Theseus Core ( Arknight Inspired, Hero Focused Kingdom Quest)

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In the calamity ravaged Gaia, build your nation!
Choose your Faction!
Theseus Core - the discovery which helped mankind to survive the first dimensional cataclysm and allowed the creation of the arcologies and the rise of the modern nations. In its inert state, it is looks like a black ball about the size of a modern basketball but when a compatible accommodator is near, it lights up like a beacon and eagerly try to combine with the accommodator. At its most primitive form, it reproduces what the accommodator urgently needs with varying results. Modern Theseus Core is technologically injected with blueprints that help the production and maintenance of mobile cities.

As such the distribution of Theseus Core are at the hand of nation states which they guard with an iron grip.

Lucky for you, you are one of the very few which has been chosen!

Choose your starting faction:


[ ] Kingdom of Brittania - A truly egalitarian kingdom dominated by nobility and chivalry wherein every vow is considered sacred.. Sadly, its also about to explode in civil war as the king is dead and the heirs seemed to have gone missing. Oh, its being invaded by fae like creatures at the moment. At the official records, your father is a knight who performed a sacred quest which rewarded him a Theseus Core. Unofficially, you are one of the missing heirs of the kingdom, hiding from treacherous foes.

[ ] Republic of Ileum - The most technologically advanced nation in Gaia dominated by several megacorp that cooperate and compete with one another in the name of scientific progress. Its treatment of orium people is considered the best. Though, there is always some news regarding an experimental subject that has gone out of control in the name of curing the orium. Why, there are at least three who are declared walking calamities. Officially, you have made great progress in a project and is being given a core to research further in a a more controlled setting. Unofficially, you are the project and due to an incident, this is the compromise reached.

[ ] Empire of Ruthenia- Boasting the largest nation in the world. Its resources is unmatched. But the largest empire in the world is currently fracturing and whoever has the biggest fist wins the crown of the empire. As the war continues, more and more orium whether the resource or the people are produced to fuel their war machine and their treatment is appalling. As your capital city dies and along it with your uncle, you gather the remnant of the dukedom to face the siege of the rest of your enemies and hopefully make a difference along the way.

Notes:
I am actually planning an arknight quest but when I was making worldbuilding notes - I've noticed that 90% of it is original content so just make it original with winks to arknight here and there. In fact the starting characters are basically winks to Siege, Ifrit and Talulah.

Notable difference is the titular Theseus Core plus only having one race basically mankind. Also, the originium is changed to orium and it works very differently. You can get infected but you really need to be in a high orium concentrated place for a long time. And people actually want a certain amount of orium in their bodies because this facilitates their spirit arts. Without it, you have no magic powers. The only trouble is when orium concentration in the bloodstream gets a bit too much, because you turn in a monster.

Addendum:
This was crossposted from SB. So the first vote was already done. I'm just testing which forum is more responsive to the quest for now. Don't worry, you can vote at both sites. I'll just manually add the vote.
 
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Prologue - Krasnoyarsk, The Beautiful Red Steeped Bank
[x] Empire of Ruthenia

X.x.X.

Prologue

~Krasnoyarsk, The Beautiful Red Steeped Bank~

X.x.X.




Today, Krasnoyark refreshed its name, as its beautiful bank became bathed with red blood. Its picturesque buildings has long been in rubles, the carefully cultivated gardens ruined and the much admired transparent dome covered in cracks from the continuous shelling outside. Indeed, a part of the dome has fallen, allowing the easy access of drones and operators. Gunfire and screams dominated as soldiers fought with one another without regard to the civilians caught in the crossfire..

Sergei Witte watched the scenery from his vantage point as he readied his gun for the final confrontation. To think the most beautiful city in Siberia is reduced to this. But, this must be done. Sergei Witte reminded himself. "The Duke of Krasnoyarsk is a snake that becomes deadlier if left alone. Now that it came to this, we must ensure that it's worth the price."

As his gun sucked more air, a blade of wind emerged from the tip which didn't stop growing until it was a full 36 inches long. Along with the two blades hovering by his side, Witte has finished his preparation.

"Watcher Ready. Begin the operation." Witte remarked to his communicator. He didn't say anything else, his partners know what to do.

Ten minutes later, the sound of a building crashing was heard as the fighting in the streets spilled in the plaza. A towering serpent made of shadows was fending agents sending them crashing headlong into the nearby buildings.

The creature seemed unstoppable until a huge man wearing a distinctive white full plate armor stepped out. The White General held his glowing tower shield running into a near collision with the head of the snake.

BOOM!

The two crashed. T

The tower shield lit up and in an instant the momentum of the giant creature was reversed, throwing it backward. But before hitting the building, the shadow serpent turned into a man and lightly jumped from the wall into the plaza. Witte recognized him immediately.

This is Koschei Krasnoyarks, the Duke of Krasnoyarks and the leader of the conservative nobles. With the air of a respectable elder, he used his serpent tongue to resist his Majesty's reforms. And even now, he stood tall as if he did not commit the heinous crime of assassinating the emperor!

As if the Duke was undamaged, he looked at the General in disappointment. "Is this really all the White General has amounted to? Such disgrace. When the original white general held the line, he and his six thousand men were outnumbered but they single handedly closed the breach of ten thousand monsters giving the empire precious breathing room." With a theatrical hand, Koschei pointed to the soldiers slowly swarming in formation. A few brave ones even fired bullets and magic back which was intercepted by his shadow. "And here you are, with all the advantages in the world and couldn't even deal with one enemy. "

To this General Sbokelev did not reply. Witte knew that he prefers to let his sword do the talking. In a few seconds, he and his men have Koschei surrounded in a circle, their shield glowing forming an impassable white wall. The Duke was like a rat caught in a trap..

"Still, trying old tricks? I do admit the White Wall is quite powerful. But, it's not the end of all, child."

From behind General Sbokelev and his men, the shadows of the buildings came alive and formed sharp spears. In a few seconds, the situation reversed. The good general was able to dodge but many of his men could not and they were speared by the black shadows.

Koschei didn't waste a second, his hand elongated into long claws and he rushed to pierce the general who's shield is now tilted sideways - the formation broken.

Witte, who was silently watching, knew that this was his chance. With three clicks of his gun, he fired all three wind blades toward Koschei. A loud clap was born as the bullet moved several times the speed of sound. When they neared the target the three blades seemed to multiply until there was a rain of blades in the area.

When the dust settled, Witte watched in satisfaction as Koschei was forced back. Bleeding from several wounds. One of his arms mangled as he used the shield of shadow to make a cover from the rain of blades.

Finally finished.

On the other hand, Koschei himself doesn't seem to think so. He looked over at Witte's direction and the formation which was so easily broken and smiled. "Minister Witte is here as well. It looks like I really am valued. So many of the empire's finest. All to capture this old man."

"Not to capture. We are here to kill you." This time it was General Sbokelev who answered.

This apparently took Koschei by surprise. "Kill me? Really? Do you really understand what it means to kill me?" Like an old man to a dull child, the duke talked "The moment that you kill me those nobles that fear the imperial power will be given all the reasons to move. There will be no reconciliation. Knowing this, are you really willing to kill me?"

Witte clenched his guns. He argued for a more conservative approach - to wait or just capture for this mission but his majesty and the rest cannot be denied.

"His Majesty no longer needs such fools in his empire any longer." The General replied. "All must serve or perish."

At this Koschei laughed, not caring about his wounds anymore. "Wonderful. Wonderful! I didn't think his Majesty had it in him, Wiping his eyes, Koschei spoke "That said, even with Minister Witte here. It is not a sure thing that you will be able to kill --- "

Koschei dodged, a blade shaped like a cross came from above.

"I have enough of your mouth, traitor. The greatest mistake his majesty made is allowing you to speak. " Procurator Pobedonostev with his priest robes billowing finally made his presence known. His stern tone belied the rage underneath.. "His late Majesty called you a friend and you turned that trust by killing him."

At this Koschei just smiled. It seemed he wouldn't indict himself even when nearing death. Pity.

"You should know what this weapon means when it touches your blood." The blade held by Procurator Pobedenostev hand touched the ground stained by Koschei's blood. And like it was thirsty, the blade drank the blood, its color turning red.

"I see. With you here along with Minister Witte and the good general, it seemed my chance of escape is nearing zero. But, isn't the church supposed to be neutral?"

Procurator Pobedonestev ignored him and silently chanted to the blade. "Thus I will punish the world for its evil And the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud. And abase the haughtiness of the ruthless. Isaiah 13:11. Procurator Pobedenostev intoned as the sword glowed holy red. "Sinner received your judgement!"

From the other side, the General and his aides once again completed the formation, trapping Koschei once again. The General himself stepped in the center with his sword to support the priest.

Witte knew from the communicator that the General's soldiers were given orders to hold the formation even at the pain of death. As long as the line is held for a few seconds the Duke will have no way to escape.

Everything was going according to plan.

"It looks like my time is up." Koschei smiled serenely. "This is not how I planned. But, I believe it is a good way to die."

Witte has an ominous premonition..

Something was wrong

Koschei should at least be trying to interrupt the process, right?

But, he was just standing there and if Witte's eyes didn't deceive him, he seemed to be calm. Could such a man calmly accept his death? Witte didn't think so and he thought of himself as a good judge of character.

Clenching his gun, Witte was prepared for another trick or reversal from the cunning duke.

And yet, what happened was almost anticlimactic.

As the General and the Procurator made their move. Two swords pierced the Duke, one in his heart and the other neatly taking his head off. And yet, Koschei didn't move a finger.

Even at the very end he just calmly accepted his death with a smile.

Witte shook his head. Could he be used to getting bad news that he instinctively doubts good news?

But, far from Witte's ears, before he was executed, Koschei whispered. "My death is just the beginning."

Unseen his shadow touched and entwined with his executioner.

At the empire, spheres with small black were continuously snuffed out. Countless aristocrats who held them sent spies and diplomats from all directions as they saw such sign.

The fires of war in the empire began to burn.

The Duke Koschei is dead. Long Live Koschei.

X.x.X.​


Hahaha! I finally finished the update! It is now time to select our faction boss! Our main character's unique trait is:

  • Oriumites are Humans! - In your territory the cost of high level Orium units is lessened. 10% higher artificial threshold for turning into monsters in your territory.

And now customizing our main character,

Choose a gender:
[ ] Male - genderbending for the win.
[ ] Female - don't fix what is broken.

Choose our combat style:

[ ] Fire - What homage! go full Tallulah expy! Do I need to explain this more? Just play Arknights Chapter 8 for more details. MORE DAKKA is always the right answer.
Associated starting base facility : True Fire Cannon - your fire does true damage. Most cannons need repeated shelling to pierce the armor of mobile cities. With you in the facility, unless there is something special on the opponent's shield. This cannon ignore defense and just melts the armor of arcologies.

[ ] Wind - While you can do some nifty wind damage, you sacrificed part of casting power in learning how to speed herself and her allies with the blessing of wind. But, hey didn't your aspd go up as well?
Associated starting base facility : wind engine - with you in the facility, the speed of the mobile base doubles. Short, simple and sweet. Sometimes running away is the right answer.

[ ] Water - You basically sacrifice all casting DPS to buff and heal people. Within a given area of the battlefield, you summon rain for AOE or just water for a single target which heals people it falls into. You can also have it suppress berserk orium allowing orium users to cast longer without worry of enhancing their blood orium level. The problem is this skill is indiscriminate at this level so if you're not careful you'll buff and heal enemies along with your allies.

This version also has the weakest combat skill (that said you still have all your melee skill so you're not completely helpless.)
Associated starting base facility : Water Medicinal Wells - the collected rain made from your skill. It neatly solves what to do with operators who are in the threshold since your unique trait only works in your territory. It also stacks with your unique territory skill in the mobile base.


Choose your mobile base:
Also, introducing all the mobile arcologies that has reached tier 2 in the dukedom.

[ ] Achinsk - average population (100k) , industry, military and really everything. The perfect model city with no positive and no negative.

[ ] Kansk - Low population (70k), low industry and high military.
This is more of a forward military base. Its armor is halved and its engine improved to make it twice as faster as other arcologies of the same tier. It also has a special air force for reconnaissance. Its industry is also low while it can provide for people. Get used to nutrient paste for a while.


[ ] Minusinsk - Low population (70k), low industry and high military.
This is the place where your uncle sends all those people who don't agree with him. Meaning there are plenty of high level recruits here who hate your uncle's guts or his politics.
Besides this, this city is slow, about half the speed of a normal arcology. It does have twice as much armor. Its industry is also low while it can provide for people. Get used to nutrient paste for a while.


QM Note: Finally done. If you guys are wondering, Tier I are town sized arcologies. Tier II are small city sized arcologies. Tier III is like a major city itself. Tier IV is something special for future updates.

If you are wondering, those three and one other Norilsk are the only Tier II arcologies in the dukedom. There are only 1 Tier III which is the capital city, Krasnoyarsk. That arcology contained a million people before the prologue. But, that number is expected to be very down after this.

Norilsk - the second most important city in the dukedom due to its population which is at least double of its peers. It also mines a strategic material called glacier ore. A special ore that can coat material to protect them from frost damage as well as catalyst for frost/ice arts.
You can't pick this due to the way mining that resource, its not a mobile..
 
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[X] Male - genderbending for the win.
[X] Wind - While you can do some nifty wind damage, you sacrificed part of casting power in learning how to speed herself and her allies with the blessing of wind. But, hey didn't your aspd go up as well?
Associated starting base facility : wind engine - with you in the facility, the speed of the mobile base doubles. Short, simple and sweet. Sometimes running away is the right answer.
[X] Minusinsk - Low population (70k), low industry and high military.

Ahh, perfect. I have no idea what Arknights is.

(Edited: Though, I am a tad confused on how the kingdom was chosen, as I see no other replies voting)
 
[X] Male - genderbending for the win.
[X] Wind - While you can do some nifty wind damage, you sacrificed part of casting power in learning how to speed herself and her allies with the blessing of wind. But, hey didn't your aspd go up as well?
[X] Kansk - Low population (70k), low industry and high military.
 
[X] Female - don't fix what is broken.
[X] Fire
[X] Kansk - Low population (70k), low industry and high military.

Don't fix what is broken indeed. Tallulah best girl.
 
[X] Female - don't fix what is broken.
[X] Fire
[X] Kansk - Low population (70k), low industry and high military.
 
1.1 The Shadowless Core
[ ] Male
[ ] Fire
[ ] Minusinsk

X.x,X,
~The Shadowless Core~
X.x.X.​



Far away from the tumult of the Dukedom's capital city, Makar Krasnoyarsk Romanov was having a nightmare. He tossed and turned in his bed silently fighting a familiar foe whom he has never been able to beat. After all, this was his opponent's territory, all were subject to his will. And yet...

A huge fireball exploded, chasing away the shadows and burning a body into ashes.

From afar, Makar watched the conflagration, leaning against his spear, clearly exhausted. The spell took a lot out of him. He smirked. It was worth it though just to see that bastard burning. Now if only such a thing happened in reality. Unfortunately, his luck was not that good.

"My boy, how long are you going to be stubborn?" Right on cue, the figure of the man he loathed showed itself. Koschei Krasnoyarsk looked pristine as ever. As if his body weren't burning into ashes a second ago. "This futile resistance is meaningless. You know you can't beat me here."

"Meaningless? Perhaps. But, it's better than doing what you want." Gripping his spear, Makar readied his stance, prepared to fight again and again. He would do so, if only to spite this bastard.

Koschei as always didn't get the memo. With a reconciliatory hand, he said. "Know what I'm doing is for your own good. After all, we are family."

The moment that Koschei mentioned the F-word, Makar's froze. He actually dares?! Then, he was in action. His spear swung with impunity, leaving red hot flares along the way. At his core, every single scrap of energy was being channeled in a suicidal attack. He didn't pay heed to conserving energy. He just want to make this bastard pay.

With a mighty jump, he rammed into the shadows not minding the spikes that pierced his shoulder and grabbed the offending creature's neck and screamed.

YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN FAMILY!

A supernova bloomed in the darkness.


X.x.X.​

"Gasp!"

"Gasp!"

Makar woke up seeing a familiar ceiling. A few minutes of staring and his rage died down and his face looked contemplative. Strange, the dream was too short. He was expecting the bastard to reset everything and give a lecture on the futility of emotions. He glanced at the clock and noticed that it was only 2 o'clock in the morning. Three more hours until he was scheduled to awaken.

Feeling peculiar, he got up from bed, intending to wash his face. From the mirror, his tired face looked out. Long messy auburn hair paired with the gentle ruby eyes. Even his exhaustion, didn't reduce the handsome appearance.



You are so blessed, Makar. His mother's voice gently whispered.

Makar shook his head, splashing water on his face.

Now fully awake, he looked around trying to find if there was anything amiss. His instinct warned him that something has changed but he couldn't put a finger on what it is.

It was a quick search.

Except for a few knickknacks, his bedroom was actually quite spartan having a single bed as well as a table and a chair to do his work. Most of the residents of the city have the same set-up and while he has the authority as the lord mayor to decorate and even expand his quarters, he never invoked it. Because no matter what fancy title that bastard conjured, he was the same as the people here. Unwanted, exiled and best left forgotten.

He was still racking his brain for what he was missing, when his communicator rang and he got his answer.

"The Theseus Core is What?"

X.x.X.​

The Theseus Core was one of the most important discovery in the world. At rest, the core look like a black iron ball the size of a basketball but when a compatible accommodator was found, the innocuous things comes alive endowing its owner with has the ability to build anything and even adjust the environment to suit its wielders demand. With this miraculous properties, mankind was able to walk out of the first cataclysm which destroyed three quarters of the known world and permanently altered the environment - building a grander civilization than what came before.

To be honest, it would not be a hyperbole to say that the Theseus Core was the bedrock of the current human civilization.

And as Makar became the lord mayor of a city, certain secrets became known to him. One, was how powerful accommodator can pass certain traits and beliefs given enough time to the populace in their territory. When, he found that out certain things made more sense in retrospect. Why he always uncomfortable in the duchy's capital feeling as if the bastard's taint have permeated everything. Its was not a feeling but actual reality.

Two, was the reason why the bastard felt safe in assigning him in a far away city far away from his reach. The Theseus core can form a hierarchy and that was the key on how major nations of Gaia control their territory. In the empire of Ruthenia, all the capital cores of the noble territories were subordinated to the imperial core held by the emperor and the capital cores in turn held fealty over the smaller cores within its territories. In this set-up, the possessor of the higher ranking cores were given privileges.

First, they can always track their all subordinate cores approximate location which was quite useful considering most cities were mobile and communication was difficult. Second, they can set permissions on the arcology development. For example. one of the things the bastard has forbidden the expansion of Makar's territory and certain other things. Finally, if the accommodator was talented enough, their influence could override or even subsume most of their subordinates core. The accommodators of the subordinate cores were particularly vulnerable to such influence. You can probably see the bastard's plan from that information alone.

Such an open scheme made Makar's life difficult. Should he stay in the duchy's capital where all his movements were in the bastard's grasp or take the poisoned chalice, pitting his will to his.

In the end, Makar chose the former, tossing a high risk gamble. But, before the game's conclusion, a miracle seemed to have occurred. Here at the most protected part of the arcology, the city's Theseus core shines. It glowed a weak dull red color but still it shined. Formerly, the core room was wreathed in darkness, as the core seemed to throw shadows absorbing all the light that fall within it.

Makar could hardly believe it.

How could this be possible?

He knew there were only two ways such a thing could occur. The person who the core was subordinated into willingly released it. With the bastard's personality that seemed to be impossible. The other way was the superior core's accommodator was dead. Even more impossible.

Either way, whatever that bastard was planning.

Whether dead or alive.

This is an opportunity.

With an outstretched hand, Makar touched the core. Like always, he felt the disgusting touch of shadow. But, different from the suffocating mountain before, it felt more like scum on water.

Makar pushed all of his feelings within the core. All of his anger and hate, his helplessness and resentment became kindling as the his determination for that bastard end brought forth the long awaited spark.

Within the core, the shadow burned.

A bright ruby core shined like flames finally free from its bondage.


X.x.X​

Oops. I'm quite new to the vote scheduler and forgot to post that the poll was closed. So @veekie , @Nanolyte and @GAWR votes weren't counted. Going to do better next time. :oops: That said. your vote still won anyway! Well a reimagined gender bender one! Now time to play arknight chapter 8 again to get some information for the character profile that I need to write.

@Nigerian Duck The first post votes comes from SB. This quest was being crossposted since I want to gauge interest. Anyway, I'll count any votes for both forum so its okay.

Anyway, its time to vote for your 2nd in command and attendant which is getting introduced next update.
Please choose their gender;
[ ] MALE
[ ] FEMALE

Also, their role in the faction.
[ ] military hero - will gain a boost in combat. will be leading squad or your military for you. Outside combat roles: Will follow your order and instruction assiduously.
[ ] intrigue hero - the sneaky assassin type in combat. Will gather and spy people for you.
[ ] diplomat hero - medic for combat. Will help maintain loyalty of the city and help in negotiation for you.

Note that everyone in this setting can fight. I'm mostly talking about their additional roles. Also, I'm going to finalize the stats of the city. Do you have any preference for the CIWS (close in weapon system) system. The defense system that shoots missile and intruders for you.

[ ] gun based - shorter range but more accurate. faster fire but less power.
[ ] missile based - longer range but less accurate. Have more power but lesser speed.
[ ] why bother setting up a CIWS. Put a reactive armor on it.
 
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@Nigerian Duck The first post votes comes from SB. This quest was being crossposted since I want to gauge interest. Anyway, I'll count any votes for both forum so its okay.
Ahhh okay. I've haven't heard of the site, so thanks for tellin' me.

[X] FEMALE
[X] diplomat hero
[X] missile based - longer range but less accurate. Have more power but lesser speed.

We've already got a guy, so let's balance the scales. She should be good at diplomacy, because really, we need a smart ally on our team. I have no idea what CIWS is, but long-range smart person sounds good ta me.
 
Ah, I see. Well, longer range it is. Better to kill a foe from afar than to have them on your doorstep. By the way, I'm a bit new to SV, so I'm not exactly sure how this quest operates. Is there an official system I can look up, or something similar?
 
I've been away for a long time so I cant answer this but most empire building quest in the forum is CKII system which we arent really using. I'm trying for a more narrative based empire builder. The barebones of the system should be seen in the next update.

If you read empire building webnovels, our quest should have more similarity with it.
 
[X] FEMALE
[X] diplomat hero
[X] gun based - shorter range but more accurate. faster fire but less power.
 
[X] FEMALE
[X] diplomat hero
[X] gun based - shorter range but more accurate. faster fire but less power.

Am concerned for the sheer cost of the Missile system
 
Vote Closed
Adhoc vote count started by Night Sentinel on Oct 13, 2021 at 5:12 AM, finished with 8 posts and 4 votes.


The votes here are pretty unanimous here. With 4 votes going for Female Diplomat. SB votes are pretty varied, with 3 wanting a military hero and 2 wanting an intrigue hero. But, don't worry, 1 people also voted for Female Diplomat which makes that vote count to 5. As for CISS, everyone wants a gun based CISS on both forums except Nigerian Duck.

[ ] Female
[ ] Diplomat
[ ] Gun based CISS

Anyway, time to make your update
 
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