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

[Void Stalker]

[] Evelyn- Travel to Etela
-[] What the heck, Hana!?
--[] Evelyn [Evelyn Tellar Only - Start Interlude, Counts as Evelyn's Personal Action, Destination: Etela]
-[] Sound the Alarm
--[] Quietly (Sonissimmo)
-[] In the Navy!
--[ ] Balan - [60% base chance, 500g, unlocks new options, Destination: Etela]
In the Navy as it is in Etela and is a diplo, Evelyn specialty, between her own score and her councilor roll we have +52. Not sure if any of her conditional bonuses from traits apply (and she has several of those, like the boost to Martial at sea or the bonus to diplo efforts involving multiple houses)

[] Juan Lumen- Travel to Harper
-[] Roadworks Next Twenty Leagues
--[] Roads[6,000g, 8,000g/turn for 3 turns, reduce by one turn per extra Influence] assign two influence to project
[] May Lumen- Travel to Harper
-[] Bean-Counter [3000g +1000g/turn, 2 turns]
[] Luna Reynolds
-[ ] ...But That Is A Sacrifice I Am Willing To Make [8000g,3 turns]
-[ ] Lessons Learned [4000g]
[] Monica Reynolds
-[ ] Capo Mists.
--[ ] … Jointly with the Capo [6,000g, 3 turns, research shared with the Capo]
-[] Sound the Alarm
--[] Quietly (Capo)
[] Theo Raleigh
-[] The Best Tree House in Harper
--[ ] Lyrical Lumber [5000g]
[] Hamid Hulland- Travel to Harper
-[] Loose Lips [2000g]
-[] Gods in Small Places [7000g]

Non Agent Actions:
[ ] Singing in the Sea Spray [1 Influence Cost, 40% base chance, tests against Rita Hulland, 1 turn, 5,000g]
[ ] The Young and the Stupid
-[ ] Rehabilitate - Rita Hulland is sarcastic, pig-headed, and utterly against the idea of following deities. But she's also a very good teacher, and she would like to be given a chance to work with the young nobles. [1 Influence Cost, chance of failure, chance of spreading Atheist trait]
[ ] Louise [1 influence]
[ ] Valerie [1 influence]
[ ] Hale and Hearty - [Research Requirement: 250, create an action for farm yield improvement] [2000g]
(Free Action) Paying Your Dues -
-[ ] Write in: (Need minimum 4pt of force - 2pt per standing, 1pt per Militia, can draw from "Minor House", which will rotate each turn)
(Free Action) The Horse Lords - [Destination: Harper]
-[ ] Like What You See? - Kabilee maintains close relations to Tarrant, among others. Perhaps there is room for closer relations here, too?
(Non-Agent Action) [ ] - Spoils of War - Tellar claimed a number of captured pirate hulls in their battle with Tranquility at Nune Reef. It would be good to see them put to use! (1 Influence Cost, covers any number of the below options) [You have SEVEN (7) Corsair hulls available, Destination: Harper]
-[ ] Dismantle and Examine - [Automatic Success, gain +15 to next Naval Research action, may only be taken for 1 ship]
-[ ] Repair and Crew - [Indicate between 1-7 ships, gain that many Ships, costs of Crewing 500g per, may require additional repairs, 1 turn, automatic success] 6, 3000g

[ ] Natalie Tellar (Mg 12, C 36) is very interested in learning how to develop and improve Spellsword techniques. [Research Type: Spellsword, Magic+Combat test, 20,000g startup, 4,000g per turn upkeep, Research Value 4d20+2d20]

Total action cost:
80,500 g
Influence Used:
5 of 8

Current Income:
~55,000
Treasury:
90,000
Net:
~64,500

@OneirosTheWriter @Macchiato
1. Is the upkeep for our songweaver research actions (Georgie currently) included in the income breakdown on the tellar datasheet?

General questions: Am I missing actions for agents? I know Theo can do one more but with poor stats outside of combat and magic it is hard to find something, his next highest is intrigue at 16

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Yes, Georgie's Research Upkeep is bundled under Civil Upkeep.

Sorry guys, I know there's been a lot of other questions, but I've been sleeping in after a workplace dinner last night. So much BBQ.........

 

[Spectrum]

I think I have enough to do my second cut and put my prelim plan up. As always, I encourage you to read in detail and make counterpoints, suggest alternatives, or express your support for any particularly elegant parts.

[X] Plan Spectrum

Spoiler

[X] (Free Action) Paying Your Dues
-[X] Write-In: 1x House Tellar Men-At-Arms (2p), 1x Harper Militia (1p), 1x Harper Archers (1p), 1x Minor House Men-At-Arms (2p), 1x Minor House Harper Archers (1p) [2000g upkeep, 1000g upkeep to rotating minor house]

I make the argument that, as the force was our idea and we're the ruling Symphony, though the default only has us shift 4p worth of troops over politically we can't really afford to. I submit that we should beat the next highest contribution by 1 as reflection of our acceptance of the responsibilities incumbent on our position.

As for what troops to take, it's pretty straightforward. Mostly no one else sent cavalry, I'm not sending our only regiment. No one sent Professional troops, so we won't either (wrong message too probably). And I'm not giving a joint army with someone else we don't quite trust or know our hilariously expensive Longbows.

[X] (Free Action) The Horse Lords
-[X] I'm Pretty Tough!
-[X] Like What You See?

Okay, this is actually a departure from my previous arguments, but I slept on it a bit more and reviewed what we know about Kabilee. They're actually intimidated by Tellar militarily and appear to have made decisions solely around...horses. Without us having any of the horse weirdos that Tarrant had that enabled their relationship in the first place, I don't think trying for a Trade relationship off the bat is going to amount to anything. I think the best approach is a mix of showing off our military might while still leaving open the door diplomatic relations...kinda how they fell in line with Teuv and then Tarrant/Sonissimmo.

[X] (Non-Agent Action) Spoils of War [1 Influence]
-[X] Dismantle and Examine - [1 ship]
-[X] Repair and Crew - [6 ships - 3000g]

Fairly straightforward selection. My intention is to Dismantle the Ship, do Lessons Learned this turn (see below), then take a +25 into Boffins and have some hilarious shit happen. That would be a 35 + 25 + 34 (Luna) + 12 (Luna) + 12 (Luna) = 118% base chance, meaning the subrolls get really, really funny for us to start building a Naval advantage. (Or we can feed that as a base 60% to someone lesser for action economy and the probable +Martial gain there, but anyway, it's a Good Thing)

[X] (Non-Agent Action, Research) Alice Tellar [15000g, 3000g upkeep]

I not-really-promised but hinted the turn prior that we'd have money this turn to do research and while it's not strictly true (see comments on how I had to rejigger things) I still tried to hold to that. Alice is the cheapest and might have economical impacts like Georgie even if she has the worst dice. Monica is too expensive and we're Tellar, we don't strictly need to do Spellsword research right now.

[X] (Research) Georgie - Hale and Hearty

Yes yes yes yes yes yes more money yes please.

[X] (Non-Agent Action) Valerie [1 Influence]

I don't particularly like the description of what Natalie will do if she doesn't get Valerie back here.

[X] (Non-Agent Action) Louise [1 Influence]

Stewardship agent all my yes. Okay, she's a little ambitious or looking out more specifically for her family than maybe we'd like but I don't care at this point with what May may (ha) or may (ha ha) not be up to.

[X] (Non-Agent Action) The Young and the Stupid
-[X] Rehabilitate [1 Influence Cost]

Mildly riskier but spreading Atheist is a Good thing. Hard to really judge here. Going to ask for clarification below, may want to abort over to just having Antonia do it.

[X] Evelyn - Sonissimmo/Etela
-[X] What the heck, Hana!? - Evelyn
-[X] In the Navy! - Balan [500g]
-[X] Sound the Alarm - ... Quietly - Sonissimmo

The options we've been discussing in-thread. Holding off on selecting another option for now under the assumption that What the heck counts as an action as I have not seen any indication that it wouldn't. I don't think there's any other options here, Evelyn has the closest relationship and OOC we know this wasn't Hana's intention and Blake is screwing the pooch here. She has the best chance of deescalating this in our favor. But of course, we can't let the Royal Navy off with this and this is a little overdue. Evelyn has the naval rep now as well there, so...easy choice.

[X] Juan - Dale/Arbalen
-[X] Read the Manual - Dale [2000g]
--[X] Focus on learning about Trade and Ports, ignore Fortress Building.

Hitting Dale hopefully before things start burning down and picking up the Trade and Ports bonuses in support of doing the Docks upgrade next turn.

[X] Monica - Capo/Carentan
-[X] Capo Mists. … Jointly with the Capo [6000g]
-[X] Sound the Alarm - ... Quietly - Capo

As per below, Monica was originally doing something more expensive, but I needed to shave cash somewhere in order to afford to Alice's research starting. Capo Mists seems like there's something interesting going on. I did consider Magic Classes but figure this one is actually topical with the Dale turns potentially (we'll see what Oneiros and Macchiato say about that one). I'm amenable to changes here that aren't too expensive because I can probably just cut Juan's Tellarvangelists to still make things work.

[X] Luna - Harper
-[X] ...But That Is A Sacrifice I Am Willing To Make [8000g]
-[X] Lessons Learned [4000g]
[X] May - Harper
-[X] Roadworks Next Twenty Leagues - Over time the main roads that connect the city of Harper and the settlements of the Minor Houses, have begun to suffer from neglect. [2 Influence, 6000g+8000gpt T4]
[X] Hamid - Harper
-[X] Gods in Small Places (joint w/ Theo) [7000g]
-[X] Know thy Enemy [3000gpt T5]
[X] Theo - Harper
-[X] Gods in Small Places (joint w/ Hamid) [cost above]
-[X] The Best Tree House in Harper - Lyrical Lumber [5000g]

Keep chipping away at Research. Indicated my plans above for Luna over the next few turns. Take action to reduce costs because why Tellar economy, then Lessons Learned to help set up for more later.

May does the roads and sticks around in Harper since people are getting nervous about her. She'll start a Real Project next turn, hopefully Juan gets some good info.

There aren't any other Intrigue, Stewardship, or Magic actions for Hamid to do while he's in Harper doing Know thy Enemy and I'm fed up with waiting on Carmen to do it. Buuuuut Gods in Small Places is sketchy for him to do with his mediocre Combat...

...so he tag teams with Theo, who can then also do some Magic Research at the same time. Synergy! If anyone is balking at total plan cost (and I am kinda looking at it askance), we can have Theo not do research and double up on Lessons Learned.

Total Cost:
3000+15000+500+2000+6000+8000+4000+6000+8000(gpt)+7000+3000(gpt)+5000=67500g

Additional Upkeep:
2000+3000=5000g

Future Costs:
3000gpt T5

Influence Expended:
1+1+1+1+2=6/8 Influence expended

Additional comments:
1) This turn I am opting not to do Singing in the Sea Spray both to save Influence and because the roster of who is getting taught makes me seriously nervous. Alice Tellar and Bea Chin are two of the ones who I believe we just failed rolls on to find their secrets, not that they are clean. Rebecca we know is very am[bitious, both a good and bad thing. Georgie is fine aside from her constantly pissing me off with her research rolls, but only one solid choice learning what are restricted secrets (god forbid one of them defects to the Teuv) is an unattractive choice. On top of that, I believe the other Influence costing options and the reserve are more important to deal with. Perhaps I could be amenable to having May pick a different long term architecture option to free 2 Influence up and select this and the Admiralty Board perhaps (flip some selections around to move to that) but our infrastructure is garbo and having the ability to knock one decent improvement out instantly (and a reasonably cheap one) is strong for us. (Also think I'm out of vaguely competent Martial people for Admiralty Board anyway.)

2) Evelyn isn't using her free action because she's gong to Etela and I don't feel a pressing need to look for a husbando/waifu there or an Executive.

3) As for Theo, Juan, and Monica - Originally when writing this up I had Theo on Best Tree House in Harper - Harmonious Hides (5kg) and Monica on A Grand Fleet (8kg) and Best Tree House Lyrical Lumber (5kg). Then I added everything up without having Alice start her research and we were already at 60kg turn expenses. So...had to make some compromises. Swap Monica to Capo research saves 7k (and the Mists are now known to be suspicious), put Theo on Lyrical Lumber instead, and accept 8k higher cost. Slightly tentative on Monica doing this without more backup as she's only okay at Combat but this is joint, so...would love more opinions there. I may be being slightly paranoid here but she's a freakin' Elite Songweaver. (Rita I was fine with since others were there and Sonissimmo probably wasn't going to shank her.) Having Monica in Capo means she can give the message over (even if her Diplo is kinda shit) which frees up Juan to go elsewhere.

@OneirosTheWriter @Macchiato What is affecting the failure chance for Rita's Rehabilitate? Is it working off a stat of hers against a given success chance like any other action? What stat, if so? Is it opposed by one of the kids' stats?

Per the revelations from Victor Dale about how the mists seem to map to Teuv activity, does that change the nature of the Research Capo Mists Songweaver action?

---

Changelog v1.1:
Swapped Juan to RTM Dale and cut Tellarvangelists to pivot towards the Docks project next turn

Changelog v1.1.1:
Edited Juan's to focus solely on Trade and Ports.

 

[Katreus]

Looks fine to me. I wanted to slip in Making Connections and run Juan to Dale before it ends up blowing up, but we have so many infrastructure projects to do that we could just hold off on refitting the harbor. And this way, we've hit all the major bridge upgrades so we can put May on that next turn. Juan could do Making Connections + Billfarthing while Louise RTMs Timbre so the next infrastructure project would be gentry stuff or granaries.

But if we can do two RTMs, I'd rather do both Dale and Antilles instead of Tellervangelists.

Edit: Why Timber instead of Harmonious Hides?

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

@OneirosTheWriter If the roll is averaged on Monica's magic and stewardship stats, which Tellar bonus applies? Or is it an average of Tellar bonus too?

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I'll usually pick whichever I believe is more applicable (Magic in this case).

It might be an idea to swap these two, as doing the roads lets May out into Harper province whereas Bean-Counter would probably keep her in the capital. Also Juan has a higher stewardship and the Roads is a (marginally) harder though what impact the architect trait has is unknown to me. @Macchiato, what does the architect trait do?

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Architect is a +1 S and a dice bonus to construction/engineering/big infrastructure work.

@Macchiato, thinking about it would it be possible to get an intrigue action next turn to take a closer look at May? We got the suspicion she was worshipping Teuv last turn but no confirmation.

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That should be possible, yes.

@OneirosTheWriter @Macchiato Does sending Evelyn to Etela to start her Interlude count as an action?

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Yes

@OneirosTheWriter @Macchiato If Juan is sent to Capo for the other half of telling them about Teuv, can he also RTM Dale or Antilles instead of having to RTM Capo? That would probably make it so that his half of Sound the Alarm is no longer free, I think?

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Arghleblarghle.

Hm. I'd allow him to do it but it would cost an Influence Point because of having to throw your weight around to keep things from slowing down his schedule.

@OneirosTheWriter @Macchiato What is affecting the failure chance for Rita's Rehabilitate? Is it working off a stat of hers against a given success chance like any other action? What stat, if so? Is it opposed by one of the kids' stats?

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I was just planning to make that one a flat roll.

USER=7371]@OneirosTheWriter[/USER]Per the revelations from Victor Dale about how the mists seem to map to Teuv activity, does that change the nature of the Research Capo Mists Songweaver action?

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That would always have been part of the research action, so nothing changes there.

 

[FriedIce]

Yes

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Its a personal action though, isn't it?

Isn't that what it says in the action text?

[ ] Evelyn - Sometimes you just have to do something yourself. Go, and sort out this problem with your old friend like adults. [Evelyn Tellar Only - Start Interlude, Counts as Evelyn's Personal Action, Destination: Etela]

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Or does that mean that it counts as another action in addition to being Evelyn's personal action this turn?

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Its a personal action though, isn't it?

Isn't that what it says in the action text?

Or does that mean that it counts as another action in addition to being Evelyn's personal action this turn?

Click to shrink...

Counts as an action and her personal action.

 

[Spectrum]

And this way, we've hit all the major bridge upgrades so we can put May on that next turn. Juan could do Making Connections + Billfarthing while Louise RTMs Timbre so the next infrastructure project would be gentry stuff or granaries.

Click to shrink...

Yes, precisely. Well, actually, my plan was one of them gets to do more research and/or make the Trade deals, while the other has the next 5 turns to RTM stuff towards another project, but same difference.

But if we can do two RTMs, I'd rather do both Dale and Antilles instead of Tellervangelists.

Click to shrink...

Can't double up on Research.

Edit: Why Timber instead of Harmonious Hides?

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Timber will have primarily naval or building uses. Hides is character armor. I feel mostly good about infantry research right now, but our ships will need to win fights first against the real enemy when they come en masse (and this has a lead time) and our infrastructure has issues, so a shot in the arm there would be welcome.

Arghleblarghle.

Hm. I'd allow him to do it but it would cost an Influence Point because of having to throw your weight around to keep things from slowing down his schedule.

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So noted, thanks.

The quote below this blurb got messed up, also. You answered the first question in the middle of my quote and didn't get to the second.

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

Okay, going to say that voting will close in 48 hours.

The quote below this blurb got messed up, also. You answered the first question in the middle of my quote and didn't get to the second.

Click to shrink...

Fixed and replied to.

 

[Katreus]

[X] Spectrum

Anyway, Spectrum's is fine with me. It mostly dovetails into what I want.

 

[Spectrum]

That would always have been part of the research action, so nothing changes there.

Click to shrink...

Fixed and replied to.

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*hums*

I note there appears to not have been any "Mists of Tellar" action. ...are we just cool like that? *laughs*

I'll try and carve out some time later to give some concrit to others' plans now that mine is done. I only skimmed before to get a sense of what people wanted out of this turn.

 

[Void Stalker]

[X] Spectrum

Basically the same as mine, except you have all the influence costs noted and I missed some. Though I do think we should do the spellsword research as that is both a relatively new magic, only arising in the last war with Teuv and was key in driving them out. In addition we have Georgie for more general research and can start the more general research next turn if we get our income up.

 

[Neptune]

So here's my finished plan with the numbers included. Easier than expected, but more time consuming than hoped for but that's fine.

[X] Plan Neptune

Free Actions

Spoiler

Paying Your Dues
-[X] Write-In: 1x House Tellar Cavalry (2p), 1x House Tellar Longbow (2p), 1x Minor House Men-At-Arms (2p), 1x Minor House Harper Militia (1p)

The Horse Lords
-[X] Like What You See? -
-[X] Why Yes, We Do Like Gold - Emphasise a desire for trade between your region and Kabilee.

Most of the options above are fairly self explanatory. I went with some longbows and cavalry for Tellar's own contribution, as the force seemed like it was mostly lacking enough of their equivalents.

Non-agent actions

Spoiler

[X] Louise [1 Influence Cost, 0g, Louise Tellar is appointed as an Agent of Harper]

The Young and the Stupid
-[X] Rehabilitate [1 Influence Cost, chance of failure, chance of spreading Atheist trait]

[X] Valerie [1 Influence Cost, automatic, 0g, Valerie Tellar is retrieved from Carlisle and brought to Court]

[X] - Spoils of War - Tellar claimed a number of captured pirate hulls in their battle with Tranquility at Nune Reef. It would be good to see them put to use! (1 Influence Cost, covers any number of the below options) [You have SEVEN (7) Corsair hulls available, Destination: Harper]
-[X] Dismantle and Examine - [Automatic Success, gain +15 to next Naval Research action, may only be taken for 1 ship]
-[X] Repair and Crew - [6 ships, 1 turn, automatic success] -

[X] - Hale and Hearty - There is more to Songweaving than just the battlefield. When away from the stress and din you can let your heart pour forth into your voice and do amazing things. Georgie is interested in coming up with ways to sing to the fields and orchards and breath the vitality of the land into them. [Research Requirement: 250, create an action for farm yield improvement]

[X] - Singing in the Sea Spray - Rita would like to train a number of the Songweavers in the Court at Harper in the naval songweaving skills she has acquired. [1 Influence Cost, 40% base chance, tests against Rita Hulland, 1 turn, 5,000g, attempt to teach Naval Songweaving to 4 Songweavers in the Court at Harper, Destination: Harper]

Again, same as above really. The difference with Spectrum's plan is spending an influence point in Singing in the Sea Spray instead of spending an additional one on the road action.

Evelyn Tellar

Spoiler

What the heck, Hana!?
- [X] Evelyn [Evelyn Tellar Only - Start Interlude, Counts as Evelyn's Personal Action, Destination: Etela]

In the Navy!
-[X] Balan [60% base chance, 500g, unlocks new options, Destination: Etela]

[X] Sound the Alarm
-[X] ... Quietly - Sonissimo [Etela]

Has Evelyn use her personal relationship with Hana and her superb diplomacy skills to resolve the situation, and informs them about the Teuv uprising coming soon. At the same time starts on the Royal Navy problem, which should be easier than last year with the reveal of the Royal ships and Evelyn's naval prestige once again increasing.

Juan Lumen

Spoiler

NEW [X] - Bean-Counter - Juan is convinced that with a little effort, the House can get precise counts out of the Treasury, to account for all of the gold crowns flowing in and out of the coffers. [50% base chance, 3,000g, 1,000g/turn, 2 turns, gain full number details for your finances, Destination: Harper]

It's an option that isn't overly dangerous, but would improve our houses finances with their greater knowledge as we can more easily see where inefficiency is and where things can be improved.

Luna Reynolds

Spoiler

[X] ...But That Is A Sacrifice I Am Willing To Make [40% base chance, 8,000g, 3 turns, +5 Morale to Militia and Levy, 10% Reduction in call-up costs]
NEW! [X] - Extending the Shield - When Monica was nearly felled by a common arrow at Nune Reef, it sparked a conversation in Harper about whether more could be done to protect key assets of the realm when they had to venture forth. Unfortunately, there are only so many spellknights to go around. What she would like to do is design a new system of bodyguards drawn from the expanded Inner Guard that handle your day-to-day bodyguarding. [45% base chance, 2 turns, 3,000g, 2,000g/turn, able to purchase combat bodyguards for non-family characters, Destination: Harper]

The militia seem to be called up rather frequently, and the morale and cost reductions are nice. Extending the shield is so our agent's/elite combatants are less likely to get capped given how vital they are.

May Lumen

Spoiler

Roadworks Next Twenty Leagues
[X] - Over time the main roads that connect the city of Harper and the settlements of the Minor Houses, have begun to suffer from neglect. If you could renew these important paths, far more traffic between the settlements of Harper would be possible. [45% base, 6,000g, 8,000g/turn for 2 turns] One Influence

I only spent one influence point here, as my suspicions about her haven't really alleviated and we'll be getting another stewardship agent next turn hopefully so I don't see a need to completely rush this. If nothing serious comes up in the mid-turn maybe an extra influence point can be applied then.

Monica Reynolds

Spoiler

[X] Capo Mists.
-[X] … Jointly with the Capo [Replace above costs with: 40%, 6,000g, Diplomacy/Magic test, 3 turns, research shared with the Capo]

[X] Sound the Alarm
-[X] ... Quietly - Capo [Carentan]

We've had information that that the mists are suspicious, so it's best to look into the mention of their correlation with Teuvian activity. It also allows Monica to inform Capo at the same time.

Dominic Rios - Locked

Carmen Rios - Locked due to illness

Theo Raleigh

Spoiler

[X] - Gods in Small Places - [40% base chance, 7,000g, Intrigue Test, high chance of combat, gain intelligence on Teuv groups, Destination: Harper]
[X] The Best Tree House in Harper - Sonorous Shadows - There's ... something out there. In the deep woods. Some report seeing .. shapes, floating and flying among the trees. The locals warn you not to tread deeper. What could be out there? [10% base chance, 1 turn, 8,000g, ???, Destination: Harper (countryside)]

A combat turn for Theo from me with him infiltrating the Teuv groups so we can possess greater information about them and how they operate, and exploring the woods because he needs a blue research option and I would love to read a monster hunt/magic mystery and Theo has the necessary combat/magic skills.

Hamid Hulland

Spoiler

[X] - Know thy Enemy [40% base chance, 3,000g/turn, 2 turns, generate a report on Teuvian Gods, possibly earn bonuses to Teuv related rolls, Destination: Harper]
[X] - An Eye For Talent - Your Minor Houses can be your greatest resource. In addition to bolstering your armies and providing your income, they also provide many varied and useful Courtiers, some of whom can go on to become Councillors, Agents, Generals, or otherwise useful people. There is always a trickle of debutantes and others arriving, but perhaps the local Houses are hiding some gems who would be better off in Harper? [4,000g, Agent proclivities will determine what sort of prospects are located]

We need to get those anti-Teuv bonuses rolling in, and while I would like a spymaster research option you can't pick two blue researches. Instead I went with an Eye for Talent as for fluff purposes he seems ideal to scouting out our minors talents/potential loyalties, and we do need a few more potential agents.

Melody Piar - Locked due to taking years assassinating. Hopefully she'll have bonuses from being in Renmi for so long, if she isn't dead or converted.

Spend for actions = 6 influence points, 53500 gold flat cost, 14000 gold upkeep (upkeep of units not included, as I couldn't find the numbers)

(The upkeep is important as you spend it on the first turn too if I remember correctly.)

Given the numbers above I'm don't feel comfortable adding an magic research option, but I could be convinced otherwise.

 

[Spectrum]

Basically the same as mine, except you have all the influence costs noted and I missed some. Though I do think we should do the spellsword research as that is both a relatively new magic, only arising in the last war with Teuv and was key in driving them out. In addition we have Georgie for more general research and can start the more general research next turn if we get our income up.

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We're not going to have any money. Our income isn't growing nearly as fast as the increased upkeep and lingering costs we're piling on, so I'm having to have us draw down expenditures turn to turn. As noted, I'm even still considering saving money off Theo's action and having him double up again there over with someone else, but I think I'm willing to just suck it up over there and accept it as cost of gains.

As for Spellswords, my thinking is along the lines of what Oneiros clarified to us post Nune Reef--Tellar sees far less benefit from Spellswords because we simply have so many better magic users and can easily field Songweavers in every Regiment in Brigade level combat and probably still have decent coverage in Division level combat. Everyone else has to bring out Spellswords. Now, Spellswords are still extraordinarily useful, especially in small-scale action and once the melee really starts, but so long as your leaders aren't Chivalry 10 and have charged straight into the enemy formation to get murdered by their Spellswords and have your leader bonuses lost, I feel bonuses to them would have less of an effect to bonuses to Songweavers or bonuses to things in general that affect our Logistics on the back end.

 

[Void Stalker]

We're not going to have any money. Our income isn't growing nearly as fast as the increased upkeep and lingering costs we're piling on, so I'm having to have us draw down expenditures turn to turn. As noted, I'm even still considering saving money off Theo's action and having him double up again there over with someone else, but I think I'm willing to just suck it up over there and accept it as cost of gains.

As for Spellswords, my thinking is along the lines of what Oneiros clarified to us post Nune Reef--Tellar sees far less benefit from Spellswords because we simply have so many better magic users and can easily field Songweavers in every Regiment in Brigade level combat and probably still have decent coverage in Division level combat. Everyone else has to bring out Spellswords. Now, Spellswords are still extraordinarily useful, especially in small-scale action and once the melee really starts, but so long as your leaders aren't Chivalry 10 and have charged straight into the enemy formation to get murdered by their Spellswords and have your leader bonuses lost, I feel bonuses to them would have less of an effect to bonuses to Songweavers or bonuses to things in general that affect our Logistics on the back end.

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Okay, one concern came to mind though, for Know your Enemy since that is under the justice section would we not have a penalty from Hamid dread and Charlie chivalry scores? If so we may want to wait until Carmen Rios is free as she has 27 intrigue and 3 chivalry

 

[Spectrum]

Okay, one concern came to mind though, for Know your Enemy since that is under the justice section would we not have a penalty from Hamid dread and Charlie chivalry scores? If so we may want to wait until Carmen Rios is free as she has 27 intrigue and 3 chivalry

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I don't see why it would, he's just doing research, not working directly with Charlie this time.

We need Carmen and Dominic next turn for Sarba and Timbre+Carlisle anyway. This turn was the diplo mess that I anticipated needing Evelyn for but we're still looking to time it so she can do Aspire. ...though Aspire's cost may actually make that prohibitive.

 

[Katreus]

We need Carmen and Dominic next turn for Sarba and Timbre+Carlisle anyway. This turn was the diplo mess that I anticipated needing Evelyn for but we're still looking to time it so she can do Aspire. ...though Aspire's cost may actually make that prohibitive.

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Timbre and Carlisle will be chiv-based, IIRC, and Dominic is Dread. And just in general, I'd like Evelyn to close it out so that Evelyn gets some more notches under her belt as doing things for her Vassal Houses, especially since it'll be direct negotiations with the House Leaders.

I think Dominic can do the 60% stewardship actions or some of the red military options. Like this one -

NEW [ ] - Fleet Base - Build new workyards in the Reynolds hometown of Billfarthing, where most of your fleet is currently based, which will reduce the growing upkeep of your fleet. [55% base chance, 4,000g, 2,000g/turn, 3 turns, gain -5% Upkeep for Triremes, Destination: Harper/Billfarthing]

 

[Spectrum]

Timbre and Carlisle will be chiv-based, IIRC, and Dominic is Dread. And just in general, I'd like Evelyn to close it out so that Evelyn gets some more notches under her belt as doing things for her Vassal Houses, especially since it'll be direct negotiations with the House Leaders.

I think Dominic can do the 60% stewardship actions or some of the red military options. Like this one -

NEW [ ] - Fleet Base - Build new workyards in the Reynolds hometown of Billfarthing, where most of your fleet is currently based, which will reduce the growing upkeep of your fleet. [55% base chance, 4,000g, 2,000g/turn, 3 turns, gain -5% Upkeep for Triremes, Destination: Harper/Billfarthing]

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...? Dominic is the Chivalry 10 jerk who in a war situation basically has to be given Cavalry command and begged to just at least not Charge -yet- after the last bonus he earned himself post Nune Reef.

edit: I'd actually be inclined to give that one to Theo when we start getting desperate. He'll be in the 90s there, even if he'll probably fluff most of the subrolls.

 

[FriedIce]

We're not going to have any money. Our income isn't growing nearly as fast as the increased upkeep and lingering costs we're piling on, so I'm having to have us draw down expenditures turn to turn. As noted, I'm even still considering saving money off Theo's action and having him double up again there over with someone else, but I think I'm willing to just suck it up over there and accept it as cost of gains.

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Also, Lyrical Lumber has potential as a trade good so the investment is probably worth it just for that.

...? Dominic is the Chivalry 10 jerk who in a war situation basically has to be given Cavalry command and begged to just at least not Charge -yet- after the last bonus he earned himself post Nune Reef.

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We could send Dominic abroad to make friends (and negotiate trade deals) though. If we have Carmen on Sarba and Evelyn on Timbre/Carlisle that means we've finally got diplo actions spare (assuming no crises that need resolving). I assume we're still holding off on Aspire until after the Dale crisis resolves itself?

 

[Spectrum]

Also, Lyrical Lumber has potential as a trade good so the investment is probably worth it just for that.

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It's also potentially leverage against the Royal Navy. "Oh, sorry, we can't make shipments to you because craftsman and merchants in Harper are buying up all our stock." I -think- it was said that they're the other primary customers right now, right?

We could send Dominic abroad to make friends (and negotiate trade deals) though. If we have Carmen on Sarba and Evelyn on Timbre/Carlisle that means we've finally got diplo actions spare (assuming no crises that need resolving). I assume we're still holding off on Aspire until after the Dale crisis resolves itself?

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My pipe dream has actually been to time the end of Aspire with the start of the Dale crisis (delay delay delay) and let Evelyn take the stage as a brand new Elite Songweaver in public as she blows up Teuvians in full view of the rest of Sartier.

As for whether we can pull that off....well, we'll see.

 

[Katreus]

Oh, right. I think I mixed him up with Juan. I remember there was someone who I thought was Chiv but ended up Dread.

 

[Spectrum]

Oh, right. I think I mixed him up with Juan. I remember there was someone who I thought was Chiv but ended up Dread.

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I made the same mistake with Theo earlier, no worries.

Okay, here are my reactions to some of the plans presented. Some of you have already moved into my plan, which is great, but I just wanted to call out a few points to highlight differences in my plan (if they were missed) and as talking points in general.

The Horse Lords
-[X] Why Yes, We Do Like Gold - Emphasise a desire for trade between your region and Kabilee.
-[X] Like What You See? - Kabilee maintains close relations to Tarrant, among others. Perhaps there is room for closer relations here, too?

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The Horse Lords
-[X] Like What You See? -
-[X] Why Yes, We Do Like Gold - Emphasise a desire for trade between your region and Kabilee.

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Just highlighting again that I have a difference here in my plan from these for reasons I went into inside the plan block.

[X] Singing in the Sea Spray [1 Influence Cost, 40% base chance, tests against Rita Hulland, 1 turn, 5,000g, attempt to teach Naval Songweaving to 4 Songweavers in the Court at Harper, Destination: Harper]

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[ ] Singing in the Sea Spray [1 Influence Cost, 40% base chance, tests against Rita Hulland, 1 turn, 5,000g]

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[X] - Singing in the Sea Spray - Rita would like to train a number of the Songweavers in the Court at Harper in the naval songweaving skills she has acquired. [1 Influence Cost, 40% base chance, tests against Rita Hulland, 1 turn, 5,000g, attempt to teach Naval Songweaving to 4 Songweavers in the Court at Harper, Destination: Harper]

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And again, pointing out that I nixed this option in my plan due to potential concerns about the specific Songweavers chosen.

Theo Raleigh

[X] - Making Connections [60% base chance, 5,000g, 1 turn, lead to construction options, Destination: Harper (countryside)]

The Best Tree House in Harper
[X] - Harmonious Hides - [30% base chance, 1 turn, 5,000g, gain infantry and character armour research and construction options, Destination: Harper (countryside)]
[ ] - Sonorous Shadows - There's ... something out there. In the deep woods. Some report seeing .. shapes, floating and flying among the trees. The locals warn you not to tread deeper. What could be out there? [10% base chance, 1 turn, 8,000g, ???, Destination: Harper (countryside)]

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FYI, this would not have been a legal choice, as Making Connections and Tree House-HH are both Research picks and could not have been picked together.

[] May Lumen- Travel to Harper
-[] Bean-Counter [3000g +1000g/turn, 2 turns]

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Commenting that if there are still concerns about May, picking the action that would have her put together the perfect financial look for the House may not be the best idea. Sad to say, a little bit of uncertainty because everyone isn't learned enough to have all the details protects us. (Anti-Littlefinger defense)

[] Theo Raleigh
-[] The Best Tree House in Harper
--[ ] Lyrical Lumber [5000g]

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You asked before about what else he could be doing, just highlighting that using him to double up and provide security for Hamid (or any other character) is perfectly legitimate.

It's an option that isn't overly dangerous, but would improve our houses finances with their greater knowledge as we can more easily see where inefficiency is and where things can be improved.

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I don't think we have the sophistication to do anything about things like that even with perfect numbers just quite yet (outside of finding corruption perhaps). Because we're so low, if we were having him do alternate research the one to have them learn about Stewardship bonuses is probably more valuable.

A combat turn for Theo from me with him infiltrating the Teuv groups so we can possess greater information about them and how they operate, and exploring the woods because he needs a blue research option and I would love to read a monster hunt/magic mystery and Theo has the necessary combat/magic skills.

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Theo's Intrigue score is pretty questionable. Having him do that option solo is only a 70% chance of success...quite risky given the stakes.

We need to get those anti-Teuv bonuses rolling in, and while I would like a spymaster research option you can't pick two blue researches. Instead I went with an Eye for Talent as for fluff purposes he seems ideal to scouting out our minors talents/potential loyalties, and we do need a few more potential agents.

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Potential agents for feeding to Dale maybe, yeah...but just keep in mind we're starting to get money capped rather than Agent capped, even if there are specific Agent shortfalls in particular areas due to circumstances. (Also, every agent requires 1 Influence to support, so if we want to keep using that giant stack of delicious Influence, we want to be careful about not overhiring. Doubly so if something permanent happens to Carmen)

 

[Terrabrand]

[X] Plan Spectrum

The options we've been discussing in-thread. Holding off on selecting another option for now under the assumption that What the heck counts as an action as I have not seen any indication that it wouldn't. I don't think there's any other options here, Evelyn has the closest relationship and OOC we know this wasn't Hana's intention and Blake is screwing the pooch here. She has the best chance of deescalating this in our favor. But of course, we can't let the Royal Navy off with this and this is a little overdue. Evelyn has the naval rep now as well there, so...easy choice.

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We know in character as well, she sent a letter.

 

[Zoxabels]

[X] Plan Spectrum

 

[Spectrum]

We know in character as well, she sent a letter.

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Yes, but what I was trying to indicate was that OOC we know the letter wasn't lying. 4th wall confirmation, basically.

Also, Lyrical Lumber has potential as a trade good so the investment is probably worth it just for that.

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In truth, luxury (or utility) leather products probably have trade good potential also. Like, I want to do that too but I just think Lumber is better so let's do it first.