Shards in the Mist

[Wizard of the Coat]

Shards in the Mist
The Unification Age
The great sages that serve the imperial council have decreed the start of a new era, the unification age, even when little of this is seen amongst the shards. Bitterly divided the nations that officially make up the imperium now face a new thread. The once proud, mighty kingdom of the dual crowns has been fighting a losing battle for many years as the barbaric Istri have been taking shard by shard from them. Little is known of the Istri, who seem utterly barbaric and ruthless. Once they take a shard contact is lost with it and even the guilds are denied acces.

In a moment of unison the Congregation of Diciples to the Saints has passed a decree of the universal church excommunicating the Istri for all eternity for transgressions against the unity of faith and called for a grand reconquest. As of this moment it is unclear who will awnser the call or indeed whom will be lead this effort, but suffice to say that the church will look favorably upon those who commit themselves to it and frown upon those who turn a deaf ear. With voting coming up this could carry implications for the candidates.
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Regency

The regency period of the Dual Crowns will soon end and with their losses of territory it is unlikely that they will have the resources to again take a leading role in the empire. As defined by imperial law, those that hold the voting rights by heritage or by aproved claim will be able to elect a new candidate for the office of regent to the imperial throne. Currently the imperial charter grants the following voting rights. Only those in possession of a Great Vote are eligible for the regency, however they are relatively free to chose how to govern the imperial holdings and could easily split the power of these lands in exchange for votes. Generally the imperial worlds will not succomb to treachery so contracts made for votes are considered binding by lesser imperial bureaucrats.

Great Votes (hereditary, not lost unless abdicated from)
- Zigar 1
- Anzalotti 1
- Amun'Arat 1
- Pordema 1
- Dual Crowns 1

Claimed Votes

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(awarded for services to the empire, effectively have become hereditary so long as your power and territory is held. For simplicity we'll say that your claim is tied to your capitol (largest) shard, except the Vorodan claim, which was originally a Guild Vote.)
- Zigar 1
- Anzalotti 1
- Amun'Arat 1
- Pordema 1
- Rift 1
- Bellore 1
- Lustria 1
- Vorodran 1
- Dual Crowns 1
- Guilds 3
- Church 4

Unclaimed votes: 3 senatorial seats are unclaimed, unfortunatly a claim can only be made upon the aproval of the entire senate. The Dual Crowns originally had claim to these votes, but had to reliquish these claim as it was staked upon the possesion of several shards now under Istri controll. (note: reclaiming an old claim is possible without a vote, but proof of the claim is needed)
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The Factions


Players

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{table]Name|Quality|Military|Alchemy|Shadow|Guilds|Church|Traits

Anzilotti (Ipphli) |***-|****|***|****|**|*+|Militaristic/Naval Power
Zigar (Ganurath) |****|*****|**|**|*|****-|Defensive/Pious
Amun’Arat (Innis) |*****-|**-|*****|**|**|**|Cultured/Scientific
Pordemma (Ufo) |***|***|***|**|*****-|**-|Tolerant/Dubious
Rift (Aergoth) |***|****|****|****|*|*+|Xenofobic/Scientific
Bellore (Wrath) |***|*|*****-|*****-|*|***-|No enemies/Vassals
Traan (Johel)|***|*****|**|**|****+|**-| Feral/Secular
Noraa (Rogue) |*|*****+|***|***|*-|*-| Pirate/Tolerant
Vorodran (Eldan)|****|**tt|**|**|*****|***-| Cultured/Oligarchs
[/table]

NPC

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{table]Name|Quality|Military|Alchemy|Shadow|Guilds|Church|Shards|Special
Merchant League |****|*(****)|***(****)|**(**)|**(*****)|*|~4 Med|The Guilds, League
Universal Church |***|***(***)|**|****|*|*****(**)|~5 Med, ~1 Maj|The Church, Fractionalized
Imperial Regency|***|***|*|***|**|***|1 Maj|
Dual Crowns |**|***|**|***|**|****|2 Maj|Co-regency, Crumbling
Lustrian Republic|***|*|***|***|****|*|3 Med|Federation, Guild Ties
County of Ranore|**|**+|**|**|*|***|2 Med| Vassal state
County of D'nore |**|*|*|**|*|***|1 Med|Vassal state
Istri Imperium |*?|*******?|?|?|?|?|5++ Med, 3++ Maj|Barbarian empire
Independent Shards|* or **|* each|*|*|**|***|7++ Med|All individual, little co-ordinated effort
[/table]

Traits:

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(traits are bound to a certain ruler and will generally be present in the populous as well. Succesion allows you to change traits, but the more radical the more difficult the change. Traits like nbeing a smart ruler really will depend on how you play him, so it's mostly attitudes that are described, still the pro's will usually outweigh the conns)

Militaristic: The ruler prefers action over words and is always ready to fight for its interests, backing down would be highly dishonorable.

Naval Power: The ruler takes pride in his fleet, research into ship technology is easier and ships are of a higher quality...better not lose one to the enemy.

Defensive: The ruler has made it his business to be safe and his shards are virtual fortresses, though at a cost of his armies flexibility.

Pious: The ruler is pious and the church acknowledges this, though they expect him to lead a virtuous life.

Cultured: The ruler has an esthetic desire and this keeps his people happy, untill of course their luxuries fall away.

Scientific: The ruler has always placed his trust in science and thus his court attracts bright mind from far away, however the church has noticed this too.

Tolerant: The ruler is tolerant of diversity in his kingdom and this makes it a flexible place, until some-one seeks a scape goad.

Dubious: The ruler's morality is dubious, though this makes him feared by many and allows him to attrackt likewise people, the church is not happy

Xenofobic: The ruler despises foreigners and his people are thus more unified, however those beyond his borders have noticed this.

No enemies: The ruler believes he outsmarted his enemies and is very confident in his rule which the people admire, unfortunatly his enemies do not admire this.

Vassals: The ruler is keen on keeping his hands clean and has several minor vassals to do his dirty work, well so long as they are minor.

Secular: the ruler is secular and this has rubbed of, the people care less for the church, though the church will care less for them too.

Feral: The ruler is a warrior and most follow his example, he'd better ensure he staystop dog.

Oligarchs: True power is in the hands of several powerfull men who keep each other balanced and maintain the status quo, this doesn't help speedy decissions though.

Pirate: Your ruler is a pirate and has no problems in finding excelent ship crews or recruits, the trick is getting them and his people to do what he wants.

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IMPORTANT: With so many players I cannot and will not read every line in your posts and I will not respond to PMs, there is a recruitment thread and will soon be an OOC thread for rules questions. Instead add a spoiler to the end of every post if you are taking actions and write them as one line sentences. DO NOT READ THE SPOILERS OF OTHERS UNLESS THEY LABEL YOU AS A RECIPIENT OR YOU HAVE A HIGHER SHADOW RATING.

For instance:

@GM

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Utopia sneaks two shardrunners into Distopia and attacks their great shards harbours with marines.

OR..

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Utopia gives economic aid to Dystopia to help them rebuild their economy.

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Please roll any dice in the dice rolling thread found here and just state the result in a GM spoiler in one of your posts in this thread.

[Innis Cabal]

The alchemists deep in their labs slowly watch as two small crystals attract to one another, two clapping with excietment as the others rush from the room. The Council would want to hear of this. And they might even give a grant



TO WIZARD

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True to my word, Amun'Arat begins to research technology that will allow them to all but halt Shard dift for the betterment of their nation.

[ufo]

Pordemma

He shrugged to himself. King Unus often did that when he was at a loss of what to do. He leaned forwards and rested on his knees. He heard a sound. The familiar sound of a specific set of boots hitting the tiles in the hallway hard. He fixated his look on the large double-door that seperated his throne room and the narrow hallway outside. Any moment now.

The door smashed open and High Cardinal Ilan entered the throne room. King Unus spotted a guard in the hallway giving him a sympathic look.

'Blessed Lord, I bring news.' Unus sighed and leaned back, resting his arms on the sides of the throne.
'Your Holiness, what do you wish to tell me?' He asked lazily. The High Cardinal gave him a hard stare. Unus wished that he could dismantle the Disciples of Juliania and throw them out of Pordemma. But as it were, they had put him on the throne and they could easily topple his reign should he appear a threat to them.
'The Istri have made further advancements into the territory of the Dual Crowns.' He paused to see the King's reaction. The King remained passive. 'The Imperial elections are soon to stand. That the Dual Crowns should be re-elected is an unlikely scenario.'

While none of this was news to Unus, he leaned forward with an interested stare. 'What are you trying to say, Your Holiness?' He said, reaking false politeness.
'I request. I suggest,' the High Cardinal corrected himself, 'that our vote be given to the Empire of Zigar.'
Unus was flabbergasted. For one of the King's closest associates to try and influence his choice of vote was unheard of. He was not even sure if it was legal. He rose from his throne.
'Your Holiness Ilan, why do you think it neccesary to make such suggestions?'
The High Cardinal smiled deviously. 'The Empire of Zigar has close ties with the Church. If we do not support the Church, it may have consequences.'
King Unus shrugged to himself. He was at a loss of what to do. He had just been threatened, in the very throne room by one supposed to be his subject.

And yet, he had no course of action to take that might enforce his will. He stared hard at the High Cardinal. He was impressed by the man's courage, he admitted to himself.
'Your Holiness, I will make my decisions based on the good of the Holy United Provinces, not on the wishes of a cult that happens to be present within it's borders.'
The High Cardinal lifted his chin. Suddenly, King Unus felt very small. He realized what the High Cardinal had done. Unus had experienced this before, but he failed to pay heed to the High Cardinal's hidden power at every turn. This pose seemed to radiate the will of the Church, the Disciples and any noble. He could not refuse to abide by this man's will.

'I shall make thorough considerations on the matter.' King Unus said dismissively. The High Cardinal smiled again. 'Good'. 'Your Blessed Highness,' he added.

@ GM, all

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It is public knowledge that the Holy Provinces of Pordemma intent to support the Clockwork Empire of Zigar in the Imperial elections.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

An explosion of cheering from the darkness signaled the leaving of the first Shadrunner. Three more will be launched into the dark within the cold mockery of a day. Gahu, leaned back from the window he was watching from and turned to face his advisers. For Lorian's they stood rather straight, bravery was in this room, for these people's backs would bend for few people indeed. "Are you sure this is the right decision Gahu? Our people have kept to ourselves for many years." Gahu nodded calmly to the adviser before responding. "The darkness is becoming more and more dangerous, we need allies and we need friends. With these ships we will set up embassies across the Mist. We need there help, and they need our help." With that he returns to stare out the window.

For GM, Zigar, Amun’Arat, and Vorodran

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The 4 Bellorian shadrunners are heading to Zigar, Istri, Amun’Arat and Vorodran. They will flee at first sign of aggression but should they be allowed to land they will request to set up an embassy for Bellore.

GM only

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Each shadrunner carries 10% of Bellore's wealth for this turn,

Apart from the diplomat, its crew and embassy staff are almost all operatives of Bellore's shadowops.

Once permission to build has being granted they will assist in construction but will also go about setting up networks of information gathers and operatives, using the money to buy and bribe people into working for them.

They will target the mid-level leadership, clerks, military Sargent, local law enforcement, medical staff, payroll clerks, local members of the guild, and church, crew/captains of shardrunners, members of the nations Alchemists and if possible the nations own shadow networks.

[Rogue_Dragon]

It wasn't often that Bagoran found himself liking the church, but now was one of those few times. He had already sent a message to the rest of the Council, and had already sent messages to the Dual Crowns, he didn't want to be fighting two countries at once, the Barbarians were gonna be bad enough as it was. Finally the two captains that Bagoran had sent for arrived, walking in and sitting down in front of Bagorans table, where he had been plotting courses through the mist, as much is as possible at least. "You're ships ready then?" Both the captains nod, but one of the captains speaks up "My crews ready boss, but we need a bit of reasonin first. Them Dual Crowns folks never did nothin for us, why should we go help them now? It's not like the church can get any madder at us than they already are, so why we riskin our necks for them?" The other captain looks over at him, "Gants, you numbskull, we ain't going to help 'em. The church says they want people to fight the Istri. We'll just be doing what we always do. We follow the barbarian fleets around, and wait for one to slow down too much, or get seperated in the mist, then we pounce on it. The Crowns will call us heroes for helping, the church will like it, and we don't even have to give the ships back to anyone." Bagoran smiles a bit, "That's right Elise, and if we happen to come across a crippled Crowns ship, we can always send help over to 'recapture it' from the Barbarians." Bagoran was glad that all the council wasn't as stupid as Gants, but he worried about Elise, she was the only woman on the Council, and by far one of the best pirates in the whole Noraa family, but she was also one of the sneakiest, he didn't really trust her to go into battle by his side, but he trusted her even less left alone at home to plot for his return. When he died, she would almost certainly be the next head of the council.

@ Gm, and any in the Dual Crowns.

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The empire of Noraa sends a message to the Dual Crowns, informing them that they will be sending ships to help deal with the Istri Barbarians. They then send 3 Shardrunners, fully loaded with pirates, to look for any Istri ships that are traveling alone, or in pairs. They also keep an eye out for ANY ships that are crippled, and alone.

[Johel]

Traan Homeshard

Traan, the shard from where Rüüt's people had taken their name. For as long as the memories can go back, the Traans had always lived here.
Rüüt was flying above the endless green, savouring the wind on his face as his mount descended a few dozen meters down in one single swift move. On his right, at the limit of his eyesight, he could see his squire, Yört. The young halfeling was still learning the basics but he showed some promises at riding the wild and ill-tempered giant owls.
I'll keep him, maybe. Grüf is getting old and since his wound at the leg, he isn't the same. Best for him to become a recruiter than to slow us down. The brotherhood needs young blood...

As he ended his patrol, landing on the tower's base, two warriors hailed him. As soon as the owl touched the ground, Rüüt jumped on the ground and stared at the two halfelings.

“-What's up ?”
“-Was the flight good, Warlord ?”
“-I asked a question. Stop being polite and answer, Früg !!”
“-Eh...Just trying to...Oh, by the ancestors, right !! The doc asked for you.”
“-They've hatched ?”
“-Biggest I've ever seen, Warlord. In a few years, they'll make fine mounts.”
“-Let's see this.”

The three walked inside one of the buildings, a large wooden construct with wide holes at the roof's base. The smell of guano filled the air while feathers covered the ground. Working here and there, dozens of halfings, both young and old tended to large and beautiful white birds who, for those awake, fixed the Warlord as he walked by. Near a mound of straw, a bald halfeling with the skull full of scars waited. Rüüt shouted at him.

“-Doc !! Where are they ?!”
“-Sshhh !! Rüüt Tervilsen, how many time must I tell you ? Don't scream in the nursery. You may fancy yourself as warlord with those children but not with me !! I was old when you were but a toddler and...”
“-The children, Doc. That's why I'm here.”
“-...Oh right. Over here, please.”

The old alchemist waved a hand toward the massive nest, where oversized birds were sleeping. If giant owls were four to five time larger than their common cousins, those babies would probably grow up to six time, maybe seven. The Warlord smiled.

“-Good... When will they be able to breed ?”
“-Two, maybe three years. It depends how efficient the drugs are.”
“-They better be bloody efficient !! It costed us a fortune just to get those damn components from the Guild !!”
“-Might cost more. Other births are scheduled in the next months and I would like to test different protocols on those ones.”

Rüüt wasn't listing anymore. The Traans had bred owls for centuries but it was only since a few decades that the whole thing was supervised by alchemists. Since then, results were astonishing, even if experiment were only done on a small scale. But if one of them succeeded, all breeding farms would use it to enhance their specimens.
Even if the giant owls could fly in the thickness of the mist, they were still able to venture along the cliffs and to prevent shardrunners from landing. The hopes of Rüül was to live long enough to see them free to launch inside the mysterious vapours of the Misty Ocean.

GM

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The Traans have launched a scientific program.
It mix alchemy and breeding to create more "efficient" giant owls. The goal is to make them bigger, faster and fiercer. They also hope to make them able to fly inside the mist, even for short periods.
They select specimens according to :

• Their wingspan
• Their speed of fly
• Their resistance to exhaustion
• Their fertility
• Their navigational capability

and use alchemy to alter them.

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Dual Crowns

The shardrunner hovered above the city, approaching from the palace, his side pannels already opened as the riders waited to take off. The Dual Crowns, while not a ally of the Combinate, had attracted its interest and so the Warlord had sent one of his best rider and his squadron to initiate negotiation of a military assistance treaty.

“-No weapon, no scream... I think they welcome us, don't they ?”
“-If they don't now, I bet they'll lick our boots when the Istri'll come knocking at the doors. Here we go, chief ?”
“-Here we go.”

Answering the command of their riders, the two owls jumped from the shardrunner, falling a few meters down the shard before flying graciously to the palace's court. There, one of the Traans looked at the “Tall ones”.

“-I am Rïda, from the Traan Combinate. And I'm here to speak to your king.”

A tricky question, as the Dual Crowns had two kings.

GM and all

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Diplomatic mission to the Dual Crowns.
Aim : Military assistance treaty.
The Traans offer : Owl squadrons will take position on the minor shards of the Dual Crowns and prevent the Istri from landing.
The Traans ask : Money or goods, whatever may help them to obtain more shardrunners.

[Eldan]

Voloran

Akra yawned. Everything about him was fat, even the hand he held over his mouth. On his white-haired, balding head he wore a black velvet cap and his matching coat was covered in lace and golden trimming, though his silver councillors chain was nearly vanishing beneath three wobbling chins.
"Tell me.", he implored, shifting in his huge armchair.
"Why should we pay good money to a bunch of stinking mercenaries? The Isti are no danger to us. Our economy is so integral, half the other nations would collapse if they allowed the barbarians to take us. Our shield is gold, not steel."
The other man, in a red cloak over a grass-green shirt and white silk trousers sighed, playing with his chain, which, coincidentally, was golden, bearing a sapphire the size of a fingertip.
"We need it, because the barbarian's swords are steel, and not gold. See how well the Dual Crowns fared when they thought themselves well protected. The Istri are halfway through them and will be knocking on our doors in a year if we don't stop them. No, my decision is made. Amber!
The last word was yelled, and only seconds after, a small man in decidedly less noble clothing hurried into the small conference room, placing parchment, quill and ink on a small table.
"Ready, Mylord."
The merchant nodded.
"In the name of His Grace, Lord Merchant Kerval Thorne, First Operator of the Bank of Vorodra, Master of Coin, and fill in the rest of my titles as well.
To ensure the continued safety of all nations, as well as the unity of the most holy faith, We have decided to grant letters of marque and absolution for any crime short of high treason or blasphemy, as per the laws of the Vorodran people, to any man, dwarf or elf who is willing and able to put arm and weapon, as he has them, in the service of this most worthy cause:
To stop and hinder, forthwith and until the end of their service, the further expansion and needless aggression of the people known to all free people only as the Istri, all their schemes and plans and their war against the sovereign nation of the dual crowns.
Let it further be known that two silver hawks will be paid for the head of any Istri warrior, insofar as he is still recognizable as such, and a golden eagle for any Istri officer, captain, nobleman or other authority, worldy or otherwise braught to the Vorostran territories as a prisoner, alive and in good health, for interogation.
Now hand it over, I'll sign it. Make me five hundred copies of that, and if you have to gather all the scribes in the city, then send them off with every shardrunner of the guild or the merchants, to be brought to every major shard and read to the public."

Also:
The Bellore are welcomed, helped to set up their embassy in a recently vacated palace which they are allowed to use free of charge, as a gift to new friends. Of course, several councillors, visiting personally or through intermediaries, politely ask for trade agreements.

GM, everyone else who thougth the above was too long to read:

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Short version of the long, long letter above:
The Vorodran pardon all criminals and pirates willing to fight the Istri and pay good money for their heads and any important prisoners. Of course, only past crimes are forgiven, not any new ones.

[Ipphli]

Anzilotti

Lord Kirwin frowned at the piece of crumpled up paper in his hand. "As if we didn't have enough problems already. Now the Church wants us to go to war with the Istri!" A thin man standing near the door shrugs. "Attacks from the Dark have dropped lately sir. And with the Vote coming up soon, it would be unwise to alienate the Church."

Kirwin looks over at the man. "Too true Navarre. I suppose we could spare a couple of Runners to the defense of the Dual Crown's lands. And the sending will give us an excuse to establish relations with our neighbors. We'll need allies in the days ahead. Tell me, how goes the alchemists' work?"

Navarre smiles. "Work is progressing on schedule. They'd yet to finalize any plans, but they are very hopeful they will get the Beacon system you requested finished within the allotted time." Kirwin nods. "Good. We'll need it, and soon."

@GM, Amun'Arat, Vorodran

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3 Shardrunners are dispatched to Amun'Arat, Ranore, and Vorodran to establish formal relations on their way to help patrol the borders between the Regency and the Istri

@GM

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The alchemists of Anzilotti are working towards refining a beacon system that will allow their Shardrunners to home in their various shards regardless of the Mist.

[Innis Cabal]

Amun'Arat

The ambassadors of Amun’Arat except the Shardrunners of Anzilotti are accepted with open arms. The Shadrunners of Bellore are as well, but are placed outside the major city areas.

A Shardrunner is sent to the Voloran and the Empire of Pordema to open trade relations.

[Eldan]

Vorodran

All Ambassadors, from whatever nation, are politely welcomed and given lavish buildings to establish their embassies, all gifts from the Lord High Merchant, of course. Coincidentally, all these buildings only have one exit and, "for security reasons, there are so many criminals around these days", only few windows, most of which, at least those on ground level, are barred. The large main exits, easily wide enough for coaches, all lead out on the same plaza.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

Gahu reads down the latest intelligence reports with a frown on his face. Sending a messenger down to the last shadrunner, it takes off to complete a quick mission before searching for shards. Gahu sighs and rises to go meet his appointment with the Lorian alchemists.

@GM

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40% of Ballore's wealth spent on alchemy.
Alchemists are currently to focus on both making a form of long range communication and refining of gunpowder (Bombs and long range rifles).

The shardrunner is going to the County of Ranore to request a foreign quarter to be set up to receive ambassadors from other nations. Before scouting out shard's and unknown nations.

The Bellorian ambassadors to the Voloran, agree to a limited trade agreement based on the vassal state of Ranore, due to the danger's to trade of traveling too deep into the dark.

Edit: The Bellorian ambassador's would also like to offer an agreement of mutual assistance to the Voloran. Should one of us be attack, the other will assist, should one encounter issues, the other will help. In order to sweeten the deal the Bellorian's hint that trade in information may also be on the plate during later deals.

[Ipphli]

Anzilotti

The embassies established at Amun'Arat and Volodran, the Shardrunners continue on their way towards the Regency to give word of Anzilotti's willingness to answer the Church's call.

[Ganurath]

The Governors' Council was seated at a round table at the height of Obelisk City, the only room above the fires of the Obelisk Beacon, and only accessible through a shardrunner on an open air dock above. Seven dwarves gathered around the stone slab, each with a report written in fine text on rough paper.

"Governors of the Second Shard and the Third Shard, as Governor of the capitol of Obelisk City I call this Governors' Council to order." The Governor, blood descendant of the Clockwork Empire's founder, slammed the butt of his sledgehammer upon the table to call for attention. "Naturally, the first matter to address is the vote for regency. As I've been made to understand, we're a strong contender for the position."

"You are a strong frontrunner, milord, with the vote of confidence from Pordemma and-"

"I am nothing without my people. You all have as much to gain from this as I do, as do all Zigarun dwarves." The Governor of Obelisk City stroked his salt-and-pepper beard in thought, then smiled just slightly. "Since you're informed as to our options, however, I'll leave detailing them to you."

"With Dual Crowns waning in power, we're in the best position to secure the vote of the Church. Combined with the support of Pordemma and their good standing with the Guilds, I think we can secure the regency easily enough with the right incentive to the right people."

"Offerings for the Church and bribes for Pordemma, in other words. Any idea as to how we should go about this? Other than ample personal contributions to the Church from the seven of us, that is."

One of the other lesser Governors spoke up at this point. "The leader of Pordemma is a... dubious individual. We'll want to offer him something he can't easily acquire, even with the aid of the Guilds."

"Indeed. As for the Church... I've already begun a campaign of restoration for the lesser temples within the city under my leadership. I think the Church may appreciate it if the campaign extended to include the grander temples as well."

"Good, good... However, the material is a secondary goal to the Church as a whole. They want followers. Perhaps a festival with strong religious overtones, founded by the taxes?"

"That would work at least as good for the people as for the Church. Shall we allow plaza preaching for the duration of the festival?"

"Of course, but we should have the Constable's Regiments have a modest presence to keep the peace. Gods knows that even the most religious of festivals can't seem to go without drinking." After mumbleds "Amen."s from around the table, the Governor adjusted his spectacles and looked at his sheet. Now, it seems we have the matter of Bellore...

@ GM

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The Governors' Council of the Clockwork Empire will attempt to curry favor with the Church for their vote through internal proselytization campaigns and donations.

Also, 3 shardrunners will be assigned to exploration, while the alchemists attempt to develop (cheap?) airships for local travel, non-shardrunners.

@ GM, Pordemma

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The Governors' Council is sending a shardrunner to Pordemma with a courier with a request that Pordemma attempt to gain the Guild vote. The shardrunner will have a cargo of gunpowder firearms as incentive, and the request promises technological data if the Guild vote is secured.

@ GM, Bellore

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The Bellore shardrunner is allowed to land under careful guard, and the Zigarun delegate sent by the Governors' Council several hours later presents the following terms:
Detailed Bellore Version:

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1. The embassy must be built upon the shard where Obelisk City is located within (visual) range of at least two of the local keeps.
2. The Bellorian government either buy the land that the embassy will be built upon, or pay property tax at the same rate was required of citizens of the Clockwork Empire.
3. The embassy may not have more guards than staff, and said guards may not carry ranged weapons that aren't at least as functional when used in melee as when used at range.
4. Bellorian shardrunners must land at designated areas for landing outside the embassy (such as where the shardrunner the Bellorian representatives came on is presently landed) and pay a docking fee for regular use of Zigarun hangars.
5. Property taxes and docking fees need not be paid so long as Bellore supports the Clockwork Empire for the regency.

GM Only OOC Summary:

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Bellore bends over and bleeds out their coffers. Well, either that or hand over their vote.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

@GM and Clockwork Empire

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Bellore agrees to support the Clockwork Empire, in exchange for the land and tax breaks, but also they request a treaty of mutual assistance be signed in order to cement there relationship. The treaty calls for assistance to be given to either nation by the other in times of dire need, weather military or not.

[Ganurath]

Zigar

@ GM, Bellore

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The Governors' Council is not yet ready to commit to such a treaty, but is willing to consider it after a review of the Clockwork Empire's mobile military capacity, internal infrastructure, and a more detailed treaty presented by the Bellore leadership.

[Johel]

Traan Combinate
((OOC : Here is a sum up for this turn))

Homeshard :
Most of this shard is green jungle but hundreds of wooden towers dot the landscape. The South is completely cleared and is an agricultural area with very high productivity.

Large breeding nursery also exists for giant owl breeding. That's here that most of the Traan civilians live. Patrols of OWl Riders are scouting the cliffs to prevent shardrunners to land without authorization.

Actions :
Agriculture develops to support the population growth as well as to export. (10% of the incomes)
Breeding program (10%)

Essa
A temperate shard with small forested areas and rich metal deposits. The population is nearly exclusively made of Tall ones. A few farms are set here and there but the shard relies mainly on Traan import. Its main export is iron and other metals.

Actions :
Efforts are actually made to increase the productivity of the mines (10%) as well as the welfare of the inhabitants (10%). The former is done to increase the finances of the tribes while the latter is done to avoid civil unrest.

Tawfret
A rocky shard covered with snow, with rich underground chemical deposits, Tawfret is used mainly as a cultural center for the Combinate. Most of it population is made of "Tall ones" who work as craftsmen and miners. Two mountains dominate the landscape.
The first hosts many laboratories and libraries where alchemists, both "Tall ones" and Traans, work. That's also here that the Combinate build and repair its shardrunners. The other mountain hosts the barracks of the Owl Riders.

Actions :
While many differents researches are going on, the main focus is here to increase the size of shardrunners (10%) and conceive alchemical drugs to ease the selective breeding of giant owls (10%).

The Army

More of a ragg-tag hordes of owl riders than a true army.
It's actually split between the Homeshard (50% army), Essa (20% army), Tawfret (20% army) and the garrison and crew of the shardrunners (10% army).
Of the 3 shardrunners, 1 is on diplomatic mission (see last post), 1 is transporting goods between the shards (to avoid the Guild's fees), 1 is exploring the Misty Ocean.

GM

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Exploration :
(1d6)[4](4)
Main expanses :
Agriculture on major shard (10%)
Breeding program on major shard (10%)
Welfare on a medium shard (10%)
Mining on a medium shard (10%)
Research larger hulls (10%)
Research enhancing drugs for owls (10%)
Army training and maintenance (30%)
Buy chemicals from the Guild (10%)

[ufo]

Pordemma

'Gentlemen,' King Unus started. He looked worriedly at the many men positioned around the table, clad in clothes almost as pompous and elegant as his own. 'Do you consider yourself to be in a position wherein you can decline my offer?' He asked rethorically.

The men mumbled uncertainly. King Unus allowed himself to glance at them deviously, but quickly changed back to the indecipherable face that had gotten him through so many hardships in life.

GM

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King Unus attempts to persuade the guilds to vote for Zigar in the Imperial elections by offering a heavy lift of taxes on the Guilds' trade within Pordemma.

'I will not stand for this!' the High Cardinal shouted at the royal architect. The architect pulled back and felt himself become smaller under the hateful gaze of the High Cardinal.
'Your Holiness, the workers must've been slacking, sire. Please, allow me to repair the cathedral.' He pleaded.
'No, I have had enough of your uselesness. You are not worthy of even touching the home of Juliania's afterlife.' He turned away from the architect. 'However,' he said, surprised at his own ingenuity. 'I think I just might know who is.'

GM, Amun'Arat

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The High Cardinal contacts the Amun'Arat traders to negotiate for the hiring of Amun'Arat architects to build the new Cathedral of Juliania in the capitol of Pordemma.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

@GM and Zigar

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Bellore will vote in Zigar's favor, under the condition of tax relief and land, and the future review of an alliance with Bellore.

Edit:
@GM

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The rest of Bellore's funds go's towards training and recruitment of assassins, operatives, intelligence and counter intelligence officers.

[Innis Cabal]

Amun'Arat

Amun'Arat agrees to the terms of the construction of the temple, and produces it at roughly 75% of the price in the efforts of diplomacy.

[Wizard of the Coat]

@ ALL, IMPORTANT

- Please provide a heading for all posts indicating the name of the nation, I'm really clumsy in matching names with players so you'd help me a lot.
- Dual Crowns rulers are not kings actually (though I can understand the confusement), rather it is very roman in having two crowned consuls.
- Budgets are NOT needed, only special investments (1 or 2 a turn if at all). Note that having many special investments equate to none at all. Research is not an investment unless you seek to build up your alchemy rating itself or pay another to do it for you.

example

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Utopia invests heavily in components to build a new shardrunner to rush produce it.

- Technology now comes in catagories ranging from very easy to very hard. To research a tech roll a number of d6 at beginning of the following turn equal to your alchemy score that represents progress over the past turn (starting turn two for your current researches). A certain number of 6's need to be rolled over seperate turns to complete a tech depending on it's difficulty

Very Easy ~ 1 six
Easy ~ 2 sixes
Moderate ~ 3 sixes
Hard ~ 5 sixes
Very Hard ~ 8 sixes

After this technology needs to be implemented which will come at a pricetag and will also take time (cheaper, faster for humans). If technology is known by another you can add the difference in your shadow ratings (if positive) to the number of d6's rolled for research. Note that this has a very high chance of discovery.

There is little benifit from co-operative research. With shards being so distant the information exchange is virtually fruitless.

- Actual voting done in bold with the following statement in a GM spoiler, cause I can't keep track of negotiations going back an forth and I don't always know when an official agreement is reached. Untill this is written no vote has been cast.

(Nation X) casts (1 or 2 or ...) votes for (Nation X or Y)

---------------------------------

Regency

In the imperial senate the succesion debate is ongoing, so far it seems Pordema and Bellore have shown a great deal of support for Zigar.

This came as a shock to the Church as all voting members of The Congregation of Diciples to the Saints traditionally has voted to keep the Dual Thrones in office. Currently the church is not sure about supporting Zigar with Pordema and Bellore in favor of it, especially with open speculation amongst the guilds about doing the same. Still it seems that with a lack of a strong alternative and extensive donations by Zigar the church will vote their way.

The Dual Crowns now feels confident about a counter bid, it offers to split command over the imperial espionage service, the imperial fleet and expeditionary army amongs any that offer to vote for it.



-------------------

@Amun'Arat

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Research is very hard, but implementation would by astronomically costly. Drift dampening is suggested to slow drift somewhat to keep track of objects, research is hard, implementation expensive, but affordable.

((OOC: I don't mind you overcomming drift's effects, but would like to keep the concept itself present))

@Bellore

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Wealth as such doesn't fit on the shardrunners, it represents agricultural produce, mining and all manner of things (taxes are payed in goods mostly). I'll take it to understand the treasury, which is possible.

Don't spend wealth (especially not that much...it's a cripling amount) on alchemy unless you want to improve the rating. Other then that, do you really want to split research? See rules. Also state not only what a tech does, but also how it's done (long range communications can mean anything, same for better gunpowder, example of the latter could be researching rifling for better range...moderate research)

@Noraa

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Your ships do battle with a small flotilla of Istri ships. Savage fighting leaves one of their shardrunners in the hands of your forces, but the cost in blood is heavy.

One of your other shardrunners was lost in the mists after an istri ship rammed it and the two driffed into a dense area of mist. Neither came out. The remaining Istri vessels sped away after this due to your losses your commander did not persue.

Note the captured istri shardrunner is of lower quality then your others and looks quite ancient.

Dual Crowns is happy with the support and offers a joint offensive against an istri medium shard offering you the spoils of the istri (weapons, runners etc.) if they get the shard.

@Traan

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- Too much detail on the owls, the first sentence would be enough. Research is moderate and will take three turns to complete.
- Budget, way to much specified, just

Dual Crowns decline your offer, stating they would prefer you help counter attack the Istri instead. in that case the deal is you get the Istri spoils (weapons, runners etc.), they get the shard.

@Anzilotti

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Research of beacons is moderate.

Also though I normally read only spoilers, merely stating that you anwser the church call has no effect unless you also say that you are sending troops/ships/money/food/pinkfluffyteddybears and where they are send.

@Vorodran
Soon a small, ill-equiped army of mercenaries is formed to fight the Istri. It's unlikely they'll fight well without some investment and so far are huddled in their camp frightening the locals awaiting transport to the warzone. Morale is low.

@Zigar

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The church needs convincing that you won't hoard the regency power and wants to ensure that Pordema and the guild are not the ones you share it with. Perhaps a split between fleet and army would be in order.

@Pordema

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Tax breaks will be apreciated by the guilds, yet they were hoping for a commitment to come to their aid in times of trouble too and would be keen to see you secure that a part of the imperial power (like fleet, army, espionage services) for yourself.

[ufo]

((OOC: This post includes only OOC technicalities. Might add some fluff if I get the time.))

The Holy United Provinces of Pordemma casts 2 votes for Clockwork Empire of Zigar.

'Your Blessed Lord,' the messenger stammered. King Unus ran a pair of concerned eyes across the man. Something was obviously wrong. 'What is it?' he said quickly.
'Sire, we have lost a shard.' The man said and closed his eyes in fear of what to come.
'What?' King Unus shouted in disbelief. 'What did you say?!'
'Sire, the shard of Veimen collided with a strafe shard. Everything on it was annihilated.'
King Unus hit his palm against his face. 'Dear Juliania, that was the last remainder of the Principality of Carc. The historians will be outraged.' He sighed.
'Eh, Sire.' The messenger said nervously.
'Yes, what more do you bring?'
'Sire, Shardrunner Juliania's Pride has come across two perfectly habitable shards. We are already transferring colonists.'
King Unus stood up. The messenger shivered. 'It will hardly make up the loss,' King Unus said. 'But good news, nonetheless. Anymore?'

'Eh, yes Sire,' the messenger said. He handed a note to King Unus. The King quickly read it, grabbed a pen and paper from besides his throne and scribbled something. 'Bring this back,' he said quickly. 'You may go.'

The messenger bowed with sincere graciousness and left the throne room.

King Unus slumped down in his throne. At least I haven't met the High Cardinal today. He thought.

@GM

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King Unus points out to the guilds that, if their votes are secured, Pordemma's relations to the Clockwork Empire will sky-rocket and through King Unus the Guilds will have a large influence on the regency. He also promises protection of guild vessels within a certain proximity to Pordemma's shards.

[Wizard of the Coat]

((OOC: This post includes only OOC technicalities. Might add some fluff if I get the time.))

The Holy United Provinces of Pordemma casts 1 vote for Clockwork Empire of Zigar.

Shard drift:
[roll0]

Exploration:
[roll1]

Economy:
9+(3*2=6)+10= 25

Keep in mind Pordema has 2 votes it can cast (you are allowed to split them).

Also as I really don't like the look of such posts (take away from IC feel I think, even though they are neccesary) therefore I now have a dice rolling thread for this game set up, please use that from now on. It's found here.

[Johel]

Traan Combinate

Dual Crowns

"-They refused ?!! THEY REFUSED !!"
Rïda threw a jar across the room, burning with anger as he walked by and forth in his cabin onboard of the shardrunner "Drüm's glory", named after the Warlord who commissioned it.
His squire staid silent, noting for himself to get some sailors on cleaning duty while he and his lord would go eat with the rest of the squadron.
"-We offer them the whole military might of the Combinate !! All we ask is a fair retribution for the lives who will be lost...and they...they tell us to pay ourselves on the spoils ?!! What spoils, by the ancestors !!? We'll fight barbarians !!"

Again, the squire staid silent. Better not to remind his lord that, for the Dual Crowns, the Traans were only slightly less barbaric than the Istris.
"-Weapons ?! Like if rusted swords and dusty leather were of any use for us !! The Istris can afford to invade only because of their number !! These pigs are breeding like rabbits and they fight like vicious dogs : no honor, no skill, only raw rage. And we should let the Dual Crowns get the shard, then ? Ah !! The Warlord will never accept this !!"
He paused a moment to drink ale from his mug.
"-Tell you what, squire !! Ya gonna search this city for a guild merchant departing for Traan, Essa, Tawfret or one of the new colonies. I'll give you a message for the Warlord. Then, we'll find diplomats from other nations. I want to know what's going on and what the Dual Crowns offered THEM to fight !!"
"-My lord, what if they get the same terms as us ?"
"-That's for the Warlord to decide. But if I were him, I'll just wait for the first wave of crusaders to smash some Istri and then wage my own war, keeping the spoil AND the shards !!"
"-Sound clever and ruthless. Just like our Warlord."
"-Yeah... Let's have dinner, now."

@ All :

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The Traan delegation at the Dual Crowns capital is searching for diplomatic contacts. Anybody interested in large amount of food or military help is welcome to send me a PM.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

The Bellore Collective casts 1 vote for Clockwork Empire of Zigar.


Gahu walks down a passage way in his cold castle cave listening to Morton, his main adviser, chatter on about how important it is for Bellore to gain and maintain allied links. Guha's mind however was drifting on to other things. Intelligence reports were racing in from across the world. Reports of movement. More movement than the other shards had shown in a long long time.

Alliances would have to be made, but they would have to be made in time.

@GM Only, OOC:

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Bellore's shadow operations, does that mean I don't need to send shardrunners to a place to gain operatives or do I still need to drop off an operative then hire people, and train them and then do a Job?

I plan later, to try to set up various nations to turn on each other or cripple any that seem to get too powerful. I felt that having set up shadow networks in (what I view) the main threats/most useful nations would better allow me to twist and turn there policy making. Is this accurate? or do I need to do something different to achieve this?

How long does shardrunner transport take? Could I use the shardrunners I sent to other nations for more tasks before turn end?

@GM

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Bellore spends large sums in order to increase its ability to research and implement new tech.

Bellore's shadow Ops in Amun'Arat will focus on infiltrating the alchemy and Shadow Orgs, with the goal to steal tech and income/wealth, and then cover there tracks

Bellore will research the path of rifling for greater range. Once complete, Bellore Alchemists will start researching into making cannons.

Tech Tree of Bellore for reference; (suggest a copy and past into a text file)
Weaponry;
Rifling Moderate (improved range)
Cannons Hard
Shell based cannons Hard (longer range, faster reload)
Cartridge Moderate (improved refire rate)
Chain-shot easy (for disabling a shardrunner)
magazine FedMod (fast fire rate)
Shell based cannons Hard (longer range, faster reload)
Rocketry Very Hard (Shard to Shard ranged weapons)

Long range comms;
Bellore compiler Very hard (a short range device that uses vibrations in the mist)
Bellore Advanced Compiler hard (Mid range, shard to ship, device using vibrations in the mist)
Bellore Mk 2 Compiler Very Hard (long range shard to shard)
Bellore Vibration detector Very hard (used to detected and map incoming shardrunners)
Bellore Vibration reflection detectionHard (Can map the movement of shardrunners and shards, from either shard or shardrunner over Mid range distance (think radar))

Magic;
real or legend, a research of discovery, unknown

Bio;
Ability to study viruses, Very Hard (for better understanding of viruses and illnesses in the world.)
Replication of Viruses Very hard (for the ability to produce a virus or illness)
Creation or modification of viruses Very Hard (to be able to customize a virus for Bellore's purposes (each one will be treated as separate research.)

chem;
Opium Hard (A study into how to make a powerfully addictive drug, that slow's a nations economy and strains there resources)
Morphine Hard (A study after Opium into the components of Opium, will allow for greater medical care)
Chemical Studies Very Hard (Researching the construction of drugs, and how one can modify them.)
Advanced Chem lab Hard (allows for the mass production of drugs of various kinds)

[Aergoth]

The shardrunner floated silently through the mist. A dark splotch as it exited the safety of Rift controlled Darkside. This particular splotch moved outward towards Ranore. They wouldn't see it comming. The Shardrunner was set to ambush a smaller, less armed Ranorian minor shard and pillage it. The attack should appear to come from the militaristic Anzilloti. The crew had been ordered to kill anyone they found to prevent witnesses, with Anzilloti gear, should anyone care to inspect the wounds, and drop bits of Anzilloti garb and equipment as they left. Hopefully this would create some tension to be exploited. The leader of the Rift grinned. Tension so thick you'd be hard pressed to blow a hole in it with powder.

OOC

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Yes. I'm already trying to set people at odds. What I'm going for is a simple framing. The idea being that if there were no witenesses to the crime itself (they all having been killed with Anzilloti equipment) but the evidence pointed to Anzilloti, Ranore would call to Bellore for assistance against the Anzilloti invaders.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

@GM

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I assume that Bellore's shadow network is aware of the impending attack on Ranore. Bellore will warn both Ranore and D'nore ordering them to move both troops and shardrunners to the minor shard being targeted by the rift. They will first allow the shardrunner to land, then they will counter attack from ground and shardrunners, trying to catch the runner intact.

Hostages will be taken, where possible.

OOC:

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A Brave move, although a foolish one maybe. But brave none the less. Perhaps it would have being wiser to ask for a diplomatic solution with Bellore first?

[Ganurath]

Zigar

The Clockwork Empire of Zigar casts 2 votes for the Clockwork Empire of Zigar

The Governor of Obelisk city knelt before a statue of a dwarf holding a forge hammer and a text slate. Zigarun priests clad in undyed wool robes walked the stone pews of the temple, attending to the holy texts shelved along the walls. After finishing his hour-long prayer, the Governor rose and looked over his shoulder at a priest clad in as much gold as wool. "It seems that even the Church needs to have a foot in the physical world, then."

"Although we serve the Gods, we ourselves are but mortals. We need the basic neccesities, just like everyone else." The Elder Priest looks up at the statue, breathing deep. "The Gods provide for us, but there are points where we must earn what they offer."

"Heh, of course. I suppose that some desires are more specific than others, then?"

"The Clockwork Empire's ability to hold the line against the savages in an exception, Governor, not the rule. We have holdings in realms vulnerable to the Istri-"

"Like Dual Crowns. I cannot offer much, as I have plans for the imperial military... Regency Imperial, not Clockwork Imperial. If it helps, the reason will be that I intend to take the fight to the Istri."

The High Priest blinked in surprise, then looked over his shoulder to see a courier running into the temple with sweat matting his beard to his leathers. "I'll have to tell them something specific, Governor."

"A fifth of what's left to the fleet after the Dual Crowns regency ends, increasing to as much as forty percent on a case-by-case basis. Let them know that this offer goes to what elements of the Church vote in our favor, so a partial vote will still gain a proportionate ammount of fleet support. Now, if you don't mind, this should be the shard report..." The Governor takes the parchment from the courier, sighing as he shows the High Priest the report. "We found five, but three drifted to the dark."

"Gods help them."

"Yes... and our shardrunners. I have another Council meeting tomorrow, and there are plenty of matters to attend."

@ GM, All

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The Clockwork Empire announces intentions to launch a full-scale war against the Istri should they secure the Regency, and will offer conquered shards to those that aid the campaign based on their contributions, both electoral and tactical.

@ GM

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The first two shards that would be taken from the Istri will be under Zigarun control with heavy Church presence, and the campaign plans to blaze north along the Istri's western border.

Nonessential budget is being split between festival preperations and military buildup. 2 Shardrunners are surveying the newly discovered shards for resources, while 2 more are looking for the lost shards. (Exploring.) Research continues on a nonrunner airship.

To the Church specifically: Each voting element of the Church will have access to 5% of the Imperial Fleet, up to 10% as requested so long as the base 5% is used responsibly and the forces are available. So, if all 4 votes are cast for Zigar the Church will have access to 20-40% of the fleet.

[WrathOfLife]

Bellore

@GM and Traan

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As per PM to Traan, Bellore contacts Traan via the guild asking them to come to Zigar to discuss and alliance, and use of there armies.

@GM and Anzilloti

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Bellore makes use of the guild mail service to inform Anzilloti of a wish to speak with them at the Zigar shard, to discuss a matter of great urgency and concern. They are asked to move discreetly.

@GM and Zigar

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The Bellorian embassy wishes to engage Zigar discussion about an alliance. The formality of this will naturally come with a meeting between the two leaders on natural ground. The dual crowns would be choice for a place to make an agreement. Bellore wishes to make an alliance revolving around technology, military and shadow work.

[Ganurath]

Zigar

@ GM & Bellore

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The High Governor does not feel that Dual Crowns can be considered neutral ground so long as the Clockwork Empire is threatening to overtake the regency in the senate. The Governors' Council suggests that the discussions take place in the vassal state of D'lore, as it is more accessible and more secure from unwelcome third party influence.

[Eldan]

Vorodran casts it's vote in favor of Zigar

"A brother in arms is a brother in blood, it is said", announced the speaker of the grand council today.
"And Zigar shares not only our borders, but our enemies, and therefore, our vote goes to them."

GM, Traan:

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The Vorodran Grand Council intends to buy 1 shardrunner and present it to the Traan Combinate as payment for services. That's our major spending for this turn. We also try to buy as many mercenaries as we can.