I'll admit this is the first quest I've ever followed on this site so you're probably right. That's just what it looks like to me but maybe that's just because I don't have any prior experience to compare this situation to.
Who Needs Harmony?: An MLP Empire Quest
- Thread starter Questor
- Start date
And this is where the CK2 comes in, we WONT be playing as the leader of the nation. We would be playing as our Heir which wouldn't be the leader, just some rich popular dude. You may be fine with converting to a democracy, and a few others might be but the majority wont.
- Location
- The state of Paranoia
Actually, the very post you're quoting addresses that. We wouldn't be playing as our heir, we would be playing as whoever gets elected.
I'd like to add that, this being a quest, we already run things just like a democracy. We all vote on each action the country takes, and if Gawain becomes ruler it will be because we voted for him to be heir and not Gwendolyn (for example). I see no reason the structure of the quest itself should change at all. The only difference would be that we would have different options for rulers.
Shame! Shame on most of you for all this damn near all or nothing thinking!
There are degrees and levels of to this notion of electoral government.
One may have a system of elected mayors, or even an elected council that exists to raise regional issues the people of their regions care about. I'm sure individuals who have had such options previously, had bad experiences with a minor noble, or witnessed terrible things in other places overseen by nobility (such as Maretonia) and decided that it's better big the local government is chosen by the people while uncommon or even rare do exist and might argue in favor of such things.
On the other hand I find it hard to believe that anyone with honest and
non-radical intentions would be in favor of any further implementation of an electoral system of government beyond either an advisory council or mayors. Maybe in the more distant future elected regional governors, though I'm fairly doubtful.
One major point against most forms of electoral government is the currently most severe in real life issue of everything from science to infrastructure being politicized along lines of polarization and until it becomes less about what is right, ethical, or best and more "What stance does my party take? If we lose on this it becomes easier for us to lose on other more important things like gun/womans rights, and that's what matters." Does anyone else see how that could be really bad?
I avoided using the terms democracy and republic due to modern in real life political implications caused by political parties in a similar manner to what the Nazis did to the Swastika which was originally a Hindu symbol of peace, even if the actual newly attached meanings are rather different.
There are degrees and levels of to this notion of electoral government.
One may have a system of elected mayors, or even an elected council that exists to raise regional issues the people of their regions care about. I'm sure individuals who have had such options previously, had bad experiences with a minor noble, or witnessed terrible things in other places overseen by nobility (such as Maretonia) and decided that it's better big the local government is chosen by the people while uncommon or even rare do exist and might argue in favor of such things.
On the other hand I find it hard to believe that anyone with honest and
non-radical intentions would be in favor of any further implementation of an electoral system of government beyond either an advisory council or mayors. Maybe in the more distant future elected regional governors, though I'm fairly doubtful.
One major point against most forms of electoral government is the currently most severe in real life issue of everything from science to infrastructure being politicized along lines of polarization and until it becomes less about what is right, ethical, or best and more "What stance does my party take? If we lose on this it becomes easier for us to lose on other more important things like gun/womans rights, and that's what matters." Does anyone else see how that could be really bad?
I avoided using the terms democracy and republic due to modern in real life political implications caused by political parties in a similar manner to what the Nazis did to the Swastika which was originally a Hindu symbol of peace, even if the actual newly attached meanings are rather different.
... That is what I was addressing, please reread the very first sentence.
@Prof.MoreRight
Oh yeah, im fine with having some levels of democracy but that's not what we are talking about, we are talking about converting to a democracy, not adding democratic elements like local elections.
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Could we maybe not derail the thread discussing the nature of questing?
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
As Sentient Tree says, I did address it. It's just that literally NO CK2 quest has ever worked that way. CK2/3 quests are just broad terms meaning that you use the "Martial/Intrigue/Learning/Diplomacy/Stewardship" distinctions as a minimum, give or take a category or two depending on the setting and complexity that the QM wants to go with. In quest format, there are roughly two forms that these genre of quest can take - which notably I did explicitly reject within that post that this genre follows Athetos's assumptions so you countering with "no you're wrong the genre does work like that" doesn't add anything to the conversation.
The two forms it can take are top-down - with a greater focus on characters as narrative tools with the true "player character" being the organization being led itself - or bottom-up - which emphasizes a single individual's exploits in gaining notoriety and expanding anything they touch and typically doesn't have heir mechanics due to focusing on one person. This quest is a top-down one, as demonstrated by the fact that it's an empire-builder, all our choices are about the empire and not about the individual characters (outside of personal choices), and the fact that the literal first vote was choosing what empire we were going to play, not what character/dynasty we were going to play. No QM ever in my experience has straight up exported CK2 to a quest format like you guys are saying, rather than just using the general structure to produce a playground for a quest.
I also EXPLICITLY said in that post that I DON'T want to change into a democracy, as I have every other post on the subject before that, and LITERALLY ever since the subject of introducing a constitutional monarchy first popped up a few IRL years ago so don't even try me if you can't even read the part of my post that says "I don't even want to change to a democracy..." in it. Buzz off with that mess.
The two forms it can take are top-down - with a greater focus on characters as narrative tools with the true "player character" being the organization being led itself - or bottom-up - which emphasizes a single individual's exploits in gaining notoriety and expanding anything they touch and typically doesn't have heir mechanics due to focusing on one person. This quest is a top-down one, as demonstrated by the fact that it's an empire-builder, all our choices are about the empire and not about the individual characters (outside of personal choices), and the fact that the literal first vote was choosing what empire we were going to play, not what character/dynasty we were going to play. No QM ever in my experience has straight up exported CK2 to a quest format like you guys are saying, rather than just using the general structure to produce a playground for a quest.
I also EXPLICITLY said in that post that I DON'T want to change into a democracy, as I have every other post on the subject before that, and LITERALLY ever since the subject of introducing a constitutional monarchy first popped up a few IRL years ago so don't even try me if you can't even read the part of my post that says "I don't even want to change to a democracy..." in it. Buzz off with that mess.
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Yeah my bad, I missed the last half of your post and I was already pretty upset that people just kept going on and on about "democracy best! Change to democracy!" So I just got upset.
Also, while I think I got the gist of the first part of this post could you space it out a bit? Very Wall-of-Text so its hard to read.
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
Done. Generally try to paragraph by subject, but I suppose that one was borderline for this context. That type of paragraph is acceptable for professional publications but not for casual settings
- Location
- SF Bay Area
Would anyone mind if I worked on some updated flags for the various nations? Some don't have them
Trying to keep with the color scheme of MLP is a little hard but I also was trying to show progression from earlier flags. This is the flag of the Gryphus Empire post Sombra. The Blues represent the sky and seas. The Hexagon is a reference to common fortresses seen throughout the empire. The black band is in rememberance of those lost... Those who gave their all for the Empire. I decided not to use Red colors on this flag mostly because I figured the Empire is trying to prove they don't need to be bloody to be great and the Black Band works better. I suspect there are regional subdivision flags or banners that fly for the various regions of the Empire: Griffonia, Wingbardy, Aquilea, Kestrella, Lanner, Crystal Empire, Houndstooth City. I imagine the banner of the First Empire is the flag of Griffonstone.
The Kingdom of Canterbury, a nation of lakes and holy orders of knights. Personally I don't think strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is any sort of basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. But that's none of my business... The sword and the lake shows just how important the Lady of the Lakes is to Canterbury, and the Fleur de lis is a reference to their earlier flag which was a reuse of an old French flag. What's the significance of the 15 fleurs? No idea but I figure it references the 15 Bishoprics or something to that effect. I was originally going to put some latin around the lake but it wound up making it a bit busy, so I decided not to. UNlike the Griffons the Knights of Canterbury have a 2:1 ratio flag. I suspect they had one that was much longer but it kept becoming a windsock or tangled, so they adopted the 2:1 version... also it was weird having the longest flag at diplomatic functions.
The flag of the Queendom of Maretonia. A land where the three pony races are bonded... by chains. Maretonia loves its gold, and the fact that a "legendary alicorn" was seen as symbol for the proper way of things. The Unicorns rule, the Pegasi enforce, and the Earth ponies toil. The flag of purple was usually only flown where Mareia, or the Monarch resided. Due to Mareia's unpopularity the Flag of Maretonia was usually flown as an after thought. Mareia's own family owned several forests where dark purple dye was harvested, and to have the Royal Standard be mostly purple instead of just crushed lavendar was a sign of their wealth. Technically speaking there was no single "Flag of Maretonia" but the central element was a common motif although the color changed depending on the house or noblity. Only Mareia was bold enough to put the Alicorn on her standard though, a not so subtle symbol that the Imperial Guard answered to HER above all else.
Ah House Storm... and the would be successors of Maretonia. The Red colors will feature more prominently on old Maretonia's flag, but the Stormy blue is what House Storm wants to be known for. Also to show that Pegicles is fairly uncreative... This is a ripoff of the Imperial Guard flag, they snapped off the Unicorn Horn, and put it on a field of dark Blue and Red. I guess Storm is known of it's "Wings of Blood" or something? I don't know....
Oh and the pegasi logo is ACTUALLY canon from the show... well kinda. See the Pegasi banner from the Hearths Warming Eve episode was this LINK
So in my headcanon that flag surviving in some archives in the cloud city of Mareathon was co-opted as a some sort Pegasi Supremacy icon for Pegicles. Let's just say if Cloudsdale Pegasi Centurions ever hear of this... they will be cross...
House White Star, the Unicorn Nobility's last hope to maintain their position. They would bind the two other races to their rightful place, and with their lavender banners would march into battle... and get their teeth knocked out. All the while in the City of Abila the Unicorn nobles were awarding themselves very impressive titles based on politics not function. The flag was designed by committee on a deadline... which is for the best because noble family representatives were still arguing over a proposed patchwork design of all the Nobles supporting White Star.
Inspired by some of the pics we have seen of the White Star Soldier's and their emblems
The Imperial Guard, sworn to protest the Monarch, only bound by the two chains. Solid in their duty and vow... Obvious inspiration was Imperial Roam... I mean Rome. I was tempted to follow the scutum of a Roman Centurion but no set of lightning bolts would work. If the Imperial Guard lasts long enough to find out that there is an ACTUAL White coated Alicorn... well might be an awkward conversation since for them they though alicorns were only myth.
The abolitionists. For a long while were cloaked in secrecy. A flag... an ACTUAL flag was a death warrant for them, so they never made one. One of Queen Mareia's doomed centralization projects was the creation of a Maretonian Mail Corps. The nobles saw right through Mareia's actual purpose, reading all their priveleged correspondence. So the noble houses or freepony merchants created private courier services to deal with this. it also didn't help that the thousand pony mail corps were quite... amenable to donations. After a few years EVERY noble house had their own unique wax seals, alongside cyphers and other keys to avoid royal censure... the most basic seal and one most easily overlooked was the the Four pointed star... or known as Common Class Mail. This is why the flag looks like an envelope, in the early days of the abolitionist, this is how they communicated... by Common Class Mail with the common class mail seal. Once the Griffon Crisis began the abolitionists wound up co-opting a few private mail services to "ship" slaves to freedom. Maretonian Mail Inspectors were poorly paid, and eager to accept donations.
When the abolitionists were able to work openly... they needed a rallying symbol to raise in towns to let them know they were genuine liberators... What better way than to put an envelope on a banner with a Common Class Mail wax seal?
Yakyakistan... A kingdom of the Yaks, forged from the 4 tribes under one ruler Rutherford, from the bluffs and Canyons of Yakistown, just down the road from Council Bluffs where the Rutherford united the 4 clans.
Trying to keep with the color scheme of MLP is a little hard but I also was trying to show progression from earlier flags. This is the flag of the Gryphus Empire post Sombra. The Blues represent the sky and seas. The Hexagon is a reference to common fortresses seen throughout the empire. The black band is in rememberance of those lost... Those who gave their all for the Empire. I decided not to use Red colors on this flag mostly because I figured the Empire is trying to prove they don't need to be bloody to be great and the Black Band works better. I suspect there are regional subdivision flags or banners that fly for the various regions of the Empire: Griffonia, Wingbardy, Aquilea, Kestrella, Lanner, Crystal Empire, Houndstooth City. I imagine the banner of the First Empire is the flag of Griffonstone.
The Kingdom of Canterbury, a nation of lakes and holy orders of knights. Personally I don't think strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is any sort of basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. But that's none of my business... The sword and the lake shows just how important the Lady of the Lakes is to Canterbury, and the Fleur de lis is a reference to their earlier flag which was a reuse of an old French flag. What's the significance of the 15 fleurs? No idea but I figure it references the 15 Bishoprics or something to that effect. I was originally going to put some latin around the lake but it wound up making it a bit busy, so I decided not to. UNlike the Griffons the Knights of Canterbury have a 2:1 ratio flag. I suspect they had one that was much longer but it kept becoming a windsock or tangled, so they adopted the 2:1 version... also it was weird having the longest flag at diplomatic functions.
The flag of the Queendom of Maretonia. A land where the three pony races are bonded... by chains. Maretonia loves its gold, and the fact that a "legendary alicorn" was seen as symbol for the proper way of things. The Unicorns rule, the Pegasi enforce, and the Earth ponies toil. The flag of purple was usually only flown where Mareia, or the Monarch resided. Due to Mareia's unpopularity the Flag of Maretonia was usually flown as an after thought. Mareia's own family owned several forests where dark purple dye was harvested, and to have the Royal Standard be mostly purple instead of just crushed lavendar was a sign of their wealth. Technically speaking there was no single "Flag of Maretonia" but the central element was a common motif although the color changed depending on the house or noblity. Only Mareia was bold enough to put the Alicorn on her standard though, a not so subtle symbol that the Imperial Guard answered to HER above all else.
Ah House Storm... and the would be successors of Maretonia. The Red colors will feature more prominently on old Maretonia's flag, but the Stormy blue is what House Storm wants to be known for. Also to show that Pegicles is fairly uncreative... This is a ripoff of the Imperial Guard flag, they snapped off the Unicorn Horn, and put it on a field of dark Blue and Red. I guess Storm is known of it's "Wings of Blood" or something? I don't know....
Oh and the pegasi logo is ACTUALLY canon from the show... well kinda. See the Pegasi banner from the Hearths Warming Eve episode was this LINK
So in my headcanon that flag surviving in some archives in the cloud city of Mareathon was co-opted as a some sort Pegasi Supremacy icon for Pegicles. Let's just say if Cloudsdale Pegasi Centurions ever hear of this... they will be cross...
House White Star, the Unicorn Nobility's last hope to maintain their position. They would bind the two other races to their rightful place, and with their lavender banners would march into battle... and get their teeth knocked out. All the while in the City of Abila the Unicorn nobles were awarding themselves very impressive titles based on politics not function. The flag was designed by committee on a deadline... which is for the best because noble family representatives were still arguing over a proposed patchwork design of all the Nobles supporting White Star.
Inspired by some of the pics we have seen of the White Star Soldier's and their emblems
The Imperial Guard, sworn to protest the Monarch, only bound by the two chains. Solid in their duty and vow... Obvious inspiration was Imperial Roam... I mean Rome. I was tempted to follow the scutum of a Roman Centurion but no set of lightning bolts would work. If the Imperial Guard lasts long enough to find out that there is an ACTUAL White coated Alicorn... well might be an awkward conversation since for them they though alicorns were only myth.
The abolitionists. For a long while were cloaked in secrecy. A flag... an ACTUAL flag was a death warrant for them, so they never made one. One of Queen Mareia's doomed centralization projects was the creation of a Maretonian Mail Corps. The nobles saw right through Mareia's actual purpose, reading all their priveleged correspondence. So the noble houses or freepony merchants created private courier services to deal with this. it also didn't help that the thousand pony mail corps were quite... amenable to donations. After a few years EVERY noble house had their own unique wax seals, alongside cyphers and other keys to avoid royal censure... the most basic seal and one most easily overlooked was the the Four pointed star... or known as Common Class Mail. This is why the flag looks like an envelope, in the early days of the abolitionist, this is how they communicated... by Common Class Mail with the common class mail seal. Once the Griffon Crisis began the abolitionists wound up co-opting a few private mail services to "ship" slaves to freedom. Maretonian Mail Inspectors were poorly paid, and eager to accept donations.
When the abolitionists were able to work openly... they needed a rallying symbol to raise in towns to let them know they were genuine liberators... What better way than to put an envelope on a banner with a Common Class Mail wax seal?
Yakyakistan... A kingdom of the Yaks, forged from the 4 tribes under one ruler Rutherford, from the bluffs and Canyons of Yakistown, just down the road from Council Bluffs where the Rutherford united the 4 clans.
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- Location
- Washington
Oh man, I am a sucker for good flag designs.Would anyone mind if I worked on some updated flags for the various nations? Some don't have them
Trying to keep with the color scheme of MLP is a little hard but I also was trying to show progression from earlier flags. This is the flag of the Gryphus Empire post Sombra. The Blues represent the sky and seas. The Hexagon is a reference to common fortresses seen throughout the empire. The black band is in rememberance of those lost... Those who gave their all for the Empire. I decided not to use Red colors on this flag mostly because I figured the Empire is trying to prove they don't need to be bloody to be great and the Black Band works better. I suspect there are regional subdivision flags or banners that fly for the various regions of the Empire: Griffonia, Wingbardy, Aquilea, Kestrella, Lanner, Crystal Empire, Houndstooth City. I imagine the banner of the First Empire is the flag of Griffonstone.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Mazeka
You must be joking
- Location
- United States
Going by the Principles of Vexillography, would it be possible to limit your flag design to 3 basic colors?Would anyone mind if I worked on some updated flags for the various nations? Some don't have them
Trying to keep with the color scheme of MLP is a little hard but I also was trying to show progression from earlier flags. This is the flag of the Gryphus Empire post Sombra. The Blues represent the sky and seas. The Hexagon is a reference to common fortresses seen throughout the empire. The black band is in rememberance of those lost... Those who gave their all for the Empire. I decided not to use Red colors on this flag mostly because I figured the Empire is trying to prove they don't need to be bloody to be great and the Black Band works better. I suspect there are regional subdivision flags or banners that fly for the various regions of the Empire: Griffonia, Wingbardy, Aquilea, Kestrella, Lanner, Crystal Empire, Houndstooth City. I imagine the banner of the First Empire is the flag of Griffonstone.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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- Location
- SF Bay Area
Generally I try to, but unfortunately that Griffin in the middle kinda demands to be 4 colors. I tried making the gold trim around the black band black as well... but the whole thing wound up looking a bit quasi fascist. I could close its mouth and bring it to 6 colors but that's about it and I didn't like the mono colored griffon
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
I don't really care about flag-making rules. I like Fire's design. Just go full Albania and ignore all known prescriptions on flag design
- Location
- SF Bay Area
Canterbury Flag is up. Next up is Maretonia... and it's various factions. Guess the plan is I will mention Questor when I finish the set and edit in the flags
Planned flags:Old Maretonia, Abolitionists, Imperial Guard, House Storm, House White Star, Yakyakistan (although they don't have a flag per say... just an etched rock with Rutherford's seal and some text saying "This represents Yak Property"), Libertalia, Neighpon, Emerald Isles, Minotaur Republics, Olenia Tribes.
If I have time: Houndstooth City (Regional Griffon Flag), Griffonstone (Regional Griffon Flag), Kestrella (Regional Griffon Flag), cleaned up versions of Griffonia, Aquileia, and Wingbardy
Equestria and Crystal Empire already have flags so no plans for those
Planned flags:
If I have time: Houndstooth City (Regional Griffon Flag), Griffonstone (Regional Griffon Flag), Kestrella (Regional Griffon Flag), cleaned up versions of Griffonia, Aquileia, and Wingbardy
Equestria and Crystal Empire already have flags so no plans for those
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- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
You could take inspiration from EaW's Yakyakistan flag.
For the Minotaur republics, there's the Republic of Asterion in EaW, though I would recommend more bronze for this quest's version of them
Where is Houndstooth City? I can't find any mention of it
- Location
- SF Bay Area
more a reference to a particular type of color pattern and given MLP's puntastic naming convention I figured there must be a Houndstooth City somewhere
If there is it's a diamond dog city under a mountain and considering how much Discord fucked with things.
It be just like him to have left an unpleasant joke for the Dogs to find should they delve too Deep, and yes that's a Reference to Khazad-dûm.
For extra sadistic joke would have been Discord arranged the Fall of Houndstooth and Tacked on the Mind-killing Sickness to prevent the dogs from ever recovering their Civilization again.
- Location
- Washington
Ah, but the Crystal Empire is a defunct state, there is now the Crystal Protectorate. So as it is technically a new state it deserves a new flag.
The Maretonian Campaign, Part 2
- Location
- Maryland
(Scouting: 84)
Griselda hugged the ground, the morning dew soaking her fur as she slowly crawled forward towards the cliff side. She took a moment to pause, slowly and carefully adjusting her camouflage cloak, checking for the third time in the past hour to be sure that the cloth garment covered in dyed burlap strips and native flora looked convincing enough to pass a cursory examination.
From the air, she was just another clump of foliage, or, if she turned the cloak inside out, a boulder on the mountainside. All she had to do was make sure she didn't move too quickly or otherwise do anything to draw attention while she made her way to the vantage point she'd spotted earlier.
The last Storm aerial patrol hadn't even slowed when they'd passed over her three hours ago, but there was no such thing as being too careful. Not this deep behind enemy lines.
It had been a tough few days for her, as she suspected it had been for the rest of the scouts dispatched to recon the Hoof River Valley. A few regiments of regular troops had been selected to act as a screening force, to advance slightly ahead of the rest of the Army to assess the terrain and ensure that there were no ambushing forces lying in wait. Such tactics weren't Pegicles typical style, but it paid to be cautious.
The real scouting work though, the surveillance of the valley itself, that was left to the dedicated soldiers of the First Reconnaissance Battalion. The Jaegerbataillon. They were perhaps the only unit in the Imperial Army that had been created specifically for the task of covert observation and stealth operations. In open battle they served as arbalists, but it was in times such as this, in the days just before a major engagement, where they truly got the chance to put their skills to use.
Many of the Jaegers had been recruited from the more wild and untamed regions of the Empire, Kestrella in particular. They were hunters, trappers, lumberjacks, people who had spent their lives in the wilderness and knew how to fight and observe their surroundings while keeping their heads down in hostile territory. Some had been trained by or seconded from the Ministry of Information, others had spent time in Canterbury hunting the killer beasts that resided within that nation's dark forests. They took pride in their ability to sneak past sentries, evade aerial patrols, and score a bullseye with a crossbow from 100 yards.
The latter skill wouldn't be getting much use today though. Tempting as it was to snipe the occasional Pegasus passing overhead, she couldn't afford to give away her position.
She paused to carefully take a sip from her canteen, grimacing at the sloshing noise it made, indicating it was halfway empty. She'd have to turn back to meet up with the rest of her platoon soon. She hoped that the view from this cliff was worth the journey.
She crawled up to the edge, mindful but not fearful of the several hundred foot drop to the valley floor that awaited her if she tipped too far forward. From her perch on the cliff side, she could make out the far-distant shapes of a tent city, the equine figures moving about it looking as small as insects from this distance.
She reached for her satchel, pulling out and extending the telescope issued to each scout, and carefully adjusted the magnifying lenses until she finally got a clear picture of the far off Storm encampment.
And they most certainly were Storm Troops. The banners fluttering in the breeze bearing the heraldry of Pegicles made that clear as day. Judging by the size of the camp, the number of smoldering cooking fires, and the number of Pegasi taking off and landing at regular intervals, it was indeed a sizable force.
But it wasn't the large army she'd expected.
Both the Abolitionists and the Royal Guard estimated that Pegicles had over twenty thousand fighters under his command. The camp in the valley below wasn't big enough to host more than a quarter of that many Ponies.
And, as Griselda looked closer, she realized that the comparatively small size of the force wasn't the only odd thing about it. For one thing, there were surprisingly few Pegasi, and most of those that were present seemed to lack the discipline that the Griffoness would expect from a force of seasoned veterans. She could only see a bare handful of ponies bearing the symbol and armor of the Storm Guard, the soldiers who had served Pegicles long before the death of Queen Mareia. Most of the rest were dressed in simpler, less protective garb, and handled their weapons with a caution that belied a lack of experience.
Many of the Unicorns in the camp, of which there were a surprisingly large number, looked like they were wearing the armor and uniforms of House White Star, the heraldry of the House of Haygle conspicuously absent or crudely painted over. And, while it was difficult to make out from this distance, she could see the banners of numerous mercenary companies scattered about, Ponies in contrasting and colorful uniforms gathered around them.
She saw an Earth Pony Stallion in full plate armor pass by a mare of the same race wearing nothing but a helmet and an axe. She saw a young Pegasus in the garb of House Storm, just barely out of Colthood, yelp and stumble as he cut himself while trying to pick a sword up off the ground with his hooves. She saw a pair of Unicorns with bows hastily step out of the way of an...armored Manticore?
She blinked. No, she wasn't seeing things, that was an armored Manticore with an Earth Pony on it's back.
She scanned the clouds and the sky, but despite her expectations there weren't many Pegasi actually positioned upon the puffs of water vapor. There were a few, some of whom had telescopes of their own out as they scanned the horizon to the North in anticipation of the Imperial Army's arrival, and she could see a Mare in gilded armor atop one of the highest cloudbanks who she assumed to be the commander of the force.
Every now and then another Pegasus, always one of the few Storm Guards, would fly up to her and salute, converse with her for a time, then fly off again, either back down to the camp or off towards a group of the Pegasi patrolling the skies.
There were no floating castles, no battalions of fliers hiding inside the cloudbanks waiting to ambush unsuspecting foes, no brewing storm waiting to be unleashed upon the army marching on their position. It was just patrols and observation flights, the bulk of the armed force confined to the ground.
Griselda wasn't sure what to make of this bizarre sight. Part of her wanted to try and get closer, to hopefully get a better idea of just what was going on...but the reddening sky as the sun began to dip below the horizon forced her to abandon that course of action. The coming night would disguise her movements, but it would also make it harder observe the camp. She pocketed her telescope and turned, beginning the long, slow journey back to friendly lines. She had to report her findings, tell her superiors what she had seen. Then her fellow scouts would make their own reports, the information compared and cross referenced and collated before being passed up the chain of command.
The Emperor and the Generals would decide what to do with that intel.
—————————————————————————————
You stare down at the map on the table, eyes boring a hole into the red square that represents the Storm Force occupying the Hoof River Valley as Lt. Col. Hawkeye finishes giving his report on the results of the reconnaissance missions you'd ordered performed. A silence falls over the gathered assembly of Officers, Knights and Mages as you all digest the information.
A force no larger than five or six thousand, a mere fraction of Pegicles' total strength. Less than a fifth of that number were his regulars, the rest being conscripts, defectors and mercenaries.
Gabriella gives voice to the thoughts running through all of your minds.
"What the hell is this guy playing at?"
You tap the map in uncertainty, mulling over your thoughts as you all consider the situation before you.
Jewelius Pranceus offers up his opinion from his position in the far corner
"I see two possible explanations, though they aren't mutually exclusive. The first is that this is some manner of trap, though I can't begin to imagine what the consequences of springing it might be. The second is that Pegicles is trying to stall us."
You turn towards the Guard Commander with an inquisitive look. The Unicorn Stallion elaborates.
"He's sent his most expendable forces to engage us alongside only a small contingent of his regulars. The kind of Ponies he doesn't want to survive the conflict. He can't reasonably expect them to actually stop or destroy our force, but they will slow us down, inflict some casualties, buy him time."
Your wife turns to regard him, an eyebrow raised.
"Time for what though?"
He sighs.
"Truthfully I can't say for sure. Fortify Mare-a-Thon I would assume."
Another silence falls over the tent, no one able to offer up any alternative explanations.
You shake your head.
"Regardless, we still have to face this force. The valley is our quickest route to Mare-a-Thon, and if Pegicles is trying to buy time I don't feel comfortable giving it to him."
Your eyes scan over the room, making contact with every figure in the tent.
"So, how are we going to go about doing that?"
Your route through the Hoof River Valley is blocked by a force of several thousand Ponies of House Storm. Only a fraction of them are Pegasi, and your scouts have seen no sign of there being any hidden units or unexpected weather manipulations to worry about. Your forces are now approaching the entrance to the valley. How do you plan to fight them?
[ ] Standoff: You have with you the largest collection of artillery in history, along with a significant number of Unicorns capable of ranged combat spellcasting. Take up a position just within range, then bombard the Storm force until they either retreat or are forced to cross the killing field to engage you.
[ ] Charge: You have the numbers, and it's in your best interest to finish this fight as quickly as possible. Close the distance and engage them head on.
[ ] Write-In - Take the command post: With the number of pegasi so low, we should have reasonably simple chances of forcing the command staff of the cloud post to either evacuate to the ground or to leave the battlefield entirely. One of those should demoralize the enemy considerably and give us almost undisputed aerial supremacy over the battle, the other would also give us the latter and trap someone of importance within the reaches of our main army.
[ ] Write-In - Deceptive Spear Point: Send 20,000 troops forward divided into three groups deployed in a Chevron formation near the entrance of the valley. The Central group will consist of 10,000 with two flanking groups consisting of 5,000 each on the center groups flanks. Simultaneously have the Diamond Dog troops dig tunnels and create ambush tunnels that emerge just behind the forward formation, these points will serve as emergency reinforcement points or ambush points should the enemy push the front line back. When the formation is in position begin bombarding the enemy forces on the ground with the Artillery. Should the ground forces decide to charge the Artillery should switch to a more suppressive bombardment to slow down their advance. If the center group can't repel the assault quickly they are to slowly give ground and draw the enemy in. This will allow the flanking forces to attack the enemy from the flanks.
While this is going on a contingent of knights comprised of at least 2 knightly orders supported by the Maretoninian Pegisi Thunderes will launch an assault on their command post in order to take out their leadership.
[ ] Write-In - Sendoff: You have with you the largest collection of artillery in history, along with a significant number of Unicorns capable of ranged combat spellcasting. Take up a position just within range, then fire a warning shot. Convey to the opposition that the lives of those who surrender unconditionally will be spared. Bombard the Storm force that refuse to surrender until they either retreat or are forced to cross the killing field to engage you.
[ ] Write-In - Aerial Supremacy: Use as many of our flight-capable troops as we can to quickly gain air superiority. Begin with some shock and awe; a cannon barrage aimed at the valley/enemy, all our warhorns blowing at once, and a war cry from our troops. Have the army sing one of the more fear-inspiring songs from our march to increase the psychological pressure on the enemy. Concentrate attacks on the enemy commander and any other officers. While that is occurring, set up our cannons and flightless troops to barrage any potential enemy attack coming out of the valley, in case they try for a desperate offensive. Once we have air superiority, start dropping bombs, Molotov cocktails, arrows, flechettes, and propaganda leaflets instructing the enemy to surrender and promising good treatment to those who do. We want the untrained draftees to panic, surrender, retreat, and generally get in the way of the veterans. Once the enemy is in chaos, have units descend to the ground as necessary on isolated areas of the battlefield for defeat in detail.
There will be a 24 hour moratorium to allow for discussion before voting.
Griselda hugged the ground, the morning dew soaking her fur as she slowly crawled forward towards the cliff side. She took a moment to pause, slowly and carefully adjusting her camouflage cloak, checking for the third time in the past hour to be sure that the cloth garment covered in dyed burlap strips and native flora looked convincing enough to pass a cursory examination.
From the air, she was just another clump of foliage, or, if she turned the cloak inside out, a boulder on the mountainside. All she had to do was make sure she didn't move too quickly or otherwise do anything to draw attention while she made her way to the vantage point she'd spotted earlier.
The last Storm aerial patrol hadn't even slowed when they'd passed over her three hours ago, but there was no such thing as being too careful. Not this deep behind enemy lines.
It had been a tough few days for her, as she suspected it had been for the rest of the scouts dispatched to recon the Hoof River Valley. A few regiments of regular troops had been selected to act as a screening force, to advance slightly ahead of the rest of the Army to assess the terrain and ensure that there were no ambushing forces lying in wait. Such tactics weren't Pegicles typical style, but it paid to be cautious.
The real scouting work though, the surveillance of the valley itself, that was left to the dedicated soldiers of the First Reconnaissance Battalion. The Jaegerbataillon. They were perhaps the only unit in the Imperial Army that had been created specifically for the task of covert observation and stealth operations. In open battle they served as arbalists, but it was in times such as this, in the days just before a major engagement, where they truly got the chance to put their skills to use.
Many of the Jaegers had been recruited from the more wild and untamed regions of the Empire, Kestrella in particular. They were hunters, trappers, lumberjacks, people who had spent their lives in the wilderness and knew how to fight and observe their surroundings while keeping their heads down in hostile territory. Some had been trained by or seconded from the Ministry of Information, others had spent time in Canterbury hunting the killer beasts that resided within that nation's dark forests. They took pride in their ability to sneak past sentries, evade aerial patrols, and score a bullseye with a crossbow from 100 yards.
The latter skill wouldn't be getting much use today though. Tempting as it was to snipe the occasional Pegasus passing overhead, she couldn't afford to give away her position.
She paused to carefully take a sip from her canteen, grimacing at the sloshing noise it made, indicating it was halfway empty. She'd have to turn back to meet up with the rest of her platoon soon. She hoped that the view from this cliff was worth the journey.
She crawled up to the edge, mindful but not fearful of the several hundred foot drop to the valley floor that awaited her if she tipped too far forward. From her perch on the cliff side, she could make out the far-distant shapes of a tent city, the equine figures moving about it looking as small as insects from this distance.
She reached for her satchel, pulling out and extending the telescope issued to each scout, and carefully adjusted the magnifying lenses until she finally got a clear picture of the far off Storm encampment.
And they most certainly were Storm Troops. The banners fluttering in the breeze bearing the heraldry of Pegicles made that clear as day. Judging by the size of the camp, the number of smoldering cooking fires, and the number of Pegasi taking off and landing at regular intervals, it was indeed a sizable force.
But it wasn't the large army she'd expected.
Both the Abolitionists and the Royal Guard estimated that Pegicles had over twenty thousand fighters under his command. The camp in the valley below wasn't big enough to host more than a quarter of that many Ponies.
And, as Griselda looked closer, she realized that the comparatively small size of the force wasn't the only odd thing about it. For one thing, there were surprisingly few Pegasi, and most of those that were present seemed to lack the discipline that the Griffoness would expect from a force of seasoned veterans. She could only see a bare handful of ponies bearing the symbol and armor of the Storm Guard, the soldiers who had served Pegicles long before the death of Queen Mareia. Most of the rest were dressed in simpler, less protective garb, and handled their weapons with a caution that belied a lack of experience.
Many of the Unicorns in the camp, of which there were a surprisingly large number, looked like they were wearing the armor and uniforms of House White Star, the heraldry of the House of Haygle conspicuously absent or crudely painted over. And, while it was difficult to make out from this distance, she could see the banners of numerous mercenary companies scattered about, Ponies in contrasting and colorful uniforms gathered around them.
She saw an Earth Pony Stallion in full plate armor pass by a mare of the same race wearing nothing but a helmet and an axe. She saw a young Pegasus in the garb of House Storm, just barely out of Colthood, yelp and stumble as he cut himself while trying to pick a sword up off the ground with his hooves. She saw a pair of Unicorns with bows hastily step out of the way of an...armored Manticore?
She blinked. No, she wasn't seeing things, that was an armored Manticore with an Earth Pony on it's back.
She scanned the clouds and the sky, but despite her expectations there weren't many Pegasi actually positioned upon the puffs of water vapor. There were a few, some of whom had telescopes of their own out as they scanned the horizon to the North in anticipation of the Imperial Army's arrival, and she could see a Mare in gilded armor atop one of the highest cloudbanks who she assumed to be the commander of the force.
Every now and then another Pegasus, always one of the few Storm Guards, would fly up to her and salute, converse with her for a time, then fly off again, either back down to the camp or off towards a group of the Pegasi patrolling the skies.
There were no floating castles, no battalions of fliers hiding inside the cloudbanks waiting to ambush unsuspecting foes, no brewing storm waiting to be unleashed upon the army marching on their position. It was just patrols and observation flights, the bulk of the armed force confined to the ground.
Griselda wasn't sure what to make of this bizarre sight. Part of her wanted to try and get closer, to hopefully get a better idea of just what was going on...but the reddening sky as the sun began to dip below the horizon forced her to abandon that course of action. The coming night would disguise her movements, but it would also make it harder observe the camp. She pocketed her telescope and turned, beginning the long, slow journey back to friendly lines. She had to report her findings, tell her superiors what she had seen. Then her fellow scouts would make their own reports, the information compared and cross referenced and collated before being passed up the chain of command.
The Emperor and the Generals would decide what to do with that intel.
—————————————————————————————
You stare down at the map on the table, eyes boring a hole into the red square that represents the Storm Force occupying the Hoof River Valley as Lt. Col. Hawkeye finishes giving his report on the results of the reconnaissance missions you'd ordered performed. A silence falls over the gathered assembly of Officers, Knights and Mages as you all digest the information.
A force no larger than five or six thousand, a mere fraction of Pegicles' total strength. Less than a fifth of that number were his regulars, the rest being conscripts, defectors and mercenaries.
Gabriella gives voice to the thoughts running through all of your minds.
"What the hell is this guy playing at?"
You tap the map in uncertainty, mulling over your thoughts as you all consider the situation before you.
Jewelius Pranceus offers up his opinion from his position in the far corner
"I see two possible explanations, though they aren't mutually exclusive. The first is that this is some manner of trap, though I can't begin to imagine what the consequences of springing it might be. The second is that Pegicles is trying to stall us."
You turn towards the Guard Commander with an inquisitive look. The Unicorn Stallion elaborates.
"He's sent his most expendable forces to engage us alongside only a small contingent of his regulars. The kind of Ponies he doesn't want to survive the conflict. He can't reasonably expect them to actually stop or destroy our force, but they will slow us down, inflict some casualties, buy him time."
Your wife turns to regard him, an eyebrow raised.
"Time for what though?"
He sighs.
"Truthfully I can't say for sure. Fortify Mare-a-Thon I would assume."
Another silence falls over the tent, no one able to offer up any alternative explanations.
You shake your head.
"Regardless, we still have to face this force. The valley is our quickest route to Mare-a-Thon, and if Pegicles is trying to buy time I don't feel comfortable giving it to him."
Your eyes scan over the room, making contact with every figure in the tent.
"So, how are we going to go about doing that?"
Your route through the Hoof River Valley is blocked by a force of several thousand Ponies of House Storm. Only a fraction of them are Pegasi, and your scouts have seen no sign of there being any hidden units or unexpected weather manipulations to worry about. Your forces are now approaching the entrance to the valley. How do you plan to fight them?
[ ] Standoff: You have with you the largest collection of artillery in history, along with a significant number of Unicorns capable of ranged combat spellcasting. Take up a position just within range, then bombard the Storm force until they either retreat or are forced to cross the killing field to engage you.
[ ] Charge: You have the numbers, and it's in your best interest to finish this fight as quickly as possible. Close the distance and engage them head on.
[ ] Write-In - Take the command post: With the number of pegasi so low, we should have reasonably simple chances of forcing the command staff of the cloud post to either evacuate to the ground or to leave the battlefield entirely. One of those should demoralize the enemy considerably and give us almost undisputed aerial supremacy over the battle, the other would also give us the latter and trap someone of importance within the reaches of our main army.
[ ] Write-In - Deceptive Spear Point: Send 20,000 troops forward divided into three groups deployed in a Chevron formation near the entrance of the valley. The Central group will consist of 10,000 with two flanking groups consisting of 5,000 each on the center groups flanks. Simultaneously have the Diamond Dog troops dig tunnels and create ambush tunnels that emerge just behind the forward formation, these points will serve as emergency reinforcement points or ambush points should the enemy push the front line back. When the formation is in position begin bombarding the enemy forces on the ground with the Artillery. Should the ground forces decide to charge the Artillery should switch to a more suppressive bombardment to slow down their advance. If the center group can't repel the assault quickly they are to slowly give ground and draw the enemy in. This will allow the flanking forces to attack the enemy from the flanks.
While this is going on a contingent of knights comprised of at least 2 knightly orders supported by the Maretoninian Pegisi Thunderes will launch an assault on their command post in order to take out their leadership.
[ ] Write-In - Sendoff: You have with you the largest collection of artillery in history, along with a significant number of Unicorns capable of ranged combat spellcasting. Take up a position just within range, then fire a warning shot. Convey to the opposition that the lives of those who surrender unconditionally will be spared. Bombard the Storm force that refuse to surrender until they either retreat or are forced to cross the killing field to engage you.
[ ] Write-In - Aerial Supremacy: Use as many of our flight-capable troops as we can to quickly gain air superiority. Begin with some shock and awe; a cannon barrage aimed at the valley/enemy, all our warhorns blowing at once, and a war cry from our troops. Have the army sing one of the more fear-inspiring songs from our march to increase the psychological pressure on the enemy. Concentrate attacks on the enemy commander and any other officers. While that is occurring, set up our cannons and flightless troops to barrage any potential enemy attack coming out of the valley, in case they try for a desperate offensive. Once we have air superiority, start dropping bombs, Molotov cocktails, arrows, flechettes, and propaganda leaflets instructing the enemy to surrender and promising good treatment to those who do. We want the untrained draftees to panic, surrender, retreat, and generally get in the way of the veterans. Once the enemy is in chaos, have units descend to the ground as necessary on isolated areas of the battlefield for defeat in detail.
There will be a 24 hour moratorium to allow for discussion before voting.
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- Location
- Novi Sad
I am not well versed in combat, but seeing how there are armored manticores I support the bombardment option, both to destroy them and minimize our casualties because they would have to pass our killing field to reach us.
Although while our guns are being set; I am kind of tempted to open talks with the army maybe seeing our might could get them to surrender, it is doubtful that the soldiers in that army appreciate that they are in essence cannon fodder, but I while optimistic acknowledge that it is unlikely
Although while our guns are being set; I am kind of tempted to open talks with the army maybe seeing our might could get them to surrender, it is doubtful that the soldiers in that army appreciate that they are in essence cannon fodder, but I while optimistic acknowledge that it is unlikely