Doomed Wombat
Let's go Darling!
- Location
- Dancing on wires!
That's for us hitting people over the head and scaring people who are considering rebellion, not people who are nominally on team, but have resources we need. That's more complicated.
Orc Quest; or, A Critical Examination of Agency Through in Interactive Fiction (Warcraft)
- Thread starter FractiousDay
- Start date
- Fantasy
- Location
- United Kingdom
Currently the logistics are, as you might imagine, pretty shaky. The Ogres can eat non-digestible stuff, eg roots or something, but they've largely been predating on smaller communities of humans for food over the last few years, either by just eating them or by demanding tribute, or presumably the Alteraci bribing them with food etc. The Demonsword orcs have indeed been doing some interesting things up in the mountains, but you don't know about that yet. Your warband comparably are presumably surviving through hunting and forage, as well as seizing some of the supplies of that army you killed in the last arc. If nothing else, there are a lot fewer Syndicate soldiers and Ogres around to eat stuff.
They will be doing it a bit, as they have been previously, but remember that they were essentially gangs of bandits who have now been called an army, they're not a reliable force yet, and are more likely to just rob citizens through 'tolls' etc than actually patrol the roads.
Well, I'm fairly flexible, if you wanted to do it like that, that's fine. The problem with open ended plans would be that its more difficult for people to vote on them. However, if you did want to have a proper discussion with Lescovar, I'm happy to map that out, depends what you want really. Either you can accept it as a limitation of the medium, or we can indeed discuss, as you think best. I've written out what Lescovar is wanting to do, how he wants to approach things and his concerns, but he's also aware that his positoin is pretty weak compared with you, given you just conquered the kingdom etc, so he's being slightly less pushy about his stuff.
[X] Supervise the Army of Alterac
Set about rebuilding the Army of Alterac, using what stores remain from the old Kingdom to reequip a force consistently, as well as setting captains and commanders over the former bandits, and weeding out any further traitors.
[X]Seize Resources
You will be in need of resources for either your warband or the military in future, and you can already see Lescovar making things awkward for you. Better to seize mines and smithies now, rather than have to negotiate with him for them later.
These two are essential. As only a constable we need to bend all avenues of wealth and power to our control. As such we should build the army and fill it with loyalists who will depend on us for their position and power. The economic aspects are much the same either redistribute them to loyalists or have their owners kawtow to us.
[X] Remnants
Though there are few of them, there remain a few fortified strongholds of the Syndicate which might prove a nuisance. Destroy them.
[X] Trolls
The Winteraxe Trolls have harassed Alliance convoys for years, and will no doubt continue to do so. Lead a punitive expedition to discourage them.
These two I'm more unsure about but feel they could be good. We need to deal with any military rivals who could challenge our hegemony. On top of that they're is the potential we could absorb some our foes into our army which could help bolster our numbers aswell as the prestige and reputation with their defeat. On the other hand though getting rid of them could leave the region too peaceful which could leave people questioning why they need an orcish army to protect them.
[X] Survey the Demonsword
You've yet to visit the strongholds of the Demonsword Clan, seek them out.
Set about rebuilding the Army of Alterac, using what stores remain from the old Kingdom to reequip a force consistently, as well as setting captains and commanders over the former bandits, and weeding out any further traitors.
[X]Seize Resources
You will be in need of resources for either your warband or the military in future, and you can already see Lescovar making things awkward for you. Better to seize mines and smithies now, rather than have to negotiate with him for them later.
These two are essential. As only a constable we need to bend all avenues of wealth and power to our control. As such we should build the army and fill it with loyalists who will depend on us for their position and power. The economic aspects are much the same either redistribute them to loyalists or have their owners kawtow to us.
[X] Remnants
Though there are few of them, there remain a few fortified strongholds of the Syndicate which might prove a nuisance. Destroy them.
[X] Trolls
The Winteraxe Trolls have harassed Alliance convoys for years, and will no doubt continue to do so. Lead a punitive expedition to discourage them.
These two I'm more unsure about but feel they could be good. We need to deal with any military rivals who could challenge our hegemony. On top of that they're is the potential we could absorb some our foes into our army which could help bolster our numbers aswell as the prestige and reputation with their defeat. On the other hand though getting rid of them could leave the region too peaceful which could leave people questioning why they need an orcish army to protect them.
[X] Survey the Demonsword
You've yet to visit the strongholds of the Demonsword Clan, seek them out.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
The problem isn't that bandits are hard to deal with, they are not... at least, not with the forces at our disposal. Rooting them out might take a while, though.
The problem is that the kingdom is in a state of upheaval after having been ransacked from two different ends. Three, if you count the Syndicate armies. We will be dependent on our neighbours for some time, and not guarding the caravans/convoys at this time risks severe damage to an already weakened state. And with rampaging bandits, ogres running amok (we got the majority, but not all of them), and Demons in 'em hills... well, we might risk the populace running away (joining the bandits, dying out) and already low resourses dwindling further, which means that much of a harder start.
It may be time-sensitive, like plugging a leak on a ship that just survived the storm.
That's what I meant. I am not getting them out in full force before we had a chance to reform them and establish the chain of command.
Which, considering who Grok is, and who these guys are, would likely have to be done like this:
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Well since you mentioned writeins to be allowed let me try this:
[ ] Negotiate Resources
You will be in need of resources for either your warband or the military in future, and you can already see Lescovar making things awkward for you. While your first thought is to pre-emptively get what you needed to strengthen your own position, perhaps words with Lescovar will prove better than getting what you needed on your own so everyone gets what they want when he's willing to be the outstreched hand while you will be the sword.
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- Location
- United Kingdom
Fine as a start, but I'd prefer more.
This goes back to some of my GMing reserach before I started writing quests. For example, a player might say 'I want to persuade the king to do X' then the GM would then say, 'how do you intend to persuade him'.
Lescovar presumably wants mines and stuff to distribute as bribes to Alteraci nobles to get them on side with new appointments or estates, or to control them himself through the Regency and control the resources of the kingdom etc.
Grok comparably knows he wants to make armour and stuff for his warriors, but he doesn't need to do that urgently or anything, he just knows he'll need to at some point and he can anticipate how annoying it would be to have to do that sort of thing later on.
The nobles as I mentioned want to keep them themselves.
So what would the proposal be? Guarentees of output for military purposes? Ownership by Grok personally? Setting Blackrock orcs to work the smithies and mines instead? Taxing them or something?
Basically what do you want to do. Doesn't have to be super detailed, but I need more htan just 'talk to lescovar about stuff'
Chimeraguard
We do deserve to exist.
Hmm, if they'd be willing and have the proper skillset I like that idea. Skilled workers like smiths will be in even higher demand than usual given the state of Alterac.
I suppose partial ownership for Grok's own purposes provide he's kept in the loop for it's purposes for all that you've suggested.
I'll rewrite that tomorrow.
- Location
- United Kingdom
they're the blacksmith clan so yea certainly they'd probably be cool with doing so
sure just have a think about, no rush
Also I might question to what extent Grok would 'believe' in things like fractional ownership when Orcs don't routinely use currency.
'you mean I own half this anvil???'
I suppose Lescovar shows him what that means.
I'm starting to think about those times Thrall and Drek'Thar bitched about the Burning Blade with their claims of visions while planning out the omake sequel with the time streaming visions of possible futures.
A far older and wiser Grok talks about that in a speech to new members both alliance and horde. He confesses they maybe right but not in the way they thought. It's not the corruption of the fel or the fear of the demons enslaving the orcs again no. The chains that would bind them and the blade of fire that burns at their touch is something far more insidious and corrupting but a necessity for the future with enemies surrounding them. It's war.
That's right war. He then gives a long spiel on it with callbacks to the Major's speech on loving war where he admits his own calling for it with the legacy of the breakers as well as on the alliance side especially Karlus's brother and the members of the Scarlets.
Then he concludes that as their enemies so wish to bring them down even in death, then if it's a fight they want then it's a fight they shall have with a war none has ever witnessed that he'll endorse what he calls total war and the crowd already familiar with enemies who do want to kill, corrupt or enslave them would gladly join him.
Mr.Norm
You can never have too many arms.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[ ] Warlocks
I'd argue against the immediate necessity of dealing with the warlocks, in favor of other actions. While they should certainly be dealt with, I believe they can wait at least one turn.
[ ] Seize Resources
This is absolutely necessary for Grok's forces success.
[ ] Clear the Roads
Ignoring responsibilities to Alterac could have poor results.
[ ] Survey the Demonsword
As the largest contingent of our army we should ensure they are in order.
[ ] Supervise the Army of Alterac
This should be done in favor of the Warlocks, as it will allow us to delegate tasks such as dealing with bandits or guarding areas to them in the future, saving us time to do other things.
We should also begin to delegate more often. As a highly influential person we can't be everywhere at once. Unfortunately this is limited due to the untrustworthiness of the vast majority of our troops.
[ ] Trolls
The Trolls represent a threat to governmental power within our borders, however dealing with them violently may be unncessary. We should instead send a diplomatic envoy to them in order to find out more about what they want, and how we can both benefit from cooperation.
[ ] Remnants
While likely less effective than focusing our full attention on it, delegating this task to Vark and his Ogres would both give them something to do, and partially deal with a problem.
[ ] Mercenaries
It may be a good idea to send out a band of Orcs under Scorn too assist with things elsewhere, perhaps in Silverpine or with cleanup in the Plaguelands. However this may not be worth it, as it sends valuable soldiers away for unknown gains.
[ ] Scorn
Have Scorn search out and make contact with any Orcish tribes that remain in Alterac, inviting them to join in our band.
[ ] Warlocks
Have Kartha look into the warlocks some more before we do anything major. See what she can learn.
I'd argue against the immediate necessity of dealing with the warlocks, in favor of other actions. While they should certainly be dealt with, I believe they can wait at least one turn.
[ ] Seize Resources
This is absolutely necessary for Grok's forces success.
[ ] Clear the Roads
Ignoring responsibilities to Alterac could have poor results.
[ ] Survey the Demonsword
As the largest contingent of our army we should ensure they are in order.
[ ] Supervise the Army of Alterac
This should be done in favor of the Warlocks, as it will allow us to delegate tasks such as dealing with bandits or guarding areas to them in the future, saving us time to do other things.
We should also begin to delegate more often. As a highly influential person we can't be everywhere at once. Unfortunately this is limited due to the untrustworthiness of the vast majority of our troops.
[ ] Trolls
The Trolls represent a threat to governmental power within our borders, however dealing with them violently may be unncessary. We should instead send a diplomatic envoy to them in order to find out more about what they want, and how we can both benefit from cooperation.
[ ] Remnants
While likely less effective than focusing our full attention on it, delegating this task to Vark and his Ogres would both give them something to do, and partially deal with a problem.
[ ] Mercenaries
It may be a good idea to send out a band of Orcs under Scorn too assist with things elsewhere, perhaps in Silverpine or with cleanup in the Plaguelands. However this may not be worth it, as it sends valuable soldiers away for unknown gains.
[ ] Scorn
Have Scorn search out and make contact with any Orcish tribes that remain in Alterac, inviting them to join in our band.
[ ] Warlocks
Have Kartha look into the warlocks some more before we do anything major. See what she can learn.
[ ] Negotiate Resources
You will be in need of resources for either your warband or the military in future, and you can already see Lescovar making things awkward for you. While your first thought is to pre-emptively get what you needed to strengthen your own position, perhaps words with Lescovar will prove better than getting what you needed on your own so everyone gets what they want when he's willing to be the outstreched hand while you will be the sword. You have learned briefly from your father and much longer under Danrothan's banner that the demands for the sinews of war is ever greedy.
So you will demand and then bargain. You need the mines and forges of Alterac if you're to give Alterac a proper fighting force. Perhaps even one that will be greater than the horde or alliance in their heyday one day. No doubt Lescovar may blanch at such orcish bluntness but you can bargain when he expresses resistance to such blatant seizures. You may not be a shrewd mercantile genius like a goblin but you do understand the value of an economy. Among your warband is orcs belonging to the Blackrock Clan, skilled in the arts of blacksmithing and mining.
In a time when the humans of Alterac have been so thoroughly decimated from the actions of the sins of their predecessors, the industry of Alterac in turn will have decreased in turn. Many fields are left fallow and what was once the kingdom of Alterac is in ruins, their people either still reduced to marauding bandits or eking out their existence in settlements decreasing in humans without hope.
You will change that. You are fully aware Danrothan wants Alterac for the war effort and you will stress that point precisely for Lescovar to take heed of. With such mineral wealth at the hands of ready experts, the mines and forges will immediately begin providing services to both Alterac's neighbors and locally. The humans of Alterac can then focus their efforts on gathering food rather than worry about the mines and forges. You and the warband were more familiar with war then exploiting the earth for sustenance. These humans are quite familiar with their fertile land so why not let them focus on that?
You will be in need of resources for either your warband or the military in future, and you can already see Lescovar making things awkward for you. While your first thought is to pre-emptively get what you needed to strengthen your own position, perhaps words with Lescovar will prove better than getting what you needed on your own so everyone gets what they want when he's willing to be the outstreched hand while you will be the sword. You have learned briefly from your father and much longer under Danrothan's banner that the demands for the sinews of war is ever greedy.
So you will demand and then bargain. You need the mines and forges of Alterac if you're to give Alterac a proper fighting force. Perhaps even one that will be greater than the horde or alliance in their heyday one day. No doubt Lescovar may blanch at such orcish bluntness but you can bargain when he expresses resistance to such blatant seizures. You may not be a shrewd mercantile genius like a goblin but you do understand the value of an economy. Among your warband is orcs belonging to the Blackrock Clan, skilled in the arts of blacksmithing and mining.
In a time when the humans of Alterac have been so thoroughly decimated from the actions of the sins of their predecessors, the industry of Alterac in turn will have decreased in turn. Many fields are left fallow and what was once the kingdom of Alterac is in ruins, their people either still reduced to marauding bandits or eking out their existence in settlements decreasing in humans without hope.
You will change that. You are fully aware Danrothan wants Alterac for the war effort and you will stress that point precisely for Lescovar to take heed of. With such mineral wealth at the hands of ready experts, the mines and forges will immediately begin providing services to both Alterac's neighbors and locally. The humans of Alterac can then focus their efforts on gathering food rather than worry about the mines and forges. You and the warband were more familiar with war then exploiting the earth for sustenance. These humans are quite familiar with their fertile land so why not let them focus on that?
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- Location
- Texas
I second the utility of seeking magical aid. We've seen firsthand their efficacy during the battles against the Scourge, and I am hesitant to commit to any campaigns without redressing this lack in capabilities. Having Priests, Shaman, and even Mages in the force will allow Grok to accomplish missions with fewer friendly casualties, and may even be useful in forcing surrenders as was requested.
As such, I would argue for Supervising the Army, Seeking Magical Aid, either Demanding or Negotiating for Resources, and Clearing the Roads as a stop-gap measure before dealing with each of the Regional problems in force. Sending Mercenaries out now I would not recommend while we still have such immediate problems on hand, it wouldn't reflect well I think to immediately seek fights out elsewhere when there are plenty within arm's reach.
As such, I would argue for Supervising the Army, Seeking Magical Aid, either Demanding or Negotiating for Resources, and Clearing the Roads as a stop-gap measure before dealing with each of the Regional problems in force. Sending Mercenaries out now I would not recommend while we still have such immediate problems on hand, it wouldn't reflect well I think to immediately seek fights out elsewhere when there are plenty within arm's reach.
So my reasoning is that Grok has an objective in mind and he's willing to hear out Lescovar's counteroffer while providing ready experts to do all the heavy lifting on Alterac's crumbling mineral industry while reminding him the Scarlet Overlord is right next door wanting his share of the mineral output ASAP so he's following orc clan logic of specialisation where he knows humans have a better history of agriculture than his warband does so he's willing to have his Blackrock orcs shoulder this burden so there's more able bodies for agriculture. Grok knows that he's not fully aware of the human interests of Alterac especially the nobles so he's wanting to hear what Lescovar can work out with him and play civilisation builder.
Possibly Lescovar's bargain is to have some of the output shares go towards the nobles or something. He should understand Grok's position but also what he can work with.
Course this does depend on the rolls.
Possibly Lescovar's bargain is to have some of the output shares go towards the nobles or something. He should understand Grok's position but also what he can work with.
Course this does depend on the rolls.
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- Location
- United Kingdom
I'm generally fine with this, but I would emphasise a couple of points. Firstly, yes lots of your subordinates can't be trusted to do stuff for whatever reason. Grok is by far the most diplomatic person about, and perhaps more importantly for some diplomatic actions, he's the highest status. As such I would have to simulate some sort of malus on rolls which would be delegated, and people might have a problem with that.
So yes, possible to delegate, but keep in mind the limitations.
So to clarify the strategy, this would be to focus on the Orcish superiority in metal stuff, Grok's relatively friendly connection with Dathrohan and the protection it provides, and the idea that the Regency should concentrate on other stuff like agriculture?
Indeed, but keep in mind there's a reason that magic users are rare. They require expensive and rare ingedients, infrastructure, training, and sometimes an inherent special nature to work properly. Besides this, a lot of them are fairly generic, and aren't the big battle-winning archmages one thinks of.
Indeed, to some extent you could argue that even if you lost 10 soldiers instead of 1 mage, it would be worth it because the mage is 'worth' more, because they have greater utility.
- Location
- United Kingdom
Oh, its wednesday my dudes
voting open
voting open
- Location
- barking
[X] Clear the Roads
[X] Survey the Demonsword
[X] Supervise the Army of Alterac
[X] Warlocks
I feel we can put of talking to gilneas for a turn and getting to knowing the army and making sure the warlocks and demonsword are not up to anything stupid
[X] Survey the Demonsword
[X] Supervise the Army of Alterac
[X] Warlocks
I feel we can put of talking to gilneas for a turn and getting to knowing the army and making sure the warlocks and demonsword are not up to anything stupid
[X] Clear the Roads
[X] Survey the Demonsword
[X] Supervise the Army of Alterac
[X] Warlocks
[X] Survey the Demonsword
[X] Supervise the Army of Alterac
[X] Warlocks
- Location
- England
[X] Clear the Roads
[X] Survey the Demonsword
[X] Supervise the Army of Alterac
[X] Warlocks
[X] Survey the Demonsword
[X] Supervise the Army of Alterac
[X] Warlocks
- Location
- Cave
[X] Remnants
[X] Seize Resources
[X] Clear the Roads
[X] Survey the Demonsword
Of a mind to stay focused internally, warlocks aren't as pressing as supervising our own forces, and I'd rather take out the Remnants, clear the roads, and then leave the Army of Alterac to flounder for a turn while we secure our own resources.
[X] Seize Resources
[X] Clear the Roads
[X] Survey the Demonsword
Of a mind to stay focused internally, warlocks aren't as pressing as supervising our own forces, and I'd rather take out the Remnants, clear the roads, and then leave the Army of Alterac to flounder for a turn while we secure our own resources.
Chimeraguard
We do deserve to exist.
[X] Supervise the Army of Alterac
[X] Negotiate Resources
[X] Clear the Roads
[X] Survey the Demonsword
I like rx915's suggestion.
[X] Negotiate Resources
[X] Clear the Roads
[X] Survey the Demonsword
I like rx915's suggestion.
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