Shards in the Mist

[Wizard of the Coat]

Shards in the Mist
The Unification Age
The great sages that serve the imperial council have decreed the start of a new era, the unification age, even when little of this is seen amongst the shards. Bitterly divided the nations that officially make up the imperium now face a new thread. The once proud, mighty kingdom of the dual crowns has been fighting a losing battle for many years as the barbaric Istri have been taking shard by shard from them. Little is known of the Istri, who seem utterly barbaric and ruthless. Once they take a shard contact is lost with it and even the guilds are denied acces.

In a moment of unison the Congregation of Diciples to the Saints has passed a decree of the universal church excommunicating the Istri for all eternity for transgressions against the unity of faith and called for a grand reconquest. As of this moment it is unclear who will awnser the call or indeed whom will be lead this effort, but suffice to say that the church will look favorably upon those who commit themselves to it and frown upon those who turn a deaf ear. With voting coming up this could carry implications for the candidates.
---------------------------------

Regency

The regency period of the Dual Crowns will soon end and with their losses of territory it is unlikely that they will have the resources to again take a leading role in the empire. As defined by imperial law, those that hold the voting rights by heritage or by aproved claim will be able to elect a new candidate for the office of regent to the imperial throne. Currently the imperial charter grants the following voting rights. Only those in possession of a Great Vote are eligible for the regency, however they are relatively free to chose how to govern the imperial holdings and could easily split the power of these lands in exchange for votes. Generally the imperial worlds will not succomb to treachery so contracts made for votes are considered binding by lesser imperial bureaucrats.

Great Votes (hereditary, not lost unless abdicated from)
- Zigar 1
- Anzalotti 1
- Amun'Arat 1
- Pordema 1
- Dual Crowns 1

Claimed Votes
(awarded for services to the empire, effectively have become hereditary so long as your power and territory is held. For simplicity we'll say that your claim is tied to your capitol (largest) shard, except the Vorodan claim, which was originally a Guild Vote.)
- Zigar 1
- Anzalotti 1
- Amun'Arat 1
- Pordema 1
- Rift 1
- Bellore 1
- Lustria 1
- Vorodran 1
- Dual Crowns 1
- Guilds 3
- Church 4

Unclaimed votes: 3 senatorial seats are unclaimed, unfortunatly a claim can only be made upon the aproval of the entire senate. The Dual Crowns originally had claim to these votes, but had to reliquish these claim as it was staked upon the possesion of several shards now under Istri controll. (note: reclaiming an old claim is possible without a vote, but proof of the claim is needed)
-------------------------
The Factions
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3029/shardstc3.th.jpg (http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3029/shardstc3.jpg)

Players


{table]Name|Quality|Military|Alchemy|Shadow|Guilds|Church |Traits

Anzilotti (Ipphli) |***-|****|***|****|**|*+|Militaristic/Naval Power
Zigar (Ganurath) |****|*****|**|**|*|****-|Defensive/Pious
Amun’Arat (Innis) |*****-|**-|*****|**|**|**|Cultured/Scientific
Pordemma (Ufo) |***|***|***|**|*****-|**-|Tolerant/Dubious
Rift (Aergoth) |***|****|****|****|*|*+|Xenofobic/Scientific
Bellore (Wrath) |***|*|*****-|*****-|*|***-|No enemies/Vassals
Traan (Johel)|***|*****|**|**|****+|**-| Feral/Secular
Noraa (Rogue) |*|*****+|***|***|*-|*-| Pirate/Tolerant
Vorodran (Eldan)|****|**tt|**|**|*****|***-| Cultured/Oligarchs
[/table]

NPC

{table]Name|Quality|Military|Alchemy|Shadow|Guilds|Church |Shards|Special
Merchant League |****|*(****)|***(****)|**(**)|**(*****)|*|~4 Med|The Guilds, League
Universal Church |***|***(***)|**|****|*|*****(**)|~5 Med, ~1 Maj|The Church, Fractionalized
Imperial Regency|***|***|*|***|**|***|1 Maj|
Dual Crowns |**|***|**|***|**|****|2 Maj|Co-regency, Crumbling
Lustrian Republic|***|*|***|***|****|*|3 Med|Federation, Guild Ties
County of Ranore|**|**+|**|**|*|***|2 Med| Vassal state
County of D'nore |**|*|*|**|*|***|1 Med|Vassal state
Istri Imperium |*?|*******?|?|?|?|?|5++ Med, 3++ Maj|Barbarian empire
Independent Shards|* or **|* each|*|*|**|***|7++ Med|All individual, little co-ordinated effort
[/table]

Traits:

(traits are bound to a certain ruler and will generally be present in the populous as well. Succesion allows you to change traits, but the more radical the more difficult the change. Traits like nbeing a smart ruler really will depend on how you play him, so it's mostly attitudes that are described, still the pro's will usually outweigh the conns)

Militaristic: The ruler prefers action over words and is always ready to fight for its interests, backing down would be highly dishonorable.

Naval Power: The ruler takes pride in his fleet, research into ship technology is easier and ships are of a higher quality...better not lose one to the enemy.

Defensive: The ruler has made it his business to be safe and his shards are virtual fortresses, though at a cost of his armies flexibility.

Pious: The ruler is pious and the church acknowledges this, though they expect him to lead a virtuous life.

Cultured: The ruler has an esthetic desire and this keeps his people happy, untill of course their luxuries fall away.

Scientific: The ruler has always placed his trust in science and thus his court attracts bright mind from far away, however the church has noticed this too.

Tolerant: The ruler is tolerant of diversity in his kingdom and this makes it a flexible place, until some-one seeks a scape goad.

Dubious: The ruler's morality is dubious, though this makes him feared by many and allows him to attrackt likewise people, the church is not happy

Xenofobic: The ruler despises foreigners and his people are thus more unified, however those beyond his borders have noticed this.

No enemies: The ruler believes he outsmarted his enemies and is very confident in his rule which the people admire, unfortunatly his enemies do not admire this.

Vassals: The ruler is keen on keeping his hands clean and has several minor vassals to do his dirty work, well so long as they are minor.

Secular: the ruler is secular and this has rubbed of, the people care less for the church, though the church will care less for them too.

Feral: The ruler is a warrior and most follow his example, he'd better ensure he staystop dog.

Oligarchs: True power is in the hands of several powerfull men who keep each other balanced and maintain the status quo, this doesn't help speedy decissions though.

Pirate: Your ruler is a pirate and has no problems in finding excelent ship crews or recruits, the trick is getting them and his people to do what he wants.



------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT: With so many players I cannot and will not read every line in your posts and I will not respond to PMs, there is a recruitment thread and will soon be an OOC thread for rules questions. Instead add a spoiler to the end of every post if you are taking actions and write them as one line sentences. DO NOT READ THE SPOILERS OF OTHERS UNLESS THEY LABEL YOU AS A RECIPIENT OR YOU HAVE A HIGHER SHADOW RATING.

For instance:

@GM
Utopia sneaks two shardrunners into Distopia and attacks their great shards harbours with marines.

OR..

Utopia gives economic aid to Dystopia to help them rebuild their economy.
--------------------------------

Please roll any dice in the dice rolling thread found here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5779663#post5779663) and just state the result in a GM spoiler in one of your posts in this thread.

[Innis Cabal]

The alchemists deep in their labs slowly watch as two small crystals attract to one another, two clapping with excietment as the others rush from the room. The Council would want to hear of this. And they might even give a grant



TO WIZARD
True to my word, Amun'Arat begins to research technology that will allow them to all but halt Shard dift for the betterment of their nation.

[ufo]

Pordemma

He shrugged to himself. King Unus often did that when he was at a loss of what to do. He leaned forwards and rested on his knees. He heard a sound. The familiar sound of a specific set of boots hitting the tiles in the hallway hard. He fixated his look on the large double-door that seperated his throne room and the narrow hallway outside. Any moment now.

The door smashed open and High Cardinal Ilan entered the throne room. King Unus spotted a guard in the hallway giving him a sympathic look.

'Blessed Lord, I bring news.' Unus sighed and leaned back, resting his arms on the sides of the throne.
'Your Holiness, what do you wish to tell me?' He asked lazily. The High Cardinal gave him a hard stare. Unus wished that he could dismantle the Disciples of Juliania and throw them out of Pordemma. But as it were, they had put him on the throne and they could easily topple his reign should he appear a threat to them.
'The Istri have made further advancements into the territory of the Dual Crowns.' He paused to see the King's reaction. The King remained passive. 'The Imperial elections are soon to stand. That the Dual Crowns should be re-elected is an unlikely scenario.'

While none of this was news to Unus, he leaned forward with an interested stare. 'What are you trying to say, Your Holiness?' He said, reaking false politeness.
'I request. I suggest,' the High Cardinal corrected himself, 'that our vote be given to the Empire of Zigar.'
Unus was flabbergasted. For one of the King's closest associates to try and influence his choice of vote was unheard of. He was not even sure if it was legal. He rose from his throne.
'Your Holiness Ilan, why do you think it neccesary to make such suggestions?'
The High Cardinal smiled deviously. 'The Empire of Zigar has close ties with the Church. If we do not support the Church, it may have consequences.'
King Unus shrugged to himself. He was at a loss of what to do. He had just been threatened, in the very throne room by one supposed to be his subject.

And yet, he had no course of action to take that might enforce his will. He stared hard at the High Cardinal. He was impressed by the man's courage, he admitted to himself.
'Your Holiness, I will make my decisions based on the good of the Holy United Provinces, not on the wishes of a cult that happens to be present within it's borders.'
The High Cardinal lifted his chin. Suddenly, King Unus felt very small. He realized what the High Cardinal had done. Unus had experienced this before, but he failed to pay heed to the High Cardinal's hidden power at every turn. This pose seemed to radiate the will of the Church, the Disciples and any noble. He could not refuse to abide by this man's will.

'I shall make thorough considerations on the matter.' King Unus said dismissively. The High Cardinal smiled again. 'Good'. 'Your Blessed Highness,' he added.

@ GM, all
It is public knowledge that the Holy Provinces of Pordemma intent to support the Clockwork Empire of Zigar in the Imperial elections.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

An explosion of cheering from the darkness signaled the leaving of the first Shadrunner. Three more will be launched into the dark within the cold mockery of a day. Gahu, leaned back from the window he was watching from and turned to face his advisers. For Lorian's they stood rather straight, bravery was in this room, for these people's backs would bend for few people indeed. "Are you sure this is the right decision Gahu? Our people have kept to ourselves for many years." Gahu nodded calmly to the adviser before responding. "The darkness is becoming more and more dangerous, we need allies and we need friends. With these ships we will set up embassies across the Mist. We need there help, and they need our help." With that he returns to stare out the window.

For GM, Zigar, Amun’Arat, and Vorodran

The 4 Bellorian shadrunners are heading to Zigar, Istri, Amun’Arat and Vorodran. They will flee at first sign of aggression but should they be allowed to land they will request to set up an embassy for Bellore.

GM only

Each shadrunner carries 10% of Bellore's wealth for this turn,

Apart from the diplomat, its crew and embassy staff are almost all operatives of Bellore's shadowops.

Once permission to build has being granted they will assist in construction but will also go about setting up networks of information gathers and operatives, using the money to buy and bribe people into working for them.

They will target the mid-level leadership, clerks, military Sargent, local law enforcement, medical staff, payroll clerks, local members of the guild, and church, crew/captains of shardrunners, members of the nations Alchemists and if possible the nations own shadow networks.

[Rogue_Dragon]

It wasn't often that Bagoran found himself liking the church, but now was one of those few times. He had already sent a message to the rest of the Council, and had already sent messages to the Dual Crowns, he didn't want to be fighting two countries at once, the Barbarians were gonna be bad enough as it was. Finally the two captains that Bagoran had sent for arrived, walking in and sitting down in front of Bagorans table, where he had been plotting courses through the mist, as much is as possible at least. "You're ships ready then?" Both the captains nod, but one of the captains speaks up "My crews ready boss, but we need a bit of reasonin first. Them Dual Crowns folks never did nothin for us, why should we go help them now? It's not like the church can get any madder at us than they already are, so why we riskin our necks for them?" The other captain looks over at him, "Gants, you numbskull, we ain't going to help 'em. The church says they want people to fight the Istri. We'll just be doing what we always do. We follow the barbarian fleets around, and wait for one to slow down too much, or get seperated in the mist, then we pounce on it. The Crowns will call us heroes for helping, the church will like it, and we don't even have to give the ships back to anyone." Bagoran smiles a bit, "That's right Elise, and if we happen to come across a crippled Crowns ship, we can always send help over to 'recapture it' from the Barbarians." Bagoran was glad that all the council wasn't as stupid as Gants, but he worried about Elise, she was the only woman on the Council, and by far one of the best pirates in the whole Noraa family, but she was also one of the sneakiest, he didn't really trust her to go into battle by his side, but he trusted her even less left alone at home to plot for his return. When he died, she would almost certainly be the next head of the council.

@ Gm, and any in the Dual Crowns.
The empire of Noraa sends a message to the Dual Crowns, informing them that they will be sending ships to help deal with the Istri Barbarians. They then send 3 Shardrunners, fully loaded with pirates, to look for any Istri ships that are traveling alone, or in pairs. They also keep an eye out for ANY ships that are crippled, and alone.

[Johel]

Traan Homeshard

Traan, the shard from where Rüüt's people had taken their name. For as long as the memories can go back, the Traans had always lived here.
Rüüt was flying above the endless green, savouring the wind on his face as his mount descended a few dozen meters down in one single swift move. On his right, at the limit of his eyesight, he could see his squire, Yört. The young halfeling was still learning the basics but he showed some promises at riding the wild and ill-tempered giant owls.
I'll keep him, maybe. Grüf is getting old and since his wound at the leg, he isn't the same. Best for him to become a recruiter than to slow us down. The brotherhood needs young blood...

As he ended his patrol, landing on the tower's base, two warriors hailed him. As soon as the owl touched the ground, Rüüt jumped on the ground and stared at the two halfelings.

“-What's up ?”
“-Was the flight good, Warlord ?”
“-I asked a question. Stop being polite and answer, Früg !!”
“-Eh...Just trying to...Oh, by the ancestors, right !! The doc asked for you.”
“-They've hatched ?”
“-Biggest I've ever seen, Warlord. In a few years, they'll make fine mounts.”
“-Let's see this.”

The three walked inside one of the buildings, a large wooden construct with wide holes at the roof's base. The smell of guano filled the air while feathers covered the ground. Working here and there, dozens of halfings, both young and old tended to large and beautiful white birds who, for those awake, fixed the Warlord as he walked by. Near a mound of straw, a bald halfeling with the skull full of scars waited. Rüüt shouted at him.

“-Doc !! Where are they ?!”
“-Sshhh !! Rüüt Tervilsen, how many time must I tell you ? Don't scream in the nursery. You may fancy yourself as warlord with those children but not with me !! I was old when you were but a toddler and...”
“-The children, Doc. That's why I'm here.”
“-...Oh right. Over here, please.”

The old alchemist waved a hand toward the massive nest, where oversized birds were sleeping. If giant owls were four to five time larger than their common cousins, those babies would probably grow up to six time, maybe seven. The Warlord smiled.

“-Good... When will they be able to breed ?”
“-Two, maybe three years. It depends how efficient the drugs are.”
“-They better be bloody efficient !! It costed us a fortune just to get those damn components from the Guild !!”
“-Might cost more. Other births are scheduled in the next months and I would like to test different protocols on those ones.”

Rüüt wasn't listing anymore. The Traans had bred owls for centuries but it was only since a few decades that the whole thing was supervised by alchemists. Since then, results were astonishing, even if experiment were only done on a small scale. But if one of them succeeded, all breeding farms would use it to enhance their specimens.
Even if the giant owls could fly in the thickness of the mist, they were still able to venture along the cliffs and to prevent shardrunners from landing. The hopes of Rüül was to live long enough to see them free to launch inside the mysterious vapours of the Misty Ocean.

GM
The Traans have launched a scientific program.
It mix alchemy and breeding to create more "efficient" giant owls. The goal is to make them bigger, faster and fiercer. They also hope to make them able to fly inside the mist, even for short periods.
They select specimens according to :

Their wingspan
Their speed of fly
Their resistance to exhaustion
Their fertility
Their navigational capability

and use alchemy to alter them.


----------------

Dual Crowns

The shardrunner hovered above the city, approaching from the palace, his side pannels already opened as the riders waited to take off. The Dual Crowns, while not a ally of the Combinate, had attracted its interest and so the Warlord had sent one of his best rider and his squadron to initiate negotiation of a military assistance treaty.

“-No weapon, no scream... I think they welcome us, don't they ?”
“-If they don't now, I bet they'll lick our boots when the Istri'll come knocking at the doors. Here we go, chief ?”
“-Here we go.”

Answering the command of their riders, the two owls jumped from the shardrunner, falling a few meters down the shard before flying graciously to the palace's court. There, one of the Traans looked at the “Tall ones”.

“-I am Rïda, from the Traan Combinate. And I'm here to speak to your king.”

A tricky question, as the Dual Crowns had two kings.

GM and all

Diplomatic mission to the Dual Crowns.
Aim : Military assistance treaty.
The Traans offer : Owl squadrons will take position on the minor shards of the Dual Crowns and prevent the Istri from landing.
The Traans ask : Money or goods, whatever may help them to obtain more shardrunners.

[Eldan]

Voloran

Akra yawned. Everything about him was fat, even the hand he held over his mouth. On his white-haired, balding head he wore a black velvet cap and his matching coat was covered in lace and golden trimming, though his silver councillors chain was nearly vanishing beneath three wobbling chins.
"Tell me.", he implored, shifting in his huge armchair.
"Why should we pay good money to a bunch of stinking mercenaries? The Isti are no danger to us. Our economy is so integral, half the other nations would collapse if they allowed the barbarians to take us. Our shield is gold, not steel."
The other man, in a red cloak over a grass-green shirt and white silk trousers sighed, playing with his chain, which, coincidentally, was golden, bearing a sapphire the size of a fingertip.
"We need it, because the barbarian's swords are steel, and not gold. See how well the Dual Crowns fared when they thought themselves well protected. The Istri are halfway through them and will be knocking on our doors in a year if we don't stop them. No, my decision is made. Amber!
The last word was yelled, and only seconds after, a small man in decidedly less noble clothing hurried into the small conference room, placing parchment, quill and ink on a small table.
"Ready, Mylord."
The merchant nodded.
"In the name of His Grace, Lord Merchant Kerval Thorne, First Operator of the Bank of Vorodra, Master of Coin, and fill in the rest of my titles as well.
To ensure the continued safety of all nations, as well as the unity of the most holy faith, We have decided to grant letters of marque and absolution for any crime short of high treason or blasphemy, as per the laws of the Vorodran people, to any man, dwarf or elf who is willing and able to put arm and weapon, as he has them, in the service of this most worthy cause:
To stop and hinder, forthwith and until the end of their service, the further expansion and needless aggression of the people known to all free people only as the Istri, all their schemes and plans and their war against the sovereign nation of the dual crowns.
Let it further be known that two silver hawks will be paid for the head of any Istri warrior, insofar as he is still recognizable as such, and a golden eagle for any Istri officer, captain, nobleman or other authority, worldy or otherwise braught to the Vorostran territories as a prisoner, alive and in good health, for interogation.
Now hand it over, I'll sign it. Make me five hundred copies of that, and if you have to gather all the scribes in the city, then send them off with every shardrunner of the guild or the merchants, to be brought to every major shard and read to the public."

Also:
The Bellore are welcomed, helped to set up their embassy in a recently vacated palace which they are allowed to use free of charge, as a gift to new friends. Of course, several councillors, visiting personally or through intermediaries, politely ask for trade agreements.

GM, everyone else who thougth the above was too long to read:

Short version of the long, long letter above:
The Vorodran pardon all criminals and pirates willing to fight the Istri and pay good money for their heads and any important prisoners. Of course, only past crimes are forgiven, not any new ones.

[Ipphli]

Anzilotti

Lord Kirwin frowned at the piece of crumpled up paper in his hand. "As if we didn't have enough problems already. Now the Church wants us to go to war with the Istri!" A thin man standing near the door shrugs. "Attacks from the Dark have dropped lately sir. And with the Vote coming up soon, it would be unwise to alienate the Church."

Kirwin looks over at the man. "Too true Navarre. I suppose we could spare a couple of Runners to the defense of the Dual Crown's lands. And the sending will give us an excuse to establish relations with our neighbors. We'll need allies in the days ahead. Tell me, how goes the alchemists' work?"

Navarre smiles. "Work is progressing on schedule. They'd yet to finalize any plans, but they are very hopeful they will get the Beacon system you requested finished within the allotted time." Kirwin nods. "Good. We'll need it, and soon."

@GM, Amun'Arat, Vorodran

3 Shardrunners are dispatched to Amun'Arat, Ranore, and Vorodran to establish formal relations on their way to help patrol the borders between the Regency and the Istri


@GM

The alchemists of Anzilotti are working towards refining a beacon system that will allow their Shardrunners to home in their various shards regardless of the Mist.

[Innis Cabal]

Amun'Arat

The ambassadors of Amun’Arat except the Shardrunners of Anzilotti are accepted with open arms. The Shadrunners of Bellore are as well, but are placed outside the major city areas.

A Shardrunner is sent to the Voloran and the Empire of Pordema to open trade relations.

[Eldan]

Vorodran

All Ambassadors, from whatever nation, are politely welcomed and given lavish buildings to establish their embassies, all gifts from the Lord High Merchant, of course. Coincidentally, all these buildings only have one exit and, "for security reasons, there are so many criminals around these days", only few windows, most of which, at least those on ground level, are barred. The large main exits, easily wide enough for coaches, all lead out on the same plaza.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

Gahu reads down the latest intelligence reports with a frown on his face. Sending a messenger down to the last shadrunner, it takes off to complete a quick mission before searching for shards. Gahu sighs and rises to go meet his appointment with the Lorian alchemists.

@GM

40% of Ballore's wealth spent on alchemy.
Alchemists are currently to focus on both making a form of long range communication and refining of gunpowder (Bombs and long range rifles).

The shardrunner is going to the County of Ranore to request a foreign quarter to be set up to receive ambassadors from other nations. Before scouting out shard's and unknown nations.


The Bellorian ambassadors to the Voloran, agree to a limited trade agreement based on the vassal state of Ranore, due to the danger's to trade of traveling too deep into the dark.

Edit: The Bellorian ambassador's would also like to offer an agreement of mutual assistance to the Voloran. Should one of us be attack, the other will assist, should one encounter issues, the other will help. In order to sweeten the deal the Bellorian's hint that trade in information may also be on the plate during later deals.

[Ipphli]

Anzilotti

The embassies established at Amun'Arat and Volodran, the Shardrunners continue on their way towards the Regency to give word of Anzilotti's willingness to answer the Church's call.

[Ganurath]

The Governors' Council was seated at a round table at the height of Obelisk City, the only room above the fires of the Obelisk Beacon, and only accessible through a shardrunner on an open air dock above. Seven dwarves gathered around the stone slab, each with a report written in fine text on rough paper.

"Governors of the Second Shard and the Third Shard, as Governor of the capitol of Obelisk City I call this Governors' Council to order." The Governor, blood descendant of the Clockwork Empire's founder, slammed the butt of his sledgehammer upon the table to call for attention. "Naturally, the first matter to address is the vote for regency. As I've been made to understand, we're a strong contender for the position."

"You are a strong frontrunner, milord, with the vote of confidence from Pordemma and-"

"I am nothing without my people. You all have as much to gain from this as I do, as do all Zigarun dwarves." The Governor of Obelisk City stroked his salt-and-pepper beard in thought, then smiled just slightly. "Since you're informed as to our options, however, I'll leave detailing them to you."

"With Dual Crowns waning in power, we're in the best position to secure the vote of the Church. Combined with the support of Pordemma and their good standing with the Guilds, I think we can secure the regency easily enough with the right incentive to the right people."

"Offerings for the Church and bribes for Pordemma, in other words. Any idea as to how we should go about this? Other than ample personal contributions to the Church from the seven of us, that is."

One of the other lesser Governors spoke up at this point. "The leader of Pordemma is a... dubious individual. We'll want to offer him something he can't easily acquire, even with the aid of the Guilds."

"Indeed. As for the Church... I've already begun a campaign of restoration for the lesser temples within the city under my leadership. I think the Church may appreciate it if the campaign extended to include the grander temples as well."

"Good, good... However, the material is a secondary goal to the Church as a whole. They want followers. Perhaps a festival with strong religious overtones, founded by the taxes?"

"That would work at least as good for the people as for the Church. Shall we allow plaza preaching for the duration of the festival?"

"Of course, but we should have the Constable's Regiments have a modest presence to keep the peace. Gods knows that even the most religious of festivals can't seem to go without drinking." After mumbleds "Amen."s from around the table, the Governor adjusted his spectacles and looked at his sheet. Now, it seems we have the matter of Bellore...

@ GMThe Governors' Council of the Clockwork Empire will attempt to curry favor with the Church for their vote through internal proselytization campaigns and donations.

Also, 3 shardrunners will be assigned to exploration, while the alchemists attempt to develop (cheap?) airships for local travel, non-shardrunners.@ GM, PordemmaThe Governors' Council is sending a shardrunner to Pordemma with a courier with a request that Pordemma attempt to gain the Guild vote. The shardrunner will have a cargo of gunpowder firearms as incentive, and the request promises technological data if the Guild vote is secured.@ GM, BelloreThe Bellore shardrunner is allowed to land under careful guard, and the Zigarun delegate sent by the Governors' Council several hours later presents the following terms:
Detailed Bellore Version:1. The embassy must be built upon the shard where Obelisk City is located within (visual) range of at least two of the local keeps.
2. The Bellorian government either buy the land that the embassy will be built upon, or pay property tax at the same rate was required of citizens of the Clockwork Empire.
3. The embassy may not have more guards than staff, and said guards may not carry ranged weapons that aren't at least as functional when used in melee as when used at range.
4. Bellorian shardrunners must land at designated areas for landing outside the embassy (such as where the shardrunner the Bellorian representatives came on is presently landed) and pay a docking fee for regular use of Zigarun hangars.
5. Property taxes and docking fees need not be paid so long as Bellore supports the Clockwork Empire for the regency.GM Only OOC Summary:Bellore bends over and bleeds out their coffers. Well, either that or hand over their vote.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

@GM and Clockwork Empire

Bellore agrees to support the Clockwork Empire, in exchange for the land and tax breaks, but also they request a treaty of mutual assistance be signed in order to cement there relationship. The treaty calls for assistance to be given to either nation by the other in times of dire need, weather military or not.

[Ganurath]

Zigar

@ GM, BelloreThe Governors' Council is not yet ready to commit to such a treaty, but is willing to consider it after a review of the Clockwork Empire's mobile military capacity, internal infrastructure, and a more detailed treaty presented by the Bellore leadership.

[Johel]

Traan Combinate
((OOC : Here is a sum up for this turn))

Homeshard :
Most of this shard is green jungle but hundreds of wooden towers dot the landscape. The South is completely cleared and is an agricultural area with very high productivity.

Large breeding nursery also exists for giant owl breeding. That's here that most of the Traan civilians live. Patrols of OWl Riders are scouting the cliffs to prevent shardrunners to land without authorization.

Actions :
Agriculture develops to support the population growth as well as to export. (10% of the incomes)
Breeding program (10%)

Essa
A temperate shard with small forested areas and rich metal deposits. The population is nearly exclusively made of Tall ones. A few farms are set here and there but the shard relies mainly on Traan import. Its main export is iron and other metals.

Actions :
Efforts are actually made to increase the productivity of the mines (10%) as well as the welfare of the inhabitants (10%). The former is done to increase the finances of the tribes while the latter is done to avoid civil unrest.

Tawfret
A rocky shard covered with snow, with rich underground chemical deposits, Tawfret is used mainly as a cultural center for the Combinate. Most of it population is made of "Tall ones" who work as craftsmen and miners. Two mountains dominate the landscape.
The first hosts many laboratories and libraries where alchemists, both "Tall ones" and Traans, work. That's also here that the Combinate build and repair its shardrunners. The other mountain hosts the barracks of the Owl Riders.

Actions :
While many differents researches are going on, the main focus is here to increase the size of shardrunners (10%) and conceive alchemical drugs to ease the selective breeding of giant owls (10%).

The Army

More of a ragg-tag hordes of owl riders than a true army.
It's actually split between the Homeshard (50% army), Essa (20% army), Tawfret (20% army) and the garrison and crew of the shardrunners (10% army).
Of the 3 shardrunners, 1 is on diplomatic mission (see last post), 1 is transporting goods between the shards (to avoid the Guild's fees), 1 is exploring the Misty Ocean.

GM

Exploration :
[roll0]
Main expanses :
Agriculture on major shard (10%)
Breeding program on major shard (10%)
Welfare on a medium shard (10%)
Mining on a medium shard (10%)
Research larger hulls (10%)
Research enhancing drugs for owls (10%)
Army training and maintenance (30%)
Buy chemicals from the Guild (10%)

[ufo]

Pordemma

'Gentlemen,' King Unus started. He looked worriedly at the many men positioned around the table, clad in clothes almost as pompous and elegant as his own. 'Do you consider yourself to be in a position wherein you can decline my offer?' He asked rethorically.

The men mumbled uncertainly. King Unus allowed himself to glance at them deviously, but quickly changed back to the indecipherable face that had gotten him through so many hardships in life.

GM
King Unus attempts to persuade the guilds to vote for Zigar in the Imperial elections by offering a heavy lift of taxes on the Guilds' trade within Pordemma.

'I will not stand for this!' the High Cardinal shouted at the royal architect. The architect pulled back and felt himself become smaller under the hateful gaze of the High Cardinal.
'Your Holiness, the workers must've been slacking, sire. Please, allow me to repair the cathedral.' He pleaded.
'No, I have had enough of your uselesness. You are not worthy of even touching the home of Juliania's afterlife.' He turned away from the architect. 'However,' he said, surprised at his own ingenuity. 'I think I just might know who is.'

GM, Amun'Arat
The High Cardinal contacts the Amun'Arat traders to negotiate for the hiring of Amun'Arat architects to build the new Cathedral of Juliania in the capitol of Pordemma.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

@GM and Zigar

Bellore will vote in Zigar's favor, under the condition of tax relief and land, and the future review of an alliance with Bellore.


Edit:
@GM

The rest of Bellore's funds go's towards training and recruitment of assassins, operatives, intelligence and counter intelligence officers.

[Innis Cabal]

Amun'Arat

Amun'Arat agrees to the terms of the construction of the temple, and produces it at roughly 75% of the price in the efforts of diplomacy.

[Wizard of the Coat]

@ ALL, IMPORTANT

- Please provide a heading for all posts indicating the name of the nation, I'm really clumsy in matching names with players so you'd help me a lot.
- Dual Crowns rulers are not kings actually (though I can understand the confusement), rather it is very roman in having two crowned consuls.
- Budgets are NOT needed, only special investments (1 or 2 a turn if at all). Note that having many special investments equate to none at all. Research is not an investment unless you seek to build up your alchemy rating itself or pay another to do it for you.

example
Utopia invests heavily in components to build a new shardrunner to rush produce it.

- Technology now comes in catagories ranging from very easy to very hard. To research a tech roll a number of d6 at beginning of the following turn equal to your alchemy score that represents progress over the past turn (starting turn two for your current researches). A certain number of 6's need to be rolled over seperate turns to complete a tech depending on it's difficulty

Very Easy ~ 1 six
Easy ~ 2 sixes
Moderate ~ 3 sixes
Hard ~ 5 sixes
Very Hard ~ 8 sixes

After this technology needs to be implemented which will come at a pricetag and will also take time (cheaper, faster for humans). If technology is known by another you can add the difference in your shadow ratings (if positive) to the number of d6's rolled for research. Note that this has a very high chance of discovery.

There is little benifit from co-operative research. With shards being so distant the information exchange is virtually fruitless.

- Actual voting done in bold with the following statement in a GM spoiler, cause I can't keep track of negotiations going back an forth and I don't always know when an official agreement is reached. Untill this is written no vote has been cast.

(Nation X) casts (1 or 2 or ...) votes for (Nation X or Y)

---------------------------------

Regency

In the imperial senate the succesion debate is ongoing, so far it seems Pordema and Bellore have shown a great deal of support for Zigar.

This came as a shock to the Church as all voting members of The Congregation of Diciples to the Saints traditionally has voted to keep the Dual Thrones in office. Currently the church is not sure about supporting Zigar with Pordema and Bellore in favor of it, especially with open speculation amongst the guilds about doing the same. Still it seems that with a lack of a strong alternative and extensive donations by Zigar the church will vote their way.

The Dual Crowns now feels confident about a counter bid, it offers to split command over the imperial espionage service, the imperial fleet and expeditionary army amongs any that offer to vote for it.



-------------------

@Amun'Arat
Research is very hard, but implementation would by astronomically costly. Drift dampening is suggested to slow drift somewhat to keep track of objects, research is hard, implementation expensive, but affordable.

((OOC: I don't mind you overcomming drift's effects, but would like to keep the concept itself present))


@Bellore
Wealth as such doesn't fit on the shardrunners, it represents agricultural produce, mining and all manner of things (taxes are payed in goods mostly). I'll take it to understand the treasury, which is possible.

Don't spend wealth (especially not that much...it's a cripling amount) on alchemy unless you want to improve the rating. Other then that, do you really want to split research? See rules. Also state not only what a tech does, but also how it's done (long range communications can mean anything, same for better gunpowder, example of the latter could be researching rifling for better range...moderate research)

@Noraa
Your ships do battle with a small flotilla of Istri ships. Savage fighting leaves one of their shardrunners in the hands of your forces, but the cost in blood is heavy.

One of your other shardrunners was lost in the mists after an istri ship rammed it and the two driffed into a dense area of mist. Neither came out. The remaining Istri vessels sped away after this due to your losses your commander did not persue.

Note the captured istri shardrunner is of lower quality then your others and looks quite ancient.

Dual Crowns is happy with the support and offers a joint offensive against an istri medium shard offering you the spoils of the istri (weapons, runners etc.) if they get the shard.

@Traan
- Too much detail on the owls, the first sentence would be enough. Research is moderate and will take three turns to complete.
- Budget, way to much specified, just

Dual Crowns decline your offer, stating they would prefer you help counter attack the Istri instead. in that case the deal is you get the Istri spoils (weapons, runners etc.), they get the shard.

@Anzilotti
Research of beacons is moderate.

Also though I normally read only spoilers, merely stating that you anwser the church call has no effect unless you also say that you are sending troops/ships/money/food/pinkfluffyteddybears and where they are send.

@Vorodran
Soon a small, ill-equiped army of mercenaries is formed to fight the Istri. It's unlikely they'll fight well without some investment and so far are huddled in their camp frightening the locals awaiting transport to the warzone. Morale is low.

@Zigar
The church needs convincing that you won't hoard the regency power and wants to ensure that Pordema and the guild are not the ones you share it with. Perhaps a split between fleet and army would be in order.

@Pordema
Tax breaks will be apreciated by the guilds, yet they were hoping for a commitment to come to their aid in times of trouble too and would be keen to see you secure that a part of the imperial power (like fleet, army, espionage services) for yourself.

[ufo]

((OOC: This post includes only OOC technicalities. Might add some fluff if I get the time.))

The Holy United Provinces of Pordemma casts 2 votes for Clockwork Empire of Zigar.

'Your Blessed Lord,' the messenger stammered. King Unus ran a pair of concerned eyes across the man. Something was obviously wrong. 'What is it?' he said quickly.
'Sire, we have lost a shard. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5780303&posted=1#post5780303)' The man said and closed his eyes in fear of what to come.
'What?' King Unus shouted in disbelief. 'What did you say?!'
'Sire, the shard of Veimen collided with a strafe shard. Everything on it was annihilated.'
King Unus hit his palm against his face. 'Dear Juliania, that was the last remainder of the Principality of Carc. The historians will be outraged.' He sighed.
'Eh, Sire.' The messenger said nervously.
'Yes, what more do you bring?'
'Sire, Shardrunner Juliania's Pride has come across two perfectly habitable shards. We are already transferring colonists.'
King Unus stood up. The messenger shivered. 'It will hardly make up the loss,' King Unus said. 'But good news, nonetheless. Anymore?'

'Eh, yes Sire,' the messenger said. He handed a note to King Unus. The King quickly read it, grabbed a pen and paper from besides his throne and scribbled something. 'Bring this back,' he said quickly. 'You may go.'

The messenger bowed with sincere graciousness and left the throne room.

King Unus slumped down in his throne. At least I haven't met the High Cardinal today. He thought.

@GM
King Unus points out to the guilds that, if their votes are secured, Pordemma's relations to the Clockwork Empire will sky-rocket and through King Unus the Guilds will have a large influence on the regency. He also promises protection of guild vessels within a certain proximity to Pordemma's shards.

[Wizard of the Coat]

((OOC: This post includes only OOC technicalities. Might add some fluff if I get the time.))

The Holy United Provinces of Pordemma casts 1 vote for Clockwork Empire of Zigar.

Shard drift:
[roll0]

Exploration:
[roll1]

Economy:
9+(3*2=6)+10= 25

Keep in mind Pordema has 2 votes it can cast (you are allowed to split them).

Also as I really don't like the look of such posts (take away from IC feel I think, even though they are neccesary) therefore I now have a dice rolling thread for this game set up, please use that from now on. It's found here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5779663#post5779663).

[Johel]

Traan Combinate

Dual Crowns

"-They refused ?!! THEY REFUSED !!"
Rïda threw a jar across the room, burning with anger as he walked by and forth in his cabin onboard of the shardrunner "Drüm's glory", named after the Warlord who commissioned it.
His squire staid silent, noting for himself to get some sailors on cleaning duty while he and his lord would go eat with the rest of the squadron.
"-We offer them the whole military might of the Combinate !! All we ask is a fair retribution for the lives who will be lost...and they...they tell us to pay ourselves on the spoils ?!! What spoils, by the ancestors !!? We'll fight barbarians !!"

Again, the squire staid silent. Better not to remind his lord that, for the Dual Crowns, the Traans were only slightly less barbaric than the Istris.
"-Weapons ?! Like if rusted swords and dusty leather were of any use for us !! The Istris can afford to invade only because of their number !! These pigs are breeding like rabbits and they fight like vicious dogs : no honor, no skill, only raw rage. And we should let the Dual Crowns get the shard, then ? Ah !! The Warlord will never accept this !!"
He paused a moment to drink ale from his mug.
"-Tell you what, squire !! Ya gonna search this city for a guild merchant departing for Traan, Essa, Tawfret or one of the new colonies. I'll give you a message for the Warlord. Then, we'll find diplomats from other nations. I want to know what's going on and what the Dual Crowns offered THEM to fight !!"
"-My lord, what if they get the same terms as us ?"
"-That's for the Warlord to decide. But if I were him, I'll just wait for the first wave of crusaders to smash some Istri and then wage my own war, keeping the spoil AND the shards !!"
"-Sound clever and ruthless. Just like our Warlord."
"-Yeah... Let's have dinner, now."

@ All :

The Traan delegation at the Dual Crowns capital is searching for diplomatic contacts. Anybody interested in large amount of food or military help is welcome to send me a PM.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

The Bellore Collective casts 1 vote for Clockwork Empire of Zigar.


Gahu walks down a passage way in his cold castle cave listening to Morton, his main adviser, chatter on about how important it is for Bellore to gain and maintain allied links. Guha's mind however was drifting on to other things. Intelligence reports were racing in from across the world. Reports of movement. More movement than the other shards had shown in a long long time.

Alliances would have to be made, but they would have to be made in time.

@GM Only, OOC:

Bellore's shadow operations, does that mean I don't need to send shardrunners to a place to gain operatives or do I still need to drop off an operative then hire people, and train them and then do a Job?

I plan later, to try to set up various nations to turn on each other or cripple any that seem to get too powerful. I felt that having set up shadow networks in (what I view) the main threats/most useful nations would better allow me to twist and turn there policy making. Is this accurate? or do I need to do something different to achieve this?

How long does shardrunner transport take? Could I use the shardrunners I sent to other nations for more tasks before turn end?


@GM

Bellore spends large sums in order to increase its ability to research and implement new tech.

Bellore's shadow Ops in Amun'Arat will focus on infiltrating the alchemy and Shadow Orgs, with the goal to steal tech and income/wealth, and then cover there tracks

Bellore will research the path of rifling for greater range. Once complete, Bellore Alchemists will start researching into making cannons.

Tech Tree of Bellore for reference; (suggest a copy and past into a text file)
Weaponry;
Rifling Moderate (improved range)
Cannons Hard
Shell based cannons Hard (longer range, faster reload)
Cartridge Moderate (improved refire rate)
Chain-shot easy (for disabling a shardrunner)
magazine FedMod (fast fire rate)
Shell based cannons Hard (longer range, faster reload)
Rocketry Very Hard (Shard to Shard ranged weapons)

Long range comms;
Bellore compiler Very hard (a short range device that uses vibrations in the mist)
Bellore Advanced Compiler hard (Mid range, shard to ship, device using vibrations in the mist)
Bellore Mk 2 Compiler Very Hard (long range shard to shard)
Bellore Vibration detector Very hard (used to detected and map incoming shardrunners)
Bellore Vibration reflection detectionHard (Can map the movement of shardrunners and shards, from either shard or shardrunner over Mid range distance (think radar))

Magic;
real or legend, a research of discovery, unknown

Bio;
Ability to study viruses, Very Hard (for better understanding of viruses and illnesses in the world.)
Replication of Viruses Very hard (for the ability to produce a virus or illness)
Creation or modification of viruses Very Hard (to be able to customize a virus for Bellore's purposes (each one will be treated as separate research.)

chem;
Opium Hard (A study into how to make a powerfully addictive drug, that slow's a nations economy and strains there resources)
Morphine Hard (A study after Opium into the components of Opium, will allow for greater medical care)
Chemical Studies Very Hard (Researching the construction of drugs, and how one can modify them.)
Advanced Chem lab Hard (allows for the mass production of drugs of various kinds)

[Aergoth]

The shardrunner floated silently through the mist. A dark splotch as it exited the safety of Rift controlled Darkside. This particular splotch moved outward towards Ranore. They wouldn't see it comming. The Shardrunner was set to ambush a smaller, less armed Ranorian minor shard and pillage it. The attack should appear to come from the militaristic Anzilloti. The crew had been ordered to kill anyone they found to prevent witnesses, with Anzilloti gear, should anyone care to inspect the wounds, and drop bits of Anzilloti garb and equipment as they left. Hopefully this would create some tension to be exploited. The leader of the Rift grinned. Tension so thick you'd be hard pressed to blow a hole in it with powder.

OOC

Yes. I'm already trying to set people at odds. What I'm going for is a simple framing. The idea being that if there were no witenesses to the crime itself (they all having been killed with Anzilloti equipment) but the evidence pointed to Anzilloti, Ranore would call to Bellore for assistance against the Anzilloti invaders.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

@GM

I assume that Bellore's shadow network is aware of the impending attack on Ranore. Bellore will warn both Ranore and D'nore ordering them to move both troops and shardrunners to the minor shard being targeted by the rift. They will first allow the shardrunner to land, then they will counter attack from ground and shardrunners, trying to catch the runner intact.

Hostages will be taken, where possible.


OOC:

A Brave move, although a foolish one maybe. But brave none the less. Perhaps it would have being wiser to ask for a diplomatic solution with Bellore first?

[Ganurath]

Zigar

The Clockwork Empire of Zigar casts 2 votes for the Clockwork Empire of Zigar

The Governor of Obelisk city knelt before a statue of a dwarf holding a forge hammer and a text slate. Zigarun priests clad in undyed wool robes walked the stone pews of the temple, attending to the holy texts shelved along the walls. After finishing his hour-long prayer, the Governor rose and looked over his shoulder at a priest clad in as much gold as wool. "It seems that even the Church needs to have a foot in the physical world, then."

"Although we serve the Gods, we ourselves are but mortals. We need the basic neccesities, just like everyone else." The Elder Priest looks up at the statue, breathing deep. "The Gods provide for us, but there are points where we must earn what they offer."

"Heh, of course. I suppose that some desires are more specific than others, then?"

"The Clockwork Empire's ability to hold the line against the savages in an exception, Governor, not the rule. We have holdings in realms vulnerable to the Istri-"

"Like Dual Crowns. I cannot offer much, as I have plans for the imperial military... Regency Imperial, not Clockwork Imperial. If it helps, the reason will be that I intend to take the fight to the Istri."

The High Priest blinked in surprise, then looked over his shoulder to see a courier running into the temple with sweat matting his beard to his leathers. "I'll have to tell them something specific, Governor."

"A fifth of what's left to the fleet after the Dual Crowns regency ends, increasing to as much as forty percent on a case-by-case basis. Let them know that this offer goes to what elements of the Church vote in our favor, so a partial vote will still gain a proportionate ammount of fleet support. Now, if you don't mind, this should be the shard report..." The Governor takes the parchment from the courier, sighing as he shows the High Priest the report. "We found five, but three drifted to the dark."

"Gods help them."

"Yes... and our shardrunners. I have another Council meeting tomorrow, and there are plenty of matters to attend."

@ GM, AllThe Clockwork Empire announces intentions to launch a full-scale war against the Istri should they secure the Regency, and will offer conquered shards to those that aid the campaign based on their contributions, both electoral and tactical.

@ GMThe first two shards that would be taken from the Istri will be under Zigarun control with heavy Church presence, and the campaign plans to blaze north along the Istri's western border.

Nonessential budget is being split between festival preperations and military buildup. 2 Shardrunners are surveying the newly discovered shards for resources, while 2 more are looking for the lost shards. (Exploring.) Research continues on a nonrunner airship.

To the Church specifically: Each voting element of the Church will have access to 5% of the Imperial Fleet, up to 10% as requested so long as the base 5% is used responsibly and the forces are available. So, if all 4 votes are cast for Zigar the Church will have access to 20-40% of the fleet.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

@GM and Traan

As per PM to Traan, Bellore contacts Traan via the guild asking them to come to Zigar to discuss and alliance, and use of there armies.


@GM and Anzilloti

Bellore makes use of the guild mail service to inform Anzilloti of a wish to speak with them at the Zigar shard, to discuss a matter of great urgency and concern. They are asked to move discreetly.


@GM and Zigar

The Bellorian embassy wishes to engage Zigar discussion about an alliance. The formality of this will naturally come with a meeting between the two leaders on natural ground. The dual crowns would be choice for a place to make an agreement. Bellore wishes to make an alliance revolving around technology, military and shadow work.

[Ganurath]

Zigar

@ GM & BelloreThe High Governor does not feel that Dual Crowns can be considered neutral ground so long as the Clockwork Empire is threatening to overtake the regency in the senate. The Governors' Council suggests that the discussions take place in the vassal state of D'lore, as it is more accessible and more secure from unwelcome third party influence.

[Eldan]

Vorodran casts it's vote in favor of Zigar

"A brother in arms is a brother in blood, it is said", announced the speaker of the grand council today.
"And Zigar shares not only our borders, but our enemies, and therefore, our vote goes to them."

GM, Traan:

The Vorodran Grand Council intends to buy 1 shardrunner and present it to the Traan Combinate as payment for services. That's our major spending for this turn. We also try to buy as many mercenaries as we can.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

@GM and Zigar

Bellore agree's to this and sets a date for it in a weeks time. Gahu (the Bellore leader) personally suggests that the Zigar leadership bring a strong body guard due to recent troop movements to the west.


@GM

Bellore buys passage for Gahu and a number of troops to be transported from Bellore to D'lore

[Wizard of the Coat]

Regency

The Church is swaying towards Zigar more and more and will likely cast it's votes in their favour if half the imperial fleet and a third of it's army is committed to the crusade against the Istri under the Golden banner (the church flag, actually a shade of yellow/orange).

The guilds are still waiting for further offers beyond Pordemma's tax reduction before they declare their votes. A guildmaster hints that service contracts to provide navigators and maintenance to the imperial fleet would be apreciated. The church seems warry of these hints, but isn't openly condemming it.

@zigar, shadow ***

Lustria makes an offer to Zigar to vote for them if they are made imperial spymaster during the Zigar term in office.

-------------------
The War
Rumours of clashes between Noraa and Istri ships are spreading amongst the known shards. It seems however that these initial clashes were insufficient to bring the Istri to a halt. A large force of the barbarians has landed on Heraclia, one of the last bastions of the Dual Crowns, taking most of it swiftly and leaving only a hand full of it's defenders in scattered fortress towns that were hastily prepared by the Consul.

------------------
Skirmishing
An assault on a Ranoran shard lead to a lot of blood being shed in one it's towns as the defenders were slaughtered. It seems however that the attackers too payed a heavy prize as Ranore was prepared. Ranore has formally declared war upon the Dwarves of the Rift, though other then what they call 'reliable intelligence' they cannot substantiate the claim as no enemy forces or casualties were left behind. Others are asked to join in, particularly Anzilotti, as it was supposedly used as a scapegoad by the Rift according to Ranore intelligence sources, and D'nore as an ally.

-------------------
@Bellore
Ehm...that's some tech tree and it seems a bit strange to develop something by mass production without knowing what mass production is. Still I'm not worried. I don't think the game will not last long enough for you to complete even a fraction of that research tree so I'll aprove them as they come up (less difficult for me to watch out for balance issues). ((for now I estimate the game to last 10-15 turns depending on player actions))

As for turning nations on another, it requires skilled roleplaying, though in my description of events (see above example) I take player actions and other players counter actions into account.

Exploration takes all turn, transport is relatively fast (a couple of months for distant locations, a turn takes years). Besides guild transport is not really that expensive so you could use that (though less shadowy)

@Vorodran
It's possible to buy the shardrunner and hire ** worth of mercenaries without over taxing your economy (you have a stronger economy then most), but for now I don't see any Traan services confirmed

[WrathOfLife]

@GM

Ah, so they didn't heed my warning or my warning didn't make it in time or the warning and battle plan wasn't enough to defeat the rift forces? Trying to work out what kind of postion Bellore would be in, during this war.

[Johel]

Traan Combinate

The "Drüm's glory" left Dual Crowns territory without the answer he expected. However, many contacts had been establish with various organizations.

Leader Rïda sailed down to Vorodran-held shards, using the Guild's trade roads to increase safety and speed. The Warlord would be informed of the situation only a few weeks later, when a Guild runner reached the homeshard with a message. As soon as said message arrived, the "Yakyak's dream" departed, fully loaded with grain, as well as with a ten-men squadron of riders for its protection.

A "diplomatic squadron" was also sent to Zigar, using Guild's trade shardrunners to go there. All of its members were riders, not skilled diplomats. But what could be expected from a warrior society ?

By this time, the "Drüm's glory" had reached Vorodra's haven.
---------

With a large smile, Rïda dismounted his owl, lthe "Tall ones" around him starring blankly. He jumped on the docks.

As one of the most skilled rider in the whole Combinate, Rïda couldn't conceive to travel out of a shardrunner without his mount. It was with this very owl he had won the tournament, three years ago, earning the right to command a shardrunner and to get every single inch of glory and wealth attached to it. Though in theory still bound to the Warlord, in practice he was free to act as he was pleased to, the only limit being that he had to report his position every month...even if said position would have changed by the time the message reached the Warlord.

This freedom meant he could now carry on the contract with the Vorodran Bank. He walked toward the nearest guard he could see.
"-name is Rïda, leader of the "Drüm's glory", from the Traan Combinate. I'm here to take a delivery and I'm sure it's here. So, you've heard about it ?"

@ GM, All :

The Vorodran agreed to purchase 1 shardrunner for the Combinate. They also agreed to replace any shardrunner the Combinate may lose in battle.
In exchange, the Combinate will transport mercenaries, train them during the journey, and assist them in battle with 15 squadrons (around 150 owl riders).

A permanent trade road is opened between the Traan Combinate and the Kingdom of Anzilotti. The Combinate sell enough food to feed a medium shard with normal level of population. The Kingdom can either pay in gold or install mist beacons on Traan territory. If they chose the latter, they must also provide maintenance. IT'S NOT A TECHNOLOGICAL EXCHANGE.

[Innis Cabal]

Amun'Arat declares itself neutral in the affairs of the brewing war and have no desire to claim the vacancy.

Deep in the labs and research bays, strange links and disks slowly begin to burn into life, their vivid green energy basking the labs in their light. A scientist came scurrying in, a large document in his hands. The Alchemist General looks up with but a single glance, taking the document.

“This will have to wait. We will begin production as soon as possible.”

The scientist nodded once, running back out



To the GM

That is more then fair, research and immediate implementation will continue. Placed in the research and build order is the construction of fast, maneuverable single man units for short range protection of the Amun’Arat Shards.

[Ipphli]

Anzilotti

Lord Kirwin frowned. Things were getting out of hand. First two of the minor shards collided, shattering them both. And then this trouble with Ranore and the Dark Dwarves."Well, at least THAT I can deal with," he thought to himself. Orders were given that two of the shardrunners were to be sent to support Ranore.

And then this deal with the Combinate. Well, something would be worked out: Anzilotti needed all the friends it could get.

@Bellore
A small group of 'merchants' arrive at Zigar. Rumors begin circulating about them and their interest in any wares coming out of Bellore.


@Combinate
Afraid of losing the advantage their beacons give them, and worried the technology would fall into the wrong hands, Anzilotti offers to build a single Beacon on their capital shard as well as maintain it. (Beacons can't be used on minors)

@GM
Anzilotti shifts the resources freed up by the deal with the Combinate to build more shardrunners and develop the natural resources on their shards.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore as it seems my last post was eaten...


Bellore goes into a flurry of action as 3 guild ships are hired and a mail runner is sent to the rift with an open letter that reads;

To the Rift leadership;

Bellore wishes to know why you attacked the state of Ranore in an unprovoked fashion in an attempt to set up Anzilotti.

Signed;
Gahu, of Bellore.

@Anzilotti and GM

The Merchants at Zigar are informed of the rifts attempts to set up a war between bellore and Anzilotti. They are also questioned as to weather they would like to sign both a peace accord and a military pact, to destroy the rift. All shards would go to the Anzilotti and half of all captured shardrunners to Bellore.


@GM and Traan

The 'diplomats' sent by Traan are met by Bellorian diplomats and informed of the issue regarding the Rift trying to set up Anzilotti by attacking Ranore. They are offered a military contract to attack the rift in union with other allied forces, in exchange Bellore will set up an embassy on Traan and will trade both tech and information in exchange for services rendered.


@GM and Zigar

Zigar is informed of the rifts attempts to set up a war between bellore and Anzilotti, by attacking Ranore while pretending to be from Anzilotti. Bellore diplomats make it clear that by assisting either military or economically, would be highly rewarded.


@GM and Vorodran

Vorodran is informed of the rifts attempts to set up a war between bellore and Anzilotti, by attacking Ranore while pretending to be from Anzilotti. Bellore diplomats make it clear that by assisting either military or economically, would be highly rewarded.


@GM

One shard runner goes to Zigar, One goes to D'lore caring Gahu and a group of elite fighters to await Zigar leadership. And the other is held in reserve to maybe go to Traan.

[Eldan]

Vorodran:

Bellore:

Sadly, our attempts to stop Istri expansion consume all our resources, and therefore, we are unable to help you. You do have our support should it come to a debate, though.


GM:

In that case, I'll buy the ** mercenaries and the shardrunner for the Combinate

[Ganurath]

Zigar

The High Governor looked at the latest report as the Shardrunner he was aboard made for D'nore. One shard lost to collision, three to drift... and a shardrunner got lost and had to tail back. On the bright side, the three that had originally been lost had been found again, and the Engineers' Guild had come up with a concept for a glider with a steering mechanism. They had said that they would have come up with something more sophisticated, but with a crusade against the Istri upcoming they wanted to work on tactical developments.

@ GMTo LustriaWe will take your offer into consideration. With the High Governor away on a diplomatic mission to Bellore, however, the Governors' Council cannot make any formal decisions beyond those that he left instructions regarding.To ChurchThe Governors' Council, after referring to instructions left by the High Governor, finds the terms regarding flying the Golden Banner acceptable.General4 Shardrunners toward Exploration, Research toward Fuse Grenades, Funding divided evenly between Church and expanding Engineers' Guild (Improving Alchemy)

@ GM, Bellore The High Governor is en route to D'nore for the meeting on a single Shardrunner. His honor guard consists of two regiments of ten Armored Riflemen, who's rifles can also function as spears due to bayonets. He sends forward a request that Bellore agents act to ensure nobody snoops on the meeting. (Zigar gains benefit of Bellore's shadow rating for spoilers pertaining to the meeting.)

@ GM, Anzilotti The Governors' Council sends their thanks on behalf of the High Governor for aiding the vassal state of a friend of Zigar. The High Governor also wishes that Anzilotti be informed that Lustria offered their vote to Zigar in exchange for the position of Imperial Spymaster, and wished to offer the opportunity to a nation with more votes and better qualifications before accepting.

@ GM, The Rift It is very likely that the Clockwork Empire of Zigar will secure the Regency. That means that the Imperium of the Shards will be at full war with the Istri. By attacking Ranore, your people have made it difficult for them to contribute to any war efforts in the future, and in an indirect manner are aiding the Istri. Those that contribute to the war effort in opposing the Istri shall be awarded appropriately, and the High Governor requests that the Rift pursues this option. Those that abstain from involvement will not be influenced by any direct action by the Empire, for good or ill. Those that contribute to the war effort by aiding the Istri will share their fate.

[Johel]

Traan Combinate

@Bellor (and Zigar):
The Traans agree to Bellor's proposal to set an embassy. They also begin talks with Zigar as for trade agreements.

When far from public ears, they also thank the Bellorians for their "generosity" and promise to "assist". They inform the Bellorians that the military of the Combinate will participate in the war against the Istris.
However, the diplomats themselves have been instructed to serve Bellor's cause until they receive new orders from the Warlord.
Bellor receives 10 owl riders.

@Anzilotti :
Though they would have enjoyed to get a wide network of beacons, the Traans grudgingly agree for one large beacon to be installed on their homeshard. They consider it would pay the first year of food supply and ask to be paid in gold for the following year. The price will always be that of 1/20 Guild's shardrunner, which is seen as cheap, given that the Combinate provide enough food to supply 1/4 of the Kingdom's population.

@Vorodra :
Waiting for the bank to provided him with a second shardrunner, Rïda received news from the homeshard as the "Yakyak's dream" made a halt to supply in water. The two halfelings spoke all the night and so Rïda learned of the Anzilotti-Traan trade road, which passed through the Dual Crown's hold as well as through Vorodran territory. Rumors said a second road would soon open with Zigar.

This was confirmed a few weeks later, just as the Guild delivered a brand new shardrunner to Vorodra's shipyard. Halfeling diplomats were traveling with a merchant convoy and Rïda acknowledged their message for the Warlord and gave them his own report.

Loading his two shardrunners with as many mercenary as possible, Rïda sailed at full speed to the Istari border, lowering the Traan flags and hoisting the Vorodran instead. After all, it was not in the Warlord's name that he was about to fight.

@GM

Message from Rïda to the Warlord :
"-I've just got a fourth shardrunner for the Combinate's glory. The mercenary contract I told you of in my last report must first be honored before I can deliver the ship to you. In order to guarantee the success of this operation, please send the "Dagron's might" with as many riders as possible to the following location."
At the end of the message is the location of the gathering point of the armies allied against the Istri Imperium.

The Traan Combinate send :

3 shardrunners ("Dagron's might", "Drüm's glory" and the new one)
150 riders and their owls
As many of the Vorodra's mercenaries as 2 shardrunners can carry

[Ipphli]

Anzilotti

Bellore
The government of Anzilotti thanks that of Bellore for the information, and accepts their offer of a military alliance against the Rift. The terms are deemed acceptable.

Zigar
While appreciative of the offer, Anzilotti cannot at this time accept such an offer. However, the offer will be taken into consideration before their decision is made.

Combinate
The proffered deal is acceptable, provided the small contingent of engineers and soldiers stationed at the Beacon are given a small stipend in food or money for their needs, as well as having lodging provided, while stationed within Combinate lands. It is suggested that a new beacon could be provided each year, provided nothing happens to the pre-existing beacons or their crews.

[Rogue_Dragon]

Noraa

Summary of Istri War
The loss of one ship was unfortunate, and while the Pirates managed to gain a second ship, it was of inferior quality, and of course needed more crew to run it properly. The remaining pirates return home with their less than impressive bounty, not even bothering to warn the failing Dual-crowns of their departure. Murmerings of discontent start spreading through the ships, something that Bagoran will have to deal with swiftly if he want's to avoid a mutiny. While most of their ships are gone to war with the Istri, the drunken pirates somehow lose track of one of their minor shards, as it drifts deeper into the Mists, never to be seen or heard from again.


Later on in turn 1
After returning home from the long raid on the Istri ships, many of the pirate crews are both tired and dissapointed. What's even worse is that the shard that was lost was one of the few shards they had capable of producing large amounts of rum and meade, meaning that not only were they tired and dissapointed, but also sober. Needless to say, a council meeting was called, of the now 4 council members, Gants having been lost to the mists. One of the captains left behind, Koren, starts the 'discussion' "What do you mean you only got one ship? You lost Gant's and one of our best netting ships, and all you bring back is one lousy ship?" Worried about keeping the council under control, Bagoran relies more upon his reputation as a warrior than any kind of diplomatic skill "You threatening me Koren? Cause last time I checked you haven't brought in any ships since you joined this council. Yet you think you can tell me that I'm doin it wrong?" A strange smirk on her face, Elise puts a hand on Koren's shoulder "Don't worry about it Koren, ya, tis a set-back to be sure, but we can fixit. Now we's gots a barbarian ship, and chasing that around can get us just 'bout anywhere we want to go right now, with people worried bout the Barbs invading they won't dare stop us chasing one down, and ifin they happen to get off word that a barb ship was seen near their territory, and then their ships start to dissapearin' then who'n you think they gonna blame?" A more contemplative look on his face, Bagoran asks her "So who you thinking our target should be eh? Pordemma? Maybe the half-men?" Elise's smile broadens now, "Why would we attack them? With the Voradran borders now open to us. The Crowns protected them before, but they really gonna be able to stop us now?" Bagoran's shoulders slump a bit, he doesn't really want to attack a country so far away, but he knows that he has little choice in the matter. Bagoran turns to Devan, the only captain that hasn't spoken yet "Well Dev, looks like your watchin' the ports for us this time. Try to have some more mead when we gets back."

@GM
3 of Noraa's Shardrunners, follow the re-equiped stolen Istri ship into Voradran Space, trying to find any Voradran merchant ships that they can loot. The primary goal here is actually to acquire more resources, though if they take over the ship all the better.

@Pordemma and Traan
Both countries recieve letters via guild mail from the Council of Noraa. The letters request a trade for more rum and mead, and offer in return to send crew who are well versed in the ways of mist-sailing.

[Wizard of the Coat]

(turn 2 hasn't started yet, it will start some time tomorrow, I just make mid turn updates so people can respond in their actions)

(OOC: for those of you interested in the setting where some of this is based on check out this game (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104848)which is recruiting now)

[Johel]

Traan Combinate

@ Noraa
The Council receives a box with the answer :
"Esteemed captains,
The Traan Combinate isn't such a large brewer than it can afford to deliver the quantity you require.
However, the Homeshard is also a free-trade territory and we'll gladly welcom any traders willing to buy our products. Every merchants, even you, pirate scum, are welcomed.

Rüüt,
Warlord of the riders brotherhood,
Guardian of the Traan Combinate."
Along with the message are two bottles, each filled with Traan liquors, probably made with fermented honey.

@ Noraa

I can't export enough alcohol to make a full trade agreement with you. But if your merchants come to the Traan Homeshard and buy enough mead, then the tribes who produce it are likely to increase their production. Laws of the market and all...
Just know that there is a small taxe for each shardrunner flying near the Combinate's territory. A way like another to fund an army. :smallwink:

[ufo]

Holy United Provinces of Pordemma

'My Blessed Lord,' the High Cardinal began. 'We will have to put up a harder bargain to persuade the Guilds. Or offer something more.'

King Unus was quite aware of this. All he wished for at the moment was that the High Cardinal would disappear so that he could get on with his daily agenda. 'Yes, I will think about it.' The King said dismissively. 'How goes the construction of the cathedral?' He continued in an attempt to change the subject.

'Ah yes!' The High Cardinal began with a satisfied grin. 'The Amun'Arat architects are doing a great job. I have seen the plans and approved them. The construction has begun already. Juliania will surely smile to us from beyond the grave for building such a wonder.'

'Good, good.' Said the King. Not that he didn't approve of the building - he had also seen the plans, and he found it to be a piece of art, truly it would be a magnificent sight. However, he was afraid the High Cardinal didn't marvel the construction for quite the same reasons.

'My Blessed Lord, I also bring a message from the nation of Noraa.'

King Unus looked at the High Cardinal with distrust. 'Your Holiness, I do not recall giving you the permission to assess any foreign messages before they have been given to me. And why do you bring the news, and not a messenger?'

The High Cardinal gave a devious smile and shook his head dismissively. 'My Blessed Lord, the nation of Noraa requests rations for their sailors in the war against the Istrii. Rum and mead, specifically.'

'And what do the offer in return?'

'My Lord, they offer some of the best Shardsailors to be found in their crews.'

'I shall look into it.'

((OOC: The computers I am on cannot create brackets, so I will not be able to create spoiler tags. Nothing overly secret going on though, so you can take a little peek :smallwink:)

@GM (SPOILER)
Pordemma invests manpower in creating another Shardrunner.

@Zigar (SPOILER)
Recieves the following letter:
"Lords of the Clockwork Empire,

Negotiations with the Guilds are ongoing, regarding the Imperial elections. However, as it is, the Guilds are in a position of power throughout the shards, and little can be offered that would truly sway them.

We feel that it would be beneficial to the cause of Zigar, Pordemma and the Guilds if the Clockwork Empire should choose to instate a tax reduction on Guild trade, similar to that of Pordemma.

With all the best regards,
King Unus I of the Holy Provinces of Pordemma

@Noraa (SPOILER)
Shardrunner Juliania's Pride is dispatched to Noraa with the requested resources. The sailors are armed with Zigar gunpowder weaponry, as a result of the pirate nature of the Noraans.

[Johel]

Holy United Provinces of Pordemma
((OOC: The computers I am on cannot create brackets, so I will not be able to create spoiler tags. Nothing overly secret going on though, so you can take a little peek :smallwink:)

If it's a keyboard problem, you can still click on the QUOTE button in the message box, then replace QUOTE by SPOILER. It should produce the desired effect without you having to write brackets with the keyboard.

If it's really the computer which doesn't recognise the "[" and "]" symbol, then I'm curious to know what are the regional settings of your computer. Vulcan ? Krypton ? Klingon ? :smalleek:

[Ganurath]

Zigar

@ GM, AnzilottiUnderstandable, but know that Lustria can only be stalled for so long without arousing suspicion. We have until the High Governor returns from negotiations with Bellore before we are forced to give them a decisive answer, and we'd rather not make an enemy of them with a blunt refusal. (Especially with the crusade against the Istri upcoming.)@ GM, PordemmaKindly inform the Guilds that while we will not lower taxes for them specifically, as such would cost us the favor of the Church we have worked so hard to cultivate, we are willing to eliminate docking fees across the board, which should prove beneficial to the Guild more than all others combined.

[Wizard of the Coat]

Turn 2

Regency is almost certainly going to Zigar, securing the Church vote has made them draw ahead of the only other candidate that seemed to desire the honour, the Dual Crowns. The guilds recognising cast a single votes in favour of Zigar, enough to secure victory (and thus the tax deal with Pordema), but with a clear warning in witholding their other two votes in that they want a similar deal from Zigar in the comming period.

Votes Cast for Zigar: 12 (slim majority)
(2 Pordemma, 1 Bellore, 4 Church, 1 Vorodran, 1 Guilds, 1 Lustria, 2 Zigar)

(@Zigar: I'm assuming Lustria got the post of spymaster as it makes the guilds happier, they have good guild relations and would also settle church anxieties of concentrating too much power)
-------------------
Crusades
Traan, Zigar, Vorodran, Bellore and the Dual Crowns are praised by the Church for their commitment to the war against the Istri. A somewhat frustrated patriarch also mentions that his dioces in Noraa contributed whilst another coughs out the name of Pordema, but the church seems to only grudingly make a references to them in their rallying speeches given to the peoples on the shards.
----------------
The Single Crown
Not receiving any aid yet, as most are still mustering forces on their home shards the Dual Crows is reduced to a mere splinter of it's former glory as one of it's last great shards falls. Mercenaries are flooding towards it's remaining shard as a counter offensive is prepared and launched. The initial landings are a disaster, the few survivors reporting tales of horor from what they had seen happened to the conquered shard.

"Parts of it were red like blood..."

"These aren't men...these are demons"

Shardrunner crews cannot confirm these rumours having barely been more then a few paces from there ships. Most Churchfathers are denying that the Istri are demons, but instead claim the Istri are demon worshiping barbarians.

espionage *** (thus 4 needed to read)
These claims are a bit excessive, likely fueled by more warlike branches of the church. Still the Istri don't seem to be quite the same sorts of people as live in the losely bound empire.
----------------
Stat Changes

Stats usually will not go up with a * at a time, instead they can go up by thirds, this is represented by - (1/3, cannot be used as a stat) and + (2/3, can be used as a stat) at the end of a stat. Note that + means you can still regard it as a whole, but it will take longer to get higher and is easier to decrease

Temporary stats are indicated with the t, note that that doesn't include assitance from other PC's. All the runners build/bought are completed.
-------------
@Noraa
Your fleet encounters a guild ship in Vorodran space, as your ships dive in it drops it's cargo so it has the speed to get away. Still the crews cannot complain obtaining a variety of goods +2 income.

[Johel]

Traan Combinate

@All the "crusaders"
Rïda entered the room, where the officers of various nations already sat around a large oak table. The halfelin cleared his throat and then spoke with the confident voice of an hardened veteran.
"-'K, ya all... here's a little something the Combinate propose to drive those barbarians back !! We ain't doing it nice and slow, oh no we ain't !! Here is da plan !!"
On the table, he set a map of the shard which was once the siege of the "second" Crown.
"-Me warriors ain't mere creepers like the Vorodan mercenaries. They'll clear the sky for ya armies and support them afterward. But we must first know how many shardrunners we're going to fight against.
So, da "Dagron's might"'s gonna sail just above the cliffs, launch 40 riders then depart. Da riders'll just scout the skies around the island for three days. They be good hunters. They know how to hide in the wild. We'll pick them up and retreat, get the informations and launch a general assault."He showed the main cities and fortress of the shard.
"-These targets, that's for you, buddies. Ya'll have to take them asap, so that the whole army can have safe footholds on the shard. Me and me riders, we're going to fight those weak Istri shardrunners, sink as many as we can then drive the others away from the shard. We'll then establish a blockade to prevent these savages to land with ground reinforcement."
He then turned to the rest of the room.
"-Questions ? Objections ? Anything ?"

@All

Battleplan in 6 steps :

Scout the whole shard
Assault on a weak spot
Clear the sky
Establish footholds
Air Blockade
Clear the ground

[Ganurath]

"This'd be easier of one of the 'runners weren't grounded for resupply, captain. Even more so if another weren't off with the High Governor." The first mate was sitting comfortably in the pilot's chair, a nightmarish contraption involving a meter long joystick and a series of thick ropes leading to the sail-wings on either side of the ship. "Why're we even going out of our way to help 'em?"

"Nobody's gonna lead those mercenaries, and as much as we don't like the leadership of Dual Crowns, somebody has to take responsibility for their people. They may not be Zigarun, but we all worship the same Gods in the end, right?" The captain stood in front of the pilot's seat, observing the crew as they prepared for combat. Plated infantry with rifles tied their waists to the railing so they could fire from cover without risking going overboard. Lighter troops secured themselves in the deck barracks, tending to bayoneted rifles and tower shields, the latter of which had indented tops for mounting the rifle barrels.

"Aye... Here come the other captains, sir."

"Indeed... Have you briefed your troops, gentleman?"

The other two captains nodded in reply, switching back and forth to review the battle plan. "Two runners wait at a high altitude, using a horn call from the third below every ten minutes to keep track of where the shard is."

"When the Istri show up, the horn runner blows twice to warn everyone to come to attention for hostiles incoming. Once they're in firing range, the horn will sound again to signal a hard drop into the thick of it."

"Armored troops fire off volleys using the advantage of altitude to clear the Istri decks. After two volleys, shielded troops drop in by grapple to clear it out using a round, locked shields formation."

"The horn runner, meanwhile, will be coordinating the mercenaries into a pincer formation to strafe the Istri as they pass into the shard's airspace."

"With two of their lead 'runners seized at the front and heavy fire coming from the flanks, any Istri that don't retreat should be easy to wipe out."

After the review, the first mate decided to pipe in. "Sirs? You really think the Istri will retreat that easily?"

"...No, but we're holding out for the hope that fighting Dual Crowns has made 'em soft, and that the early lead will bolster the morale of the mercenaries. Now, let's get moving."

@ AllZigar launches three Shardrunners, each with 20 Armored Riflemen and 24 Shieldbearers, to aid in the defense of Dual Crowns against the Istri

Battleplan Summary: Two hide in the high mists, get called down with a horn by third when the Istri show up. Armored use cover to overpower Istri decks, Shields grapple down to seize the ships. Third runner coordinates the mercs, assuming no objections from DC, to flank the Istri that aren't being boarded. If DC objects, the Zigarun captains will ask the mercenaries if they know how many shard Zigar has lost to the Istri.

@ GMLustria and the Guilds both get what they want, research goes toward a Fuse Grenade (metal frame, triangle shards fill out spaces, load with gunpowder, fuse on top, good times) and funding goes toward Engineers' Guild (Alchemy)

Also, in case the Istri attack Zigar:The fortress cities are enclosed castles shaped roughly like ziggaruts (heh) with Shieldbearers patrolling the walls, ballistae turrets on the corner towers, and Riflemen at the windows of both. The windows are shaped like this: [> <] so the gunners inside have a wide firing angle and near total cover. The ballistae have cords and wenches to hook incoming shardrunners, using multiple towers to draw in the runner's in a position between levels so dwarves high up can bombard the deck until it's cleared out. If they land outside of range, there are trebuchets on the second highest level of the city and the gates... are like the Gates of Mordor on a functional level, with the levers on the opposite side of the joint, only it's multiple levers on different levels for the multiple joints. It takes 36 dwarves to open the gates... slowly.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

A great recalling went out among the Bellore fleet. Every shardrunner is recalled to begin searching for the lost shards. Only two remain mapped, and two was far to few for the Bellore government.

@GM

Recalling all shardrunners to Bellore before setting them out to explore. I know 3 shardrunners are safe and well, one is lost in the mist, and one was sent to the Istri for diplomacy, and either missed by you, or lost to the mist.


All across the Mist Bellore guards begin to look slightly different. They hold themselves differently. They look further, and sharper than ever before. They know they have a new advantage. An advantage that will cost Bellorian enemies dearly.

@GM

Have finished rifling, beginning to implement the new tech, using shadow networks to secretly pass new weapons to Bellorian guards on other shards. Bellore will now focus on stealing Zigar's Shard Geometry.


In a grand meeting Gahu of Bellore and the the High Governor of Zigar meet on the shard of D'lore. Gahu makes every attempt to make the Zigar leader feel welcomed and at home, spending many hours discussing the on going situation among the shards, until finally a draft treaty is given to the High Governor of Zigar.

@GM and Zigar.

Bellore makes it clear that while they will do everything they can to keep negations secret, Zigar simply has to many leaks in its security to keep all of the information from getting out. (Bellore will do all it can to hide any negations on D'lore, so Zigar should mark Bellore related spoilers with Bellore's shadow rating.)


The draft Treaty reads (long version);
The Clockwork Empire of Zigar, and the Collective of Bellore, hereby, on the shard of D'lore, formally agree to provide assistance in the form of military aid, economic aid, or spy-craft guidance, should either of the fore-mentioned nations be considered at risk of destruction, degradation or disruption.

In addition, in the interests of greater friendship and common goals, each nation may call upon the other, at need, to research a technology, that may otherwise be outside there abilities. In exchange for this, the offering nation must in turn complete research for the nation that engages the task.

The Treaty written out reads (short version);
We aid each other in every way possible. Advanced tech Zigar wants, Bellore will research in exchange, simple tech that Bellore want's Zigar will research.



@GM

Bellore invests heavily in the training of teams of assassins, terrorists, and agents support rebellions and or groups to insight anger, violence and chaos in Lustria, they are training to send the shard nation into disorder in order to destroy there ability to act as spymaster. At the same time, Bellore sends an envoy to them on a guild ship, requesting an embassy to be set up. (and to start planting sleeper cells in Lustria.)

[Johel]

@All ((OOC))

Hu...I guess there is no objection to the plan. :smallconfused:
I set the first step in motion.
Also, are there already a Statut Thread and an OOC Thread ?
If yes, URL please.


Traan Combinate

The Istri border

It was a dark night, one of those when the Misty Ocean is so clouded that it's nearly impossible to navigate. And yet, from the mist, a shardrunner appeared near the shard which once had held the second of the Dual Crowns.

Without light or sound, it flought above the lands. Panels opened on its sides and black birdy shapes felt from it, gliding softly to the ground before using a powerful windstream to climb back.

It took one hour for the "Dagron's might" to launch the 40 Owls and their riders. But as soon as this was done, the crew sailed back into the Misty Ocean, not willing to fight a hopeless battle.

As for the riders, they formed 4 squadrons of 10 men each and began to fly over the shard, looking for a safe spot to rest while also mapping the area. Tomorrow, their search for Istri troops would begin.

@GM

Owl riders are on the medium shard the Istri captured.
They'll scout it to find out :

How many Istri shardrunners are there.
How many Istri warriors are there (approximately).
How well defended the cities are.
Any details one should spot if he looks carefully from the sky.


The colonies

The two minor shards that had been discovered a few years back were now ready to be settled. Though their shardrunners were busy with the war, the Traans paid the Guild to ferry colonists there. Groups of ambitious riders to maintain order and safety, alchemists to probe the lands and their ressources and volunteers, both halfelings and "Tall Ones", who'll work to build productive colonies.

The focus was put on mining and, without local industry to use the mineral nor shardrunners to transport it, most of the production was to be sold to the Guild.

Essa

While still working to improve their productivity, Essa's mines sold over half of the minerals to the Guild.

@GM

The Combinate use the ressources from the 2 minor shards to buy a 5th shardrunner from the Guild. A large part of a medium shard ressource are also used to pay for the shardrunner.

[ufo]

Pordemma

'No, My Blessed Lord, I cannot allow you to do that!' Said the High Cardinal in a desperate, high-pitched tone. King Unus look at the man with disapproval.
'Well, Your Holiness,' he said and flashed a smile of satisfaction. 'I am afraid that it is none of your decision. Besides, we are aiding the endeavours of the Church,' he added.
The High Cardinal screwed up his eyes. 'The Disciples of Juliania are not the servants of the Church.' He said coldly. 'My Blessed Lord,' he quickly added.
'Very well,' the King started. 'Must I remind you that the throne is not the servant of Juliania either? It will be as I have decreed.' The King smiled. For once, he had overcome the High Cardinal's authority. 'This audience is over, Your Holiness. I have no more time for you, I will have to speak with the troops.'
The High Cardinal took a step back in shock. He stood still for a moment to make sure that what he heard was what the King truly said. When the king remained passive, he frowned, spun around on his heel and left the throne room.

The Crystal Harbour, Vilen, capital of Pordemma

The King laid a confident hand on Alessandra's shoulder. She gulped. Even though the King was a slim man and his touch was almost unfeelable underneath her thick scaled armour, the grip seemed to represent the People, the Throne and Juliania in their full force.

Alessandra was a religious woman, that could not be denied. However, she did not agree with some of the Disciples' more peaceful doctrines. She was confident that there was no salvation for the Istri barbarians, and she was sure that Juliania was of the same opinion, watching from behind the boundaries of heaven.

'Captain Alessandra Martelli,' the King started. 'For the first time in many years, the outside world calls for our intervention. For too long have these barbarians, the Istri, threatened the very existence of our allies, the Church and ultimately us, the proud nation of Pordemma.' He paused to gather his breath. 'It will now be up to you, the proud ship Pordemma's Fist and our allies to eliminate this threat in the name of Pordemma, sovereignity and Juliania.'

The small crowd that had managed to neglect their daily duties to watch the ceremony cheered. Alessandra smiled. She was to be the first soldier for many years to represent her motherland in the fight against evil. Only now did she realize what honour she had been entitled to.

She bowed graciously to the King. The King returned a little smile before turning to wish the rest of the crew and soldiers the best of luck.

@GM, all
Shardrunner Pordemma's Fist is fitted for war and sent to aid the crusaders against the Istri. On the ship are 30 archers, equipped with the finest bows in the nation as well as 20 Buckler-and-Swordsmen. The leader of the expedition is Captain Alessandra Martelli.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

Bellore's guild ship on Zigar makes its way to Ranore loaded with 10 owl riders from Traan.

Bellore diplomats across the Mist make it clear that any nation assisting the Rift will face a heavy "diplomatic" response from Bellore.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

Hiring out several guild ships, Bellore scouts out the major shards with a simple message.

"Everyone still playing?"

What could this message mean? Only time can tell.

[Wizard of the Coat]

Istri Campaign

With the combined might of imperial forces supported by the various fractions a foothold is firmly established on the former shard of the Dual crowns. Istri forces are putting up a fierce resistance. These barbarians seemingly looking like the toughest human brutes the imperials could immage, some have tusks or fangs, others have sprouted claws on their hands and feet, and some standing a good foot taller then the tallest man or have an increadibly tough skin.

A deadlock is created in the middel of the fighting when several commanders realise that the Istri are well able to resupply their troops on the shard. Mysteriously the Istri do not seem to be taking the fight to other shards, as would be normal for a military campaign. Furthermore it seems that no survivors of the original conquest are found...and far too few bodies to explain their absense...

Lustria

Lustria seems to be cracking down on internal security, but claims that all is well... Guilds however reports include strickter checks at the docks and curfews in place all over their shards. More people are beginning to grumble as the denial continues.

@Traan
The shardrunner can be bought, but the price is low, they'd require such income for at least four turns to come. Luckily the market for shardrunners is rather favorable for you.

Also Istri took many shards, the last one being one of the great shards of the dual crowns. In any case if this force is not part of the main army they do report back similar findings as here below, but find a surprising absence of the number of runners that could explain the vast resupplying of the Istri. At best a handfull, and those seem to have broken down.

@Noraa
The Istri shardrunner seems to have broken down, nothing seems to keep it moving again. Your alchemists are unable to detect a problem...instead they are baffled by the fact that it ever could fly at all, without having a proper flighthull.

@Bellore
Lustria is proving hard to destabilise, evidently making good use of their spy network and the imperial network to prevent such action. Still they are as of yet unaware of the source.

[Johel]

Traan Combinate

Istri War

As the invading allies faced no Istri shardrunners, the fleet suffered no casualties. While the Combinate's shardrunners landed the mercenaries, the riders cleared the sky, using the three shardrunner of the Combinate as bases where they could rest safely.

During the battles, the squadrons would carry bags of nails which they would unload far above the Istri companies, letting gravity transform each of the tiny pointy pieces of metal into deadly projectiles. This helped to prevent any organized resistance from the Istris, who could only spread as the metal rain would begin, only to be cut into bits by the Allies, who could march in thick formations without hindrance.

When not above the battlefield, the riders just kept a watchful eye on the shard's coast, ready to prevent any attempt to land supply or reinforcement to the barbarians. The absence of Istri shardrunners was somehow odd.
Leader Rïda wanted to investigate but this would wait until the Istri defeat here. The ground forces had still a lot of work ahead and it was the duty of the riders to assist the Vorodran mercenaries.

@All :

Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 completed.
Now, the Traans will establish a blockade while helping the ground troops.

For the "nail tactic" :
Drop any object from a high enough point and it will become a weapon.
Nails are like bullets, except they are somewhat thinner, which means less air resistance (and faster increase in velocity) and better penetration. Of course, they aren't as fast as a fired bullet would be but still more deadly than ground-fired arrows would.

[WrathOfLife]

(OOC: Is this turn 3?)

[Wizard of the Coat]

For the sake of keeping the pace, I'd say yes, it's turn 3.

[ufo]

@GM
A trade delegation is sent to Lustria to open up more profitable trade routes. On the ship are several spies with the mission of infiltrating Lustria and uncovering the mysterious events as of late. Lustria has a Shadow of ***, Pordemma (mine) is **.

[Wizard of the Coat]

@pordemma
The trade mission quickly uncovers that there is much resentment against the Lustrian government for the stringent security measures. Merchants are restricted to mercantile districts and all trade is monitored by government agents.

(or did you wish to help the lustrians in their investigation?)

Istri War

Despite the Traan nails being very effective in killing the Istri, which literally did not know what hit them at first it does little against their overall armies due to the shear numbers involved. Formations seem unheard of by the Istri, who rely on their raw strength, far greater then normal humanoids. Still the stalemate is slowly being broken as the Istri are pushed into the forests, caverns and ruined cities of the Shard.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

@GM
Bellore continues its search for missing shards sending its ships out exploring yet again.

Bellore researchers start to steal Zigar's Shard Geometry.

Bellore agents on Lustria start trying to encourage rioting and open revolt, in addition on a well funded mission (using a large amount of Bellores wealth) a group of Bellore agents pretending to be Lustria police officers (or actual officers under Bellore's influence) attack a church during the night, killing all the priests and worshipers, minus a few witness who are allowed to live to see that it was Lustria's police officers and leaving hate messages scrolled on the walls in blood.)


OOC:
How did Bellore's exploration go during the previous round?

[ufo]

Pordemma

"My Blessed Lord," the High Cardinal started. King Unus raised his head from a handful of papers and waved off an advisor. "Yes, your Holiness?"
"Lord, the cathedral is nearing the end of it's construction. Juliania will be most pleased," the High Cardinal said quickly.
"Oh, good. I expect that the Amun'Arat have been paid? Good." He asked and answered. "Your Holiness, I have a matter that I expect will be of your interest. Meet me for dinner, please."
It wasn't a question.

The Royal Dining Hall
King Unus wiped his lips slowly and gently and promptly discarded the piece of cloth in a small metal bowl by his plate.
"Your Holiness, High Cardinal. With the construction of the new cathedral, I have gotten some requests from certain... characters in the nobility."
The High Cardinal wiped his mouth in a failed mimic of utter inelegance of the King. "Continue, Blessed Lord." The King smiled in anticipation.
"Certain people believe that since the Disciples of Juliania are getting such economical support from the Throne, some... cults should be given similar support for their places of worship."
The High Cardinal looked at the King with panic in his eyes. His face shapechanged into a mild grin and he gave a half-hearted laughter. "That is an absurd thought."
"Oh, but, Your Holiness, I whole-heartedly agree with these people." The High Cardinal slammed his fist in the table, which turned over his bowl - with the last remnants of a delicious soup - in a remarkable show of elderly strength. "What! You cannot do that!"
The King smiled deviously and slowly rised. "Need I remind you who of us was chosen by Juliania to lead - at least according to your own words, Ilan." The King turned around slowly and stared intently at the chimney. "But I am afraid that I will need your approval, regardless."
"I would never approve the passing of such a senseless notion, no!"
The King turned around again and smiled deviously at the High Cardinal. "Oh," he said, "you do not have a choice, dear Ilan."

Slowly, armed figures became visible in the dim light of the candles.

Laws are being made to allow smaller religions inside Pordemma to create churches and the like with economical support from the government.

The more conservative (that is, almost all of the) Disciples of Juliania publically disapprove of the very idea.