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Warhammer Fantasy: Divided Loyalties - an Advisor's Quest

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Alliterate said:
I mean, yes, probably so.
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Knowing the thread, they'd just vote to hire outside handlers rather than playing safe and hiring a Grey Perpetual for an initial 1AP and continual 1 college favor investment or going with sentiment and hiring Gretel.

And we are soon going to have to make this decision because the next step in the EIC action is to start recruiting Handlers, and if we don't get Grey Prepetuals or Gretel or Julia, it's going to be unknown quantities with alot of potentially dangerous and tempting access.

picklepikkl said:
Someone brought in from the outside is less likely to have those values, and in the case of Gretel, we know that Patriot isn't her Bone-Deep Truth. I'd rather pick someone less effective at spycraft but more in line with the values we ourselves instilled.
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As a general corporate culture yes, but once you have people with incredibly sensitive information on their hands, there's no guarantee there aren't bad apples among that batch. In any case, the problem is that I imagine someone has to co-ordinate them en-masse for these handlers, even were they mostly reliable, to be able to conduct operations above a certain level of sophistication. Eventually, we are going to need a Handler over the Handlers, and I'm not sure whether Mathilde has the time to do so, at least in a way that isn't hands-off.

I suspect alot of options are literally locked away behind hiring someone above the Handlers to handle the day to day work of active management.

Which then goes back down to the four options - a new character within the EIC grabbed from the ranks, Julia, Gretel or a Perpetual.
 
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Andmeuths said:
Given the same concerns of what Gretel could hypothetically do applies to any other handler-manager Mathilde employs,
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Well, yes, hypothetically. Unfortunately for her, we know that she is a thief, which places the choice between somebody who could be a thief, a category which encompasses pretty much literally every candidate for the position, or somebody who we know for a fact actually is.
 
NukeDaSun said:
Maybe this has been discussed previously and I'm about to get pleb filtered, but what exactly is the benefit involved in being able to create a small level of high magic when the requirments of doing so are so high? I get that the most powerful magics in setting all involve high magic, and that being able to refine it down is possible on the cards, but it just seems to present a risk of near constantly exploding all the damn time we want to use it in a way that's possibly worse than miscasting even battle magic, and requires a really intricate series of prerequisities before that as well.
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It's a foundation to a completely new field of research - since it's thought impossible - if we pull it off.
 
Andmeuths said:
We did recruit a thief as leader of our watch as Lightlan said. I have no doubt he enriched himself behind our backs using his position, and I don't think Mathilde objected.
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This. We have a Vow of Poverty but we are also a devoute Ranaldan. We don't object to the accumulation of wealth through crime or insider trading (he is the god of merchants as well after all), we just object to idiots doing that to Dwarfs because they have a zero tolerance policy for that kind of thing.
 
NukeDaSun said:
Maybe this has been discussed previously and I'm about to get pleb filtered, but what exactly is the benefit involved in being able to create a small level of high magic when the requirments of doing so are so high? I get that the most powerful magics in setting all involve high magic, and that being able to refine it down is possible on the cards, but it just seems to present a risk of near constantly exploding all the damn time we want to use it in a way that's possibly worse than miscasting even battle magic, and requires a really intricate series of prerequisities before that as well.
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High magic is some OP bullshit save the world at last minute . You can kill demons, teleport around the world , and stuff that is ridiculous. Even being able to do basic stuff would be amazing. Especially with Mathilde being a enchanter.
 
Lupercal said:
This. We have a Vow of Poverty but we are also a devoute Ranaldan. We don't object to the accumulation of wealth through crime or insider trading (he is the god of merchants as well after all), we just object to idiots doing that to Dwarfs because they have a zero tolerance policy for that kind of thing.
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We object to it should it actually endanger the stability of the empire.

Cause fuck anyone stealing weapons needed to kill Vampires/Undead/Orcs/...
 
Andmeuths said:
Knowing the thread, they'd just vote to hire outside handlers rather than playing safe and hiring a Grey Perpetual for an initial 1AP and continual 1 college favor investment or going with sentiment and hiring Gretel.

And we are soon going to have to make this decision because the next step in the EIC action is to start recruiting Handlers, and if we don't get Grey Prepetuals or Gretel or Julia, it's going to be unknown quantities with alot of potentially dangerous and tempting access.
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...hrm, I think we might have different interpretations of that action. Here's the text:
[ ] Start hiring handlers who can then start hiring informers and begin to collect non-public information.
My understanding of this was "we're bringing EIC corporate personnel into the cloak-and-dagger side of things, getting them to hire informers and pass intel up the chain to us." Not "we're hiring completely external personnel to do that," because, well, why would that be an EIC action? And so I thought it was a totally reasonable idea, because it involves hiring from a pool that we have already browbeaten good values into. But possibly I have misunderstood.

@BoneyM, if you have the chance, could you shed some light on that EIC action?
 
picklepikkl said:
...hrm, I think we might have different interpretations of that action. Here's the text:
[ ] Start hiring handlers who can then start hiring informers and begin to collect non-public information.
My understanding of this was "we're bringing EIC corporate personnel into the cloak-and-dagger side of things, getting them to hire informers and pass intel up the chain to us." Not "we're hiring completely external personnel to do that," because, well, why would that be an EIC action? But possibly I have misunderstood.

@BoneyM, if you have the chance, could you shed some light on that EIC action?
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First preference would be to hire known quantities from within the EIC, but if there's not enough people with the appropriate skillsets Mathilde will look elsewhere for them. The exact details of that recruitment process is below the resolution of the turn votes, it might turn into a subvote between turn parts.
 
Lupercal said:
but he is still better then we were when we started jorneying on other ways. ;)
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Better with a sword unfortunately not something helpful to us. I am still wonder if he is going to use his boon to get a super sword of his own. If he is I would expect it to be this turn. Or at least start asking this turn super swords take awhile to make.
 
picklepikkl said:
My understanding of this was "we're bringing EIC corporate personnel into the cloak-and-dagger side of things, getting them to hire informers and pass intel up the chain to us." Not "we're hiring completely external personnel to do that," because, well, why would that be an EIC action? But possibly I have misunderstood.
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My understanding is that this step means we are hiring multiple handlers, but we are the ones coordinating them. But because we only have half an action applied to the EIC, this means there is only so much sophistication our information network can handle, because tracking a dozen handlers and getting them to make co-ordinated improvements is a full-time job.

This means eventually, we need to employ an "over-handler" so to speak, which is why the options to employ Julia or a Perpetual were on the table. Presumably, if we were feeling very risky or particularly devout to Ranald, a Ranaldite seconded by Hendrich may also be on the table.

@BoneyM Am I reading things correctly, that whatever happens, Mathilde needs an "over-handler" to co-ordinate the Handlers to develop her network past a certain point? And the options are:
1. Someone new, preferably from the ranks of the EIC, if not, then elsewhere like the Wurtbard Cult of Ranald?
2. Julia
3. Gretel
4. A freshly minted Perpetual Grey

Or is it simply a choice of a de-centralized network with many handlers reporting directly to Mathilde (I find it hard to believe Mathilde can manage so many handlers on half AP), or a centralized network of a single "over-handler" co-ordinating multiple handlers?
 
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10ebbor10 said:
Yeah, Gretel just wanted to be financially secure and out of harms way, IIRC. I doubt she'd risk upsetting that by endangering the Empire.
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I'm not particularly invested in this conversation--and have, in fact, been skipping most of it--but I did think I should point out that Gretel is also perfectly aware of just how dangerous Mathilde is, as well as literally owing her life to us. She has watched us both murder armies by channeling a god, and literally pull a miscast off her to crush in our hands like a particularly ugly bug. She would have to be a gods-damned idiot to risk angering us by misusing whatever amount power we gave her.
 
Well since it seems that now there are new revisions of Spoken Queekish v4 I am also going to follow the example of @picklepikkl and @LightLan and modify my plan in the same way.

[X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with Better Max and Better Gambits.
-[X] Contains one Overwork action
-[X][MAX] Write a paper: Translated text on Chaos Dwarf anatomy (TIMELESS)
-[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
-[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
-[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
-[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
--[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
-[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
--[X] Deceiver: "My efforts in destroying Mors should have won me a great position and much prestige, unfortunately due to bypassing them the people who should be teaching me to speak the language (a prerequisite for the position I deserve.) are stonewalling me. They can't afford to do so forever but every day the luster of my victory fades. If I could go over their heads and speak it on my own though..."
-[X] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystones and Waystone maintenance
-[X][AV] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
-[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
-[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
-[X][SERENITY] Translated Eshin correspondence on the Skaven Civil War (TIMELESS)
-[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit

[X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with Better Max, Better Paper, and Better Gambits.
-[X] Contains one Overwork action
-[X][MAX] Write a paper: Translated text on Chaos Dwarf anatomy (TIMELESS)
-[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
-[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
-[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
-[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
--[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
-[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
--[X] Deceiver: "My efforts in destroying Mors should have won me a great position and much prestige, unfortunately due to bypassing them the people who should be teaching me to speak the language (a prerequisite for the position I deserve.) are stonewalling me. They can't afford to do so forever but every day the luster of my victory fades. If I could go over their heads and speak it on my own though..."
-[X] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystones and Waystone maintenance
-[X][AV] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
-[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
-[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
-[X][SERENITY] Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (FRESH)
-[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit

And approval vote for:

[X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4
[X] Spoken Queekish with better gambits
[X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with Better Max
[X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with Better Max and Better Paper
 
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The over-handler was a thing this thread invented and Boney okayed pretty recently, though. Like, it wasn't originally on the table, it was an idea people came up with in like the last day. So I don't think it's required, though it might give us certain benefits if we pick someone good (and go hilariously wrong if we don't).
Fanhunter696 said:
Well since it seems that now there are new revisions of Spoken Queekish v4 I am also going to follow the example of @picklepikkl and @LightLan and modify my plan in the same way.
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Could you toss in an approval vote for Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with Better Max while you're at it, since that's the one currently likeliest to have a chance? Assuming you think the Better Max is a good enough idea to be worth it, of course, but since you're approval voting the original too...
 
Unless a big upset happens over the next few hours Spoken Queekish v4 looks to win
Adhoc vote count started by Nurgle on Feb 17, 2020 at 3:07 PM, finished with 837 posts and 101 votes.
  • [X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4
    -[X] Contains one Overwork action
    -[X][MAX] See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment. Awaiting translation.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Deceiver: Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish...
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystones and Waystone maintenance
    -[X][AV] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Translated Eshin correspondence on the Skaven Civil War (TIMELESS)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
    ... and 3 more.
    [X] Plan Dictionaries now, powerstones for AV stuff and jazz
    -[X] MAX: Receive dictation: Queekish-Reikspiel Dictionary Actions 1 + 2
    -[X] JOHANN: Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X] DUCK: Work with Panoramia for her to finally get around to investigating the greenskin mushrooms she found.
    -[X] EIC: Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] TASK: Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] GAMBIT: Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College - Waystones 101 (1 College Favour per class)
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College - Powerstones (1 College Favour per class) (For future AV and better enchantments)
    -[X] Dictate papers: Queekish-Reikspiel Dictionary Actions 1 + 2 (Coin)
    -[X] OVERWORK: Write a paper: Queekish-Khazalid Dictionary 1
    -[X] SERENITY: Write a paper Queekish-Khazalid Dictionary 2
    -[X] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X] COIN: The Gambler: Dictate papers: Queekish-Reikspiel Dictionary Actions 1 + 2
    [X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with Better Max
    -[X] Contains one Overwork action
    -[X][MAX] Write a paper: Translated text on Chaos Dwarf anatomy (TIMELESS)
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Deceiver: Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish...
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystones and Waystone maintenance
    -[X][AV] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Translated Eshin correspondence on the Skaven Civil War (TIMELESS)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
    [X] Spoken Queekish with better gambits
    -[X] Contains one Overwork action
    -[X][MAX] See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment. Awaiting translation.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    --[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Deceiver: "My efforts in destroying Mors should have won me a great position and much prestige, unfortunately due to bypassing them the people who should be teaching me to speak the language (a prerequisite for the position I deserve.) are stonewalling me. They can't afford to do so forever but every day the luster of my victory fades. If I could go over their heads and speak it on my own though..."
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystones and Waystone maintenance
    -[X][AV] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Translated Eshin correspondence on the Skaven Civil War (TIMELESS)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
    [x] Plan Redshirt v2
    -[x] MAX: Receive dictation: Queekish-Khazalid Lexicon
    -[x] JOHANN: Study an artefact: Black Gem.
    -[X] DUCK: Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help.
    -[X] EIC: Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    - [X] GAMBIT: Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
    -[x]Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there x2:
    --[x] Waystone Fundamentals
    --[x] Practical Diplomacy
    -[x] Dictate papers: Queekish-Khazalid Lexicon
    --[x] COIN: The Gambler
    -[X] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[x] BUILD: Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[x] SERENITY: Queekish-Reikspiel Lexicon (1/2)
    [X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with Better Max and Better Paper
    -[X] Contains one Overwork action
    -[X][MAX] Write a paper: Translated text on Chaos Dwarf anatomy (TIMELESS)
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Deceiver: Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish...
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystones and Waystone maintenance
    -[X][AV] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (FRESH)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
    [X] PLAN WOLF, v2
    -[X] JOHANN: Study an artefact: Study an artefact: Breathing apparatus, stolen from Clan Skryre
    -[X] MAX: Receive dictation: Queekish-Khazalid Dictionary
    -[X] EIC: Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] DUCK: Work with Panoramia for her to finally get around to investigating the greenskin mushrooms she found.
    -[X] TOWER: Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X] SERENITY: Queekish-Reikspiel Dictionary, part 1/2
    -[X] P1: Dictate papers: Queekish-Khazalid Dictionary
    -[X] P2: Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] P3: Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystone Class
    -[X] P4: AV: Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    --[X] The Gambler
    -[X] OVERWORK: Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X] COIN: The Gambler
    [X] Plan: Save the History! also AV and Job I guess...
    -[X] OVERWORK
    -[X][MAX] See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment. Awaiting translation.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Breathing apparatus, stolen from Clan Skryre
    -[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Deceiver: Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish...
    -[X] Record all the entries of the Grand Urbaz vaults and select a good-quality example of each minting to save from the smelters.
    -[X] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (FRESH)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
    [X] Plan: Spoken Queekish and AV preliminary research done. V3
    -[X][MAX] See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment. Awaiting translation.
    - [X] JOHANN: Have him teach Adela what he knows of engineering.
    - [X] DUCK: Magical target-shooting is rough on normal targets. Set up a specialized target range for your ducklings, and for any other wizards at Eight Peaks.
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Deceiver: Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish...
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystones and Waystone maintenance
    -[X] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (FRESH)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
    [X] Plan Dictionaries now, Runelord checks out AV stuff and jazz
    -[X] MAX: Receive dictation: Queekish-Reikspiel Dictionary Actions 1 + 2
    -[X] JOHANN: Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X] DUCK: Work with Panoramia for her to finally get around to investigating the greenskin mushrooms she found.
    -[X] EIC: Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] TASK: Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] GAMBIT: Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College - Waystones 101 (1 College Favour per class)
    -[X] Attempt to interest one of the currently present Runesmiths in the interaction between Runes and Vitae. (Will start at the top and work your way down) (Coin)
    -[X] Dictate papers: Queekish-Reikspiel Dictionary Actions 1 + 2
    -[X] OVERWORK: Write a paper: Queekish-Khazalid Dictionary 1
    -[X] SERENITY: Write a paper Queekish-Khazalid Dictionary 2
    -[X] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X] COIN: The Gambler: Attempt to interest one of the currently present Runesmiths in the interaction between Runes and Vitae.
    [X] Plan: Save the History! also AV and Job I guess... V2
    -[X] OVERWORK
    -[X][MAX] See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment. Awaiting translation.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Breathing apparatus, stolen from Clan Skryre
    -[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Deceiver: "My efforts in destroying Mors should have won me a great position and much prestige, unfortunately due to bypassing them the people who should be teaching me to speak the language (a prerequisite for the position I deserve.) are stonewalling me. They can't afford to do so forever but every day the luster of my victory fades. If I could go over their heads and speak it on my own though..."
    -[X] Record all the entries of the Grand Urbaz vaults and select a good-quality example of each minting to save from the smelters.
    -[X] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (FRESH)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
    [X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with convincing Qrech that noone knows he's alive.
    -[X] Contains one Overwork action
    -[X][MAX] See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment. Awaiting translation.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    --[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Deceiver: Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish...
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystones and Waystone maintenance
    -[X][AV] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Translated Eshin correspondence on the Skaven Civil War (TIMELESS)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
    [X] Plan: Rat Spider Snake and Wolf
    -[X] OVERWORK
    -[X] MAX: Study an artefact: Unknown black gem.
    -[X] JOHANN: Study an artefact: Breathing apparatus.
    -[X] DUCK: Work with Panoramia for her to finally get around to investigating the greenskin mushrooms she found.
    -[X] Start hiring handlers who can then start hiring informers and begin to collect non-public information.
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    -[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
    -[X] Other: Convince Qrech the Queekish faction in the colleges can teach familiars spoken Queekish, except that it results in compromising the familiars to that faction. Ask him to teach wolf, and by extension you, spoken Queekish.
    -[X] Investigate how the We communicates with... itself?
    -[X] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X] Write a paper: Translated Eshin correspondence on the Skaven Civil War.
    -[X] Have a tower built atop Karag Nar: -100gc for 1 room, bonus to room's purpose.
    -[X] The Deceiver: The Queekish faction in the colleges can teach familiars spoken Queekish, except that it results in compromising those familiars to that faction.
    [X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with convincing
    [X] PLAN REAPER
    -[X] MAX: Write a paper: specify which.
    --[X]The psychology and social structure of the We. (FADED)
    -[X] JOHANN: Study an artefact: specify which.
    --[X] Breathing apparatus, stolen from Clan Skryre. (shared project with Johann)
    -[X] DUCK: Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help.
    -[X] Found an auditors division, to make sure the ledgers are in order.
    -[X] Write a paper: select which. (TOWER)(FREE)
    --[X] Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (FRESH)
    -[X] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony. (FREE)
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere. (ACTION 1)
    -[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life. (FREE)
    -[X] Branulhune's ability to disappear and reappear at a thought allows entirely new forms of combat. Try to create them. (ACTION 2)
    -[X] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation. (ACTION 3)
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia) (ACTION 4) (COIN)
    -[X] The Gambler: specify an action this will apply to.
    [x] Plan: Cunning Linguists, No Overwork
    -[x] MAX: Bring him into the classified study on Warptech and have him assist Johann with the Ratling Gun.
    -[x] JOHANN: Study an artefact: Black Gem.
    -[X] DUCK: Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help.
    --[x] COIN: The Gambler
    -[X] EIC: Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[x] Use King Belegar's pull to bring in some linguistics experts from the Empire's universities, though after proper vetting and swearing them to silence.
    -[x]Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there x2:
    --[x] Waystone Fundamentals
    --[x] Practical Diplomacy
    -[x] BUILD: Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[x] SERENITY: Queekish-Reikspiel Lexicon (1/2)
    [X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with Better Max and Better Gambits.
    -[X] Contains one Overwork action
    -[X][MAX] Write a paper: Translated text on Chaos Dwarf anatomy (TIMELESS)
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    --[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Deceiver: "My efforts in destroying Mors should have won me a great position and much prestige, unfortunately due to bypassing them the people who should be teaching me to speak the language (a prerequisite for the position I deserve.) are stonewalling me. They can't afford to do so forever but every day the luster of my victory fades. If I could go over their heads and speak it on my own though..."
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystones and Waystone maintenance
    -[X][AV] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Translated Eshin correspondence on the Skaven Civil War (TIMELESS)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
    [X] Spoken Queekish with better gambits
    [X] Plan: Save the History! also AV and Job I guess... V3 better Max
    -[X] OVERWORK
    -[X][MAX] Write a paper: Translated text on Chaos Dwarf anatomy (TIMELESS)
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Breathing apparatus, stolen from Clan Skryre
    -[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    - [X] GAMBIT: Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
    --[X] GAMBIT: "My efforts in destroying Mors should have won me a great position and much prestige, unfortunately due to bypassing them the people who should be teaching me to speak the language (a prerequisite for the position I deserve.) are stonewalling me. They can't afford to do so forever but every day the luster of my victory fades. If I could go over their heads and speak it on my own though..."
    -[X] Record all the entries of the Grand Urbaz vaults and select a good-quality example of each minting to save from the smelters.
    -[X] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (FRESH)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
    [X] Spoken Queekish + Wolf /w no Overwork (Rafin-QWNo)
    -[X] No Overwork.
    -[X] [MAX] MAX: See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X] [DUCK] Work with Panoramia for her to finally get around to investigating the greenskin mushrooms she found.
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] [A1] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    --[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life. Make up additional fake reasons as to why this is true. (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A2] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish… (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A3] Record all the entries of the Grand Urbaz vaults and select a good-quality example of each minting to save from the smelters.
    -[X] [A4] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X] [SERENITY] Write a paper: Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (Fresh).
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X] [COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambits
    [X] Spoken Queekish + Wolf & AV with Overwork (Rafin-QWAYes)
    [X] Spoken Queekish + AV /w no Overwork (Rafin-QANo)
    [X] Spoken Queekish + AV & Waystones with Overwork (Rafin-QAWYes)
    -[X] Yes Overwork.
    -[X] [MAX] MAX: See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X] [DUCK] Work with Panoramia for her to finally get around to investigating the greenskin mushrooms she found.
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] [A1] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life. Make up additional fake reasons as to why this is true. (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A2] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    -[X] Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish… (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A3] Record all the entries of the Grand Urbaz vaults and select a good-quality example of each minting to save from the smelters.
    -[X] [A4] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there. Waystones.
    -[X] [OVERWORK] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation. (Aetheric Vitae)
    -[X] [SERENITY] Write a paper: Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (Fresh).
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X] [COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambits
    [X] Spoken Queekish + Wolf & Waystones with Overwork (Rafin-QWWYes)
    -[X] Yes Overwork.
    -[X] [MAX] MAX: See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X] [DUCK] Work with Panoramia for her to finally get around to investigating the greenskin mushrooms she found.
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] [A1] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life. Make up additional fake reasons as to why this is true. (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A2] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    -[X] Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish… (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A3] Record all the entries of the Grand Urbaz vaults and select a good-quality example of each minting to save from the smelters.
    -[X] [A4] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there. Waystones.
    -[X] [OVERWORK] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X] [SERENITY] Write a paper: Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (Fresh).
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X] [COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambits
    [X] Spoken Queekish + Waystones /w no Overwork (Rafin-QWayNo)
    -[X] No Overwork.
    -[X] [MAX] MAX: See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X] [DUCK] Work with Panoramia for her to finally get around to investigating the greenskin mushrooms she found.
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] [A1] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    --[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life. Make up additional fake reasons as to why this is true. (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A2] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish… (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A3] Record all the entries of the Grand Urbaz vaults and select a good-quality example of each minting to save from the smelters.
    -[X] [A4] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there. Waystones.
    -[X] [SERENITY] Write a paper: Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (Fresh).
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X] [COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambits
    [X] Spoken Queekish + Wolf & AV with Overwork (Rafin-QWAYes)
    -[X] Yes Overwork.
    -[X] [MAX] MAX: See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X] [DUCK] Work with Panoramia for her to finally get around to investigating the greenskin mushrooms she found.
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] [A1] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    -[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life. Make up additional fake reasons as to why this is true. (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A2] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    -[X] Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish… (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A3] Record all the entries of the Grand Urbaz vaults and select a good-quality example of each minting to save from the smelters.
    -[X] [A4] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation. (Aetheric Vitae)
    -[X] [OVERWORK] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X] [SERENITY] Write a paper: Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (Fresh).
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X] [COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambits
    [X] Spoken Queekish + AV /w no Overwork (Rafin-QANo)
    -[X] No Overwork.
    -[X] [MAX] MAX: See if you can find more Queekish within those books: All Under-Karagril Clan Moulder books not bound in leather or written on vellum or parchment.
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X] [DUCK] Work with Panoramia for her to finally get around to investigating the greenskin mushrooms she found.
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] [A1] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    --[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life. Make up additional fake reasons as to why this is true. (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A2] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Continue with the Gambit that teaching you Queekish continues to cause discontent in the Grey Order and of course the Grey Order itself already has Queekish… (Deceiver)
    -[X] [A3] Record all the entries of the Grand Urbaz vaults and select a good-quality example of each minting to save from the smelters.
    -[X] [A4] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation. (Aetheric Vitae)
    -[X] [SERENITY] Write a paper: Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (Fresh).
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X] [COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambits
    [X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with Better Max, Better Paper, and Better Gambits.
    -[X] Contains one Overwork action
    -[X][MAX] Write a paper: Translated text on Chaos Dwarf anatomy (TIMELESS)
    -[X][JOHANN] Study an artefact: Unknown black gem, stolen from the Skaven.
    -[X][DUCK] Johann's investigation into the ratling gun has hit a wall. See if you can help
    -[X][EIC] Put policies in place that local news should be collected and sent to you (rumour mill).
    -[X] Seek to build a stronger rapport with Qrech, and provide enough sources of mental stimulation that you can turn your attention elsewhere.
    --[X] Convince Qrech that the Under-Empire has no way of knowing he's even alive, and that he should prioritize the comfort with which he will live the rest of his life.
    -[X] Try to convince him outright to teach you spoken Queekish.
    --[X] Deceiver: "My efforts in destroying Mors should have won me a great position and much prestige, unfortunately due to bypassing them the people who should be teaching me to speak the language (a prerequisite for the position I deserve.) are stonewalling me. They can't afford to do so forever but every day the luster of my victory fades. If I could go over their heads and speak it on my own though..."
    -[X] Travel to the Grey College and attend lessons there: Waystones and Waystone maintenance
    -[X][AV] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
    -[X] Wolf is fully grown and a Very Good Boy. Train him. (increases his intelligence, he may learn to speak Praestantia)
    -[X][PENTHOUSE] Have a gyrocopter landing pad built into your balcony.
    -[X][SERENITY] Brief observations on Eshin Sorcery (FRESH)
    -[X][COIN] The Deceiver: Skaven Gambit
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Aethyric Vitae (19 gallons):
[ ] Investigate the exact circumstances required to induce a transformation.
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I have to admit; I'm a little unsure what this option is going to do.

Our very first AV investigation back in Turn 21 focused pretty heavily on what induces a transformation. Then the "expose Vitae to living beings" option we just took also did a lot to figure out what will induce a transformation.

What exactly is left to experiment with along those lines? I presume BoneyM has something in mind, but I can't think what we haven't already covered.
 
picklepikkl said:
The over-handler was a thing this thread invented and Boney okayed pretty recently, though. Like, it wasn't originally on the table, it was an idea people came up with in like the last day. So I don't think it's required, though it might give us certain benefits if we pick someone good (and go hilariously wrong if we don't).

Could you toss in an approval vote for Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 with Better Max while you're at it, since that's the one currently likeliest to have a chance? Assuming you think the Better Max is a good enough idea to be worth it, of course, but since you're approval voting the original too...
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It´s done
 
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The Legion of the Golden Dead
  • Apocrypha
    • Omegahugger said:
    ... Note to self: After convincing the thread to utilise necromancy and reviving Van Hal, make a visit to the Golden college.

    The Legion of the Golden Dead shall walk once more, and it shall be fabulous!
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    ...Ranald damn it, now this won't leave my head.

    -----
    Altdorf feared.

    While it might seem odd to ascribe such emotions to a city, even the casual glance down one of its many avenues would bear the observation out. Folk, whether richly dressed or clad in rags, hurried along the streets, bunched tightly together like sheep fearing a wolf. A closer look would have revealed nervous, darting eyes, and a tendency for the knots of humanity to give wide berth to any particularly shadowed alleyways. The chapels swelled with fearful refugees, and the city's worthies tittered uneasily in their mansions. The same news was on every corner, in every grimy pub, and on every tongue.

    Dame Mathilde Weber, the Dämmerlichtreiter, had gone mad. Not two weeks ago, she had arrived at the gates of Wurtbad in a swirl of shadows and mist, and swept through to the tomb of the beloved Abelhelm Van Hal. There, through most blasphemous ritual, she had resurrected the great Elector Count, amidst mad declarations that "Our work is not yet done, Abelhelm" and "Roswita just needs you to convince her".

    Of the Revenant Count's daughter, there had been no word or sign since the Mad Magister and the Count entered Eagle Castle. But a pall of unnatural shadows and grey mists had fallen on Stirland and Sylvania, and the few refugees that escaped the borders of the newly-accursed land were only those far enough from Wurtbad that the dire news reached them before the entire land was ensorcelled.

    At the gates of Altdorf, the guards clenched white-knuckled hands around pikes, around pistols, around swords. Every new refugee at the gate was given an inspection that seemed an odd mix of paranoid scrutiny and fear of looking too hard.

    But it wouldn't have mattered anyway. As night fell on Altdorf, a dim shadow flitted over the wall in the bare few seconds before the nearest guards turned back on their patrol. The small grey shape slipped through the streets as if they were empty, rather than patrolled by grim-faced men bearing torches and arms, until it arrived at the fuming, smoking labyrinth of the Gold College. Slipping through doors and down staircases, the interloper delved deep beneath the College, past laboratories still lit and working long after the sun had set, past great alchemical furnaces, past vaults filled with carefully preserved reagents, until at last it reached a dully gleaming door at the utmost depths of the lowest basement.

    Here the cloaked figure paused a moment, bent over an almost imperceptible indent in the door. Then there was a click, a series of low thunks, and the door swung outwards on silent hinges. The figure darted inward, and paused to light a single torch by the door. The dim glow fell on hundreds upon hundreds of golden figures, stretching back into the darkness of the vault. Men and women entirely of gold, posed in various positions of life, whether speaking, or gesturing with held weapons, or miming the casting of spells. All of them members of the Gold Order, long since departed from the world.

    A stampede of feet from behind made the figure whirl back toward the entrance. A Gold Magister and several apprentices burst into the vault, stopping dead at what they saw.

    "Magister Weber!"

    The Grey Wizard smiled madly at the new arrivals. "You've come too late! I've already discovered how to do it! An indestructible army of golden warriors!"

    She raised her arms above her head, index fingers touching the cheeks of the figures that towered above her on either side. A torrent of Dhar swept through the room, and even the Gold Magister recoiled from the sight.

    Mathilde's smile widened. "Weber! AWAKEN, MY MAGISTERS!"

    And then the gold statues, the carefully guarded corpses of the Golden College's greatest Wizards...

    Began to move...
     
  • Apocrypha
    • [X] Plan: Spoken Queekish v4

    Feh, fine. And I'm voting for this one specifically over the "Better Max" version because I think having Max go searching through Queekish documents for loose vocabulary is well suited to his Patient trait and something that will qualitatively improve the final product of our efforts. Very dwarvish, doing the best job possible!
     
    Well better Max is now the second most popular so everyone voting for both it and Plan: Spoken Queekish v4 can drop v4 if they like better Max more.
     
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