The New Age

[Falconer]

The Order of the Temple

The Order of the Temple sends its thanks to the NAUR, and states that it will send a representative to the festivities.

The Celestine Agency

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Brothers in Christ,


We are honored to be of aid in your search, and will do all we can to assist.

Mirus De Paul
Grand Master of the Order of the Temple

Armin

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Wizard and I have agreed that our factions are going to have a ssort of archaeological race for the Ark, a la Indiana Jones. Due to the Ethiopian Church claiming to have the Ark, archaeological teams journey there and search for clues as to its possible whereabouts, staying just ahead of the Celestine advance into the area.

@Red_Hammer: haven't forgotten you, just very busy and don't have time for much...

[The_JJ]

Pai

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There is a long pause. I see. Alister. Alister! I need to contact Sufe on a secure line. Now. Mr Yuan? Please wait here, I'll be back in a moment. She drags the Magician to a side room. Moments later incense smoke and muffled conversation filters into the room.
After several minutes of conversation (with many gaps as the 'other side' responds) Sister Areva enters the room.
Mr. Yuan, I believe I should lay before you the core beliefs of our collective. During the Change the Narion-states failed us. Now, our only hope lies in the Brotherhood. Nevertheless, we do recognize... expedience when we see it, and we are neither heartless nor xenophobic. If you come to the Fourteen Cult in search of aid, we will give that which we can, and though we would expect payment in turn.

In short, we can agree to your terms, but we wish you to be aware of our position. We would enjoy your friendship and partnership, but unless your whole country were to join the initiates, we could not, in good concious, commit ourselves to a war of survival for your sake alone.

[Cpt. Soup]

Pai

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..I see..

I will inform my Superior as to your reply..

Yuan made no attempt to stand up or really move at all. After several minutes Yuan made an odd sound that one could assume was a zombie's approximation of a polite "ahem"

..If it pleases you, my Superior, First Historian Chang of Charlie would like to converse with you...

Yuan's head lulled to a side for a few moments, it looked like a very uncomfortable angle. Soon though he sprang back to life but with an air of vigor that his previous self was quite devoid of. Yuan's body gave the two Cultists a cheerful if crooked smile.

Greetings.. My subordinate has dutifully informed me of your interesting counter.. I do believe he was.. unclear as to our meaning of aid.

..We, like yourselves, are a new nation, an order that has emerged from the ashes of the old world set to build a place for ourselves in the new... I will not be so quick as to let our order be swept into the fold of your own.. But that may come in time regardless if our peoples form a close relationship.. And perhaps the opposite will be true and the Cult is made to join the Way..

Yuan, or rather, Chang laughed unpleasantly at this point.

Ah.. I respectfully request to speak with someone of authority within the Cult, this Sufe possibly.. I wish to properly and directly address what we need and what we can offer...

[Alokov]

Sorry IRL craziness going on right now (on top of my recent contraction of bronchitis) so I don't think I'll be able to post for a week or so untill all this settles down. Feel free to kick me out if necessary.

[ArlEammon]

(New Turn)

[Freshmeat]

Not interested in gaming like this, where we all 'make believe' and there is no referee. Should things get moving again and there is a semblance of organization, PM me and I'll jump back in.

Hm, he does have a point. I'm finding it kind of difficult to properly gauge just what is allowed and what isn't. I, for one, have mostly been taking actions based on general assumptions and on what would seem flavourful and cool. Still, it would be nice if we had a better idea of of our own and other faction's limitations. Half the time I'm not even sure of what I type up makes any sense at all, is actually legal or will matter in the slightest. While I must admit I'm enjoying the game so far, I don't think an 'everything goes' approach will work in the long run.

---

That said, gogo monster post:

Arcanis Demonica, Turn 2:

Nova Scotia
The Kingdom of Halifax - Halifax Royal Palace

King Alexander Rackham was looking out of the window of his palace, watching the ever-evolving city of Halifax bloom as a result of recent agreements. Still, his expression looked somewhat grim, and many of his aides had concluded that something had been worrying him as of late. His melancholic expression faded away almost instantly as soon as Ian McTavish, the foreign minister of the Kingdom of Halifax, knocked on the door to announce his arrival.

"You wanted to talk to me, my King?"
"Yes, there are several matters we should discuss. Let's get the least important of our concerns out of the way first: the NAUR invitation."
"Yes?"
"I have little interest in taking Malmqvist up on his offer. Another time would've suited me far better. Since I need you here, McTavish, I'd like you to send McLaghlan on behalf of the Kingdom. He handled the Texans quite adequately. I'm sure he'll make a respectable impression at the NAUR celebration."
"As you wish, sir. Anything else?"
"Yes... I'd like you to talk to this Colonel Nathan of the Technocracy and discuss a few additional terms of the agreement. The exact details are in that map over there. No worries, these terms will be more than reasonable, but quite necessary. Also..."
King Rackham paused for a while, making sure they weren't being overheard...

To the Lunar Technocracy:

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Some time later, Foreign Minister McTavish seeks out Colonel Nathan at the Halifax starport and greets him heartily.
"Colonel Nathan, good to see you. First and foremost I'd like to inform you that the European scientists have arrived and are ready to begin construction of the Renewed at any moment. Speaking of construction: the starport is coming along nicely and while it may seem a little rushed and unpolished now -this area used to be part of the Halifax airport I'll have you know-, I assure you it's in working condition as we speak. In the few upcoming weeks we should be able to give this a far more professional look and things will run a lot more smoothly. At that time, we can properly start with the human return project. Still, there are a few things of national importance King Rackham urgently wishes me to discuss with you.

While we have agreed to let the human settlers of the moon colony return planetside, we were wondering what you intend to do with them. For our part, we are willing to provide temporary lodgings to all non-military personnel but we are mainly concerned with the Technocracy's military presence in Halifax. While it pains me to say so and we have little grounds for mistrusting you, we would like to put a certain limit on these forces. That is to say: no more than a certain amount of military troops serving the Technocracy should ever be present inside our Kingdom. For the purposes of determining the amount of combat-ready, military personnell we will include any and all Renewed or other robotic variants in the equation, even our own. We feel a little uneasy the Technocracy is unwilling to share the sentience protocols of the Renewed so we're keeping all sorts of possibilities in mind here. As this concerns a matter of national security I'm sure you'll understand.

I hope this won't cast a shadow on our agreement. We welcome the Technocracy's return to Earth and are willing to help out, but we would definitely like to address and deal with those security issues I have just spoken of."

Actions: Not much, other than the continuation of the actions on the previous turn. The Nova Scotian Army is receiving training and is undergoing a weaponry upgrade. The economy is generally recovering from trade agreements from last turn and natural resources (primarily fish) are once again being stockpiled.

New actions:

• erect defensible positions near key strategic areas and buildings, primarily towards the border that separates Nova Scotia from the mainland
• commence construction of a starport, as a direct result of the agreement with the technocracy last turn
• commence production of the RIIOU's, in cooperation with the technocracy. The construction lab should be guarded heavily.

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Antarctica, Arcanis Demonica Headquarters
Inner Sanctum (below ground)
(above ground looks a little different)

"Have you seen this?", a deep, unsympathetic yet sophisticated voice boomed across the room. Grand Astronomist Lucien De Vortis, Head Demonologist and de facto leader of Arcanis Demonica stood tall, towering over the altar, his mood unclear.

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"I have. What of it?" Cyralia Horatix responded in the kind of cold, indifferent tone that was so characteristic of her.
De Vortis turned around and gave her a disapproving glare before continuing.
"Apparently this message was sent to just about every world faction of note. We’ve received reports about this from nearly all of our operatives across the continents. The NAUR has arranged some kind of party in celebration of whatever."
"And this concerns us how exactly, father?", Cyralia said, rolling her eyes.
"Unification. Peace. Cooperation. These things all serve a higher purpose, and I applaud the NAUR in their efforts. Even though we'll hear all the details about this meeting anyway from our other sources, I'd like you to go there on our unseen behalf. These things require a... personal approach."
"A posh little high society party? Me? Please... Send someone else, daddy."
"You will go. Everything has already been arranged. I'm not asking you."
For a moment, Cyralia was silent, her eyes flashing with a fire unmistakeably foreign to this world. But De Vortis had seen it all too often and merely ignored it, continuing on with his explanation.
"You will assume the role of a new secretary of the entourage of Emperor Tembo Mogale of the South African People’s Army. Just keep your ears open and don't attract any attention to yourself.”
“Whatever. Fine by me.”
"Avoid talking to any known psychics. As soon as you leave, use the ancient techniques of self-hypnotization I’ve taught you to ensure you reveal nothing of importance if anything goes wrong. Even though you are trained to resist torture, do not hesitate, not even for a second, to use any of your four poison capsules if you get caught."
“I know. I know. It would be nice if you’d at least pretend you were concerned about my life.”
“I am, my daughter. You know that. But there are things in this world that are far more important than what I simply want.”
“That, and if I'd die you’d just clone me with the DNA samples doctor Mortin keeps of all of us.” Cyralia said in the driest voice she could muster, which is to say, dryer than your average desert.
“Of course," De Vortis replied instantly. “I need simply say the word and you will live for all eternity, inhabiting a thousand bodies as you do so. You’ll be slightly different every time, but your gift for demonology will always be there, Cyralia, ripe for the awakening.”
“Comforting thoughts, but I don’t care much for future versions of myself.”
For a moment, Cyralia wondered exactly how long it took a clone to reach a desired age and whether or not doctor Mortin had developed a way to accelerate the process. For all she knew, that weirdo gene-splicer might be able to produce near-perfect clones in no time, and everyone she knew had already long been replaced by genetically-enhanced copies of them and no one would be able to tell the difference. In a group with a sizeable number of shapeshifters similar events were already fairly commonplace. Cyralia was considering the possibility that her own father might've died years ago already and she was talking to his fourth or fifth incarnation this very instant. The idea wasn’t particularly pleasant, but then as a demonologist, she’d elevated unpleasantness to an art form, so the thought left her almost as much as it came.

“Jorin Donahue will accompany you. He might just find an opportunity to strike a deal that might benefit us.”
“Jorin? That creep? You should see him when he's wearing someone else's face. I'm certain he derives some kind of sick pleasure from it!"
De Vortis thought for a moment, but then shook his head.
“Be that as it may, he knows what he’s doing. He's going with you."
De Vortis waited for some kind of acknowledgement on his daughter's part (which never came) and then said "You will try to keep a low profile, now won't you Cyralia?”

“Don’t worry daddy," Cyralia said, a grin of pure malevolence on her face. "I won’t let you down."

---

@ Armin (secret conspiracy stuff)

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Kingdom of Halifax / Arcanis Demonica Nova Scotia underground research facility:

• The Renewed: The Renewed (RIIOU's) are kept under secure watch. They should never come into contact with anyone indispensable (in case they are booby-trapped, have assassination protocols or other dubious programming) or with any information that’s related to matters of national importance.
• Quite frankly, the Kingdom of Halifax is perfectly aware that, aside from the scientists they hired (some of whom are AD operatives, of course), they only have a limited understanding of the Renewed. As such they have decided not to rely on them and merely treat the Renewed as supplementary military force. All surplus Renewed (that is to say: the vast majority of the ones being created) will simply be traded away. They will be treated with respect, but will ultimately be separated and scattered throughout a multitude of factions all over the world.
• The scientists working on the Renewed should take careful note of structural shortcomings and weaknesses. Even if the Lunar Technocracy keeps the sentience and higher programming of the Renewed a secret, the Renewed still need a ‘body’. If they want to create some kind of robot army, it makes sense to try and find out how to counter them, non-aggression pacts notwithstanding.
• A large part of the scientific force at the Nova Scotia underground research facility should devote themselves to constructing large EMP-devices, which are to be put at strategic places (such as the starport) and disguised as something that wouldn’t arouse suspicion. In essence, a rather brutish, but effective failsafe against a potential robotic invasion force.
• The three Renewed given to the Kingdom of Halifax (as well as newly-produced ones) should be inspected carefully. Whenever they need to undergo a quick maintenance check (and are, presumably, temporarily shut down) the mechanics ought to get a quick look inside the units to learn more about their behavioral cores and whatnot. Care must be taken not to arouse the suspicion of the RIIOU units themselves.
• The Advanced Liner Mass Gauss Rifles bought last turn: a handful of these are checked, ioned, de-ionized, magneted-de-magnetized, etc. to get rid of any and all potentional tracking or espionage devices before being sent to the Nova Scotia underground research facility. There, the rifles are reverse-engineered so that Arcanis Demonica might someday replicate the technology or -should the technology prove to be completely and utterly beyond the scope of AD’s scientists- produce weaker (but still potent) versions of the rifle.
  For the time being, anyone trained to use these rifles will carry a secondary back-up weapon with them at all times.

[ArlEammon]

(I"m going to need a looong time to read all that. Just letch'ya know.)

[Fan]

The military presence, aside from the RIIOU's, and Gawain himself (who actually TALKS to you while you work on him. He seems very serene even when he's being sautered, and welded... Just goes to show. Magical Robots don't feel pain.) is insanely light. Only those nessecary for personal escorts, and the military presence on Levithan, Avalon, Icarus, and Excalibur, who bring in shipments of pallidum, irridum, Einstienium (in lead containers for the humans sake.), and various other precious metals. However any Renewed not taken by the Kingdom of Halifax's military, and a few more basic model's as a gesture, and payment for the use of Earth Bound facilities, are taken back to the Lunar Technocracy for storage, and special missions until a suitable offer for purchase has been made.


You do notice however, that there are several special area's where 7 special, non mass production model's are apparently being held each emblazoned with a different name from the Knight's of the Round Table, such as Lancelot, of course Gawain, Gareth, and Mordred. Most notably however is a set of double, meter thick blast doors that lead into a special bay in the Avalon itself, emblazoned on it, along with the seals of the Lunar Technocracy, and no visable opening mechanism. No none Lunar Scientist's are specifically

Kingdom of Halifax:

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You find Corporal Nathaniel wearing his stanard army attire, the symbol of Mother Russia's army emblazoned on his chest, the Red hammer held stead fast by a black iron hand, that gleams slightly as he salutes you, and speaks. His voice near emotionless, and if you didn't know any better, you'd say it was hollow.

"A good day to you as well Foriegn Minister Mctavish. However, the Technocracy, including higher personelle, which includes myself, are not leaving the Moon Based colonies anytime soon. As we are... either.. changed to avoid the symptoms, like myself. Our military persence is also kept to a minimum for what we need to guard the several prototypes we are constructing inside the mechanics bays of Leviathan, Avalon, Icarus, and Excalibur all purpose Interstellar Transports. Your facilities, and aid in the construction of the production model's is appreciated, and we are willing to supplement any and all military forces you may possess with them. Does this serve your purposes? We have no intent for war with any of the factions present on Earth. We merely wish to give everyone the means to live their life comfortably. Changed, SAC, or otherwise."


He then pulls out a decanter, laquered black wood gleaming oddly in the mid after noon sun as he drinks a deep blue fluid from it, before resuming speech.

"Now. The Star Port is rather impressive, a little industrial as of yet for my tastes, but the speed at which you constructed this is rather astounding. I congratulate you on it's nearing completetion.

Now, as for my personal apperance here. I do believe as of yet, we have yet to obtain any of those fish, and we have held up our end of the bargain."


He then snaps his fingers, four Renewed appearing with a squealing of burning rubber as their traction system proppelled them with astounding speed. They all carried fire arms of some sort, in addition to gleaming silver swords that seem to be sharper then they should be, and emit a steady WHIR.

He then gestures, and in military fashion all 4 renewed draw their swords, and cross them over you, a powerful, almost human voice erupting in chorus as they echoed.

"All hail Halifax!"

Their heads then rotate to gaze toward you, their green white eyes staring seemingly everywhere, and nowhere, the black scleara accenting the glow to make it visably bright even in the after noon sun, as they continued.

"What is thy bidding. My Lord!"

Corporal Nathaniel chuckles now, the sheer audacity of the RIIOU's that had been constructed for Halifax was enough to even bring his blackened heart (and that's literal) to mirth.

[The_Red_Hammer]

(Apologize to the moon faction for such a late post since I've been busy with personal business. Ahem let me remedy that with my response)

Lunar Technocracy

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The Red General immediately dropped his shot glass which caused it to roll across the table, droplets of vodka spilling on the great leaders fine oak table. He pulled out a Gsh-18 pistol from a drawer and pointed it at the ghost like figure in which in his own mind looked like some type of vile creature that was in the motherlands forests. He stood up causing his chair to slide away from him and with a look of shock the man breathed out in Russian "What..what do you want with me creature?! You come to my office uninvited and unannounced and expect a warm welcome? Who do you dare think you are!?" His finger was on the trigger even though he probably did not have the current firepower to deal with a specter type creature.

Party? There is time for parties with world filled with war and suffering? The Soviet Union can not believe such arrogance!

One of the Red Generals many staff members made his rounds to the office of the great leader, hearing such loud noises he removed his Makarov and dropped the letter in the Russian affairs box near his office. He pounded upon the great leaders door asking in Russian to be let in immediately for the safety of the Red General and of course the preservation of the Soviet Union.

[Fan]

(Apologize to the moon faction for such a late post since I've been busy with personal business. Ahem let me remedy that with my response)

Lunar Technocracy

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The Red General immediately dropped his shot glass which caused it to roll across the table, droplets of vodka spilling on the great leaders fine oak table. He pulled out a Gsh-18 pistol from a drawer and pointed it at the ghost like figure in which in his own mind looked like some type of vile creature that was in the motherlands forests. He stood up causing his chair to slide away from him and with a look of shock the man breathed out in Russian "What..what do you want with me creature?! You come to my office uninvited and unannounced and expect a warm welcome? Who do you dare think you are!?" His finger was on the trigger even though he probably did not have the current firepower to deal with a specter type creature.

Party? There is time for parties with world filled with war and suffering? The Soviet Union can not believe such arrogance!

One of the Red Generals many staff members made his rounds to the office of the great leader, hearing such loud noises he removed his Makarov and dropped the letter in the Russian affairs box near his office. He pounded upon the great leaders door asking in Russian to be let in immediately for the safety of the Red General and of course the preservation of the Soviet Union.

The Red Hammer:

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The Corporal smirks at the fine Russian Pistol you draw, the hologram chuckling a bit, Mother Russia had fallen far indeed after IT came, but that was the point of his call in all honesty.

"Lower your gun. I am Corporal Nathaniel Briskovich of the great army of Mother Russia. 20 Years ago a mission to the Moon was launched, a joint effort by all the nations of the world to create a place for humans to wait for the Giant Comets Irradiated Shards to allow the Earth to cool down on the Radiation. We... Came into close contact, and lost Chief Engineer Ezekiel Thomas from the EU. I was scarred horribly, and left with this prosthetic apperance. You would not fire on one who had been gravely injured in the line of duty for, Mother Russia, would you?"

[ArlEammon]

(Please people, post a summary of your events in spoilers at the end of your posts.)

[Greystone]

(ALL of our events, or just what we did in the post?)

[Fan]

I'm going to post a summary of all the things I've done, Secret or otherwise, so.... No one read this but the the DM:

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Established the Lunar Trade Routes over 2 turns, building 4 ships, Icarus, Leviathan, Avalon, and Excalibur.

Created the RIIOU who are essentially giant mecha, but in a more realistic tone. Are also powered by the energy of the tiny magical stars in their chests. This is the equivalent to bio energy, so for those of you thinking "hey I can see his secrets, and pretend I don't know OOC." No EMP doesn't nuke my face off.

I have implanted a Order 66 as a hidden protocol in the Loyalty functions. Transferring all RIIOU loyalty to me, and for them to destroy their current owners if they bear malice towards the Technocracy. This is disguised as best as the technicians could with all their scientific prowess.

I have created a Psuedo Knights Of the Round Table. Mecha that are entirely too expensive, and made of rare components that simply cant be done with Mass Production due to it. These are the equivalent of Dues Ex Machina. Strong enough to throw tanks with ease. I'm expecting some rather decent military boosts.

I set up a mutual trade agreement, and got rid of the Human population aside from Riza, Roy Codian, and Nathaniel. So they aren't so dying anymore, leaving magic Tech powered beings as the sole denizens of the moon.

Have begun designs on the RIIOU Arthur's weapon, Excalibur.

[aravier]

Likewise; HANDS OFF ALL BUT ARMIN!

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Switzerland is doing the following:

-Working with the Shadow Corps to try and improve their Centurion suits
-Join espionage treaty with the Shadow Corps versus The New Vatican and The Templars
-Non-aggression pact with the Templars and the Vatican.

Tha's all I think

[ArlEammon]

(ALL of our events, or just what we did in the post?)

(K guys, I mean at all of your posts every time you post. I don't want the game to die so I also need a Co-GM)

[aravier]

((I'm not going for that post; this is my first game! 0-0))

[Fan]

((If no one else will, I'd be willing to co-DM, I'm easily able to keep IC information, and actions out of the OOC Co Dming responsibilities. If no one has a problem with that, of course.)

[ArlEammon]

(I don't have a problem with it.)

[aravier]

((No problems here!))