Illegitimate Heir quest

Argidoll said:

Could we have a writeup on the exact differences, states and stances of the various races? What would being a goblin change, for instance?

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Humans live to the south. They're fiercely libertarian, very aggressive. Everyone (in general) hates them. There are actually multiple policies of 'libermen', but they mostly hate each other and hate elves.

Humans are not particularly strong, or fast, but they have an eerie endurance that lets them run for miles or fight with fatal wounds. Humans also swim stupidly well compared to the other races.

It's a constant skirmish down south, elven fortifications against raiders and occasional armies. Humans are rumored to eat their dead. Generally they're seen as brutish when they're not being treated as monsters that go bump in the night. Human skin tones range between light yellow through brown to dark blackish brown.

Human magic is mostly holy or religious. That means 'buffs' and 'debuffs'.

The goblins live in clans, to the north, each ruled by a petty Tsar. They're seen as civilized, but less so than elves. The Tsar is chosen by a counsel of petty Tsars. If the council can't elect a Tsar, then the petty Tsars usually fight it out.

Goblins are known for reaction speed, agility and shortness. They're also really great at long distance accuracy, goblin riflemen are terrifying snipers. They also are very good (in general) at using hang-gliders and kites.

Goblin skin tones range from bright green, through forest green to dark blackish green.

Goblin magic tends to be tricky and illusionary.

Elves have an emperor and three councils that run their government. The council of lords, the council of commons, and the petty council. The petty council has the most power.

The emperor is the final judge of appeals in all court cases, but can refuse to hear an appeal. The army is loyal to the empire, not the emperor, but the emperor's personal guard is sworn to him.

Elven skin tones range from alabaster white, through bluish grey, into dark blackish blue.

Elves are known for their remarkable strength, and ability to sprint. Elven bowmen can put steel arrows through metal plate. Over short distances elves can outpace most animals. They've also got mad hops. Elven magic tends towards artillery and destruction.

The emperor is dead, the disheveled messenger explains. You feel a cloud pass over the sun. The emperor's sons, your brothers, are dead, the messenger continues. He is survived by his wife, his (mad, the unspoken comment looms) half goblin son to the north. His three grandchildren still in the creche... and you.

The details are maddeningly vague. Some sort of industrial accident. An ill advised tour of a chemical plant, the largest in the empire. And then flesh melting off of bones. An entire city wiped off the map, uninhabitable. More than twenty six thousand flat killed. Hundreds of thousands maimed or disabled, including many rescue workers and army units attempting to quell the chaos.

You'd suspect enemy attack, but the facility was deep in the heartlands. You'd suspect sabotage, but only the mad would commit such an atrocious act. You don't know what to think.

Shaking and weak, you take a seat in you summer parlor. The calming white patterns on the walls seem to mock you with their pastoral cleanlyness.

Neither your bully of a nephew, nor your mad outcast of a half brother are fit to rule.

A mad, dancing flame rises inside yourself. You will take the throne.

The messenger stumbles away, frightened by the sudden resolve in your face, but you pay him no mind. You need to make your first move. Fast.

[][First] Gather support
Your first step is to gather support. You have contacts among the burgermeisters and merchants of the house of commons. Use them.
[][First] Take the throne
First you must make your way to the capitol, and you must seize the throne before any other pretender can take it.
[][First] Flee abroad
There is no safety here, you will be hunted if you build support, and denied the throne if you march upon it without an army. To the west, past the Arum's headwaters, you can find allies.
[][First] The Disaster
The scene of the disaster is priority one, not the throne. It's the greatest tragedy in the history of the Sharidese empire, and that includes the multiple genocides your people have engaged in. Arrive at the scene and try to take charge.