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Who Needs Harmony?: An MLP Empire Quest

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Gmerguy said:
The Maritonians are not stupid, its all but outright stated that the reason no-one has taken over the abolitionist territory because it might provoke war with us, resulting in a multi-front war with that faction. the ONE thing that could result in these factions uniting again rather than burning each other out is foreign interference. the second it becomes apparent that we are looming over the horizon, sharpening blades, is the second the civil war gets put on hold.

The last thing we want to do is provide weapons and militarize the abolitionists, it gives the other factions a reason to target them. rather we should set up humanitarian aid on the border/push humanitarian support for that sector to try and stabilize it. that way the other factions are the aggressors if they decide to attack and they have little ground to stand on if they accuse us of being kingmaker with the abolition faction.
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Too late, we already sent them weapons that are obviously from Gryffonia. I don't want to risk the abolitionists getting crushed so I say support them full tilt. Even if the rest of the nation unites against us we can still beat them. I had advocated for open war with them even before the civil war started and to be honest if we just directly intervene immediately there would probably be less casualties than from a long civil war.
 
Sentient Tree said:
Soooooo... I'm not saying we have the option to do biological warfare against Storm... but we have the option of doing biological warfare against Storm.
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Bad idea, pal...it´ll totally devastate their lands, which seem to be Maretonias friggin breadbasket. Even if we are able to pull it off, it´ll render any post-Civil War Maretonia ridden with sickness and famine, not to mention that it´ll destroy our carefully-nourished reputation as "good guys" among the fledgeling NATO for year if not decades to come. Plus, while Storm does have most of Maretonias Pegasi under its banner, the other faction are bound to have some as well, which will make things even worse.

Using our Feather Flu epidemic as a biological weapon to bring Maretonia to heel is not worth the cost, not to mention morally reprehensible.

No, what we need to do is making sure that any gryphons taking part in humanitarian aid for Maretonia are both immunized and no carriers (don´t want a repeat of Typhoid Mary happening), plus educate the Abolotionists about how to treat any outbreaks that might slip past our ver-vigilant eyes.

Honestly, any gryphs that remained unaffected by the flu despite being exposed should be barred from the humanitarian corps on account of them being possible carriers, just to be on the safe side.

Remember: We might have done some shady stuff in the past but we are supposed to be the Good Guys here...so no biologically-assisted genocide unless we absolutely have no other choice (which we definitely do right now)
 
Timewinders said:
Too late, we already sent them weapons that are obviously from Gryffonia. I don't want to risk the abolitionists getting crushed so I say support them full tilt. Even if the rest of the nation unites against us we can still beat them. I had advocated for open war with them even before the civil war started and to be honest if we just directly intervene immediately there would probably be less casualties than from a long civil war.
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You have a point, but if we go full tilt and it turns into a flat-out war against both Storm and Whitestar, we still should do our level best to brush up the civilian opinion of us and fight primarly on the defensive in Abolotionist. We need to be/appear the misunderstood friend here in order to not have lots of unrest in their lands after the war is done with.

Plus, our population gotta be fed up with getting sent into meat grinder after meat grinder over and over...I am very wary of war fatigue you know? Not to mention how other powers will see our intervention.
 
Timewinders said:
Too late, we already sent them weapons that are obviously from Gryffonia. I don't want to risk the abolitionists getting crushed so I say support them full tilt. Even if the rest of the nation unites against us we can still beat them. I had advocated for open war with them even before the civil war started and to be honest if we just directly intervene immediately there would probably be less casualties than from a long civil war.
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Werent the origins intentionally misled? For example example making a report for a merchant caravan which "got stuck in the mud" and had to be abandoned near the border?

Adding libertalia marks to it so it looks like it was traded through them

Stuff like this seems like the barebones basics for our intrigue agents and it makes little to no sense that they wouldnt cover their tracks thoroughly.

At the very least they would have ensured we have plausible deniability
 
Timewinders said:
Too late, we already sent them weapons that are obviously from Gryffonia. I don't want to risk the abolitionists getting crushed so I say support them full tilt. Even if the rest of the nation unites against us we can still beat them. I had advocated for open war with them even before the civil war started and to be honest if we just directly intervene immediately there would probably be less casualties than from a long civil war.
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no, its not. the current update literally states that the only reason they are holding back is because it risks war with us. the second the abolitionists becomes a threat both parties can no longer ignore them so easily, and they definitely cannot ignore it if we start having an active military presence there.

As for us winning against them in war there is no evidence for this, maritonia is not sombra's kingdom. it is a proper nation equal to us in size, greater manpower, and a magic using population with everything that implies. there should be no way a fight between our nations to be easy or not cost something, it should be a massive undertaking that could go either way and be bloody and devestating. that being said...

The current system for how bonuses are applied and omakes work has effectively eliminated all consequences of our actions, and the possibility of failure, from this quest. To the degree that people are more concerned with how great a success we will get rather than failing anything. And even when something negative does happen its almost always negligible and only causes minor problems that are mere speed bumps. It getting to the point where the quest is kinda becoming boring, as we are guarenteed to get whatever we go for and, barring a nat 1 event roll, with no issues what so ever.
 
Gmerguy said:
no, its not. the current update literally states that the only reason they are holding back is because it risks war with us. the second the abolitionists becomes a threat both parties can no longer ignore them so easily, and they definitely cannot ignore it if we start having an active military presence there.

As for us winning against them in war there is no evidence for this, maritonia is not sombra's kingdom. it is a proper nation equal to us in size, greater manpower, and a magic using population with everything that implies. there should be no way a fight between our nations to be easy or not cost something, it should be a massive undertaking that could go either way and be bloody and devestating. that being said...

The current system for how bonuses are applied and omakes work has effectively eliminated all consequences of our actions, and the possibility of failure, from this quest. To the degree that people are more concerned with how great a success we will get rather than failing anything. And even when something negative does happen its almost always negligible and only causes minor problems that are mere speed bumps. It getting to the point where the quest is kinda becoming boring, as we are guarenteed to get whatever we go for and, barring a nat 1 event roll, with no issues what so ever.
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Tbf, I tend to ignore any omake augmantations in my musings what goes and what doesn´t...I simply look at the pros and contras of any given action.

That being said, you might be onto something that needs adjustments.
 
Why are we arguing about biological warfare against a civilian population of a already crippled nation, but slavery is off-limits? Let's not sink to Sombra or Discord levels please. More importantly, if/when it comes to war, we must be seen as saviors and peacemakers, not conquerors. It's better to be feared than loved, but that should never grow into hatred.
 
Thinking about the situation further we want the sitution in Maretonia to continue for a while for several reasons, first and formost to use the unrest to spread desent against the would be ruling classes to weaken theIr position against the Abolitionists giving them time to train and become a viable popular force.

I think what we need to do/achieve is this:
  1. Send 'Mercenary' millitary trainers to the Abolitionists provide aid to those who have lost their homes, well being and livelyhood to the war to keep Imperial sympathies high.
    1. Better understanding gives them a better chance on the field when they're forced onto it.
  2. Help the Abolitionists spread desent in Storm territory among the conquered and conscript armies as well as the slaves.
    1. This provides a fourth column against Storm and improves the Abolitionist spy network further. This will be critical when Storm draws down their defences to attack Star with either units failing to attack or performing sabotage meaning loyal Storm units are bloodied harder or that there may be a dagger ready to stab the Storm Heartlands.
    2. The conscripts will have recieved some basic training the Abolitionist enclaves could sorely make use of. They may know when supplies of weapons and other supplies may be vulnerable or made so.
    3. By helping the forced conscripts flee they build good will with the common pony for helping their families.
    4. The Abolitionists can also try Robin Hood tactics to provide good will since this complements their normal style.
  3. Make sure Star knows about border weaknesses to provoke them into attacking Storm to seize border towns and millitary targets.
    1. This means Star will be further overextended when they can't pay their mercenaries as well as tie up Storm troops in the mean time while still providing themselves more depth to slow their defeat diving the Abolitionists more time to consolidate and points of weakness to exploit.
      1. When Star can't pay have short term contracts ready and funded for the Abolitionists and to stop the Mercenary company's looting. Perhaps having the resourses of the Treasure Ships returning placed in Abolisionist hooves to provide some measure deniability while the Abolitionists conditionally pardon certain pirates (I.e those that retire from piracy) that may have participated giving them more 'legitimate' back channel contacts.
    2. More towns fought over will further sour the populous of those places to Storm and Star rulership.
  4. Provide safe harbour and protection for any slaves/refugees leaving by boat and reaching international waters.
    1. A source of recent intelligence and the boats can find their way into Abolitionist hands for supply runs, fishing and raids. Potential for depleting the Star naval assets during incidents weakening their ability to interdict and counter raid the Abolitionists holdings.
  5. Finding who killed the Queen would be helpful for keeping the pot stirred but the perpetrator if even still discoverable may weal be dead and the trail will be very cold. Framing someone for it however would be much more practical and doable. Framing someone dead as being in the employ of someone else might be even easier if providing more tenuous benefits.

Basically we need to quietly help the Abolitionists logistically while running a more public hearts and minds campaign so when their neighbours are conscripted and have their fields burned they have something to fall back on with all that entails.
The nice thing being that other than material aid many of these things would be quite cheap to enact.
 
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Gaius Tyrannus said:
Why are we arguing about biological warfare against a civilian population of a already crippled nation, but slavery is off-limits? Let's not sink to Sombra or Discord levels please. More importantly, if/when it comes to war, we must be seen as saviors and peacemakers, not conquerors. It's better to be feared than loved, but that should never grow into hatred.
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Pretty much exactly what I have been talking about the whole damn time...we are supposed to be an enlightened empire of liberators that´s trying to help a people that have fallen on hard times (the fact that we contributed a lot to those hard times in the first time and now we are trying to atone for it while looking our best durig it is another bonus), not this quests version of TCB!Equestria or FoE!Caribous.

Plus, you guys see this?

Gaius Tyrannus said:
It's better to be feared than loved, but that should never grow into hatred.
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That right there is how Macchiavellis famously-butchered line about how to manipulate public opinion actually goes. He always advocated for pragmatism in your political dealings and against going overboard in your cruelty...unfortunately, most people tend to omit the last bit, making the advise sound overly ruthless.
 
TheGleeman said:
Bad idea, pal...it´ll totally devastate their lands, which seem to be Maretonias friggin breadbasket. Even if we are able to pull it off, it´ll render any post-Civil War Maretonia ridden with sickness and famine, not to mention that it´ll destroy our carefully-nourished reputation as "good guys" among the fledgeling NATO for year if not decades to come. Plus, while Storm does have most of Maretonias Pegasi under its banner, the other faction are bound to have some as well, which will make things even worse.

Using our Feather Flu epidemic as a biological weapon to bring Maretonia to heel is not worth the cost, not to mention morally reprehensible.

No, what we need to do is making sure that any gryphons taking part in humanitarian aid for Maretonia are both immunized and no carriers (don´t want a repeat of Typhoid Mary happening), plus educate the Abolotionists about how to treat any outbreaks that might slip past our ver-vigilant eyes.

Honestly, any gryphs that remained unaffected by the flu despite being exposed should be barred from the humanitarian corps on account of them being possible carriers, just to be on the safe side.

Remember: We might have done some shady stuff in the past but we are supposed to be the Good Guys here...so no biologically-assisted genocide unless we absolutely have no other choice (which we definitely do right now)
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True, the loss in reputation with our allies makes it not worth it. Not to mention that it could infect our own soldiers when we go in. It was a fun idea though.

lockingbane said:
Werent the origins intentionally misled? For example example making a report for a merchant caravan which "got stuck in the mud" and had to be abandoned near the border?

Adding libertalia marks to it so it looks like it was traded through them

Stuff like this seems like the barebones basics for our intrigue agents and it makes little to no sense that they wouldnt cover their tracks thoroughly.

At the very least they would have ensured we have plausible deniability
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Pretty sure we sanded off anything that marked the weapons as Gryphonian.

Gaius Tyrannus said:
Why are we arguing about biological warfare against a civilian population of a already crippled nation, but slavery is off-limits? Let's not sink to Sombra or Discord levels please. More importantly, if/when it comes to war, we must be seen as saviors and peacemakers, not conquerors. It's better to be feared than loved, but that should never grow into hatred.
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Because I made a bad joke. Sorry.
 
Link to the last time I did this.

Archival purposes: "Turn 24 Rumor Mill" (posted by QM on Tuesday, November 26, 2019)

OR

The Front Page as it appeared to me on Wednesday, November 27, 2019.

Character Sheet (last edited by QM on Sunday, November 10, 2019)
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Questor said:
Name: Garrick Golden-Feather

Age: 50

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.




Wife: Gabriella Golden-Feather


Opinion of You: 10/10

Age: 49

Martial: 15+1+2=18
Diplomacy: 11+1=12
Stewardship: 8+1=9
Learning: 13+1=14
Intrigue: 10+1=11

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: 19

Martial: 14+2+2+1=19
Diplomacy: 13+2+2+2=19
Stewardship: 14+2=16
Learning: 10+2=12
Intrigue: 11+2=13

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)



Daughter: Gilda Golden-Feather

Age: 12
Status: Child-No Stats


Daughter: Gleaming Pearl

Age: 13
Status: Child-No Stats
Adopted: Permanently last in the line of Royal Succession.
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Informational: State of the Nation (last edited by QM on Sunday, November 24, 2019)
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Questor said:
Economy

Treasury Reserves: 10,662

Net Income: 8,911

Yearly Income: 10,050

-Tax Revenue: 4725
-Farming Income: 2325
-Mining Income: 1200
-Logging Income: 200
-Trade Income: 1600

Yearly Expenditures: 1,139

-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
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Informational: Diplomatic Relations/Persons of Interest (last edited by QM on Sunday, November 10, 2019)
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Questor said:
Diplomatic Relations

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.
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Sentient Tree said:
True, the loss in reputation with our allies makes it not worth it. Not to mention that it could infect our own soldiers when we go in. It was a fun idea though.
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No, it was a dumb and horrible idea, not to mention that it could very likely backfire on us on so many levels.

Timewinders said:
Even aside from the fact that it's horrible, why would we spread a disease that the vast majority of our population and less than a third of their population are susceptible to? It's completely irrational.
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Yeah, if we hadn´t alrady weathered one epidemic, such biological warfare backfiring would most likely harm us more than the Maretonians...not to forget than any Crystal Pegasi between Gryphus and Maretonia would be liable for infection as well...so in the end it just would not be worth it for reasons both pragmatic and moral.
 
I only brought up the flu out of worry it would spread there and make the situation worse. A still valid concern given it has yet to appear there at all.

there is a small but decent chance we could spread it there with any action we do there, unless we take precautions against doing so. One recently sick griffin and accidental plague time.
 
I've noticed that even though there were some comments about figuring out who commited regicide(which is a very good idea), there are no comments i've noticed on finding out who really has the true claim to the throne. Gryphus found their current emperor through tracking down genealogies, we could do the same for Maretonia and find (and turn) their 'Goldenfeather' along with some proof. Or even fabricate proof that a certain Abolotionist mare has the true biological imperative to rule, and turn 4 factions into 3.
 
So what allies would help with the Civil War, cause I doubt that the Yaks would care to help if it doesn't involve a threat that is a danger to everyone.
 
Firebringer2077 said:
Problem with that is that right now, the Abolitionists, Royal Guard and storm are likely all using Maretonian coins, so... we'd be screwing over all 4 factions (so one ally, 1 neutral and waiting, and 2 enemies), to say nothing of Minotaur republics that might be ticked that Griffons are counterfeiting coins.

Weaponizining Economics to this extent never goes well because it causes a lack of faith in potentially your own treasury. "So how many of your coins are actually gold?" "All... except when we counterfeit" <narrows eyes at Griffon Treasury>
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no it wouldn't this is actually a VERY smart intrigue tactic as it only targets the one faction. It makes it seem like the one faction hired too many mercenaries and is starting to flounder and run out of cash not that they do it regularly. The only 2 downsides to this are thus 1: only hurts 1 faction letting the other one get an advantage as the mercs might desert them en mass, and 2: it could cause major outcry if people learn what we did before the war is over and unite the other 2 factions against us.


This is why I favor the method I mentioned, arming and fortifying in the main stretch of territory owned by the abolitionists. Kingmaking would be stupid as a tactic it rarely goes over well when done violently unless you exterminate everyone who was in opposition to you, (aka everyone other than the abolitionists) however if we arm and FORTIFY but avoid sending many troops over other than what are needed to train them in the weapons and make diplomatic overtures stating clearly that we have 0 intentions of crowning anyone in that war and only intend to ensure the safety of the slaves and will attempt to avoid providing aid to abolitionists outside of the main abolitionist area then that should avoid any conflict until after the war is over.

and lets be honest here, we can even follow that with no troubles, plus send some diamond dogs posing as freed slaves to help fight the enemy especially our knightly order of them. this would let us free more slaves without officially sending any proper attack on them.


Then once the war is over and we will have probs freed like 80-90% of the slaves their whole country will self-destruct via the lack of slaves causing the rural land owners to revolt and via the lost minotaur trade routes and rampant piracy destroying the newfound wealth of the nation. Effectively we just need to free as many slaves as possible and fortify the one piece of the nation the abolitionists control and we will win eventually no matter what.

Worst case they declare war on us for freeing their slaves making them the aggressors and quite bad looking ones at that. granted it could cause an terrorist situation but only if we actually care about their lands which we don't we only care about the abolitionists.
 
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Depending on how birdy griffins are, they might be able to eat hot peppers without being bothered by the capsaicin (the hot stuff), as it mainly affects mammals.

Large, hot peppers might just be juicy new things for them.
 
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