Their Light Will Be Ours [Stellaris]

Ah, we're having a bit of an overhaul then.
I'm thinking:

[ ][Grants] Recorder Support [Current Level]
I like having regular research grant picks, but I don't want to be overemphasising short-term results.

I'm sort of torn between these two:
[ ][Industry] No Support [Current Level]
[ ][Industry] Recorder Support
but not pissing off the Sponsors makes that decision for me, really.

[ ][Anomalies] Recorder Support
Keeping abreast of the Anomalous stuff seems preferable here.

[ ][Diplomacy] Synthesis Support
Don't want to be shut out of the Diplomacy game - especially with our apparent ability to handle the only alien polity we're in contact with - but we also don't want to piss off the other Directors, and to be honset it isn't really our wheelhouse. Involved enough to help but not hinder.

I'm again torn between:
[ ][Missions] No Support [Current Level]
[ ][Missions] Recorder Support
I'm pretty sure we should be heavily involved with this.

[ ][Survey] No Support
I'm pretty sure we can handle this ourselves without too much trouble, and we've just been warned to take a closer look at it anyway.

I'm tempted by
[ ][Reversal] No Support
but pissing off another Director probably means we should go with
[ ][Reversal] Recorder Support

I'd like to take one of these:
[ ][Jumpfleet] Synthesis Support
[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Support
since I don't want to get too bogged-down in ship management, but having some design input would be nice.

And finally,
[ ][Report] Keep Me In The Loop
Even if it's just a line saying "same as last year" it's good to keep track of everything.

This seems like an important enough vote not to just immediately vote without discussion, though.
 
Oh, so we get to redesign the entire quest.

I urge people to consider this very carefully.

The next five years will be under the level-of-detail specifications you all pick here, unless there's a major issue such that the thread's seriously dissatisfied.

Please note that if you pick such a high level of detail that it's exhausting to me, the writer, I can now feel entirely justified in saying Xartaxes is just as fatigued. After all, I just write them, they have to live it.

Also note that in the background I'll be doing all the usual bookkeeping in my role as Recorders/Synthesis: the information will still exist even at low investment levels. It's just that you'll be in the same position as Xartaxes, having to go looking for it rather than having it auto-generated for you.

In general, it's easier to start micromanaging your staff than it is to hire good people: my advice is to go for the lower-investment options when in doubt.

Additionally, a vote this big deserves a...

VOTING MORATORIUM FOR 24 HOURS.

You're still free to post votes if you wish, but I'll be counting from my end-of-moratorium post, not from the threadmark.
 
Exploratory Grant Committee Chair:
This is the Chair responsible for specifying what research the exploratory program will fund.
(Your level of investment here determines the detail level and frequency of Research Grant Cycles.)

[ ][Grants] No Support

Status updates from the research programs appear on a yearly basis, and grant money may be redirected from year to year. This allows you to hasten research by appropriating funds from other areas: however, the atmosphere of financial uncertainty this creates emphasizes short-term results.

[ ][Grants] Recorder Support [Current Level]

All research is coordinated based on five-year grant cycles.
Every five years, you dictate all grant expenditures for the next five years.
Major changes to our research base may result in requests for clarification.

[ ][Grants] Synthesis Support

You will select a synthesis-defined set of grant allocations each year. Note that this policy has a tendency to emphasize short-term results.

[ ][Grants] Full Support

Every five years, you will select a Synthesis-constructed research plan. Any necessary modifications will be done by Synthesis and the Recorders.

[ ][Grants] Full Delegation

You will never be presented with Decisions regarding research grants unless you specifically seek them out. Note that this is one of your primary responsibilities as Head of Warp Physics, so this level of delegation would reflect poorly on you.

Initial inclination is to drop this to synthesis, maybe. Not sure.

Exploratory Infrastructure Director:
This is the Chair responsible for specifying what industrial projects the exploratory program should pursue.
(Your level of investment here determines the detail level and frequency of Industry Turns.)

[ ][Industry] No Support [Current Level]

You select an exact set of Industry Projects to pursue every year for every World and Orbital the Klaxes possess. This level of investment is likely to step on the toes of some Sponsors.

[ ][Industry] Recorder Support

You will set out an Industrial Plan every five years. Any necessary adjustments to this plan will be handled by Recorder aides. (Major changes to our technology base may result in requests for clarification.)

[ ][Industry] Full Support

Every five years, you will select a Synthesis-constructed industrial policy. Any necessary modifications will be done by Synthesis and the Recorders.

[ ][Industry] Full Delegation

You will never be presented with Decisions regarding Industry Projects unless you specifically seek them out.

Inclined to Full Support. When I was catching up to the quest I found these parts to be least interesting.

Director of Anomalous Studies:
This is the Chair responsible for analysis of events and technologies beyond our current understanding.
(Your level of investment here determines the detail level and frequency of Research Project Turns.)

[ ][Anomalies] No Support

You will personally oversee the research of anomalous items and events. Status updates from the anomaly programs will be handled as yearly mission reports and/or Crisis Turns.

[ ][Anomalies] Recorder Support

Every five years, a catalogue of all recorded anomalies will be presented to you. You will use this to plan your investigations over the next five years.

[ ][Anomalies] Synthesis Support [Current Level]

Whenever an Anomaly requires action on your part, Synthesis will present you with recommended courses of action to choose between.

[LOWER LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT UNAVAILABLE DUE TO MAD SCIENTIST TRAIT]

Inclined to bump this up to Recorder.

Interstellar Ambassador of the Klaxes Directorate:
This is the Chair responsible for diplomatic relations with alien polities.
(Your level of investment here determines the detail level and frequency of Diplomacy Turns.)

[ ][Diplomacy] No Support

Every year, you will select from a slate of Diplomacy actions to take regarding all alien polities we have contacted. You will personally negotiate all major trade deals, using Crisis Turns if necessary. Note that taking on this level of personal responsibility for the fate of the entire Klaxes Directorate is likely to make the other Directors feel you're overstepping your authority.

[ ][Diplomacy] Recorder Support

Every five years, you will detail a foreign policy strategy to take regarding each alien polity. While better than personally assuming all responsibility for this area, this is still outside your area of expertise.

[ ][Diplomacy] Synthesis Support

Every year, you will select from a set of yearly foreign policy goals suggested by Synthesis. Though less then you might want, this is likely the most diplomatic engagement you can get away with without causing concern in the other directors.

[ ][Diplomacy] Full Support

Every five years, you will select a Synthesis-constructed foreign policy stance for each alien polity.

[ ][Diplomacy] Full Delegation [Current Level]

You will never be presented with Decisions regarding Diplomacy unless you specifically seek them out.

Bump this up at least one level, not sure how high atm.

Interstellar Missions Director
This Chair is responsible for the planning and execution of missions to alien star systems.
(Your level of investment here determines the detail level and frequency of Exploration Turns. Regardless of your level of investment, Crisis Turns may occur during exploration missions.)

[ ][Missions] No Support [Current Level]

Every year, you will be presented with a star map and required to plot the exact jump path for any exploratory mission you wish to undertake. Missions to explored star systems will reuse the previous mission's jump path if you do not otherwise specify. Crisis turns will frequently occur during missions.

[ ][Missions] Recorder Support

Every five years, you will select a set of exploratory targets. Mission plans reaching those targets will then be plotted and executed over the next five years, adapted to circumstances. Crisis turns will rarely occur during missions.

[ ][Missions] Synthesis Support

Every year, you will select from Synthesis-constructed sets of possible exploratory missions.

[ ][Missions] Full Support

Every five years, you will select a Synthesis-constructed mission schedule for the exploratory program. Crisis turns will rarely occur during missions.

[ ][Missions] Full Delegation

You will never be presented with Decisions regarding Exploratory Missions unless you specifically seek them out, and Crisis Turns will only occur if a mission goes so badly wrong that the consequences personally affect you. Note that this is one of your primary responsibilities as Head of Interstellar Exploration, so this level of delegation would reflect poorly on you.

No or Synthesis.

Sky Survey Director
This Chair is responsible for the allotment of telescope time to interstellar observation.
(Your level of investment here determines the detail level and frequency of Survey Turns.)

[ ][Survey] No Support

Each year, you will be presented with a set of observation proposals to allocate telescope time to.

[ ][Survey] Recorder Support

You will schedule telescope time in five-year blocks rather than one-year blocks.

[ ][Survey] Synthesis Support (Current Level)

You will select a Synthesis-compiled telescope timetable each year.

[ ][Survey] Full Support

Every five years, you will select a Synthesis-proposed observation schedule.

[ ][Survey] Full Delegation

You will never be presented with Decisions regarding the Sky Survey unless you specifically seek them out. Note that this is one of your primary responsibilities as Head of Interstellar Exploration, so this level of delegation would reflect poorly on you.

Staying at Synthesis works.

Reverse-Engineering Program Director
This chair is responsible for the adaptation of alien technologies for use by the Klaxes.
(Your level of investment here determines the detail level and frequency of Reversal Turns.)

[ ][Reversal] No Support

You will personally oversee the reverse-engineering of alien technologies.
Status updates from the reverse-engineering programs will be handled as yearly mission reports and/or Crisis Turns.

Though you'd love to bring your expertise to bear on Light technologies, you suspect Director Archakta wouldn't appreciate you being underfoot while he works.

[ ][Reversal] Recorder Support

Every five years, you will specify a general policy to take regarding reverse-engineering of alien technologies.

[ ][Reversal] Synthesis Support

Every year, you will choose from a set of synthesis-presented plans for prioritizing your research into alien technologies.

[ ][Reversal] Full Support

Every five years, you will choose a presented policy to take regarding reverse-engineering of alien technologies.

[ ][Reversal] Full Delegation (Current Level)

You will never be presented with Decisions regarding reverse-engineering unless you specifically seek them out.

Maybe bump this up to Full Support.

Admiral of the Interstellar Fleet
This chair is responsible for the management of the Klaxes jumpship fleet.
(Your level of investment here determines the detail level and frequency of Jumpfleet Turns.)

[ ][Jumpfleet] No Support

You will personally oversee the design, commissioning, crewing, and assigned harbors of all jumpships on a yearly basis. Refits and shipbuilding will be done with module-level detail.

[ ][Jumpfleet] Recording Support

You will personally oversee the design, commissioning, crewing, and assigned harbors of all jumpships.
These allocations will only be changed every five years, but refits and shipbuilding will be done with module-level detail.

[ ][Jumpfleet] Synthesis Support

Every year, Synthesis will present management options for your jumpfleet, including proposed ship designs and crew complements.

[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Support

Every five years, Synthesis will present management options for your jumpfleet, including proposed ship designs and crew complements.

[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Delegation (Current Level)

You will never be presented with Decisions regarding the Jumpfleet unless you specifically seek them out.

Stick to Full Delegation.

Reporting Policy:
This is your directive regarding how frequently your aides and advisors should report to you.

[ ][Report] Maximum Detail

You want yearly reports containing all the information that you would have if you had made the decision yourself. You don't care if your subordinates resent all the necessary paperwork.

[ ][Report] Keep Me In The Loop

You want brief updates every year on everything that didn't need your personal attention, just to make sure everything is ticking over smoothly. If there's nothing to report, you want a report saying that there's nothing to report.

[ ][Report] Focus On Your Real Job

Paperwork mostly gets in the way. You only want updates from your subordinates when they make significant progress, encounter significant complications, or genuinely want your input.

[ ][Report] Only If You Need Me

You trust your people to know what they're doing. You only want to be bothered if there's a major concern that needs addressing.

[ ][Report] Fix Your Own Damn Mistakes

You'd prefer to only address those issues that your subordinates are genuinely incapable of handling on their own.

Either Focus On Your Real Job or Keep Me In the Loop.
 
Mmm, this is a bit of a complicated vote due to different people preferring different things about quests and how we may differ. For me as thamuzz said the industry turns didn't particularly interest me as I was reading through the story, and I think the same would be true for similar reasons if we had to design ships with modules so I would be fine if it were abstracted away. Although, that's not really going to happen given the author said he'd still track them.

The research turns are fun for me, as are the exploratory mechanics, surveys are fine where they are right now but due to the narrative and warning I'd bump it up temporarily, and every now and then a diplomacy turn would be fun but not excessively so as we've been shown that Xartaxes specialty isn't in the social sciences so they should still take primary control.
 
I like all the detailed reports, but ultimately I want this quest to move faster. While I genuinely enjoy the industry minmaxing, and the last research grant cycle was fun too, it's so slow. That means cutting a bunch of detail. So, I am generally in favor of more delegation - it'll make the quest move faster, which I like.

My inclinations are:

[ ][Grants] Full Support
+2 levels of delegation. Detailed research picks are interesting, but I want to delegate more, and Recorder Support tends to emphasize short term results which might be bad.

[ ][Industry] Recorder Support
+1 level of delegation

[ ][Diplomacy] Full Support
We're not diplomats. Choosing "friendly" or "neutral" or "standoffish" per alien polity is about as much detail as Xartaxes will be good at.

[ ][Anomalies] Synthesis Support [Current Level]
No change

[ ][Missions] Synthesis Support
+2 levels of delegation
...Then again, the missions are fun. Hmm.

[ ][Survey] Full Support
+1 level of delegation

[ ][Reversal] Full Support
Slightly less than total delegation - it would be nice to pick what to prioritize when reverse-engineering.

[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Delegation (Current Level)
If we want to design a ship for a specific purpose, build a fancy long term exploration vessel or a new battlecruiser, we can do it by seeking it out, but I won't want to design the entire fleet and micromanage crew allocations.

[ ][Report] Focus On Your Real Job
I want to stay in the loop and hear when things are going well, not only when things are on fire and need to be put out.
 
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Mmm, this is a bit of a complicated vote due to different people preferring different things about quests and how we may differ. For me as thamuzz said the industry turns didn't particularly interest me as I was reading through the story, and I think the same would be true for similar reasons if we had to design ships with modules so I would be fine if it were abstracted away. Although, that's not really going to happen given the author said he'd still track them.

The background bookkeeping will still exist for my personal use, but it won't be observable in-thread unless people actually want to see it. (I like being able to produce hard mechanical justification when I say "sorry, no, that's impossible.")

As for "different people want different things" - yep, that definitely is the reason why we're voting on it.

Finally: I'm a she, thank you.
 
Exploratory Grant Committee Chair:
I'm inlined to leave this at Recorder support. I really enjoy Eva's technology writeups, My second choice would be to move to full support.

Exploratory Infrastructure Director:

I don't really find the infrastructure micromanagement interesting I'm inclined to vote for Full Support.

Director of Anomalous Studies:

Let's keep this at Synthesis support. I think we hear plenty about this already.

Interstellar Ambassador of the Klaxes Directorate:

I'd like to keep this at full delegation. It looks like that still gives us occasional insight into diplomacy and honestly we're not really suited towards it. I could maybe see going to full support.

Interstellar Missions Director

I'm torn between staying at no support and moving to recorder support. The missions are a lot of fun but they also make the story move a lot slower.

Sky Survey Director

Let's bump this up to recorder support for the moment. It'll make our sponsor happier.

Reverse-Engineering Program Director

I'm fine keeping this at the current level of full delegation but I could be convinced to move to full support.

Admiral of the Interstellar Fleet

Let's keep this at full delegation. I don't care to micromanage this.

Reporting Policy:
[ ][Report] Focus On Your Real Job

I think this is the best compromise though I could also see Keep me in the loop.
 
I like all the detailed reports, but ultimately I want this quest to move faster. While I genuinely enjoy the industry minmaxing, and the last research grant cycle was fun too, it's so slow. That means cutting a bunch of detail. So, I am generally in favor of more delegation - it'll make the quest move faster, which I like.

To modify an old saying: "Fast, good, deep: pick two."
Overall I've been going for the last two so far: the question is, is the depth well-allocated to add value to the quest?

That's what this vote's about.
 
So, regarding diplomacy: so, of all possible diplomacy events that interest me, the top two events that interest me, by a maaaaasive margin, are first contact and cultural exchange.

I'm an absolute sucker for xenofiction, humans (or aliens) through alien eyes, deliberate value dissonance, etc.

EDIT: The recent crisis turn has been my favorite part of the quest so far, for exactly these reasons.
 
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[ ][Grants] Recorder Support [Current Level]
[ ][Industry] Full Support

[ ][Anomalies] Synthesis Support [Current Level]
[ ][Diplomacy] Full Support
[ ][Missions] No Support [Current Level]
[ ][Survey] Synthesis Support (Current Level)
[ ][Reversal] Full Support
[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Support
[ ][Report] Focus On Your Real Job

 
[ ][Industry] Recorder Support
You will set out an Industrial Plan every five years.

"The next five-year plan will meet all relevant goals, comrade Xartaxes." :p
 
Personally, I'd be happy to bump Industry a level, but I am definitely against removing it from our oversight.

Part of what does interest me in this is having to figure out how to build the infrastructure needed to support our future. That said, I'm more than fine setting in place long-term objectives to reach, then getting to adjust them every time something major throws a spanner in them, and otherwise leave things be.

For instance, the next five years the plan would be 'Set us up as best as possible for expanding Clawpair and setting up major shipbuilding industry on it after the current research grant ends'with the plan after that being 'Build Labsphere and turn Clawpair into a true orbital shipyard and research facility'
 
Making some plan templates.

[ ] Plan delegate most of the things
-[ ][Grants] Full Support (Much More Delegation)
-[ ][Industry] Full Support (Much More Delegation)
-[ ][Diplomacy] Full Delegation (Current Level)
-[ ][Anomalies] Synthesis Support (Current Level)
-[ ][Missions] Synthesis Support (Much More Delegation)
-[ ][Survey] Full Support (More Delegation)
-[ ][Reversal] Full Delegation (Current Level)
-[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Delegation (Current Level)
-[ ][Report] Only If You Need Me

[ ] Plan less exploration & research delegation
-[ ][Grants] Recorder Support (Current Level)
-[ ][Industry] Full Support (Much More Delegation)
-[ ][Diplomacy] Full Delegation (Current Level)
-[ ][Anomalies] Synthesis Support (Current Level)
-[ ][Missions] Recorder Support (More Delegation)
-[ ][Survey] Synthesis Support (Current Level)
-[ ][Reversal] Full Delegation (Current Level)
-[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Delegation (Current Level)
-[ ][Report] Focus On Your Real Job

[ ] Plan delegate only some of the things
-[ ][Grants] Recorder Support (Current Level)
-[ ][Industry] Recorder Support (More Delegation)
-[ ][Diplomacy] Full Support (Less Delegation)
-[ ][Anomalies] Recorder Support (Less Delegation)
-[ ][Missions] No Support (Current Level)
-[ ][Survey] Synthesis Support (Current Level)
-[ ][Reversal] Full Support (Less Delegation)
-[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Delegation (Current Level)
-[ ][Report] Keep Me In The Loop
 
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Keep in mind, in addition to all this administration, we're ALSO an experimental physicist working with dangerous precursor artifacts.

And of my three plans, I am leaning towards
[ ] Plan less exploration & research delegation
 
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Really wish I was at home right now, rather than on holidays, would make it actually reasonable to make a plan... Might manage something later though...
 
In general, it's easier to start micromanaging your staff than it is to hire good people: my advice is to go for the lower-investment options when in doubt.
I'm not sure I understand this. Which end of the spectrum is low-investment?

Never mind, I think I got it. It's easier to decrease than increase the level of delegation, so err or the side of delegating more.
 
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[ ][Grants] Full Support
Every five years, you will select a Synthesis-constructed research plan. Any necessary modifications will be done by Synthesis and the Recorders.
[ ][Industry] Full Support
Every five years, you will select a Synthesis-constructed industrial policy. Any necessary modifications will be done by Synthesis and the Recorders.
I don't feel that micromanaging these is where the fun is.


[ ][Anomalies] No Support
You will personally oversee the research of anomalous items and events. Status updates from the anomaly programs will be handled as yearly mission reports and/or Crisis Turns.
[ ][Reversal] Synthesis Support
Every year, you will choose from a set of synthesis-presented plans for prioritizing your research into alien technologies.
SCIENCE!!


[ ][Diplomacy] Full Support
Every five years, you will select a Synthesis-constructed foreign policy stance for each alien polity.
[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Support
Every five years, Synthesis will present management options for your jumpfleet, including proposed ship designs and crew complements.
I'd be more comfortable with a claw on the steering lever for something this important.


[ ][Missions] No Support [Current Level]
Every year, you will be presented with a star map and required to plot the exact jump path for any exploratory mission you wish to undertake. Missions to explored star systems will reuse the previous mission's jump path if you do not otherwise specify. Crisis turns will frequently occur during missions.
[ ][Missions] Full Support
Every five years, you will select a Synthesis-constructed mission schedule for the exploratory program. Crisis turns will rarely occur during missions.
On the first claw, this definitely feels like the sort of thing that the protagonist handles personally. On the second claw, is planning the schedule really the thing? On the third claw, maybe we can come at this frontways somehow and get the experience of personally being aboard interstellar missions without getting bogged down in details.


[ ][Survey] Full Support
Every five years, you will select a Synthesis-proposed observation schedule.
This definitely feels like the sort of thing that gets handled automatically by the game interface. Frankly I don't see why we need the mad scientist to decide where to point the telescope, and I'd've picked Full Delegation if it weren't for the social stigma.

Make sure Survey and Missions are talking to each other, of course.


[ ][Report] Focus On Your Real Job
Paperwork mostly gets in the way. You only want updates from your subordinates when they make significant progress, encounter significant complications, or genuinely want your input.​

This is the "skip to the next important decision" option, right?



As a plan:

[ ] Plan Screw It, I'm The Protagonist
-[ ][Grants] Full Support
-[ ][Industry] Full Support
-[ ][Anomalies] No Support
-[ ][Diplomacy] Full Support
-[ ][Missions] No Support
-[ ][Survey] Full Support
-[ ][Reversal] Synthesis Support
-[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Support
-[ ][Report] Focus On Your Real Job


Summary of changes:
Grants: 2→4 (+2)
Industry: 1→4 (+3)
Anomalies: 3→1 (-2)
Diplomacy: 5→4 (-1)
Missions: 1→1 (±0)
Survey: 3→4 (+1)
Reversal: 5→3 (-2)
Jumpfleet: 5→4 (-1)
Report: ?→3 (?)​
Net change: 0

Distribution of delegation levels before (X) and after (O):
Code:
·····  ···O·
·····  ···O·
····X  ···O·
X·X·X  O··O·
XXX·X  O·OO·
—————  —————
12345  12345
 
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[ ] Plan Screw It Lite
-[ ][Grants] Full Support
-[ ][Industry] Full Delegation
-[ ][Anomalies] No Support
-[ ][Diplomacy] Full Delegation
-[ ][Missions] Full Support
-[ ][Survey] Full Support
-[ ][Reversal] Synthesis Support
-[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Delegation
-[ ][Report] Only If You Need Me
 
Plan: Five Year Plans
[ ][Grants] Recorder Support [Current Level]
[ ][Industry] Full Support
[ ][Anomalies] Synthesis Support [Current Level]
[ ][Diplomacy] Full Support
[ ][Survey] Full Support
[ ][Reversal] Full Support
[ ][Jumpfleet] Full Support
[ ][Report] Focus On Your Real Job

Five year plans (Full Support) seems the best choice in general, with Recorders and Synthesis creating the plans for the Director to choose.
As Head of Warp Physics, we should act as Chair of Warp Physics. Changing from our current level means either financial uncertainty(and short term results) or an implausible level of delegation (Xartaxes leaving Warp research in other hands), so I am strongly against changing from our current level.
Focus On Your Real Job is the best reporting choice in my opinion. We get informed of significant events, which lets us take them into consideration when selecting plans. A major R&D success might change what Industry plan we choose. A delay on completing an Industrial project may change our research choices.
 
@Chrestomanci What about Missions? You didn't express a delegation level for those. Personally, I don't want to delegate missions much - they're pretty fun.
 
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