- Location
- Ohio
It would be funny if it was someone we already planned for them.
Or if they were someone who nat20s all stats.
Who Needs Harmony?: An MLP Empire Quest
- Thread starter Questor
- Start date
It would be funny if it was someone we already planned for them.
Or if they were someone who nat20s all stats.
- Location
- Somewhere
Link to the last time I did this.
Archival purposes: "Turn 25 Results" (posted by QM on Monday, December 23, 2019)
OR
The Front Page as it appeared to me on Tuesday, December 24, 2019.
Character Sheet (last edited by QM on Monday, December 23, 2019)
- Changed
Informational: State of the Nation (last edited by QM on Monday, December 23, 2019)
- Changed from the last time
Informational: Diplomatic Relations/Persons of Interest (last edited by QM on Sunday, November 10, 2019)
- Not Changed
Archival purposes: "Turn 25 Results" (posted by QM on Monday, December 23, 2019)
OR
The Front Page as it appeared to me on Tuesday, December 24, 2019.
Character Sheet (last edited by QM on Monday, December 23, 2019)
- Changed
Name: Garrick Golden-Feather
Age: 51
Titles: Emperor of Gryphus, King of Griffonia, Inheritor of the Imperial House of Gryphus, The Unifier, Great Winged Alpha, The Lightbringer, The Liberator, the King of the North.
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
- Sendak Manuscript: Recovered from the Archives of the Shadow King Sombra, this strange book is bound in the treated flesh of monsters and is written in numerous unknown tongues. It contains diagrams that seem to reference everything from the movements of stellar bodies to the biology of plants and animals to the complex physics of magical phenomenon. It's origins remain a mystery.
Wife: Gabriella Golden-Feather
Opinion of You: 10/10
Age: 50
Martial: 15+1+2=18
Diplomacy: 11+1=12
Stewardship: 8+1=9
Learning: 13+1=14
Intrigue: 10+1=11
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)
Son: Gawain Golden-Feather
Age: 20
Martial: 14+2+2+1=19
Diplomacy: 13+2+2+2=19
Stewardship: 14+2=16
Learning: 10+2=12
Intrigue: 11+2=13
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: 16
Martial: 15+4-5=14
Diplomacy: 9-5=4
Stewardship: 6+2-5=3
Learning: 8+1-5=4
Intrigue: 9+1-5=5
Status: Adolescent-Malus to all 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)
Trait: Gardener-Years of studying and caring for plants has taught her much in the realm of botany, and has instilled in her an understanding of how hard work and patience can yield great dividends. (+2 Stewardship, +1 Learning, +1 Intrigue)
Daughter: Gilda Golden-Feather
Age: 13
Martial: 8-5=3
Diplomacy: 11+2-5=8
Stewardship: 11-5=6
Learning: 7-5=2
Intrigue: 6-5=1
Trait: Beautiful- A stellar example of feminine grace. (+2 Diplomacy)
Status: Teenager-Malus to all stats
Daughter: Gleaming Pearl
Age: 14
Martial: 7-5=2
Diplomacy: 10+2-5=7
Stewardship: 12-5=7
Learning: 5+2-5=2
Intrigue: 8-5=3
Status: Teenager-Malus to all stats
Trait: Beautiful-A stellar example of feminine grace. (+2 Diplomacy)
Trait: Studious-Knows her way around the written word. (+2 Learning)
Adopted: Permanently last in the line of Royal Succession.
Informational: State of the Nation (last edited by QM on Monday, December 23, 2019)
- Changed from the last time
Informational: Diplomatic Relations/Persons of Interest (last edited by QM on Sunday, November 10, 2019)
- Not Changed
what about adding + half stats but only one another person might assist in task ? Basically once our other children grow up, you can only have one providing their stat bonus in form of 1/2 stats.
FictionPack
Monochromatic Ursine
- Location
- Tennessee
- Pronouns
- He/Him
This makes me think we should definately look into our own religious history for our next Piety action. It's boon could be to somehow bolster an ancient and prolific charity.
Travler66
Let her name echo in song!
- Location
- Beyond
[X] Learning: As a former student of Archimedes, Gawain already possesses all the necessary attributes of a scholar and researcher. What better place to have him work than alongside his former mentor in the act of benefiting the Empire's knowledge base?
ChaosTheVoid
Beyond the Outer Gates
[X] Learning: As a former student of Archimedes, Gawain already possesses all the necessary attributes of a scholar and researcher. What better place to have him work than alongside his former mentor in the act of benefiting the Empire's knowledge base?
We really need to clear all our research options.
Warhorns, Mortars and Crossbows have been placed on the back burner for a really long time. I would also like to advance down the Airship Tech Tree.
We really need to clear all our research options.
Warhorns, Mortars and Crossbows have been placed on the back burner for a really long time. I would also like to advance down the Airship Tech Tree.
- Location
- A house
Honestly, this vote is a bit difficult.
On a RP note, I'd see Gawain actually taking up diplomacy. Hes seen his fathers rule, and knows just how powerful the pen is. Friendship is always a powerful tool, and knowing what is best to say against someone, even those one disagrees with or are at war with, is not to be underestimated. Especially with something like the show of force against libertalia. Given his penchant for empathy, wanting to get out of his fathers shadow (perhaps even taking it literally), and his friends, diplomacy seems like the choice hed naturally veer toward.
On a practical note, learning is definitely the most useful. Continuing to work under archimedes at the university and providing his help in the brains of the empire is definitely something that is immediately useful, as compared to diplomacy. Perhaps hes not quite Genevieve or archie, but hes still up there in learning, and can contribute an extra claw or provide a different perspective.
I really wish I could put him on both, but it seems theres really only one option here that most anyone would pick, that being learning.
On a RP note, I'd see Gawain actually taking up diplomacy. Hes seen his fathers rule, and knows just how powerful the pen is. Friendship is always a powerful tool, and knowing what is best to say against someone, even those one disagrees with or are at war with, is not to be underestimated. Especially with something like the show of force against libertalia. Given his penchant for empathy, wanting to get out of his fathers shadow (perhaps even taking it literally), and his friends, diplomacy seems like the choice hed naturally veer toward.
On a practical note, learning is definitely the most useful. Continuing to work under archimedes at the university and providing his help in the brains of the empire is definitely something that is immediately useful, as compared to diplomacy. Perhaps hes not quite Genevieve or archie, but hes still up there in learning, and can contribute an extra claw or provide a different perspective.
I really wish I could put him on both, but it seems theres really only one option here that most anyone would pick, that being learning.
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
Eh, as I said with the elongated metaphor, I see getting a ruler with first-hand knowledge in intrigue to be the most useful. Our ruler will never be a researcher - while it is certainly useful for him to know the subject and it could even help, it still doesn't offer as much use as the others.
Diplomacy is a good option, but if you are concerned about strengthening Gawain's weaknesses, it's probably best to pick another.
I think intrigue is best because the playstyle you guys have gone for is very indirect and diplomatic, and intrigue is very much needed if you want to pull off diplomacy both successfully and to the greatest benefit of the empire. It is a stat we will need to have better for greater results in the future, and this is the perfect opportunity. To go back to the metaphor I said before, if you don't want to use the sword in front (martial), then you are going to have to get good at the knife in the back (intrigue) so other countries will accept the extended hoof/claw (diplomacy).
Martial could also be good, especially if we actually end up going to war as it provides a direct proving ground for Gawain for when he eventually becomes emperor himself. However, until then, it is one of the less important stats for him to focus on.
Piety...eh, we chose the option where piety has a negligible influence (and vice versa) for the empire. While it could be good from a personality standpoint for him to familiarize himself with the faiths and cultures of our multi-cultural/species empire, it's not as pressing as the other opportunities.
Diplomacy is a good option, but if you are concerned about strengthening Gawain's weaknesses, it's probably best to pick another.
I think intrigue is best because the playstyle you guys have gone for is very indirect and diplomatic, and intrigue is very much needed if you want to pull off diplomacy both successfully and to the greatest benefit of the empire. It is a stat we will need to have better for greater results in the future, and this is the perfect opportunity. To go back to the metaphor I said before, if you don't want to use the sword in front (martial), then you are going to have to get good at the knife in the back (intrigue) so other countries will accept the extended hoof/claw (diplomacy).
Martial could also be good, especially if we actually end up going to war as it provides a direct proving ground for Gawain for when he eventually becomes emperor himself. However, until then, it is one of the less important stats for him to focus on.
Piety...eh, we chose the option where piety has a negligible influence (and vice versa) for the empire. While it could be good from a personality standpoint for him to familiarize himself with the faiths and cultures of our multi-cultural/species empire, it's not as pressing as the other opportunities.
Bakkasama
There is always a greater fool
- Location
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Pronouns
- He/his
Mmm... is it bad that my very first thought when I read about the teleporting Crystal Heart was that that was just begging for some crazy rando to try to hit it mid mass? Like how you hear about crazies trying to deface works of art in musseums from time to time.
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- Location
- Germany
To get that vote outta the way already:
[X] Learning: As a former student of Archimedes, Gawain already possesses all the necessary attributes of a scholar and researcher. What better place to have him work than alongside his former mentor in the act of benefiting the Empire's knowledge base?
Although Diplomacy would be my next-best vote since Gawain does strike me as a very empathetic and friendship-minded Gryphon...third place would be Intrigue so that he learns the shadier aspects of ruling ASAP and to get enough slots to deal with all those finicky options.
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Now, on to evaluating this turns results:
Nothing failed outright (which is good), but especially the Agricultural programme came agonizingly close to it. Then again, a possible ancestor to Big Mac having particularly peculiar views on plant rearing that might violently clash with the rather pragmatic proclivities (thanks Movies!McGonnagal for that term) of our core populace shouldn´t have surprised anyone in retrospect. To rectify that I already have an idea:
As much as I really want to give Gryphons back their own spiritual identities by researching the Ancient Imperial Pantheon, another worthy option in regards to the almost-fail of the Agricultural programme would be either the Yaks or Neighponese.
My reasoning for this somewhat-weird choice is simply the fact that those two beliefs already have a very everthing-is-alive-and-has-a-soul bend that could help the people internalize and accept Puissants teaching as more than mere make-believe BS. We help spread those belief systems and at least some of the more mundanely-applicable tidbits might find their way into everyday knowledge, after which "singing to saplings" could loose some of its idiotic-seeming mien.
"It doesn´t hurt anyone, might help and at least would make my toiling a bit more enjoyable, so why not?", you know?
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Proceeding to the Intrigue section, I´d say that next we should go for the Storm scouting option (if still aviable, that is) to have ways to influence all sides in equal measure if need arises.
The second vote should go into "Cold Case". As discerned a while ago, after including applicable stat boni it´s almost a coin flip, meaning that after some moderate omake buffing, we should have it in the bags (dice graces permitting, of course). @Questor already said that after the coming turn, the chances of us pulling it off will start decaying it further, making it rather unpalatable after that. Mareia admittedly was a rather duplicitous and politically weak ruler, but her legacy still deserves at least some closure as to which side in this conflict ended her...plus, depending on our finding this knowledge might net us either political clout during the restructuring process or give us a heads-up on other problems arising in the background (again, I am still low-key suspecting the Changelings to have been behind it to destabilize our continent politically...either that or some overzealous halfwit throwing out the baby with the bathwater)
So in short, our two Intrigue votes next turn should go into Storm and Cold Case, respectively
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The last bit I wanna go over are the results in Rune Replication and Outfitting
Honestly, I never seriously expected rune-boosted tech to become all that widespread for reasons both flavour-wise (we are The muggle nation and don´t want to muddle that too much, you know?) and balance-wise (the QM would be well-advised to not make us too OP by giving us an easy way to bypass our non-magic nature, after all)
That being said, while diamonds would be comparetively easy to get given our widespread mining operations, DRAGON BONES are far harder to come by for two reasons:
1. Dragons seem to be rather rare beings in MLP to begin with, which results in rather meager "deposits"
2. Dragons seem to be of an intelligence compareable to us (both gryphons in-universe and humans out-of-it), meaning that acquiring and processing their bones will have moral problems of their own.
Especially the second point will put a big dampener on our endeavours to outfit stuff with runes (just imagine human tech being powered by the processed corpses of the elderly and you know what I mean)...then again, many people declare their bodies open for science and organ donation irl - maybe we could finagle similar offers for the likes of dragons?
While such a donation-after-death programme would still leave us with a small reserve to work with, it at least would address the moral implications of harnessing sapient beings for magical development...definitely something to muse over. (I of course realize that dragon bones are just one example of problematic-to-acquire substances...my point still stands)
EDIT:
Damn, we really lucked out on our kids´ boni (I mean, just look at Gilda and especially Pearl..."beautiful" doesn´t even cut it imho). Although I´d say that Gwyn as an adolescent should get slightly smaller mali to her stats, since her personality and interests would logically be more developed and sturdy given her relatively advanced age.
[X] Learning: As a former student of Archimedes, Gawain already possesses all the necessary attributes of a scholar and researcher. What better place to have him work than alongside his former mentor in the act of benefiting the Empire's knowledge base?
Although Diplomacy would be my next-best vote since Gawain does strike me as a very empathetic and friendship-minded Gryphon...third place would be Intrigue so that he learns the shadier aspects of ruling ASAP and to get enough slots to deal with all those finicky options.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, on to evaluating this turns results:
Nothing failed outright (which is good), but especially the Agricultural programme came agonizingly close to it. Then again, a possible ancestor to Big Mac having particularly peculiar views on plant rearing that might violently clash with the rather pragmatic proclivities (thanks Movies!McGonnagal for that term) of our core populace shouldn´t have surprised anyone in retrospect. To rectify that I already have an idea:
As much as I really want to give Gryphons back their own spiritual identities by researching the Ancient Imperial Pantheon, another worthy option in regards to the almost-fail of the Agricultural programme would be either the Yaks or Neighponese.
My reasoning for this somewhat-weird choice is simply the fact that those two beliefs already have a very everthing-is-alive-and-has-a-soul bend that could help the people internalize and accept Puissants teaching as more than mere make-believe BS. We help spread those belief systems and at least some of the more mundanely-applicable tidbits might find their way into everyday knowledge, after which "singing to saplings" could loose some of its idiotic-seeming mien.
"It doesn´t hurt anyone, might help and at least would make my toiling a bit more enjoyable, so why not?", you know?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proceeding to the Intrigue section, I´d say that next we should go for the Storm scouting option (if still aviable, that is) to have ways to influence all sides in equal measure if need arises.
The second vote should go into "Cold Case". As discerned a while ago, after including applicable stat boni it´s almost a coin flip, meaning that after some moderate omake buffing, we should have it in the bags (dice graces permitting, of course). @Questor already said that after the coming turn, the chances of us pulling it off will start decaying it further, making it rather unpalatable after that. Mareia admittedly was a rather duplicitous and politically weak ruler, but her legacy still deserves at least some closure as to which side in this conflict ended her...plus, depending on our finding this knowledge might net us either political clout during the restructuring process or give us a heads-up on other problems arising in the background (again, I am still low-key suspecting the Changelings to have been behind it to destabilize our continent politically...either that or some overzealous halfwit throwing out the baby with the bathwater)
So in short, our two Intrigue votes next turn should go into Storm and Cold Case, respectively
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The last bit I wanna go over are the results in Rune Replication and Outfitting
Honestly, I never seriously expected rune-boosted tech to become all that widespread for reasons both flavour-wise (we are The muggle nation and don´t want to muddle that too much, you know?) and balance-wise (the QM would be well-advised to not make us too OP by giving us an easy way to bypass our non-magic nature, after all)
That being said, while diamonds would be comparetively easy to get given our widespread mining operations, DRAGON BONES are far harder to come by for two reasons:
1. Dragons seem to be rather rare beings in MLP to begin with, which results in rather meager "deposits"
2. Dragons seem to be of an intelligence compareable to us (both gryphons in-universe and humans out-of-it), meaning that acquiring and processing their bones will have moral problems of their own.
Especially the second point will put a big dampener on our endeavours to outfit stuff with runes (just imagine human tech being powered by the processed corpses of the elderly and you know what I mean)...then again, many people declare their bodies open for science and organ donation irl - maybe we could finagle similar offers for the likes of dragons?
While such a donation-after-death programme would still leave us with a small reserve to work with, it at least would address the moral implications of harnessing sapient beings for magical development...definitely something to muse over. (I of course realize that dragon bones are just one example of problematic-to-acquire substances...my point still stands)
EDIT:
Damn, we really lucked out on our kids´ boni (I mean, just look at Gilda and especially Pearl..."beautiful" doesn´t even cut it imho). Although I´d say that Gwyn as an adolescent should get slightly smaller mali to her stats, since her personality and interests would logically be more developed and sturdy given her relatively advanced age.
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I think people are focusing too much on stats and are forgetting that we should consider what type of actions our heir would personally be involved in a lot. Do we expect him to stay in some lab, or actually lead?
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
Well, good to finally see someone that is thinking on that front as well.
- Location
- United States of America
[X] Learning
Would you share what each roll would do?
I believe you meant "Strengthened", dear GM
.
- Location
- Somewhere
The majority seem to expect Gawain to stay in a lab until he inherits the empire. That extra action in Learning is a real benefit after all.
Martial or Diplomacy (highest stats), DIplomacy isn't usually seen as the main focus over martial, so Martial then would be the choice to make "in-character"?
The other real choice is Intrigue (low stat), but delegation is what we have for that position.
Up to date. Those are the stats that Gawain now has. Unlike Garrick, Gawain got trained for his position, helped he was a born genius and heir to an empire. Gawain and Garick are just strange people overall. Garrick was in charge because according to people he is the emperor, somehow did alright as the emperor. Then Gawain is the born heir.
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- Location
- Maryland
Dragon Bones are simply one of the possible reagents that could be used to hold a magical charge. They aren't absolutely necessary, as other reagents are available.
When it comes to the choice between powdered diamonds, magically reactive plants, or dragon bones, it's like a choice between regular, unleaded or super premium gasoline. They'll all work, it's just a question of how much mileage and power you'll get out of it.
Apologies, should have made that more clear.
Ancient Scholar
Amateur Editor/Beta
- Location
- United States
lol. I wonder if she can get that trait later on. We really need to buff her stewardship. I wonder does she get a bonus to martial when she gets older? I mean she is a dragon so maybe adults get a x2 to martial rolls? Or will she just gain more dragon traits like scales and size that boost her martial higher?
- Location
- Hell
[X] Piety: They say that suffering builds character, and you can't think of a more character-building activity for your son than placing him at the head of the Council of Faiths. In all seriousness though, with the growing prominence and importance of religion in the Empire, having your son in a place to learn about and influence the numerous faiths in Gryphus may be a wise decision.
Ancient Scholar
Amateur Editor/Beta
- Location
- United States
We have Magic, We have Science, their are options with enough power. I wonder if we might be able to find Wryverns? I mean Discord did make a mess so maybe he made some somewhere. Similar to dragons but unintelligent it would be an option to harvest and raise them for bones.
- Location
- Germany
Ok, that changes things quite a bit. I interpreted it as certain types of runes reqiring certain ingredients (for example, dragon bones for runes concerning fire regulation to be topical) instead of it being about "quality costs".
In that case I would say that in general we should focus on stuff benefitting from runes that primarly use magically-reactive plants since those are both renewable (sorry, diamonds) and readily aviable (sorry, dragon bones).
That being said, we still should install some kind of donation program for organs or other sought-after body products to at least somewhat-meet incoming demands. I am not just talking about dragon bones, but also about mundane organ transplants and the like.
The dragon bone stuff would be probably be restricted to where we really need some serious bang for our bucks, the diamonds for medium-demand produce and the plants for our standard fare.
That being said...THERE IS STILL LEADED GASOLINE? I thought that gunk got outlawed years ago...I mean, at least in Germany it´s nowhere to be found anymore, so I might simply be subject to an erroneus sample size.
- Location
- alphen aan den rijn
[X]Diplomacy: As his friendship with Ki Seong has shown, Gawain has no difficulty bridging cultural divides and forging connections with individuals of differing backgrounds; valuable skills for a head of state and diplomat alike. Gisa could always use another helping talon managing the growing number of foreign delegations and embassies she has been placed in charge of. Gawain should fit right in.
seeing his main skill would likely be keeping everything from not falling apart having good diplomatic skills would likely be a boon.
aldo being smarter wouldn`t be bad
seeing his main skill would likely be keeping everything from not falling apart having good diplomatic skills would likely be a boon.
aldo being smarter wouldn`t be bad
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We need to focus on our dragon, I mean even after removing the maluses it still doesnt look all that good with stats.
Oh and once this is over We are not expanding not scouting anything and having Family holiday, That is non negotiable.
Oh and once this is over We are not expanding not scouting anything and having Family holiday, That is non negotiable.