May The Invisible Hand Be With You - (Star Wars CK2-Style Quest)

Bones · Jan 13, 2017

Dr. Snark said:
If it makes you feel better, that was basically what I was going to have Obi-Wan tell them anyway. You just made it much more interesting than I would have. Canon, and your third! +10 bonus. You'll have a lot of influence next turn...

... And on that note:

OMAKE: Blast From The Past (Literally)

The Nemodian was panicked, speaking at a frantic pace. The cause was obvious, as the distant sound of blaster fire and explosions could be heard far off in he background. Steadily the sounds drew closer.

"It started a few days ago. A massive earthquake uncovered the wreckage of an old Hammerhead cruiser, possibly thousands of years old. Teams were sent to examine the wreckage. Transmissions were abruptly cut off, at the time believed to have been due to atmospheric interference. Before we lost contact with them they said they had found something. That should've warned us. A patrol went silent. Shrugged off, atmospherics again. Then sentries emer silent. Cause for some concern. Then the security gate... It's in the building now. It's slaughtering us. Our security forces cannot repel firepower of that magnitude! Something so old shouldn't be capable, have such technologies, but... We can't stop it. We need more forces! If we could capture and analyze its technology, we co-"

The intercepted transmission abruptly cut off, the reason unclear to the three Seekers watching it. An uneasy silence hung about, before one of them finally broke it.

"The boss will want to know about this."

-------------------

The holoprojector died at the same moment as the lights had, causing the Nemodian to jump. It had cut the power to the room, it had to be near. He ran for the door, blindly charging through the pitch blackness that engulfed the room. He collided with a metallic torso, sprawling onto the floor. A metal foot pressed down on his chest, and cold electronic eyes gazed upon him. Then it spoke.

"Query: What year is it?"

Bones · Jan 13, 2017

Whumbly said:
Watchers are essentially spies so I don't think they wear a uniform. They'd just wear what's needed.

Guardians where difficult and I'm not sure everyone will agree, but this was what I could get without them looking heavy or impractical. Yes it looks intimidating, but our symbol isn't exactly friendly:

As for the Force Agents. I'll just show what I showed before. Just add trenchcoat... and the rifle a blaster:

Eh, too high tech and sleek looking. Doesn't really mesh with the aesthetics of the SW universe.

fasquardon · Jan 13, 2017

Whumbly said:
Guardians were difficult and I'm not sure everyone will agree with my choice, but this was what I could get without them looking heavy or impractical. Yes it looks intimidating, but our symbol isn't exactly friendly:

Remember, Guardians wear a modified version of the prototype clone trooper armour.

Satsuma Red said:
There are two options we can go with. What I call the CNSDF & CNSTO routes.

CNSTO sounds more appealing to me. I'm very leery about cooperating too closely with the Republic when Palps is in charge there and the more federal structure of the CNSTO would fit better with the governing institutions people are used to in the SW galaxy.

Satsuma Red said:
There would have to be an agreement on what amount each system spends of their GDP towards the formation of an armed forces perhaps 2%? Something along those lines.

My feeling has always been that the galaxy was pretty unmiliterized before the clone wars, so I bet 2% going to the military would lead to the CNS becoming pretty strong too.

Satsuma Red said:
I was considering doing an omake featuring the proposals but "more in depth" from people who would propose them but I wanted to see how people reacted to the suggestions as it isn't the high memery thats characteristic of this quest. I find myself fascinated by that sort of stuff though... does that make me boring? xD

Have you had a look at some of the quests here? I've lost count of the times people have realized that they were playing "spread sheet, the quest", shrugged, and gone on having fun with the game. Things are only boring if they are actually boring.

Also, this sort of world building can be great help for the QM and other players to draw inspiration from.

So write the omake.

fasquardon

Satsuma Red · Jan 13, 2017

fasquardon said:
Have you had a look at some of the quests here? I've lost count of the times people have realized that they were playing "spread sheet, the quest", shrugged, and gone on having fun with the game. Things are only boring if they are actually boring.

Also, this sort of world building can be great help for the QM and other players to draw inspiration from.

So write the omake.

Cheers bud I'll start it up.

fictionfan · Jan 13, 2017

Panory said:
"While I was on Mandalore while everything was occurring, she specifically denied having any part in the event. Which doubtless means she's been planning this for years

It nice to see that the Jedi have such a high oppion of us.

Publicola · Jan 13, 2017

Satsuma Red said:
There are two options we can go with. What I call the CNSDF & CNSTO routes.

The CNSDF (Council of Neutral Systems Defense Force) ... would be a centralised command for the duration of the conflict between the Republic & CIS (this would need to be explicitly expressed) drawing forces from all the planets in the CNS as well as being able to levy a tax to be determined by the Council to fund this. It would explicitly undercut the formation of an inherently Mandalorian state instead thrusting the forces behind the idea of the CNS as opposed to strictly their planets This will allow the CNS to cohesively protect its neutrality and the space lanes that make up the CNS.
...
The CNSTO (Council of Neutral Systems Treaty Organisation) however is inspired by NATO (obviously) and would instead leave the creation of fleets and a defense force to those systems in the CNS as opposed to a explicitly centralised command structure. Whilst there could be a similar position as NATO secretary general and a command structure as such to facilitate cooperation as well as plan operations between the systems military's it would be a project led by the systems that make it up.

I'm pretty sure our past actions have already decided this question. We basically went for 'both/and', but with an emphasis on the CNSDF route.

Teron said:
[X] Joint Forces Command: People sleep peacefully at home only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Unfortunately, the CNS is not ready to do violence. Encourage its civilian leadership to establish a unified military command, encourage the Neutral systems to consolidate their Planetary Defense Forces into a single organization and structure, or at least encourage the member systems to consult with each other in preparing their defenses. Chance of Success: 60-70% Reward: ?

Needed: 40 Rolled: 92+9=101

Quite interesting how quickly people are capable of acting if you terrify them. You simply gathered everyone for a meeting, pointed out how both the Republic and the CIS are unreliable and unlikely to leave the CNS in peace, drew up military comparisions, exagerated the time either side would need to roll through the CNSs defences and pestered Darra into confirming what she knew about either sides military (which made her quite uncomfortable since she IS helping you in your shemes... despite actually just being supposed to be your bodyguard. Its as amusing as it sounds). Not much later, with some prodding from you, the PDFs quickly gained a unified leadership and constant communication with everyone else. Also, Satine is quite cranky, especially due to her concerns and pacifism having been shouted down by majority of the rest of the CNS. Reward: CNS now capapble of putting up decent defence, slight control over the CNS military, Satine cranky, some other group also cranky

Not only does the CNS have a unified forces command, but Ciaran and the Abyss Watchers basically run it:

Teron said:
[X] Integrate into Military command: Since you were the one who encouraged the creation of the Joint Command Force for the CNS you may just as well integrate yourself further in it to gain more control and manipulate what it does. Chance of Success: 60% Reward: You might just as well be in charge at that point.

Required: 40 Rolled: 74+13+10=97

This went far better than expected. The original estimation was to be allowed to 'advice' the Military command. Instead you now have two of your more experienced men being part of it as permanent advisors with partial control over some troops. Reward: CNS military infiltrated

Teron said:
[X] Totaly 'benevolent' intentions: The CNS is weak and has only existed for a short while and is therefore quite malleable. Attempt to gain favor and meet the right people to move yourself into a position where you can... whisper... your opinion and be heard. Chance of Success: 70% Reward: Ability to fully negotiate and recruit on the behalf of the CNS

Required: 30 Rolled: 89+9=98

For all intends and purposes you now have several officials on your payroll and the ear of several leaders of various systems, giving you quite some leeway on what you can do 'for' the CNS. Unfortunately your influence is not exactly something that anyone could possible overlook. Reward: You can bend the CNS any way you want at this rate.

We even had Thrawn run a few military ops against piracy two turns ago, and the regular CNS officers performed quite well in using his tactics this turn. So yeah, while most CNS military assets are based on planetary defense forces, the CNS as a whole has a fairly seamless 'unified command', and quite a bit of experience working together.

Another point of interest: it turns out that quite a big part of the CNS military/security forces owe their loyalty to us, as we recruited heavily from the refugee camps that we run through our Humanitarian organization (we really should have a name for it, incidentally).

Teron said:
[X] Raise a Militia: Begun, the Clone Wars have, and thanks to your humanitarian efforts you know just how many war-torn worlds and refugee camps there are in the galaxy. So why not recruit from the now-unemployed population? Ask for volunteers for your security forces, both to assist your humanitarian efforts (you are venturing into hostile worlds and occasionally active battlefields, after all) and to support the CNS. Even if their world was destroyed by war, at least they can fight to keep other worlds from sharing a similar fate. Chance of Success: 60% Cost: 150 Upkeep: 60 Reward: CNS even more bolstered, +5 on Martial rolls for the duration of the war.

Required: 40 Rolled: 40+13=53

Thanks to your reputation quickly a lot of people of varying degrees of combat capabilities signed up with your security forces, were put through training and put to use. Hopefully thats also going to silence some rabblerousers that have started to grumble too loudly in the various refugee camps. Reward: CNS even more bolstered, +5 on Martial rolls for the duration of the war.

Whumbly · Jan 13, 2017

Bones said:
Eh, too high tech and sleek looking. Doesn't really mesh with the aesthetics of the SW universe.

fasquardon said:
Remember, Guardians wear a modified version of the prototype clone trooper armour.

It was also said they had to look different enough not to arouse suspicion when we first made them. Apologies, but it's difficult finding Star Wars based armour that isn't too familiar that we'd confuse others. My other idea was to keep using Rebel Armour stock, but I wasn't sure what people would think:

dredloki · Jan 13, 2017

Bones said:
... And on that note:

OMAKE: Blast From The Past (Literally)

The Nemodian was panicked, speaking at a frantic pace. The cause was obvious, as the distant sound of blaster fire and explosions could be heard far off in he background. Steadily the sounds drew closer.

"It started a few days ago. A massive earthquake uncovered the wreckage of an old Hammerhead cruiser, possibly thousands of years old. Teams were sent to examine the wreckage. Transmissions were abruptly cut off, at the time believed to have been due to atmospheric interference. Before we lost contact with them they said they had found something. That should've warned us. A patrol went silent. Shrugged off, atmospherics again. Then sentries emer silent. Cause for some concern. Then the security gate... It's in the building now. It's slaughtering us. Our security forces cannot repel firepower of that magnitude! Something so old shouldn't be capable, have such technologies, but... We can't stop it. We need more forces! If we could capture and analyze its technology, we co-"

The intercepted transmission abruptly cut off, the reason unclear to the three Seekers watching it. An uneasy silence hung about, before one of them finally broke it.

"The boss will want to know about this."

-------------------

The holoprojector died at the same moment as the lights had, causing the Nemodian to jump. It had cut the power to the room, it had to be near. He ran for the door, blindly charging through the pitch blackness that engulfed the room. He collided with a metallic torso, sprawling onto the floor. A metal foot pressed down on his chest, and cold electronic eyes gazed upon him. Then it spoke.

"Query: What year is it?"

is that hk 47?
from kotor?
i think i want this to be canon now. i want my own snarky murder bot.

dredloki · Jan 13, 2017

Whumbly said:
It was also said they had to look different enough not to arouse suspicion when we first made them. Apologies, but it's difficult finding Star Wars based armour that isn't too familiar that we'd confuse others. My other idea was to keep using Rebel Armour stock, but I wasn't sure what people would think:

maby spartan armor? they look similar in fashion if not in design

Whumbly · Jan 13, 2017

dredloki said:
maby spartan armor? they look similar in fashion if not in design

I've never really liked the helmet.

Night_stalker · Jan 13, 2017

Whumbly said:
I've never really liked the helmet.

Then use like one of the 800+ variants, sheesh.

Jack_Trade · Jan 13, 2017

Whumbly said:

This picture actually fits pretty well, all it really needs is the Abyss Watchers symbol on one of the shoulder pads.

dredloki · Jan 13, 2017

so, compared to the clones and cns soldiers.
how good are the guardians?

Dr. Snark · Jan 13, 2017

Bones said:
OMAKE: Blast From The Past (Literally)

*Thinks to self about pros and cons applying canonical status*
*Cons: Might feel kind of cheap just to have the one omake trigger the return of The Greatest Droid Ever*
*Pros: The return of The Greatest Droid Ever, plans were already being considered for his appearance anyway, badass intro*
*Processing...*

...Let's fucking do this.

+10.

Canon.

Will make recovery action available next turn, though I may or may not have to put you through some hoops to make him fully available. We'll see.

I don't care what it does to my credibility, completely worth it, I regret nothing.

Satsuma Red said:
Cheers bud I'll start it up.

Good luck to you on lucky number seven, my good man!

dredloki said:
so, compared to the clones and cns soldiers.
how good are the guardians?

It depends. The lower-tier Guardians are alright, but they're more like militia members than an army in both skill and discipline. As they gain veterancy they become more organized and professional to the point that they can be considered to be as effective as a standard military unit.

UbeOne · Jan 13, 2017

Boast: All meatbags beware, the best droid has returned!

dredloki · Jan 13, 2017

Dr. Snark said:
*Thinks to self about pros and cons applying canonical status*
*Cons: Might feel kind of cheap just to have the one omake trigger the return of The Greatest Droid Ever*
*Pros: The return of The Greatest Droid Ever, plans were already being considered for his appearance anyway, badass intro*
*Processing...*

...Let's fucking do this.

+10.

Canon.

Will make recovery action available next turn, though I may or may not have to put you through some hoops to make him fully available. We'll see.

I don't care what it does to my credibility, completely worth it, I regret nothing.

Good luck to you on lucky number seven, my good man!

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
BEST BRO BOT SHALL ONCE AGAIN BE A SNARKY FUCK
wait. he personally knew revan. mother fucking revan
can we find his (other super secret after he balanced the sides) holocron?
or at least his helmet/armor?
please?

Darik29 · Jan 13, 2017

HK-47 survived to modern times on his own Anyway. He got picked up by a Nemoidian scavenger and turned on, but the jerk stuck HK's mind into a ship computer and stole the body to sell to the highest bidder. Leaving HK to rot on Mustafar.

Here, it appears the same Nemoidian was not anywhere Near as careful as in OTL, HK broke free, and is now having a decent time of it given he's destroyed an entire group of either Abyss Watchers or possibly a Nemoidian trade federation group.

....

Can we Please do PR-1's Martial Upgrade this turn? I want Ciarans Magna-Gaurd Butler Bot. Please! We need an awesome bot to be friends with HK, he only acknowledges badasses.

fasquardon · Jan 13, 2017

Dr. Snark said:
I don't care what it does to my credibility, completely worth it, I regret nothing.

Not all fan service is bad. Sometimes it is good for a story to give the audience what they want.

dredloki said:
can we find his (other super secret after he balanced the sides) holocron?
or at least his helmet/armor?
please?

I'd rather we didn't, to be honest. Revan gets overused in star wars quests I think.

And having the droid Revan designed (and possibly personally built) while a Sith Lord is a big appearance already.

And... Can you imagine the fun we could have passing on the teachings of Lord Revan to Ciaran through the filter of HK-47? That is soooo much more fun than a holocron.

Whumbly said:
It was also said they had to look different enough not to arouse suspicion when we first made them. Apologies, but it's difficult finding Star Wars based armour that isn't too familiar that we'd confuse others. My other idea was to keep using Rebel Armour stock, but I wasn't sure what people would think:

This works for me.

Publicola said:
Another point of interest: it turns out that quite a big part of the CNS military/security forces owe their loyalty to us, as we recruited heavily from the refugee camps that we run through our Humanitarian organization (we really should have a name for it, incidentally).

It is fun watching you rediscover bits of evil plan.

fasquardon

Publicola · Jan 13, 2017

Darik29 said:
Can we Please do PR-1's Martial Upgrade this turn? I want Ciarans Magna-Gaurd Butler Bot. Please! We need an awesome bot to be friends with HK, he only acknowledges badasses.

Actually, I'd rather wait for a turn. That way, when we finally do upgrade PR-1, our engineers will be inspired by what they can learn of HK-47's chassis....

fasquardon said:
It is fun watching you rediscover bits of evil plan.

Thanks.

More rediscovery, incoming....

Bones · Jan 13, 2017

Darik29 said:
HK-47 survived to modern times on his own Anyway. He got picked up by a Nemoidian scavenger and turned on, but the jerk stuck HK's mind into a ship computer and stole the body to sell to the highest bidder. Leaving HK to rot on Mustafar.

Here, it appears the same Nemoidian was not anywhere Near as careful as in OTL, HK broke free, and is now having a decent time of it given he's destroyed an entire group of either Abyss Watchers or possibly a Nemoidian trade federation group.

Close. In canon he was discovered by the Separatists on a ship on Mustafar, and upon reactivation promptly slaughtered them. They put him in the ship's computer because they were unable to wipe his memory, and absconded with his body to study. The omake above takes place between HK slaughtering them and them managing to body snatch him.

Dr. Snark said:
Will make recovery action available next turn, though I may or may not have to put you through some hoops to make him fully available. We'll see.

I don't care what it does to my credibility, completely worth it, I regret nothing.

Relax, this is probably even less egregious then us getting Thrawn. At least we have to take an action or two to actually acquire him, and as stated above he was active at this time.

... And THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Given the large amount of bonuses at play next turn I'll hold off on mine till the following turn.

Jack_Trade · Jan 13, 2017

@Dr. Snark quick question but is Durge still up and about cause if he is he probably has a few words to say about the Mandolore returning.

Dr. Snark · Jan 13, 2017

Jack_Trade said:
@Dr. Snark quick question but is Durge still up and about cause if he is he probably has a few words to say about the Mandolore returning.

*Looks at the wiki to confirm date of death*
*...It's 20 BBY in canon*

HehehehAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

dredloki · Jan 13, 2017

Dr. Snark said:
*Looks at the wiki to confirm date of death*
*...It's 20 BBY in canon*

HehehehAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

oH FUCK
....at least we have the silencer and grievous
in the comics grievous was able to defeat, if not kill durge .
hopefully we we can capture him and throw him in the sun.
or give him to our local mad scientist
..... also this battle was to decide who was the supreme commander of the separatist army.
huh

Missingnoleader · Jan 13, 2017

dredloki said:
oH FUCK
....at least we have the silencer and grievous
in the comics grievous was able to defeat, if not kill durge .
hopefully we we can capture him and throw him in the sun.
or give him to our local mad scientist
..... also this battle was to decide who was the supreme commander of the separatist army.
huh

If its any consolation, if Durge is a part of the CIS, that's basically a hostile action towards the CNS.

Valkur · Jan 13, 2017

Omake - Let's work together...intern

Meeting a woman whose head not even the force could say it understood wasn't easy. Especially with that smile that stretches from ear to ear and how every time she talks a wind of hot hair seems to escape her head and fly out of her mouth like 'wee~' all the time.

"Welcome Intern to my office as my coffee grabber-" Ciaran said with that same stupid look in her face. Just because I turned to looking for answers and how she shared knowledge with me doesn't excuse that stupid look on her face. I hate these privileged prick rich people. An I wasn't going to let her have her way with me.

"GO TO HELL LADY!"

"But were all ready here Asajj~" she quipped.

I can physically feel my skin boiling as my face crinches in anger! In my head my rational side is saying 'why are you angry?' while every other part of me is screaming 'BECAUSE I AM!'. An I damn well know it's because of this woman for some reason.

"Listen I know the terms of our deals are at your advantage as is and that you can leave whenever you want to wherever you want. But I'd like you to come with me to a party I'm hosting at Coruscant. Frankly, I am going to need someone of your expertise to watch my back."

"Get Silencer to watch it for you." I shot back. I'm not going to trust my life in Coruscant alongside a woman who thinks everything is a lighthearted college party game.

"He's busy with something else and his repertoire isn't a good fit for the job. I need a more low-key person and that's where you the cute and adorable Asajj ~" Burn. In. He-" can come in.~". I will surpass you in everything one day. An it will be soon.

"If I refuse?"

"I'll cry and moan outside of your dormitory."

What.

"An than i'll tell everyone what you did to me in this room when I offered you a job." she starts squirming in a very..innocent? Yes, that's it innocent way. "Oh I offered her so much to just come to party with me for fun! But than she put my head down and..and..HIT ME *fake cries*" Oh god this woman's crazy and manipulative...wait a minuite why am I surprised?

"Tears don't pay the bills and I want more than what you own in credits." As a professional Sith in training I don't cower to the tears of someone else. Not even someone who cries really well. In other words, I am immune from petty B.S like the puppy dog treatment.

"What about Darthomir? I can help you get they're to find your parents since I know you do want to go back." This time much more serous. Like an actual boss should be you know?

I stayed silent at that. I never thought much about who my parents were or even thought about it too much now that I thought about it.

"Duchess Satine is going on to Darthomir on behalf of the CNS to give them a cordial invitation to join. With Darthomir in the picture you, as my employee and personal guard, will have all of the rights to work as close to that corner of the universe as you want.

Which also translates into you being able to meditate in the force touched atmosphere of that planet. On top of that, as my employee you'll be privileged in that society with being able to bring mates for the elders. Which translates tooo~"

"Power and Trade secrets." She may not remember much about her homeworld as a child but Asajj does know about it's reputation as a fierce world where the strong thrive. An where only women rule because men are used as currency and mates to be traded to and given order to older tribes women. "What is it that you want though?"

Ciaran smiled at that and clicked on some buttons on her desk. A holoprojector (when was that installed?) shot a picture of a building.

"This is the 'Golden Way' convention center. I've arranged a diplomatic party here where some of the most monied and influential people of coruscant will be present. I want you to run security and be my back up in case of a showdown."

My eyes lowered at that last part. Watching someones back and to help out in a showdown.

"I don't abandon my people!" she said with a serous face and a small rise coming out of her. I wonder how she feels about that "Jedi will be present but with my buried presence technique we'll be fine. But they're may very well be Sith assassins looking for a coup de grace by taking me out. Or the senators or just crashing the party."

"So watch your back and kill assassins. An than I get to head over to Darthomir to see what kind of secret techniques they have to learn?"

"Bingo was it's namo. So do we have a deal?"

How could I not? Power means safety in the universe. An in a universe were your Master sets you up for a big fall, well, you'll need everything you can get your hands on to stand. An more to get his blood washing your hand.

"Deal. Consider your life pristine so long as I'm around."

"Perfect just watch for the Jedi. There will be at least two in attendance and more if-" I put my hand up for that "No problem Ciaran. I can live in the shadows.." I finished. I can almost taste the secrets of my home worlds knowledge.

As we were about to conclude though I made sure to add in one last thing "Just so you know though. This is about power and me getting it over Dooku. I want his head. This is not about you or Darthomir or my parents-"

"Noted. But I do recommend you find something other than vengeance. Life is dull when your done with vengeance. Find a hobby like running a company for your spare time or maybe a boyfriend."

-----------------------------------------

May The Invisible Hand Be With You - (Star Wars CK2-Style Quest)

Don't look behind you.

Don't look behind you.

Please sir, may I have some Meows?

Slava Ukraini!

Chasing the Green Fairy

Exactly As Planned...Probably

Daydreaming CPU

Verified Delicious

Don't look behind you.

Chasing the Green Fairy

Exactly As Planned...Probably

The True Valkyria, Valkur!