Well, at least play this to our advantage somehow. An occupation while the country is destabilised might be better than waiting what the next ruler does.
We should definitely not intervene right out of the gate we should wait and see whats going to come of this first then begin planning who should take the throne but our armies should not be involved unless they come after us first.
You know, with all the talk about Gawain doing something with himself and then suddenly the coup - at first I thought it was connected. Like, "You want a name for yourself? Deal with this and make me proud!"
...do we marry him off to the heiress?
If it can't be proven in court then it don't count.
Honestly though it doesn't particularly matter much who's in charge because we've been anticipating this storm on our horizon for multiple turns now.
We always knew that one idiot would start this powder keg and then all hell would be let loose, we just always hoped it'd be one turn later than it actually was so we'd be even more prepared.
Regardless the most important thing to do would be to secure our assets if necessary, get our troops ready to move, then point Hardbeak in their general direction and watch all our other preparations be rendered moot when he chops their damn kingdom off the map like some horrible mixture of a maxed out shounen anime protagonist and a looney tunes skit.
You know, with all the talk about Gawain doing something with himself and then suddenly the coup - at first I thought it was connected. Like, "You want a name for yourself? Deal with this and make me proud!"
...do we marry him off to the heiress?
I would not recommend those to getting married as has been disscused on the thread before we dont know if they will be able to produce an heir with their already incredibly low fertility rate and that fact that they are two different species with one of them already being a hybrid.
Also i seriously doubt that the neighpon would want to start this hell fire considering should they invade us they will get drawn into a war.
Garrick:"You know, I notice Ravenburg has heavily implied madam ambrosia would be a good fit..."
Gabriella:"Well, duh. Of course he wants his girlfriend to be happy."
Garrick:"Girlfriend...?"
Gabriella:"Please, he could try to hide it all he likes, but you can see the lipstick stain through the paper, on the bottom of the letters she sends "
Garrick:"is that not just because she's a brothel madam?"
Gabriella:"Men. Forever clueless to a maidens heart..."
I would not recommend those to getting married as has been disscused on the thread before we dont know if they will be able to produce an heir with their already incredibly low fertility rate and that fact that they are two different species with one of them already being a hybrid.
Also i seriously doubt that the neighpon would want to start this hell fire considering should they invade us they will get drawn into a war.
Eh, heirs, we have other children who can produce them. If they do manage to get together, let em. But only if it does wind up being that way. Marry for love!
Garrick:"You know, I notice Ravenburg has heavily implied madam ambrosia would be a good fit..."
Gabriella:"Well, duh. Of course he wants his girlfriend to be happy."
Garrick:"Girlfriend...?"
Gabriella:"Please, he could try to hide it all he likes, but you can see the lipstick stain through the paper, on the bottom of the letters she sends "
Garrick:"is that not just because she's a brothel madam?"
Gabriella:"Men. Forever clueless a maidens heart..."
Eh, heirs, we have other children who can produce them. If they do manage to get together, let em. But only if it does wind up being that way. Marry for love!
I'm sure plenty do. Just willing to keep my own options open and let gawain go with what he feels best. Someone like isabelle, who can get some strength from gawain and cheer him on in the same way he broke her out of her own fears? Or someone like ki seong, sturdy as a rock, who Gawain can turn to for his own fears, and gain a perspective from outside griffonia? Either way, fun dynamics all around.
I'm sure plenty do. Just willing to keep my own options open and let gawain go with what he feels best. Someone like isabelle, who can get some strength from gawain and cheer him on in the same way he broke her out of her own fears? Or someone like ki seong, sturdy as a rock, who Gawain can turn to for his own fears, and gain a perspective from outside griffonia? Either way, fun dynamics all around.
I feel like no matter who he ends up with he will still have good contact with all his friends hell he will probably have very close contact with Ki just for advice when he eventually becomes emperor.
I feel like no matter who he ends up with he will still have good contact with all his friends hell he will probably have very close contact with Ki just for advice when he eventually becomes emperor.
yeah, same could work in the other direction too. I'm not going with any one wife candidate, personally. I find seong a really intersting romance option, and isabelle a much more classic romance option.
*wince* okay, the nobles paniced in martonia.
anti-slave faction rising with a sympathetic queen, potential hit to their income with their mystery trade partner. no mystery why they made the move.
the real questions is where martonia's military stood on the matter. most supporting the nobles, most against them, or a divided military. and how they will react when the treasure/trade fleet underperforms next year.
hmm.. if we do try and hit it, we might try to do so on it's way back to them, if just to prevent them from learning about the downturn in trade yet. let them dig their hole a bit deeper.
yeah, same could work in the other direction too. I'm not going with any one wife candidate, personally. I find seong a really intersting romance option, and isabelle a much more classic romance option.
After all, in the last few years this nation suffered:
- tense diplomatic relations with a powerful neighbor to the North their official but politically weak Queen was unable to deal with
- mass escapes by their slave "property" which weakened their economy gratly and made the nobles twitchy
- multiple scandals and plots up to flatout assassination attempts by the different nobles get aired
- their two main trade partners (the pirates of Libertalia and the Minotaur Republics) start distancing themselves, further throwing their culture into chaos.
It was bound to happen - not nnecessarily by the regent getting killed, but definitely somehow - and now we have to somehow manage the situation. Get the faction leaders boosted that we like for various reasons and get those offed that we don´t like, dismantle any nefarious plan others like the Changelings (yeah, not letting them outta my sight until we know for sure what their deal is in this Verse, even though I would not be against friendly relations if they turn out to follow some of the more benevolent portrayals circulating the fandom) might be hatching, trying to lend humanitarian aid to get in the populace´ good graces (I´d rather not wage ANOTHER war so soon after the last one, because our people and frankly at least some questers as well are gotta be getting tired of it all by now)...
I am not saying that we should explicitly aim to vassalize/"protecoratize" them (unlike the Crystal Ponies, the Maretonians see us as imperialist tyrants seeking to stamp out their culture istead of noble liberators), more like trying to minimize collateral damage to both innocents and neighboring polities...but if things turn out well enough to attempt a Protectorate of Maretonia in a way that doesn´t reek of powergrabbing for the sake of it and doesn´t strain our ressources and abilities too much, I would be open to at least entertaining the idea for a bit.
If polyshipping can be an option, why not a Friendship OT4 (Sebastian/Gawain/Ki Seong/Isabelle Brissette), for the sake of an Adorable Cuddle Pile ruling body. Gawain has evenly invested in All His Close Friends, and all have since upgraded, congratulations on the High Relationship Dice Roll. Enjoy and properly appreciate (make Gomez Addams proud!) your new nerd husband, best Noble wife, and Rock Dragon wife, Gawain.
Titles: Emperor of Gryphus, King of Griffonia, Inheritor of the Imperial House of Gryphus, The Unifier, Great Winged Alpha, The Lightbringer, The Liberator, the King of the North.
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.
Orichalcum Sword: A blade made of an extremely durable, magic resistant metal
Sendak Manuscript: Recovered from the Archives of the Shadow King Sombra, this strange book is bound in the treated flesh of monsters and is written in numerous unknown tongues. It contains diagrams that seem to reference everything from the movements of stellar bodies to the biology of plants and animals to the complex physics of magical phenomenon. It's origins remain a mystery.
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)
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: 15
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)
Trait: Gardener-Years of studying and caring for plants has taught her much in the realm of botany, and has instilled in her an understanding of how hard work and patience can yield great dividends. (+2 Stewardship, +1 Learning, +1 Intrigue)
-Army Upkeep: 268
-Navy Upkeep: 131
-Office of Disease Control: 10
-Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 10
-Ministry of Information: 10
-Crystal University: 10
-Peregrine Line: 100
-Naval Shipyards: 600
Military
Imperial Army: Professional soldiers, paid and supplied by you. 500 soldier battalions cost 100 gold each to raise or replace. Additionally, Imperial Army soldiers have an upkeep cost of 100 gold per every ten thousand soldiers.
Imperial Army Morale: 80/100 (Strong)
Imperial Army Numbers: 26,764
-12,500 Warriors: Armed with a sword or hand-axe and shield, these Griffons make up the bulk of your army.
-6250 Polearms: For keeping your enemy at arms length or taking down opponents larger than a Griffon.
-6250 Archers: Griffons with bows and some arrows. Not much else to say.
-1500 Diamond Dogs: Armed with a variety of swords, maces, war axes, and other weapons suitable for close-quarters, Diamond Dogs are masters of subterranean combat, and are well suited to ambush tactics.
-264 Artillerists: Responsible for the transport, maintenance and operation of heavy weaponry, these Gryphons and Dogs are highly trained in their chosen field of ranged combat.
-4 Mobile Ballistae: Massively oversized mechanical bows that fire bolts big enough to pierce through tree trunks from vast distances.
-19 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.
-10 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" (Orichalcum Katana)
40 Knights of the Inner Circle (Black Steel Weapons)
250 Imperial Knights
300 Squires
600 Griffons-at-Arms
200 Diamond Knights
Citadel: The Lion's Den, Griffonia
The Knights Talon
1 Grandmaster Colombroni Pigeonio (Orichalcum Blade)
30 Knights of the Inner Circle (Black Steel Weapons)
300 Imperial Knights
250 Squires
500 Griffons-at-Arms
200 Diamond Knights
Citadel: The Crow's Nest, Wingbardy
The Knights Panther
1 Grandmaster Adrian Dawnquill (Orichalcum Blade)
35 Knights of the Inner Circle (Black Steel Weapons)
250 Imperial Knights
300 Squires
600 Griffons-at-Arms
200 Diamond Knights
Citadel: The Black Fortress, Aquileia
The Crystal Guardians
1 Grandmaster Glimmer Shine (Black Steel Blade)
10 Knights of the Inner Circle (Black Steel Weapons)
100 Crystal Knights
120 Crystal Squires
200 Ponies-at-Arms
Citadel: The Ivory Keep, Crystal City
Imperial Navy: The vessels that guard your coastlines and patrol the oceans. Crewed by career sailors, they have an upkeep of three gold per ship, per year.
20 Cogs (Bolt-Throwers)
23 Carracks (Cannons)
Auxiliaries: Auxiliary units are forces not part of a Knightly Order or the Imperial 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: 10/10 (All Hail the Glorious Emperor!).
General Public Opinion: 9.5/10 (Hail to the Emperor!).
Protectorate Opinion: 9.5/10 (Hail Golden-Feather the Brave and Glorious!)
Religion
Ancient Imperial Pantheism: Followers of the Polytheistic religion once practiced by the Griffons of the Old Empire, these citizens worship a Pantheon of gods and goddesses emphasizing honor, duty, and order. Though its popularity reached a record low during the reign of Discord, it has never truly died out, and has in fact seen a recent resurgence in several Imperial Cities.
Influence Level: 0 (No Benefits)
Disciples of the Crystal Heart: The dominant belief system of the Crystal Ponies with a growing number of Griffon and Diamond Dog adherents, the Disciples of the Crystal Heart believe that the eponymous artifact was crafted by the divine as a gift to mortals, a belief that your own scientific observations have only served to reinforce. While the Disciples were once pacifistic, the rise of Sombra and the revelation of Maretonia's slave culture has led to a reversal of this old policy, and the followers of the Crystal Heart are now as militant as those of any other major religion.
Influence Level: 1 (No Benefits)
Neighponese Spiritualism: Also known as Kami-no-Michi, the indigenous religion of Neighpon revolves around the veneration of countless nature spirits which inhabit and embody various facets of the landscape. The Qilin believe that these spirits can have a benevolent or destructive influence upon the material world, and must be appeased with worship and sacrifice. Neighponese spiritualism is unusual in that not only does it lack a specific moral code or organized religious hierarchy, but is considered compatible with other religious beliefs, with many of its adherents also subscribing to another faith.
Influence Level: 0 (No Benefits)
YakYakistani Shamanism: The animist beliefs of the Yaks stress the veneration of nature and ancestor worship. Sharing many similarities with both Imperial Pantheism and Neighponese Spiritualism, Shamans serve as both the leaders of the faith as well as intercessors between the physical and spiritual world. While it has found few adherents amongst Griffons and Diamond Dogs, almost all Yaks subscribe to its beliefs, regardless of their nationality or geographic location.
Influence Level: 0 (No Benefits)
Church of the Lady of the Lakes: The third religion introduced from a foreign people, and the only one to have an organized hierarchy with a foreign head of state serving as the leader of the faith. Worship of the Lady can be traced to the earliest days of the modern Kingdom of Canterbury, where it is claimed that she appeared to the first King of Canterbury, blessing him with the strength to unite the disparate peoples of the realm and fight back against the countless beasts that infested it. To this day, she is venerated across the Kingdom of Canterbury, and even in a select few areas outside it, including communities within your Empire.
Influence Level: 0 (No Benefits)
The Imperial Cult: Perhaps the most unusual of the faiths to have taken root in the Empire, the followers of the Imperial Cult embrace the radical belief that the Emperor and the Imperial family are divine beings made flesh, destined to lead the people of the world to greatness. While you personally are a bit uncomfortable with being worshipped as a divine figure, you can't deny it has its benefits.
Influence Level: .2 (No Benefits)
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
Pre-Discord Map: +10 to next Exploration Roll
Scatter-Shot: Bonus to Certain Cannon Rolls
Blasting Jelly: +5 to Certain Explosive Rolls
Camouflage 101: +5 to Certain Intrigue/Army Rolls
Firebender Designed Flamethrowers: +5 to all Flamethrower/Liquid Fire Rolls
Imperial War Memorial: Army Morale may not fall below 20, Militia count as Regulars when defending Core Territory
Kingdom of Neighpon: 8.0/10 (Steadfast Ally)
Kingdom of Canterbury: 7.3/10 (Respected Allies)
Libertalia: 6.5 (Business Partners)
YakYakistan: 8/10 (Trusted Neighbor)
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.
Koryū Ryuō: The draconic Emperor of the Island Kingdom of Neighpon. Having agreed to assist you in the war against the Shadow King and making fast friends with your adoptive daughter, you consider him a decent fellow who you can trust to keep his word, and a valuable ally against any destructive forces the world can throw at you.
Minamoto Tadakatsu: Shogun of Neighpon. Born to peasant farmers, he's more than earned his place as the most powerful Samurai amongst the Qilin. After he lead the Neighponese contingent during the Invasion of the Crystal Empire and kindly instructed you in the myriad varieties and intricacies of tea on the campaign trail, you've come to respect the more-than-century-old warrior.
Konrad Hardbeak, "The Kingslayer": Grandmaster of the Knights Lion and Hero of the Empire. Beheaded Brochard the pretender, crippled Sombra the shadow king twice over, and received the very first Imperial Medal of Honor. Despite it all, he is surprisingly humble, insisting in vain that he was, and is, merely doing his duty to the Empire, and to you. He is the very model of an Imperial Knight.
Ivory Rook: Consul of the Crystal Protectorate and head of the Crystal Assembly. One of the first of the Crystal Ponies to be freed from Sombra's mind control, Rook has taken to his position of authority reluctantly, more out of a desire to help his people than any desire for power. Nevertheless, he's proven a charismatic leader and an able administrator, dedicated to doing right by his people, no matter what the cost.
Isabelle Brissette: Relatives of the infamous Brochard dynasty, Isabelle and the Brissette family have been ostracized by the Imperial Nobility, reduced to a shadow of their former influence and prosperity, though by some miracle they still cling to some of their lands. Isabelle herself is a painfully shy little thing, unused to having friends willing to look past her lineage. Gawain hopes to show her that her ancestry does not define her, and that she is more than her uncle's legacy.
Ki Seong: Daughter of the Neighponese ambassador to the Empire of Gryphus, Ki Seong has spent the past several years living in a nation far from the land of her birth, and, much like her father, is committed to being a shining example of Neighpon and conducting herself in an honorable manner at all times. That being said, Gawain suspects she enjoys the opportunity to "let her hair down" amongst others of similarly elevated status, where she will not have to worry as much about what others think of her.
Sebastian Rainfeather: A quiet and somewhat socially awkward young Gryph, Sebastian is an avowed scholar and the heir to the noble house of Rainfeather. Due to his somewhat sheltered upbringing, he, like Gawain, has struggled to make friends, something that Gawain seeks to remedy. For his part, the young Rainfeather is simply glad to have a chess partner his own age who can keep up with him.
Hoofbeard: A former slave turned Pirate Captain, now a respected and influential figure amongst the inhabitants of the island nation of Libertalia. He has agreed to help you and your people, seeing in you a chance to improve Libertalia and stick it to Maretonia's slaveholding class.
King Rutherford: The charismatic Yak responsible for the unification of the numerous Yak clans into a singular, unified Kingdom. From what you've heard, he is exactly what you'd expect a Yak King to be like.
So we're going to let them beat each other u while we yeet slaves out the country and then either have crippled the slavowners economically enough that they loose because they can't sustain slavonomics or jump in when it's most convenient and beat the shit out of everyone we don't like?
