EMPIRE! Community World-Building Game III: Prepare Your Inbox! (Messages Are Coming)

[moossabi]

My inbox is ready...I claim region 54 for a race of either demons or demon-summoners depending on what I need to do to invent magic. Stuff coming in future posts.

I would like the demon scheme to take place. And besides, in my fluff I've been aching to use the words "abomination" and "exterminate".

As for magic, the invention of it would be a great help, but would probably coincide with crazy world-eating dragon attacks. If this is not so, MAGIC FOR THE WIN!

[QuintonBeck]

If it's to have its own system though it'll make Diplomacy have two sides whereas other stats don't seem to. Though just the stat by itself, hmmm... I'd have to think about it, but things like assassins are intrigue-military actions rather than intrigue-diplomacy actions. I can think of a couple of intrigue-curiosity things, but can't find the right words to communicate them and am /not/ entirely sure.

Oh good grief I hope it doesn't affect me negatively...

Also Quinton, I posted my response in the Cantus Sai thread to you. Unless you want something else, can I post the terms under my action? If you do want something else of my resources umm... I guess spices are cool, but I don't think there's anything else.

You're right that it rolling it into Diplo does give it too much control.

Go right ahead, and I'll do the same. That was there if there was anything you wanted. Otherwise we're good.

[Elemental]

Elemental should sleep more...

Ashenia's first ruler had seven and I expect the majority of them are married by now! \witches\

Indeed Elemental should.

They've all been married for a while now. I should determine a cut off point when I stop caring about them or I'm going to have to keep track of hundreds of possible descendants.

[BladeofObliviom]

Morph/Anyone Else, my writeup for The Glazfell is finished, and ready for public perusal.

Hey Morph, feedback on Felitora so far please?

Obviously I'm not Morph, but people seem to like my opinions more often than not and I'm conveniently here right now.

Anyway, the version of your writeup I'm looking at doesn't seem to be anywhere near complete, which is a bad thing. I'd recommend using Wombat's template.

Your resources look okay; One practical, one luxury, one oddball. Coal as an import is also valid.

Your Terrain section is...lackluster, at basically one sentence outside of your landmarks. And that sentence doesn't really match up well with your spot on the map, though that's more nitpicking than is probably fair. Rather than being snowy year-round, maybe you just have really harsh winters and cool summers? It would at least explain why your region looks so green on the map.

Landmarks 2 and 3 are both fine, though my nitpick sense feels like they could do with some expansion. Landmark 1 is problematic, though; not because you didn't flesh it out, because you did, but because I'm fairly sure that Landmarks are specifically not supposed to be cities. You can still include a description of your capital city, of course, but it probably goes somewhere other than your landmarks.

Your "people" section also needs to be fleshed out, since currently it appears to be nothing more than a breakdown of the proportions of your population that are composed of a given race. Unfortunately, none of these races are described in the slightest beyond what we can guess from their name.

There's no explanation, which makes things tricky. Even the people describing humans give some common "racial" features, like light or dark skin, common hair and eye colors, body proportions, and so on and so forth. Are the "Lizardborn" the same types of Lizardfolk as those from Scla`ca? Alydaxis? Nyroth? Something completely different? We don't know, because you didn't say.

Heck, what's the difference between Lizardborn and Drakeborn? Is there a difference? What even is a Drakeborn? We can barely even guess at that one, since we don't know what this setting's drakes are like yet beyond the basic ideas of what a dragon is. We don't have any information to work with, so we don't know.


Anyway, before you start asking Morph about what he thinks of what you've written so far, I think you should probably actually finish your writeup and expand some things so that people reading it can get a clear picture of what's going on. If you can find a suitable visual aid to go along with your description, that's even better.

(Also, traditional Lizardfolk don't tend to do very well in cold regions, mostly because reptiles are cold-blooded and rely on external heat. You should probably consider that if you have lizard people. But that's neither here nor there.)

My inbox is ready...I claim region 54 for a race of either demons or demon-summoners depending on what I need to do to invent magic. Stuff coming in future posts.

Have you considered maybe using Tieflings instead? Your neighbor already has a population heavily composed of them, so it makes sense geographically, and you could always flavor your attempts to "invent" magic as a desire to attempt to reconnect with your mysterious supernatural origins. All without having to add yet more sentient races to the setting needlessly.

As for magic, the invention of it would be a great help, but would probably coincide with crazy world-eating dragon attacks. If this is not so, MAGIC FOR THE WIN!

I personally prefer my fantasy to be on the low end of the magic spectrum, or at least on the low end of the "holy crap wizards everywhere" spectrum. Too much magic makes it really really hard to justify doing a lot of the traditional epic stuff, and keeping magic relatively rare helps to keep what we do see to be, well, fantastic.

That said, diff'rent strokes.

[Elemental]

I should probably mention this before I go ahead and do it, but Ashenia is poised to cancel the treaty between the Union of the North and the Jewelled Cities for various reasons. I just need to speak with Lord_Burch about it before I do that.

[Rain Dragon]

You're right that it rolling it into Diplo does give it too much control.

Go right ahead, and I'll do the same. That was there if there was anything you wanted. Otherwise we're good.

I also admit, I'm quite biased. I still highly regret not starting with all the cool intrigue-like things now.

Updated in my actions. I'm still brainstorming a name for it and when I think of good suggestions I will forward them to you.

Indeed Elemental should.

They've all been married for a while now. I should determine a cut off point when I stop caring about them or I'm going to have to keep track of hundreds of possible descendants.

Uh, yes... I'm never going to do that. I'll have to start moving some of them to an Excel worksheet actually as the FamilyEcho might prove to be a little more unwieldly than Excel after a while.

At least, for mathsy mathy me.

Morph/Anyone Else, my writeup for The Glazfell is finished, and ready for public perusal.

Anyway, before you start asking Morph about what he thinks of what you've written so far, I think you should probably actually finish your writeup and expand some things so that people reading it can get a clear picture of what's going on. If you can find a suitable visual aid to go along with your description, that's even better.

Excellent, maybe.

Hmm, a lot of what you mention here mirrored what I mentioned in PM to Arkh. Yeah hey Arkhosia I think Morph Bark is quite busy as it is unfortunately.

I do remember 「or... I think I remember」 when you posted it that he said it looks good so far!

[BladeofObliviom]

Heh. I think my favorite idea that I had on this one is that The Glazfell is either a cursed wasteland that was smote by the Lord of Fire in a bygone age...

...or maybe it's just Siberia.

[Elemental]

Heh. I think my favorite idea that I had on this one is that The Glazfell is either a cursed wasteland that was smote by the Lord of Fire in a bygone age...

...or maybe it's just Siberia.

And Siberia isn't a cursed wasteland?

Apologies to any residents of Siberia.

[WaylanderX]

The next part of The Tale of Ironfang! should be out in a bit.

On a related note, Morph please check your inbox as soon as possible. We need to talk.

Next Time on: The Tail of Ironfang! (Typo intended)

On a sidenote, your shortstories are really good man! Keep em coming !

My inbox is ready...I claim region 54 for a race of either demons or demon-summoners depending on what I need to do to invent magic. Stuff coming in future posts.

Magic can only be introduced by the GM. It is as of now not possible to work towards it, althought there are small things going on atm related to magic.

[Silverbit]

Yeah Tychris, your stories are great; the Sympol have really good fluff!

Also, I like how different geographical regions have different flavours (I need a better word). The far west is full of lizards, the near west and the centre has most of the humans, the far east is pretty demonic/tiefling oriented, and the near east has a lot of animal-people. Dwarves are just scattered everywhere, of course . There's some exceptions of course, but overall it's pretty coherent.

@Morph's classification of nations:
I'm definitely more curiosity and less military.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

My inbox is ready...I claim region 54 for a race of either demons or demon-summoners depending on what I need to do to invent magic. Stuff coming in future posts.

Region 54 is already being colonized at the moment. Would you be interested in region 33?

[Lord_Burch]

@Elemental- Since you have already posted, and I have nothing confidential today, yes, I agree. I was actually looking for an opportunity to say that IC at Cantus Sai.

[Morph Bark]

Yes. Is that too early in game, or is it fine?

EDIT: On your own rules question, if you haven't looked it up already... No.

It is fine, I was simply not aware you were already that far with your Curiosity. Congratulations!

Yes... Now... I wish I'd had longer to work on the stat. Instead, I start with 1d4.

...well time to work on it I suppose.

On the bright side, you get a +1 right off! As to not starting off with more intrigue stuff earlier, you can blame me for that, saying I did not want to include too much stuff on that since it would complicate thongs and create much more work for me. Since now I've figured some stuff out that won't make it too complicated nor create much more work, added to the fact I now have some co Gms helping keep track of things.

Intrigue feels kinda like diplomacy to me. I mean, I see the difference but it seems like adding it as a stat opens up more subdividing of other stats. Curiosity becomes Science and Architecture. Faith can become Religion and Philosophy. I mean, I know those aren't likely needed but adding the stat seems kinda like it could fall under diplomacy. On the other hand that may make diplomacy too strong. I don't know, just rolling ideas around.

Also, Morph, I apologize ahead of time for the headache my latest PM will no doubt prompt ;P

If I would file it all under diplomacy, the stat would become too strong. Besides, Intrigue is all about subterfuge, whereas diplomacy is up front. Intrigue is less social. To go with adventure RPG type stat analogs, Diplomacy is more Charisma, whereas Intrigue is more Dexterity.

Hey Morph, feedback on Felitora so far please?

Where is your post for it? Musta missed it. Based on Blade's comments on it though, those lizardborn should likely be warmblooded, like the lizardfolk of region 45.

My inbox is ready...I claim region 54 for a race of either demons or demon-summoners depending on what I need to do to invent magic. Stuff coming in future posts.

As Wombat noted it's being colonized, which I generally dont find a problem at all, but since it concerns a player who had his colonization attempts faulted due to new players. I will post an expanded map soon. Since a lot of new players are popping up, I will add in a bunch new regions East and West.

And Siberia isn't a cursed wasteland?

Apologies to any residents of Siberia.

If we had a player from Siberia here I would be /very/ intrigued.

@Morph's classification of nations:
I'm definitely more curiosity and less military.

Noted! And seems also in line with my assumption that most Dawn League members are primarily curiosity minded.

[lt_murgen]

I should probably mention this before I go ahead and do it, but Ashenia is poised to cancel the treaty between the Union of the North and the Jewelled Cities for various reasons. I just need to speak with Lord_Burch about it before I do that.

@Elemental- Since you have already posted, and I have nothing confidential today, yes, I agree. I was actually looking for an opportunity to say that IC at Cantus Sai.

I'm hoping we can roll some discussion of that into the Cantus Sai thread as well.

[aspi]

Besides, Intrigue is all about subterfuge, whereas diplomacy is up front. Intrigue is less social.

I'm inclined to think that intrigue is hard to put into a single stat, as it's deception, backroom politics and secret actions... which we can do without a stat. There might be political intrigues as much as military ones. Isn't that the reason there are secret actions?

[lt_murgen]

I'm inclined to think that intrigue is hard to put into a single stat, as it's deception, backroom politics and secret actions... which we can do without a stat. There might be political intrigues as much as military ones. Isn't that the reason there are secret actions?

MAybe that is the key. Have an intrigue stat that covers deceptions,. underworld dealings, spying and so forth. It would be used in two cases:

1- secret actions. It replaces the other stats when the attempt is being made against another player. For example, you could have a Curiosity secret action to develop a new weapon, but it would become an Intrigue action when attempting to steal technology from another player.

2- Opposed actions. A play could add half their intrigue score to any opposed action, but if they fail the duplicity is revealed and they lose 1 Intrigue ability. For example, in a battle one player might use his Intrique to sneak people in to poison the opposing troops water supply. So half the intrigue points are added to the military score. She loses the battle and 1 Intrigue point as the other side tells the world about her heinous crimes.

You could have an Intrigue 5 action that allows for the player to request 1 secret action of another player be revealed to them on that turn.

You could have an Intrigue 10 action that allows the player 2 secret actions per turn, instead of 1. Still keeping to the maximum of 5, however.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

MAybe that is the key. Have an intrigue stat that covers deceptions,. underworld dealings, spying and so forth. It would be used in two cases:

1- secret actions. It replaces the other stats when the attempt is being made against another player. For example, you could have a Curiosity secret action to develop a new weapon, but it would become an Intrigue action when attempting to steal technology from another player.

2- Opposed actions. A play could add half their intrigue score to any opposed action, but if they fail the duplicity is revealed and they lose 1 Intrigue ability. For example, in a battle one player might use his Intrique to sneak people in to poison the opposing troops water supply. So half the intrigue points are added to the military score. She loses the battle and 1 Intrigue point as the other side tells the world about her heinous crimes.

You could have an Intrigue 5 action that allows for the player to request 1 secret action of another player be revealed to them on that turn.

You could have an Intrigue 10 action that allows the player 2 secret actions per turn, instead of 1. Still keeping to the maximum of 5, however.

Problem is, you can't have more than one secret action, so you could never increase your intrigue...

[zabbarot]

Luck is something you probably shouldn't base your country around.

Can't keep me down
Luck Dragon for life.

WHY DO ALL THESE MASS EXTINCTION EVENTS HAPPEN EVERY FEW DECADES IN THE GENIVANAN ROYAL FAMILY WHAT IS GOING OOOOONNN

Well I realized that Mosi being gone at 84 meant his aunts and uncles were all pushing 100 and his brothers and sisters were getting up there as well... Along with all the cousins he had in this generation, that I never went back and named... The family tree got too big too fast. @_@

They've all been married for a while now. I should determine a cut off point when I stop caring about them or I'm going to have to keep track of hundreds of possible descendants.

This... I didn't even determine a cut off. My cut off was "alright, I've used every name I like on this page" and then I just sort of stopped naming people outside of the main line. If I need to go back and name a second cousin somewhere because they're suddenly inheriting the throne something has gone horribly wrong...

Problem is, you can't have more than one secret action, so you could never increase your intrigue...

Maybe Intrigue can increase like Luck? If you use an intrigue action you have a chance to increase it. Maybe a definite increase for a successful opposed action if you lose it on a failed one.

[Rain Dragon]

Magic can only be introduced by the GM. It is as of now not possible to work towards it, althought there are small things going on atm related to magic.

Soon...! Trademarked... >.>

@Elemental- Since you have already posted, and I have nothing confidential today, yes, I agree. I was actually looking for an opportunity to say that IC at Cantus Sai.

Mmm... There are plenty of places for you to do that.

On the bright side, you get a +1 right off! As to not starting off with more intrigue stuff earlier, you can blame me for that, saying I did not want to include too much stuff on that since it would complicate thongs and create much more work for me. Since now I've figured some stuff out that won't make it too complicated nor create much more work, added to the fact I now have some co Gms helping keep track of things.

Hurrah!

...I was the one who started with a region that was a bit different to stuff I usually enjoy writing.

It failed. This is not like other RP games!

Maybe Intrigue can increase like Luck? If you use an intrigue action you have a chance to increase it. Maybe a definite increase for a successful opposed action if you lose it on a failed one.

I for one vote strongly against Intrigue acting unlike the other 'regular' stats.

[QuintonBeck]

How about every secret action can no longer count as another type of action but is automatically intrigue and non-secret actions can be labeled intrigue just like they can be labeled any of the other normal stats?

(Also, it's quite far down the line, but perhaps Empires can get 2 secret actions since I remember you talking about the current arrangement being kind of weak for their effort Morph)

[Lord_Burch]

@Arkh- I see what you did with the name in the Cantus Sai thread.

[BladeofObliviom]

...

Where is your post for it? Musta missed it. Based on Blade's comments on it though, those lizardborn should likely be warmblooded, like the lizardfolk of region 45.

...

If we had a player from Siberia here I would be /very/ intrigued.

Morph/Anyone Else, my writeup for The Glazfell is finished, and ready for public perusal.

...You reference my post and another post in response to it, but no mention of this? You make me a sad, sad panda. ()

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Here's an interesting question.....

Why do special animals need tech to train, as well as a resource in them, but the Eel hovercrafts can be used for people, but don't need them as a resource, only the tech. I wouldn't think hover eels are the same as boats are with oceanfaring tech...

[Rain Dragon]

For personal real life issues which have recently arisen, I will have to bow out. Unfortunately, I do not foresee a resolution in the near future.

See ya.

[Tychris1]

Uuuuuuuugh ok.

So.

Damn.................

Well, I wonder what's going to happen to Tekorva? Also Morph please respond! The Tail of Ironfang! depends on it!

[QuintonBeck]

For personal real life issues which have recently arisen, I will have to bow out. Unfortunately, I do not foresee a resolution in the near future.

See ya.

Wow, really? You alright man?

[zabbarot]

Here's an interesting question.....

Why do special animals need tech to train, as well as a resource in them, but the Eel hovercrafts can be used for people, but don't need them as a resource, only the tech. I wouldn't think hover eels are the same as boats are with oceanfaring tech...

I didn't realize the hovercrafts where eel powered. I sort of just pictured a bunch of goblins jumping on bellows to keep the thing up and a giant fan operated by a bicycle looking thing : P

For personal real life issues which have recently arisen, I will have to bow out. Unfortunately, I do not foresee a resolution in the near future.

See ya.

Ah, I hope everything is ok D=

[ImperatorV]

I didn't realize the hovercrafts where eel powered. I sort of just pictured a bunch of goblins jumping on bellows to keep the thing up and a giant fan operated by a bicycle looking thing : P

Everything is powered by turtles eels.

[Zap Dynamic]

Morph, would it be possible to trade military units like my berundas? I'd rather not trade the resource or technology, but I wouldn't mind giving a couple units to my close allies.

For personal real life issues which have recently arisen, I will have to bow out. Unfortunately, I do not foresee a resolution in the near future.

See ya.

Sorry to see you go. I hope things get better soon!

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Round 7 Trade!

Please Note: Trade agreements (that I record, and therefore, take no action to keep recorded) can only be about things you CURRENTLY have. Any future agreements are not written down, will not be written down, and cannot be part of terms of an alliance. Only you OOC plans. Therefore, actions will still be needed for plans such as giving tech or resources when you get them.


Confirmed by All Parties:

Grand Coalition - Gunung Adamantine (worked) to Celero, Kasumor and the Ignato Empire (which region in the empire?). Sympolemou left the Coalition.

Nightmare Treaty - Tekorva left treaty.

---

3
Unconfirmed: The Awoken Treaty - Confirmed by Santuary, Unconfirmed by Guilder, Pryonia, or Kasumor.

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3
Expired Trade Attempts:

Dawn League - Lyradissian Grain for Grmanhilian Bees (unconfirmed by Lyradis) (I totally forgot about it)

Mountain Blade Treaty - Terms Breached.

Bloodied Coin Treaty - Terms Breached

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3
Previous Rounds:
Round 6
Round 7