Who Needs Harmony?: An MLP Empire Quest

Martial: Gustav Kingfeather is still a wild gryphon, never caught dead without his flask, though the increased workload brought about by the unification means he's had to curb his wilder tendencies in the interest of keeping up with his subordinates. Still, he's more than up for the job of Imperial Martial, especially with Gabriella around to provide her own military experience when needed.

-The Second Founding: Grandmaster Hardbeak of the Knights Lion has come to you with a proposition. Now that the Empire is reunited, a great many young nobles and ambitious commoners are petitioning to join the Knights Lion, more than he believes they can accept. He proposes establishing two more Knightly Orders to serve as the guardians of Aquileia and Wingbardy, in much the same way the Knights Lion have been the guardians of Griffonia. He even has a list of volunteers from his own order willing to go lead and train the "new blood". Of course, these new Knightly Orders will need start-up capital and citadels of their own. Cost: 800. Time: Two Years. Reward: Two Additional Knightly Orders Established in Aquileia and Wingbardy.

After almost two years of construction, the Citadels of the new Knightly Orders are finally completed. The Archduke Talonuelli presides over the official establishment of the Knights Talon, the new guardians of Wingbardy, while you yourself give a speech upon the steps of the headquarters of the Knights Panther of Aquileia. Hundreds of Griffons take up residence in the new fortifications, from veteran knights to young nobles and aspiring members of the middle class. Your Empire now has a trio of Knightly Orders to defend it, one for each of its provinces.
New Knightly Orders: Knights Talon, Knights Panther


-Expeditious Exploration: You have no real idea what lies beyond your borders. Discord altered the geography of the planet itself, and most records from before his arrival and reign of terror were lost amidst the madness of his reign. You know the world is bigger than your Empire though, and you're almost certain that other races, tribes and kingdoms managed to survive the era of chaos. Such potential neighbors could be allies and trade partners...or a threat to you and your people. Either way, it's better if you find them before they find you. Cost: 200. Time: Variable. Reward: Info on lands beyond your borders.
--West: The lands beyond the Black Cliffs to the west of Aquileia are a mystery to you. Not even Brochard knew much about them, fixated as he was on issues closer to home. Gather some volunteers to venture amidst the peaks and report back with whatever they find.

A few dozen of your finest scouts volunteer for the expedition. A handful of aspiring diplomats accompany them in the event they encounter new and unknown cultures. They pack ample provisions and supplies, wishing to be prepared for any eventuality, unsure as to how long their journey will last. You commend each Griffon on their bravery and service to their nation, and personally see them off as they head West. You don't know what, if anything, they'll find, but you can only hope they return with good news. To Be Continued in "The Cold West"



Diplomacy: Elva Von Cleef remains your head diplomat, though at present there isn't much for her to do. A united Empire means no other known kingdoms to negotiate with, so she passes the time keeping her office in order and preparing her subordinates for the inevitable encounters with truly foreign cultures beyond your mountains.

-First Contact Protocols: It's inevitable that your people will eventually journey beyond your borders. And when they do, they will likely encounter other peoples, with their own kingdoms, cultures and languages. First impressions are important, so set up some classes and procedural regulations to prepare diplomats for meeting and negotiating with unknown peoples. Cost: 100. Time: One Year. Reward: First Contact Protocols established, bonus to first impressions with other cultures.

Teaching Griffons to communicate with beings that not only don't speak their language, but might not even have the same ideas and modes of thought as them is...difficult. Still, Elva does her best to train her staff in the art of talking without speaking, teaching them to communicate through body language, simple gestures, pictographs, and even mathematical equations. It's a less than efficient means of communication, but it should serve as a good stopgap measure until your people can learn to speak a new language. It should also go a long way towards preventing a potentially catastrophic misunderstanding between your people and any new cultures. First Contact Protocols Established, Bonus to First Impressions with Other Factions



Stewardship: Claus Rosewing remains as your Steward, though most know this is likely a temporary arrangement. Claus has served you admirably since your rise to the throne of Griffonia, but he's not really equipped to handle the finances and infrastructure of an entire Empire. He intends to stay on for as long as you need him, but he's made it clear you'd probably be better off with someone else in his position.

-Repairing Wingbardy: Brochard's Invasion devastated the lands of Talonuelli's Archduchy. Much of the damage has been repaired since, but not all of it. Many farms still lie in ruins, villages still only partially habited, and Wingbardy's famously fertile fields lie fallow. You opened up your coffers for the Kingdom that invaded them, surely you can do the same for the people that you saved? Cost: 500. Time: One Year. Reward: Wingbardy returns to pre-Invasion status, Additional Farming Income from Revitalized Agriculture. Chance of Success: 90%

Required: 10. Rolled: 13+15=28

You figure it's time you kept your promise to Talonuelli. The elder Statesgryph is grateful for your assistance in rebuilding his ravaged lands, and directs funds and expertise where it's needed most. Gradually, as days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months, the damage done by Brochard and his brigands is repaired. Fields are re-plowed, homes rebuilt, villages repopulated, and by the end of the year Wingbardy reclaims the title of "The Empire's Breadbasket." Talonuelli appreciates your reliability and prompt action, as do his subjects. The increased farming income is a nice bonus as well. Wingbardy Repaired, +200 Farming Income



Learning: Archimedes now has to juggle his duties as the Imperial Science Advisor with his task of tutoring and mentoring your son. He can hardly complain, as he volunteered for the latter task completely unsolicited, claiming that it was his responsibility to ensure Gawain received an "exhaustive education fit for a future Emperor". You're not sure how he does it all. You suspect stimulants are involved.

-Mad Dog Disease: The mind-killing disease the Diamond Dogs told you about is frightening in its lethality and infectivity. You can scarcely imagine the carnage and chaos that would ensue if an outbreak occurred amongst your Dog subjects. Even worse, what if the disease jumped from Dogs to Griffons, as Archimedes says could potentially occur? If you're going to fight this thing, you'll need to understand how it works. And to do that, Archimedes needs to see it up close. Have your soldiers fetch some "test subjects" from the few remaining feral dens and see if your thinkers and healers can't come up with something. Cost: 200. Time: One Year. Reward: Information on Feral Disease. Chance of Success: 70%

Required: 30. Rolled: 66+18=84

Several patrols are briefed on their mission and sent to comb through the untamed wilds of your lands in search of their infected prey. Most return empty handed, but a few come back with a muzzled, frothing beast tied up in chains. After putting all the soldiers through a period of quarantine as a precaution, you ensure the successful soldiers are compensated for a job well done, then hand the feral beasts over to Archimedes and his staff. You don't know exactly what your chief scientist does with the infected dogs, nor do you really want to, but by the end of the year Archimedes states that he has a much better idea of exactly what you are facing.

The Dogs who first told you about the disease were remarkably accurate in their descriptions , despite their ignorance of the specifics. The disease targets the brain, infecting and destroying the tissues responsible for higher mental functioning while leaving the parts responsible for instinctual responses mostly intact, leaving a once sapient bearing little more than a wild animal. It appears to spread primarily through saliva and bites, though Archimedes states it could also potentially be spread through blood and other bodily fluids. Unfortunately, without testing on healthy dogs, Archimedes is restricted in exactly what he can learn, and you're not about to sacrifice your subjects to a horrific disease. Still, Archimedes tells you that he now has a much better idea of exactly how this sickness works, and is now one step closer to finding a way to fight it. Mad Dog Disease Identified and Studied. New Actions Unlocked.


-Water Pumps: While the inclusion of Diamond Dogs brought a great deal of innovations and increased productivity to your mines, there was one problem even they couldn't really solve: the issue of flooding and water leaking into the tunnels. It's not often a problem in most mines, but every now and then a excavation has to be halted so a line of buckets can be set up to bail out the water that has seeped in from either rainfall, melting mountain ice, or underground water sources. Archimedes claims to have a solution. Using a complex system of tubes and pipes, a device can be constructed to heat water and produce steam, creating a vacuum that will raise water from below and then use steam pressure to raise it higher and out of the mines. Or something. You honestly had difficulty following much of Archimedes' explanation, but the idea of a device that can improve mine production is certainly an attractive one. Cost: 300. Time: One Year. Reward: Increased Mining Income. Chance of Success: 80%
Required: 20. Rolled: 34+18=52

Archimedes assembles a prototype, a curious contraption of pipes and pulleys and chains, all built around what looks like an oversized oven meant to heat water in a basin and produce steam.

The device is tested at a mine that has suffered continuously from flooding in recent months, and after evacuating the mine as a precaution, the "steam pump" is activated and begins its work of draining the water out from the mine. Though the process is not as fast as everyone had hoped, it's doubtlessly more efficient than a line of buckets, and a second test proves that the mine can operate normally even as the pump runs continuously, draining water even as it bubbles up from the ground. You congratulate your friend on his latest invention, and offer funding for similar devices to be constructed at mines across the Empire. You're sure that this will significantly improve productivity. Steam Pumps Constructed, +100 Mining Income.



Intrigue: As the Imperial Spymaster, Ravenburg now has access to more resources, but he also has greater responsibilities, and must gather and analyze information on a much larger scale. Despite the added workload, he seems unperturbed, and maintains his appearance and attitude of a stoic professional.

-Lord Ravenburg's Big Book of Blackmail: That earlier issue with the barons served to highlight what a headache they can be at times. Oh sure, you have their loyalty and support now, but at some point in the future you're going to want or need something that they won't want to give you or let you do. Being a member of the nobility himself, Ravenburg has a solution: blackmail. What with all the scheming and backstabbing that the nobility get up to, almost all of them have secrets that they wouldn't want being made public knowledge. It might be a good idea to learn a few of those secrets, just in case some uppity count needs to be "convinced" not to oppose you politically. Cost: 100. Time: One Year. Reward: Blackmail on Griffonian nobility acquired.

After his failure to track down his Aquileian counterpart the previous year, Ravenburg sets to the gathering of blackmail material with a furious dedication, unearthing incriminating secret after incriminating secret. Nothing actually criminal, but plenty of lies to the public, plots against rival houses, extramarital affairs, forbidden romances, and in one particularly memorable case, a young baron having an affair with his maid who also happens to be his half-sister, though it's unclear whether either of them are aware of their familial connection. You thank Ravenburg for all his hard work, and instruct him to secure any notes and evidence where no "unauthorized persons" could access them. You now have an additional bargaining chip should you find yourself negotiating with your own nobility. Blackmail Material against Nobility Acquired



Personal: You refuse to let your duties as Emperor take up every moment of your day.

-The Apprentice-The Nutty Professor: Genevieve Talonuelli seems like a good candidate for your privy council, but if she is going to eventually replace one of your advisors she'll need to gain some practical experience. Archimedes has a lot of energy considering his age and workload, but he has a number of learned Griffons around him at all times to assist him in whatever project he's currently invested in. You're sure he'd be more than happy to add the young Genevieve to his staff. Cost: 0. Time: One Year. Reward: Genevieve Talonuelli becomes assistant to Archimedes, will eventually replace him should it become necessary.

The young Talonuelli is all too eager to work alongside the renowned inventor, and Archimedes is delighted to have an assistant who is already well versed in academic and scientific matters. The two seem to be getting along well, complementing each other's strengths. While Archimedes inspires his young colleague, Genevieve serves to ground him and reel him back in when his ideas get too outlandish or when he gets bogged down in the details. The Archduke informs you that the letters he has been receiving from his daughter have held nothing but good things, and thanks you for giving his "precious Genevieve" a job that she seems to enjoy. Archimedes goes so far as to say that Genevieve is his favorite fellow scholar. You're glad to hear it. Genevieve Talonuelli becomes Assistant to Archimedes.


-Cracking an Egg: The dragon egg you've acquired is currently stored in a specialized room of your castle, designed to ensure it is kept at the proper temperature. Archimedes, ever the problem-solver, claims he has a way to encourage the egg to hatch, or to prevent it from hatching, should you wish it. Honestly, you're not too sure what to do. Your people know little about dragons beyond the obvious; the closest thing to an expert you have is your wife, who only knows how to kill them. Still, it seems a waste to just leave it sitting in your palace as a glorified paper-weight. Fully grown dragons are forces of nature, capable of taking on entire battalions of Griffon warriors and burning whole villages to the ground in minutes. Then again, those also seem like good reasons not to allow the egg to hatch, now that you think of it. Cost: 0. Time: One Year. Reward: Hatched Dragon Egg.

Archimedes brews up the "nutrient solution" that he claims will encourage the egg to hatch. A handful of rare gemstones are gathered as a precaution, as are a few of your best soldiers, should the worst come to pass. You don't think that you'll need them, but it's best to be prepared. You can't take risks with a dragon.

Only you and your wife Gabriella are present in the "incubation chamber" when the egg starts to crack, upon the advice of Archimedes and against the protests of your bodyguards. If Dragons are anything like Griffons, then they'll "imprint on", and form a sort of connection with the first living beings they see upon their birth. You're still not sure if you intend to raise the hatchling as your own, but you're sure it would be a good idea if the fire-breathing reptile felt a sort of attachment to you regardless. You had considered having Gawain present as well, but decided against it. If anything did go wrong, you didn't want him in harm's way.

Gabriella tenses as the egg begins to crack. You wrap a wing around her and squeeze her talons in yours, silently urging her to remain calm. You'd never seen a dragon before, but she had, and it had nearly killed her before she managed to slay it. Her tension washes away, however, when the newborn dragon finally breaks its way through the shell, and you both get your first clear look at it.
(Coin Flip: Tails. Female Dragon)

It's...oddly adorable. Not as adorable as your newborn son had been, but still cute. You give the newborn a quick once over, checking for any physical defects or oddities, as Archimedes had requested. You're somewhat surprised when the tiny scaled creature weakly grasps one of your talons and stares up at you with a questioning, innocent gaze. You slowly move your other clawed hand to the bag at your waist, grasping for one of the gemstones and bringing it up to show to the infant. The young dragoness (for you are fairly certain this is a female of the species), reaches up for it, grabbing the tiny shining pebble and placing it in her mouth, gently sucking on it like a piece of candy.

As the child enjoys the treat, still clutching one of your talons, you look to your wife, who seems to be visibly suppressing the urge to hug the adorable bundle of scales. "So...what should we call her?"
Dragon Egg Hatched! Female Hatchling Gained!

[ ] Name?