The Reluctant Vassal's Guide to Living in the Frontier (with some Treason)

Kat smiled widely and toothily, looking almost feral with how she addressed the assembled Prisms. "Right fuckers, here it is! Our first big job!" She hollered to them and they cheered back, the loud noise nearly blowing out the microphone of any listening bugs. "We've got the greenlight to start designing a cruiser! Hell fucking yes!"

There was another round of celebrations before one of them paused to note the specific wording used by their leader. "Design? Not build?" They pointed out and this invoked more than a few curious looks. "Wouldn't it be best if we actually made it as well? Especially with, well…" Their voice trailed off with an uneasy note that was then picked up another.

"The ongoing conflict within House Iris could be resolved quicker with such aid, were it to occur in time." A long pause, then they finally voiced something that had been bothered them and many others for a while. "Yet doing so, to put such greater weapons of destruction in hands that may be turned against own people, it...unsettles me so. Especially when we finally talk about a scale beyond what could be considered reasonable within a single star system."

"But it is reasonable and necessary," A third threw back, spinning around to face them with a fierce look. "Not only that, it is our duty! Our oaths as Prisms are to make and consecrate sacred tools that which we entrust to the Brilliance Knights to fulfill their blessed undertakings. To shirk away from providing what is needed, that is sacrilege!"

"But the very same teachings which grant us holy knowledge also provide us with cautionary tale aplenty, about the disaster that which nearly ended ourselves because of pure recklessness," They growled back and took an aggressive step. "So it is indeed not just wisdom to take heed, but a duty to refuse to provide that which would cause unnecessary escalation. We Prisms should forge only what is needed, not what is asked."

"I wasn't aware that such traitorous thoughts could plague our order!"

"I wasn't aware that we had such disgusting warmongers in our ranks either!"

Kat could feel her eye twitch when once again, the assembled 'learned artisans' nearly came to blows with each other over this topic. Though perhaps she should have expected it, given that this is a very old theological debate among Prisms, the eternal skepticism of need versus want. While the Prisms would never dare declare themselves as anything but a unified collective from which blessed solarium came forth, many rightfully doubted it so. In truth, their organization was firmly divided between that fine line between tools for keeping the peace, and tools for waging a war.

The Hyacinth Prism supposed that this argument was a rather open secret to those who know the Prisms well, that these prideful makers sometimes couldn't see eye to eye. Yet it could be pointed out that such disagreements were hardly anything novel or shocking, given that the Brilliance Knights could have their own conflicts as well. And was House Iris not in the throes of such a standoff now?

There were divisions everywhere, and of all types. Kat mulled on this for a moment before deciding enough was enough and lifted her hammer. It slammed down on the ever-abused worktable with a loud crack and she raised her voice in tandem. "SHUT UP AND PIPE DOWN! YOU'RE PISSING ME OFF!"

All at once, the arguments were silenced and Kat growled, definitely not happy despite being in her comfort space. "Enough with the bellyaching and whining, save that when we don't have work. Which we do and it comes straight from the top as well. Meaning that the decision's wholly out of our hands now that we've been ordered by the voice of House Iris herself." That was enough to immediately quench any further embers, even for the most passionate of doubters.

When the command to make something came from the bloodline of the one who discovered solarium, no Prism in their right mind would refuse.

A few hung their heads in defeat and their leader scoffed, lifting to rest her hammer against a shoulder. "If you wanna compete, then think of whatever unlucky few are over on the other side. Think about what they're doing and make something better. Hell, go even further beyond that, go and build something to kick in the teeth of whatever other power wants to face House Iris!"

That definitely was the little kick needed to reignite the spark and soon, the Prisms were animatedly discussing their newest project. Kat regained her grin and reflected that building their first cruiser definitely fit this discussion, with how the type was what marked the start of expansion. Now it was up to these experts to make the ship perfect for the role.

Create a Design Plan!

Choose a Template

Choose Weapons


Choose Defenses

Finish it with a Name!
-[ ] [Name] ____ Class Cruiser Mk1
--[ ] Design Company (Optional)

- Improved offense or improved defense, that is the question indeed. But do note that these models both have more Hull and Hangers than destroyers, so either way, definite improvements. Also more Escorts. This symbolizes the 'basic' line of naval warfare.
- EDIT: Forgot to mention this at the time, but you can double stack modules on ships unlike aircraft/troops. So if you want to go double Ballistics or double AA, so long as it fits within the available modules, it should be valid.

It pushed the gathered Prisms to the brink, the debate strongly raging between two particular designs. Cruisers were the backbone of any fleet and their importance was only emphasized with these arguments between an offensive ship destroyer competing against a defensive rounded bulwark. Points were made, insults were hurled, and fists risen in these heated sessions. Only their leader's silent glare and promise while hefting a hammer kept the discussions between the enlightened learned ones from escalating into a brawl.

So finally, it came down a matter of frantic paperwork, a challenge on who could scribble and put together their rough blueprints first. It was then that the Corona-class heavy cruiser took the slightest of leads, having far less complicated weapon systems to integrated in that moment. The team drawing its competitor the Sugarbag-class light cruiser grumbled but graciously accepted their defeat, for now. Few doubted that the design would immediately be presented for renewed consideration should a call for another cruiser design come out.

There were a few who did suggest that perhaps it would be fairer to proceed with both designs as prototypes now before choosing one, such as what had occurred recently with that of the aerospace development. But then the Hyacinth Prism growled and laid into them about the vast difference in costs between putting together a large voidship in comparison to a small personal craft, let alone the already steep tag of prototype installation, testing, and reworking. Kat still had a sour expression on her face when she was done yelling at them, grumpily dismissing them all with a wave.

"Enough blabber. Time to get to work!" She ordered and so, the Prisms began development of the Corona-class.


(Recruit Regiment (2nd Andernian Guards): 10 +14 (Violet) +0 (Wealth) = 24)

Progress: 4/7. In Progress.

(Recruit Regiment (2nd Andernian Guard): 91 +14 (Dorothea) +0 (Wealth) = 105)

Progress: 8/7. Completed!

2nd Andernian Guard has been recruited in Gawain.

Dorothea stood in front of the assembled ranks, her gaze sweeping over them. Even though they all were now fully trained soldiers, many present still couldn't suppress the chill running down their spine at her stern eyes. Some even could feel parts of their body ache from where they had brutally experienced the Lycoris Knight's training firsthand, a mental scar and reminder that for all their glories and triumphs, there always was going to be those far above.

Yet it was also her that pushed them to not give up or waver in the face of such opposition. Even if the odds were low, overcoming such challenges was what differentiated a good fighter from a great warrior. Her lessons were indeed humbling but also inspirational in that regard, igniting a quiet respect for the Brilliance Knight as she looked over them all. Gazes were locked onto her, awaiting parting words with bated breath.

For her part, Dorothea was taking it all in with a projection of earned confidence on the outside, but slight concern on the inside. But it wasn't nervousness at needing to speak to so many; it was a slight fear at failure, especially when she was entrusted the task by none other than the Solar Princess! Even though she had frantically tried to insist that the blood of House Iris was the only one truly worthy to address the troops so, her Lady had declared otherwise. Oh, she could still hear the words ringing about in her ears, that unwavering trust in her own retainers!

Wait. That was it.

Dorothea took in a breath, then spoke, adapting those orders into words of wisdom to leave to the soldiers. "There will be times when those above cannot handle everything at once, when more serious issues require their undivided attention." She looked over the troops leaning into every single word coming from her mouth. "Then it is only natural that delegation must occur to divide responsibility and duty. However, while it is easy to simply give anybody a task, it is something else to know just who to entrust an assignment to.

"Today, I have the honor of saying that if I ever needed comrades to fight alongside, loyal and proud troops of House Iris to depend on, then I know just who to undertake such duties!" She didn't even need to say anything before the audience snapped to attention, their boots loudly slamming against the ground in synchronized step. "Proud soldiers of the 2nd Andernian Guard, hold your head up high. Today, you are now those whom can be entrusted with the honor of House Iris! To the stars!"

"To the stars!" The uniformed infantry chorused and Dorothea smiled, pleased. She could only hope such words would do justice to her Lady.


(Design Ship (Corona-class): 70 +15 (Kat) +0 (Wealth) = 85)

Progress 3/6. In Progress.

You glanced up from the report and despite your level look, Kat still wilted and shrunk in on herself. "U-um! I...we...the Prisms need just a little bit extra!" She squeaked and lowered her head. "P-please! Just some more f-funding! Please!"

A moment passed, then you gave a reassuring smile. "Of course. Give me a moment, and it will be done." Literally. I was already in the process of expanding the budget when I noticed your accounts were about to run dry. Guess developing a cruiser really is that expensive.

Any further thoughts were then knocked out of your head when Kat practically tackled into you in a sobbing hug. "T-thank you!" She wailed and squeezed tightly.

You squawked and barely managed to get your reinforcement circuits active in time to avoid your ribs from being cracked. She always did tend to forget about her own strength when outside her workshop.


(House Divided: 44 +16 (Radana) +0 (Wealth) = 60)

Progress: 2/2. Completed!

The transmitted communique laid on her desk, the notice of a diplomatic delegation wishing to land on a hostile planet under the flag of negotiations. It was a common and regular tradition in civilized space even in the Free States, where the white flag to talk and resolve issues without resorting to a fight was still respected. Surprisingly, it could work sometimes in changing minds with both parties walking away satisfied, having finally resolved a conflict of interests with all profiting.

Now the question was if there was a way to make even more, the appointed governor of Andernia considered. She pursed her lips and looked up to meet the look of the most trusted advisor at the moment, the talented ambitious man who had provided incredible insight all this while. From the remarkable commentary on her sister's destroyers to the lack of public response to the reactivated 92nd Intercessors, he was the only one she actually could somewhat lean on these days. Even though sometimes, it felt like it was nothing useful, his words, they still...reassured her. Comforted her.

Convinced her that this truly was the best way forward with what she knew to be the reality of the situation.

She needed that advice more than ever now and tapped the notice. "What do you think?" She quietly asked with a quiet sigh. "Should I refuse? Or should I hear my troublesome sister out?"

He took his time to consider an answer. "Negotiations can only progress when both sides have something that the other wants. For you, the benefits to convincing your sibling to finally stand down and kneel is clear. But then," He carefully worded, "we must question what she has to gain now, especially with her actions in context."

"You have a point," She muttered and leaned her temple against her fingers in thought. "She...there has to be a reason why she's doing this. She always does, the one who is always on the outside. Why she's actually trying to talk now, of all times, instead of finally raising a flag of rebellion like she has been building up to."

"It is almost frustrating that she has not, especially when it would finally give you legitimacy to mobilize emergency forces against her."

"Agreed." There was a long silence before finally, the daughter of House Iris decided she couldn't handle the growing tension and worries right now. It was simply too much for one human surrounded by a dwindling group of supporters who could not be trusted about the truth. She had to relieve her stress somehow.

She rose from her chair and walked to the front of her desk, a hand reaching out to casually slide the notice to the side. Her confident seemed to swiftly realized what she wanted and gingerly approached, pausing in perhaps doubt or hesitation right before coming right up. When slim fingers reached out to tug at his jacket to pull him in closer, he realized there definitely was no such confusion or misunderstanding.

The blood of House Iris was always clear and resolute in what they wanted, no matter how their blood was mixed.

- Hm, just realized I never actually listed what building aircraft would actually cost in terms of resources/time. I'm actually thinking of something like six (6) build time but four (4) cost. That makes sense and doesn't limit you to a single design cost-wise, but also shows a benefit of not having too many.
- Made a mistake and forgot the House Divided is only two actions. So enjoy the bonus scene, we'll pop off shortly.