1)Who's the emperor here? We are
2) who makes the rules? We do.
It's always a possibility for the future, who knows.
She's still 5, give it time.
And I still have not given up on immortality/long life. A couple nat 100 when we kill Sombra could still trigger an ascension! CADANCE got hers for much less, and Thorax kind of had something similar when he learned to "love and share".
Also.. I wonder, Heavenly dragon + earth Dragon = ?
It seems like dragons are divided kinda like the ponies, one has magic and/or weather control (like the pegasi or unicorns), the other strength and fire breath (kinda like earth ponies, except cooler and up to 11).
Weeeell Kappa are Water Demons, so I wouldn't put it past at least some of them to evacuate by sea. Water magic covereth even ramshackle shipbuilding skill.
Well, seems we'll be needing to establish an embassy for them here. That, and see about getting them to meet with the yak clans. Maybe our new dragon friend can convince them that uniting is better than remaining divided...?
Step 1: create embassies for both of us.
Step 2: extra diplomacy action for us upon nipony land
Step 3: establish trade deals
Step 4: profit
Step 5: discover where step "???" went
Step 1: create embassies for both of us.
Step 2: extra diplomacy action for us upon nipony land
Step 3: establish trade deals
Step 4: profit
Step 5: ???
step 70: win civilization by diplomacy
Step 1: create embassies for both of us.
Step 2: extra diplomacy action for us upon nipony land
Step 3: establish trade deals
Step 4: profit
Step 5: discover where step "???" went
Is it strange the thing I'm actually most excited for is seeing what kind of new alcohols our people can make together and the advent of FIREWORKS with our trade deals?
Your fellow Emperor stares blankly...then laughs. You fear you've made a faux-pas, but the Dragon waves a clawed hand.
"Forgive me but...I don't think anyone has ever asked me that question before. So many of my people view me as beyond them, as a perfect being, that they forget I am also a person."
He actually looks a little sad at this admission.
"It is...good...to be seen as an approachable equal by another. I would be honored to see your land and culture with my own eyes, and to meet your family."
And so, after a great kerfuffle amongst the Neighponese, who insist on sending an honor guard along with their ruler (who manages to talk them down from a battalion to only a squadron of Qilin Samurai), the two most powerful beings in the known world depart the Palace Ship for shore. A number of sky-carriages are hastily gathered for transport to the capital, and after a short ride, you lead the Draconic ruler to your not-so-humble home.
Fireworks would be nice. They could even be a neighpon invention once we share with them gunpowder.
WE don't have to be the one to invent/discover everything. Trading means we can take advantage of each other's discoveries and knowledge after all.
I'd like it if, for example, it was the Qilins who'll invent matches.
Such a small, miraculous discovery..
...I'm imagining Archimedes meeting the emperor, and then ignoring him because he's too busy with his studies/answering rudely. And while his guards get offended the emperor just starts laughing
So we have allies time to put on our diplomacy hats and get axis 2 electric boogaloo going.
but truth be told embassies are a must along with a exchange of trade while they are Japan and don't have as much resources we have a a lot and they have special trade goods so we get special trade goods we don't have and they get resources.
1: embassies and trade
2: non aggression pact but we pretty much already have that
3: defenses pack and semi military alliance versus sombra
4: true military alliance
5: axis 2 electric boogaloo
I wonder what place Gwyndlyn holds in Neighponese theology. She's only a terrestrial dragon, but she is still a Dragon, and one seemingly as free of the curse of her race as their divine Emperor.
I wonder what place Gwyndlyn holds in Neighponese theology. She's only a terrestrial dragon, but she is still a Dragon, and one seemingly as free of the curse of her race as their divine Emperor.
Nah, she still has the potential for the curse. However, it seems it's an on-off thing, with likely some kind of addictive quality to it which would explain why almost all "earth-dragons" have become so reviled, since they keep raiding stuff periodically or non-stop.
You know. Can we have an action next turn to forge a Masterwork Orichalcum sword, in whatever the dominant style is for our Knightly Orders, to gift to the Neighpon?
Fireworks would be nice. They could even be a neighpon invention once we share with them gunpowder.
WE don't have to be the one to invent/discover everything. Trading means we can take advantage of each other's discoveries and knowledge after all.
I'd like it if, for example, it was the Qilins who'll invent matches.
Such a small, miraculous discovery..
...I'm imagining Archimedes meeting the emperor, and then ignoring him because he's too busy with his studies/answering rudely. And while his guards get offended the emperor just starts laughing
Yeah, that's what I meant! WIth them learning of gun powder, I'm pretty sure it'd be inevitable they'd be the one to repurpose it for fireworks! And we'd have a neat suprise for our dragon daughters birthday!
... speaking of birthdays, when the emperors? Need to mark that on our calenders, since I'm sure our daughter would like to attend her new friends birthday. Along with other neighponese holdiays.
You know. Can we have an action next turn to forge a Masterwork Orichalcum sword, in whatever the dominant style is for our Knightly Orders, to gift to the Neighpon?
Actually, given we now have allies with magical expertise, we can probably run some experiments as to what properties it has in regards to magic. cancel it? channel it? convert it? drain it? multiply it? r can it do some of those, but depending on how its forged/merged with other metals it changes properties? all that could be solved and more!
The vague point is that we give them one of our swords, to the very best of our abilities, and out of a sense of honor they will reciprocate; although it's also a bit of showing off in both directions. Of course, none of this would be outright said to each other as that would change the tone entirely.
Titles: Emperor of Gryphus, King of Griffonia, Inheritor of the Imperial House of Gryphus, The Unifier, Great Winged Alpha
Description: Before your wife got her talons on you, you were a fairly typical example of the Griffon species. An unmistakably masculine build, a strong, prominent beak, feathers and fur that seem to be perpetually well-groomed, and a pair of piercing amber eyes hiding a fierce intelligence. Not anymore though. Oh, you still have all those qualities, they're just overshadowed by the massive amount of muscle you've put on since you started your wife's "enhanced training regimen". Your wings can lift dumbbells, and your legs are like tree-trunks supporting a barrel chest rippling with abdominal muscles. In short, you have the build of a person who has been lifting heavy objects his entire life.
Martial: 9+2+1+2=14
Diplomacy: 14+2+2=18
Stewardship: 13+2=15
Learning: 16+2=18
Intrigue: 11+2=13
Trait-Attractive: You are a very handsome fellow. +2 Diplomacy, better spousal relationship
Trait-Genius: Smart doesn't even begin to describe you. +2 all skills
Trait-Strong: Working out with your wife has done great things for your body. +2 Martial
Inventory:
Blade of the King: an ornate and deadly sword you had forged for yourself after being crowned King of Griffonia. +1 Martial
Royal Armor: Serving to protect you as well as display your royal status to onlookers, this armor is both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
Trait: Strong - Born stronger than most. (+2 Martial)
Trait: Experienced - Has been a mercenary for several years, ranging across the lands of the former Empire. Knows much about the world. (+1 All Stats)
Son: Gawain Golden-Feather
Age: 9
Status: Child-No Stats
Status: Designated Heir. Will become player character in event of Parent's Deaths.
Trait: Strong-Born stronger than most. (+2 Martial)
Trait: Attractive-A cute kid, and eventually a handsome fellow. (+2 Diplomacy, better spousal relationship)
Trait: Genius-Smart doesn't begin to describe him. (+2 All Stats)
Trait: Game Master-Years of playing games of strategy and wits with members of the Imperial Court has honed his sense of strategy and taught him how to read others. (+1 Martial, +2 Diplomacy)
(Adopted) Daughter: Gwyndlyn Golden-Feather
Age: 5
Status: Child-No Stats
Status-Designated Regent: In the event that no heir is capable of taking the throne, or in the event the rightful ruler is otherwise unavailable, she will take control of the kingdom until the situation can be resolved.
Trait: Dragon-A fire breathing reptile. (+4 Martial)
Imperial Army: Professional soldiers, paid and supplied by you. 500 soldier battalions cost 150 gold each to raise or replace. Additionally, Imperial Army soldiers have an upkeep cost of 200 gold per every ten thousand soldiers.
Imperial Army Morale: 70/100 (Above Average)
Imperial Army Numbers: 21,000
-10,000 Warriors: Armed with a sword or hand-axe and shield, these Griffons make up the bulk of your army.
-5000 Polearms: For keeping your enemy at arms length or taking down opponents larger than a Griffon.
-5000 Archers: Griffons with bows and some arrows. Not much else to say.
-1000 Diamond Dogs: Armed with a variety of swords, war axes, and other weapons suitable for close-quarters, Diamond Dogs are masters of subterranean combat, and are well suited to ambush tactics.
-5 Mobile Ballistae: Massively oversized mechanical bows that fire bolts big enough to pierce through tree trunks from vast distances.
-4 Cannons: Firing iron balls through the power of explosive black powder, these metal siege engines are one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal.
-6 Flame Projectors: A product of Archimedes's "liquid fire", these static contraptions can shoot jets of flaming liquid vast distances, burning all in their path.
Knightly Orders (Self Maintained): In the old Empire, Knightly Orders were typically made up of Griffons of noble birth who joined a fraternal militant organization dedicated to martial excellence, honor, and a number of various edicts of moral strength. These great warriors dedicated themselves to the Emperor and the protection of the common Gryph. Tragically, few of these brave souls survived the reign of Discord. But a new breed of Knights now seeks to serve as your sword and shield, and will rally to your banner whenever you may need them.
The Knights Lion
1 Grandmaster Konrad Hardbeak, "The Kingslayer"
40 Knights of the Inner Circle
200 Imperial Knights
150 Squires
500 Griffons-at-Arms
Citadel: The Lion's Den, Griffonia
The Knights Talon
1 Grandmaster Colombroni Pigeonio
30 Knights of the Inner Circle
250 Imperial Knights
115 Squires
400 Griffons-at-Arms
Citadel: The Crow's Nest, Wingbardy
The Knights Panther
1 Grandmaster Adrian Dawnquill
35 Knights of the Inner Circle
300 Imperial Knights
100 Squires
400 Griffons-at-Arms
Citadel: The Black Fortress, Aquileia
Royal Navy: The vessels that guard your coastlines and patrol the oceans. Crewed by career sailors, they have an upkeep of five gold per ship, per year.
20 Cogs (Bolt-Throwers)
Auxiliaries: Auxiliary units are forces not part of a Knightly Order or the Royal Army and Navy that can be brought into battle alongside both of the former groups. They can be made up of allied nation units suborned to you, units drawn up from the militia, and mercenary outfits.
Politics
Nobility Opinion: 9/10 (Long Live the Emperor!).
General Public Opinion: 9/10 (Long Live the Emperor!).
Roll Bonuses
Improved Army Communications: +3 on certain Army Rolls
Naval Navigation Tools: +5 on certain Naval and Exploration Rolls
Gun-Cotton: +5 to all Cannon Rolls
Imperial War Memorial: Army Morale may not fall below 20, Militia count as Regulars when defending Core Territory
Yak Clans
Raw Hides: 7/10
River Walkers: 7/10
Broken Horns: 7/10
Thunder Warriors: 7/10
Persons of Interest
???: A friendly and strangely casual Griffon female you met at your inaugural ball. Despite having a wonderful evening chatting with her, you never got her name.
Garibaldi Talonuelli: Formerly the Duke of Wingbardy, now the Grand Duke of Wingbardy, Talonuelli is a beloved public figure in his home province and an experienced administrator. After saving his city and people from Brochard's attempted invasion and negotiating his province's vassalage over a few drinks, you'd like to think you can count him among your friends.
Federico Montefeathertro: Duke of the (former) City-State of Urbirdo, and your Father-in Law. He might just be the friendliest of the former Feathersians, having agreed to back you and your kingdom without question or condition during the Brochard Crisis, and hiring a mercenary outfit as a belated wedding gift. You're reasonably certain he likes you, as much as In-Laws can like each other anyway.
man, I was kinda joking when I wrote that psuedo-history book line of "magic, anti-evil sword in claw" for an omake, but we could just straight up get a magic, anti-evil sword made from our metals and forged in a foreign land. The perfect priceless relic to be handed down and spoken of in legend.
Allies from the East: Shockwaves reverberate throughout the Empire as the Expedition sent earlier in the year returns with a fleet of foreign vessels. The Empire of Gryphus meets the Kingdom of Neighpon. The public is heartened by the news that these neighbors, like the Yaks before them, seek to assist in the war against the Shadow King. Already there is talk among merchants and entrepreneurs of setting up networks of trade with the Sunrise Kingdom, which is rumored to possess many new and interesting goods that could sell for a hefty profit in the markets of Imperial cities, and tales of the Heavenly Dragons and the multi-racial nature of Neighpon have fascinated scholars and laypeople alike.
The Wonders of Industry: Griffons and Dogs across the Empire marvel at the pace of technological advancement. From blast furnaces that churn out vast quantities of cheap metal to steam-driven pumps that have turned marshland into farmland and Genevieve's "liquid fire lamps", the people of the Empire see countless ways their lives improve as a result of new inventions, inspiring a generation of young minds and encouraging public interest in education and research.
Tit-for-Tat: No sooner had word begun to spread of a great blow being struck against the Southern Scourge by brave infiltrators than the temperature along the border began to drop once again. The curse of cold is felt once more across the regions of the Empire closest to the Shadowlands, snow falling in the middle of Spring. Yet the cold is less intense than it was in the run up to the Battle of Redstone, and scouts report that no invasion force has has been spotted. Many believe this to be a form of retaliation from the Shadow King who, in his weakened state, is unable to do more to strike back against the Empire. While this reassures some, it does not make the task of farming in the cold any easier. -300 Farming Income
God, we just have every single demografic of nerd here.
I have finally found my paradise.
Also, I now have to make omakes based on the Dawn of War 2 cast. Congratulations, a mountain by the crystal kingdom is now named Aurelia, and we now have an agent named Cyrus
