So, uh. My newest omake few posts up from this post?Oh no worries, it's going to be a little while before the update.
So, uh. My newest omake few posts up from this post?Oh no worries, it's going to be a little while before the update.
That, and their desperation. We know that the caribou, much like the vikings, raid because they don't have very many other options. The people our diplomats spoke to said they grew enough to feed themselves, but even if they were telling the truth it's simply one extra long winter or poorly timed drought between that and starvation.also the firebenders, the cannons, the flamethrowers, the illusionists that could have likely hidden smaller boats with firebenders getting closer...
Really, Darwin Award winners. I can't help being a little impressed by their stupidity
By any chance would the admiral of the Neighponese navy be named Yi? Or did you feel that would be too cruel?
A Neighponese "Turtle-Ship", similar to one used in the battle.
The resulting naval battle was as swift and brutal as it was one-sided, ending with the sinking or incineration of all Caribou ships and the capture of the few surviving would be raiders, who are now being held by the Neighponese government as pirates. Casualties amongst the Qilin sailors were limited to half a dozen wounded and largely cosmetic damage to two of their ships. As of now, there has been no response or official statement regarding the event from the Jarls of the Caribou Kingdoms, though the Alphas of the Emerald Isles have officially expressed their gratitude for the Neighponese intervention. Time will tell what the consequences of this event will be, and what effect this will have on the region.
Caribou Trade Proposal
We have plenty of money, but limited actions, right? The caribou have very limited products to trade, but they do have a government, and therefore the ability to do research. What if we let them do research for us?
We've had the Sugar Beets option languishing in our Learning actions for basically forever, and have little likelihood of taking it any time soon. We can send some Crystal University graduates over to act as Learning advisors just like Neighpon did for us, and pay the caribou to research Sugar Beets (or in their case, sugar turnips) for us. This will give the caribou some cash for their economy (which they can use to trade with us), and a new product (sugar) that they can sell us as an alternative to Neighpon's sugar monopoly.
Sugar for us, trade for the caribou, more healthy competition for the sugar market, and less reason for the caribou to raid people? It's a win win for everyone.
Furthermore, after that we can have our scholars collaborate with the caribou to research Learning actions stemming from the Sugar Beets option. The caribou will likely get more products to trade with us, increasing trade for both countries, while we get the benefits of a line of research without having to spend Learning actions.
The way I envision this happening mechanically is that we would have a Diplomacy action which takes 2 years and X money, and lets us open up trade with the caribou while also completing the Sugar Beets Learning action. Perhaps it could be called Sugar Turnips?
@Questor , does this sound like something you would be okay with offering as an option?
Wow. I completely forgot how important mushrooms where when this quest was started.We could also directly give them our mushrooms. Not much of a threat to our trade, since they're mostly unappealing supplemental calories for the agriculturally challenged, and they can get started right away.
That, and their desperation. We know that the caribou, much like the vikings, raid because they don't have very many other options. The people our diplomats spoke to said they grew enough to feed themselves, but even if they were telling the truth it's simply one extra long winter or poorly timed drought between that and starvation.
The best way to stop the raids is to help the caribou economy and raise their quality of life. The best way we can do that is by trading with them and hiring them as mercenaries, scouts, negotiators, etc. We'll just need to make sure we don't send any trade ships without escorts.
Eventually we'll hopefully be able to get other trade partners for the caribou, letting them serve as a trade nexus.
hey, they're still important!Wow. I completely forgot how important mushrooms where when this quest was started.
That's a good idea. Maybe they can do more research on the mushrooms after they get the sugar turnips going?We could also directly give them our mushrooms. Not much of a threat to our trade, since they're mostly unappealing supplemental calories for the agriculturally challenged, and they can get started right away.
I mean this one...I marked that down right? If so, yes, I can include that in the dice roll for the coming update.
Omake: Straightforward words (Summit of Roam omake)
Negotiations don't happen in seconds. Most agreements aren't struck down or accepted after a single hour of debate.
It's because of this that there are many breaks and rest periods, designed to calm the different parties and give them moments to digest the arguments and details thrown during the periods of actual work.
At the start of one of such breaks, Gawain finally took a particular action he had been considering, ever since he realized the distrust and exhaustion plaguing Marecinas.
"May we share a few words before we leave to rest? Outside of the negotiation table, that is."
Marecinas calculating stare was cold, but be it his own, steady gaze or her curiosity, she finally nodded and motioned to the side of the large room. Far away from others, but still clearly in the line of sight of many Royal Guards and Gawain's own escorts on duty.
As they reached the room's corner, the mare turned and nodded without saying a word.
Gawain took a moment to gather his thoughts.
"You are always looking at what we will gain from all this. Searching for the hidden dagger - the fine print in the loan contract.
You're right, we do have something to gain."
Marecinas eyebrows rose but a small smidgen. A lesser diplomat might not have noticed, but Gawain had the skill to note it.
"We want a Maretonia that we can coexist with.
The slavery aspect... we both now that if Maretonia keeps going as normal after the war, even if we kept out of the civil war ourselves, we would just find conflict later on anyway.
Let's not lie to each other over that."
"But there's a matter I feel you've plausibly not taken note of.
This - all of this.
It doesn't need to be a zero-sum game."
Marecinas's stare turned hard, frigid.
"That's what most say, before taking more than they are giving. "
Gawain's face drops a smidgen, showing a small, intentional window of shared pain.
"We both know that from experience, Captain-General.
May I speak of a common sayings?"
Marecinas, her eyes drooping as he was expecting another 'hilarious' nobleborn's quip, nodded slightly.
"The original saying goes like this:"
"Give a griffon a fish, you will feed him for day.
Teach a griffon to fish, you will feed him for a lifetime."
"Basic. Normal.
My family has another take on that: "
"You take someone's fish, you feed yourself for a day.
You teach someone to fish three times better, one third fill find itself on your plate."
As Gawain turns to follow his already departing staff, he gives Marecinas a last quip:
"We don't want to raze your fields of grain, Captain-General.
We want to help you reap higher yields, with what you already have."
"If that is still selfish... well, I'll say it's still an improvement."
Marecinas left the room a minute later, still in thought.
@Questor
Name: Garrick Golden-Feather
Age: 53
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
- Runic Royal Armor: Serving to protect you as well as display your royal status to onlookers, this armor is both durable and aesthetically pleasing. With Merlin's assistance, it has been enhanced with runic magic, making it even more durable.
- 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: 52
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: 22
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 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: 18
Martial: 15+4-5=14
Diplomacy: 9-5=4
Stewardship: 6+2-5=3
Learning: 8+1-5=4
Intrigue: 9+1-5=5
Status: Adolescent-Malus to all 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: 15
Martial: 8-5=3
Diplomacy: 11+2-5=8
Stewardship: 11-5=6
Learning: 7-5=2
Intrigue: 6-5=1
Trait: Beautiful- A stellar example of feminine grace. (+2 Diplomacy)
Status: Teenager-Malus to all stats
Daughter: Gleaming Pearl
Age: 16
Martial: 7+2-5=4
Diplomacy: 10+2-5=7
Stewardship: 12-5=7
Learning: 5+2-5=2
Intrigue: 8-5=3
Status: Teenager-Malus to all stats
Trait: Beautiful-A stellar example of feminine grace. (+2 Diplomacy)
Trait: Studious-Knows her way around the written word. (+2 Learning)
Adopted: Permanently last in the line of Royal Succession.
Crystalmancer: A prodigy in the arcane art of Crystal Manipulation, able to turn a few pebbles into a forest of glittering spires. (+2 Martial)
Economy
Treasury Reserves: 7,456
Net Income: 11,409
Yearly Income: 13,475
-Tax Revenue: 5925
-Farming Income: 3500
-Mining Income: 1200
-Logging Income: 200
-Trade Income: 2650
Yearly Expenditures: 2,066
-Army Upkeep: 268
-Navy Upkeep: 158
-Office of Disease Control: 10
-Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 10
-Ministry of Information: 10
-Crystal University: 10
-Peregrine Line: 100
-Hardbeak Line: 300
-YakYakistan Orichalcum Imports: 500
-Naval Shipyards: 600
-Maretonian Refugees: 100
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, Runic Armor)
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, Runic Armor)
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, Runic Armor)
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, Runic Armor)
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)
32 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: .8 (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: 3.0 (Strengthened Crystal Heart, Minor Runic Literacy)
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: .4 (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: .2 (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: .5 (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: .3 (No Benefits)
Roll Bonuses
Improved Army Communications: +6 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
Diplomatic Relations
Kingdom of Neighpon: 8.0/10 (Steadfast Ally)
Kingdom of Canterbury: 7.5/10 (Respected Allies)
Libertalia: 6.5 (Business Partners)
YakYakistan: 8/10 (Trusted Neighbor)
Minotaur Republics: 6/10 (Trading Partner)
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.
That is a terrible idea. It's a security risk that enemy spys can use i.e. release them as an action to do damage and/or as a distraction for something else against us.Is there an option to build an imperial zoo? I'd like to see a zoo filled with monsters instead of animals. Heck, where are the aquariums, museums, art galleries, etc? People would flock from all over the known world just to see this stuff.
Is there an option to build an imperial zoo? I'd like to see a zoo filled with monsters instead of animals. Heck, where are the aquariums, museums, art galleries, etc? People would flock from all over the known world just to see this stuff.
What about Cabinets of Curiousities? This seems to be about the general time period when those were starting to pop up, and they're basically a zoo, just with mostly dead things instead of live ones. And a lot of fake stuff. Still, they're pretty cool.That is a terrible idea. It's a security risk that enemy spys can use i.e. release them as an action to do damage and/or as a distraction for something else against us.
What about Cabinets of Curiousities? This seems to be about the general time period when those were starting to pop up, and they're basically a zoo, just with mostly dead things instead of live ones. And a lot of fake stuff. Still, they're pretty cool.
I would think that this is about the right time for these things to start popping up. Our people are quite wealthy compared to the past, and nobles/common people will likely start wanting leisure things to do that don't involve survival or drinking. With trade between kingdoms being expanded and strange countries being discovered every day, it's fully possible that people will turn to amassing collections of weird stuff that they can show off too their friends.
It might be better instead to make a nature preserve, better for the animals and safer for the publicIs there an option to build an imperial zoo? I'd like to see a zoo filled with monsters instead of animals. Heck, where are the aquariums, museums, art galleries, etc? People would flock from all over the known world just to see this stuff.