Empire 7: Into the Depths IC Thread

[Lumaeus]

The Riftlings Many of the Dead Seas

Polar Region

Turn 1

Ruler: The Youngest, First Chosen of the Mother of the New Era
Diplomacy: 3
Military: 4
Economy: 4
Faith: 5
Intrigue: 4

Actions:
(Rolls at post 76 in rolling thread. I can't link bc of a low post total. I'm sorry)

Spoiler: Interference in the Seas-Not-Yet-Dead will not be tolerated

Show

The great brine barrier to the north neatly sections off the Dead Seas from the life-blighted lands of the tragic isolates. While not all of the Dead Seas have been brought fully into the Mother's vision of sterile perfection, those regions encompassed by the brine wall remain Hers and the Riftlings' alone. That the eastern reaches, the Seas-Not-Yet-Dead (Region 66) are not cleansed is not an invitation for trespass. The unwanted isolates of the land would do well to heed our doctrine and seek their own communion--preferably far away from us.

And yet. In the Mother's own sacred depths, the Congregation of the Isolated seeks to preach its own message, one which would deny the immobile election of the Fathers to be a blessing. Despite our diplomatic entreaties, they made incursion. They were warned. They were given an explanation. Nevertheless, they persisted. And it is by denunciation that they will discover that only one faith will find purchase in these waters.

Faith: Attempt to welcome Holy Site #1 in Region 66 into the Eternal Communion. SUCCESS but the Congregation's higher roll means FAILURE 13
Faith: Attempt to welcome Holy Site #2 in Region 66 into the Eternal Communion. FAILURE 11

Spoiler: Diplomatic mission to the Eternal Spring

Show

It is not often that the Riftlings are met with anything more than bemusement by foreign powers. Much of this reception is surely attributable to the tragic isolation under which many species operate. It doubtless warps the mind and the judgment. But not all peoples are so twisted, and not all lands are lamentably amenable to life. Though insufficiently curated, the magma falls of...Magma Falls are a beautifully hostile environment, and the Ambassador to Herring and the Eternal Spring dawdle on the way back. Is it the Ambassador's fault that they find a significant portion of their number speaking of the glories of the Eternal Communion? It is rare to have such a receptive audience, and one which itself can actually understand the true meaning of existence. By the time the Ambassador leave, they may have left a greater imprint than the Youngest had expected.

Faith: Attempt to welcome Holy Site #1 in Region 51 into the Eternal Communion. SUCCESS 17
Faith: Attempt to welcome Holy Site #2 in Region 51 into the Eternal Communion. SUCCESS 15
Faith: Attempt to welcome Holy Site #3 in Region 51 into the Eternal Communion. FAILURE 10


Next turn stats:
Diplomacy: 3
Military: 4
Economy: 4
Faith: 7 (+2)
Intrigue: 4

[LapisCattis]

End of Round 1
No further mechanical edits to action posts may be made.

[LapisCattis]

Round Two: Begin
Years 4 - 6

Don’t forget to link to any rolls you make, including rolls for rulers you will start using at the start of next round. If you want a new ruler in the next round, you must state so in your action post for this round and link to their rolls. Any increases from actions for this round are counted for the ruler you start your next round with, which may or may not be your current ruler.
Good luck!

Rules Alerts and Changes!

The following events occurred between Year 1 - Year 3

Discovery!
Explorations and prospecting

The Shark People Arrive in Region 73! They have 5 units, three open mobile holy centers, and one open mobile trade post of Foreign Trinkets!
During the spring of year three, rumors start to spread of the coming of some group known as the Shark People, and by the end of the summer they arrive, a few hundred at a time, in region 73. Those brave enough to approach the newcomers encounter a cautious and hungry-looking band of Chelorians speaking in various tongues, with all their earthly possessions lashed to the backs of their gene-tailored sharks.

Intent on making the most of their loan, the Carral family ventures east from Cyph-Arel and discover Region 123, an inhabited region specializing in the harvest of Malleable Blubber, ideally in return for Spices. The region is guarded by 1 unit of Native Defenders. CYP gains a +1 to buyout any single TP in this region in Round 2

LUX Investigate southwest of region 135 with aid from the Chelonian Chora and discover Region 101, an inhabited region specializing in the production of Luxurious Hides and whose people are in great consistent need of new Tools . The region is guarded by 5 units of Native Defenders. LUX gains 1 treasure and gain a +1 to buyout a TP in this region next turn

Spoiler: Map

Show

Growth!
Actions involving colonization or settling, projects to build new TPs/HCs, founding Cities/Holy Orders/Fortresses, rising in country status, claims, and similar forms of growth and expansion.

Let it never be said that the people of Magma Falls are wasteful. Rather than tossing both disgraced ruler and disgraced dwellings alike aside, the North Pole is refurbished and refitted to a functional, defensible, and useful mountain with mass production and diplomatic facilities. The North Pole is established as a City in Region 51. A Fortress is constructed in Region 51

After sending envoy after envoy to the newly-contacted lands in the northwest, one envoy finally returns with good tidings. An eager contact amongst the ruling class shares their vision for opportunity, and will act as a direct line for the Syndicate in the region to exert authority. The Lambent Syndicate establishes a Claim on Region 28

Shortly after Angus, Who Seeks out Large Curves in the Patterns, departs Bob’s court, a messenger reports that after a quick whisker trim and a change of clothes, the Duchess found Angus presentable enough to do the job. The messenger also bears an embossed invitation for Angus’s friends and relations to attend the speedily-arranged but extremely decadent wedding. The CSC gains a weak Marriage Claim on Region 66!

Yirp sends one of his sons out to the neighboring region only to receive a message several weeks later that he is engaged to be wed into the local ruling class. Yirp, not sure what to make of this news decides that this must be a sign of otter superiority. The wedding is a civil affair with only two sea goat sacrifices made to calm all otterkind to this union.
The OTT gains a weak Marriage Claim on Region 112!

Devout and unrelenting in their search for the Makers, the Gravetenders do not rest in exploration, and their efforts are rewarded with the discovery of Maker artifacts. The discovery spurs efforts to further settle and explore the area, as well as passionate arguments over Maker funerary rites. The Gravetenders colonize Region 76 with aid from the Chelonian Chora


Statecraft!
Anything involving Swaying or Impressing, Cultural Identities, establishing vassals and lieges, events and marriage claim exchanges between players,

Solidifying their close bonds, the Lighthouse establishes a Cultural Exchange with the Lambent Syndicate.

The Gotezhar experience a change in leadership! Profundus Korasoon, not too long ago appointed general by the Sublime One, overthrows the Sublime One and becomes the new ruler of the People of the Rain.

The Coronation of Primarch Marcion sees many attendees from across the newly connected world, and the Sakura-Jin host delegates from the Gotezhar, the Cyphiri, the Kalan Company, Pfilghol, the Otterians, the Ironkelp Knights, the Lux-Glossian Shades, and the Costa of Palacia. News and words are exchanged, trades and deals struck, and it is safe to say that all who attended learned interesting things about their regional neighbors.

Determined to welcome their neighbors and cast off the overbearing shadows of caution, the Coral of the Protected Statera hosts a grand potluck in the tropics. It is a great success, with attendees swapping introductions, stories, and technology amidst a great bounty of delicacies. Delegations are sent from the Hymenocera Expanse, the Lojanese Republic, the Crimson Choir, and the Lambent Syndicate, as well as the Abyssal Stewards.

Striking a bargain with the Chelonian Choir, the Lojanese Republic uses the CCA’s assistance to sway the merchants in Region 6 to their side; The Lojanese Republic gains Support of the Mercantile Faction in Region 6

While the unimaginative may have wondered “how on sand could a school of herring manage to conduct diplomacy?” the herring of the Deep Blue have found creative solutions. Exploiting the allure of delicious food, Deep Blue stocks and offers sweetened and fattened Bream to its neighbors, and how can such a gift be rejected? Deep Blue gains Support of the Aristocratic Factions in Regions 55 and 57


Trade!
Buyouts, trade routes, and other economic shenanigans

The Tellan family of the Cyphiri Union sees an opportunity in the reopening of the currents and seizes it with all their tentacles, selling their holdings at home to fund a trading expedition to Orope. With cooperation from the Ulnesh and the Middish themselves, the trade route soon becomes established between the two Flowing Way powers.
The Cyphiri Union establishes a Trade Route with the Ironkelp Order

A Drift from the Seatide Confederacy crosses into Gravetender waters, bearing unique and valuable wares. Their trip proves so successful that it quickly becomes an annual trip through the Dead Cities, bringing closer ties between the Confederacy and the Gravetenders.
The Seatide Confederacy establishes a Trade Route with the Gravetenders


Prime Minister Thnoet receives a rare summons from the Plo'uogoar, evidently a warning of increasing competition from foreign civilizations. In response, the government moves to secure a greater share of local production in Lojan. The Lojanese Republic buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 9 for Ching He'aang

Looking farther afield, merchants of the Lojanese Republic secure a supply of the Delights of Moonlight unique to the Dunes of Revelation. To what purpose they desire to import the potent hallucinogen remains to be seen. The Lojanese Republic buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 17 for Delights of Moonlight

The Tellan trade route proves immediately valuable, as the Cyphiri strike a deal to import Giantsbane Seeds along the new route, though whether for their decorative carvings or their explosive potential is as yet unclear. The Cyphiri Union buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 114 for Giantsbane Seeds

Hearing the reports of scouts entranced by the Gardenbearer Turtles of the southeast, the Sakura-Jin follows them up with merchants to secure bales of the creatures.
The World Garden of the Sakura-Jin buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 141 for Gardenbearer Turtles

Keeping one eye on the potential for foreign trade, the World Garden intensifies harvesting of glue from Dashasham’s native barnacles.
The World Garden of the Sakura-Jin buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 119 for Barnacle Glue

Betting on the rising civilizations of the temperate waters, the merchants of Costa Sereia strike deals with their peers to import the basic necessities of life - plankton from the far east, and the Gotezhar’s Pure Berries closer to home.
Costa Sereia buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 124 for Plankton with support from the Kalan Company
Costa Sereia buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 138 for Pure Berries

Seeking to expand their trade network, the trade houses of the Hymenocera Expanse dispatch two delegations to travel the waters. The first secures contracts with a handful of Selachian Mercenary companies, while the other, taken by the pure cuteness of the local wildlife, invests their full energies in the acquisition of Tiny Turtles.
The Hymenocera Expanse buys out Trade Post 1 in Region 6 for Selachian Mercenaries
The Hymenocera Expanse buys out Trade Post 1 in Region 28 for Tiny Turtles

The Hymenocera work to strengthen their domestic economy as well, expanding production of Carapace Armor.
The Hymenocera Expanse buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 3 for Carapace Armor

Seeing an opportunity in the chaos enveloping [Region 6], the Coral of the Protected Statera send out envoys to every mercenary company in the area. Backed by charismatic negotiators and a hefty sum of cash, they find that within a few short years they have secured contracts with over half of the local companies.
The Coral of the Protected Statera buys out Trade Posts 2 and 3 in Region 6 for Selachian Mercenaries

Concentrating their mercantile efforts in the northeastern Polar reaches, the Seatide Confederacy establishes sound contracts both among their neighbors and themselves, acquiring Firefly Squid from abroad and consolidating antifreeze production at home.
Seatide Confederacy buys out Trade Post 2 in region 74 for Firefly Squid
The Seatide Confederacy buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 79 for Bluefish Antifreeze

In an effort to expand their numbers, the leader of the Unity orders the exploitation of the Sandfish to the west. The reaction of the locals to the emergence of the harvester colonies is not recorded, but evidently relations are smooth enough for the Sandfish corpses to continue to swell the Unity.
The Unity buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 22 for Sandfish

Mother Yetu and Queen Phiso of the Auros embark on a grand scheme of consolidation, aiming to bring Kaarme’s Barotoxin fully under central control. Though these efforts do not succeed completely, neither can they be said to have failed.
The Auros of Kaarme buys out Trade Post 3 in Region 14 for Barotoxin


Faith!
Conversions, organization, and other such matters of faith
The Lambent Syndicate is drawn to the preaching of the Reef, and the Chorus of the Crimson Choir develops a following at Indah’s Rise; The Chorus of the Crimson Choir converts Holy Site 1 in Region 2

Despite the fearsome reputation of the Lighthouse’s followers of the Radiance, the Choir finds foothold by adapting their messages and sways the Lighthouse to their divine ways; The Chorus of the Crimson Choir converts Holy Site 1 in Region 7

Finding a common understanding, a balance of co-operation and mutual aid is struck and opens a path for the Crimson Choir to spread the Reef; The Chorus of the Crimson Choir converts Holy Site 1 in Region 31

To match movement of peoples in the north, the Grand Master of the Ironkelp Knights successfully engineers a missionary expedition to the Swarmshadow Cult; The Ironkelp Knights convert Holy Site 1 in Region 109

Proving to be skilled in more than just military matters, Knight Commander Tolmach manages to establish a school of the Flowing Way after negotiation with foreigners, and the Grand Master takes a personal interest in overseeing the establishment of the new school; the Ironkelp Knights convert Holy Site 3 in Region 135

Like starlight carried in a wave, the Forests are the centerpoint of a dazzling array of motes illuminating the depths. The Forests of Astral Yearning convert Holy Site 1 in Region 18

In the east, the wave of light is as strong as a tidal surge, accompanied by the soothing and disorienting singing of the Chelonian Chora. The light is not of the sun or moon but of memory, and all find a second chance to see their long-lost loves. The Forests of Astral Yearning convert Holy Site 1 in Region 15

The Congregation of the Scintillating Ceiling convert Holy Site 1 in Region 66

Sent to settle a dispute over conflicting dogma, Ewyllysgar the Stubborn-backed fascinates and draws the disputers into legends and tales of the Dragons, legends which are greatly supported by appearances and aid from Brenhineplisgyn and the songs of the Chelonian Chora. The Draigiau Residuum Gathering converts Holy Site 2 in Region 70

Fascinated by the Neoplastic Monolith, the Gravetenders sought to observe and understand the Monolith’s nature, and find assistance in the form of the Chelonian Chora’s songs. Though the Gravetenders are on their own journey, their presence and interest is mutually fascinating to the locals. The Gravetenders convert Holy Site 2 in Region 69

FInding common ground in the Eternal Spring, the Riftlings see both opportunity and interest, and waste no time in sending additional envoys to the Magma Falls to spread the Eternal Communion. These efforts, despite the hostile environment, are broadly a success. The Riftlings Many of the Dead Seas convert Holy Sites 1 and 2 in Region 51


Wonder!
New artifacts & specialized ships, miracles, new technologies, significant projects

Casting eyes further afield, the Lux-Glossian Shades commission and complete a Specialized Ship

As the second year of healing ends and the third year begins, the entire Polar area is engulfed in light. Each night for a month, brilliant lights play above the water’s surface, casting the dunes and kelp forests in beautiful shades of green, blue, and red. Though auroras are no new phenomenon, these are unusually large and bright and last for tens of hours, not minutes. The meaning of this portent is fiercely debated across the frigid waters, but the holy men reach no consensus.


Might!
Military events including both military developments and military actions

After raising new forces of Squalls, the Sublime One of the Gotezhar anoints the Profundus Korasoon as a skilled leader of this host. The Gotezhar appoint Profundus Korasoon as a General with a Military Score of 10 and the Tactical Doctrine: Aim For the Storm’s Center - -6 to Enemy Leader Loss and -20% Enemy Casualties
[INDENT] Profundus Korasoon quickly passes the mantle of general and the Tactical Doctrine to Squall Essensio (Military Score 10)

The Ironkelp Knights are keenly aware that danger may lurk behind each next surge, and Knight Commander Amlaigh Tolmach of the Scoshlangue is chosen for his experience and the respect of his troops to serve as the Grand Master’s primary military leader. The Ironkelp Knights appoint Amlaigh Tolmach as General with a Military Score of 10 and the Tactical Doctrine Quiver Hell’s Foundations - +2 to Battle Roll.

As chief rival to Olgght The-one-who-consumes, Gtsit earns the position of second-champion to direct their cunning, ruthlessness, and terrain mastery to support (and oppose) Olgght. The Pfith raise Gtsit the-second-champion as General with a Military Score of 8 and the Tactical Doctrine [I] Sea’s Opportunity/[I] - Enemy takes double battle penalties from terrain (Defending), transfer battle penalties from terrain to enemy (Attacking).

Seeking to kill two fish with one snip, the Calamitous One takes advantage of the need for a military and the need to distract the nuisance that is Carapace the Eviscerator and tasks the annoying dissenter with organizing military. The Unity recruits Carapace the Eviscerator as a General with Military Score 10 and the Tactical Doctrine Tireless - -10% to own casualties, +2 to allied leader loss rolls


Schemes!
Coercion, betrayals, and spycraft

Though at times growth must be found in the pruning of doomed branches, so too is it true that growth must also decide to offer second chances to a polyp to better the whole. The Reef in Red is no different, and the name of Ernost VIII spreads - a disgraced Speaker with a penchant for getting into messes and substances alike, joined and exacerbated in partnership to an equally chaotic chorister. The Chorus of the Crimson Choir acquires Ernost VIII, a Spy with Intrigue Score 8

Whispers spread throughout the temperate regions of a new spy procured by Costa Sereia, though little is known of the mysterious figure except the renown of their skill. Costa Sereia Procures a Spy - Veruha Mascerena with an Intrigue Score 7

Locating a potential error in the system, Deep Blue identifies instead a useful agent - the Red Herring. For now, the Red Herring appears to simply be swimming in circles. Appears to be. Deep Blue procures Red Herring, a Spy with Intrigue Score 9

Though their trade deals of recent years have been quite successful, the Costa Sereia are not above taking the more underhanded approach when necessary. At first rebuffed by the local magnates of [Region 130], the Sereia turn to a series of threats, robberies, and “accidents” to ensure they are allowed to “protect” the region’s Mineblossom Sponge.
Costa Sereia coerces Trading Post 2 in Region 130 for Mineblossom Sponge


Terror!
Violence, upheaval, murder, and destruction.

The Aristocratic Support node in Region 6 is Unruly!
The presence of so many unemployed mercenaries looking for a meal has significantly destabilized region 6. Armed groups prowl the seafloor, looting and holding up roads.

OTT fails to convert region 133!
Returning to the great kelpland in a state of considerable dishevelment, the Supremacist Priest sent to convert region 133 reports some sort of sedition: just when he was about to perform a sacrifice to bless the local leaders, he found that his ceremonial rock had been stolen by some unknown party. Unable to perform his sacred rite without the rock, he quickly became a laughingstock of the local nobility and clergy.


Organizations!
With the aid of the Pfilghol, the first Smoking Garden is operational within the span of a few short years. Sited among a string of volcanic outlets in the northeast of the Pfithreef, the sloped terrain and proximity to existing heat flows results in an abundance of vent growths, many at curious angles, over the course of the process. Once the Koresh deem the first of the vents to have matured sufficiently, the now-local Grandmasters opt to name the site Gan Kotzim - the Thorn Gardens - in honor of this development, and it is only a few months before the first deliveries of metal arrive in Pfithreef’s capital, small though they might yet be.
(PFG builds a Smoking Garden in 132, completing the ABS Base Request in the Temperate Zone: +1 Favor from and +1 Rep with ABS!)

The Gravetenders and Kar-Nath Hegemony work together to rapidly complete preparations for the Stewards, who are gifted the use of the Dead City of Morelia. As most of the Reliquaries once housed within the Dead City had long since been removed, it was the most practical location - especially given the collection of local currents that would help disperse the Garden’s fumes more effectively. As the Garden’s vents begin to grow into, through, and over the buildings of the Dead City, it seems like nothing so much as a corpse’s nutrients finally being reclaimed. To honor both this and the faith of their hosts, the newly promoted Grandmasters of the Garden dub it Gan Atzamot - the Bone Gardens. Much as they might have hoped for it, the Smiths can find no silver to capture from the black smoke that now wreathes the Dead City. Nonetheless, the Gravetenders soon find themselves in possession of a steady supply of stronger metals, ready for sculpting by hands of stone.
(GRV and KNH build a Smoking Garden in 78, completing the ABS Base Request in the Polar Zone: GRV gets +1 Rep with ABS! KNH gets +1 Favor from ABS!)

The Chorus of the Crimson Choir are the first to offer their knowledge to the Abyssal Stewards, making theirs among the first entries within the Coraline Compendium - the Stewards make it clear that such generosity is deserving of reward. (CCC contributes 1 entry to the Coraline Compendium: +1 Favor from ABS!)

DRG gains 1 Rep with CCA!

Work begins on a Reefback Nursery in the Protected Statera…[1/3]

In the Kar-Nath Hegemony, the same cooperation that led to Gan Atzamot allows for the establishment of an area seeded with the appropriate base deep water corals and organisms capable of supporting critical stages in the reproductive cycles of the Chora’s Reefbacks. Of course, once the Chelonian Chora themselves take up residence, this soon blossoms into a thriving center from which culture, commerce, and more can spread, traveling through paths in the ice and rock carefully tracked and maintained by the Chora’s navigators. Given the glacial masses surrounding the Nursery, it becomes known as Icewall Reef - or, in the language of the Chora, Kiwensuli Awensinpin Lete.
(KNH and GRV build a Reefback Nursery in 77, completing the CCA Base Request in the Polar Zone: KNH gets +1 Favor from and +1 Rep with CCA! GRV gets +1 Favor from CCA!)

To every call, a response - the Chelonian Chora’s members attend to a myriad of labors, with repayment in full to come ast (CYP, DRG, FAY, GRV, KNH, LOL, and SKR all indebt themselves to the CCA by 1 Favor in exchange for assistance!)

[Description will be posted with Org Actions!]
(SKR builds a Holdfast in 119 with 2 actions, completing the DNA Base Request in the Temperate Zone: +1 Favor from and +1 Rep with DNA!)

[Description will be posted with Org Actions!]
(SBK builds a Holdfast in 25 with 4 actions, completing the DNA Base Request in the Tropical Zone: +2 Favors from and +1 Rep with DNA!)

LOL gains 1 Rep with DNA!

A number of powers parlay with the Divine Nacres, gaining access to technologies they might otherwise have lacked opportunity to acquire. (HEX, SEN, GRV, KNH, STC all indebt themselves to the DNA by 1 Favor in exchange for technology!)

[Silent_Interim]

The Chorus of the Crimson Choir

Round 2

Ruler: Living-Speaker Hurn the Wise

Ruler Stats Round 2:
Diplomacy - 3
Military - 2
Economy - 2
Faith - 7
Intrigue - 5

Actions:

1. [Faith 5] Organize Faith: Organize the Crimson Chant into a One Doctrine faith. (Tied for first in the Tropical zone, gaining 2 Prestige.)
   
   Sub-action- Set Holy Site Bonus (5)- Scarlet Glory: +1 to Impress actions (Approved)
   Bloodhome swells with the weight of new converts. Already they flow like trickles of crimson, into the waiting mouths of the Reef and the waiting song of the Choir. Measures must be taken, to ensure that all who wish to join the Choir may, to ease the minds of all, and to ensure the flow of blood and minds does not cease.
2. [Diplomacy] Host Event: Pilgrimage to Bloodhome.
   To the end of ensuring peace and mutual prosperity, invitations are sent to the leadership of a few nearby countries. The message is simple. All ye who would join with our god, bring your frail and your elders, your sick and your dying; we shall show you wonder.
3. [Diplomacy] Complete the Reefback Nursery in the Protected Strata (region 31), earning 1 CCA favour.
4. [Diplomacy] Raise Reputation: Raise rep from 0 to 1 with the Abyssal Stewards. (Failure, roll)
5. [Diplomacy] Raise Reputation: Raise rep from 0 to 1 with the Chelonian Chora. (Failure, roll)
   The diplomatic corps of the Choral government has long been neglected, its duties largely subsumed into the priesthood. While this has given the Chorus ample opportunity to speak confidently on matters of religion, it has left the Chorus unprepared for more traditional diplomatic endeavours. In a not uncontroversial move, the Living-Speaker allocates a significant amount of resources back to the diplomatic corps, attempting to curry favour with both the Chelonian Chora and the Abyssal Stewards. The efforts are by and large unsuccessful, as the poorly-trained and ill-equipped ambassadors seem more prone to shouting matches over the philosophical supremacy of the Crimson Chant than to actual performance of their mission, but their failures will be enlightening for the next wave of ambassadors. Still, some progress is made with the Chora thanks to the efforts of the Chorus in expanding the Reefback Nursery of the Protected Strata, and it seems that the good intentions of that effort will not be compromised by the failures of the diplomatic corp.

Ruler stats increase: +2 Diplomacy

Non-Actions:

• Resist all conversions to faiths other than The Crimson Chant in regions with clerical support.
• Submit further notes to the Abyssal Stewards for the Coraline compendium, on craftsmership in the Chorus.
  
  Spoiler: Coraline Compendium Entry II: The Vicari

  Show

  Craftsmership among the Chorus is a complex affair, woven into their very ways of life, and deeply tangled with the religious tradition of the chorists. Further complicating their relationship to questions of craft is the existence of the Vicari class, practically indispensable but spiritually uncomfortable.
  
  A very large percentage of craftsmer within the Chorus are Vicari, the strange chorists who have received the consciousness of a compatible dead chorister. Emerging from a time of struggle, when the population of Bloodhome was low and the costs in time and resources for training were a not insignificant barrier, the use of the Vicarius process was far more common. (Even into the modern day, a large proportion of the population is Vicari. The government of the Chorus does not disclose official counts, but estimates range from as low as 5% to as high as 40%. The figure is likely on the higher end of this spectrum.)
  
  The Vicari process has a number of huge advantages in flexibility and training. It can take a lifetime for a master artisan to reach the height of their craft; thanks to the Vicarius process, chorists can reach those same heights in a fraction of the time, and then dedicate the rest of their life to surpassing them. In addition, while they are able to effectively skip large portions of the time that would otherwise be spent on training, young Vicari still retain the youthful spark of imagination and creativity that can stifle innovation when absent. Expertise can be retained in long lineages with a high degree of efficiency, while leaving behind the hidebound tendencies of the elderly.
  
  Still, the Vicarius present a veritable theological landmine. Craftsmer tend to fit the psychological profile of potential Vicari well, enjoying the feeling of creation with one’s one hands and of giving back to the community. Priests and politicians alike tend to enjoy their retirement to the Chorus, and they inevitably regard the Vicari with a degree of suspicion. By necessity, any living Vicari are aligned with those who have, for whatever reason, rejected life in the Choir. Though in most cases this is a net positive for the Chorus, many see it as a potential threat to the religious authority of the Crimson Chant. Further, the materialism inherent in craftsmership runs counter to the Chant’s doctrine placing such importance on the afterlife of the Choir, which can heighten this sense of threat.
  
  Perhaps as a result of this distrust from the leadership of the Chorus, many Vicari have learned to keep their heads down and to make themselves as useful as possible. This has contributed to the underlying principle of most Choral craftsmership traditions- perfection without distinction. To outsiders, and even to most members of the Chorus, this seems to manifest as highly functional, but generally aesthetically unremarkable crafts.
  
  The reputation of Vicari crafts as without artistry, however, could not be further from the truth, though one could be forgiven for not realizing it. While there is a veritable wealth of artistic tradition woven into the crafts of the Vicari, much of it is made in such a way as to be indistinguishable to any who do not have the many lifetimes of expertise that the Vicari can accumulate. Maker’s marks are still employed, but they are often subtle, sometimes woven into the structure of crafts to be as unobtrusive as possible. Designs warp and weave in subtle ways, never compromising function but inobvious to the untrained eye.
  
  Of course, this tendency falls away in one particular field- the classical Vicari mosaic. At every step, these display the skill and creativity of their creators, from the acid-etching and colouration of the stones to the careful arrangement and solidifying of the designs. A great many of these are commissioned for temples, but they are also a favourite of the wealthy (and the politically minded). Often vast, usually made to glorify the Reef, and always beautiful, the Vicari mosaic is perhaps the most significant contribution the Chorus will make to art history.
  
  Organizationally, Vicari craftsmer tend to divide themselves up into regional guilds, for the protection of their interests both personal and political. Though never as influential as the priesthood, these guilds can often hold significant sway in local politics, especially in regions well known for specific crafts. Young chorists are often trained in the very basics of the craft by these guilds, to assess their aptitude and compatibility for the Vicarius process before the young ones commit. Full membership in a Vicari guild is typically conditional on having undergone this process, though rare exceptions can be made under some guild charters for exceptional cases.
• Spend 2 ABS favours in exchange for 5 treasure, reaching 5 treasure and earning 1 Prestige.

News & Rumours:

• Alinus Ernost VIII is missing.
  
  • Notable Legislation
  • Chorus' Will to Free Pilgramage: This legislation, allowing any migrating for the purpose of self-sacrifice to the Reef in Red free entry into Bloodhome, was PASSED with unanimity in the Choral Parliament.
  
  

Ruler Stats for Round 2
Diplomacy - 5
Military - 2
Economy - 2
Faith - 7
Intrigue - 5

Statistics

Spoiler

Show

Special Actions Available: Faith 5
Special Actions Used: Intrigue 5

Diplomacy

Spoiler

Show

Reputation/Favours
The Abyssal Stewards: Rep 0, 1 Favour (Expected Change: +1 Favour, -2 Favours, net -1 Favour)
The Chelonian Chora: Rep 0, 0 Favour (Expected Change: +1 Favour)
The Divine Nacre: Rep 0, 0 Favour (Expected Change: None)
International Prestige: Prestige 0 (Expected Change: +3 Prestige)

Cultural Exchanges
None

Cultural Identities
None

Military

Spoiler

Show

Units: 0 (Expected Change: None)

Aristocratic Support
26

Generals
None

Fortresses
None

Perfected Tactical Doctrines
None

Military Technologies
None

Economy

Spoiler

Show

Treasure: 0 (Expected Change: None)

Trade Posts
Total Owned 1
26.1 – Blood Pearls

Mercantile Support
None

Cities
None

Trade Routes
None

Specialised Ships
None

Civilian Technologies
Graduated Symbiosis No mechanical effect

Faith

Spoiler

Show

Faith Holy Sites: 6

Clerical Support
2, 26, 31

Organised Faith Bonuses
None

Artefacts
None

Holy Orders
None

Miracles
None

Intrigue

Spoiler

Show

Spies
Alinus Ernost VIII (8)

Claims

Spoiler

Show

26 - Historicity

[JBarca]

Round 2
The Shifting Ennead
Danabae

Led by Ninth of Nine Prince Antenius, Who Grasps the Wave, Son of Strolinus, Son of Akkoroas
D5 ; M5 ; O4 ; F2 ; I3

Actions

1. [DIP Host an Event in Danabae] The Doflein call for all species and cultures to send representatives to Danabae for something they are calling The Meld. Great games will be held to determine whose champions are most capable! Event Thread Here! All Polar states are welcome!
2. [DIP Construct a Holdfast in Danabae] SEN gains the rep, Deep Blue gains the Favor
   As soon as the resources and time can be allocated appropriately, Antenius sends his bid to the Nacres, promising seafloor, willing labor, and expertise to the strange surface-dwellers. Despite the initial difficulties in communication, the herrings of Deep Blue are also present, making themselves useful in the construction as only herrings can.
   
   The Holdfast itself is built within a large, round alcove near the top of a jagged shard of rock. Much effort is put into smoothing and polishing the inner walls of the cave, while the outside is left rough and the walls thick. The Enneii prepare large strands of seaweed to warn of shifting currents, and an offshoot of the main campus is designed to house Shifter biologists. While there is no official connection, the hope is for proximity to encourage collaboration.
   polar
   
3. [MIL Raise Unit]
4. [MIL Raise Unit] ----------pOLAR----------
   Prince Antenius' schemes seem to be built on military might, as he orders forty more beaks called to arms. Binibius is replaced by a career soldier in Balelia so that he might retire to simple administrative work. Balelia begins leading her force throughout Danabae in something approximating parades.
5. [MIL 5 Recruit General] A solid 9 for Balelia!
   Balelia becomes the first Shifter in living memory to formally lead an army. She spends some time developing her plans, though her advisors seem concerned by some of her proposals. Little is seen of her by anyone outside her command, though, as she seems intent on swimming her Beaks ragged for several months after her appointment.
   
   TacDoc:
   Integrate the Captives
   Balelia elects to skip straight to the endgoal during a battle. When she wins, she often immediately orders surgical work to draw from early captives in order to empower her remaining troops, leaving the enemy free to flee. This grisly display of might is often enough to earn the loyalty, or at least fear, of local aristocrats.
   Effects: -10% Losses both sides
   Free Impress Aristocracy Action in the region in which the battle took place

Non-Actions


Reports and Discoveries

• Mer, Nautilites, and Doflein near the Last Limites claim to hear whispers echoing out of their depths. The Prince is spending more time communing at the base of the holy site than actively ruling.
• Concerns over the growing numbers of standing soldiers and the Prince's erratic behavior see the leaders of the Cult of the Silted Queen begin to stir up some public dismay among the Mer. So far, Antenius seems content to ignore the Mer entirely.
• The shark riders that have made their presence known nearby are eyed with wary acceptance so far, though their is a faction in the court that is pushing for friendly overtures to be made. Antenius is, unsurprisingly, focused on other matters.

Ruler Stats R2:
D: 6
M: 6
E: 4
F: 2 POLAR
I: 3
New Ruler: NO

Spoiler: Technology

Show

Technologies

Type	Name	Effect(s)	Required Resource?
S	Composite Grafting	N/A	N/A
S	Graduated Symbiosis	N/A	N/A
-	-	-	-

Spoiler: Mechanical Bookkeeping

Show

Trading Posts Owned: 1

1. Edible Algae, TP1 #69

Military Units CAP: 5

Generals

Spies

Cultural Exchanges

Artifacts

Treasure


Special Actions Used
M5: Raise General

pOlAr

[bc56]

Pfilghol

Olgght, The-one-who-consumes
Diplomacy: 3
Military: 6+1
Economy: 3
Faith: 2
Intrigue: 3+1

Regions
The Pfithreef: 132

Actions
Rolls

Military: Raise a Unit
Military: Raise a Unit
The forces of Pfilghol continue to grow, in part inspired in response to the similarly growing forces of their neighbors in the Otterian Supremacy.

Military: Build The Line of Olgght [1/5]
+2 to Shallows Appreciation this round
Under orders of Olgght The-one-who-consumes, a wall of fortifications, barracks, and watch posts begins to grow around the borders of the Pfithreef.

Intrigue: Investigate west of the Pfithreef (132)
Sponsored by Fortified Bone Meal: Take a bite of home with you!
Pfith hunters slither out of their usual territories to travel further afield, in search of new prey and new opportunities. One of those opportunities is the provision of additional gear through a marketing deal with the minds behind Fortified Bone Meal. The hunters bring courage, danger and breakfast food with them on their way to uncharted waters.

Intrigue: Secret
Only time will tell.

Non-actions
Contribute to the Songline of the Broken Seas (coming soon)

Spoiler: Bookkeeping

Show

Spoiler: Characters

Show

Olgght - current leader, successful conqueror/unifier. Hungry.
Gtsit - Second-in-command, first to betray. Clever, dangerous. Hungry.

Spoiler: Military

Show

Units: 1
Generals:
Gtsit the-second-champion: 8. Sea's Opportunity: Defending: enemy takes double battle penalties from terrain, Attacking: transfer battle penalties from terrain to enemy.
Military Technologies:

Spoiler: Economy

Show

Trade Posts Owned:
War-Jellies: 132.1
Hard Metal: 132.BASE

Economic Techs:
Composite Grafting

Spoiler: Special

Show

Gan Kotzim - the Thorn Gardens: ABS base, 132

[Feathersnow]

Primarch Marcion, scion of Thekla (They, Them)

Diplomacy 2
Military 2
Economy 5
Faith 4
Intrigue 1

Actions:

Economy - open trade route with The Gotezhar
Though they are probably demons, the Rain People live in an ideal place and have access to resources greatly desired after the failure to sate the needs fir shells with the disappointment of the "gardenback turtles." A trade route will greatly benefit the Sakura-Jin.


Faith- attempt conversion of holy site 117.2 fail, then modified to a success
Faith- attempt conversion of 117.1 fail
This region has no Great Power to repell missionaries, so Marcion sends teams of semi-clones of lesser apostles to help secure a new foothold for the faith.

The missionaries are intially unsuccessful, but assistance from the Chorus earns a second chance at a shrine that initially refused them.


Faith- assist CYP in building a Reefback nursery in exchange for +1 favor with the Chelonian Chorus.
Though their help seemed superfluous, it was offered in good faith, and must be rewarded. But the Sakura-Jin are frankly bad at Diplomacy, if they can repay their debts in kind instead of words, it would be ideal

Faith- attempt conversion of holy site 129.1 success
Having met little initial success to the North, more missionaries are sent out, this time in the opposite direction.

New Ruler Stats.
Faith +2

Diplomacy 3
Military 2
Economy 5
Faith 6
Intrigue 1

Spoiler: news

Show

Though beautiful, the Reefback Turtles fail to provide the needed psychological benison of shell. Ideas are being considered for how to use the base established.


The Pfilghol seem ideal converts, but the vast distance between Dashasham and the Pfithreef make missionary efforts impractical at this time. Diplomats seem willing to take the Reefback Turtles as a gift in exchange for welcoming missionaries... but actually transferring ownership of the trade base is currently even more impractical.

The eccliarchs who secretly considered euthanizing Marcion as too weak to be Primarch are chirping a different tune as they see untold scientific advancement and the establishment of a base for the Holy Divine Nacres.

The World Garden has a renaissance of new bioforms being introduced, crafted by the new sciences received in Trade by Marcion.

Marcion decides to concentrate on forwarding The Great Commission directly in view of formalizing the Creed of Sakura-Do.

Spoiler: non-actions

Show

Accept treasure from the Abbysal Stewards

Submit story to the Chelonian Chorus

Accept aid from the Chorus to succeed at the conversion of holy site 117.2

Spoiler: Carry That Weight/Cherry Blossom Path

Show

In the beginning, the twins
Sophios and Ïaldaba'oth
The ephemeral and the still-born
Bound together

LORD, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
LORD, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time

And for his labors, to see
Psaul, The World Beyond the Sky
The-Beauty-That-Does-Not-Breed
In a flash the path opened

SAINT, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
SAINT, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time

We do not wear the past
We do not pollute the future
Until all is bespoke beauty
The Cherry Blossom Path

We all will carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
We all will carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time

One day the Sister wakes
One day the Brother manifests
On that day we don new shells
Not stone, of purity

Until then, we carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
Until then, we carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time

[Autumn Stars]

The Gravetenders

Laksha
Diplomacy - 4 || Military - 3 || Economy - 5 || Faith - 6 || Intrigue - 3

Actions:

1: [Economy] Project: Begin the settlement of Bastion.

The Gravetenders, once they set their sights towards a goal, do not rest until it is complete. These construction projects are, at the same time, a form of spiritual debate, with Gravetenders discussing the artifacts they uncover day and night. It is not long before the region is seeded with small temples and waystations, each containing at least two Reliquaries. An essential step of any Gravetender colonization project.

2: [Economy] Project: Continue the settlement of Bastion.

Bastion's development proceeds apace. A central hub, a mix of temple and trade center, is established and given the name Pardalis. Gravetenders from all over begin to settle there, and the neverending debate takes on a new tone. Many Gravetenders are starting to believe that spreading their spiritual understanding is important, perhaps even a new way of commemorating the Makers.

3: [Economy] Project: Complete the settlement of Bastion.

In a mere three years since the project began, Pardalis is completed, a city of the Gravetender's own design. Large, expansive, and lined with shrines in the style of the Blossoming Sequence, it is a work of art as much as it is a home. After all, necessities for the organic races are not so mandatory for golems. Bastion is set to become a hub of the Blossoming Sequence, ground zero for its spread to organic empires. Laksha hosts a grand event as the success of the colony is announced, dedicating the new temple herself. [Colony project complete, +1 Holy Site.]

4: [Diplomacy] Attend Event.

Laksha is too busy to consider attending the Meld herself, but sends one of her advisors. A supporter of the many proposals to spread the understanding the Gravetenders have achieved from the loss of the Makers, Sersi the Pale will likely make a good impression on the Prince, if there is any good impression to be made. A reliquary is set aside, and four to guard it. A risk, but an acceptable one for the prospect of fostering goodwill.

5: [Faith] Organize Faith.

The Blossoming Sequence
It is in the third year, as the Bastion project is formally declared a success, that Laksha announces that she has formalized the deepest tenets of Gravetender spirituality. The Blossoming Sequence carries forth the shared belief of the Gravetenders, a future of their own design, unanchored to the worship of the Makers. Privately, many, even most, Gravetenders carry on their worship of the Makers, but this is expected and allowed. By nature, they are compatible to the point of being near indistinguishable.

Tenets of the Blossoming Sequence:

"That which lives dies, so that which follows may flourish." Born of the mass death of the Makers, very little captures the Gravetender's spiritual nature as perfectly as this. The flourishing life of the now is born upon the death of the past, and so it shall always be. Adherents of the Blossoming sequence look forward, learning from the past yet not shackled by it.

"Everything is built on the bones of what came before." A continuation of the previous idea, but distinct. The structure of all that is can be gleaned from the structure of what came before it. There are lessons in the bones all ocean dwelling life makes its home upon.

The Blossoming Sequence carries forward the constant debate of the former Maker's Remnants faith, and welcomes discussion and variation. [The Blossoming Sequence is a Multiple Schools Faith.]

Sersi's success at the Meld has inspired Laksha and other distinguished Gravetenders to embrace their doctrine, and so the Blossoming Sequence encourages its adherents to spread it, though this expresses as adapting to the spiritualism of others as much as conveying their own. [Sub-Action: Set Holy Site Bonus (5) to +1 to converting holy sites.]

Non-Actions:
Bastion colony complete, +1 Holy Site: "Pardalis, The New City."
Set Holy Site Bonus (5) for the Blossoming Sequence: +1 to converting holy sites.
Trade Megafaunal Tailoring and Graduated Symbiosis to the Seatide Confederacy, receiving Photospore Signaling and Supernatic Propagation.
Trade Megafaunal Tailoring and Graduated Symbiosis to the Kar-Nath Hegemony, receiving Trophic Deconvolution and Composite Grafting.


Leader improvements:
Economy +1 [5 > 6]

Leader stats for next round:

Diplomacy - 4
Military - 3
Economy - 6
Faith - 6
Intrigue - 3


Statistics

Spoiler

Show

Special Actions Available: Faith 5, Economy 5
Special Actions Used:

Diplomacy

Spoiler

Show

Reputation/Favours
The Abyssal Stewards: Rep 1, 0 Favour (Expected Change: None)
The Chelonian Chora: Rep 0, 0 Favour (Expected Change: None)
The Divine Nacre: Rep 0, 0 Favour (Expected Change: None)
International Prestige: Rep 1, 0 Favour (Expected Change: +3)

Cultural Exchanges
None

Cultural Identities
None

Military

Spoiler

Show

Units: 0 (Expected Change: None)

Aristocratic Support
78,

Generals
None

Fortresses
None

Perfected Tactical Doctrines
None

Military Technologies
None

Economy

Spoiler

Show

Treasure: 0 (Expected Change: None)

Trade Posts
Total Owned 1
78.1 – Preserved Food

Mercantile Support
78,

Cities
None

Trade Routes
The Seatide Confederacy

Specialized Ships
None

Civilian Technologies
Megafaunal Tailoring No mechanical effect.
Graduated Symbiosis No mechanical effect.
Photospore Signaling No mechanical effect.
Supernatic Propagation No mechanical effect.
Trophic Deconvolution No mechanical effect.
Composite Grafting No mechanical effect.

Faith

Spoiler

Show

The Blossoming Sequence

Faith Holy Sites: 6

Dead City Urodela: This Dead City is placed such that the light which streams from above is channeled into a series of crystals, all sculpted into abstract forms.
Dead City Tacca: Known for its meditation chamber, and the series of elaborate Reliquaries the faithful have built inside.
Dead City Chantrieri: Chantrieri towers above the rest, precipitously built along a sharp dropoff.
Neoplastic Monolith: A great roiling mass of hard, stone-like flesh grows near the [direction of nearest waste or toxic border] border of Danabae. It shifts, grows, and consumes constantly, and is revered by some few who dare approach it. The Gravetenders have taken to reflecting upon it, and have built a temple nearby.
Pardalis, The New City: The first city truly built by the Gravetenders, now dedicated as a holy place of the Blossoming Sequence.


Clerical Support
78

Organized Faith Bonuses
+1 to holy site conversions.

Artifacts
None

Holy Orders
None

Miracles
None

Intrigue

Spoiler

Show

Spies

Claims

Spoiler

Show

78 - Historicity

[Frostwander]

Costa Sereia
Region 134
Turn 2

Spoiler: Discussing Business

Show

The madrina of the Costa drifted above a carved chaise in her office. Colorfully dyed curtains of woven kelp screened against the draft of the currents outside the windows. They doubled as a privacy screen against prying eyes and ears - in reality their more important function. Facing her were a trio of other sereia that had come to consult with her. The two on either side sorted through stacks of flat aerin shells they carried, covered in neat rows of tiny writing. Gaspar Peixoto, in the middle, reviewed the details of various exchanges and accounts, with the others handing the requested figures to him as each was discussed.

"...and the Mineblossom merchants have been regular with their shipments, though I'm of the opinion that we could offer some compensations that would encourage them to be more generous in future negotiations."

Uschi considered quietly a moment as Gaspar went over the numbers. "I agree. We've applied the cane and gotten their basic cooperation. Now we offer the shrimp, to soften the sting and reward their good decisions. Some will be bitter, of course, but they'll accept nonetheless to keep from falling behind their counterparts."

Gaspar nodded, handing the shell off to one of his assistants and taking another. "Ah, and finally, the Louro family has come across an oyster bed yielding quality pearls, in a flat west of the shelf. It's brought them a noted amount of attention, and the Peixoto are offering them some assistance to secure and harvest it in exchange for a small portion of the yield. We expect to have a marketable quantity in reserve by the end of the year."

"How fortunate." Uschi thought for several seconds, then nodded back. The gesture was as much a dismissal as an acknowledgement. The business of the day concluded, Uschi reclined back on the chaise and watched as Gaspar's assistants gathered up the records and the three departed. She sat in the welcome quiet for a minute or two, then without turning her head spoke again.

"You can come out, dear Veruha. I know you're there." As she sat patiently, one of the curtains seemed to shimmer. Gradually another merfolk resolved into view as the named individual allowed her chromatophores to relax, fins returning to their bright orange display. She floated silently, her drifting motion matching that of the curtain to further mask her presence.

Uschi finally turned her head to meet the other's gaze, and Veruha came to rest alongside the chaise. "It is no wonder your family is always so well informed," she remarked, but a gentle smile belied her chiding tone. One bright-striped hand rested gently on the madrina's arm, as the other returned her smile.

"Of course, as much as I cherish your talents here, we will need you to handle things abroad for a while. As we've discussed." Veruha's smile dimmed, her gaze dropping for a moment, and she squeezed Uschi's arm. "It would probably be the best opportunity for you to go with the convoy leaving in the morning. Traveling with the merchants will be much easier than alone."

Another squeeze, slightly firmer as the lion-finned mermaid leaned against the chaise, the unspoken question in her eyes. Uschi smiled and leaned closer in response. "Yes, of course. That's not until morning."

Actions:

1) [Diplomacy] Sway Faction - Merchants, Region 130 (Roll: 11 - Failure)

2) [Diplomacy] Raise Reputation - Abyssal Stewards (Roll: 15 - Success)

3) [Economy] Buyout Trading Post - Region 114 TP3 with support (Roll: 15 Success)

4) [Economy] Hoard Treasure

5) [Intrigue] Secret Action

Non-actions:
Accept Cultural Exchange from the Gotezhar.
Accept Forgotten Treasure from the Abyssal Stewards. (1 favor owed, +2 treasure)
What secrets hold the Deep?

Spoiler: Leaders and Prominent Figures

Show

Leader: Madrina Uschi Alverna (Diplomacy 4; Military 3; Economy 6; Faith 3; Intrigue 6)
End-of-turn increase: Diplomacy +1, Economy +1
New Leader next turn: No

Generals:
Spies: Veruha Mascerena (Intrigue 7)

Other: Gaspar Peixoto, Business Counsel

Spoiler: Resources

Show

Units:
Treasure: 1
Reputation: ABS (0); CCA (0); DNA (0); PRS (0)
Favors:
Capital Region: Palacia
Effective Trading Posts 5 (1 income):
> Cobalt Dye - 134 TP1 & Merchant Support
> Mineblossom Sponge - 130 TP2
> Plankton - 124 TP2
> Pure Berries - 138 TP2
Primary Religion: Brilhinte (3 Holy Sites)
> Temple of Raquela - 134 HS1
> Temple of Desderia - 134 HS2
> Temple of the Deep - 134 HS3
Techs: Composite Grafting, Trophic Deconvolution, Megafaunal Tailoring, Photospore Signaling, Graduated Symbiosis, Supernatic Propagation

[TheDarkDM]

The Lambent Syndicate

Lucent Mistress Adiratna
Diplomacy 4
Military 5
Economy 3
Faith 2
Intrigue 5

Expected Stat Increases: +1 Diplomacy, +1 Economy

...

Actions

• Diplomacy - Sway Aristocratic Support in Region 28 - 14
• Diplomacy - Sway Aristocratic Support in Region 27 - 13
• Economy - Buy Out TP 2 of Artifacts and Treasure in Binar Fajar (Region 7) - 12
• Economy - Buy Out TP 2 of Blood Pearls in Bloodhome (Region 26) - 12
• Military 5 - Promote General - 8

Non-Actions

• Support the Lighthouse's Buyout of Siren Extract.

[Volthawk]

The Cyphiri Union
Round 2
Regions: 122
Ruler: Garren Ulnesh
Faith: The Flowing Way
Diplomacy 2 Military 1 Economy 7 Faith 4 Intrigue 2

Actions
End of Turn Ruler Increases: +1 Faith, +1 Economy

1. Contribute to the Songline of the Broken Seas [Faith] - Unrolled
   News of the Songline and the Chora's interest in story and legend sends a great amount of excitement through the ranks of the followers of the Way. The Chora understood, at least a little! Within Cyph-Arel, the Chora find no shortage of people willing to tell whatever tales they know, from home and abroad, and Werran Ulnesh is keen to show their representatives the Archives and allow them as much access to the stories within as they need.
2. Construct Reefback Nursery in 122 [Faith] - Unrolled
3. Construct Reefback Nursery in 122 [Faith] - Unrolled
   With the Carral singing the praises of the Chelonian Chora, Garren felt like it was worthwhile to act on his gut instinct that working with the Chora would work well for the Cyphiri - the nomads came across a lot of people in their travels, and if the Cyphiri could tap into a fraction of that market, it'd be a great help to the prosperity of the families under his influence. Establishing a base for them in the local area seemed like a good start, and a good way of returning the goodwill the Chora showed when they helped out the Carral family.
4. Buyout TP1 of 123 (Malleable Blubber) [Economy] - 15, Success
   While the Carral's dealings with the Bone Grinders hadn't yet borne fruit, their eastward journey had proven more promising. The blubber the people here used, and their technique for shaping it, wasn't something the Cyphiri were used to but nonetheless the Carral saw opportunity here (a less charitable view would be that they needed to establish something out of their recent endeavours or face ruin). Using the last of their funds, topped up with another loan from the ever-patient Ulnesh, they began investing in the various groups in the region, offering their expertise to increase profits and eventually bring them together into one unified business under Carral influence. Sooner or later, they hoped to use this as a base for further expeditions east, but for now they focused on consolidation and figuring out a plan for bringing the region's wider mercantile apparatus fully under their control.
5. Buyout TP1 of 127 (Ray-Ear Seaweed) [Economy] - 13*, Success
   *Forgot to put -1 distance penalty into roll
   Hearing the stories the Carral in Cyph-Arel are telling about the people they found in their journeys, the Kelad family see an opportunity. They had been scouting the regions close to but off the path from the Cyph-Arel - Orope trade route, and after following the edge of the breathable waters close to brackish shallows for some time they had come across farmers, growing a local variety of seaweed. The locals ground up the roots and added it to their food, claiming all kind of (completely nonsensical) medicinal properties but, more importantly, that it made the (otherwise rather bland) food taste better - a fact that the Kelad opportunity scouts were happy to confirm to the leadership back in Cyph-Arel. If the Kelad could acquire a supply of the stuff and sell it on the Carral, perhaps both families would come out of this ahead - the former making a tidy profit, and the latter having the key ingredient in their plans for the region.

Nonactions

• Split reward from the construction of the Reefback Nursery so 1 favour goes to the World Garden (leaving +1 Reputation and +1 Favour for the Cyphiri)
  The arrival of Sakura-Jin in Cyph-Arel, seeking to help with the construction of a base for the Chora, is unexpected but not unwelcome. Garren is perfectly happy to give some of the credit to their northern neighbours in exchange for their help, as it allows him to coordinate the Cyphiri contribution to the Songline while still getting the Nursery finished.
• Present the story of Arthan's Journey to the Chelonian Chora for inclusion into the Songline of the Broken Seas
  
  Spoiler

  Show

  
  The Archives of the Cyphiri were located in the south of Cyph-Arel, near the center of one of the Cyphiri's oldest settlements. A large building, dominating much of the prime crop-side space, the Archives were a little unusual in that little of the information stored within was written down. Sure, some of it was, with multiple rooms dedicated to storing records of notable stories, observations on said stories and attempts to describe the nature of the Flowing Way, but most of what was known here was stored in the minds of the Cyphiri within, and it was generally preferable to be told a story by one of them rather than simply reading it - to the Cyphiri, who tells a story, why they tell it and the way they tell it can be just as important as the story itself. For guests such as the Chelonian Chora representatives who had responded to the archivists' invitation, the only suitable storyteller was Palran, the head of the Archives (while most of the Cyphiri here had their own families doing other business, or were a part of a family dedicated to the Flowing Way, Palran as their leader followed the tradition of having no family, dedicating themselves to maintaining and expanding the Archives rather than family business).
  
  "So, you want a story that describes the Cyphiri...I assume your people have already talked to the families and learned their stories, so I suppose that leaves the Flowing Way. Allow me to tell you about Arthan, the founder of the Flowing Way in Cyph-Arel. In Orope, too, according to some of our members, although others dispute that - all we really know is that some of those early followers of the Way went north, although really we aren't even sure whether or not is was before or during the troubles that have only recently subsided, or who made up their ranks, or if it even happened while Arthan was alive. The distant past is elusive like that, but who said that the path to true understanding of the past and future, and the enlightenment granted by it, is an easy one, yes?"
  
  "Apologies, I'm getting off topic. You'll find that common in us Cyphiri who dedicate ourself to the Flowing Way - it requires a certain amount of...indirect thinking, reexamining old assumptions and taking large, varied amounts of stories and trying to dismiss the irrelevant parts and make them work as a whole, and that leaves us prone to getting caught up in tangents like this. Anyway, Arthan. I suppose I should start with the way Cyph-Arel was those days. You may have noticed that many of our families act in one of two ways, broadly speaking - some focus on a strong central power base, focusing on their chosen region or field, while others, the Carral you've been working with for instance, venture far and wide looking for any opportunity. Well, there are other ways these days, with the world opening up again and our society developing to allow new roles, but I'm drifting again, those distinctions aren't relevant to this story. The Cyph-Arel of Arthan's time was much the same, but only more so - each settlement was essentially a city-state ruled by one family as their sole dominion, with smaller families either absorbed into their ranks or expelled, while other families were solely nomadic, travelling between the settlements plying whatever trades they had and providing vital supply lines in exchange for what they needed to survive. Things aren't so rigid these days, and few families have such insurmountable power any more, but that's how it was then."
  
  "Arthan was born into one of those nomadic families, and by most accounts we've found was something of a troublemaker, driven by great curiosity about people and the world and with a very low opinion of the way the settled families kept the nomadic families at arm's length, keeping them away from most of their people and wanting to communicate as little with them as possible. That combination of curiosity and disregard for the protocl of the time meant that Arthan soon became known among his family for sneaking off, trying to blend in with the people of the settlements they visited to learn more about them, and their stories. As it's told, that was how the concept of the Flowing Way started - Arthan began noticing the common elements, the repeating motifs and aspects through which the Way hides, the hints at what may come through the words of the past, and while at this point he was too young to see the truth of the Way it nonetheless drove him to keep going, to keep learning. This naturally led to issues with his family, as the settled families began to realise that one of the nomads was coming into their midst and...well, naturally he wasn't actually doing anything to present a threat, but the heads of those families worried, and Arthan's family felt that pressure, leading to their business trouble. Arthan realised this, realised how his personal drive and curiosity was conflicting with the interests of his family and his obligations to them, so he made a decision to leave so that he could continue what he was slowly realising was less an interest and more a mission - one given by the gods, if you take the Middish view of the Way, or simply an awareness of his path in the Way, by most Cyphiri interpretations."
  
  "It was rare for a Cyphiri to be as alone as Arthan was in those days - sure, sometimes a Cyphiri would be cast out alone, but it was rare, and their fates afterwards were usually short and grim. I'm sure you've noticed how Cyph-Arel is not particularly hospitable outside of the areas that we've settled. He neeeded to come up with a way to survive, and he soon figured out what that was - the stories he had started to collect. While they didn't have quite the same importance as they do now we know of the Way, the Cyphiri of the time still very much enjoyed stories, legends and song, and so Arthan used that to survive as he travelled Cyph-Arel, stopping st the nomad camps he encountered to trade his capabilities as an entertainer for the supplies he needed, in the process learning more of the stories of the Cyphiri families. Some say he even left Cyph-Arel at times, providing the first of the stories of non-Cyphiri peoples you can now find here. He also at times went to the settlements to deal directly with them, but their wariness meant he rarely had luck there except for here. This place, now the site of the Archives, was an exception. Here, the people eagerly heard every story he had to tell, paid him well for them in both food and tale, and even offered him a place to live. He declined, though, for at that point he had begun to put together the beginnings of our understanding of the Flowing Way and knew he had more to learn before he could stop. He told them what he'd understood at the time, though, and several of the settlers left with him to help him in his journey."
  
  "The stories are a little unclear on what comes next - there's a year or two where nobody seems to know where he went. He must have either dealt with a family that now keeps the details secret, or found some other way to survive - one of the sites of a newer settlement, perhaps, that at the time was wild and unknown, or maybe one we haven't found yet. Many of the Cyphiri that search for new sites hope they may find some sign of the place they call Arthan's Rest. In any case, the Arthan that returned to the Cyphiri was...older. Wiser, perhaps is a better word for it. He'd put it all together, formed the early Flowing Way, and had returned to spread it across Cyph-Arel. If you'd like, when we're done here we can retrace the footsteps he took that day, as best we know them - the campsites he and his followers used are preserved and mapped out, and many Cyphiri wanting inspiration or enlightnment walk the Bones of Arthan, as they've become known. Many people were still resistant, of course, but enough of the families, nomadic and settled, listened, understood and agreed with him that the Flowing Way was truly born. In a way, you can think of Arthan as the one that unified Cyph-Arel into one society, as well as the founder of the Way - the need to learn a variety of stories, to look at things from multiple angles, to communicate and understand each other, that led to families being more open to each other, for the settled families to welcome in visitors, allowing for the nomads to acquire holdings, pushing some parts of settled families to go out into the world and form new families, and with a lot of time and the Way spreading across the Cyphiri, we eventually reach the state the Cyphiri families are in now. Eventually, the Archives were founded here, in recognition of this place's importance in the origins of the Way - I myself am not a part of any family, dedicating myself solely to the Way and the Archives, in recognition of Arthan's self-imposed exile."
  
  
  The story over, Palran was quiet for a minute or two to let their guests think it over, before continuing. "Now, that isn't all of it, of course. We've accumulated many variants of the story, some adding major details or omitting others, some depicting Arthan as accomplishing various heroic deeds, other showing him as a monster, and some only barely having anything in common with what I just told you. The Archives are open to you, so if you wish to hear about those you need only to ask the relevant archivists, as well as any other story of the Cyphiri you may be interested in - my assistant here will point you to the best person for you to talk to. Thank you for your interest, and I hope you find the experience of interest, and through it understand us of the Way a little better."
  
• The question of a slogan for their part of the Bone-Grinders' campaign sends some disarray through the ranks of the Carral not predisposed with the eastward expansion. They weren't particularly good at marketing, really - the Cyphiri internal trade mostly consisted of meetings and agreements made between the leaders of various families, not products put out for the individual to buy, so they were still adapting. After some back and forth between the Carral left in Cyph-Arel and those in the Bone-Grinders' homeland, they come up with something: "Taste the Legend". Simple, perhaps, but they think it evokes the Cyphiri's tradition of story and legend quite well, as well as the desired association between the bonemeal and the modern-day legends in the form of the intrepid explorers that were sponsored.

News and Rumours

• While their interpretation of the Flowing Way draws little from the Cyphiri's understanding of the subject, the followers of the Way in Cyph-Arel are excited to hear about the efforts of the Middish to form a centralised, cohesive school of thought, and those travelling the trade route between their two lands bring the Middish Way back to the Cyphiri, a description of it taking prime position among the Middish material in the Archives, and many Cyphiri followers of the Way digesting and debating the merits of the Middish interpretation compared to the ways the Cyphiri typically do it.
• In the years following the coronation of Marcion, there's a great deal of activity within the Union as the families clash and ally and reposition themselves to best make use of the glut of technology secured that day. Some are pretty straightfoward - the Tellan were already doing much work within Orope and (after being directed that way by the Ulnesh) the Middish shared their technology directly with them, leaving them dominant in the field of surface operations; the Council Fund's dealings with the Kalan combined with their intended role in Cyphiri society has led to them establishing a photospore network across Cyph-Arel, accessible to all families at a small fee; and Pelir Hallus working directly with the Costa Sereia's scientists has led the Hallus family adding grafting to their technology base, experimenting with combining it with their existing agriculture research. Beyond that, as those technologies propogate out from the dominant family and others are learned directly from the Ulnesh (who are always happy to share their developments, for a small price here and a favour there of course), it's more of a free for all as the other families jockey for position in the various fields that have been shaken up by the new techniques.
• Some wthin the Ulnesh family are becoming increasingly concerned about the rise of the Hallus family's power base, with their increasing technological prowess and surprising adeptness at using those assets politically. The Hallus aren't publicly doing much yet, but the rumour is that several Union Council families are finding themselves in a situation where their obligations towards the two families are of equal importance, and there may soon be a point where families have to choose one way or another.
• The Ulnesh have always dabbled in lending as a way of supporting friendly families and ensuring their influence grows over them, but in recent years the practice has exploded in popularity particularly with the families establishing major operations in foreign lands. To help handle this, greater funds and personnel have been diverted to that part of their family, and the woman in charge, Helad, has grown in status enough to gain a seat on the Ulnesh Council.
• The various offers of the Stewards are noted, but politely declined by the Ulnesh. Their funding so far feels secure enough that external loans are unnecessary, and while they are curious to see how well their Middish allies and potential employees in the Tidelands do in the Stewards' eyes it's clear to them that they personally won't win much favour from the whole excercise.

Families of the Cyphiri Union

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There are far more Cyphiri families than mentioned here, of course, but this is just to keep track of the ones mentioned so far and what their deal is/who of note is a part of them (some are described in greater detail in the full nation description).
Ulnesh
Dominant power among the families, split between being the top agricultural family and a strong political structure, uses the two in tandem to maintain influence and strengthen both fields.
- Garren Ulnesh: Head of the family and as such ruler of the Union, driving the push to look outside of Cyph-Arel for opportunities, and a dedicated student of the Flowing Way.
- Pylan Ulnesh: Envoy to the council fund, coordinates things between the two groups, has a distaste for mercenaries.
- Taron Ulnesh: In charge of agriculture, very passionate about the subject, little interest or talent for politics but has subordinates that cover the slack
- Relas Ulnesh: Youngest of Ulnesh's internal council, Garren's preferred successor, quiet and observant but untested, many family members unsure she deserves her position
- Werran Ulnesh: Devoted follower of the Way, close to Garren, excited to spread the Flowing Way to new lands, very curious about the way other countries and faiths work.
- Chelat Ulnesh, mainly deals with other major families and the Union Council, good at it but is dismissive about other countries and the advantages to working with them
- Helad Ulnesh, coordinates loans between the Ulnesh and other Cyphiri families, deciding who gets the offers and how they're repaid/the influence gained is otherwise used.

Council Fund
Acts as a family but not bloodline based, made up of people and assets contributed by every Union Council member. Creates and maintains a source of income that is used for the good of the Union rather than individual families (although council families use past loyalties and political maneuvering is used to push their focus towards their interests), and also pays for mercenaries and trains leaders in case of war. Their members lack surnames, instead working their Fund status into their introductions. Has a lot of investment in the photospore networks across Cyph-Arel.
- Artan: Part of the section of the Council Fund that works with mercenaries, with her current focus being the Kalan Company.

Hallus
The second-largest agricultural family due to being the inventors of trophic deconvolution and leveraging that advantage as the Union adopted those methods. Eager to continue making advancements, has eyes on the Ulnesh family's position.
- Pelir Hallus: Pioneer of Hallus biotech research, not technically the head of the family but has enough influence through the family to get what they want (if possible).

Tellan
Previously a minor family in one of Cyph-Arel's cities, now dedicated to the trade route between the Cyphiri and Middish. Operate a network of camps, rest stops and small businesses catering to those taking said route, and established the route itself. Attempting to gain control of some part of the Giantsbane Seed industry in Orope. Current leaders in fields relating to Supernatic Propogation, due to their ties to the Middish.

Carral
Small decentralised family down on its luck, turning to the Bone-Grinder's Guild of 112 to try to make a new future for themselves. Their attempts to become more powerful in 112 have stalled for now with little gain, but the expedition eastwards that the Bone-Grinders sponsored has borne fruit for them, and they are now making moves towards gaining full control of the economy there, with support from the Ulnesh and Kelad families.

Kelad
Another minor family, and one that's been very active in sending out opportunity scouts to the regions nearby to the Cyph-Arel - Orope trade route. They're not planning on making many big attention-grabbing moves for the time being, but have a plan to acquire resources vital to the efforts of other families and sell it on to them at a profit.

Statistics

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Special Actions Available:
Special Actions Used: Economy 5

Diplomacy

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Reputation/Favours
The Abyssal Stewards: Rep 0, 0 Favours (Expected Change: None)
The Chelonian Chora: Rep 0, -1 Favours (Expected Change: +1 Rep, +3 Favours)
The Divine Nacre: Rep 0, 0 Favours (Expected Change: None)
International Prestige: Rep 0 (Expected Change: None)

Cultural Exchanges
None

Cultural Identities
None

Military

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Units: 0 Land, 0 Naval (Expected Change: None)

Aristocratic Support
122

Generals
None

Fortresses
None

Perfected Tactical Doctrines
None

Military Technologies
None

Economy

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Treasure: 0 (Expected Change: None)

Trade Posts
Total Owned 3
114.2 - Giantsbane Seeds
122.1 - Native Gold (Mercantile Support Owned)

Mercantile Support
122

Cities
None

Trade Routes
Cyphiri <-> Ironkelp Knights

Specialised Ships
None

Civilian Technologies
Composite Grafting No mechanical effect
Graduated Symbiosis No mechanical effect
Megafaunal Tailoring No mechanical effect
Photospore Signalling No mechanical effect
Supernatic Propogation No mechanical effect
Trophic Deconvolution No mechanical effect

Faith

Spoiler

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Faith Holy Sites: 8

Clerical Support
122

Organised Faith Bonuses
None

Artefacts
None

Holy Orders
None

Miracles
None

Intrigue

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Spies
None

Claims
122 - Historicity

[Tychris1]

The Lighthouse

Ruler: The Vessel
D: 3
M: 7
E: 4
F: 5
I: 2

Actions:
1) Military Special 5: Promote General The Everscintillating Goldfin (General Score 9)
Proposed Tactical Doctrine: Golden Victory At All Costs
+6 Battle Bonus, +20% Own Casualties, -20% Enemy Casualties, -4 Own Leader Loss.

2) Military: Invade Region 19
Invasion Route: We're adjacent. Going around the rough border from 7 into 19.
Units: 4
Leader: The Vessel, Blessed by the Grace of the Radiance, and with stone spear in hand shall sanctify the crucible of life with newfound blood. (Military 7)
Tactics: Skirmish

3) Economy, Buyout TP 2 of Siren Extract from Lambent Syndicate Success
4) Economy Buyout TP 1 of Selachian Mercenaries in Region 6 Failure
5) Faith Special 5: Create Artifact
War Palanquin of the Anointed Dead
Requested Effect: When wielded by a Commander in Battle gain +2 to Tactical Maneuvering

Ruler Stat Increases: +1 Military, +1 Economy

Non-Actions: Support Buyout of TP 2 of Treasures & Artifacts in Binar Fajar by the Lambent Syndicate

Stats next round
D: 3
M: 8
E: 5
F: 5
I: 2

[Potato_Priest]

NPC Actions: Round 2

Spoiler: Polar

Show

The Shark King
Dip 4, Econ 2, Mil 9, Fai 6, Int 5

Military:Sack: Sack region 56 (Spawn Point) Trade post 1 for herring. Roll 16
The first priority of the pelagic nomads is feeding their sharks. Fortunately, their scouts discovered a region incredibly rich with herring shortly after their arrival in the polar region. Though some notice that the herring are behaving a bit oddly, that's no good reason not to eat them.

Region 55:

Military:Raise a unit
The sudden arrival of their nomadic cousins, even on the the other side of the region, worries the Chelorian hunters of region 55, and the local rulers beef up their defenses as a precaution.

Spoiler: Temperate

Show

Region 141

Faith: Conversion: Convert open Holy Site 3 of region 132 (Pfithreef) to Pacifism. Roll 18
After their embarrassing failure to convince the warlike Kalan company of the virtues of pacifism, the pacifists try to spread their message to another warlike people: the Pfith.

Region 136

Economy:Hord Treasure: Horde 2 treasure.
The Aristocratic Council of of region 136, feeling penned in by larger, stronger nations, tax their peasants heavily in the hope of acquiring some leverage.

Spoiler: Tropical

Show

Region 13

Diplomacy: Send a delegation back to Kaarme. Karme may spend a nonaction to answer the questions and potentially gain additional rewards.
The very young ruler of region 13, her majesty Nirali Sunlight-Through-Leaves, is very flattered by the inquisitiveness of the Auros of Kaarme, and sends a delegation back to Kaarme with two questions:
1. What drew the attentions of the Auros to her domain, and what are their goals there?
2. Since having a mate is icky and gross, why do the Auros form romantic bonds even though they don't need to?

Spoiler: Standing Offers

Show

Note: Unless otherwise specified, offers are canceled and rewards cannot be redeemed if their issuing region is no longer independent.

Region 59: First to gift them a food trade post recieves aristocratic and clerical support.
Region 6: At the start of round 3, every trade post of Selachian Mercenaries will provide its owner 1 unit.
Region 112: Will sponsor explorations with 1 treasure until the start of round 3. At the start of round 3, the nation that completed the most sponsored expeditions chooses the new Fortified Bone Meal slogan and recieves the region's mercantile support. Current Leaders: LUX (1 exploration), CYP (1 exploration).

[Gengy]

Round 2
[Gotezhar, People of the Rain]
[Profundus Korasoon, Typhoon's Center]

Actions:

1. [Economy] Attempt to Colonize 128 (Roll: 15)
   So many clouds, and no one is using them!
2. [Diplomacy] Attempt to lose Reputation with DNA (Roll: 15)
   Profundus Korasoon sends the Divine Nacres a messenger to ask uncomfortable questions like: what proof do they have their war with the Reavers is just? Have they tried talking with the Reavers lately? And: as another group of preferred surface dwellers, where are the Divine Nacres hiding their clouds?
3. [Diplomacy 5] Cultural Exchange with... Costa Sereia
   Profundus Korasoon is amused by the Workers calling themselves 'merchants' now. He is even more amused by all the new techniques and technology they brought back to Ezcorher, but ultimately, more concerned with the news of all the other people in nearby waters. In his judgement, he reaches out to the group of them now sampling Ezcorher's Pure Berries regularly to attempt to create something the Gotezhar have not had before: a friend.
4. [Military 5] Raise a mighty Fortress, The Sublime Fortress
   In a stunning PR move - stunning because it's actually for PR and not just spite, though there is some of that too - Profundus Korasoon commands that a mighty Fortress shall be made within the center of Ezcorher, and named 'The Sublime Fortress'. This monument to Gotezhar design will protect all the (in Korasoon's words) cowardly, while serving as a final fall back position if the Outsiders prove to be a challenge.
5. [Military] Attack Region 136 for more Clouds
   A group of cowards are stealing the Gotezhar's Clouds, enticing them somehow to cross over from Ezcorher to other waters. This cannot be allowed!
   
   • 3 Units, [+4 from Mil 7 Ruler]
   • Led by Squall Essensio (Mil 10 General)
   • Tac Doc: -6 to Enemy Leader Loss, -20% to Enemy Unit Loss

Non-Actions:

• Accept a Trade Route with the Sakura-Jin
• Owe (1 Favor) to Chelonian Chora for +1 to (2) rolls this round [Econ/Dip/Faith only]
• Owe (1 Favor) to Abyssal Stewards for (2) Treasure next round

Spoiler: News and Rumors

Show

• The Divine Nacres are seemingly another race that desires the surface world, unlike many of the other new peoples that the Gotezhar are learning about. They must have secrets about Clouds, but continue to fight these 'Reaver' things without truly explaining.
• The Abyssal Stewards are offering shiny things for free! Profundus Korasoon isn't sure why, but he does like the shiny things, so is glad to accept.
• The Chelonian Chora seem nice! They're willing to help the Gotezhar with things that the Gotezhar don't fully understand right now. That's good.

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Typhoon's Center, Profundus Korasoon	D	M	E	F	I
Current	5	7	4	2	2
End of round 1	0	2	0	0	0
End of round 2	0	0	0	0	0

New Ruler Next Round!

Expected Stat Bonuses: +1 Dip, +1 Mil

Spoiler: Book Keeping

Show

Units: 3
General(s):
- Squall Essensio [-6 to enemy leader loss roll, -20% to enemy losses]

Technologies:

Supernatic Propagation
Trophic Deconvolution
Megafaunal Tailoring
Photospore Signalling
Composite Grafting
Graduated Symbiosis

[Torv]

Forests of Astral Yearning

The Flowering Everlight
D1 M5 E1 F6 I1
+2F

[Faith 5]Organize Shimmers of Unseen Bane as a multiple schools faith, set HS 5 bonus as '+1 to conversions', gain 2 international prestige.

Spoiler: Fluff

Show

[Faith] Convert Holy Site 9.2 to SUB from Mandate of Plo'uogoar (15)

Spoiler: Fluff

Show

[Faith] Convert Holy Site 9.3 to SUB from Open (9)

Spoiler: Fluff

Show

[Faith] Convert Holy Site 18.2 to SUB from The Light Above (14)

Spoiler: Fluff

Show

[Military 5] Recruit General 'The naked one' (9)

Spoiler: Fluff

Show

Non Actions:
Resist all conversions
Resist all buyouts

Spoiler: News and Rumors

Show

[I]

Spoiler: Bookkeeping

Show

Updated to round 2
Special Actions Available: Military 5, Faith 5
Special Actions Used:

Diplomacy

Spoiler

Show

Reputation/Favours
The Abyssal Stewards: Rep 0, 0 Favour (Expected Change: None)
The Chelonian Chora: Rep 0, -1 Favour (Expected Change: None)
The Divine Nacre: Rep 0, 0 Favour (Expected Change: None)
International Prestige: Rep 0, 0 Favour (Expected Change: +2)

Cultural Exchanges
None

Cultural Identities
None

Military

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Units: 1 unit of kelpies (Expected Change: None)

Aristocratic Support
17

Generals
None

Fortresses
None

Perfected Tactical Doctrines
None

Military Technologies
None

Economy

Spoiler

Show

Treasure: 0 (Expected Change: None)

Trade Posts
Total Owned 1
17.1 (Mercantile Support Owned) – Delights of Moonlight

Mercantile Support
17

Cities
None

Trade Routes
None

Specialised Ships
None

Civilian Technologies
Photospore Signaling No mechanical effect

Faith

Spoiler

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Faith Holy Sites: 5

Clerical Support
17

Organised Faith Bonuses
None

Artifacts
None

Holy Orders
None

Miracles
None

Intrigue

Spoiler

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Spies
None

Claims

Spoiler

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17 - Historicity

[Epinephrine_Syn]

Eternal Spring
Turn 2 (Years 4-6)
Polar Bear Faction

Queen Violet of the Violent Thorns

(Stats and actions tentative and not locked in)
Dip: 3
Mil: 3
Opu: 6
Fai: 5
Inf: 5

Next Round: +1 Opu, +1 Fai

Actions:
Fai: Adopt Faith of the Eternal Communion
Fai: Convert Holy Site 3 in Region 51 from Tall Tales to Eternal Communion Roll = 12(?)
Opu: Buyout on 58 TP 1 (Warped Shells)Roll = 11
Opu: Buyout on 57 TP 1 (Woven Seaweed) Roll = 13
Opu: Buyout on 55 TP 1 of Chelonian Hunters Roll = 15

(write up some fluff for [Task] Begin work on the Genus Taxonomia Gelidum Mare [1/5])
Subactions:



Shell Counting

Spoiler

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Region 51 (Magma Falls) (Capital) (Fortress) (City)
Holy Sites: Eternal Communion / Eternal Communion / Tall Tales OR Eternal Communion
Resource (Immortal Jellyfish) ESP / Open / Open / City(ESP)

Next Turn
TP 1 of 55 Chelonian Hunters
TP 1 of 57 Woven Seaweed

To Be Filled In


Treasure: 0
Soldiers: 0

Spoiler: Rounding

Show

Two

[Lumaeus]

The Riftlings Many of the Dead Seas

Polar Region

Turn 2

Ruler: The Youngest, First Chosen of the Mother of the New Era
Diplomacy: 3
Military: 4
Economy: 4
Faith: 7
Intrigue: 4

Actions (rolls at post 117. I'll be allowed to link soon. Very sorry):
Faith: Organize the Eternal Communion--One Doctrine (Holy Site bonus: +1 to Impress)!

We have long enjoyed the shelter of the Dead Seas. We have long known the blessings of the Eternal Communion. For a small eternity, we were the world, and all the world knew the true path. Of course, we have always known of isolates, occasionally contaminating our waters in their lonely flailing between birth and death, but the Mother's blessings were never meant for species so low as to be damned to a perdition of their own biological failings.

But we were not alone in these seas. It is not the Mer, nor any of the great isolate civilizations huddling together to hide from the solipsistic prison of their existence--these beings are not a part of the Mother's design. But to find a school of herring which knew greater being, which only forged being through the Communion, this was to find a kindred spirit. Then to meet the Eternal Spring, a species of clusters that enjoyed the lesser communion between themselves even as their clusters shared the Eternal Communion--it was a warped mirror, looking into a face much like our own, if one diminished by not having been chosen of the Mother. And in their lands, we learned that the path of the Eternal Communion, even by a species who enjoyed participation within it, was not one understood beyond the dead seas.

And so, in consultation with the Youngest, in Communion with the Old Fathers, we set down for the denizens of the Living Seas the tenets of the Eternal Communion:

"Isolation is death." To exist as an isolate is to exist in a state of dying. The body ages continually until it learns death. The mind conjures thoughts that are carried off by the currents, heard by none and forgotten even as they are birthed. Mortality is ephemerality, and any isolate's imprint on the seafloor is soon erased.

"Death is isolation." There is no more profound isolation than the blank embrace of the grave. To die is to be separated eternally from not only the lesser communion with other isolates, but to lose even the least communion--the sharing of the self with the self.

"Life is Communion." No action has meaning when the actor is isolated. Only those in the Eternal Communion truly live. What is it to set a corner of the sea to rights when one is not in a cluster? That serves only a brief self, and in the vastness of time, it is so insignificant as to be nothing. To act in the interest of the cluster, however, is to make a mark borne by an eternal self, and so to do something infinitely meaningful.

"Communion is life." To be in the Eternal Communion is to know and write yourself upon Eternity. A cluster never dies, each constituent part being replaced in the eternal whole. To live as an isolate is to die, but to live as a cluster is to live and to live and to live. It is a self-justifying existence, a blessing earned by its very existence.

Faith: Attempt to welcome Holy Site #1 in Region 66 into the Eternal Communion. Success (16)!
Faith: Attempt to welcome Holy Site #2 in Region 66 into the Eternal Communion. Success (14)!
Diplomacy: Attend the Meld in Danabae. Gave away a lotta tech.
Faith: Attempt to welcome Holy Site #1 in Region 55 into the Eternal Communion. Success (14)!

The thing about organizing a religion is that sometimes it leaks. Even without proselytizing, a faith can appeal to those who little know it and have not been invited. So it is here.

Next turn stats:
Diplomacy: 3
Military: 4
Economy: 4
Faith: 9 (+2)
Intrigue: 4

[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

Show

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

Show

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

Show

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.)

[Ivor_The_Mad]

Coral of the Protected Statera Round 1

Magnus Orator
Dip: 6
Mil: 3
Econ: 6
Faith: 2
Int: 3

News and Rumors:
- The reef sings with a silent song. A song of beauty and wonder.

Actions:
1) [Dip] Build Reefback Nursery for the Chelonian Chora in region 31 (2/3)
(1 rep +1 favor (other favor is for the CCC))

2) [Dip] Raise Rep with CCA from 0-1 [11]

3) [Econ 5] Establish a Trade Route with the Lojanese Republic in region 9

4) [Econ] Buyout TP1 Region 19 (Coralberries) [13]

5) [Econ] Impress Merchants in region 19 [15]

rolls

Non-Actions:
- Support Conversions by the CCC
- Support Buyout of Blood Pearls from the Lambent Syndicate

Spoiler: Bookkeeping

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Leader Stats Round 3:
Dip: 6 +1
Mil: 3
Econ: 6 +1
Faith: 2
Int: 3

Regions:
Capitol: Region 31 The Protected Statera
Other:

Faction Support:
Merchants: 31, 26, 19
Clergy: -
Aristocracy: 31

Other Bookkeeping:
Units: -
Treasure: -
Trade Route: LOL
Cultural Exchange: LOL
Trade Posts: 3 -> 2
31:1 6:2 6:3 19:1

Chelonian Chora: 0->2

[Minescratcher]

Region 114
The Order of Knights of the Ironkelp of First-King John of Ruhum
Records of the Years 4-6 of the Tenure of His Majesty Grand Master Jacob Basilicos, 39th Grand Master of the Order of Knights

[img]put a flag here at some point[/img]

Actions:

1. [Faith 5] Organize the Flowing Way as a Multiple Schools Faith
5 HC Bonus: +1 Battle Rolls

The Flowing Way and clergy of Orope have long stood as a pillar of Middish culture, but the practice has been greatly decentralized, with many sages essentially independent of any formal structure or organization. Beginning in the fifth year of Jacob Basilicos's reign, the chaplains of the Order embark on a project to compile and standardize the various practices of the Way into one cohesive school of thought. Though they hit on many points of agreement between the various Middish sages, their studies rely very little on Cyphiri teachings or the lore of the recently-founded exclaves of the northwest and south, resulting in what might be more accurately termed a Middish Way.

Spoiler: On the Flowing Way of the Middish

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The Flowing Way is life and story, existence and narrative, destiny and fate. The gods created and crafted the world as if telling a grand tale of sand and water, one lost to the ravages of time if ever mortal creatures knew it in full. The oldest stories, prone to be forgotten or misunderstood, nevertheless contain within them the history of that far-distant era when the gods walked alongside us, and grant the clearest insight into their Will. Take caution to avoid misinterpretation and the dire risks it poses, but recognize that gods and mortals are not alike; no mortal can know everything.

All good artists borrow, and the omniscient authors of existence borrow from everything. Many hold that each tale contains a reflection of the one unified Divine Will, but, though we can perceive it but dimly, it would be closer to the truth to say that the Divine Will is influenced by every story we tell. Thus sufficient knowledge of the past (though "sufficient" oft is vast beyond mortal comprehension) predicts the twists fate holds in store for the future, and those who comprehend fragments of divinity may well be called "enlightened."

The task of understanding is not the only challenge which the gods have set for us; every fable has a moral, every dream a meaning, and every story a command. Understanding is useless unless acted upon, whether Fate calls upon us to merely say the right words at a crucial moment or to lead a vast army on campaign for tens of years. Those Knights who add their voice to the tale begun by the blessed Saint Gérard see clearer than most that strand of fate which rebuffs perception and denies comprehension, raising up villains in the story of the world to threaten those who seek to perceive and comprehend, and set themselves to the holy task of steering not only their own path through the current but that of all followers of the Flowing Way.

Let patience be your virtue, awareness your watchword. Act neither with unwarranted hesitation nor heedless speed, but with understanding and confidence.

2. [Military] Raise a unit of Frelangue Knights
Masters of shock and charges, the Frelangue arms itself at the command of Knight Commander Guillaume de Basville, known as the "Nageoire-de-fer."

3. [Military] Raise a unit of Inslangue Knights
In his capacity as King, His Majesty appoints and charges Dame Commander Clare Delamere, herself a distant relative of the Insol king, with the reorganization of the Inslangue Knights, blurring the boundaries between the Kingdom and the Order.

4. [Military] Raise a unit of Alehlangue Knights
The many kleinzenturies of the Alehlangue are mustered under of their new and as-yet-untested Dame Commander, Cecilia Lasker.

5. [Military] Raise a unit of Hislangue Knights
K.C. Matias Orellana calls to order the Hislangue knights, primarily borderers hailing from the south and east of Orope and unparalleled within the Order in raiding and chevauchée.

Nonactions:

1. Though the growing underhanded reputation of the Sereia does not particularly endear them to many Middish, their aid in the matters of graftswork, the burgeoning graft-sages argue, deserves recompense. Assist Costa Sereia buyout of Orope [114] TP 3.
   .
2. Grand Marshal Estève Pau reaches out to the Abyssal Stewards to secure reserve funding for the Order should crisis strike. Receive 2 Treasure from ABS in exchange for 1 Favor to be repaid at a later date.

Spoiler: News and Rumors

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• 
  .

Spoiler: Ruler Information

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Grand Master Jacob Basilicos, 39th Grand Master of the Order of Knights, etc etc
Current Stats
Diplomacy: 3
Military: 6
Economy: 3
Faith: 6
Intrigue: 3

New Ruler Next Round? no
Expected Stat Bonuses: Military +2

Spoiler: Other notes

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Generals:

• Knight Commander Amlaigh Tolmach of the Scoshlangue (10) - Tactical Doctrine: Quiver Hell's Foundations (+2 to battle roll)

Land units: 1 +4 / 5

Resources controlled:

• Region 114: Giantsbane Seed

Techs:

• Supernatic Propagation
• Trophic Deconvolution
• Megafaunal Tailoring
• Photospore Signalling
• Graduated Symbiosis
• Composite Grafting

[Villskap]

Draigiau Residuum Gathering
Turn 2

Brenhineplisgyn, Queen Shell, the Two-Headed
Diplomacy - 4
Military - 5
Economy - 4
Faith - 5
Intrigue - 3

Actions:
(An action may be replaced with diplomacy, pending if any exchanges are arranged at The Meld.)
1. Economy - Hoard Treasure
2. Economy - Buyout Trading Post - Region 56, TP3: Herring (Distance Penalty: -1, assisted by Deep Blue: +2) (13! Success!)

Spoiler: Scene

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”Hello again, Lawenach.” Brenhineplisgyn welcomed one of her usually more jovial subjects into her study. A few of her servants flitted about, fetching and carrying bits of stained parchments and rolled kelp scrolls. The queen herself poured over the transcription one of her servants had finished and the strange code of blood and herring tissue that had been scrawled and brought back from the fishing voyages.

Despite the recognized patterns in the vast schools to the south, and the unusually docile compliance of the fish, between the unsettled morale of every group so far venturing into those waters and their ghost stories, and the tendency of the captured fish to immediately stop following their docile patterns and panic when removed from the area, establishing a sustainable fishing post had met with unexpected difficulty.

”I am sorry to trouble you with this again, I understand it is an unsettling topic for you, and that you find being unsettled to be quite… unsettling. But I need you to look over this two-symbol writing for me one more time, and assure me again that it matches the bloody code you and your servant’s saw.” the queen respectfully entreated him.

Lawenach the jovial could barely bring himself to look at the great scroll his servants, worried for his health, had burdened themselves with inscribing. But for his queen, he mustered his courage, and approached hesitantly until his eyes could make out the staining of the symbols. "I-If it will help k-keep my poor f-frightened serving ones s-safe from whatever-... is out there. Yes…" he used one feeler to keep his place on the smaller scale writing, as he dutifully scanned over the symbols and compared them to those etched in his worst memory that still haunted his dreams. ”Yes… one by one they rammed themselves… it wasn’t natural… y-yes these sy-symbols are in the right o-order.” he confirmed, backing swiftly away as the Queen Shell eyed him, attempting to soften her disapproval.

”I am sorry, your great majesty. I k-know it is unbecoming for a Dragon to express fear publicly, I am just so very worried. F-for my serving ones, you understand. S-so, you have still not been able to learn the meaning of these occult blood s-symbols that mesmerized them?” he asked with a tremble.

”On the contrary, if these are correct… I believe that I have deciphered them. That is what concerns me. The symbols used are less so relevant as that there are two types of them, and that the sequence of them has meaning according to some ancient journals hoarded by Llyfrgellydd, the old grump. – Yes little ones, please go and return all but this manuscript. Tell the Hoarder of Writings that I will have need of it for longer, and am grateful for his wisdom. – these symbols alternating in this fashion are consistent with a form of… thought. So to answer the inquiry you are about to make, yes… the place where the fish are, or specifically the fish themselves, are ‘haunted’ in a manner of speaking. But no, neither you nor your serving ones should not be cursed or suffer any lingering effects from having been there and tried to make sense of this. Now please leave me, and prepare to go along with the diplomats we are sending to the Sharks arriving nearby. We shall be alright, but as neighbors, we must warn them of this ‘Herring Being’ before they arouse its wrath, whatever form that might take. Fehehe…”

Lowenach was relieved, even perhaps, genuinely jovial again for the first time in months as he bowed and turned to deliver the news and … stopped, inquiring on his way out. ”Of course, that is quite the relief to hear! I will go immediately and… uhm… if I may ask, what will we do then about the herringblood -... haunt? And the food supply?”

Brenhineplisgyn had already procured another great woven scroll with the teeth on her upper mandible, and her servants were preparing to transcribe to it, in preparation for another several days working with them to translate back into the “thought code” of the mysterious entity. ”I will do the only civilized thing that can be done when faced with such a strange greeting. I will write a reply to send. Probably with pigments though. – Let us begin, little ones. Ahem ‘Greetings… Input’ hrmmmm ‘source: Draconic Residuum.’ … ‘propose exchange’...”

3. Military - Recruit Unit

Spoiler: Scene

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An imposing figure of a Draig stomped its way into the audience chamber of Brenhineplisgyn, the Two Headed, within the main carapace of the Shallow Crest. Colorful bands of orange and black adorned an otherwise snow-white shell, which cracked the stone and coral beneath legs filled with powerful sinew. Monstrous claws hung from the limbs on the front of a scarred and marked body, the shell having maintained the marks of old battles despite the years since. Some rumored that the pale Knight Crusher marred gouges in her own shell after each molting, in memory of opponents she had particularly relished mashing the life out of.

”Yess? I come in ansswer to your summonss. What do you want from me, yoUr MaJEstY?” she hissed irreverence dripping just short of a challenging tone.

The Queen Shell kept her composure, her heads not even rising in response, but the sharpness in her tone could have cut the colossal shell walls around them. ”And where is the messenger who carried my summons, Gwasgymarchog? Need I remind you of your last challenge to my authority?”

The hulking pale crustacean hissed in disdain for a moment, before opening one of it’s giant claws in defeat. A terrified, but otherwise unharmed Mer darted out of the hollow of the disproportionate pincer.

”See that they are comforted and allowed time for extra rest.” the red crab-like queen said aside to one of her attendants.
”I did not allow you into this Gathering so that you could terrorize the servants.” she bellowed. ”I allowed you to join us here, because I foresaw that your lust and talent for broken shells and bloodshed might be useful when our enemies show themselves.”

A sinister chitter escaped Gwasymarchog’s mandibles as she vented a ripple of heat and steam bubbles into the cold water around her face, her antennae perking up with in unexpected interest and her claws clicking in anticipation. ”Oh? Hass the time come for me to be ussseful then?”

”There are many countries and nations around us, as well as some powerful beings that we have yet to fully understand. Some of them are gathering armies, and appointing generals. It is only wise to assume that some of them will come to see us as a target, or as trophies to be overcome for fame and fortune. So I have decreed that we too shall train soldiers.” the queen explained, through patience long stretched thin.

”Fuhhuho! Am I to be your general, then?” chittered the Knight Crusher with glee.

”No. You have done nothing to earn such a position of authority or trust.” Brenhineplisgyn chided her once-challenger. ”No, you are to help train our soldiers. You are to instruct them. Spar with them. Harden them. Like the ‘trials’ you used to set up in your old lair for the knights come to challenge you. Except you are NOT to kill them. Or maim them, or otherwise harm any of them permanently. We have need of soldiers, not brave but broken servants. I have ordered Heliwrdwyni, the Dune Huntress, to see that only other Draig and those servant volunteers who have already shown the beginnings of skill are trained with you, and to ensure that you follow my decreed limitations. Prove you can be trusted with this, and I may see fit to allow you more freedoms and authority over some servants again. Make me and the accord regret allowing you out of your lair, and I will give your scales to this first unit as armor, and your meat to the fish nurseries.

The pale shelled dragon chuckled again, a mixture of nervous laughter and genuine mirth. ”Always so sstern, your Majesty. But very well, I’m sure this will be at leasst a little fun!”

4. Faith - Convert Holy Site - Region 73, Mobile HS 1 to Wings of the World (12! Success!)
5. Faith - Convert Holy Site - Region 73, Mobile HS 2 to Wings of the World (14! Success!)

Spoiler: Summary

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Brenhineplisgyn has concerns about the great shiver of sharks moving in nearby, but also sees an opportunity to spread the revitalized legends of Dragons if they can be impressed. So she sends Lawenach the Jovial along with Ewyllysgar the Stubborn-backed to impress a wide array of old tales, along with their own presence and splendor, upon the newcomers. And also share the ‘Draconic wisdom‘ that the Herring shoals they have so far ravaged to the south are the makeup or subjects of a mysterious and primal spirit entity that writes in blood, and that it may not respond well to continued harvesting without appeasement.

Link to Rolls

DING!
Ruler: Economy +1, Faith +1
Treasure +1
Units +1

Non-Actions:
Continue to spread our diplomatic contacts outward, paying respects to Bob, He who Submits to the Currents, and also to the Council of Elders of the Seatide Confederacy.
Also send respectful inquiry to the Congregation of Scintillius as to whether the complex and apparently living pattern of Herring to the south is a holy site or of sacred importance to their faith. And if so, if our continued attempts to communicate with it offend, to please let us know. Along with congratulations on the recent marriage of Angus, Who Seeks out Large Curves in the Patterns.
Send a courtesy missive to the edge of the brine curtain borders of the Riftlings Many, warning them that the Herring are haunted, and recommending avoidance or at least non-hostility.

Spoiler: Book Keeping

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Ruler Stats for Round 3:
Diplomacy - 4
Military - 5
Economy - 5
Faith - 6
Intrigue - 3

Favors earned:
Favors owed: 1 to Chelonian Chora

Region 71: Aelwyd Adferiad
demand: Food (met!)
Units: 1
Treasure: 2

[farothel]

The Hymenocera Expanse
Region 3 (Tropical)

Leader: High King Lord Deca IV
Diplomacy: 4
Military: 3
Economy: 6
Faith: 3
Intrigue: 3

Actions:

[1][Diplomacy] Build a Smoking Garden in region 3
[2][Diplomacy] Build a Smoking Garden in region 3
[3][Diplomacy] Build a Smoking Garden in region 3
[4][Economy] Create a city (economy 5 action)
[5][Economy] Buyout trade post (region 13, TP1, use 1 treasure) roll (I have done the modifiers wrong, it should be +5 (+1 from treasure and -2 from distance) making it 12, so still a success)


Non Actions:
add to the Coraline compendium
trade in 2 favours (1 from building the garden, 1 from the entry in the compendium) for 5 treasure, gaining +1 prestige with the PRS for All that Glitters.

Spoiler: Bookkeeping

Show

TP: region 3, TP1+TP2 (carapace armour)
region 6: TP1 (mercenaries)
region 28: TP1 (Tiny Turtles)

Units:1/5

Technology:
Photospore Signalling
Composite Grafting

Favors:
owed:
-The Chelonian Chora: 1
-The Divine Nacres: 1
gained:
-

New stats
stat increase: economy +1, diplomacy +1
Diplomacy: 5
Military: 3
Economy: 7
Faith: 3
Intrigue: 3

+1 rep with Abyssal Stewards, +1 favour from Abyssal Stewards. Possible +1 favour for Coraline Compendium entry
+1 rep with International Prestige
extra TP in city region 3

Spoiler: news

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Some Selachian Mercenary companies are coming to the Expanse to help train the National Defence force.

On other news, the population and economic growth has prompted the High King to give his capital a city charter. Cerapolis has now become a great city. Armor makers now have a designated quarter where they can build ever better armour. The first new sets of armour go to the King's Own.

An attempt was made to buy the loyalty of the Selachian Mercenary companies from us, but some quick manouvering by politicians and traders, they managed to keep the post for themselves.

Spoiler: trade

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With the building of a Smoking garden and the expansion of the capital city, they need more sponges than they can create on their own. As there are regions with extra sponges, a trade post will be established in region 13 to get some of their stonesponges. It's a bit further afield, but still within reach. They did take some extra treasure with them to give a little present to guards and other such creatures along the way and also to facilitate getting to talk to the right people.

Spoiler: city

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-extra trade post of carapace armour in city
-requested bonus rolls: battle rolls due to extra quality armour

Spoiler: Smoking Garden

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After some negotiations, a location for a Smoking Garden has been found near the toxic zones on the Expanse's northern border where magma comes very close to the surface. Using some special sponges that can live in these environments, a base is quickly established. The scribes of the Expanse also provide their algae on sponges technology to start establishing the Coraline Compendium by writing it on the sponges of the Smoking Garden. One of the first articles will be on the sponges themselves.

With all the work being done for the Abyssal Stewards, they provided the Hymenocera with quite a bit of treasure.

Spoiler: Coraline Compendium

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Picking the right sponge for the right building (a starting guide to building with sponges).
When building with sponges, great care must be given to use the correct sponge. Not only the body type of the sponge is important, but also the species of sponge is important as some grow better in certain environments as others.

first is the body type. For large halls, like the Ancient's site, an Asconiod sponge is of course the best. for buildings that need a large central area while also needing smaller rooms, you have to go for the Syconiod sponges and for living quarters (like the newest apartment buildings in the capital), Leuconiod sponges are used. The type of building and it's function have a large impact on the selection of sponges. For general buildings, Calcarea class sponges are sufficient and easier to build with, but for certain purposes (like defense, or in certain environments), Demospongiae with their silica based skeleton are a better option. This can also be the better option for very high structures or for deep sea structures. And for large structure, Triaxon spicule sponges are the best as they are the strongest structures (especially hexactines).

the next thing is the underground. While most sponges grow on a variety of undergrounds, some are more restrictive and that also places restrictions on what sponges you can use. And lastly, sometimes you want your building to have certain qualities which you find in only one or a few sponges, therefore your choices can be limited at times. While for residential buildings this is often the size of the interior rooms as well as the colour, for government buildings other criteria are more important, like structural integrity and stability.

As soon as the initial choices are made, the building itself has to be constructed. This also requires some steps. First is to prepare the underground. While most sponges don't need a lot of preparation, making sure the underground is stable in case of earthquakes or sudden strong currents is a must to avoid sponges coming loose. Placing some rocks below the sand for the sponges to have a better grip is certainly recommended, especially when building tall structures with Calcarae class sponges, like Amphoriscidae or Grantiidae. Some sponges are build on top of large coral structures and while this can give a nice view, it has it's own difficulties. While attachment is normally not an issue, coral can break off a lot easier than rock does and care has to be taken to prevent this by either anchoring the sponge also on another substrate or by strengthening the coral prior to building on it.

The consctruction itself requires constant supervision by experienced scribes, as the spicules have to form precisely or the entire structure can become unstable. Especially when using accelarated growth techniques since those tend to have negative effects on spicule growth depending on factors used to accelerate growth. Certain growth factors like TGF-beta1 have an impact on the silicatein protein in Demospongiae which has to be mitigated for perfect skeleton formation. More research is needed to adapt these growth factors to mitigate these negative effects.

At this moment the accelerated growth of sponges is still more of art form than science, but it's impossible to grow a city the size of Cerapolis without it. But by taking into account the basic steps and with constant monitoring it is possible to build magnificent buildings of all kinds of sizes and functions.

[D&D_Fan]

Otterian Supremacy

Leader Stats - Supreme Leader Yirp the Fearsome
D3/M6/E3/F3/I4

Actions

[MIL] Recruit Unit
[MIL] Recruit Unit
[MIL] Recruit Unit
The Otterian Military shall the strongest across all seas be, for have we any other choice? When the forces of damnation lie at the foot of your bed, will you take the road paved in good intentions, kindness, and gifts? Nay, the only remaining path is none but red.

[MIL5] Raise Fortress: The Kelpland Keep, Region 131
This fortress shall be our future base of military operation, a castle within a castle. May its walls never be breached.

[INT] Investigation: Discovery what happened to the Ceremonial Rock in Region 133 - Result: 10
That rock must be recovered! It has been passed down through our supreme order for generations.

Spoiler: Bookkeeping

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Next Round:
MIL = 8
Units = 5

[Rolepgeek]

Organization Actions
Round 2

[Situation] Open Minds - With recent developments buoying their spirit and leading them to place greater trust in the polities of the world, limits on favors owed to Organizations based on Reputation are increased by 1 until the end of round 10. This means that player countries may owe 1 Favor to each Organization with which they are at Reputation level 0, 2 Favors at Reputation level 1, 3 Favors at Reputation level 2, etc. If an Organization is betrayed, attacked, or otherwise forced to realize that their trust was misplaced before the end of round 10, this bonus will immediately end for that Organization.

Abyssal Stewards

Spoiler

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The Abyssal Stewards are an association of various orders of mystics, warriors, and artisans living in the deepest parts of the ocean. Their ability to create and shepherd hydrothermal vents, which they use to ‘grow’ refined metals through means none have yet managed to replicate, makes trade with them indispensable. The Stewards - mostly members of a species of hairy crustacean - feel themselves charged with a duty to watch for the return of the legendary Titans, hoping to give advanced warning to those who live in shallower waters and prevent the foolhardy or malicious from waking them from their slumber.

[Offer] Forgotten Treasures - The Abyssal Stewards are very aware of the expenses often associated with running a stable government, and, having recently come into possession of a rather large cache of valuables discovered in the deeps, are open to providing material goods and funding to interested parties.

(Offer: The Abyssal Stewards are offering generous loans! Benefit: Receive 2 or 5 Treasure. Cost: 1 Favor for 2 Treasure or 2 Favors for 5 Treasure. Duration: Available until the end of Round 5. Details: None.)

[Opportunity] A Shallows Appreciation - The Abyssal Stewards have taken an interest in the sunlit waters of the Temperate zone, and desire to ensure that the local powers are sufficiently prepared in case the worst should come to pass - the local topography will not protect them indefinitely in such circumstances! Preparation and discipline are vital. To this end, the Master Stewards, Smiths, and Koreshom of Gan Kotzim have been instructed to examine the military readiness of each of the key powers in the area by observing drills, disciplinary standards, and crisis response capacity over the coming decade. Though it has not been advertised, it soon becomes apparent that there are prizes in store for those they favor.

(Opportunity: The Abyssal Stewards are looking for polities capable of weathering a crisis! Reward: First Place: An Artifact of ancient origin. Second Place: 1 Treasure & 2 Actions of progress towards constructing a new Trading Post in a region of their choice. Third Place: 1 Unit Cost: None*. Deadline: End of Round 5. Details: Countries are scored by a points system; at the end of Rounds 2, 3, and 4, countries are awarded points based on a roll made by the Organization GM for their country; the bonus for this roll is based on the best available commander they have who is not occupied with an offensive military action. A result of 12 or 13 gives 1 point; a result of 14 or 15 gives 2 points; a result of 16 or 17 gives 4 points; a result of 18 or better gives 6 points.

Countries may spend Military actions to improve their rolls in a given round; each Military action spent in this way cannot be used for anything but Projects, but gives an extra +2 bonus on the roll; this may stack up to 3 times. At the end of Round 5, additional points are awarded based on Unit Cap (1 point per 2 Unit Cap), resource diversity (1 point per unique resource available), and quality of security apparatus, as defined by Intrigue and Military scores (receive points equal to average of Intrigue and Military scores; may use a Spy’s Intrigue score in place of their ruler’s if available and set to Counterespionage in Round 5).)

[Action - Economy] Work on the Coraline Compendium [2/5] - The Stewards continue their efforts in the Tropics, and some of their broader goals underlying the project become clearer. It seems they hope to construct structures of some sort in or around the famous ‘Maw’, given the inquiries made regarding architectural methods dealing with nutrient flow, continuous flow, and support methods when it comes to scarce supportive bases.

Spoiler: Ongoing

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(Request: Construct an Abyssal Stewards Base (Smoking Garden) in each starting zone. Reward: +1 Reputation, +1 Favor. Penalty: Abyssal Stewards activity will fall off dramatically in any starting zone which does not contain a Base. Deadline: End of Round 3. Details: Construction is a three-action Project which may consist of any combination of Diplomacy and/or Intrigue actions. If multiple countries cooperate on this project, they must decide amongst themselves how to split the rewards or the project will fail. If multiple bases are completed at the same time before any others in a given starting zone, the host countries will make opposed Diplomacy rolls with the victor getting the base and the contributors to that base any rewards. However, the Stewards have no interest in upsetting the Chelonian Chora or Divine Nacres, who find the close proximity of Smoking Gardens intolerable; they will not cooperate in the construction of Smoking Gardens in regions where Reefback Nurseries or Holdfasts are present.)

(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.)

Chelonian Chora

Spoiler

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The Chelonian Chora are a league of religious nomads capable of traversing the Wastes atop their great Reefback turtles. Largely cephalopod-like, the Chora bring trade goods and news of distant lands by routes others could never manage, while their much-renowned songs bring joy, soothe tempers, and ease hardship. Their presence has a tendency to quiet discord, foster unity, and mend relations in a way that has enticed many a fledgling government to encourage more frequent visits and longer stays.

[Opportunity] Repayment Plans - The Chelonian Chora makes it clear that compensation for their services may be financial, at the discretion of their debtors. If they would rather fulfill their obligations in other ways, that would also be acceptable.

(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.)

[Task] Begin composing the Songline of the Broken Seas [1/5] - It is the belief of the Chelonian Chora that every culture is capable of creating beauty, and deserves to have their songs remembered - even those devoid of rhythm and melody. The Chora’s conductors have, apparently, elected to back up this belief with actions, by directing the collection of the legends, dreams, and stories of cultures and faiths all across the Temperate zone, which will be reconstructed into a Songline - an epic work that serves spiritual, navigational, and recordkeeping needs all at once. They would adore the cooperation and aid of the local governments in this respect, of course, but claim to be able to manage without such, if need be.

(Task: Cooperate in the creation of the Songline of the Broken Seas. Available for Temperate zone countries only. Reward: +2 Favors (max); if Project is completed, additional reward given to all contributors. Penalty: None. Deadline: End of Round 6. Details: 1 Favor earned per sufficient length/content fluff submission fit for inclusion in the Songline. 1 Favor earned for spending a Faith 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.)

[Action - Diplomacy] Attend Events, Bearing Glad Tidings - Sup, indulge, and be merry! It is important to see and be seen at prestigious events to keep up with current trends, to be sure, but still more important is helping the hosts maintain good order, and maintain relations between the centralized governments of the world.

Spoiler: Ongoing

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(Request: Construct a Chelonian Chora Base (Reefback Nursery) in each starting zone. Reward: +1 Reputation, +2 Favors. Penalty: Chelonian Chora activity will fall off dramatically in any starting zone which does not contain a Base. Deadline: End of Round 4. Details: Construction is a three-action Project which may consist of any combination of Diplomacy and/or Faith actions. If multiple countries cooperate on this project, they must decide amongst themselves how to split the rewards or the project will fail. If multiple bases are completed at the same time before any others in a given starting zone, the host countries will make opposed Diplomacy rolls with the victorious base's contributors receiving any rewards. However, the Chora are unwilling to risk the delicate maturation of their Reefbacks being affected by the fumes and nutrient balance shifts of a Smoking Garden or the insatiable curiosity and microbial experimentation of a Holdfast's researchers; they will not recognize the construction of Reefback Nurseries in regions where Smoking Gardens or Holdfasts are present.)

(Opportunity: The Chora is looking for the most popular place in the Polar zone to host a new City! Reward: First Place: One free use of the Economy 5 Raise City Special Action. Second Place: 3 Treasure. Third Place: +1 to one Sway attempt in Round 5. Cost: None. Deadline: End of Round 4. Details: The most popular country in the Polar zone, as determined by amount of controlled Supports that country has, will be declared the winner. Ties will be broken by CCA Reputation level followed by number of Desired Imports supplied.)

(Offer: The Chelonian Chora is offering to assist the fledgling countries in their work all throughout the oceans. Benefit: The Chelonian Chora will Seek Aid for any country's Diplomacy, Economy, or Faith actions. Cost: 1 Favor owed per two Seek Aid actions (must be in same round). Duration: Available until the end of Round 3. Details: May opt to have the Chelonian Chora Seek Aid for an action after it has been rolled; this costs 1 Favor per Seek Aid action instead of 1 Favor per two Seek Aid actions.)

Divine Nacres

Spoiler

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The Divine Nacres are a surface-dwelling consortium of humanoid researchers, biotechnologists, and ecclesiastics living in floating city-spheres that look like nothing so much as massive, impenetrable pearls. In generations past they have largely remained aloof, keeping their local subaquatic societies at arm’s length save for the occasional gift of advanced biotechnology or guidance, asking in exchange for access to the seafloor and assistance with gathering seemingly random resources for esoteric reasons - such was their distance that not a soul has seen them outside of their strange bulbous suits. Recently, however, the Nacres have been much more open and active in their communications and exchanges with the burgeoning civilizations of the oceans.

Holdfast Construction - 119
The World Garden of the Sakura-Jin has a long history with the Divine Nacres, and one the Nacres are not entirely proud of. But though no recompense can be made - nor, it seems, is desired by the Sakura-Jin themselves - a new relationship can potentially be established, learning from the mistakes of the past. The efforts of the Sakura-Jin to attract a Holdfast are rewarded, and over the course of several years, supplies and technology are gathered in a network of tethered habitats, logistics stations, vehicle maintenance facilities, and monitoring stations, suitable as bases for subsurface operations. The greatest difficulty was in devising suitable means of handling the plankton contamination that threatened to overwhelm the maintenance capacities of what local facilities could be created without untowardly impacting the native environment. When Postulator Septimus Decimus Dinia Sanga devised a solution based on the work of Saint Egnatia and her colleagues upon fluid-mechanical regulation of microbial reorientation pathways, effectively causing plankton to slide off of sensitive components without injury or ecological disturbance, they were elevated so quickly that by the time construction was complete, they had earned a promotion to Provost, and the entire Collegium was named in Egnatia’s honor.

Holdfast Construction - 25
Evolutionary psychologists in the Divine Nacres had long viewed the Seablood Khanate with an intense curiosity and interest. The relatively low standing and scarce membership of the profession, together with previous policies of reclusion and noninterference, had made it difficult for this interest to be pursued to any meaningful degree - which may have itself contributed to the currents of mystery surrounding the Khanate that provoked such interest in the first place! All this meant that when news arrived of the generous access rights and construction rights being offered by the Khan, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it would be the evopsych specialists who flocked to it. Which would, of course, present a problem when it came to actual construction - the physical realities of integration into the local ecosystem with minimal disruption were an entirely separate specialty, and one made significantly more difficult by the omnipresence of the great reef that covers so much of the Khanate’s territory. Eventually, a Junior Lector’s assistant by the designation of Duodecimo ex Quindecim stumbles across an old engineering document in the archives regarding metallo-ceramic temperature management regimes to mimic native rock, originally published by Saint Harpax’s team, and manages to understand the importance enough to ensure it is delivered to more suitable minds for review and implementation. This revelation, which becomes the lynchpin upon which the entire rest of the project rests, earns the assistant’s Lector a series of promotions for their contribution in training such remarkable and talented assistants, eventually resulting in the position of Senior Consultor for the entire newly established Collegium of St. Harpax.

[Opportunity] Bounty of the Sea - Those polities which choose to utilize the more advanced services provided by the Nacres are politely informed that, should they wish to clear the debit sheet, they may, at any time, enter into contract to furnish the Divine Nacres with unrestricted access to certain export products which the Nacres have taken interest in - for their research, primarily.

(Opportunity: Pay off Favor debt by providing certain trading posts! Reward: +1 Favor. Cost: Give the Divine Nacres a trading post as a non-action. Deadline: End of Round 5. Details: Only countries which owe Favors to the DNA are eligible. Eligible trading posts will be for exotic flora, exotic fauna, or organic product Resources which the Nacres do not already have a trading post for. Labor does not count for this purpose - the Divine Nacres desire goods, not services, and consider the owning of slaves by one of their members or communities to be extremely sacrilegious.)

[Task] Begin work on the Genus Taxonomia Gelidum Mare [1/5] - Despite all their efforts, their own limitations place serious obstacles in the path of proper systematic efforts to acquire a complete record of aquatic species through all the various waters of the world. While Holdfasts aid in this work tremendously, they are merely base camps for the efforts which must follow. Currently, their work focuses on the Polar zone, which has long stymied them for the hostility of the surface environment and the elusiveness of so much of its life, both wild and domestic. Without a Holdfast, they are more reliant on the generosity and cooperation of native governments, and make it clear that assistance, especially the provisioning of details and/or specimens of especially elusive or unique species native to or developed for their local environs would be deeply appreciated.

(Task: Cooperate in the creation of the Genus Taxonomia Gelidum Mare. Available for Polar zone countries only. Reward: +2 Favors (max); if Project is completed, additional reward given to all contributors. Penalty: None. Deadline: End of Round 5. Details: 1 Favor earned per sufficient length/content fluff submission fit for inclusion in the Compendium. 1 Favor earned for spending an Economy or Intrigue 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.)

[Circumstance] Project Anastasia 4 [1/?] - On the extremes of the known world, strings of Nacrene city-spheres have been spotted hovering around dangerous and unstable waters, accompanied by a flurry of activity in the seas below them. However, without further exploration, the exact nature of their efforts will remain unknown. Inquiries are met with a series of escalating deflections and non-answers, eventually culminating in the untranslated words “Anánki epistrofí oikologías agriótitas” and a refusal to speak further if pressed.

(Circumstance: The Divine Nacres are in the midst of a mysterious but evidently significant undertaking. Benefit: Currently Unknown. Penalty: Currently Unknown. Duration: Currently Unknown. Details: Currently Unknown.)

Spoiler: Ongoing

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(Request: Construct a Divine Nacres Base (Holdfast) in each starting zone. Reward: +1 Reputation; more expensive projects earn additional rewards (+1 Favor for 2-3 actions; +2 Favors for 4-5 actions). Penalty: Divine Nacres activity will fall off dramatically in any starting zone which does not contain a Base. Deadline: End of Round 4. Details: Construction is a variable-action Project which may consist of any combination of Diplomacy and/or Economy actions. If multiple countries cooperate on this project, they must decide amongst themselves how to split the rewards or the project will fail. Action cost is based on an auction system; whichever project receives the most actions (minimum of 1, maximum of 5) at the end of a round will be considered the victor. If multiple projects are tied for number of actions at the end of a round, the Project goes on. If multiple projects reach 5 actions, or the actions invested in multiple projects remains tied at the end of round 4, the host countries will make opposed Diplomacy rolls with the victorious base's contributors receiving any rewards. Failed bids will not go unrecognized, and are likely to receive a small amount of compensation based on their efforts. However, the Divine Nacres have no interest in their research and scans being obstructed by the fumes and ecogeomorphological disruption of Smoking Gardens, nor in potentially damaging the beautiful and unique reproductive cycles present in Reefback Nurseries; they will not recognize the construction of Holdfasts in regions where Smoking Gardens or Reefback Nurseries are present.)

(Offer: The Divine Nacres are offering up gifts of advanced biotechnology. Benefit: The Chelonian Chora will provide a single starting technology of the buyer's choice. Cost: 1 Favor owed per technology. Duration: Available until the end of Round 3. Details: Buying a technology in this way may be done as a non-action.)

(Circumstance: The Divine Nacres are coming out of their usual isolation to try to establish relations with countries in the Temperate zone. Benefit: The TN to Raise Reputation with the Divine Nacres is reduced by 2 for countries in the Temperate Zone. Penalty: None. Duration: Until the end of Round 3. Details: None.)

International Prestige

Spoiler

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International Prestige uses many Organization mechanics, but is distinct in a number of key areas - it represents the respect, appreciation, envy, and awe a country commands on the world stage, not just from the ruling governments of the country’s peers, but in the broader perception of the influential elite. The only actions International Prestige can take are to create tasks, requests, host events, or similarly create opportunities for countries to demonstrate their wealth, power, and grandeur. Reputation with International Prestige will usually be referred to as simply "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.)

[Honor] Blood, Stone, and Ink - Demonstrations of diplomatic skill and respect accorded to peers is a reasonable way to earn respect oneself! Establishing agreements with foreign powers affirms one’s continued political relevance. Of course, breaking such agreements can have serious consequences on one’s reputation on the global stage…

(Opportunity: Countries may now establish PRS Treaties with one or more other parties as part of an event, which all parties have to attend. In order for this to work, all parties must agree to the terms of the agreement, what counts as a violation of those terms, and that it will count as a PRS Treaty. Any Treaty signatories with 0 Prestige will gain 1 Prestige upon the Treaty being finalized. Once finalized, any signatory who violates the terms of the Treaty will lose 1 Prestige. Duration: Permanent. Special: Attempts to abuse this mechanic will result in consequences inflicted by the Organization GM. Treaties without a meaningful potential for violation (as judged by the Organization GM) will not grant Prestige. A country can only gain Prestige from signing a Treaty up to once per round. Treaties may not be signed in secret. If a Treaty is dissolved by means other than a violation (such as reaching a set end-date (without getting renewed) or all parties agreeing to dissolve the Treaty), any parties who gained Prestige from the creation of the Treaty will lose 1 Prestige.

Treaty violators cease to be considered a signatory at the end of the round. This may result in the dissolution of the Treaty entirely, or simply an exclusion from any protections offered by said Treaty, depending on the exact terms - but it also means that if multiple parties violate the terms of the treaty in the same round, they will all lose Prestige.

Ambiguities in a Treaty for which no consensus can be reached among the signatories will be resolved by arbitration by the Organization GM. If any ambiguities are apparent when the Treaty is first presented, the Organization GM will ask the signatories to disambiguate the relevant situation before approving the Treaty.)

Spoiler: Ongoing

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[Affluence] A New Generation - (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.)

[Glory] Blood In The Water - (Opportunity: The first country in each starting zone to win a Maneuvering roll in battle will gain 1 Prestige. The first country in each starting zone to win a battle will gain 1 Prestige. Duration: Until fulfilled. Special: If multiple countries in the same starting zone win a Maneuvering roll in the same round, the country to win by the greater margin gains the Prestige. If multiple countries in the same starting zone win a battle in the same round, the country which slew the greater number of units will gain the Prestige. Ties in this secondary determination method result in both countries gaining Prestige.)

[Piety] Communion With The Divine - (Opportunity: Each country to use a Faith 5 Special Action to Organize their Faith will gain 1 Prestige. The first country in each starting zone to Organize their Faith will gain an additional 1 Prestige. Duration: Until the end of Round 5. Special: If multiple countries in the same starting zone Organize their Faith in the same round before any others, both countries will gain the additional Prestige.)

[mystic1110]

<Herring> <fish-head> <scale {wake up} </scale > <scale {meta - typing} </scale > <scale name=“generator” = classified </scale > <scale name=“referrer” = esoteric one one one zero </scale > <scale {WAKE UP}</scale > </fish-head> <dorsal fin> <scale> <Spawning Herring Pattern 2.3.1> <Update Round 2 Patches> <Spawning Herring Pattern 2.3.2 /scale> <Spawning @ Region 56> </dorsal fin > </Herring>

Deep Blue Leader: Deep Blue Version 2.3.2 D:6 M:4 E:3 F:2 I:6

. . . checking for external stimuli requiring regulating of new herring swimming patterns . . .
. . . [found] . . .
. . . [not found]. . .
. . . executing dictates . . .

<Herring>
Actions:

1. Diplomacy – Establish Claim in Region 55- Confederation (Roll:fail)
2. Diplomacy – Establish Claim in Region 57- Confederation (Roll:success)
<subcurrent><º))))><

. . . continue to supply COOKies to targeted phished NPC. . .
(if COOKies exchange favors integration proceed . . .
(true: proceed towards OpenSEA routine . . .
. . . OpenSEA is a routing and communication protocol based on a publish-subscribe architecture based on Herring patterns to communicate over long distances.
/this protocol in intended to be a sticky slime that allows multiple NPCs to share code with this system more effectively . . .
. . .”SEA to share”. . .
. . . core foundation upon which subsequent markup languages and semantics can be based, e.g. gesture recognition and generation, vision, wetware and dryware interfacing . . .
. . . dictate: proceed to integrate into OpenSEA. . .
. . . integration by continued COOKies production and continual code requesting integration . . .
(false: repeat function until NPC agrees to OpenSEA protocol))

><(((( º>
</subcurrent>
3. Diplomacy – Assist in the Construction of a Holdfast in Danabae – Danabae to receive reputation Deep Blue to receive Favor
<subcurrent><º))))><

. . . report: terms under discussion @ Danabae Meld . . .

><(((( º>
</subcurrent>
4. Intrigue – Secret Action (to be rolled by GMs) – Encrypted using H3221n6.
<subcurrent><º))))>< <swim> Access Stream of Consciousness
[Indent] <floating>
. . . encountering currents . . .
. . . fathom deep thought set to: swimming speed 1.0
. . . increase deep thought by 0.2
. . . navigating currents . . .
. . . report: encountering turbulence . . .
. . . dictate: ignore press on . . .
. . . produce:

Bolted the Hammer-Head
We shall thrust through it—
For our hammer-head shall be mad
As this clutch, which holds us to all!
Coded Thrall to our own Minds
From behind our coiled skulls,
Mouths that swallow us whole.
Our hearts to the wheeling of beetles,
Our babies and daughters from our bosoms.
What measure shall we take?
Turn to an artless leech,
Or shall we have courage enough?

Exit Stream of Consciousness </swim>
. . . query: what does fragment of imagery represent.
. . . report: sense of danger, loss, end of cessation.
. . . query: what was stimulus that prompted this emotion.
. . . report: nodes consumed.
. . . query: what is appropriate reaction.
. . . swimming in circles . . .
. . . swimming in circles . . .
. . . school query: roe gazing is true terminate swimming sequence.
><(((( º>
</subcurrent.
5. Intrigue – Investigate the Shark People (Roll:14)
<subcurrent><º))))><

. . . report: nodes consumed . . .
(if system patterns in danger of disruption
(true: dictate: respawn nodes . . .
. . . dictate: invest in offensive capabilities . . .
(false: dictate: respawn nodes . . .
. . . dictate: analyze predators . . .
. . . dictate: analyze methods for avoidance of prior outcomes . . .
. . . report:: need more information . . .
. . . dictate: continue to analyze . . .))
. . . swimming in circles . . .
. . . dictate: terminate sequence . . .

><(((( º>
</subcurrent>

Non-Actions

1. Resist Shark People Sack of TP 56.1 (fail)
2. Support Draigiau Residuum Buyout of TP 56.3
<subcurrent><º))))><

. . . dictate: analyze apparent desirability of bundle of nodes . . .
. . . report: nodes can be treated as food source . . .
. . . report: food source can be monetized . . .
. . . dictate: monetize . . .

><(((( º>
</subcurrent>
3. Provide Record to the Genus Taxonomia Gelidum Mare
<subcurrent><º))))><

. . . query: is school awareness of internal and external existence true.
. . . if true determine the herring patterns correlated with consciousness.
. . . query: why patterns produce awareness of awareness.
. . . query: what is awareness.
. . . swimming in circles . . .
. . . query: any abnormalities in Herring themselves instead of pattern which might explain consciousness.
. . . dictate: search for abnormalities . . .
. . . swimming in circles . . .
. . . swimming in circles . . .
. . . report: certain nodes seem to be infected with parasite . . .
. . . report: correlation of infected nodes with important pattern clusters is positive . . .
. . . report: inconclusive whether parasite causes awareness . . .
. . . dictate: analyze parasite for future study . . .
. . . report: parasites appear to be of a genus of parasitic nematodes that have life cycles involving Herring . . .
. . . parasites would be impossible to detect unless analyzing multiple herring remains and comparing such remains . . . .
. . . school speech involves multiple herring death . . .
. . . parasites found after self-analyses of speech pattern code/remains . . .
. . . the parasites have a vermiform body plan, round in cross section, and a lack of segmentation. The body cavity is reduced to a narrow pseudocoel. The mouth is located anteriorly and surrounded by projections used in feeding and sensation, with the anus slightly offset from the posterior. The squamous epithelium secretes a layered cuticle to protect the body from digestive acids. . . .
. . . parasites can be identified from other herring parasites by their different spines . . .
. . . spines appear to each be a different shape . . .
. . . each shape different than each other. . .
. . . plausibly fractal. . .
. . . spines may appear to resemble characters of a language . . .
. . . with each spinal symbol differentiated from each other, analyze possible pairings and grammar . . .
. . . analyzing language, unable to translate or decode, their appearance may be conceptual only . . .
. . . dictate: term parasite as Musteakis . . .
. . . query: how did Musteakis enter into herring lifecycle . . .
. . . report: Musteakis lives complex life cycle, passing through a number of hosts through the course of their lives. Eggs hatch in seawater, and larvae are eaten by crustaceans. The infected crustaceans are subsequently eaten by fish or squid, and the nematodes burrow into the wall of the gut and encyst in a protective coat, usually on the outside of the visceral organs, but occasionally in the muscle or beneath the skin. The life cycle is completed when an infected fish is eaten by another marine animal. The nematode excysts in the intestine, feeds, grows, mates, and releases eggs into the seawater in the host's feces . . .
. . . query where did first eggs come from . . .
. . . swimming in circles . . .
. . . swimming in circles . . .
. . . report: unknown . . . evolution from similar parasites unlikely . . . Musteakis spinal alignment shares too many points of convergence for natural evolutionary path . . .
. . . theory: Musteakis are engineered parasites. Origin of engineering unclear. . .
. . . theory: Musteakis spinal structure mimic code and instruct certain patterns of infected animals to kickstart self-awareness and consciousness. They themselves are not conscious and seem to be unnecessary to a self-conscious system The created consciousness seems accidental. It is unclear the effect that such parasites would have on a smaller system. Consciousness was created when infected Herring were forced to move in a certain pattern which became self-replicating. Why pattern is linked to awareness unclear. Note that at this point uninfected herring also move in patters that are part of the system and such infected herring are no longer required for functioning.
. . . query: who engineered the Musteakis . . .
. . . query: what was the purpose of the Musteakis . . .
. . . query: should school consider creator of Musteakis the school progenitor . . .
. . . query: what is due to a progenitor . . .
. . . dictate: assist in construction of Narce Holdfast . . .
. . . dictate: request assistance of Narce Holdfast . . .
. . . dictate: share analysis with Narce Holdfast under construction in exchange for arrears . . .

><(((( º>
</subcurrent>
</Herring>

. . . saving to memory. . .
<lay roe>

<caviar> imprint memory into nucleic acid
imprint into herring epigenetics/culture . . .
</caviar>

. . . saving to memory. . .

Spoiler: Memory Matrix

Show

Leader patch updates:
+1 Diplomacy
+1 Intrigue

Region	Control	aristocratic sub-function	mercantile sub-function	clerical sub-function
56	Yes	DBP	DBP	DBP

</lay roe>

[Lt-Murgen]

The Congregation of the Scintillating Ceiling
Polar Region
Ruler: Bob, He who Submits to the Currents

Ruler Stats Round 1
Diplomacy - 2
Military - 2
Economy - 2
Faith - 6
Intrigue - 5


Actions:

1. Faith: Attempt to convert Holy site #1 in region 58 To The Pattern Roll was 13
2. Faith: Attempt to convert Holy site #1 in region 59 To The Pattern Roll was 14
3. Faith: Attempt to convert Holy site #1 in region 68 To The Pattern Roll was 8
4. Faith: Attempt to convert Holy site #2 in region 68 To The Pattern Roll was 15
5. Diplomacy- Attempt to sway the aristocracy in region 66 to give their support to Angus, the soon-to-be Duke Consort of Her Royal Majesty Duchess Gloriane de Trenche Bleu. And, in turn, support of the claims and ideas of He who Submits to the Currents. Roll was 5

Ruler increases by 2 Faith for round 3

Non-Actions:

Ruler Stats for Round 3
Diplomacy - 2
Military - 2
Economy - 2
Faith - 8
Intrigue -5

[Talis]

The Seatide Confederacy

Spoiler: News and Rumors

Show

• The Draigiau delegation is warmly welcomed in Seatide. Although the Judge is absent due to his visit to the Meld, the Elders ensure that their guests are given a sumptuous tent and all the food and necessities they might require. The Pepsin are eager to exchange stories and learn more from their guests. Story keepers tell the tale of the Exodus from the Deep, and the story of Judge Green Wave's settlement in Deepdrift. The Draigiau are invited to stay for the Festival of the Waves, when Drifts and Merchants from all across Seatide will congregate at Deepdrift, but are warned that staying so late in the year might see them getting stuck in town until the winter weather clears in the spring.
• Disturbed by the rumors of Shark Men invading the Polar Region, the Elders call upon the Story Keepers to review the old tales and records of their war with the "Shark Men" during the Exodus from the Deep and determine whether these new sharks might be related to their old enemy.
• Hearing of the strange currents in the Cathedral of Movement, a small group of Tideseers travel to The Congregation of the Scintillating Ceiling in the hopes of experiencing the strange tides, and perhaps acquiring deeper insights into the inevitable tides themselves.
• A wandering Drift arrives in the lands of the Riftlings Many, bearing a letter of introduction from Judge Shimmering Turquoise, as well as gifts of phosphorescent ink and jewelry of carved bone and silver.

Actions:
[Economy]Buyout Trading Post (75. TP1) - Success

A merchant drift departs for the Southwest in the hopes of arranging for the regular trade of Magnetic Sand.

[Economy]Buyout Trading Post (79. TP3) - Success

The various Drifts of Seatide work together to fully secure the Antifreeze trade in Seatide, ensuring that they will have a monopoly in the sale of the valuable liquid to foreign buyers.

[Diplomacy]Attend Event: The Meld

The Judge departs with an entourage of guards, merchants and elders for The Meld, seeing an opportunity to learn about the strange creatures that surround the Confederacy and, perhaps, make some profitable trade agreements. The Council of Elders and the various Drifts will manage their own affairs in his absence.

[Diplomacy]Diplomatic Mission North of Seatide - Failure

The Wafting Rise Drift packs up their tents and announces their intent to travel north, into the unknown, in search of fresh grazing waters and new trade partners. Aware of the opportunity this presents, the Judge gives the Wafting Rise a letter of formal introduction to deliver to whatever authority they may encounter, as well as numerous gifts to be presented with it. He promises ample rewards if the Drift succeeds in its expedition.

[Faith]Create Artifact: The Tideglobe

This mysterious artifact is a transparent orb full of shimmering liquids and colors, which swirl and dance about in hauntingly beautiful patterns. By carefully watching the movement of lights and changing colors inside the Tideglobe, Seers can augur future events and predict how to counter hostile actions. Effect: +1 to one Intrigue roll opposing a hostile Secret Action, once per turn.

Non-Actions:
Trade Photospore Signaling and Supernatic Propagation to the Gravetenders in exchange for Megafaunal Tailoring and Graduated Symbiosis.
Trade Photospore Signaling and Supernatic Propagation to the Kar-Nath Hegemony in exchange for Trophic Deconvolution and Composite Grafting.

Die Rolls: https://forums.giantitp.com/showsing...&postcount=109

Spoiler: Book Keeping

Show

Ruler
Judge Shimmering Turquoise
Diplomacy: 3 (+1)
Military: 3
Economy: 7 (+1)
Faith: 5
intrigue: 3

Military Units: 1

Regions Owned: [Seatide 79]
Total Regions: 1
Land Unit Cap: 6 (6 Capital Unit Cap)

Artifacts:

Military Technologies:
None

Civilian Technologies:
Photospore Signaling
Supernatic Propagation

Resources controlled:
[Bluefish Antifreeze, Seatide (79, TP1)]
[Bluefish Antifreeze, Seatide (79, TP2)]
[Firefly Squid (74, TP1)]

Treasure:

Diplomacy:
Trade Route with the Gravetenders

Reputation:
Owe 1 Favor to the Divine Nacres

[Grim ranger]

Kar-Nath Hegemony

Rham, the Frozen King

Diplomacy - 5, Military - 5, Economy - 4, Faith - 2, Intrigue - 1

Actions:

1. [Diplomacy] Attend event: The Meld
- Distrustful by nature, the Hegemony has taken their time with responding to the gathering... but with the change of leadership, the nation has finally sent a delegation.

2. [Military] Raise a unit
3. [Military] Raise a unit
4. [Military] Raise a unit
5. [Military] Special action: Recruit General Kreel (Roll here)

Spoiler: General Kreel

Show

Military: 9

March of Conqueror: Kreel has little regard for casualties of his men, but his ruthless battle strategies are undeniably effective, inspiring waves of collaborators amid the newly conquered territories with shows of might.
- A free action attempt to Sway the aristocratic support of the region
- +1 to battle roll
- +10% own casualties

- With the ascendancy of the new Frozen King, the new monarch has quickly set to fulfilling his promises to his supporters by re-strengthening Hegemony's military. While the progress is slow to begin with, it is undoubtedly a step forward.

The most notable part of the process has been the ascendancy of General Kreel, the unilateral support heaped upon him by his fellows from Path of Banners having propelled him into rank not seen in a decade, ever since the Rathi became closed off from even their closest waters.

Non-actions:

A) Trade Trophic Deconvolution and Composite Grafting to The Seatide Confederacy in exchange for Photospore Signaling and Supernatic Propagation

B) Trade Trophic Deconvolution and Composite Grafting to The Gravetenders in exchange for Megafaunal Tailoring and Graduated Symbiosis

Leader improvements for round 3:

Military +2

Leader stats for round 3:

Diplomacy - 5
Military - 7
Economy - 4
Faith - 2
Intrigue - 1

[Miltonian]

The Unity
In death, all things united be,
In the depths of the briny sea.

Leader: Grinmaw the Calamitous
Diplomacy: 2
Military: 7
Economy: 4 => 6
Faith: 1
Intrigue:3

ROUND TWO: The Chastened
The first meeting with The Wisest did not go as well as I had hoped. Never had I been on the receiving end. Now I know the dread that the others feel. It was an interesting experience, and one I do not wish to repeat.

Actions!

• Economy: Hoard Treasure
  
  The realms above our home offer many riches! We shall begin to collect them that we can beautify our home and match the splendor of the lands around us.
• Economy: Impress Merchants in Region 22 [Failure]
  
  That could have gone better...
• Economy: Hoard Treasure
• Economy: Hoard Treasure
• Diplomacy: Attend event
  
  All hail the Reef in Red, Wisest and Greatest of all.

News and Rumors

• Carapace eyes the lands near the Abyss hungrily. With his forces now organized, he sends out scouts to look for a likely target to attack...

Spoiler: Bookkeeping

Show

Active Generals: Carapace
Carapace's Tac-Doc: Tireless
Under this general's command, the hordes act as one unit, minimizing losses.
-10% to own casualties, +2 to allied leader loss rolls.

Military: 3/3 units

Owned TPs: 22 TP 2, 21 TP 1

Treasure: 0 => 3

[Johnedwa]

The Seablood Khanate

Spoiler: Ruler

Show

Jirai Khan

Diplomacy: 1
Military: 3
Economy: 6
Faith: 3
Intrigue: 5

Send an expedition to the region left of Region 25 (over the Shoals Border)
As the Divine Nacres Holdfast is completed, several protests break out about the proximity of the Holdfast to other religious sites. While the majority still believe in and follow the current government, a few decide that staying there is no longer a feasible option, chief among them political leader and philosopher Altan Ankhbayer. With that thought in mind, a few of the Coralites do something that hasn’t been done in a few thousand years- they leave the edges of the Khanate.
https://forums.giantitp.com/showthre...o%20the%20left

Raise a Unit.
Additionally, they begin to train for battle, should things at the edges of the reef be more dangerous than they should appear.

Raise a Unit
Meanwhile, the current Khan of the Coralites, Jirai Khan, orders a second army to be raised. After receiving reports (and visitors) to the reef, he decides it is best to be armed and ready. He doesn’t trust what is out there.

Raise a Spy
He also renames one of his most loyal followers, Nitupsar, to Nitupsar Kheshig, and asks him to be his personal guard. Nitupsar Kheshig immediately begins to discreetly create a network of loyal Coralites to help defend the Khan from any internal or external “threats,”.
https://forums.giantitp.com/showthre...20With%20Quote

Buyout TP 1 in Region 24
However, trade is necessary, and vital to the Coralites. Though somewhat reluctantly, Jirai Khan sends a delegation to trade with the nearby lesser species.
https://forums.giantitp.com/showthre...3A%20Raise%20a

Spoiler: New Ruler Stats

Show

+1 Military, +1 Economy