Empire 7: Into the Depths IC Thread

[Corona]

Lojanese Republic
Time: Round 2, Place: Region 9
Prime Minister Shoeng Thnoet
Diplomacy: 6
Military: 4
Economy: 5
Faith: 2
Intrigue: 2

rolls

Actions:

1. [Economy] Colonize Open Waters in region 8 2d6 + 5 Economy + 1 DNA reputation + 1 Treasure success, gain 1 Prestige from [Affluence] A New Generation
   Deputy Secretary Gibyagau Shitragoruu urges citizens to start new families at the unpopulated southern frontier of Lojan and beyond, to combat potential tensions from overpopulation and to set up the Lojanese economy to enjoy more growth. Financial incentives are offered as well. Loose tongues whisper that a cynical pact with the devil has been made concerning the fate of that land. The new territory is aptly named Shue'aaz Sho.
   
2. [Economy] Buy out TP 6.2 2d6 + 5 Economy + 2 Assist self success
   The newly created Lojanese Expeditionary Force has quickly encountered many difficulties with training unmotivated conscripts, lacking equipment and the like. It is but one of the hundreds of problems the Prime Minister has on her desk, making her sigh. Who knew running a country would be so difficult? During the terms of her predecessors, so little happened that you might as well call these turbulent years 'the beginning of history'. The kelp paper folder containing the report suddenly goes missing - swept up by Klau'ead Dlaird, Duke of Tleamthle Shbau'ead. Being the most powerful noble in the land, he naturally also holds the exalted, though largely ceremonial, position of First Advisor. And offer advice he does; the Republic could simply recruit the barbarian tribes in the great plain to the west, whose warriors are so numerous and skilled that the Expeditionary Force might as well disband if they ever decided to attack. Shoeng is suspicious of the sudden suggestion, but eventually she agrees.
   
3. [Economy] Buy out TP 6.3 2d6 + 5 Economy + 2 Assist self success
   The Prime Minister sits and inhales delicious Delights of Moonlight-flavored kelp with a Selachian warlord. Of course, it is highly improper for the head of state to deign to visit barbarians, and there are those who look down on her for such a farcical act... Either way, the talks were very successful, and an a mutually beneficial agreement is struck. Only much later do the Lojanese find out that the Coral of the Protected Statera also wished to purchase the services of the mercenary warriors. The Selachians apparently had no qualms about switching allegiances to the deeper pocket, but the Lojanese government immediately dispatches a messenger, offering their deepest apologies to the Statera.
   
4. [Diplomacy] Raise reputation with ABS 0->1 TN 10 vs 2d6 + 6 Diplomacy success
   The Plo'uogoar, somewhat disturbed by changes in the Lojanese Republic - its land and people, nevertheless continued its scientific work in a secluded shack. Some of the Lojanese were turning away from the Plo'uogoar's ideals, or consuming that imported brainwashing gelatine, true. Even the few nebulous reflections of their predecessors remaining in the Plo'uogoar's memories were a thousand times more admirable and wise. Still, the current generation listened to the Plo'uogoar's advice and delivered sufficient samples, all it had to do was to wait until that little crisis passed, like all before have. Instead, what captivated its mind currently was The Eye of the World, tremendously deep, yet always gazing at the distant surface and sky above. The Abyssal Stewards knew something, and to the Plo'uogoar's frustration, they did not make that information public. No matter, it would not be denied. It had numerous letters sent to the new, conveniently close, base in the Expanse. The Plo'uogoar often practiced patience, but nevertheless, the tone of this communication was that if the Stewards were deliberately hiding information from the people of the world, it would make its displeasure felt.
   
5. [Diplomacy] Sway Clerical support in region 6 TN 12 18 vs 2d6 + 6 Diplomacy success fail
   The Selachians, though friendly, resist all pressure from Lojanese investors and landed nobility (with vested interests) to become civilized and adopt legal customs similar to those governing Lojan, hardly convinced by the Mandate of Plo'uogoar, the belief in which is lukewarm even among the Lojanese.
   

Non-Actions:
Futilely resist conversion of 9.2 to SUB
Accept Trade Route from CPS
Submit an entry to the Coraline Compendium for +1 ABS favor

Spoiler: Coraline Compendium

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The Lojanese do not particularly pride themselves on their architecture, having only negligible populations of species that take to constructing dwellings naturally, like corals or molluscs. Despite modernization efforts, large portions of the populace still rest in simple holes in the ground or in kelp meadows, holding onto a stalk with their tail. Buildings are primarily built to show off wealth, for storage, or for conducting business indoors, where the currents cannot sweep up important documents.

The primary construction materials are rock and dried kelp from species that have tough, woody stalks. For example, the Great Steephouse is an older building carved into a large mountain (originally, there was a cave, which has been enlarged over the centuries), with large rectangular rooms divided by woven kelp partitions and the rough-hewn walls being lined with kelp textiles as well. Of course, the number of monoliths suitable for carving is limited, so newer buildings are often made of boulders and stones glued together, though they still emulate the look of natural caves. They have a mound-like shape on the outside, not standing too tall above the seafloor, and on the inside, moss is planted in the cracks to hide them and fill the "cave" with life.

Lojanese merchants travel with the currents for their job, as well as governmental officers and nobles trying to manage the vast region. Therefore they live in easily portable conical tents made of kelp. The tents are light, but if the fabric is stretched and secured well at the ends - often the tip of the tent is affixed to a rock outcrop or a coral, which is simpler than constructing it in thin air. A recent invention is the floating tent, essentially a fabric-covered cage that does not have to be assembled and disassembled, instead it is anchored to the ground or yoked to a pack animal, usually a large genetically engineered fish, in order to travel. While there is little in the way of urban centers in Lojan, just the residences of the government and the powerful nobles, major markets or cultural festivals can see tents packed closely together as far as the eye can see, only to disperse after the event is over.

In building that have a broader use than a family residence, architects have to deal with the fact that the two preponderant species in Lojan, the Mer and the Tobar, have wildly different body sizes. Older buildings such as the Great Steeplehouse, made before the creation of the Tobar, are obviously sized for the Mer. If necessary, they are adapted for the Tobar by adding room dividers in order to dispel the oppressive atmosphere of oversized, seemingly endless rooms.

Buildings are usually decorated with simple logos repeating in patterns that are unique to each family or business.

Accept [Offer] Forgotten Treasures from ABS, gain five treasure for one favor from the Coraline Compendium and one owed favor, gain 1 Prestige from [Affluence] All That Glitters


News and Rumors:

Spoiler: Ruler

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Prime Minister Shoeng Thnoet
Next round stats:
Diplomacy: 7
Military: 4
Economy: 6
Faith: 2
Intrigue: 2

New ruler next round? No

Note to fellow players: I want to live dangerously, so you may assassinate, kidnap or otherwise ravish my rulers at any time. You don't need to approach me first, surprises are fine too. IC resistance and retaliation will be be offered, of course.

Spoiler: Country Info

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Special Actions Available: D5 E5
Special Actions Used:

Diplomacy

Spoiler

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Region Ownership/Claims/Supports

#	Name	Owned	Claims	Supports
9	Lojan	yes	Historicity, Integration	ACM
8	???	from round 3	-	-
6	Selach?	no	-	M

Reputation/Favours
The Abyssal Stewards: Rep 0, 0 Favours (Expected Change: +1)
The Chelonian Chora: Rep 0, -1 Favours (Expected Change: None)
The Divine Nacre: Rep 1, 0 Favours (Expected Change: None)
International Prestige: Rep 0 (Expected Change: +1)

Cultural Exchanges
None

Cultural Identities
None

Military

Spoiler

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Units: 1 (Expected Change: +2)

• Republican Guards - recruited R1

Generals
None

Fortresses
None

Perfected Tactical Doctrines
None

Military Technologies
None

Economy

Spoiler

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Treasure: 1 (Expected Change: -1+1)
Trade post income: 1 Treasure/round

Trade Posts
Total Owned 3 (5 for Treasure gain)

TP	Resource	Type	Used for	Merchant support owned?
9.1,2	Ching He'aang	Precious Stone, Fireworks	-	yes
6.1,2	Selachian Mercenaries	Precious Stone, Fireworks	-	yes
17.2	Delights of Moonlight	Hallucinogen, Food?	Lojan import	no

Region	Desired Import	Source
9 Lojan	Spices	region 17
8 ???	??	??

Cities
None

Trade Routes
None

Specialised Ships
None

Civilian Technologies
Megafaunal Tailoring No mechanical effect

Faith

Spoiler

Show

State Faith: Mandate of Plo'uogoar

Faith Holy Sites: 2

Organised Faith Bonuses
None

Artefacts
None

Holy Orders
None

Miracles
None

Intrigue

Spoiler

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Spies
Nope, no ninjas here.

Spoiler: Interesting quests

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ABS
[Task] Begin work on the Coraline Compendium [1/5] - The Abyssal Stewards, patient though they may be, are not particularly subtle: it is eminently clear that the emissaries they send inquiring about the architectural stylings and favored forms of craftsmership of the various cultures throughout the tropics have other concerns on their mind than mere professional curiosity. Nonetheless, cooperation with their efforts is likely to earn their favor, and the results of this 'Coraline Compendium' may turn out to be interesting.

(Task: Cooperate in the creation of the Coraline Compendium. Available for Tropical zone countries only. Reward: +2 Favors (max); if Project is completed, additional reward given to all contributors. Penalty: None. Deadline: End of Round 4. Details: 1 Favor earned per sufficient length/content fluff submission fit for inclusion in the Compendium. 1 Favor earned for spending an Economy action to contribute to the Project. Fluff submissions will still be accepted and eligible for Favor gains if the project is completed before the request duration expires.)

CCA
(Opportunity: Pay off CCA Favor debt by providing Treasure! Reward: +1 Favor. Cost: Give the Chelonian Chora a total of 3 Treasure as a non-action. Deadline: End of Round 6. Details: Only countries which owe Favors to the CCA are eligible. The treasure may be paid over multiple rounds (with non-actions), but the Favor will not be paid off until the third Treasure is provided. If only a partial payment has been made by the end of Round 6, 1 Treasure will be refunded.)

PRS

[Affluence] A New Generation - With expansion once again available, there are numerous areas of the ocean that remain heavily depopulated. Those who manage to take advantage of the opportunity this provides, and bear the burden of responsibility such advantage creates, are worth of respect and admiration - go forth, and plant the seeds of civilization in untamed waters!

(Opportunity: The first country in each starting zone to Colonize an Open Waters region will gain 1 Prestige. The first country in each starting zone to settle a Colony region will gain 1 Prestige. Duration: Until fulfilled. Special: Simultaneous completions result in both countries gaining Prestige.)

[Acclaim] The Ties That Bind - Allies, confidants, and conspirators are key to the long-term success of any large polity. A healthy and stable government is a remarkably social creature, and to expand by social means is not only laudable, but admirable, whether it be through ties of family cemented by the next generation, or of friendship cemented by time and effort.

(Opportunity: The first country in each starting zone to successfully press a Marriage Claim will gain 1 Prestige. The first country in each starting zone to successfully Integrate a region acquired by Confederation will gain 1 Prestige. The first country in each starting zone to have a Fabricated Claim uncovered as such will lose 1 Prestige. Duration: Until fulfilled. Special: If multiple countries simultaneously fulfill the conditions, all eligible countries gain or lose the relevant Prestige.)

[Affluence] All That Glitters - What better way to demonstrate one’s power and prosperity than ostentatious displays of wealth? An old method, but one which needs no explanation - to have enough resources to waste them on opulent displays is to demonstrate, irrevocably, one’s ability - so deeply understood is this fact that even wild beasts will grow inefficient, self-sabotaging, or metabolically expensive displays to show off to potential mates. Surely this knowledge will not be wasted on civilized folk?

(Opportunity: The first country in each starting zone to have 5 Treasure will gain 1 Prestige. The first country in each starting zone to have a passive Treasure Income of 2 or more will gain 1 Prestige. Duration: Until fulfilled. Special: If multiple countries in the same starting zone are the first to reach 5 Treasure in the same round, all eligible countries will gain the Prestige. If multiple countries in the same starting zone are the first to achieve a passive Treasure Income of 2 or more, the country in possession of the greater variety in Resources will gain the Prestige. Ties are broken by opposed Economy rolls.)