[Empire 5] IC Thread

[Miltonian]

Boring Mechanics Stuff

The Worlds of Lyrae
Current Ruler: The Ascended One, Lyrae

Actions:

1. [Military] Raise 1 Unit (House Oblom)
2. [Military] Enact Military Doctrine
3. [Philosophy] Probe P10 [Failure] There is yet more work to be done here. Scanning ships recalled.
4. [Philosophy] Probe O11 [Success] A new region has been fully explored. The emissaries of Lyrae can now go forth.
5. [Philosophy] Probe N8 [Failure] The crew contracted a rare plague. Without sufficient medical understanding, they had to be quarantined. After they all passed on, the ships were destroyed to prevent the contagion's spread.

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Current Stats
Diplomacy: 2
Military: 5 -> 6
Economy:: 1
Philosophy 4 -> 5
Intrigue: 1

New Ruler Next Round?: NO

Expected Stat Bonuses: +1 Military and Philosophy.

Border Status: Closed to Most.
Automatic resistance to any conversion or buyout attempts. Trade and the influx of foreign visitors is heavily restricted.
Special Allowances have been extended to the Vilari and the Grymlans for buyout attempts, should they wish. Conversion attempts will still be resisted.


Military Strength: 3 -> 4
Military Doctrine: Shock and Awe
For every two Lyraen ships present in a combat, you gain a +1 bonus to combat rolls, up to +5
Bigger is better. Bigger guns, bigger barrages. Magical energy is cheap. Our soldiers' lives are not. Therefore, we must strive to maximize each of our soldiers' capabilities, giving them the opportunity to cause maximum damage. If we must die, we will make the enemy pay dearly for the privilege. We'll blast our enemies away and hold nothing back.

Diplomatic Agreements: Defensive Pact with the Vilari and the Grymlans. Diplomatic envoy sent to the Vilari, the Rocthuri, and the Grymlans.


GLORIOUS FLUFF

Spoiler: BEGIN BROADCAST

Show

Awhl Hahl stares off into the distance for a moment until he notices the cameras are rolling. He turns sharply and smiles, such as Lyraens do.

“Good evening, everyone. Hail Lyrae, may her rays always shower us with beneficence and protect us from the ravages of the Night-Moon.”

He pauses and sighs. “Tonight, let me talk about the Kamasati. Now, there are some strange things out there. Psionics, it seems, is real. Congratulations to everyone who dreamed of moving things with just their mind as a kid, it seems that can become a reality.”

“However, these Kamasati, these…’gods’? They’re not the sort of people you want to invite over for a midday meal. At least not according to the one who talked with them, Tur Oblom. And joining us right now is Tur Oblom himself. Welcome to the show, sir.”

Sitting in a dark room with dim illumination is a slender, male Lyraen with dark fur. Whether its natural or he dyed it himself, who can really say? He smiles, but the expression looks ill-practiced. “Thank you, truthspeaker, glad to be here.”

Awhl leans in. “Now, you talked personally with the Kamasati, correct?”

“That’s right.” Tur shifts, uncomfortable at the memory. “Though talking’s not the word for it. They communicate mentally. They do not have mouths.” His expression turns grim. “Rest assured, I had my mental blocks in place. They saw nothing I did not intend for them to.”

“Tell us, then: who are these Kamasati?”

“They are ‘gods’, or so they’ll tell you,” Tur answers with a humorless chuckle, “The are beings of great, psychic power. But that’s just who they are physically and mentally speaking. There are many strange races scattered through the galaxy, and we must not let mere appearance or biological quirks determine how we view any species. I myself am rather fond of seafood, and yet the Vilari are quickly becoming allies. Lyrae goes so far as to call them friends. We’ll see.”

“I fear we’re wandering from the point, sir, could you..?”

“Yes, yes.” Tur clears his throat. “That last point was important. Biology does not determine whether or not a species, a culture, a people deserves to exist and be treated as equals.” He leans in, dark eyes burning with almost literal fire. “What I saw in my ‘interview’ with the Kamasati is a willingness to exterminate any race that they do not personally approve of.”

Awhl sucks in a short breath. “Continue.”

Tur’s face splits into a feral, frightening grin, and this one appears much more practiced. “In their minds, the whole universe is divided into two groups: Dreamers and Demons. Now, they seem to have placed us in the former category, which means that they see fit to incorporate us into their psionic web. Imagine if your neighbors knew exactly what you thought of them at every moment of every day. Imagine if you couldn’t be safe within your own head. I have years of practice and they almost overwhelmed me before I managed to gain control of the situation, and that was with someone who hasn’t been ‘incorporated’. Can you imagine that level of...violation?”

Awhl chuckles nervously, thinking of all the pretty, long-tailed females that would have slashed his cheek open if they’d known what he really thought of them. “Well, that sounds...nightmarish.”

“But,” Tur says, holding up a single claw, “That’s the honor reserved for the people they ‘like’: the ones they seek to elevate and make like them. The Demons, on the other paw, deserve only extinction. And not just that, it is good to do so. They are Demons, after all. And how do they determine who is a Demon and who is not? Well, that depends on whether or not they can be ‘integrated’ into that lovely psychic web.”

Silence reigns for a long second. Awhl clears his throat again. “You’re talking about genocide.”

“Yes. Genocide,” Tur glances away from the camera, eyes fixed on some point near the ceiling. “Genocide based solely upon a quirk of biology.” He sighs and, on camera, uncorks a bottle, pours himself a glass of something intoxicating, and drinks. “At least the Rothuun…” he begins, “well, they’re just out to conquer everyone. Brutal as it is, they don’t discriminate based upon species, only your personal strength.”

“Thank you, Tur Oblom,” Awhl says quietly, “For your honest and thorough report. Tell me, what preparations are you and the other great lords taking?”

“We are all cooperating on a battleplan,” Tur says, “Hardly two years into this whole...intergalactic thing and we’re already preparing for another moon-struck war. We’re pumping out as many ships as we can maintain. Recruitment drives are in full swing. I know no one’s eager for this, but we’re reinstituting the Mountain Guard Incentives Program. Anyone who signs up will reap the full benefits. Those who sign on for another term of service will receive the same deal. Tra Gutri is heading that up. Meanwhile, I am working on some new mega-spells that really pack a wallop. We’ll see if I don’t blow myself up or something.”

“Thank you. We won’t take up anymore of your time.”

Tur snorts. “I would say it’s been a pleasure, but…”

“I understand.” Awhl stares silently for a moment as Tur’s feed cuts out and he is alone once more. “In other news, Ayl Lan has pushed forward with the surveys. More on that at 13. There have been difficulties, but we’ve finally managed to, well, get an idea of what is near us. In one direction, at least.”

He trails off again. “Negotiations with the Vilari proceed well. We’ve signed a mutual defensive pact and…”

He sighs. “I’m sorry, everyone. Look, no one wants a war. No one…” He shakes his head. “This just in: Lyrae has declared a state of national emergency. All efforts are to be directed towards preparation for a Kamasati invasion. Please report any signs of Kamasati...interference to the local authorities. Training programs will be initiated soon, voluntary for now, giving you and your family the skills you need to detect sleeper agents and resist psionic intrusion into your minds.”

“And that’s the news. Be ever watchful and on guard. May Lyrae bless you and the moon, and the Kamasati, not take you.”

“Goodnight. And good luck.”

Spoiler: Would You Like to Know More? (Additional News and Rumors)

Show

The Luminary Accords Signed!

In recognition of our alliance with the Vilari, Lyrae herself signed a defensive pact with them which shall lay the groundwork for future diplomatic relations.

Spoiler: The Luminary Accords

Show

To foster the continued friendship and cooperation between the Vilari Sodality and the Lyraen people, the Speaker and the Luminary Lyrae accept the following proposals:

• Recognizing the dangers inherent in deep space exploration, the Vilari Sodality and Lyrae agree to a defensive pact. Should either power suffer unprovoked attack, all signatories to the Accords are compelled to join in repelling any and all aggressors.
  
  
  • Pursuant to their defensive pact, the Vilari Sodality and Lyrae agree to share all sensor data relating to the activities of the An’Null Eradicators.
  
  
• The Sodality recognizes Lyrae’s claim on Sector P-08, and welcome the establishment of a Lyraen government following the Sodality’s diplomatic expedition.
  
  
• The borders of the Sodality and Lyrae are to be considered open for the purpose of civilian and mercantile traffic between both powers.
  
  
  • Vilari and Lyraen nationals are recognized as operating under the legal jurisdiction of the local government while in transit, and both powers further accept the responsibility of providing emergency aid and protection to ships traversing their space.
  
  
• The Vilari Sodality recognizes the sovereign right of Lyrae to pursue its Three Tenants within its territory. Concordantly, Lyrae recognizes the sovereignty of the Way of Tides within Vilari space.

'Tail Fever' Sweeps the Colony-Worlds!

Lyraens on all three worlds are enamored with the Grymlan race, but some on the two colony worlds are taking it to the extreme and renouncing any attraction to their fellow Lyraens! When asked, Lyrae declared that she is glad that those who value a people only for their physical appearance are so eager to out themselves.

Recruitment Drive Achieves Poor Results

In spite of impassioned pleas from those in government and what has been called 'generous' incentives, the turnout was much lower than expected. Many ships hang in orbit without a crew to man them. Official predictions say that, at the current rate, the Fifth Fleet will not be fully trained and ready to go before the three-year mark.

[TheDarkDM]

The Vilari Sodality

Region Q-07

Speaker Ren-Kulto
Diplomacy 5
Military 4
Economy 2
Philosophy 3
Intrigue 4

Actions

1. [Military] Raise One Unit
2. [Military] Raise One Unit
   Retrofit of the Vilari System Defense Fleet continues. Six additional Horizon strike cruisers are equipped with Gravity Latch Drives, and enjoy their maiden voyage as escorts to the diplomatic missions sent into neighboring sectors. Meanwhile, engineering data from the upgraded drives continues to be collated, as the shipyards orbiting Raphos begin work on a wholly new superstructure.
3. [Diplomacy] Perform an Inquest into Region P-08 13
   Taking new precautions after the loss of their expedition to the Eradicators, a second diplomatic survey ship is dispatched under escort to the sector separating the Sodality from Lyrae.
4. [Diplomacy] Perform an Inquest into Region R-06 14
   Secure in the welcome of the people of the Republic in the Galactic East, another expedition is sent in a shared sector. If anything, this ship proceeds under heavier guard, each Vilari keenly aware of the proximity of An'Null raiders.
5. [Diplomacy 5] Develop Cultural Identity: Traveler's Spirit (Dice bonus while performing Inquests)
   AS the Vilari take their first steps onto the Galactic Stage, the best and brightest of their coral-cities step forward to serve. These Vilari, hand-picked by the Circle of Seers, form the heart of a new diplomatic corps. Their mission - to carry a message of hope into the dark places of the universe, and to spread the wisdom of their people to those who will listen.

Spoiler: News and Rumors

Show

• Two years after the meeting in Guardian's Simulacrum, the Vilari Sodality and the government of Lyrae sign the Luminary Accords, a series of diplomatic agreements intended to bring the two powers closer together and shield them against enemies known and unknown.
  
  Spoiler: The Luminary Accords

  Show

  To foster the continued friendship and cooperation between the Vilari Sodality and the Lyraen people, the Speaker and the Luminary Lyrae accept the following proposals:
  
  

  • Recognizing the dangers inherent in deep space exploration, the Vilari Sodality and Lyrae agree to a defensive pact. Should either power suffer unprovoked attack, all signatories to the Accords are compelled to join in repelling any and all aggressors.
    
    
    • Pursuant to their defensive pact, the Vilari Sodality and Lyrae agree to share all sensor data relating to the activities of the An’Null Eradicators.
    
    
  • The Sodality recognizes Lyrae’s claim on Sector P-08, and welcome the establishment of a Lyraen government following the Sodality’s diplomatic expedition.
    
    
  • The borders of the Sodality and Lyrae are to be considered open for the purpose of civilian and mercantile traffic between both powers.
    
    
    • Vilari and Lyraen nationals are recognized as operating under the legal jurisdiction of the local government while in transit, and both powers further accept the responsibility of providing emergency aid and protection to ships traversing their space.
    
    
  • The Vilari Sodality recognizes the sovereign right of Lyrae to pursue its Three Tenants within its territory. Concordantly, Lyrae recognizes the sovereignty of the Way of Tides within Vilari space.
• After establishing tentative diplomatic relations, the Sodality reaches a preliminary agreement with the Sublime Peoples' Republic internally referred to as the Red Star Accords.
  
  Spoiler: The Red Star Accords

  Show

  Acknowledging the friendship existing between the Vilari Sodality and the Sublime Peoples’ Republic, Speaker Ren-Kulto and Chairman Vauo Ren agree to the following terms:
  
  

  • The Sublime Peoples’ Republic recognizes the Vilari Sodality’s claim on Sectors R-06 and R-08.
    
  • The Vilari Sodality, on establishment of control over Sectors R-06 and R-08, grants the Sublime Peoples’ Republic and any allied powers the right to proselytize for The One in those Sectors.
    
  • In light of the danger posed by the An’Null Eradicators, the Sodality and the Republic agree to the free exchange of sensor data in relation to any and all Eradicator activity.
• Reaching out to the Rocthurhi, Speaker Ren-Kulto reaches an agreement with Faugloglys to share sensor data relating to An’Null Eradicator activity. Perhaps this initial act of trust will grow into an accord of its own?
• The disappearance of a diplomatic expedition is met with grief by the people of the Sodality. However, this grief swiftly turns to vengeful anger when they receive the transmission from the Eradicators. To kidnap a Vilari and deprive them of their freedom would already be an unforgivable offense, but to twist them against everything the Vilari hold dear? Whether they know it or not, the Eradicators have signed their own death warrant. The Vilari Remember.
• The expeditions sponsored by the Sodality lead to increased demand for alien artwork and literature, creating a small but profitable market in Vilari space. Already, some brave souls have begun to risk half-charted space to return with films and novels from Lyrae and the Serene Peoples' Republic, and while the first they are unlikely to be the last.

[PepperP.]

Droccen Imperium
Region G19

Empress Candrimay the pious and frail
Diplomacy 5
Military 1
Economy 2
Philosophy 6
Intrigue 1

Round 2 Actions
1.[Diplomacy 5] Establish an Embassy with the Rocthurhi in T10.
2.[Diplomacy] Establish Claim on F18. (+1 Bonus) 13
3.[Philosophy] Probe G17 using Tezh Phi score (7) 11
4.[Philosophy] Convert CLS to the One. 13 Following the success of her vlog, intergalactic superstar Korima releases a line of One-themed merch. Celestia is treated to a pre-release that sells out in under an hour.
5.[Military] Raise 1 Droccen Unit

Non-actions

• Support the Commonwealth of Zara's buyout of Guardians.
• Support CLS buyout of Guardians.
• Accept the SOS offer to probe H18 for us in exchange for a future consideration.

News and Rumors

• Eager to redeem themselves, the crew of the Starhunter set out for distant systems once again, this time armed with pamphlets and hoodies.
• The Droccen are absolutely delighted to find a nearby planet inhabited by people similar to themselves and are soon fascinated with their brethren's bucolic ways. It soon becomes fashionable to wear flowers in your hair, a habit only suited for the wealthy, as flowers are extremely rare on Droccen.
• As one of her last Imperial acts, Empress Candrimay offers Sai's sister Aran as a bride to the leader of the newly discovered F18 in hopes they will join the Imperium.
• Though the arrival of the Tezh is met with much affection and fanfare, Empress Candrimay passes within the year. It is said that with help from their Tezh friends, the Empress was able to enjoy her last moments on Droccen, free from pain.
• The planet mourns their Empress but know she will return someday to guide them in her wisdom as a Guardian.
• Plans are already being set in motion for Princess Sai's coronation.
• Advisers suggest Rocthurhi as the site of the first Droccen embassy and the Empress agrees, even though Sai pushes for the SPR. Or perhaps because of it, it is hard to keep secrets, even in space and books are so utterly transportable.
• Droccen celebrity Korima starts a new line of One-themed merch, the most popular item being a grey hoodie that is a nod to the SOS Grey Aliens and their hooded robes.

Stat Increases
+1 Dip, +1 Phi

New Leader Next Round
Empress Sai
Diplomacy 4
Military 2
Economy 3
Philosophy 4
Intrigue 1

[asmodeussnake]

Spoiler

Show

Turn 2 Galactic Dates (217502.0.0.80 - 217504.0.0.80)
Technocratic Caliphate
N24
Caliph Illijan

[Military] Create unit Drone fleet 2 A second fleet is operational.

[Intrigue] Surveillance of N26 15 Surveillance drones are sent out to address the potential landscape of the region once again a 200 million credit vessel is sent out into the stars and thankfully the Caliphate is not shamed and manage to successfully send their secret sattellite into space!

Spoiler

Show

Turn 2 Galactic Dates (217502.0.0.80 - 217504.0.0.80)
The One High Maxim
N24
Lord Caller Siq

[Intrigue] Fabricate claim on M23 18 The ever lascivious Lord Caller Siq looks to forge documents proving that this territory was an ancient colony of One worshipers that actually belongs to the One high Maxim and convince these strange individuals that while they can remain their territorial rights must be surrendered to the churches authority.

Spoiler

Show

Turn 2 Galactic Dates (217502.0.0.80 - 217504.0.0.80)
The Casrule Movement
N24
The First Equals council

[Military] Create unit Casrule Revolutionaries The Casrule successfully stole a fleet of transport ships they have affixed with large metal rams that they now suicide into enemy ships. Only skeleton crews are assembled and any who survive are now expected to evacuate the ship enter the enemy vessal via battle armor and take over the ship or more likely kill as many enemies as possible before dying themselves.


[Military] 5 Picking General 9

General Qaxin of the caliphate- A skilled technical general on the battlefield. His control and understanding of drones has led to his rise in leadership and its why he was named their leader on the battlefield.
[7]

High Crusader Bacop of the High Maxim of the One- A reluctant leader of the High Maxims soldiers, he believes in the faith and so fights hard for his people but believes the lord seeker is a fiend and hates fighting for him.
[7]

Second Equal Gar- A nasty brute and enforcer who has begun to promote suicide bombing tactics.
[4]

Nonactions

fighting breaks out in Hive Do The high Maxim brought in battle armored police against protestors wielding stones and molotov cocktails.


Optics VR intertrue connection of the Caliphate

• We seek recruits for the new fleet built!
• Fighting continues for control over the Hasson 3 mines.
• remember all Kryptids of color and creed are worthy of respect. Looking to the flesh for answers is a fools errand the machine alone is worthy to rule, it will pull us from violence.

The Voice of the One

• Stomp out the Do and Si they are vile monsters. They murdered queens, they butchered innocent families. They are the enemy.
• Stomp out the Caliphate. This insurrection is a vile tool of the Do and Si to split the true believers from the one.
• Only in death can these vile beings be brought to the glory of the one.

Truth TV

• Tonight on truth TV debates increase as disagreements grow between democratic ideology and anarchist mindsets. Abandoning the hive mentality has caused considerable strain on this young society and while we march to freedom many ask what will that freedom look like?
• (Propoganda plays presenting the flag pole of the Casrule movement being pushed through the chest of a soldier of the high Maxims troops.)
• The caliphate promotes oneness and an end to racist intolerance but we all know they just want us to swear away our freedom to a new overlord. We want no queens and that includes an artificial one!
• A successful raid on a bevy of transports has the Casrule movement in high spirits!

Spoiler: The Rich and Famous of The Kryptids Factions

Show

Technocratic Caliphate 1+1 unit
Caliph Illijan- Leader of the Caliphate. A visionary wanting to save his people by bringing them together through technology.

The One High Maxim 1 unit
Lord Caller Siq- Leader of the one high maxim, rather ruthless and hateful of the other cultures of the Kryptids.

The Casrule Movement 1+1 unit
First Equal Somos- A fierce anarchist. He looks to end the tyranny of the hive system have all queens enslaved and producing children so they can live a free life. Only their maintenance should be managed centrally all other aspects of life should be handled by the community.
First Equal Jain- A Do imperialist. He wants to see the Do return to power and the other hives returned to subserviance.
First Equal Kask- An advocate of democracy. He wants to see all leadership elected and the queens treated kindly.

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Kryptid Leadership

Stat	Value	Increase?
Diplomacy	1	-
Military	6	+1
Economy	2	-
Intrigue	6	+1
Philosophy	3	-

Military unit count: 0

Spoiler: Regions

Show

Region Name	Region Number	Resource	Philosophy Center	Status
Kryptid Home system	N24	Hasson 3	open	Capitol
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-

Spoiler: Technology/Specialties

Show

Specialties

Type	Name	Effect(s)	Permenant?
MILITARY	-	-	No
DIPLOMACY	-	-	No

New Ruler Next Round!

Expected Stat Bonuses:
+1 military
+1 intrigue

Spoiler: Mechanical Bookkeeping

Show

Rakshasa Controlled Trading Posts:

• TP 3 Hasson 3 N24 (Existing)
• 
  

Military Units:

[Elemental]

The Conclave of the Black Sun
His Excellency, Azric Rey-Vandriss, Viceroy of Amanyk

Actions:
Rolls.
1: [Diplomacy] Establish a claim on H10. Success.
The Viceroy personally departs Amanyk aboard his personal diplomatic vessel, the Sovereign's Grace, towards the lost colony to enter talks with its leaders. He is accompanied by a team of experienced diplomats and advocates and they hope to establish an agreement that restores the suzerainty of the Conclave while preserving the locals' autonomy. In addition the great-great-great-great-etc-granddaughter of the Undying Sovereign, Princess Talisantha Rey-Aman, accompanies them should a marriage be required to seal the deal.
The mistakes of the old empire will not be repeated.

2: [Diplomacy] Inquest to Region F8. Failure.
As per agreement with the Unified Public Trust, the Boundless Horizon is dispatched to scout the area between Amanyk and the Symbraum homeworld. During their downtime improvements were made to the Boundless Horizon and it now operates at a full forty percent of total functionality.

3: [Economy] Expedition to Region G7. Failure.
Pretalla Juran is honoured for her successful expedition and she is offered restoration to service and the rank of admiral though she refuses in order to continue her new passion of exploration. The Viridian Sunset is once more prepared and departs Amanyk with high hopes.

4: [Economy] Buyout of Antillian Alcohol, G11. Success.
Though such strong alcohol is not really suitable for consumption by the Tal-Amanyk, it is nevertheless understood that other species enjoy the effects of poisoning themselves a lot more and establishing trade with the Brewers and the other inhabitants of the Skystations can only be beneficial to long term relationships and so the Guild of Assayers sends out their best negotiators armed with cases of the finest currency.

5: [Military] Raise one unit.
In recognition of the dangers inherent in now being know to so many diverse and potentially extremely warlike polities, such as the Rothuun. Of course, the Rothuun are not viewed as a serious threat due to their distance and apparent inability to think, it would still be foolish to become complacent. As such, the Sword of the Conclave, an ancient mostly non-functional Amanyn battlecruiser is resurrected from its hangar. It had been undergoing refit when the Fall happened and so survived intact, if lacking in power to utilise its full capabilities. It's escort vessels not so much and considerable work is put into manufacturing replacements.

Spoiler: News and Rumours

Show

The Viceroy's very fancy scarf HAS GONE MISSING.

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Diplomacy: 5
Military: 2
Economy: 2
Philosophy: 2
Intrigue: 5

Age: 100
Expected stat increases: +1 Diplomacy, +1 Economy

[BladeofObliviom]

The Gelean Republic
Leader: Admiral of the Scavenger Fleet, Elizabeth of Rios Arcology

Spoiler: Eradication

Show

“Given the totals, I think we can all agree the free trade motion passes. These so-called ‘Space Whales’ are a most desirable commodity, and we have plenty of goods to offer the void shepherds in return.”, she announced with aplomb, a thin smile gracing her face.

Admiral Elizabeth swirled her glass of wine, looking down on the assembled Parliament. Well, the assembled Parliament representing Aeternus Station itself. Nearly four thousand MPs and growing with the population, the Gelean Parliament had long since grown in membership to the point of spilling out the halls, and secondary parliaments had been established in some of the major arcologies with their own political factions, participating via hologram. The Ship’s Council sat above Parliament, with the Observation level sitting above that. A pair of green eyes stared at her from there, and she bobbed her head once in response. The green-eyed woman was casual as she stretched out, extending nine of ten fingers. No one else even noticed, probably.

One short.

She called up an aide and whispered her order. The aide concealed a grimace, and the Admiral frowned. Still one short. Almost out of time.

~~~

Elizabeth of Rios stared at the message on the other side of the OMS contact. Opportunism warring with sensibility, she typed out her response.

“Perhaps we can both profit from this arrangement after all.”

~~~

“Our last vote of the day, regarding the Sisterhood of Silence distress signal. Prepared opinions may take the floor.”

She could see PALADIN-Commander Jeanne’s shoulders shift with discomfort. Probably still couldn’t believe this vote had even been allowed to the floor, motioned by one of the more radical parties from Smith Arcology. Jeanne would probably never know the means by which it gathered so much support.

~~~

Brilliant green eyes, cream-colored skin, blonde hair. Her appearance was unusual for a Gelean, and it was impossible to mistake her for anything but a clone-wife or the daughter of one. She sat cuffed to the table, scowling.

“Miss Phoebe Aeternus. Do you know why you’re here?”

She said something snide, and Elizabeth’s necklace heated up slightly. Phoebe’s prattle soon turned to a groan of pain.

“Embedded refined screeching crystal, yes. Standard measure when dealing with a potentially hostile Class 1 Esper, especially one rated as highly as yourself. Manipulating hatred is truly a fascinating power. Don’t worry, this is a good thing. I’ve got an offer for you…”

~~~

Elizabeth clasped her necklace as the numbers rolled in. Warming; the signal. She breathed a sigh of relief. Things were going as planned so far. She could see a few handpicked MPs clutching pearls at the image of Sister Gertrude; influential sorts, the ones that the less bold members would look to. PALADIN-Commander Jeanne looked ready to explode.

The aide returned, bearing a message. The others were in place at the secondary parliaments. Good.

~~~

The final tally wasn’t a surprise. Stoking the right kind of xenophobia could work wonders, and Phoebe hadn’t even needed to interfere with Parliament’s response to learning that the Sisters had chosen to go and arm the mindlessly violent Rothuun. Some things never changed. The PALADIN-Commander rose to give an impassioned speech about the folly of siding with Space Pirates of all things, but as Elizabeth expected, she came off as naive and weakened her own position. There was only one thing left to do.

“I, PALADIN-Commander Jeanne, motion for an override. This is clearly unacceptable, a flagrant disregard for our principles in the naked pursuit of power.”

The Captain of the Officer Corps nodded, clearly shaken, and affirmed while the Head Engineer looked conflicted, but did the same. The Surgeon-General was almost as vocal as Jeanne, and affirmed with open horror. Elizabeth affirmed, lying through her teeth. The Head Researcher, in the end, dully denied the motion.

Parliament flew into an uproar, Jeanne’s hand slipping toward her arc pistol; she withdrew the hand, raising both into the air as two PALADIN Elites approached her from behind, weapons raised. She signed her resignation later that day, just as planned. Elizabeth hid her smirk.

~~~

“Yes, I do think we’ll keep in touch, if you're willing. I see...many avenues to our mutual benefit.”

News and Rumors
-After her unceremonious ousting from Parliament, the former PALADIN-Commander Jeanne has gone into hiding. Though not a criminal, the embarrassment of what happened caused her to retreat from society for a time.

Actions
[Econ] Buyout Space Whales in L10 (Roll 13, TN 12) - The Space Whales of the sector immediately spinward and coreward of Neo Sol are a promising source of meat and blubber with desirable properties for radiation shielding and insulation. It is with enthusiasm that the trade documents are drawn up.

[Dip 5] Establish Cultural Identity: Empath Agents (2d8 to Stabilization & Resisting outside attempts to provoke unrest in the capital) - Class 1 Espers have plenty of uses, judiciously placed. They can get an instinctive feel for where emotions run hot, tempers flare, and more easily root out agitators and negative sentiment. Some can even...adjust such sentiments away, stir different ones up, or blunt them in all the right places.

[Dip] Open Communications with ANE (Roll 10, TN 10) - The mysterious alliance of pirates and raiders has proven, well, a mystery. The Admiral of the Scavenger Fleet took it upon herself to open a frank line of communication, for mutual benefit.

[Mil] Raise 1 Unit - The Gelean Second Fleet consisted of the three Valkyrie-class Ships Princess of Mars, Death of Grass, and Wrinkle in Time, along with their support vessels and drones.

[Mil] Conquer L10, assisting the Hopefuls - The Gelean First Fleet entered the sector with GLD, hailing the Hopefuls. Though Captain Chandra was reluctant to go through with it, she followed her orders and pressed the button when the fission missile salvo was fully primed. (No commander, 1 unit)

Non-Actions
-

Spoiler: Ruler Info

Show

Elizabeth of Rios Arcology, Admiral of the Scavenger Fleet
Diplomacy: 5
Military: 3
Economy: 6
Philosophy: 1
Intrigue: 3

Spoiler: Expected Stat Gains

Show

+1 Diplomacy, +1 Military

Spoiler: Link to Rolls

Show

Rolls

[QuintonBeck]

Sublime People's Republic
(S7)

Chairman Vauo Ren
Diplomacy 5
Military 6
Economy 5
Philosophy 4
Intrigue 1

Actions

1. [Military] Raise 1 Unit of Red Fleet Support Ships - Another fleet of GLD equipped ships are added to the roster of the Red Fleet's Princess Task Force but they lack the armament of the earlier constructed warships. Instead these vessels serve as transports for Marines and for Archangels as well as fuel tankers, cargo carriers, and hospital ships. The fleet was larger in number of ships, eleven in total, their sizes and configurations were far more unique as many were retrofitted civilian vessels.
   
2. [Economy] Buyout Thylla (T10) Methane Gas TP 2 Endorsed TN: 12 Roll: 14 - A bond of friendship and unity was made between followers of the One at the Simulacrum during the first introduction of galactic species to one another. This bond first demonstrated itself in the unanimous support for the Tezh to seize control of the long vacant position as head of the One's ideological direction and now it manifested in the prosperous trading of Methane Gas fuel from the nearby Rocthurhi to the energy hungry SPR. An increase in fuel of this magnitude would see a gradual end to the energy rationing that had become common in the last decade and while some complained of the smell the vast majority expressed pleasure that at last every household could easily fulfill their basic needs from their community's Matter Rearranger stations. An end to the energy crisis that had been mounting additionally allowed eager young SPR scientists and engineers to conduct experiments with new MR designs unafraid of wasting precious fuel on off the wall projects.
   
3. [Economy] Expedition to T6 TN: 10 Roll: 11 - It was known that a Courier Relay lay nearby and with an increasing need for economic power in and around the Terron home star and a desire to demonstrate the SPR's peaceful intentions an expedition is funded and launched to scout the area containing the Relay. It is hoped what may be found aside from the Relay will include the resources necessary to fulfill a galactic neighbor's needs as the Rocthurhi's fuel now fulfilled the SPR's own.
4. [Diplomacy] Improve Reputation with CmC from 0 to 1 TN: 10 Roll: 14 - Wishing to take full advantage of the nearby Relay SPR diplomats join the expeditionary fleet to make friendly contact with the local branch of Cosmic Couriers. It is hoped that despite the Couriers elitist attitude they shall find business with the working people of the Republic no more distasteful than cooperation with any other Stellar Power. Their desire for resources surely outweighed any biases towards those "child races" of the Callers. The Couriers were the galactic workhorses who facilitated cultural and materiel exchange across Axiom so perhaps they might appreciate the SPR's unique viewpoints on matters of which class of people should political relevancy.
5. [Diplomacy 5] Establish an Embassy with the Rocthurhi - Further cementing the informal alliance that sprang up during the Doorway Incident a diplomatic envoy takes up permanent residency within Rocthurhi-held space. It is here amidst representatives of the SPR, Rocturhi, and special envoys from the Tezh Consensus that a formal alliance is named among the three nearby Stellar Powers who adhered to the One's unifying doctrine. Adopting the name The Uplift Chorus to represent the many voices of the three disparate powers coming together as one to lift up the people brought under their dominion this new alliance appears to be if not the first the biggest and perhaps most widely encompassing of its kind. The three powers pledge their mutual support towards one another's projects united by their shared ideology and pursuit of a peaceful galaxy.

Non Actions

• Endorse Rocthurhi buyout of Matter Rearranger TP
• Endorse Tezh Consensus buyout of Matter Rearranger TP

Spoiler: News and Rumors

Show

• Friendly relations are being established between the SPR and the nearby Vilari Sodality. Focused initially on matters of galactic sovereignty over the space between the two powers further communication has seen the appointment of SPR ambassadors to the Vilari shoal station Aspirant Landing. Diplomatic conversations have focused on matters of trade as well as the two powers' shared concerns over the apparent threat of a local An'null Eradicator base.
• While there had been some debate over the inclusion of the Drocc within the Uplift Chorus formal arrangement their distant position from the three forming powers is the ultimate deciding factor in leaving the pink-skinned humanoids out. Nevertheless the Droccen Imperium remains an important ideological partner to TUC with Princess Sai especially receiving high praise and honors from both Chairman Vaou and Talotius of the Tezh Consensus though for rather different reasons.
• The increase in alien presence, notably Rocthurhi presence, as well as rumors regarding the Chairman's infatuation with the Drocc leadership has been a boon to xenophilic literature within the SPR. Tales of romance as well as smut filled with tentacles, pink skin, and a noble SPR adventurers be they soldiers, scientists, or engineers become common reading material among the masses. Although beneficent to the cause of galactic unity and rejection of anthrocentrism certain tales and images are deemed too egregious by official propaganda organs and copies become something of a hot ticket item in both Red Fleet and civilian black markets.
• Leaked reports of communiques with the Kamasati are formally denied and those found guilty of spreading this information are sacked from official positions within the government. Many suspect this "leak" to merely be an excuse for the political purging of administrative positions. Some believe the rumors to be true however the vagueness as to what was discussed leads many to dismiss such belief as naive acceptance of a surface explanation when the truth was materially far clearer as a political purge veiled by misdirection towards the distant Kamasati.

Spoiler: Regions

Show

Region	#	Resource	Minor	Good	Great	Learning Center	Assembly
Terron Home Sector	S7	Matter Rearrangers	SPR	Open	Open	The One	-

Spoiler: Armies and Technology

Show

2/5 Cap

1. Princess Task Force Warships: Flagship The Sai
2. Archangel Squadrons 1 through 3

Tactical Doctine
Mass Wave Tactics (Size Losses become 1d3)

Military Technology


Generals


Cultural Identity


Technology


Fragment

[DoomHat]

The Jackstar Free Union
Round 2

Actions: [Roll]
1: [Military] Raise 1 Unit
JFU 5th Expeditionary Fleet, Gambler's den

2: [Military5] Create Tactical Doctrine: Hearts and Minds
When engaging in battles to Conquer a Region, a successful Tactical Roll will help the JFU not only avoid needless civilian casualties, but wow future clients with beautiful high atmosphere stunt choreography, causing no Unrest in the region.
If there are no units to engage in battle, then a Tactical Roll cannot be made.

3: [Intrigue] Survey P30
Renown Market Researcher Black Bond Jian is commissioned to set out with a small team to discover more information about the mysterious region of space the vile pirates of last cycle retreated to. The Admiralty has high hopes he'll be able to find allies the Union can reach out to in an effort to find justice for those killed in the unprovoked raids.

4: [Intrigue] Survey 029
Market Researcher Seven Veils Xiangu has published her suspicions that the real destination of the pirates was the O29 Constellation. Her public insistence on this theory has earned her a survey ship and a three year mission to prove it.

5: [Intrigue] S E C R E T
The most potent efforts are those so seamless you might never notice them happening.

News and Rumors
[WIP]

• Amazing offers
• Considered approach
• Increased patrols

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Grand Admiral Coldcase Tienlung
Diplomacy: 1
Military: 6
Economy: 3
Philosophy: 2
Intrigue: 4

Expected stat increases: +1 Military +1 Intrigue

[Electriccat]

Etherites
Dax Shu'Triffalen

Actions:
1. [Diplomacy] Create Claim H28 - Success -Etheric diplomats, schooled in Noetic Science were able to reach out and establish communication with the insectoid collective.
2. [Diplomacy] Improve relations with the Couriers - Success - Continuing to stay busy Etherite diplomats were able to begin to make inroads with CmC representatives. Espousing a similar trading culture and desire for peaceful expansion as a ground for further co-operation between the two groups.
3. [Economy] Establish Trade post on H28 TP 1 for Silicon nanowires - Success -Materials scientists from the Etheric Engineering school were eager to start studying possible uses for the Silicon Nanowires naturally produced by the insectoid inhabitants of their neighboring system.
4. [Economy] Setup secondary trade post for Novendallin on Triskellius on TP 2. Success -Expansion of Novendallin production and refinement has begun as the ramping of overall production has taken place across all aspects of Triskellian society.
5. [Economy] Establish trading post on I29 for Mandrake Poison. Failure -Negotiation broke down between Etheric diplomats to obtain a steady supply of Mandrake poison. Many theories and bits of analysis are open to debate at this time as to the cause of the breakdown.

Rolls in 168, can't link yet

Spoiler: News and Rumors

Show

Going to a meeting of extra solar sapient species was one thing, but finding nearby sapients that did not fit into the current paradigm of thought and something only writers and thinkers had plotted, define a new era of thinkers and a new method of thinking was needed for this age at the speed of light.

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Current Stats (in the following order):
Diplomacy 3
Economics 6
Military 4
Intrigue 2
Philosophy 2

New Ruler Next Round?
N
Expected Stat Bonuses:
Diplomacy +1
Economy +1

[zabbarot]

Round 2

News and Rumors

• WAR! After finding a single inhabited planet in sector H6 diplomatic overtures were made to the natives. However they were met with a cloud of pheromones so vile that Diplomat Pink Buttoncap refused to record it. These tree like aliens will be scoured from the planet and the galaxy will be better for it.
• As friendly relationships are forged with many new found neighbors the Kombuch are abuzz with excitement about possible off sphere settlements. Exploration has captured their collective imagination and convinced a surprising number of once stationary colonies to relocate onto robotic bodies.
• More fresh Fanta class ships roll off the production lines and are immediately filled to capacity with eager explorers.
• Previous failures to find anything reportable fuel rumors about the galactic north.

Actions

• [Dip] Inquest in Region I5
• [Dip] Inquest in Region J6
• [Dip] Inquest in Region J8
• [Dip] Inquest in Region I9
• [Mil] CONQUEST in Region H6

Spoiler: Leader Stuff

Show

Communicator Bulbous Jellydisc
Diplomacy 5
Military 4
Economy 5
Philosophy 2
Intrigue 5

Expected gains: +2 Dip

[Mary_Sue]

The Eternal Assembly of Alysia
Region K25

Round 2 Actions
[Economy]Send an Expedition to J26. 12
[Economy]Buyout Flux Flax TP1 (K23) 13
[Diplomacy 5]Create Stabilisation CI "Take Your Medicine" increased die roll to stabilise a region.
[Military]Conquer K23 with 1 unit.
[Military]Raise 1 unit of Starship Troopers.

News & Rumours

• Neighboring proselytizers are met as an oddity but a small group Alysians are surprisingly receptive to the ideology. Perhaps it will become more widespread in time.
• Prime Minister Eladia enjoys the novelty of her celebrity after her success at the Simulacrum.
• Eager to test themselves, Alysia's newest recruits are dispatched to the new world recently uncovered in order to shepherd them into the fold - by force if necessary.

Expected Stat Increases
+1 Economy
+1 Military

Prime Minister Eladia Makeda Sarai
Diplomacy 5
Military 4
Economy 6
Philosophy 1
Intrigue 3

[LapisCattis]

The Ndoda
Umkhonto Ukiphosa Elunxwemeni
Leader Stats:
Diplomacy - 2
Military - 5
Economy - 4
Philosophy - 2
Intrigue - 3

Actions:
[Military] - Establish Tactical Doctrine Electric Net
For every two Ndoda units present in a combat, gain a +1 bonus to combat rolls, up to +5
[Economy] - Buyout Trade post in D20 - Iridium TP 3- Success (14)
[Economy] - Buyout Trade post in E27 - Durasteel TP 3- Success (13)
[Diplomacy] - Send Inquest to D22 - Failed (9)
[Diplomacy] - Send Inquest to F22 - Failed (9)

Nonactions:
Support Buyout of a Trade Post by the Kronn Empire
Accept the offer of the Couriers for them to explore D22

New Leader next round? No

Leader Stats post-Round 2 Actions:
Diplomacy - 3
Military - 5
Economy - 5
Philosophy - 2
Intrigue - 3

[Moriko]

Mier Formica
Sectors: D16

Actions:

1. [Military] Conquer D14 with 3 units lead by Tapinoma Mier

2. [Diplomacy] Inquest into D18 Failed 9

3. [Diplomacy] Inquest into E17 Success 12

4. [Military] Raise 1 unit

5. [Military] Raise 1 unit

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Tapinoma Mier

Diplomacy: 5 + 1
Military: 5 + 1
Economy: 2
Philosophy: 2
Intrigue: 2

[moossabi]

The Church of Iteus, Round Two
Pontiff Altea

Actions

1. [Philosophy] Spurned by the neighbors to the space-north, Deacons instead reach out to the Syndrome. Their self-augmentation abilities are most intriguing, and the Pontiff herself seems to be interested in their genetics expertise. (Convert S21; Rolled 16; Pending Resistance)
2. [Philosophy] The Deacon envoys to the Kryptids once again fail to establish some form of authority in the area, hampered severely by the complex politics of the ongoing civil war. (Convert N24; Rolled 9; Failure)
3. [Philosophy] Though information on the sector to the space-southwest is still hidden to the eyes of the wider galactic community, apparently a group of Deacons have failed their mission in the region. (Convert P24; Rolled 10; Failure)
4. [Intrigue] An inquiry is launched into the region to the space-southeast, seeking to make certain that there are no existential threats immediately adjacent to the Church's home sector. The Republic of Celes' less fruitful attempt is duly noted and an offer is sent to share all information on the region that they could not acquire for themselves in exchange for leaving the expedition alone. (Explore R24; Rolled 12; Success)
5. [Intrigue] [Intrigue 5] The former archdeacon has proven to be far more useful in his current state than he was on the council; based on information gathered at the Simulacrum the Pontiff has ordered a thorough deconstruction of the unfortunate messenger's brain for any traces of the Caller signal used to plant the information into the knowledge parasite. Combining this with the signals acquired via the Simulacrum gate will hopefully reveal some knowledge of the Callers, bringing us closer to their path of ascendance. (I'll Order One Caller Relic With A Side Of Fries Please)

Nonactions

• ???

News and Rumors

• The revelations of the Simulacrum have captivated the upper echelons of the Church, many proposing ambitious plans to sway every attendant to the pursuit of discovering the full nature of reality. The Pontiff ignores a great many of these, but especially ignores the idea to convert people from the opposite side of the galaxy. It's a stupid plan, good only for breeding anger and resentment.
• Nobody knows what happened with the end of the event, and conspiracy theories run rampant. Ultimately nobody will ever know what happened with the Itean delegation. Best not to dwell on such things.
• The big ship, dubbed "Armando" in honor of the dead Archdeacon, (who has remained unnamed until this point, sorry) has been successfully retrofitted with the Caller technology. Tests of the abilities and extant of this technology are ongoing.
• The courier request is taken into account and an initial scouting company is prepared, but with the Eye of the Horizon already making investments in the area alongside their military it is determined that O21 and thus the Couriers' favor is "not worth it."

Spoiler: Stats

Show

Altea's rolls

Stat	Value	Increase?
Diplomacy	2	-
Military	2	-
Economy	4	-
Philosophy	6	+1
Intrigue	5	+1

Military unit count: 1
Generals:

• None

Spoiler: Regions

Show

Region Name	Region Number	Resource	Philosophy Center	Status
Itean System	Q23	Knowledge Parasites	Church of Iteus	Capital

Spoiler: Technology/Specialties

Show

Specialties

Type	Name	Effect(s)	Permanent?
n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

Technology

Type	Name	Requirement(s)	Effect(s)
-	-	-	-

Spoiler: To-Do List

Show

-Acquire buddies
-btfo Rolep
-Find and reclaim the ancestral moose holy lands

[Lleban]

The Knights Vacio
Grand Master Mycella

Diplomacy 4
Military 4
Economy 4
Philosophy 2
Intrigue 6

Actions:

Intrigue:[Get dat caller fragment Special 5 action Squires are sent across the sector searching for something, anything to assist King Delon with constructing a new and better Citadel. Interestingly enough the group carrying Mycella's head find a curious artifact...
Intrigue: Surveil S11 roll 14
Military: Conquer R10 with One unit of Space Knights
Diplomacy: (accept king Delon 1/2) Seizure of the Drugs
Diplomacy: (accept King Delon 2/2) Exodus of the squires

Non actions
Assassinate the Grand Master

News and Rumors

• A message from Jaques Delon: Squires, Muh boi's lend me your ears! You might remember that extremely handsome man who was part of the exploration core and former janitor Jaques Delon. I, Jaques Delon, have done the impossible, I've seen through the great infinity, and have found a new home. A better home, without solar flares, without diamond storms and without friggen rules. That's right, no rules, for too long we've let the stuff old knights in charge dictate how we live our lives. Do wanna be a knight? Come to the new citadel! Do ya wanna space horse? Come to the new Citadel! Do you want a personal squire? Come to the new Citadel! Squires, the unclean, the dishonored, this offer is for you, all for the low low price of Grandmaster Mycella's head, and the heads of her supporters for good measure.
  
• The revelation of a new citadel on a seeming hospitable world is met with rancor among the knights. While many of the higher ranked knights are extraordinarily dispassionate, the squires are up in arms. Finally!, a hero of the squires and the dishonored has done the impossible and built a home where their meaningless toil can be bought to an end. Vive la révolution
• Grand Sorcerer Charles "The Mad" uses the miracle of Caller technology in an attempt to decode Jaques Delon's audio logs.
  
  • Day:1 I, Jaques Delon, space captain exemplar crash land on a mysterious planet seemingly far more habitable than Chataeu des creux.
  • Day:3 The rats are....far less kind than initially expected, but I can use my superior space technology to deliver my some old fashioned chivlaric space justice. Nobody fights like Jaques after all.
  • Day:455 I've spent the last 450 days in prison, but I think I managed to befriend one of the rats called the fire snitch. Probably because their primitive minds can't even begin to comprehend the the secrets of the galaxy, or my biceps. Nobody flexes like Jaques after all.
  • Day:480 The fire witches have assured me that a new citadel is being constructed, its gonna be a big beautiful citadel, with blackjack and no squires to do janitorial work.
  
  
• In an attempt to quell the chaos Grand Master Mycella leads a military parade to present the flower of chivalry. Unfortunately the chivalry of the Knights Vacio is deflowered by the bombs of angry squires.

[/QUOTE]

[omnitricks]

Melfynus
Rundhrul of the Ofgryl Cluster

Actions:

1. [Phi] Probe to F10
2. [Dip5] CI for increased die size in conversions (Clusteredflocks)
3. [Dip] Inquest to F12
4. [Int] Secret [Redacted]
5. [Int] Survey to E15

Spoiler: News and Rumours

Show

• The Harkan who has established himself as a great military personality, Borch, entreats for the rest of the Melfynians to join the service against the greater threats in the universe. His pleas have fallen on deaf ears however as the planet's inhabitants are much more comfortable living in it.
• Instead, Rundhrul has drowned him out by pushing for the great explorations; all for profit and a much more luxurious lifestyle. He has rallied Kimdt and the rest of the scientist's support as well although the only hints have been on the fact he has his eye on a shortcut to achieve hi- the goals of Melfynus.
• Huge orders have been made to amass the plentiful resources of Melfynus. With Rundhrul's denials he is behind them, a search goes on for the source of the order but with no success.
• A video of Borch's previously rumoured fight with the giants has finally surfaced in Melfynus. The giants' terror is further entrenched with the addition of their warmongering speeches and attempted assassination of another two-leg. This was considered an odd smear campaign against the Borch who was pushing for increased military activity until the idea was invalidated by Meyls- "There is a plan, but that isn't the plan."
• Volunteers and tourists alike are being asked if they would like to make a trip to the closest neighbour of Melfynus in what might be a study exchange plan. The same offer has been posted to the Mier Formica based on discussions in the Simulacrum.

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Current Stats (in the following order)
Diplomacy 5
Military 3
Economy 1
Philosophy 5
Intrigue 4

New Ruler Next Round?
None

Expected Stat Bonuses
Diplomacy +1
Intrigue +1

[kjelfalconer]

Svrrta-Zel Mrrzety
Diplomacy: 1
Military: 4 + 1
Economy: 2
Philosophy: 4 + 1
Intrigue: 6

Actions:
1 - Phy: Convert I21 - Fail
2 - Phy: Convert K25 - Fail
3 - Int: Secret Action
4 - Mil: Raise Unit
5 - Mil: Raise Unit

Spoiler: Non-actions

Show

[Rolepgeek]

The Federated Churches of Origin's End
God-Speaker Androgynous-Foreigner Allchurch Spire-Scar-Heights
Round 1 - Galactic Dates 217502.0.0.81 - 217504.0.0.80

Actions:

1. [Diplomacy 5] Establish Cultural Identity - Diverse Doctrine: Increased die size on Conversions
   The Church of Rust bears something of a misleading name. The Federated Churches do not bear a single unified orthodoxy, dominating all forms of spiritual and philosophical thought. They have thousands of them, with even the largest and most coherent denominations split into factions over what seem to those outside the Churches like minor points of theological contention. And this is true; in the end, the differences between the churches are not so great as their similarities, one to the next to the next. So it is that when the Federated Churches attends to their interests in promoting interspecies and interfaith dialogues, they send representatives from every Church who makes their desire for such known. With such a wide variety of value systems, philosophical bases, and a long tradition of theological debate, there is almost always some Church that appeals.
   
   
2. [Philosophy] Convert R12 (Knights Vacio) Learning Center from Chivalric Codes to Church of Rust [Rolled: 14]
   The reports received from the All Hallowed Lay during the process of attempting to establish a more permanent and accepted diplomatic presence in the capital system of the Knights Vacio are concerning. Monarchic systems of government are among those most prone to demanding strict orthodoxy. Worse still, the budding revolution is acting with extreme violence and minimal planning. A few Churches, however, are supportive of the idea, though they publicly express their regrets that such changes had to entail violence in this manner.
   
   In any case, resolutions to accelerate projects intended to dispatch more ships to Hollow pass easily; no one wants to be left unawares of the developing situation, and many hope that, should they be able to influence the regime away from theocratic centralization, the situation can be prevented from turning towards the worst outcomes. Others hope to learn from those Relics in the system before they are destroyed by secular infighting.
   
   So it is that the Rescinded Condemnation and the Evanescent Truth are rebuilt, raised to the peak of the Spire supported by rebuilt pulley systems, and ascend into orbit, leaving nearly a year and a half after their sister ship first departed. Aboard they carry a wide variety of professionals, gifts, and demonstrations of the Divine.
   
   
3. [Philosophy] Convert V20 (Duenem) Learning Center from Open to Church of Rust [Rolled: 14]
   The discovery of an entire civilization composed of synthetic beings reignites a long-standing theological debate through the Mrosan system: the question of whether Divine Beings can Create, or if their Divine nature means that such constitutes Birth instead. While discussion rages in scholarly halls and political courts, the clearest need is that of establishing communications with the Duenem, the practical subjects of this discussion, so that their perspective, insight, and wisdom might be gleaned for this matter and others. To this purpose, several ice-freighters, previously employed in transport of ice from the planet Longspin to orbital colonies throughout Mrosa, are refit with Gravity Latch Drives, in one case requiring the ship to be cut apart and rebuilt such that the maximum capacity GLDs would be capable of taking the two remaining parts beyond light speed.
   
   Within a few months, the Liminal Discovery, Circuitry of Thought, as well as sibling ships Light Blindly Overflowing and Sound of Illuminant Darkness are prepared to launch, and set a course for Niuan, where the crew and passengers hope to make friends and allies among what many have taken to calling demigods, as a term of compromise. The question on everyone's minds: what do gods think about when left to their own devices?
   
   
4. [Intrigue] Explore (Surveillance) Region T14 [Rolled: 8]
   The difficulties encountered in attempting more overt inquires have left many in the Convocation seeking other means of learning about their immediate surroundings. Commissions for smaller ships, more expendable, less detectable, and crewed by elite personnel trained to maintain a presence inconspicuously, soon overtake the requests for large, diplomatic inquiries. Devotees of Mshrs leave within a year, in ships with unknown names, conflicting design reports, with minimal ability to communicate outside of reporting directly back. Their return is fervently hoped for, but experimental redesigns and excess paranoia takes it's toll...
   
   
5. [Intrigue] Secret Action
   Mshrs, the Most Patient is rumored to have plans within plans within plans - and even the Godspeaker is uncertain of how many levels she is privy to. A series of events is set in motion, understandable to only a privileged few, and the god waits patiently for the results...
   
   

Spoiler: News and Rumours

Show

Spoiler: Bookkeeping

Show

Regions: S15

Units: 1/5

• Fleet Vigilance

Converts:

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Current Stats
Diplomacy 5
Military 2
Economy 2
Philosophy 5
Intrigue 3

New Ruler Next Round?
No

Expected Stat Bonuses:
+1 Philosophy
+1 Intrigue

[Roarke]

Round 2
The Guild-Empire of Nyx
Nyx (Sector K5)
Domino Ophelo, Lord of Coin

Actions

1. [Military] Construct the Gilded Garrison at Isabe (1/5) - Hoping to attract a mercenary force worthy and capable of defending Nyx from hostile invaders in the wake of knowledge regarding the many, some violent, cultures of Axiom the new Lord of Coin approves a staggeringly large budget for the construction of an unprecedentedly large military base outside Isabe's Landing. The Isabe star system was far less oppressive in atmosphere than Nyx which would hopefully help make it attractive to foreign aliens looking for work as armed guardians to Nyxian treasure. It was also something of a compromise towards the Merchant Princes that this grand base would not sit alongside Nostromo's Shroud helping to dilute the concentration of power out across the Nyxian home sector. Initial work towing in raw material from across Nyxian holdings begins early in the year and the other eight Merchant Princes are offered temporary tax relief for what material and labor they send towards this great project.
2. [Military] Construct the Gilded Garrison at Isabe (2/5) - The initial skeleton of the "Gilded Garrison" as Lord Ophelo has taken to referring to it has begun to take shape above Isabe's Landing, the primary inhabited planet within the Isabe system. A massive orbital structure the grand design promises to house and host over ten thousand Nyxians or equivalencies in alien lifeforms. With over three hundred levels planned with space for large military equipment like vehicles and mounted weaponry, barracks, and a multitude of promenades to offer all manner of relaxing services from food, drink, and gambling to entertainment and companionship it is hoped that the orbital station will act as a self contained concentration of military power.
3. [Military] Construct the Gilded Garrison at Isabe (3/5) - Plating begins to be applied and finished around the skeleton of the orbital station while simultaneously rooms begin to take shape in its interior. Although the massive station still lacked atmosphere the machinery necessary to provide air, water, and power begin to be installed. Massive sheets of Voidstone shielding created by the pulverizing of Voidstone into granular particulates applied to sheets of plastic and metal coat the outside darkening the metallic skeleton with a black skin which hummed quietly with power absorption from the nearby Isabe star. This absorbed energy is connected to generators and capacitors arranged throughout the station to manage and distribute power to all the various subsystems.
4. [Military] Construct the Gilded Garrison at Isabe (4/5) - In an exciting ceremony attended by Lord Ophelo himself the station is fully sealed and pressurized with life support systems activated for the first time. The rush of air through the halls of the Gilded Garrison excites those who have spent the last two years feverishly constructing this massive orbital station and when the station holds and its gravimetric drive is activated work at last ceases on space-side construction and workers move into the interior to add the finishing touches of storefronts, proper barracks, and general interior design.
5. [Diplomacy 5 Cultural Identity] The Laws of Procurement (2d8 on Buyouts) - While some of the Merchant Princes grumbled about the massive expenditure undertaken by their new Lord of Coin, having believed appointing Domino would have ended the imposed isolation of Kanar Bathoriel's reign, the new Merchant Prince of Nostromo does not hesitate to remind his subordinates why they had chosen him to lead releasing a carefully crafted tome containing one hundred and one sound pieces of advise for doing business edited for utility in the new intergalactic society the Nyx found themselves in. Some of it was purely practical, it was never a good idea to scare a customer away but fear could be a powerful motivator to buy in, while other rules contained important mathematical considerations linked to live updating markets accounting for current costs of transportation and the feasible reach of Nyxian economic power. Discussion and debate over these Laws consumes over a year of courtly discussions throughout the Guild but after long and vitriolic debates the sound advice contained within the Laws has become common knowledge, a common knowledge the Nyxian Merchant Princes and Merchant Governors are eager to try out galaxy-wide.

Non-Actions

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Lord of Coin Domino Ophelo

Stat	Value	Increase?
Diplomacy	5	-
Military	3	+2
Economy	5	-
Philosophy	1	-
Intrigue	2	-

Spoiler: Regions

Show

Region Name	Region Number	Resource	Learning Center	Assembly	Status	Bonuses
Nyx	K5	Voidstone (Great)	Mandate of Coin	-	Capital, Stable	-

Spoiler: Technology/Specialties

Show

Specialties

Type	Name	Effect(s)	Permanent?
Diplomacy	Oath of the Omerta	+2 stabilizations	No
-	-	-	-

Technologies

Type	Name	Effect(s)	Required Resource?
-	-	-	-

Spoiler: Mechanical Bookkeeping

Show

Nyx Controlled Trading Posts:

• Nyx (K5) Nostromo's Shroud Voidstone TP 1

Military Units CAP: 5

Generals

Fragments

[Ausar]

The Dawnstar Dominion

Master Aurelius Marten Vox
Diplomacy:2
Military:7
Economy:1
Philosophy:4
Intrigue:1

Actions:
1 (Mil) Raise a unit
2 (Mil) Raise a unit

To spearhead his foray in force into neighbouring space, Aurelius approves two further retrofits, making Shatter Squadron of the 'Swarm and Crimson Heart of the Redfleet GLD capable. Eager to further the 'Dominion's reach, they join the other GLD-equipped forces marshalling on the outskirts of Talvox, ready to sally forth into the unknown.

3 (Phil) Organise the Way of the Illuminated Mind [10](Fail)

Despite the best efforts of Aurelius to rally support amongst the Librarians for altering the Way to encompass alien life, the Order remains stalwart in its defence of the status quo. In brief Head Librarian Lira Ket Deltat responded 'you make them citizens, and nothing needs to change. Will you bring them under 'Dominion protection, or falter? Either way, we will be there to see it, and tell of it to the 'Dominion at large. Best to succeed, don't you think'.

4 (Phil) Begin expansion of the Axton Order of Librarians' prerogatives in preparation for missionary duties.

In anticipation of the discovery of further life during Aurelius' foray, the Order has begun mobilising staff to 'educate' any newfound citizens in the Way. Lacking a missionary arm, the Order makes an arrangement after much negotiation, to place a Librarian on every Axton Corps vessel with the aim of 'educating' new citizens as they are identified and catalogued. Whispers among the council speculate on an escalation of the arrangement to affect all viable Starfleet vessels, though such a step would require a significant recruitment drive into the Order.

5 (Mil) Begin Great Project to fortify the Talvox system [1/5]

The border with the nearby star empires seems stable, for now, but Aurelius hears his Officers counsel of caution. To safeguard the Dawnstar, the heart of the 'Dominion, Aurelius approves a broad expansion of the Wardens, beginning the construction of orbital defences, battlestations, and re-equipping the ageing vessels of the 'Line. A mammoth undertaking, the project is expected to be completed within the next six years.


Non-actions:
Attend the Ninurtine New Year

Spoiler: The Master's Address, Aurelius Marten Vox, 4293 A.F.

Show

"Officers. Ranks of the Wings. Citizens. Today, we stand as united as we have ever been.

Two new squadrons, outfitted to travel the stars. The final preparations for the Great Foray are near complete. Soon, we shall take our next step towards hegemony. Towards triumph. We shall find what lies beyond our space, what was once beyond our reach, and we shall bring it into the fold. Into this great 'Dominion.

Fear not for your safety while the foray is underway. With the empowerment of the 'Line, none shall invade our worlds without a fight bitter and bloody. We shall remain one people, under one Master, following one Way, no matter the storm we must weather to keep ourselves whole.

In my stead, Officers Vandred and Dravus of the Dreadfleet and the Wardens respectively shall ensure the safety of all while the Foray is underway. They will do their duty. May you never forget your own."

Spoiler: Starfleet's Operational GLD-equipped Squadrons

Show

Ravager Squadron, Master Aurelius' personal Felhounds unit.
First Flight, the spearhead squadron of the Expeditionary Corps, led by Officer Jorus Xiren Taciturn.
The Master's Force, Aurelius' personal Dawnguard squadron.
Shatter Squadron, the Daggers of Hallion's finest, helmed by Officer Karen Olafson Procce.
Crimson Heart, Officer Marius Nox Thresher's personal flotilla.

Spoiler: Tactical Doctrine

Show

'Scour the Bridge'.
At the head of his infamous Ravager Squadron of Felhounds, Master Aurelius leads daring strafing runs targeting the bridge of the opposing flagship, in a bid to cripple their command structure (chance of leader loss for enemies increased by 4)

Spoiler: Leader Stuff

Show

New Leader: No.
Projected increases Mil +1, Phil +1

[DionysisReborn]

Rocthurhi

Dice roll post #199
Actions:
[Economy] Buy TP2 from Tezh (V14): FAIL
[Diplomacy] Inquest U9: FAIL
[Diplomacy] Inquest U11: FAIL
[Philosophy] Convert T8 using Ideology Phy: FAIL
[Philosophy] Convert S9: SUCCEED

Non-Actions:
Resist Boyouts and Conversions not listed.
Support Embassy from Droccen and SPR
Support T10.2 buyout by SPR

Spoiler: Consensus Leader Faugloglys

Show

Diplomacy: 4
Military: 2
Economy: 5
Philosophy: 5
Intrigue: 3

New Leader: No
Leader Stat Gain:
+1 Dip
+1 Phil

News and Rumor:
The Rocthurhi are suprised to find out that not only are there intelligent mammalian species out in the universe, but they seem to be a significant majority of it. In fact, in the neighboring sectors, they'd already discovered two more species like this that had not made it to the simulacrum. Some biologists are reviewing the educational material on these subjects to identify possible bias due to their own aquatic origins.

Diplomatic relations seem to be progressing well, as already two of the "humanoid" races have opened official embassies on the planet. This has been minorly controversial as, due to their aforementioned mammalian nature, they are claiming valuable portions of the minimal amount of land that's above water.

In addition to the official embassies, we did have an official diplomat from the Lyrae. She is generally well liked, but does occasionally seem jumpy, and most Rocthurhi have adjusted to her reluctance at physical contact. This doesn't appear to be a thinkg all of the upright mammals share, but she definitely was shocked by her experience here, and tends to keep a large personal bubble around herself. There is general hope that she will acclimate.

[SOSDarkPhoenix]

The Harmony
The Conversion Begins

Harmony Theme

Actions:

[Diplomacy] Raise reputation with the CmC from 0 --> 1 (TN: 10)
[Diplomacy] Raise reputation with the SoS from 0 --> 1 (TN: 10)
[Diplomacy] Inquest Explore region B22 (TN: 12)
[Diplomacy] Inquest Explore region D22 (TN: 12)
[Diplomacy] Inquest Explore region D24 (TN: 12)

Spoiler: News and Rumors

Show

The Harmony begins mass expansion and exploration in the hopes of finding any and all Caller remnants.

[Gengy]

End of Round Two.

All edits to actions posts made after this point will be considered invalid.

[Gengy]

Round Three... Loading...
The below happens between Galactic Dates 217502.0.0.81 - 217504.0.0.80
Don’t forget to link to any rolls you make for ANY Attribute checks, plus rolls for rulers you will start using at the start of next round. If you want a new ruler in the next round, you must state so in your action post for this round and link to their rolls. Any increases from actions for this round are counted for the ruler you start your next round with (because it’s handier to account for by the co-GM), which may or may not be your current ruler.
Good luck!

Rules Alerts and Changes!

• Rolling on a region that you have previously (non-secret) Surveyed does not require you to provide full details of what you are rolling on; for instance, if you are attempting to buyout a resource in that region that you have details on but no one else does, you can state in your Action Post that you are targeting the region, and which trade post, but you do not have to state what you are buying to the rest of the players. They will find out the round after your successful Survey action took place. (ie, Round 1’s results are being revealed in this, the Round 3 opener)
• Time until Resource Requirements will be reviewed by the GM Team:
  
  2 Rounds
  At the start of round 5, the GM Team will review the Resources available. Effort to acquire the required resources will be taken into account for the ‘severity’ of determination of levels of unrest or other unique events from not having the required resources.
• In conjunction with the above, the Head GM would like to encourage players whom are concerned about obtaining their required resources to use an [Intrigue] Investigation action to try and locate their nearest Required Resource. TN 10 will give you a reliable direction. TN 14 will give you an approximate area. TN 18 will give you an exact region. Less than a 10 will still give you information, but it may be unreliable, or simply not narrow enough to find the details in the time required.

Growth!

If the Kamasati were gods then their words and wills were divine law. True or not the Kamasati believed it to be true and the conviction of their beliefs shone through in their methods of mind to mind teaching and spreading of the knowledge of the Dreamers, the Dream Children, and the Demons. (KSP introduces “Will of the Pantheons” CI 2d8 Conversions!)

The Vilari prided themselves on being a benevolent and diplomatic people organized around principles of peace and the rule of law. To this end they formalize in law and tradition the proper etiquette for engaging with newly discovered races and unique stellar phenomena. (VLR introduces “Traveler’s Spirit” CI 2d8 Inquests!)

While the Geleans insisted their psychics were low level, and by contrast to the nearby Kamasati such claims seemed almost reasonable, they were ubiquitous in their utility by the Republic’s government and now found themselves ingrained in formal roles as officers of the peace. Able to detect emotional swells of popular opinion and report them ahead of any mundane means of intelligence gathering the Gelean government quickly gains the benefit of unseen, unobtrusive networks of informants and diplomats who they seek to use to manipulate popular thought to their own ends. (GLR introduces “Empath Agents” CI 2d8 Stabilizations & Resisting Unrest in the Capital!)

The long lived Alysians are not easy to anger, however when hostile emotions towards their own people do flare up these can cause quite a stir in the populace. When Prime Minister Eladia Makeda Sarai stepped up and proclaimed, “Arguments are a Sickness, Cooperation is the Cure” the populace strengthened their resolve and soon found that internal quarrels were resolved in a swift and efficient manner.
(EAA introduces “Take Your Medicine” CI 2d8 Stabilizations!)

Confident in their pyramid structure of Melfynians,All to draw in willing converts seeking direction and protection from their fellow denizens the Melfynian clusters focus efforts on ingraining the ideological bonds that kept them together into each Harkan and Rastar native to their home. Soon it becomes a way of life to recognize and repeat the domineering beliefs held by the clusters of Melfynians, All. (MYA introduces “Melfynians ALL” CI 2d8 Spread Knowledge rolls!)

With as many churches as there were shades in the rusting hunks of ships hauled up from the depths of Origin’s End the Federated Churches prided themselves on their adaptability in the face of new beliefs and cultural touchstones. With so many perspectives floating around, being debated, and forming splinter churches the Federated Churches were more than capable of adding any number of new perspectives to their singular binding belief in the divine act of creation, a factor that would surely give them an edge when introducing this concept to new cultures and species in Axiom. (FCO introduces “Diverse Doctrine” CI 2d8 Conversions!)

Though quiet in the early years following the Simulacrum Doorway incident the Guild-Empire of Nyx makes its presence known on the galactic stage as an aspiring economic power with the publishing of ‘trade laws’ intended to guide and direct Nyxian merchants in business dealings with their fellow galactic denizens. Through rigorous examination and debate these rules are eventually incorporated formally within the Guild’s bylaws and codes of conduct. (GEN introduces “Laws of Procurement” CI 2d8 Buyouts!)

As the One is organized under new Tezh Consensus leadership a blossoming of friendship occurs between the other adherents to this universal ideology. The Rocthurhi receive the official ambassadors of not one but two other Stellar Powers as the Droccen Imperium and Sublime People’s Republic coordinate the breaking of embassy grounds on Thylla. (DCC establishes an Embassy with RTH!)
(SPR establishes an Embassy with RTH!)

The Duenem interactions with the large thinking machines who acted as stewards for the neighboring region prove fruitful and the two synthetic civilizations appear open to extensive exchange of information. While formal terms were yet to be defined the neighboring artificial intelligences were quickly walking down a path towards friendship and alliance. (DNM successfully establishes a claim for V22. DNM may not use [Diplomacy] Establish Claim actions again until they refresh rulers.)

Citing ancient pacts and agreements made between former governments as pretext for peaceful integration the Conclave of the Black Sun finds itself sitting at the negotiation table with the senior most navigators of the nearby system to discuss integration. Formal talks are given a set date to begin and while commitments remain undefined the local system seems more than willing to consider reintegration with their former imperial lords under less domineering terms. (CBS successfully establishes a claim for H10. CBS may not use [Diplomacy] Establish Claim actions again until they refresh rulers.)

The Symbraum of the Unified Public Trust reach out their political feelers to their galactic north seeking to lay claim over the mysterious desert worlds which had in previous years demonstrated their danger. Though it takes time the UPT is able to demonstrate an investment in resolving the undead mummified crisis with as few casualties on both sides as possible. While exerting full control over the sector would still take time it appeared the Symbraum had found one new avenue for expansion and growth outside the Xaldarian Expanse and Yeon.
(UPT successfully establishes a claim for E5. UPT may not use [Diplomacy] Establish Claim actions again until they refresh rulers.)

Careful study by the Etherites has revealed additional information about these mysterious Crystal Spiders who weave their great webs of silicon. While most researchers and diplomats maintain there are no individual consciousnesses among the insects there certainly appears to be a greater intellect represented by their worldwide web. Slowly the Etherites have gained an understanding of how to tap into this network to convey greetings. Early communication proves promising for a peaceful resolution being reached between Etherites and insectoids. (ETH successfully establishes a claim for H28. ETH may not use [Diplomacy] Establish Claim actions again until they refresh rulers.)

A royal marriage is arranged between the ecumenopolitan Droccen and their bucolic cousins with a date set for the upcoming year. While Princess Aran expresses some personal concern that she would be joining as the neighboring system leader’s fifth wife she is reassured that her position would be that of his first and foremost given the gravity of this political arrangement. (DCC successfully establishes a claim for F18. DCC may not use [Diplomacy] Establish Claim actions again until they refresh rulers.)

The Grymlans liked to go fast, buy cheap, and discover new things. It was perhaps no surprise they would send ambassadors to seek Courier favor but what was a surprise was that the Couriers seemed willing to consider such an arrangement with the notorious young race of furballs. (OwO successfully increases reputation with the CmC from 0 to 1)

Despite new leadership and the offer of appeasement through a promised weapon for playing nice the Rothuun Minotaurs maintain their earlier bullheadedness regarding the Sisterhood spitting in their faces and threatening war. (RMT successfully decreases reputation with the SoS from 0 to -1)

Seeking to build trust on the foundations of trade and friendship Etherite diplomats successfully begin the process of rising within the eyes of the Cosmic Couriers though they had a way to go still before they might properly be considered friends. (ETH successfully increases reputation with the CmC from 0 to 1)

As the Stellar People’s Republic seeks to map out a sector containing a known Courier Relay they also seek to increase their prestige among the intergalactic organization of the CmC. The Couriers seem unimpressed with the political aspect of SPR propaganda but they are welcome to pay to play the same as any other stellar power. (SPR successfully increases reputation with the CmC from 0 to 1)

Embracing the violent destructive ethos of An’Null the Gelean Republic “democratically decides” to side with space pirates over the mysterious monastic order of the Sisterhood. As the Sisterhood monastery burns the Geleans make contact with the Eradicators streaming footage of their attack cruisers alongside the Eradicator Hopefuls decimating the Sisterhood presence along the Core border. A single transmission is received in response “You have done well to embrace the Void.” (GLR successfully increases reputation with the ANE from 0 to 1)

Recognizing the importance of good relations with the guardians of the Core, the Harmony send out envoys to the Sisters of Silence. Agreeing on the need for permanent peace in the Galaxy the talks go smooth and at the end of the gathering the Sister think better of the Harmony for it. (HMY successfully increases reputation with the SoS from 0 to 1)

Trade!

Marked for storage as a trade good to other species given the Tal-Amanyn’s low tolerance vast quantities of Brewer-made Antillian Alcohol are imported by Assayers in service to the Conclave of the Black Sun. A handful of bottles are unaccounted for and attributed to breakage in transit. Months after the first shipments arrive however a particularly raucous party hosted by a Junior Assayer lands the young Tal-Amanyn in hot water with his Guild over stolen property. The youth insists whatever punishment was doled out short of execution would be worth it for the party the alcohol had helped facilitate. (CBS successfully buys TP#1, G11 [Antillian Alcohol])

Having consistently applied their efforts towards the ending of the energy crisis within the Terron Star System the SPR’s budding alliance with the Rocthurhi and Tezh pays dividends when a contract is secured between the Republic and the Rocthurhi to import the excess methane gas of Thylla for use as a fuel back in Terron. (SPR successfully buys TP#2, T10 [Methane Gas])

Deeply curious about their insectoid neighbors and having established rudimentary communication with the worldwide web the Etherites manage to negotiate a sizable bounty of Silicon Nanowire for study and utility back on Triskellius. Meanwhile back home the Etherites sought to monopolize the local trade of Novendallin crystals which powered so much of their stellar society. (ETH successfully buys TP#1, H28 [Silicon Nanowire])
(ETH successfully buys TP#2, Triskellius (I27) [Novendallin])

Though not much closer to identifying who, or what, the ‘Jarm’ was mercantile vessels from the Commonwealth do manage to make peaceful contact with the local administrators operating the unusual black hole generators and arrange for the purchase of a small number of these unusual machines. (CWZ successfully buys TP#1, H24 [Black Hole Generators])

While bioships equipped for war moved into the region to claim it in the Syndrome’s name additional Syndrome representatives moved towards the hazy purple planet which had been identified by Ninurtine scouts as possessing a valuable trade source. With few natives willing much less capable of outcompeting the exotic Syndrome a monopoly on Antispice is quickly established under the Syndrome’s flag. (SYN successfully buys TP#1, T22 [Antispice])

Eager to reap the benefits of their exploration the synthetic Duenem arrange for the exchange of limited advanced technology to the master jewelers and smiths of the nearby star system in exchange for a bounty of their craft. Soon enough regular shipments of gold, silver, and gems twisted and forged into intricately beautiful jewelry fitting for both organic and synthetic fashion make their way to Duen factories for incorporation in new Duenem models as well as modifications to existing forms and storage for trade with organics. (DNM successfully buys TP#1, V18 [Masterwork Jewelry])

Seeking to address long held concerns about the low metallic content of their local sector of space the Ndoda increase metal imports exponentially seeking to acquire that which they had recently discovered nearby as well as brokering a trade agreement with the Kron for their famous Durasteel alloy. (NDA successfully buys out TP#1, D20 [Iridium])
(NDA successfully buys out TP#2, E27 [Durasteel])

Hoping to make positive inroads with their paired species neighbors the Eternal Assembly of Alysia diverts funds outwards from their home sector for the first time in centuries hoping to acquire a stake in the Flux Flax trade between bugmen and ground dwellers. (EAA successfully buys out TP#1, K23 [Flux Flax])

While more violent extremes carried about by the Geleans drew popular attention the steady work of Gelean merchants pays off with the acquisition of an ownership stake in the rearing of Space Whales practiced in a nearby sector. Many Gelean bellies experience the unusual sensation of Space Whale meat as imports of the massive creatures become more common. (GLR successfully buys out TP#1, L10 [Space Whales])

Celestia Enterprises continues its unrivalled economic expansion throughout near and far sectors of space. While roughly fifty percent of their negotiations fall through where there are trained professionals bartering services rather than administrators bartering material goods CLS’s charismatic nature wins out. On both nearby Droccen with the immortal Guardians as well as faraway among the Syndrome’s Genetic Engineers CLS masterfully negotiates firm contracts for the two planets’ galaxy-renowned professionals. (CLS successfully buys out TP#2, Heart Beacons (S21) [Genetic Engineers])
(CLS successfully buys out TP#3, Sui Generis (G19) [Guardians])

The Couriers were old hands when it came to galactic trade and shipping and bypassing Antlyon Maddened Beamships to get access to asteroid minerals was simply all in a day’s work. The Couriers were glad to have such a valuable mineral and seemingly unconcerned with what they considered to be an unlikely discovery of their appropriation by the Antlyons. (CmC successfully buys TP#2, M25 [Luminous Bronze])

Ideology!

Under new leadership from the Tezh Consensus the One takes greater clarity of form as prioritization of spreading the message of unity takes to the forefront. Talotius of the Tezh spreads their message far and wide among the adherents to this ancient ideology that their primary concern was to be the promotion of Oneness where it was not yet recognized. A growing font of power now spilled from this new leadership out across its many adherents promising the continued growth of the ideology even as its most stalwart defenders uffered mightily by the hands of those who rejected such notions. (TZH sets the One’s HC 5 bonus as +1 to Conversion! TZH sets the One’s HC 10 bonus as 2d8 on Conversions!)

With their recent acknowledgement of being the head of the One the Tezh take it upon themselves to spread the good word into their neighboring star systems. The unusual tellurium based lifeforms seem friendly to the idea of belonging to a greater galactic whole despite, or perhaps because of, their unique biology. (TZH successfully converts V12 to the One!)

Tasked with bringing the socially influential Celestia Enterprises into the One’s embrace by the Sisterhood the Droccen Imperium manages to utilize tried and true marketing techniques of attractive people endorsing lifestyles to introduce the One’s tenets into the capital region of CLS. With one part of the Sisterhood’s request accomplished it was now in CLS leadership hands to determine whether this new direction would be embraced or rejected. (DCC successfully converts Olympia (I21) to the One!)

The twinned aspects of Realtaism find purchase among the less advanced nations of the nearby Yeather-traders sector able to adapt and co-opt the more primitive ideologies of dualistic faiths to advance the Realtaist cause. The Meritocracy government itself seems less than enthused that the religious fundamentalists have now spread their beliefs intergalactically especially as Meritocracy attack cruisers now moved in to orbit these primitive planets and bring them under the Caruflaith Restored banner. Ultimately however it is believed that perhaps it was better the Meritocracy worlds share beliefs among them even if such beliefs were considered backwards by the atheist leadership of the Meritocracy. (TMC successfully converts D12 to Realtaism!)

Having opened their home world to hearing the many beliefs of those around them the Syndrome people find the Church of Iteus’s tales of the tentacled Great One Iteus and their goals of similar ascendance the most compelling. Iteus was a creature, a divine one no doubt, but made of flesh and blood as the many experiments of the Syndrome were. Who better then, it seemed to the Syndrome, to aid in the ascendance of flesh and mind than those whose dedication was understanding the building blocks of life? Ideals of ascendance and the desire to study genetic samples of the Great One Iteus’s flesh grow strong among the Syndrome. (ITS successfully converts Heart-Beacons (S21) to Iteus!)

Again seeking to make contact with the clone knights of Vacio this time the Churches of Origins End find purchase within the newly redecorated halls of Hollow. The loss of prestige of playing capital to the rising Stellar Power thanks to King Delon’s ascent to power had left the clone knights of Hollow desperate for a new purpose to latch onto which the churches had brought with them. The genetic crafting of new clones is labeled divine as is the forging of new weapon and armor designs for use in the field of battle. This ideological embrace of the clone knight’s unique form of creation helps patch over the bruising left by the Space King’s unbridled ego. (FCO successfully converts Hollow (R12) from Chivalric Codes to Church of Rust!)

Reaching out across a vast stellar distance saints and speakers for the Church of Rust seek out and speak to the distant Duenem deeply curious about the synthetic lifeforms and their role within the churches’ cosmological understanding of the universe. The Duenem appear about as equally interested as the Rass in this curious new belief and soon hubs of learning about the divine act of creation pop up throughout the Duenem’s home sector. (FCO successfully converts Niuan (V20) to Church of Rust!)

The Rocthurhi spread their tentacles out across their nearby galactic sectors but only in the region of space whose native peoples had so recently been devastated by nuclear war do they find purchase. Here the ministrate to the locals of the necessity to embrace the unifying Oneness which amidst the devastation wrought by division and discord resonates especially strongly and finds many willing converts. (RTH successfully converts S9 to the One!)

Terror!

Though they follow Magical Contemplation, Lord Caller Siq and his loyal Kryptids are able to convince a significant minority of sector M23 that the Callers were once the creators of all the known galaxy, and that they believed in the harmony that is the One. Documents mysteriously appear that seem to prove that sector M23 was once under the pureview and control of the One High Maxim, though both the Technocratic Caliphate and the Casrule Movement are quick to claim otherwise. Still, profit, prophesy, and politics win out; people are listening. Though not everyone. Sector M23 has a trained Sorcerers who aren’t pleased that the KCW is trying to meddle in their affairs, and while they currently cannot disprove the documentation, it is likely that one misstep could cause disaster for the Kryptids.
(KCW successfully Fabricates Claim of M23; the Sorcerous Defenders prepare for WAR, and the region gains another unit, for a new total of (2) in the region.)

Survey Failures

Survey results from attempts to review Sector D6 by the Unified Public Trust are… confusing, to say the least. The ship sent out seemed to have been trapped into an unexpected loop around a particular solar system, and while they eventually break free and return home with no useful data, scientists speculate there is a massive gravity source to have caused a Gravity Latch Drive equipped ship to be stuck like they were. More skeptical people claim that the survey team just failed to do their jobs, and invented a stupid story to avoid immediate punishment...

The Jackstar Free Union sends out two ships, each to different nearby sectors. Sectors O29 and P30 both seem likely prospects for inclusion in the Free Union, but alas, no data on whomever lives within these sectors makes it back to any Clients of the JFU. Both captains - Gold level clients themselves, and owners of their own ships with diligent crew - make a last broadcast, urging the JFU to prepare itself, before their ships blow up. At the same time. In separate sectors. From, reportedly, separate sources. Clearly, it is sabotage by the offending sectors, or so Platinum level clients of the Free Union espouse.

The Syndrome Survey into sector S19 does not survive long. There is a single message from the surveillance bioship, deviating from the regular schedule of messages, explaining there is a larger than expected amount of electricity in the sector, before no further OMS updates arrive to be reviewed by Overlady Yellow-Coat Stripes and her administration. Though it is nearly an entire galactic year before this information leaks to the public...

The Commonwealth of Zara sends a “secret” ship into G27, but through a massive scheduling kerfluffle the entire ship crew is busy watching (amusingly awful) entertainment vids from the Celestia Enterprises as they actually enter the most promising solar system of G27. Sadly, this means no one is on the ship’s bridge to bother attempting to hide the ship. Even worse, the locals attempt to hail the ship, and get no response; leading them to assume it is an alien vessel bent on destroying their home system. This leads to the crew being captured, the CWZ vessel being used as a means to obtain a limited version of GLD for G27’s locals, and a message being sent back to the Commonwealth: never come into the sector again, or be destroyed! On the bright side, the crew is reportedly still alive, and members of Celestia Enterprises want to know what happens in the end… so that another entertainment vid can be made about this story.

Effort is made by the Celestia Enterprises to buyout certain markets of Hasson 3 from the Kryptids. Alas, the only thing worse than bureaucracy with tax laws and export manifests is apparently three different bureaucracies with varying tax laws and export manifests. By the time the - admittedly skilled - merchants from CLS are finally able to come to terms with the various rules from the Kryptids they want to talk to, two other groups of Kryptids have laid claims to the Hasson 3 shipments. Things would have been fine with just simple failures, but… things turn violent. Of the three vessels sent to purchase and procure the Hasson 3, only two return to Celestia. One was apparently ‘appropriated’ by the Casrule Movement’s attempts to create military vessels, and the crew of ‘aliens’ were named as invaders and publicly executed in the name of the great Revolution.

War!

It was no surprise that on the Kryptid homeworld plagued by civil war that those renowned for their capability in battle would rise to the top. It was equally unsurprising that in such a land it could remain unclear for years to come which of these brilliant strategists would come out on top. For now the ranks of Kryptid armies were bolstered by heroes and tactical geniuses but only time would tell which of them survived the seemingly endless conflict for supremacy. (KCW now has a Military 9 General, named: “Kryptid General 1”)

The Kron were merciless to their enemies but not without mercy for their own. Those who fought hard in the name of their King-General were promised not merely some reward in the afterlife but the treatment befitting an honored warrior that they may rise again to fight another day and reap the rewards of hard won victory. Of course, this warrior’s glory could not exist in all battles undertaken by the Kron but where the flame banner was being thrust for glory to the burgeoning empire such mercy from the Law of Flame could be afforded. (KRO now has a Tactical Doctrine “Law of Flame’s Mercy” When attacking a region with a WAR action for the first time in five rounds a successful tactical roll grants KRO -2 to their Combat Loss roll!)

The Rothuun were a vicious wave of flesh and steel that promised to roll over their enemies in a glorious charge of battle. While many modern military scholars insisted technology erased the differences in physicality between Axiom’s many races it was unlikely those scholars had been witness to a minotaur boarding party crashing through their starship and mowing down their comrades by weapon and horn. The Rothuun’s reputation was not merely that either for their brutality placed them far and above many other Stellar Powers when it came to the great game of war. (RMT now has a Tactical Doctrine “Extermination Tactics” A successful tactical roll changes qualifier for Overwhelm from victory by 10+ to victory by 5+!)

Lyraens enjoyed making an entrance, perhaps attributable to their reverence of a literal intelligent star who manifested as a goddess to their priesthood, and this translated into their battle tactics as well. “Size doesn’t matter” was not a Lyraen idiom and anyone who tried to say it would likely be howled out of town for suggesting such an absurd notion. Size absolutely mattered especially when it came to guns and ships, a belief that was entrenched in the tactical understanding of every great Lyraen commander. (LYR now has a Tactical Doctrine “Shock & Awe” A successful tactical roll grants +1 bonus to Battle roll per two LYR units present to a maximum bonus of +5!)

The Jackstar Free Union was very careful in the reputation it cultivated. While it would be easy to look in from the outside and see the JFU as a collection of pirates with delusions of grandeur the precisely measured character adopted by JFU leadership transformed this view of the Union as a collection of rabble into a group of heroic freedom fighters spreading their righteous rebellious attitude across the galaxy. No where was this more notable than in their choice of military strategies which emphasized propaganda of the deed and the staging of David vs Goliath showdowns to take place in glorious spectacle before an audience. So long as an enemy existed for the JFU to fight there would be a heroic struggle to be witnessed by the people. (JFU now has a Tactical Doctrine “Hearts & Minds” A successful tactical roll bypasses Unrest associated with Conquest but a battle must occur to trigger this tactical roll!)

Connecting their battlefleet through the propagation of an electrical net subsystem the Ndoda fleet became physically more imposing the more ships it had available to field. Crackling webs of unbridled energy sprung to life between its ship hulls creating a dragnet of disabling energy which allowed and promoted fleet tactics focused on big sweeping maneuvers of multiple ships to create a ring of electrical surging that trapped enemy fleets in deadly crossfire. (NDA now has a Tactical Doctrine “Electric Net” A successful tactical roll grants +1 bonus to Battle roll per two NDA units present to a maximum bonus of +5!)

Meritocracy attack ships move purposefully into the underdeveloped region adjacent to their home sector facing no resistance. When loudspeakers from the sky announce to the locals planetside their annexation into the Meritocracy rumblings of discontent over their inability to fight back against these alien invaders is almost immediate. (TMC successfully invades D12 with 1 Unit under Marshal Galen (2)! D12 is in Unrest!)

The Grymlan Combine did not hesitate to seize the munitions factories discovered to their galactic south to the chagrin of certain isolated and armed holdouts squatting there. The arrival of a legitimate government would likely mean the arrival of laws and regulations which upset some but their lack of real ships or numbers to fight back with meant a resigned acceptance of the situation, at least for now. (OwO successfully invades P16 with 1 Unit under Jeejee Scrapseeker (1)! P16 is in Unrest!)

When the Republic of Celes announces their occupation of the nearby region from aboard the imposing deck of Harbinger of Dawn the local smiths have no choice but to accept their forced integration into the nearby stellar power given the vast gulf in armament between them. Still, this manner of acquisition left a bitter taste in many mouths prompting the early discussion of possible rebellion when the time was right. (CEL successfully invades Q25 with 4 Units under Consul Maximilian Relor (6)! Q25 is in Unrest!)

Rothuun Minotaurs were known less for their diplomatic capabilities and more for their military aggression and even under new leadership this remained true. The recently discovered planet of bearmen soon finds itself heavily occupied by minotaur forces and while many were discontent it was the Sisterhood of Silence which expressed the greatest concern over an unashamed enemy laying claim to the sector containing Morning Bloom monastery. (RMT successfully invades P18 with 2 Units under Urthuun Kzarna Harpooner (5)! P18 is in Unrest!)

The “quarantine” of the nearby Lycantrope region by the UPT fleet goes smoothly insofar as establishing a presence is concerned but the stretching of supply lines out across such vast distances could cause problems if left unaddressed. (UPT successfully invades F6 with 1 Unit under PD Officer Jed K'bix (1)! F6 is in Unrest!)

Leaping on the discovery made by the nearby Ninurtine Empire the Syndrome quickly spread to dominate the sector of space hosting the planet of Antispice ahead of Ninurtine ships, detering the Empire and prompting military growth in reaction. Concern over Ninurtine retribution as well as the general concerns regarding supply lines will need to be quelled if the Syndrome wish to hold this region indefinitely. (SYN successfully invades T22 with 2 Units under Overlady Yellow-Coat-Stripes (2)! T22 is in Unrest!)

The Kombuch presented themselves as a peaceful race but they were not without their own edge when it came to managing their galactic affairs. So it was that the recently discovered area of space thick with Unstable Dark Energy found itself playing host to a Kombuch invasion fleet that secured the sector in the name of the Mother. While the sector was now firmly under Kombuch control effort would need to be made to map safe shipping lanes and establish colony planets that would not be torn apart by the native energies. Until then many express great trepidation of assignment to this sector of space. (KBC successfully invades H6 with 2 Units under Communicator Bulbous Jellydisc (4)! H6 is in Unrest!)

While they sought to trade fairly with the bugmen and groundlings of the nearby sector the Eternal Assembly was also quick to make clear to the locals that their independence was at an end. A small fleet of Assembly attack cruisers parked themselves over the inhabited planets of the region marking in no uncertain terms the extension of Alysian territory. Of course, it was one thing to take a region but another thing entirely to make a region accept that new reality. (EAA successfully invades K23 with 1 Unit under Prime Minister Eladia Makeda Sarai (4)! K23 is in Unrest!)

The ants of Mier Formica work dutifully and relentlessly, as they did in all aspects, with regards to securing the nearby sector under their own dominion. In only a few short months the system was filled with small colonies growing and thriving here so far from home but these new colonies would need attention from the home sector if this growth and prosperity was expected to continue. (MFM successfully invades D14 with 3 Units under Tapinoma Mier (5)! D14 is in Unrest!)

The clone knights were unafraid to dirty their hands with war and against the weak and defenseless it was all the simpler to ensure victory. Quickly the Knights Vacio establish forward operating bases in the nearby region marking it as clear territory of the new King of Space, a role of dubious honor that leads some Knights to consider the area as a potential staging ground for a counter revolution against Delon… (KNV successfully invades R10 with 1 Unit under Grandmaster Mycella (4)! R10 is in Unrest!)

When Gelean frigates enter sensor range of the SoS monastery Ascendant Aurora the Sisters celebrate their upcoming liberation from their assault by the cruel eager Hopefuls seeking to join the Shadow Admiral’s twisted navy. Their jubilation turns to horror when, rather than attacking the would be Eradicators, the Gelean ships move into synchronous formation to encircle completely the small battered asteroid base. The Sister who had taken on the role of Abbess after the monastery’s original Abbess had been killed in the initial attack can do nothing but weep as the salvo of missiles blow past what defenses remained and annihilate the refuge so many desperate denizens had come to call home.
In the revelry of the aftermath the small complement of Hopeful captains swear themselves to the Gelean Republic in their shared service towards An’null. The local whalers who had long adhered to the tenets of the One look upon their conquerors with bitter resentment but don’t yet dare to raise hand against their cruel new masters. A transmission of the Gelean assault is broadcast on wideband waves throughout the Core region alerting the remaining monasteries of the Republic’s crime. (GLR successfully invades L10 alongside the An’Null Hopefuls gaining 2 Units and destroying the SoS base located in the region! GLR/SoS Reputation decreased from 0 to -3! L10 is Unstable!)

[Gengy]

Discovery!

The hunt for Caller relics within the Church of Iteus begins, rather unusually, in a hospital surgery room where the former Archdeacon whose parasitic implant had served as transceiver for Guardian’s signal is autopsied in search of signs of lingering Caller messages. Surprisingly this method yields more data than initially anticipated. The signal had left a peculiar scarring pattern on the man’s brain and his knowledge parasite that when cross referenced with signals recorded from the Doorway and the Simulacrum provides the Church with a rather impressive “Caller Radar” which technicians informally refer to as “Caldar” before being disciplined for their frivolity in such a serious matter. Unfortunately for the Church the radar device had a rather limited range and even with GLD the options for scanning remained rather limited so effort is focused on nearby star systems with further systems which pinged as possibilities noted for when funds and technology would later allow a proper sweep. It is in a mundane and rather empty solar system on a small inconsequential planet within the Itean sector that the radar indicates possible Caller remnants and a month-long archaeological dig at last uncovers an unusual device that had the appearance of a visor but of size and shape not fitting to Itean physique. Nevertheless the “visor” appeared functioning and when at last activated through the supplying of sufficient power lights up to reveal a heads up display more advanced and insightful than anything yet known to modern Axiom. The device’s name is translated from Caller as “Strict Obedience” and it seems subtle psionic signals were capable of being transmitted, or perhaps merely amplified, by the device which allowed unprecedented coordination in high intensity situations. (ITS recovers Caller Fragment Strict Obedience! Effect: Once/round +1 Tactical Maneuvering!)

The Knights Vacio were now under the leadership of the young King Delon thanks to his coup against the far wiser Grandmaster Mycella and so it is to King Delon that the discovery made under Mycella’s orders is presented. A small data cube containing valuable Caller knowledge had long been rumored to have been trading hands in and around Knight patrolled space. The Grandmaster had issued a standing task for redemption of Knights deemed Ritually Unclean ahead of King Delon’s mass forgiveness of the Unclean and so a small cadre of banished knights had spent the last several years seeking to acquire this mysterious data cube only to at last succeed on the eve of King Delon’s grand indulgences. The questers nearly refuse to deliver the cube to King Delon given the nullification of their reward’s value but ultimately they felt they had little choice but to entrust the Knights’ new leader with the valuable knowledge they had acquired. Perhaps its contents would prove a tempering agent to this new ruler’s volatile impulses. (KNV recovers Caller Fragment Library of Peace! Effect: +1 new Leader Diplomacy stat generation roll!)

Exploration Results:
Duenem explorers venture intrepidly across deep space. Initial forays into the great beyond seem unsuccessful until the explorers discover a strange solar system. Hosting a red, blue and brown star the planets in this system’s habitable zone, are awash in heavy solar radiation. The inhabitants of this system, who refer to themselves as the Dukes of Renewal, offer a bushel of their prized Tooz Daisies, in an attempt to appease the Duenem explorers. (DNM discovers W19 which contains a [Great] resource of Tooz Daisies, an Open Learning Center, and two units of Daisy Dukes! DNM has +1 to Buyouts in W19 for one Round!)

Draaxerri explorers split from the chaotic infighting of their brethren to search for new space to roam. What they find in a nearby system is a tiny highly urbanized planet inhabited by a multitude of varied insectoids. Each of these species’ arms are extremely precise in their motion making them ideally suited for many skilled tasks from surgery to advanced robotics. Locals both organic, synthetic, and cybernetic are incentivized to pursue medical careers leading to a boom in the number of qualified physicians practicing in the sector. (DRX discovers C17 which contains a [Good] resource of 9-Armed Surgeons & an Open Learning Center! DRX has +1 to Buyouts in C17 for one Round!)

Gods from the Pantheon of the Kamasati have sent a message to all intelligent life within this sector of deep space. What responds are a group of curious small quilled creatures capable of reaching sonic speeds naturally. Closer inspection by the pantheon shows that these creatures live in a veritable paradise, spending most of their days in the lap of luxury, supported by legions of robotic drones. Astute psychics recognize the presence of animal consciousness inside the drones, but they are otherwise mundane. The quilled aliens have developed a culture which emphasizes speed in all things and their courier services as well as their pilots and drivers are known for their skill in “going fast.” (KSP discovers M5 which contains a [Good] resource of Sonic Hedgehogs & an Open Learning Center)

Another psychic scan by the Kamasati reveals a disappointing lack of intelligently inhabited worlds within a nearby sector. However, they do find a community of grey aliens that live on a series of expansive asteroid belts. Here they eek out an aesthetic existence training in the ancient trade of space whaling among the great masters of the craft. The space whalers here long ago hunted the populations of their quarry into small pockets and conservation has taken root among the small communities still remaining leading to the full utilization of a hunted creature by the whalers. No doubt the locals would be very interested to learn of the great pods of domestic space whales being reared nearby. (KSP discovers M7 which contains a [Minor] resource of Space Whalers & a Learning Center occupied by Space Whale Conservationism)

Meritocracy probes stumble upon the ruins of a once highly populated solar system. What was once a vibrant civilization is not just a series of icy catacombs orbiting a black dwarf. Yet the billions of inhabitants that clearly once lived and breathed in the system are not gone, in fact very few of them are actually dead, most are instead in a form of cryostasis hooked up to massive machines which seem to draw out some form of lifeforce which is in turn concentrated into a liquid slush. The few awake inhabitants seem to be a disconcerting mix of vampire and cyborg that survive by parasitizing the comatose populace. The active populace appear to be heavily modified genetically and cybernetically granting them unnatural capabilities and thus making them unnaturally dangerous. (TMC discovers C9 which contains a [Great] resource of Youth Extractors an Open Learning Center, and is guarded by 2 units of Immortals)

Meritocracy probes into deep space soon come upon a solar system containing several notably large gas giants. Unusually these gas giants host groups of inhabitants lead by a group of merchants known as the Drakken Men. Day in and day out the merchants send their underlings deep into the planets depths to gather the elusive “Dragon Eyes” whose splendor and beauty made them valuable for trade but whose true properties were kept a closely guarded secret by the Drakken Men. (TMC discovers C13 which contains a [Minor] resource of Dragon Eyes an Open Learning Center, and is guarded by 2 units of Drakken Men Enforcers)

While on one front the Kron sent their fleet of FireBirds and auxiliary support to aggressively scout a nearby sector less well armed but no less observant Kron journey in another stellar direction hoping to discover something of interest. Here to their galactic north the mercantile Kron focus their efforts on uncovering some form of trade good and are not disappointed in what they find. While much of the sector was relatively mundane a solar system within the bounds of the galactic designation hosted a highly advanced industrialized planet inhabited by a curious race of bipeds. The local species had developed such an acute understanding of miniaturization, down to the microscopic level, that it was possible for every individual on the planet to carry around a slender rectangular box whose interface allowed the user to call up designs for and then fabricate handheld products using ambient energy and atomic compounds not dissimilar to the function of the Stellar People's Republic's Matter Rearrangers. The compact design limited the extent of what could be produced to utensils and items usable or carryable in one hand but the convenience of these so-called “Pocket Factories” had seen them quickly become globally ubiquitous and the producers of the “PFs” seemed eager to expand their market into the wider galaxy. (KRO discovers E25 which contains a [Good] resource of Pocket Factories, an Open Learning Center, and 1 unit of Personal Defense Drones! KRO has +1 to Buyouts in E25 for one Round!)

The diplomatic expedition fleets sent by the Vilari Sodality sweep through a vast region of unclaimed - but not unlived in - space. A character known as the ‘King of the Reeds’ who seems to rule several of the system’s planets without any obvious means of cross-planetary travel meets with the Vilari diplomat and explains that his people do not wish to have any trouble in the future from the Vilari or other ‘wayward travelers.’ He sends them to report back to their home with a gift of lovely edible flowers the likes of which the Speaker and his information network have never seen the likes of before. In fact the entire experience is described by the Vilari ambassadors as surreal and while the King had been incredibly cordial and peaceable some members of the expedition seem to have found his presence unsettling. (VLS discovers P8 which contains a [Good] resource of Fairy Flowers & an Open Learning Center! VLS has +1 to Establish a Claim in P8 for one Round!)

Ultra Nationalist dignitaries from the Republic of Celes investigate an area of unscouted space. While there is a great deal of emptiness they do eventually find a tidally locked world orbiting a trio of white suns. Intense desert dominates one side of the planet while an expansive ocean occupies the other. The planet's inhabitants live in vast cities held afloat by a carefully grown weave of buoyant and sturdy vines floating across the midnight sea. While the majority of the population remains grounded the natives do seem at least partially space capable and have a number of orbital platforms equipped with gravity affecting engines which appear usable not only as tools to aid with tide control but as weapons against invasion. (CEL discovers S27 which contains a [Minor] resource of Unitary Vines, an Open Learning Center, & is defended by 3 units of Orbital Gravity Guns! CEL has +1 to Buyouts in S27 for one Round!)

Probes sent by The Eye of the Horizon quickly detect a world orbiting what appears to be an artificial star. The inhabitants of this world resemble terrestrial beetles though their chitinous exoskeletons sport intricate arcane glyphs carved into them. More than a simple fashion statement however these natives appear especially gifted in the arcane arts, notably the craft of artifice and science of enchantment. Horizon probe scans indicate that the inhabitants live in a series of pyramid shaped arcologies positioned on what they believe to be leylines in order to manufacture their arcane devices. Each arcology produces a specific type of artifice, but so-called “lightning wands” are the most popular product by far. (EHZ discovers O21 which contains a [Good] resource of Lightning Wands, an Open Learning Center, & is defended by 1 unit of Wand Slingers!)

A Celean expedition lead by the best people available manages to scout a series of lightly inhabited solar systems. All reports indicate that the inhabitants live a primitive existence as stone age hunter gatherers with none showing more advanced signs of civilization than the occasional city-state. The solar systems are rich in natural resources and unspoilt land prompting Celean observers to begin dreaming up all manner of utility for the local resources, and even the locals themselves. (CEL discovers R28 which contains a [Minor] resource of Undefined & an Open Learning Center! CEL has +1 to Buyouts in E25 for one Round!)

Lyrean probes have scanned this region of unknown space incredibly thoroughly. What they find is several habitable moons surrounding a gas giant. The moons are home to a civilization capable of sublight travel and the inhabitants frequently trade between the moons. Probe scans indicate that all of the planets are made of a mysterious white stone that seems unusually conducive to life, as the stone rapidly degrades into nutrient rich white soil when exposed to intense heat. (LYR discovers O11 which contains a [Good] resource of Whitestone, an Open Learning Center, and 1 unit of Whitestone Sentries)

The exploratory ambassadors and forward diplomats of the Unified Public Trust discover a strange and disparate collection of systems in the course of their most recent efforts. Intermittently littered with what appear to be scorched ruins, cursory examination of the patterns on many of the ruins are able to be pieced together into a map of local interstellar space from what may well be thousands of years prior. At the center of every map built is the same system; upon arrival, the Symbraum find it to contain a green star, around which the most noticeable planet is a rocky world with a massive, brilliantly shining ring system. Even at a distance, the surface features of the planet are remarkable; apparently intact versions of the ruins found elsewhere, and truly massive beings inhabiting the surface, all of whom appear to be…sleeping. Upon the exploratory ship’s approach, however, something odd happened: as soon as the UPT vessel neared the planet’s rings, the brilliant crystals that made them up began to darken. First to blue, and then to an oily black, spreading like fire before the crew’s very eyes. Certain members of the expedition claimed the other members of the crew changed personalities overnight; medical personnel stationed on board were recorded as saying that this obviously spurious claim was likely to be a result of an attempt to cope with the high stress of deep space exploration, triggered by the paranoia of un-eyed things watching each and every crewmember from the corners of stars, from underneath reflections, and from the inside. (UPT discovers D8 which contains a [Great] resource of Black Sapphires, a Sheerest Reverie Learning Center, and two Units of Dreamdrinkers! UPT has +1 to Establish Claim in E5 for one Round!)

While back home in the Malak system the Ninurtine Empire prepared for the possibility of war with the opportunistic Syndrome another expeditionary fleet led by HMIS Anson seeks to discover the mysterious Relay the Couriers made mention of years prior. In a nearby system readings similar to those transmitted to the Ninurtines by the Couriers are detected and the expedition moves in for visual confirmation. The Courier Relay lays in a dense solar system boasting over twenty major planets and atmospheric moons flush with life and signs of stellar activity by slowlight ships. Broadcasts from the Relay are quickly picked up and translated revealing this sector of space was “ruled” by the Tabine, a warrior culture not greatly dissimilar to the Knights Vacio in their organization around codes of honor but far less well organized politically. The local Couriers welcome the Ninurtine eager to be reconnected to their fellows among the Relay network but the Tabine warriors only begrudgingly offer their services as fighters remaining wary of Ninurtine political intervention in the sector. (NUT discovers T24 which contains a [Great] resource of Tabine Warriors of which TP 1 is owned by CmC, a Chivalric Codes Learning Center, a CmC Relay, and two Units of Tabine Warriors! NUT has +1 to Buyouts in T24 for one Round!)

Another expedition of Fanta class cruisers peacefully extends the dank spore covered “hand” of Kombuch friendship out into the galaxy. During their exploration of a nearby system the Kombuch detect an unusual reading from a nearby solar system and move to engage diplomatic directives. The signal detected was unusual due to its shocking similarity to the standard communication protocols used by the Lyraens, documented by Guardian during the Simulacrum event, but this proves to only be the beginning of the unusual coincidences as it is soon discovered a healthy colony of Lyraens were living on a verdant world orbiting a brilliant white star. The local populace is ruled by an aristocracy built around the ownership of highly valued Cyreilean Marching Powder production facilities. The bluegreen powder was a potent stimulant but the harvesting of its ingredients and distillation into usable powder was volatile and dangerous work. Still, its utility especially in keeping private armies available and ready to kill allowed those capable of producing the drug to exert incredible control over the addicted Lyraen soldiers. (KBC discovers J8 which contains a [Good] resource of Cyreilean Marching Powder, an Open Learning Center, and two Units of Bluenose Marchers! KBC has +1 to Establish a Claim in J8 for one Round!)

Of the hundreds of planets Solidarity diplomats search they find… no inhabitable ones. However, they find a star very similar to Tsalvan surrounded by a massive habitable dyson sphere. Once an ancient power harvesting station the sphere’s blob like residents now simply maintain the dyson sphere as they were originally programmed to do.The star has been kept artificially young due to the Floobers, as their species is apparently known, continual siphoning of plasma to help create Tellurim. Initial contact with the Floobers show that their morphic forms enable them to transform into a wide variety of weapons and mechanical contraptions making them far more dangerous than their squat cherubic appearances would suggest. (VLS discovers R6 which contains a [Great] resource of Tellurim, an Open Learning Center, and three units of Angry Floobers! VLS has +1 to Establish a Claim in R6 for one Round!)

Consensus explorers have found an uncharted ringed planet seemingly adrift through the vacuum of space. Though it initially seems to be a barren icy tomb, Tezh diplomats discover a myriad of radio signals from a wide variety of known alien races. Closer inspection reveals the planets population consist of castaways, and lost sailors from across the galaxy. Here the various factions compete in chaotic death games to control what they believe to be the most valuable substance in the universe, Murphets. While there is no consensus on the function of Murphets, there is a consensus that war crimes are an acceptable means to get them. (TZH discovers U13 which contains a [Minor] resource of Murphets, a learning center occupied by Murphetism, and guarded by 2 units of Gladiators! TZH has +1 to Establish a Claim in U13 for one Round!)

The Firebird fleet patrol neighboring space in the search for threats to preemptively “defend themselves from.” What they find is a colony of octogenarian miners that live in curated bubble cities while a network of sophisticated drones perform most of the manual labor. Drone access is often determined by colony wide bingo competitions, where the reigning champions can have up to 1000 drones under there thrall. Scans through the system reveal a sizable contingent of drones equipped with weapons capable of conducting warfare but the sheer size of the Kron fleet deters any active resistance...for now. (KRO discovers F28 which contains a [Good] resource of Vanadium, an Open learning center, and is guarded by 3 bingo champion drone fleets! KRO has +1 to conquest attempts of F28 for one Round!)

In the search for ever more specimens Syndrome explorers come across a series of worlds awash in floating islands.The planets in this solar system seem to be awash in thousands of floating islands inhabited by an incredibly insular sublight civilization ideologically similar to the ultranationalists of the Celes Republic. Concentrated in a few mega city arcologies the islanders have built an identity around the dutiful stewardship of their worlds. The “eco-fascists” pride themselves on the preservation of their worlds through any means necessary though violence has not been necessary on a wide scale outside the arcologies for nearly a century leaving their plantes’ natural splendor potentially vulnerable to exploitation by a would be conqueror. (SYN discovers S23 which contains a [Minor] resource of Undefined, an Ultra Nationalist learning center and one unit of Greenshirts! SYN has +1 to Buyouts in S23 for one Round!)

Expeditions by the Sublime People’s Republic find themselves in the ruins of a recently deceased civilization. While the causes of this civilization’s demise are currently unknown, all that remains of the currently crystallized remains of the inhabitants. Cities, people, pets, even trees have been converted into a strange crystalline substance. The skulls of the former inhabitants in particular have been shown to have...interesting, properties. In fact one of the explorers was nearly slain by a by an animated crystal skull after attempting to handle it without protection, nearly transforming into crystal themselves. In the midst of the chaos the CMC has established a Relay not far from the crystalized world and currently possess several space stations in the vicinity that host a small remnant refugee population. (SPR discovers T6 contains a [Great] resource of Crystal Skulls of which TP 1 is owned by CmC, an Open Learning Center, a CmC Relay, and no Units! SPR has +1 to Buyouts in T6 for one Round!)

The Duenem explorers’ journey across deep space leads them to a series of small desert like worlds orbiting a brilliant white star. The planets are ultimately lead by ‘Absolute Madlass Joe’ proponent of a deeply dedicated ideology of rule by rightful force of will and strength and leader of a group known as the Smokers who reign over the factious tribes and clans with an iron fist atop a fleet of subspace camels. As the popular yet somewhat clumsy saying goes, the one who controls the subspace camels controls the worlds. Why that is still eludes the Duenem explorers. (DNM discovers W23 which contains a [Great] resource of Subspace Camels, a Way of the Illuminated Mind learning center and two units of Smokers! DNM has +1 to Buyouts in W23 for one Round!)

As a favor to one of their few ideological and nearby allies, the Sisters of Silence submit all known information about this particular sector of space to the aged Empress and her young heir. The main inhabitable planet appears to be a storm ridden ringed world inhabited by a race of hideously deformed smiths. However, the planets harsh conditions have helped entrench The One’s presence in society. The cyclopean inhabitants routinely receive visits from the neighboring Sisters who provide services in exchange for Magnalium alloy to build their elaborate temples. (DCC discovers H18 which contains a [Good] resource of Magnalium Alloy, a learning center occupied by The One, and an SoS base!)

An expedition by the Formican ships reveals a system occupied by a race of silent automatons. It appears as though the society that once resided here has become extinct for reasons unknown. Further examination reveals the purpose of the automatons is to dig a near endless series of tunnels beneath the planets surface. While the original purpose of these tunnels is unclear what is clear is that they’ve exposed many valuable resources within the planet's interior. Some on the expedition even suggest the Formicans could retrofit the drones to serve other purposes. (MFM discovers E17 which contains a [Minor] resource of Undefined, an Open learning center, and 3 units of Automatons! MFM has +1 to Buyouts in W23 for one Round!)

CmC operatives from their free floating Relay submit all known information to Ndoda explorers. Unfortunately the Ndoda find that the region is...not quite right. Reports indicate that the majority of the inhabitants are haunted by nightmares on a near nightly basis. Worse still the nightmares frequently lead to psychic projections that commit mischief in the physical world. Interviews with the victims tell tales of giant centipedes, 8 armed giants, and a figure in yellow. Frankly the sole reason civilization hasn’t collapsed is due to large portions of the population remaining medicated on worryingly high doses of Dream Eating pills, to the point where pill rations are considered a popular currency. (NDA discovers D22 which contains a [Great] resource of Dream Eating pills of which TP 1 is owned by CmC, an Open Learning Center, & a CmC Relay! NDA has +1 to Buyouts in D22 for one Round!)

The Kombuch again reach out into the galaxy seeking peaceful contact with their galactic neighbors and this time find something less volatile and perhaps more open to sporic conversion than their previous dark energy discovery. A nearby sector of space plays host to a system of ringworlds artificially constructed and acting as massive factories fabricating and refining rather large quantities of antimatter. The ringworlds are inhabited by a mix of organic and synthetic lifeforms apparently in some tiered society with the synthetics performing much of the physical and otherwise dangerous labor and the organics orchestrating matters and acting as directors. The organic leadership are intrigued by the Kombuch, though more by the GLD than the Kombuch themselves, and the synthetics appear to defer to this leadership...at first. A few months into discussion between the Kombuch and organic directors a message is received aboard the docked Fanta cruiser claiming to be from a representative of a synthetic movement that sought to bring equality to the ringworld stations between synthetic and organic life through any means necessary. The message beseeches the Kombuch to aid these negotiations through the provision of armament to back up the synthetic position and in return promises to devote the bulk of antimatter production towards their liberators. Somehow news of this leaks to the current leadership who insist the transmission be traced so that the offending synthetics could be reprogrammed to accept their proper role in this society. Should the Kombuch do so they will gladly join the burgeoning Kombuch as loyal vassals within this vast patchwork of rising stellar powers. (KBC discovers I9 which contains a [Good] resource of Antimatter Refineries & an Open Learning Center! KBC has +1 to Establish a Claim in I9 for one Round! {CHOICE} KBC may take a Military action aid the synthetics gaining TPs 1 & 2 at the end of the round but causing the region to generate 2 Units and become unclaimable by KBC during the reign of Communicator Bulbous Jellyfish OR KBC may take an Intrigue action to aid the organics gaining I9 at the end of the round without a Conquest or Claim roll needed but causing the region to come in Unstable!)

Meritocracy probes are directed coreward to scan for valuable minerals, life, or other trade goods and discover a rich sector of space seemingly left untapped for many centuries. A bundle of star systems in one quadrant of the sector play host to planets sporting abundant life signs while a string of asteroid dense systems in another quadrant register as thick with metallic compounds, ores, and minerals. It would take some time to categorize this region’s bounty and longer still for the Meritocracy government to settle on where their focus in the region should lie but for now maps are made and reports transmitted back home for review. (TMC discovers D10 which contains a [Minor] resource of Undefined & an Open learning center!)

The Eternal Assembly of Alysia raises funding for a new exploratory vessel, and quickly sends it southwest to review the sector between them and the Etherites. What they find is something of a holy war occurring. Prime Minister Eladia Makeda Sarai is advised that the majority of the beings who exist here follow the same Ideology as the Etherites: The Triarte. This scientifically based magic provided the beings here enlightenment, and they realized that there was an enemy among them: Their star was not a star, but a very old Luminary. And it was growing. The expedition vessel still doesn’t know how the Luminary was able to communicate with them, but they received information. The Luminary, Proxos, has been trying to expand itself and grow, in order to provide new life to a further away planet in its solar system. The Alysians are quick to realize, however, that if the Luminary succeeds, the Triarte followers will have their homeworld wiped out. This does not seem to be the end of their existence - they have already spread to other planets in the solar system - but it will be the loss of many homes and historical landmarks. So, with a vast force of Triarte Spellbenders, using what the locals call Twisted Wands, they are weaving a web to try and remove Proxos’s conciousness before it can expand and consume their homeworld. However, they lack the speed to complete the pattern throughout the solar system, something someone with GLD could help with...
(EAA discovers J26, which contains a [Good] resource of Twisted Wands, a Learning Center for The Triarte, and 2 Units of Triarte Spellbenders! EAA has a +1 to Buyouts in J26 for the round.
{CHOICE} EAA may take a Military action to prevent the Triarte Spellbenders’ exorcism of Proxos, and the old Luminary will give it’s blessing for the Alysians to call the new prime planet their own; EAA would gain control of J26 without combat, but no units would be gained, the region will be Unstable, the LC will change to the Three Values, and one TP would be lost as the planet is consumed, reducing the quantity to [Minor]
((OR)) EAA and/or ETH may take a Philosophy action to aid the Triarte Spellbenders in removing Proxos’s conciousness, and making the Luminary into a stable star for the solar system; doing so will provide the player with a Claim on the region and automatic ownership of TP#1. Notice: If EAA chooses to help Proxos and ETH chooses to help the Triarte locals, region ownership goes to EAA while the Claim and TP go to ETH. If both players help the Triarte locals, both players receive the Established Claim, but only ETH gains the TP, as the locals will relate to their ideology. If neither player helps during Round 3, Proxos wins by default, and the region will remain unowned, but the TN to establish a claim will increase to 14.)

The Melfynians launch a deep space probe to take readings and make scans of an uncharted sector just outside the Tal-Amanyn capital sector. Data transmitted back to the Melfynians reveals a region littered with wreckage of ships, drones, and battle stations both in the crystalline style of the Tal-Amanyn and composed of a peculiar cadmium-plated steel design that appeared to be native to the sector. A solar system within the region registers as possessing advanced alien life including sublight ships though no significant weapons systems are detected. Scans of this planet’s core and nearby asteroids reveals a heavy concentration of cadmium which is currently being extracted by the locals for utility back on their home planet. Additional scans of the wreckage also reveal a number of somewhat outdated but still nearly functional ships that Melfynian engineers estimate could be restored with minimal effort should they gain direct access to the wreckage. (MYA discovers F10 which contains a [Great] resource of Cadmium & an Open learning center! The first Stellar Power to acquire F10 through any means shall also gain 1 free unit of Salvaged Ships!)

The Harmony sends out many exploration ships, and while they struggle to obtain needed information from most of their attempts, one ship does return with good news. Nearby the Harmony's home sector, to the southeast, a group of three-eyed humanoids seem to be interested in the harmonization process. They currently follow an ideology very similar to the Kronin, to the point that there is little to no difference, yet they are not as technologically advanced, and don't quite understand what they yet can offer to the Galaxy. They are open to discussing the mysteries of the universe with the Harmony, but also seem to be capabale of defending themselves if the need arises... (HMY discovers D24, which contains a [Good] Resource of Undefined, an LC for the Law of the Flame, and 2 units of Flamewardens. The Harmony has +1 to Establish a Claim in D24 for one Round!)

Surveys:

Information leaks about the following regions…

(NDA discovers D20 which contains a [Great] resource of Iridium, an Open Learning Center, and one Unit of Sublight Spider Sentinels!)

(SNM discovers T18 which contains a [Great] resource of Kadmium Ingots, an open Learning Center, and is protected by four units of Hanibal’s Battle Droids!)

(SYN discovers R22 which contains a [Minor] resource of Mech Suits, an Open Learning Center, and 1 unit of Crabmech Warriors!)

(KCW discovers M23 which contains a [Minor] resource of Sorcerers, a Learning Center following Magical Contemplation, and unit of Sorcerer Defenders! Additional Unit added; see Terror section!)

(ITS discovers P22 which contains a [Minor] resource of Miracle Machines, a learning center occupied by Miracle Machine Reverence, and two units of Miracle Men!)

(ITS discovers P24 which contains a [Good] resource of Cosmic Plumbers & an Open Learning Center)

(KNV discovers R10 which contains a [Good] resource of [Undefined] & an Open Learning Center)

Spoiler: Failed Explorations

Show

TMC into N4
TMC into O7
CLS into R24
CLS into S25
EHZ into N20
LYR into P10
LYR into N8
CBS into F8
CBS into G7
RMT into Q21
TZH into W15
SYN into S19
DCC into G17
MFM into D18
RTH into U9
RTH into U11
HMY into B22
HMY into D22

Spoiler: Updated Map

Show

[Gengy]

NPC Actions

Organizations!
Expiration Dates close at the end of the round specified in their description:

Sisterhood of Silence

Spoiler

Show

[Diplomacy] Speak to the Lyraens, Kamasati, Nyxians, & Kombuch about the Geleans - The open contempt demonstrated for the Sisterhood by the Geleans who now aligned themselves with the Eradicators prompts messages to be sent to the nearby powers. While none of the nearby powers followed the One it was hoped that they had no desire to play neighbor to madmen more eager to expand their holdings than to act with even the semblance of dignity or honor. A desperate request is put out to these galactic northerners to demonstrate galactic displeasure with the Gelean armada on behalf of the Sisterhood promising rewards should their request for retribution be met. (Request: LYR, KSP, GEN, and/or KBC spend a Diplomacy action condemning the GLR for their assault on Ascendant Aurora monastery and pledging to oppose further GLR expansion through force if necessary. Reward: +1 Favor. Expiration Date: Round 4)

[Diplomacy] Attend Sai's Coronation - Emergent Bloom Monastery could not withstand an unending assault by the Rothuun who battered at the edge of the Core and bellowed loudly of their disregard for the Sisterhood who stood vigil at its border. Subspace communications had brought news of an offer for resolution proposed by the Droccen to evacuate the Sisterhood in the coming years which the Rothuun had apparently been made amiable to. In addition the Sublime People's Republic had reached out to make offer their acceptance of the Sisterhood's request for additional reinforcements should the Sisterhood meet them on Droccen to receive the forces. Although disappointed at the loss of yet another of their bases around the Core after the savage loss of Ascendant Aurora the opportunity to at least survive and preserve knowledge and lives was far more appealing than suffering a bloody beating by Minotaur warriors. Preparation was still occurring in far off Uplift Chorus space to receive Emergent Bloom's population but this could be more easily facilitated in person and so a representative is sent to attend the Coronation to more solidly negotiate these arrangements.

Spoiler

Show

• Agree to terms regarding RMT and Emergent Bloom Monastery negotiated by the DCC
• Accept 2 Units from SPR
• Accept additional units?
• Come to additional arrangements?

[Diplomacy] Contact the Uplift Chorus to discuss assistance to the Sisterhood - Fearful after the violent display of the Geleans and the aggression of the Rothuun the Sisterhood leadership begins to believe their long held vigil centered around the Core could be seriously threatened and with no nearby friendly powers it was deemed necessary that the Sisterhood develop a fallback position. Nearby to the Tezh who now claimed head of the One there were two stellar powers who also abided by the Sisterhood’s shared tenets and so the order transmits a request asking for preparations to begin for the possible construction of a new monastery further from the Core than any existing ones to act as shelter and possible fallback headquarters for the assaulted organization. (Request:SPR, TZH, or RTH convert T8 to the One. Reward: +1 Favor (highest roll wins if multiple conversions made). Expiration Date: Round 4)

{CHOICE - ALL PLAYERS} With the Core now threatened by the actions of the Geleans and the Rothuun, the Standing Task for the Sisterhood of Silence has temporarily increased. During Rounds 3 and 4, Stellar Powers who send the Sisterhood (2) Units will not only earn 1 Favor, but the "first" Stellar Power to do so during those rounds will also have a chance to receive a Reputation increase. "First" will be determined by either being the only Stellar Power to do so, or through a GM Roll at the end of the round. Players will receive a +bonus to the roll equal to their current reputation with the SoS.

Non-Action:

The Droccen were still something of an unknown to the Sisterhood but they had made positive efforts towards building friendship having worked to turn Celestia Enterprises into a mouthpiece for the One’s message even if it was unclear how this was being accepted within the upper echelons of CLS executives. With war erupted along the northern border of the Core with the Geleans and the Rothuun rattled sabers to the south quick integration of an SoS monastery location with a more friendly power seemed the wise course of action. Dawn Embrace monastery therefore issues an official statement of support for Droccen expansion into the core-border region they operated out of hoping the growth of Droccen power would herald a restoration of the Sisterhood’s own now declined state. (Support DCC claim on H18 granting them +2 from local support)

Cosmic Couriers

Spoiler

Show

[Diplomacy] Offer Courier aid in negotiations with Proxos - Although unexpected when urgent communiques had reached the nearby Courier Relay from the Etherites, Alysians, and Lyraens regarding the news related to the newly discovered Luminary known as Proxos an opportunity was quickly realized. Proxos seemed stubborn, stuck up, and with a superior attitude that had apparently made Lyraen negotiation teams headed by the powerful but in some views naive Luminary Lyrae stall out. The Couriers however were also all these things and much more able to engage with Proxos with a similar level of disdain for much of Axiom’s species. A camaraderie develops that allows the Couriers to press Proxos into accepting the Lyraen offer, at least for now, assuring the elder Proxos that young, in stellar terms, Lyrae could surely benefit from his tutelage. At last a peaceful resolution is agreed to and the Couriers walk away from the table with a tidy sum of favors owed. (Support LYR Diplomacy with Proxos in exchange for Favors owed by CmC from LYR, ETH, & EAA)

[Diplomacy] Inform Meritocracy, Melfynians, Symbraum, and Conclave of a suspected nearby Relay Recent activity by Meritocracy and Melfynian probes appears to have activated a long dormant Courier Relay in this sector of space and transmissions have been received by Courier headquarters of a general direction suspected to contain this Relay. Hoping to speed up the restoration of the network the Couriers authorize an incentive payment to be made to the first nearby stellar power to scout and offer protection to this nearby Relay. (Request:TMC, MFA, UPT, or CBS explore and claim E11. Reward:+1 Reputation +1 Favor. Expiration Date: Round 7)

[Economy] Offer Courier exploratory services to the Eternal Assembly of Alysia - The Courier Relay near to Alysia remained shrouded in unknown but it still broadcast openly and within the messages received Alysian satellites an offer is discovered. Eager to fill their own pockets the Couriers offer the Alysians first rights to their technical data about their stationed region in exchange for promises of future funding. (Request: Allow the CmC to Inquest K27 on behalf of EAA. Reward: +1 to Buyouts in K27 the following round, +1 Favor owed to CmC. Expiration Date: Round 4)

An’Null’s Eradicators

Spoiler

Show

[Military] Recruit 1 Unit of Eradicators - Although it does not disrupt the diplomatic care being taken with regards to the ‘Sarcophagi Worlds’ a disturbing discovery is made by local Symbraum agents in a tomb that had been carefully deactivated by UPT agents. It seems a number of the formerly ambulatory and hostile mummified forces which had returned to their coffins after UPT gained access to the tomb’s control room are missing and the crypt in which they had been stored is defaced and marked with Eradicator symbology. How exactly the Eradicators managed to slip in and slip out with a cargo of alien mummies mystifies the local UPT authority but the fact remains they are gone and it seems obvious who was to blame. (Units in E5 reduced by 1)

[Military] Recruit 1 Unit of Eradicators - Unexpectedly while conducting negotiations with the Smokers over trade for Subspace Camels the delegation from the Smokers cries out their renouncement of loyalty to Absolute Madlass Joe and their dedication to An’null before opening fire on the Duenem ambassadors and seizing the GLD-equipped ship they had arrived on. This band of Smokers escapes before any real reaction can formulate plunging themselves deep into the black spiralward seemingly towards whatever destination their Eradicator masters had set for them. For his part Joe insists these Smokers to be traitors of the highest order and disavows all knowledge of Eradicator activity in his sector of space. Whether the Duenem chose to believe him was another matter entirely. (Units in W23 reduced by 1)

[Intrigue] Secret

---

Round Three: Begin!
Galactic Dates 217504.0.0.81 - 217506.0.0.80

[bc56]

The Syndrome

Region S21: Heart-Beacons
Region T22: Violet Expanse
Overlady Yellow-Coat-Stripes

Actions Rolls

[Diplomacy] Inquire of S19 (SUCCESS-14)
After another failed attempt to explore S19, the Syndrome try more diplomatic measures to achieve their goals.

[Diplomacy] Press Claim on R22 (SUCCESS 1/2-13)
With a faction of crabs supported above the others, the Syndrome begin supplying weapons and equipment to help them overthrow their enemies. This is performed in secrecy, with only the highest echelons of the crabmen knowing about the alien interference.

[Military] Raise a Unit
A pod of Stealth Ravagers is assembled for more covert missions.

[Military] Raise a Unit
A pod composed primarily of scout ships is organized for long-distance recon missions.

[Intrigue] Secret Action (REDACTED-15)
No peeking!

Nonactions
Attend both events.

Support buyouts on open TPs except by the Ninurtine Empire
Support Conversions of all owned LCs to the Church of Iteus
Resist everything else.

Spoiler: N&R

Show

An outcry is raised over the Ninurtine attack. Yellow-Coat-Stripes refuses to send dozens of ships and countless subjects to die against an aggressor they cannot defeat, but promises retribution in return for the assault, even if it must be a century in the making.

A message is sent to the Ninurtine Empire in response to their unprovoked aggression.

Spoiler: Message for NUT

Show

To: Emperor Cherahiteth II
From Overlady Yellow-Coat-Stripes of the Syndrome.
Your attempt to steal by force what is rightfully mine does not go unnoticed. You have no claim upon the region, and did not even attempt to take control of it after you discovered it. Therefore, its ownership falls to me, for I established colonies there and developed its infrastructure.
However, I am willing to be peaceable about this. If you call off your unprovoked attack, I will arrange support for your people to purchase the hallucinogenic substances they desire, and once an agreement with our merchants has been reached, will reserve a portion of our stock for your people for the duration of peace between us. If you do not agree, our markets will be forever closed to you, and I will not ask nicely before taking from yours.

Summary: Yellow-Coat-Stripes offers a deal. If the Ninurtines stop their attack on T22, their future buyouts of Antispice shall be supported, and as long as they are not at war with the Syndrome, the Syndrome will take action against powers which target Ninurtine Antispice TPs. If the Emperor does not accept, the Syndrome will take action against Ninurtine buyouts and raids in their territory, and will actively target Ninurtine trade interests elsewhere, in addition to fighting over T22.

The discovery of a people like-minded in their stewardship of their natural resources in S23 excites the Syndrome. They hope to gain access to the unique, unspoiled nature of these neighboring planets for sampling.

The Church of Iteus is met with open arms. The Syndrome take interest in their doctrine of mental ascension, and find it useful for the training of new Shiphearts. They wish to procure samples of Iteus' genetic material for further experiments.

Spoiler: Tales from the Front

Show

Excerpts from The Maiden's Code
The Maiden's Code is one of the most culturally significant works of the Syndrome. It provides rules and guidelines for proper young ladies wishing to move up in the world.

"Secrecy is key. Do not even let your most trusted allies know what you plan, for the more there are who know your secrets, the more places there are where the knowledge can spill out."
"Success in your endeavors requires quick action. If you don't have the ovipositor to devour an opportunity as soon as it appears, someone else will take it from you."
"Use your sons to your advantage. As long as they report to you, they can be your eyes and ears. Do not, however, use purchased males in this way; their first loyalty is still to their mother."
"Always appear loyal, keep your promises when you can. When it is time for you to make your move, none will expect it."
"Don't be afraid to say who you work for, your employer is a rival too."

Spoiler: National Info

Show

Units: 2
Battle-Pod Rapant-Growth
Symbiote Carrier Carcass-Mold
Symbiote Carrier Creeping-Vine
Scout Vessel Fertile-Seed
Scout Vessel Hungry-Maw
Battle-Pod Heart-Guard
Symbiote Carrier Thorn-Coral
Ravager Rending-Claw
Ravager Necrotic-Sting

Resources:
Genetic Engineers (S21.1)
Antispice (T22.1)

Spoiler: Ruler Info

Show

Overlady Yellow-Coat-Stripes
Diplomacy: 4+1
Military: 2+1
Economy: 4
Philosophy: 1
Intrigue: 6

[Tentreto]

The Duenem

Region V20

Round 2
Actions:

1. [1][Diplomacy] Press Claim on V22 14
   [2][Military] Raise a unit
   [3][Military] Raise a unit
   [4][Economy] Explore U19 14
   [5][Economy] Buyout W23 tp 1 of subspace camels 18

link
(missed +1 for buyout)


Non Actions:

Spoiler: News and Rumours

Show

• With War and conflict happening with two of their nearest neighbours, Telescopic Radiance allocates more resources towards the consturction and outfitting of Ship Duen. In particular, a fleet of high manouver space chasis are constructed to engage any enemies as soon as possible
  
• With the massive increase in the scope of the Duenem, so too has the scope of resources. Various resource managers have noted that within a decade metal supplies could begin to dwindle, limiting all efficiency and repairs. As there is currently not a stable source nearby, exploration for new sources is the current solution, although there are other options if supplies dwindle faster than expected.
  
• 
  
  

Spoiler: Owned TPs

Show

V20 TP1-Mechanical Drones
V18 Tp1- Masterwork Jewelry

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Telescopic Radiance
Current Stats
Diplomacy 6
Military 4
Economy 8
Philosophy 2
Intrigue 3

New Ruler Next Round?
N
Expected Stat Bonuses
+1 Mil +1 Eco
CI: The New Age. D8 for expedition actions

[Moriko]

Mier Formica
Sectors: D16, D14

Round 3 Actions:

1. [Military] Conquer E17 with 4 units lead by Tapinoma Mier

2. [Diplomacy] Inquest into C15 Success 18

3. [Diplomacy] Inquest into D18 Failure 11

4. [Diplomacy] Solve unrest in D14 Success 14

5. [Diplomacy 5] Build an Embassy with Melfynians, All (MYA)


Non Actions:

Support conversion to Realtaism from Technocratic Meritocracy of Caruflaith Restored

Spoiler: Ruler Information

Show

Tapinoma Mier

Diplomacy: 6 + 2
Military: 6
Economy: 2
Philosophy: 2
Intrigue: 2

[Aedilred]

The Ninurtine Empire
Round 3

Spoiler: The Imperial Navy: Roster

Show

Ship Name	Class	Tonnage (approx)	Launch Date	Type	Status	Fleet	Captain	Notes
HIMS Santino	Santino	200000	217500	Light Cruiser	Active	Battlegroup A	Captain Sennaderesh	Flagship
HIMS Frederico	Santino	200000	217501	Light Cruiser	Active	Battlegroup A	Captain Essacharach
HIMS Hagen	Santino	200000	217502	Light Cruiser	Active	Battlegroup A	Captain Dashunul
HIMS Constanzia	Santino	190000	217502	Light Cruiser	Active	Battlegroup B		Flagship
HIMS Sterkelv	Sterkelv	60000	217503	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup B
HIMS Forksby	Sterkelv	60000	217503	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup B
HIMS Harick	Sterkelv	62000	217503	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup B
HIMS Kronar	Sterkelv	65000	217503	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup B
HIMS Lara	Tenderskatter	40000	217504	Gunboat	Active	Battlegroup B
HIMS Vholes	Tulkinghorn	102000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup B
HIMS Harker	Tulkinghorn	101000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup B
HIMS Oldbuck	Tulkinghorn	102000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup B
HIMS Clemenza	Santino	206000	217504	Light Cruiser	Active	Battlegroup D		Flagship
HIMS Norvest	Sterkelv	65000	217504	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup D
HIMS Vestlig	Sterkelv	65000	217504	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup D
HIMS Cassius	Sterkelv	64000	217504	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup D
HIMS Skyfather	Sterkelv	64000	217504	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup D
HIMS Ivar	Tenderskatter	41000	217504	Gunboat	Active	Battlegroup D
HIMS Virender	Tenderskatter	41000	217504	Gunboat	Active	Battlegroup D
HIMS Morgan	Tenderskatter	41000	217504	Gunboat	Active	Battlegroup D
HIMS Maxwell	Tenderskatter	40000	217504	Gunboat	Active	Battlegroup D
HIMS Finch	Tulkinghorn	100000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup D
HIMS Rumpole	Tulkinghorn	103000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup D
HIMS Affront	Affront	30000	217504	Torpedo Boat	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Outrage	Affront	30000	217504	Torpedo Boat	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Pique	Affront	30000	217504	Torpedo Boat	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Apoplexy	Affront	30000	217504	Torpedo Boat	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Brickbat	Affront	30000	217504	Torpedo Boat	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Vex	Affront	30000	217504	Torpedo Boat	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Afridi	Tenderskatter	40000	217504	Gunboat	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Tulkinghorn	Tulkinghorn	100000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup E		Flagship
HIMS Brass	Tulkinghorn	100000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Carton	Tulkinghorn	101000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Jaggers	Tulkinghorn	105000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Fogg	Tulkinghorn	100000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Perker	Tulkinghorn	99000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup E
HIMS Genco	Santino	210000	217503	Light Cruiser	Active	Battlegroup G		Flagship
HIMS Enga	Sterkelv	62000	217504	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup G
HIMS Gnarl	Sterkelv	61000	217504	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup G
HIMS Peryton	Sterkelv	64000	217504	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup G
HIMS Awstin	Sterkelv	65000	217504	Destroyer	Active	Battlegroup G
HIMS Tenderskatter	Tenderskatter	40000	217504	Gunboat	Active	Battlegroup G
HIMS Gayle	Tenderskatter	40000	217504	Gunboat	Active	Battlegroup G
HIMS Wickfield	Tulkinghorn	100000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup G
HIMS Haphazard	Tulkinghorn	105000	217504	Frigate	Active	Battlegroup G
HIMS Inflexible	Inflexible	225000	217506	Armoured Light Cruiser	Under Construction	Battlegroup V		Flagship
HIMS Implacable	Inflexible	225000	217506	Armoured Light Cruiser	Under Construction	Battlegroup V
HIMS Impervious	Inflexible	226000	217506	Armoured Light Cruiser	Under Construction	Battlegroup V
HIMS Bjurnja	Sterkelv	65000	217505	Destroyer	Under Construction	Battlegroup V
HIMS Stormstone	Sterkelv	65000	217505	Destroyer	Under Construction	Battlegroup V
HIMS Benedict	Sterkelv	60000	217505	Destroyer	Under Construction	Battlegroup V
HIMS Silvorge	Sterkelv	60000	217505	Destroyer	Under Construction	Battlegroup V
HIMS Clawling	Sterkelv	60000	217505	Destroyer	Under Construction	Battlegroup V
HIMS Inexorable	Inflexible	226000	217506	Armoured Light Cruiser	Under Construction	Battlegroup Z
HIMS Intransigent	Inflexible	225000	217506	Armoured Light Cruiser	Under Construction	Battlegroup Z
HIMS Cassius	Sterkelv	65000	217505	Destroyer	Under Construction	Battlegroup Z
HIMS Minotron	Sterkelv	62000	217505	Destroyer	Under Construction	Battlegroup Z
HIMS Hutz	Tulkinghorn	102000	217505	Frigate	Under Construction	Battlegroup Z
HIMS Jermyn	Tulkinghorn	102000	217505	Frigate	Under Construction	Battlegroup Z
HIMS MacIntyre	Tulkinghorn	102000	217505	Frigate	Under Construction	Battlegroup Z
HIMS Penetrator	Penetrator	50000	217500	Armed Diplomatic	Active	Contact A	Captain Sharugin
HIMS Thruster	Penetrator	49000	217504	Armed Diplomatic	Active	Contact A
HIMS Anson	Anson	250000	217496	Exploration	Active	Contact B	Captain Biphethag	Flagship
HIMS Intrepid	Intrepid	30000	217498	Exploration	Active	Contact B	Commander Himashim
HIMS Bold	Intrepid	30000	217500	Exploration	Active	Contact B	Captain Chanubun
HIMS Dynamo	Intrepid	30000	217500	Exploration	Active	Contact B	Commander Medenon
HIMS Moxy	Intrepid	30000	217500	Exploration	Active	Contact B	Commander Chanithashar
TW-HV	Tailwind	5000	217490	Cutter	Active	Contact B
TW-AGD	Tailwind	5000	217490	Cutter	Active	Contact B
TW-AGE	Tailwind	5000	217490	Cutter	Active	Contact B
TW-AGV	Tailwind	5000	217490	Cutter	Active	Contact B
HIMS Fitzroy	Anson	250000	217504	Exploration	Active
HIMS Cornucopia	Cornucopia	300000	217499	Colony Ship	Active		Captain Amberechul
HIMS Dash	Intrepid	30000	217498	Exploration	In Ordinary		Commander Chasukar
HIMS Audacious	Intrepid	30000	217499	Exploration	In Ordinary		Commander Chadethech
HIMS Spunk	Intrepid	30000	217500	Exploration	In Ordinary		Commander Henechab
HIMS Intercourse	Penetrator	50000	217504	Armed Diplomatic	Active	Contact G	Captain Bechadoluk
SS-AA	Skysail	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
SS-AB	Skysail	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
SS-AG	Skysail	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
SS-AD	Skysail	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
SS-AE	Skysail	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
TW-GAA	Tailwind	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
TW-GAB	Tailwind	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
TW-GAG	Tailwind	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
TW-GAD	Tailwind	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
TW-GAE	Tailwind	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
TW-GAV	Tailwind	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
TW-GAZ	Tailwind	5000	217504	Cutter	Active
TW-GAT	Tailwind	5000	217504	Cutter	Active

News and Rumours

• WAR! Following a long debate in the Council of State, it is decided that the Syndrome present too great a threat to be left unchallenged, and the newly-expanded Imperial Navy should be dispatched to reclaim the lost sector in T22. It is believed that the President of Arursha was opposed to this plan, together with the Commissioner-General, but that they were unable to gather sufficient support to stop it.
• Some say that the decision to go to war was the Emperor's, and that he has taken a leading role in the Council. Opinion is divided on whether this is a good thing.
• Shortly after the declaration of war, Justiciar-General Durgachabeph dies in his sleep. Not long afterwards, Angurchathamur resigns as Commissioner-General.
• Malachothub is appointed Justiciar-General and Durgadoresh is appointed Commissioner-General.
• Ninurbethush is said to be furious not to get the post of Commissioner-General. Her failure to secure a trade deal with the Celenians is said to be the cause.
• Several women on the Twr colony discover that they have been made pregnant by the same individual, Garagin. He is caught out when he unfathomably arranges a wedding for three of his lovers on the same day, and is kicked to death by the prospective brides.
• In light of the Garagin scandal, there have been calls to introduce new laws imposing a moral code on Twr.
• Meanwhile the HIMS Penetrator and the HIMS Thruster are sent to perform an Inquest in region U25.

Actions

[Military] Invade region T22 with 1 unit.
[Military] Build 1 unit
[Military] Build 1 unit
[Diplomacy] Create CI (stabilising regions)
[Diplomacy] Inquest region U25 - 16

Spoiler: Ruler Stats

Show

Philosophy: 3
Economy: 5
Philosophy: 3
Philosophy: 3
Economy: 5
Reputation: 0

Diplomacy 5
Intrigue 2
Military 4

Next round: +1 Diplomacy, +1 Military