[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
Who Needs Harmony?: An MLP Empire Quest
- Thread starter Questor
- Start date
- Location
- Lost in the hive mind
[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
Emote Control
Plenty of genius, not enough sense.
[X] Equestrian Introductions
This seems most in-character to me.
This seems most in-character to me.
- Location
- United States of America
[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
- Location
- United States of America
You need to close your brackets for the vote tally to pick it up.
- Location
- The state of Paranoia
[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
Your vote doesn't apply, since you dislocated the [] in both X's.
[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
- Location
- Germany
Gawains problem is that doesn´t quite think through his desire to "step outside his Father´s shadow".
He wants to be his own person and eventually his own Emperor instead of simply "Garricks son and Heir", but by blindly rushing into battle without actually understanding the grander context of what it all means he´d only step further INTO that shadow existence he so loathes.
First Gawain needs to realize that he needs to do something different in order to be treated differently because he and his father are *two different kinds of Emperor governing over a different kind of Empire each*.
Garrick started out as a Warrior King (later crowned Emperor), because that was the kind of ruler his empire needed.
From the very start, Garricks Gryphonia/Gryphus had to bathe itself in blood and war to forge its own path - first against Brochard and the threats of the wilderness, later angainst Sombra and his dark hordes. Heck, even the current war against Maretonia was born out of a desire to both protect his own and not to be seen as prey to other polities. Because of all this, Garrick literally transformed himself from a somewhat-scrawny and confused merchant into a veritable slab of muscle and battle-prowess, the steely gaze of whom could petrify too-eager males thinking of making passes at his daughters from a whole grand ballroom across - because that was the kind of ruler Gryphus *Needed* to become the peaceful and prosperous powerhoose it is now.
That´s the rub, though - NOW Gryphus at its core - while still undoutably ready to defend itself and militarily powerful when needed - has become a place, where far-reaching alliance a forged strongly and where intellectual marvels are born. That means that at some point, it will grow to need a more scholarly and erudite kind of Emperor to truly prosper. Gawain already is the right sort of heir - he just needs to realize that and stop trying to ape a kind of king he neither is nor needs to be.
That´s why I am voting thusly:
[X] Paper-Pushing Prince: It's not a glamorous job, but someone needs to make sure the Army is fed, watered and armed. He won't earn any scars or combat honors, but he'll get a chance to play a part in the campaign, however small it might be.
[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
Not really caring, which of those two wins, because both options play into his strength and the kind of Emperor he´ll be.
He wants to be his own person and eventually his own Emperor instead of simply "Garricks son and Heir", but by blindly rushing into battle without actually understanding the grander context of what it all means he´d only step further INTO that shadow existence he so loathes.
First Gawain needs to realize that he needs to do something different in order to be treated differently because he and his father are *two different kinds of Emperor governing over a different kind of Empire each*.
Garrick started out as a Warrior King (later crowned Emperor), because that was the kind of ruler his empire needed.
From the very start, Garricks Gryphonia/Gryphus had to bathe itself in blood and war to forge its own path - first against Brochard and the threats of the wilderness, later angainst Sombra and his dark hordes. Heck, even the current war against Maretonia was born out of a desire to both protect his own and not to be seen as prey to other polities. Because of all this, Garrick literally transformed himself from a somewhat-scrawny and confused merchant into a veritable slab of muscle and battle-prowess, the steely gaze of whom could petrify too-eager males thinking of making passes at his daughters from a whole grand ballroom across - because that was the kind of ruler Gryphus *Needed* to become the peaceful and prosperous powerhoose it is now.
That´s the rub, though - NOW Gryphus at its core - while still undoutably ready to defend itself and militarily powerful when needed - has become a place, where far-reaching alliance a forged strongly and where intellectual marvels are born. That means that at some point, it will grow to need a more scholarly and erudite kind of Emperor to truly prosper. Gawain already is the right sort of heir - he just needs to realize that and stop trying to ape a kind of king he neither is nor needs to be.
That´s why I am voting thusly:
[X] Paper-Pushing Prince: It's not a glamorous job, but someone needs to make sure the Army is fed, watered and armed. He won't earn any scars or combat honors, but he'll get a chance to play a part in the campaign, however small it might be.
[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
Not really caring, which of those two wins, because both options play into his strength and the kind of Emperor he´ll be.
- Location
- USA
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
- Location
- Italy
..flashback to ME 2 Garrus...
and he's right. Having the King and Queen go is already a very hard to justify decision, but at least there are SOME benefits in the morale of the soldiers and our reputation back home.
The prince? No, that's just a bad idea.
I think Garrick would have been MORE surprised if this didn't happen, honestly. I doubt he actually thinks bad of Gawain for it. He understands.
And how many of these sons are enlisting right now?
oh, the irony!
THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING ALL THE TIME!
yeah, there IS a risk, but the benefits...
Honestly I'd be tempted to offer the Neighponese to bring one of THEIR ambassadors too, but that might actually weaken our position a bit. I doubt the Yaks would be interested, and we're not THAT close to the Canterburians, even ignoring the changeling problem.
..no. Just no.
Rear-echelon officer would be "I'll make myself useful, even for no glory at all!"
Equestria is "If I'm not allowed to be useful and get fglory THERE, I'll find something else to do"
Going incognito is "glory before reason". As a random soldier Gawain wouldn NOT make a difference. Not enough to justify the IMMENSE risk. It would also risk straining his relationship with ALL of his family.
Honestly, if discovered it's nearly enough of a good reason to REMOVE HIM from the heir position. A heir that's THIS careless with his own life, and the possible consequences on his empire, he's NOT ready for the throne.
Also I'm hoping for Gawain to connect with Luna. Maybe, if she's not appreciated back home, Luna can become an ambassador. I'm pretty sure the Gryphon would appreciate her more than she is back home, if things are as bad for her as it was implied.
[x] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
The update is good. It's not worth the wait, but that's just because the wait was THAT long. If the following ones will be faster, then that's more than fine.
You know, if this happen again, next time you could simply skip the interlude. Write a small summary along the lines of "Gawain argued with his father, but was denied. What will you do now?" and simply skip to the vote.
Trying for the perfect interlude is not worth months of hiatus, if that's the ONLY reason you're delaying (if the reason is instead real life problems, well, that's completely different and you should take all the time you need. maybe give us a monthly report or something though? Just enough to know that the quest has not been dropped?)
[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
Good to see this back!
Good to see this back!
- Location
- Italy
I just realized something regarding pegasi cloud cities.
Either they must be built at least partially with a manner of material that would allow a non-pegasi to stand on a cloud, or they don't and suddenly they really fail at being fortresses against anyone.
After all, the invaders could/would just pop through any clouds otherwise! Can you think how it would be if the invader could just pop out of any wall, floor or ceiling? Even with the risk of going in blind through clouds to get deeper, the same would apply to some extent to the defenders, needing to check all directions at all times during a siege.
@Questor back to my questions: are pegasi flying cities built with such a material, or what known methods do they use to deal with non-pegasi flyers?
At least in canon not-pegasi EXPLICITELY can't walk on such clouds without a cloud-walking spell. I suppose it might have been different in military encampments.
Can you imagine if two pegasi had a not-pegasus child, though? Do they give birth on the ground, just to be safe? Do they have a special bed prepared?
well, except mage/biotic. Just like Garrus, actually.
he would likely gain a good reputation with the commoners if it went well, true.
it would be a HORRIBLE reputation with the other (smart) nobles, the military officers, and probably even the wealthy merchants.
He COULD grow beyond it if he showed he matured after it, but that doesn't make it a wise decision.
Gawain is better than that
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
Nah, the military would probably respect him for it as long as he doesn't go about it in a stupid way (meaning literally charging to seek glory, ignoring orders, and refusing to show initiative when necessary). The merchants would only care insomuch as him going off upsets the economy which would be rather minimal if he actually lives seeing as we are 90% state capitalist, especially due to the recent bout of state spending overwhelming private spending in the economy by a large amount.
The nobility...well that more depends on how loyal they'll stay when we can't fall back on having unified the empire for maxed goodwill and thus have to actually work for those good relations. I think we sometimes forget those are still mechanics since they haven't come in to relevance since pre-Wingbardy annexation times. They probably would be legitimately upset seeing as we don't have Vedina's chivalric tradition at the moment.
Still not the same thing as a "HORRIBLE REPUTATION" and being known as a by-word for idiot. That'd only happen if he failed. Most risky decisions in history are popularly looked on favorably when they succeed, regardless of the risk entailed.
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[X] Equestrian Introductions: He's built a reputation for himself as a diplomat. Why stop now?
As much as I love the idea of prince incognito I must go with the equestrian option, it's the best option available, it will build his legend and get him out of his parents shadows, Birb boi is still young and there will always be future wars for him to fight and earn his scars.
As much as I love the idea of prince incognito I must go with the equestrian option, it's the best option available, it will build his legend and get him out of his parents shadows, Birb boi is still young and there will always be future wars for him to fight and earn his scars.
- Location
- Italy
having a risky decision pay off doesn't make it a good decision. The common soldiers might respect Gawain for it, but an officer should understand just how high were the odds of a "common soldier" to die or be crippled in war are, and there's a reason why Garrick and wife are NOT fighting alongside the common soldiers, but usually stay in a more protected section of the army.Nah, the military would probably respect him for it as long as he doesn't go about it in a stupid way (meaning literally charging to seek glory, ignoring orders, and refusing to show initiative when necessary). The merchants would only care insomuch as him going off upsets the economy which would be rather minimal if he actually lives seeing as we are 90% state capitalist, especially due to the recent bout of state spending overwhelming private spending in the economy by a large amount.
The nobility...well that more depends on how loyal they'll stay when we can't fall back on having unified the empire for maxed goodwill and thus have to actually work for those good relations. I think we sometimes forget those are still mechanics since they haven't come in to relevance since pre-Wingbardy annexation times. They probably would be legitimately upset seeing as we don't have Vedina's chivalric tradition at the moment.
Still not the same thing as a "HORRIBLE REPUTATION" and being known as a by-word for idiot. That'd only happen if he failed. Most risky decisions in history are popularly looked on favorably when they succeed, regardless of the risk entailed.
An army can't afford to take risks REGULARLY. Not when in TRULY matters, and not unless they have no other choice.
Gawain wouldn't even be an officer, just a random recruit! He might very well die in the first battle, and nobody would ever notice!
Merchants would disapprove because Gawain is risking a lot for very little gains, I think.
EDIT: just notice, even Ki Seong thinks it's a HORRIBLE idea!
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Equestrian Introductions
Just read the entire quest, and I feel like going of to battle is a poor plan. I know we have spare heirs, but I prefer a living son, no matter how hypocritical it is.
Just read the entire quest, and I feel like going of to battle is a poor plan. I know we have spare heirs, but I prefer a living son, no matter how hypocritical it is.
