The Reluctant Vassal's Guide to Living in the Frontier (with some Treason)

[Celeshiro]

United Strength
"The United Empire, humanity's greatest civilization among the stars! Through the vision set by the First Stellarch of House Sol, we rise from the Age of Troubles stronger and better together. Our bonds of fellowship and unity make us strong enough to overcome whatever comes our way. Trust in your fellow citizen and work hand in hand for a better tomorrow!"
- Pro-United Empire propaganda

Free to Live
"To be a member of the Free States is to be a member of those who do not go gently into the night. The hardship of the Age of Toubles was a shared trial that we emerged all the better from it, each possessing a colorful streak to add to the wonderful tapestry of humanity's journey to the stars. Respect and welcome one another for the blessed life we all share freely in."
-Pro-Free States propaganda

Freedom of Exploitation
"The illusion of freedom presented by the Free States is a deception, a lie to suppress the voice of lesser members. They profess to speak in the name of liberty, but the average member posses fewer chances to pursue what they wish if not under the 'generous' patronage of their council. They extort vast tributes to bring war to the the doorstep of innocents, to shove the gunbarrel of what they call freedom in your face and tell you to be grateful- you're being freed. Whether you like it or not."
-Anti-Free States propaganda

United Tyranny
"It should be clear to all that the United Empire is just as its name suggests- a despotic imperial institution that feeds itself through colonial parasitism. The Stellarch is a false prophet, a fake moniker of peace that says it comes from obeying the directions of bloated lords far from true hardship. They wish to collar and shackle humanity in the name of order, and take away what you hold dear. There is no point in diplomacy or negotiation with them- they want what you have, and they won't take 'no' for an answer."
-Anti-United Empire propaganda

 

[Celeshiro]

Scheduled vote count started by Celeshiro on Nov 4, 2024 at 11:05 PM, finished with 13 posts and 4 votes.

• ---

  3 people have voted

  [X] Plan P3P2: Slow Roll
  -[X] [Character] Radana, Camellia Knight
  --[X] [Diplomacy] Request Favor. Make use of your garnered goodwill to request a simple and plain boon from another, a way to even the scales on both ends. Requires four (4) progress. Cost varies.
  ---[X] House Archon
  ----[X] Trade Agreement. A simple handshake to allow goods to flow just a bit easier between peoples.
  -----[X] Bastion
  -[X] [Character] Kat, Hyacinth Prism
  --[X] [Stewardship] Production Retool. Instead of building entirely new factories, spend time reworking existing production lines to refit to new kits. Cost varies. Will be more time-consuming the more different the swap is.
  ---[X] New Helm
  ----[X] Solar Drydock (Wisteria-Class) -> Solar Drydock (Corona-Class)
  -[X] [Character] Violet d'Iris, Solar Queen
  --[X] [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.
  ---[X] Calenwyrm II C
  ---[X] Prydwen Serol
  -[X] [Character] Dorothea, Lycoris Knight
  --[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] Kingsdream
  ----[X] Sunrise Bank. Accounts now guaranteed under government-subsidized insurance! Open an account today, withdraw your money a galaxy away! Increases Wealth by three (3). Decreases Resources by one (1). Requires four (4) progress.

  • Lukepop
  • KarmaA
  • SCPAIC

  1 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Gift of Spies
  -[X] [Character] Violet d'Iris, Solar Princess
  --[X] [Intrigue] Infiltrate Spies. Send in covert agents to infiltrate a faction's bureaucracy or hierarchy, either individual spies or teams of operatives working together to begin a plot. Increases Spy count in target faction by two (2). Requires four (4) progress.
  ---[X] House Archon
  -[X] [Character] Radana, Camellia Knight
  --[X] [Diplomacy] Goodwill Mission. Send diplomats armed and equipped with some expensive gifts to another in hopes of improving a positive relationship with them. Generate five (5) Goodwill with another faction. Requires four (4) progress.
  ---[X] House Orochi
  -[X] [Character] Kat, Hyacinth Prism
  --[X] [Learning] Awaken Solarium. The unique material of your people has strong cultural and religious significance owing to its empowering nature. Work with it now to unlock more of its potential for exploitation. Research option. Cost varies.
  -----[X] Civic
  -[X] [Character] Dorothea, Lycoris Knight

  • KingCrimson1081

 

[Celeshiro]

Spoiler: Vote Results

[X] Plan P3P2: Slow Roll

(Production Retool (New Helm): 28 +17 (Kat) +13 (Andernia) = 58)

Progress: 2/8. In Progress.

The dockyard manager looked over the many new faces chatting among themselves, each of them fresh and eager hires for the coming expansion process. They cleared their throat loudly to gain their attention and gestured for the room's lights to dim. "Good day, or good evening everybody. There's not much difference for that out here, only work hours and off hours." That earned a laugh to help ease the tension. "I hope you all had a good trip up here. Welcome to your new workplace. Let's start going through orientation and on-boarding, then I'll give you a tour of our facility. Do mind the construction, I'm told it's quite loud. At least we can't hear that in space!"

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(Found City (Prydwen Serol): 20 +10 (Violet) +7 (Calenwyrm) = 37)

Progress: 2/4. In Progress.

Kingsdream, now fully established, was beginning to hit its stride as a popular tourist destination. An aggressive marketing campaign helped propel it to be in the mind of many who lived in the Core. The natural allure of the Frontier was definitely in full force to help draw these rich visitors, bolstered by the fact that House Iris had purposefully built more beneath the waves to preserve the shoreline view.

Yet with all these fancy folk coming down and expressing just how quaint everything was, commenting on the way these people from the 'lower' Houses lived, some of the original settlers grew dissatisfied. They had liked the idea of a vacation home, but the reality of having so many from afar go through their streets and point at everything as 'native quirks' did annoy them so. Maybe it was the honeymoon period fading, when the reality of living of a travel destination set in.

So you began to gather them up, hinting at an opportunity to live the idyllic environment without the incessant travelers. The cost would be needing to actually do some work in exchange, perhaps even hard labor instead of customer service. An exchange that some would balk at.

But for those who had dared struck out already for Calenwyrm from Andernia, it had been what was already expected of them. So they readied to build yet another city.

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(Construct Post (Kingsdream- Sunrise Bank): 37 +7 (Dorothea) +7 (Calenwyrm) = 51)

Progress: 2/4. In Progress.

Dorothea could hear them before she saw them. "What do you mean you won't take my credits? These are accredited and backed by one of the most prestigious financial institutions on Pluto. Pluto, the economic hub of the United Empire!"

The poor vendor could only stutter out the same explanation. "W-while it could very well be backed by House Sol, our systems aren't connected or linked. We ask for you to please first get them backed up by a financial system hosted by House Iris."

The tourist looked ready to explode again until Dorothea stepped up and calmly cleared her throat, the noise augmented by her Guardian suit's speakers. They still whipped around and looked ready to yell about this inconvenience to their vacation, only to falter at the sight of the armored Lycoris Knight. She used that moment to inject her casual suggestion, "I think it's best if we resolve this quietly and calmly so as to not bother anybody else enjoying their trip. Would you kindly step to the side here? I'm sure we can come to a solution if we think about this rationally."

The upset guest from afar could only mumble a vague agreement and follow.

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(Request Favor (Trade Agreement- Archon): 29 +16 (Radana) +13 (Andernia) = 58)

Progress: 2/6. In Progress.

"Finally!" The merchant crowed and clasped the amused lady's hands. "I don't mean to offend, but I have been waiting all this while for this courier business to finally give me something back. I would be honored to accept it so!"

"I see," Radana commented with a patient smile. "Do be warned though that I intend on giving out this tax exemption to others in time. So I would encourage you make use of it then."

"I will! Alright, let's buy low in House Iris and sell high in House Archon! And vice versa! Huzzah for free trade!"

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- Eesh. Rolls weren't good this time round. This might get interesting with an upcoming roll I plan on doing for House Orochi's ongoing troubles.

 

[Lukepop]

Spoiler: Probable typos

(Request Favor (Trade Agreement- Archon): 29 +16 (Radana) +13 (Andernia) = 58)

Progress: 2/4. In Progress.

Click to shrink...

The action "Request Favor" still reads that they take four (4) progress but this favour is one of the few that takes six (6) progress.

bolstered by the fact that House Iris had purposefully built the beneath the waves to preserve the shoreline view.

Click to shrink...

This is probably meant to read "built the Coral Parade beneath" or something similar.

Shame about all those rolls but sometimes it just goes like that. Radana is guaranteed to finish next cycle at least, and Violet and Dorothea both have a very good chance to as well. I think I've changed my mind and would have preferred to rush the Cruiser, but that was always very contentious for me. I hope that Orochi stuff doesn't swing back on us.

Thank you for the update Celeshiro!

EDIT: Radana actually needs four (4) progress next cycle so she only has about a 1 in 4 chance of finishing next cycle.

 

[JohnDoe22]

Thank you for the chapter! Really love when this quest updates!

 

[Celeshiro]

Shame about all those rolls but sometimes it just goes like that. Radana is guaranteed to finish next cycle at least, and Violet and Dorothea both have a very good chance to as well. I think I've changed my mind and would have preferred to rush the Cruiser, but that was always very contentious for me. I hope that Orochi stuff doesn't swing back on us.

Click to shrink...

Thanks for the fixes! Speaking of Orochi, let's do that dice roll here then. With its ongoing militia crisis and embarrassments, Orochi's military actually faces a credible threat they have to smack down. If they can't, then the reclamation of Kelon is definitely in question for them. Rolling against their Military score here, so lower is better.

Celeshiro threw 1 100-faced dice. Reason: A Nation's Test Total: 81

 

[Lukepop]

... are Orochi getting beaten up by their own people? You call yourself a Great House? Lmao.

EDIT: Please ignore that whole conflict we started the quest with. Completely different. For real. Serious.

 

[Celeshiro]

(A Nation's Test...)

The capital of House Orochi was located in the Miloux system, a surprisingly humble and remote couple of planets whose only boast was their robust habitability. Vibrant and vivid flora blossom in the vast jungles and forests on the planets, a colorful tropical environment that lends itself well to growth. The settlers from the Age of Exploration took this as a sign, to specialize in farming genetically engineered crops that would grow and bear much fruit.

Later on, the survivors from the Age of Troubles would extend this philosophy to their very own bodies. To grow and flourish for as long as they can, leaving behind the very best seeds for the next generation to bloom into their own as well. That was what their people genuinely believed, and so only those who could offer the greatest legacy were permitted to take command rule. In this case, it would be the bloodline of the one who had led them to finally defeat the era of pirate raiding and into the significant power they were now in the United Empire.

Stagnation was death. Improvement was life.

These were the two pillars that held up their society and now, it could be what led to a great fracturing.

Within their fortress-home on their capital, the members of House Orochi were gathering in their family's seat of power. It was primarily their senior and older members, sprinkled in with a few promising candidates worthy of elevation. The younger members were, for the most part, excluded and only permitted to stay in the grand hall for a few minutes before reluctantly leaving, deemed so far unworthy of leaving a lasting mark. For it was the former battleground upon which their great ancestor had slain the leader of those raiders, proving that their pursuit of ever-growing strength was not a senseless obsession- it had been all worth it to free the next generation into the Age of Unification.

So now, when said pursuit was seemingly beginning to act against them, there were the starts of a moral crisis to their philosophy. Internal discontent and rebel uprisings were nothing new for Orochi, and they in fact welcomed them. They were challenges of strength that one would emerge all the stronger from. Even minor setbacks were grounds for self-reflection and self-improvement, provided one did win in the end.

This string of constant defeats and embarrassments, however, was now beginning to move from a test of might into a crisis of weakness. Uncertainty flickered between the faces of those here, experienced expressions giving way to unbecoming worry and fret. It didn't matter if they were grizzled veteran or noble-mannered administrator, all that shared the bloodline of their progenitor were alarmed by this turn of events. A few attendants were being constantly rotated in and out to bring the latest reports from across their territories, the depressing frequency of militant uprisings now beginning to hang over those assembled.

A hand rose up and the hushed whispering was silenced immediately when a figure at their front strode forward. They were Manoa Orochi, Champion-Aspirant who led their people. The lower-ranking and other retinue immediately departed, sensing that this was to be a private senior family conversation. None would be permitted to stay on the hollowed battleground, especially just in case they were spies working for other powers. None were though, and neither were any of those remaining.

The electronic handheld belonging to one of their mercenary members though, picked up for cheap from a passing merchant? That one hosted a little virus that now activated to begin a recording to send to a handler off-site. Then it would self-terminate to maintain secrecy.

The words that came from their Champion-Aspirant now were recorded perfectly clear by the handheld. "It would appear that we face perhaps the greatest trial we have seen ever since our people's liberation," they somberly declared. "And perhaps appropriately, it comes from within ourselves. If nothing else, I urge you all to take pride in this. That it was no rival Great House that dares to contest us, no stubborn Council State who resists us, that led up to this.

"No, it was us, and only us, who knew how to defeat ourselves!" The proclamation did stir up some sparks from the listless relatives and family members. "So we will welcome this trial, but now we must treat it not with the casualness and laxness that has led to the disasters. No, we must face it with all our might, no matter what. We shall recognize the threat to us and hold nothing back, in respect for the challenge they have given."

Now more were getting motivated, realizing that this setback was not yet the end. It was never over, not until the last shot was fired. But one of them dared voice a question in the mind of many. "What of our commitments to House Kelon? If we are to mobilize everything to face the militants, what of our promised support?"

Champion-Aspirant Manoa quietly closed their eyes and spoke in a low tone. "A passing fancy that we cannot support any longer. We will grant them only what is already written- time to speak their cause in the Senate- but nothing else. All our assets and efforts must be devoted to the true trial we face." A hand rose up to forestall the incoming protest. "I do not make this choice lightly after all we have already invested in them, offering them worlds to rebuild and rearm. Nor am I blind to the fact they will insist on continuing the campaign with or without support, for they dream too longingly of their home. I doubt that they will honestly want anything to do with us after we withdraw from any agreements with them.

"Yet now like us, they must muster up and find the strength within to carry on regardless. If they cannot, then they simply do not have a worthy legacy to leave behind, or a future to win." They looked evenly at each member of House Orochi. "Refrain from telling them until after the Senate is over. We will be able to deal with the fallout then once our forces are mobilized and organized. Perhaps then they shall present yet another trial for us to overcome and be all the better for."

Slowly, reluctantly, heads nodded in agreement. More than a few did it with a bit more eagerness to the gesture, realizing that there was to be quite a bit of conflict in the upcoming future. And if there was anything their people were good at, it was making money from war. If only it wasn't against their own.

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- We'll go over the exact implication of this at the start of the next turn. Needless to say, this is quite an interesting twist.

 

[KingCrimson1081]

House Orochi is neat so long as you are observing from a distance along with most of the other houses.

 

[SCPAIC]

are Orochi really going to not try to win their simmering civil-war before it starts but is also going to fuck over their vassal, and fight someone third? i know that with eugenics comes other... bad ideas, but how deep into their own cool-aid are they.

holy shit i just realized it. Orochi are the clanners from battletech without zellbringen. dear lord, no wonder they are all idiots.

 

[Celeshiro]

are Orochi really going to not try to win their simmering civil-war before it starts but is also going to fuck over their vassal, and fight someone third?

Click to shrink...

Wrong way around. They're taking everything they have to deal with the growing internal unrest as a priority. This includes the stuff they had allocated for the Kelon Campaign, which is a significant development. Means that the primary sponsor has basically lost enthusiasm for pushing it forward while they clean up their own house.

 

[SCPAIC]

.

Click to shrink...

Ah that makes more sense. Thank you.

House Orochi is neat so long as you are observing from a distance along with most of the other houses.

Click to shrink...

Agreed.

 

[Lukepop]

House Orochi is neat so long as you are observing from a distance along with most of the other houses.

Click to shrink...

They're definitely cool worldbuilding. In universe... might disagree.

 

[Celeshiro]

To maintain the level of adequate poise and ability so expected of solarium users, House Iris hereby commands all training programs or organizations focused around the raising of Brilliance Knights to adhere to a plan structure similar to what is laid out below. Adjustments and allowances are permitted to tailor this syllabus to difference aspirant groups of varying age or background, with the inclusion of regular inspection and audit to ensure acceptable deviance.

STAGE 0: Pre-Screening/Acceptance
Before anything, any and all wishing to become Brilliance Knights must be first tested extensively. A background check is conducted along with personal interviews to determine a rough psychological profile. This is done before any testing to create an approximate estimate of the applicant's current ability and aptitudes for the following tests. Underaged applicants should also expect their legal guardians to be interviewed throughly to determine suitability. If at any point falsehood or inappropriate guidance is determined, such as a pressured or unwilling appplicant, the case is referred to the appropriate authorities.

Following these checks, the applicant will go through physical and mental screening. This will include a combination of practical and theoretical tests appropriate to the applicant's background. Genetic sequencing will also confirm the presence of necessary RNA strands that will react accordingly to the presence of solarium in the body. While performance on the tests is only another factor in the applicant's profile, failure in the genetic sequencing is an immediate rejection to avoid averse risk. However, they may still be referred to adjacent support roles that would work and support Brilliance Knights.

Should the applicant be determined suitable and approved by the program or organization administrators, a letter of acceptance is sent out. This offer should detail and explain the coming curriculum the applicant will undergo, along with appropriate warnings about the expected responsibilities and duties during the process including required tuition fees (if any). If all are acknowledged and agreed upon in legal signature, then the applicant is now an aspirant and cannot be refused from their promised entry.

Depending on the nature of the established program or organization, the aspirant may be asked or requested to live on-site. If so, all board, food, and other necessities are to be included with whatever tuition costs are levied. Otherwise if not stated, aspirants may continue to live in their current abodes.

STAGE 1: Induction and Tutelege
In the first years of their new training, aspirants are to be gradually acclimatized to their new life. They will attend classes and lessons appropriately suiting their background that will begin to establish standards expected of Brilliance Knights, and held to them. For underage aspirants, this may be counted as an appropriate replacement to required schooling provided their chosen regime meets the necessary credentials set by local governments.

The lessons in question may range in a variety of topics, but will generally fall into encouraging either physical, mental, or spiritual development. Physical classes are meant to begin training their bodies, mental classes shall see their minds informed, and spiritual training ensures their sense of duty and pride well founded. The exact material and execution of these lessons are left to the discretion of the program, though oversight will occur to ensure they are of appropriate content and quality.

This is expected to be an aspirant's primary and full-time vocation, with side activities and pursuits being tentatively forbidden. Allowances though may be made for recreational or educational pursuits, and special consideration is tolerated for side jobs that would pay tuition costs. It is important to stress though that House Iris will grant scholarships to aspirants that meet appropriate conditions.

During this initial stage, aspirants are carefully observed by instructors on their developments. If they appear to struggle or lack growth in any, remedial training and lessons may be required. If continued failure occurs without any form of improvement, an aspirant's status may be reconsidered for their suitability to the program. From there, they may be transferred to other establishments that could better suit them or in truly incompatible cases, expelled.

STAGE 2: Exposure and Evaluation
At the start of Stage 2, aspirants are to begin undergoing solarium modifications to their body. This is to be a slow and gradual process through the set years of this stage, to allow aspirants to adapt and master their new bodily functions. Should unexpected side effects emerge, the process is to be halted pending an investigation by an appropriate Prism authority.

During this time, lessons are expected to escalate to match aspirants' increasing capabilities. The usage of solarium circuits to complete tasks are gradually included to entice aspirants into using their new body features. Safety however should be prioritized to ensure growth is not inadvertently stunted in any category. Additional lessons may be levied to address this intensity.

Careful observation of the aspirants should continue though at this stage, they should have been throughly vetted. In the event of cases arising that see an aspirant's standing questioned, the affair must be referred now to a Brilliance Knight for direct resolution. The Brilliance Knight may conduct their own investigation and resolve the case in a way they deem appropriate, up to and including the aspirant's transfer from the program and into the personal care of the Brilliance Knight for direct apprenticeship.

STAGE 3: Mastery and Specialization
In the final years of the program, aspirants are gradually introduced to supporting equipment they will be expected to master. This will include the arms and armor of their position, such as the Guardian Suit. At this point, aspirants should demonstrate thorough ability to utilize solarium circuits and connect them to their assigned gear.

Lesson and tutelage should now shift focus from general knowledge and towards personal specialties preferred by the aspirants. High quality should still be maintained but the number of required regular lessons should be decreased. Instead, the program should push for extracurricular outreach activities for the aspirant, such as working within the local community or apprenticing with partner Brilliance Knight Orders. Working with Prisms are also an encouraged activity for those looking to continue spiritual growth.

It should be heavily stressed that these mentioned shifts are to build the aspirants for the day of their official independence from the program. Their days of structured learning are coming to a close, and soon they will be taking on the expected duties and power of a fully ordained Brilliance Knight. Instructors should appropriately shift as well to begin treating the aspirants as colleagues now to better prepare them for their last day in the program.

When the day of graduation arrives, the aspirants will submit their names to the records of the Prisms. Upon personal acknowledgment of their learning and deeds by House Iris, they are allowed to attend a final ceremony. Here, they will make known to all their sworn oath or vow that will determine their eternal duty regardless of actual position. Should this be accepted, the attending Prism will award the new Brilliance Knight their earned attire and weapons.

From here on out, their life path is their own and House Iris wishes them the best. Long live Her Majesty, the Solar Queen!

FAILURE TO COMPLY OR VIOLATION OF THESE PROTOCOLS MAY RESULT IN WITHHOLDING FUNDING OR CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST ORGANIZERS. HOUSE IRIS CAN AND WILL PURSUE THESE CHARGES TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW.

 

[Celeshiro]

The recording ended and silence reigned in your office. You didn't lean back in your chair, having no energy to spare for the motion with how everything was churning about in your head. Radana was less still, hand rising up and down every time she tried to formulate words, but found herself unable to actually vocalize them. A rarity for sure, but it wasn't everyday that a warrior society began to devour itself from within. Idly, you wondered if perhaps their name was supposed to be Ouroboros instead of Orochi, an errant thought that finally snapped you out of the hyper-focus.

Your best friend was still quicker to finally speak, a shaken voice making the observation that very well could shatter a Great House. "They are renegading on a promise to a vassal."

"Not only that, but a vassal that had been promised military aid to retake lost homeworlds," you added softly. "It's almost just as bad as refusing to step in and defend them as their sworn protectors, but that would require worlds to actually fight for. Without them, House Kelon are an army marching to either glory or death, and Orochi knows it."

"Kelon's story is certainly a tragedy, but Violet, think about more than just them!" Radana urged in a hushed whisper. "All of Orochi's other vassals, now realizing their overlord would forsake them in this time of crisis! Some of them even are caught in the militant crisis, how do you think they would feel when being told they would have to fend for themselves after sending support?"

That was a good point that you admittedly hadn't considered, more concerned more about how you could ensure your accidental part in this setup would be covered up. Admittedly there wasn't much to do given you left so meager a trail in the first place, so now you focused your attention on the wider galactic implications. "They would be horrified and perhaps start rethinking their agreements," you summarized with narrowed eyes. "A few bold enough might even try their luck and make a run for others."

"Maybe they'd even go so far as to come out into our parts of space to shake off the shackles." Now Radana was pacing back forth, biting down on her thumb in thought. "Our people wouldn't stand for this either, especially our wandering Brilliance Knights. Breaking an oath of commitment like that would be a call to arms for them."

"Meaning that we could subtly hint to them that there could be some action if they happen to be nearby in the time." It was admittedly a rather manipulative approach but if it allowed Brilliance Knights to demonstrate their passion to their personal vows, maybe they'd even thank you for the tip afterwards. Assuming you were that sloppy enough to reveal it was you.

You weren't, so it'd have to be an anonymous tip. A thought following that idea struck and you mentioned to your aide, "But we're the only ones who know about this right now outside Orochi's inner circle."

"Right, right." She sucked in a deep breath. "Which means that assuming their plan holds- that the abandonment doesn't leak- everybody would get hit with this in wake of the Senate's vote. At which point, it's not our concern any longer and we wash our hands of the affair, aside from where it might possible go next.

"But you have an opportunity to leak it, don't you?" She directly asked, looking right into her master's eyes. "You could do whatever you like with it."

"I could," you told noncommittally and steeped your fingers together. Why, you could even probably dump it as an anonymous audio file on Sundown News and by the end of the day, every single anchor in the United Empire would be screaming about this news to the shock of all. You could also subtly begin drip-feeding the information through the Starblazer's Guild, getting opportunists riled up and ready for the coming conflict within Orochi.

You recognized you also had an opportunity to subtly leak it to House Kelon as a warning, that Orochi would leave them high and dry. How they might react though, you couldn't predict but reckoned it could probably led to a very heated uprising before Orochi was ready for it. They hadn't yet left the worlds left to them, so perhaps they could immediately move in and occupy them for real as if at war. But by that very same token, you could also choose to withhold the information entirely, and allow Orochi's plan of abandonment to carry out unhindered.

There was also another tempting and forbidden information- you could send it to the Free States as a little heads-up that all they faced were House Kelon forces, and whatever other paltry mercenaries were sent as pity to accompany them. It was definitely treason and betrayal, but the sacrifice of Kelon could be a way for you to prove to the Free States that House Iris wasn't about playing both sides- especially when there were things to be gained, like the ongoing weakness of Orochi.

So you closed your eyes and made your choice on which string to tug at.

[ ] Leak the information to the media channels, and watch as Orochi's own vassals erupt in crisis.

[ ] Hint the knowledge to your Brilliance Knights so they would join the ongoing crisis to carry out their sworn oaths and gain experience from it.

[ ] Warn House Kelon through secret channels of the incoming abandonment, and prepare to support them clandestinely when they enforce occupation.

[ ] Do nothing and allow the internal crisis within Orochi carry out however it may.

[ ] Send the information over to the Free States to inform them of this development and let them do as they may.

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- If it isn't clear, the second option (letting wandering Brilliance Knights take the charge) is a route that could award you with a veteran Brilliance Knight character who participated in the endeavors. It's a little awkward but given you all showed deep regret about not picking a character the first time around, here's another shot at it. Or you could pass it up for another powerful factor, such as a new independent House in the Frontier to work with. Or even the Free States. Up to you.
- Do you think this goes on the list of Violet's "accidentally stumble into stupid success" endeavors?

14 hour moratorium to play webmaster​

 

[Lukepop]

Thank you for the update Celeshiro!

Just to clarify, which of these outcomes would cause House Kelon to not try and reclaim their homeworlds?

---

This is a tough decision but the ones below are those that I probably wouldn't choose. Between the rest... I really don't know.

[ ] Send the information over to the Free States to inform them of this development and let them do as they may.

Click to shrink...

[ ] Warn House Kelon through secret channels of the incoming abandonment, and prepare to support them clandestinely when they enforce occupation.

Click to shrink...

[ ] Leak the information to the media channels, and watch as Orochi's own vassals erupt in crisis.

Click to shrink...

Spoiler: Possible Typos

It should be heavily stressed that these mentioned shifts are do build the aspirants for the day of their official independence from the program.

Click to shrink...

"are to build"

"They are renegading on a promise to a vassal."

Click to shrink...

You probably meant "are reneging on" but "are renegading on" communicates your meaning well enough anyways.

 

[Stainedtexas]

We do really need that extra character.

 

[CrabTravelLLC]

Warning House Kelon would get us a house indebted to us. Without vassals we are Great in name only. This could be the first step to be actually making us a force

 

[Stainedtexas]

Warning House Kelon would get us a house indebted to us. Without vassals we are Great in name only. This could be the first step to be actually making us a force

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I don't think we were ever a great house? We were a minor vassal that happened to be friendly with the Stellarch. Not saying that getting a vassal is bad, but I think they can't be a vassal because they are significantly bigger than us.

 

[Celeshiro]

Just to clarify, which of these outcomes would cause House Kelon to not try and reclaim their homeworlds?

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It'd be warning them so that they immediately try to occupy the worlds that Orochi lent them. This doesn't say that they won't try to reclaim their worlds eventually- their desire is too strong- but they would be practical and have a plan to at least figure out a springboard instead of going for broke when Orochi kicks them out when they hadn't expected.

 

[Lukepop]

It'd be warning them so that they immediately try to occupy the worlds that Orochi lent them. This doesn't say that they won't try to reclaim their worlds eventually- their desire is too strong- but they would be practical and have a plan to at least figure out a springboard instead of going for broke when Orochi kicks them out when they hadn't expected.

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Is that only if we warn them? Or would they do the same for any other options?

 

[Celeshiro]

Is that only if we warn them? Or would they do the same for any other options?

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Only if you warn them, because that's them secretly preparing to backstab Orochi when the moment comes. They'll take the stuff meant to be the vanguard conquest and instead ready it for immediate deployment on the planet they just left.

If the news makes it public, they won't have enough time to prepare before Orochi moves in quicker when they realize they've been had. So you'll need to pick the option of warning only them ahead of time so they can make secret preparations to suddenly hunker down and dare Orochi to try their new defenses.

 

[SCPAIC]

i think i'm leainging mostly towards this one. well at least a version of it.

[ ] Leak the information to the media channels, and watch as Orochi's own vassals erupt in crisis.

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i'd like to wait with leaking it until the vote to invade comes up, and then go full tilt in our support of the vasssals, includeing sending our troops to help with the invasion itself, if we're lucky we can get a vassal out from under Orochi, something i think the vassal itself would be happy with, hell we might get two, for the price of one.

if not that one it's these ones

[ ] Hint the knowledge to your Brilliance Knights so they would join the ongoing crisis to carry out their sworn oaths and gain experience from it.

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[ ] Warn House Kelon through secret channels of the incoming abandonment, and prepare to support them clandestinely when they enforce occupation.

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i'd like to do both as that would massively in-debt them to us, lending them our special forces is not a small thing.

fully against this one, just seems like a bad idea.

[ ] Do nothing and allow the internal crisis within Orochi carry out however it may.

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the only reason we'd take this one is if we want to join the free states, something I have bad felling about.

[ ] Send the information over to the Free States to inform them of this development and let them do as they may.

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[Lukepop]

[X] Hint the knowledge to your Brilliance Knights so they would join the ongoing crisis to carry out their sworn oaths and gain experience from it.

This whole crisis is very messy. I do want to take down Orochi but I would rather get a new character. Characters are very good. I don't particularly want vassals though, I'll be honest. There is value in improving our strength, but I don't want to seek power for its own sake.

 

[KarmaA]

[X] Hint the knowledge to your Brilliance Knights so they would join the ongoing crisis to carry out their sworn oaths and gain experience from it.

I like this because it's keeping the information kind of in-house.

Hits a level of helping and "non-interference" that I like. Even if that level is wildly inconsistent or hypocritical over a 10 turn period that's where I'm at on it right now.