[X][ANSWER] "It's a long story, give me another glass of wine. I am not drunk enough to tell you about this."
[X][EXCHANGE] Yes. You will take an enlisted soldier. They are more flexible and sure, they will not be the most capable or competent, but they can be trained. And you can be sure that the Lieutenant Colonel will not screw you over. Gain an Enlisted Subordinate at the start of Week 2. Start at Normal Bond. Be in debt with the Steward.
Position. War-time only and for Frontline-Towns in exact.
Also, I am perennially bad at keeping my impulse in check to close the vote but well, considering the 10+ vote lead on both options, I might as well do it. Vote is locked. The strings of quick votes might very well stop soon when the Chapter ramps up considerably. As of now, we're still doing relatively fine.
Part 2 and Week 2 OP will arrive at roughly the same time, whenever the QM wakes up and finishes writing. So up to 24 hours from now, depending whether procrastination is in effect.
Adhoc vote count started by Vocalend on Nov 16, 2018 at 8:13 PM
This vote count is in an error state, please contact support
[X][EXCHANGE] Yes. You will take an enlisted soldier. They are more flexible and sure, they will not be the most capable or competent, but they can be trained. And you can be sure that the Lieutenant Colonel will not screw you over. Gain an Enlisted Subordinate at the start of Week 2. Start at Normal Bond. Be in debt with the Steward.
[x][EXCHANGE] Yes. You will take an officer. They are more capable, and while there might be some frictions from suborning someone technically your 'peer', it's nothing that you can't handle. Probably. Gain a Commissioned Subordinate at the start of Week 2. Guaranteed to start at Troubled Bond. Be in debt with the Steward.
[X][EXCHANGE] Yes. You will take an enlisted soldier. They are more flexible and sure, they will not be the most capable or competent, but they can be trained. And you can be sure that the Lieutenant Colonel will not screw you over. Gain an Enlisted Subordinate at the start of Week 2. Start at Normal Bond. Be in debt with the Steward.
[x][EXCHANGE] Yes. You will take an officer. They are more capable, and while there might be some frictions from suborning someone technically your 'peer', it's nothing that you can't handle. Probably. Gain a Commissioned Subordinate at the start of Week 2. Guaranteed to start at Troubled Bond. Be in debt with the Steward.
@Vocalend who is it that we start with a normal bond? The subordinate we got or the Steward? I couldn't tell from the vote, although I suspect it is the subordinate.
@Vocalend who is it that we start with a normal bond? The subordinate we got or the Steward? I couldn't tell from the vote, although I suspect it is the subordinate.
I kind of wish there was a "Tell the story without getting drunk" option, but we're firmly established as something of a lush so I can't exactly say it's out of character.
Now to ponder if the ??? for the Active Action for subordinate hunting was exactly this set up, only with different circumstances, and background rolls turned our lack of pursuit into an opportunity to gain a relationship with the Steward.
Because take note, being in Debt isn't a bad thing, especially when it's to superiors who have a mild cost in mind already. It puts you on their radar, which can let you grind influence with them especially if you resolve the Debt in a reliable and satisfactory manner.
And as a Logistics Officer, we want connections and influence with everyone we can get our hands on. The more shoulders we rub with, the more resources and favors we know about and can gain.
[X][EXCHANGE] Yes. You will take an enlisted soldier. They are more flexible and sure, they will not be the most capable or competent, but they can be trained. And you can be sure that the Lieutenant Colonel will not screw you over. Gain an Enlisted Subordinate at the start of Week 2. Start at Normal Bond. Be in debt with the Steward.
[X][ANSWER] "It's a long story, give me another glass of wine. I am not drunk enough to tell you about this." With the wine poured and cutleries and plates set aside, you start to tell the story of you and Francesca Leyton-Feult. The entire tale happened years back with Emil after all. Considering the Hor-Herren's knowledge of the tale, you only need to fill in some of the blanks. As you talk, you drink. The First Lieutenant didn't follow suit as he hears your tale, the concern giving way to some amount of incredulity.
And by the end of it, not a small amount of exasperation and chagrin are apparent in his grimace.
"You meant to tell me that neither you nor the stupid Gram-Grelav actually talked about the matter with The Rose?"
You snarled a bit, the inebriation lifting your restraint. "The fuck did you mean?"
Karamovich shrugged, not heeding your outburst in the slightest. "You're telling me that neither you nor Emil actually talked to Francesca about your affair, right? So I am insinuating that perhaps that is the wrong call to make, and that she may be open to talks that doesn't involve entrails being liberally splattered around the floor in a duel."
You pause. You had considered that but well, "You're telling me that there's any other way to interpret the monthly deliveries of roses to me?"
"Well, the other way is courtship, isn't it?" You glare at the First Lieutenant, "What? You know that it is true. It's the courtship back in my old man's times, I'll have you know."
"And that isn't now." You said, rubbing your head. "Well, you have a point. But it is wartime right now. And I don't think that a letter might be suitable to send."
"Then why not something else other than a letter?" Karamovich trailed his eyes at the bottled rose. "An equivalent exchange of a certain item. Of course, what form that item will take may not be known right now but food for thoughts, right?"
You nodded. That is an option, but whether it is the right one...
"Thank you, Karamovich."
He shrugged. "No problem, I would be at a loss if you are to be gone. That would mean that I'd have no one to do my paperwork."
You snort before taking the last sip from the glass. "Well, thank you, First Lieutenant, I will be sure to shove your paperwork to whoever the Colonel drop at my lap."
"Good then." He nodded sagely, before looking at the still unopened letter. "Well, I wouldn't want to keep you waiting and I have card meeting with the rest of the platoon leaders. The big boys club, you know. I will let you be in silence in reading the letter." Without any other word, the Hor-Herren left the mess hall.
And with that, you open the letter. The purple wax seal, depicting a soaring falcon, remaining warm as if only been pressed mere minutes ago. One of the profligate spending habits Emil had, before you straightened him out, was to buy any Ides Codes that would have anything in common with writing a letter. Your suspicion was confirmed as you note the almost glowing cursive writing, no doubt using an Ides Code that costs thrice your paycheck.
You smile with an undue amount of exasperation, chalking the entire extravagance as his normal way of saying 'I miss you', and-
You notice something else. Within the folds of the letter, a coin clattered to the table. Well, 'coin'. A rather chunky coin, with an outer rim made out of gold, framing an azure sapphire in the middle. The gem twinkled on the open air. You never seen this before but you've heard of it.
The Sapphire Token.
A sense of urgency overtake your inebriated senses as you start to read the letter.
'Dear Winslett,
I have received your letter. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that you managed to go and charm the Hor-Herren heir. Charm in the sense of 'beating the everloving hell out of the sheep herder' of course. I wouldn't expect anything less from you.
I suppose I should also answer your query. Yes. My task has taken me not to the frontlines nor has it taken me to the many cities of the Empire and beyond. It has taken me someplace that I cannot say at all. The reason I can say as much, is because this mail is sent directly through certain intermediaries with laxer letter screening standards. This mayhap be the only time I can send you a letter.
Rest assured, I will be able to read your constant weekly letters.
That said, I wish to not dally and tell you an important matter. One that requires you to burn this letter after reading it, even disregarding the above paragraph.
The Steward of Marland is not to be associated with.'
And just like that, the pit of your stomach sank. Dread overtook you for a moment. A moment that becomes quickly numbed by the alcohol you had imbibed.
'He is loyal to the Empire and does not partake in frivolous decadence like so many other Three Named does. But there is a quality with him that gets him into danger and more pertinently, those around him. I do not know what secrets my elder brother has been keeping from me, but that is all he mentioned to me after I told him about your posting. He urged me to quickly tell you of this matter, before operational silence put over me and without me being able to tell you anything.
I cannot investigate further into the matter, but I can help you still. As you know, the Sapphire Token is either a mark of those blessed with silver tongue or a gift by those sort of people. It will open many doors, but you must keep it a secret. Relatively speaking anyway. I wouldn't trust either one of us to be able to keep a secret after the spectacle with the affairs.
Also, I believe that you can trust the Hor-Herren. He's blunt, he's a carousing lout, but he is an honest lout. He will be a good ally to have in the long run. Though I believe you will manage to struck a friendship with him... somehow.
I just hope it doesn't involve drunken shenanigans like ours.'
You snort at that. It'd be the end of the world before you would consider that with Karamovich.
'At any rate Winslett, I bid you good luck. Again, this mayhap be the last time we can talk before the war ends, at the worst. Take good care of yourself.
Sincerely,
Your most favoured Three Named.'
You smile, palming the Token and putting it in your side pouch. The dread in your stomach dissipating as you noted the fact that you will not be powerless against whatever the troubles that might occur.
As you use the Ides to quickly burn the letter in a smokeless fire, you already mused the letter that you will send to Emil.
It will need to start with the words, 'So about the Steward...' Week 1 Completed! Results:
1. Preparation for Preparation Work completed. Further actions are unlocked.
2. Get to Know - Karamovich Hor-Herren completed. Bond with the Hor-Herren maintained.
> Action chain to mediate with Francesca Leyton-Feult unlocked.
3. Gain one Enlisted Subordinate at the start of Week 2.
> Indirect Superior Found: Lt. Colonel Jorgen Anhauser-Busch, The Steward of Marland.
4. Army Correspondence - Emil Gram-Grelav completed.
> Gain Sapphire Token. Auto-succeed in certain Diplomacy and Covert Intrigue Checks.
> Action chain to investigate The Steward of Marland unlocked.
On the bright side, Winslett is forewarned of the danger with some sort of aid, rather than stumbling into it.. On the not so bright side, there would probably no help in trying to figure out how to mend bridges with Francesca, what with the operational silence and all.
"Well, the other way is courtship, isn't it?" You glare at the First Lieutenant, "What? You know that it is true. It's the courtship back in my old man's times, I'll have you know."
We're in some deep shit. As is the Husbando. The Rose will be an amazing ally in getting out of shit creek if we manage to settle things peacefully with her.
Now to hope we can swiftly train our Enlisted so we can make the most of them, and hopefully they won't be a spy that we can't flip.
I'm not too concerned about the Steward issue, simply because we got the warning early enough. Remember, we haven't agreed to be his lackey, friend, or long term business partner yet. We simply owe him a magely favour, a "lending of our services", approximately the size of him assisting us with getting a good subordinate.
Possible scenarios:
1. He requests something very dangerous or shady. In this case we can with a good conscience decline, and offer to lend him our services in another way, more comparable to the favour he offered us. We haven't yet participated in anything illegal or damning, so even if he wanted to pressure us into accepting, he has no leverage over us. Any harassing that he could do would be an abuse of authority. He seems like an honourable enough fellow, so I don't think he'd go for something like that.
2. He uses the classic technique of starting the relationship slowly and getting us roped in, making it gradually emotionally harder to quit, and eventually getting into the really hairy stuff. This is more likely, and it would likely work without Emil's warning. In this case though, we can simply quit after we have fulfilled our part of this first deal, and resist any temptations to make a second one.
3. He requests something innocent looking, which will suddenly turn out to be dangerous. This is the hardest scenario for us, but even here the warning will help us mitigate the damage. We should keep our distance from him as much as possible, while applying a healthy dose of paranoia to any request he makes. Also, immediately when the other shoe drops, this turns into scenario 1, and we can safely say adios to such an uneven deal.
"The Veil." Rosa Fulton said suddenly, as she tapped merrily on her laptop. You take a bite out of the toast as she said so. "Your opinion on it?"
After a few munches and a glass of water, you answered. "The wisdom of the Ancients are indomitable. The scrying of the future is not something to be done lightly, after all. Too many misuse and abuse could occur. As such, putting a veil to occlude, obstruct, and obfuscate any far-scryer are a simple solution. Why ask?"
The pressure of her presence came back, "Was it true that the Veil was broken?"
"Many of the Ancients' gifts were broken during the War, but the Veil was not one of them."
"Was not broken or was not a gift?"
Well then. "Both. The Veil is a millstone, a handicap built to ensure that no one could potentially go and gain from the future."
"But the future isn't set, is it?"
"It's not, but knowing what can be set in stone and what can't is already a danger in itself."
"Let me change the question then." Fulton said as she sipped on a cup of coffee, pressure lessening as she did. "Was it possible to breach the Veil?"
"It is." You said bluntly. "Much in the same way you could go and break into the World's Times headquarters and gun everyone down." At the narrowing of her eyes, you continued. "Something that is doable, but would be inadvisable."
"...Then was it done at any time prior to The War?"
You expected this question and frankly, it is one you'd least want to answer.
"Yes." 3rd Week of 9th Month, 1694
The Church of The Fourth Apostle, Marland
You'd wonder why the Lieutenant Colonel would use this as the meeting place, but you have been racking your mind about everything there is to know about him. You also would question whether him bringing Emil's letter to be sheer coincidence or a calculated move on his part.
And that sort of thought process would be unproductive, to say the least. You have the Sapphire Token, you could conceivably find your answers in a heartbeat but that'd be hard to do subtly. Still, you have to meet face to face with your new Subordinate.
...
A man garbed in black cloak, wearing a mechanical clockwork mask, blanketed in an almost anomalous aura of death, and carrying an almost unseen marksman rifle the color of the night strapped behind his back.
You never expected to have a Follower of the Fourth assigned as a subordinate, but here you are.
"Second Lieutenant." The raspy, almost sickened voice of the man sounded as he made a bow. "I am Chaplain-Corporal Ilham. I hope that you will find my service to you second only to the High Apostles themselves."
You made a bow back, the rite of the Apostles strange and unfamiliar to you for the most part. "I hope so too, in the name of the Fourth."
"In the name of the Fourth." He repeated, reverence clear in his voice.
The Lieutenant Colonel watches the proceeding with a content nod. "I tried finding someone who may be able to be relied upon. After reading up on your capability and the Platoon's strength, it perhaps would be the most prudent to have a Chaplain-Corporal." His countenance is set to a grim one as he gazed beyond the ascetic innards of the church, to the Hell-Grinder beyond. You understand the meaning, having someone who can provide morale support is great. And as a follower of the Fourth, long-range support in tandem with said morale guidance goes a long way. "You'll have to excuse him for his garb, however. He has sustained terrible injuries in a conjured firestorm in battle."
Disfigured then? "I mind that not, Lieutenant Colonel. I feel at ease knowing that there is someone who is exceedingly capable."
"Hah! Good then. As for my dues," He looked around, the church presumably gotten 'silenced' by his status and orders. "They will wait until later in the month. Hopefully, I will be able to extract the favour sometime next month. I will leave the two of you to discuss work then." The Steward then left without another word after you and Ilham saluted.
"If you want to make this a fully professional relationship, Second Lieutenant, then I would gladly follow your lead."
"Does that mean there's a non-professional relationship, Corporal?"
"The Steward briefed me of your profile. I couldn't care less of your..." He considered his words, "...affairs. I am not a follower of the Third, premarital concerns are not my sort of." The clockwork eyes convey to you sheer disinterest and apathy. "So, your orders?"
Direct Subordinate Gained: Chaplain-Corporal Ilham, Priest of the Fourth Apostle.
> Specialities: Piety, The Invisible Dagger
A Subordinate is a powerful force multiplier. They, within limits, handle your given orders as part of their assignments. Of course, their willingness in doing your tasks may vary. Someone could have more than one Direct Subordinate. Every Subordinate are given two Passive Actions. Every Subordinate also have their Specialities. Should a Subordinate become committed to an action relevant to their Specialities, the assigned Passive Actions may gain extra effect, at worst, to being considered Active Actions, at best.
There are (at the current stage) two ways actions done by a Subordinate be used:
Workload. A Subordinate will be tasked to do an action by their own, independent of input from their Superior. Narratively, this is what Karamovich has been doing last week, assigning tasks to be resolved using the subordinate's Dice Pools. Workload actions are listed as a separate vote action, marked appropriately.
Expedite. A Subordinate will be tasked to help their Superior to do an action, with direction and input from their Superior. Expedited actions will shave off the appropriate amount of time from the task. Expedite actions can be doubled up, effectively granting one Active Action bonus. Expedite actions are listed as a subvote, marked appropriately.
It should be noted, of course, that a Subordinate have their own ways of completing tasks given to them. Their way of doing these actions may have advantages and drawbacks, depending on the actions are doing. And it should be obvious that certain actions cannot be done by Subordinates.
Hertz has One (1) Active Action and Two (2) Passive Actions with Ilham giving Two (2) Passive Subordinate Actions
[] PLAN NAME
[] [Active] Action 1
-[] Expedite: Subordinate A
-[] Expedite: Subordinate B
[] [Passive] Action 2
[] [Passive] Action 3
[] [Workload] Action 4
-[] Subordinate A
[] [Workload] Action 5
-[] Subordinate B
Accounting Acumen
[] The Chains of Supply: Right, time for you to unravel the mystery of the mythical supply chains. Knowing the routes in and out of the Hell-Grinder would be necessary in the coming months. Time: 1 Passive Action. Result: Supply Lines mechanics unlocked. Administrative Acumen
[] A Chef's Request: Right, you've partaken in the bribery, so you need to actually work on what is supposed to be Karamovich's paperwork. You have not an inkling on it, but clearly, he trusts you to handle it. A First Lieutenant's paperwork is much more important than a Second Lieutentant's, after all. Time: 2 Active Action. Result: Complete the Mandate immediately. ??? [] The News of The Front: In the backdrop of a grueling trench warfare, a shovel-wielding mad Mage and a Mage-Killing Rose fight against the very fabric of nature, accompanied by one ruthless assassin. Time: 1 Passive Action. Result: Front Status mechanics unlocked.
Managerial Acumen
[] The Needs of A Priest: "Simply put, I need men. My rank is Corporal. It is second after Chaplain, true. It needn't be said that, for effectiveness, assigning those with stronger than average fervor might be worth it." Time: 1 Active Action. Result: Outfit a Squad for Chaplain-Corporal Ilham. Satisfy request. ???
Diplomatic Actions
[] Get to Know - Ilham: Fact one, he's a One Named. Fact two, he is most likely a Guflan. Fact three, he is an adherent of the teaching of the Fourth, the Apostle of Death. Fact four, he's apparently so heavily injured and disfigured that he can't show his countenance. Fact five, that's all you know of him. Time: 1 Passive Action. Result: Get to know the Chaplain-Corporal. ??? [] Army Correspondence - Malcolm Hertz: It...occurs to you that you haven't written much with your old man. As well as....well, your Mother, really. A war shouldn't stop your correspondence with them. Time: 1 Passive Action. Result: Create a correspondence between Winslett and her father. [] The Alliance of Trust - Karamovich Hor-Herren: Emil said that you can trust Karamovich. So you will. Well, not just because of what he said, of course. But because the Hor-Herren is trustworthy. Time: 1 Passive Action. Result: Get Karamovich 'in' with the plot 'against' the Lieutenant Colonel. Gain further options. ???
Intrigue Actions
[] The Rose of Leyton-Feult - Preliminary Action: You've sent the letter to Emil about what Karamovich said, but you need to try and find out what exactly to send her on your own, especially if the 'operational secrecy' will be in effect. So, you'll start simple, try to glean the general interest of Francesca. Narrow it down from there. Time: 1 Passive Action. Result: Get information on Francesca Leyton-Feult.
Magic Actions
Due to your nature of being injured, moving around too much is very inadvisable and so is doing any Ides-related work. [LOCKED]
Personal Actions
One more week, and you will be free from mutton chops and lamb stews. [LOCKED]
As before, Plan Voting is active. Moratorium will be up for four to six hours or when the QM wakes up.
[] Getting things done (in time for new things)
[] A Chef's Request
-[] Expedite - Ilham
[] [Passive] Get to Know - Ilham
[] [Passive]The Chains of Supply
[] [Workload] The News of The Front
I think this format should work. And if it does, we get the Hor-Herren's orders done, and unlock two more mechanics to the quest (and the sooner we know everything we can do the better). This way we also have a turn to learn more about Ilham (sniper-priest Corvo ftw!) which could help us with putting a squad together for him. Furthermore, sending him to get news from the front should work pretty well as not only can he get the official news, but people trust, and talk to, priests, so he might learn more than what's on the official reports.
[X] Papers, priest and problems
[X] [Active] A Chef's Request
-[X] Expedite: Ilham
[X] [Passive] Get to Know - Ilham
[X] [Passive] The Rose of Leyton-Feult - Preliminary Action
[X] [Workload] The News of The Front
-[X] Ilham
Plan is simple: 1) We need to do our job, duh and we searched for extra hands precisely to do it faster; 2) Before assigning our subordinate to more delicate tasks we need to know him; 3) We know that Rose will be a problem, but we dont know when, better be safe than sorry.
I'm pretty sure it's just the phrasing confusing me, but to clarify we still have one [1] active action and two [2] passive actions, plus two [2] bonus passive actions now due to our subordinate?
The phrasing makes it seem to me like we're missing two passive actions.
Also, are we able to use one of our passive actions and one of our subordinate's passive actions to complete something that requires an active action? I'm still trying to get a hang of the system
I'm pretty sure it's just the phrasing confusing me, but to clarify we still have one [1] active action and two [2] passive actions, plus two [2] bonus passive actions now due to our subordinate?
Also, are we able to use one of our passive actions and one of our subordinate's passive actions to complete something that requires an active action? I'm still trying to get a hang of the system
They will be unlocked in stages. The Specialities that you can see at the moment is simply a ballpark estimate on the sort of talents that Ilham has. The first stage will be done when you do the Get to Know action.
[X] Papers, priest and problems
[X] [Active] A Chef's Request
-[X] Expedite: Ilham
[X] [Passive] Get to Know - Ilham
[X] [Passive] The Rose of Leyton-Feult - Preliminary Action
[X] [Workload] The News of The Front
-[X] Ilham
[] Papers, priest and problems
[] [Active] A Chef's Request
-[] Expedite: Ilham
[] [Passive] Get to Know - Ilham
[] [Passive] The Rose of Leyton-Feult - Preliminary Action
[] [Workload] The News of The Front
-[] Ilham
What an interesting subordinate but the question now is can we trust him? After all he came from the lieutenant colonel who our lover told not to trust. Also i firmly believe we need to involve Karamovich Hor-Herren with our search of the lieutenant colonel within the next week or two we will need an ally in our corner and we have been told that we can trust him.
and we searched for extra hands precisely to do it faster; 2) Before assigning our subordinate to more delicate tasks we need to know him; 3) We know that Rose will be a problem, but we dont know when, better be safe than sorry.
