Total War: Sethennai IC

[neriractor]

The Knights Null

espionage defense 4, Rep 2

NPCs

Spoiler: Ironfang mercenary company

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-Cpt. Azaersi

Excellent, we are in agreement then, I'll let you know which deal I need once my people reach an understanding with the painters.

to a profitable future,
-Count Tareis XI Von Kail, Chapter Master of Sethenai, ogre maul.

Spoiler: The Dreamers

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The knight looks... conflicted. Clearly more used to head on battle or the stain of coin than dealing in blankets and food with a street Urchin looking to feed her own, eventually he apparently finds resolve enough to deal.

That seems... more than I can promise right now for anything but all to be known in Sethennai. After all the coin and aid will need an escort given what the knights' symbol does to increase the chance of ambush... Could you please consider giving us the mentions as well for just the aid? once the people get used to seeing us come and go, the escort can be lowered and we can add some extra coin for your troubles.

Spoiler: OOC

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Jeez, that's some expensive as hell info still, rep 2 and all, plus they can see me being "expansionist" just fine. Hopefully they do take the 1 ECO for both agreements though.

PCs

Spoiler: Painter's Guild

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The smirk changes from the Cadian to the knight, with the former acquiring a quizzical look before putting a hand to her chest and lowering her head, presumably an apology.

The pair seemingly lowers their guard a bit at the beginning, the knight comenting something or another about the story while the Cadian mostly nodded and listened to the song. Nearing the 15 minute mark the Cadian discreetly casted a minor awareness charm on her and the knight who was tapping her foot on the floor without realizing it.

When finally the ranked one enters, they are adressed by the knight "Well, you'll have to excuse us for being unaware of the Vault's proposition, as frankly, the idea that they'll be able to take over foundrytown from their position is laughable.

If you could let us know the kind of deal we'd have to beat, we can begin throwing offers, which would of course include aid against the vault's reprises or... perhaps a helping hand for any palatial ambitrions, which would allow you to meet both deals at once."

Spoiler: OOC

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Right, so... can I know what I'm bidding against before throwing wild offers, just for the sake of expediency?

I'll let that palatial takeover or protection offer as appetizers

Spoiler: The Cloven court of Valmont

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To The Bureau of Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes, Ministre de Correspondance for the First Princess

Let the princess wishes pass through the Gate to where they may be heard, we can confirm our intention to spread through the crossroads but first... I must apologize, as my aid (my sight is not what it used to be) appears to have misnamed the streets on the map, "a mistake born from unfamiliarity" he says, I thought you were taking [57] and [59], hugging the river and sadly I must insist that those remain the borders of our agreement, as it is the deal already approved by our Chapter Master, my person and the rest of the leading council.

Otherwise a non-agression treaty would be most appreciated as long as it it made to accomodate the terms of our previous agreement. We really don't expect an attack from you but I do appreciate the proper order of things and one step at a time does lead us to the non-aggression pact.

Terribly sorry for any hassle my mistake may have caused,
-Aztar III, Coinmaster, Crimson Captain.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

soooo, I totally thought 58 was where 59 is, and since giving up 58 clearly means also giving up 59, I'm gonna have to ask that 58 isn't a part of the deal.

that bit about the terms of our agreement would be something along the lines of "should the knights control the rest of the crossroads and the Cloven court not cede the territories it took in that district as promised, this agreement is void" so it'll be quite far away if it ever came to pass.

I'm liking it so far, hope you don't mind mine

[Hamste]

The Painters Guild
Morale 6, Rep 3

Spoiler: The Knights Null

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Oh, they don't want all of it. They have a very specific claim around a certain rich dragon that cuts off our access. Their main offer is not taking our guildhall, not interfering in the crossroads and letting us stick our noses into the palatine if we really wanted to do that. The main advantage is we don't have to move elsewhere, which is a costly affair. We have just recently brought up the conflict with them yet so no clue if they would offer more than that. You are the ones asking for us to actually do something while they are asking for us not to do something so it makes we come to you first. Plus you have been talking non-stop with the Cloven Court even if we don't know what about I can only assume it is good and we quite like them so we would prefer yours.

We are also curious if you would be interested in a cooperative deal on the Ironfang Company. You are rich, we are pretty rich and so I think together we might be in a good position to pay off and take up whatever monetary obligation the Prince had to them rather than any temporary arrangement. Get them on a retainer where we pay them fight or no fight with a guarantee to pay a little extra when they fight someone for us and a guarantee they won't attack us. We have even started sweetening the pot for them.

Spoiler: OOC

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Basically they just want you to cover the costs of expanding to a neutral square with in 2 turns (So they can forfeit it for free, seeing they are giving up a square)

Spoiler: Ironfang Mercenary Company

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Out of curiosity, how much did the Prince have you are on retainer for or was it more just monetary? If someone could match it, would they be able to hire you on a retainer similar to the Prince's?

Spoiler: Weavers' Masquerade

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A rather happy looking physically perfect male. Undoubtedly, the espionage focused weavers can see the man is physically a female below the illusions and would recognize them from the secretary the the Knights Null met. The man seems genuinely excited to see whatever tour was offered. They are particularly interested in body alterations and he was most likely the person who expressed the most interest in the masquerade. A background check reveals the man is most known for his work on erotic novels and illusionary tattoos with secretary work at the guild.

Spoiler: OOC

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He is the guy most likely to become a VIP if he doesn't die and I ever have the spare resources so just giving him some backstory as he goes to the Masquerade.

[St. Justicar]

NPC Responses

Ironfang Mercenary Company, Morale 6

Spoiler: Painters Guild

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The Prince provided a significant payment upfront, a twice-yearly retainer, and then a bonus whenever he needed anything more serious that parade work done. Call him what you want, he wasn’t stupid.

Of course, no one’s paid that retainer for the second half of the year, and getting ourselves fried or melted trying to charge into a cursed palace ain’t in our contract. So as it stands we’re happy to keep our own little slice of peace and defend the city if anyone comes calling. Beyond that, call us free agents.

If you want us on permanent retainer, I’d be open to a deal. At the moment we’re trying to find enough work to put together a proper pension for all the old soldiers and anyone who gets ****ed over in this mess. You want to cover that yourself, we can call it good for a year’s work.

Speaking of getting ****ed over. Those bankers set up near the Palantine have been making offers and asking for prices for us to clear out some property for them. Including the price to make them your new neighbours. Haven’t committed to anything yet, but if they do I’ll make sure you get a chance to make a counter-offer. Or at least know to stay clear.

-Cpt. Azaersi

Spoiler: ooc

Show

If you want to permanently incorporate them, it’ll be 4 Permanent Eco worth of property, investments, privileges, etc. (20 temp eco to buy). Though that’s a bucket all the work they get paid for counts against, so if it’s filled up otherwise a year’s contract (the length of the game) would be rather less.

Dreamers, Morale 6

Spoiler: Knights Null

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Zoe took another moment before replying. “Okay, we can do that. But you have to commit, then. To do the same thing, at least until the fall?”

She shrugged “Or we can just trade the normal way. Tell me a secret, that I don’t already know. Words for words. But I’m pretty sure you don’t know anything like that.”

Spoiler: ooc

Show

Acceptable, but you’ll need to commit to the deal with 3 months/turns. You can pay in one lump sum for efficiency, if desired.

Also, knowledge of some secret/rumour worth knowing that the Dreamers don’t already know would be acceptable as an alternate payment.

First Bank of Sethennai, Morale 5

Spoiler: Cloven Court

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From the Desk of Executive Director Salman Ticaret

For delivery to The Bureau of Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes and Ministre de Correspondance to Isabelle VII

A pleasure to do business with you. I look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with both you and your queen. I will await confirmation of the deal form ‘Viceroy’ Nahzar.

Spoiler: Ironfang Mercenary Company

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Anyone with a developed enough informant network will catch word of Director Ticaret entering into contract negotiations for Ironfang troops to provide security for the trading district the Bank stands at the heart of, at least for the next month. Unless something else interferes, negotiations seem to be going very well.

Weaver’s Masquerade, Morale 4

Spoiler: Painters’ Guild

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[i]The painter’s representative is met by Maia Dayal herself – or at least, she says so. Presently appearing as a striking Khasali woman, if with a few cosmetic alterations – cat’s eyes, living tattoos constantly crawling across her skin, things like that.

She’s more than happy to provide a guided tour of the Masquerade’s greatest attractions – or the ones currently holding her interest, anyway. Cockfights involving custom-made creatures bearing little resemblance to any living animal and gladiatorial arenas where particularly bold warriors to volunteer to fight similar things for marvellous prizes. Dances that are both obscene and – literally – mesmerizing. Acrobats and escape artists who warp their bodies in flatly impossible ways, or push them well past gruesome breaking points and put themselves back together as they take their bows. Living tableaus, where participants stand frozen in some impossible intense extreme of passion or sensation for hours and days on end. And, of course, the eponymous Masquerade itself, a grand bacchanal and marketplace where each arrival offers up their face at the door, and spends the evening in the kindly offered skin of a stranger. Though no musicians are ever seen, at all times calliopes can be faintly heard to provide the correct ambience.

At a certain point, Maia does ask if he would prefer to have his body match the illusion, as a personal favour. [/]

Keendream Expedition, Morale 4

Spoiler: Shackle

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Ms. Shackle,

Feel no need to apologize, it’s a pleasure to educate anyone interested on the true history of our home.

It depends on how strictly you limit your definitions, truthfully. Certainly there are thousands upon thousands of dwarven and goliath citizens in Crossroads who can trace their family histories to before the conquest, and many more in the slums of Redgate and the tenements of Sootcliffe who could if they had any of their history left to them. Much of the architecture of the old city is built on the bones of what has come before, as is Redgate Prison of course. Some relics and treasures are scattered across museums and collections both here and across the sea.

But in terms of the city’s government and aristocracy there is little or nothing left of the Old Kingdom, unfortunately.

All the best,
Ilidak Keendream Kathu-Viano, Expedition Lead

Bookhounds, Morale 3

Spoiler: Shackle

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The reply is delivered by a young orphan, though a significantly cleaner and better fed one than most who survive running messages.

Dear Shackle,

Sure, happy to help with that. Nasty neighbourhood, honestly – I mean, sticking a couple hundred wannabe wizards together and calling it a school is always going to be messy, but the ‘Arcane Brotherhood’ who own the streets right now are basically a gang who sometimes know how to cast a fireball. I know a few friends who’d love a chance to clean them up.

Though in terms of help, torches would be more help then shadows, honestly. If you get my meaning.

About the other thing – if you know a way to teach him a bit of mercy then I’m happy to help, gratis.

Sincerely,
Nikos Roth,
Ieró Books and Antiquities

Spoiler: ooc

Show

Deal, though they’d prefer to trade for ADV than ESP
Tier 1 VIPs don’t get the passive ability, but your reputation with them is sufficiently high that they’d be willing to trade Roth and 1 Mag for that LTP in exchange for 1 Adv

[GameOfChampions]

Blade of the People
Mor 5
Rep 5

Spoiler: Chainbreakers

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We too want a unified Redgate under the Chainbreakers. We would not deny you control of the cursed fortress. We would manage this prison break before then convincing them to join the Blade.

You would take the fortress and we would offer up a gift of thanks in return. We would hopefully have this sorted out by the time you make your way to the fortress.

Spoiler: OOC

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Ok so pretty much I'm not planning on keeping the land. I plan on doing the jailbreak then a quick project to subsume the new NPC. In return I would offer you the territory no charge and a permenant point or possibly using my Esp to read mail for a few turns.

Time frame wise it should be wrapped up around the same time you would be able to attack the territory anyway. Possibly one turn after. So there wouldn't be a delay on you taking the whole district.

Spoiler: Ironfang

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Hail!

We see that the might of the Ironfang is not one bound to the whims and petty desires of the Tyrant Prince. We have been in his armies and felt the disregard he has for those that fight for him.

Why continue living in the city but not being a part of it. Do you not wish to join it in truth, put down roots and make this place your own? We wish for it to be so. Let us work with you, prove our word to convince you of this.

Spoiler: OOC

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What's the project?

[neriractor]

The Knights Null

espionage defense 4, Rep 2

PCs

Spoiler: The Painter's Guild

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"Your assumptions are correct, our relation with the Cloven Court is most amicable, and its worth noting that they spoke well of you too. We'd be willing to lend you some hexers and the local Cadian sisterhood" (so Mag) "in order to help your mages make a suitable home at... the breweries or the palatinate gardens? whichever you prefer."

"We have already agreed to pay them for an escort to our new delegates in [53], and we'll be open to the sort of payment plan you agree, it'll be nice to have a military besides our own, now that the local brigands seem so friendly with eachother..."

Spoiler: OOC

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So, would that be:
*you move right now, I pay within the next two turns. (I can provide the public acknowledgement here, preferred option as well.)
*you move within two turns (in which you take no new crossroad territories), I pay right now. (I'll need a public acknowledgement for this one.)
or *you move within two turns I pay once you move? (this one includes the one where you comit to leave right now and I comit to pay right now, both publicly.)

interested in the ironfang deal.

NPCs

Spoiler: The Dreamers

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The two knights converse for a few minutes trying to think up any secrets Zoe may nbot know but come out empty handed.

"Very well, we'll deliver enough to last you until fall in a few shipments, pleasure doing business with you."

[Nemesis67]

Shackle
Defensive Espionage - 7
Reputation - 3

Spoiler: Bookhounds (7)

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Unfortunately, I don't have enough torches to be able to send them out. It's shadows, or the Arcane Brotherhood will have to wait until next month. But I don't think I need you specifically to help, if you have other matters to tend to.

Shackle, Esq.
Capitol Assurances

OOC: Literally can't trade Adv, because I only have 1 Adv and need my last 1 Rep for another thing, so I can't pay the transaction fee. I can only trade Esp unless I want to pull from something else. And, right, I forgot Magic Tier 1 VIPs didn't get the passive. That means I don't think it matters if I get a Mag 1 VIP or 1 Magic, so whatever works for them.

So 1 Esp (with 1 Esp paid as transaction fee) for Roth or 1 Magic.

Spoiler: The Keendream Expedition (7)

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Why have those in Redgate and Sootcliffs lost their history? I assume they'd appreciate being educated as to their heritage. Is there anything stopping you from doing so?

[Hamste]

The Painters Guild
Morale 6, Rep 3

Spoiler: The Knights Null

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Let's split the difference. Half up front, half after and we both do a public declaration heading to the Foundry. Talking with the Ironfang's they would be willing to incorporate with us for [4 permanent economy]. If you join us with 2, we can split their troops in half with us getting the leader and you getting the land. We could also make a deal with them to hire them for a year instead which should be enough time to settle everything but risks them dying and you still needing to get their land.

Spoiler

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So you give half this turn, I get it I will secede the territory then I get the other half. This also lets me confirm I can actually get a territory at 12 so I don't accidentally kill myself.

Ironfangs want 4 permanent economy to incorporate. Don't know what resources we exactly get for that but we get their vip and land for sure. Them being alive might get us a stronger person working for us but that risks them turning.

[n0ble]

Morale 4
Rep 3

With the lure of adventurer temporarily satiated amongst those that crave it in the Vault's population, Sethennai residence that care to notice have noted a curious strangeness to the exterior of the S'Letaunntic Vault: its gotten slightly taller.

Spoiler: The Painter’s Guild

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Indeed friends, indeed. Requiring an accounting of all those involved is only proper business acumen, one us Vaulters heartily commend in the spirit of advancement. Much like our Floor systems, our goals are modular and negotiable.

Spoiler: OOC

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Figured we should also talk about/actually hammer (heh) out what to do with Foundrytown-is there a particular territory you want/wanted me to stop at? In the interest of mutualism I'm honestly pretty good with settling 10 and below if 11 is a big goal/gain for you-I'd really rather not have us set against each other by the Knights. Completely down to provide you with the city rumours for free too if that helps.

Spoiler: The Knights Knull

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Four ivory torcs arrive at the Knight's chapter house. Each one is a ivory circlet that looks like it can be adjusted to fit the circumference of whoever's arm they're worn on. When arranged and stacked on top of one another the torcs form the S'Letaunntic glyph for "respect". The symbols shimmer like sunspun gold when exposed to light, and upon close examination one finds that they're neither carved nor painted on. Instead its actually gold, somehow adhered or plated to the ivory of the torc's stone. Comparisons and analysis by appraisers on-staff not only rank them as moderately valuable to an individual Knight's holdings, and cut from the very highest Vault-rock, the exterior of Floor 24.

Laughable eh? Perhaps we are. Perhaps. But if we are to be the butt of other's humour then we are to also share it with the status of your securities against espionages. For if we Vaulters are laughable-as your representatives to the Painter's Guild posits-then we ask: what myriad humours might be found in the subversion of security measures, ones that laughable Vaulters are capable of undermining? Thus: we are both fools when it comes to such things. Let us find more common ground. You are blind to intelligence gathering, dazzled by the allure of profit and coin, while our focus on diversification has yielded far and away less growth than the pockets of your individuals. This is not a begrudgment upon the name of the Knights Knull. An individuals autonomy within the paradigm of advancement is paramount to the operation of a hale society. We are but different, yet the same in function, if not purposes. Well. Absent extortions on our end and vigilantism on yours, that is. Shall we not then commiserate together together then, as to the state of this packed-close city and its near occupant limit, as only fools might? Let us laugh at the folly of the conceit that there is enough for everyone and yet seek to confound the notion nonetheless. Between the two of us, we're sure, there is more than enough for all to contend with.

Spoiler: OOC

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Gettin' pretty crowded in here eh? We should do something about that. As a sign of good faith I can offer you a reasonable price on the rumour mill

Spoiler: The Cloven Court

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A hyena pelt-larger than yet just as comfy to wear as any royal plush comforter-is left by a suspiciously open window to the Dragon in Exile's bedroom. The fur underneath the black spots of the hide is a rust-brown, verging on orange in certain lights. When touched, the spots ripple and bleb into thin S'Letuanntic Glyphs written in what looks like ink. The first glyp the spots form is the S'Letaunntic word for "respect". They shift and wimple to new words or Vault-Slang as they are read. Having retained some of the essential nature of the beast to which it once belonged, the red-brown hues of hyena fur shift and morph to match whatever it is held against, until only the glyphs remain visible like graffiti.

Princess,

You've many inscrutable words. One can only imagine at their eloquence. Yet those you reach out to betray your intent. The Hierophant. The Knights. You would match the Tangle with a web of your own. My people will profess the neutrality of the midge in such a conflict. They bear no ill will for the missing missives, nor do they begrudge the absence of the Courts inattentions towards them. My Vaulters will preach their neutrality in your conflict, for they recognize the same from your court in how you've spared them the honour of your correspondence. Now.

Wherefore are your words for Kvoss?

NPCs

Spoiler: The Painted Doctors

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Indeed, a more than fair trade! We thank you for the lesson on equivalent exchange.

Spoiler: OOC

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4 for 4 sounds good to me.

[A_Dinosaur]

The Chainbreaker Confederacy

Spoiler: Regate Prison's Last Message to the Chainbreakers - Public

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No response is given. But the next morning, a half-dozen prisoners known to have been on friendly terms with Cruze or other escapees swing from the gallows outside the prison – given their state being led to the gallows they must have been thoroughly worked over beforehand, too.

Over the next few days, several people and businesses known to have ties to the Chainbreakers in eastern Redgate are hit with particularly brutal ‘searches’, ostensibly to sweep up fugitives.

Six more pairs of dangling feet above Redgate prison, fresh this morning, Chainbreaker or Trident marks on all of em’. Ritona spat in the gutter far below, her perch from Akimbo’s water tower giving her an excellent view of the choked message from the Warden.

“All but a declaration of war, but this city would still call us the villains if we sought our feud price at this point in the act. Bastards.”

The Gullmen with her remained silent quietly scoping the area below for signs of the Succubus Queen of Akimbo Street.

“Ye’ll pay fer this Warden, yer walls an’ chains wont protect from whats comin’.”

Morale 2, Rep 2

Players

The Blade of the People

Spoiler

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Well our intentions were just to smash and grab and get all the prisoners free we can, and while I can see yer plan’s merits, our main goal is to get OUR buccaneers out a’fore they all swing from the gallows. I’m not intending to let the Warden hang folk forever. The sooner that scurvy-ridden demon is outta power the happier I’ll be. Perhaps rather than an infiltration you’d be willing to assist my folk in the assault? It won’t be this month, but damn soon is where my plans lie. Way I see it, even if we both declared eachother best of friends tonight and started throwing espionage in the pot it’d probably be just as long a process and we’d be splitting a lesser reward unless ye have some way to rebind that demon masquerading as warden to yer will. If its the Red Ocean boys yer after to pocket whats left a’ Prem’s crew I’m sure we can secure em’ yer way during the attack.

Sharp Blades,
Captain Ritona Curze

OOC: Speed is playing a relatively big part for me, not to mention its potentially a pretty big investment with not much return by your offer, unless you intend to pony up the majority of the cost, which goes back to the question of speed.

The Tangle Geist

Spoiler

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First Bank? No real ill will to those dastards beyond general contempt for authority, I could see a strike against em’ would be beneficial, but my hands are tied in redgate for at least a month or two. My meaning was a’ leaning on the brace of wars already declared. I could see a wind where ye help me sure, but the Chainbreakers are already in hot enough water from our own braggart ways before tying our rep to a… what even are ye’ again? Let’s talk again next month once I see how ye’ve handled yer dangerous meal, I’ve got me own business to batten down.

Sharp Blades,
Captain Ritona Curze

Shackle

Spoiler

Show

Business with the Warden eh? Well I’ll hope its arguing for fair representation for criminals rather than a spot on his Gallow racks fer anyone he deems too ugly. I’ve been keepin’ an eye on his runners headin’ out gotta say it was fun to take a peek at his binding words, though I didn’t see yer message headin’ in. Your folk must be pretty good.

Fair’s fair, tis’ an interesting tidbit about Prem’s crew, one thats a bit before my time at sea. I can tell ye’ that somethin’s escaped some nobles menagerie and is stalkin’ through the Palantine, almost certainly got a few people already judging by the disappearances. Bloody fops, if you’ve so much cash that yer buying exotic animals whatever is the point of keepin’ em cooped up fer just yerself.

Sharp Blades and Fair Winds,
Ritona Curze

[St. Justicar]

NPC Responses

Dreamers, morale 6

Spoiler: Knights Null

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Zoe smiled, and offered her hand to the knights in turn. “It was great to get a chance to meet you! I’m glad we’re able to help each other.”

Finishing the wrap she’d been holding in a few bits, she turned and began walking into the crowded floating marketplace. Just before stepping off the barge where the knights stood, she looked over her shoulder and said “I hope your bosses know what they’re doing, with the artists and the soldiers.”

And then she was gone.

Ironfang Mercenary Company, Morale 6

Spoiler: Blade of the People

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The reply looks quickly dashed off on the closest piece of cheap paper available. The writing is rough and angular, by a hand clearly more used to goblinoid runes than Illyrin calligraphy

Cael is gone and unless he reappears we’re accepting contracts. But I won’t blow smoke up your ass, I doubt you can afford us.

But people like you and no one says you don’t keep faith, if you want to make an offer, I’m not going to turn my nose up. You want the Ironfang? We want security, not just coin in hand but a steady income to make sure no one’s rotting in the street in their old age. Give us that, we’ll fight for you to the gates of Hell.

-Cpt. Azaersi

Spoiler: ooc

Show

Nice and simple, for the mercs. They want money – 4 permanent eco worth of properties, investments, privileges and rents, to secure a pension for the widows and orphans and such (either transferred wholesale, or via 20 temp eco paid to them to buy themselves). A decent portion of everything they’re paid from any jobs taken will also go towards that.

That done, it’s just the highest bidder.

Hierophant, Morale 4

Spoiler: Cloven Court

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Vicomtesse,
As I said, for the moment my attentions will be largely monopolized by more defensive measures. But your proposal certainly has merit, and I will be sure to keep it in mind.

Hierophant Y. Cenred

Keendream Expedition, Morale 4

Spoiler: Shackle

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Ms. Shackle,

The residents of the slums live there for lack of other options, not because of any proud connection to their homes. And few have the good fortune to know the history that is their birthright, whether that of their family or their race. And it is difficult to blame them, when they devote their energies to finding bread and water for the night instead.

I might have tried regardless, but my work required Cael’s patronage. The city’s patricians are the descendents of the captains and adventurers who led the rapacious horde which destroyed the Old Kingdom and doomed this land to centuries of anarchy, and the coterie who followed Cael into power were, one and all, ice-blooded moneychangers from across the sea with little interest in my home but the riches they could extract from it. Neither group looks kindly on the idea of their subjects gaining a sense of pride and dignity, or realizing their kinship with their brethren in the interior. And so the Cael did not, either.

All the best,
Ilidak Keendream Kathu-Viano, Expedition Lead

Bookhounds, Morale 3

Spoiler: Shackle

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Shades will have to do, then. I’ve got a few ideas for what they might help root out. I’ll make a few introductions with some friends who can help.

Sincerely,
Nikos Roth,
Ieró Books and Antiquities

Spoiler: ooc

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Deal

Painted Doctors, Morale 2

Spoiler: S’letaunntic Vault

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Music to my ears! I’ll look forward to the seeing what you’ve got for me. Send someone down with it, I’ll have the coin for you. And make sure they know they’re welcome to stick around and enjoy themselves!

Spoiler: ooc

Show

Deal

[Nemesis67]

Shackle
Defensive Espionage - 7
Reputation - 3

Spoiler: The Keendream Expedition (7)

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It sounds like those moneychangers will be facing a living manifestation of the city's vengeance this month. The Prince's other master will also suffer the same. Captain Azaersi has not been paid for months, so the Ironfang bide their time. And that just leaves Vrocdruk to maintain Cael's regime. Though, another question about the currently First Warden: Do you know of his character from before? How much of who he is now is him, and how much is the Tyrant's bindings?

---

Spoiler: Chainbreaker's Confederacy (7)

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Yes... That would be... Preferred.

I'll see how far I can sway the First Warden. I'd consider it as a personal favor if you let me proceed without interference this month and the next.

Spoiler: Blade of the People (7)

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An unsigned and unaddressed letter is delivered to the Blade Headquarters by what appears to be a crow. Though most crows don't vanish in a puff of smoke after dropping off mail, so who knows.

"That goes for you as well."

[A_Dinosaur]

The Chainbreaker Confederacy

Morale 2, Rep 2

Shackle

Spoiler

Show

Did ye not read the message I publicly revealed? The warden may not be tradin’ words back an’ forth but his message is clear as day. The fact that he can twist the knots as much as he already is without the damned city batting an eye is insult enough as it is. My folk are dyin’ in those walls, a cyan shirt is enough to get yer shop searched for ‘Chainbreaker Sympathizers’ in Redgate. What could ye’ possibly be plannin’ that would make it worth me lettin’ those people die cause the Warden’s precious ego couldn’t handle an escape already a year old.

Gods damn, half a’ those folk swingin’ now weren’t even ex-trident, some were just innocent Redgate folk whose family’s dealt with the Chainbreakers at some point or another. Yer words may have been accountin’ fer those swingin’ from the Redgate battlements, but I ask that at least ye consider em’ now.

Captain Ritona Curze

[neriractor]

The Knights Null

espionage defense 4, Rep 2

Spoiler: Public announcements

Show

A contract is made Public for the world to see,

In it the Ironfangs are asked to help protect a number of threatened Loan houses, with whatever means the mercenaries find to their liking, and preferably in the span of a month, when this is done the Knights Null will pay a Sum totalling 600 Ducats [6 Eco] between payment notes, valuables and military supplies. The contract is Signed by ChapterMaster Tareis XI Von Kail, Treasurer Aztar III and several other ranking members of the Sethennai Chapter.

PCs

Spoiler: The Painter's Guild

Show

The Knight and Canian Sister look at eachother for a moment, with the Painter representative barely notcing the knight slightly shaking her head or nodding in the absence of anything else to do.

Suddenly the knight turns back and speaks [COLOR="·#999966"]"You have yourself a deal, as it respects to the move, the Cadian order will assist you on shaping your new home over the nest two months"[/COLOR]

"We can attempt to incorporate the company next month as well, as the expense of maintaining a position near the Captain's previous lands and paying for her retirement will need the bank's administration to move a lot, and such things can be glacial, believe me."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I can work with that, sending you 3 mag then as my first half.

And we can see about buying out the ironfang once I actually have a route to that land.

Spoiler: The S'Letaunntic Vault

Show

The clerk in charge of attending visitors quickly calls in someone of higher station, with a small group lead by a liutenant coming out both to actually inspect the things and reply.

"What an individual knight believes on the personal about anyone but Sart, does not corcern the order. Though I can enjoy the irony with you, that we who attempt to keep the gate closed have as many cracks in our own doors as there appear to be in Sart's"

the smile mostly recedes with the accusation of vigilantism "You make a fine point. cooperation, for you'll have to forgive me but commiseration is for those who lost; is worthy and those who wield it well to be as respected as any swordman with its blade... That said, you know what lies behind our hushed tones and «sturdy» walls, and that there is already a deal for the knowledge you suppose, rightly, that we need."

[COLOR="·#999966"]"Still, cooperation... and a bested interest in having the most amenable of neighbours, as you apparently are. Give us the known of this month, and ensure that should your corner see the sounds of fright and fury, the knights will be with you."[/COLOR]

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I don't disagree...

NPCs

Spoiler: Ironfang mercenary company

Show

Cpt Azaersi,

The details are decided, you and yours are to quell the brigands and thugs around the warehouses [53], and the contract shall be put for the world to see, as agreed previously.

Sart's protection,
-Count Tareis XI Von Kail, Chapter Master of Sethenai, ogre maul.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

taking the extended payment plan, with Public contract for [53]

[Let'sGetKraken]

The Sleepless Crusade

Morale 5
Reputation 3

Spoiler: to the Cloven Court

Show

Yes

[3SecondCultist]

The Cloven Court of Valmont

Morale 7
Reputation 4

---

Spoiler: To the First Bank of Sethennai

Show

Dear Executive Director Ticaret,

Thankfully, we have a friend indeed in the Steward of Progress. Though he may not be a part of the current regime, he has now proven willing to intercede on our exchange should either of us prove unable to keep to our word in the allotted span of time. The First Princess hopes you understand that this is hardly an indictment of your own institution. Custom, as the proverb states, is custom and it bears out that the Valmontese seek to do business in the old manner.

We hope that you are made safe from the storm until such a time as our steel can prove true the promise of our tongues. Until then, our deal may proceed as planned.

Sincerely,

The Bureau of Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes, Ministre de Correspondance for the First Princess

Spoiler: To the Knights Null

Show

Dear Crimson Captain Aztar III, Coinmaster,

The Cloven Court tips its proverbial cap to your most able cartographers and logisticians. Being relatively new to Sethennai, our own mapmakers unfortunately transcribed the numbers to the incorrect arrondissements. You have the right of things, as Her Serene Highness hopes only to settle her people along the edge of the river until such a time as we can safely move into Oldport or else we may make such an occupation worth your while.

Our deal may proceed as initially planned. As mentioned, the First Princess may hope to earn a permanent stay in your beloved Crossroads, but rest assured your Knights would see an honourable due for their open-hearted spirit and endless generosity. I believe I alluded earlier to such a prize, and the time will come very soon for me to speak candidly about its nature. Until then, walk with the knowledge that the First Princess is beseeching the heavens to bestow every grace upon your works.

Sincerely,

The Bureau of Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes, Ministre de Correspondance for the First Princess

Spoiler: OOC

Show

We Gucci, fam

Spoiler: To The Movement for Reconstruction and Redevelopment in Sethennai: an Undertaking to Advance the Glorious City into Prosperity and Actualize the Perfection of Which it is Capable

Show

Dear Valthan, Blessed With Purpose, Servitor of the Pallid Viceroy,

Your gesture of kindness honours the Cloven Court. Her Serene Highness would like me to extend her personal thanks to your master. If there is anything he might require in the near future, he has but to call upon the Court and we will endeavour to aid in whatever way we can manage.

Sincerely,

The Bureau of Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes, Ministre du Correspondence for the First Princess

Spoiler: To the S'Letaunntic Vault

Show

The reply takes the form of several carrier pigeons released into the same district as the sentient apartment block, all of which carry copies of the same message.

Dear Kvoss,

Please accept our sincerest apologies for not initially including you in this month's round of communiques. Our priorities have been both at home and immediate, and in the interest of complete transparency our scribes were somewhat befuddled as to how to address our correspondence to your illustrious self. Now that you have shown the temerity to close the woeful gap in our relations, the Cloven Court is overjoyed at the prospect of speaking directly to such a critical member of the vivid tapestry that is Sethennai.

Regarding the Tangle Geist, our intentions are not so direct as competition or conflict. At the risk of being overly blunt, Her Serene Highness did not travel halfway around the Circle of the World in the wake of a devastating coup and civil war only to spark another bloody struggle. We are simply reaching out to prospective friends of the Court in order to ascertain current allegiances, priorities, and potential favours to be exchanged. The Geist has unfortunately proven itself a potential danger to peace by declaring itself against the First Bank and our dear friend Yri Cenred, yet the Court has not and will not make any sort of declaration of war until the Geist does so.

Finally, the First Princess would like me to convey her heartfelt thanks on your rather considerate offer of neutrality. Although her attentions are tragically occupied in the immediate months to come, she prays that her well-wishes towards all Vaulters are made manifest in the deeds of all Sethennese and visitors to this most grand of metropoli. In particular, we hope that the Vault and our dear compatriots at the Hemminghock Family Company are at least capable of coming to terms, and that your dealings with the Painters have proceeded in a smooth fashion as well. Surely territorial partitions are the talk du jour, and the Court would be happy to intercede on your behalf should any future dealings of yours fall through unexpectedly.

Until we speak again,

The Bureau of Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes, Ministre du Correspondence for the First Princess

[GameOfChampions]

Blade of the People
Mor 5
Rep 5

Spoiler: Shackle

Show

The Blade sends their reply quickly.

"You may have this month but we have our own plans coming to fruition next month that we will not hold for you."

Spoiler: Chainbreakers

Show

What if we can see your people out of the prison even quicker then your plan would have them? We can have this plan completed by the end of next month and while we would enjoy having a bit of your help this plan was originally made without it in mind. They may not be with you immediately but they would be out of the Wardens grasp at the end of next month.

[A_Dinosaur]

The Chainbreaker Confederacy

Morale 2, Reputation 2

The Blade of the People

Spoiler

Show

Aye well its hard to argue with a pace like that. How about this, I throw my all behind yer project and I take a one third share, rather than a mere one point. Savvy? I'll take the fortress, and ye can take yer pick of the fine people locked up in the prison.

OOC: You get the VIP, I get the territory and 1/3 of the gains

[St. Justicar]

Turn 2 – Anarchy

August, 520 IR



Lowtown Aflame

The southern districts of Redgate and Chance have been holding their breath for weeks, waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the Prince to come out and say everything can go back to normal. Instead, then tension has simply built and built without release. Until it couldn’t be contained any longer.

No one can agree who started the first riots – provocateurs from the Blade of the People, drunken Chainbreaker thugs, some act of casual brutality from the Warden of Redgate – but once they started, they spread like wildfire. And, like they were racers waiting for a starting bell, the dominant factions sprung into action. Disturbances around Redgate Prison itself were brutally crushed, in the west the Blade of the People and the Chainbreaker Confederation took full advantage, seizing vast swathes of the city over the course of a few bloody weeks. Merchant captain’s and rich shopkeepers are fleeing Chance with nothing but the shirt on their backs, telling everyone who will listen of the barbarity of the Blade’s Justice. The Confederation’s enemies, meanwhile, usually never get the chance to run in the first place.

While the Ruins are far more sparsely populated to really riot in the first place, whatever disturbances there might have been were strangled before they could get going by the Sleepless Crusades’ skeletal public safety patrols. An attempt by the bloodless bureaucrats to take advantage of the chaos by convincing various stakeholders in the Redgate neighbourhood of Akimbo to welcome them were preempted by the arrival of Captain Curze, who asserted a claim over the area by driving an actual stake through the succubus who previously held court and waving her head in the face of anyone who might otherwise jump ship.

Old City Opportunities

And with the last pretense of civic peace broken across the river, it didn’t take long for the violence to spread. Criminals, anarchists, revolutionaries and assassins all made there moves, and throughout the city responsible actors were forced to move in and keep the peace (this is, at least, the official line). Still, whether it’s done with gifts of perfume or a whiff of grapeshot, the collapse of the Prince’s administration has been, on the whole, very quickly replaced by the variably benevolent protection of the city’s leading guilds’, buisnesses’ and civic organizations. Or in the case of western Oldport consumed by a tide of feral animals and living plants possessed by a mad god which calls itself the soul of the city. Which might go some way to explaining the relative lack of resistance to the alternatives.

The sole exception to the trend is Foundrytown. Despite the efforts of the Painters’ Guild, outside of the Hellworks and the Grand Bazaar, the majority of the sprawling, economically vital district has fallen into complete anarchy, as rebellious workers, feuding guilds, and rogue alchemical and clockwork creations run rampant. The Lady Binder Katerine ir Paimon in particularly has responded...negatively to this, offering asylum to any guildmasters, factory owners, thief takers and other newly despised persons at the Hellworks as she discusses what to do with their leading lights.

Keep An Eye Out...

Just when sober heads might start to prevail and people might start being reasonable, the perceptive noticed something.

The paintings were watching them.

Well, and the murals, and tapestries, and grafiti. Anything with a more-or-less realistic rendering of someone’s face. If they had eyes, then they were moving, following anyone walking past them, and especially anyone speaking or doing anything interesting.

Unsurprisingly, the last few days have seen a number of bonfires. Turns out if you pile enough paintings on top of each other you can burn any witches you’re blaming for spying on you right on top of them, so that’s a nice.

Crossroads Consolidation

In normal times, the prince would deploy the Ironfang Company to restore order before things could get anywhere near this out of hand. While they did enforce the Prince’s Peace in a small slice of Crossroads – before turning it over to the administration of the Knights Null, in exchange for a generous promised payment – the hobgoblins have otherwise not shown any interest in leaving their barracks. The general, cynical interpretation is that they’re waiting for the best offer before they back a new Prince.

If so, they just might have found it. After weeks of negotiations and what is universally agreed to have been a massive payment, at the start of the month Captain Azaersi called the full muster of the Company out to parade and gave a short speech extolling the reliability, generosity, and sober-mindedness of the Painters’ Guild as employers and as a source of stability. Expertly designed and eye-catching posters and pamphlets to the same effect are already flooding Crossroads. However much it cost, the artists have bought an army.

The Ironfang Mercenary Company has allied with the Painters’ Guild.

The Sootcliffe Massacre

The Henninghock Family have always been firm believers in charming bits of old country wisdom about early birds and worms, and they didn’t give anyone else a chance to exploit the power vacuum in Sootcliffe. Despite it’s reputation, most of the district didn’t even have a chance to start rioting before the harpy sisters and their associates provided a firm hand to keep the streets safe and peaceful.

Which, unfortunately, left them scattered across dozens of tenements, alleys, shantytowns and graveyards when things went wrong.

While the rest of the city enjoyed a sweltering summer day, Sootcliffe was engulfed in a thick, impenetrable, totally unseasonable fog, spreading across the slum and leaving it’s inhabitants blind in a matter of minutes.

And then the screaming began.

Every soul in the district carrying a weapon for the Company was attacked. Most were never seen again, save as blood smeared on the ground and cracked, gnawed bones found in alleys and basements. The survivors tell of a horrifying ordeal, of disgusting, mutated, impossible strong and tireless animals and vermin hunting them, overgrown dogs leaping through the air to drag them down from the sky, swarms of sickly rats boiling out of the ground to consume any too injured to run in a matter of minutes, and a dozen other harrowing tales.

The fog dispersed a full day latter, and searching for bodies and killing any stray animal you can find have become two of the most popular activities in Sootcliffe since.

Rumours

Spoiler: Morale 6

Show

The Painters Guild have sold vast amounts of property – the vast majority of their revenue generating operations – to the Ironfang Company or individual officers serving in it on terms so generous they might as well be gifts. Captain Azaersi has been thoroughly bought off, and unless someone makes a better offer or something happens to her within the next month, she’ll likely sign off on folding into the Guild within the next month.

Spoiler: Morale 4

Show

At the last full moon everyone in the Grand Temple was cleansed with a ritual powerful enough to burn off every hair on anyone inside and make them commit up every impurity in their bodies. It hasn’t been that bad since, but every insect or pest that tries to get inside seems to waste away and die within 7 minutes.

Warden Vrockdruk is furious about the riots, which has made life even more hellish for those prisoners with any association to the (many) people he blames for them. His bindings seem to prevent him from taking the action he wants without more proof or justification, but he’s had his wardens and informants running ragged preparing for ... something as soon as peace around the prison was restored.

Students at the colleges of Law and Divinity in Stacks are losing their minds – literally. Something is eating away all their knowledge, in the worst cases leaving massive holes in their memories and personalities.

The noble families that are supposed to run the city and elect a new Prince if something like this happens are in absolute disarray. All of their most important members were at court with Cael during the Solstice, and the second-stringers left behind are mostly either busy killing each other over who gets to be the new paterfamilias or terrified of each other, or the Hierophant, or the Blade, or whoever else they blame for the prince’s disappearance.

Adventure Sites

Spoiler

Show

Spoiler: Cloven Court, Morale 9

Show

Spoiler: 47, Foreign Affairs

Show

The Illyrin Ambassador to the city - Sir Konrad sol Reingard – has been missing ever since his townhouse was attacked shortly after the Solstice, and it’s universally agreed he was kidnapped. His personal staff are getting increasingly frantic, and doing a poor job of hiding it.

Spoiler: 57, The Devil In White

Show

The residents of Plaza du Villa are terrified. Every week, like clockwork, it happens again. A nephew or daughter or cousin vanishes and, the next morning, is found strung up in the street, their body creatively and nauseatingly mutilated, the ‘artist’s’ indecipherable signature written on the cobblestones in their blood.

Spoiler: Shackle, Morale 9

Show

Spoiler: 22, School Spirit!

Show

The various fraternities of apprentices and students of wizardry are incredibly competitive, and often seem to only care about their studies insofar as it helps showing their rivals up. Last week every member of a certain association was hit with a curse that left pigeons circling above their heads at all hours of the day, and it looks like things are only going to escalate from there.

Spoiler: 23, Legacy

Show

The famous scholar and arcane theorist Ephraim Schröpfer died of a heart attack earlier this year, to universal mourning. His favourite apprentice – one Johanna Wellman – has seamlessly continued his work. Many have called her disinterest in mourning and her eagerness to claim everything that was her mentor’s distasteful, but a few have begun whispering it’s downright suspicious.

Spoiler: 25, The Light At The End of the Tunnel

Show

The augurs and oracles of Mystics’ Court are haunted. Every night, their dreams are filled with the most awful nightmares, leaving their exhausted and terrified in the morning, their minds full of doom. The consensus is near universal – the city is doomed! A few skeptical voices, however, say some malevolent presence is warping and corrupting the dreams of seekers. Which is probably the tack to take – the first suicide happened last night, and ‘all the fortune tellers are killing themselves’ does not exactly inspire confidence.

Spoiler: Painters’ Guild, Morale 8

Show

Spoiler: 10, A Shadowy Sisterhood

Show

The luxury shops and artisans of Lirsala Court live in terror, as a gang of burglars menace the neighbourhood two or three times a week, stealing the most valuable and heavily guarded merchandise and evading all traps and measures set to catch them with humiliating ease.

Spoiler: 12, Blow Us All Away

Show

The gunsmiths of Firecracker Row are a competitive, secretive bunch, each of them working feverishly to perfect their designs and show up their peers. So it’s not entirely unprecedented for one artisan’s workshop to go out in a blast in the middle of the day. Three in a month, as the rest of the city descends into riots? You might call that suspicious.

Spoiler: Blade of the People, Morale 7

Show

Spoiler: 39, The Flesh Trade

Show

Despite the rather thorough removal of its previous owners, the Red Lantern District still isn’t a safe place to be. Rumours abound that slavers are still lurking in the shadows, luring the desperate and naive into vulnerable positions before taking them and selling them on.

Spoiler: 40, Wages of Sin

Show

The Blade of the People is no stranger to using riots as a cover to achieve their own ends, or to poetic justice. Still, people have asked around, and everyone’s fairly sure that whoever strung up the infamously harsh merchant captain on the waterline after literally lashing their back to ribbons, it wasn’t one of yours.

Spoiler: 41, Cultural Exchange

Show

It’s not exactly unusual for the envoys and recruiting officers of different warlord states to end up screaming at each other, or even duelling for their patrons honour. Still, since the Prince vanished all parties seem far more invested in getting each other killed than doing what’s generally considered their jobs. To the point where more are in hiding and operating through assassins and catspaws, now. As the riots die down, it’s becoming a problem.

Spoiler: Henninghock Family Company, Morale 7

Show

Spoiler: 4, The Tinker King

Show

[i]There’s one particular tenement in the neighbourhood that’s very much inhabited – from the sounds within, that is constantly being worked on – but that no one ever goes in or out of. The word is, the place is ruled over by some mad inventor whose turned it into a clockwork labyrinth, and all the other residents are prisoners living at his mercy.[/u]

Spoiler: 6, The Pursuit of Perfection

Show

A particularly proliffic grave robber has been menacing the Pauper’s Fields. They always target recently buried graved, and they never take the whole corpse – if it’s found before the hyenas and cats get to it, it’s untouched except for some particular limb or organ having been removed with surgical precision.

Spoiler: 8, The Marketplace of Ideas

Show

Street preachers and soap-box strutting demagogues have always been a dime a dozen in Southside, but even after the recent street cleaning operations they keep popping back up. They also seem to have much better luck turning passersby into angry mobs and throwing at each other than most of their kind.

Spoiler: Tangle Geist, Morale 7

Show

Spoiler: 45, Double Vision

Show

There’s an irritant in the Tangle’s grand design, a foreign element destined for some patrician’s menagerie that escaped during the fighting. It’s too strange and alien to incorporate, but is proving infuriatingly difficult to hunt down as it happily hunts the various subsumed and improved animals looking for it to sustain itself.

Spoiler: Knights Null, Morale 5

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Spoiler: 51, The Lost Market

Show

The markets are labyrinthine and easy to get lost in, but there are those who swear that that’s the point. Get lost enough, and you’ll end up in places that don’t exist on any map, shopping at stalls which sell impossibilities and dreams, run by merchants who only look human until you focus upon them. Of course, gold only gets you so far, in a place like that. Best be careful not to trade away anything you’ll regret.

Spoiler: 53, It Came From Below!

Show

Vianotown has many problems. One of them is certainly the foreign knights who’ve imposed themselves as the new big men, of course. But another is a bit simpler – there’s something in the sewers, some disgusting spectre that drags itself aboveground at night to feast on whoever is foolish enough to wander after dark. That’s the story, anyway. And certainly there are many fewer stray animals and beggars than there should be in a neighbourhood like this.

Spoiler: 58, The Blades of Paradise

Show

The boogeymen of All Gods Court are a secretive clique or martial artists, self-proclaimed god-eaters who steal spiritual power and focus it through their techniques to achieve results that range from impressive to totally impossible. No one has proof they’re real, of course, but certainly they’re a convenient explanation for the number of ancient shrines and rare libraries which are ransacked in the middle of the night.

Spoiler: S’letaunntic Vault, Morale 4

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Spoiler: 2, The Song of Angry Men

Show

While SCAR’s armed forces have secured the main streets and plazas, but the tenements themselves are too dense and heavily populated to really police. Which wouldn’t be a problem, but there are worrying murmuring about, threatening grafiti appearing overnight, and whispers of a stockpile of powder and shot somewhere in the neighbourhood.

Spoiler: Sleepless Crusade, Morale 4

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Spoiler: 38, The Broken, The Beaten and the Damned

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No one lives in the Ruins because they want to, and the stretch of it only recently pacified by the Crusade most of all. But on top of all their other miseries, the densely packed detritus of society flocking to Nazhar’s soup kitchens and public safety offices are begging for help. They’re being hunted, and whatever things are doing it seem far more interested in fear and misery than simple food.

Spoiler: Chainbreaker Confederation, Morale 3

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Spoiler: 30, Leeches

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Akimbo is one of the more haunted places in Redgate – thank the previous management for that. Still, now that the devils are mostly under control, the fact that attractive young men and women keep ending up in the gutter missing all of their blood is becoming harder to ignore.

Spoiler: 31, Though the Heavens Fall

Show

As the Chainbreakers move in to replace the Riverdog Gang, they also inherit their problems. First and foremost among them, a particularly skilled and incredibly violent vigilante who seems to have made it a personal goal to wipe as many pirate and thugs off the street as they can. No one knows their identity, beyond the distinctive long coat, wide-brimmed hat and love of explosives and throwing knives.

Spoiler: 34, A Ghost of a Chance

Show

There’s no actual proof, or any definite sign they exist. But as Ritona’s crews move into the Mackerel Docks, there are persistent rumours that the street gangs the Confederation is replacing weren’t as organized as all that. Rather, they were the proxies for some larger foreign syndicate, using local catspaws as it pursued one scheme or another.

Map

Spoiler

Show

The Throne [63] is At Peace and Unaligned
The Hierophant [62] is At War with The Tangle Geist and Unaligned
The Hellworks [16] are At Peace and Unaligned
The Grand Bazaar [10] is At Peace and Unaligned
The Dreamers [60] are At Peace and Unaligned
The Ironfang Company [52] is At Peace and Allied to the Painters’ Guild
The Keendream Expedition [36] is At Peace and Unaligned
The Weaver’s Masquerade [37] is At Peace and Unaligned
The Bookhounds [21] are At Peace and Unaligned
Redgate Prison [27] is At Peace and Unaligned
The Painted Doctors [5] are At Peace and Unaligned
The Red Ocean Trading Company [43] is At Peace and Unaligned
The First Bank of Sethennai [46] is At War with The Tangle Geist and Unaligned

The Current Winner is Nobody with 0 VP

[Writtensanity]

An Open Letter from the Sisters Cecelia and Brittia of the Hemminghock Family Company

Pardon if our words end up being a little haphazard ladies and gentlemen, as you can likely imagine, we are somewhat out of sorts as part of recent developments. This sort of thing ain't supposed to happen in the big city or in polite company.

Being clear and candid, nearly the entire force armed guards that came with us to Sethennai, as well as anyone unlucky enough to accept our generous payment plans, has been slaughtered without rhyme or reason. Based on the accounts that we have from some of our other family members, like Cass herself, this was done by the creatures of the Tangle Geist.

Now, to any of you who we didn't let read our missives to the rest of the wide world of Sethennai, they are attached and you may read them. If you need to confirm that these are the legitimate letters we sent, you may speak to the Princess of the Cloven Court, who will confirm that these are the actual missives we sent around the city last Month. She had a copy of each of them.

We were nothin' but cordial or neutral with the Tangle Geist, even avoiding calls to action against them until they had the time to prove themselves as something better than people expected. We now understand that this sort of hospitality is a Southern thing. Suffice it to say, we're at war with the Tangle Geist . They and we know that we don't have the troops to act on this war right now, but we ain't lettin' this slide.

This letter, which we know the bastard zoologist can read, is a call to the rest of Sethennai. None of the citizens of this city are safe until that thing gets its lovely little baptism by fire. Not enterin' war with the monsters now just shows the people of the city that you ain't the right person to be in charge of it. That should be reason enough to pick up your swords and automatons.

But Daddy always taught us to put your money where your mouth is, if ya have it.

Here's the deal, the person that does the most damage to Geist, we're going to throw a party for them like the city has never seen. Everyone's gonna be signing your name for years. If you're not the partyin' type, then we've got 1000 ducats on the bounty board with your name on them.

I think that's a better option than you're going to get from the lyin' monster.

Cecelia and Brittia

Spoiler: OOC:

Show

Mechanics Nonsense:

1. You have permission to read messages from me last turn and the message I received from the Geist. For the sake of being fair to my allies who might not want things spread, you don't have permission to read any other faction's messages to me.

2. My bounty is 10 temp econ OR I'll buy you a damn victory point if you're at the rep cap / you just want another rep. I know it's technically the same value but I think buying you an extra victory point on top of the bounty will be fun.

3. I will base 'Did the most damage' on the person who gets the highest value of the 6 point purse from killing them. If there is a tie I'll ask the Gm. If they don't have an opinion I'll roll a dice and give the IC reason.

Non-Mechanics

I was hit by a stat attack that did 10 points of MIL damage to me. I was lucky and this actually didn't give me a zero. Considering my MOR, that means this was 27 points of an ESP stat attack. Flavour aside that can't be anyone other than the Geist. We were not at war and I had done nothing but be nice to them. I cannot pretend to KNOW it's the case, but I think it's pretty clear that the ESP cannon there isn't going to be finished after 1 shot. Whether that's trying to finish me next turn, or just a random person, who knows.

Either way, it was a 27 point stat attack turn one. I'm calling for blood for it.

[NulliusinVerba]

The Tangle Geist

Morale 7
Reputation 1


"People of Sethennai, rejoice for you will be saved! Quake, for you will be cowed. Rage, for you will be affronted. Cry, for you will be destroyed. Laugh, for you will be entertained.

We promise all of these for you, and more. What need have we to make or brook such agreements with any such as the Hemminghock Family Company? They are naught more than the usurous gasps of wind conjured from their harpies' wingbeats. Surely they would have tried to crush us shortly - why should we pretend civility when warfare was always the inevitable outcome? Far better to strike first and make the most of the striking.

To those of you who wish to share in Hemminghock's steady decline, we tell you to think again. You are not yet the target of our ire; why not delay that day until each champion has had their tilt? But if you wish to join them in death, we open our arms to you."


The Tangle Geist takes public credit for hitting the Hemminghock Family Company, and declares war against everyone. Bring it.

[Nemesis67]

Shackle
Defensive Espionage - 9
Reputation - 3

Spoiler: The Knights Null (9)

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Since it seems we will soon be neighbors, I wanted to make clear that I have no territorial interests in the Crossroads. I hope you similarly have no territorial interests in the Stacks.

Regards,
Shackle, Esq.
Capitol Assurances

Spoiler: The Painter's Guild (9)

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Not the most subtle of magicks, but certainly a smart investment at this moment.

Do I have anything to worry about coming from your guild?

Shackle, Esq.
Capitol Assurances

---

Spoiler: The Bookhounds (9)

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Roth,

I am planning on securing the rest of the Stacks this month. After that, do you have any matters I can assist with? Assuming no one hostile comes after us or into the Stacks, I'll be available.

Spoiler: Hellworks (9)

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Lady Binder,

I am curious what your current view on the state of the city is. You clearly had some goals in mind when you established your place of business, and things have changed quite a bit since then. What are your plans at the moment?

Shackle, Esq.
Capitol Assurances

[A_Dinosaur]

The Chainbreaker Confederacy

Spoiler: The Riot Song

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Criminals they called us! Enough is enough!
Escaped from the prison, but chained to the heart,
Of a city that hates us, and we wanted no part!
But these streets led to new friends, we made a new start!
New tides have arisen, and we shall not depart!

Scoundrels they called us! Enough is enough!
With blades in our hand and powder galore,
We’ll shatter the chains and we’ll ask them for more!
Oppressors with nothing but fear in their core!
We make our stand here and our hearts they will soar!

Buccaneers they called us! Enough is enough!
Voices lifted in new song, chaos is our muse,
They trod on us for too long, we ignite the fuse!
False comfort or gallows you ask me to choose?
Then listen to our riot song and enjoy the view!

The chant had dozens of different versions at this point, each bard and skald with a few words to add or twist. But the message remained clear: Redgate was piss drunk and boilin’ angry. Chainbreaker crews had already taken damn near half the district, no doubt more would raise the seafoam flag next month. But Akimbo street had played host to a far more interesting battleground amid the riots. Smuggling tunnels had put Ritona Curze and a cabal of witches right into the middle of an active battle between unexpected forces, one which they happily joined. Lumbering zombies fought hell hounds, Pirates sent animate skeletons rattling back to the grave, and Ritona Curze dueled with the Succubus queen of Redgates most notorious redlight district. Loping off the demon’s head (and arms for that matter, can never be too careful with demons) was enough to take the day, especially once the lesser fiends that made up the queen’s cohort bent to the Captains will, with the Pallid Viceroy’s forces making an orderly withdrawal to the ruins as mobs of disorganized chainbreaker killers and their newly bound demon dogs hounded them through the burning streets.

Ritona Curze mused on this as she rifled through the jewel chests and costume drawer’s of the Succubus Queens lair, sniffing for magical pieces and biting the occasional gold earring to add to her bulging pockets. On one hand, neither faction had violated any grand unspoken rules of engagement or propriety, on the other the Chainbreakers had reached out with as much courtesy as could be mustered to try to prevent this very occurrence, only to be snubbed and insulted by the Viceroy’s goons.

“No accountin’ fer taste an’ all that, but ye can’t say that we didn’t try t’warn the old rattler’ we’d be here”

“Maybe es’ been fixin’ too many potholes in the road, missed one in his skull.” The other speaker in the room was one of the Chainbreaker witches, a group which had been greatly reduced in the chaos surrounding the battle of Akimbo.

“Har har very funny. Welp I don’t particularly want a war with the Lich, I think its a rather endearing abomination of Sethennai, hopefully we can smooth things over without any more wasted powder.”

The seawitch was about to respond when a runner burst into the room, panting heavily. “War Captain, we’re at war!”

“God damn, we were just talking about it, doesn’t that lich know when it’s beaten?”

“Its not Old Rattler Captain, its the Tangle Geist!”

A heartbeat of confused silence passes with Ritona and the witch looking at eachother.

“Wait what?”

Morale 3, Rep 2

Players

The Sleepless Crusade

Spoiler

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Well Viceroy I tried ta’ warn ye and yer minion offered aught but hot wind and rudeness, and I rather like to think that should be my role in our particular discussion. Now we be in the awkward reef of blood debts, if you’ll pardon the term. I know ye’ve had a rough go of it the past month, and I’ve had little interest in stokin’ a fire between us, but I’ve a lotta dead witches and delvers at your fault and no shortage of armed folk with bad attitudes who’ve cause to hate ye.

Way I see it is thus, ye replace my losses of [1 adv, 1 magic] and I’ll call us square, calm the Redgate crowd thats calling for a reapers toll, and leave ye be to yer projects and pavers. Otherwise we’ve a long term problem thats gonna be resolved by blood. I’m certain we can reap a bloody toll on eachother indeed, but I hope ye know that I know of yer wounds and yer bargaining position ain’t one I’d envy right now.

Sharp Blades,
Captain Ritona Curze

The Tangle Geist

Spoiler

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What in the twelve hells are ye thinkin’ Tangler? I’d no interest in fightin’ ya and perhaps even a little in helpin’ yer cause if only to stick it to the scurvy curses in Palintinate, but ye can kiss that sorry thought goodbye.

Bloody mushroom fumes have gone to whatever passes fer yer skull.

Sharp Blades,
Captain Ritona Curze

The Blade of the People

Spoiler

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All ahead full Skipper? I trust my boys are doin’ their part? I’ve got things mostly in hand here in Redgate but there was a bit of an incident with the old Rattler from the ruins over Akimbo street [territory 30], so things might be a tad odd on my end the coming month.

That said and despite it, I’m curious on yer thoughts towards alliance, seems we’re already willing to work together and I see ye’ve also got the Geists Warmark on ye too. Dangerous city out there and while I think our preferred methods steer different headings, I reckon they could also compliment eachother plenty well if we put our backs into it.

Fair Sails,
Captain Ritona Curze

[Nemesis67]

Shackle
Defensive Espionage - 9
Reputation - 3

Spoiler: Hemminghock Family Company (9)

Show

A question regarding your bounty. The offer implicitly depends on your company surviving up to the point of the Tangle Geist being destroyed, while also retaining the ability to still pay a [10 t. Eco] bounty. By issuing this offer, have you not just asked the Geist to eliminate you first, to deny this incentive?

If this is a concern for you, I can make an arrangement to hold the bounty in escrow to remove that possibility from the table, for a modest fee.

Shackle, Esq.
Capitol Assurances

[OOC: Technically speaking I can't store the Eco, but I can guarantee I will pay the bounty to whomever claims it.]

[3SecondCultist]

The Cloven Court of Valmont

Morale 9
Reputation 4

---

The reply from the First Princess is posted the day after the Tangle Geist's taunting message. It is sent to every major noble, commercial, administrative, and military faction in the city, and extra copies are dispensed into Sethennai's various shops and marketplaces for the public to receive as is their right. Each envelope is identical, bearing the magically authenticated watermark and seal of the Valmontese Cloven Court. When each parcel is opened up, the letter within unfolds from it and floats approximately four feet into the air, where a pleasant feminine lilt reads off the glowing lines from the page with perfect, crisp enunciation. Each syllable perfectly conveys the heartfelt convictions of First Princess Isabelle von Drakdram, as it is her voice the masses are hearing, many for the first time.


Greetings, noble citizens and visitors of Sethennai,

My name is Isabelle von Drakdram, First Princess of Valmont and Heir to the Dragonseat. Though doubtless many of you will have heard of me by now, I must apologize for so scant an introduction as mere letterhead. Nevertheless, in this grave hour I wish to convey to you all the depth of my feeling as though I were able to stand upon every threshold and speak to you all in person.

Once again, the people of Valmont have been called forth to war. It is not a war we sought out; it is a matter of some grief to our selves that internecine violence remains so perilously close at hand to all of us. Sadly, we have been forced into a conflict and we are called with our friends and allies to meet the challenge of a principle which seeks only the selfish pursuit of power and disregards all treaties and solemn pledges, which sanction the use of force against the security and independence of other bodies. Such a principle, stripped of all vagaries of freedom or independence, champions only hunger and destruction and presents an indubitable danger to all the peoples of Sethennai. It is our moral imperative to act as its counterweight, and so we shall.

For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear and of the city's order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I will now call my people here at home and and my people across the seas who will make the call their own. Our task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead and war is no longer confined to the battlefield, yet we can only act in the right if we are to better the world by the proving of our truest selves.

There is one polity whose interests the Court believes are worth addressing in this forum, so I will include them here by name. This group is of course the Hemminghock Family Company, upon who the indiscriminate and unprovoked attack was launched. The thoughts and prayers of the Cloven Court lie with the wounded survivors and loved ones of the departed. To undergo such hardship would drive many to acts of desperation, but the Hemminghock sisters have handled this unexpected tragedy with grace and good sense. In honour of the fallen, as well as recognition of the aforementioned virtues, it would be impossible for my people to accept the bounty posted upon the offenders. Though our knights will take the vanguard in the field, the Valmontese will forego the prize entirely.

Cooperation and determination in the face of evil will yet prove themselves worthier comrades than despair and suspicion. Therefore, it is the highest hope of our Cloven Court that the rest of Sethennai will recognize the atrocities that have unfolded, and act in a manner equally swift and resolute.

Thank you for listening.


OOC: The Cloven Court declares war on the Tangle Geist. Furthermore, the Cloven Court categorically refuses to accept even a single stat point of the bounty posted by the Hemminghock Family Company. We will be going after them pro bono. That prize will go to the worthiest faction who joins us on the field by sending points of Military.

Spoiler: To the First Bank of Sethennai

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Dear Executive Director Ticaret,

We hope this letter finds you well, and that your bank remains an inimitable pillar of financial strength in these trying times. Certainly the Cloven Court was preparing for the grim eventuality of war with the Tangle Geist, but I speak for Her Serene Highness when I express to you our dismay and disappointment that they should turn to such savagery.

In light of this new threat, I would like to provide an update on the state of our relations with your vaunted house of fortune. First Princess Isabelle is well aware that the Court has a debt outstanding to the First Bank; initially, our repayment was to take the form of sending the Order of Riven Skies to you directly for your own protection for an allotted time of one month. However, the shifting territorial borders and rapid encroach of the Geist has afforded the Court an opportunity to hit them directly with the very same overwhelming strength. We are currently reaching out to friends across Sethennai in order to make such a strike impossible to deny.

By declaring ourselves openly at war and promising steel to our foe, we invite the Geist to retaliate in kind. In this, the Court provides the service of not only sword, but also shield. Her Serene Highness has chosen a path that will almost certainly lead to the bleeding of our people and spare yours the same fate. Though she is in many ways too proud to admit it, I must break a measure of protocol and inform you personally that she already mourns her countrymen who will die to protect the sanctity of Sethennai and all her glories. This is, in many ways, a repeat of the ordeal that drove us from Valmont at the conclusion of Le Banquet des Traîtres.

Therefore, I write to you to implore you to extend the debt owed by the Court. Though we hope dearly to repay it in the promise it was made, I must be candid and tell you that direct restitution in the spirit of the promise offered is no longer strategically sound at this time. We hope that the alternative course of action for our armed forces is pleasing enough for your institution.

Moreover, the Court would ask one more favour of the Bank. We are currently speaking to the Knights Null about joining forces against the Geist. If they were to send their armed forces and sorceries to you directly, would you be willing to negotiate a modest exchange of ducats? The terms would not need to be overly generous - the Court is already passing along the wealth of the Hemminghock Bounty to them - but it is our experience that soldiers of fortune prefer a little something on the side in order to sweeten the deal. Should you wish to employ them to protect your walls, that is your choice. That would certainly be a transaction of minimal risk to both sides.

Please respond at your earliest convenience, as the negotiations with the Knights will certainly be ongoing.

Sincerely,

The Bureau of Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes, Ministre du Correspondance for the First Princess

Spoiler: OOC

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So I have a few options here for the Bank to pursue. The first would be a, let's call it 'extension' of our loan. By sending all of our Mil plus the Mil of attendant friends at the Geist this turn, we hope to smash them in an offensive and make the return of the loan with Mil a bit obsolete. The Cloven Court is already protecting the Bank by drawing the aggression of the Geist, and we expect to bleed this turn on their behalf. Plan A would be to swing at [45] from [47] in order to take that territory. If we did that, where would the Bank stand vis a vis repayment of loans rendered?

However, I'm also presenting them with another opportunity. The Cloven Court is feeling out the Knights Null for them to send some Mil and Mag over as well. We will be presenting them and anyone else who signs on with the full and complete bounty, but we were hoping that the Bank would provide the Knights with additional financial incentive. A one time influx of cash, at least 3 or 4 Eco required?

Oh, and since the Geist can probably read your mail but not mine, if you are interested in having the Knights come to protect you this turn just use the word 'verdant' in your next message.

Spoiler: To the Knights Null

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To Crimson Captain Aztar III, Coinmaster,

Greetings, captain of knights. On behalf of the First Princess of Valmont, I send best wishes and felicitations on a productive season of expansion. Your reach throughout Sethennai's Crossroads district is to be commended, and your entrepreneurial and capitalist spirit are en vogue at the Dragon's Seat in Oldport. Many of our aristocrats are eyeing the seal of your order with an eye to forthcoming alliance, and we have not forgotten our promise of non-aggression.

On the matter of oaths taken, the First Princess would like to extend a very lucrative opportunity to you. The Tangle Geist presents a clear and imminent danger, yet the Hemminghock Family Company would see fit to see reward heaped upon its destruction. Though she has publicly forsaken any treasure taken by our own Court, that does not mean we cannot ensure it reaches the coffers of those who we would call friends. Therefore, we ask you privately if you would care to join our war in a manner that presents nearly zero long term risk to your forces and promises to yield rich rewards.

The First Bank of Sethennai, despite its economic acumen, remains vulnerable to the predations of the Geist. While the Court plans to take the field this season and bear the brunt of the casualties ourselves, we are in need of friends willing to shoulder the comparatively light burden of making safe our other friend Executive Director Ticaret and his staff. With no combat orders of note, they will enter a holding position and your knights would remain strictly in a defensive reserve. Our diviners and intelligence agents estimate a minimal chance that they will see any action, and your investment would remain protected.

In exchange for your willingness to participate, the Cloven Court would formally sign over all rights to the bounty posted by the Hemminghock Sisters. When the Tangle Geist is defeated, the Knights Null will certainly prosper. Furthermore, I am personally engaging the Bank for an additional sum of ducats to be delivered for the immediate services rendered, as I am sure we both agree that payment up front is better than nothing at all. In effect, you would be served a king's ransom for a day's work and a modicum of patience.

I hope that this offer shows the eager character of the Court at joining an alliance with the Knights Null. This agreement may yet be formalized, and would entail the Court retaining its modest Crossroads holdings in exchange for signing over the vast majority of the resources and military goods that flow through those streets when the rest of the district is yours. We hope to bring you similar opportunities and serve as dutiful friends in the times ahead.

Sincerely,

The Bureau of Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes, Ministre du Correspondance for the First Princess

Spoiler: OOC

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Right, so here's the plan. I have declared war on the Tangle Geist and will be sending forth my Military to take [45] from them this turn and then [44] next turn. This is already a fairly widely publicized move, and draws serious aggro. However, I've got a way for you to help with almost zero risk and incredibly high reward.

This turn, you would send some Military and/or Magic to the First Bank (about 5-6 total should do it). You would be sending it to them directly as opposed to me, and it is incredibly likely that they will use it to protect themselves from a strike that won't come. That's the 'zero risk' part. I won't be sending your Military into a trap, because I'll never be controlling it, and it's almost definitely not going to deal you any damage. As for the reward, it would be: the Hemminghock Bounty (10 Eco) when the Geist is dead. I would also liberally share any VP earned from killing the Geist. The latter two parts might take more than one turn to materialize, but it's a hefty prize. I'm also working on getting a small extra cash bonus from the Bank directly, but we'll see what they say.

In exchange for the opportunity here, I'm asking for the right to formally settle [57] and [59] as opposed to a temporary settlement and the opportunity for a formal alliance by the end of Turn 3. I do fully plan on being a good ally, and if and when Crossroads is yours, I'd be happy to formally cede the district and VP bonus for it.

Since the Geist can probably read your mail but likely not mine, I suggest writing back in a basic yes/no code to protect your anonymity and keep me as the primary Geist target. If you are interested in sending your troops to the Bank this turn, simply use the word 'sunset' in your next message.

Spoiler: To the Hemminghock Family Company

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Dear Cecilia and Brittia Hemminghock,

Although my words in the public main were to engender further sympathy for your cause and show strength in defiance of terror, I felt it was my duty to write to you both personally and let you know that every word of what I said was the truth. I have every intention of seeing these slights corrected, and will not hear of a single coin from your company entering my coffers. Instead, I ask that you provide it to anyone else who proves worthy by standing alongside my Court. We are reaching out to many parties across Sethennai on your behalf, and pray that they will find it in their hearts to show their character. But even if no aid should be forthcoming, know that that the Court will stand for you.

Meanwhile, I am briefing several of my gendarmes on another matter that concerns the shared borders of our interests. In order to deal with the rising number of my own countrymen in the city and to provide for my people under the shadow of danger, I aim to consolidate the Court's holdings into Palatine by the end of this month. Prince Cael was a generous and far-sighted man, yet his disappearance has thrown the aristocrats of this city into uproarious chaos. For profitable business and public order to resume, the Palatinate will require a steady hand. It is my hope that you will support this endeavour, as a token of good faith between our houses.

Warmly,

Isabelle von Drakdram, First Princess of Valmont

Spoiler: OOC

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I did mean every word of that (Lawful Good vibes, hooray!). I'm working to see if the Knights Null and the Vault will help out in exchange for the bounty you posted and the VP prize, which I'm hoping to split between them. The territorial gains from [45] this turn and hopefully [44] next turn will be enough for me to hopefully withstand the damage I'm going to be taking. I'm likely also going to go for [64] this turn with some leftover Military and Reputation to help keep my stat line above water.

Spoiler: To the S'Letaunntic Vault

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Dear Citizen K. Voss,

To rectify our distressing lack of manners in speaking with the Vault this turn, the Cloven Court is ready to engage directly with you in matters politic and diplomatic. In point of fact, the First Princess would like for me to extend an offer to the Vaulters that would hopefully see them rise in prosperity.

The Tangle Geist is a threat, yet its destruction promises reward to those brave and bold enough to seek it out. The Cloven Court aims to be the first to attain this, yet we have no interest in payment in blood or glory. Our needs are based in territory, in land and honour. At the risk of being blunt, our people need homes and even the quarters we have earned this season are inadequate for the full scope of the incoming exodus of Valmontese settlers. We are prepared to sign over a considerable amount of the fame and fortune earned in the slaying of this beast for comparatively little risk. Whatever forces you have at your disposal against the forces of darkness will see more than their fair due - the Vault will rise for such a great deed.

In exchange for this opportunity and in keeping with our protocols, the Court would like to inform you that we plan on expanding into Palatine in the coming months. It's been made alarmingly clear to the First Princess that Sethennai's upper circles are at each other's throats, and a stable influence atop the hill would surely help everyone in the city. We are sanguine that such a declaration will be met in the same spirit of generosity as the trust extended along with the information. The Court and the Vault standing in solidarity would certainly be a formidable force, I'm sure you would agree.

We hope to hear from you soon,

The Bureau of Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes, Ministre du Correspondance for the First Princess

Spoiler: OOC

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So it's a simple offer. If you send some Military my way this turn to hit the Geist, I will make sure that you see a portion of the VP prize and Hemminghock bounty when it's killed. I also promise here OOC to put any Mil you send last, meaning that I would take 100% of the casualties before you ever took any damage for stats you decided to send. In return, you get public credit (VP) and some of the bounty (Eco).

And I'm taking [64] this turn. I hope that's not a problem for ya!

Since the Geist can probably read your mail but likely not mine, I suggest writing back in a basic yes/no code to protect your anonymity and keep me as the primary target for aggression. If you are interested in sending your troops to the front this turn, simply use the word 'avalanche' in your next message.

[Nemesis67]

Shackle
Defensive Espionage - 9
Reputation - 3

Spoiler: Chainbreakers Confederacy (9)

Show

Friendly warning, the Tangle Geist may be coming after you next. Its relatively secure from attacks, and the greatest threat to it is being invaded and denied any territory to call home. Hemminghock had the most capable military until the fog, and now you're the next.

Spoiler: Sleepless Crusade (9)

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I notice you clashed with the Chainbreakers over territory. Is that a single event, or are you expecting a lasting conflict?

Spoiler: Cloven Court (9)

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I assume you will be occupied with the Geist for at least the near future, and therefore not require my arcane services soon?

[neriractor]

The Knights Null

Espionage defense: 5
Rep: 2

Spoiler: Shackle

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Ah yes, miss Shackle, the binder... I must commend you (or most likely reprimand this city) for being so tolerable despite your line of work, we should have no problem at all.

Now, you are no Curze, so I won't just mark you as wantonly violent, yet I can't help but leave a warning: Employing or helping The Bookhounds move to foundrytown is acceptable, Removing them by force or them diseappearing in the death of night is not. We should have no problem at all.

Find Sart's Path,
-Count Tareis XI Von Kail, Chapter Master of Sethenai, ogre maul.

Spoiler: The Cloven Court of Valmont

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To Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes, Ministre du Correspondance for the First Princess,

Greetings to you as well, whose praise is short only of Sart's assurance that the order is heading along the path it is meant to, servant of a princess whose presence is as bright as the sun (or so I've heard, not one for balls), it has indeed been a good season for our coffers.

All previous agreements will remain as they are, we are no oathbreakers, though given the alarming threat, I hesitate to make a new one, our powder is running short as is, and frankly I'm a firm believer that Faith and good leadership (such as that of our Chapter Master) are sometimes the best weapon of all, and I'm sure you won't lack in them.

Sart's protection, and may your sunset be delayed,
-aztar III, Coinmaster, Crimson Captain.

Spoiler: The Painter's Guild

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With proper diplomatic relations established (and the ability to locate the guild house without searching most of the day), a letter arrives instead of envoys.

Artists varied,

I'm glad to see that you have found a far better welcome near the Breweries and even had the initiative to go start the acquisition of the Ironfang, now that we do have a link to them, I assume we just need to deliver properties enough for a comfy 200 Ducats of rent to finish the Captain`s retirement fund?

Let us know if The Vault is at all inconvenient to our dealings, though I have a feeling they may be more interested in the southern conflict, at least more than either of us.

Sart's will,
Most Grand Count Tareis XI Von Kail, Chapter Master of Sethenai, ogre maul.

Spoiler: OOC

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Sooo, did St Just tell you how many free stats we actually get? besides VIP and land, I'd give the 2 Eco to them this turn, if that's what it takes to seal the deal.

NPCs

Spoiler: Ironfang Mercenary Company

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Captain Azaersi,

Excellent work last month, pretty surprised (kinda hurt really) to see that you found yourself a new prince and his family name isn't even Von Kail (if that Painting even has a proper name). So then, how much did they shell out? need to know just how much credit and properties to place in your account.

-Count Tareis XI Von Kail, Chapter Master of Sethenai, ogre maul.

Spoiler: The Bookhounds

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To Nikos Roth,

Can we offer any help? under the assumption that you are aware and trying to deal with the thought-eating phenomena seemingly haunting the stacks.

-Ego Stangler, initiate of Sart's church, fungi enthusiast.

[Hamste]

The Painters
Morale 8 Rep 3

It seems it is moving day for the Painters as they pack up various things and move them to a more secure area in the city, as far from the riots as physically possible. Even the painting is moved from its eternal spot while a new area starts getting heavily decorated with the Painters unique style. Statues are moved elsewhere as well. It seems the Painters despite the love their guildhall are preparing to abandon it or at least make it a less important territory. There is more than a few mourning looks at the Repository as they do nothing in particular to move it.

Spoiler: Public Declaration

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The Painters Guild will be forfeiting our lands at [50] and moving our headquarters to 12 in exchange for a total of [6 magic], 3 of which has already been paid.

Spoiler: S'Letaunntic Vault

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We are fine going east from our current territories if [9] that is enough room. If you are interested in [10], we can help you out in fixing the dragon in exchange for half the gold and the dragon's loyalty.

Spoiler: OOC

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Basically offering to complete the Dragon incorporation mission with you (Which is probably to figure out a way to cure the dragon) in exchange for half the rewards. Half the stats and the dragon while you get the territory and the other half of the stats.

Spoiler: The Knights Null

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As promised we are declaring our intent to leave.

We gave them the resources already so you can transfer it to us and we will give you half as soon as they sign it. We are hoping the Vault will agree to our deal. A few months ago they seemed a bit fine if we took 11 then went east. We think they might just really need the land.

Spoiler: OOC

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Haven't been told but I paid the 4 permanent econ myself because there is a turn delay where people can mess with the transaction theoretically if they kill the Ironfang and no way was I risking that. Still good for the deal though as long as I get the 2 econ. Can make a declaration if it is needed though that will call more attention to it.

Spoiler: The Cloven Court of Valmont

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Dear Olivia von Draum, Vicomtesse Ardennes,

We haven't heard back from you since we sent our painting. We assume there was nothing much left to be said but we do wonder if you have anything you wish to cooperate or talk about with what is going on down south.

Sincerely,

The Painting's Scribe Washington Albers

Spoiler: Shackle

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It wasn't meant to be subtle but more a sign. I can't imagine we have anything to worry about between each other, though there might be some arguments about Foundry Town. We are willing to make a deal for those lands if you wish to either not take them or sell them to us if you do take them.

Spoiler: Weaver’s Masquerade

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They seem right at home among the masquerade. The cockfights don't seem to hold their interest too much but the dancers are of extreme interest. Dancers being rare among the Painters, the ability to mesmerize makes him quite giddy as much as the provocative nature of it. Similarly, he seems to quite enjoy the acrobats. Do you ever set up obstacle courses and challenges for them? Like the artist sees the challenge they or their partner has to get through then have a limited time to create a body to get through it as quick as possible? Or maybe more warning if it takes awhile to do large alterations.

The tableaus reveal they very much have the mind of artist, seeming to contemplate the meaning behind them seeming to see them more as art than actual people though he does seem to be assuming it is voluntary.

He is a bit awkward offering his face, though he does it. It's actually a bit strange as with out the skeletal structure to support the tattoos the face's original form becomes visible at least until someone puts it on at which point the tattoos start to work again.

The representative seems quite happy to have the operation done and accepts with out reservation, seeming unconcerned about it. Most likely they had made a decision about it before they even arrived. Through out the time with them, there is definitely a sense that the Painters value being comfortable with your physical self though it seems most prefer paint over flesh to solving their body view problems.

[Nemesis67]

Shackle
Defensive Espionage - 9
Reputation - 3

Spoiler: Painter's Guild (9)

Show

Yes, I do expect some issues, though I imagine we can remain civil. While I fully intend to take control of the Stacks, I don't have the same expectation for Foundrytown. I suppose it will depend on how things go with the Geist and whether it consumes the south of the city or not.

Do you intend to convince the Ironfang to also cede the Crossroads to the Knights Null?

[OOC: I'm quite torn over just sitting in the Stacks and making weird LTPs, or actually trying for VPs. I haven't decided yet, and it'll probably depend on what other people do.]

[Let'sGetKraken]

The Sleepless Crusade

-Artist's painting of Nazhar, based on a glimpse when travelling in the ruins. Nazhar has been extraordinarily dismissive of it: "Ridiculous. Look at all those candles. I am not in the habit of leaving fire hazards in my wake! And don’t get me started on the piles of skulls – I’ll let you know that any around my estate are either attached to my skeletal workforce or carefully stored in the catacombs."

Reputation 3
Morale 4

Spoiler: To the Chainbreaker Confederacy

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You are not the only ones who suffered, Captain. We sent no military forces, and yet our peaceable envoys were slaughtered – some for the second time! You have taken half of Redgate, and triumphed in our accidental conflict, and you have the gall to demand more?

We are willing to renounce all claims to Redgate, and forgive the losses we suffered (greater than yours, in fact, especially in that we did not take the district), but we will not be extorted. If you want to wage war over losses replaced by the taking of the very same district, then declare so publicly. Otherwise, we shall be in the Ruins, doing our very best to repair the city.

-Nazhar, the Pallid Viceroy

Spoiler: To the Painters Guild

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Apologies for my master’s lack of response – he was wounded last season, and found other matters more pressing while he reconstituted.

While we are interested in ensuring a fastidiously accurate portrayal of my master, as so many existing ones are not, we do not have the resources to spare at the moment. Perhaps we can develop a working relationship in the future.

-Valthan, Steward of Nazhar.

Spoiler: To the Blade of the People

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Greetings, neighbors, on behalf of my master, Nazhar.

We admire your mission, if not your means. We too wish to make Sethennai a place where the common people may live lives of prosperity under the full protection of the law. No nobles abusing commoners. No factory owners treating their workers like slaves. No tenement buildings stuffed to the brim with the poor in abysmal working conditions. In fact, Nazhar has no designs on rulership - he wishes only to be able to change city policy and implement legislation under a controlling faction that is willing to be reasonable about his suggestions for bettering the lives of all.

We wish to let you know that we have no intentions of courting the Dreamers, and would support your bid to integrate them into your own territories. We also place no designs on the Docks of Chance, and have no designs on you or yours. In fact, if you can dismantle the Weaver's Carnival and repurpose its assets to a less hazardous purpose, we are willing to let you do so uncontested, provided you give us the territory in exchange. Is that a fair bargain in your eyes?

-Valthan, Steward of Nazhar.

Spoiler: OoC

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Offering to let you take the Weaver's Carnival uncontested, getting the VIP and the two stats from the territory, if you give the territory itself to the Sleepless Crusade. You would suffer no losses for doing so. Thoughts?

Spoiler: To Shackle

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We did not intend for it to be a clash, but life is all about acknowledging and submitting to fundamental truths. Despite successfully claiming half of Redgate – including the territory we quarreled over – they are now attempting to extort us for their losses. If anything, we should be compensated for ours, given that they were successful and took vast swaths of the slums in the process, but we are willing to drop the matter entirely and let bygones be bygones.

That said, we would be willing to trade for Magic, assuming there is peace. What do you have available? We would be willing to trade up to 8 Mil and 4 Econ, should you need it.

-Valthan, Steward of Nazhar

Spoiler: To the Cloven Court of Valmont

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Regrettably, we suffered several large setbacks last season – one which may result in a conflict with the Chainbreaker Confederation, though we hope they are willing to see reason – and as such we are not able to assist you against the Tangle Geist. Though we consider it to be an abomination, and wish you well, we have naught to spare this season.

-Valthan, Steward of Nazhar.

Spoiler: To the Keendream Expedition

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Greetings, Ilidak.

We wish to offer you assistance in your mission, should you have it. We have [5 Adventurers] that we are willing to lend to dig beneath the Ruins, though we would prefer to keep anything we find other than your ultimate objective. We are also willing to provide you with a Circlet of Eyes [+2 Adventuring Item], distasteful as the item itself may be, for you to use this season without price, as a gesture of goodwill. Would such an arrangement be acceptable to you?

-Valthan, Steward of Nazhar.

[Nemesis67]

Shackle
Defensive Espionage - 9
Reputation - 3

Spoiler: Sleepless Crusade (9)

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Assuming there is peace, I'd be willing to trade you [8 Magic+2 transaction fee] for [8 Mil+2 transaction fee], depending on the nature of your endeavor. I intend to take control over the Stacks, and your undead are better for that than my bound spirits. Though I may be willing to offer more [Magic] to also gain use of your [4 Eco] this month.

Is whatever you're working on something that may risk my assets or involve me in a conflict? Given that you are not using your soldiers yourself, I assume you are not expanding or adventuring, which means you're doing something a bit more arcane.