main thread IC Thread

[aerin13]

Faction Tracking

Round 4

Region writeups

Rules

“Once you have taken over a region, you will need to write it up in the same manner as you did your first region. If you do not do so within 2 rounds of acquiring the region, barring extenuating out-of-game circumstances, the region's factions will progressively become rebellious due to your neglect, and Sway or Impress actions to bring them back to loyalty will suffer a -4 penalty until the writeup is complete.”

The following regions will begin to become rebellious at the end of round 4 if not written up:

• Region 15 (BCC)
• Region 18 (TEA)
• Region 41 (ELD)
• Region 90 (DIC)

The following regions will begin to become rebellious at the end of round 5 if not written up:

• Region 8 (GLO)
• Region 19 (TEA)
• Region 28 (CUS)
• Region 35 (ALF)
• Region 55 (SCM)
• Region 56 (CBC)
• Region 86 (CAS)
• Region 95 (DIC)
• Region 110 (RAT)

Region posts in the Planets of Tekhum forum

The following players need to post their nation writeup in the Planets of Tekhum forum on Mythweavers, or else begin to suffer unrest at the end of round 5:

• D&DFan (AVP)
• LadySerpentine (TWI)

Media faction unrest

Rules

“If you do not have the support of another faction in the region, own a trading post in the region, or share the region's Majority or Sole faith, you will lose the media's support in the region after one round.”

There are currently no Media factions in danger of unrest.

Mercantile faction unrest

Rules and explanation

If you possess the support of a region’s mercantile faction, “lacking the local Desired Import will cause you to lose the mercantile support after three rounds.”

“If the Mercantile support in an owned region is Open and the region owner does not own a Trade Post that fulfills the local Desired Import, the Mercantile faction will become Unruly after a period of four rounds without their needs being met. These four rounds include any time during which the Mercantile faction’s support is given to another country, but that country cannot fulfill the region’s Desired Import.”

Player nations are given two extra rounds of leniency upon starting play to acquire their capital region’s Desired Import.

Being passed a resource through a Trade Route will fulfill a region’s Desired Import for a single round, but will not reset the timer to unrest. If you wish to avoid unrest, either be traded the necessary resource every round continuously or acquire a Trading Post of it yourself. 

The following mercantile supports will become open at the end of the listed round if the desired import is not supplied.

Round 5:

• Region 2 (BCC, Superconductors)
• Region 3 (UNC, Psychotropics)
• Region 11 (TEA, Rare Metals)
• Region 23 (WTP, Robots)
• Region 44 (GLO, Symbol Printing)
• Region 46 (ARK, Compostables)
• Region 54 (AVP, Laborers)
• Region 58 (TWI, Cybernetics and Prosthetics)
• Region 65 (ISH, Spices)

Round 6:

• Region 17 (BIR, Fruits and Vegetables)
• Region 70 (WTU, Industrial Machinery)
• Region 71 (BAF, Magic Talismans)
• Region 73 (SNK, Crystals - if no longer supplied via Trade Route)

Round 7: 

• Region 77 (COV, Water)

The following open supports will become unruly at the end of the listed round if the desired import is not supplied.

Round 6: 

• Region 15 (BCC, Fuel and Power)
• Region 41 (ELD, Medicines and Drugs)

Round 7:

• Region 19 (TEA, Chemical Reagents)
• Region 30 (RRE, Precious Minerals - changed from Rare Metals)
• Region 35 (ALF, Industrial Machinery)
• Region 42 (ELD, Entertainment)
• Region 51 (ALF, Medicines and Drugs)
• Region 55 (SCM, Information and Data)
• Region 56 (CBC, Magical Items)
• Region 86 (CAS, Ores and Alloys)
• Region 95 (DIC, Computers)

The Faction Tracker GM is human (for now) and makes mistakes sometimes. Please ping or DM Aerin if you think your region should not be in danger of unrest.

Edited March 12 by aerin13 (see edit history)

[CoronaBorealis]

White Pawns
Round 4, Region 23
His Excellency Elia Eramo, Imperial Plenipotentiary for Kan
Diplomacy: 7
Military: 7
Economy: 2
Faith: 2
Intrigue: 5

Rolls: TODO

Actions:

1. [Military] Attack region together with ILU. Send 2 land units. Techs as per my loadout in the table. No distance penalty. Route 23 > 49 > 37.
2. [Intrigue] Secret action
3. [Intrigue] Explore region 102 2d6 + 5 Int + 1 EMP rep
    
4. [Military] Raise land unit
    
5. [Diplomacy] Raise reputation with EMP 2>3 2d6+7 Dip

Non-Actions:
Accept resource from RAT through trade route

Accept embassy from GCC They earn 3 MWG for this.

Attend ALF event

News and Rumors:

• Mercenary services continue to be offered

Details

Current Credit:

 

Nation	Credit in MWG [change this round]
RAT	1.5
ARK	3
TEA	-2.5
COE	0 [-1 mercs]
GCC	0 [+3 embassy]
ILU	0 [-2 mercs]

 

Current payment methods and rates:

Item	Value in MWG
1 Treasure (Kroesids)	1
Technology previously unavailable to WTP	0.5-1.5 depending on rarity and utility
Trade Route/Embassy with WTP	3
Artefact	4
Resource provided once	0.3
Government support or TP (controlled by you, offered for WTP's permanent use)	1.5
Region given to WTP (without counting Government, TPs)	1.5

Services rendered:

Service	Price in MWG
Ground / Space unit deployed	1
General / Admiral deployed	1
Delivery (i.e. war actions taken by WTP)	Free
Technologies etc. used by WTP in assisting you	Free
Sack a	2
Trade Route Blockade	1 in first round of blockade and 1 each odd round thereafter
Protection (WTP cannot be hired against you, valid once you have paid at least 2 MWG for it)	1 in first round of protection and 1 each odd round thereafter
Investigation a	2.5
Theft a	2.5
Slander a	2.5
Undermine Support etc. a	2.5

a) repeated until successful/rendered irrelevant by circumstances

Terms and Conditions:

Any offer may be refused by the Imperial Plenipotentiary for Kan or the Council of Captains for any reason. The White Pawns will refuse one of a set of contradictory missions, e.g. if requested to attack and defend a region. The White Pawns will also refuse missions if there is insufficient manpower to carry all missions out. You may pay more than the prices listed above; if you do, it may be taken into consideration when deciding which missions to refuse.

You may go in debt with the White Pawns and pay later, but if the debt is egregious, or it is mainained for an excessively long period, it may be collected on actively. Rebellion against the Empire will not be backed by the White Pawns. The customer is responsible for accounting for distance penalties travel times.

 

Ruler

His Excellency Elia Eramo, Imperial Plenipotentiary for Kan
Next round stats:

Diplomacy: 7
Military: 7 + 1
Economy: 2
Faith: 2
Intrigue: 5 + 1

Used specials: -

New ruler next round? No

Country info

[Change this round]
Units Ground/Space: 3/3, [+0/+0]

Treasure: 0, [+0]

Regions:
Sansar:
23 (Kan, capital)

Action templates

[Military] Attack/defend region ... together with .... Send 1 space unit, 1 land unit and Captain Sekira, who will lead the Combined Front using the Measured Advance tactic. Upon victory, the region will be bequeathed to ....

 

 

Edited March 24 by CoronaBorealis (see edit history)

[JBarca]

Round 4

The Khylokian Reign of Blood

Khylosen Cluster (89)

 

Led by Bloodlord Peter

D3 ; M8 ; E4 ; F5 ; I5

Actions

1. [DIP Attend ALF event]

   Subactions

   Accept 3 Treasure from ALF

   Accept 1 Treasure (and a gaggle of hostages) from MSQ

   Accept Badalian Megadirgibles, and Wet Navy Ships from ARK

   Barun khysee-Guyu is sent to live with MSQ

    

2. [DIP Raise Rep with EMP] 14
   1. Imperial Outreach Program (+1 to the roll)
      As the Bloodlord's position grows more secure, he is able to devote resources to directly interfacing with the Imperial Bureaucracy without the Reign collapsing beneath him. To Ophon, a message is sent promising continued work to punish those who disobey and further dedication to the Emperor's will.
       
3. [MIL Sack TP 7.2] (8MIL -3 Badal +1 Treasure +1 HoSaV +1 Artifact) 17
   Near-mystical access to near-infinite wealth and the Federation can't pay its taxes? This cannot stand.
   1. Subactions:
   2. Spend 1 Treasure (+1 to roll)
   3. Envy at the Top (Attempt to steal one Renown)
   4. Hives of Scum and Villainy (-1 Renown for +1 to the roll)
   5. Everything Not Nailed Down (-1 Renown, steal 1 Treasure on success)
   6. Tenfold in Blood (+1 EMP Rep on success)
4. [INT Investigate the Luxury Liner in 80] (5INT +2 Tech)
   The Bloodlord is intrigued.
5. [INT Secret]
   A growing web of quiet power enables the Bloodlord's less overt inclinations.
    

Non-Actions

• Bloodlord Peter allows Union representatives into Khylokian armories and the administrative offices of the Bloodlord.
• Resist anything not explicitly welcomed
• Requesting a special BRG Favor, details to follow

  •  

 

Reports and Discoveries

• The Union representatives are permitted access to a few Khylokian workspaces. First, the armories, where the utmost care is taken to keep all corners clean and all workers happy - no Khylokian would risk a faulty weapon in battle caused by a malcontent at home. Sure, a finger or two is lost daily in the largest smithies, but what can one expect? Blades are sharp! In the administration building, bureaucrats have standing desks, bright lights, and clear tasks. The work is dull, but vital. Peter takes care of his own!
  
  Mysteriously, all other Khylokian industries are closed for repairs when the representatives arrive.
• And more?

• To the Iron Monarch

  Your offer is much appreciated and more interesting. I accept, though I'll say little more here. My son will be traveling to the Conclave at Radicefst next year. He will have a trusted officer in orbit throughout the proceedings. Send a representative to meet him and the finer details can be discussed. Expect my nominee for your open position soon.
  
  I look forward to working with you
  
   - Barun khy-Oged

   

Expected Ruler Stats R5:
D: 4 (+1)
M: 8
E: 4
F: 5
I: 6 (+1)
New Ruler: No

 

Technology

Aclaustrophobic Psychiatry

Fusion Reactors

In Vivo Modification

Xenolinguistic Cataloguing

Arcane Amplification

Algorithmic Imagination

Mechanical Bookkeeping

Trading Posts: 2

Name	Location	Categories
Unrefined Metallic Ores	89.1	Ores and Alloys, Precious Minerals
Uranium	76.3	Fuel and Power, Ores and Alloys

Military Units CAP: 5/6

4 ground

1 space

Generals

• - Khuid kho-Tuil (9)
  • Kill or Die Trying: +1 to battle, +20% casualties both sides

Contacts

• Nice try.

Cultural Exchanges

• -

Trade Routes

• -

Artifacts

• kha-Ujin's Siphon
  • 1/turn +1 to Sacks.

Treasure
1/5

Special Actions Used

M5: General

F5: Artifact

 

Edited March 24 by JBarca (see edit history)

[The_Murgen]

U.N.N.C.L.E
Capital: The Control Center (region 3 of FRED)
Round 4

News and Rumors The Emperor is going to send agents to eliminate our leadership because we didn't pay their extortion demands! The people press for war! The people tend to be over-dramatic. Actions [Economic] -Attempt again to buy out Sankar Medicae in 16.3- we need those drugs pyschotropics medicines! Roll of 12, A success [Economic]- Seek out Coedd's neutrality and buy out 33.1 for narcotics. Roll of 11, a failure [Economic]- Hoard treasure to pay off the Imperial leeches administrators [Diplomacy]- Establish a confederacy claim in region 4. Roll of 17, a huge success [Diplomacy]- attend Pirate Party Expected +1 economic, +1 Diplomacy Non-Actions With special thanks to the admins, I can finally get my faith 5 bonus sorted out: - Economic Mentats: specialists in determining economic trends, the mentats assist in economic activities. BONUS: +1 to trading post buyouts. Resist and/or hinder all conversions and buyouts except from UHS for a trading post. Resist the incoming sack from the EUCRUS ALLIANCE- we were gonna pay, honest! RESISTANCE was a roll of a 9. My own military made it easier????   Reminders for myself Gain 1 Renown the first time you Construct Arcology, Found Holy Order, or Raise Fortress Any country that takes the Construct Arcology action before the end of Round 6 may gain 1 Treasure as a sub-action. BRG wants dirt- up to round 7 with intrigue action Invent tech or research military tech gain 1 renown first 5 get 2.

"Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter." Chairperson Lucas Oliver James Mellus Tristan (they/them) Diplomacy: 6 Military:2 Economy: 4 Faith: 8 Intrigue: 2 Ground units: 0 Space units: 1 Treasure: 2 + 0 per round EMP: -1 rep / 0 favors WTU: 0 rep / 0 favors BRG: 0 rep / 0 favors REN: rank 0

 

Edited March 24 by The_Murgen (see edit history)

[Lady Serpentine]

The Twilight League
Round 4

Violetta, Herald of the Second Dawn
Vesper (Limbo, The Wheel, Purgatory) (Region 58)
Diplomacy: 1
Military: 8
Economy: 4
Faith: 5
Intrigue: 2
Heir: Lilium
D: 2 M: 1 E: 2 F: 3 I: 2

 

Actions:

• [Diplomacy] Attend the Elven Conclave of 2044
  • Attending: Lilium
  • Accept 1 Treasure and the Eye of the Storm from the Iron Masquerade (attaching the Eye of the Storm to Void-leader Seraphine).
• [Military] Invade Region 61 with 3 ground units, led by Violetta (Mil 8) using Overwhelming Tempo (+2 Battle, +10% own casualties, -10% enemy casualties) and assisted by 2 ground units and 1 space unit provided by the Castways of the Loop.

  Battle Details

  Space Front (uncontested) led by Castaways of the Loop subcommander Tina 21135: +1 SEV Unit, +3 Commander, total +4. Tactical Doctrine Measured Advance (-10% all casualties).
  Ground Front led by League Coordinator Violetta: +3 TWI Units, +2 SEV Units, +8 Commander, +3 Orbital Superiority, total +19. Tactical Doctrine Overwhelming Tempo (+2 to battle, +10% own casualties, -10% enemy casualties).

   

• [Economy] Buyout TP3 of Vesperite Rangers in Vesper (Region 58) with support, spending 1 treasure and gaining the effects of the WTU headquarters arcology.
• [Economy] Hoard Treasure.
• [Economy] Hoard Treasure.

Nonactions

• Union inspectors are made welcome in Vesper, although the unusual nature of the Vesperite economic and manufacturing system is expected to pose certain regulatory challenges.

News and Rumours

• Across several channels on the Snake News Network, the news contains some variation on “We take you now to Vesper for a live statement from Violetta, coordinator of the Twilight League, regarding recent hostilities between the League and the High Kingdom of Ishtahnos.” 
   

  The camera cuts to an office. An abstract tapestry hangs behind a sturdy wooden desk, which is in turn flanked by shelves covered in an eclectic array of trinkets ranging from blown glass statues to salvaged treasures and hand weapons. A particularly keen observer - or, more likely, one rewatching the clip later for a rare look at Vesperite culture - might note that mixed in amongst the rest are several masks and pieces of body armor. All of these show signs of combat damage, though it’s impossible to say if they’re trophies or memorials for fallen comrades. 

   

  On a first viewing, however, Violetta herself rather dominates the scene. Rather than being seated in the seemingly perfectly functional chair behind the desk, she is lounging atop the desk itself. She’s not an imposing figure, as such - especially not to Ishtahn eyes, given she comes in several inches short of six feet - but the brilliant crimson of the suit she’s wearing (offset by splashes of dark orange at the collar and wrists) stands in stark contrast to the tapestry framing her. 

   

  As is usual for Veehra, she’s wearing a mask of sorts, though hers is rather more abbreviated than usual. Her eyes are hidden behind ruby lenses set in a metal visor that reaches down the bridge of her nose, but the rest of her face is bare.  

   

  She takes a moment to lift a glass of some dark red liquid that seems unpleasantly thick to her lips and take a deep pull from it before she speaks. Her mouth is fixed in a friendly smile, and her voice never rises above a conversational volume, but her tone is raw venom - as is only appropriate, given her words. 

   

  “To the Dishonorable Johnathon Royston Rageclaw, First Liar of the Petty Kingdom of Ishtahnos,

   

  May your poison tongue rot from your mouth that you might choke on it, and your sunless fingers be smashed for their perfidy. 

   

  No apology shall be forthcoming for the hostilities that you initiated when you freely chose to take military action against the forces of the Twilight League. Nor will I be disavowing the actions of Lilium nor any other commander for retaliating in kind. Far from having the temerity to act as if you were blameless and offering to graciously permit me to shoot those who have served loyally in the back, you should count yourself lucky that the response was so measured as it was. 

   

  If you desire to begin a war, as you have insinuated will be the case should you prove dissatisfied with the amount of groveling you recieve, you are welcome to declare one. One hopes that the families of the Ishtahn dead will know with whom to lodge their complaints.” 

   

  Violetta starts to raise her hand in a deeply obscene gesture directed squarely at the camera before the broadcast cuts abruptly back to the studio. 

   

  “That’s all from Vesper for now, folks! However, the Twilight League has provided us with a copy of the letter that Coordinator Violetta was responding to…”
   

  Quote

  To Her Excellency, Violetta, Herald of the Second Dawn,

  As you have no doubt become aware we recently repelled an attack by Vesperite marauders on Ishtahn agriculture. As you can understand this is considered an act of war. However, we understand that perhaps your control over your military is not complete and will give you one chance to make amends. A public apology and a promise to get your house in order should be sufficient to mollify us, but fail to do so and we will be forced to take action against those responsible personally.

  Faithfully yours,
  Johnathon Royston Rageclaw, First Minister of Ishtahnos

• Shortly after the anticipated declaration of war by the Ishtahn, the same channels that released the live feed of Violetta run a followup segment.
  
  "Tensions continue to run high here on Veehra, with war between Elect looming on the horizon once again. Coordinator Violetta of the Twilight Leage seems unconcerned, however. When we contacted her for further comment on the recent escalation of hostilities, she had this to say:
  
  'The Ishtahn are cordially invited to return to Vesper at any time that they are in possession of actual war goals and the stomach to prosecute them. In the meantime, a pissing contest in high orbit seems to serve no purpose save to ensure everyone is in the splash zone - particularly when you're borrowing someone else's dick to piss with. As such, I see no reason to participate.'"

Statistics
Unit Count: 3 Ground, 1 Space
Treasure: 1 (Spending 1 this round)

Country Information

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

Heir: Lilium (Dynastic; they/them with specific exceptions)
 

Diplomacy

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

Organisation Bases
Guildhall in Vesper.

Embassies
None

Cultural Identities

None

Great Works
None

 

Military

Unit Cap: 6 (4 + 1 region + 1 support)
Ground Units: 2
Space Units: 1

Government Support: 58

Generals

None

Admirals

Void-leader Seraphine (Mil 9): Master of Arms (+1 to battle roll for every two Artifacts attached to Seraphine; minimum +1 for one Artifact, maximum +4 for eight Artifacts.)

Perfected Tactical Doctrines
None

Fortresses
None

Military Technologies

Active Military Techs

 

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

Trade Posts
Effective Total TPs: 4
Treasure Rate: 0

Mercantile Support
58

Arcologies
None

Trade Routes
None

 

Faith

Media Support: 58

Faith Size: 3
Organised Faith Bonuses
None

Artefacts
None

Holy Orders
None

Miracles
None

 

Intrigue

Espionage Agency: No

 

Claims

58 - Integration

 

Total Passive Effects

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

Actions:Defence:
Misc:

Edited March 24 by Lady Serpentine (see edit history)

[Bellossom]

The Shattered Coven

Region 77

High Witch Brynn

Round 4

Diplomacy (6), Military (4), Economy (4), Faith (3), Intrigue (2)
 

Actions

1. Diplomacy - Attend the Mekh Gala

2. Diplomacy - Establish Claim over Region 93 (fail)

3. Diplomacy - Special 5 Create Embassy with House of Fire

4. Economy - Hoard Treasure

5. Economy - Hoard Treasure

 

Non-Actions

1. Send Cardinal Witch Morgaine, current favorite to succeed High Witch Brynn, to the Mekh Gala to schmooze.

2. Support CAS buyout of Cinnakite

Edited March 24 by Bellossom (see edit history)

[Silent_Interim]

Organization Actions

Round Four

General

[Clarification] A Base Of Power - [When taking actions such as buyouts, sways, or spying, which target regions, region-specific resources, or countries, orgs may generally take one "copy" of that action per Base they hold, using that base as the point of origin for distance penalties.]

The Imperial Court

 

The Imperial Court consists of those attendants, retainers, and noble courtiers surrounding the Emperor. In addition to their responsibilities in the Imperial Crown, the courtiers act as the Emperor’s representatives in planetary affairs. The Imperial Court consists exclusively of humans, a state of affairs which likely reflects the population of the Imperial Crown itself. From the Imperial Embassies on each planet they enforce the Emperor’s decrees, ensure the loyalty of Imperial states, and tend to the dream that is Empire. Prestigious and powerful rulers will find that the Imperial Court takes a greater interest in them, and those who gain their respect may even find themselves promoted to a seat on the Imperial Senate - a position which grants them both a voice in Imperial policy and the chance to secure the Emperor’s personal attention.

[Opportunity] The High and Mighty - The Elect have begun to distinguish themselves from one another, and as the wheat is separated from the chaff, as the cream rises to the top, the Empire can begin to take an interest in the greatest of the great.

[At the end of round 5, any countries with Renown 4 will gain 1 EMP Rep, provided they do not have negative EMP Rep.]

 

[Opportunity] Tenfold In Blood - It has come to the attention of the Court that there are those who feel themselves above the laws and taxes of their Emperor. It is not the lack of lucre, but rather the sheer effrontery that has so offended the Court. But it would not do for the Armada to be deployed over such a petty thing. So instead, an awareness is circulated through back-channels that it would please the Court if there were... reprisals. And perhaps some of those so dishonoured could regain the Court's favour by the same means.

[Until the end of round 7, each country may gain 1 EMP Rep if they perform a public Sack or Theft action targeting a country which failed to pay the Elect Tax, provided they are successful. If non-hostile Sacks or Thefts are contrived, Rep will not be awarded. Each country can gain this bonus a maximum of two times, and a maximum of once per round. A list of those countries follows.

ALF, AVP, CBC, COE, DIC, ELD, FBC, GLO, RRE, UNC.

Countries on this list may, as a Diplomacy action, pay 1 Treasure and 1 EMP favour to be removed from it, provided they are at EMP Rep 0 or higher. They may not go into favour debt for this.]

 

[Decree] Close Astronavigational Data Breaches - The Imperial College of Astronavigators has a leak. To contain it, all their communication is being closely monitored until the leak has been sealed.

[All countries suffer -1 to all exploration actions next round.]

 

Non-actions

[Senate] Invite Queen Chalise to the Senate - An invitation, not just to be a member, but to be present in the halls of power.

[Flavour] Ambassadorial Architecture - Certain privileged individuals have been granted access to the Imperial Embassies, and reports of just what they look like have begun to circulate.

Imperial Embassies

Imperial Embassies are palatial structures, towering and sprawling. Inside, they are lavishly appointed and comfortably decorated, at least in the public spaces, but careful observers may note that behind these lurk warrens of cramped hallways, offices, and storage chambers. Even these are comfortably appointed, though, with warm lighting, comfortable wooden (or faux-wooden) panelling, and a relaxed atmosphere.

 

Ongoing

New Frontier Proclamation - All exploration actions get +1 until the end of round 4.

Imperial Outreach Program - +1 to Raise Reputation with EMP until the end of round 5.

[Request] Novel Novelties – The secret that the Imperial Courtiers poorly conceal is that they are, almost without exception, extremely bored. It seems that, at the top, there is not much to do, and so the finest distractions available are called for. Some simply look for the finest available leisure, while others plumb the deepest frontiers of science. Either way, there is an ongoing demand for raw material to stave off ennui.

[EMP is seeking TPs of Luxury Goods and Exotic Matter. Any country that donates a TP of either resource category to EMP as an Economy action before the end of round 5 gains 1 EMP Favour and 1 Treasure.]

---

Pan-Tekhum Worker's and Trader's Union

 

The Pan-Tekhum Worker's and Trader's Union - usually called the Pan-Tekhum Union or simply the Union - found its start as a loose interplanetary coalition of smaller collectives, guilds, and worker's interest groups who found it expedient to work together to protect their interests. The re-introduction of the Elect catapulted them into prominence, as leadership rapidly centralized to ensure the continued protection of interests for workers and small businesses everywhere. They are now a major player in finance and business throughout the system. Despite their name, the Union actually has more in common with the structure of a medieval guild than the definition of a union proposed by more revolutionary groups in Tekhum, though their ownership structure is more horizontal and they have little interest in maintaining monopolies.

[Opportunity] Form the First Committee on Labour Reform And Sovereign Territorial Control - The practice of corvee labour is... concerning. Many of the more vocal and pro-intervention members of the Union favour direct action, but more conservative voices question what, exactly, the Union even can do. A Committee is formed, to interrogate the question and receive input from interested members. What is within the Union's remit? What should be? What course is wisest here?

[Any country with WTU Rep of 1 or higher may offer their input to the Committee as a non-action. Input received may impact the long-term direction of the Union. This will not be the final opportunity to influence the course of the Union for the future.]

 

Bureaucratic Disentanglement - Forms. Documents. Qualified personnel. More forms. More documents. Personnel accredited to confirm qualifications, to stamp forms, to sign documents. Notaries. Accountants. The stream seems endless; but the Union has official Imperial permission to perform its inspections, and personnel qualified in every viable jurisdiction to do so.

 

[Economy] - Buyout 26.3 (Lumber), 63.1 (Veehran Wheat), 83.1 (Space Opera), and 84.3 (Lepkashramov Ikons)- When it comes to maintaining a robust investment portfolio, there is a saying: Diversify, diversify, diversify.

Non-actions

[Flavour] Make A Hall A Home - As the Union settles into its new Halls, impressions of just what a Union Hall actually looks like begin to circulate.

Union Halls

Union Halls are highly diverse in their architectural styles, as they tend to be more utilitarian reflections of the buildings in their local region. They are almost always constructed from local materials when available, and try to include prominent community meeting spaces and bulletins.

Ongoing

New Homes For The Union - The Union has a need for operations centres beyond the hall it calls home on Veehra. The request goes out to all the Elect- the Union is looking for homes across Tekhum. Places where the tired, the hungry, the bruised and abused can find shelter, and where the Union can take on the great work of bringing economic unity to all the downtrodden.

[WTU is seeking a new base in every orbit. Any country with at least WTU Rep 0 may build a site for a Union Hall in their territory as a 3-action project using any combination of Diplomacy and Economy. Only the first site finished in each orbit will be accepted as a base, with simultaneous completions being resolved by an Economy roll-off to secure Union bids and contracts for Union staff to move in. Once each base is accepted, all progress on any other sites in that orbit is lost. Any country that completes the project gains 1 WTU Favour and 1 WTU Rep, even if their site is not accepted for the final base in that orbit.]

Sansar, Veehra, and Mekhala bases completed, still awaiting base for Badal.

 

Loans Available from the new First Union Bank of Tekhum - One of the first moves Union made in the process of centralization was to begin work on a new, labour-backed currency. In order to encourage adoption and use of it, a bank was formed, and loans are being offered to states among the Elect at highly favourable interest rates, provided they accept it in the form of what is being called the "Union Solid".

[Until the end of round 3, any country may (as a non-action) accept a loan of 3 or 4 Treasure from WTU at the cost of 1 favour with WTU. Until the end of round 5, any country that has spent at least as much treasure as they borrowed may repay that favour with the same amount of Treasure initially borrowed as a non-action, and additionally gains one WTU Rep if they do so. If the country fails to spend enough treasure or repay the debt in that time, it must be repaid at standard favour repayment rates and no Rep will be granted.]

 

[Offer] Project Sunrise - Analysts predict that the future of commerce lies in arcologies, and so the Union predicts that their future lies with them as well. Stimulus programs to encourage the proliferation and opening of new arcologies are approved by near unanimous acclaim among the members of the Union, alongside lucrative offers for those.

[Any country that takes the Construct Arcology action before the end of Round 6 may gain 1 Treasure as a sub-action. Also until the end of Round 6, any country may offer a Mercantile Support they control in a region with an Arcology to WTU as an Economy action in exchange for 2 Treasure and 1 WTU Rep.]

[Demand] Hazardous Conditions Inspection - The Union would like to believe the best of people, but they often make it difficult. To ensure that everyone is being treated fairly, or at least not unbearably, the Union is requesting that members of the Elect open themselves and their industrial centers up for voluntary safety audits by Union officials. Left unsaid is that those who refuse, or who aren't up to snuff, will be the subject to further scrutiny.

[WTU is requesting access to inspect working conditions in every country. Countries may accept or refuse as a non-action. Countries that do not refuse or accept will be asked again the following round, at which point further inaction will be considered a refusal. This is the final round to accept or refuse inspections. Any country that refuses an inspection or that accepts and fails their inspection will lose 1 WTU Rep. Countries that accept and pass their inspection suffer no penalties and gain no benefits. Countries with exceptionally good inspections will gain 1 WTU Favour. Inspections will be made according to GM judgment, but players may take freeform action to influence the results of their inspections or the inspections of others.]

---

Basu-Rahman Group

 

The Basu-Rahman Group is a Tekhum-wide megacorporation centered on news and entertainment media. Headquartered on their massive city-ship The Maharaj's Dream, their journalism and investigation is renowned across the whole system. Their ruthlessness and cutthroat business practices are also widely known in certain circles, and many a competitor has met a sorry end at the end of a vibroblade paid for by the Basu-Rahman. At least, allegedly; despite numerous lawsuits and criminal charges, crack lawyers ensure that legally, Basu-Rahman is spotless, despite their deep connections to the seedy underbelly of the system.

[Offer] Independent Partnership - The Basu-Rahman Group is old. Sometimes, that's a powerful thing- it means they have dee pockets, a long reach, and numerous contacts. But it also means, sometimes, they can be slow, out-of-touch, and lacking in "freshness" when it comes to their branding. So when members of the Elect are looking to establish their own brands, fresh, popular, and "hip with the youth", an obvious opportunity is present. Everyone can win here- as long as everyone is willing to play ball.

 

[BRG is interested in offering association and partnership to Snake News of SNK and Holly Heliotrope of GLO. Both parties are offered contracts to have them issue statements of "future consideration in principle", asking only that all parties come to the negotiating table in good faith. SNK and GLO may agree as a non-action, gaining 1 BRG Rep. If either does, negotiations will proceed next round. There is no consequence for refusal at this time.]

 

[Opportunity] Head In The Clouds - Badal seems to be the most promising orbit for the next landing of the Maharaj's Dream. The Board is accepting bids from anyone interested in playing host to her, though if necessary they will simply dock at their existing holdings in the area.

 

[Any country holding a region on Badal with at least BRG Rep 1 may make an offer to BRG to host the Maharaj's Dream for the next several rounds. Bids may include favours, treasure, and anything BRG would accept as repayment for favours. At the end of round five, BRG will accept the most favourable bid, and settle into their territory the following round. If no acceptable offers are received, the Dream will occupy their local base unless extenuating circumstances occur.]

 

[Intrigue] Secret - Not every investigation can be on the books before it's ready to go to air.

Nonactions

A Formal Expression Of Deepest Regret Regarding Previously Aired Materials -

To the esteemed Illumined Utopian, signees of the Eucrus Alliance and the Durats of Burtzland, and above all the people of the High Kingdom of Ishtahnos,

We here at the Basu-Rahman group value speech, above all else. It is our foundational belief that there is no message not worth sharing with people who want to hear it, and that there is no perspective too fringe, no fact too obscure, and no idea too radical to reach the airwaves. We believe everyone deserves a voice, and we wish to be that voice.

This time, we got it wrong. Our channels aired advertising to those who did not wish to hear it, and who found it openly offensive in the highest degree. We make no excuse for this; this was a failure on our part on every level, from our xeno-translators to our quality control officers. This should not have happened. We got it wrong, and we are sorry.

We hope that you will accept our sincere apologies. We do not stand by the material in that advert; with the exception of our own in-house programming and services, we do not endorse any product or service we advertise. Opinions expressed in those adverts are solely those of the clients paying for those advertising slots. We were misled by our clients in this instance, and we hope never to repeat this mistake.

Thank you for your consideration. We hope that, in future, we will be able to maintain cordial relations with all of you, and that you will not judge us solely by one of our darkest hours.

Signed,

The Board of the Basu-Rahman Group.

[Flavour] Your Regularly Scheduled Programming -

...and that was Poretti's Soul-Concerto in Q minor, performed by our lovely in-house orchestra. The performers are recovering, and we are pleased to say that there are no fatalities this week. While our medical team tends to them, here is a recording of "Death Rap For Murder-cide" by Doctor Dissolution and the Dis Solutions...

 

[Flavour] Brought To You By -

Hi, I'm Davin Hasslehand, of Hasslehand, Hasslehand and Pewter. Are you looking for a lawyer? Then please consider Hasslehand, Hasslehand and Pewter. I... look, I know we ought to punch it up more, but my heart just isn't in it. We're god-damn hacks. I mean, seriously, is this how low we've sunk? Shilling out for ad space on the cheapest Basu-Rahman broadcasts because we can't compete with the !@#$ing warrior-lawyers out in Mekhala? Screw this. Find someone else to film the ad, I'm done. No, I will not be talked down, I'm going to get a drink. What do you mean we're still rec- LIVE? WHY THE HELL IS IT LIVE? CUT THE FEED, CUT THE FEED YOU WRETCHED LITTLE MOTHER-

 

Try Re-Leaded BubblePop(TM) brand soda! It bubbles, it pops! Now with 58% more sugar, 135% more calories, and a whopping 300% more powdered lead! Try Re-Leaded BubblePop, today!

 

Ongoing

[Offer] Updates Down To The Minute - It's a cutthroat world out there. Knowledge is power. Can you afford not to know what your rivals are up to? Basu-Rahman journalists will do whatever is necessary to keep you up-to-date on the activities of other members of the Elect. Within the limits of Imperial law, of course.

[Until the end of round 6, any country with at least BRG Rep 0 may pay 1 BRG favour to request BRG take a Build Spy Network action on their behalf. You do not have to publicly state that you are requesting this favour, but you must publicly note that you are requesting a BRG favour.]

[Offer] Brought To You By: You! - Do you have a service or product that you're sure will sell, but it's just not reaching its target market? Get in touch with the Basu-Rahman subsidiary Comet Consulting to see if we can help you to share your gifts with Tekhum. Comet Consulting: For A Truly Meteoric Launch.

[Any country with at least BRG Rep 0 may pay 1 BRG favour as a non-action to insert an advertisement of your choice into the Brought To You By segment of the Basu-Rahman actions in the following round. This can either be a text submission, ideally no longer than a few hundred words, or a prompt submitted to the org GM to be written up as marketing copy. Either way, this has no mechanical effect. All submissions are subject to approval, and BRG may refuse to run advertising that contradicts its interests.]

[Offer] Guiding Lights - Sometimes, authors with truly great material can struggle to get published. At Guiding Lights, we seek to help those authors to get the recognition they deserve. In consultation with our editors, we can help you to get the status appropriate to your work. Guiding Lights Publishing: Editors To The Stars.

[Until the end of round 7, any country with at least BRG Rep 0 may spend 2 BRG favours and a Diplomacy action to gain the benefits of an Exhibit Great Work action. The nature of the Great Work must be in the form of a manuscript or similar literary item. This does not count as taking an Exhibit Great Work action for the purposes of the Rising Stars opportunity under Renown.]

[Request] Dirty Secrets - Nothing sells like scandal. Everyone has dirty little secrets, but the biggest ones are hidden away where even the most intrepid reporters can't get at them. But the wonderful thing about a patron is that sometimes, they can open doors for you.

[Until the end of round 7, any country with at least Renown -1 may open up their secrets as an Intrigue action, trading 1 Renown for 1 BRG Favour. Each country may do this a maximum of two times.]

---

International Renown

 

International Renown is an entity which acts in many respects like a fourth Organization, but it is distinct in a number of key areas. Renown represents the respect, appreciation, envy, and awe a country commands on the world stage, not just from the ruling governments of the country’s peers, but in the broader perception of the influential elite. The only actions International Renown can take are to create tasks, requests, host events, or otherwise create opportunities for countries to demonstrate their wealth, power, and grandeur, and it cannot owe or be owed favors or have its reputation affected by Raise Reputation or Slander actions. A player’s Reputation with International Renown will usually be abbreviated to “Renown”.

[Illumination] In (Or Out) Of The Spotlight - Great deeds continue to resound across Tekhum, and fame circulates rapidly. As fame becomes more common, it becomes easier for notable occurrences to slip through the cracks- by choice, or by accident.

[From now on, Renown opportunities that specify a country "may" gain Renown for an action will only grant Renown if it is explicitly noted in their action post that they wish to do so. This applies to previously offered opportunities.]

 

[Calumny] Everything Not Nailed Down - In the game of nations, there is little that is taboo. If you cannot keep something, ownership is often nothing but an idea enforced only by norms. Even so, there are damages that can be inflicted that may mar opinions.

[Any country taking a Sack or public Theft action may lose 1 Renown as a sub-action. This must be declared before rolling. In the case of a Sack, if successful, this will cause the target to lose 1 Treasure and the sacker to gain one additional Treasure. In the case of a successful Theft, this will cause 1 additional Treasure to be stolen, up to the usual maximum if the action was already stealing Treasure. This may not be done while at Renown -3.]

 

[Vision] Eyes in the Skies - From great heights come great views. Whether that is literal or merely metaphorical, those who see the furthest will often see their own fame among the vistas they view.

[The first time each country takes the Create Space Habitat or Establish Espionage Agency action, they may gain 1 Renown. The first five countries to take each of these actions may gain 1 bonus Renown.]

 

Ongoing

 

[Culture] Rising Stars - The face of Tekhum is changing, and so are the hearts and minds behind it. As ideologies spread and take root, as new titans of the age begin to stand astride the worlds and declaim their truths, as priceless cultural artifacts are unearthed or created, the whole system takes notice.
[Each country may gain one Renown the first time they take one of the Create Cultural Identity, Exhibit Great Work, or Organize Faith actions. The first country in each orbit to take each of these actions may gain one additional Renown. Simultaneous actions will result in both countries gaining the Renown.]
 

Bonus Still Available

All: Exhibit Great Work

[Might] Blood, Ash, and Plasma Residue - Some say war never changes. Some say war is change. Either way, war is coming to Tekhum. Walls rise, bodies fall, and nothing will ever be the same again.
[Each country may gain one Renown the first time they win a battle.]
[Industry] Built to Last - Not every act of glory is something bright and shining and brief. Sometimes, glory is found in something that will outlast the builder.
[Each country may gain one Renown the first time they take one of the Construct Arcology, Found Holy Order, or Raise Fortress actions. The first country in each orbit to take each of these actions may gain one additional Renown. Simultaneous actions will result in both countries gaining the Renown.]

Still Available

Badal: Found Holy Order

Sansar: Found Holy Order, Raise Fortress

Veehra: None

Mekhala: Found Holy Order

[Connection] Ties That Bind - It's not just what you know, it's who you know. Fame brings new opportunities for connection and trade, and then it circulates back to those who have connections and the social capital to exploit them.

[The first five countries to reach each threshold of holding 3 Embassies, 6 Embassies, and 9 Embassies may gain 1 Renown.]

Still Available

All thresholds

[Envy] Tough At The Top - For every set of eyes looking to the great with wonder, another looks with jealousy and greed. And of those, many look with cunning calculation- what can be more impressive than tussling with one of the greats and winning?

[Any country with at least Renown 0 may, as a sub-action of any non-secret action they take contested by a country with higher Renown, attempt to steal Renown from them. If they are successful, the target loses 1 Renown and the country taking the sub-action gains 1 Renown. No country can lose or gain more than one Renown in this way per round, but multiple countries can steal Renown from a country with higher Renown.]

[Wickedness] Hives of Scum and Villainy - Across Tekhum there are places that sensible folks fear to tread. Some of them are simple dive bars; some are the size of entire regions and countries. They are not pleasant places to visit, but there are men, women, and genderless rodent-things of ill repute who can assist with unsavoury activities... for those who pay, and who don't mind being associated with such unsavoury folks.

[Until the end of round 6, any country at Renown 1 or less may, as a sub-action of a single hostile Intrigue or Military action, reduce their Renown by 1 for a +1 to that roll. This cannot be done for secret actions or battles. Each country may do this a maximum of once per round and a maximum of three times total, and may not do it while at Renown -3.]

[Science] Wonders of the 99,803rd Era - The future of Tekhum and the future of technology are deeply entertwined, and the work of luminaries in engineering and science will have a powerful effect on the shape of politics going forward.

[The first time each country takes the Invent Technology or Research Military Technology action may gain 1 Renown. The first five countries to take each of these actions may gain 1 bonus Renown.]

[Ascension] Higher Powers - Some people hold that all are created equal, but on the stage of grandeur, certainly not all remain so. The most powerful will always draw eyes towards themselves.

[Any country that takes the Elevate Status, Consolidate Holdings, or Exalt Domain actions may gain 1 Renown. The first country to take each of these actions may gain 1 bonus Renown.]

[Victimization] Terror in the Shadows - There are terrible things, out in the dark of the void. But there are terrible things closer to the light, too. It is difficult to maintain grandeur when gripped by fear, death, disappearance and betrayal.

[Any country that is the target of a successful Assassination/Kidnapping or Incite Betrayal action will lose 1 Renown, to a minimum of 0.]

Edited March 17 by Silent_Interim
I missed a period in the BRG apology letter (see edit history)

[zabbarot]

The Most Sacred House of Brimstone

Capital: Kish (79)

Zabir, the Archmage of Kish

Diplomacy 2 | Military 2 | Economy 7 | Faith 5 | Intrigue 2

 

The Archmage solidifies their alliance with the llort by formally adopting the Imperial Cult as the official religion of Kish. In many ways it overlaps with the ideals of the Ophonic Mysteries, and it's tenets are easier for the layman. The Ophonic Mysteries are relegated to secret rites for core seers and their apprentices.

Meanwhile the newly restored merchant fleets of Kish make landfall on Badal to establish a firm foothold on the planet.

 

Actions

• [Faith] Adopt Faith - Imperial Cult
• [Economy] Impress Merchants in Anjahar [R 11] with rare metal exports of gold, uranium, and brahmaguptite. Spend 1 treasure.
• [Economy] Buyout Loans in Neo Gulleum [TP 12.2] [Success, 16]
• [Economy] Buyout Integrated Circuits in [Region 15] [TP 15.2] [Success, 17]
• [Economy] Buyout Ice in The Central Claims [TP 97.3] [Success, 15]

Non-Actions

• Support conversions to the Imperial Cult, resist all others.
• Welcome WTU inspectors to Kish.

WTU Inspection

When the Archmage restructured the government there were certain vacancies left behind. In many ways the current government is effectively a feudal system. Every Kishic ship answers to a Lord Captain, even those that are permanently fused into the ring city. The Lord Captain may be elected or a hereditary title, each ship has their own customs. Among all these independent ships very few standards are enforced, but there are voidfarers and their Captains bend towards a utilitarian outlook that favors efficiency and at least some degree of safety.

Recently conflicting forces were acting on trade vessels traveling between Kish and Badal. Information about the Union and it's goals for united workers had filtered in from chance meetings at port, but at the same time Badalian psychocapitalism had opened some captain's eyes to new heights. Thus crew of any individual ship the Union chose to inspect might be anything from indentured servants to a worker's co-op, with safety standards just as diverse.

 

Edited March 24 by zabbarot (see edit history)

[Lleban]

The Federation of Badalian Chaebols(FBC)
 

Dr. Song Freidman

Diplomacy 2
Military 2
Economy 10
Faith 3
Intrigue 6(+1)

 

 

Economy: Create Technology: Block Chain +1 to Build Spy Network req: electronics 
Economy: Buyout Tp 3 R76
Intrigue: SECRET
Intrigue: SLANDER KRB with the imperial court(add treasure)

Diplomacy: Pay tax? In the form of 2 treasure to the imperial court

Non Actions

Allow union dogs into our finest workplaces

News And Rumors

Missives from the imperial court speak of missed tak·suhz? Such a strange word caused the computer to flag the missive as spam, preventing it from seeing human eyes. When word of rebuke came from on high Dr. Friedman had to collect the greatest linguists in Neo Guelluem to decipher this arcane word. After a two year search the academics fond out the word tax to refer to the imposition of compulsory levies on individuals or entities by governments. Little did the Imperial court realize Psycho Capitalism had advanced so far that the idea of the state levying taxes would transition from barbaric to simply unknown. After 1000 years even the word itself fell out of use. Orthodox PsYchO CaPitalISm posits that once the state has withered away all revenue can be derived from fees, rent, and corporate sponsorships.

-Dr. Friedman's Report on the "TAX" incident. Sponsored by Kyondai

Bookkeeping:
Trading Posts: 5 (+2)7

PySChO CAPITALISM: 1
Ground Units: 2
Space Units: 1
Treasure: 5 (-4)

Artifacts: (1 Gear Dragon wings)

Edited March 24 by Lleban (see edit history)

[Gaius Hermicus]

The Merely Players
Capital: The Globe (region 98)
Round 4

News and Rumors We're back. Actions [Diplomacy] Sway Media in 83 [Diplomacy] Improve Reputation with the Imperial Court [Faith] Convert 76 to minority [Faith] Convert 82 to minority [Intrigue] Coerce 99.1 [Intrigue] Secret Non-Actions Resist and/or hinder all conversions and buyouts unless otherwise specified Note - I should have had +2 to converting 76 because of support; forgot to account it in my roll

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women Merely Players." King Claudius III Diplomacy: 3 +1 Military: 2 Economy: 3 Faith: 5 +1 Intrigue: 5 +1 Ground units: 1 Space units: 0 Treasure: 1 + 0 per round EMP: 0 rep / 0 favors WTU: 0 rep / 0 favors BRG: 0 rep / 0 favors REN: rank 0

Edited March 23 by Gaius Hermicus (see edit history)

[Syntax Error]

 

The Wicklund Salvagers
Dip 8 | Mil 1 | Eco 3 | Fai 2 | Int 2
Round 4

---

Actions:
1: [Dip] Raise Organization Reputation with WTU (2d6 + 8 (stat) vs TN 12) (success)

2: [Dip] Raise Organization Reputation with BRG (2d6 + 8 (stat) vs TN 10) (success)

3: [Dip] Sway Faction: Media in region 39 (2d8 + 8 (stat) vs TN 12) (success)
4: [Dip] Sway Faction: Mercantile in region 39 (2d8 + 8 (stat) vs TN 12) (success)
5: [Dip] Press Claim in region 39 (2d6 + 8 (stat) + 1 (renown 1) vs TN 12) (success)

 

Non-Actions:

1: Allow WTU to do an inspection.

2: Pay back WTU loan of 3 treasure.

3: A response to WTU from Wallace Wicklund:

In my opinion, the Union shouldn't just stand by when they uncover poor working conditions. While it would be easy to sanction countries who trade in such resources or provide bounties for reforming the regions' economies, I believe the Union should take a more active approach: attempt to establish some level of control over the practice, then improve working conditions yourselves.

News and Rumors:

Tourism is booming both to and from the southern plains after officially integrating them into the Wicklund dynasty. Meanwhile, Wallace is getting criticized for seemingly abandoning the people of Firmament after making contact. Wallace Wicklund stated Davis Port couldn't afford to get involved in a war. Civilians are starting to demand some kind of military investment, worried about being defenseless in the case of an attack.

Bookkeeping:

Bookkeeping

General data:
Ruler (Wallace Wicklund) stats: Dip 8 (+2), Mil 1, Eco 3, Fai 2, Int 2

Heir (Nemo Wicklund) stats: Dip 1, Mil 2, Eco 3, Fai 2, Int 2

Specials available: Dip 5, (+Dip 10)
Regions owned: 1 (+1) [40 (39)]
Government Supports: 2 [39, 40]
Mercantile Supports: 1 (+1) [40 (39)]
Media Supports: 1 (+1) [40 (39)]
Claims: Integration on 40, strong Marriage (and strong Integration) on 39

Cultural Identity: Sway Faction
Diplomacy data:
EMP reputation: 1

EMP favors: 1
WTU reputation: 1 (+2)
BRG reputation: 0 (+1)
Renown: 1
Economic data:
Trading Posts owned: 4 [40 TP1, 40 TP2, 25 TP3, 52 TP3]

Arcologies owned: 1 [40, Investigation]
Treasure income: 1
Treasures owned: 5 (-3, +1)
Technologies: Pseudogravity Engineering, Wet Navy Ships
Military data:
Ground units: 1 (+1)
Space units: 1

 

Edited March 24 by Syntax Error
News and Rumors (see edit history)

[Elemental]

The Kingdom of High Ishtahnos
By the Light of the Sun, His Royal Highness, John IV, High King of Ishtahnos
First Minister Johnathon Royston Rageclaw
2010-2012 IR, 2043-2045 IC

Actions:

1: [Diplomacy] Attempt to sway the government faction of Nadiratna, Region 68. Success!

As the new High Siifoh of Nadiratna sets about bringing their nation into a period of isolation, the Ishtahn government enters into negotiations intended to keep diplomatic ties open. In return the Ishtahn promise to come to the defence of Nadiratna against foreign aggressors.

2: [Diplomacy] Attempt to press a confederation claim to Region 67. Failure.

Negotiation drag on and on for years. The people of the Land of Chorb are diverse and each group fears the loss of their ancient rights and privileges, fears that only grow as the negotiations continue with seemingly no end in sight. Diplomats and legal experts try to reconcile ancient charters and forgotten legal codes with the modern state of affairs in a vain attempt to make everyone happy that just falls flat.

 

3: [Military] Great Project. Construct proper military shipyards. [1/5]

The makeshift shipyards near the city of Dantenon that have worked 'round the clock ever since the Emperor's gift years before are rapidly showing signs of their unsuitability. They are a patch job of mismatched, inefficient facilities, rushed to completion without proper forethought in regards to expansion. Frankly it's a miracle they've managed to raise the fleet they have, but analysis indicates that they can't guarantee speedy repair and refit. New purpose built, properly planned out facilities will have to be constructed. The Ministry of Finance who have been in constant shock since the military build up began are somewhat mollified as the shipyards will also be used for constructing ships for civilian use.

 

4: [Military] Raise one space unit.
Seeing the value of orbital superiority in future conflicts, a third battlecruiser, the RNI Khassia, is commissioned and launched with the usual fanfare and is soon followed with the next two years by the usual contingent of support ships including the cruisers RNI Sarcorov and RNI Ak'Harrek

 

5: [Economy] Attempt to buyout TP2 in Region 78 for Void Spice. Failure.
The spicers of Mekhala are a stubborn bunch and the Ishtahn merchants are getting more and more frustrated. Back on Veehra millions of Ishtahn suffer blandness in their day to day lives and these greedy merchants constantly refuse a lucrative deal. The Ishtahn very nearly resort to bribing officials, but they just can't even with these people any more and they go home empty handed. Again. The Minister of Trade hands in his resignation the moment he lands back in the capital and decides to pursue painting, their real passion. At least something good came out of this.

Nonactions: Support conversion to the Cult of the Mother Serpent in Ishtahnos.

 

News and Rumours

Doctor Otara's research is interesting, but ultimately not considered worthy of attention by the Ishtahn government. Nevertheless several notable astronomers and scientists assemble their own theories. Professor Susan Milner High Mountain hypothesises that the planet's orbit was perturbed by rogue planet. Sir Professor Todd Stevens advances that the hypothetical planet was destroyed by the Imperial Court during a time of crisis. Professor Ian Jones Darksand suggests after a bit too much whisky that maybe it crashed into the Rings of Ophon due to tidal forces, but when he sobers states that it was more likely to have been ejected entirely. Of course radical conspiracies abound, the most insane one being that the Rings were built using this hypothetical planet, a "theory" soundly debunked by the clear fact that they are obviously magic.

Ishtahn military and judicial officials watch as the planetary headquarters of Basu-Rahman are put to the torch, bearing witness to the passing of the corporation's sentence, the light of the flames reflecting in their eyes.
Meanwhile, back in Ishtahnos as Basu-Rahman pays their fine in the full amount their broadcasting license is restored.

The news of the Peludo's grand ambitious planetary rail network is met with great interest by the Ishtahn government, however the technology involved will have to be examined, new rolling stock developed, existing lines upgraded and new ones surveyed. It will take some years before they're able to begin the work.

The rumour is that the High King is unsure of how to respond to the revelation he's been shipped, as the kids say, with various other heads of state in a state of considerable intimacy. But as no statement is made it's assumed he's just ignoring it.

Archbishop Colton of the Church of the Benevolent Sun declines to send a delegation to the Verdalfi Conclave finding the whole idea thoroughly impious and wreaking of simony.

With the kingdom technically in a state of war all Ishtahn of the necessary calibre to compete on Badal are duty bound to remain on Veehra. Several schools of arms consider putting together their own tournament and inviting the Badalians to make up for it.

A series of archaeological excavations of the abandoned tunnels near Ak'Harrek uncover the oldest known Ishtahn burials which contain the oldest samples of Ishtahn writing alongside other priceless relics dating back as far as seventeen hundred years ago that promise to shed light on a difficult to study era of history.

The "War"

To say the Ishtahn Parliament is unimpressed by Violetta's response to the First Minister's letter is an understatement. Speeches against her are made by several prominent politicians from many parties in the House of Delegates, commenting on her lack of decorum, her apparent childishness and her reliance on petty name calling. These speeches and debates, however, quickly get repetitive and the Speaker finally tells the Delegates to shut up and stop wasting time. The Ishtahn media, however, has no one to tell it to shut up and Violetta is regularly discussed in the press.

Within the following weeks the following declaration is issued on radio and television by the High King on behalf of First Minister Royston's government:
"As of this moment, High Noon above Harazan, a state of war will exist between the Kingdom of High Ishtahnos and the Twilight League. I call upon League Coordinator Violetta to surrender before unnecessary bloodshed and though we now deploy our fleet to the Vesperite skies we remain hopeful for a negotiated settlement to this unfortunate conflict. We call upon all the peoples of Veehra and Tekhum at large to avoid Vesperite airspace until the cession of hostilities has been announced and verified as the Royal Navy of Ishtahnos will commence with a blockade against all shipping save that carrying the flag of His Grace the Emperor.
"May the Sun shine upon us in this dark hour."

As promised the blockade is established and then... Nothing happens. The Vesperites remain in dry dock and the Ishtahn fleet ignores Violetta's attempts at provocation. Conditions do not allow safe targeting of the Twilight League's military installations and neither the Ishtahn military nor government seem inclined to cause civilian casualties attacking a target that refuses to defend itself. Some radical newspapers affiliated with the Wolf Heart publish stories decrying the lack of action, but the larger public ignores them, at first. But as the year drags on with the fleet just performing manoeuvres public opinion starts to get fed up and they demand the fleet either return home or do something.

These demands are echoed in both houses of Parliament and finally a decision is made to end the blockade if, and only if, the Twilight League agrees to negotiate a solution that satisfies both sides. With Violetta's assent to negotiate the fleet returns to its usual duties and talks commence regarding a potential way to bring everything to a close.

Following the Sun - A search for revelation

Military chaplains of the Church of The Benevolent Sun who fought alongside the Soom in the thick of combat have become impressed and intrigued by the Cult of the Mother Serpent. As the Varn had always kept their sacred traditions to themselves the similarities between the teachings of the Cult and the Church had gone mostly unnoticed until now.

Upon their return to Ishtahnos intense theological discussions follow that eventually culminate in a general synod and debate. The correlations between the Benevolent Sun and the Serpent Mother's solar aspect are hard to ignore, but a thousand years of tradition is hard to overturn and as the debate begins to heat up Archbishop Colton brings the synod to a close to give everyone a chance to look into the matter.

Ishtahn priests are not theologians, their role is to provide alms, perform rites and serve their communities. As such there is very little written about the nature of the Benevolent Sun and so all involved are forced to look at progressively older sources, which even for many of the bishops and the canons of the Church is their first try at serious theological scholarship.

Ancient fragmentary texts from around the Advent of the Dawn that have been left mostly undisturbed in university and cathedral libraries are examined with the aid of historians and something unusual is found. Though the language used is clearly Old Ishtahn, many of the ancient hymns are in a metrical style only otherwise found in Kildoran epic poetry.

Then the trail goes cold for eight months. Eight months of debate about whether the style was borrowed or hints at something more. Eight months until an ancient stone tablet left forgotten in a crypt was uncovered during an unrelated excavation. It is not particularly unusual for such a tablet to be placed within the tomb of a clan chief, but the words scribed upon it are anything but:

"I leave the Land of Darkness to be with the Serpent of the Sun in the next life"

With the tablet dated back approximately seventeen hundred years hopes of further evidence are slim and so Archbishop Colton does the only thing he thinks to help resolve this. A formal request is sent to the Doomweaver of Kildora for temporary access to their archives.

 

Ruler Information

First Minister Johnathon Royston Rageclaw

Diplomacy: 6
Military: 8
Economy: 3
Faith: 3
Intrigue: 2

Age: 63
Expected stat increases: +1 Military, +1 Diplomacy

Trade Details and Technologies

The Highlands of Ishtahnos, Region 65, TP1: Veehran Aurochs

Treasure: 1

Dust Hardening
Nuclear Fusion
Xenolinguistic Cataloguing
Arcane Amplification
Algorithmic Imagination
In Vivo Modification
Aclaustrophobic Psychology

Other Bookkeeping

Grounds units: 4
Space units: 2 (+1)
Max units: 7

Edited March 23 by Elemental
Missed an exclamation point (see edit history)

[Ausar]

The Old Tavisham Academy & Surrounds

Day 488 since the Rahakaz emerged from the ground and started being terribly noisy. My prayers once again turn to the students of the very-near future - dear friends, please save my poor ears. ~ excerpt from the year-opening address of Headmistress Elsith Relg

Diplomacy 5 | Military 2 | Economy 6 | Faith 2 | Intrigue 2

 

Actions:

[1] Economy: Buyout TP 1 in Region 47 (15)(spending one treasure)(this is one higher than the displayed roll below because I forgot it came with the +1 from the expedition)

[2] Economy: Buyout TP 2 in Region 47 (15)(spending one treasure)

Ensorcelled ink! The lucky band of students who had been fleeing a rap on the knuckles for covering the class in leaves and sticks were pardoned at a stroke when the lead troublemaker fell into a pit of the ink, emerging drowned, but nonetheless notably altered. Their fur was congealed, and from every orifice slithers of ink dripped but an inch, before swirling up into the air, forming glyphs and runes for instants before fading into the air. The rest of the students fled in screaming panic, but the accompanying lecturers dutifully rounded them up and began a systematic geological survey of the surrounding area, only losing three further intrepid exploring students to the pitfalls of ink before concluding the best policy would be to build perimeter fences around the area and convince the Rahakaz to do the mapping for them. Perhaps under the guise of planning a new racetrack...

[3] Economy: Buyout TP 1 in Region 45 (16)(spending one treasure)

"The eyes of Dragons? Dragons can fly! We must have them! We could see the sky!" Elsith regretted assigning the most excitable of her explorers to the Wyrmlands, but their reports were prompt and to the point, and she respected that.

[4] Diplomacy: Continue GP "In her Headmistress' Public Service" (2 Actions)

[5] Diplomacy [5][Special]: Introduce Cultural Identity: Relentless Curiosity (2d8 to Buyouts).

The Academy is a rapacious beast. Within those storied halls experimentation abounds at a reckless pace, and such raucous abandon proceeds at the sufferance of the explorers and merchants that supply those halls with endless curiosities to explode and demand more of.

Expected stat ups: +1 Diplomacy, +1 Economy

 

Non-Actions:

Permit the passage of military units through the Academy (including WTP troops)(Elsith kindly requests no pillaging. That would disturb the Academy's studies - not to mention it would be quite rude. Good day.)

A fringe group of botanists in the east wing begin to try their hands at biology, investigating the very informal taxonomical systems the Academy has in its files. They declare that the ratfolk of Tavisham are, in fact, Durats. The rest of the Academy views this declaration with some suspicion, but undaunted, the group continue their research and experimentation, and the possibility of a shared ancestor indeed seems increasingly likely. Their magical talents, some whisper, may even be a different manifestation of the Durat psychic power. While the debate is for the moment a sideline affair, it does seem to fascinate more by the day.

Admin

Technologies: Wet Navy Ships, Arcane Amplification

New Leader next round: No

GP "In her Headmistress' Public Service - 1 Action so far

TP's:
2 & 3, region 26, Lumber

Treasure: well, it was 3, spending all of it this turn

 

Edited March 20 by Ausar (see edit history)

[DnD_fan]

 

Arvaxine Populate - Round 4

(1 Region Controlled: 54)

Bookkeeping:
Trading Posts Controlled by AVP: 2 (deuterium, deuterium)
Regions of Majority Belief in The Way of Returning: 1
Ground Units: 3
Space Units: 3

List of Techs: WNShips, ACPsych, IVMod, AI, ArcAmp, Fusion, XLCatalogue

Leader: Edrajek, President

Stats:
DIP 2
MIL 8
ECO 3
FAI 2
INT 4

Actions:

INT - Theft - Dust Hardening from CBC - (For EMP Rep)

Theft

For the emperor...

INT - Undermine Support - WTU Merchant Support R59

Undermine

The resources of Veerha must be controlled by those who are prepared to use them.

ECO - Hoard Treasure

ECO - Hoard Treasure

ECO - Hoard Treasure

There's no shortage of precious ancient artifacts and devices to drag from the depths of the earth and use for trivial purposes.

Edited March 29 by DnD_fan (see edit history)

[aerin13]

The Iron Masquerade
Capital: The City of Narsai (Region 69)
Round 4

News and Rumors None yet. Actions [Diplomacy] - Attend the Elven Conclave of 2044. - Trade 1 treasure and 7 "prisoners" to KRB. Accept character from KRB. - Trade the Eye of the Storm (Artifact) and 1 treasure to TWI. [Diplomacy 5] - Establish an Embassy with the Castaways of the Loop. The soul synchronicity revealed by the magical adepts sent to the Great Western Waste is intriguing and will require further study. The Iron Monarch volunteers the rambunctious teenage heir to the Gratien Baronry, Francis Gratien, as well as a handful of high-ranking clergy from the Black Tower to research the Loop on a permanent basis. With the Group of Seventeen's permission, they are to reside in Dometown full-time. Unexpectedly, the Castaways also send residents to Narsai to further study magical techniques. Several ambitious Todds, including Todd 35348, have worked out that placing one's soul into a vessel makes one unappealing to the Iron Monarch's appetite. These volunteers have undergone soul surgery so as to feel secure in the heart of the Iron Masquerade. [Military] - Raise a ground unit. The Faustine Baronry, jealous of Baron Amelie Beaufort's elevation to the Masquerade's premier general, levies their own peasantry to curry favor with the Iron Monarch. [Intrigue 5] - Kidnap the Union's hazardous working conditions inspector sent to Narsai. (2d8 from Soul Snatchers CI, +1 from Savior's Promise size 5 bonus) Roll: 12 The Union representative sent to the Masquerade is given a full tour of the undercity's mining operations. They curate a long list of safety violations: lack of railings and fall protection, cargo lifts sans licenses, spoonlifts being operated by uncertified personnel, no break periods, lack of hearing protection, lack of adequate respirators, no emergency response training ... All fixable, the Iron Monarch decrees. In fact, to ensure that the hematite miners are given their due per the Union, the Inspector is invited to reside in Narsai permanently as a Safety Officer with a dedicated salary and protective guard force! Given the rumors of a massive anti-gravity railway project to be started soon, letting such a valuable official leave the Iron Monarch's employ is simply not an option. [Intrigue] - Secret, spending 1 treasure. Margaux doubles down on religious ceremonies venerating the Iron Monarch as the steady stream of consumed souls makes a visible difference in the Black Butterfly's appearance. For once, the Promises and prospectives are not on the prowl. Non-Actions Change hosts rulers non-dynastically to Iron Monarch Karla Marrone (she/her). Non-dynastic succession: +1 to any two attributes, Growths: +1 Diplomacy, +1 Intrigue. 3 + 1 Diplomacy, 4 + 1 Military, 2 Economy, 2 Faith, 3 + 1 + 1 Intrigue At long last, the missing researcher from Verdalfheim is revealed to have been kidnapped by the Iron Masquerade when she dons the Black Butterfly. Karla was a skilled and loyal Druid ... perhaps too loyal, even. Her scientific talents will surely be of use to the Iron Monarch. Support CBC's buyout of Polymorphite in Nadiratna (Region 68). Resist and hinder all conversions in Narsai (Region 69). Hinder all buyouts in Narsai (Region 69), Agbada (Region 52), and Nadiratna (Region 68). Resist all buyouts of Iron Masquerade Trading Posts. Welcome Union inspectors. Reminders for myself Any country that takes the Construct Arcology action before the end of Round 6 may gain 1 Treasure as a sub-action You owe Mappy one favor

"In the clear daylight, you can see the truth with unbiased eyes." Iron Monarch Odo Intanran (he/him) Diplomacy: 5 Military: 3 Economy: 3 Faith: 3 Intrigue: 6 Ground units: 2 Space units: 1 Treasure: 3 + 1 per round EMP: 0 rep / 0 favors WTU: 0 rep / 0 favors BRG: 1 rep / 0 favors REN: rank 2

Edited March 24 by aerin13 (see edit history)