S2 Week 16 (Extra)
- Location
- Houston
Before long the two of us depart on good terms. All this recent socialization has done me some good, but I have to turn my attention back to business at some point.
There are a number of projects completing this week. In addition to that, finally dealing with the brothers opens up certain avenues that will come knocking sooner or later. I get the feeling that Sienna and I will have a discussion about the leadership of the White Fang. However, that's not what has my attention at the moment.
Perhaps it does have some influence over my choices as I decide to look into Timber's report about Mistral. Specifically the Great Cities that hold much of the political power in the Kingdom.
His exact report is pretty verbose and details much of the general politics of each city. I simply file away most of that for later review whenever it becomes relevant. That may be sooner than I'd hope considering everything going on, but for now I content myself with a more general overview.
As I discussed with Timber before, there are nine Great Cities in Mistral. The original eight and the recent addition of Kuchinashi. Zephyr, Libeccio, Ostro, Sirocco, Levante, Gregale, Argus, and of course Mistral were all established as Great Cities in the constitution of Mistral following the Great War and the Vytal Peace Accords. As evidenced by Ostro, none of these cities have lost that status despite any hardships they may have faced; although there is another interesting quirk to note.
The Great Cities are split relatively evenly between those in Outer Mistral and those in Inner Mistral. The difference as such is primarily that Outer Mistral is located around the coast while Inner Mistral is more inland or around Lake Matsu. Although, calling it a lake is a bit of a misnomer.
Lake Matsu is nearly, if not greater than, the size of half of Menagerie as a whole. It is a veritable sea which has provided much benefit both in the past and in the present. However, that has little to do with the immediate distinction.
Both Inner and Outer Mistral are culturally Mistrali, though there are more differences than mere geography; though that certainly is the origin of the differences. Inner Mistrali are the more stereotypical example of the Kingdom and what most people think of when Mistral enters their mind. Full of traditional architecture and people with heavy Mistrali features.
Whilst Outer Mistral is more characterized by an intermingling with foreigners and a focus on trade. This leads to them being much more diverse in mode of thought. Though, again, the people associate closely with the Mistrali culture more so than any foreign influence. One of the few things that has kept the Kingdom from disintegrating into petty fiefdoms.
To put it more bluntly, those from Outer Mistral are typically characterized by the likes of Nora and Pyrrha while Inner Mistral is more characterized by Ren and Marina. Not that this is wholly accurate to the demographics that have since shifted. Torchwick was born in Windpath which is otherwise an Inner Mistrali settlement and he doesn't bear many heavy features.
Regardless, by this metric the Inner Mistrali cities are Mistral, Zephyr, Gregale, Sirocco, and the newest addition Kuchinashi. Of these, Mistral, Zephyr, and Gregale are located on the coast of, or in close proximity to, Lake Matsu. Furthermore, Gregale and Zephyr benefit from being linked to railines that feed into Argus, though the two cities are on opposite sides of the Lake. This has led to a partnership of sorts between the two cities, but that's perhaps best served to be gotten into later.
Gregale is located along the Northeastern coast of Lake Matsu and is similarly located next to the Argus Limited line first constructed by Atlas. This puts them in a position of having easy access to refined Dust as well as a measure of control over Mistral, and subsequently Kuchinashi and Sirocco's, trade network. This leaves them as an unpopular, if necessary, partner to those cities.
This access to the trade network allows Gregale to be as heavily industrialized as it is. Located northwards enough to face harsh winters and blizzards the city itself doesn't produce much of its own food. Rather being an important stopping point for commerce that allows it to import many foodstuffs while exporting industrial goods. Typically ones that Atlas is ill suited to transport overland to Mistral that Gregale can simply use the access to Lake Matsu to transport far more easily.
Being located where it is also meant that the faunus population didn't retreat from the city after the conclusion of the Great War like they did in Ostro. In fact, that's more or less the norm with Mistrali cities, with Ostro proving as the exception. Nonetheless, Gregale's location has also led it to be a melting pot between the Inner Mistrali and the Outer Mistrali, though this is more a demographic note than a political one.
On the opposite side of Matsu is Zephyr, located on the Western coastline. Like Gregale it has a commanding position on a rail line. Specifically the one from Argus to Libeccio. Something that has led Gregale and Zephyr cooperating in any attempt to stifle the construction of additional railways. Neither side wants to give up their commanding position even slightly. Though by my estimation Zephyr has more to lose than Gregale.
Unlike Gregale, Zephyr is not an overly industrialized center. It still produces some goods and takes advantage of the easy access to Dust. However, the main economic impetus behind Zephyr is less developed.
They are able to produce their own food and have a strong maritime tradition. Even having a colony on the island within Lake Matsu. However, their greatest economic claim is that of the Dust deposits in their area. Something which is providing much of the wealth for the city, though bound to cause difficulties later on.
For whatever reason they have not been quick to shift their industry or ramp it up. The reasoning for which may simply be that there isn't an easy economic niche for them to fall into and a broad overview simply isn't enough to detect what they are doing about it. I imagine that there's either a lot of politicking responsible or that there are many small ideas that are tested and tried only to fail.
Further down the line leads to Libeccio on the Western coast of Mistral. This city is primarily focused on trade with the Eastern Valean colonies and the Southwestern Mistral settlements. This puts them in loose competition with Ostro, who stands to gain from servicing those settlements though is not in a proper position to do so.
Libeccio benefits from its railway connection just as much as Zephyr does. However, the lack of a direct connection to Mistral is something that irks the city greatly. This of course is a cause of enmity between the cities, though the resultant deadlock from Zephyr, Gregale, and Argus makes it near impossible for them to change that state of affairs.
There was an attempt by them and the elite of Mistral to establish Kuroyuri as a sort of central rail hub to help circumvent that issue. However, the fall of Kuroyuri to the grimm has put an end to that arena of politicking. As a result, Libeccio has sought closer ties with Vale, both economically and politically. The people and practices of the city have taken on a distinctly Valean bent; in fact Libeccio one of only two cities to not practice tiered voting.
Unfortunately, the city itself is rather crowded because of its geography. Nestled into a cove by the coast shielded by two mountains there is only so much space for expansion. That sounds pretty familiar to me, and checking into the city reveals why. Asylum, the combat school Ren and Nora attended for a year, is located in Libeccio.
Further investigation also reveals that the city, and by extension Asylum, is a popular spot for Mistrali hopeful to emigrate to Vale to pass through. Apparently the city is rather close diplomatically to that of Tani in Vale. The two cities often share information on prospective immigrants as well as the responsibility to investigate and approve them
On the opposite end of Anima, though more similar than different, is Levante. Like Libeccio, it is the only other city that does not practice tiered voting. Primarily due to cultural diffusion from Vacuo and the city's isolated position. Located on the Northern tip of the desert-like Eastern arm of Anima leaves very little room for other neighbors. This is probably assisted by the city's purpose as the main port of call for trade between Mistral and Vacuo.
Furthermore, most of the settlements of Western Vacuo are either Mistrali ventures or filled with Mistrali people. Something that gave the Mistral Trading Company an in into the desert Kingdom to extract Dust from it. While the Dust has dried up, which led to a contraction economically and decline in population, the western settlements are still affluent enough that the proximal wealth is enough to keep Levante afloat.
Unlike the rest of Vacuo, the western end is actually not desert. Instead full of fertile farmland and forests due to being on the favorable side of the rain shadow from the mountains at their back. This and the climate leads them to be a significant agricultural export for Vacuan goods that Levante is able to leverage as a part of its economic position. However, the advances in airships has posed a threat to the city's livelihood.
This uniqueness leads to the city taking on an almost foreign air not found elsewhere in Mistral and the differences don't stop there. During the economic contraction, many criminal syndicates were run out during the competition. In fact, so much so that no real organization persists in Levante to this day. Though this is more due to the fact that the 'winner' became the de-facto government only to slowly be edged out by the populace under the Vacuan influenced equality.
Another difference is that Levante has a proud military tradition owed to the Mistrali veterans who settled in the area upon the conclusion of the Great War. Something that is necessary given the remoteness of their location and the deep waters of the Eastern ocean. Large aquatic grimm attacks are somewhat frequent and held off by the mandatory service of the populace; usually with large artillery pieces.
While this may reduce the need for Huntsmen, the isolated nature of the city still makes it a hotbed for missions. Something I'm sure the city encourages as it also leaves them better defended in the case of grimm attacks. From my read of it, it seems like Levante and Libeccio would be natural avenues for further political action on my part, but there are a few cities I haven't gotten to yet.
Of the remaining, Argus and Mistral perhaps need the least introduction. Argus is a colony renamed to more Atlesian conventions like Zephyr. Argus also shares a dominating position due to its close ties to Atlas, including hosting a military base who protects the city and Atlesian interests.
As the main hub for Dust flowing into and out of Mistral, it has little trouble being perhaps the most affluent city in the Kingdom. Something that allows them to throw their weight around more than their one seat on the council might otherwise imply. However, despite its advanceness in terms of industry and technology, the same can't be said about social issues.
With its closeness to Atlas, previously Mantle, many of the sentiments towards faunus from that time are particularly prevalent in the city. Not quite to the extent of Ostro as there are few problems to blame on the faunus. More that there is a clear memory of the past and progress is relatively slow to make up for it.
Mistral itself is much the same way, though that is a whole other can of complicated worms. To put it short, the city of Mistral is heavily stratified with multiple levels to the city that often correlate to social status. It is extreme enough that there is no elevator in Mistral that travels to every level.
In fact, one that travels to more than two is relatively rare. All this leads to a heavy discrimination against the lower class who have mainly been left to govern to their own devices. As long as they don't interfere with the plans of those at the top, that is.
For the remaining two, Sirocco and Kuchinashi are rather closely related. Both are located inland, away from Lake Matsu, and to the Southeast of Mistral proper. Both are hubs of fertile farmland and plantations, though Sirocco is much greater in that arena.
Sirocco used to be the breadbasket of Mistral, and arguably still is, but with the conclusion of the Great War the city was connected to a wider market. This led to much of their crops shifting over from foodstuffs to luxury goods such as tobacco, tea, and coffee. Something that generated a lot of wealth for the city as well as Kuchinashi due to their connection.
Despite any benefits present, there is no rail line between Sirocco and Ostro. The two cities harbor a disdain for one another due to past grievances. A matter that is unlikely to be solved in addition to how much the other rail-connected cities have to lose from said connection. Not that Sirocco appreciates its Northern neighbor more than its Southern one.
Kuchinashi has a rather strong reputation of being a hive of criminal activity and other scum and villainy. Something particularly evidenced by their rise to prominence. Before the conclusion of the Great War it was mainly a hideout for any criminal that drew too much ire from Mistral proper. Particularly those who were too egregious for the authorities to be happy with them settling in Windpath despite a similar reputation.
Once connected to the greater world, the various crime families cooperated to slowly gain control of the rail line and surrounding countryside. Effectively strangling trade. This was then made up for by their own plantations and negotiations with Mistral and Sirocco. An uneasy state of affairs proceeding with an eventual agreement that has led to the arguable prosperity of the city.
Crime families still control it for the most part and they are rather insular. Something that makes any changes, political or otherwise, difficult to enact. It is also a place where most of the laws of Mistral simply don't apply. With some nearby plantations being open drug farms whose product is thusly shipped from Kuchinashi for additional profit.
As interesting as Timber's report is to pour over, there is only so much attention I can give it at any given time. Other affairs simply garner my attention much more quickly. The most prominent of which is our affairs wrapping up back home.
The materials for our efforts in Menagerie have been delivered and the labor is to be provided by the citizens. All they need is time and a few experts from the Union to oversee things. This frees my men up to take care of other duties. Although, there is nothing technically stopping us from continuing our assistance. That doesn't mean it's the best of ideas, however.
The people back home are already under a good deal of stress from our involvement and that of Vale. Add in the recent tensions and things may be progressing too fast for many people's liking. An annoying concern that I have to weigh up with my plans for the future. In addition to that, there are other areas that could use our assistance.
Mistral is an immediate target in my mind. Whether Sienna and I confederate our forces is somewhat a meaningless distinction in my mind. One that will impact our future efforts, but doesn't make dealing with some unpleasant aspects of the White Fang any less needed.
While we have done well to eliminate much of the brothers' influence; and I doubt anyone is going to rush to defend them, that doesn't stop other bad or extremist actors within the Fang from striking out. Especially not with the boiling tensions in Mistral itself. It may be a little late to blunt any ill-effects, but gaining control of the situation in whatever way we can should be a priority.
Unfortunately, any such endeavor is going to be a long one. It is not a simple thing to change the course of the White Fang. Especially not while balancing the responsibility of restraining our members while also not giving them enough cause to break away and form a counter-movement. That may not be something we can avoid at this point, though there is still much to gain from making the attempt.
That is perhaps the most urgent matter to attend to, but it doesn't make the others less important. Of particular need for attention are our political bids in Vale, though that can technically wait until the end of summer when election season truly begins. Having the resources and a plan in place beforehand wouldn't hurt, though is hardly the highest priority in my mind.
Similarly for preparing for the Atlesian elections in the spring of the next year. Technically something I can attend to, but hardly at the forefront of my mind. More useful may be expanding our efforts in Vale, the Kingdom, or in Vacuo itself.
The former for more economic reasons than anything else. Our cash flow is positive from our efforts in Atlas, though somewhat small in comparison to our expenses. Not something to worry about in the immediacy, though something that limits our options somewhat. A similar effort like we originally expanded into Vacuo, whilst possible, is ill-advised.
Although, on the matter of the desert Kingdom, we still have the option to entrench ourselves further and there may be a benefit to doing so. From what my men have discovered there is some odd behavior worth looking into. Some of it is crime-related and some of it is more concerning in the political sense. Neither is a major issue, though neither seems easy to address.
On the political front, the response from our establishment in the area, as well as the resurgence of the SDC, has finally coalesced into a backlash of sorts. Mainly from the outlying settlements and nomadic groups of Vacuo who have easy reminders of the past. From abandoned quarries and facilities to other damages brought about by foreigners.
For the most part this has led to a sort of tribal talks between those outlying groups who have shunned the central authority. Nothing too major in the grand scheme of things for Vacuo, but a change nonetheless. One that I'm not entirely easy with for whatever reason.
As for the crime side of things, that's a bit more complicated. It appears that there is a local pushback against my presence and that of the SDC. Mainly supplies going missing in the dead of night and damage done to our facilities. Nothing all that major in the grand scheme of things, though one thing to note is that the main thing missing from our supplies is food. Only odd because Terra's charities give that away for free.
Our men on the ground simply chalked that up to some locals being too proud to ask for a handout. Although, I'm not sure how stealing from a charity and their countrymen is any step up. Something about it just seems odd to me, as does the minor damage that is inflicted. If food was all they were after, graffiti and destruction of windows, doors, and such wouldn't really be necessary. There's a further motivation to it, which is probably related to my relationship with Weiss if I had to guess.
Her offices have suffered larger damage, especially in the aftermath of an inquiry into acquiring the rights to an abandoned refinery on the outskirts of Vacuo. Furthermore, some of her surveyors have found Dust deposits, though difficult to access, and others have simply disappeared in addition to their hired protection. I'm unsure if foul play could be called in every instance of the latter, though with the previous information I think that's a more reasonable assumption than not. In addition to that, there is another concerning trend that I note.
Disappearances in Vacuo are nothing new. From the danger of the wildlife, grimm, and weather, it's not uncommon for people to simply not show up one day. Far less common in the cities, though it still happens, though that's not what catches my attention.
No, what stands out to me is actually a matter of statistics. Some of my men, interested in what was going on, looked into the matter briefly. A lack of official authority made it difficult to get answers other than the details of whose gone missing. From there I notice that there is an uptick in those with aura who have disappeared greater than that of those without.
This isn't too surprising considering that most people in Vacuo have their aura unlocked, even those in the city. However, even with that in consideration, the difference is still of statistical significance. I doubt there's any one cause for this, but it's indicative that something is targeting them. Especially since those with aura should be better equipped to not perish in any of the situations detailed prior.
At first my thought would be agents of Salem sabotaging the city, but a further look disproves that as well. Most who disappear are simply civilians which makes sense. Huntsmen or those in training would be able to more or less take care of themselves. If Salem were behind it I'd expect the actual protectors to be targeted and not civilians.
In the end I can't shake that something else is happening in the Desert Kingdom despite a lack of hard evidence for such. I could send my info off to Theo to take care of though I'd personally like more than suspicious data and ill-feelings. Especially since it's not too dissimilar to how Vacuo normally operates.
Still, that sort of investigation doesn't require that I post more men in the area. That's simply an avenue I could take if I want more control of the situation and perhaps to benefit myself or Vacuo more in the long-run. The material and opportunity costs makes that unpalatable even if I'm inclined to look into the matter in my off-time as it is.
From there my attention pivots over to Atlas and our operations there. They still need a couple of weeks before they're fully self-sufficient. Although, that's not my immediate concern. Rather the delicate balance of obligation I'm dealing with are more pressing.
We started a protest against the SDC at the behest of White Fang agitators. Something that was well-received by our men and those we're catering to. Of course, that was less of a capitulation and more of a necessary sacrifice to maintain my image and good relations.
The latter of which had to be taken into consideration when Jacques requested that we disperse. Admittedly I followed through with that as more of a personal consideration for Weiss than anything else. Though I made sure to act in such a way that suspicions were unlikely to be cast on me.
Unfortunately, that burden ultimately passed on to James who had to incentivize the authorities to break up the protest and give us an excuse to stop. This brought about some division as there are those who both view this as a sign of closeness to James and a schism between us. On one hand, if we were close, why would he shut down our efforts? On the other, I didn't offer much resistance to the dispersal in the minds of many.
This has led to a clamoring of voices, even within the Union itself, to conduct some sort of action. More or less asking that I put truth to my words of not being willing to roll over at the first sign of resistance. This would go against James' wishes pretty directly, though that isn't the only complication.
Jacques, either aware of this struggle or coming to some other conclusion, has offered me a list of operations in Atlas. Specifically mining operations; some headed by the SDC and others by smaller competitors. One commonality is that they all make heavy usage of faunus labor, though from further inspection, it seems like the SDC ones on the list are something of underperformers. That information comes from Weiss' contacts and not Jacques himself which is no doubt intentional.
Within his correspondence to me he doesn't make any outright calls to action. However, reading between the lines, it's somewhat clear what he wants me to do. Wiping out, or damaging, his competitors is an obvious component and in that light the SDC operations are somewhat of a cover. Although, if I know Jacques, he likely stands to benefit from damage done to them in some way.
As annoying as that is, I'm left in somewhat of a harsh situation. The workers at those various worksites aren't in the best of conditions. More often than not they're trapped by work-contracts and debt. Something that the White Fang in the past has assisted with by freeing said indentured workers and finding new lives for them elsewhere.
What's being offered is a chance to do something similar, though to the benefit of Jacques and not the detriment. On the surface it would be somewhat of a win for the Union, though the other aspect of it is the type of press that it would generate. It would set us at odds with James and make future collaboration more fraught. More so in the public sense, though I imagine he won't be happy with me conducting this operation anyway.
Furthermore, with the Vytal Festival ongoing it is a bad look to conduct any hostilities right now. Something that can easily be delayed, though would rile up the men somewhat. Perhaps not enough to matter in the grand scheme of things, though something to keep in mind. Additionally, I can easily imagine other actors taking advantage of the chaos; either with their own operations simultaneously or in the aftermath. Realistically this leaves me with two sets of options.
The first of which is whether to go through with this sort of reprisal, delay it, or forego the opportunity altogether. The first two are largely the same, just with the matter of timing being different. It would probably run counter to my efforts to calm down the Fang in some ways whilst assisting in others.
Then there's the blowback on my personal image to consider and how that reflects on Menagerie. Something that I think is a bigger concern for dealings with Mistral, though I imagine some of that will spill over into Vale. It would at least give our opponents something to point to that's an actual black mark on our record.
Otherwise, I can forego chasing this action entirely; or perhaps find some other minor way to show our indignation. This wouldn't be enough for some people under us, particularly the sub-leaders under Sienna agitating for this kind of action to begin with. However, that will apply to some of the men under me as well. Although, the same could be said for going forward with any kind of extreme action.
Nonetheless, if I do decide to go through with this, I have to consider how much I should play into Jacques' hand. The first is to simply make a token effort. Only enough to show our teeth so to speak and not cause much actual damage. This is both a good and a bad thing as far as results are concerned, though I imagine it would be enough to satisfy the men under me.
Second of which is to commit, though not fully. We don't have to hit all the targets on the list; perhaps we could orchestrate our attacks in such a way to leave a couple of the rival mining companies some room to fight back or expand. That might damage my standing in the eyes of Jacques, likely more out of perceived competency than a reluctance to work with him.
Of course I could actually follow along with his desires and deal with the aftermath later. Or I could turn this on its head and actually include assets he doesn't want me to strike into the mix. This would definitely draw his ire, though I imagine I could play some of it off as needing to appease my men. How much he'll buy that excuse is a matter of debate, though it will strain our relationship regardless.
Lastly is the matter of what tasks to set my men to now that our previous obligations are taken care of. If not fully then at least as much as we can do in the interim. With that consideration, not much new has actually opened up to us.
Of that, there is the fact that our efforts in Atlas are starting to finalize. This gives us the opportunity to invest more resources in the area. Although, it's perhaps best not to overinvest in the area for multiple reasons. Some dealing with our upcoming actions and others from certain matters being perhaps more important.
Such as the situation in Mistral. While we'll do our best to ameliorate tensions and keep the rest of the White Fang in line, there's still time to make some inroads that will hopefully provide some assistance. These efforts would primarily be focused in receptive cities like Libeccio and Levante where the good press can hopefully make the faunus think things aren't as dire as they could be.
On a somewhat related note is the matter of Tutoa Tasi. The damage isn't total, and with our current support shouldn't provide too much trouble. However, it may be best to not let that fester. Both in the sense of security and the opinion of the current populace. Repairing the damage would be a good first step. Additionally, without the brothers in control, it could perhaps be turned into a colony in truth, and not just a glorified base.
Failing that, it may finally be prudent to assign my men towards attending to the conspiracy at large. Not necessarily let them into the greater secrets, though there are a number of ways to have them provide assistance without doing so. Largely tracking odd occurrences and grimm movements in an attempt to divine Salem's activities and that of her minions. Both grimm and otherwise.
There are a number of projects completing this week. In addition to that, finally dealing with the brothers opens up certain avenues that will come knocking sooner or later. I get the feeling that Sienna and I will have a discussion about the leadership of the White Fang. However, that's not what has my attention at the moment.
Perhaps it does have some influence over my choices as I decide to look into Timber's report about Mistral. Specifically the Great Cities that hold much of the political power in the Kingdom.
His exact report is pretty verbose and details much of the general politics of each city. I simply file away most of that for later review whenever it becomes relevant. That may be sooner than I'd hope considering everything going on, but for now I content myself with a more general overview.
As I discussed with Timber before, there are nine Great Cities in Mistral. The original eight and the recent addition of Kuchinashi. Zephyr, Libeccio, Ostro, Sirocco, Levante, Gregale, Argus, and of course Mistral were all established as Great Cities in the constitution of Mistral following the Great War and the Vytal Peace Accords. As evidenced by Ostro, none of these cities have lost that status despite any hardships they may have faced; although there is another interesting quirk to note.
The Great Cities are split relatively evenly between those in Outer Mistral and those in Inner Mistral. The difference as such is primarily that Outer Mistral is located around the coast while Inner Mistral is more inland or around Lake Matsu. Although, calling it a lake is a bit of a misnomer.
Lake Matsu is nearly, if not greater than, the size of half of Menagerie as a whole. It is a veritable sea which has provided much benefit both in the past and in the present. However, that has little to do with the immediate distinction.
Both Inner and Outer Mistral are culturally Mistrali, though there are more differences than mere geography; though that certainly is the origin of the differences. Inner Mistrali are the more stereotypical example of the Kingdom and what most people think of when Mistral enters their mind. Full of traditional architecture and people with heavy Mistrali features.
Whilst Outer Mistral is more characterized by an intermingling with foreigners and a focus on trade. This leads to them being much more diverse in mode of thought. Though, again, the people associate closely with the Mistrali culture more so than any foreign influence. One of the few things that has kept the Kingdom from disintegrating into petty fiefdoms.
To put it more bluntly, those from Outer Mistral are typically characterized by the likes of Nora and Pyrrha while Inner Mistral is more characterized by Ren and Marina. Not that this is wholly accurate to the demographics that have since shifted. Torchwick was born in Windpath which is otherwise an Inner Mistrali settlement and he doesn't bear many heavy features.
Regardless, by this metric the Inner Mistrali cities are Mistral, Zephyr, Gregale, Sirocco, and the newest addition Kuchinashi. Of these, Mistral, Zephyr, and Gregale are located on the coast of, or in close proximity to, Lake Matsu. Furthermore, Gregale and Zephyr benefit from being linked to railines that feed into Argus, though the two cities are on opposite sides of the Lake. This has led to a partnership of sorts between the two cities, but that's perhaps best served to be gotten into later.
Gregale is located along the Northeastern coast of Lake Matsu and is similarly located next to the Argus Limited line first constructed by Atlas. This puts them in a position of having easy access to refined Dust as well as a measure of control over Mistral, and subsequently Kuchinashi and Sirocco's, trade network. This leaves them as an unpopular, if necessary, partner to those cities.
This access to the trade network allows Gregale to be as heavily industrialized as it is. Located northwards enough to face harsh winters and blizzards the city itself doesn't produce much of its own food. Rather being an important stopping point for commerce that allows it to import many foodstuffs while exporting industrial goods. Typically ones that Atlas is ill suited to transport overland to Mistral that Gregale can simply use the access to Lake Matsu to transport far more easily.
Being located where it is also meant that the faunus population didn't retreat from the city after the conclusion of the Great War like they did in Ostro. In fact, that's more or less the norm with Mistrali cities, with Ostro proving as the exception. Nonetheless, Gregale's location has also led it to be a melting pot between the Inner Mistrali and the Outer Mistrali, though this is more a demographic note than a political one.
On the opposite side of Matsu is Zephyr, located on the Western coastline. Like Gregale it has a commanding position on a rail line. Specifically the one from Argus to Libeccio. Something that has led Gregale and Zephyr cooperating in any attempt to stifle the construction of additional railways. Neither side wants to give up their commanding position even slightly. Though by my estimation Zephyr has more to lose than Gregale.
Unlike Gregale, Zephyr is not an overly industrialized center. It still produces some goods and takes advantage of the easy access to Dust. However, the main economic impetus behind Zephyr is less developed.
They are able to produce their own food and have a strong maritime tradition. Even having a colony on the island within Lake Matsu. However, their greatest economic claim is that of the Dust deposits in their area. Something which is providing much of the wealth for the city, though bound to cause difficulties later on.
For whatever reason they have not been quick to shift their industry or ramp it up. The reasoning for which may simply be that there isn't an easy economic niche for them to fall into and a broad overview simply isn't enough to detect what they are doing about it. I imagine that there's either a lot of politicking responsible or that there are many small ideas that are tested and tried only to fail.
Further down the line leads to Libeccio on the Western coast of Mistral. This city is primarily focused on trade with the Eastern Valean colonies and the Southwestern Mistral settlements. This puts them in loose competition with Ostro, who stands to gain from servicing those settlements though is not in a proper position to do so.
Libeccio benefits from its railway connection just as much as Zephyr does. However, the lack of a direct connection to Mistral is something that irks the city greatly. This of course is a cause of enmity between the cities, though the resultant deadlock from Zephyr, Gregale, and Argus makes it near impossible for them to change that state of affairs.
There was an attempt by them and the elite of Mistral to establish Kuroyuri as a sort of central rail hub to help circumvent that issue. However, the fall of Kuroyuri to the grimm has put an end to that arena of politicking. As a result, Libeccio has sought closer ties with Vale, both economically and politically. The people and practices of the city have taken on a distinctly Valean bent; in fact Libeccio one of only two cities to not practice tiered voting.
Unfortunately, the city itself is rather crowded because of its geography. Nestled into a cove by the coast shielded by two mountains there is only so much space for expansion. That sounds pretty familiar to me, and checking into the city reveals why. Asylum, the combat school Ren and Nora attended for a year, is located in Libeccio.
Further investigation also reveals that the city, and by extension Asylum, is a popular spot for Mistrali hopeful to emigrate to Vale to pass through. Apparently the city is rather close diplomatically to that of Tani in Vale. The two cities often share information on prospective immigrants as well as the responsibility to investigate and approve them
On the opposite end of Anima, though more similar than different, is Levante. Like Libeccio, it is the only other city that does not practice tiered voting. Primarily due to cultural diffusion from Vacuo and the city's isolated position. Located on the Northern tip of the desert-like Eastern arm of Anima leaves very little room for other neighbors. This is probably assisted by the city's purpose as the main port of call for trade between Mistral and Vacuo.
Furthermore, most of the settlements of Western Vacuo are either Mistrali ventures or filled with Mistrali people. Something that gave the Mistral Trading Company an in into the desert Kingdom to extract Dust from it. While the Dust has dried up, which led to a contraction economically and decline in population, the western settlements are still affluent enough that the proximal wealth is enough to keep Levante afloat.
Unlike the rest of Vacuo, the western end is actually not desert. Instead full of fertile farmland and forests due to being on the favorable side of the rain shadow from the mountains at their back. This and the climate leads them to be a significant agricultural export for Vacuan goods that Levante is able to leverage as a part of its economic position. However, the advances in airships has posed a threat to the city's livelihood.
This uniqueness leads to the city taking on an almost foreign air not found elsewhere in Mistral and the differences don't stop there. During the economic contraction, many criminal syndicates were run out during the competition. In fact, so much so that no real organization persists in Levante to this day. Though this is more due to the fact that the 'winner' became the de-facto government only to slowly be edged out by the populace under the Vacuan influenced equality.
Another difference is that Levante has a proud military tradition owed to the Mistrali veterans who settled in the area upon the conclusion of the Great War. Something that is necessary given the remoteness of their location and the deep waters of the Eastern ocean. Large aquatic grimm attacks are somewhat frequent and held off by the mandatory service of the populace; usually with large artillery pieces.
While this may reduce the need for Huntsmen, the isolated nature of the city still makes it a hotbed for missions. Something I'm sure the city encourages as it also leaves them better defended in the case of grimm attacks. From my read of it, it seems like Levante and Libeccio would be natural avenues for further political action on my part, but there are a few cities I haven't gotten to yet.
Of the remaining, Argus and Mistral perhaps need the least introduction. Argus is a colony renamed to more Atlesian conventions like Zephyr. Argus also shares a dominating position due to its close ties to Atlas, including hosting a military base who protects the city and Atlesian interests.
As the main hub for Dust flowing into and out of Mistral, it has little trouble being perhaps the most affluent city in the Kingdom. Something that allows them to throw their weight around more than their one seat on the council might otherwise imply. However, despite its advanceness in terms of industry and technology, the same can't be said about social issues.
With its closeness to Atlas, previously Mantle, many of the sentiments towards faunus from that time are particularly prevalent in the city. Not quite to the extent of Ostro as there are few problems to blame on the faunus. More that there is a clear memory of the past and progress is relatively slow to make up for it.
Mistral itself is much the same way, though that is a whole other can of complicated worms. To put it short, the city of Mistral is heavily stratified with multiple levels to the city that often correlate to social status. It is extreme enough that there is no elevator in Mistral that travels to every level.
In fact, one that travels to more than two is relatively rare. All this leads to a heavy discrimination against the lower class who have mainly been left to govern to their own devices. As long as they don't interfere with the plans of those at the top, that is.
For the remaining two, Sirocco and Kuchinashi are rather closely related. Both are located inland, away from Lake Matsu, and to the Southeast of Mistral proper. Both are hubs of fertile farmland and plantations, though Sirocco is much greater in that arena.
Sirocco used to be the breadbasket of Mistral, and arguably still is, but with the conclusion of the Great War the city was connected to a wider market. This led to much of their crops shifting over from foodstuffs to luxury goods such as tobacco, tea, and coffee. Something that generated a lot of wealth for the city as well as Kuchinashi due to their connection.
Despite any benefits present, there is no rail line between Sirocco and Ostro. The two cities harbor a disdain for one another due to past grievances. A matter that is unlikely to be solved in addition to how much the other rail-connected cities have to lose from said connection. Not that Sirocco appreciates its Northern neighbor more than its Southern one.
Kuchinashi has a rather strong reputation of being a hive of criminal activity and other scum and villainy. Something particularly evidenced by their rise to prominence. Before the conclusion of the Great War it was mainly a hideout for any criminal that drew too much ire from Mistral proper. Particularly those who were too egregious for the authorities to be happy with them settling in Windpath despite a similar reputation.
Once connected to the greater world, the various crime families cooperated to slowly gain control of the rail line and surrounding countryside. Effectively strangling trade. This was then made up for by their own plantations and negotiations with Mistral and Sirocco. An uneasy state of affairs proceeding with an eventual agreement that has led to the arguable prosperity of the city.
Crime families still control it for the most part and they are rather insular. Something that makes any changes, political or otherwise, difficult to enact. It is also a place where most of the laws of Mistral simply don't apply. With some nearby plantations being open drug farms whose product is thusly shipped from Kuchinashi for additional profit.
As interesting as Timber's report is to pour over, there is only so much attention I can give it at any given time. Other affairs simply garner my attention much more quickly. The most prominent of which is our affairs wrapping up back home.
The materials for our efforts in Menagerie have been delivered and the labor is to be provided by the citizens. All they need is time and a few experts from the Union to oversee things. This frees my men up to take care of other duties. Although, there is nothing technically stopping us from continuing our assistance. That doesn't mean it's the best of ideas, however.
The people back home are already under a good deal of stress from our involvement and that of Vale. Add in the recent tensions and things may be progressing too fast for many people's liking. An annoying concern that I have to weigh up with my plans for the future. In addition to that, there are other areas that could use our assistance.
Mistral is an immediate target in my mind. Whether Sienna and I confederate our forces is somewhat a meaningless distinction in my mind. One that will impact our future efforts, but doesn't make dealing with some unpleasant aspects of the White Fang any less needed.
While we have done well to eliminate much of the brothers' influence; and I doubt anyone is going to rush to defend them, that doesn't stop other bad or extremist actors within the Fang from striking out. Especially not with the boiling tensions in Mistral itself. It may be a little late to blunt any ill-effects, but gaining control of the situation in whatever way we can should be a priority.
Unfortunately, any such endeavor is going to be a long one. It is not a simple thing to change the course of the White Fang. Especially not while balancing the responsibility of restraining our members while also not giving them enough cause to break away and form a counter-movement. That may not be something we can avoid at this point, though there is still much to gain from making the attempt.
That is perhaps the most urgent matter to attend to, but it doesn't make the others less important. Of particular need for attention are our political bids in Vale, though that can technically wait until the end of summer when election season truly begins. Having the resources and a plan in place beforehand wouldn't hurt, though is hardly the highest priority in my mind.
Similarly for preparing for the Atlesian elections in the spring of the next year. Technically something I can attend to, but hardly at the forefront of my mind. More useful may be expanding our efforts in Vale, the Kingdom, or in Vacuo itself.
The former for more economic reasons than anything else. Our cash flow is positive from our efforts in Atlas, though somewhat small in comparison to our expenses. Not something to worry about in the immediacy, though something that limits our options somewhat. A similar effort like we originally expanded into Vacuo, whilst possible, is ill-advised.
Although, on the matter of the desert Kingdom, we still have the option to entrench ourselves further and there may be a benefit to doing so. From what my men have discovered there is some odd behavior worth looking into. Some of it is crime-related and some of it is more concerning in the political sense. Neither is a major issue, though neither seems easy to address.
On the political front, the response from our establishment in the area, as well as the resurgence of the SDC, has finally coalesced into a backlash of sorts. Mainly from the outlying settlements and nomadic groups of Vacuo who have easy reminders of the past. From abandoned quarries and facilities to other damages brought about by foreigners.
For the most part this has led to a sort of tribal talks between those outlying groups who have shunned the central authority. Nothing too major in the grand scheme of things for Vacuo, but a change nonetheless. One that I'm not entirely easy with for whatever reason.
As for the crime side of things, that's a bit more complicated. It appears that there is a local pushback against my presence and that of the SDC. Mainly supplies going missing in the dead of night and damage done to our facilities. Nothing all that major in the grand scheme of things, though one thing to note is that the main thing missing from our supplies is food. Only odd because Terra's charities give that away for free.
Our men on the ground simply chalked that up to some locals being too proud to ask for a handout. Although, I'm not sure how stealing from a charity and their countrymen is any step up. Something about it just seems odd to me, as does the minor damage that is inflicted. If food was all they were after, graffiti and destruction of windows, doors, and such wouldn't really be necessary. There's a further motivation to it, which is probably related to my relationship with Weiss if I had to guess.
Her offices have suffered larger damage, especially in the aftermath of an inquiry into acquiring the rights to an abandoned refinery on the outskirts of Vacuo. Furthermore, some of her surveyors have found Dust deposits, though difficult to access, and others have simply disappeared in addition to their hired protection. I'm unsure if foul play could be called in every instance of the latter, though with the previous information I think that's a more reasonable assumption than not. In addition to that, there is another concerning trend that I note.
Disappearances in Vacuo are nothing new. From the danger of the wildlife, grimm, and weather, it's not uncommon for people to simply not show up one day. Far less common in the cities, though it still happens, though that's not what catches my attention.
No, what stands out to me is actually a matter of statistics. Some of my men, interested in what was going on, looked into the matter briefly. A lack of official authority made it difficult to get answers other than the details of whose gone missing. From there I notice that there is an uptick in those with aura who have disappeared greater than that of those without.
This isn't too surprising considering that most people in Vacuo have their aura unlocked, even those in the city. However, even with that in consideration, the difference is still of statistical significance. I doubt there's any one cause for this, but it's indicative that something is targeting them. Especially since those with aura should be better equipped to not perish in any of the situations detailed prior.
At first my thought would be agents of Salem sabotaging the city, but a further look disproves that as well. Most who disappear are simply civilians which makes sense. Huntsmen or those in training would be able to more or less take care of themselves. If Salem were behind it I'd expect the actual protectors to be targeted and not civilians.
In the end I can't shake that something else is happening in the Desert Kingdom despite a lack of hard evidence for such. I could send my info off to Theo to take care of though I'd personally like more than suspicious data and ill-feelings. Especially since it's not too dissimilar to how Vacuo normally operates.
Still, that sort of investigation doesn't require that I post more men in the area. That's simply an avenue I could take if I want more control of the situation and perhaps to benefit myself or Vacuo more in the long-run. The material and opportunity costs makes that unpalatable even if I'm inclined to look into the matter in my off-time as it is.
White Fang Wrangling: I feel any conflict between Sienna and I is a thing of the past. However, not everyone in the Fang is going to accept that state of affairs. Moving operations into Mistral and cleaning up should be a high priority. (4)
Vale Politics: Perhaps it's time to start kicking our political campaign into gear. The preparation may prove useful and deal with any complications before they can manifest. (1)
Menagerie: Continuing to assist my home is a large concern of mine. Now that the brothers are dealt with we have a colony to help manage as well as the continued industrialization of my home. (0)
Atlas Politics: Maybe a bit premature, but there is only one seat up for grabs in Atlas and the election is coming up relatively soon. Letting the moment pass may not be in my best interests. (0)
Business Expansion: Our influx of Lien from Atlas does our coffers some good. With that in mind we can continue said expansion, though focused on the other cities in Vale. (0)
Vacuo Expansion: There are some concerning reports coming out of the desert Kingdom. Nothing that destabilizes our efforts majorly, though maybe there is more that can be done with resources poured into the area. (0)
Vale Politics: Perhaps it's time to start kicking our political campaign into gear. The preparation may prove useful and deal with any complications before they can manifest. (1)
Menagerie: Continuing to assist my home is a large concern of mine. Now that the brothers are dealt with we have a colony to help manage as well as the continued industrialization of my home. (0)
Atlas Politics: Maybe a bit premature, but there is only one seat up for grabs in Atlas and the election is coming up relatively soon. Letting the moment pass may not be in my best interests. (0)
Business Expansion: Our influx of Lien from Atlas does our coffers some good. With that in mind we can continue said expansion, though focused on the other cities in Vale. (0)
Vacuo Expansion: There are some concerning reports coming out of the desert Kingdom. Nothing that destabilizes our efforts majorly, though maybe there is more that can be done with resources poured into the area. (0)
From there my attention pivots over to Atlas and our operations there. They still need a couple of weeks before they're fully self-sufficient. Although, that's not my immediate concern. Rather the delicate balance of obligation I'm dealing with are more pressing.
We started a protest against the SDC at the behest of White Fang agitators. Something that was well-received by our men and those we're catering to. Of course, that was less of a capitulation and more of a necessary sacrifice to maintain my image and good relations.
The latter of which had to be taken into consideration when Jacques requested that we disperse. Admittedly I followed through with that as more of a personal consideration for Weiss than anything else. Though I made sure to act in such a way that suspicions were unlikely to be cast on me.
Unfortunately, that burden ultimately passed on to James who had to incentivize the authorities to break up the protest and give us an excuse to stop. This brought about some division as there are those who both view this as a sign of closeness to James and a schism between us. On one hand, if we were close, why would he shut down our efforts? On the other, I didn't offer much resistance to the dispersal in the minds of many.
This has led to a clamoring of voices, even within the Union itself, to conduct some sort of action. More or less asking that I put truth to my words of not being willing to roll over at the first sign of resistance. This would go against James' wishes pretty directly, though that isn't the only complication.
Jacques, either aware of this struggle or coming to some other conclusion, has offered me a list of operations in Atlas. Specifically mining operations; some headed by the SDC and others by smaller competitors. One commonality is that they all make heavy usage of faunus labor, though from further inspection, it seems like the SDC ones on the list are something of underperformers. That information comes from Weiss' contacts and not Jacques himself which is no doubt intentional.
Within his correspondence to me he doesn't make any outright calls to action. However, reading between the lines, it's somewhat clear what he wants me to do. Wiping out, or damaging, his competitors is an obvious component and in that light the SDC operations are somewhat of a cover. Although, if I know Jacques, he likely stands to benefit from damage done to them in some way.
As annoying as that is, I'm left in somewhat of a harsh situation. The workers at those various worksites aren't in the best of conditions. More often than not they're trapped by work-contracts and debt. Something that the White Fang in the past has assisted with by freeing said indentured workers and finding new lives for them elsewhere.
What's being offered is a chance to do something similar, though to the benefit of Jacques and not the detriment. On the surface it would be somewhat of a win for the Union, though the other aspect of it is the type of press that it would generate. It would set us at odds with James and make future collaboration more fraught. More so in the public sense, though I imagine he won't be happy with me conducting this operation anyway.
Furthermore, with the Vytal Festival ongoing it is a bad look to conduct any hostilities right now. Something that can easily be delayed, though would rile up the men somewhat. Perhaps not enough to matter in the grand scheme of things, though something to keep in mind. Additionally, I can easily imagine other actors taking advantage of the chaos; either with their own operations simultaneously or in the aftermath. Realistically this leaves me with two sets of options.
The first of which is whether to go through with this sort of reprisal, delay it, or forego the opportunity altogether. The first two are largely the same, just with the matter of timing being different. It would probably run counter to my efforts to calm down the Fang in some ways whilst assisting in others.
Then there's the blowback on my personal image to consider and how that reflects on Menagerie. Something that I think is a bigger concern for dealings with Mistral, though I imagine some of that will spill over into Vale. It would at least give our opponents something to point to that's an actual black mark on our record.
Otherwise, I can forego chasing this action entirely; or perhaps find some other minor way to show our indignation. This wouldn't be enough for some people under us, particularly the sub-leaders under Sienna agitating for this kind of action to begin with. However, that will apply to some of the men under me as well. Although, the same could be said for going forward with any kind of extreme action.
Nonetheless, if I do decide to go through with this, I have to consider how much I should play into Jacques' hand. The first is to simply make a token effort. Only enough to show our teeth so to speak and not cause much actual damage. This is both a good and a bad thing as far as results are concerned, though I imagine it would be enough to satisfy the men under me.
Second of which is to commit, though not fully. We don't have to hit all the targets on the list; perhaps we could orchestrate our attacks in such a way to leave a couple of the rival mining companies some room to fight back or expand. That might damage my standing in the eyes of Jacques, likely more out of perceived competency than a reluctance to work with him.
Of course I could actually follow along with his desires and deal with the aftermath later. Or I could turn this on its head and actually include assets he doesn't want me to strike into the mix. This would definitely draw his ire, though I imagine I could play some of it off as needing to appease my men. How much he'll buy that excuse is a matter of debate, though it will strain our relationship regardless.
Delay: Any action during the Vytal Festival is best kept off till later. This may make the men more eager and allow Sienna's sub-leaders a chance to plan their own operations, but it's far better than the alternative. (3)
Action: I have the men and resources to go after this with the information Jacques has provided. Doing so quickly will play into his plans and prevent anyone else from interfering at the cost of some pretty bad publicity. (0)
Other (+for write in): It's possible that there's some other way for me to navigate this situation that doesn't draw too many downsides. I just have to figure out what (0)
Refrain: With my current stance it's too troublesome to cause any issues at the present moment. This would disappoint the White Fang and Jacques, but the bigger picture is more important. (0)
Action: I have the men and resources to go after this with the information Jacques has provided. Doing so quickly will play into his plans and prevent anyone else from interfering at the cost of some pretty bad publicity. (0)
Other (+for write in): It's possible that there's some other way for me to navigate this situation that doesn't draw too many downsides. I just have to figure out what (0)
Refrain: With my current stance it's too troublesome to cause any issues at the present moment. This would disappoint the White Fang and Jacques, but the bigger picture is more important. (0)
Partial: I'm not enthused about playing by Jacques' strings. I can hopefully pull things off so they aren't wholly to his benefit while still complying. (2)
Token: My concerns are more about pleasing my support base than anything else. This shouldn't prove too problematic, though it doesn't really accomplish anything other than draw attention. (0)
Full: Far be it from me to care what Jacques thinks, but this opportunity is one that's hard to pass up. If only to help the people working under the SDC and various companies in the area. (0)
Extra: Perhaps a little bolder than I should be, but I might as well be in it for all the Lien. If Jacques wants to complain I have some convenient blackmail against him even if it implicates myself as well. (0)
Token: My concerns are more about pleasing my support base than anything else. This shouldn't prove too problematic, though it doesn't really accomplish anything other than draw attention. (0)
Full: Far be it from me to care what Jacques thinks, but this opportunity is one that's hard to pass up. If only to help the people working under the SDC and various companies in the area. (0)
Extra: Perhaps a little bolder than I should be, but I might as well be in it for all the Lien. If Jacques wants to complain I have some convenient blackmail against him even if it implicates myself as well. (0)
Lastly is the matter of what tasks to set my men to now that our previous obligations are taken care of. If not fully then at least as much as we can do in the interim. With that consideration, not much new has actually opened up to us.
Of that, there is the fact that our efforts in Atlas are starting to finalize. This gives us the opportunity to invest more resources in the area. Although, it's perhaps best not to overinvest in the area for multiple reasons. Some dealing with our upcoming actions and others from certain matters being perhaps more important.
Such as the situation in Mistral. While we'll do our best to ameliorate tensions and keep the rest of the White Fang in line, there's still time to make some inroads that will hopefully provide some assistance. These efforts would primarily be focused in receptive cities like Libeccio and Levante where the good press can hopefully make the faunus think things aren't as dire as they could be.
On a somewhat related note is the matter of Tutoa Tasi. The damage isn't total, and with our current support shouldn't provide too much trouble. However, it may be best to not let that fester. Both in the sense of security and the opinion of the current populace. Repairing the damage would be a good first step. Additionally, without the brothers in control, it could perhaps be turned into a colony in truth, and not just a glorified base.
Failing that, it may finally be prudent to assign my men towards attending to the conspiracy at large. Not necessarily let them into the greater secrets, though there are a number of ways to have them provide assistance without doing so. Largely tracking odd occurrences and grimm movements in an attempt to divine Salem's activities and that of her minions. Both grimm and otherwise.
Mistral: Public Inroads: We're already going to do our best to restrain the more extreme elements of the White Fang. Something that may calm them down is seeing action conducted within Mistral proper. Particularly in Levante and Libeccio as easy targets. (4)
Menagerie: Tutoa Tasi: The damage inflicted by Amber is nothing to scoff at. As is the importance of the location itself. Perhaps now without the brothers in charge we could make it a proper colony and not a glorified military base. (3)
Atlas: Outskirt Expansion: There is more to Atlas than simply Mantle and Atlas. Plenty of opportunities abound even if they're somewhat risky and less profitable. Not to mention the potential benefits to being spread out. (2)
Vacuo: Desert Expansion: With our newfound reputation it shouldn't be too hard to find people willing to deal with us. Whether that be merchant caravans, small settlements, or whatnot doesn't really matter. It gives our men something to do and be productive. (2)
Atlas: HH Partnership: The Happy Huntresses seem fine assisting us in what little ways they can. Considering some options I'm considering it may benefit us to have closer ties despite the problems that may bring. (1)
Atlas: Upper Class Solicitation: There is still the prospect of shaking down the rich and elite of Atlas to donate to charity. It should help cut down on costs and maybe even turn a small overall profit. (1)
Vacuo: Disturbing Trends: My men have uncovered some worrying possibilities budding up in the Desert Kingdom. It's perhaps in my best interests to remain on top of the matter. (1)
Conspiracy: Grimm Tracking: If there really was someone controlling the grimm then I'd expect that there'd be some indication of it somewhere. Mostly this would be my men collating historical accounts and records of grimm while I put the pieces together myself. (1)
Lightened Load (Menagerie: Landwork): I have a project on my hands that can now be passed on to someone else. The freedom in the short term is somewhat tempting. (Frees up 1 currently occupied short-term action each week) (0)
Conspiracy: Chasing Shadows: Salem's forces are a slippery bunch, but that doesn't mean they're impossible to track down. My men might have to delay for a bit, but getting on the trail of Watts or Salem's other minions can only be helpful in the long-run. (0)
Vale: Roadwardens: Taking the fight to the grimm and keeping the roads safe isn't exactly a well-paying job, at least without the council involved. However, keeping the roads safe may assist with our efforts as well as earn us a lot of goodwill. (0)
Menagerie: Airdock: Expanding the infrastructure could allow merchant airships to come by as well as personal ones. Additionally, it would lead to an increase in the Menagerie air force. (0)
Menagerie: Exploitation: A bit more selfishly focused, I'll admit. We could focus our efforts on securing and establishing operations at more Dust deposits. (0)
Atlas: HH Investigation: Something about the group doesn't strike me as strictly legal. Something I'm sure James would love to be aware of. I guess I could throw him this bone. (0)
Atlas: Public Advocacy: Perhaps something better suited to be addressed later, when it won't run up against recent and soon to come actions. However, arguing for the plight and better treatment of the faunus is prudent here and in Mistral (0)
Atlas: Hidden Order: Considering some of our preparations, acting like a public version of law enforcement would be tricky. However, we could do our best to comply with James' request on the down low (0)
Menagerie: Refinery: Space is still a bit tight and the prospect of an SDC refinery in the area may be a little too much at the moment, but aside from those concerns there shouldn't be anything stopping us from making this a reality (0)
Menagerie: Tutoa Tasi: The damage inflicted by Amber is nothing to scoff at. As is the importance of the location itself. Perhaps now without the brothers in charge we could make it a proper colony and not a glorified military base. (3)
Atlas: Outskirt Expansion: There is more to Atlas than simply Mantle and Atlas. Plenty of opportunities abound even if they're somewhat risky and less profitable. Not to mention the potential benefits to being spread out. (2)
Vacuo: Desert Expansion: With our newfound reputation it shouldn't be too hard to find people willing to deal with us. Whether that be merchant caravans, small settlements, or whatnot doesn't really matter. It gives our men something to do and be productive. (2)
Atlas: HH Partnership: The Happy Huntresses seem fine assisting us in what little ways they can. Considering some options I'm considering it may benefit us to have closer ties despite the problems that may bring. (1)
Atlas: Upper Class Solicitation: There is still the prospect of shaking down the rich and elite of Atlas to donate to charity. It should help cut down on costs and maybe even turn a small overall profit. (1)
Vacuo: Disturbing Trends: My men have uncovered some worrying possibilities budding up in the Desert Kingdom. It's perhaps in my best interests to remain on top of the matter. (1)
Conspiracy: Grimm Tracking: If there really was someone controlling the grimm then I'd expect that there'd be some indication of it somewhere. Mostly this would be my men collating historical accounts and records of grimm while I put the pieces together myself. (1)
Lightened Load (Menagerie: Landwork): I have a project on my hands that can now be passed on to someone else. The freedom in the short term is somewhat tempting. (Frees up 1 currently occupied short-term action each week) (0)
Conspiracy: Chasing Shadows: Salem's forces are a slippery bunch, but that doesn't mean they're impossible to track down. My men might have to delay for a bit, but getting on the trail of Watts or Salem's other minions can only be helpful in the long-run. (0)
Vale: Roadwardens: Taking the fight to the grimm and keeping the roads safe isn't exactly a well-paying job, at least without the council involved. However, keeping the roads safe may assist with our efforts as well as earn us a lot of goodwill. (0)
Menagerie: Airdock: Expanding the infrastructure could allow merchant airships to come by as well as personal ones. Additionally, it would lead to an increase in the Menagerie air force. (0)
Menagerie: Exploitation: A bit more selfishly focused, I'll admit. We could focus our efforts on securing and establishing operations at more Dust deposits. (0)
Atlas: HH Investigation: Something about the group doesn't strike me as strictly legal. Something I'm sure James would love to be aware of. I guess I could throw him this bone. (0)
Atlas: Public Advocacy: Perhaps something better suited to be addressed later, when it won't run up against recent and soon to come actions. However, arguing for the plight and better treatment of the faunus is prudent here and in Mistral (0)
Atlas: Hidden Order: Considering some of our preparations, acting like a public version of law enforcement would be tricky. However, we could do our best to comply with James' request on the down low (0)
Menagerie: Refinery: Space is still a bit tight and the prospect of an SDC refinery in the area may be a little too much at the moment, but aside from those concerns there shouldn't be anything stopping us from making this a reality (0)
Vacuo: Desert Expansion: With our newfound reputation it shouldn't be too hard to find people willing to deal with us. Whether that be merchant caravans, small settlements, or whatnot doesn't really matter. It gives our men something to do and be productive. (3)
Atlas: Outskirt Expansion: There is more to Atlas than simply Mantle and Atlas. Plenty of opportunities abound even if they're somewhat risky and less profitable. Not to mention the potential benefits to being spread out. (2)
Atlas: Outskirt Expansion: There is more to Atlas than simply Mantle and Atlas. Plenty of opportunities abound even if they're somewhat risky and less profitable. Not to mention the potential benefits to being spread out. (2)