[X] Pay Any Cost: You'll pay the fee and compensate the Maretonian Nobility for their "property". A King's ransom it may be, but it's a small price to pay for the speedy and safe return of dozens of Imperial Citizens. -5000 Gold. Guaranteed Immediate Return of Your People, Chance for Normalized Relations with Maretonia.
We are not ready for war such yet. First we need more intrigue action and we need to create our anti-magic knights first. Plus the Yak is having a big reform so that could also cause us trouble if we don't do something soon. We also need to raise our tech level as well. Also the Queen and Ambrosia can help us from the inside if we do this right. This Olive branch is trying to cause a war for his brother get a better position.
Paying means more slave raids coming to take our people to make a profit on them. As it is we have Neighpon backing us in this and they can provide some magical fire power if it comes down to it. That and if we can bring the Yaks on board and get full access to the anti magic metal, well wont that be a surprise to all those unicorns.
Paying means more slave raids coming to take our people to make a profit on them. As it is we have Neighpon backing us in this and they can provide some magical fire power if it comes down to it. That and if we can bring the Yaks on board and get full access to the anti magic metal, well wont that be a surprise to all those unicorns.
Paying does not mean more slave raids. The people doing the slave raiding are the pirates, who already got paid. Slave raids are an entirely separate issue. Especially since they certainly aren't going to come to us via the Crystal Lands. Just pay off the people and we'll go and take our money back. We already know who they are and where they are. As well as their habits. It'd be fairly easy to ruin them afterwards. But lets get our people back first. Especially since we already have people that we want to support in that country who we can work with. Don't give them additional reason to rebel, not yet at least.
You know? you have a very good point. Most likely, these bastards want to start a war, probably they only see Griffonia as an Empire to be enslaved and lands to be claimed
They want to start the war. The real question is, we want to follow their game and submit (temporarily) or show them since the beginning the strenght of The Empire?
It's a strange combo of GrecoRoman and Persian empire, but that feels like it would take to long. Especially if only a minority of our people can see what the Emperor plans.
If you want war one day. We must play it sneaky first. We must first free as many slave as possible but to make it work we have to make it seems we are not the one freeing them. That why we may have to buy first to have deniability. We could also free our people while they are being send to us so that way we don't have to buy them as much depend on how successful the operation is. We should use Dimond Dog since they are one of the most command beings in the area so we can say they where bandits. We could also use Spartacus strategy or make a Spartacus to help free the slave.
Since most of the 'noble' of that place are against the queen in some way to make peace. We could find a info on them to make them loss power or find people who would fight with us. We can also make some citizen to desert there kingdom if we do it right to have a easier time to make a assimilate to our empire and less civil war.
Oh look. I was absolutely right about Maretonia's nature from the beginning. Huh.
[X] bear any burden
Orchestrated slave uprising, civil war, and double invasion from both us and Neighpon anybody amidst a series if precision assassinations? They want to be Rome, let them suffer a similar fate. Rome tor itself apart by reaching too far. They have reached too far.
You know? you have a very good point. Most likely, these bastards want to start a war, probably they only see Griffonia as an Empire to be enslaved and lands to be claimed
They want to start the war. The real question is, we want to follow their game and submit (temporarily) or show them since the beginning the strenght of The Empire?
They probably want to start the war as an excuse to rebel. Which would likely make everything worse for everyone there. It seems better for everyone involved to pay them everything they want, then go back with our amazing spies and take it all back, alongside whatever else we want. Free their slaves and bring them back with us and the like. Don't claim we did it, don't make it obvious, express our condolences about it happening. Do the same for anyone else who buys any future captives from any pirates who are successful.
Oh look. I was absolutely right about Maretonia's nature from the beginning. Huh.
[X] bear any burden
Orchestrated slave uprising, civil war, and double invasion from both us and Neighpon anybody amidst a series if precision assassinations? They want to be Rome, let them suffer a similar fate. Rome tor itself apart by reaching too far. They have reached too far.
Titles: Emperor of Gryphus, King of Griffonia, Inheritor of the Imperial House of Gryphus, The Unifier, Great Winged Alpha, The Lightbringer
Description: Before your wife got her talons on you, you were a fairly typical example of the Griffon species. An unmistakably masculine build, a strong, prominent beak, feathers and fur that seem to be perpetually well-groomed, and a pair of piercing amber eyes hiding a fierce intelligence. Not anymore though. Oh, you still have all those qualities, they're just overshadowed by the massive amount of muscle you've put on since you started your wife's "enhanced training regimen". Your wings can lift dumbbells, and your legs are like tree-trunks supporting a barrel chest rippling with abdominal muscles. In short, you have the build of a person who has been lifting heavy objects his entire life.
Martial: 9+2+1+2=14
Diplomacy: 14+2+2=18
Stewardship: 13+2=15
Learning: 16+2=18
Intrigue: 11+2=13
Trait-Attractive: You are a very handsome fellow. +2 Diplomacy, better spousal relationship
Trait-Genius: Smart doesn't even begin to describe you. +2 all skills
Trait-Strong: Working out with your wife has done great things for your body. +2 Martial
Inventory:
Blade of the King: an ornate and deadly sword you had forged for yourself after being crowned King of Griffonia. +1 Martial
Royal Armor: Serving to protect you as well as display your royal status to onlookers, this armor is both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
Orichalcum Sword: A blade made of an extremely durable, magic resistant metal
Trait: Strong - Born stronger than most. (+2 Martial)
Trait: Experienced - Has been a mercenary for several years, ranging across the lands of the former Empire. Knows much about the world. (+1 All Stats)
Status: Teenager-Malus to all Stats (-5 to all Stats)
Status: Designated Heir. Will become player character in event of Parent's Deaths.
Trait: Strong-Born stronger than most. (+2 Martial)
Trait: Attractive-A cute kid, and eventually a handsome fellow. (+2 Diplomacy, better spousal relationship)
Trait: Genius-Smart doesn't begin to describe him. (+2 All Stats)
Trait: Game Master-Years of playing games of strategy and wits with members of the Imperial Court has honed his sense of strategy and taught him how to read others. (+1 Martial, +2 Diplomacy)
(Adopted) Daughter: Gwyndlyn Golden-Feather
Age: 11
Status: Child-No Stats
Status-Designated Regent: In the event that no heir is capable of taking the throne, or in the event the rightful ruler is otherwise unavailable, she will take control of the kingdom until the situation can be resolved.
Trait: Dragon-A fire breathing reptile. (+4 Martial)
-Army Upkeep: 400
-Navy Upkeep: 100
-Office of Disease Control: 10
-Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 10
-Peregrine Line: 100
Military
Imperial Army: Professional soldiers, paid and supplied by you. 500 soldier battalions cost 150 gold each to raise or replace. Additionally, Imperial Army soldiers have an upkeep cost of 150 gold per every ten thousand soldiers.
Imperial Army Morale: 80/100 (Strong)
Imperial Army Numbers: 26,764
-12,500 Warriors: Armed with a sword or hand-axe and shield, these Griffons make up the bulk of your army.
-6250 Polearms: For keeping your enemy at arms length or taking down opponents larger than a Griffon.
-6250 Archers: Griffons with bows and some arrows. Not much else to say.
-1500 Diamond Dogs: Armed with a variety of swords, maces, war axes, and other weapons suitable for close-quarters, Diamond Dogs are masters of subterranean combat, and are well suited to ambush tactics.
-264 Artillerists: Responsible for the transport, maintenance and operation of heavy weaponry, these Gryphons and Dogs are highly trained in their chosen field of ranged combat.
-4 Mobile Ballistae: Massively oversized mechanical bows that fire bolts big enough to pierce through tree trunks from vast distances.
-19 Cannons: Firing iron balls through the power of explosive black powder, these metal siege engines are one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal.
-10 Flame Projectors: A product of Archimedes's "liquid fire", these static contraptions can shoot jets of flaming liquid vast distances, burning all in their path.
Knightly Orders (Self Maintained): In the old Empire, Knightly Orders were typically made up of Griffons of noble birth who joined a fraternal militant organization dedicated to martial excellence, honor, and a number of various edicts of moral strength. These great warriors dedicated themselves to the Emperor and the protection of the common Gryph. Tragically, few of these brave souls survived the reign of Discord. But a new breed of Knights now seeks to serve as your sword and shield, and will rally to your banner whenever you may need them.
The Knights Lion
1 Grandmaster Konrad Hardbeak, "The Kingslayer"
35 Knights of the Inner Circle
180 Imperial Knights
60 Squires
400 Griffons-at-Arms
Citadel: The Lion's Den, Griffonia
The Knights Talon
1 Grandmaster Colombroni Pigeonio
25 Knights of the Inner Circle
200 Imperial Knights
75 Squires
330 Griffons-at-Arms
Citadel: The Crow's Nest, Wingbardy
The Knights Panther
1 Grandmaster Adrian Dawnquill
30 Knights of the Inner Circle
200 Imperial Knights
50 Squires
250 Griffons-at-Arms
Citadel: The Black Fortress, Aquileia
Royal Navy: The vessels that guard your coastlines and patrol the oceans. Crewed by career sailors, they have an upkeep of five gold per ship, per year.
20 Cogs (Bolt-Throwers)
Auxiliaries: Auxiliary units are forces not part of a Knightly Order or the Royal Army and Navy that can be brought into battle alongside both of the former groups. They can be made up of allied nation units suborned to you, units drawn up from the militia, and mercenary outfits.
Politics
Nobility Opinion: 10/10 (All Hail the Glorious Emperor!).
General Public Opinion: 10/10 (All Hail the Glorious Emperor!).
Protectorate Opinion: 9/10 (Hail Golden-Feather the Brave and Glorious!)
Roll Bonuses
Improved Army Communications: +3 on certain Army Rolls
Naval Navigation Tools: +5 on certain Naval and Exploration Rolls
Gun-Cotton: +5 to all Cannon Rolls
Pre-Discord Map: +10 to next Exploration Roll
Scatter-Shot: Bonus to Certain Cannon Rolls
Blasting Jelly: +5 to Certain Explosive Rolls
Camouflage 101: +5 to Certain Intrigue/Army Rolls
Firebender Designed Flamethrowers: +5 to all Flamethrower/Liquid Fire Rolls
Imperial War Memorial: Army Morale may not fall below 20, Militia count as Regulars when defending Core Territory
???: A friendly and strangely casual Griffon female you met at your inaugural ball. Despite having a wonderful evening chatting with her, you never got her name.
Garibaldi Talonuelli: Formerly the Duke of Wingbardy, now the Grand Duke of Wingbardy, Talonuelli is a beloved public figure in his home province and an experienced administrator. After saving his city and people from Brochard's attempted invasion and negotiating his province's vassalage over a few drinks, you'd like to think you can count him among your friends.
Federico Montefeathertro: Duke of the (former) City-State of Urbirdo, and your Father-in Law. He might just be the friendliest of the former Feathersians, having agreed to back you and your kingdom without question or condition during the Brochard Crisis, and hiring a mercenary outfit as a belated wedding gift. You're reasonably certain he likes you, as much as In-Laws can like each other anyway.
Koryū Ryuō: The draconic Emperor of the Island Kingdom of Neighpon. Having agreed to assist you in the war against the Shadow King and making fast friends with your adoptive daughter, you consider him a decent fellow who you can trust to keep his word, and a valuable ally against any destructive forces the world can throw at you.
Minamoto Tadakatsu: Shogun of Neighpon. Born to peasant farmers, he's more than earned his place as the most powerful Samurai amongst the Qilin. After he lead the Neighponese contingent during the Invasion of the Crystal Empire and kindly instructed you in the myriad varieties and intricacies of tea on the campaign trail, you've come to respect the more-than-century-old leader.
Konrad Hardbeak, "The Kingslayer": Grandmaster of the Knights Lion and Hero of the Empire. Beheaded Brochard the pretender, crippled Sombra the shadow king twice over, and received the very first Imperial Medal of Honor. Despite it all, he is surprisingly humble, insisting in vain that he was, and is, merely doing his duty to the Empire, and to you. He is the very model of an Imperial Knight.
i kind of wish we were a less composed and more war oriented empire.
because then i would be able to vote for tying these diplomats to stakes in the throne room and firing a grape shot loaded with coin at the bastards and send a letter detailing how we will be coming to pay the requested sum in person in a similar fashion
This is about a fragile slave owning society on the brink of civil war and slave uprising, backed by slave conscripts and mercenaries versus an industrializing empire absolutely willing to rally for another war. I don't think the war will necessarily be easy- but we beat the shit out of pony!Sauron, with slave soldiers far more terrifying than Maretonia and eldritch abominations- all in a far more hostile environment than Maretonia.
When we met Sombra, he was an enslaving warmonger who wanted our land. We were hopelessly outclassed, but our backs were up against the wall, so we stood up for ourselves, fought, and ultimately freed the world from his taint. Now, we are faced with an empire that similarly wields magical powers to control slaves that actively wishes us harm (they are rather enjoying our citizens as slaves). When confronted, they want us to compensate them for the bother of not owning our people.
We cannot pay them, for to do so would not only betray our principles but also empower them to take control of the society. This is unacceptable. Furthermore, we need not fear their wrath, for we have fought greater magicks before. We did not stand down when an immortal Lich stood against us with fearless mind-controlled armies, climate-altering magicks, and a woefully inadequate army. They will not threaten us into submission now, though we need not rush to war.
We will pressure them from all angles: diplomatically with social pressure, via intrigue, implicitly by ripping the pirates to shreds, deniably by exfiltrating our people, and militarily by building up our power to wage war should such become necessary.
For Gryffonia!
... okay. I didn't expect to write a mini-manifesto, but I'm not complaining.
This is about a fragile slave owning society on the brink of civil war and slave uprising, backed by slave conscripts and mercenaries versus an industrializing empire absolutely willing to rally for another war. I don't think the war will necessarily be easy- but we beat the shit out of pony!Sauron, with slave soldiers far more terrifying than Maretonia and eldritch abominations- all in a far more hostile environment than Maretonia.
We don't have good means of getting there, and our people would still be slaves until we did. Why not just pay the cost, assassinate the people who took our folks as slaves, take the money back, and help the abolitionists.
Getting our people out of harms way shuold be our top priority. Afterwards we can send in our spies to support the Abolitionists while we build up our army to burn these fuckers to the ground.
The answer really seems self evident. This people are rich and have magic but are also very brittle, decentralized and in general incapable of getting back up after what good troops they have are broken.
We don't have good means of getting there, and our people would still be slaves until we did. Why not just pay the cost, assassinate the people who took our folks as slaves, take the money back, and help the abolitionists.
The abolitionists are not even worth mentioning, they're an underground network of sympathetic people, not a political faction. Helping them will achieve nothing but cause a war later instead of now. And Griffonia really might as well go now, while they have an information advantage.
By the time Maretonia takes this seriously it all should be over.
The answer really seems self evident. This people are rich and have magic but are also very brittle, decentralized and in general incapable of getting back up after we break what good troops they have.
The abolitionists are not even worth mentioning, they're an underground network of sympathetic people, not a political faction. Helping them will achieve nothing but draw us into a war later instead of now. And we really might as well go now, since we have agents there but they have none here.
We want a war later instead of now though. Because we are still recovering and industrializing. Helping the abolitionists would weaken the actual faction we dislike. Also, we can support their queen, who was entirely willing to work with us. So we can strengthen our potential allies within their country, while weakening them.
:origin()/pre11/44a7/th/pre/i/2015/224/7/c/skipping_jade_by_queencold-d95b8oy.png)
