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Warhammer Fantasy: Divided Loyalties - an Advisor's Quest

Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
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[X] Introduce the EIC to Kislev and Karak Vlag
[X] The Barak Varr book resellers and Carcassonne to see if the former can expand operations to the duchy
 
[X] Follow up on the newfound partnership between the Light Order and the Cult of Gazul
[X] Carcassonne/Bretonnia to inquire about their willingness to join the waystone project
[X] Gunnars about the emergency Conclave that declared us a "Dwarf"
[X] Dragomas/Ambers regarding support for the Waystone Project
[X] Introduce the EIC to Kislev and Karak Vlag
[X] Middenland about how the Eonir-Ulric partnership is going
[X] Stirland about the state of the war and who has become Markgräfin
[X] House Fooger, for their view on the canal project and Marienburg situation
 
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Hmm, I wonder if this could be useful in the future:
[] Inquire about a possible diplomatic connection to the Asrai of Athel Loren
 
[X] Stirland about the state of the war and who has become Markgräfin
[x] Barak Var about how their plans for mad dog pass is going
 
Romv said:
Hmm, I wonder if this could be useful in the future:
[] Inquire about a possible diplomatic connection to the Asrai of Athel Loren
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The Asari would try to stop the waystone project if they hear about it. So it is best to stay away from them till we get it up and running with results that the Asari can dispute.

Edit my bad I should not post when I first get up and have not had coffee.
 
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[X] Stirland about the state of the war and who has become Markgräfin
[X] Follow up on the Skull River investigation
Nurgle said:
The Asari would try to stop the waystone project if they hear about it. So it is best to stay away from them till we get it up and running with results that the Asari can dispute.
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That's the Asur of Ulthuan that would try to stop it, not the Asrai of Athel Loren.
 
@Boney Would "Give a prayer of thanks to Ranald, stumble into the crowd without looking and see where fortune brings you." effectively translate into letting you pick who we talk to for this, or is rolling involved?
 
We should partner with Karaz-a-Karak. They have millennia of skaven literature and we've got a Moderate Favour with them. Obviously there's other libraries to do first, but they should be on our list.
 
Ah damn. I slept in pretty hard. First off, I have to thank @Boney for the wonderful update. I appreciate your hard work. This is standard procedure by this point. Secondly, I'll need to compose myself a bit before dissecting the update, then I'll get right to voting.
 
IronFist said:
Considering who is getting married (two of Belegar's council members), it's quite likely that Gunnars is present.
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While I assume the same, wouldn't it be interesting to actually talk to one of the Dwarves present? Not all KaK High Priests are going to attend, but one or two are likely to be here, no?

Anyway, here's a scattershot of things that interest me. I'll probably pair it down as options start competing. And approval a few as well if need be.

[X] Give a prayer of thanks to Ranald, stumble into the crowd without looking and see where fortune brings you.

I came up with it, so I'll vote for it too.​

[X] Make Heidi aware of the potential protective uses Runes can have when it comes to magic mishaps, then casually introduce her to Thorek.

As I said, I think this has value. If nothing else, it allows Thorek and Heidi, who are both into politics, to directly interact now and in the future.​

[X] Talk to a Priest that was present during the Emergency Conclave and ask what's up with being declared a "Dwarf".
-[X]Maybe involve Gunnars before or after?

I wanna hear them say what the hell they were thinking. Gunnars might have something of interest to add, but that's secondary.​

[X] Follow up on the newfound partnership between the Light Order and the Cult of Gazul

If the one right above it works out these two could be combined or at least flow into each other well.​

[X] Check in on how Karak Vlag is managing and inquire about sharing books on magic and supernatural phenomena with our library.

Seems worth it doing here, among other things also just to see how the Vlag representative deals with the culture shock of being in a Hold that was also partially isolated but stuck far closer to tradition.​
Edit: Switched to my favorite phrasing, given that they all had an equal number of votes.​

[X] Cult of Verena about the possibility of entering into an agreement with our library

Good time to stretch out feelers in this direction.​

[X] Middenland about how the Eonir-Ulric partnership is going

Let's see what the EC or a random noble has to say about all this.​

[X] Okri: The new Loremaster of Karak Eight Peaks is Okri Drakkisson of Clan Bronzebeard, formerly of Karak Norn. Meet your replacement and gauge what kind of person he is.

I feel like a short meeting and quick chat is enough here, so it seems better to do this now than to spend a Social Action on it.​

[X] Barak Varr about the state of the Skull River investigation

Between the two investigating parties I'd rather talk to the Dwarves that decided to hire an Imperial Wizard and see how that worked out.​

[X] Stirland about the state of the war and who has become Markgräfin

Sure. We can do it here instead of during a dedicated Social Action. But it's not that high on my list compared to special opportunities.​

[X] The Damsels to inquire about their willingness to join the Waystone Project

No reason to go through Carcassonne or the Royarch for this.​

[X] The Barak Varr book resellers and Carcassonne to see if the former can expand operations to the duchy

I'm not sure about the phrasing of this option, but I'm not going to quibble with it by changing it. Sure, we could cast the net out to include all present Bretonnian nobles, but Carcassonne is the most likely to bite anyway. And I'd like to actually socialize a bit with said booksellers, but if Boney finds inspiration there he'll do it anyway. And the player goal of getting access to higher rarity books should be obvious from context.​

[X] Barak Varr about how their plans for mad dog pass is going

Another worthy option that can potentially be combined with one or two other options.​

[X] A dragon, to see what they think of dwarven mating rituals.

The only "joke" option that might actually be both possible and interesting, simply by having Boney decide that it's fun enough to have Cython attend. It would also only be minimally harmful to SoD, as opposed to the others.​
 
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The Karak Vlag option is in a pretty bad shape right now. There are 8 voters that are voting for interacting with Karag Vlag, but:
5 of those votes are for doing something with them and the EIC (which I don't think makes much sense, the EIC has zero presence near Kislev and we passed on the option to use our victory in the Shirokij to get a foothold there)
5 of those votes are about talking to them regarding books, but those votes are spread between 4 (!) different phrasings

The library voters should probably decide on one phrasing to vote for. The EIC voters and the library voters might want to consider reaching some sort of compromise, because right now Karak Vlag isn't very high in the vote, but if we all join forces it will be tied for second
 
[X] Follow up on the newfound partnership between the Light Order and the Cult of Gazul
[X] Carcassonne/Bretonnia to inquire about their willingness to join the waystone project
[X] Gunnars about the emergency Conclave that declared us a "Dwarf"
[X] Dragomas/Ambers regarding support for the Waystone Project
[X] Introduce the EIC to Kislev and Karak Vlag
[X] Middenland about how the Eonir-Ulric partnership is going
[X] Stirland about the state of the war and who has become Markgräfin
[X] House Fooger, for their view on the canal project and Marienburg situation
 
[X] House Fooger, for their view on the canal project and Marienburg situation
[X] Follow up on the newfound partnership between the Light Order and the Cult of Gazul
[X] Cult of Taal about joining the Waystone Project
[X] Gunnars about the emergency Conclave that declared us a "Dwarf"
[X] Dragomas/Ambers regarding support for the Waystone Project
[X] Karak Vlag about the possibility of entering into an agreement with our library
[X] Cult of Verena about the possibility of entering into an agreement with our library
[X] Middenland about how the Eonir-Ulric partnership is going
[X] Stirland about the state of the war and who has become Markgräfin
 
Boney said:
"When someone is fitted with suppressors, if it's their decision then it's their decision, and if it's something their parents have forced on them then they can still remove them and come to the Colleges and be accepted. But this is a decision that's normally being made when someone has first channelled and shaped magic. As young as Mandred is, as undeveloped as his magical ability is, fitting him with suppressors would likely completely smother any ability he will ever have to see and touch magic. And I couldn't recommend that for anyone. If I was given a choice between keeping my eyes and keeping my magic I wouldn't even hesitate to choose magic.
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Mathilde places a lot of value in the wonders of magic, and I can't blame her. It's what pulled her out of what was promised to be a miserable and to her viewpoint, pointless life. Magic is what allowed her to jump up in station and become so powerful and capable of changing the world to a better place. Mandred is in a different situation, being able to make those changes even without magic, but he would still miss out on the wonders of altering the world with his mind and seeing the beautiful colors of the Aethyr, allowing him to unravel the secrets that others can't see. It would be betraying everything Mathilde stands for if she decided to remove that potential from a child who can't make the decision for themselves.
Boney said:
"And in all honesty, if he never becomes Emperor, so what? Plenty of people never become Emperor. I'm sure Mandred will grow up to be a wonderful leader, but the Empire would do just fine under Todbringer or Hertwig or Van Hal. Grand Prince Mandred will still have plenty of power and responsibility, and you're right that as a Wizard he could do so much good for the Colleges and for Wizards. In the minds of the masses he could do more simply by existing than people like me could do in a century of good deeds, and he could lay down legal protections that will stop us from being a single document away from being besieged by the Witch Hunters once more.
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It's a bit disheartening for Mathilde to outright admit it, but it's true that Mandred just sitting and looking pretty as a Grand Prince does more for the public than all that Mathilde has and will do as a Wizard. That's just what a feudal society that hates magic looks like. Let's hope he makes some good changes for the future.
Boney said:
"You're looking at this as a gamble and then beating yourself up for seeing it as a gamble, but the decisions that led to this have already been made and it's too late to start second-guessing them. The only way to walk away from this hand is to abandon your son. If you don't, then it's your duty as his mother to accept who he is and help him grow into a good person."
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Heidi has really started to get attached to Mandred, and she should, considering he's her son, and I imagine she never thought she would have those feelings. She jumped into this as a gamble and a con, but her developing affection for her son has made her second guess her decisions because she doesn't want to involve her son, despite the fact that he was an essential part of the con. Classic conflict of interests. It's good that Mathilde has hammered the point into her head that she isn't being a bad mother to keep his magical abilities. Heidi has a tendency to view things from her specfic point of view where everything is a gamble or a caper in the making. Remember when Mathilde was being entirely honest about the EIC and Heidi went "keep the caper to yourself then" not believing her? Well, it seems things are changing as Heidi realises that Mathilde is just like that.
Boney said:
Heidi nods, slightly at first and then with more confidence. "You're right. If he's a Wizard, he's a Wizard. I can handle that, and so can Luitpold."
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Altering your viewpoint of the world isn't easy, but it looks like Heidi isn't beating herself up for viewing this as a gamble anymore, which is good.
Boney said:
"And from a Ranaldian perspective, aren't you the one that says you don't go for the big elaborate plan? If you were the grand plan type you never would have been in Nachthafen for me to meet you, right?" She considers that and nods. "So pivot the caper. A Grand Prince can do almost as much and with much less oversight. Remember the Black College business, when everything Luitpold tried to do was shaped by having to tiptoe around the Elector Counts? Maybe Mandred could get more done for Ranald if he was the one getting tiptoed around. Help the Dealer spread up the Reik, maybe."

"That's a point, if he didn't have the Grand Theogonist breathing down his neck he'd have a lot more freedom to act..." Heidi's face creases in thought. "Especially if the new Emperor tries to shift the location of the Grand Conclave, and has to do some favour-trading to make it happen since it's been in Altdorf for so long..."
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Mathilde's standard method of diplomacy. She tries to view things from a person's perspective, then present it to them in a way that would fit their worldview or benefit their chosen method of operation. In this case, appealing to Heidi's desire for a caper/con/gamble that reassures her that things might even be better for her if Mandred was just a Prince.

It would be nice for Mandred to have less red tape to tangle with. It makes hiding the fact that his mother is a secret Ranaldian that much easier.
Boney said:
"See? There's always opportunities for mischief and profit, even when you're doing the right thing."

She smiles at you. "The Cult would be a lot more accepted if everyone went about worshipping Him the way you do." She looks around the empty Hall while you try to decide how to respond to that.
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Here, we see Heidi finally seeing and recognising Mathilde for who she is. A good person who tries her best. A lot of good could be done if everyone worshipped Ranald like Mathilde did, and Heidi recognises that, because despite all of these machinations and dubious plots, Mathilde is still focusing on "the right thing".

I do hope that Mathilde's friendship has had a positive effect on Heidi. I think it might have. It can be difficult to spend your life going from one mask to another duping and conning people and never really revealing yourself or ever being vulnerable. Having someone who knows and understands you to a degree who can help you and drag you to some sort of moral compass might be just the thing she needed.
Boney said:
"We should probably get back to the festivities before the gossip reaches a fever pitch."
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There are so many things I could say to this but I will refrain to maintain a PG-13 rating.
Boney said:
You nod. "Don't want to miss the Barazdeg itself."

"What's up with that? From how it was explained it seems like some sort of wife auction?"

"Well, the thing about that is..."

As the two of you head back to the Grimbrow Clan Hall, you explain the finer points of Dwarven culture and the unspoken understandings and behind-the-scenes negotiations that underpin the ancient rituals.
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Mathilde is the designated Dwarven Anthropologist of the friend group. She's just waiting for the opportunity to go on some long tangent on Dwarven history and culture.

I also find it interesting that for such a straightforward, no nonsense grounded society, Dwarven culture has a great deal of unspoken understandings and subtlities that are dense and impenetrable to someone from the outside.
Boney said:
When the two of you arrive she's quickly swallowed back up by her swarm of attendants and you position yourself once more to scan the crowd. There's not enough time left before the presentation to have any serious conversations, but once the presentation is made the family will withdraw to consider the gifts, and though everyone knows the result is a foregone conclusion they need to spend enough time in consideration to pay proper respect to whatever Kazrik's gift might be.
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The phrasing Boney uses for Heidi coming back to her group of attendants is genuinely funny. It brings to my mind an image of Heidi being devoured by a plague of locusts. No rest for the wicked.
Boney said:
When the time comes, there are no ritual words to be spoken as the work is supposed to encompass all that needs saying about the suitor's wealth and skill. Kazrik steps forward in silence and places his offering upon the table: an abacus of steel and gemstones that he places upright, and with a finger he nudges up one of the jewels. At his touch all of the stones begin to softly glow with an inner light, and the jewel he moved stays resolutely in place, ignoring the call of gravity. A wave of appreciative nods spreads through the audience as they take in this gift, and you find yourself joining them. The jewels quite obviously demonstrate wealth, and the display of Runesmithing may not be up to the standards of Kragg or Thorek but is impressive for someone who had to work around their duties as heir of Karak Azul and diplomat of Karak Eight Peaks. But more than that, the gift itself is a thoughtful one that Edda would be able to get a lot of use out of, since Klinkarhun numerals are incredibly ungainly to do any sort of calculations with. It shows an understanding and appreciation of Edda's skills and knowledge, and that will undoubtedly be extremely useful for the future King of Karak Azul to have in his Queen.
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That's a really neat and thoughtful gift. A bit wasteful of the jewels but I suppose he has to make a point. It's nice to see Kazrik demonstrate his understanding of Edda and Runesmithing.

As an aside, my understanding of the abacus is that it's a chinese invention. Which apparently is not the case now that I'm looking it up. I don't know why I thought that considering there is apparently a Sumerian Abacus around 2700-2500 BC. People really figured out this counting aid thing very early on in human history.
Boney said:
Edda and her kinfolk take the abacus and retire to give the proper show of consideration, and King Kazador walks up to his son and claps him on the shoulder in pride. Normally this period of a Barazdeg is as much a spectacle as the presentation of gifts, but without any other suitors to potentially clash with Kazrik the crowd returns to the buzz of conversation as all sorts of affairs of state are discussed by the gathered personages. It would be gauche to actually sign any treaties or make any deals at an occasion like this, but it's places like this that the unofficial groundwork is laid for future, more formal arrangements, and you consider the conversations you wish to have while this many important people are in one place. Every Elector Count except Ostland and every Dwarven King of the Karaz Ankor is either here in person or has sent a delegate, as have the Tzar of Kislev, the Royarch of Bretonnia, the Dukes of Carcassonne, Parravon, Montfort, and Gisoreux, and the many rulers of Tilean city-states. There are also an assortment of lesser figures representing innumerable minor powers from throughout the Old World. Just about any dialogue you might wish to have with the institutions of the Old World can be had here.
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Kazador has one setting, and that is "slap them on the back/shoulder as a show of support and comraderie". That's what he spends 50% of his screentime doing.

In terms of discussion, I do want to test the waters with House Fooger. They're one of the better houses in the Marienburg directory and rely on Dwarven products, so it's in their best interest to have good relations with the Karaz Ankor. Carcassonne would be interesting to see how things are going there. I want to see the results of the Stirland conflict now that the siege has been broken. Zhufbar to learn of the state of the canal maybe? Karak Vlag to see how they're holding up? Middenland to see how they're holding up with Laurelorn? Light College to see how the politics are turning out now that Alric has been upstaged yet again? The possibilities are endless.
Boney said:
Example votes:

[-] The Rangers Guild about teaching Dwarven War Yodelling to humans
[-] Stirland about whether Wurtbad needs a Dwarven War Yodelling academy
[-] The Cult of Myrmidia about whether Dwarven War Yodelling would fall under Myrmidia's authority
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Boney has a fascination with Dwarven War Yodeling. I suppose it is the superior method of Dwarven communication. Just wait until it becomes an important plot point in an upcoming adventure. Boney's been building up to it. I just know that this is a Chekhov's Gun.

Anyways, I do wonder why Dwarven War Yodeling would fall under Myrmidia's authority. Probably because it's wartime communication. Myrmidia's all about strategy, and I'm sure they have their own equivalent using Myrmidian Battle Tongue.

I'll lurk around to see what votes pop up before I rise like a gremlin to vote. I'm not good with phrasing new votes.
 
Boney said:
If I was given a choice between keeping my eyes and keeping my magic I wouldn't even hesitate to choose magic.
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Far off in Laurelorn, Johann sneezes.
Boney said:
"The Cult would be a lot more accepted if everyone went about worshipping Him the way you do."
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D'awwwwwwwwwww.
Rafin said:
We did? I thought all of our interactions with her were socializing after business brought us together. Do you remember what happened on that pre-date?
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We went on Zeroth Dates with all six options. Date 0 with Roswita was helping her prep an anti-Vampire paper for presentation and then attending the presentation itself. It was cute nerdy fun, but didn't seem to grab people.

Pure write-in votes always stress me out, so I can only imagine how hard they are to QM. I wish Boney luck in not going insane from the tally when all is said and done.

[X] Cult of Taal about joining the Waystone Project
[X] The Tilean Cult of Myrmidia to discuss the Waystone project.
[X] See if you can find a Priest of Ranald. You are duty bound to play at least one round of cards or dice with them. Ask how things up North are doing, and how the faith is doing in K8Ps. You've tried to stay out of it, for the most part, but you are curious.
[X] Follow up on the newfound partnership between the Light Order and the Cult of Gazul
[X] House Fooger, for their view on the canal project and Marienburg situation

Confining myself to culty things, which I think we've underexplored (for extremely valid reasons) and Marienburg (which we have little other ability to gain intel on).
 
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picklepikkl said:
Far off in Laurelorn, Johann sneezes.
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I would assume Johann would be accompanying us to this occasion. This is his home too, and I think it's notable enough an event that he can hitch a ride with Mathilde up to K8P for some socialising and catching up with old friends.
picklepikkl said:
Pure write-in votes always stress me out, so I can only imagine how hard they are to QM. I wish Boney luck in not going insane from the tally when all is said and done.
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Complete freedom is paralysing. I'm just waiting for the thread to create a salsa of options before I pick the ones that appeal to me most like it's a banquet.
 
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