[X] Plan Silver Lining
The Wild Edge (Fantasy Border Outpost)
- Thread starter inverted_helix
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
- Location
- Queensland, Australia
Guys? Have any of you stopped to consider what will happen to Nerissa when we utterly fail the roll to transplant her, like we naturally will?
And how much worse it will be if we're trying to put her into a pot rather than just moving her closer to the edge of the forest?
All I'm saying is that we should definitely NOT do it without a lot more knowledge of just what a dryad is and how moving her tree affects here.
So not this season. Especially to a pot.
And how much worse it will be if we're trying to put her into a pot rather than just moving her closer to the edge of the forest?
All I'm saying is that we should definitely NOT do it without a lot more knowledge of just what a dryad is and how moving her tree affects here.
So not this season. Especially to a pot.
[X] Plan Silver Lining
We may actually want to send a few of those mind-control fruits along to our patron, if for no other reason than to give something concrete to act as a benefit to counter our dice dictating we fail so hard every few turns. Don't want to give too many excuses to replace us after all.
We may actually want to send a few of those mind-control fruits along to our patron, if for no other reason than to give something concrete to act as a benefit to counter our dice dictating we fail so hard every few turns. Don't want to give too many excuses to replace us after all.
Well Metrux was more on the money. Addiction/drugs was pretty close though.
I kind of doubt most people expected that, though a couple did. Most expected more of a food poisoning result or just a mundane fruit I think.Holy shit, did that gobadas expected!
She would convey more of a defensive bonus to your base than scouting if moved adjacent to your base. She doesn't need to be defended much as she's pretty capable of defending herself.
She'd take over the existing trees.
Yeah it's not at all the subtle sort of mind control.
Hmm I was worried this turn might be too punishing with all the low rolls, really debated a lot over how severe to make the results. Seems I might have been too light in the end.
It's basically the same thing, just placing it inside the forest instead of in the safety of your base.
Expected a lot more comments from you. Packed a lot of neat details in this one. And yeah your business partners might raise prices more still. It just felt like raising it too much would ramp up difficulty too hard so kept it at previous raiding level price.
Well I've decided that it's fair to tell you even though you have no way of knowing currently, but you'd find out very quickly. If Nerissa is in a pot her powers will be severely curtailed compared to being planted in the earth. So there is a tradeoff to that.
She'd really definitely not want her tree to go beyond the edge of the Overgrowth field, and in character you probably would suspect it's a bad idea for the obvious reason of Dryads being as far as you know extinct in the world as a whole.
It was part of our meta objectives. If its harmless, we get happy dryad, if beneficial, happy us and dryad, if harmful, guilt trip + whatever penslties.
If it doesn't kill us.
I expected getting severe indigestion, so the price was higher than hoped for, but survivable
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- Location
- Brazil
First he still voted to eat the fruit so he doesn't count, Second in my defence you metioned Driads coundn't control animals and instead had to train then, so I kind dissmissed the possibility be default, wich leads me to ask, How does that work ? Can't they just feed the animals with the magic fruit ?
Thank you for the information, it is much apreciated and I will proaly adjust my plan, tough I have to ask, would there be a siinificante diference if we planted her in the middle of the overgrowth?
Voting to eat the fruit despite expecting this was probably because he anticipated Nerissa wouldn't abuse it.
It's a case of different meanings. I meant they don't have any sort of mental control like they do with plants. There's also an issue of conveying what you wanted that still requires training, and some complications with this method of control that would often make more conventional training more effective depending on what you want them to do. Certainly if you just want them to hang around your grove dazed all the time this is the easiest option.
Also a case of unreliable information source. Since you asked Nerissa that question.
She'd be stronger, but even with her help you'd find it very difficult to get there.
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Ultramandalore
Errant Quester
- Location
- just south of Parts Unknown
[X] Plan Silver Lining
Always Late
Lacking in coffee, sleep, and brains
- Location
- Ohio
Work shifts have been getting absolutely homicidal lately, so when I get off work I'm really too exhausted for analysis.
Could we avoid the higher Prices from Raiding if we get Stuff shipped to us?
The Orcs shouldn't be able to raid Ships so no need for extra Guards.
Also can we do the Research on what happens if you spend a lot of Time inside the Forest or after eating Stuff from it?
We did spend a Season in there.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
I am at a bit of a loss how to react to that, because it comes across as 'you guys seem to be taking this in stride, I must have mistaken somewhere'. What was the desired reaction you'd rather see, then?
I'll be frank, I am quite frustrated by the last year. When was the last time we had our levy do anything but guard the base? Oh, right, when we sent the previous one to their deaths at the tusks of a boar they failed to reach. The hunters, both of them, have been sitting back at the base waiting for the other shoe to drop for several turns now. We've been repeating same actions, over and over and over again. We've been building the palisade for the bloody four turns! The discovery of the young dryad was honestly the most exciting event that happened for the two years we've been here.
And the moment we try to switch things up just a little to escape the monotony, we get slapped down hard.
I am not particularly mad at the failure itself, but I am rather annoyed at the implications that it will be a long time before we are going to risk doing anything worthwhile, because it so happens that worthwhile and safe do not mix well. Taking another year to build another section of the palisade is not exactly my idea of fun. I may be exaggerating a bit, but only a little. Footmen, on patrol; levy, on guard; hunters, on scouting duty. Everything else ends in disaster. What are we left to play with, then?
I can put on my best shit-eating grin at times, but I'd prefer if it weren't confused for wanting seconds. :|
I still like the quest, and find the premise fantastic (it scratches that itch I got ever since Shake loose the borders, another quest about guarding the borderlands, went on hiatus), but I can't help feeling a tad constrained as things are.
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Metrux
Gentle Demon Lord
- Location
- Brasil
1. Salty much?
2. As we spoke before, I completely expected something like this to happen. Just because I don't see this result with all the fatalism you do, doesn't mean my decision is not logical.
3. I was right in the money because that is what dryads do. Honestly I don't now why other people didn't thin of that...
4. There are mind control, and mind control, and when magic is involved the diference between animal, human, sapient and sentient is alot bigger. There are some scenarios where having a soul is not for every human and it affects magic. In here, specifically, we don't understand magic. We know enchantments, but we know nothing of trully powerfull magic, or simply instant magic.
That all said, your plan for now is not bad.
[X] Plan Silver Lining
- Location
- Queensland, Australia
Okay, just going to double check... But @Zaratustra When you mean 'Transplant Nerissa next to our base', you mean plant her tree such that the new grove is in the part of the Overgrowth closest to our base right?
The part where we're constantly logging? Because I can't help but feel like that might cause... complications. Remember how Nerissa was happy when we met her because 'We didn't even bring any axes!'? Well, we're now transplanting her right next to where we're having the lumberjacks working... That is not necessarily a good thing.
Also, I think that we don't want Nerissa being too exposed to people, because that's just asking for someone to hear about it and wonder if they can make a magical item out of Dryad Wood... Or just for the Orcs to decide to kill her to prevent the benefit she gives us. And can any of you say that our rolls are good enough that we actually will most likely stop that occurring?
Remember folks, part of why Nerissa is such a benefit to us is because she's got no real idea of how dangerous and problematic humans can be to her. Too much exposure to humanity can be just as problematic for our relations with her as not being able to access her because her grove is too deep in the forest...
Also @inverted_helix Have our logging operations actually pushed back the border of the Overgrowth any?
The part where we're constantly logging? Because I can't help but feel like that might cause... complications. Remember how Nerissa was happy when we met her because 'We didn't even bring any axes!'? Well, we're now transplanting her right next to where we're having the lumberjacks working... That is not necessarily a good thing.
Also, I think that we don't want Nerissa being too exposed to people, because that's just asking for someone to hear about it and wonder if they can make a magical item out of Dryad Wood... Or just for the Orcs to decide to kill her to prevent the benefit she gives us. And can any of you say that our rolls are good enough that we actually will most likely stop that occurring?
Remember folks, part of why Nerissa is such a benefit to us is because she's got no real idea of how dangerous and problematic humans can be to her. Too much exposure to humanity can be just as problematic for our relations with her as not being able to access her because her grove is too deep in the forest...
Also @inverted_helix Have our logging operations actually pushed back the border of the Overgrowth any?
@Pyro Hawk , yes, our logging operations have pushed the border slightly, just not in towards the forest but the other way entirely.
So been at a loss for how exactly to respond to this. I understand the reasons you feel frustrated. Though part of it seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding. I don't mind that you're taking it in stride, since it's meant to be a loss you can deal with. The issue is that some seemed to think it outright positive, when it's meant to be a loss you can handle, but still a loss.
Part of it is something of a misunderstanding of how I intended the military units to work, which my vote design has exacerbated. By in large military units are meant to be assigned to something on a fairly ongoing basis. You're always going to want guards for your base and scouts to stop orcs bypassing you. That's the stated job for your outpost. So having them simply continuing roles indefinitely is pretty normal. Instead the idea is to use your other actions to leverage ongoing advantages to get ahead of the problems. Over time you are building up, it's just that the enemies you face are issues too. As you get more base structures built up you can afford more units which give you more options. A significant portion of your units will always be tied up doing your actual job though.
I've been writing a scene for the next turn that is also rather monotony breaking in that it broadens what you've got a view of just a bit.
You haven't really affected the border in a way big enough to appear on a map. You mostly harvest from the first dozen yards inwards from the border and then proceed along the border instead of going deeper. Given the growth rate the total area you clear before it's regrown isn't that significant.
- Location
- Queensland, Australia
Perhaps one way to remove that feeling of 'same old, same old' with unit assignments is to add in a 'Permanent' assignment?
Where it basically permanently assigns a unit to a task, and as long as we have sufficient active units they carry out those tasks first before having the remaining units up for reassignment?
Where it basically permanently assigns a unit to a task, and as long as we have sufficient active units they carry out those tasks first before having the remaining units up for reassignment?
Metrux
Gentle Demon Lord
- Location
- Brasil
1. She already said she doesn't mind that we cut down common trees, compering her to them is like comparing us to monkeys, so we just have to clear this with her, and with her there we could even go past her area of influence and cut deeper, since she can protect our guys while they're inside.
2. You honestly thin we're the first ones to find dryads over here? We are only the newest batch with the mission of protecting this place. Besides, we have QM's word that she can protect herself, at worse we have to make rules for who can know/go personally to her, and have her know anyone out of the list is fair game.
3. If she learn of how bad other humans are, won't she simply see us in a better light? We spoke kindly to her, teached her, trusted her with the fruit... At this point the only way for she to see us in a bad light is if some very contrived things happen, or we actually do something bad to her. Also, tying into 2, if we do limit who can see her we can mostly keep her protected from the worse influences.
I see a problem with this. Even though we will almost always keep some people on those positions, that is not always. Sometimes we may decide to send soldiers together with hunters to kill a dangerous beast, or we can send the hunters to look for a place to fish, we can send the levies with the soldiers to a known dangerous position to taste real battle. Yes, it can be very repetitive on some units, but that's also our choice, as much as by design.
Season 16: Winter
[X] Plan Silver Lining
-[X][Construction] Expand the barracks to deal with a doubled number of men, taking into account the need for it to be off the ground from the start this time. (150 Denier) [More difficult in winter] 48+5
--[X] Inside the wall
-[X][Construction] Build a woodworking workshop to produce something better than raw timber. Will require hiring workers separately. (100 Denier) [More difficult in winter] 35+5
--[X] Inside the wall
Construction through the winter proceeds painfully. While you finally have sufficient workers for the task the winter rains slow all work. They at least manage to get the barracks done by the end of the season, though not in time to use them this winter. Those living in mud filled tents are quite irritated, but grateful to have space for next winter at least.
The woodworking workshop is more hampered by the slow movement of specialized supplies involved. While they've managed to produce a shell this season, it still lacks the tools needed.
-[X][Personal] Recruit one Specialist unit (Woodworkers) 32-10
You spend much of this season feeling rather crippled with how weak you became from inactivity during the fall. Traveling to interview and persuade the specialists you need to run your planned shop was out of the question. So you had to resort to a huge barrage of letters sent to all the places you might find suitable craftsmen. Unfortunately winter weather hampered the messages and you're still receiving and sending replies by the end of the season. You'll hopefully get a trickle of workers, but it's not going to happen nearly as quickly as you'd like.
(Barracks built. Woodworking Workshop delayed. While no additional actions are necessary, will not produce profit next turn as workers and tools trickle in.)
-[X][Nerissa] Ask her to transplant her beside you base. 84+15
--[X]Olivia and Herbalist help.
At the very least transplanting Nerissa closer to the base goes off without a hitch. She was perfectly willing to make things easier on you since she'd caused such a big problem for you. Normally carrying around a tree and enough dirt for its main roots would be a huge hassle over a couple miles, even such a small tree, but Olivia carried her off with ease. The herbalist commented about it being a weird experience digging up a tree that you could talk to, though her being able to curl her roots in made it a lot easier.
Given the degree of area she controls, she could easily shield much of the approaches to your base, and if you wanted to your sawmill could harvest from the trees she controls in much greater safety.
After she's had some time to reestablish herself you go to visit her and see how she's doing. She's planted only fifty yards or so from the edge of the Overgrowth and her control extends all the way to the edge now. There's a neat tunnel from the edge of the forest now with a nice clear road straight to her tree. No more traipsing through dangerous woods for you each time you want to see her. Though there's still an inner circle of around ten yards diameter around her tree encircled with brambles and what you recognize as the poison oak now, with a living gate which she pulls aside for you.
"Hello Tristan…" she opens a little hesitantly. "Do you like it? It's a lot easier for you to come see me now."
You can't help but pat her on the head. "It's perfect. I really don't blame you for what happened you know. As has been pointed out I should have been more cautious, I'm the adult after all."
"Olivia does though… you know when she was carrying me she kept bouncing me and saying how it would be a shame if she dropped me," she says sadly.
"Don't worry, she won't really hurt you. She's just upset. She'll come around again." You try to comfort her.
"I hope so...I really like her you know." Her body sags.
"She's been my truest friend most of my life. She's just overreacting since it was me. How do you like the new area, it's a lot different than what you're used to right?" You try to change the subject.
She brightens up at the new topic. "It's nice. I hadn't ever seen the sea before. It's so huge! You've told me about it before, but the only water I've known is the rain and the little streams. But it's water I can't even see the edge of from the top of the highest tree! I couldn't really imagine it. Maybe someday I'll be able to go down and feel it," she rushes through excitedly.
"I'm not sure you'd like it since it's salty," you explain with a smile.
She puffs up her face at that. "I know that! I can feel the salt air on my leaves, but a little salt won't do me any harm."
-[X][Levy] Guard 89+15-5
--[X] The base and sawmill
-[X][Hunters] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by. 92+5+3-5
-[X][Footmen] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by. 6-5-10 +10+10
-[X][Captain] Command troops, raising morale and effectiveness
With relatively mild winter activity from the forest your scouts working from the watchtowers manage to screen for the orcs quite well. Though it is only through your scouts efforts and a little luck that the orcs don't manage another crippling ambush on your footmen. This time your footmen have forewarning. It almost isn't enough, but they manage to turn them back after a difficult battle.
(-10% footmen)
Your guards are a little wary of moving such a supernatural being like Nerissa close to your base, especially after the events of last season, but the lack of assaults this winter allows Leo to calm their nerves somewhat.
(Hunter 2 +40% from automatic troop replenishment)
"Why are you putting out an extra setting Olivia?" you ask as you observe her laying out the tea set.
"Why for me of course." You just about jump out of your skin as your sister Mina steps out from a dark corner.
You try to settle your breathing again as Olivia fusses over you. Brushing her off you manage to reply: "What a..surprise to have you at my humble little home. What brings you here?"
"The lady came out to see that you were okay sir," Olivia says falling into a bit more formal speech in her presence.
"I seriously doubt that," you reply, rather jaded towards your siblings, and Mina in particular.
"So stuffy Tristan! Can't a big sister be worried about her younger brother?" she asks with all the right tone and expressions, but still your hackles are raised.
"Well you can see clearly that I'm well, thank you for the concern. Surely you'd very much like to return to the city now," you say anxiously.
"Master jokes of course, you're welcome here Lady Revaria," Olivia interjects unhelpfully, but then she never could perceive the dagger Mina hid beneath her velvet folds.
"Now now Olivia I've told you you don't need to be so formal with me. You're practically my sister in law, call me Mina," she practically purrs. Olivia is basically incapacitated with a blush. You're more practiced at ignoring such lines from Mina. "Why don't you come over here and let me braid your hair?" Olivia meekly obeys a noble's request without thought.
Mina begins running her hands through Olivia's hair, lingering intensely on her neck with each pass, her eyes locking with yours with an unspoken message.
The shiver running down your spine makes you'd almost wish you'd stayed entranced in Nerissa's grove. But knowing Mina she'd have found you even there if she wanted to.
You take a calming breath and continue in the roundabout way that's expected. "So how are you?"
"Well since you ask Father's been having me do work as a problem solver of sorts," she says conversationally.
"What sorts of problems miss Mina?" Olivia asks rather obliviously.
"This and that, mostly people problems," Mina says completely casually, as if she weren't talking about murdering people.
"And what about Father?" you say abruptly before Mina can elaborate; you definitely don't want Olivia to hear an in depth description.
"He worries about you. Taking such extreme risks with your life. That you have not spoken with him after such an event is actually why I'm here to check up on you," she says as she braids Olivia's hair. "One must be sure your judgement isn't...compromised," she places a dangerous sense of weight on the last word.
Before you can compose a response that won't get you killed Olivia speaks up. "I worry about you too, that was really risky Tristan, I'd...thought I lost you," she says almost tearfully with her head bent down. You want to comfort her, but now is definitely not the time to be showing such a weakness.
"It was an entirely calculated risk. If there was no harm it was a trust-building act of faith. If it made me sick the dryad would have felt guilty and more agreeable. If it was all a ploy to get me drugged somehow then it would net her little as I have little real significance to the family and would have simply been replaced with someone else that would now have more information to work with," you manage to say analytically. The logic was sound enough, even if you had come up with it after the fact knowing there'd be questions. You could hardly admit you hadn't even considered the last possibility.
Mina's eyes turn firmly upon you and seem to slice through you like blades probing for weakness. You keep your face firmly impassive. "That's a terrible thing to say Tristan!" Olivia cries, "Didn't you think about how I'd feel about it?"
"Indeed Tristan, how cruel to ignore poor Olivia's feelings," Mina adds, her voice pitched as if sympathetic, but you note she hasn't even missed a beat in braiding Olivia's hair despite shaping an incredibly intricate weave. "Besides you do so underestimate your value to the family. You would not have this position otherwise."
"You hear that Tristan, no more risking your life like that!" Olivia's teary eyes turned to lock onto yours breaks your impassive mask far too easily, something that Mina surely noticed.
"I'll keep you in mind next time Olivia," you say to her comfortingly patting her on the shoulder, before deciding that it's not like it could get worse and hugging her. Eager to change the subject to something else, anything else you continue: "What did you think of the camp Mina?"
"You've done rather well I'd say." You think what she really means is she expected less of you. "Though perhaps that's more due to your captain. He actually managed to spot me on my way in, but he immediately changed directions. I wonder what could possibly have caused him to do that," she continues in such an innocent tone as if no one could possibly be scared off by her. You mentally pat Leo on the back for being able to notice her and recognize how dangerous she is, but you curse him for not warning you she was here.
"I'm sure Leo just thought of something else he had to do, it's not like he'd have any reason to avoid you," Olivia comments, having recovered a bit with the change in conversation.
"Ah yes, that was his name." As if she'd ever forget a name. "I've heard such interesting things about this Leo. So reliable. Reminds me of Nicola's 2nd in command," she says with a lilt, as if that's somehow significant.
"What is Nicola up to these days?" Your only younger sibling, he had been the only one you got along with really, even less engaged in politics than you.
"He's still avoiding me thinking I'm going to kill him. Such a challenge." It was impressive really that he was still alive, but you expect it was more sport than serious.
"Nicola was always so silly. How could he ever be afraid of you?" Olivia asks obliviously.
"He's still a boy in many ways, always afraid of shadows," Mina dismisses it as if she hadn't told Nicola she would kill him when the moment was right as a child. Father wouldn't do anything as long as it simply remained threats though, after all, what were death threats amongst children? "He's been given command of a warship, one of the fast interceptors that patrol for pirates. He's rapidly proven to be one of the best captains we have. His paranoia has really been getting to him lately though," she tsks as she finishes the braid with a loop that reminds you of a noose, despite being innocuous by itself.
You're tempted to tell her that it's not paranoia if someone really is out to get you. That would be a very bad idea though. "Good for him. I'd certainly help him out if I could."
"It's quite normal for an older sibling to help a younger out isn't it?" She pauses. "I paid some merchants for you, since by my information you didn't have enough money to compensate them… Seems you're still recovering after all brother. Usually you have a better grasp of numbers than this."
Running through the figures in your head you realize she's right. "How nice of you?" you question.
"Think nothing of it, that's what family is for isn't it?" You can already see this leading into a dangerous request, but it would be even more dangerous to refuse. "I'm here because Father wanted to secure a few of the fruits that so incapacitated you for study. While his original message you seem to have interpreted as a request, it was in fact a demand. Personally I'd rather like to have a chat with this dryad. I did meet Olivia before after all, it's only right that I meet this new woman in my brother's life." Somehow the latter idea is even more terrifying.
It's not like you can really stop her from seeing Nerissa though, especially now that she's so close to your base. It leaves you with rather few options for the situation though. Especially since she's put you in her debt.
[][Mina] Warn Nerissa not to trust Mina
[][Mina] Introduce Mina warmly
[][Mina] Let Mina introduce herself
[][Mina] Mislead Mina. Explain that due to her replanting, she's a bit grouchy, and she'd get a better impression if she met with her later.
Plans for Spring: (Base costs shown, increase 10% for merchants issue)
You now have 2 construction actions:
[][Construction] Improve the wall with guard towers offering some protection from ranged weapons and a higher vantage point. (50 Denier)
[][Construction] Reinforce the extended palisade (2 actions to complete)
[][Construction] Build a rabbit pen? (25 Denier)
[][Construction] Write-in
2x d85s or 1x 1d100.
[][Personal] You could produce some basic enchanted gear for one of your units. Sharper blades and harder armor are staples for a reason. (100 Denier in needed materials)
-[] Specify a unit.
[][Personal] Have Leo give you a bit of training. However much you hate it, being better at fighting will help a lot if something is trying to eat you. (Must be taken with appropriate Captain action)
[][Personal] Speak to your father. It might be a good idea.
[][Personal] Recruit basic units. Specify what kind.
-[] Replace losses, 150 denier
-[] What units?
[][Personal] Recruit one Specialist unit (Enchanter, Elite, Woodworkers, Healer, Potioneer) These units need special persuasion or negotiation so can't be hired in bulk.
[][Personal] Experiment on the effects of enchanting within the Overgrowth.
[][Personal] Write-in
Nerissa is still pretty firmly in your debt. She'll probably do anything you want right now that's within her powers. You're probably going to want to ask about some of those fruits though.
[][Nerissa] ?
219 starting -831 upkeep this turn +600 season payment +200 sawmill profit -275 construction = -87 +200 Mina bailout = 113
Upkeep next turn: 765+10% (100 you +100 leo +100 sawmill + 200 construction crews +100 hunters + 45 levies +70 footmen +50 herbalist) - 200 Sawmill profit
-[X][Construction] Expand the barracks to deal with a doubled number of men, taking into account the need for it to be off the ground from the start this time. (150 Denier) [More difficult in winter] 48+5
--[X] Inside the wall
-[X][Construction] Build a woodworking workshop to produce something better than raw timber. Will require hiring workers separately. (100 Denier) [More difficult in winter] 35+5
--[X] Inside the wall
Construction through the winter proceeds painfully. While you finally have sufficient workers for the task the winter rains slow all work. They at least manage to get the barracks done by the end of the season, though not in time to use them this winter. Those living in mud filled tents are quite irritated, but grateful to have space for next winter at least.
The woodworking workshop is more hampered by the slow movement of specialized supplies involved. While they've managed to produce a shell this season, it still lacks the tools needed.
-[X][Personal] Recruit one Specialist unit (Woodworkers) 32-10
You spend much of this season feeling rather crippled with how weak you became from inactivity during the fall. Traveling to interview and persuade the specialists you need to run your planned shop was out of the question. So you had to resort to a huge barrage of letters sent to all the places you might find suitable craftsmen. Unfortunately winter weather hampered the messages and you're still receiving and sending replies by the end of the season. You'll hopefully get a trickle of workers, but it's not going to happen nearly as quickly as you'd like.
(Barracks built. Woodworking Workshop delayed. While no additional actions are necessary, will not produce profit next turn as workers and tools trickle in.)
-[X][Nerissa] Ask her to transplant her beside you base. 84+15
--[X]Olivia and Herbalist help.
At the very least transplanting Nerissa closer to the base goes off without a hitch. She was perfectly willing to make things easier on you since she'd caused such a big problem for you. Normally carrying around a tree and enough dirt for its main roots would be a huge hassle over a couple miles, even such a small tree, but Olivia carried her off with ease. The herbalist commented about it being a weird experience digging up a tree that you could talk to, though her being able to curl her roots in made it a lot easier.
Given the degree of area she controls, she could easily shield much of the approaches to your base, and if you wanted to your sawmill could harvest from the trees she controls in much greater safety.
After she's had some time to reestablish herself you go to visit her and see how she's doing. She's planted only fifty yards or so from the edge of the Overgrowth and her control extends all the way to the edge now. There's a neat tunnel from the edge of the forest now with a nice clear road straight to her tree. No more traipsing through dangerous woods for you each time you want to see her. Though there's still an inner circle of around ten yards diameter around her tree encircled with brambles and what you recognize as the poison oak now, with a living gate which she pulls aside for you.
"Hello Tristan…" she opens a little hesitantly. "Do you like it? It's a lot easier for you to come see me now."
You can't help but pat her on the head. "It's perfect. I really don't blame you for what happened you know. As has been pointed out I should have been more cautious, I'm the adult after all."
"Olivia does though… you know when she was carrying me she kept bouncing me and saying how it would be a shame if she dropped me," she says sadly.
"Don't worry, she won't really hurt you. She's just upset. She'll come around again." You try to comfort her.
"I hope so...I really like her you know." Her body sags.
"She's been my truest friend most of my life. She's just overreacting since it was me. How do you like the new area, it's a lot different than what you're used to right?" You try to change the subject.
She brightens up at the new topic. "It's nice. I hadn't ever seen the sea before. It's so huge! You've told me about it before, but the only water I've known is the rain and the little streams. But it's water I can't even see the edge of from the top of the highest tree! I couldn't really imagine it. Maybe someday I'll be able to go down and feel it," she rushes through excitedly.
"I'm not sure you'd like it since it's salty," you explain with a smile.
She puffs up her face at that. "I know that! I can feel the salt air on my leaves, but a little salt won't do me any harm."
-[X][Levy] Guard 89+15-5
--[X] The base and sawmill
-[X][Hunters] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by. 92+5+3-5
-[X][Footmen] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by. 6-5-10 +10+10
-[X][Captain] Command troops, raising morale and effectiveness
With relatively mild winter activity from the forest your scouts working from the watchtowers manage to screen for the orcs quite well. Though it is only through your scouts efforts and a little luck that the orcs don't manage another crippling ambush on your footmen. This time your footmen have forewarning. It almost isn't enough, but they manage to turn them back after a difficult battle.
(-10% footmen)
Your guards are a little wary of moving such a supernatural being like Nerissa close to your base, especially after the events of last season, but the lack of assaults this winter allows Leo to calm their nerves somewhat.
(Hunter 2 +40% from automatic troop replenishment)
"Why are you putting out an extra setting Olivia?" you ask as you observe her laying out the tea set.
"Why for me of course." You just about jump out of your skin as your sister Mina steps out from a dark corner.
You try to settle your breathing again as Olivia fusses over you. Brushing her off you manage to reply: "What a..surprise to have you at my humble little home. What brings you here?"
"The lady came out to see that you were okay sir," Olivia says falling into a bit more formal speech in her presence.
"I seriously doubt that," you reply, rather jaded towards your siblings, and Mina in particular.
"So stuffy Tristan! Can't a big sister be worried about her younger brother?" she asks with all the right tone and expressions, but still your hackles are raised.
"Well you can see clearly that I'm well, thank you for the concern. Surely you'd very much like to return to the city now," you say anxiously.
"Master jokes of course, you're welcome here Lady Revaria," Olivia interjects unhelpfully, but then she never could perceive the dagger Mina hid beneath her velvet folds.
"Now now Olivia I've told you you don't need to be so formal with me. You're practically my sister in law, call me Mina," she practically purrs. Olivia is basically incapacitated with a blush. You're more practiced at ignoring such lines from Mina. "Why don't you come over here and let me braid your hair?" Olivia meekly obeys a noble's request without thought.
Mina begins running her hands through Olivia's hair, lingering intensely on her neck with each pass, her eyes locking with yours with an unspoken message.
The shiver running down your spine makes you'd almost wish you'd stayed entranced in Nerissa's grove. But knowing Mina she'd have found you even there if she wanted to.
You take a calming breath and continue in the roundabout way that's expected. "So how are you?"
"Well since you ask Father's been having me do work as a problem solver of sorts," she says conversationally.
"What sorts of problems miss Mina?" Olivia asks rather obliviously.
"This and that, mostly people problems," Mina says completely casually, as if she weren't talking about murdering people.
"And what about Father?" you say abruptly before Mina can elaborate; you definitely don't want Olivia to hear an in depth description.
"He worries about you. Taking such extreme risks with your life. That you have not spoken with him after such an event is actually why I'm here to check up on you," she says as she braids Olivia's hair. "One must be sure your judgement isn't...compromised," she places a dangerous sense of weight on the last word.
Before you can compose a response that won't get you killed Olivia speaks up. "I worry about you too, that was really risky Tristan, I'd...thought I lost you," she says almost tearfully with her head bent down. You want to comfort her, but now is definitely not the time to be showing such a weakness.
"It was an entirely calculated risk. If there was no harm it was a trust-building act of faith. If it made me sick the dryad would have felt guilty and more agreeable. If it was all a ploy to get me drugged somehow then it would net her little as I have little real significance to the family and would have simply been replaced with someone else that would now have more information to work with," you manage to say analytically. The logic was sound enough, even if you had come up with it after the fact knowing there'd be questions. You could hardly admit you hadn't even considered the last possibility.
Mina's eyes turn firmly upon you and seem to slice through you like blades probing for weakness. You keep your face firmly impassive. "That's a terrible thing to say Tristan!" Olivia cries, "Didn't you think about how I'd feel about it?"
"Indeed Tristan, how cruel to ignore poor Olivia's feelings," Mina adds, her voice pitched as if sympathetic, but you note she hasn't even missed a beat in braiding Olivia's hair despite shaping an incredibly intricate weave. "Besides you do so underestimate your value to the family. You would not have this position otherwise."
"You hear that Tristan, no more risking your life like that!" Olivia's teary eyes turned to lock onto yours breaks your impassive mask far too easily, something that Mina surely noticed.
"I'll keep you in mind next time Olivia," you say to her comfortingly patting her on the shoulder, before deciding that it's not like it could get worse and hugging her. Eager to change the subject to something else, anything else you continue: "What did you think of the camp Mina?"
"You've done rather well I'd say." You think what she really means is she expected less of you. "Though perhaps that's more due to your captain. He actually managed to spot me on my way in, but he immediately changed directions. I wonder what could possibly have caused him to do that," she continues in such an innocent tone as if no one could possibly be scared off by her. You mentally pat Leo on the back for being able to notice her and recognize how dangerous she is, but you curse him for not warning you she was here.
"I'm sure Leo just thought of something else he had to do, it's not like he'd have any reason to avoid you," Olivia comments, having recovered a bit with the change in conversation.
"Ah yes, that was his name." As if she'd ever forget a name. "I've heard such interesting things about this Leo. So reliable. Reminds me of Nicola's 2nd in command," she says with a lilt, as if that's somehow significant.
"What is Nicola up to these days?" Your only younger sibling, he had been the only one you got along with really, even less engaged in politics than you.
"He's still avoiding me thinking I'm going to kill him. Such a challenge." It was impressive really that he was still alive, but you expect it was more sport than serious.
"Nicola was always so silly. How could he ever be afraid of you?" Olivia asks obliviously.
"He's still a boy in many ways, always afraid of shadows," Mina dismisses it as if she hadn't told Nicola she would kill him when the moment was right as a child. Father wouldn't do anything as long as it simply remained threats though, after all, what were death threats amongst children? "He's been given command of a warship, one of the fast interceptors that patrol for pirates. He's rapidly proven to be one of the best captains we have. His paranoia has really been getting to him lately though," she tsks as she finishes the braid with a loop that reminds you of a noose, despite being innocuous by itself.
You're tempted to tell her that it's not paranoia if someone really is out to get you. That would be a very bad idea though. "Good for him. I'd certainly help him out if I could."
"It's quite normal for an older sibling to help a younger out isn't it?" She pauses. "I paid some merchants for you, since by my information you didn't have enough money to compensate them… Seems you're still recovering after all brother. Usually you have a better grasp of numbers than this."
Running through the figures in your head you realize she's right. "How nice of you?" you question.
"Think nothing of it, that's what family is for isn't it?" You can already see this leading into a dangerous request, but it would be even more dangerous to refuse. "I'm here because Father wanted to secure a few of the fruits that so incapacitated you for study. While his original message you seem to have interpreted as a request, it was in fact a demand. Personally I'd rather like to have a chat with this dryad. I did meet Olivia before after all, it's only right that I meet this new woman in my brother's life." Somehow the latter idea is even more terrifying.
It's not like you can really stop her from seeing Nerissa though, especially now that she's so close to your base. It leaves you with rather few options for the situation though. Especially since she's put you in her debt.
[][Mina] Warn Nerissa not to trust Mina
[][Mina] Introduce Mina warmly
[][Mina] Let Mina introduce herself
[][Mina] Mislead Mina. Explain that due to her replanting, she's a bit grouchy, and she'd get a better impression if she met with her later.
Plans for Spring: (Base costs shown, increase 10% for merchants issue)
You now have 2 construction actions:
[][Construction] Improve the wall with guard towers offering some protection from ranged weapons and a higher vantage point. (50 Denier)
[][Construction] Reinforce the extended palisade (2 actions to complete)
[][Construction] Build a rabbit pen? (25 Denier)
[][Construction] Write-in
2x d85s or 1x 1d100.
[][Personal] You could produce some basic enchanted gear for one of your units. Sharper blades and harder armor are staples for a reason. (100 Denier in needed materials)
-[] Specify a unit.
[][Personal] Have Leo give you a bit of training. However much you hate it, being better at fighting will help a lot if something is trying to eat you. (Must be taken with appropriate Captain action)
[][Personal] Speak to your father. It might be a good idea.
[][Personal] Recruit basic units. Specify what kind.
-[] Replace losses, 150 denier
-[] What units?
[][Personal] Recruit one Specialist unit (Enchanter, Elite, Woodworkers, Healer, Potioneer) These units need special persuasion or negotiation so can't be hired in bulk.
[][Personal] Experiment on the effects of enchanting within the Overgrowth.
[][Personal] Write-in
Nerissa is still pretty firmly in your debt. She'll probably do anything you want right now that's within her powers. You're probably going to want to ask about some of those fruits though.
[][Nerissa] ?
(2 Hunter units available)
[][Hunters] Hunt for food, reduce upkeep by 50
[][Hunters] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Hunters] Catch a bunch of rabbits for the rabbit pen. (Requires rabbit pen.)
[][Hunters] Explore the forest, collect flora and fauna samples. Attempt to map out the notable locations
[][Levy] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Levy] Train with the captain (must be taken with captain action, is not advised at this time)
[][Levy] Guard
-[] The base and sawmill
-[] The construction crew
-[] The merchants that bring your supplies (eliminate 10% modifier)
[][Footmen] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Footmen] Train with the captain (must be taken with captain action, is not advised at this time)
[][Footmen] Guard
-[] The base and sawmill
-[] The construction crew
-[] The merchants that bring your supplies (eliminate 10% modifier)
[][Herbalist] Assign to enhance another action having to do with plants.
[][Herbalist] Independent write-in action, requires escort if acting within the Overgrowth
[][Captain] Command troops, raising morale and effectiveness
[][Captain] Train Olivia
[][Captain] Recruit new units. Specify what kind.
-[] Replace losses, 150 denier
-[] What units?
[][Captain] Train regulars (must be taken with appropriate action)
[][Captain] Train you (must be taken with appropriate action)
[][Hunters] Hunt for food, reduce upkeep by 50
[][Hunters] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Hunters] Catch a bunch of rabbits for the rabbit pen. (Requires rabbit pen.)
[][Hunters] Explore the forest, collect flora and fauna samples. Attempt to map out the notable locations
[][Levy] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Levy] Train with the captain (must be taken with captain action, is not advised at this time)
[][Levy] Guard
-[] The base and sawmill
-[] The construction crew
-[] The merchants that bring your supplies (eliminate 10% modifier)
[][Footmen] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Footmen] Train with the captain (must be taken with captain action, is not advised at this time)
[][Footmen] Guard
-[] The base and sawmill
-[] The construction crew
-[] The merchants that bring your supplies (eliminate 10% modifier)
[][Herbalist] Assign to enhance another action having to do with plants.
[][Herbalist] Independent write-in action, requires escort if acting within the Overgrowth
[][Captain] Command troops, raising morale and effectiveness
[][Captain] Train Olivia
[][Captain] Recruit new units. Specify what kind.
-[] Replace losses, 150 denier
-[] What units?
[][Captain] Train regulars (must be taken with appropriate action)
[][Captain] Train you (must be taken with appropriate action)
219 starting -831 upkeep this turn +600 season payment +200 sawmill profit -275 construction = -87 +200 Mina bailout = 113
Upkeep next turn: 765+10% (100 you +100 leo +100 sawmill + 200 construction crews +100 hunters + 45 levies +70 footmen +50 herbalist) - 200 Sawmill profit
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WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
RIP we failed maths forever
Always Late
Lacking in coffee, sleep, and brains
- Location
- Ohio
Not bad, but really not that good either.
We're in a fantasy world, so overcoming bad weather is... limited.
uuuuuuugh. That's a massive time sink for little upfront. Very high opportunity cost, but once it gets in hopefully it'll pay off.
Silver Lining.
Olivia is not very surprising, and the herbalist probably got a fun dive into their job.
Hopefully she doesn't have any setbacks from trees in her area being harvested.
That's pretty ornate.
Daaa-
AAAAAAAAH! WE HAVE AN INCUBATING YANDERE!
Forgot that was a thing.
She really is just a little kid, huh.
Double Daaaw.
Disaster averted for thankfully low casualties.
Oh fuck.
This can't be good.
What's her deal?
whelp.
NOOO DON'T DO IT!
We need to start making a loyal power base. NOW.
Aaaaaaand our protagonist's family just casually turned one of their own children into a psychopathic assassin. Very 40k.
Or very anime, if you think about it. Azula much?
Unfortunately, Olivia is just going to keep feeding our psycho of a sister blackmail material.
Olivia, whyyyyyyyyyy.
Uh huh. Sure.
That makes me wonder: Did our Dryad Daughteru notice Mina coming in? If so, we may have a... disposal method.
Or Mina's the anime version of an assassin: a one-woman army only kept from clearing out places like this because her masters care more about human enemies and her own sadistic tastes.
Well, at least we know what our Game Over Screen will be: Us seeing Mina.
Warhammer parenting, everybody.
One. I don't know whether to compliment or chide Leo for thinking a ship at sea will stop Mina.
Two. No shit that's nasty.
Oh god, this is going to lead to something horrible.
Yes, keep her the fuck away our daughteru.
Yeah to throw it out you guys overspent in the plan, we intended to work it into the narrative, and had Mina solve the problem for you. Isn't she a thoughtful sister! She's certainly been thinking about you recently!
Fun facts. Tristan believes, not without reason, that Mina can probably find her way to Nerissa,
She's more asking for an introduction because she wants some of that fruit. You're aren't sure how IC the fruit works, but more experimentation can tell you. Probably not a good idea to do it again on yourself. Mina certainly has some ideas for how to use it!
Fun facts. Tristan believes, not without reason, that Mina can probably find her way to Nerissa,
She's more asking for an introduction because she wants some of that fruit. You're aren't sure how IC the fruit works, but more experimentation can tell you. Probably not a good idea to do it again on yourself. Mina certainly has some ideas for how to use it!
Yeah you only have dirt roads leading from the city to your outpost. So rain and snow make them much less usable.
I think it was a fairly reasonable response on her part to what happened. Not like she actually did anything.
I find it funny that "What's her deal?" came in the middle after you'd already realized it couldn't be good.
I will note at this point that you were separated from Olivia because you were getting too attached to a servant. But then when your father found out that you had given her super strength he sent her straight back to you.
Isn't this thought very Warhammer parenting as well?
Somewhere in between so far as you know. Keeping in mind this is a fantasy world where 'hero' units don't plateau nearly as quickly as real world humans.
Don't be ridiculous. There are tons of possible game over screens.
So since we're introducing Mina, the elder sibling that went unmentioned before I'll probably add some context that Tristan would have. As you may recall he was the fifth child. His siblings are:
1. Kaleb: A powerful warrior hero, but often stymied by his own cruelty when it comes to leadership.
2. Edgar: A silver tongued womanizer who seduced his own sister among countless others.
3. Adolphine: A very competent financier, but completely enraptured by Edgar and uninterested in any other men, despite his many affairs.
4. Mina: Tristan would describe her as a total sociopath, but of the sort that's quite good at hiding it. Has apparently become an assassin. Indicated she'd kill Nicola when they were children, and Nicola believed it.
5. Tristan: Disinterested in politics, and sought to come up with a job that could provide him a fairly lavish lifestyle. Things haven't turned out like he hoped.
6. Nicola: Was a fairly happy child, and spent a fair bit of time with you and Olivia. Descended into paranoia after Mina's threat. Apparently now a ship captain?
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Always Late
Lacking in coffee, sleep, and brains
- Location
- Ohio
*chokes back bile*
*choses not to choke back bile*
Oh thank god, someone fucking normal.
You have decent odds of meeting the other siblings, so the mention here is a primer, especially if you want to reach out to some of them.
They're all sort of quirky. There were complaints of things getting stale so we'll spice things up with their appearances when it makes since. Nicola is sea related stuff obviously for instance.
Oh! And We've had some ideas for how keep things interested if things botch again. Which may or may not involve your family depending on what botches.
They're all sort of quirky. There were complaints of things getting stale so we'll spice things up with their appearances when it makes since. Nicola is sea related stuff obviously for instance.
Oh! And We've had some ideas for how keep things interested if things botch again. Which may or may not involve your family depending on what botches.
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