC gains 2 Treasure and rises to BRG Rep 2.
BRB submits their media support to Full-Spectrum Media Packages. BRB gains 2 Treasure and rises to BRG Rep 1.
The Bugulon Fighting Network, previously a niche survivalist channel, suddenly skyrockets under joint Eilif Dhaoine and Basu-Rahman attention to become a local news hub. FIGHT BUGS! ELD submits their media support to Full-Spectrum Media Packages. ELD gains 2 Treasure and rises to BRG Rep 2.
ILU demands that BRG issue an apology for the now infamous “elf slaves” advertisement, signed also by TEA and RAT. An official statement is being prepared.
Renown
The pirate life is more than just romanticized; it is now seen as the ideal by many across Tekhum. BCC rises to Renown 4.
There is a reason that they are called the Glorious Purifiers. GLO rises to Renown 3.
Hunkering down in a fortress does little to change minds of those who dismissed the Glix Commonwealth previously, but it is still impressive. FCC rises to Renown 2.
Bafatis colonization efforts will be well-equipped, which intrigues many. BAF rises to Renown 3.
It is difficult to find glory while hiding from the sun, but the prowess of the Cloudburst Confederacy still turns heads. CBC rises to Renown 2.
The Soom-Clan Marauders, previously largely quiet, stride into moderate fame as exemplary warriors. SCM rises to Renown 1.
Badal is not a place that lends itself well to traditional terrestrial fortification, but the United Houses of Senkar have managed it. UHS rises to Renown 1.
Shades of flashing neon on the Bironian arcology draw in attention, and distract from civil war. BIR rises to Renown 1.
An ancient Imperial saying (allegedly) has it that even a pawn may become a queen, and the White Pawns are moving towards that goal surely enough. WTP rises to Renown 1.
Though space battle is colder and less personal than the war on the ground, space war has still brought the Twilight League to the attention of many. TWI rises to Renown 1.
Though Coedd may seem vibrant, terrible things lurk in the shade. That they are invited does not make them less terrible. COE drops to Renown 0.
Though the mighty deeds of the hunters of bugulons carried them to fame, it seems that cooler heads prevailing has reduced their stature on the interplanetary stage. ELD drops to Renown 3.
Snake News is very popular on Veehra, but, perhaps counter-intuitively, it draws eyes away from New Kildora and onto the objects of their reporting. SNK drops to Renown 2.
Aggressive interplanetary action may have propelled the Illumined Utopian forward, but it has done little to keep them in the limelight. ILU drops to Renown 2.
The Biarbu keep to the shadows, which makes it hard to stay seen. BRB drops to Renown 1.
Solid performance really isn’t flashy, and that does matter for the fame of Wicklund in the long run. WIC drops to Renown 1.
The Iron Masquerade’s fortress is interesting for some, but nothing novel in the landscape of Veehra. MSQ remains at Renown 2.
The delight and joy the Llort seem to take in the spotlight keeps all eyes on them. LSP remains at Renown 4.
Bonus Renown is no longer available in Badal, Veehra, or Mekhala for the Raise Fortress action.
Bonus Renown is no longer available on Veehra for the Found Holy Order action.
Bonus Renown is no longer available in any orbits for Cultural Identity, Organize Faith, or Construct Arcology actions. Bonus Renown is no longer available in any orbits for battles.
Bonus Renown is still available for Great Works in all orbits. Bonus Renown is still available for Fortresses on Sansar.
Other…
Following the untimely death of former High Siifoh Ssilaan Tikaar, the Syyvine Hydra selects a new High Siifoh, one known for outspoken isolationist views. Though remaining among the Elect, Nadiratna closes itself off to the outside worlds. Nadiratna ceases to be a player country. Region 68 becomes an unowned region with 3 units.
With government attention consumed by staving off ecological collapse in the Ethen Retreat, the Ethen Guard likewise undergoes its own inward turn. The Ethen Guard ceases to be a player country. Region 93 becomes an unowned region with 2 units.
The collapse of several Elect countries, and the violent conquest of two others, leaves a power vacuum for new Elect to emerge. The Shattered Coven swiftly comes to prominence in Mekhala, but others may soon follow….
After years of intense internicene fighting, the Merely Players have re-emerged on the solar stage! MRP regains The Globe (Region 98), and all faction supports and one Trade Post therein.
Headmistress Elsith Relg puts out a request for new students and skilled lecturers at the Old Tavisham Academy!
The Sssorcerersss of New Kildora found SSSNAKE NEWSSS, an independent journalisssm foundation with Veehran ethicsss and integrity at itsss heart!
With the ascendancy of the Cloudburst Confederation over Region 56 and the defeat of his Soom-Clan sponsors, Count Federico and his household retreat to Planum Khassia alongside Yaki Soom. Despite the defeat (and some early skepticism over his credentials, raised by the live Basu-Rahman camera crew following him around at all times), he remains incredibly grateful to the Elect who backed him. Messages of thanks to all those who offered him sanctuary are dispatched and Chieftess Varsa Soom is offered her choice of his son or daughter, Leopoldo or Cosma of Region 56, in dynastic union. The Soom-Clan may gain a weak marriage claim to Region 56 as a non-action this round, by marrying into Count Federico’s family!
The magical practitioners sent by the Iron Monarch to investigate the Great Western Waste’s temporal anomaly return to Narsai as stymied as the Castaways’ own temporal researchers. The unexplored magical angle shows some promise at first, but skill in soul-binding proves difficult to transfer to time-binding, and some of the investigators begin to suffer from extreme cases of time blindness and deja vu after long weeks spent studying the Loop. Their most important conclusion is simply confirming that the phenomenon is bizarre and probably unique in Tekhum, and that it could potentially be magical in origin, though if it is sustained by magic, the technique is totally unfamiliar to the Masquerade.
The Usheret novelist gratefully accepts the chance for a speaking tour in the Arkhive. Though not a Coedd worshipper himself, he sees no reason to turn down interplanetary fame (or his speaker’s fees).
An international research team, headed by one Dr. Otara, has released the most complete computer simulation of the formation of Tekhum to date. Amazingly, their model explains various well-known orbital irregularities and gravitational disturbances by suggesting that an eighth planet, nicknamed “Planet VIII”, formerly orbited Ophon within the orbit of Badal. Objections pour in from two different academic camps, firstly that an entire planet could not have been so completely destroyed without leaving any trace and secondly that the immense tidal forces in such a close orbit of Ophon would surely have shredded Planet VIII before it could ever have gravitationally affected the other planets. The debate seems only to add to Dr. Otara’s fame, though, and she is soon offered interviews on media stations across Tekhum.
Newly placed Utopian customs officials in the Wyrmlands confiscate a padlocked suitcase containing a three-pound hard drive, which is found to hold software programs for a truly staggering number of interactive 4D holo-novels depicting intimate relations between various Elect heads of state. At least half of these involve both Captain Jié Měifēng of the Black Cloud Coalition and Queen Chalise Merole Ebonne d'Laforét of Caipe Ushere, but no adult king or president is spared. The suitcase’s owner, a thoroughly embarrassed middle-aged Cannorian, denies any knowledge of the software, saying he was merely transporting the suitcase between mutual friends of his and was told it contained sensitive business documents for their planned lithium mining operations.