It MIGHT be an option. But there is no way in the nine hells it'll actually work. If anything, she'd start doing the opposite expecting Violet to be trying to sabotage her.
The Reluctant Vassal's Guide to Living in the Frontier (with some Treason)
- Location
- 'Straya mate.
I am sorely tempted to skip the Lily Guard altogether and dive straight into RnD on some mechanized infantry. It means more delays, and also probably more progress required to make each individual unit, but building factories is expensive and takes a lot of time. Regardless, I've put the matter off for a cycle. Building up our wealth isn't glamorous, and it's pretty slow going, but I do believe it to be very worth-while in the long run. The only difficulty is that we will eventually run out of resources in Andernia. I hope we can eventually unlock a more efficient way to turn wealth into resources but we'll have to see. I also want to keep a "bank" of resources for use during campaign and because drydocks/training facilities do also use resources in their construction.
I wonder... I wonder if the Lycoris Sanctuary might unlock better 'civic' buildings. Maybe some way to dig up resources more efficiently or a way to upgrade our bank posts. I suppose we'll have to build a bank before we can upgrade it. It is worth noting that we can only build one post of each type per city so, assuming we built out every city available to us, we'd "only" be able to convert 18 resources into 18 wealth. After... a *lot* of cycles of work.
Cheshiro, if I may ask, do we have an idea of what the map and the stellar stats look like on Andernia III? It may be relevant if/when we come into conflict with our sister and the stats that she's working with are relevant regarding our long-term plans for developing the system. If she's built up a ton of wealth or it's very rich in resources, that changes what we will have to work with. Totally understandable if not.
[X] Plan It ain't much, but it's (dis)honest work.
-[X] [Character] Violet d'Iris, Solar Princess
--[X] [Intrigue] Military Espionage. Direct agents to circumvent security systems and access classified military information to pass onto you, a highly risky but priceless operation. Reveals a power's military composition and current numbers. Requires six (6) progress. Has a moderate chance for discovery.
---[X] House Iris Separatists
-[X] [Officer] Dorothea, Lycoris Knight
--[X] [Martial] Commission Ship. Reach out to the dockyards and purchase or order a new ship to join your fleets. Cost varies.
---[X] New Helm
----[X] Wisteria-class Destroyer
-[X] [Officer] Kat, Hyacinth Prism
--[X] [Stewardship] Construct Post. Utilize some empty space in a city to build an independent facility. Cost varies. Each building post may only be built once per city.
---[X] Pendragon
----[X] Sunrise Bank. Accounts now guaranteed under government-subsidized insurance! Open an account today, withdraw your money a galaxy away! Increases Wealth by two (2). Decreases Resources by two (2). Requires four (4) progress.
-[X] [Officer] Radana, Camellia Knight
--[X] [Stewardship] Construct Post.
---[X] Pendragon
----[X] Sunrise Bank.
It's always fun to try and figure out a plan but man! There are always so many valuable options. If only we had more wealth! If only we had more resources to *make* more wealth! If only we had more officers to make more... everything! It's basically never an easy decision. I could barely make my mind up between sending Radana to try and guarantee the bank finishes vs using her pretty-good intrigue to help us with the infiltration. I think we may want to send Radana around that way next turn just to finish things out, but I'm okay with letting us handle everything for now.
Things may at least get a little simpler on the civic-development front once the system is unified. The bonus from wealth maxes out at, I believe 40 wealth for a +20 bonus. Same story with influence. Access to Andernia III's industry and resources will also be good. Said reunification is unlikely to be simple though. Things are going to get a lot messier before they get any cleaner.
EDIT: This may be a wild idea but I am sorely tempted. I want to try and (eventually) recruit our sister. I know that she has pretty much lost the plot but it clearly hurts Iris, at least a little, to see her like this. It would be very sweet if we can eventually "redeem" her and get her to see the error of her methods. Also it is incredibly good for our legitimacy if we can get a previous enemy/pretender to support us. Plus another officer, let alone a stewardship officer, would be SO GOOD! If anyone has an idea for a write-in or something please share!
My only idea at the moment is supporting unrest in her people then trying to step in on her behalf, and trying to integrate her into our administration. Her cronies would have to go, naturally. The point is to dismantle her corrupt administration but keep her alive and well.
I wonder... I wonder if the Lycoris Sanctuary might unlock better 'civic' buildings. Maybe some way to dig up resources more efficiently or a way to upgrade our bank posts. I suppose we'll have to build a bank before we can upgrade it. It is worth noting that we can only build one post of each type per city so, assuming we built out every city available to us, we'd "only" be able to convert 18 resources into 18 wealth. After... a *lot* of cycles of work.
Cheshiro, if I may ask, do we have an idea of what the map and the stellar stats look like on Andernia III? It may be relevant if/when we come into conflict with our sister and the stats that she's working with are relevant regarding our long-term plans for developing the system. If she's built up a ton of wealth or it's very rich in resources, that changes what we will have to work with. Totally understandable if not.
[X] Plan It ain't much, but it's (dis)honest work.
-[X] [Character] Violet d'Iris, Solar Princess
--[X] [Intrigue] Military Espionage. Direct agents to circumvent security systems and access classified military information to pass onto you, a highly risky but priceless operation. Reveals a power's military composition and current numbers. Requires six (6) progress. Has a moderate chance for discovery.
---[X] House Iris Separatists
-[X] [Officer] Dorothea, Lycoris Knight
--[X] [Martial] Commission Ship. Reach out to the dockyards and purchase or order a new ship to join your fleets. Cost varies.
---[X] New Helm
----[X] Wisteria-class Destroyer
-[X] [Officer] Kat, Hyacinth Prism
--[X] [Stewardship] Construct Post. Utilize some empty space in a city to build an independent facility. Cost varies. Each building post may only be built once per city.
---[X] Pendragon
----[X] Sunrise Bank. Accounts now guaranteed under government-subsidized insurance! Open an account today, withdraw your money a galaxy away! Increases Wealth by two (2). Decreases Resources by two (2). Requires four (4) progress.
-[X] [Officer] Radana, Camellia Knight
--[X] [Stewardship] Construct Post.
---[X] Pendragon
----[X] Sunrise Bank.
It's always fun to try and figure out a plan but man! There are always so many valuable options. If only we had more wealth! If only we had more resources to *make* more wealth! If only we had more officers to make more... everything! It's basically never an easy decision. I could barely make my mind up between sending Radana to try and guarantee the bank finishes vs using her pretty-good intrigue to help us with the infiltration. I think we may want to send Radana around that way next turn just to finish things out, but I'm okay with letting us handle everything for now.
Things may at least get a little simpler on the civic-development front once the system is unified. The bonus from wealth maxes out at, I believe 40 wealth for a +20 bonus. Same story with influence. Access to Andernia III's industry and resources will also be good. Said reunification is unlikely to be simple though. Things are going to get a lot messier before they get any cleaner.
EDIT: This may be a wild idea but I am sorely tempted. I want to try and (eventually) recruit our sister. I know that she has pretty much lost the plot but it clearly hurts Iris, at least a little, to see her like this. It would be very sweet if we can eventually "redeem" her and get her to see the error of her methods. Also it is incredibly good for our legitimacy if we can get a previous enemy/pretender to support us. Plus another officer, let alone a stewardship officer, would be SO GOOD! If anyone has an idea for a write-in or something please share!
My only idea at the moment is supporting unrest in her people then trying to step in on her behalf, and trying to integrate her into our administration. Her cronies would have to go, naturally. The point is to dismantle her corrupt administration but keep her alive and well.
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While you won't have access to direct maps yet until you park a ship over in orbit, I can tell you that Andernia III is actually smaller than Andernia IV but not by much. It's about the same size as Andernia II, and your sister's city is reportedly not that big compared to yours. She's certainly sacrificing a lot of industrial ability in favor of getting more from raw wealth. She's also pointedly not trying to manufacture anything that you hear of, see how she would rather acquire guns than build them herself.
Ya need a name for your first ship, maybe Wisteria herself?
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- Location
- 'Straya mate.
Thank you very much! Also my bad on that front. I certainly intended for our first commission to be grand old Wisteria. I believe this is the right formatting.
[X] Plan It ain't much, but it's (dis)honest work.
-[X] [Character] Violet d'Iris, Solar Princess
--[X] [Intrigue] Military Espionage. Direct agents to circumvent security systems and access classified military information to pass onto you, a highly risky but priceless operation. Reveals a power's military composition and current numbers. Requires six (6) progress. Has a moderate chance for discovery.
---[X] House Iris Separatists
-[X] [Officer] Dorothea, Lycoris Knight
--[X] [Martial] Commission Ship. Reach out to the dockyards and purchase or order a new ship to join your fleets. Cost varies.
---[X] New Helm (Commercial Spaceport)
----[X] HMS Wisteria (Wisteria-class)
-[X] [Officer] Kat, Hyacinth Prism
--[X] [Stewardship] Construct Post. Utilize some empty space in a city to build an independent facility. Cost varies. Each building post may only be built once per city.
---[X] Pendragon
----[X] Sunrise Bank. Accounts now guaranteed under government-subsidized insurance! Open an account today, withdraw your money a galaxy away! Increases Wealth by two (2). Decreases Resources by two (2). Requires four (4) progress.
-[X] [Officer] Radana, Camellia Knight
--[X] [Stewardship] Construct Post.
---[X] Pendragon
----[X] Sunrise Bank.
EDIT:I realised the errors in my formatting after reading the last cycle again. I think this should all be right now.
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...Welp...
She's trying to go full memetic venice isn't she. What can she even do with all that money, given this isn't a video game where money can magically turn into stuff, or anyone already set up able to sell anything. Like, what can she even do with all that money she's amassing?
- Location
- Texas
[X] Plan It ain't much, but it's (dis)honest work.
We should probably be fine for a turn while we build up wealth, then next turn we can build up troops. Though at the same time, Troops take a slot we're using for the bank. My main thought is that as long as we have space superiority the sister shouldn't be able to land significant troops. But next turn we need some military just in case, although depending on what military infiltration exposes we may not need to worry much.
We should probably be fine for a turn while we build up wealth, then next turn we can build up troops. Though at the same time, Troops take a slot we're using for the bank. My main thought is that as long as we have space superiority the sister shouldn't be able to land significant troops. But next turn we need some military just in case, although depending on what military infiltration exposes we may not need to worry much.
- Location
- 'Straya mate.
The bank is a post-building. As far as I can tell, reading back through old threadmarks again, you can build one post building of each kind per city. It's not industry-dependent. Industry only affects your cap for the more powerful, efficient, and unique chain buildings. We probably should build a factory for our infantry next turn though, I agree. Or, if we do decide to go straight down the mechanized route, put a character or two onto that job. We'll have to build basing as well of course. I personally lean towards building a new city + star armory so we've got basing in surplus but I'm not married to the idea. We will need to build out all our cities if we want to get more post-buildings. Regardless, one or two regiments may in fact be all we need to defeat our sister given that she's only got one city herself. Or we may not need to fight at all. Depends on what we try to pull off.
Formally dressed Violet
I still have an art bug biting me, and before I knew it, I had turned this from basic sketch into full color. Have what Violet could look like when she's dressed up for fancy social functions. Armor, still a WIP.
You know that beneath that polite smile, she's screaming about having to socialize.
- Pronouns
- Viewer
[X] Plan It ain't much, but it's (dis)honest work.
[X] Plan It ain't much, but it's (dis)honest work.
I still have an art bug biting me, and before I knew it, I had turned this from basic sketch into full color. Have what Violet could look like when she's dressed up for fancy social functions. Armor, still a WIP.
You know that beneath that polite smile, she's screaming about having to socialize.
How much prodding did it take for her to take off the hood?
She literally wears the intrigue colourI still have an art bug biting me, and before I knew it, I had turned this from basic sketch into full color. Have what Violet could look like when she's dressed up for fancy social functions. Armor, still a WIP.
You know that beneath that polite smile, she's screaming about having to socialize.
- Location
- Eastern Seaboard
[X] Plan It ain't much, but it's (dis)honest work.
Vote closed
Cycle 5.1
[X] Plan It ain't much, but it's (dis)honest work.
-[X] [Character] Violet d'Iris, Solar Princess
--[X] [Intrigue] Military Espionage. Direct agents to circumvent security systems and access classified military information to pass onto you, a highly risky but priceless operation. Reveals a power's military composition and current numbers. Requires six (6) progress. Has a moderate chance for discovery.
---[X] House Iris Separatists
-[X] [Officer] Dorothea, Lycoris Knight
--[X] [Martial] Commission Ship. Reach out to the dockyards and purchase or order a new ship to join your fleets. Cost varies.
---[X] New Helm (Commercial Spaceport)
----[X] HMS Wisteria (Wisteria-class)
-[X] [Officer] Kat, Hyacinth Prism
--[X] [Stewardship] Construct Post. Utilize some empty space in a city to build an independent facility. Cost varies. Each building post may only be built once per city.
---[X] Pendragon
----[X] Sunrise Bank. Accounts now guaranteed under government-subsidized insurance! Open an account today, withdraw your money a galaxy away! Increases Wealth by two (2). Decreases Resources by two (2). Requires four (4) progress.
-[X] [Officer] Radana, Camellia Knight
--[X] [Stewardship] Construct Post.
---[X] Pendragon
----[X] Sunrise Bank.
-[X] [Character] Violet d'Iris, Solar Princess
--[X] [Intrigue] Military Espionage. Direct agents to circumvent security systems and access classified military information to pass onto you, a highly risky but priceless operation. Reveals a power's military composition and current numbers. Requires six (6) progress. Has a moderate chance for discovery.
---[X] House Iris Separatists
-[X] [Officer] Dorothea, Lycoris Knight
--[X] [Martial] Commission Ship. Reach out to the dockyards and purchase or order a new ship to join your fleets. Cost varies.
---[X] New Helm (Commercial Spaceport)
----[X] HMS Wisteria (Wisteria-class)
-[X] [Officer] Kat, Hyacinth Prism
--[X] [Stewardship] Construct Post. Utilize some empty space in a city to build an independent facility. Cost varies. Each building post may only be built once per city.
---[X] Pendragon
----[X] Sunrise Bank. Accounts now guaranteed under government-subsidized insurance! Open an account today, withdraw your money a galaxy away! Increases Wealth by two (2). Decreases Resources by two (2). Requires four (4) progress.
-[X] [Officer] Radana, Camellia Knight
--[X] [Stewardship] Construct Post.
---[X] Pendragon
----[X] Sunrise Bank.
(Construct Post (Sunrise Bank): 49 +17 (Kat) +7 (Wealth) = 73)
Progress: 2/4. In Progress.
(Construct Post (Sunrise Bank): 58 +7 (Radana) +7 (Wealth) = 72)
Progress: 4/4. Completed!
Pendragon has built Sunrise Bank.
Kat managed to somehow mumble out her thanks before beating a hasty retreat, looking so embarrassed and awkward. Radana watched her colleague frantically exit the newly opened business and softly sighed. She supposed it was a little too much to ask the notoriously shy Prism to try publicly opening an account to show off its banking features and help in attracting new clients. The Solar Princess would have to settle with how much Kat contributed to making a secured back end for safe financial bookkeeping.
So it was in her place that the Camellia Knight stepped up next and narrated her own experience with creating a new account, one that was very conspicuously blank for the sake of this demonstration. The bank teller was relieved with how much more well-spoken and open their new client was, which encouraged them to put on their own best face for the camera. Eventually, they reached the end of the recording that had Radana encouraging to the lens about the secured professional services of Sunrise Banking, hopefully enticing some more skeptical citizens to at least give the institution a try.
When the film light faded, Radana nodded, then turned back to the teller. "If you don't mind, I'd like to actually open up a new account now then. A proper one now, not the dummy."
"Of course." They paused and their eyes flicked upwards. "Though, you understand that at the moment, as our systems are still unable to connect with more centralized servers in the Core, we cannot link your new and old accounts together."
"I am indeed aware. Kat spent a few days complaining about it incessantly, and quite vigorously at that." The refined diplomat frowned and put a finger against her lip. "In the end, she wasn't able to crack even a workaround and from what I gather, the next step is directly having a poke at the FTL beacon itself. That would be quite the escalation."
"That sounds...worrying," The bank employee admitted, a flash of fear breaking through their professional mask in the moment. To imagine that they truly were alone out in this vast galaxy, it was a terrifying thought.
But Radana knew exactly what to say now, following up on her previous statement with a reassuring smile. "Our Prisms have already taken into account the possibility of a simple programming error, and are dutifully going through our records to identify the cause along with the fix," She let slip in a staged whisper. "So do not fret. Even in the worst case scenario, if we are forced to replace the entire device- we can do it. We will reach out and connect to the greater universe beyond, one step at a time."
The teller took in a shaky breath, one that helped settle and calm them down. The mention of past knowledge surfacing to aid the future resonated with their heritage, the sacred beliefs of the Helmsmen providing a strong anchor. "Y-you're right. One step at a time. One day at a time. One client at a time." Another moment to reform their professional mask, then they smiled. "Then let us do all we can to make sure the account you create today will have a smooth transition and linking to whatever previous accounts you may have once had."
"I would hope so, else I will have to cut down on the pastries served with tea." Radana visibly shuddered, her own masking falling off for a moment. "The horror."
"...er, I see. Now then, let's just begin with your documentation…."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Military Espionage (House Iris Separatists): 79 +18 (Violet) +7 (Wealth) = 104)
Progress: 4/6. In Progress.
Even in the vast gap of time ever since humans left Terra for the stars alongside the multitude of advancements in digital technology, paper has continued to endure as a medium for transcription. It is a shocking and surprising fact to some, especially those who grew up with computers at their literal fingertips from birth. Why would humanity ever continue to use this flimsy and wasteful material when they could simply have it all easily accessible via a data cloud?
Honestly, there were a variety of reasons. Some preferred to feel the weight of ink and parchment in their hands, to feel the burden of the knowledge kept within pages of books. Others cite how much more easily accessible paper was in comparison to digital networks, especially in less developed or industrialized settings. They were onto something, you reckoned, but there was also another reason you would tack onto yourself.
It was possible to hack digital databases and steal the knowledge within. It was far harder to do so with physical papers.
So, that's why you preferred your reports in paper if you could help it, especially when it came to very sensitive information about your schemes. However, when it arrived, there was always a chance it could get lost in your rat's nest of a desk despite your excellent talent in seemingly plucking what you needed at the exact moment it was called for. Plus, it would ruin your organization system (or what passed for it) if you had to go diving for said reports every so often for reference study.
Thus, when it came to building up your little plots, you preferred a much more visceral and satisfying way of properly linking together your papers.
Surprisingly, there was still a market for bulletin boards, likely for rural communities that had very little in the way of electronic access but wanted to still maintain tight-knit local bonds. Or perhaps it was still a staple in office settings across the galaxy, meant to be filled with posters of local events dating years back. Either way, it meant that it was child's play to obtain a supply of such boards for your purpose, alongside the necessary natural accessories: pushpins, and purple string.
You took one such thumb tack now and grabbed the top document from your fresh stack of papers. You firmly pressed the printout against board with one hand, then the other was used to drive in the sharpened point into the synthetic cork to seal the pin in. Once you were sure it was done, you stepped back and took in the neutral photograph of your sister at the center of the bulletin board. It was plain and simple at the moment, but you knew in the near future, the pin holding her portrait up would become a web of purple strings linking to other papers, other documents, other information that would create the shadowy perfect weave you so excelled in. A conspiracy board of madness, as your best friend so bluntly put it.
It spoke volumes about how unashamedly and almost proudly you were at the title. You turned back now to the stack of papers and rolled your shoulders, warming them up for a long session of reading, pinning, and linking evidence together. Now to figure out what your sister was really up to with that 'demonstration' of her armed forces.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Commission Ship (HMS Wisteria): 76 +14 (Dorothea) +7 (Wealth) = 97)
Progress: 3/3. Completed!
HMS Wisteria has been commissioned in New Helm (Commercial Spaceport).
Dorothea made noise of satisfied agreement and passed back the datapad with the sale terms. "That is an acceptable price. The Solar Princess will be more than happy to pay the amount so."
"Then it's a sale." With a press of the contractor's thumb against the panel to the side, the transfer agreement was locked in. Now the file bounced up into the corporate servers of the dockyard's current owners to formally sign off on, completely ceding ownership of Wisteria over to House Iris. The formerly prototype destroyer was now federal property in totality. "I have to say though, there's going to be a lot of disappointed folks out there."
"Oh? Was she in that high demand?"
"Considering she's the first of her class? Always going to be an intense competition. There's even been chitchat about a bidding war between some private individuals or firms wanting the prestige of it so." The contractor shrugged and nodded at the amused Lycoris Knight. "But terms are terms, and since it came from you first, you have first go at it. For a fair price, of course."
"Naturally so," Dorothea insisted with a serious bob of the head. "Do not think my lady would ever dare be so miserly about good work."
"Your lady…" Their voice trailed off and they turned to glance outside the office window, to where the ship of the hour was being outfitted for the last time by the dockworkers. In particular, attention was given to the way they delicately painted the vessel's new affix to symbolize her formal commissioning. "I don't think you need a reminder at all, but HMS can mean a lot of things you know?"
"I am aware, but please," Dorothea made a knowing smile." Enlighten me anyway."
"Helm Meteor Ship. Helmsmen Ship." The salesperson's eyes met with the peacekeeper's gaze. "His Majesty's Ship.
"Her Majesty's Ship. Is your lady really going to keep to her title as is?"
Dorothea closed her eyes and let out a little exhale of breath, considering her answer. "I don't have any sort of information to share about that right now," She finally told with a firm expression. "Perhaps she simply wishes to honor His Majesty. Or perhaps she has grander plans that neither you or I could comprehend. Regardless, I will stay at her side for whatever she chooses."
"You better let her know that a lot of us will as well. Better the upstart than the wicked."
"I will pretend I did not hear such damaging statements against our rightfully chosen governor. Only that you stand with the true House Iris."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- The question is now if Violet's more a Holmes, or more a Moriarty sort of individual. I'm leaning towards the latter.
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- Location
- 'Straya mate.
I would say the latter as well. She definitely seems to me more of a conspirator than an investigator, even if she loves doing both. I loved the pieces of the wider politics that have come through so far in this update. Like always I also just appreciate getting to read some well-written characters. This update brings quite a bit to consider going forward.
As far as plans go, we couldn't have asked for a better outcome. Iris has set herself up masterfully and next cycle she just needs a good distraction to take advantage of. Radana should do nicely. Plus then we have some Radana and Iris co-op which is good fun. Fun fact: with 18 intrigue and a +7 or higher wealth bonus, it's literally impossible for her to get a 25 or lower. Which iirc means she has a floor of at least two progress.
I genuinely welcome feedback but this is my rough idea for next cycle:
Iris finishes infiltration (locked in)
Radana/Dorothea runs unrest to cover her and to start stirring up trouble.
Kat designs mechanized troops and we send either Radana or Dorothea to help her Ideally finish it in one go. Kat can almost always hits two progress and pretty consistently hits threes or fours so she works well with someone else to help "top off" her work with a one, two, or three. Usually a two.
Alternate idea is to take things slower and run our second bank post whilst we finish our investigation. We could also have Dorothea commission our second Wisteria-class whilst Kat works on something on her own. Maybe a chain or designing the mechanized since she will probably get three progress on any given stewardship or learning roll.
As far as plans go, we couldn't have asked for a better outcome. Iris has set herself up masterfully and next cycle she just needs a good distraction to take advantage of. Radana should do nicely. Plus then we have some Radana and Iris co-op which is good fun. Fun fact: with 18 intrigue and a +7 or higher wealth bonus, it's literally impossible for her to get a 25 or lower. Which iirc means she has a floor of at least two progress.
I genuinely welcome feedback but this is my rough idea for next cycle:
Iris finishes infiltration (locked in)
Radana/Dorothea runs unrest to cover her and to start stirring up trouble.
Kat designs mechanized troops and we send either Radana or Dorothea to help her Ideally finish it in one go. Kat can almost always hits two progress and pretty consistently hits threes or fours so she works well with someone else to help "top off" her work with a one, two, or three. Usually a two.
Alternate idea is to take things slower and run our second bank post whilst we finish our investigation. We could also have Dorothea commission our second Wisteria-class whilst Kat works on something on her own. Maybe a chain or designing the mechanized since she will probably get three progress on any given stewardship or learning roll.
- Location
- Eastern Seaboard
Mmm yes, the true House Iris not being the 'rightfully chosen governor.' Said governor/poor excuse for a sister renounced her claim to being a part of the true House Iris when she not only left the rest of the fleet behind during landfall, but also threatened to shoot down anyone else trying to make landfall on that planet (could be slightly misremembering that part), whilst also massacring/attacking nearby civilian settlements in an attempt to
I am all up for the first plan when it comes to stirring up chaos in the 'governor's sandcastle. I am... very eager for it to fall to pieces.
You made the teller a she but every mention of the teller after this is with they, is it a different teller or did you forget?
Kinda awkward.
"Oh? Was she in that high a demand?"
Fits better.
Cheers for the fixes and feedback! As an aside since people are quite interested, I went digging and found the original video that had inspired the "military circus demonstration" your sister had put on. Imagine if this was what people saw troops of House Iris doing to show off.
It's like watching the drill equivalent of a military aerobatics team.
That is, actually kinda impressive. albiet more advanced parade marching as far as actual combat effectiveness.
Cycle 6.0
"Ah. You've fallen into your bad habits again."
"It's not a bad habit, it's how I work my best work!" You squawked and protectively threw your arms over your bulletin board of paper, thumbtacks, and string. "I plot grand conspiracies from these machinations, ones capable of sowing discord and toppling governments! You yourself have surely borne witness to the fruit of my dark making-!"
"The last time I saw you use one of these, it was to orchestrate the old palace's dinner schedule to feature your favorite desert six weeks in a row," Your best friend reminded exasperatedly, already moving to the small kitchenette to help create a pot of tea to cope. "You didn't even get into week four before His Late Majesty noticed and commented on the oddity, ruining it all when the cooks redid everything."
"Goes to show that the only one who could ever best my plots was none other than my sire. Plus, it was still three weeks of that intoxicating velvet cake- don't you dare laugh!" You sputtered with red cheeks at the giggling Brilliance Knight. "You benefited as well, did you not?! As payment for services rendered!"
"I suppose that it is true- you somehow managed to get that rare tea blend that was quite soothing," Radana admitted with an acknowledging nod. Once the pot was finished brewing, she set it and the other teatime necessities onto a tray and crossed over into your office, where you waved for it to be set on your desk. "Now then, take a break and tell me what you're plotting this time."
"Oh, now you're interested?" You drawled while picking up a finger sandwich to chomp on, admittedly slightly hungry. "Ahem. I'm only just trying to have a look behind whatever curtain my sister is putting up. You and I both know that her little speech was only one aspect to her attempted public appeal."
"Of course I haven't forgotten the second part. I don't think I can, despite my best efforts." There was a pause, then Radana's eyes narrowed when she saw the familiar contemplative look on your face. "You think there's more to it than just a bread and circus act."
"I really do. For all the dumb ideas that my sister's been unfortunately doing as of late, she wouldn't just put up such a pretty display without reason. In fact, she'd probably consider it wasteful if it were only that." You shook the crumbs off your finger and approached your conspiracy board. A finger reached up and ran along a purple string that linked your sibling to a successful entertainment venture she had invested in back on Helm. "No, see here. She's got teeth and knows how to maximize smoke and mirrors."
Radana followed the string along to the next connection from this branch and blinked in surprise. "What? I remember this when it broke out on the news back on Helm! That entire scandal about these movies with ridiculous budgets, but ending up looking like amateur projects in the end. Little wonder why they were apparently financial flops."
"Or were they?" You quietly pointed out and directed your aide to several receipts. "Have a look. They all seem to be eager patrons of a certain entertainment venture that was supposed to provide all the props, special effects, and whatever else you typically would spend all that budget on. They paid extravagant prices for these packages, only to be seemingly satisfied with subpar production quality."
"...it was all disguised bribes," Radana realized, her mind churning to catch up to what you had long suspected. "The producers paid their way into your sister's favor. Which could then be used for more than just the entertainment industry."
"Not to mention, they could potentially expect lucrative exclusive contracts taken up with the money set by House Iris for public relations. She always did have an excellent media team, don't you think?" You casually mentioned and gently tugged at your web of linked connections. "She tried to cover up her tracks which worked for the average investigator...but not for me, who sees everything."
There was a tone in your voice that sent a chill down Radana's spine, one that was filled with pure focus in your specialty. She resisted the urge to shiver and instead settled for clenching up a hand. "So your sister has a very good marketing team?"
"At the very least, one that she wouldn't cheap out on. Say what you will, that little act was a bit too high quality for just being a mere act." You rubbed your chin and your eyes followed along a thread that abruptly stopped at a picture of the event in question. "No, she invested too much into this distraction. There's a greater thing going on and I intend to uncover it so. It wouldn't do if she had a backup plan to the 'offer' I'll make when the time is right to finally be rid of this job!"
Resource Stockpile: 30/30
Create a plan that you and your aides will execute over the duration of the cycle. Each person will have a general order that they will attempt to carry out at your command. Orders can be repeatedly taken by multiple characters for greater progression, but characters will be locked in the order until it is finished. Many actions will require a target.
-[ ] [Character] Violet d'Iris, Solar Princess
Occupied with Military Espionage (4/6)
-[ ] [Character] Radana, Camellia Knight
-[ ] [Character] Kat, Hyacinth Prism
-[ ] [Character] Dorothea, Lycoris Knight
"It's not a bad habit, it's how I work my best work!" You squawked and protectively threw your arms over your bulletin board of paper, thumbtacks, and string. "I plot grand conspiracies from these machinations, ones capable of sowing discord and toppling governments! You yourself have surely borne witness to the fruit of my dark making-!"
"The last time I saw you use one of these, it was to orchestrate the old palace's dinner schedule to feature your favorite desert six weeks in a row," Your best friend reminded exasperatedly, already moving to the small kitchenette to help create a pot of tea to cope. "You didn't even get into week four before His Late Majesty noticed and commented on the oddity, ruining it all when the cooks redid everything."
"Goes to show that the only one who could ever best my plots was none other than my sire. Plus, it was still three weeks of that intoxicating velvet cake- don't you dare laugh!" You sputtered with red cheeks at the giggling Brilliance Knight. "You benefited as well, did you not?! As payment for services rendered!"
"I suppose that it is true- you somehow managed to get that rare tea blend that was quite soothing," Radana admitted with an acknowledging nod. Once the pot was finished brewing, she set it and the other teatime necessities onto a tray and crossed over into your office, where you waved for it to be set on your desk. "Now then, take a break and tell me what you're plotting this time."
"Oh, now you're interested?" You drawled while picking up a finger sandwich to chomp on, admittedly slightly hungry. "Ahem. I'm only just trying to have a look behind whatever curtain my sister is putting up. You and I both know that her little speech was only one aspect to her attempted public appeal."
"Of course I haven't forgotten the second part. I don't think I can, despite my best efforts." There was a pause, then Radana's eyes narrowed when she saw the familiar contemplative look on your face. "You think there's more to it than just a bread and circus act."
"I really do. For all the dumb ideas that my sister's been unfortunately doing as of late, she wouldn't just put up such a pretty display without reason. In fact, she'd probably consider it wasteful if it were only that." You shook the crumbs off your finger and approached your conspiracy board. A finger reached up and ran along a purple string that linked your sibling to a successful entertainment venture she had invested in back on Helm. "No, see here. She's got teeth and knows how to maximize smoke and mirrors."
Radana followed the string along to the next connection from this branch and blinked in surprise. "What? I remember this when it broke out on the news back on Helm! That entire scandal about these movies with ridiculous budgets, but ending up looking like amateur projects in the end. Little wonder why they were apparently financial flops."
"Or were they?" You quietly pointed out and directed your aide to several receipts. "Have a look. They all seem to be eager patrons of a certain entertainment venture that was supposed to provide all the props, special effects, and whatever else you typically would spend all that budget on. They paid extravagant prices for these packages, only to be seemingly satisfied with subpar production quality."
"...it was all disguised bribes," Radana realized, her mind churning to catch up to what you had long suspected. "The producers paid their way into your sister's favor. Which could then be used for more than just the entertainment industry."
"Not to mention, they could potentially expect lucrative exclusive contracts taken up with the money set by House Iris for public relations. She always did have an excellent media team, don't you think?" You casually mentioned and gently tugged at your web of linked connections. "She tried to cover up her tracks which worked for the average investigator...but not for me, who sees everything."
There was a tone in your voice that sent a chill down Radana's spine, one that was filled with pure focus in your specialty. She resisted the urge to shiver and instead settled for clenching up a hand. "So your sister has a very good marketing team?"
"At the very least, one that she wouldn't cheap out on. Say what you will, that little act was a bit too high quality for just being a mere act." You rubbed your chin and your eyes followed along a thread that abruptly stopped at a picture of the event in question. "No, she invested too much into this distraction. There's a greater thing going on and I intend to uncover it so. It wouldn't do if she had a backup plan to the 'offer' I'll make when the time is right to finally be rid of this job!"
Resource Stockpile: 30/30
Create a plan that you and your aides will execute over the duration of the cycle. Each person will have a general order that they will attempt to carry out at your command. Orders can be repeatedly taken by multiple characters for greater progression, but characters will be locked in the order until it is finished. Many actions will require a target.
[ ] Plan ____
-[ ] [Character] ______
--[ ] [Task] ________
---[ ] [Target] _____
-[ ] [Officer] ______
--[ ] [Task] ________
---[ ] [Target] _____
-[ ] [Character] ______
--[ ] [Task] ________
---[ ] [Target] _____
-[ ] [Officer] ______
--[ ] [Task] ________
---[ ] [Target] _____
Occupied with Military Espionage (4/6)
-[ ] [Character] Radana, Camellia Knight
-[ ] [Character] Kat, Hyacinth Prism
-[ ] [Character] Dorothea, Lycoris Knight
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--[ ] [Martial] Commission Ship. Reach out to the dockyards and purchase or order a new ship to join your fleets. Cost varies.
---Requires Berth Location
----Requires Ship Class/Name
---Requires Berth Location
----Requires Ship Class/Name
---[ ] Wisteria-class Destroyer. A fast moving escort destroyer that can pack a surprising punch from afar. Requires Void Drydock (Wisteria-class). Requires three (3) progress.
There are currently no diplomacy tasks available.
--[ ] [Stewardship] Develop City. Expand the outreaches of the urban jungle, developing infrastructure and encouraging greater urban incorporation to grow a settlement taller. Increase Industry by one (1). Requires two (2) progress.
---[ ] Requires Target City
--[ ] [Stewardship] Found City. Put forward a concentrated effort to unite previously distant rural communities into a new joint union capable of supporting a concentrated industrial effort. Found a new city that increases Industry by five (5). Requires four (4) progress.
---[ ] Requires Target Location
---[ ] Requires New City name
--[ ] [Stewardship] Construct Chain. Meet with contractors and build a new specific industry in the system. Cost varies. Each building chain may only be built once per system.
---[ ] Requires Target City
----[ ] Requires Building Choice
--[ ] [Stewardship] Construct Post. Utilize some empty space in a city to build an independent facility. Cost varies. Each building post may only be built once per city.
---[ ] Requires Target City
----[ ] Requires Building Choice
---[ ] Requires Target City
--[ ] [Stewardship] Found City. Put forward a concentrated effort to unite previously distant rural communities into a new joint union capable of supporting a concentrated industrial effort. Found a new city that increases Industry by five (5). Requires four (4) progress.
---[ ] Requires Target Location
---[ ] Requires New City name
--[ ] [Stewardship] Construct Chain. Meet with contractors and build a new specific industry in the system. Cost varies. Each building chain may only be built once per system.
---[ ] Requires Target City
----[ ] Requires Building Choice
----[ ] Data Reliquary. The signature monument of the Helmsmen, a testament to their perceived duty to preserving information at all costs if the worst should ever come. The information kept below is reflected in the grandeur above, with only those ordained with the greatest duties able to access the sacred archives unfiltered. Increases Influence by ten (10). Requires two (2) progress. This building must be constructed first before all others in every system of House Iris.
----[ ] Chrysanthemum Scales. A regal and ornate building that serves as the system's headquarters for marketplace and trade officers. It is staffed by a mix of Brilliance Knights and Prisms suited for administrative duties, using their Solarium circuits to process incoming information quicker and come up with streamlined delivery chains to ensure a healthy marketplace for the people. Increases Wealth by eight (8). Decreases Resources by four (4). Requires four (4) progress.
----[ ] Lycoris Sanctuary. The Lycoris Knights are those Brilliance Knights who help maintain public order, acting as both counselors and confessors for those in need. This also makes them quite keen on what the public currently feel is most pressing, and so what will best appeal to them. Increases Influence by ten (10). Decreases Wealth by four (4). Requires four (4) progress.
----[ ] Arms Facility. Glowing sparks of industry fly between these interconnected factories, an ever hungering machine that consumes raw material to process and refine into tools of war. Already while the metals cool, the air is filled with the cries of soldiers being put through proficiency training to use these weapons fresh from the forge. It is a well-oiled union that fuels the fires of the defense industry.
Benefits and costs varies. Enables recruitment for specified troop kit. This may be taken multiple times with different specializations.
-----[ ] Requires Named Troop Outfit
----[ ] Void Drydock. In order to maximize production and streamline the process, it is best if large voidships are actually built in the vacuum of space, or as close as possible to it. The orbit around a planet is an ideal spot for such a task, especially when paired with a space elevator on the ground to facilitate efficient resource from planetside. Should this link be cut off, the facility grinds to a halt. Benefits and costs varies. Enables recruitment for specified ship class. This may be taken multiple times with different specializations.
-----[ ] Requires Named Ship Class
-----[ ] Star Armory. The allure of grand fortifications remains strong even when among the stars, so the technique has simply been refined and adapted to suit the needs of modern war. It is on a larger scale than any similar structure that may have once existed on ancient Terra, a necessary adjustment to accommodate the more vast nature of stellar warfare. It is not unusual for an entire community to spring up around such a base to do business with those quartered within. Increases Military by six (6). Decreases Wealth and Influence by six (6). Housing for three (3) regiments. Berth for one (1) destroyer. Basing for one (1) wing. Requires six (6) progress.
-----[ ] Fleet Port. What can be easily mistaken for construction around natural formations is actually purposefully shaped to accommodate for the planned housing of enormous ships meant to cross the void of space. Even when the star sailors onboard rest, the dock workers are awaken performing necessary maintenance and repairs in preparation for the next voyage. Increases Military by six (6). Decreases Wealth and Influence by six (6). Housing for one (1) regiment. Berth for two (2) cruisers and one (1) destroyer. Basing for one (1) wing. Requires six (6) progress.
----[ ] Chrysanthemum Scales. A regal and ornate building that serves as the system's headquarters for marketplace and trade officers. It is staffed by a mix of Brilliance Knights and Prisms suited for administrative duties, using their Solarium circuits to process incoming information quicker and come up with streamlined delivery chains to ensure a healthy marketplace for the people. Increases Wealth by eight (8). Decreases Resources by four (4). Requires four (4) progress.
----[ ] Lycoris Sanctuary. The Lycoris Knights are those Brilliance Knights who help maintain public order, acting as both counselors and confessors for those in need. This also makes them quite keen on what the public currently feel is most pressing, and so what will best appeal to them. Increases Influence by ten (10). Decreases Wealth by four (4). Requires four (4) progress.
----[ ] Arms Facility. Glowing sparks of industry fly between these interconnected factories, an ever hungering machine that consumes raw material to process and refine into tools of war. Already while the metals cool, the air is filled with the cries of soldiers being put through proficiency training to use these weapons fresh from the forge. It is a well-oiled union that fuels the fires of the defense industry.
Benefits and costs varies. Enables recruitment for specified troop kit. This may be taken multiple times with different specializations.
-----[ ] Requires Named Troop Outfit
Infantry: Increases Military by four (4). Decrease Resources and Wealth by four (4). Requires four (4) progress.
----[ ] Void Drydock. In order to maximize production and streamline the process, it is best if large voidships are actually built in the vacuum of space, or as close as possible to it. The orbit around a planet is an ideal spot for such a task, especially when paired with a space elevator on the ground to facilitate efficient resource from planetside. Should this link be cut off, the facility grinds to a halt. Benefits and costs varies. Enables recruitment for specified ship class. This may be taken multiple times with different specializations.
-----[ ] Requires Named Ship Class
Destroyers: Increases Military by four (4). Decrease Resources and Wealth by four (4). Requires four (4) progress.
-----[ ] Star Armory. The allure of grand fortifications remains strong even when among the stars, so the technique has simply been refined and adapted to suit the needs of modern war. It is on a larger scale than any similar structure that may have once existed on ancient Terra, a necessary adjustment to accommodate the more vast nature of stellar warfare. It is not unusual for an entire community to spring up around such a base to do business with those quartered within. Increases Military by six (6). Decreases Wealth and Influence by six (6). Housing for three (3) regiments. Berth for one (1) destroyer. Basing for one (1) wing. Requires six (6) progress.
-----[ ] Fleet Port. What can be easily mistaken for construction around natural formations is actually purposefully shaped to accommodate for the planned housing of enormous ships meant to cross the void of space. Even when the star sailors onboard rest, the dock workers are awaken performing necessary maintenance and repairs in preparation for the next voyage. Increases Military by six (6). Decreases Wealth and Influence by six (6). Housing for one (1) regiment. Berth for two (2) cruisers and one (1) destroyer. Basing for one (1) wing. Requires six (6) progress.
--[ ] [Stewardship] Construct Post. Utilize some empty space in a city to build an independent facility. Cost varies. Each building post may only be built once per city.
---[ ] Requires Target City
----[ ] Requires Building Choice
----[ ] Sunrise Bank. Accounts now guaranteed under government-subsidized insurance! Open an account today, withdraw your money a galaxy away! Increases Wealth by two (2). Decreases Resources by two (2). Requires four (4) progress.
----[ ] Camp Barracks. It is one thing to be willing to kill for a cause, but it is here where the willingness to die for a cause is born and tempered. Today's sacrifices are the heroes of tomorrow. Increases Military by two (2). Decreases Wealth and Influence by two (2). Berth for one (1) regiment. Requires three (3) progress.
----[ ] Commercial Spaceport. Under the United Empire common law, no trader that does not posses hostile, hazardous, or forbidden material is to be turned away. They are to be allowed to ply their wares as they see fit, though local oversight is certainly permitted. Increases Military by two (2). Decreases Wealth and Influence by two (2). Berth for two (2) destroyers or one (1) cruiser. Requires four (4) progress.
----[ ] Camp Barracks. It is one thing to be willing to kill for a cause, but it is here where the willingness to die for a cause is born and tempered. Today's sacrifices are the heroes of tomorrow. Increases Military by two (2). Decreases Wealth and Influence by two (2). Berth for one (1) regiment. Requires three (3) progress.
----[ ] Commercial Spaceport. Under the United Empire common law, no trader that does not posses hostile, hazardous, or forbidden material is to be turned away. They are to be allowed to ply their wares as they see fit, though local oversight is certainly permitted. Increases Military by two (2). Decreases Wealth and Influence by two (2). Berth for two (2) destroyers or one (1) cruiser. Requires four (4) progress.
--[ ] [Intrigue] Infiltrate Cells. Plant the seeds now for future spycraft opportunities by establishing local support and cover opportunities to slip agents hidden among the populace. Create a spy network in another power. Requires four (4) progress. Further sabotage options require this option first.
---[ ] Requires Target Faction
--[ ] [Intrigue] Cause Unrest. Instruct your cells to purposefully cause chaos in another power, drawing attention away from whatever other covert operations you have orchestrated at the same time. Reduces the chance of discovery on the turn it completes. Requires four (4) progress.
---[ ] Requires Target Faction (Must have Infiltrate Cells)
--[ ] [Intrigue] Send Spies. Have sharp-eyed spies pass through a rival power, using existing cells to help provide a cover for the experts to work and deduce what the enemy is doing now. Discover what primary action another power is focusing on. Requires one (1) progress. Has a low chance for discovery.
---[ ] Requires Target Faction (Must have Infiltrate Cells)
--[ ] [Intrigue] Military Espionage. Direct agents to circumvent security systems and access classified military information to pass onto you, a highly risky but priceless operation. Reveals a power's military composition and current numbers. Requires six (6) progress. Has a moderate chance for discovery.
---[ ] Requires Target Faction (Must have Infiltrate Cells)
---[ ] Requires Target Faction
--[ ] [Intrigue] Cause Unrest. Instruct your cells to purposefully cause chaos in another power, drawing attention away from whatever other covert operations you have orchestrated at the same time. Reduces the chance of discovery on the turn it completes. Requires four (4) progress.
---[ ] Requires Target Faction (Must have Infiltrate Cells)
--[ ] [Intrigue] Send Spies. Have sharp-eyed spies pass through a rival power, using existing cells to help provide a cover for the experts to work and deduce what the enemy is doing now. Discover what primary action another power is focusing on. Requires one (1) progress. Has a low chance for discovery.
---[ ] Requires Target Faction (Must have Infiltrate Cells)
--[ ] [Intrigue] Military Espionage. Direct agents to circumvent security systems and access classified military information to pass onto you, a highly risky but priceless operation. Reveals a power's military composition and current numbers. Requires six (6) progress. Has a moderate chance for discovery.
---[ ] Requires Target Faction (Must have Infiltrate Cells)
--[ ] [Learning] Outfit Troops. Consider what the gear your soldiers carry into battle, and create a new outfit for the boots on the ground to equip themselves with. Cost varies.
---[ ] Requires Troop Unit
--[ ] [Learning] Design Ship. Break out pencils and call up interested naval contractors to kickstart the race to create, prototype, and sell an entirely new spaceship design for your forces. Cost varies.
---[ ] Requires Ship Types
--[ ] [Learning] Design Aircraft. Defense contractors all but salivate at the call to design a new generation of fighter craft, the chance to leave their brand across the galaxy be it on planets or in space. Requires six (6) progress.
---[ ] Requires Troop Unit
---[ ] Infantry. The very basic, but essential, foot soldiers that both take and occupy ground when ordered so. Even with mechanized transports, they move fairly slowly around on the battlefield but when it comes to holding the line, their numbers help absorb dire hits. Requires four (4) progress.
---[ ] Artillery. When more finesse is needed on the battlefield, it is the role of land artillery units to provide. They can bring some of the biggest guns of an army's arsenal to bear to flatten terrain and eradicate any remaining resistance from dug-in units. However, this comes at the price of being incredibly fragile and vulnerable themselves. Requires five (5) progress.
---[ ] Mechanized. Quick and fast fighting vehicles tear across the battlefield at lightning speeds, launching surprise attacks wherever gaps present themselves. While their weapons bark away at the enemy, the doors come slamming open to unload the infantry squads within to aid in the assault or begin already digging in. Speed is key for all in the unit. Requires five (5) progress.
---[ ] Artillery. When more finesse is needed on the battlefield, it is the role of land artillery units to provide. They can bring some of the biggest guns of an army's arsenal to bear to flatten terrain and eradicate any remaining resistance from dug-in units. However, this comes at the price of being incredibly fragile and vulnerable themselves. Requires five (5) progress.
---[ ] Mechanized. Quick and fast fighting vehicles tear across the battlefield at lightning speeds, launching surprise attacks wherever gaps present themselves. While their weapons bark away at the enemy, the doors come slamming open to unload the infantry squads within to aid in the assault or begin already digging in. Speed is key for all in the unit. Requires five (5) progress.
--[ ] [Learning] Design Ship. Break out pencils and call up interested naval contractors to kickstart the race to create, prototype, and sell an entirely new spaceship design for your forces. Cost varies.
---[ ] Requires Ship Types
---[ ] Destroyer. The smallest of notable navy vessels, but vital for domination of local space along and necessary for group troop transports. Requires four (4) progress.
---[ ] Cruiser. Large voidships that traverse the stars and make up the bulk of any fleet that crosses systems. Requires six (6) progress.
---[ ] Cruiser. Large voidships that traverse the stars and make up the bulk of any fleet that crosses systems. Requires six (6) progress.
--[ ] [Learning] Design Aircraft. Defense contractors all but salivate at the call to design a new generation of fighter craft, the chance to leave their brand across the galaxy be it on planets or in space. Requires six (6) progress.
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- A reminder that as the spy system is planned to be reworked, you'll have a little modifier that will help influence odds of success/reduce chance of discovery with this old system. It also represents just how terrifying Violet is at her craft compared to her siblings.14 hour moratorium to come up with a cycle plan.
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