Who Needs Harmony?: An MLP Empire Quest

[Marlin]

Link to the last time I did this.

Archival purposes: "The Most Important Question" (posted by QM on Saturday, December 25, 2021)

OR

The Front Page as it appeared to me on Saturday, December 25, 2021.

Character Sheet (last edited by QM on Tuesday, November 16, 2021)
(Been my experience that spoilers inside quotes, don't work well, so I'm removing those spoilers)
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Name: Garrick Golden-Feather



Age: 57

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: 56

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: 26

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: 22

Martial: 15+4-4=15
Diplomacy: 9
Stewardship: 6+2=8
Learning: 8+1=9
Intrigue: 9+1=10

Status: Adolescent-Malus to Martial stat.
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: 19

Martial: 8+4=12
Diplomacy: 11+2=13
Stewardship: 11
Learning: 7
Intrigue: 6

Trait: Beautiful- A stellar example of feminine grace. (+2 Diplomacy)
Duelist: An experienced master of one-on-one combat who spars against others as a hobby. (+4 Martial)

Daughter: Gleaming Pearl Golden-Feather

Age: 20

Martial: 7+2=9
Diplomacy: 10+2=12
Stewardship: 12
Learning: 5+2=7
Intrigue: 8

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)

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Informational: State of the Nation (last edited by QM on Tuesday, November 16, 2021)
- Not Changed

Economy

Treasury Reserves: 7,924

Net Income: 13,555

Yearly Income: 15,915

-Tax Revenue: 6625
-Farming Income: 3900
-Mining Income: 1400
-Logging Income: 200
-Trade Income: 3800

Yearly Expenditures: 2,370

-Army Upkeep: 540
-Navy Upkeep: 190
-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: 53,856

-25,00 Warriors: Armed with a sword or hand-axe and shield, these Griffons make up the bulk of your army.

-12,500 Polearms: For keeping your enemy at arms length or taking down opponents larger than a Griffon.

-12,500 Arbalists: Griffons armed with crossbows, capable of punching through armor from quite a distance away.

-3000 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.

-856 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.

-28 Mobile Ballistae: Massively oversized mechanical bows that fire bolts big enough to pierce through tree trunks from vast distances.

-59 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.

-20 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 Black Watch
1 Watch Commander Konrad Hardbeak
24 Black Knights (Black Steel Armor and Weapons)


The Knights Lion
1 Grandmaster Konrad Hardbeak, "The Kingslayer" (Orichalcum Katana, 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 Lion's Den, Griffonia

The Knights Talon
1 Grandmaster Colombroni Pigeonio (Orichalcum Blade, Runic Armor)
25 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)
30 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)
37 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: 1.6 (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: 1.7 (Small Boost to YakYakistani Relations)

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. Recently, it has been revealed to you that the religion is a front for the machinations of the Changeling Queen Phalanx, who has taken upon the guise of a Goddess to rule Canterbury from the shadows.
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: .8 (No Benefits)



Roll Bonuses
Scatter-Shot: Bonus to Certain Cannon Rolls
Blasting Jelly: +5 to Certain Explosive Rolls
Camouflage 101: +5 to Certain Intrigue/Army Rolls
Specialized Anti-Magic Training: Bonuses to Certain Combat 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, March 21, 2021)
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Diplomatic Relations

Kingdom of Neighpon: 8.0/10 (Steadfast Ally)
Kingdom of Canterbury: 7.5/10 (Respected Allies)
Libertalia: 6.5 (Business Partners)
YakYakistan: 8.5/10 (Good Neighbors)
Minotaur Republics: 6.0/10 (Trading Partner)
Emerald Isles: 7.0/10 (Dog-Friend)
Kingdom of Equestria: 7/10 (Grateful Friends)


Persons of Interest
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.

Rose: A Changeling, member of a race of shapeshifting emotivores. Defected to you when your agents nearly stumbled upon the Hive of Queen Phalanx and the conspiracy at the heart of Canterbury and the Church of the Lady of the Lake.

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[GardenerBriareus]

And with the rise of the House of Goldenfeather had come the fall of the House of Brochard. Overnight, she and the rest of her family became pariahs, a symbol of the despised old regime. Nobles that had chafed under the now-dead king's iron grip had quickly directed their ire upon their former sovereign's remaining family, and families that had once bowed and scraped to get into the good graces of her parents now did everything possible to distance themselves from their former business partners.

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For a time, she had feared that she and her family would be dispossessed of their lands and titles, stripped of their nobility and left to fend for themselves upon the hostile streets of the Empire, or even exiled into the wild lands beyond the nation's borders for their perceived crimes. But the expected punishment from the Emperor her relative had sought to oppose never materialized.

Then again, it wasn't like his personal intervention was necessary. His subjects did a good enough job tearing down her family on their own. Within but a few short years, they had been reduced to a pale shadow of what they had once been, only nobility by technicality as they found themselves ostracized by virtually everyone. Associating with them quickly became an act of social suicide, and Isabelle soon found that the crowds of suck-ups and hangers-on that had once attempted to cozy up to her in hopes of earning her uncle's favor now did everything they could to avoid being seen with her.

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I feel like one of these two segments is a leftover from the drafting process? They both convey the same information - and even use some of the same phrases to do so - but have been both left in for reasons unknown.

 

[Halocon720]

Also, how old was Isabelle when Aquileia was taken? Gawain was an infant, how old was she to have remembered the time before then?

 

[Sentient Tree]

"Always keep your word, honor agreements you've made, and pay your debts. A good reputation is one of the only things that can't be bought, and in some ways is the most valuable currency of all. If you don't have any, people won't be willing to work with you. If you do, you'll be able to gain more than you otherwise could with coin alone."

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Ehhhh, a good reputation can be bought, it's just very hard and takes a lot of money. PR agencies exist for a reason, after all.

 

[jonasquinn]

I feel like one of these two segments is a leftover from the drafting process? They both convey the same information - and even use some of the same phrases to do so - but have been both left in for reasons unknown.

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I would argue that they're different enough to warrant inclusion, one is specifying how quickly their fortunes changed and t(e other is talking about how even without Garrick himself taking any action against them they were so unpopular that he might as well have and showing how low they fell

Ehhhh, a good reputation can be bought, it's just very hard and takes a lot of money. PR agencies exist for a reason, after all.

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Not when the most effective form communication is still letters and word of mouth, the money you'd have to spend to ensure that was positive would be more than just having been fair in your dealings in the first place

Plus that might work in the general populace but any merchant or official who knows what they're doing would know the truth

 

[PyrrosWarrior]

Not when the most effective form communication is still letters and word of mouth, the money you'd have to spend to ensure that was positive would be more than just having been fair in your dealings in the first place

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Tree didn't say it was effective. In fact, they said the opposite by declaring it to be incredibly expensive and difficult. What they said was that it's possible to buy a good reputation.

 

[jonasquinn]

Tree didn't say it was effective. In fact, they said the opposite by declaring it to be incredibly expensive and difficult. What they said was that it's possible to buy a good reputation.

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That's fair though I would also argue that it is so difficult as to essentially be impossible

 

[Sentient Tree]

Tree didn't say it was effective. In fact, they said the opposite by declaring it to be incredibly expensive and difficult. What they said was that it's possible to buy a good reputation.

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This, plus I was thinking about modern day and hadn't really thought about whether things might be harder before modern communication technologies. So a little bit of both.

 

[JmonsterNEO]

Isabelle Brissette is now Isabelle Goldenfeather.

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The Mad King finally got what he wanted, his bloodline on the Throne.

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Just not in any way like he envisioned. It's funny, in a cosmic sort of way. The sort of funny that would leave even Discord himself rolling on the floor in laughter at the sheer schadenfreude of it all.

edit: didn't want to double post.

wasn't it stated the gynes only turn into a queen if the current queen dies?

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nope. we don't know what triggers the change. that's just a theory

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I think it was said that all gynes have the potential to become queens but the thing that triggers it was kept secret from them to make sure they wouldn't go off and try and found their own hives.

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I think it's some sort of emotional response that triggers the evolution from Gyne to Queen, kinda like how Chrysalis' hive metamorphosed at around the end of FiM due to a collective change of heart of all the drones, even turning Thorax into a 'king changeling' of sorts as he became the hive's new leader.

 

[The Void King]

I think it's some sort of emotional response that triggers the evolution from Gyne to Queen, kinda like how Chrysalis' hive metamorphosed at around the end of FiM due to a collective change of heart of all the drones, even turning Thorax into a 'king changeling' of sorts as he became the hive's new leader.

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Rose most definitely is going to go through that sooner or latter

Hopefully sooner, having Changlings of our own will be useful against Queen Phalanx

 

[w34v3r]

Unless we seriously delay I don't think Rose's kids are going to be a factor. We want changelings? We need to get them to defect/seek sanctuary with us.

 

[Red_Faux]

I was like, "Sweet! We have her real name!" And then immediately I'm like "Her real name is Rose dumbass". Old Pony Wisdom FTW

 

[WizWitcherly]

Adopt Rose into the Goldenfeather family when?
Because I genuinly want that, it's just such a fun idea, and Rose needs some real familial love emperor dammit.

 

[w34v3r]

I mean... Maybe, but she hasn't really bonded with us outside one meeting, and she's a bit old for our parenting to sink in. I think she'd be better off in the under town, with the Diamond dog restaurant owner.

 

[Themarineguy]

Ehhhh, a good reputation can be bought, it's just very hard and takes a lot of money. PR agencies exist for a reason, after all.

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Tree didn't say it was effective. In fact, they said the opposite by declaring it to be incredibly expensive and difficult. What they said was that it's possible to buy a good reputation.

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...As far as reputation. You could 'buy' good reputation, but making it stick without acting in ways that don't hurt it is difficult. Though it is not like it is impossible to be successful in spite of the negative reputation.*Looking at you EA*

I was like, "Sweet! We have her real name!" And then immediately I'm like "Her real name is Rose dumbass". Old Pony Wisdom FTW

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Yeah. That is certainly the kind of vibe there.
And I like how the meeting with the old mare there.

The mare huffed in displeasure.

"I didn't ask for what your Master calls you child. I asked for your name."

She had no answer to give. She was what Her Mother had made Her. That was all She was...all that She ever would be.

The old mare's gaze softened alongside her voice.

"What have they done to you child?"

My sisters are dead. Dead because of our Mother. A Mother who never loved us, who never saw us as anything but threats to be dealt with. My entire life is a lie, a series of acts to please a being that will never be satisfied with anything but my death.

All She could answer the old mare with was silence. The elder hummed to herself, as if she could divine some kind of meaning from Her silence, and asked Her another question.

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[w34v3r]

The big problem is that without the secret it's hard to simply get rid of the current queen, but she's not going to give it up because she believes she dies the moment she does.

The problem being that there's nobody who wants the secret that won't also murder her the moment they get it because she's alienated her successors to the point where she needs that secret.

 

[The Void King]

The big problem is that without the secret it's hard to simply get rid of the current queen, but she's not going to give it up because she believes she dies the moment she does.

The problem being that there's nobody who wants the secret that won't also murder her the moment they get it because she's alienated her successors to the point where she needs that secret.

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If were thinking bee type ascension to queen then maybe something like royal jelly? Or maybe have all the changeling hive give them some love? Might add more reasons on why she isolates the proto queens

 

[w34v3r]

Ehhhh see the thing there is that royal jelly bees do it on purpose, and don't create proto-queens by accident.

These proto-queens are numerous enough that Rose lost several sisters, odds are that given Pharanx's antipathy towards them they happen automatically. As such a royal jelly type trigger is unlikely.

I suspect that the secret isn't anything complex either, it might be as simple as finding a male changeling from another hive, or killing the old Queen, but since they don't KNOW that intellectually they think she's got them unless they're willing to abandon the hive and live solo for the rest of their lives.

Honestly it's only a matter of time before she breaks one bad enough to decide that there's no point in changelings existing if it's going to be like that.

 

[The Void King]

These proto-queens are numerous enough that Rose lost several sisters, odds are that given Pharanx's antipathy towards them they happen automatically. As such a royal jelly type trigger is unlikely.

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I meant not it not as "Normal changelings need royal jelly to become Proto-Queens".
I meant it as "Proto-Queens need royal jelly to become full Queen"

 

[w34v3r]

Yes, and what I'm saying is that royal jelly is what makes bee larva into queens, jelly users don't have a proto-queen until the jelly saturates the larva to a sufficient degree. As such the fact that the proto-queens exist without her blessing indicates that it's not jelly or something similar.

 

[The Void King]

Yes, and what I'm saying is that royal jelly is what makes bee larva into queens, jelly users don't have a proto-queen until the jelly saturates the larva to a sufficient degree. As such the fact that the proto-queens exist without her blessing indicates that it's not jelly or something similar.

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Proto-Queen eggs could be something that happens at random like Queen Phalanx lays 1000 and 1 is a Proto-Queen egg

 

[w34v3r]

And if so then bee style royal jelly doesn't play a role.

Although generally speaking eusocial breeding castes with variable outputs don't do that. It doesn't have the needed feedback for variable conditions.

Ratios might play a part but they probably have adjustment mechanisms. Like how hives don't tend to produce more super majors than workers even with high protein intake. The protein trigger allows for super majors to happen, but the ratio keeps the worker output from dropping off too much to support them.

So odds are proto-queens require some additional trigger just to be born, likely a combination of age, resources, and possibly environmental triggers (though what those might be are pretty up in the air). The trigger for a proto becoming a full queen is probably a lot simpler since a lot of the biological investment has already been made.

 

[The Void King]

And if so then bee style royal jelly doesn't play a role.

Although generally speaking eusocial breeding castes with variable outputs don't do that. It doesn't have the needed feedback for variable conditions.

Ratios might play a part but they probably have adjustment mechanisms. Like how hives don't tend to produce more super majors than workers even with high protein intake. The protein trigger allows for super majors to happen, but the ratio keeps the worker output from dropping off too much to support them.

So odds are proto-queens require some additional trigger just to be born, likely a combination of age, resources, and possibly environmental triggers (though what those might be are pretty up in the air). The trigger for a proto becoming a full queen is probably a lot simpler since a lot of the biological investment has already been made.

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Hmmm Maybe a large amount of magic?
Or a magical catalyst to trigger both birth and ascendance? wouldn't make sense since do to pointed out apathy

maybe love? like I don't know, Worshiping causing more powerful changelings born but also more Proto-Queens as defense-mechanism against love overloud?

Like there is a certain limit of love carrying capacity (Hereby referred to as LCC) that a changeling can have, and when the Queen reaches it a Proto-Queen is born, and if a Proto-Queen reaches their LCC they evolve into a full Queen?

 

[Jam jar binks]

We are getting nowhere fast. So you know what this calls for? Spying and Science!

We need more info on like everything to do with the hive, as well as more changlings on our side. Anything else really is only speculation.
Also I want another species in the empire so... recon!

 

[MrRobot]

Probably isn't something like love, phalanx became a queen so it must something that she could have acess to maybe a direct exposure to enough raw magic, or just like the fallen on destiny that get bigger by feeding themselves more ether.