....oh, so it was. Huh, means I wrote a free bonus scene.
Neat. I'll just load the chamber and pop off in the next update.
The Reluctant Vassal's Guide to Living in the Frontier (with some Treason)
- Thread starter Celeshiro
- Start date
- Original Sci-Fi
Neat. I'll just load the chamber and pop off in the next update.
Trent01
A Fountain of Quest Ideas
Not that I'm complaining at the extra writing and what it implies.....but I kinda want to get this party started now. Lets do it!
I eagerly await contact.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I think this should be Corona-class, don't you?
Maybe I'm reading too much into the last sentence, but does this include the whole treachery and murder of the King?
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...So, I guess our MC, by accident became the inscrutable spymaster that everyone knows is a possible threat best left to her own devices. What with 'the one who is always on the outside' snip and the fact that at minimum this particular sister knows she never acts without purpose.
Which to be fair, is a good read which only fuels the misread because no-one knows what actually motivates her.
A House Divided...
"What's going on? Are you okay?" The hidden earpiece tucked beneath her hair softly buzzed. "Your position is showing that you've separated from your guards."
"You can thank your sister's paranoia for that," Radana whispered, her lips barely moving. "She demanded that we meet privately without any listening in. It was a condition to proceeding forward with the talks."
"I don't like that. You really shouldn't have agreed to that," Her best friend darkly muttered. "If anything happens-"
"Then I'll trust in your contingencies," She gently reassured and that seemed to calm the Solar Princess back on Andernia IV, at least for now. Radana knew that she was absolutely walking into a lion's den right now yet maintained a calm and neutral facade, giving away nothing about her inner thoughts about the possibly dangerous situation. She did admittedly have some concerns as well, but the entire concept of talks revolved around trust and impressions. So she had to act appropriately, one befitting of a noble diplomat making a first impression.
Though it definitely wasn't her first encounter with the one she was soon faced with. She was directed to step into an office by the escort, then the doors closed and sealed behind Radana to ensure privacy. Now it was only her and the appointed governor of Andernia alone together in the room and she properly curtsied with a slight lift of her dress. "It has been a while, and I hope you are in good health."
"It has been. I believe the last time we've talked, it was when my little sister decided you were suddenly under her protection." The daughter of House Iris sniffed and waved the visiting diplomat to a table. "A pity. I feel that your family's future is wasted serving that outsider."
Radana's eyes narrowed ever so slightly at the old insult, but she refrained from commenting on it so. "My Lady has been nothing but most accommodating as a master, so I'm afraid I have no intent on reconsidering your generous offer from back then." A small, but sharp smile. "I will stick by her to ensure she navigates the courts of your family most fittingly of your character."
There was a low whistle from the hidden earpiece. "I felt that over here, nice barb."
That was a victory in Radana's books and she wanted to bask in it for a moment, but there was something that made her pause: the slightest hint of genuine bitter emotion flashing across her opposition's face. "I see. Then I will not try to move your mind any further." A long pause, then her posture shifted to an aggressive focused one. "But I will try to convince you to relay to my sister that she is...erring in her ways and must heed my calls to stop. She is acting without my consent and disrupting the order of things in her petty pursuits."
"Oh, tell her to piss off for me!"
"I am sorry to hear that you feel that way," Radana more diplomatically phrased with a measured incline of the head. "Yet rest assured that all she does is in pursuit of solidifying and supporting your rule. In fact, if we may be so frank as to drop all pretense, please allow me to lay out what she is playing at."
The governor's eyes narrowed and her hand reached up to touch at her necklace. "What then, pray tell?" She asked sarcastically but Radana was only listening with one ear, the other focused instead on whatever came next from her earpiece.
There was a long sigh, then an eventual order. "Fine. Reveal it all."
"Your sister wishes to elevate and solidify your position here, with full backing and support from her."
"I don't believe her-"
"This includes the upcoming challenge and contest for the next head of House Iris," Radana firmly added. That finally invoked an open reaction from the coin-spinning princess, a long and disbelieving stare. "We are all aware that with the tragic passing of His Late Majesty, there will likely be a squabble for leadership and you do have a claim."
"Though some might blame her for the entire incident," A hurried reminder that Radana dutifully repeated. "Or me. Er...I don't want to take the blame for that, please let her know."
She spoke numbly, mind clearly still considering the proposal. "It was certainly not me either. I would actually strongly think it was the First Princess," The governor mumbled, then her fingers slowly curled up into a fist. "But then what's my guarantee my sister didn't do it either?"
"You could lay blame wherever you like, including with your missing brother as well," Radana pointed out with a sly smile. "A trial in absentia would be rather convenient, don't you think? Especially when he can hardly defend himself against such accusations now."
"I still want a guarantee though," She growled and leaned forwards. "Because my sister's also got good reason. She's the outsider, the one who His Highness brought in and claimed every bit his as we were, she has good cause to go after us as well! Where is my actual tangible proof that this isn't a trick to kill me as well?"
Radana hesitated slightly, knowing that there was a perfect collateral to offer now. Her friend knew so as well, and thought it over one last time. Then permission was granted. "Reveal our ace."
The slightest of nods, then the Camellia Knight withdrew a letter from her clothing. "If I may." She held it out to be snatched away. There was a loud rip, followed by an equally loud gasp at the picture of the revealed item. "Were you to accept and honor the support offered by Violet d'Iris, she offers you this: the sacred relic that would mark you as the legitimate one chosen by the stars of wisdom and knowledge. The Solarium Codex would be yours to press a claim as the true heir of House Iris. All you would have to do is finally pause, and listen to what your sister has to say."
It all makes sense now.
Those words bounced around her head, hand shaking and eyes quivering in realization of just how deep in the web she was caught in.
The disaster.
A way to remove the Solar King from the equation, and her brother as well.
The unrest.
A way to get an edge over whatever she could muster, especially since there was no support coming.
The approach.
A rotten carrot lathered with honey to mislead and puppet her using the true disaster.
The silence.
A reminder that she...they...all of them.
Alone. So painfully alone forever.
Slaves to the webmaster who orchestrated all of this, the sole sibling unlike them.
A single thought, then circuits flared to life around her fist.
You wanted to almost cry at just how close to ultimate success you were. Soon, you were going to be free of these responsibilities and duties you never asked for. You were finally going to be able to retreat into darkened rooms and laugh maniacally all day without being dragged out for some stupid event or worst, a public appearance. No longer were you going to be the one being shoved into the spotlight, it was going to be you pulling others into the shadows-!
"AH!"
Your blood froze at the sound of a loud crash, and the pained cry that you never wanted to hear again. "Radana? Radana?!" You frantically shouted at the interface. "What's going on-?!"
"So. This is how she was receiving orders from you." Your eyes widened at your sister and you realized she had found the earpiece. Which meant...which meant….! "Sister. It has been a while."
"What have you done?" You whispered, a flame flickering to life within you and growing larger with every passing moment. "You- if you have harmed her-!"
"She has circuits, she will walk it off. But forget about her for now." Even though you were on different planets, you could feel her boring a hole into you with a heated glare. "Let's talk about us, and how I know what you're doing. How disgusting."
"What I'm doing?!" You snarled back and shoved your face closer to the interface. "What madness has overtaken you! Attacking a messenger under the flag of truce?! You're smearing not just your reputation, but that of House Iris as well-!"
"You're still acting all so concerned about that?!" She roared back and spat a curse. "No, enough. I see through your lies, your act, your great deception. I'm not going to let you enslave the Helmsmen like this, you damn outsider. We won't be pawns in your damn schemes no longer!"
Were you capable of properly processing all this information, you were fairly sure you would have picked up on so many inconsistencies with whatever narrative your older sibling had come up with. A series of gross misunderstandings between family that has collected and cascaded into an unstoppable collision between the two of you, your paths crossing to bar the way for one another. Something that perhaps could have been avoided yet deep down, was ultimately inevitable.
Where those on the stars above would follow their ancestors of the earth below and draw blades on one another.
"Sister," Your voice came out frostily and unwavering. "Let Radana go."
"As soon as you hand over the Solarium Codex and leave, never to return." She spat and gave one last final command. "Return from where you came and leave us to pick up what is left. Traitorous outsider." There was a burst of static and then the interface helpfully informed you that the connection was lost. More than likely, your sister had crushed the earpiece in her hands, thinking that she had eliminated the last way for you to contact your subordinate.
Perfect. Well, sort of given how the situation had escalated. At least your sister had swallowed the obvious bait in thinking the earpiece was the grand secret. Swiftly, you had the interface reconfigure to connect to another device and tensely waited. Minutes later, you almost collapsed in relief when a plain text message streamed through.
Ow. Am fine. Ow. Maybe. Being taken somewhere. Will await plan. Ow.
She was okay if she could manage to send a text from her hidden gauntlet armor, but you didn't know how long that would last if your sister ordered a second thorough search of your best friend. It meant that time was of the essence now, and you squared your jaw. "Maybe I don't get it. Maybe I don't understand what's all happening," You told yourself while rising from your office chair. "But it doesn't matter, not anymore. I'm not interested in whatever reasoning my sister has, until she's in cuffs before me.
"I suppose it's time for a little treason." Your hand reached out and hit the confirmation button on a certain posting being displayed by the desk's digital interface. Within moments, a contract was going to be offered, a very specific one for a very specific group you had prepared for this moment.
The emergency contingency for if the situation had escalated like this.
As you reverently donned on your blessed armor, there was a happy little ding when the contract was accepted. You gave it only a single read in passing and then left your office, leaving the words to float in the air for a while longer until the computer fell asleep to conserve energy.
Mercenary contract accepted by: The Knightly Order of the Last Bloom.
"You can thank your sister's paranoia for that," Radana whispered, her lips barely moving. "She demanded that we meet privately without any listening in. It was a condition to proceeding forward with the talks."
"I don't like that. You really shouldn't have agreed to that," Her best friend darkly muttered. "If anything happens-"
"Then I'll trust in your contingencies," She gently reassured and that seemed to calm the Solar Princess back on Andernia IV, at least for now. Radana knew that she was absolutely walking into a lion's den right now yet maintained a calm and neutral facade, giving away nothing about her inner thoughts about the possibly dangerous situation. She did admittedly have some concerns as well, but the entire concept of talks revolved around trust and impressions. So she had to act appropriately, one befitting of a noble diplomat making a first impression.
Though it definitely wasn't her first encounter with the one she was soon faced with. She was directed to step into an office by the escort, then the doors closed and sealed behind Radana to ensure privacy. Now it was only her and the appointed governor of Andernia alone together in the room and she properly curtsied with a slight lift of her dress. "It has been a while, and I hope you are in good health."
"It has been. I believe the last time we've talked, it was when my little sister decided you were suddenly under her protection." The daughter of House Iris sniffed and waved the visiting diplomat to a table. "A pity. I feel that your family's future is wasted serving that outsider."
Radana's eyes narrowed ever so slightly at the old insult, but she refrained from commenting on it so. "My Lady has been nothing but most accommodating as a master, so I'm afraid I have no intent on reconsidering your generous offer from back then." A small, but sharp smile. "I will stick by her to ensure she navigates the courts of your family most fittingly of your character."
There was a low whistle from the hidden earpiece. "I felt that over here, nice barb."
That was a victory in Radana's books and she wanted to bask in it for a moment, but there was something that made her pause: the slightest hint of genuine bitter emotion flashing across her opposition's face. "I see. Then I will not try to move your mind any further." A long pause, then her posture shifted to an aggressive focused one. "But I will try to convince you to relay to my sister that she is...erring in her ways and must heed my calls to stop. She is acting without my consent and disrupting the order of things in her petty pursuits."
"Oh, tell her to piss off for me!"
"I am sorry to hear that you feel that way," Radana more diplomatically phrased with a measured incline of the head. "Yet rest assured that all she does is in pursuit of solidifying and supporting your rule. In fact, if we may be so frank as to drop all pretense, please allow me to lay out what she is playing at."
The governor's eyes narrowed and her hand reached up to touch at her necklace. "What then, pray tell?" She asked sarcastically but Radana was only listening with one ear, the other focused instead on whatever came next from her earpiece.
There was a long sigh, then an eventual order. "Fine. Reveal it all."
"Your sister wishes to elevate and solidify your position here, with full backing and support from her."
"I don't believe her-"
"This includes the upcoming challenge and contest for the next head of House Iris," Radana firmly added. That finally invoked an open reaction from the coin-spinning princess, a long and disbelieving stare. "We are all aware that with the tragic passing of His Late Majesty, there will likely be a squabble for leadership and you do have a claim."
"Though some might blame her for the entire incident," A hurried reminder that Radana dutifully repeated. "Or me. Er...I don't want to take the blame for that, please let her know."
She spoke numbly, mind clearly still considering the proposal. "It was certainly not me either. I would actually strongly think it was the First Princess," The governor mumbled, then her fingers slowly curled up into a fist. "But then what's my guarantee my sister didn't do it either?"
"You could lay blame wherever you like, including with your missing brother as well," Radana pointed out with a sly smile. "A trial in absentia would be rather convenient, don't you think? Especially when he can hardly defend himself against such accusations now."
"I still want a guarantee though," She growled and leaned forwards. "Because my sister's also got good reason. She's the outsider, the one who His Highness brought in and claimed every bit his as we were, she has good cause to go after us as well! Where is my actual tangible proof that this isn't a trick to kill me as well?"
Radana hesitated slightly, knowing that there was a perfect collateral to offer now. Her friend knew so as well, and thought it over one last time. Then permission was granted. "Reveal our ace."
The slightest of nods, then the Camellia Knight withdrew a letter from her clothing. "If I may." She held it out to be snatched away. There was a loud rip, followed by an equally loud gasp at the picture of the revealed item. "Were you to accept and honor the support offered by Violet d'Iris, she offers you this: the sacred relic that would mark you as the legitimate one chosen by the stars of wisdom and knowledge. The Solarium Codex would be yours to press a claim as the true heir of House Iris. All you would have to do is finally pause, and listen to what your sister has to say."
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It all makes sense now.
Those words bounced around her head, hand shaking and eyes quivering in realization of just how deep in the web she was caught in.
The disaster.
A way to remove the Solar King from the equation, and her brother as well.
The unrest.
A way to get an edge over whatever she could muster, especially since there was no support coming.
The approach.
A rotten carrot lathered with honey to mislead and puppet her using the true disaster.
The silence.
A reminder that she...they...all of them.
Alone. So painfully alone forever.
Slaves to the webmaster who orchestrated all of this, the sole sibling unlike them.
A single thought, then circuits flared to life around her fist.
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You wanted to almost cry at just how close to ultimate success you were. Soon, you were going to be free of these responsibilities and duties you never asked for. You were finally going to be able to retreat into darkened rooms and laugh maniacally all day without being dragged out for some stupid event or worst, a public appearance. No longer were you going to be the one being shoved into the spotlight, it was going to be you pulling others into the shadows-!
"AH!"
Your blood froze at the sound of a loud crash, and the pained cry that you never wanted to hear again. "Radana? Radana?!" You frantically shouted at the interface. "What's going on-?!"
"So. This is how she was receiving orders from you." Your eyes widened at your sister and you realized she had found the earpiece. Which meant...which meant….! "Sister. It has been a while."
"What have you done?" You whispered, a flame flickering to life within you and growing larger with every passing moment. "You- if you have harmed her-!"
"She has circuits, she will walk it off. But forget about her for now." Even though you were on different planets, you could feel her boring a hole into you with a heated glare. "Let's talk about us, and how I know what you're doing. How disgusting."
"What I'm doing?!" You snarled back and shoved your face closer to the interface. "What madness has overtaken you! Attacking a messenger under the flag of truce?! You're smearing not just your reputation, but that of House Iris as well-!"
"You're still acting all so concerned about that?!" She roared back and spat a curse. "No, enough. I see through your lies, your act, your great deception. I'm not going to let you enslave the Helmsmen like this, you damn outsider. We won't be pawns in your damn schemes no longer!"
Were you capable of properly processing all this information, you were fairly sure you would have picked up on so many inconsistencies with whatever narrative your older sibling had come up with. A series of gross misunderstandings between family that has collected and cascaded into an unstoppable collision between the two of you, your paths crossing to bar the way for one another. Something that perhaps could have been avoided yet deep down, was ultimately inevitable.
Where those on the stars above would follow their ancestors of the earth below and draw blades on one another.
"Sister," Your voice came out frostily and unwavering. "Let Radana go."
"As soon as you hand over the Solarium Codex and leave, never to return." She spat and gave one last final command. "Return from where you came and leave us to pick up what is left. Traitorous outsider." There was a burst of static and then the interface helpfully informed you that the connection was lost. More than likely, your sister had crushed the earpiece in her hands, thinking that she had eliminated the last way for you to contact your subordinate.
Perfect. Well, sort of given how the situation had escalated. At least your sister had swallowed the obvious bait in thinking the earpiece was the grand secret. Swiftly, you had the interface reconfigure to connect to another device and tensely waited. Minutes later, you almost collapsed in relief when a plain text message streamed through.
Ow. Am fine. Ow. Maybe. Being taken somewhere. Will await plan. Ow.
She was okay if she could manage to send a text from her hidden gauntlet armor, but you didn't know how long that would last if your sister ordered a second thorough search of your best friend. It meant that time was of the essence now, and you squared your jaw. "Maybe I don't get it. Maybe I don't understand what's all happening," You told yourself while rising from your office chair. "But it doesn't matter, not anymore. I'm not interested in whatever reasoning my sister has, until she's in cuffs before me.
"I suppose it's time for a little treason." Your hand reached out and hit the confirmation button on a certain posting being displayed by the desk's digital interface. Within moments, a contract was going to be offered, a very specific one for a very specific group you had prepared for this moment.
The emergency contingency for if the situation had escalated like this.
As you reverently donned on your blessed armor, there was a happy little ding when the contract was accepted. You gave it only a single read in passing and then left your office, leaving the words to float in the air for a while longer until the computer fell asleep to conserve energy.
Mercenary contract accepted by: The Knightly Order of the Last Bloom.
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- Thanks to Violet's preparations for the worst here, she has already called up and rallied all her available forces to Andernia IV without needing the usual time to muster a battlegroup up first. I should get rules for that up sometime soon, and strategic campaign movement, there's normally an entire phase dedicated to this but we're skipping ahead because most of it is just single choice work at the moment.
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
So, basically.
They just Hated Violet because she apparently wasn't part of all the games, and they all just assumed it had to be her because of course it had to be the one that Wasn't Part of the Games because none of them would ever conceivably act against Father except maybe that twit who Wasn't Part of them. Except as it turns out, Violet was the only one who absolutely wasn't Involved in the backstabbing, because she's the only one who didn't care about all the games of rulership because she was too busy being a chuuni and wanting to be the Vizier, which is exactly why she got the Codex, because any of his other children could have done the deed, so he could only trust the one who didn't want it.
The delusion levels are absurd, and apparently genetic, just in different ways I guess. Watch it turn out to be "Nobody planned to kill their Father, but all of them tried to back stab each other and had their contingencies that saved them from harm and it all converged in such a way that the only one who actually died was the one person they didn't want to kill."
They just Hated Violet because she apparently wasn't part of all the games, and they all just assumed it had to be her because of course it had to be the one that Wasn't Part of the Games because none of them would ever conceivably act against Father except maybe that twit who Wasn't Part of them. Except as it turns out, Violet was the only one who absolutely wasn't Involved in the backstabbing, because she's the only one who didn't care about all the games of rulership because she was too busy being a chuuni and wanting to be the Vizier, which is exactly why she got the Codex, because any of his other children could have done the deed, so he could only trust the one who didn't want it.
The delusion levels are absurd, and apparently genetic, just in different ways I guess. Watch it turn out to be "Nobody planned to kill their Father, but all of them tried to back stab each other and had their contingencies that saved them from harm and it all converged in such a way that the only one who actually died was the one person they didn't want to kill."
Mmh, somewhat. Have a gander at some mentions I've been dropping for a little bit now.
There's something actually more concrete to why Violet is not like her siblings aside from personal ambitions.
So pretty much
Violet: Being a Solar Queen seems like way too work and attention.
Solar King: A desire to not want it is like the #1 qualification for it among my children.
Violet: ... can I just be the Vizer?
Solar King: Sure you'll just all the lessons to actually run a Helm, and some quality time me with the one child I'm nearly certain won't stab me in the back would be nice.
Solar Princess: Violet never took part in all the petty games for succession, and was an illegitimate child from when Father was working for the Stellarch.
Violet: I'm not losing anyone else precious to me like Daddy to this stupid family strife,
Violet's Subordinates: She is Worthy of the Throne!
Solar Princess: The Outsider schemes for what is above her station.
Another reason is she likely never had so much time away from her father while he was away on campaign to acquire such a privileged view on life as the only ones who can seriously gainsay her is absent, and her siblings are competition.
Violet: Being a Solar Queen seems like way too work and attention.
Solar King: A desire to not want it is like the #1 qualification for it among my children.
Violet: ... can I just be the Vizer?
Solar King: Sure you'll just all the lessons to actually run a Helm, and some quality time me with the one child I'm nearly certain won't stab me in the back would be nice.
Solar Princess: Violet never took part in all the petty games for succession, and was an illegitimate child from when Father was working for the Stellarch.
A Few Moments later
Violet: I'm not losing anyone else precious to me like Daddy to this stupid family strife,
Violet's Subordinates: She is Worthy of the Throne!
Solar Princess: The Outsider schemes for what is above her station.
Another reason is she likely never had so much time away from her father while he was away on campaign to acquire such a privileged view on life as the only ones who can seriously gainsay her is absent, and her siblings are competition.
- Location
- 'Straya mate.
That... I really didn't see that coming. There are so many options for what that could actually mean. The simplest answer is she's a child from "the campaign". A war orphan or maybe the result of a relationship the King had whilst deployed. I suspect the answer will not be a simple one however.
Helmsmen will see this and say "Hell Yeah". You hurt the sweet tea party lady, you have to pay.
She said the line! It's treason time!
I am very, very interested to see who "The Knightly Order of the Last Bloom" are. More veterans I'm guessing. Retired and semi-retired Solarium knights. They also sound like a Regiment. If that's the case, then I can't deny that I am excited to see the peak of Helsmmen Martial prowess in action.
Marching Song of the 1st Andernian Guard
- Location
- 'Straya mate.
It's a long, long way,
To Andernia three.
Under vessel and boots,
'Cross starry seas.
The governor's got the marquis
Under lock and key,
But we'll break her out,
Yes soon you'll see.
For the Princess!
Foooor the house!
There'll be nowhere to hide,
When the guards come about!
Royals!
(Hurrah!)
Put the tyrant in chains,
and set the people free!
It's a long long way,
To Andernia three,
But we'll set her free!
Yes soon you'll see!
-The unofficial theme of the 1st Andernian Guards, Royals Battalion. It first arose, seemingly spontaneously, at the outbreak of the civil conflict in the Andernia system. Traditionally sung without accompaniment, besides the stamping of boots.
The tune has a very odd rhythm but soon proved to be quite popular amongst the armed forces of House Iris as they prepared to remove the appointed governor of the system, the "tyrant" mentioned in the song. Many other branches soon modified the tune to fit. The most common modification was changing "Royals" to the name of the singer's own battalion or vessel.
The armed forces of Violet d'Iris seemed to take particular offense to the betrayal and unlawful capture of "the marquis", the Camellia Knight Radana, by the governor. Sources from the time suggest that she was a popular figure due to her public involvement with several very successful weapons development programs as well as her polite and compassionate disposition.
-Excerpt from "The flower of song: a history of House Iris through music" by Marianne Tiber.
(The first and last verse are kinda to the tune of "It's a long, long way to Ba Sing Se" from Avatar the last Airbender).
To Andernia three.
Under vessel and boots,
'Cross starry seas.
The governor's got the marquis
Under lock and key,
But we'll break her out,
Yes soon you'll see.
For the Princess!
Foooor the house!
There'll be nowhere to hide,
When the guards come about!
Royals!
(Hurrah!)
Put the tyrant in chains,
and set the people free!
It's a long long way,
To Andernia three,
But we'll set her free!
Yes soon you'll see!
-The unofficial theme of the 1st Andernian Guards, Royals Battalion. It first arose, seemingly spontaneously, at the outbreak of the civil conflict in the Andernia system. Traditionally sung without accompaniment, besides the stamping of boots.
The tune has a very odd rhythm but soon proved to be quite popular amongst the armed forces of House Iris as they prepared to remove the appointed governor of the system, the "tyrant" mentioned in the song. Many other branches soon modified the tune to fit. The most common modification was changing "Royals" to the name of the singer's own battalion or vessel.
The armed forces of Violet d'Iris seemed to take particular offense to the betrayal and unlawful capture of "the marquis", the Camellia Knight Radana, by the governor. Sources from the time suggest that she was a popular figure due to her public involvement with several very successful weapons development programs as well as her polite and compassionate disposition.
-Excerpt from "The flower of song: a history of House Iris through music" by Marianne Tiber.
(The first and last verse are kinda to the tune of "It's a long, long way to Ba Sing Se" from Avatar the last Airbender).
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Trent01
A Fountain of Quest Ideas
Captain Hunt withholds a sigh or visible sign of despair. He knew this was coming. So it was. So it would be. The die was cast.
"Comm. Signal Callerya and ground control. Inform both we are returning to dock at New Helm spaceport to take on war supplies and shoreleaved personnel. After resupply completed, advise Callerya to follow suit. Send general notice to all hands we are shifting to a war footing. The next alarm could be a call to battle."
notAperson
May be a bear
- Location
- Earth?
And like many times before, Violet continues to fail upwards.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Sad in a way, but fitting that her siblings misunderstand Violet in the way she blatantly insisted on misunderstanding the... Princess? We haven't gotten names. So far, it's the First Princess, the Brother, and the Other Princess. Might want to fix that, QM.
Well there's always the fact there a bunch of voices in her head that keep nudging her decisions.
...What do you that's not the reason!?
Well, jeeze. The black sheep of the family, the outsider, the adopted, the lady who thrives in the dark, making her mark away from the eyes of others.
All combine to make her the perfect suspect in the eyes of her family. It just, our characterization pick just fits so perfectly with fueling misunderstandings here.
Because, by her nature, she likes setting things up to make 'innocent' actions that kick off chains that cause what she wants, something that her family noticed, but her skills kept much in the dark. Which, when combined with her being the outsider, different, uninvolved in the family politics everyone else was involved in....
Well. The MC was doomed from the very beginning of the quest, because there was no possible way her sister wouldn't have considered the possibility it was all according to her plan. Hell, it wouldn't even have been too out there for her to have enticed the brother to try for a coup, leading to the father and brother dying, and Violet being right there to get the codex by coming in late to help. Which, might end up being a problem when we get dragged into family politics.
Cycles and Battlegroups
Battlegroups are the most commonly recognized form of army organization in civilized space and encompass all three branches of land, air, and space. They are always led by a character and units will typically be assigned to one Battlegroup at a time. This is a necessary method of ensuring general cohesion and coordination between all branches within a solar system, but does have its disadvantages such as having an eventual limit as to how many a single Battlegroup can lead at one time.
Subcycles
There are four Subscycles per Cycle. Each Subcycle is a round of planetary campaign movement or battle round. The actions of a Cycle are executed before the beginning of the first Subcycle. When four Subcycles have passed, a new Cycle begins.
Force Limits and Resource Consumption
This is where characters leading said Battlegroup can come in. They can raise the base value of a Force Limit via their Martial stat, with additional situational increases. A very clear and apparent example of these is being the personal army of a people's leader, such as the head of a House.
Each unit has its own combat value which determines how much Force Limit they take up. This also is the value of how many Resources the unit will consume per Cycle while deployed (not Subcycle). This is applied at the start of a Cycle, specifically before the first Subcycle.
The following lists the usual costs of each type. These can change depending on circumstances or developments.
Regiments: 2
Elites: 4
Airwings: 2
Destroyers: 1
Cruisers: 2
Warships: 4
Galactic and System Travel
The forces of a Battlegroup will always stick together when traveling on the galactic map, but are free to spread around and deploy across planets in a single system. But while transit, they will always gather and rally at a chosen planet to link their FTL systems for simultaneous jumps before departing. Afterwards, they will arrive at their destination which is a target planet of the specified system, and then disperse accordingly.
Travel on the galactic scale is measured in Cycles while travel within a system is in Subcycles. Units will almost always take a single Subcycle to move between planets. Moving units between a planet's orbit to the ground and then about will also each take a Subcycle. This includes planetary invasions, but there are Strategems to modify these rules.
Contested Movement and Retreats
As movement all happens at the same time, it is possible for opposing units to suddenly try to occupy the area or space without realizing it. In such events, there is a chance for battle if neither side wishes to back down. In these cases, both sides are considered to be on the attacking side.
Units can choose to make an ordered retreat though instead of escalating the situations, but only if there is an empty or safe location for them to do so. If there are multiple, it is randomly chosen. This also includes ground units/aircraft retreating to orbit in transport craft, but only if there are no enemy ships around the planet.
In the event that there is no safe retreat, they will then need to make either a resolve to surrender or die fighting.
Subcycles
There are four Subscycles per Cycle. Each Subcycle is a round of planetary campaign movement or battle round. The actions of a Cycle are executed before the beginning of the first Subcycle. When four Subcycles have passed, a new Cycle begins.
Force Limits and Resource Consumption
This is where characters leading said Battlegroup can come in. They can raise the base value of a Force Limit via their Martial stat, with additional situational increases. A very clear and apparent example of these is being the personal army of a people's leader, such as the head of a House.
Each unit has its own combat value which determines how much Force Limit they take up. This also is the value of how many Resources the unit will consume per Cycle while deployed (not Subcycle). This is applied at the start of a Cycle, specifically before the first Subcycle.
The following lists the usual costs of each type. These can change depending on circumstances or developments.
Regiments: 2
Elites: 4
Airwings: 2
Destroyers: 1
Cruisers: 2
Warships: 4
Galactic and System Travel
The forces of a Battlegroup will always stick together when traveling on the galactic map, but are free to spread around and deploy across planets in a single system. But while transit, they will always gather and rally at a chosen planet to link their FTL systems for simultaneous jumps before departing. Afterwards, they will arrive at their destination which is a target planet of the specified system, and then disperse accordingly.
Travel on the galactic scale is measured in Cycles while travel within a system is in Subcycles. Units will almost always take a single Subcycle to move between planets. Moving units between a planet's orbit to the ground and then about will also each take a Subcycle. This includes planetary invasions, but there are Strategems to modify these rules.
Contested Movement and Retreats
As movement all happens at the same time, it is possible for opposing units to suddenly try to occupy the area or space without realizing it. In such events, there is a chance for battle if neither side wishes to back down. In these cases, both sides are considered to be on the attacking side.
Units can choose to make an ordered retreat though instead of escalating the situations, but only if there is an empty or safe location for them to do so. If there are multiple, it is randomly chosen. This also includes ground units/aircraft retreating to orbit in transport craft, but only if there are no enemy ships around the planet.
In the event that there is no safe retreat, they will then need to make either a resolve to surrender or die fighting.
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Cycle 12.3
You stared intensely at the most hated opponent in front of her, the absolute bane of all your ambitions and dreams. You weren't alone, with Dorothea standing firmly and neatly to attention on one side, the Lycoris Knight the image of a stern peacekeeper. The other featured Kat looking far less nervous than normal, the Hyacinth Prism holding her hammer tightly in its place to remain focused instead of breaking down. Both of them were clad in their respective battle attires, the polished plates of solarium-forged armor brightly reflecting the studio lights.
You were as well, and you wished that you could simply complete it with a quick don of the helmet to hide your face. But for the sake of the one who wasn't standing her with you, you forced yourself to keep your face exposed and open to the eyes of those watching. Those who were about to swell in number when the countdown began. You closed your eyes, took in a deep breath, and opened them just in time for the cameras to go live.
Now your face was being transmitted across the Andernia system, a broadcast on all channels to reach as many as possible. It was the stuff of your personal nightmares, that dreaded ability to plaster your face everywhere it could reach in space. Yet you bore with it with clenched hands, willing to brave whatever was needed to get the support you needed to save your best friend.
"To the people of Andernia, to the Helmsmen who have bravely departed their homes and lives to settle in the Frontier, I am Violet d'Iris. I am a daughter of His Late Majesty the Solar King by blood, and have been acting as the unofficial regent in his stead by popular choice of the community leaders on Andernia IV," You began, speaking firmly with an unshakable will. "This is in spite and conflict with the officially appointed governor of Andernia by ceremony, my sister who sits on Andernia III. But in despite such an arrangement, we have been able to live in peace and coexistence for a while, the cycles passing by in a quiet manner that I am sure you would love nothing more than to maintain.
"Yet in spite of these wishes that both you and I share, it would seem reconciliation was but a mere illusion with my sister. A peaceful delegation sent to negotiate and perhaps resolve this unnecessary standoff between regent and governor has been compromised, to the point where the inviolable flag of truce was broken." You let that echo for a moment for the audience to realize what you had just said and draw their own thoughts. "Our lead negotiator was...captured, held against her will, and the demands made for her return are not just unreasonable, but seek to undo all the good we have accomplished together. My sister, the so-called governor of this fledgling colony, sees the works we have wrought, the lives we have built, the joy we have created, and despairs. She rages against the notion of our shared happiness and would rather see us chained to a flawed system she insists upon. One where only unfulfilling labor accompanied by blind loyalty ought to be the all the ample rewards for hard work.
"It is a utilitarian and spartan lifestyle she promotes, one that speaks of a barren lifestyle in a scarce situation. Were it a rational and dire time, it could even be the necessary limits imposed upon to conserve resources, a hard decision that even I would admire." You set your jaw then. "But these are not such times as you yourselves can attest. We are in a rich land, filled with much opportunity and success should you have but the drive to seek it. So then, it is only her own fault that she has such created a situation necessitating the implementation of these unreasonable standards. Lending only more credence that unfortunately, I suspect a form of insanity has overtaken our appointed governor.
"As such, in the event that the person appointed to lead us has been deemed unfit for duty, it is only our natural right to request a dismissal from office!" A hand thrown forwards, the gesture to draw attention to the casus belli for this upcoming announcement. "And when such well-intended requests are overturned, then there is only one recompose, one we cannot take lightly but must act on so: removal via armed force."
"I call upon my sister one last time to end this peacefully." Your hand drifted to your chest in a solemn salute. "It doesn't have to be this way. Release your hostages and reopen dialogue with us. I am sure that we can get you the help you need, whatever it may be. We have already suffered one familial tragedy too many, let us not make it another! But should you proceed down this path, disregarding the hard facts and truth of the situation, then you leave me with no choice.
"I, Violet d'Iris, will call for an armed intervention to secure our future!"
Unlike her sister, the governor of Andernia stood alone at a podium when she made her counter speech. Also unlike her sibling was the tone- instead of a warm and inspirational approach, it was cold and calculated. She had far too little to waste on such unnecessary pleasantries. "Greetings, my beloved citizens of Andernia. You may have heard a mix of slanderous and outlandish claims sprouting from lips of one who claims to be of House Iris, but allow me to be clear: she is not House Iris. She is an outsider who does not deserve to hold her title, let alone any position of power over us.
"I call out to her now and name her for what she is: a bastard of mixed blood!" There was a sliver of genuine anger and outrage creeping in and she tightly gripped the podium. "A scheming rat born from the Solar King's mercies, one she has taken advantage of to sneak into proud House Iris. My siblings and I, the trueborn of His Late Highness in union with our blessed mother, we saw the insidious touch for what it was and called out on it so. A united decision on our part, a rarity for sure but one that only then stresses why she is a true outsider in our eyes.
"Only by the grace of His Late Majesty and her retainers has she been shielded from being unveiled, but now it is crumbling. First, the tragic loss of her 'father.' dare I even suggest we share an iota of blood, and now with the capture of her retainer, we see she is lashing out." The anger receded, replaced by a sinister tone of exuberance. "She knows how close we are to finally pulling off the curtain and showing the galaxy for what she really is. That for whatever blood flows through her veins, whatever circuits she bears, she is not House Iris. She is not a Helmsmen.
"She is a trickster, attempting worm her way into leadership to collar us all. To have her dance to the tune of her and whatever puppetmasters back her, carrying out the terrible destructive orders to subvert House Iris and enslave her people. It would all come to pass, were it not for the fact that I had discovered and striven to take action to protect us all.
"Life out on the Frontier is hard. Life deprived of what who we once was is crippling. Life alone is...lonely." The governor raised her chin slightly. "Yet I believe that it is still a free life that we can then build our future upon and overcome these tumultuous times. So I encourage you all, if you have it in you, please- stand with me and fight to protect the Helmsmen. Keep our memory alive or if need be, do not go gently into the night of that the outsider would bring. We shall reject the false reality she imposes upon us and show her that the legacy of the Iron Flower roars still! That even when our holy past is gone, we can still reclaim our future!"
The respective broadcasts of each Solar Princess were played and repeated throughout Andernia, screened and streamed wherever it could be or listened to for those without such interfaces. It was undeniably a battle of words, a competition to who could declare their cause the worthiest in the eyes of the people and the stars above. But all knew that no matter who they thought to be more just, it wasn't going to be so simple for one to concede to the better argument.
No, they knew how this was going to be resolved in the end, how these disputes have always been throughout human history. The time of peace in distant stars had ended. Now, across the system, throughout the planets, preparations were made.
Grim-faced civilians began to hurriedly pack their belongings into bags, ready to flee at a moment's notice.
Stone-faced soldiers waited in line to board their transport craft, ready to die at a moment's notice.
Stern-faced commanders met with general staffs for tactical discourse, ready to issue orders at a moment's notice.
The time had come. It was time to honor the one true constant of humanity, even after so long from departing Terra. The Helmsmen were at war once again.
Battlegroup Iris Command: 44 +14 (Violet) +0 (Wealth) = 58
Battlegroup Iris has generated two (2) Command Points.
Battlegroup Iris Command Points: 2
Andernia Loyalist Militia Level: 0
Issue up to two (2) stratagems for Battlegroup Iris for this Subcycle.
- Militia level is basically how willing volunteers are at the moment, with a higher value representing the pool of local recruits being exhausted. It will eventually decrease overtime but at a rate of one (1) per Cycle, not Subcycle, so consider wisely.
- Command Points can be saved and pooled up, but only two Stratagems can be activated per Subcycle per Battlegroup.
- Your sister has her own stratagems as well, and they have been written down/locked in. What are they? Well, that's part of the fun about trying to guess what your opponent is doing (though the new Intrigue system will feature the ability to reveal such orders ahead of time).
You were as well, and you wished that you could simply complete it with a quick don of the helmet to hide your face. But for the sake of the one who wasn't standing her with you, you forced yourself to keep your face exposed and open to the eyes of those watching. Those who were about to swell in number when the countdown began. You closed your eyes, took in a deep breath, and opened them just in time for the cameras to go live.
Now your face was being transmitted across the Andernia system, a broadcast on all channels to reach as many as possible. It was the stuff of your personal nightmares, that dreaded ability to plaster your face everywhere it could reach in space. Yet you bore with it with clenched hands, willing to brave whatever was needed to get the support you needed to save your best friend.
"To the people of Andernia, to the Helmsmen who have bravely departed their homes and lives to settle in the Frontier, I am Violet d'Iris. I am a daughter of His Late Majesty the Solar King by blood, and have been acting as the unofficial regent in his stead by popular choice of the community leaders on Andernia IV," You began, speaking firmly with an unshakable will. "This is in spite and conflict with the officially appointed governor of Andernia by ceremony, my sister who sits on Andernia III. But in despite such an arrangement, we have been able to live in peace and coexistence for a while, the cycles passing by in a quiet manner that I am sure you would love nothing more than to maintain.
"Yet in spite of these wishes that both you and I share, it would seem reconciliation was but a mere illusion with my sister. A peaceful delegation sent to negotiate and perhaps resolve this unnecessary standoff between regent and governor has been compromised, to the point where the inviolable flag of truce was broken." You let that echo for a moment for the audience to realize what you had just said and draw their own thoughts. "Our lead negotiator was...captured, held against her will, and the demands made for her return are not just unreasonable, but seek to undo all the good we have accomplished together. My sister, the so-called governor of this fledgling colony, sees the works we have wrought, the lives we have built, the joy we have created, and despairs. She rages against the notion of our shared happiness and would rather see us chained to a flawed system she insists upon. One where only unfulfilling labor accompanied by blind loyalty ought to be the all the ample rewards for hard work.
"It is a utilitarian and spartan lifestyle she promotes, one that speaks of a barren lifestyle in a scarce situation. Were it a rational and dire time, it could even be the necessary limits imposed upon to conserve resources, a hard decision that even I would admire." You set your jaw then. "But these are not such times as you yourselves can attest. We are in a rich land, filled with much opportunity and success should you have but the drive to seek it. So then, it is only her own fault that she has such created a situation necessitating the implementation of these unreasonable standards. Lending only more credence that unfortunately, I suspect a form of insanity has overtaken our appointed governor.
"As such, in the event that the person appointed to lead us has been deemed unfit for duty, it is only our natural right to request a dismissal from office!" A hand thrown forwards, the gesture to draw attention to the casus belli for this upcoming announcement. "And when such well-intended requests are overturned, then there is only one recompose, one we cannot take lightly but must act on so: removal via armed force."
"I call upon my sister one last time to end this peacefully." Your hand drifted to your chest in a solemn salute. "It doesn't have to be this way. Release your hostages and reopen dialogue with us. I am sure that we can get you the help you need, whatever it may be. We have already suffered one familial tragedy too many, let us not make it another! But should you proceed down this path, disregarding the hard facts and truth of the situation, then you leave me with no choice.
"I, Violet d'Iris, will call for an armed intervention to secure our future!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unlike her sister, the governor of Andernia stood alone at a podium when she made her counter speech. Also unlike her sibling was the tone- instead of a warm and inspirational approach, it was cold and calculated. She had far too little to waste on such unnecessary pleasantries. "Greetings, my beloved citizens of Andernia. You may have heard a mix of slanderous and outlandish claims sprouting from lips of one who claims to be of House Iris, but allow me to be clear: she is not House Iris. She is an outsider who does not deserve to hold her title, let alone any position of power over us.
"I call out to her now and name her for what she is: a bastard of mixed blood!" There was a sliver of genuine anger and outrage creeping in and she tightly gripped the podium. "A scheming rat born from the Solar King's mercies, one she has taken advantage of to sneak into proud House Iris. My siblings and I, the trueborn of His Late Highness in union with our blessed mother, we saw the insidious touch for what it was and called out on it so. A united decision on our part, a rarity for sure but one that only then stresses why she is a true outsider in our eyes.
"Only by the grace of His Late Majesty and her retainers has she been shielded from being unveiled, but now it is crumbling. First, the tragic loss of her 'father.' dare I even suggest we share an iota of blood, and now with the capture of her retainer, we see she is lashing out." The anger receded, replaced by a sinister tone of exuberance. "She knows how close we are to finally pulling off the curtain and showing the galaxy for what she really is. That for whatever blood flows through her veins, whatever circuits she bears, she is not House Iris. She is not a Helmsmen.
"She is a trickster, attempting worm her way into leadership to collar us all. To have her dance to the tune of her and whatever puppetmasters back her, carrying out the terrible destructive orders to subvert House Iris and enslave her people. It would all come to pass, were it not for the fact that I had discovered and striven to take action to protect us all.
"Life out on the Frontier is hard. Life deprived of what who we once was is crippling. Life alone is...lonely." The governor raised her chin slightly. "Yet I believe that it is still a free life that we can then build our future upon and overcome these tumultuous times. So I encourage you all, if you have it in you, please- stand with me and fight to protect the Helmsmen. Keep our memory alive or if need be, do not go gently into the night of that the outsider would bring. We shall reject the false reality she imposes upon us and show her that the legacy of the Iron Flower roars still! That even when our holy past is gone, we can still reclaim our future!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The respective broadcasts of each Solar Princess were played and repeated throughout Andernia, screened and streamed wherever it could be or listened to for those without such interfaces. It was undeniably a battle of words, a competition to who could declare their cause the worthiest in the eyes of the people and the stars above. But all knew that no matter who they thought to be more just, it wasn't going to be so simple for one to concede to the better argument.
No, they knew how this was going to be resolved in the end, how these disputes have always been throughout human history. The time of peace in distant stars had ended. Now, across the system, throughout the planets, preparations were made.
Grim-faced civilians began to hurriedly pack their belongings into bags, ready to flee at a moment's notice.
Stone-faced soldiers waited in line to board their transport craft, ready to die at a moment's notice.
Stern-faced commanders met with general staffs for tactical discourse, ready to issue orders at a moment's notice.
The time had come. It was time to honor the one true constant of humanity, even after so long from departing Terra. The Helmsmen were at war once again.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Battlegroup Iris Consumption: 4 (Regiments) +2 (Ships) = 6
Cycle Resources: 30 -6 = 24/30
Cycle Resources: 30 -6 = 24/30
Battlegroup Iris Command: 44 +14 (Violet) +0 (Wealth) = 58
Battlegroup Iris has generated two (2) Command Points.
Battlegroup Iris Command Points: 2
Andernia Loyalist Militia Level: 0
Issue up to two (2) stratagems for Battlegroup Iris for this Subcycle.
[ ] Plan ____
-[ ] Stratagem
-[ ] Stratagem
-[ ] Stratagem
-[ ] Stratagem
-[ ] [Stratagem] Raise Supporters. Announce to all that it is not too late to join the fight. That all hands are welcomed, should they but heed the call of duty and enlist in a scratch unit to quickly arm themselves with whatever they can. Cost is equal to the current Militia Level. Will increase Militia level by one (1). Spawns free Militia units on a city (ground/air) or in orbit (navy).
--[ ] Requires Specification (Ground/Air/Navy)
--[ ] Requires Controlled Planet
-[ ] [Stratagem] Stir Hearts. Give bombastic and optimistic projections, while also reminding the locals of the hardships suffered at the hands of the opposition. Sow the seeds for further local support. Costs two (2) Command Points. Will decrease current Militia Level depending on chance.
-[ ] [Stratagem] Discourage Dissidents. Broadcast on all frequencies and all stations that the current conflict is not worth dying for. It is better for those prospective patriots on the opposing side to stay at home and watch from the sidelines to see how it all unfolds. Costs two (2) Command Points. Will increase the opposing side's Militia Level depending on chance.
-[ ] [Stratagem] Transit Overtime. Optimize and micromanage the timetables of transport craft going between orbit and atmosphere, forcing as much efficiency out of the system as possible. They must run on time. Costs two (2) Command Points. Units can move between orbit and ground for free this Subcycle.
-[ ] [Stratagem] Hidden Paths. Utilize all available scouting teams and local liaisons to find new hidden pathways on planets to open up a new dimension of campaign movement. Take the initiative with rapid relocation. Costs one (1) Command Points. Units on this planet can move two (2) planetary spaces this turn.
--[ ] Requires Target Planet
-[ ] [Stratagem] Underway Repairs. Go over and redo patchwork repairs with more well-put together fixes, preparing ships for more engagements without needing to retreat to a dockyard. Engineers will work overtime to glue their hosts back together, perhaps even still even doing so while battle is about to be joined. Costs two (2) Command Points and ten (10) Resources. All ships in orbit around this planet regenerate 2d10 Hull immediately (minimum six (6)).
--[ ] Requires Target Planet
-[ ] [Stratagem] Informed Strike. Have intelligence officers pour over and carefully mark out local targets of high importance. Then pass it down to sure pilots to get rid of. Costs two (2) Command Points. Directed Airstrikes this Subcycle on this planet gain a +10 Modifier.
--[ ] Requires Target Planet
--[ ] Requires Specification (Ground/Air/Navy)
--[ ] Requires Controlled Planet
-[ ] [Stratagem] Stir Hearts. Give bombastic and optimistic projections, while also reminding the locals of the hardships suffered at the hands of the opposition. Sow the seeds for further local support. Costs two (2) Command Points. Will decrease current Militia Level depending on chance.
-[ ] [Stratagem] Discourage Dissidents. Broadcast on all frequencies and all stations that the current conflict is not worth dying for. It is better for those prospective patriots on the opposing side to stay at home and watch from the sidelines to see how it all unfolds. Costs two (2) Command Points. Will increase the opposing side's Militia Level depending on chance.
-[ ] [Stratagem] Transit Overtime. Optimize and micromanage the timetables of transport craft going between orbit and atmosphere, forcing as much efficiency out of the system as possible. They must run on time. Costs two (2) Command Points. Units can move between orbit and ground for free this Subcycle.
-[ ] [Stratagem] Hidden Paths. Utilize all available scouting teams and local liaisons to find new hidden pathways on planets to open up a new dimension of campaign movement. Take the initiative with rapid relocation. Costs one (1) Command Points. Units on this planet can move two (2) planetary spaces this turn.
--[ ] Requires Target Planet
-[ ] [Stratagem] Underway Repairs. Go over and redo patchwork repairs with more well-put together fixes, preparing ships for more engagements without needing to retreat to a dockyard. Engineers will work overtime to glue their hosts back together, perhaps even still even doing so while battle is about to be joined. Costs two (2) Command Points and ten (10) Resources. All ships in orbit around this planet regenerate 2d10 Hull immediately (minimum six (6)).
--[ ] Requires Target Planet
-[ ] [Stratagem] Informed Strike. Have intelligence officers pour over and carefully mark out local targets of high importance. Then pass it down to sure pilots to get rid of. Costs two (2) Command Points. Directed Airstrikes this Subcycle on this planet gain a +10 Modifier.
--[ ] Requires Target Planet
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- This is by no means the final list of stratagems, only the ones that I am relatively confident about starting out with at the moment. You can get future stratagems with civic-focused research and I actually wouldn't mind suggestions for more. The general guideline is that it usually is something that would be of more immediate consideration on the strategic layer, such as reinforcing soldiers or specific bonuses. Generally avoid giving a specific stat a buff, and more a general new worry.- Militia level is basically how willing volunteers are at the moment, with a higher value representing the pool of local recruits being exhausted. It will eventually decrease overtime but at a rate of one (1) per Cycle, not Subcycle, so consider wisely.
- Command Points can be saved and pooled up, but only two Stratagems can be activated per Subcycle per Battlegroup.
- Your sister has her own stratagems as well, and they have been written down/locked in. What are they? Well, that's part of the fun about trying to guess what your opponent is doing (though the new Intrigue system will feature the ability to reveal such orders ahead of time).
12 hour moratorium to assemble a general staff.
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Trent01
A Fountain of Quest Ideas
Off to war. And yet, notably without any options explicitly about taking troops and ships and throwing them at Andernia III. Is that being left for a subcycle? Or are we needing to procure transports?
As bad as things are, I am not inclined to take the first hit. We got three planets, they got one. We can't be on the defensive here or caught in a two-front war. Lets take the fight to her, or at least poke the monster and see if those armed colony ships are juggernauts we need to be wary of. And we got a cap of 5 cycles to actually get this war over with.
Regardless, I think we have decent army and fleet, what we need are aerospace support and something to bring them to war with. And if that means converted freighters bringing old-antique aerospace craft like the ones the sister has, so be it. Gotta start from somewhere.
[ ] Plan: To Arms Militia!
-[ ] [Stratagem] Raise Supporters.
--[ ] Requires Specification (Air)
--[ ] Requires Controlled Planet (Andernia IV)
-[ ] [Stratagem] Raise Supporters.
--[ ] Requires Specification (Navy- Priority to Hangar-equipped/improvised ships)
--[ ] Requires Controlled Planet (Andernia IV)
As bad as things are, I am not inclined to take the first hit. We got three planets, they got one. We can't be on the defensive here or caught in a two-front war. Lets take the fight to her, or at least poke the monster and see if those armed colony ships are juggernauts we need to be wary of. And we got a cap of 5 cycles to actually get this war over with.
Regardless, I think we have decent army and fleet, what we need are aerospace support and something to bring them to war with. And if that means converted freighters bringing old-antique aerospace craft like the ones the sister has, so be it. Gotta start from somewhere.
[ ] Plan: To Arms Militia!
-[ ] [Stratagem] Raise Supporters.
--[ ] Requires Specification (Air)
--[ ] Requires Controlled Planet (Andernia IV)
-[ ] [Stratagem] Raise Supporters.
--[ ] Requires Specification (Navy- Priority to Hangar-equipped/improvised ships)
--[ ] Requires Controlled Planet (Andernia IV)
- Location
- 'Straya mate.
Ah so Wealth affects command points as well. It really is the best stat. I wonder how that will work when we're campaigning away from our own territory.
This seems like a completely valid plan. Honestly could be a wise one too. On that note: Celeshiro can air wings be moved with transports? i.e. if we only intend to use them planetside and not during the actual landing/battle.
I have also realized something. Since Destroyers are meant to screen invasion forces, I would guess that most destroyers are equipped with turret defenses so they can ward off defending air wings. If that's true, it would mean that gun-weapons would be the better choice for vessels designed to kill destroyers. Like cruisers.
In terms of Stratagem options, maybe one that sabotaged future enemy Stratagem generation? "Assasinate Command Staff" or something like that?
Also, is there any mechanical reason that we couldn't create a separate battlegroup with Dorothea so we could generate more Command points? I know that Violet will have better bonuses in direct combat but it does seem like the ability to take more actions per subcycle could be worth splitting off a Regiment or something. I'm guessing that's not the intent of the system however.
[ ] Plan: Minimize the bloodshed.
-[ ] [Stratagem] Discourage Dissidents. Broadcast on all frequencies and all stations that the current conflict is not worth dying for. It is better for those prospective patriots on the opposing side to stay at home and watch from the sidelines to see how it all unfolds. Costs two (2) Command Points. Will increase the opposing side's Militia Level depending on chance.
I understand people wish to scale up our Militia involvement and to prepare more for the conflict. I want the conflict to end. As soon as possible. Minimize the number of people involved and the number of people that will die. I genuinely think we stand a good chance at defeating her now. As such I want to act before the number of civilians caught in this conflict can grow any higher than it has too. Keep her people at home - and finish the fight as soon as possible.
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- Location
- Wollongong, Australia
Hasn't the general strategy she's displayed so far been various forms and degrees of 'do it or die'? I'd expect her to have more than a few strategems allowing her to bull past her Militia Level.
Ground and air units will automatically be put on transport craft when directed to head to orbit (and if Hanger-capable units are specified to not transfer to an open ship).
This is right now the Stratagem phase that all Battlegroups begin their respective Subcycle turn in, moving units comes after whatever tactics are revealed by you and by the enemy. I'll get a visual up soon but all your current forces are already in orbit around Andernia IV.
It would have its own pool of Command Points and its own forces if you wanted to do that. Also characters actively leading a Battlegroup are considered busy and cannot be tasked with regular Cycle actions.
In this scenario and the vast majority of situations, it would be quite unnecessary.
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Only one Raise Supporters action per Subcycle please. Cuz raising multiple militia in one Subcycle is going to make everything very blobby. I should probably also clarify that ground/air will spawn in a city with navy spawning in orbit.
- Location
- 'Straya mate.
[ ] Plan: Alpha Strike
--[ ] [Stratagem] Transit Overtime. Optimize and micromanage the timetables of transport craft going between orbit and atmosphere, forcing as much efficiency out of the system as possible. They must run on time. Costs two (2) Command Points. Units can move between orbit and ground for free this Subcycle.
So if I understand this correctly, this stratagem will allow us to deploy to her planet immediately. My thinking is as follows: It takes a subcycle to transit between planets, and between orbit and planetside. We move our regiments into orbit, if they aren't already, and our whole battlegroup to Andernia III. We get the free movement down to planetside this subcycle, and launch the ground invasion either this subcycle (by basically landing just outside the city) or next subcycle.
Don't forget that her regiments are three quarters Militia by volume. If they work like regular Militia then she only has like, half a Regiment, until she raises Militia. I don't think there's any guarantee she had those colony ships ready either. I mean we've not seen them in orbit at least. And I am confident that we have her thoroughly trounced on the ground war - air units aside. As far as we know there's nothing saying that our destroyers can't bombard the airports before the ground battle commences.
If we win both battles, I think the war might genuinely be done in a single subcycle. Which, as a little bonus, would be a hell of a thing to have on Violet's record. It also means Radana is free as quickly as possible, assuming she is still relatively okay.
EDIT: As an aside Celeshiro, do we know what type of weapons her ground forces are using? From back when we did the military espionage? Not necessarily the stats just whether they're battle rifles or more long range, that kind of thing.
EDIT: Also in regards to Stratagem again.
Lay ambush: allows you to start a battle already on the field.
Sabotage/Raid supply lines: Cut out some of the enemy's resource stockpile.
Lay traps: Start a battle with the enemy already damaged, or possibly making a military/Martial reaction roll to avoid damage. This one could work in space as well with, like, mine fields or accelerating asteroids towards the enemy formation before battle.
--[ ] [Stratagem] Transit Overtime. Optimize and micromanage the timetables of transport craft going between orbit and atmosphere, forcing as much efficiency out of the system as possible. They must run on time. Costs two (2) Command Points. Units can move between orbit and ground for free this Subcycle.
So if I understand this correctly, this stratagem will allow us to deploy to her planet immediately. My thinking is as follows: It takes a subcycle to transit between planets, and between orbit and planetside. We move our regiments into orbit, if they aren't already, and our whole battlegroup to Andernia III. We get the free movement down to planetside this subcycle, and launch the ground invasion either this subcycle (by basically landing just outside the city) or next subcycle.
Don't forget that her regiments are three quarters Militia by volume. If they work like regular Militia then she only has like, half a Regiment, until she raises Militia. I don't think there's any guarantee she had those colony ships ready either. I mean we've not seen them in orbit at least. And I am confident that we have her thoroughly trounced on the ground war - air units aside. As far as we know there's nothing saying that our destroyers can't bombard the airports before the ground battle commences.
If we win both battles, I think the war might genuinely be done in a single subcycle. Which, as a little bonus, would be a hell of a thing to have on Violet's record. It also means Radana is free as quickly as possible, assuming she is still relatively okay.
EDIT: As an aside Celeshiro, do we know what type of weapons her ground forces are using? From back when we did the military espionage? Not necessarily the stats just whether they're battle rifles or more long range, that kind of thing.
EDIT: Also in regards to Stratagem again.
Lay ambush: allows you to start a battle already on the field.
Sabotage/Raid supply lines: Cut out some of the enemy's resource stockpile.
Lay traps: Start a battle with the enemy already damaged, or possibly making a military/Martial reaction roll to avoid damage. This one could work in space as well with, like, mine fields or accelerating asteroids towards the enemy formation before battle.
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
Hmm. We also have confirmation - Violet is a legitimized bastard, not born of the Solar Queen - and it seems of a foreign mother. So her siblings loathed her on principle for that alone.
It sounds like they're using the old seized weapons rather than their own production - although I might be mistaken.