Alright, here's an alternate plan that wont get us into debt, nor spys on the yaks, if you are all really keen on not hitting the red. Simply put, we really don't need recruitment right now... But we will. For one year, let them grieve. Then, we recruit.
[X] Plan: Let them grieve
[ ] Hans, Get the Flamethrower: The flame projectors proved to be one of the most important assets of the Winter War, being the only viable method of destroying the shadow-beasts, and serving as excellent counters to the abominations. Now that the Troll-Busters' contract has expired, it's probably a good idea to build a few more of these devices for yourself. Cost: 400. Time: One Year. Reward: +4 Static Flame Projectors
[ ] The Peregrine Line-Watchtowers: You snagged a victory and prevented an invasion of your country by the skin of your beak, and it was a costly victory at that. You're not stupid enough to think that you've seen the last of that foe forever, and if you have to worry about another invasion you're going to need serious fortifications along your Southern Border. Your military leaders have drawn up a multi-year step-by-step plan to turn the Peregrine mountains into a nearly impassible fortress. The first step, much like the plan to fortify the Black Cliffs, begins with watchtowers. Well, technically they're watchtowers but they're more like miniature forts designed to act as signaling stations. The squadrons of soldiers assigned to these defenses won't be able to repel any significant assaults, but they'll discourage infiltration and raids into your territory, and give vital warning in the event of another border assault. And they will serve as the foundation for a much larger and more impressive set of fortifications. Cost: 1000. Time: Two Years. Reward: Southern Border Watchtowers built, removes possibility of surprise attacks, may discourage raids into core territory.
[ ] The Neighborly Thing to Do: The Yaks came to your assistance when the shadow king sought to invade your lands, and their warriors fought and died alongside your own. You don't know if you can repay them for that, but you can try. Gather some steel armor, weapons, tools, and assorted trade goods, and distribute them to the four clans. Such an action should soften the blow of losing so many of their number, and foster better relations with the clans, reinforcing the importance of unity against threats to your mutual security. Cost: 1000. Time: One Year. Reward: Better relations with Yak Clans, Yaks gain access to steel tools, armor and weapons. Chance of Success: 70%
[ ] Tomb of Fallen Heroes: Thousands of Imperial citizens died in defense of their homeland at Redstone Pass. And, the world being the dangerous place that it is, thousands more are likely to give their lives in service to the Empire at some point in the near-future. Such sacrifice deserves more than a simple headstone or makeshift memorial in a town square. It deserves a monument. A hall of ancestors greater than any other in the Empire, a building like the great temples of the ancient Gods. The honored dead deserve no less. Cost: 800. Time: One Year. Reward: War Memorial Constructed, Bonus to morale and certain combat rolls.
[ ] Settling the Western Frontier: While the Western Steepes are largely inhospitable and unsuitable for permanent settlement, a significant portion of the land beyond the Black Cliffs is quite similar to your core territory. The Yaks don't appear to have any claims on these stretches of forest, and they may hold resources that could add to the economy. Even if they don't, it would be nice to have some settlements outside of your heartland to make interaction with the Yaks easier, or as a buffer should they prove hostile. Subsidize the construction of a few towns and encourage some of your people to establish homesteads on the unsettled land. Cost: 1000. Time: Two Years. Reward: New Western Settlements Established, Additional Income.
[ ] Coke-Fired Blast Furnaces: Iron and Steel are the lifeblood of your economy, constituting everything from tools to building materials to weapons. However, they are difficult to produce in vast amounts. The only reason your people have been able to do so thus far is because of the sheer amount of ore available to you in your mountains, and the number of mining and smelting operations currently underway as a result. Genevieve has come up with a potential solution to allow for greater production of these metals. Using coal that has been treated in much the same way wood is treated to produce charcoal, a new form of dense, cleaner-burning fuel can be used to heat a new kind of massive, vertical smelting furnace the size of a building with a much greater output of metals. Naturally, this will be expensive, but Genevieve states that the increased metal production will be necessary to allow for greater innovation and widespread implementation of new devices, not to mention the smelting of this new "Orichalcum". Cost: 600. Time: Two Years. Reward: Increased Iron/Steel Production, new Learning Actions Unlocked, Can now Smelt Orichalcum.
[ ] Cannon Foundry: Archimedes' new type of explosive siege weapons proved highly effective in combat. Unfortunately, Archimedes tells you that if you're going to be building large numbers of the things with any hope of consistent, reliable performance, you're going to have to build a dedicated foundry and associated tools for their production and future improvement. After seeing a few of his sketches for variations and improvements on the current design, you see his point. Cost: 400. Time: One Year. Reward: Cannon Foundry Constructed, additional Learning and Martial Actions Unlocked.
[ ] Into the Storm: The Blizzard may have ended for you, but it still rages over the border. Despite the scouting expedition sent last year that gathered the vital intelligence needed to halt the invasion, you still know very little about your new enemy, or the land it calls home. You know this war isn't over, and if you're going to have any hope of winning it, you'll need intel on what exactly is waiting for you on the other side of the Peregrines. Cost: 400. Time: One Year. Reward: New Intel on Sombra/Crystal Empire. Chance of Success: 40%
[ ] Getting Swole: One of the numerous reasons you refused to fight Brochard was that he was so much stronger than you. A blade and a suit of armor mitigated that advantage a great deal, but it didn't remove it completely. You trained with your wife not long ago, and that training showed results, but the results weren't quite as big an improvement as you'd hoped. If you're going to be an Emperor worthy of the title, you need to be strong, especially if you're going to be throwing yourself into harms way like you did in the Winter War. Have Gabriella put you through an even more grueling fitness regimen and see if you can't improve your physique a bit more. Just because she's pregnant doesn't mean she can't put you through your paces! Cost: 0. Time: One Year. Reward: Increased martial stat, chance to upgrade Toned Trait, chance to improve Gabriella's opinion of you. Chance of Success: 55%
[ ] Combing the Archives: The Imperial Archives hold many secrets and much wisdom. It contains not only reams upon reams of records from recent years, but also what scraps of information have been recovered from the ruins of Pre-Discord civilization. Perhaps some of these decaying scraps of old parchment could contain bits of knowledge relevant to you in the present? Cost: 0. Time: One Year. Reward: Chance to gain information and knowledge from Pre-Discord Records.
Anyway, back to writing that omake... I have 2 I really want to write, but I have one nearly done
