Sartier Quest: A Tale of Song, Gods, and Trouble (CK2-Let's Go Hunt Gods, SV!)

[Spectrum]

Couple more questions:

In part, the benefits you'll get from Read the Manual are dependent on who you're going to learn from and what their area(s) of focus are. In this case, Carlisle helps you with Trade and Port-related infrastructure, so the repairs to river docks will bring much bigger bonuses to the table, and the Billfarthing shipbuilding expansion should also improve. Basically, you'll see benefit in anything that counts as an infrastructure project.

Click to shrink...

Will Read the Manual provide "retroactive" bonuses if we upgrade a particular area already (say, Granaries or whatever) or will it actually require a follow-on action to put new lessons/construction into place even in the same area?

Basically, trying to figure out if it makes more sense to RTM a whole bunch and then improve Infrastructure or if it's safe to improve and just get the benefits as they come in.

And requoting myself because I think it got missed and only the RTM half was answered before:

Do we actually just care about reaching Level 2 no matter how we do it, or will the specific options picked actually matter in terms of turn interrupts/random events, and so on?

Click to shrink...

edit: Even with not having them get keyed off of for other things, I mean, it's not like building a bridge suddenly also means those things get built, so we conceivably hit Infrastructure Level 2 and they're still issues. What is Level 2 really getting us, I guess?

 

[Macchiato]

Couple more questions:

Will Read the Manual provide "retroactive" bonuses if we upgrade a particular area already (say, Granaries or whatever) or will it actually require a follow-on action to put new lessons/construction into place even in the same area?

Basically, trying to figure out if it makes more sense to RTM a whole bunch and then improve Infrastructure or if it's safe to improve and just get the benefits as they come in.

And requoting myself because I think it got missed and only the RTM half was answered before:

edit: Even with not having them get keyed off of for other things, I mean, it's not like building a bridge suddenly also means those things get built, so we conceivably hit Infrastructure Level 2 and they're still issues. What is Level 2 really getting us, I guess?

Click to shrink...

I'll leave most of the answering to Oneiros as I've got an hours-long meeting I'll be in for most of the morning but quickly.

No, Read The Manual doesn't work retroactively.

Going to level 2 would result in an increase in commoner mood and income. Also narratively, it may affect options offered in the future.

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

edit: Even with not having them get keyed off of for other things, I mean, it's not like building a bridge suddenly also means those things get built, so we conceivably hit Infrastructure Level 2 and they're still issues. What is Level 2 really getting us, I guess?

Click to shrink...

It actually ties into a few different areas. Higher infrastructure (or at least, not lagging too far behind the leader) reduces the severity of revolts, it increases the cap on troops raised from the gentry, it gives an income boost, it makes me freer and easier with the sort of development actions I present you with.

Edit: Individual infrastructure projects will affect different things. The "Infrastructure Level" is a sort of abstraction of the general degree to which your province is developed. Different provinces that are both at level 2 may still have their infrastructure in wildly different areas.

The bridge action counts as three actions because it is transformational in what it allows for the city.

 

[FriedIce]

Yeah, I get the impression that increasing our infrastructure level doesn't get us anything in and of itself but instead its an abstraction of the advantages that come with improving infrastructure.

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Yeah, I get the impression that increasing our infrastructure level doesn't get us anything in and of itself but instead its an abstraction of the advantages that come with improving infrastructure.

Click to shrink...

Well, it is true that it is an abstraction, ticking over the level number does get you a specific set of hard-number advantages to go with the bump up in level. And ... Tellar could really do with some increased income. I mean, militarily, magically, influence-wise, there are three Great Houses.

Economically there are only two.

 

[FriedIce]

Economically there are only two.

Click to shrink...

Does Carlisle not count?

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Does Carlisle not count?

Click to shrink...

If they can shake off the effect of these tariffs that Timbre is placing on them to shift their goods out through the river networks heading north, they would be closer to Capo and Sonissimmo than they are to you

Juan Lumen can report that after hanging around Jing, the guess is that it's costing Carlisle about 8,000 crowns a turn.

Of course, they're still a five figure post-expenses income ahead of Tellar...

Uh, I don't know if I've referenced this before, but Gold Crown = average unskilled labourer yearly wage.

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Also, can I request a reminder on what stats Justice actions key off of, explicitly? I think it's Intrigue?
And the relevant Councilor Bonus appears to be also just their stat/3, if I look at the numbers accurately? (Along with any trait bonuses?)

Click to shrink...

Usually intrigue.

Councillor Bonus is stat / 3 rounded up. Certain traits apply certain dice roll bonuses as appropriate.

@Macchiato @OneirosTheWriter
Would it also be possible to combine:
Foster Care - Exchanges of young nobles between Houses is an old and time-honoured tradition. It helps bring new knowledge in, spreads familiarity, and builds lasting friendships. Perhaps exchanging youths can help solidify thawing relationships?
(Pick one or two of the following, same agent can handle both, 1 Influence only)
[Automatic Success for search, candidates to be presented in the mid-turn post, Diplomatic test depending on who is asked for and offered]
[ ] - Approach House Tarrant to negotiate possible fosterings.
[ ] - Approach House Sonissimmo to look into possible fosterings.
+
Hello, Sailor - Rita Hulland got to see the Royal Navy's special Songweavers in action over the summer, and she would love to get a chance to learn some of their techniques. She feels having a few of them on hand for Tellar and her vassals would help with coming battles against the Tranquility pirates. [Both of the below options entail a 30% Base Chance diplomacy test Evelyn will undertake as a Free Action to gain access]
-[ ] Have Rita travel herself to Sonissimmo to attempt to learn these skills. [20% base chance, Magic Test, 2 turns, Rita Hulland gains trait Naval Songweaver]
+
[ ] - Preparing to Take the Next Step - Truly elite Songweavers are few and far between. Tellar is blessed to have two in their court: Monica Reynolds, and your mother, Rita. You would like to add a third: yourself. But it is a long and arduous road to the top. You would like to ask your mother to help prepare you for the challenges of reaching the true heights of the Songweaving craft. [50% base chance, starts the path of upgrading from Veteran Songweaver to Elite Songweaver] (Note: if Rita takes the Naval Songweaving action, Evelyn will travel with her to Etela)
+
(Free Action) [ ] - Patching Up - You've taken the first steps towards towards mending your own fractured relationship with your old friend Hana Sonissimmo. Perhaps you can continue to pursue that course of action? [???% base chance, 0g, 1 turn, ??? results]

to send both Rita and Evelyn together to Etela and not have the fostering request cut into Evelyn's training time?

Click to shrink...

Hmm, that's a hefty list to combine, but they are all co-located and don't seem mutually exclusive, though Evelyn will probably be burning the candle at both ends like a college student. We'll talk this one over a bit and reply soon.

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Okay, @Spectrum, those can be taken together. However, given the workload she would be taking on, Evelyn would take a Stressed trait into the next turn. It's a temporary trait that amplifies the effect of negative personality traits while in effect (exact implementation subject to change).

 

[Spectrum]

(preposting edit, you literally just ninja'd me on stuff I was about to requote in case it got missed, thanks!)

Usually intrigue.

Councillor Bonus is stat / 3 rounded up. Certain traits apply certain dice roll bonuses as appropriate.

Click to shrink...

Thanks. If the Councilor Bonus appears not to be stat/3 rounded up (for example, Luna Reynolds is M31 but only gives a 10 bonus according to Turn 2), should we poke you about that or just assume there's something else going on or just take it on faith that whatever the correct number is actually listed in your spreadsheet and the turn post might be inaccurate and not to sweat it?

Also, I can't seem to find stat sheets on Charlie Tellar and Rita Hulland. They'll show up eventually if we need to really know or we don't get to know those, even if they're councilors?

Okay, Spectrum, those can be taken together. However, given the workload she would be taking on, Evelyn would take a Stressed trait into the next turn. It's a temporary trait that amplifies the effect of negative personality traits while in effect (exact implementation subject to change).

Click to shrink...

Got it, thanks.

If in the turn after we chose to not use Evelyn on an agent task (presumably she would have some kind of low-stress Personal Action she could be stashed on instead), would she still kinda potentially screw things up for us anyway because she's the Diplo councilor?

No, Read The Manual doesn't work retroactively.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, I get the impression that increasing our infrastructure level doesn't get us anything in and of itself but instead its an abstraction of the advantages that come with improving infrastructure.

Click to shrink...

Well, it is true that it is an abstraction, ticking over the level number does get you a specific set of hard-number advantages to go with the bump up in level. And ... Tellar could really do with some increased income. I mean, militarily, magically, influence-wise, there are three Great Houses.

Click to shrink...

Hmm. Even with this I think because RTM does not work retroactively I would be inclined to argue against doing most of those projects for now and chip away at some of the others that would still help Tellar's econ out. At least, maybe only do the ones where we already had research improvements on and wait until RTM pays some more dividends out on the others.

Well, to help this along in terms of trying to decide, @Macchiato @OneirosTheWriter can I request some sense of scale for what kind of income improvements we might see on some of the current economic actions? Specifically:
Rebuilding the riverside dock facilities along the Barossa to increase trade--our current trade income is apparently only 1000g, which is hilariously bad. Are we looking at a three-low four figure increase here or potentially five figures?
Roads between Harper and the Minor Houses--same as above, I assume there's some trade and even tax benefits here.
The bridge--you called it "transformative", so I assume that's a huge deal in general
Logistics/Trading Baby Steps--These are research actions so they don't yield an improvement by themselves, correct? And for Logistics, our Military upkeep is quoted at 15-20000g (and the Royal Army for another chunk), can I get some sense on how much we can expect to chip away at that or do we just need to do the Research first to even get that idea?

Thanks in advance! Sorry for all the questions. <3

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Thanks. If the Councilor Bonus appears not to be stat/3 rounded up (for example, Luna Reynolds is M31 but only gives a 10 bonus according to Turn 2), should we poke you about that or just assume there's something else going on or just take it on faith that whatever the correct number is actually listed in your spreadsheet and the turn post might be inaccurate and not to sweat it?

Click to shrink...

Honest answer here is that I'm still getting used to updating all the relevant spots! Luna gained a point of Martial last turn which tipped her over into 11 bonus. I'll fix that up.

Rebuilding the riverside dock facilities along the Barossa to increase trade--our current trade income is apparently only 1000g, which is hilariously bad. Are we looking at a three-low four figure increase here or potentially five figures?

Click to shrink...

Low four-figure trade boost, but it's going to help you, and Raleigh, and a few minor houses, so the overall economic boost is significant, even if others are getting free benefits on your dime (part of being a Great House). However, that's not a bad thing, Raleigh income is in serious need of a boost.

Logistics/Trading Baby Steps--These are research actions so they don't yield an improvement by themselves, correct? And for Logistics, our Military upkeep is quoted at 15-20000g (and the Royal Army for another chunk), can I get some sense on how much we can expect to chip away at that or do we just need to do the Research first to even get that idea?

Click to shrink...

Tellar's grasp of economics is at a point where you really need to research to properly get a grasp of what's possible. There's a lot of different data points operating in the big economics spreadsheet that can be manipulated, and Andres, Juan and May are fighting a battle to bring the institutions of Tellar along with them to find out what they are. As a general thing, you're talking about knocking percentage points off here and there.

Roads between Harper and the Minor Houses--same as above, I assume there's some trade and even tax benefits here.

Click to shrink...

Small percentage boosts to the underlying tax bases is what I can say with what Tellar currently understands. I will say that the great majority of your current income, and in fact the lion's share of everyone's income so far, comes from their internal tax base rather than through extra trade.

Also, I can't seem to find stat sheets on Charlie Tellar and Rita Hulland. They'll show up eventually if we need to really know or we don't get to know those, even if they're councilors?

Click to shrink...

Ah, will add those.

 

[Chaeronea]

@OneirosTheWriter Does the Court Maintenance action to improve Theo Raleigh's abilities also count as his action for the turn? Or can it be taken if Theo was assigned to something else?

 

[Spectrum]

--snip--

Click to shrink...

Thanks, that helps a lot.

@Macchiato @OneirosTheWriter Sorry, couple more questions on related topics. (feel free to tell me to bugger off and just submit a plan if it's getting too much)
re: Evelyn getting stressed
Would cutting the Approach House Tarrant action (even if one agent can do it combined with Sonissimmo) be enough to remove the risk of Stressed? That would keep it not even a greater Etela action but only a Sonissimmo action as far as I can figure. Or would we need to just not do either of the fostering actions in that grouping in order to have her not be Stressed?

Related--is it possible for one agent do to "Approach House Tarrant for fostering" and "Read the Manual - House Tarrant" together without issue?

For "A Formal Relationship" (Melody Piar) can I get some sense of how much time of Hamid's this takes and what kinds of things he'd be doing? If he's vetting her, is he looking up past acquaintances, is he giving her sample trial missions, is he just talking with her? (Theoretically, is it possible to assign him to two things and effectively attempt to use that as a test of her capabilities?)

---

And now for discussion's sake...

I'll just point out that it's to your benefit (and FriedIce and anyone else who's considering this) to review her profile and any written portions including her to make really really sure you know what you're getting into and that you're comfortable with it. That's really the case for anyone, actually, but yeah. I seem to recall people being gun shy about her being a Sadist and some other stuff...

Click to shrink...

Requoting her original profile:

Melody Piar
F 30
Martial 15
Combat 30
Stewardship 9
Diplomacy 18
Intrigue 32
Magic 20
Piety 5
Dread 8

Lewd Streak; Smart; Attractive; Commoner; Schooled; Noble Bastard; Master Poisoner; Sword-master; Longsword-master; Bow-master; Blooded Killer; Eavesdropper; Charming; Sadist; Child of Tellar; Spellsword;

Description: Although she had remarried, Melody's mother had never forgotten the man who had swept her off her feet and then disappeared into the night. Whenever her stepfather wasn't around, her mother would tell her stories of him. Of course, her stepfather didn't like Melody very much and to escape his passive aggressive muttering and glances, she turned quickly to life as a child of the streets. There she learned the skills which would ultimately serve her in her current career as an assassin. Her familiarity with administering death in any number of ways was only honed when her father found her again and took him in under his wing, spy to spy. Her love-hate for him, and all nobles, has only grown worse since. While her skills would be of exceptional use, make sure you trust her no further than you can lift her.
"It was unusual for Melody to not try and conceal her identity, but in this case, it was probably a necessity. Most potential employers didn't take well to being deceived from the get go. How boring. She passed the guard a small wooden token, then waited while he looked at it and her and then led her to a well-appointed room with wildly impractical furniture that was beautiful to look at but was probably highly uncomfortable to sit in.

As though to prove her point, Andres Tellar simply stood at the door upon entering, shutting it behind him but making no move to sit. "Can I help you?" he asked coolly, hands clasped behind him. She smiled her most infectious smile and very obviously examined him from the dark hair bearing an honourable retreat from his forehead down to his well-shaped legs before lifting her bright gaze to meet his darker one.

"I think the real question is how can I help you, Symphonius? The token tells you all you need to know, surely."

He bore up well under the scrutiny, although he seemed slightly uncomfortable, "Yes. Well. We'll see."

Click to shrink...

This is the sole reservation I can find during voting specifically about Melody:

Melody is possible, but she reads less like a spymaster than a very effective agent - and may cause problems in her own right with that Sadist trait.

Click to shrink...

Mostly I can just see that people felt Hamid, Louise, or Liam were more attractive, not necessarily anything about Melody specifically.

Personally, I think Sadist is a non-issue in an Intrigue agent. I might be a little more concerned about the report's description of her trustworthiness but she's just so otherwise useful it could be just something to work on. Those traits and stat scores are ridiculous for her area.

Anyone else care to comment? I didn't bother requoting the whole passage she just had in the turn updates, but other than a little banter with Hamid it didn't seem too bad.

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

@OneirosTheWriter Does the Court Maintenance action to improve Theo Raleigh's abilities also count as his action for the turn? Or can it be taken if Theo was assigned to something else?

Click to shrink...

That one requires Theo. It requires some intensive training, so you can't ship him across Sartier and expect him to keep up with this training.

(Remember to ping @Macchiato as well when asking these questions!)

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

When I get the chance I will add these to one of the threadmarked posts.

Rita Hulland
Tellar Court Songweaver
Female, 44

Martial 26
Combat 24
Stewardship 14
Diplomacy 23
Intrigue 13
Magic 41
Piety 3
Dread 2

Child of Tellar; Elite Songweaver; Married to Andres Tellar; Mother to Evelyn Tellar; Symphonius Consort; Tutored; Noble; Veteran (1); Combat Virtuoso; Aged; Spry; Longsword-master; Mentoring Evelyn; Loremaster; Atheist; Sarcastic; Pig-headed; Ambitious; Proud; Affairs; Firebrand;


Charlie Tellar
Tellar Justice
Female, 27

Martial 16
Combat 24
Stewardship 19
Diplomacy 14
Intrigue 24
Magic 26
Piety 1
Chivalry 7

Just; Tyrant; Wild Streak; Veteran; Veteran Songweaver; Atheist; Enthusiastic; Axe-master; Heavy Shield; Heavy Armour; Familiar with Spies; Child of Tellar; Schooled; Noble; Married; Stern; Charming; Alms; Ambitious; Stubborn;

 

[Macchiato]

Thanks, that helps a lot.

@Macchiato @OneirosTheWriter Sorry, couple more questions on related topics. (feel free to tell me to bugger off and just submit a plan if it's getting too much)
re: Evelyn getting stressed
Would cutting the Approach House Tarrant action (even if one agent can do it combined with Sonissimmo) be enough to remove the risk of Stressed? That would keep it not even a greater Etela action but only a Sonissimmo action as far as I can figure. Or would we need to just not do either of the fostering actions in that grouping in order to have her not be Stressed?

Click to shrink...

I'd say it would take reducing by at least two actions before the Stressed trait is gone. You did place an awful lot on her xD

Related--is it possible for one agent do to "Approach House Tarrant for fostering" and "Read the Manual - House Tarrant" together without issue?

Click to shrink...

Yup, happy to go with this.

For "A Formal Relationship" (Melody Piar) can I get some sense of how much time of Hamid's this takes and what kinds of things he'd be doing? If he's vetting her, is he looking up past acquaintances, is he giving her sample trial missions, is he just talking with her? (Theoretically, is it possible to assign him to two things and effectively attempt to use that as a test of her capabilities?)

Click to shrink...

It'd be more of a shadowing exercise of either Hamid or one of the other agents. As indicated in writing excerpts, he's already somewhat aware of her capabilities. So no, this wouldn't be a dedicated Hamid action.

Mostly I can just see that people felt Hamid, Louise, or Liam were more attractive, not necessarily anything about Melody specifically.

Personally, I think Sadist is a non-issue in an Intrigue agent. I might be a little more concerned about the report's description of her trustworthiness but she's just so otherwise useful it could be just something to work on. Those traits and stat scores are ridiculous for her area.

Click to shrink...

Okay, I'm going to throw this out there because this is actually in the writing but no one else seems to have either noticed or commented on it even though it was in Hamid/Melody's fight scene from the Results post. Melody is Hamid's bastard daughter.

 

[Chaeronea]

Okay here's my shot at things -

[x]Plan Chaeronea

Spoiler

Diplomacy
Crime and Punishment
[ ] Severe (2 Influence)
Without Chivalry We Are Nothing -
[] Severe (2 Influence)

Sometimes you can get someone to respond to you with a kind word, while other times you need to slap them in the face to get their attention. And then there are times when you have to break their fucking jaw to convince them you are serious. Considering how long and vicious their feud has been I think Vincennes and Dale are firmly in the third category.

[ ] - A Formal Position (6000 g, Dominic Rios)

Extra free actions are good, especially Diplomacy actions in a game this focused on diplomacy. Dominic was the one who suggested this option so assigning him to it might improve the odds.

[ ] - You've heard rumours that "Faithless as a Tellar" is doing the rounds of the Court at Etela (Evelyn Telar)
I have Evelyn also using her Personal action to try to patch things up with Hana and accompany Rita to Etala on her mission to become a Naval Songweaver, so hopefully they will synergise.

Marshall
[ ] Calling Florence Nightingale (3000 g, Luna Reynolds)


Court Songweaver
Hello, Sailor
-[ ] Have Rita travel herself to Sonissimmo to attempt to learn these skills. (Rita Hulland)
Improves Rita's abilities, could lead to improved odds of diplomacy with navy types, also ties in with Evelyn's trip to Etala

Executive and Exchequer
[ ] - Trading Baby Steps (2000 g, Juan Lumens)
We desperately need to upgrade Tellar's economy and trade is the most obvious route to do so. Also this is a 1-turn action meaning Juan should be available to upgrade the roads next turn which, if we spend 2 Influence on it, would also be a 1-turn action.

Justice
Taking over the Case Load -
[ ] Survey Greater Carentan, home of Capo and its vassals. (Carmen Rios)
[ ] - During the recent bandit outbreak, two men were captured, wounded but alive, by the forces of House Rios. (Charlie Tellar)
[ ] Andres has been catching worrying rumours that Harper already has the nascent heart of a rebel army, a group called the Yellow Banner, who wishes the end of Tellar rule. (3000g, Charlie Tellar)
Mentoring Audrey Suarez -
[ ] - Carmen Rios

Charlie' actions start to crack down on the Yellow Banner and get a better idea of the scale of the Teuvian problem in Carentan. Carmen's actions focus more directly on investigating the Yellow Banner and mentoring Audrey, who will also provide extra protection for Carmen.

Intrigue
[ ] - Two Can Play At That Game (Hamid Hulland)
[ ] A Formal Relationship (Hamid Hulland)
Recruiting another agent for Intrigue work is worthwhile, especially with Teuv being behind the Yellow Banner and peasant revolts. More importantly it leaves him enough time to conduct a sweep of the court for foreign spies.

Minor Houses

Court Maintenance
Help Needed -
-[ ] Instruct all agents to keep an eye out for candidates in their travels.
[ ] - Theo knows no peer with steel in hand (Theo Raleigh)
Theo is basically a combat specialist, so the more crunchy we can make him the better.

Evelyn
[ ] - Patching Up
Take advantage of Evelyn's trip to Etala to try to smooth things over with Hana.

EDIT: added action for Carmen Rios and mentoring Audrey Suarez

EDIT: added extra action for Hamid Hulland as Macchiato advised recruiting did not take up his action.

 

[Spectrum]

Charlie Tellar
Tellar Justice
Female, 27

Martial 16
Combat 24
Stewardship 19
Diplomacy 14
Intrigue 24
Magic 26
Piety 1
Chivalry 7

Just; Tyrant; Wild Streak; Veteran; Veteran Songweaver; Atheist; Enthusiastic; Axe-master; Heavy Shield; Heavy Armour; Familiar with Spies; Child of Tellar; Schooled; Noble; Married; Stern; Charming; Alms; Ambitious; Stubborn;

Click to shrink...

*hums* She's interesting. She's 'only' got Good-Great stats in a few places but she's so young, relatively speaking, that she can still improve by a fair deal. Veteran Songweaver, too. Tyrant and Just is an...interesting combo, as is Stern and Charming.

I'd say it would take reducing by at least two actions before the Stressed trait is gone. You did place an awful lot on her xD

Click to shrink...

Fair enough. I'd personally view "Patching Up" as not really that much of a (Free Action) in that case if doing it plus training for Elite Songweaver is as much as she can do without getting Stressed, given the viability of other synergies. Or, I guess because of how it was proposed, you're also hitting her for having a shot at getting Naval Songweaver by tagging along with Rita, even if it's not her action?

It'd be more of a shadowing exercise of either Hamid or one of the other agents. As indicated in writing excerpts, he's already somewhat aware of her capabilities. So no, this wouldn't be a dedicated Hamid action.

Click to shrink...

Aha. That'll help tons.

Okay, I'm going to throw this out there because this is actually in the writing but no one else seems to have either noticed or commented on it even though it was in Hamid/Melody's fight scene from the Results post. Melody is Hamid's bastard daughter.

Click to shrink...

I suspected it could be that but didn't yet have the chance to speculate on it. (Not having been here until after Turn 1 wrapped up is still forcing me to play catchup in assimilating some things...) That confirmation flavors things differently.

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Tyrant and Just is an...interesting combo

Click to shrink...

Interpret this as "I will be fair, but if you cross the line I will drop on you like a ton of bricks."

 

[Chaeronea]

It'd be more of a shadowing exercise of either Hamid or one of the other agents. As indicated in writing excerpts, he's already somewhat aware of her capabilities. So no, this wouldn't be a dedicated Hamid action.

Click to shrink...

Macchiato, I want to make sure I've got this right. If we assign Hamid to recruit and vet Melanie we can still allocate Hamid to another action without overworking him. Is that correct?

Also could you check my plan in the above post and see if I've made any blindingly obvious errors? Pretty please? <tries to make puppy eyes but fails badly>

 

[Macchiato]

*hums* She's interesting. She's 'only' got Good-Great stats in a few places but she's so young, relatively speaking, that she can still improve by a fair deal. Veteran Songweaver, too. Tyrant and Just is an...interesting combo, as is Stern and Charming.

Click to shrink...

With regards to the Stern and Charming, think of her as a particularly charismatic leader. She may be severe, but she's capable of making people understand and be comfortable/on board with the action she's taking because she talks them around.

Fair enough. I'd personally view "Patching Up" as not really that much of a (Free Action) in that case if doing it plus training for Elite Songweaver is as much as she can do without getting Stressed, given the viability of other synergies. Or, I guess because of how it was proposed, you're also hitting her for having a shot at getting Naval Songweaver by tagging along with Rita, even if it's not her action?

Click to shrink...

Yes, because she's still keeping an eye out etc. She wouldn't be along just as a pretty decoration.

I suspected it could be that but didn't yet have the chance to speculate on it. (Not having been here until after Turn 1 wrapped up is still forcing me to play catchup in assimilating some things...) That confirmation flavors things differently.

Click to shrink...

That's why I mentioned it I would've loved to sit back and watch chaos ensue from ignorance, but I'm told I shouldn't be so openly sadistic because it'll scare away the few players we currently have. Or something.

 

[Macchiato]

Macchiato, I want to make sure I've got this right. If we assign Hamid to recruit and vet Melanie we can still allocate Hamid to another action without overworking him. Is that correct?

Also could you check my plan in the above post and see if I've made any blindingly obvious errors? Pretty please? <tries to make puppy eyes but fails badly>

Click to shrink...

Correct re: Hamid and Melody.

@OneirosTheWriter can you have a look? I've been posting/playing on the forum for a good hour and I really need to finish out the day solidly.

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Option to recruit more troops. We probably shouldn't, but @OneirosTheWriter @Macchito if we were to recruit more, where would Luna/Antonia suggest we invest in. Do we have any gaping holes that need to be filled? Are we hugely out matched by other forces in size?

Plan: If The Royal Navy Won't Play Ball We'll Create Our Own Navy With Blackjack And Hookers is proceeding on schedule...
Do Antonia/Luna have any thoughts on this? Anywhere that the vassal houses aren't working in coordination with us? Anything we should farm out to them to do?

Click to shrink...

Antonia and Luna are of the opinion that it may be time to max out the Tellar standing army with the last available professional slot, and tap the rest of the willing gentry to form two semi-professional regiments. If Andres can hurry up and get the infrastructure expanded so that the gentry can grow a little, that would be dandy as well.

The biggest weak point in your province is the Minor Houses could provide a lot more in the way of standing forces and militia. They are providing 7 regiments across the 6 minor houses, when they could provide up to 19.

Hmm, I suppose I should offer an option for someone to run a proper survey of the various House armies. It would entail a decent bit of work for me, so it's probably only fair it comes via an action

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Taking over the Case Load -
[ ] Survey Greater Carentan, home of Capo and its vassals. (Charlie Tellar)

Click to shrink...

The problem here is that Charlie Tellar cannot be dispatched as an agent except in a few situations where it is explicitly noted. I could probably be convinced to let her handle both Yellow Banner actions while you sent Carmen Rios to Carentan.

 

[Spectrum]

@OneirosTheWriter @Macchiato FYI, error in the "Rest of Sartier Datasheet" post. You have 2 Vassal House Antilles listed under Capo, I think the second one should be Dale?

Also, the Agent stat list under Great House Tellar is out of date.

Can I ask you to take a quick glance at my plan and check viability? I asked most of the questions beforehand but there's one I put in there that I didn't explicitly ask about regarding combining Faithless as a Tellar and Foster Care - Sonissimmo. I feel like that's something you would say yes to but I'll draw attention to it and explicitly ask here.

Lastly, can I ask how much attention/time "Meet the Symphony Guard!" takes? Is it possible to combine that with a Recruitment Action? Or a Martial research pick?

---

All right, let's see what I can do for an initial full plan submission...

We have 7 Agents available. One agent is locked in to an Econ action for one more turn, one is locked in to a Songweaver action for 2 more turns. There's also ships pending out of Martial.

We have 5 Influence. During Mid-turn 1, we saw a bunch of 2 influence choices, so we may ideally want to save that much this time around. Let's see what I can do...

[X] Plan Spectrum

Spoiler

[] Non-Agent - Crime and Punishment (-1 Influence)
-[] Significant
--[] Additionally a multi-house peacekeeping force will be placed on the border on the Vincennes side

[] Non-Agent - Without Chivalry We Are Nothing (-1 Influence)
-[] Significant
--[] Additionally Lana Antilles is summoned to Harper to account for her actions

Taking that straight up from FriedIce. It's Significant+, really, and the only reason I originally wanted Severe on Dale was because I wanted to hammer Lana Antilles personally in some fashion. Keeping the penalties matching is more appropriate.

[] Luna Reynolds - Wherever needed throughout Sartier
-[] Meet the Symphony Guard!

It's a Diplomacy action, yes, but I think sending someone appropriately high ranked and credentialed to do it is important. And as I argued, it needs to get done now so we know if we have another issue potentially festering like the Royal Navy.

[] Dominic Rios - Stay in Harper
-[] A Formal Position (-4000G)

Free actions yes please. It's Dominic's suggestion, he can do it, even if it hurts not having his Diplo stat available elsewhere.

[] Juan Lumen - Travel to Tarrant
-[] Foster Care - Approach House Tarrant to negotiate possible fosterings. (-1 Influence)
-[] Read the Manual - Tarrant

Continuing the RTM actions on houses who don't have garbo economy. Tarrant makes a lot of money and this lets us pick up at least one of the fostering actions on someone. Juan's diplo isn't fantastic but it's at least not nonexistant. I want to wait another turn and see what our options are before committing Juan to one of the very long projects that are available. Also, May'll free up and she can maybe do it instead and let Juan keep jetsetting around. :lol

[] Theo Raleigh - Travel to Carentan
-[] Taking over the Case Load - Survey Greater Carentan, home of Capo and its vassals.

Honestly, Theo is kinda only good at swording things. He's so-so at finding things out and I guess he could be good at pure magic stuff but there are hardly any pure magic rolls it seems. Anyway, surveying it has high enough Base Chance that outside of an atrocious roll (less than 15) he passes this. Also, Hamid was just ambushed in Carentan, so I want to pull him out and put someone else there and, as I noted, Theo *is* good at swording things if it comes down to it.

As for the choice itself, TEUV HOTSPOT. 'Nuff said.

[] Charlie Tellar - Harper
- [] Commence a hunt for the Yellow Banner peasants

As discussed, she should be safe enough with this one and we'll just leave the lower success one for later. Also, I guess letting her do stuff is the way to potentially increase her stats, so! Notably, I'm not having her do the Law&Order action because her success chance will only be in the mid 70s.

[] Hamid Hulland - Return to Harper
- [] A Formal Relationship
- [] Did You Get My Memo?

As clarified, it's not a full action for Hamid to suss out Melody. For a combined Diplomacy-Intrigue test and not an easy one, Hamid is literally the best person to do it. Evelyn can get by and either Dominic or Carmen aren't hopeless, but he's the best bet.

[] Free Action - Mentoring Audrey Suarez - Carmen Rios

As I argued before, Andres is right out because her Stewardship sucks. Charlie's viable but Audrey's stats are good enough that I don't want to pin her down to just doing Intrigue stuff. Also bodyguarding Carmen can help.

[] Rita Hulland - Travel to Sonissimmo
- [] Hello Sailor
[] Evelyn Tellar - Wait for Alice in Harper, then travel to Sonissimmo
- [] Preparing to Take the Next Step
- [] Patching Up
[] Carmen Rios - Travel to Sonissimmo
- [] Foster Care - Approach House Sonissimmo to negotiate possible fosterings. (-0 Influence, accounted for already)
- [] You've heard rumours that "Faithless as a Tellar" is doing the rounds of the Court at Etela. That's not a good sign. You need to find some intermediaries to help try and normalise relations with the Sonissimmo.

Addressing these together--Naval Songweaver is something we want in on given the pirate issues and the way the Royal Navy is mostly locked to us. Trying to work that synergy to give Evelyn a shot at it is too good to pass up. I waffled on stressing her anyway to try Fostering but jiggered things instead to have Juan pick up half of that. Then after looking things over, Carmen shifted free of what I had originally assigned her, so she can take the other half of that. Theoretically Evelyn can pitch in a bit for Carmen's actions in a pinch even if it's not her focus. Audrey also has Good Diplomacy so maybe even she can offer something to help out while she's being mentored.

Per clarifications, Evelyn will wait in Harper at first for Alice's visit, then travel to Sonissimmo with her.

[] (Free Action, Non-Agent) Help Needed
-[] Instruct all agents to keep an eye out for candidates in their travels.

As noted, locking out foreign spymasters is nice. The -2 is unfortunate but what are you gonna do? Also, unusual candidates could be great.

Total Expenditures: 4000G, 3 Influence

Well, I had a bunch of goals but it turns out to be a super-heavy Diplomacy turn in my plan. C'est la vie. A bit of Songweaver, Econ, and Spymaster to round it out.

Pending an answer to the above, I may be able to edit this to have Luna also start recruitment on a regiment or three. (Presumably Inner Guard + 1x Longbows and leave 1 slot open.)

Changelog v1.1:
Struck Janie Tellar action to conserve Influence
Have Charlie Tellar hunt for the Yellow Banners instead but not the L&O half
Moved Hamid Hulland to Did You Get The Memo?