Strategic Genius: Once per structured encounter, Sam can create a piece of the environment that is in her favor as a sticky spark. Roll a d3 for its value.
Empathetic: upon meeting an NPC, learn their motivation!
Legendary Commander: Gain 4 Command sparks at the beginning of each mission/combat. Command sparks may be spent to give NPCs orders, which they may either obey or refuse to obey (doing nothing instead.) Command sparks may not be regained via skills or powers.
Hunted: Something wants her - but for what? +1 Danger to all scenes
SKILLS
CLOSE COMBAT (2): Brawling, Edged Weapons
PERSONAL (2): Awareness, Resilience
SOCIAL (4): Charm, Empathy, Leadership, Taunt
MASTERY
ACU Pilot (2): Nanofabrication [Mass], ObSat Operations [Range]
The Hilt (4): Biomorphic Spawning (People), Regeneration (Durability), Physical Perfection (Speed), Telepathic Dominion (Range)
POWERS
The Living Swarm
Vent: 4-0
Effect: Gain 1 Living Swarm spark, +1 per vent reduction.
The Living Swarm: While this swarm exists, move in three dimensions and through anything smaller than a keyhole, reforming at will. You may expend these sparks to cause 3 Hit Sparks in a Area 2 radius.
Area Upgrade: +1 to Area Characteristic
Biomorphic Reinforcement
Vent: 4-0
Effect: Create 1 Biomorphic Reinforcement spark, +1 per vent reduction, which can be given out to anyone within Range 2, or to yourself
Biomorphic Reinforcement: +1 to Damage or Mass characteristic for the purpose of raw physical strength/feats.
Back to Back
Vent: 4-0
Effect: Choose 1 ally (+1 per vent reduction), within Range 1. Each can take one action using one of your skills, any of them that you wish. Once they have done so, you may make a free attack with your melee weapon, getting +1 to your skill per ally that acted.
Adaptation
Vent: 4-0
Effect: Create a number of sparks equal to the enemy's difficulty, narratively based on turning their abilities against them. Works on enemies of Diff 2>, +2 per vent reduction.
Just as Planned…
Vent: 6-0
Effect: Vent 6 heat and create 1 Planning Spark for her or an ally, +1 Spark per vent reduction.
Planning: The person holding this Spark can expend this to get +1 to a skill check as a free action. Using this Stack counts as you are helping for the purpose of relationships.
Shadowstep (3): Can expend as a free action to move without crossing intervening space.
Guarded Space (3): Can expend to use Damage as a secondary characteristic for Durability, reducing incoming Damage characteristics.
GALACTIC WAR
Victory Points: 5
RESOURCES
TERRAN DOMINION [Background] (1)
The men and material of the Dominion - limited, but they're mustering as we speak.
ALLIANCE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES [Mastery] (1)
While you have access to several ACUs of every faction, they lack economic and technological support to be fully effective.
ZERG HIVE [Mastery] (1)
The scant few Zerg you control that are free of Amon's influence. Mostly Zerglings.
AEON FLEET [Background] (1)
While half a dozen CZARs seem impressive, they're not actually well made for ship to ship combat.
ALLIED COHESION [Motivation] (1)
The alliance is fragile and weak.
FRONTS
Trade Sector-34-51 [Pirate Activity]
Pirates Raiding 6 (Supply Lines in Disarray 1)
COMMAND: Jim Raynor | ARMY: Raynor's Raiders
RESULTS: Pending
Braxis [Zerg Invasion]
Borealis Siege 6 (Zerg Rampage1)
COMMAND: General Samantha Clarke | ARMY: Brood Clarke
RESULTS: Pending
For my two cents, Arcturus has a chronic backstabber problem. While he hasn't in quest actually backstab anyone, that requires we ignore <A> his backstory and <B> the fact that we never actually needed to interact with him as anything other then an enemy.
The last one means that we would be unlikely to see most places where the backstabing would take place.
This is more of a play on terms in that he is joining the currently losing side against a multi galactic empire. Our chances of success are low and it requires many things to go right for us that are not guaranteed from his perspective. We are a long shot from an IC perspective.
Joining with us is also his only chance to both have some say in his own fate and probably his only choice for survival. It is also the right and if he takes our offer and actual abdicates, truly courageous decision.
This is not mutually exclusive with it being a dumb one, but overall I am being silly with my term use and referring back to my previous post.
[X] Write-in: The alliance would be delighted to welcome the Dominion, under the rule of Emperor Valerian.
-[X] "We are grateful for the Dominion's offer. That said, Emperor, as a head of absolute monarchy you are surely aware what would happen in the very likely circumstance of assasination attempt against Alliance's heads of states. However, the Emperor has an heir that has already cooperated with some members of the Alliance, proving a trustworthy and reliable supporter. If Dominion's contribution to war effort is presented as Prince Valerian's actions, you can do what what you're best at: keep the Dominion coreworlds safe, stable and productive, while your heir enjoys good PR from leading a campaign and practicing his diplomatic skills. And the army would run under single command chain one way or another."
To be honest this might be out of Sam's skill set but the best way to frame this for the Emperor is that it is his idea and his best chance to get what he wants.
To save his own skin at the very least and most likely to have a better universe for his child. Abdicating now is a great way to defuse the rest of the people that hate him personally and want to see him dead, retains most of his authority as the current Emperor's father even if he loses the ability to control the military. It even lets him paint the past and frame things in an acceptable manner for his ego with little push back from those that he has hurt.
I expect for future things that are going to hurt us with this is when we have to confront Kerrigan and the zerg.
That's... actually true. If we frame it in the write words...
Or we can be sneaky. How about this:
"We are grateful for the Dominion's offer.That said, Emperor, as a head of absolute monarchy you are surely aware what would happen in the very likely circumstance of assasination attempt against Alliance's heads of states. However, the Emperor has an heir that has already cooperated with some members of the Alliance, proving a trustworthy and reliable supporter. If Dominion's contribution to war effort is presented as Prince Valerian's actions, you can do what what you're best at: keep the Dominion coreworlds safe, stable and productive, while your heir enjoys good PR from leading a campaign and practicing his diplomatic skills. And the army would run under single command chain one way or another."
Yeah, I've just came up with short speech how Mengsk can spin the situation to make resignation more palatable for himself and less... politically fraught internally. @DragonCobolt , does this help to lower the Difficulty of "convince Arcturus" check?
[X] Write-in: The alliance would be delighted to welcome the Dominion, under the rule of Emperor Valerian.
-[X] "We are grateful for the Dominion's offer. That said, Emperor, as a head of absolute monarchy you are surely aware what would happen in the very likely circumstance of assasination attempt against Alliance's heads of states. However, the Emperor has an heir that has already cooperated with some members of the Alliance, proving a trustworthy and reliable supporter. If Dominion's contribution to war effort is presented as Prince Valerian's actions, you can do what what you're best at: keep the Dominion coreworlds safe, stable and productive, while your heir enjoys good PR from leading a campaign and practicing his diplomatic skills. And the army would run under single command chain one way or another."
[X] Write-in: The alliance would be delighted to welcome the Dominion, under the rule of Emperor Valerian.
-[X] "We are grateful for the Dominion's offer. That said, Emperor, as a head of absolute monarchy you are surely aware what would happen in the very likely circumstance of assasination attempt against Alliance's heads of states. However, the Emperor has an heir that has already cooperated with some members of the Alliance, proving a trustworthy and reliable supporter. If Dominion's contribution to war effort is presented as Prince Valerian's actions, you can do what what you're best at: keep the Dominion coreworlds safe, stable and productive, while your heir enjoys good PR from leading a campaign and practicing his diplomatic skills. And the army would run under single command chain one way or another."
[X] Write-in: The alliance would be delighted to welcome the Dominion, under the rule of Emperor Valerian.
-[X] "We are grateful for the Dominion's offer. That said, Emperor, as a head of absolute monarchy you are surely aware what would happen in the very likely circumstance of assasination attempt against Alliance's heads of states. However, the Emperor has an heir that has already cooperated with some members of the Alliance, proving a trustworthy and reliable supporter. If Dominion's contribution to war effort is presented as Prince Valerian's actions, you can do what what you're best at: keep the Dominion coreworlds safe, stable and productive, while your heir enjoys good PR from leading a campaign and practicing his diplomatic skills. And the army would run under single command chain one way or another."
Though, as a note, I would like to say I'm actually kind of proud of how if you look through everything Mengsk has done in the quest, he has actually betrayed zero people. Like, even if you can surmise he was going to betray Daggoth at some point, he didn't betray the Protoss on Aiur, you guys just scooped him.
EDIT: I also think I've done a good job having « political operator who reacts to changing circumstances a bit more than SC2 Mengsk
He betrayed his people by continuing Confederacy-era slave-soldier programs. He literally calls other states empires, showing he sees everyone as a rival or an enemy waiting to happen. The man needs gene and psychotherapy.
[X] Write-in: The alliance would be delighted to welcome the Dominion, under the rule of Emperor Valerian.
-[X] "We are grateful for the Dominion's offer. That said, Emperor, as a head of absolute monarchy you are surely aware what would happen in the very likely circumstance of assasination attempt against Alliance's heads of states. However, the Emperor has an heir that has already cooperated with some members of the Alliance, proving a trustworthy and reliable supporter. If Dominion's contribution to war effort is presented as Prince Valerian's actions, you can do what what you're best at: keep the Dominion coreworlds safe, stable and productive, while your heir enjoys good PR from leading a campaign and practicing his diplomatic skills. And the army would run under single command chain one way or another."
The suggested dialogue seems strange to me, but I'm sure DC can make something cool out of the attempt to browbeat or scam mengsk into giving up power.
[X] Write-in: The alliance would be delighted to welcome the Dominion, under the rule of Emperor Valerian.
Arcturus is a human who knows how to answer the hard questions. Questions like, "Why not become a dictator while crushing everyone who slighted me along the way? Really, that's only sweetening the deal! Power *and* revenge?" or, "Oh dear! I've discovered I'm a small fish in a big pond. Should I try to ally with my closest peers, or die anyway from a genocidal invader?"
Of course, it is always the way he answers the questions, not how he answers the questions that make him interesting.
Sam has absolutely zero patience for politicking here. He will get in line or get out the way.
[X] Write-in: The alliance would be delighted to welcome the Dominion, under the rule of Emperor Valerian.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonCobolt on Apr 20, 2024 at 10:35 PM, finished with 39 posts and 16 votes.
[X] Write-in: The alliance would be delighted to welcome the Dominion, under the rule of Emperor Valerian.
-[X] "We are grateful for the Dominion's offer. That said, Emperor, as a head of absolute monarchy you are surely aware what would happen in the very likely circumstance of assasination attempt against Alliance's heads of states. However, the Emperor has an heir that has already cooperated with some members of the Alliance, proving a trustworthy and reliable supporter. If Dominion's contribution to war effort is presented as Prince Valerian's actions, you can do what what you're best at: keep the Dominion coreworlds safe, stable and productive, while your heir enjoys good PR from leading a campaign and practicing his diplomatic skills. And the army would run under single command chain one way or another."
[X] A limited defensive pact coordinating primarily with Valerian and the resources he has control over. Importantly this means that both the scope of what we are willing to defend and the resources we intend to both give and receive is limtied
-[X] Mengsk has burned so many bridges that we have to assume he'll betray us if he could become an emperor of an even bigger part of the universe.
You rubbed your temple slowly, trying to get your headache to settle down.
"Mengsk," you said, flatly. "What the fuck do you think is going to come out of this?"
He frowned at you. "I see you're as blunt as ever, General Clarke."
"I've had a long day. My homeworld is in cinders, the galaxy is in flames and, oh right, my...Sarah has been mind-fucked by an interdimensional Conquistador," you said, throwing yourself back into a chair - lounging in flagrant disregard of the way that the Emperor of the Terran Dominion remained standing. You were pretty sure this was a breach of some protocol, but you didn't care. "So, lets cut the bullshit. You want to maintain your throne. Your...power. That ain't happening. You know it's not happening."
He frowned, slightly, looking square into your eyes.
"I have not worked for so many years to have the only hope of humanity..." His mouth worked, then he looked aside. His hands clenched behind his back. "You could still wipe us off the face of the galaxy. Not easily, I don't recon, but given time. You have, according to my intelligence, six, seven of those ACUs. I saw the orbital surveillance on Aiur and Char."
You nodded. "It might cost us the greater war. But we could do it." You leaned forward. "...I am going to give you a compromise. Because while I think we can kick your ass, I don't want to waste the time or the lives on it. You abdicate, become an advisor. Valerian takes the throne." You gestured to him. "He's a good kid, and after the war...maybe you can hope that we're all too busy rebuilding to remember to put you on trial."
"I-" Mengsk regarded you with eyes that glittered like cold, distant stars. He looked like someone weighing every option. "And my generals?"
"They're subordinate to me, but, they would be either way," you said, then shrugged. "It's a unified army, I'm the grand commander. Like..." you tried to think up the last time there was a coalition like this, in a similarly high stakes war. You frowned. "...like Eisenhower."
"Who?" Mengsk asked, brow furrowing.
You shook your head. "Nevermind. Do you take these conditions?"
Mengsk stepped away from you and to the curved window of the silvery room. He looked out into space, his brows drawing in, his lips turned into a frown. You glanced back and saw that Jim had the biggest, shit eating grin on his face. You couldn't blame him.
"Father-" Valerian started.
"Son," Mengsk said, quietly. "I know you want-"
"No, I don't want the throne," Valerian said, quietly. "Not like this. I-"
Mengsk lifted his hand, and Valerian quieted down. He turned back to face you and Jim and his son, his expression resolved. "I did everything I did for humanity. You may not believe it. But I saw what happened when we were given free reign. The Guilds of the Confederacy, the old families, put profit over everything - and in exchange, they incinerated Khoral. Your UEF seems to put Earth over everything - and you'd sacrifice the rest of us to keep it pristine and safe. Me? I know when to fold. For humanity."
You tried to read him. Did he believe that.
...you couldn't tell.
"I will abdicate my throne," Mengsk said. "I will stay as my son's advisor - but advisor only. And once this war is over? I will retire - to either a very nice palace or to a prison." He smirked. "Or, if you do not turn out to be the general we all hope, to a wall with a blindfold and a cigarette."
"Not sure if the Xel'naga go in for that," you said, trying to not smile. Goddamn it he was charming when he was trying...
Mengsk inclined his head. "Then we shall have to hope for your success, General Clarke."
He turned to go. Jim shook his head. "Better than what that lying snake deserves," he muttered.
You frowned. This was the man who had abandoned Kerrigan to the Zerg. Who had killed billions on Tarsonis with a single psi-disruptor. Who would have been happy to destroy you and the UEF and everything you stood for - even if the UEF was nothing like what you wanted in the galaxy. And yet, when you talked to him, it was all so easy to forget. You leaned back in your seat, and spoke: "...I have to know, now. Before...anything else." You licked your lips. "Why'd you do it? To her?"
Mengsk turned to face you. He didn't bother trying to play a poker face - he knew what it was you were asking about. He lifted his chin. "Did she tell you about her past?"
You nodded, then frowned. "You knew she was a Ghost. You knew she was being controlled. How-"
Mengsk's frown grew more intense. His eyes showed a real, honest emotion. It was anger. "Sarah Kerrigan butchered my family with a machete. Somewhere in that head of hers was that person. Blocks and memory wipes can't take away that kind of blood. Any more than they can wash it off my hands. And so, I saw a chance to not just get some justice for Korhal, for my family, and for the Dominion to be...but also..." He looked away. "...I saved my entire battlefleet. Every ship that wasn't sunk, every soldier that didn't die that day went on to serve in my name." He looked back, his eyes cold as steel. "Does that answer your question, General?"
"Get out of my sight," you growled, claws digging into the armrests.
Mengsk left.
Valerian paused, only to bow.
Emperor Valerian.
He left.
Jim breathed out slowly. "Shit," he said. "...you wanna get dunk?"
"God yes, but," you said, then stood, leaving the armrests tattered and ruined. "I have work to do."
***
You took a moment to regard yourself in the mirror.
You licked your lips, then brushed your hand along your collar.
I wish Sarah was here to see it, you thought. She'd either chew this off me or laugh herself silly.
When you entered into the main planning room for the galactic war, the rest of your commanders came to attention - General Duke, General Hall, Lt. Colonel Horner, Fenix, Jim Raynor, Dostya and a slender, young looking Aeonite named Ryza. Her glowing tattoos made her look as otherworldly as her skintight outfit. They all took a look at you. You'd taken the UEF dress uniform you'd be expected to wear for this, but stripped off the UEF patches and replaced them with a symbol you had worked on. The visual design libraries of the CZAR-1 were fairly advanced and you were able to finagle together a three colored triangular patch - green, red, and blue on the outer edge, representing each of the factions involved. Green for the Aeon and Protoss, Red for the Zerg and Cybran, and blue for the colonials and the UEF.
You were still obviously a Zerg under the uniform, though. And you'd forgone the cap.
It kinda itched.
"At ease," you said, then took your seat. "Report."
"Well, the Dominion has already run into serious trouble," Jim Raynor said, grimly. "Pirates and raiders are starting to pick at their supply ships that are taking materials to our lines. They're mostly Terran, so I think this is just general opportunism..." He made a face.
"We should hang every last dirty bastard from the highest noose we can find," General Duke harrumphed.
"Possibly," you said. "But I'm more worried about those." You nodded at the red blips.
Dostya came to attention. "These are the two nearest planets - on the Koprulu line and the nearest part of UEF space. Borealis is under attack by a Zerg hive swarm being controlled by Amon. They have dug in, but they won't last." She gestured. "And on the far side, we have Typhan II, a UEF colony world that is now being overrun by a Xel'Naga attack. There are reports that they have an ACU."
"A staging ground for them to hit into the Koprulu sector directly," General Hall said, nodding.
"Without a doubt," Dostya said, nodding curtly.
"And this one?" Ryza asked, pointing at a blip in deep space.
"It...appears to be a zerg hive fleet. Unknown what their objectives are. But there are high levels of psionic energy being detected by Aeon sensitives," Dostya said, firmly. Aeon sensitives. One in a million people, and they could barely hear your thoughts if they touched you. Meanwhile, you could crush their brains like grapes. It made you feel like a giant in a playground sometimes. "It is not attacking anyone - but...if the psionic energies indicate...Kerrigan."
You shifted in your seat, frowning.
"And finally, here, is the Golden Armada," Dostya said. "This is just a theory of where it is - it is highly mobile and actively engaged against us in multiple places. And...if unchecked, it may threaten entire planets."
"Mar Sara on steroids," Jim said, quietly.
You nodded.
Time to get to work.
---
HEAT: 4/6
There's a big complicated galactic war mechanic if you want to engage with it! But, also, you can just vote for this stuff!
The pirates?
[ ] Bribe them to get them to shut up and go away. It'll take up a lot of the resources from the dominion, but keep your backline quiet. (Use charm to snuff their sparks - removes the Dominion's resources from play. Reduces danger, reduces future payout.)
[ ] Send Jim Raynor to deal with them. (Improves Stake, allows Golden Armada to act - this is true of all "Send NPC" and I won't reprint it each time)
[ ] Send General Duke to deal with them.
[ ] Deal With it Yourself (the Golden Armada will attempt to assassinate you mid-mission.)
[ ] Write In
The siege of Borealis?
[ ] Send Dostya to deal with it.
[ ] Send Ryza to deal with it.
[ ] Send Jim Raynor to deal with it.
[ ] Send General Duke to deal with it.
[ ] Send Matt to deal with it.
[ ] Deal With it Yourself (the Golden Armada will attempt to assassinate you mid-mission.)
[ ] Write in
The Invasion of Typhan II
[ ] Send Dostya to deal with it.
[ ] Send Ryza to deal with it.
[ ] Send Jim Raynor to deal with it.
[ ] Send General Duke to deal with it.
[ ] Send Matt to deal with it.
[ ] Deal With it Yourself (the Golden Armada will attempt to assassinate you mid-mission.)
[ ] Write In
The Zerg Hive fleet
[ ] Send Dostya to deal with it.
[ ] Send Ryza to deal with it.
[ ] Send Jim Raynor to deal with it.
[ ] Send General Duke to deal with it.
[ ] Send Matt to deal with it.
[ ] Deal With it Yourself (the Golden Armada will attempt to assassinate you mid-mission.)
[ ] Write In
Obviously, you can't send an NPC to two places at once. Each NPC will succeed at their mission - the main difference is in HOW they succeed, which is based on their character and the mission!
We're in the most freeform stage of the game - you're the high commander of the Allied forces, and we have an entire galaxy to take back! You have the following Resources (these are going into the GALACTIC WAR MAP for future reference.) These resources can be Backgrounds, Masteries, or Motivations. Backgrounds give access to gear, and more gear at higher levels. Masteries improve one of your masteries by their rating when you use them. Motivations create powerful sparks based on their narrative description!
Each round, you will face down Sparks that represent danger and opportunity unlocked by your Stakes.
Each Spark can be handled in a Defensive, Offensive or Reckless way!
Defensive actions (growing economies, building bases, evacuating refugees, diplomacy, and similar actions that are low risk) will snuff those Sparks out. Once all sparks are gone, then the galactic war wraps up. However, it will also wrap up as it currently is, narratively speaking - so, it won't get WORSE than how it is currently, but it's not going to get any better. Defensive actions are an excellent way to remove dangerous sparks that you don't want to really deal with now - since you will need to split your attention sometimes.
Offensive actions (launching invasions, engaging battlefleets, preparing massive nuclear bombardments) are operations you handle by telling an NPC to go take care of something. This lets the sparks decay into a new Resource reflecting which NPC you send - putting General Duke into a space battle will probably get you victories but might have human costs, while Jim Raynor is more likely to cut and run but leave you with resources to use later. The main weakness of Offensive actions is they take time and, since you're not there, may not go the way you expect.
Reckless actions are you personally getting involved and doing actual on the ground operation and it triggers a classic battle. These are high risk (cause you might die) but they're high reward - they're the only way to remove opponents.
Opponents are the enemy resources and work a lot like NPCs in normal combat.
Now, the map!
YOUR RESOURCES
TERRAN DOMINION [Background] (1)
The men and material of the Dominion - limited, but they're mustering as we speak.
ALLIANCE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES [Mastery] (1)
While you have access to several ACUs of every faction, they lack economic and technological support to be fully effective.
ZERG HIVE [Mastery] (1)
The scant few Zerg you control that are free of Amon's influence. Mostly Zerglings.
AEON FLEET [Background] (1)
While half a dozen CZARs seem impressive, they're not actually well made for ship to ship combat.
ALLIED COHESION [Motivation] (1)
The alliance is fragile and weak.
YOUR OPPOSITION
XP VALUE: 5
THE MIND CONTROLLED GOLDEN ARMADA: Diff 6
Commanded by a mind controlled Artanis-Amon, the Golden Armada is striking terror into the Koprulu Sector.
Now, a final detail: Unlike in normal combat, XP values in this kind of encounter can go up. And, moreover, since ending this galactic war means that...the quest is over the XP value does not super matter for rewards - but instead, it is the ballpark for how complete your victory over Amon is. Do you vanquish him utterly and drive him from the galaxy, or do you merely force an uneasy peace with a carved out enclave surrounded by the Xel'Naga? Spoiled for people who don't want to know the exact numbers.
A Ghostly Resistance (XP 5-10): The Xel'naga rule the majority of the galaxy, and the scattered survivors of the Forged Alliance eek out a subsistence between the stars. If Kerrigan has been saved, she is a broken shell, aware of what she has lost and Sam never recovers. She dies, an ancient zerg-human hybrid, after having led this bitter resistance for seven thousand years.
A Bitter Truce (XP 11-20): The Koprulu Sector stands alone, triumphant and surrounded by enemies. While the rest of the human race are yoked as slaves to the Xel'naga, you have at least made one bastion of freedom. If Kerrigan has been freed, she slowly recovers, but never is quite the same woman she was before.
The Galaxy Aflame (XP:21-30): Half the galaxy is ruled by the Alliance and half by the Xel'Naga Empire. The war will go on for countless aeons - maybe until the end of time. But you've done enough. Billions live in freedom and security, thanks to you. Kerrigan is able to smile, assuming she is rescued.
Close Shut the Gates of Hell and Slay the Gods Themselves (31+ XP): Amon is driven from the universe and the reverberations will one day shatter even the Infinite Empire. You did it!
So, for the first round of the Galactic War, each of your resources generates sparks!
Pirates Raiding 6 (Supply Lines in Disarray 1)
Borealis Siege 6 (Zerg Ramage 1)
Typhan II Occupied 6 (Xel'Naga ACU Spotted 1)
Zerg Hive Fleet Spotted 6 (Kerrigan? 1)
You know, if this quest had been my only exposure to Starcraft at all. I think, I'd actually feel bad for Arcturus Mengsk. Like yeah logically Kerrigan is not at fault despite being the one to physically kill his family, but like that's not the sort of thing anyone could really think logically about.
You know, if this quest had been my only exposure to Starcraft at all. I think, I'd actually feel bad for Arcturus Mengsk. Like yeah logically Kerrigan is not at fault despite being the one to physically kill his family, but like that's not the sort of thing anyone could really think logically about.
You rubbed your temple slowly, trying to get your headache to settle down.
"Mengsk," you said, flatly. "What the fuck do you think is going to come out of this?"
He frowned at you. "I see you're as blunt as ever, General Clarke."
"I've had a long day. My homeworld is in cinders, the galaxy is in flames and, oh right, my...Sarah has been mind-fucked by an interdimensional Conquistador," you said, throwing yourself back into a chair - lounging in flagrant disregard of the way that the Emperor of the Terran Dominion remained standing. You were pretty sure this was a breach of some protocol, but you didn't care. "So, lets cut the bullshit. You want to maintain your throne. Your...power. That ain't happening. You know it's not happening."
He frowned, slightly, looking square into your eyes.
"I have not worked for so many years to have the only hope of humanity..." His mouth worked, then he looked aside. His hands clenched behind his back. "You could still wipe us off the face of the galaxy. Not easily, I don't recon, but given time. You have, according to my intelligence, six, seven of those ACUs. I saw the orbital surveillance on Aiur and Char."
You nodded. "It might cost us the greater war. But we could do it." You leaned forward. "...I am going to give you a compromise. Because while I think we can kick your ass, I don't want to waste the time or the lives on it. You abdicate, become an advisor. Valerian takes the throne." You gestured to him. "He's a good kid, and after the war...maybe you can hope that we're all too busy rebuilding to remember to put you on trial."
"I-" Mengsk regarded you with eyes that glittered like cold, distant stars. He looked like someone weighing every option. "And my generals?"
"They're subordinate to me, but, they would be either way," you said, then shrugged. "It's a unified army, I'm the grand commander. Like..." you tried to think up the last time there was a coalition like this, in a similarly high stakes war. You frowned. "...like Eisenhower."
"Who?" Mengsk asked, brow furrowing.
You shook your head. "Nevermind. Do you take these conditions?"
Mengsk stepped away from you and to the curved window of the silvery room. He looked out into space, his brows drawing in, his lips turned into a frown. You glanced back and saw that Jim had the biggest, shit eating grin on his face. You couldn't blame him.
"Father-" Valerian started.
"Son," Mengsk said, quietly. "I know you want-"
"No, I don't want the throne," Valerian said, quietly. "Not like this. I-"
Mengsk lifted his hand, and Valerian quieted down. He turned back to face you and Jim and his son, his expression resolved. "I did everything I did for humanity. You may not believe it. But I saw what happened when we were given free reign. The Guilds of the Confederacy, the old families, put profit over everything - and in exchange, they incinerated Khoral. Your UEF seems to put Earth over everything - and you'd sacrifice the rest of us to keep it pristine and safe. Me? I know when to fold. For humanity."
You tried to read him. Did he believe that.
...you couldn't tell.
"I will abdicate my throne," Mengsk said. "I will stay as my son's advisor - but advisor only. And once this war is over? I will retire - to either a very nice palace or to a prison." He smirked. "Or, if you do not turn out to be the general we all hope, to a wall with a blindfold and a cigarette."
"Not sure if the Xel'naga go in for that," you said, trying to not smile. Goddamn it he was charming when he was trying...
Mengsk inclined his head. "Then we shall have to hope for your success, General Clarke."
He turned to go. Jim shook his head. "Better than what that lying snake deserves," he muttered.
You frowned. This was the man who had abandoned Kerrigan to the Zerg. Who had killed billions on Tarsonis with a single psi-disruptor. Who would have been happy to destroy you and the UEF and everything you stood for - even if the UEF was nothing like what you wanted in the galaxy. And yet, when you talked to him, it was all so easy to forget. You leaned back in your seat, and spoke: "...I have to know, now. Before...anything else." You licked your lips. "Why'd you do it? To her?"
Mengsk turned to face you. He didn't bother trying to play a poker face - he knew what it was you were asking about. He lifted his chin. "Did she tell you about her past?"
You nodded, then frowned. "You knew she was a Ghost. You knew she was being controlled. How-"
Mengsk's frown grew more intense. His eyes showed a real, honest emotion. It was anger. "Sarah Kerrigan butchered my family with a machete. Somewhere in that head of hers was that person. Blocks and memory wipes can't take away that kind of blood. Any more than they can wash it off my hands. And so, I saw a chance to not just get some justice for Korhal, for my family, and for the Dominion to be...but also..." He looked away. "...I saved my entire battlefleet. Every ship that wasn't sunk, every soldier that didn't die that day went on to serve in my name." He looked back, his eyes cold as steel. "Does that answer your question, General?"
"Get out of my sight," you growled, claws digging into the armrests.
Mengsk left.
Valerian paused, only to bow.
Emperor Valerian.
He left.
Jim breathed out slowly. "Shit," he said. "...you wanna get dunk?"
"God yes, but," you said, then stood, leaving the armrests tattered and ruined. "I have work to do."
***
You took a moment to regard yourself in the mirror.
You licked your lips, then brushed your hand along your collar.
I wish Sarah was here to see it, you thought. She'd either chew this off me or laugh herself silly.
When you entered into the main planning room for the galactic war, the rest of your commanders came to attention - General Duke, General Hall, Lt. Colonel Horner, Fenix, Jim Raynor, Dostya and a slender, young looking Aeonite named Ryza. Her glowing tattoos made her look as otherworldly as her skintight outfit. They all took a look at you. You'd taken the UEF dress uniform you'd be expected to wear for this, but stripped off the UEF patches and replaced them with a symbol you had worked on. The visual design libraries of the CZAR-1 were fairly advanced and you were able to finagle together a three colored triangular patch - green, red, and blue on the outer edge, representing each of the factions involved. Green for the Aeon and Protoss, Red for the Zerg and Cybran, and blue for the colonials and the UEF.
You were still obviously a Zerg under the uniform, though. And you'd forgone the cap.
It kinda itched.
"At ease," you said, then took your seat. "Report."
"Well, the Dominion has already run into serious trouble," Jim Raynor said, grimly. "Pirates and raiders are starting to pick at their supply ships that are taking materials to our lines. They're mostly Terran, so I think this is just general opportunism..." He made a face.
"We should hang every last dirty bastard from the highest noose we can find," General Duke harrumphed.
"Possibly," you said. "But I'm more worried about those." You nodded at the red blips.
Dostya came to attention. "These are the two nearest planets - on the Koprulu line and the nearest part of UEF space. Borealis is under attack by a Zerg hive swarm being controlled by Amon. They have dug in, but they won't last." She gestured. "And on the far side, we have Typhan II, a UEF colony world that is now being overrun by a Xel'Naga attack. There are reports that they have an ACU."
"A staging ground for them to hit into the Koprulu sector directly," General Hall said, nodding.
"Without a doubt," Dostya said, nodding curtly.
"And this one?" Ryza asked, pointing at a blip in deep space.
"It...appears to be a zerg hive fleet. Unknown what their objectives are. But there are high levels of psionic energy being detected by Aeon sensitives," Dostya said, firmly. Aeon sensitives. One in a million people, and they could barely hear your thoughts if they touched you. Meanwhile, you could crush their brains like grapes. It made you feel like a giant in a playground sometimes. "It is not attacking anyone - but...if the psionic energies indicate...Kerrigan."
You shifted in your seat, frowning.
"And finally, here, is the Golden Armada," Dostya said. "This is just a theory of where it is - it is highly mobile and actively engaged against us in multiple places. And...if unchecked, it may threaten entire planets."
"Mar Sara on steroids," Jim said, quietly.
You nodded.
Time to get to work.
---
HEAT: 4/6
There's a big complicated galactic war mechanic if you want to engage with it! But, also, you can just vote for this stuff!
The pirates?
[ ] Bribe them to get them to shut up and go away. It'll take up a lot of the resources from the dominion, but keep your backline quiet. (Use charm to snuff their sparks - removes the Dominion's resources from play. Reduces danger, reduces future payout.)
[ ] Send Jim Raynor to deal with them. (Improves Stake, allows Golden Armada to act - this is true of all "Send NPC" and I won't reprint it each time)
[ ] Send General Duke to deal with them.
[ ] Deal With it Yourself (the Golden Armada will attempt to assassinate you mid-mission.)
[ ] Write In
The siege of Borealis?
[ ] Send Dostya to deal with it.
[ ] Send Ryza to deal with it.
[ ] Send Jim Raynor to deal with it.
[ ] Send General Duke to deal with it.
[ ] Send Matt to deal with it.
[ ] Deal With it Yourself (the Golden Armada will attempt to assassinate you mid-mission.)
[ ] Write in
The Invasion of Typhan II
[ ] Send Dostya to deal with it.
[ ] Send Ryza to deal with it.
[ ] Send Jim Raynor to deal with it.
[ ] Send General Duke to deal with it.
[ ] Send Matt to deal with it.
[ ] Deal With it Yourself (the Golden Armada will attempt to assassinate you mid-mission.)
[ ] Write In
The Zerg Hive fleet
[ ] Send Dostya to deal with it.
[ ] Send Ryza to deal with it.
[ ] Send Jim Raynor to deal with it.
[ ] Send General Duke to deal with it.
[ ] Send Matt to deal with it.
[ ] Deal With it Yourself (the Golden Armada will attempt to assassinate you mid-mission.)
[ ] Write In
Obviously, you can't send an NPC to two places at once. Each NPC will succeed at their mission - the main difference is in HOW they succeed, which is based on their character and the mission!
We're in the most freeform stage of the game - you're the high commander of the Allied forces, and we have an entire galaxy to take back! You have the following Resources (these are going into the GALACTIC WAR MAP for future reference.) These resources can be Backgrounds, Masteries, or Motivations. Backgrounds give access to gear, and more gear at higher levels. Masteries improve one of your masteries by their rating when you use them. Motivations create powerful sparks based on their narrative description!
Each round, you will face down Sparks that represent danger and opportunity unlocked by your Stakes.
Each Spark can be handled in a Defensive, Offensive or Reckless way!
Defensive actions (growing economies, building bases, evacuating refugees, diplomacy, and similar actions that are low risk) will snuff those Sparks out. Once all sparks are gone, then the galactic war wraps up. However, it will also wrap up as it currently is, narratively speaking - so, it won't get WORSE than how it is currently, but it's not going to get any better. Defensive actions are an excellent way to remove dangerous sparks that you don't want to really deal with now - since you will need to split your attention sometimes.
Offensive actions (launching invasions, engaging battlefleets, preparing massive nuclear bombardments) are operations you handle by telling an NPC to go take care of something. This lets the sparks decay into a new Resource reflecting which NPC you send - putting General Duke into a space battle will probably get you victories but might have human costs, while Jim Raynor is more likely to cut and run but leave you with resources to use later. The main weakness of Offensive actions is they take time and, since you're not there, may not go the way you expect.
Reckless actions are you personally getting involved and doing actual on the ground operation and it triggers a classic battle. These are high risk (cause you might die) but they're high reward - they're the only way to remove opponents.
Opponents are the enemy resources and work a lot like NPCs in normal combat.
Now, the map!
YOUR RESOURCES
TERRAN DOMINION [Background] (1)
The men and material of the Dominion - limited, but they're mustering as we speak.
ALLIANCE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES [Mastery] (1)
While you have access to several ACUs of every faction, they lack economic and technological support to be fully effective.
ZERG HIVE [Mastery] (1)
The scant few Zerg you control that are free of Amon's influence. Mostly Zerglings.
AEON FLEET [Background] (1)
While half a dozen CZARs seem impressive, they're not actually well made for ship to ship combat.
ALLIED COHESION [Motivation] (1)
The alliance is fragile and weak.
YOUR OPPOSITION
XP VALUE: 5
THE MIND CONTROLLED GOLDEN ARMADA: Diff 6
Commanded by a mind controlled Artanis-Amon, the Golden Armada is striking terror into the Koprulu Sector.
Now, a final detail: Unlike in normal combat, XP values in this kind of encounter can go up. And, moreover, since ending this galactic war means that...the quest is over the XP value does not super matter for rewards - but instead, it is the ballpark for how complete your victory over Amon is. Do you vanquish him utterly and drive him from the galaxy, or do you merely force an uneasy peace with a carved out enclave surrounded by the Xel'Naga? Spoiled for people who don't want to know the exact numbers.
A Ghostly Resistance (XP 5-10): The Xel'naga rule the majority of the galaxy, and the scattered survivors of the Forged Alliance eek out a subsistence between the stars. If Kerrigan has been saved, she is a broken shell, aware of what she has lost and Sam never recovers. She dies, an ancient zerg-human hybrid, after having led this bitter resistance for seven thousand years.
A Bitter Truce (XP 11-20): The Koprulu Sector stands alone, triumphant and surrounded by enemies. While the rest of the human race are yoked as slaves to the Xel'naga, you have at least made one bastion of freedom. If Kerrigan has been freed, she slowly recovers, but never is quite the same woman she was before.
The Galaxy Aflame (XP:21-30): Half the galaxy is ruled by the Alliance and half by the Xel'Naga Empire. The war will go on for countless aeons - maybe until the end of time. But you've done enough. Billions live in freedom and security, thanks to you. Kerrigan is able to smile, assuming she is rescued.
Close Shut the Gates of Hell and Slay the Gods Themselves (31+ XP): Amon is driven from the universe and the reverberations will one day shatter even the Infinite Empire. You did it!
So, for the first round of the Galactic War, each of your resources generates sparks!
Pirates Raiding 6 (Supply Lines in Disarray 1)
Borealis Siege 6 (Zerg Ramage 1)
Typhan II Occupied 6 (Xel'Naga ACU Spotted 1)
Zerg Hive Fleet Spotted 6 (Kerrigan? 1)
Yes, yes, absolutely true! Please, plan vote styles
EDIT: also, if you've read the mechanics, you notice that I only provided a defensive option for the pirate one because...basically, if you do nothing but defensive options, then the war ends immediately with the worst possible outcome, so, I didn't want to encourage that lol.
Defensive actions are more useful later on, when the XP value is higher and you've completed more war goals, since they cut down on the danger and reduce the chances of more enemies spawning
For the Pirates I am leaning toward either bribe them or use Duke here. Mostly due to wanting to use other assets elsewhere. Might give us a better idea of how we can use Duke in later fights compared to the Raiders or ACU rosters.
@DragonCobolt do the supcom factions have access to the Forged Alliance units yet or do they get those later in? And for that matter are there any Starcraft 2 units that are getting incorporated into our ranks that would change the equations or how those forces will act?
Borealis: Cause if so Matt or maybe Sam would be a good choice for holding off the zerg assault. The Ravenger t3 point defense would be highly effective due to DPS and rate of fire (almost commander size gatling railgun point defense goes burr) and the t2 Mongoose bot would be a highly effective and quick unit for dealing with the zerg. This would be a good one to have Sam on since we are already going to be layering in defensives so we can deal with the Golden Armada's assassination attempt once they spring it. this is also a choice we can make.
Typhon II: I think this mission is going be tricky and probably a fight we are not going to win. Sam will want to know the specifics of what The Infinite Empire has for a unit roster. This is where I would send Doysta, The Cybrans have the best assassination tools to go after the ACU with hopefully Corsairs (T2 Fighterbomber with a high alpha barrage of missiles) or Firebeetles (The Baneling's T2, but larger and arngier mechanical cousin) Cybran T3 bombers. And if we are lucky Bricks (T3 Heavy Assault with good DPS) bots are available to form a solid front line for defense there. It is also an op that the Cybrans would be used to if we lose there and need to evacuate and I trust Doysta's capabilities to give us a good run down on Infinite ACU and unit Doctrine to look for weakness on the least known enemies.
Zerg Hive Fleet: With one has a few choices for what we do here. Jim would be a good choice if we just intend to scout out Kerrigan's position, the Raiders are used to the quick insertion and getting out with most of their limbs intact. would be a good choice if we want to create sparks that could be used later to ensure that when we free Kerrigan that something does not go horribly wrong. The other two choices are if we are going to try and free her right off the bat. Although the Romantic Drama I doubt would allow that. With that I would suspect that we would send either Rhiza or Sam herself.
Sending Sam would please the GM's itch to write Drama and would be a desperate play for True Love to snap Kerrigan out of it. From an OOC perspective it allows us to control the type of problems that we have. Namely personal problems. Although defending Sam in the Protoss counterattack will be much more difficult in this case. But still doable if we focus on defense and using the base as a soapbox. (Playing cheesy 80's music till Amon rage quits optional)
Rhiza would be an attempt to see how effective the Way is for combating Xel'naga influence. Although this would be more of Rhiza surviving which the Aeon roster should allow her to do against the Zerg (Harbies OP against small stuff and Oblivions t2 turrets should eat Ultralisks). Although for it to be most effective would be her acting as a communication broadcast of both the Princess and Sam trying to do this over the phone. (Amon might stuff comically large ear plugs in Sarah's ears as a counter.)
