(Construct Post (Sunrise Bank-Bastion): 39 +17 (Kat) +11 (Wealth) = 67)
Progress: 5/4. Completed!
A Sunrise Bank has been built in Bastion, increasing Wealth by three (3) and decreasing Resources by one (1).
The harried individual rushed up to the teller, eyes wild while they hastily produced their identification. "All my credits, now!" They insisted. "And don't you dare keep any of it-!"
"Of course," The bank worker smoothly told and tapped at their interface. A few minutes later, they nodded and glanced over at the stunned customer. "Would you like in hard or digital form? We can offer either, whatever is convenient."
"...hard. I...I have a feeling that there's going to be a crisis." While the teller busied themselves with disappearing into the backroom, the panicked former client whirled about and shouted to others who were there on business as well. "That goes for all of you! If you know what's good for you, get your money and run before the institution collapses! All of it, don't give them a single credit! They don't deserve your money and your trust!"
"Here you go," The teller helpfully chirped and placed a briefcase onto the counter between them. "All your credits, in hard money form. Good for wherever you decide to go in the galaxy. We thank you for being a loyal customer all these years, and would like to ask you leave before security has to escort you out."
There was another moment of staggered disbelief, then they yanked at the case and disappeared. The other bank clients watched them flee, then shrugged to return to their business with slightly more assurance than before. It spoke well of Sunrise Banks to simply weather such an unusual transaction with nary a blink, and the ability to promptly present their money on demand was most considerate. Faith was the cornerstone of business after all.
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(Construct Chain (Lycoris Sanctuary-Bastion): 73 +7 (Dorothea) +11 (Wealth) = 91)
Progress: 5/4. Completed!
A Lycoris Sanctuary has been built in Bastion, increasing Influence by ten (10) and decreasing Wealth by four (4).
The worship of solarium and the knowledge to make it so was a curious practicing faith for the Helmsmen. They typically did not erect places of worship such like churches to show their devotion, but rather repurposed existing facilities of learning and enlightenment to do so instead. Their most esoteric and revered rituals as well only revolved around the practical objects of their belief such as the Solarium Codex, leaving many outside experts scratching at their head at just how worship is actually carried out.
Surprisingly and honestly rather constructively, demonstrating faith for the Helmsmen is to demonstrate a willingness to learn. A spiritual hunger to learn more about the world about them, to understand the workings of the universe itself with the energy of a thousand burning stars that never could be extinguished. It was why those who showed critical aptitude for technical knowledge were swiftly elevated and tracked to becoming a Prism, a guaranteed way of elevating one's own status almost immediately by becoming worthy of understanding how to make solarium.
For those who did not possess the natural genius required, then the Brilliance Knights were open for those who did still possess the burning drive to at least protect the knowledge they worshiped. A sacred duty that often times was passed through families, the oldest of which being none other than House Iris. But then, what were those who did not qualify for either? How could they demonstrate their faith for the stars above that they entrust their future with?
It was a curious thing that did trouble many around the beginning of the worship, but a method was eventually devised and subtly encouraged by their people's leaders. A belief in that while knowledge was sacred, the labor to attain it so was equally valued so. Hard work was seen as an adequate manner of supplication for those without gifts, and through it do could the people attain at least some sort of inner peace with themselves.
To encourage this spiritual satisfaction then, it was the duty of Lycoris Knights to ensure that communities were healthy and hale. It was the gift of those blessed back to those mundane, the ease of access to a trusted counselor who also could be a guardian warrior in a heartbeat. Little wonder then that one could claim to feel wholly at ease when stepping into the Lycoris Sanctuary in Bastion, feeling safe both physically and spiritually with blessed individuals willing to come forth and help however they can.
And they would do it with a quiet smile, for it was their chosen oath to do so.
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(System Expedition (Asenmach): 20 +10 (Violet) +11 (Wealth) = 41)
Progress: 4/8. In Progress.
The initial surveys of the Asenmach system indicated a system that correlated with probably the upper fifty percentile of all known colonized systems of humanity. Three identified planets were noted as having conditions suitable for settlement, but subsequent scans strongly suggested that extreme hazards were present. As to what they exactly are, the expedition team was there to find out and document.
They landed first on Asenmach III and stepped out to find an environment not too unlike that of Andernia III. If anything it was slightly cooler, the molten magma seas slightly cooling to form at least a thin crust of foundation to cover up the core within. However, tests indicated that the crust could be broken under high duress and stress, so special care would need to be taken when heavy construction came to the planet. A headache, but a workable one.
Then the researchers looked at Asenmach II and began to violently swear, hoping that somebody among them remembered protective corrosion gear. It would be quite shameful to need to return home and pick those up, but in their defense, acid planets usually were only identified when within actual testing range. You simply sighed and began to check for a way to sneak in some said suits for their mid-journey care package.
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(Goodwill Mission (House Archon): 62 +16 (Radana) +11 (Wealth) = 89)
Progress: 5/4. Completed.
House Iris has gained five (5) Goodwill with House Archon.
These Helmsmen were a little bit too curious about everything, thought the traveling merchant,
but their credits are good, which matters more in the end. I can already imagine what others back home will pay for these imports from another universe!
They looked over their newly stocked crates with a happy expression beneath their googles, thinking about how profitable this risky venture had been. A few had been apprehensive about approaching their sudden new neighbors, but it had always been those of House Archon who plunged headfirst into the unknown to discover true greatness and glory. Riches too, can't forget about that! In the end, this trip was going to be absolutely worth all the trouble-
The sudden buzz of the ship intercom's system jolted the merchant out of their internal celebration and they frowned, sure they had put up a 'sold out' sign out on their empty trade platform. Grumbling about people who couldn't take the hint, they ducked back outside their ship, harsh words on their lips which promptly died out at the sight of a beaming woman. "Greetings. I was hoping to perhaps catch you for one final conversation before your departure," Radana suggested with a measured smile.
"I'm in a hurry," The merchant gruffly told and made to turn away, only to pause when the retainer of House Iris suddenly palmed a stick of hard credits from her inner sleeve and waggled it about. It was kept out of arm's reach though, a tempting payment for something. "...be brief."
"Thank you. I was hoping that you would be interested in bringing some additional cargo back home to deliver to a representative of House Archon." She turned to a nearby guard who immediately presented the lady with a small chest that she showed to the merchant. "It is a gift to reciprocate the thoughtful welcome presented to us at the coronation ceremony. If you would like, you may check it now to see it is no danger."
The merchant thought on it a moment, then nodded. It was a free payday for just moving some stuff about, and it probably was just a simple sentimental offering like a book. Something that they could lightly toss at the trade officer and let them kick up the chain-
The chest was opened and the merchant's eyes widened at the brilliant sight housed within. "I believe that your people are somewhat practical and straightforward about the value of gifts. So we will make this clear and very forward as well, a collection of specialty computer chips manufactured by and purchased from House Sol. We do not possess the necessary engineering qualifications to make it ourselves unfortunately, so I do hope you will forgive us for choosing to do a more extravagant than heartfelt gift."
There was a very dry swallow of the throat. "It's a very...expensive and welcomed gift, I daresay," The merchant hoarsely told and almost wanted to lunge for it the moment the chest was closed. "I-I would be honored if you entrusted it to me so."
"Good. Ah, but please wait a moment." Radana flipped the container towards her and discretely dialed in a code that had a loud lock snapping inside from within. This was matched by an unseen bug glowing in the darkness, now tracking the shipment's location. "There. It is now sealed and cannot be opened until the right combination is entered. Should it be attempted to be forced open, the contents will be lost and we will know. So instead, please concern yourself with delivering it to a representative of House Archon and request them to contact us then for the code."
Internally, the merchant cursed at the extensive and well-thought out security. There went their hopes of playing both sides. Glumly, they accepted the package and grumbled out a promise to keep it somewhere safe while in transit. They could only hope now that the delivery was going to be smooth and done with, hopefully without the elders deciding they were going to be the envoy they sent back next!
What a terrible trip, they certainly should've gone on another route instead...
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- There's a little bit more after this, the turn's not yet over. You aren't the only actors on stage.
