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Syntax Error · February 26

The Wicklund Salvagers
Dip 6 | Mil 1 | Eco 3 | Fai 2 | Int 2
Round 3

Actions:
1: [Dip] Attend Event (the Second Hexenniel Conference for the Liberation of Knowledge and Fostering of Growth in Sansar)

Subactions:

-Accept all technologies (Aclaustrophobic Psychiatry, Algorithmic Imagination, Arcane Amplification, In Vivo Modification, Nuclear Fusion, Xenolinguistic Cataloguing, Badalian Megadirigibles) from ARK

-Pay one treasure to EMP

-Pay one treasure to MSQ

2: [Dip] Press Claim in region 39 (2d6 + 6 (stat) + 1 (renown 1) vs TN 12): Failure

An attempt to integrate the southern plains' government into Wicklund failed; they cited the short time since the marriage as the reason. It seems likely that they're not fully convinced Wicklund will care about their needs.

3: [Dip] Mytho-Historical Data Gathering
4: [Dip] Mytho-Historical Data Gathering
5: [Dip] Diplomatic Mission to region 109 (2d6 + 6 (stat) + 1 (EMP rep 1) vs TN 12): Success

Unlike his mother, Wallace Wicklund has his eyes on the stars. The floating ring Firmament has a section that appears to have a similar climate to Davis Port; if it is inhabited and contact could be made with the people there, it could provide a good place to expand. A mission was sent to investigate the region.

Non-Actions:

1: Allow WTU to do an inspection.

2: Mytho-Historical Data Gathering

Mytho-Historical Data Gathering

While the Davis Salvage Operation only started activity in the region around 600 years ago, much of the history of the era has been lost to poor record-keeping in the early days, documents lost in Davis's collapse, and the Wicklunds' tendency to gloss over Davis's failures. As a result, folk tales about the Davis era abound. These tales range from the implausible (long-lived treasurer Rigby Delson was most likely not a dragon in disguise) to the potentially accurate. One such story relates to Alexis Cavendish, the second leader of the operation, who ran Davis from around 560 to 550 years ago. It is known from surviving financial logs that she had a particularly short tenure running Davis, and that the company lost a significant amount of money at the end of it due to one particularly disastrous salvage. It can be inferred that a significant amount of equipment was lost in exchange for little profit. As the story goes, Alexis had made a deal with an unknown party (usually changed in retellings to a military power nearby) to have some high-grade tungsten alloy out by the end of the year. This kind of deal was common, and usually came after some of the right kind of salvage was already scouted. Alexis, however, was greedy and decided she'd probably find some by the end of the year. Naturally, for the next eight months, no tungsten was scouted, and Alexis, panicked, put more and more of the budget into scouting for it. Conditions for the workers grew harsher and harsher. As the deadline approached and no material was provided, war was threatened. As the deadline grew near, Alexis' employees finally rebelled. After an assassination attempt, Alexis fled for her life, leaving the workers with an impending war. Supposedly, they dismantled their own machines to pay the other party, marking it in the logs as a "salvage operation".

News and Rumors:

Refugees from all over Sansar are welcomed to Davis Port as war displaces more people and the Component Research Facility looks to hire. Food supplies are currently keeping up, but some are nervous about relying on offworld imports.

Bookkeeping:

Bookkeeping

General data:
Ruler (Wallace Wicklund) stats: Dip 6 (+2), Mil 1, Eco 3, Fai 2, Int 2
Regions owned: 1 [40]
Government Supports: 2 [39, 40]
Mercantile Supports: 1 [40]
Media Supports: 1 [40]
Claims: Integration on 40, strong Marriage on 39

Cultural Identity: Sway Faction
Diplomacy data:
EMP reputation: 1
WTU reputation: 1
BRG reputation: 0
Renown: 2 (rolloff at end of round)
Economic data:
Trading Posts owned: 4 [40 TP1, 40 TP2, 25 TP3, 52 TP3]

Arcologies owned: 1 [40, Investigation]
Treasure income: 1
Treasures owned: 3 (-2, expected +4)
Technologies: Pseudogravity Engineering, Wet Navy Ships
Military data:
Ground units: 1
Space units: 1

Edited March 10 by Syntax Error
Mytho-Historical Data Gathering (see edit history)

DKArthas · February 26

The Radiant Republic of Erisdor

Round 3

Regions: Erisdor (32), Cannor (31)

Religion: Cult of Radiance (Unorganized)

Leader: Sovereign Protector Cathal Oirbsiu

Diplomacy 3 +1 Military 7 Economy 6 +1 Faith 2 Intrigue 2

Actions

End of Turn Ruler Increases: +1 Economy, +1 Diplomacy

Attack Region [Military]: Region 30 (Eskor, Sansar) (1 Treasure Spent)

Details

Terrestrial Commander: Marshal Aíne Uistein (score: 9), Space Commander: Sub-Commander (score: 3)
Doctrine: Boot of Liberty: On a TM success, may attempt one Impress action in the region where the battle takes place as a subaction of the battle (Activate to Impress Government)
Units: 3 Ground, 1 Space
Route: 32 -> 31 ->30, no distance losses or space units required (space units are comitted for orbital superiority)
Modifiers: +1 (Treasure spent), +3 (Orbital Superiority)
[Economy] 5 Special: Construct Arcology: Region 32 (Erisdor, Sansar)
- Sub-Action: Gain +1 Treasure from WTU
- The Black Foundry (+1 to Offensive Ground battles): Forged from blackest iron near impervious to heat and built around a dormant volcanic mountain near the coast, a significant portion of the foundry lies underground, descending deep into the earth to reach the red hot magma that helps power its arcane and sophisticated machinery. Here, autonomous mining equipment dig out metals to feed the factories and furnaces in the upper portions of the towering structure, devoted toward breakneck production and manufacturing of a stupendous amount of advanced munitions, aircrafts and armor, nearly single handedly enough to provide for the needs of the entire republican military while the smaller spires standing in the shadow of the colossal tower are home to experimental laboratories and research facilities, filled with those seeking to push the limits of sciences to ever greater heights.
Buyout Trade Post [Economy]: Region 54 (Arvax, Veehra), TP3 (Deuterium) (TN12) (Assist Expected) (DP1) (1 Treasure spent) (+8) (Success)
Attend an Event [Diplomacy]: the Second Hexennial Conference for the Liberation of Knowledge and Fostering of Growth
- Sub-Action: Accept technologies (Aclaustrophobic Psychiatry, Algorithmic Imagination, In Vivo Modification, Nuclear Fusion, Xenolinguistic Cataloguing, Badalian Megadirigibles) from The Arkhive Eternal.
- Sub-Action: Agree to a Non-Aggression Pact with The Arkhive Eternal and officially join the conference as local member should your membership be accepted.
Negotiate Workplace Reforms [Diplomacy] [Freeform]: The Pan-Tekhum Worker's and Trader's Union is coming to inspect the workplaces of the Republic, while normally we would tell them to sod off, we are currently heavily in debt to the union banks. As such we will negotiate with sympathetic parties in the parliament to pass a number of legislations to further improve workplace safety, ensure compliance with existing industrial safety standards on the book and generally convince everyone to be on best behavior for a while.

Nonactions

Oppose all unsupported buyouts
Oppose all unsupported conversion attempt except those from ARK.
Allow WTU workplace inspections.

News and Rumours

The large number of dead and crippled soldiers streaming in from the front has sapped away some of the initial enthusiasm for the military intervention, with opposition groups in the parliament and on the ground criticizing the administration for perceived failures to adequately prepare the military for the war efforts, though for now such talks remains muted due to the overall success of the campaign. How long that lasts remains to be seen...
The growth of the economy has steadily continued, largely accomplished and financed on the back of favorable loans and credit extended to the Republic by the Pan-Tekhum Worker's and Trader's Union. The soaring energy costs still remains a significant roadblock to prosperity however, with many praying that the government backed initiatives to secure supplies of cheap nuclear fuel from distant, war-torn Veehra would finally see some success to conclusively put an end to the energy shortages…
The marriage of Princess Monite Akari Ebonne d’Laforet and Lord Artavasdes II has been greeted with near comedic paranoia and lots of gossip in the streets. Could this move truly be part of some dastardly pan-monarchist plot aimed at harming the Republic as some claim!?
The news of the Florid Principality's laying claim to the entirety of Aridyn has resulted in many furious meetings between the Sovereign Protector and his cabinet, after a few days of deliberation they have publically proclaimed the republic's refusal to acknowledge any such delusional 'claims' of ownership over the entire moon, to near unanimous domestic applause...
Perhaps in hopes of curbing any popular discontent before it materializes, an ambitious bill aimed at improving working conditions and providing increased protections to trade unions has been sponsored by the ruling coalition in the parliament. With additional provisions aimed at providing generous subsidies and tax breaks offered to private enterprises and companies to make the measures more palatable and help in ongoing modernization efforts...Some deride the move as thinly veiled bribe being offered to the citizens of the republic or pandering to union bankers but the initial reception among the wider population and certain political parties has proven positive...

Statistics
Unit Count: 3 Ground, 1 Space
Treasure: 5

Country Information

Special Actions Available: Military 5
Special Actions Used: Military 5

Heir: None

Diplomacy

Reputation/Favours
Imperial Court: Rep 0, 0 Favours (Expected Change: None)
Pan-Tekhum Worker's & Trader's Union: Rep 0, -1 Favours (Expected Change: None)
Basu-Rahman Group: Rep 0, 0 Favours (Expected Change: None)
International Renown: Renown 2

Organisation Bases
None

Embassies
None

Cultural Identities

Great Works
None

Military

Unit Cap: 8 (4 + 2 regions + 2 support)
Ground Units: 3
Space Units: 1

Government Support: 32, 31

Generals
Aine Uistein (Mil 9): Boot of Liberty: On a TM success, may attempt one Impress action in the region where the battle takes place as a subaction of the battle

Admirals
None

Perfected Tactical Doctrines
None

Fortresses
None

Technologies

Active Military Technology

Man-Portable Weapons
Infantry Equipment
Combat Drugs and Medicine
Armored Vehicles
Field Fortifications
Engineered Combat Organisms

Detection and Rangefinding
Ship to Ship Weapons
Orbit to Ground Weapons
Crew and Maintenance
Armor and Shields
Spacecraft Propulsion

Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures
Special Forces
Logistics and Morale

Economy

Treasure: 5 (Expected Change:0)
Treasure Cap: 5

Trade Posts
Effective Total TPs: 6
Treasure Rate: 1

Trade Posts

1. Region 32, TP1, TP3 (Fell Iron) (4)

2. Region 25, TP2 (Chitin Wargear) (1)

3. Region 40, TP3 (Salvaged Components) (1)

Merchant Support: 32

Arcologies

None

Trade Routes
None

Technology	Type	Effect	Requirements	Met?
Arcane Amplification	Starter	None	None	Yes
Wet Navy Ships	Traversal	Ground units can cross oceans	None	Yes

Faith

Media Support: 32

Faith Size: 3
Organised Faith Bonuses
None

Artefacts
None

Holy Orders
None

Miracles
None

Intrigue

Espionage Agency: No

Claims

32 - Integration

Total Passive Effects

Traversal:
- Wet Navy Ships: Ground units can cross bodies of water

Actions:

- Renown: +1 to Establish Claim and Press Claim

Defence:

- Renown: +1 to resist Sway and Impress actions

Misc:

Edited March 10 by DKArthas (see edit history)

MadMapManPK · February 26

The Cloudburst Confederation

Agbada (Region 52)

Agbada.png.6b69708016685162d40639bd727b2467.png

Leader: God-King Okan Kiniun
DIP 2 | MIL 7 | ECO 3 | FAI 7 | INT 1
Expected gains: +1 MIL, +1 FAI

Actions:

[Military] Invade Region 56 with 2 ground units led by General Olodolo (MIL 10) attempting Avva's Watchful Eye and support from 1 space unit led by God-King Okan Kiniun (MIL 7) attempting Overwhelming Tempo. +1 to ground front from Cult of Avva. +1 to ground front from treasure. +1 from Seek Aid.
- Space Front: 7 + 1 = +8
- Ground Front: 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = +15
- In the past years, the people of the region south of the Great Lake of Omi have begun to realize the truth in the God-King's teachings. Unfortunately, the local government appears hesitant to accept these beloved converts. Something about removing the free will of the people...? Who needs free will when Avva can judge your actions for you? Further, the Soom-Clan Marauders have taken it upon themselves to impose a military threat upon Avva's loyal followers... the oppression of this dedicated minority cannot be overlooked any longer. Okan Kiniun calls for an emergency use of the space fleet, demanding that all ships remain in orbit, to support this vital ground front. And who other than he would be fit for the job? His presence amidst the fleet would quell any doubt regarding its usage, for his word is absolute.
[Military] Invade Region 53 with 1 ground unit led by Prince Aki Kiniun (MIL 4) attempting Overwhelming Tempo and support from 1 space unit led by God-King Okan Kiniun (MIL 7) attempting Overwhelming Tempo. +1 to ground front from from Cult of Avva. +2 to ground front from foothold.
- Space Front: TBD
- Ground Front: 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 = +8
- The royal guard is sent along side the Blessed Prince, Aki Kiniun, to finish the job attempted by his father, which has turned out to be a much longer fare than anticipated.
[Military] Inquisition in Agbada (52) to increase Cult of Avva to Sole. Success! (16)
- The entire populace of Agbada now follows the teachings of the one true god, Avva. Worship is mandatory, and ambivalence is to be punished. Further, the God-King makes it clear that while the people should refrain from flying toward their god, traveling away from it may be necessary in this new world of Elect. To prove his point that space can be beneficial when used reverently, he leads the space front of the ongoing battles in a grand conclusion to the unsurprisingly unopposed Agbadan Inquisition.
[Faith] Convert Region 53 to introduce a minority of Cult of Avva. Success! (14)
[Faith] Seek Aid on Ground Front of Invasion of Region 56. Success! (13)

Non-Actions:

Hazardous Conditions Inspection - Allow an inspection - The delegation from the Workers' Union is brought into the capital to view Agbada's largest Sun-Kissed Maize packaging facility, where the corn is washed and wrapped in plastic for distrubution among the urban populace. A loyal Lion advisor to the throne, Lee Urion of House Kiniun, leads the tour, though is guided by an employee who knows the factory at a far more intimate level. The scent of bleach lingers in the air, suggesting that the equipment is commonly sterilized and washed. He assures the delegation that in spite of Agbada's record for being a bit rickety, workers are among the safest citizens because of the glass ceilings. By ensuring that Avva's watchful eye can see the factory workers, not one of them would dare cause incident, whether that be causing harm onto another or failing to submit the rarely needed injury reports (indeed, the Union would likely know at a surface level that Agbadans strongly believe their every action is judged while in sunlight).
Resist all unauthorized actions.

Essential Tracking Information:

Treasure: 1 - 1 = 0
Ground Units: 3
Space Units: 1

News & Rumors:

Johanne Faustine hasn't been heard from nor seen practicing at sea in a few months... House Intanran ensures the Iron Masquerade that she has simply been feeling unwell and has been spending plenty of time in the castles, resting. Her sailing training will resume soon.
The Twilight League is on the God-King's radar. Their willingness to oppose the Confederation without any provocation is worrying and the Agbadans find themselves growing suspicious of their neighboring Vesperites. The border is between Agbada and Vesper is officially closed. Travel to and from the Twilight League is banned by royal decree.

Army Information

Commanders:
General Olodolo the Faithful of Castle Kiniun (MIL 10)
Tactical Doctrine: Avva's Watchful Eye - On Tactical Maneuvering Success, free conversion attempt on target region.

Heir Aki Kiniun

Ground Units:
Castle Kiniun Royal Guard (1 unit)
House Karakal First Division (1 unit)
House Eriali First Division (1 unit)

Edited March 10 by MadMapManPK (see edit history)

Featherscale · February 26

Combined Commonwealth of Glix (GCC)

Prime Minister Chif'Blak, The Parrot's Voice, Head of the Outer Duma

Region 77, Parrot's Perch

Game years 8-10

containing the year of Jubilee

Resources

Embassies= none
Trade Routes= none (Glorious Purifiers Incoming)
Wealth: 1
Income= 0/round

Space Units: 2
Mega-Dreadnought 7 Macaw
Basillica of War: The Anvil

Ground Units: 4
Carrier Groups: Wrath, Exoddus, Oddyssey, Soulstorm

Reputation:
BRG 1
EMP 0
PTW 0

Diplomacy 5
Mil 5
Eco 5
Faith 1
Int 2

Diplomacy- Mytho-Historical Data Gathering

The Emperor calls, there is profit in obedience

Military 5- Raise a Fortress in Parrot's Perch

Though of dubious provenance, the surplus military supplies created by Snimt'Glek are put to good use.

Economy- Buyout TP 87.3 of Space Kelp Success!!

Our herds need fodder, and this is close by...

Economy 5-Create a Trade route with The Glorious Purifiers.

...But the real money is on Sansar. They have food there, apparently.

Non-actions

WTU inspection

The Glix welcome the inspection by the WTU. Bosk Teivosk offers to host them as look at the various Mines and factories, all of which are air gapped from living quarters. Additionally, the Workers on shift are under constant psychic communication with a Queen and have more than adequate PPE to protect their gills and eyes from any noxious chemicals. Additionally, Lepkashramov barriers can be activated to mitigate any failure of the physical bulkheads until suited specialists can repair them.
The Barracks are like a village, with aldermen for each bunkhouse and shops that have a fine array of consumer goods, even if actual food seems unusually pricy. Those in service on Basilica ships have comparable living arrangements and pay, though less access to stores and a more hierarchical structure centered on their Queen.
The Inspectors are free to talk to anyone, and, if they suspect falsehood, are welcome to ask any other Teivosk or Basilica to let them come aboard. They are informed an offer of compensation for their time may encourage them, and they were directed to Bosk because Glim'Bosk convinced the Elder Brother to forgo the customary bribe.

ARKHIVE Cultural notes

cultural notes- Glix Social Units

A recent scare arose among the Glix in regards to the issue of slavery. The Glix do not practice slavery, and look most poorly on the idea. But, in condemnation of the barbaric practice, the more paranoid Glix became concerned their practice of commoditizing unborn Workers might be unfairly group in with the blanket condemnation of "trafficking in sentients."

Apart from any ethical concerns, the right to sell eggs is enshrined in the Glix constitution, the Great Charter, for a practical reason. It was the compromise that ended a deadly civil war.

Once Glix lived in Hives, alliances of related Queens. Oral history implies this was the pre-captivity order of Glix Society, and it re-emerged in Mekhala after the Captivity.

This system was imperfect and imprecise, and the Workers created unofficial groupings, the Teivosks. With each Jubilee, the Teivosks grew relative to the power of the Queens. And they stayed together as Hives calved and spread between lineages even as Queen rule fragmented. Soon they were the tails that wagged the dog.

But conflict arose between two large Teivosks. Violence between Workers, low level skirmishes were rare but not unheard of. They were as much sport as war. But one day, something happened that was the stuff of dark legend- a War of Queens.

By the end, 6 Queens were dead. Thousands of Workers were caught in the crossfire, scores of whom were eventually euthanized before they became vectors of memetic plague as their psionic organs were scarred into dysfunction. But, most terrible of all, the entire generation of juvenile reproductives were put into catatonia. Most eventually died, though a few Nymphs and Drones recovered.

This led to a population crash, a repeat might threaten the survival of the species. In the shock of the aftermath, a conference was called, a conference of every Queen and Teivosk. This conference was eventually organized into the Inner and Outer Duma.

They came to this set of contradictory statements:

1)Every Glix has a right to autonomy

2)Every Glix has a right to community.

ALSO

1)The basic unit is one.

2) One is not sustainable.

A) One Worker will become less
B) One Queen will become More

So it was decided. No more Hives. Every Queen would be equal and live in their own Basilica. The cities of the Glix would be owned not by Queens, but Teivosks. They would be able provided this, and allowed to support themselves further by selling excess eggs to the Teivosks. Any Queen could join a Teivosk, but, in doing so, they would lose their seat in the Inner Duma and their eggs would be the property of their Teivosk. Few Queens accept this offer, but, legally, it exists.

If a Queen could not sell her eggs, she would grow an army. If a Teivosk could not replenish their number, they would die. Neither is desirable. This system works for them, and they are legitimately afraid a change would cause an existential threat to their society.

ARKHIVE: philosophy notes

Glic Philosophy in art

Glic anesthetics are bases on the idea of Slinq*qid, often called "sincere simplicity," or "elegance." This is distinct from, but related to, the Dwarven idea of brutalism. Slinq*did is the idea everything should be exactly what it is, as much as possible. Thus flair is accepted, even expected, but only if it aids, or at least is perpendicular to the purpose of the enterprise. It is also related to the idea of minimalism. "Something is only necessary if it is necessary" is a common Glic aphorism.

To key in on a specific example, the kayak used in the recent race. It did not have a pressurized cabin, because Glix do not suffer from decompression as mammals do, and an open canopy was a more efficient design than windows. The primary propulsion was muscle-based, apart from the ancillary engines, because they were directed analogs to muscle-based vessel components in folklore, and being something else would be deceptive and unnecessary, both. The paint was needed, to protect the metal, so it contained an elaborate mural of a story of Glim the Bard, because, since raw metal was undesirable, a mural is just as good as blank whitewash, so "why not?"

The effects this has had on musical styles in The Combine is profound. There are, as current, three instruments, The Glic Canon, the Theramin, the Harmonica, and the Ocarina. They are typically used in conjunction with vocals as part of operatic narrative ballads. Entire Ballads are written on the virtues of each and how they serve Slinq*qid- but the most notable thing is this- harmony is almost unknown to the Glix, and percussion is unheard of. Each tone is singular. Even the Harmonica, which plays chords, is used as a counter-point to vocals, and each chord is treated as a note.

The introduction of the steel drum as a rationalization of the mixing from the Black Cloud exhibit a few years ago has come as a shock. Even then, though, it is viewed as filtered through Slinq*qid. While the DJs of the Coalition mix sounds percussively, the Glix simply add the simplest possible sound in rhythm.

ARKHIVE: History

Oz'nishk the Devil

This story dates back to the time of the captivity. In those days, it is said that all who lived in The Reserve were Slaves, from the highest Masters who dreaded The Board, to the Queens, who lived in bottles they could never hope to escape, to the Workers whose loyalty was guaranteed by the lives of their mothers, to the human dregs who fears the Glix overseers. It was one of these last who became known as Oz'nisk, the devil.

His name is said to be "son of the city," in Old Glic, because no one knew where he would strike, or even what he was. They just knew a powerful telepath was possessing Workers and using them as puppets to sabotage industrial facilities. The reak of dark magic filled the minds of the Queens whose Workers were taken, and they knew it was a Human.
The Oz'nisk worked to free his fellow workers, and left a body trail of Glix behind him. Eventually, he raised an army and freed the Bugulon. And, in the chaos as his army was devoted by the catastrophe of their own making, the survivors of the Glix freed their Queens and fled to Mekhala.

For they had engineered Oz'nishk's victory, at terrible cost. For they knew they could never escape or even rebel. But they could steer an outside force.

This story is retold to mean different things in different contexts. Generally the themes are either about preserving or knowing the implications of one's actions. Om

Stat increases:

Dip +1, Econ +1

new stats:

Diplomacy 6
Mil 5
Eco 6
Faith 1
Int 2

new leader: no

other:

The Hammer's mil score: 7

Edited March 5 by Featherscale (see edit history)

moossabi · February 26

Fiorid Principality of Verdalfheim (ALF), Round Three
2040-2042

Chancellor Eydis dei Fiori (!!!ABSENT!!!)
Dip: 4 | Mil: 7 | Eco: 4 | Fai: 2 | Int: 2

Acting Chancellor Hinrik dei Fiori (math in leader tab below)
Dip: 3 | Mil: 5 | Eco: 6 | Fai: 1 |Int: 1

Stat Gains: +1 Dip, +1 Eco

Actions

[Military] Invade Region 35 with 4 Ground Units under Arni dei Fiori (Mil9) utilizing the Relentless Butchery (+20% enemy casualties) doctrine, with Sansar space front support from 2 Space Units under Hinrik dei Fiori (Mil5)
Seizing total authority over the Verdalf military in the wake of Eydis' absence, Arni dei Fiori brings the whole of the army against... the south. Many are perplexed by this turn of events, questioning why he wouldn't resume his westward push. One general, a steadfast Eydisite, quips to his compatriots that Arni fears a rematch with Colonel Beldhan, who is said to have defeated the royal's mech in single combat, but when word of this slander reaches Arni he simply laughs. To hear him tell it, the westwards invasion was always a secondary goal acted upon due to Eydis denying him the resources he would have needed to cross the Mezzavegg and seize the historically-elusive southern peninsula. Though it is true that the Verdalfr have always coveted the south, certain high-level aides have admitted that Arni brought up the potential for Colonel Beldhan to intervene in the South multiple times- always as a worst-case scenario. Hinrik, meanwhile, could not care less about the machinations of some enigmatic general from his position at the helm of the Verdalf fleet. He doesn't support the invasion in the slightest, believing that investment in the country's domestic viability is far more critical at this juncture, but it's impossible for him to draw the army's loyalty away from Arni in spite of his brother's many detractors. As such, he associates with the invasion as a matter of personal legitimacy, the illusion of a united front proving more valuable than calling Arni's bluff and losing all credibility.
[Economy][Special E5] Create Trade Route with the Durats (RAT)
Pursuant to relations fostered by Hekla dei Fiori at the first Arkhive conference, Acting-Chancellor Hinrik moves to join the Durats' Solar Trade Center in exchange for promises of technology and ease of future transactions on the interplanetary stage. The government of Verdalfheim also officially declares support for their efforts to secure a slice of the Firmament installation, both to ensure the growth and vitality of a local ally and to keep such a strategic liability out of the hands of hostile interlopers.
[Economy] Colonize Region 103 (TN 12, Roll: 16; SUCCESS)
Not about to let the previous years' sabotage get in the way of his grand designs, Oskar and his Committee of Lunar Inquiry makes the executive decision to exploit the discoveries of the White Pawns for the sake of maintaining the timetable for Aridyin's occupation. The brazenness with which the deeds of a fellow Sansarite power are being overridden raises a number of red flags for the Acting Chancellor, though it's difficult to say if Hinrik could stop Oskar even if he had the spine to put his foot down on this overreach. Furthermore, Oskar issues a public declaration to the rest of the Elect, perhaps overcapitalizing on this miniscule foothold: "Though the White Pawns surely deserve commendation for their first landing, the Committee of Lunar Inquiry cannot accept the security risk posed by conceding a single inch of this astral body to another power. To this end, I hereby declare that Aridyin is to be the sole domain of the Fiorid Principality. There is no condition or threat; this is a notification of fact."
[Diplomacy] Increase Reputation with EMP 0->1 (TN 10, Roll: 12; SUCCESS)
In the interest of bolstering the standing of the declaration above and securing access to the Imperial College of Astronavigators, Oskar tirelessly works away at getting in touch with the various High Lords and making the case for a single Elect exercising complete dominion over Aridyin on their behalf. Whether or not they endorse his geopolitical outlook is anyone's guess, but he offers enough deference to confirm that the Fiorids are unmistakably loyal to the Emperor.
[Diplomacy] Mytho-Historical Data Gathering (second action)
Meanwhile, Hekla is whipped into a frenzy trying to deal with the Imperial tax season, for which she made a critical error by assuming that the rewards for contributing to the Mytho-Historical Data Gathering project would be granted at the time of contribution rather than at the end of the project. This leaves the Fiorids in a particularly tight spot, as taxes are now due and they lack the resources to pay them. Though this failure is a foregone conclusion, Hekla still jury-rigs a political workaround by which a significant portion of the Verdalf intelligentsia will be commissioned to assist the Imperial Court in processing and categorizing their vast intake, an arrangement which should help make up for the absence of tax revenue. However, the will of the Court is still its own, and the High Lords would still have grounds to denigrate the Principality's original inability to pay up.

Nonactions

All members of the Elect are invited to the Elven Conclave of 2044, a general gathering of dignitaries to foster positive foreign relations as well as a contest in which Heads of Faith (or their representatives) are invited to enter a private debate hosted by Oskar dei Fiori and the Druid caste to determine which religion best befits the disposition of the Verdalfr and other Fiorid subject groups. Three tiers of rewards are to be offered in this council: at a base level, every entrant who delivers a sincere pitch will receive the Pseudogravity Engineering technology as compensation for their time, regardless of their performance. Favorable religions will receive permission to proselytize within the lands of the Fiorid Principality (manifesting as support to introduce minorities), and the overall winner of the contest will have unilateral support for all tiers of conversion and, eventually, an official conversion on the part of the Principality. Nonparticipants are still welcome to carouse about the gardens of Radicefst, the capital of Verdalfheim, be it with other attendants or their Fiorid hosts.

News & Rumors

The Fiorid siblings are in a state of complete disarray, assembling at Radicefst for a major interpersonal summit from which nobody seems to emerge in a good mood. The nature of their conference is the talk of the entire land, with citizens swearing that they'd kill for some kind of transcript of the encounter.

oh look what's this?

[The following transcript has absolutely not seen the light of day, having been recorded by Hekla dei Fiori's wheelchair prior to an immediate expunging of the relevant records. It is preserved here for the sake of posterity]

[door closes, footsteps]

Oskar: "Apologies for the delay, the flights from Soleyja just aren't what they used to be..."

Hinrik: "It's one measly hour, Oskar, could you please attempt to come up with a better excuse?"

Oskar: "Dealing with excuses now, are we? What was yours? 'Shelling the docks,' yes, impressive, such a marvelous show you put on for the First Fisherman. Lovely practice for dealing with father's field trips, he's probably been fishing for longer than that geriatric anyways so you'll need the practice..."

Hinrik: "If you hadn't noticed, we were at war-"

Oskar: "-and because of your pettiness the Pawns beat us to Arydin."

Hinrik: "Nobody cares about your pet project, little brother. We have more pressing concerns, maintaining aerial superiority was a crucial measure to prevent the interference of outside meddlers."

Lilja: "Please, stop..."

Oskar: "As if your delusional scheme to secure that 'fell iron' was ever going to work. Diplomatic ties don't stop at the upper atmosphere anymore. Ask the Pawns how their time at the Arkhive went, I heard they received a hearty encouragement to prove that they could defy their namesake, and now they're poised to start selling out their astral discoveries to the highest bidder."

Hinrik: "It was a perfect piece of wordplay!"

[uproarious laughter]

Arni: "You two are hysterical! I could watch you cry over your political nonsense all day..."

Hinrik: "As if you're one to talk! You turned tail and ran at the faintest hint of that Beldhan character-"

[grind of seat against floor, heavy footsteps]

Arni: "Think very carefully about what you say next, spaceship kid..."

Lilja: "N-no, Arni, stop, he didn't mean it-"

Hekla: "Enough."

[pause, calmer footsteps, two seats taken and scooted in, sigh of relief from other two, impatient tapping on wheelchair]

Hekla: "You all know why we're here, of course."

[button pressed on wheelchair, sound of screen turning on and hostage demand video playing; silence for two minutes after conclusion]

Hinrik: "...We need not take this threat seriously, I could take on the role of Chan-"

Oskar: "No."

Hinrik: "But-"

Hekla: "No."

Arni: "Sorry kiddo, you just don't have it in you. I, however-"

Helka: "Don't you dare-"

Arni: "-Will be assuming full control of the military."

[pause, then laughter]

Arni: "What, did you think I would want anything to do with that 'chancellor' title? It was a joke before Eydis got herself in trouble and its value is all the more sullied by her failure."

Oskar: "And yet her campaign was the successful one-"

[abrupt chair screech]

Hekla: "Stop. We don't have time for either of your japes."

Arni: "Fine, whatever."

[footsteps trailing away]

Arni: "Cave in or let the pretentious cow die, I don't care at all. I have some good news to share with my men and a war to wage."

[door opens, footsteps, door closes]

Hinrik: "Thank the Emperor..."

Lilja: "Hey, Hinrik, don't be mean."

Hinrik: "Lilja, you aren't deaf. You know as well as I do that such a frothing degenerate has no place in the halls of statecraft."

Lilja: "He's our brother, we can't talk about him like that-"

Hekla: [muttered] "'thank the emperor'..."

Oskar: "What?"

Hekla: "Nothing. Regardless, I have some observations."

[wheelchair buttons tapped, sound of rewinding footage]

Hekla: "Eydis hasn't starved yet so they know what to feed her- either she told them herself or they already knew."

Hinrik: "She would never betray us like that-"

Hekla: "-Which is why I err on the side of the latter."

Oskar: "So, we have a leak?"

Hinrik: "That Druid that went missing, she might have had something to do with it."

Oskar: "It's a possibility we can't rule out. It would be a simple matter to fake her own assault to cover up her defection."

Hekla: "If one of the Druids defected they would already know everything, it couldn't have been her."

Oskar: "A fair conclusion, I suppose. I knew Karla to be a loyal sort, perhaps the accusation was hasty."

Hinrik: "So, what are they after then, some notes? We could always commission another substitute piece, ditch the divine lineage angle while contriving something less upsetting than the truth..."

Hekla: "She's been fed, they already know the truth."

Lilja: "Oh... oh no..."

Hekla: "They're looking for a paper trail and greater specifics. Safe to say, I believe they are honest in their insinuation that they are not the original captors; no guerilla force would aim so high."

Oskar: "...Why demand the ship, though?"

Hinrik: "What?"

Oskar: "The mismatch of scale is wildly discordant, on the one hand they seek our most closely-guarded secret and on the other they demand a mere battleship. What would any party interested in the former want anything to do with the latter?"

Hekla: "A show of homage."

Hinrik: "To what, some terrorist cell on the cusp of revealing themselves?"

Hekla: "If they had not yet revealed themselves they would not need to use a scrambler-"

Oskar: "No."

Hekla: "Excuse me?"

Oskar: "You know exactly what you were insinuating, sister."

Hekla: "...You must admit, it's the most plausible scenario."

Oskar: "And what could their motive possibly be?"

Hekla: "I forwarded bad intel, they seized the opportunity to extract the truth."

Oskar: "Please, they're accepting everything from ghost stories to the whining of time anomalies, they're probably happy to have eaten up Alfred Marrone's drivel."

Hinrik: "Alfred Marrone is a credit to Verdalf literature, how could you possibly besmirch him?"

Lilja: "...Who are you talking about?"

Hinrik: "Haven't you read a single recent book? Only the finest author of- oh."

[room-wide pause]

Hinrik: "...Sorry."

Oskar: "...So, other culprits, perhaps Sir Simon's erstwhile order is trying to finish his work?"

Hekla: "He was a loose cannon, working alone. He passed unsupported and unremembered."

Hinrik: "How can you be sure? His notes went missing after he tried to pull that little stunt of his in the catacombs, they could have gone anywhere."

[soft chuckle]

Oskar: "You're unbearably naïve..."

Hinrik: "...No. You wouldn't."

Hekla: "He was a useful tool..."

Hinrik: "He killed two children, I found their bodies when we raided his residence myself! Why would you ever-"

Hekla: "I never issued an order for the children to die. Like I said, he was a loose cannon-"

Hinrik: "So you brought that maniac, the worst off-worlder of all, here, fed him our secrets, to do what? Assassinate some potential blabbermouth that none of us can even remember the name of?"

Hekla: "Do you think I don't regret it every moment of this disgusting life? The moment I realized what had happened I sent that wretched excuse for a lifeform to the catacombs, to see how well he'd fare against someone his own size-"

Lilja: "You put Rakel in danger?!"

Oskar: "Calm down, Lilja. Arni still jokes about that bastard's screams to this day, we know she was never in any danger."

Hinrik: "...At least tell me that you disposed of his notes."

[soft sound of book being removed from the blanket in Hekla's lap]

Hinrik: "...Unbelievable..."

Oskar: "Mind if I give it a read?"

[sound of book sliding across table]

Hekla: "Back on track, I knew Simon. It can't be related to him."

Oskar: "Or at least you think so..."

Hekla: "Not helping."

Oskar: "The fact of the matter is that even if it isn't him, these current captors could easily replicate the initial stages of his inquest."

[exasperated sigh]

Oskar: "Really, the Arkhive? Of all the powers to undermine us..."

Hekla: "Save it for the flight back to your little clubhouse. We need to decide what we're doing about Eydis."

Lilja: "Do what they want."

Hinrik: "What?"

Lilja: "W-we have to, we can't just let our sister die..."

Oskar: "Well-"

Hekla: "Not the time."

Lilja: "I'm more afraid of what they'll use that information for than anyone else here, but we need to help her."

Hinrik: "Allowing one of us to remain captive would indeed be a sign of weakness..."

Oskar: "And losing the Chancellor that we've been deferring to on the solar stage these past several years wasn't?"

Hekla: "It'll keep the problem from getting worse... I'll get some sources together, might be able to put at least a slightly positive spin on our curse."

Oskar: "Blessing."

Lilja: "...Can we move on to something else?"

[long pause]

Lilja: "...So... I heard that some Utopian Illuminators from Badal invaded upleft Chonkia."

Hinrik: "THEY DID WHAT?!"

[the remainder of the official meeting is a torrent of vengeful fury from the finally-validated Hinrik, over the course of which Oskar eventually excuses himself before Hinrik hurries out to try and catch Arni and see if he'll consider redirecting his attack; dead air befalls the chamber as only the two sisters remain]

Lilja: "...Do you really think it could be the Imperial Court?"

Hekla: "...Picked up on that allusion, did you?"

Lilja: "I'm blind, not deaf."

Hekla: "From my perspective they seem to be the most likely culprit, whether it's an official order or the impromptu machinations of that damn High Lord... I could be wrong, but who else would make such a peculiar demand?"

Lilja: "If they're plotting against us, what can we even do about it?"

Hekla: "Who knows?"

[sound of wheelchair movement]

Hekla: "On the bright side, they're the least likely ones to take issue with our condition. They make a conscious effort to cast the Emperor as immortal, they'd understand our father's motives. If they can accept the likes of that damn Masquerade then I'm sure they wouldn't see any need to do us harm..."

[sound of sniffles]

Lilja: "They could... they could kill us..."

Hekla: "Hey- calm down. Here, I have your hand, come closer-"

[sniffles become audible crying]

Lilja: "I-I don't want to die..."

Hekla: "I've got you, you're going to be fine, we're all going to be fine, we'll get Eydis back and then... then..."

[pause as crying slowly abates]

Lilja: "...What does it feel like, when a hug is actually warm?"

Hekla: "I... wouldn't know."

[End of expunged record]
Prince Isak persists in his silence in the face of these new developments.
Through a bizarrely clandestine chain of contacts, Oskar dei Fiori has made contact with the Khylokians of Mekhala and, in order to ease the Principality's overburdened priorities, convinced them to handle the ransom demands from Eydis' captives on his behalf. In return for their ship donation they are to receive the full reward from Hekla's contributions to the Mytho-Historical Data Gathering project at the upcoming Conclave, an outstanding amount of treasure but one which is, to the Fiorid siblings, worth the trouble (even if it's going to the coffers of such a reviled state). Hinrik, of course, is greatly dismayed by this turn of events, but the fact of the matter is that he's lost his easiest political punching bag.
Though the infamous "Elf Slaves" ad from the Basu-Rahman Group never airs within the Principality (as they don't control the local media and likely saw no use in advertising the product to its would-be suppliers), it still makes its rounds through the upper aristocracy. None find it to be a pleasant viewing experience, deriding its quality and misrepresentation of the institution as incredibly distasteful. No public censure is delivered, as the Fiorids simply don't care enough to correct the record themselves; there are far greater problems to tackle and anyone incensed by slavery out of some hypocritical idealism will find reasons to despise the Principality regardless. The haste with which the Kingdom of Ishtahnos charges headfirst into a colossal regional conflict over their own outrage, however, is amusing. Some of the more paranoid Nobles are even relieved that the media conglomerate has distracted the posturing Kingdom to this extent, forwarding small private donations to the Group with minor tips for how to better-portray the Principality in the future.
The activities of the Worker-Trader Union, meanwhile, are more perplexing. Their favored form of labor, though present within Verdalfheim, is completely different from that practiced by those of the Noble-run heavy industry. The conclusion they'll reach is foregone, what information could they possibly hope to glean from in-person touring? If they wish to send a representative they will not be subjected to any special limitations or patronizingly preset tours, but they also receive no special access or public invitation.
The process of bringing Grigialfheim into the fold is a rather messy affair, with local efforts dedicated to rooting out guerrilla resistance from fortified population centers. Rather than delving into the unpleasantness of execution, prisoners of war taken in the course of the conquest are filtered into the slave caste, their labor contracts snatched up by Nobles engaged in the extraction of raw resources (where they pose as little risk as possible). Pursuant to the government's lofty pan-nationalist ideals, the civilian population is generally respected and allowed to conduct their affairs in peace; the biggest change is the enforcement of the Verdalfr governmental system. Mayors are elevated from each community to intercede with the Fiorid monarchy, with all free Grigialfr automatically granted citizen status. Nobles from Verdalfheim are granted labor contracts to extract natural resources and manage shipping, while the fiction of the Crown's monopoly on land is slowly codified into law. Ultimately support for the occupiers remains minimal, and active efforts to integrate the region have taken a backseat to the royal family's myriad other pursuits.

Bookkeeping

Leaders and Military

WHOLE LOTTA CONFUSION HERE

Eydis' base ruler rolls located here

Heir/R3 interrim: Hinrik dei Fiori (Base Rolls: 2/3/4/1/1, +1mil/+1eco from Round2 actions = new core statline of 2/4/5/1/1, +1dip/+1mil/+1econ from current inheritance (will be reset upon resumption of heirhood) = Round3 statline of 3/5/6/1/1)

Expended Specials:
Eydis: M5
Hinrik: E5

General(s):

General-Royal Arni dei Fiori (Mil 9 Commander); +20% to enemy unit losses

Ground Unit Count: 4

Space Unit Count: 2

Controlled Regions

Link to Lands Thread

Region Name	Region Number	Resource	Prime Religion	Minorities	Desired Import	Status
Verdalfheim	36	Oil	-	-	Ores & Alloys	Capital
Grigialfheim	51	Ryban Fish	Kinites (Maj)	-	Medicines & Drugs	Province

Owned Techs

Type	Name	Requirement(s)	Effect(s)
Starter	Pseudogravity Engineering	-	-
Starter	Wet Navy Ships	-	Can cross water w/o losses

Edited March 7 by moossabi (see edit history)

TheDarkDM · February 26

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The House of Fire

Dur-Shalkhir (Region 76)

Duke Esarhaddon III

Diplomacy 4
Military 6
Economy 6
Faith 2
Intrigue 3

Expected Stat Increases: +1 Diplomacy, +1 Military

Actions:

[Military] Invade Region 81 with 2 Space Units and 1 Ground Unit under the command of Turtanu-Ziqpu Ra'ima (Mil 8) attempting In the Light of Chastising Stars (+2 to battle), Spending 1 Treasure (+1 Ganzir Massif)
[Military] Raise 1 Space Unit
Even as the Ducal Battle Group departs to subdue the territory of Legislator Prime, another battlecruiser emerges from the Eye of Esarhaddon. The DVS Pazuzu takes up a defensive orbit around Dur-Shalkhir.
[Military] Raise 1 Space Unit
The DVS Lamassu soon follows to join the DVS Pazuzu in orbit.
[Diplomacy] Raise Reputation with the Imperial Court - 12
[Diplomacy] Attend the wedding of Artavasdes II and Princess Monite Akari Ebonne d’Laforet
Event Sub-Actions
- Gift the Vacuum Adaptation technology to Caipe Ushere
- Accept Wet Navy Ships technology from Caipe Ushere
- House of Fire gains a marriage claim on Caipe Ushere (region 29)
- Caipe Ushere gains a marriage claim on Dur-Shalkhir (region 76)

Non-Actions:

Support all conversions by the Imperial Cult
Support buyouts of Uranium by the House of Brimstone
Support buyouts of Uranium by the Khylokian Reign of Blood

News and Rumors:

In the marriage of their scions, House Ebonne and the House of Fire commit to the bonds of kinship and amity. While both recognize the inviolable right of either House to pursue whatever action may prove necessary in defense of their interests or the interests of the Empire, these bonds shall gird each even across the vast distances that separate them. 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. Should calamity or sabotage befall one, the other shall reach across the void to offer aid and succor. No action shall willingly be taken by one House against the other, and should House Ebonne and the House of Fire find themselves in conflict on behalf of foreign powers, they resolve to remove themselves from the conflict rather than spill the blood of family.
Returning to Mekhala from the wedding in Caipe Ushere, an emergency sweeps through the Ducal Yacht. Accounted for when the yacht departed Sansar's orbit, the Lady of Fire Naqi'a has disappeared! A thorough sweep of the ship reveals nothing amiss save a missing shuttle, and the Duke and Duchess are in a state of near panic until they receive alerts on their secured terminals. There, Naqi'a has left a brief apology and even briefer explanation - faced now with the inevitability of her imminent marriage for the good of the House, she has departed "on an adventure." Meanwhile, in the skies above Planum Khassia, a sleek black shuttle braves the howling winds. Sweeping into the space port of the Soom-Clan's largest current settlement, the dagger of polycarbons and titanium opens to disgorge a maskless, pale-faced woman, her malachite eyes blazing with madness. Raising her voice to how like a banshee against the wind, she states her challenge: "SO WHERE DOES A GIRL GO TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!?"
The Union's request to inspect the conditions of the Industri-fiefs is met with some confusion among the vassal families of the House of Fire. The initial belief that the Union is acting with the benefit of Imperial authority is quickly disproven, and so debate sweeps through the highest levels of Dur-Shalkhir's society. At the heart of the disagreement is the level of transparency to allow a fundamentally foreign, potentially hostile institution. Ultimately, the House of Fire responds back with an offer to provide Union Representatives with a tour of the production lines of the Gunzir Massif and the shipyards at the Eye of Esarhaddon. However, these inspections will be closely supervised and directed at the Duke's discretion, rather than allowing the Union free reign throughout the length and breadth of Dur-Shalkhir. As central pillars of the House's economy and the locations of highly technical manufacturing, the working conditions at the Gunzir Massif and Eye of Esarhaddon are among the most enviable in the planetoid, with the Industri-serfs gifted a comprehensive technical education as well as middle-ring living quarters.

Record Keeping

Heir: Artavasdes II (Dip 3, Mil 4, Econ 1, Fai 3, Int 4)

Current Treasure: 1/5

Trade Posts: 3
Uranium TP 1 (Region 76), Uranium Arcology TP (Region 76), Ice TP 2 (Region 97)

Passive Treasure Income: 1/Round

Land Units: 1

First Void Knight Banner

Space Units: 2

DVS Tiamat
DVS Bull of Heaven

Technologies:

Arcane Amplification, Aclaustrophobic Psychiatry, Algorithmic Imagination, In Vivo Modification, Nuclear Fusion, Vacuum Adaptation, Xenolinguistic Cataloguing

Military Technologies

Ground Front:

Man-Portable Weapons: N/A
Infantry Equipment: N/A
Combat Drugs and Medicine: N/A
Armored Vehicles: N/A
Field Fortifications: N/A
Engineered Combat Organisms: N/A

Space Front:

Detection and Rangefinding: N/A
Ship to Ship Weapons: N/A
Orbit to Ground Weapons: N/A
Crew and Maintenance: N/A
Armor and Shields: N/A
Spacecraft Propulsion: N/A

Both Fronts:

Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures: N/A
Special Forces: N/A
Logistics and Morale: N/A

Edited March 10 by TheDarkDM (see edit history)

Frostwander · February 26

Caipe Ushere
Sansar - Region 29

Queen Chalise Merole Ebonne d'Laforét
Diplomacy 9 Military 3 Economy 3 Faith 2 Intrigue 3

Turn 3

News and Rumors

The wedding of Artavasdes II and Princess Monite Ebonne is broadcast publicly across numerous channels in Caipe Ushere, and other regions where the ceremonies and pomp of royalty is of interest or entertainment. Fashion designers rapidly turn out lines mimicking the clothes of the couple, as well as many of the other prominent guests whose appearances rapidly gain popularity.

While it is not unexpected that the leaders of the Elect will attend (and some who are absent are alternately pitied or disdained for their slight), gossip continues about the presence of Captain Jié Měifēng. Rumors swirl around a few facts and many conjectures at her early arrival compared to other guests. Queen Chalise has made little denial of her 'secret' affair with the captain, and many of the queen's detractors attempt to leverage in their arguments the distaste of bringing a disreputable foreign trollop to one's own daughter's wedding. Others argue that what (or who) the queen chooses to do with her personal life has little to do with her decisions as ruler, so long as she does not unfairly favor the pirate nation.

Among this all, a new animated serial is launched in Usheret media whose protagonists bear thinly veiled resemblance to the two leaders: The Cloud Queen. In it a sequestered lonely noblewoman in a disfavourable marriage is whisked away by a sensuous pirate captain and caught up in adventures aboard a fictional star cruiser after which the show takes its name. The first season culminates in a battle between the pirate and the despotic husband who has tracked them down in which he is left humiliated and injured as the two women fly away and finally acknowledge their passion for each other. The show's ratings are exceptional, though there is a loud sector of critics who declare that it is too farcical and unrealistic (and also that the actors do not take themselves serious enough for the style of drama the show purports itself to be).

Actions:

1) [Diplomacy] Host Event - The Marriage of House Ebonne and the House of Fire
Following lengthy private negotiations between Queen Ebonne and the House of Fire, a betrothal is announced between their heirs: Princess Monite Akari Ebonne d’Laforet and Lord Artavasdes II. Their wedding is planned to be a grand public ceremony, to be held in Caipe Ushere at the d'Laforet estate. Invitations are sent out to leaders and dignitaries of the Empire and the Elect to attend and celebrate.

Event Sub-actions

Deliver 1 treasure to the Imperial representatives for the Elect Tax.
Exchange Wet Navy Ships tech for Vacuum Adaptation tech with House of Fire.
House of Fire gains a marriage claim on Caipe Ushere (region 29).
Caipe Ushere gains a marriage claim on Dur-Shalkhir (region 76).
Accept 1 treasure from House of Brimstone.

2) [Diplomacy] Raise Reputation - Imperial Court 2 -> 3 (TN 14; Roll: 23 - Success)
Favor and goodwill with the Imperial Court continues to be a focus of the Caipe Ushere Diplomacy Corps under the guidance and development of Eminent Ambassador Puala Lomchat.

3) [Diplomacy] Press Confederation Claim - Region 28 (TN 12; Roll: 15 - Success)
Eminent Ambassador Puala Lomchat remains in near constant communication with Caipe Ushere's northern neighbors as a treatise of acclimatization is proposed and negotiated.

4) [Diplomacy] Mytho-Historical Data Gathering - Contributions to the Imperial Library.
A late submission to the data gathering project of the Empire is an archived collection of more recent Usheret media. Containing musical performances, live theatre recordings, and animation and film, the list has over 4700 entries spanning the popular culture of the last two centuries. Some of these in turn are interpretations of older works and stories, like Ropetuof's '7-Piece String Movements for Summer' and Veirin d'Arcis' stage drama 'The Rush and the Reeds' (the original, of course ... hardly anyone respects the movie remake).

5) [Economy] Buyout Trading Post of Todd - Region 62 TP3 with support from Castaways of the Loop (TN 12; Roll: 15 - Success)
Caipe Ushere is looking to hire a group of dedicated technical specialists focused in bringing obsolete infrastructure up to date on a national scale. When inquiring about this level of complex coordinated work, one name stands above the rest: Todd.

Non-actions:
Spend treasure on Buyout action and paying taxes (2 total). Receive 1 Treasure (see event subactions).
Hazardous Conditions Inspection - Head Advocate Lucél Thiércine accepts the Workers' and Traders' Union's offer to perform inspections of working conditions in Caipe Ushere. She will gladly work with their representatives to schedule and provide access for inspections. As the primary councilor on matters of internal civilian industry and development, she has put a great deal of work into ensuring all Usherets can work safely, effectively, and comfortably. Cllr. Thiércine looks forward to showing Caipe Ushere's progressive advancements, and considering what improvements or insights the WTU may offer.

Attend the Arkhive event: Museum Opening

Passive Effects:

Leaders and Prominent Figures

Leader: Queen Chalise Merole Ebonne d'Laforét
End-of-turn increase: Diplomacy +2 (10 max)
New Leader next turn: No

Admirals:
Generals:

Councilors:
High Arbiter Estle Gronaud
Chief Navarch Ekatrin Raikier
Head Advocate Lucél Thiércine
Eminent Ambassador Puala Lomchat
Magister Sage Ange Jénou

Other: Princess Monite Akari Ebonne d’Laforet (heir - D1, M4, E4, F4, I1), Princet Geal Talouse Ebonne d’Laforet

Relations of State

Embassies:
Trade Routes:

Resources

Units: 2
> Ground - 1st Dragoon Mobile Infantry Brigade
> Space - 1st Light Destroyer Wing
Treasure: 2
Artifacts:
Reputation: EMP (2); WTU (0); BRG (0); REN (2)
Favours: WTU -1
Cultural Identity: Pretty Words (2d8 Raise Reputation)
Capital Region: Caipe Ushere
Arcologies:
Fortresses:
Government Support: 29(C), 28
Effective Trading Posts: 5 (1 income)
> Fell Iron - 32 TP2
> Wine - 29 TP1, TP2, Merchant Support
Primary Religion: Practica Arcanai (Size: 4)
> Media Support - 29
Civilian Techs: Aclaustrophobic Psychiatry, Algorithmic Imagination, Arcane Amplification, Nuclear Fusion, In Vivo Modification, Xenolinguistics Cataloguing
Military Techs: Badalian Megadirigibles, Wet Navy Ships
> Man-Portable Weapons -
> Infantry Equipment -
> Combat Drugs and Medicine -
> Field Foritifications -
> Engineered Combat Organisms -
> Detection and Rangefinding -
> Ship to Ship Weapons -
> Orbit to Ground Weapons -
> Crew and Maintenance -
> Armor and Shields -
> Spacecraft Propulsion -
> Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures -
> Special Forces -
> Logistics and Morale -

Edited March 10 by Frostwander (see edit history)

Rolepgeek · February 26

The Black Cloud Coalition
Capital: North Way Cluster (Běizhōu Qún | 北週群 | Region 2)
? ( ? | ? | Region 15)
暗雲聯盟
{"Ànyún Liánméng"}
Round 3
[EE6, EE7, EE8]

Coalition Captain Jié Měifēng & Helms-Moderator Guiding_Stars4 a.k.a. 'ZhǐZhī'
Diplomacy 5 | Military 7 | Economy 2 | Faith 2 | Intrigue 5

Actions:

[Diplomacy 5] - Create Cultural Identity: Property Wrongs (increased die size on Theft Actions)
The Coalition is home to outlaws and fugitives, renegades and exiles. The Coalition was founded by pirates, for pirates - but also for anyone who would dare to call themselves pirate, and cast off the boots that once stomped upon their necks. Crime is not second nature to them - it is first nature. Is it any wonder, then, that when The Overhead puts out a bounty on some prize held by some petty tyrant, they can be so confident in acquiring it?
[Diplomacy] - Raise Reputation with BRG - Roll: 14
After the blunders of their last envoy, several enterprising bureaucratically ambitious PEEARITs take it upon themselves to conduct a poll of new candidates among the various showrunners, bloggers, radio hosts, and others as to who they might want to be a point of contact with the Basu-Rahman Group. To varying degrees of surprise, the winner that squeaks by (chosen by the responsible selection councils after very motivated advocacy on the part of the poll-managers) is a relatively unassuming (read: boring) technologist named Yin Yin. The reasoning given by his supporters seems to be that he's very competent at his job and purportedly serves as an editor or assist editor on a truly obscene number of ongoing productions, but shouldn't scare off Basu-Rahman's executives by being too exciting for a bunch of corpos in suits.
[Diplomacy] - Give BRG Media Support in Běizhōu Qún [2] as part of Full Spectrum Media Packages
Yin Yin speaks to Basu-Rahman executives about the firmer support networks he's well aware many of the media personalities in the North Way Cluster crave. Arrangements are made to integrate these into the Group's larger networks and subsidiary holdings - though this seems to be ideal for ensuring that the Coalition is abreast of news from across the system, it remains to be seen how this affects the independence and reliability of their own reporting.
[Diplomacy] - Mytho-Historical Data Gathering
...
[Military] - Assist the Neon Syndicate to win the civil war in The Bironian Crosspaths [17] - w/4 Ground Units, spending 1 Treasure, led by Coalition Captain Jie Meifeng (M7) using Overwhelming Tempo (+2 to battle roll, +10% own casualties, -10% enemy casualties), supported by 1 Space Unit (+2 Space Units from the Neon Syndicate?) led by Hai Ping & Dao-Mao (Mil10) using Electronic Bombardment (own Orbital Superiority bonus applies to Tactical Maneuvering as well). On victory, give Bironian Crosspaths over to Neon Syndicate
After their resounding victory against the Supreme Integrated Command, the morale of the Black Cloud Coalition's fleets have remained at an all-time high. They had unseated a tyrant directly, with almost no casualties, and shown themselves the equal or better of more traditional Elect. With the Bironians now tearing themselves apart in civil war, Měifēng sees opportunity to finish off the line of Argon, whose foiled assault had first given her the legitimacy to lead the entirety of the Coalition. Yanji Argon was making remarkable progress against the more established factions within the Crosspaths, and he was sure to try to take his revenge once it was done - this wouldn't just hurt her, but all those she now represented. Surreptitious messengers are dispatched to coordinate with the Neon Syndicate, especially Treasurer Boyin - it was time to finish what she had started, and reunite Yanji with his dear departed mother.

Non-Actions:

Resist & Hinder any Conversions that would reduce Clouder Codes to Minority in Region 2; otherwise, neither assist, hinder, nor resist conversions introducing additional minorities.
- The Coalition is tolerant of many things - but non-members are still viewed with suspicion if they proselytize too strongly.
ArkHive submissions...
- The history of The Wise Woman's Rapier on Badal...
1. Gentleman-Officer Hesh Heiss
2. Ten Jin
3. Wu Daifang
4. Wu Zhengfang
5. Sheng Taiyun (Arms Dealer)
6. Retrieval Specialist [NAME SCRUBBED]
7. Branch Manager Soon Wan
8. Jaeyun the Ripper
9. 3rdHand Arms: Your Trusted Weapon Pawn Brokers
10. Jaeyun the Ripper
11. Security Officer Han Bo Nguyen
12. Coppertooth Lee
13. Knight-Captain Meiho Radon
14. Haifeng the Cruel
15. Nobuni of Argon
16. Jié Měifēng
17. Monite Ebonne
- Scorbic The Hound...

Allow WTU Inspections
- Parlor Councils across the North Way Cluster readily allow the Pan-Tekhum Worker's and Trader's Union to conduct their inspections - there's little fear they would fail on grounds of an nequitable work environment, and every hope that the Union might have suggestions for how to improve conditions in areas the Coalition itself struggles with; most Heads currently remain heavily reliant on cybernetics and safety equipment to make up for the inherently hazardous conditions that so often accompany life and labor on Badal.

News and Rumors

Chatter in the forums indicate that most members of the Coalition who stay tuned into local politics elsewhere in the system find the situation in Veehra either tragic or hilarious by turns. In particular, the Basu-Rahman Group is seen as unveiling the hypocrisy of the supposedly progressive Ishtahnian state, which targeted the media conglomerate in lieu of the slavers they had brought to the public attention (in absurdist and satirical fashion, no less).
Concerning Updates Down To The Minute...
Concerning Hives of Scum & Villainy...
Concerning the lovely royal widow of Caipe Ushere...

Statistics

Special Actions Available: Intrigue 5
Special Actions Used: Military 5

Heir None

Diplomacy

Reputation & Favors
Imperial Court: Welcome [1], 0 Favors (Expected Change: +1 Favors)
Pan-Tekhum Worker's & Trader's Union: Acquainted [0], -1 Favors (Expected Change: 0 Favors)
Basu-Rahman Group: Acquainted [0], 0 Favors (Expected Change: +? Rep ->)
International Renown: Admired [2] (Expected Change: +2 Renown -> )

Organization Bases
None

Embassies
The Illumined Utopian

Cultural Identities
None

Great Works
None

Military

Ground Units: 4 (Expected Change: -?)
Space Units: 1 (Expected Change: +0)
Unit Cap: 7 (Base 4 + 2 Regions + 1 Support)

Government Support
2

Generals
None

Admirals
Hǎi Píng & Dǎo-Māo [M10] - Electronic Bombardment: On Tactical Maneuvering victory, total Orbital Superiority bonus for Ground Front applies to Ground Front Tactical Maneuvering rolls as well.

Fortresses
None

Perfected Tactical Doctrines
None

Military Technologies

None

Active Ground Front Technologies:

Man-Portable Weapons: N/A
Infantry Equipment: N/A
Combat Drugs and Medicine: N/A
Armored Vehicles: N/A
Field Fortifications: N/A
Engineered Combat Organisms: N/A

Active Space Front Technologies:

Detection and Rangefinding: N/A
Ship to Ship Weapons: N/A
Orbit to Ground Weapons: N/A
Crew and Maintenance: N/A
Armor and Shields: N/A
Spacecraft Propulsion: N/A

Active Multi-Front Technologies:

Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures: N/A
Special Forces: N/A
Logistics and Morale: N/A

Economy

Treasure: 1 (Expected Change: +4)
Treasure Cap: 5

Trade Posts
Effective Total TPs 2
Treasure Rate 0

Trade Post	Resource	Use	Support	Rate
2.1	Cybernetics & Prosthetics	None	Owned	2

Mercantile Support
2

Arcologies
None

Trade Routes
None

Civilian Technologies

Technology	Type	Effect	Requirements	Met?
Aclaustrophobic Psychiatry	Starter	None	None	Yes
Algorithmic Imagination	Starter	None	None	Yes
Arcane Amplification	Starter	None	None	Yes
In Vivo Modification	Starter	None	None	Yes
Nuclear Fusion	Starter	None	None	Yes
Xenolinguistic Cataloguing	Starter	None	None	Yes
Badalian Megadirigibles	Traversal	Ground units can cross the Cloud Sea	None	Yes
Wet Navy Ships	Traversal	Ground units can cross oceans	None	Yes

Faith

Media Support
2

Faith Size: N/A
Organized Faith Bonuses
None

Artifacts
None

Holy Orders
None

Miracles
None

Intrigue

Espionage Agency: None

Claims

2 - Integration

Total Passive Effects

Traversal:
Badalian Megadirigibles: Ground units can cross the Cloud Sea of Badal
Wet Navy Ships: Ground Units can cross

Actions
None

Defensive
None

Misc
None

Edited March 10 by Rolepgeek (see edit history)

Kythia · February 26

Coedd

All is Coedd

Diplomacy: 3, Military: 1, Economy: 1, Faith: 7, Intrigue: 7

Actions

1) Faith - Set Size 10 Bonus to +1 to battles on Sansar

Sub-Action - Refine Size 5 bonus to +1 to Investigations on Sansar

Coedd aids Coedd-Meat. Coedd hinders not-Coedd-Meat