Fractured Empire: A negaverse quest. Turn 1
His highness Prince Maximillion…was not having a good day.
By all accounts it should have been a good day almost a perfect one. The war had ended with acceptable losses and Gallia was now his, but then the…Shattering, for lack of a better word, had happened and everything had gone to hell.
He was still in control let's be clear, but things had gotten
immensely more complicated.
First off it seemed that the entire country had been transported somewhere else.
Where was a question they needed an answer too, and regardless of the answer they were now cut off from the Empire and thus their supply lines, and they had no idea if what surrounded them was filled with allies, enemies, or something else entirely.
Second, the Gallian army,
not that it deserves the name, may have been destroyed but since every citizen of the country knows how to fight, and are not particularly fond of you at the moment, so you were going to have trouble internally for some time.
And finally the Shattering made you lose contact with even the forces under your command. You doubt anything happened to them but it'll take some time to get everything back in order.
…No matter. The situation is hardly ideal but it isn't bad either. If something like this was enough to stop him he wouldn't be worthy of the throne.
Crisis is also opportunity, the only question is how to best take advantage of it.
----
Thebirdgirl said:
FuddQueen said:
...I think we got iseakied.
Thebirdgirl said:
Yes that was clear enough but an entire country?! I thought this was a CK quest not some dranged fantasy adventure!
Jester18 said:
Oh it is it is, but I've been planning this from the beginning. Did you really think picking the easy path would come without complications?
Eitala said:
Calm down, calm down everyone. This mess actually works in our favor.
First off, being cut off from the Empire means that we're is finally free of it's backstabbing nonsense and if we're lucky it got destroyed in the Shattering leaving Maximillion as the undisputed leader of it's remnants. Giving us unparalleled power to reshape the new empire as we wishes.
Second, the unaccounted Gallians forces are hardly a threat now that we've has aquired The Valkov. With it the Marmota and Selvaria on our side we can easily overcome whatever paltry force they can scrape together. Though it wouldn't do to underestimate them either…
And third, Max wouldn't be worthy of the throne if he wasn't able to command the loyalty of his people, and unlikely the previous leadership he intends to earn it, and what we've seen doing a better job won't be all that difiuclt.
Thebirdgirl said:
...Yeah yeah we can work with this! We just need to get our house in order and then we'll have a whole new world to conquer!
...
...
Severan321 said:
[We're in agreement then?
(X) Plan: The New world
-(x) Martial: Investigate the Outskirts (Selvaria)
-(x) Diplomacy: 'Convince' The Arch Duchess
-(x) Stewardship: Repair the Equus
-(x) Intrigue: Root out the rats (Jaeger)
-(x) Learning: Combined Arms Doctrine
-(x) Piety: Pour our old tomes
It's unfortunate we lost some actions in the transfer but we'll deal with it.
We send our walking nuke to check our borders, get Gregor back in the game and otherwise ensure we don't stabbed us in the back as we try to figure out what's going on.
Objections?
Eitala said:
I still feel like we should track the down the Nameless or the Milita, or look for Valkria candidates. Why are we even bothering going through books that likely don't have anything or dealing with the nobles entirely unworthy of the name?
Rabbit818 said:
Because The Milita/Nameless have proven dangerous enough that we want everything on hand when we go after them, and the nobles are likely to screw us over at the last moment if we don't deal with them.
Severan321 said:
Still he does have a point…alright I've edited the plan. Learning is now getting a briefing on the Nameless.
WerxMerc said:
Vote closed, The New World wins. Let's see how you do.
Pour over old tomes…
39+10=49
Failure.
You spent the month searching through the many many shelves…but the most interesting thing you found was some…questionable literature some of an off-duty guard was reading. You weren't particularly surprised by this considering the state of the government, but you thought the last remnant of the Valkria's ancient empire would have something worth looking into.
Apparently not, if there was anything here it was either buried rather deep or hidden very well, and you aren't quite sure which is more likely.
No progress was made.
Convince the Archduchess
70+35=105
Success!
Still it wasn't a complete loss.
"Prince Maximillion." Her highness' tone was polite if cold, to be expected really. Though you hadn't expected her to be here.
"Archduchess Cordeila." You closed the book and turned giving her a slight bow. "We thank you for your hospitality."
"You didn't give us much of a choice."
"That doesn't make it any less genuine. Have you considered my offer?"
Instead of answering she looked to the side and then around the room. Shelves of books filling the space from wall to ceiling, and she seemed to examine every single one of them. "Should you really be discussing this with me?" You tilted your head as she met your eyes again. "I don't really know how to rule, the late minister and the nobles handled most of it…and not very well since here in front of me." She shook her head. "You'd be better off using them than me, all I'd be good for is a figurehead and frankly? That would probably backfire on you." She huffed.
"...My mother died when I was young."
She blinked not understanding but she would.
You chuckled mirthlessly "Died is the wrong word.
Murdered is more accurate, by my so-called family no less." You scoff. "Because she was a commoner, because I was a threat to someone's claim to the throne, who knows? …I do know what it's like to be regarded as little more than a tool or an obstacle by your own allies and own country."
You looked to the side yourself, and out of the corner of your eye you could see her face soften the slightest bit. You sigh exaggerating the sound a little bit.
"Honestly it doesn't matter anymore. I'm sure you felt it but I'd wouldn't blame you if the Shattering confused you."
"Yes…" She said slowly a little warily wondering where you were going. "It had just been a few days after you marched into Ranregiez and then…and then…" Her face pinched as she struggled to remember.
"You don't need to strain yourself. None of us are really sure about it either and answers aren't going to be forthcoming from here." You put the book back on the shelve and focus fully on her. "From what little we've pieced together we're in a different world entirely."
Her eyes went wide and her mouth opened, but before she could be distracted you spoke.
"And more importantly Gallia has been entirely cut off from the Empire."
Cordelia froze, before her eye narrowed and you could see the implications running through her mind. "You can't go home."
"And conquered or not all the resources of this land belong to people who despise us." She met your eyes and your hers. "I'm not asking you to subordinate yourself or your country to me. None of us know what this world holds for us and if either of us fell we both would." You take a step forward and bow.
"All I ask is for a
chance. To work together for both our people's benefits."
…She hesitated, but after a few minutes she nodded.
You had her.
…Hm? The Archduchess had removed her headdress and-oh.
"We'll be in your hands." She's a Darcsen…that complicates things.
Archduchess Cordelia has become a Hero unit! However your relationship is tenuous and she can only be assigned to actions that benefit Gallia.
Her identity may cause Unrest in Gallia if revealed.
Briefing (Nameless)
50+17=67 (Thresholds 60/100)
Success
Thankfully the Gallian military for all of their other many faults kept good records of their forces and operations. That did mean it was a little difficult finding the records in question since they were 'confidental' but from what you're reading…they really didn't care that much about the Nameless.
The Nameless were the Gallian's version of Calamity Raven, except made of criminals, screw-ups, and people who angered the wrong person. However they were too useful to simply dispose of, so they ended up as Nameless.
Being stripped of their names and being sent on the most dangerous missions, to likely die. If they survived they would be sent on another mission.
The concept made sense in theory, but theory is not practice. Still Calamity Raven has been having trouble with them so they must be worth something.
…Their treatment was unlikely to inspire loyalty. If you arranged for their amnesty you could have something very valuable on your hands.
New action unlocked.
Local Recruitment: Nameless
Repair the Equus
41+27= 68
Sucess
The Equus. An armored train outfitted with high-calibar artillery and enough armor to rival the Bartamous…at least it was before the attack in Fouzen by the Milita. The attack was rebuffed but severe damage was done to the Equus and General Gregor was severely injured.
He was…unhappy last you heard. Swearing vengeance against the 'Gallian dogs' and so on so forth. He'll be back on his feet at the end of the month but you doubt his loyalty. You are aware he was sent to spy on you but with the situation as it was…you'll deal with it later.
For now he is useful, if that changes you will deal with it at that time.
In the meantime you think he'll appreciate you putting what's left of the Gallian army to work fixing his beloved machine. They aren't good for much but this isn't quite beyond them…provided proper supervision of course.
You aren't a fool.
The Equus has been repaired! General Gregor will become a Hero Unit next turn.
Rooting out the Rats (Jaeger)
90+19=109
Critical Success!
General Jaeger sighed, rubbing his nose as he tried to process…this.
His highness had told him to make sure the 'local officials' weren't going to backstab them in the middle of this perilous situation and make things worse for everyone.
Technically he didn't really have a reason to listen to the man now that it's impossible to fulfill their agreement but…well there isn't much else he can do at the moment. The unknown goes both ways after all, and everything he has left that he somewhat cares about is here.
Which brings him back to his job.
…
"Why?" He can't bring himself to be angry it's just so-
"Did you really think we'd tolerate a Darcsen on the throne. I'm not sure what you imps think of us but-"
Idiotic.
"She's your leader and ruler. Her entire family has been like that for centuries why is this an issue now?!"
"We didn't know the truth then if we had then-"
"You would have started a bloody revolution I get it, I get it." This is the sixth rebel you've captured so far and all of them were stark raving mad. "Look the situation is bad enough as it is, if only for your countries sake will you behave?"
"...Will you purge the dark-hairs?" Oh for-
"Take him away." Jager groaned again as some stormtroopers dragged the man away. You sorta understand what his highness was going through now, and wonder a little bit if he finds this amusing or exasperating.
Well at least this wasn't a waste. The rats left in the leadership have been purged and the few left have been cornered.
Just a little bit longer before this nonsense is dealt with.
Rebel conspiracy identified! You have near complete information on their activities leadership, and positions.
Enemy leader identified! Count Gilbert Gassernarl.
----
Thebirdgirl said:
Eitala said:
Agreed, we still have some problems to deal with on the homefront but after this we just need to crush the conspiracy, convince the populace, and tie up the loose ends of the Milita and the Nameless.
Shame that we our piety action didn't find anything though.
Rabbit818 said:
They wanted to overthrow their own leader because of her hair-color? Yeesh, this actually makes me glad we conquered them.
FuddQueen said:
Honestly same. The Empire's hands aren't clean but Max is above that nonsense at least. Incidentally is anyone up for recruiting the Nameless?
Severan321 said:
I'm up for it, if the the rats didn't like them we'll probably love them.
WrexMerc said:
You guys do remember they are one of the only functional resistances to your rule right?
Severan321 said:
Well yeah, but with this sort of leadership? It shouldn't be hard to convince them, especially with Max and things as they are.
Eitala said:
...Wait a second. Where's the Marital action?
Hooboo said:
Oh that? Something…Interesting happened. That'll be it's own interlude.
Eitala said:
NahIwin said:
Nah we sent Selvaria! She's an army all on her own, if anything this means we likely Crit.
Jester18 said:
Hmm…well here's a teaser.
1
Critical Failure.
The name of the Interlude is 'ALL HAIL EGGMAN!'
Eitala said:
----
My first negaverse is complete!
*Thud* It was so much work...
@Kingster @ShepardCom
A MILE IN ANOTHER'S SHOES
While Eggman struggles to recover what is rightfully his and fights for establishing his empire. We cant forget he is not the only player on the board. There are many, many kings around. Many with their own ambitions and problems to deal with. How are they faring?
Make a negaverse omake of another faction, can be a king or a minor one or a prince tier even
Rewards: Varies depending on the omake.
Edit: Claiming 'A Mile in another's shoes.'