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>>35287237
Current Date and Time: Early morning on July 3rd, 1953PC

Harrowmont had gotten a lot livelier over the past few months. While you’d been busier with all the empire planning, construction projects and politics, your subordinates had been doing their own thing. You had just returned from a round trip through your newly conquered territories and found that not much had changed.

The hills right outside the walls were a hive of activity. With the bastions for the newly named Crown Wall in place, that meant work had begun on building the terraces. That meant a lot of earthmoving. Thousands of labourers were buzzing around with wheelbarrows, shovels and picks as they transformed the entire hillside outside the fortress into terraces. Gnome was nowhere to be seen but you knew she’d returned here while the first stage of Castle Gimbon’s redesign for the canal was being done. You could see one of the IEC teams constructing one of the retaining walls that would hold the terrace in place.

It hadn’t seemed like much when you had said that each terrace should be three storeys high – just about every building in the residential area was four or five storeys tall. Looking at the huge stone wall with nothing around it was a completely different experience. All you could see was a wall more than four times the height of a man. You’d seen defensive walls this size.

>continued

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>>35287246
“Are we going inside or not?” came the petulant voice of Aladria from next to you.

Your vampire familiar had been a constant presence by your side of late. Your only moments of peace were when she was badgering Felix. She’d been trustworthy so far but you hadn’t been too sure of leaving her to her own devices, even with the cure to thraldom. That she had plenty of utility in Termina should things have gone sour during your visit was just a neat addition.

You…

>1. Explore the construction zone some more.
>2. Talk to Aladria while you head in (write-in with topics)
>3. Head inside.
>4. Custom

So this is just a light-hearted social thread. I’ve got a bit of a writing bug from planning my NaNo so I’m going to do two threads this long weekend. The serious stuff will be on Sunday EDT. If you have specific characters or things you want to explore, bring them up.

>>35287277
>1. Explore the construction zone some more.

I just noticed that I left one of the Dimensions on that map and it is driving me insane.

>>35287277
>1. Explore the construction zone some more.

Possibly give a brief hand to some of the work gangs. Hearts and Minds, what not...

>>35287277
>1

>>35287277
>explore the construction zone some more.
>talk to Aladria about vampire psychology. We need to figure out a way to either safely contain them indefinitely, or eventually start integrating them into the general population and our military.

>>35287277
Hey OP, just looking at the new Harrowmont map and was wondering if there was a reason that the second spine (triangular fortress protrusion) from the left was missing a mid-point gatehouse? The rest have one where the main road intersects the back wall.

>>35287277
>>1. Explore the construction zone some more.
give help to a few work teams and share a lunch with a group of the see how they like it here

>>35287676

Because I might have deleted it by mistake. Good catch.

>>35287277
Honestly I mostly just want to get to know Aladria better. As well as maybe get to see Vads kids.

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>1. & 2

You dismount and wander through part of the construction site. There are a lot of labourers crawling about so you’re careful not to get in their way. The lower levels are only having earthmoving done, it seems. Shifting dirt about for almost half a square mile of terraces wasn’t fast work by any measure. You could also see where the canal was being planned, with markers lined up from each side of the cleft you were in. The new outer wall was similarly marked.

“Aladria, how do you think we can integrate your kin properly?” you ask your familiar once you notice she is following you, instead of remaining behind like the rest of your entourage.

“You’ve asked this before,” she huffs out as she crosses the ground behind you on foot, not noticing or caring as dirt catches on the bottom of her dress. “You have the cure for thraldom, taking away the biggest problem. You’re already collecting enough blood to feed the small population you have. Just let them move into areas that they weren’t tyrants in. It’s not like they have anywhere else in the world to go. If they leave your land then they’ll be executed if found.”

You sigh. Your familiar hadn’t really been receptive to the idea that vampires might cause unrest outside of Taour. Or if she knew they would, then she didn’t appear to care. Maybe your general disregard of the problems in Farun had given her the wrong impression.

>continued

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>>35287958
Scanning about the upper levels, with the enormous bastion walls shadowing you from the morning sun, you see the beginnings of the roads running through these levels. It wasn’t in your plans to build all the buildings here like you had in the past – there was good industry in that and you didn’t want to deny that sort of sustainability – but roads were another matter. You’d seen far too many roads in the RSK cities that simply weren’t suited for military transit or became nigh-unusable in rain. Losing a siege because your men couldn’t easily move around was an embarrassment you weren’t going to suffer.

Aladria huffs again, trying to draw your attention back to her. You’re not sure how to continue this line of inquiry.

>Write-in response

If nobody has anything in particular to say on the topic, or any questions to ask, we can move into the fortress.

>>35287983
"You seem to be wanting my attention today, something on your mind?"

Frankly until the woman gives us some more personality than she has been showing theirs not really much to say.

Btw, would making the vampires form an internal police force to stop their own going on killing sprees and such be a worthwhile idea? Normal integration would not go well.

>>35287277
>Your vampire familiar
so, is there any negative effect to formalizing our familiar relationship? since we seem to be keeping her, formalizing the contract would mean she isn't reading our mind anymore.

So this might seem out there. But is the possibility of creating a Vampire Knight Order out of the question?

Think about it. We train the Daywalkers who are willing to be Knights. The Nightwalkers can function as the fill in with their HMK. And we can regulate the vampires in our Empire to that particular group. No need to create more unless someone wants to join the Order. Knight Orders are respected establishments throughout the world and bringing one under our umbrella might help further race relations and the image of Vampires. We'd need to start it slow of course, not afforded them all of the benefits of a true Knight Order, but slowly build them up to it as public opinion laxes. The amount of vampires we have could easily be contained in one of the plots in the Noble Manors area as well.

We'd need someone to head it up of course, but with Aladria around she could at least teach the Daywalkers how to use their powers effectively.

>>35287983
"Alright, some things on your mind. What is it
Aladria?"

>>35288102
>Btw, would making the vampires form an internal police force to stop their own going on killing sprees and such be a worthwhile idea? Normal integration would not go well.
I have no problem with normal integration at all. Just fucking do it. Maybe have a requirement that Vamps serve X number of years in our military or similar positions before gaining citizenship.

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>>35287277

Now with 100 percent less mistakes.

>>35287983
Well, our methods of integration can either be:

1a. leave them to their own devices inside our territory and just trust them to behave. maybe with some intimidation
1b. same as 1a, but have people assigned to watch over them and make sure they are getting along well. either spies or parole officers (the difference is that spies are not going to let them know they are being watched). Potentially with eventually dropping the "watching them" thin after enough years have passed and they have been behaving.
2. recruit them all into various government jobs within the empire. at their own behast it can be military, magical research, administration, etc.
they are still being watched, but its easier.
3. some mix 1 and 2

And the question then becomes one of population control. (no conversions, limited conversions, unlimited conversion)

>>35288339
I am thinking 3 is good. anyone who has skills for us to use, either in spying, warfare, administration, etc can get a government job where their superiors watch them carefully.
Those who prefer to not, can settle anywhere outside taur (taur settlement restriction lifted after, say, 50 years).
for the first 10 years they will be sorta on parole. but with the frequency of their "check ups" decreasing over time.
after that there will be ever decreasing level of supervision.
the parole will focus on both preventing them from causing problems but ALSO about preventing others from causing problems to them.

>>35288394
Sounds fair.
>>35288339
We obviously need breeding restrictions, nightwalker numbers can double EVERY MONTH. Don't really know about numbers though

>>35288492
We honestly really don't need much if any restrictions to be honest. Because all we need is something like a judge doing a legal contract in order to authorize turning.

Because almost fucking no one is going to accept turning into a undead unless they really love the person or they want immortality.

>>35288339
Personally I want most to be in the army. HMK or LMK vampires are pretty ideas. The magic inclined ones can go do research.

The big thing is we need them to be kind of separate but kind of not. Because most of the men aren't going to like sleeping next to them.

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>>35288123
I'm basically assuming it's been formalised as nobody has opposed it when it's been brought up in the past.

>Ask her what she wants

“So, what are you interested in today?” you ask your familiar directly.

“Having an actual conversation, for one,” she says under her breath. “Why are you so interested in all of this? Right now it’s just a lot of dirt and sweaty bodies. You planned a fortress and they’re building it. Why do you care about it before it’s done?”

You shake your head. You’d had a few encounters like this. Whether Aladria was interrogating you to learn more or was trying to convince you to change was still a mystery. The only thing you knew was that Aladria was not an empire builder by any means.

“It’s because I planned it that I care about its progress,” you say. “I like to see my plans come to fruition. There’s a certain pleasure that comes from seeing others work hard to give you what you want, even if they’re being paid for it.”

“I bet you say that to all the ladies,” she says with a small smile. “Won’t you be much happier once it’s done?”

You shrug. “The pleasure of having it done is largely fleeting. You get a lot more by seeing it done.”

“How exhausting,” she says and you give her an odd look. She has a wicked smile and you’re certain she’s happily twisting your words.

You sigh and head back to the carriages, which are now near the gate. “On business, I’m not sure if the vampires will truly be alright on their own. It’s going to take time to make people feel comfortable around them.”

“Remind the people who their ruler is. Remind them of your power and what happens to those who oppose it,” she says. “Either threaten them or make it clear you’re threatening everybody who might oppose you. Either will work.”

>continued

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>>35288701
The trip to the keep is a boring one. The growing garrison is noticeable, however. There are a lot of soldiers on the walls and patrolling. Stepping into the keep, you’re greeted quickly by… Mana, of all people.

“I’m surprised Sarah isn’t here,” you tell her as you head upstairs.

“Lady Hawkins is in Vitria so as to ensure that all tax collections are going smoothly,” Mana says.

The white-tailed fox was a young one but she was sharp and she got along well with Finn. She got along well with you, too, but you had more than enough foxes to worry about without taking any from your squire. That did mean that, with Finn’s command effectively non-existent, she gravitated towards you and the work she could get off you. It seemed ridiculous to be using your squire’s aide but Karise had already chewed you out once for refusing to let her help you.

You ask her about…

>1. Finn
>2. Recent news
>3. Tax collection
>4. Custom

>>35287983
"There is some slight problems with that idea. I feel that it is almost time but right now they need to be far away."

>>35288725
>1. Finn

This has the potential to be hysterical.

>>35288725
>1. Finn

>>35288725
In order:
>2.
>3.
>1.

>>35288701
>“How exhausting,” she says and you give her an odd look. She has a wicked smile and you’re certain she’s happily twisting your words.
haha, innuendo

>>35288725
>2. Recent news
news is good.

>>35288698

I agree. The Vampire HMK and LMK both have a lot of potential. But integrating them in with normal rank and file will be difficult especially when most of them probably lost friends, family etc. from the war with them. Blood runs deep. That's why I suggestion the vampire Knight Order above.

>>35288862
The problem is that Knightly orders have status. Giving the Vampires a privileged position out of the gate could go over poorly.

>>35288862
But we did kill off most of the vampires with crimes against them. Just have to remind the troops that they were once human and the vampires left are so far innocent compared to the others.

>>35288975

Mentioned that as well. We start them off lower, minus some status and privileged afforded to Knight Orders. But use the name to build prestige and public opinion about the Vampires. Having them directly under Talon's thumb would keep them in check as well.

>>35288982
You have a very optimistic view of long term racism.

>>35288862
we could just use time to our advantage here.
Let them do their own thing for 10-ish years before you start recruiting.
... we could bring them over to harrowmont actually. it would be easier to look over them.

>>35289035
No, that's a terrible idea.
>>35289034
Stop worrying about it. I thought this was putt to rest when we had the vote for killing them vs sparing them.

>>35289034
I don't think an actual knight order of vampires is viable for years to come. for one thing, we killed off all the older more experienced warrior vampires. it would take years in the military for some vampires to become strong enough to be worthwhile, and by that point we could recruit said individuals into the royal order.

>>35289076
>Stop worrying about it. I thought this was putt to rest when we had the vote for killing them vs sparing them.
it was. aspir brought it up again now for some reason.... well, more like in character dialog for aldaria.

>>35287237
>You are the knight, Talon York, and you are an emperor, but not the emperor… yet. Last thread you did some empire management.
You've really got to work on your intro skills buddy. This is the most fucking convoluted sentence I've ever read in my life.

Are you a knight or are you an emperor?

>>35289035

We do have the room now afterall.

Why not?

>>35289136
>Are you a knight or are you an emperor?
both.

Knight = armored muscle wizard.

>>35289101
Actually, whenever the possibility of vampires integrating was brought up one anon immediately chimed in for "when hell freezes over." I think its the same guy who predicted DOOM if we didn't kill them all immediately, repeatedly.

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>1.

It occurs to you that you haven’t actually spoken to Mana about Finn, apart from when you initially assigned her to him. She’d been very impressed by him, to an extent that had surprised you. It had been some time since then, however. You wondered how things had actually been.

“How are you things going with Finn?” you ask.

The reaction is immediate. Mana’s ears go flat and her expression becomes annoyed. You blink in surprise. Was Finn that much of a problem?

Mana catches your look and immediately recomposes herself. “No, it’s not like that. Finn’s not the problem. Well, he is, but…”

She begins to blather and you catch Aladria’s smirk out of the corner of your eye. Before your familiar can make any wicked comments and make things more troublesome, you cut Mana off.

“Stop, Mana,” you say. “What exactly is the problem?”

There’s several moments of silence as the three of you stand outside your room, having ascended to the top of your keep. Then Mana takes a deep breath and begins to speak, her annoyed expression returning.

>continued

>>35289181
>>>I agree. The Vampire HMK and LMK both have a lot of potential. But integrating them in with normal rank and file will be difficult especially when most of them probably lost friends, family etc. from the war with them. Blood runs deep.
>>we could just use time to our advantage here.
>>Let them do their own thing for 10-ish years before you start recruiting.
>We do have the room now afterall.
>Why not?
I was saying that just waiting for a bit can let the "bad blood" simmer down and die away.

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>>35289229
“He doesn’t know how to deal with women,” she says. “I like him.”

“I’d be surprised if you said otherwise,” Aladria says, grinning.

Mana gives her a dark look. That was a common reaction to most interjections by your familiar. “The problem is that I’m not the only one who does.”

“He does have Rayza,” you say. “She was kind of the one who captured his heart.”

Mana snorts. “Really? Finn doesn’t seem to properly understand that. Which is the problem. He’s aware but mostly just vacillates when it comes up. He panics, too. He did that with Kuro. It’d be nice if he’d just put his foot down because as it is now, it’s mostly just a matter of moving on him.”

“You could always just ignore him and work things out among each other,” Aladria suggests.

Mana mostly looks annoyed at that suggestion. You move on to other matters. Your squire can work out his own love life.

After handling the minor matters that have come up in your absence, you consider your next move.

>1. Talk more with Mana.
>2. See what Vad has been up to.
>3. Go talk to Rayza. You still need to talk to her about working for you.
>4. Custom

>>35289255
>>3. Go talk to Rayza. You still need to talk to her about working for you.

>>35289232
\We voted for integration, Aspir said it would happen and the subject was closed. Now, months later, you are showing up and claiming we need to wait for 10 years.
REALLY?

>>35289255
>2

>>35289255
>>3. Go talk to Rayza. You still need to talk to her about working for you.

>>35288725
>>3. Tax collection

>>35289255
>3. Go talk to Rayza. You still need to talk to her about working for you.

>>35288862

Just need to put them away. I'm sure most men won't mind them tearing things up. They just wouldn't want them nearby. So place them in their own part of the camp.

Although right now we just need their numbers up.

>>35289325
>Hi, I am a retarded faggot who can't read or comprehend basic conversation or context
Fuck you too asshole
here is what actually happened.
>we voted for internment in camp until both research was done (a 2 year project) and then slow integration (taking who knows how many years)
>Aspir raised the issue again for some reason
>Anons were discussing the specifics of integration, specifically noting that immediate integration would cause bad blood
>I pointed out that just taking it slow solves that issue and allows full integration as memories fade.

>>35289325
>Slow integration is not integration
integration is integration, regardless of how many years it takes

>>35289232
>>35289232

Bad blood just doesn't go away by keeping two people separated. It matters little if we keep them in Raupe for 10 years or 10 days, eventually people are going to need to be integrated together so they can work on building relations together as a people under one banner, not individuals of different races.

Not to mention the sooner we have Vampires working for us, the sooner we'll understand their benefits, much in the same way Vad, Tssuchi, and Taira helped build our initial impressions of the Foxes.

>>35289411
>we voted for internment in camp until both research was done (a 2 year project) and then slow integration (taking who knows how many years)
That is not what we voted for at all.

>>35289325
>>35289411

Vampires are tearing this thread apart.

As expected of Blackwater.

>>35289432
Of course it does.

>>35289438
oh how silly of me, i forgot the
>and then have them carefully monitored after being integrated
part.

>>35289255
>3. Go talk to Rayza. You still need to talk to her about working for you.

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A quick note on the vampire discussion.

Discussion on how integration will happen is fair game. The main thing is that they will be integrated at some point (no putting them in internment camps forever). I'm happy to see this discussion as it gives me some ideas for when I can approach it (i.e. before you have the blood substitute) and how.

>>35289531
Just do it immediately and as quickly as possible. This shit will never stop until the issue is closed and done.

>>35289531
Frankly to cover their diet we can have a donation for money system. The vampires pay tax that pays for their blood from anon doners, who get said tax as cash payment.

Its cool in a sense because even the most down on their luck person could scrape by for getting food doing this.

>>35289628
We already set that up. Otherwise they would have starved to death.
>>35289531
They have to do a 5 year service in an arm of the York empire government. Combat, admin, tax collection (bloodsuckers will feel right at home here). Afterwards, they are full citizens of the York Empire.

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>3.

You let both Mana and Aladria both know that you’re done here and go to visit Rayza. Mana engages you in some small talk about how the northern regions are going.

“Is Farun recovering at all?” she asks you.

“Somewhat,” you say. “Having Annette governing the country under Vitria is working well, though I’m keeping her guard high. There are plenty of rebels in the territory despite our military presence. I don’t know which nobles to trust, either.”

“So she won’t be coming to Harrowmont any time soon?” Mana asks, a bright smile on her face.

You catch Aladria’s grin out of the corner of your eye as you say, “She is a governor so she is welcome here. Sometimes I’ll want her to visit me rather than the other way around.”

Mana’s smile turns into a pout instantly. You distract yourself from her attempt to win you over by knocking on Rayza’s door. She calls out to let you know it’s open. Right before you open it you realise that Mana and Aladria are still with you, despite being dismissed, and you might want to leave them outside.

>1. Ignore them and head in. It’s not your problem.
>2. Dismiss Mana properly this time.
>3. Dismiss both Mana and Aladria.
>4. Custom

>>35289628
This is a great idea. The only issues I could see is not enough donors, or in times of poor economic growth some vamps might not be able to afford it.

>>35289684

5 years seem awfully short for functionally immortal people. Didn't Roman Legionnaires have to complete a 25 year term of service?

>>35289729
>1.

Be prepared to tell Rayza to put a shirt on. Again.

>>35289729
>2. Dismiss Mana properly this time.

>>35289438

I looked it up just for you
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/33211600/#p33215809
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/33211600/#p33216090
winning vote
>Execute those vampires that can be connected to the most heinous crimes. This will let you continue to make use of the vampires with, hopefully, less negative perception. Especially if you paint the remainder as largely fledglings. You will likely lose many of the most capable.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/33211600/#p33216480
winning vote
>Okay, so a bunch of vampires kept in an internment camp (Hiien, most likely) while you research a blood alternative. And no, you don't get to revisit whether you can kill them all later. They will be integrated into your empire at some stage as a result of this.

>>35289729
>2. Dismiss Mana properly this time.

>>35289628
I like this mostly because it keeps the look trade tightly controlled, meaning it will be easier to downsize once the blood substitute comes online. I'm sure there'll still be issues, but the better we're able to track supply and demand the easier it's going to be to figure out who is trying to cheat the system.

>>35289736
Honestly I would just give our empire the right to draft them if needed that is pretty much never used. Personally I think what we should do is offer them high pay to stay in the army and other benefits. That way they don't want to leave. Something like free blood substitute when that gets done and the likes.

Keep in it law that we can force them but mostly just get the ones that are willing and able to fight.

>>35289729
>>2. Dismiss Mana properly this time.

>>35289255
>2. See what Vad has been up to.

Time for best fluffy tails

>>35289736
Varied throughout their history. It was 16 in the time of Augustus IIRC. I think the important bit is getting them ready to fight ASAP.

>>35289729
>>3. Dismiss both Mana and Aladria.

>>35289871

For real. If we can get some Vamp HMK for Sophram that would be really helpful.

>>35289729
3

>>35289871
I kind of think the opposite. We only have what 200 of them right now? We can only get one per year a daywalker. 12 a year for a nightwalker and we can't exactly conscript people.

>>35289986

Well stronger units generally come in smaller numbers. But integrated HMK with our current forces would likely just help the overall unit.

I think we'd need to see the numbers of willing participants before we can make the proper decision.

>>35289986
1 daywalker a year, per day walker (25, 50, 100, 200, 400 ect, plus immigration). 12 a year per nightwalker (200, 2400, 28,800). Volunters are the real limiting factor.


>Nightwalkers - several hundred captured. Many are fledglings.
>Daywalkers - a few dozen (<50). Ages vary but are generally younger than the rulers.
tdlr: Umm, what are you talking about.

>>35290078
30,000K+ men.

220 or so vampires. It will take something like 4 years to get decent numbers for our armies.

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>2.

You give Mana a look you’ve been practicing lately. Tsucchi had told you before that you can sometimes be too soft on your subordinates but you hadn’t wanted to go too far in the opposite direction. Instead, you developed a look that made it clear that you knew what they were up to and you would greatly appreciate it if they dropped it.

It didn’t take long for Mana to give up her pouting and head off to bother Finn. So far you’d been successful at curbing some of the excesses of your subordinates but it needed work. Mostly because Sala, Lynn and Aladria didn’t care. You give your vampire a glance, wanting her to be on her best behaviour, and she returns it with an overly innocent look.

If it weren’t for some of the nifty tricks she could do with those shadow powers of hers, you’d wonder if she was worth the trouble.

You step into Rayza’s room, halfway expecting to see her partially undressed. Instead she’s loafing about and reading some trash fiction she’s no doubt nabbed off one of the other girls. There was certainly enough of it in kept in the small guest library, courtesy of Sarah.

“Come to see whether I’ve secretly dug an escape tunnel through your keep?” she says, not looking at you.

“You’re not exactly a prisoner, so no,” you say, drumming your fingers against your leg as you think on what to say next.

>1. Ask her about working for you. Alyce didn’t seem to care either way, after all.
>2. Ask her about Finn before moving onto the topic about working for you.
>3. Talk to her about whether she’s thought more about what she wants to do.
>4. Custom

>>35290148
No it won't. 300 NHMK is a very substantial force that is easily attainable.

>>35290156
>Ask her about Finn before moving onto the topic about working for you.

>>35290156
>1. Ask her about working for you. Alyce didn’t seem to care either way, after all.

>>35290156
>3. Talk to her about whether she’s thought more about what she wants to do.

>>35290156

>3. Talk to her about whether she’s thought more about what she wants to do.

>>35290148
...did you even read what he posted?

>>3. Talk to her about whether she’s thought more about what she wants to do.

>>35290148

Anon that's not how math works.

>>35290156
>3. Talk to her about whether she’s thought more about what she wants to do.

>>35290168
They'll get bullrushed by men. Once the scale starts hitting the tens of thousand of men the difference between 300 to 3000 vampires and not is low. We need enough to spread them out throughout all our armies later on and each one that dies is more lost we could use later.

Not even including the difficulty given we have no blood substitute or finding people willing to go that far.

>>35290156
>You are not my prisoner, you are a guest. speaking of I am not going to keep you cooped up here forever.
>I think I see several options, and its really up to you which one you want to do
>First option, you can come work for me
>Second option, you delay making a decision for now and remain as a guest here in the keep for longer.
>Third option, I grant you citizenship and official status of political asylum. You get a job, rent a house, and go on with your life without my supervision but still under my protection as a citizen of the york empire. Probably really boring.
>Fourth option, you leave to do whatever you want.
>It is really completely up to you here

>>35290422
Pretty much my thoughts as well, anon.

>>35290156
>>3. Talk to her about whether she’s thought more about what she wants to do.

and then >>1 if opportune.

>>35290375
>They'll get bullrushed by men. Once the scale starts hitting the tens of thousand of men the difference between 300 to 3000 vampires and not is low. We need enough to spread them out throughout all our armies later on and each one that dies is more lost we could use later.
Not really. Lets ignore the Daywalkers for now and focus soley on the nightwalkers (you have some good points about daywalkers).
I have proposed replacing 300 Heavy mage Knights with 300 Nightwalker Heavy Mage Knights. If for some strange reason this is logistically impossible I'm sure Aspriational will tell me.
Now, to detirmin how effective the upgrade will be, we will pit 300 HMK and VHMK against MMK of equal veterancy and balancing the numbers until the outcome is a coinflip.
300 HMK has a 50% chance of success when engaged in a melee with 1200 MMK.
300 VHMK has a 50% chance of success when engaged in a melee with 2400 MMK.

Basically, moving the VHMK to the front-lines will give us an additional 1200 MMKs of combat power, for free. Any questions?

Damnit Asspie, I only just found out you decided to run sooner than previously announced.

>>35290573
Yeah I'm fine with that. I'm just saying we should watch out that we don't deplete our vampires so much that it takes years to get them up to a level where they can be used.

>>35290573
if by free you mean
>Forcibly draft fledgling vampires of unknown loyalty and probably broken morale instead of loyal volunteers
and
>Potentially hamper army cohesion

I should point out that rebellions brought down darlesia, and RSK, and magi league.

>>35290573

As a sub thought, we don't even need to replace anyone. Since we have more HMK plate in production presently. We're just outfitting different people.

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>3.

Leaning against the door, you continue the topic from the last time you had a heart-to-heart like this. “Have you thought some more on what you actually want to do? Beyond living.”

There’s a fair bit of silence, broken only by Aladria’s rifling through the dozen or so books on the nearby dresser. Rayza’s not even pretending to read, as is obvious from the fact she’s been on the same page for a few minutes now.

Eventually, you get sick of the silence. “Do you just want to be another spellblade, fighting for glory and to better yourself? Or perhaps a knight, swearing fealty to me or another lord and fighting for their advancement?”

“Definitely not the last one,” she chirps. “I’m all for loyalty and fighting, but it seems pointless to knowingly hit a wall so early.”

“Then do you want to be a general? An advisor? A queen?” you ask, firing off the options rapid-fire. “You’ve got the potential to be any of those. I won’t choose for you.”

She scowls at that. “Why not?”

Blinking, you try to work out what she’s asking. “What do you mean ‘why not’?”

“I’ve been here for months. I’m happily bonking your squire. I’ve offered myself to you. I know you’ve spoken to Alyce about me and I sincerely doubt she’ll give herself the grief of trying to protect me,” Rayza says, standing and glaring at you. “Tell me what you want of me. Tell me what will give me glory in your eyes.”

Ah, you think you get it now. Rayza wants to be needed. That explains a lot of her behaviour, in particular why she was so willing to fight for becoming your grandmaster.

You’re not sure how to answer this.

>This will be a write-in response. Come up with some ideas for answers, including what you might want her to be for you. Ideas include being a general, part of your personal guard, queen of the dragons etc.

>>35290644
My thoughts exactly.

>>35290643
300 people aren't going to rebel and Talon can't live in paranoia over that. What we need is to offer them some carrot that makes them want to stay.

>>35290643
None of them were spontaneous peasant rebellions though, and we aren't even CLOSE to having to worry about one. Stop scaremongering.

>>35290652
"Killing my enemies mainly."

>>35290652
"I need you as a general, but not just for the normal soldiers. The fact of the matter is your draconic nature and ability to control your ability's puts you at the top of a very short list of people suitable to handling any and all draconic heritage individuals who join up in my empire. How this forms is up to you, a knightly order would not be out of the question if enough showed up. Plus you can teach lynn"

Drum fingers

"On that note. I am soon going to be rapidly expanding my boarders. You earn your keep in that and ill happily delegate a parcel of land for you to keep busy on to learn to be a Governor"

Frankly i feel we can make her earn a place by pointing out possibility. Getting her to teach and handle dragon descendants on our behalf will help cut down all the nitty gritty of us having to get involved every single time, and will save dragging lynn into it while she has an order to run.

>>35290652
Personally, I vote we make her a LT general in the army, and a Master in the Order of the Griffon. She has the potential, lets develop it. Heck, if she wants to be needed, we can point out that if other dragons start showing up, having their leader be someone we can trust would be invaluable, they are kinda dangerous.

>>35289775
>Okay, so a bunch of vampires kept in an internment camp (Hiien, most likely) while you research a blood alternative. And no, you don't get to revisit whether you can kill them all later. They will be integrated into your empire at some stage as a result of this.
Well then. it seems pretty clear cut.
I think what we should do is
1. Any vampire who joins the military gets an exception for the above, and out of the internment camp immediately and full citizenship within a year of service. (isn't military service in medieval society for life?)
2. Over time more varied types of recruiters (administrators, spies, mage towers, etc) might pass by and slowly drain away the pop from the internment camp via recruitment
3. at later point open resettlement locations for those who don't want a government job and wish to engage in some civilian endeavor. Starting at harrowmont and maybe vitria, maybe add a remote village or small town option too. They will be initially watched and initially restricted on where they can move to. but both restrictions will have a timer on them that expire after certain amount of years and good behavior.

stagger the above and make it all pretty open so they know exactly what is going to happen to them.
turning people is restricted by food supply (and of course willingness, the potential vamp needs to sign some forms and be confirmed to not be under mental compulsion)

unwilling feeding/enthralling a person is a crime dealt with harshly. maybe with some vampire cops helping with such hunts

>>35290652
"getting glory for someone other then your self is perhaps the saddest existence one can willing to accept"

>>35290789
no.

>>35290652
Oho, that is a new side of her I didn't expect to see. So she wants papa talon to take a firm hand and tell her what to do? lewd

Well then. She is free to do whatever she wants. But I would like her in our personal guard. We need more people who can keep up with us.

>>35290766
Give them a pay raise too and other benefits. Honestly the biggest problem right now is they remember being in a camp. People they change won't.

>unwilling feeding/enthralling

I honestly say this depends on the situation. Some thugs attacking grandma leading to a vampire thralling them is a lot less severe then robbing a guy with it.

And on the battle field I could see thrallment of certain officers or the likes in some situations.

>>35290757
>they are kinda dangerous.
i believe the word you were looking for is endangered.

also, remember the Sylvian said she would kill us and any dragon that tried to set up a new dragon nation because such a person would devastate the dragon population.

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So I'm seeing a fair bit of support for offering her the position of a general or high-ranking officer. Making her a knight or member of your personal guard seems to be another one. Or tempting her with the possibility of being a govenor or landowner.

Any other ideas?

>>35290741
angry dragon up north would kill us for giveing this offer

>>35290857
>I honestly say this depends on the situation. Some thugs attacking grandma leading to a vampire thralling them is a lot less severe then robbing a guy with it.
Its gonna be pretty hard for someone with superhuman strength and speed to argue for eating someone in self defense.
but if you want we can put that exclusion

>>35290652
Let slip some surprise on our face.
"Usually when people come to enter my service it's because they already have something they're striving for. Their glory usually comes from their drive to their own goals.
But you want me to simply hand you yours? Do you not fear that you might end up unhappy in whatever life I assign you?"

>>35290885
i support the personal guard idea

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>>35290864
>>35290903
That's a misinterpretation. Sylvian didn't think that a dragon nation could protect itself from all the predators alone. If you form one under you, that might be a different matter given her seeming belief that you're strong enough to fight said predators.

Nevertheless, it wouldn't be a good idea to use Rayza as a recruiter without talking to Sylvian. That doesn't mean you can't do it, however.

>>35290885
I don't see her being interested in a governor or lordship this early in the game. I'm not sure if I want to make her a general right now, but putting her in charge of an elite unite that we can point at the hardest opponents or use to breach enemy forces would make sense to me.

>>35290937
I believe it was more "if they show up, be their leader, so someone else (who could potentially be more troublesome/powerful) isn't."

>>35290697
who said anything about peasant rebellions?
mages, knights, nobles...

Also, in this case, vampire rebellions (by forcing them into the military and getting them to be forged in fire on the battle lines, some can end up really strong)

>>35290914
Could be 10-12 people vs one. But yeah I just mean in general it shouldn't be a automatic kill on sight due to the chance circumstances might be a little crazy at the time. If they can't prove things got that insane though then yeah kill them all.

>>35290937
We should probably start collecting some dragons later on. But right now we need more strength I say.

>>35290937
oh, thank you for clarifying.

although considering she told us she has no interest in it at all than its probably not the ideal thing to use her for

>>35290958
I don't like the idea of "racial leaders" when we can avoid it
full integration allows us to have people's loyalty be directly to papa talon without intermediaries.

>>35290960
Yeah you do have some point in that given 50-100 years of rulership they might turn into a pretty powerful faction.

I'm not too worried though so long as we keep things under control there isn't too much risk due to enthrallment being cured.

>>35290960
>300 NHMK have rebellied
>Tiara casts heavy artillery
>300 NHMK Died
>>35290958
I like this idea.
>>35290996
I seriously doubt we can avoid it.

>>35290958
Has my support.
>>35290937
We can talk to her about it post Shroopam

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RAYZA VOTE
>1. Make her a general
>2. Make her a captain or Lt General in charge of an elite unit.
>3. Use her as a dragon recruiter/leader.
>4. Don't choose for her. Make her decide for herself.
>5. Leave her be for now.
>6. Custom

Technically, 3 can be combined with options 2 and 1. ALso, if you don't choose 3 then it will come again in the future. Same with 5.

>>35291034
>I seriously doubt we can avoid it.
totally? we can't.
but our policies can mitigate it rather then intentionally encouraging it

>>35291074
>2. Make her a captain or Lt General in charge of an elite unit.

>>35291074
>1
>3

>>35291034
Pretty much we can't avoid it. In general a emperor only has so much time so he can't get to know everyone. Only the people that does know someone and becomes a leader.

>>35291074
where is the option for taking her into your personal guard? i thought there were two votes for it

>>35291074
>2. Make her a captain or Lt General in charge of an elite unit.
>3. Use her as a dragon recruiter/leader.
emphasis on leader

>>35291023
>50-100 years of rulership they might turn into a pretty powerful faction.

I think the hope is by then via integration and improved race relations they wouldn't have even an inkling to rebel.

>>35291074
>2. Make her a captain or Lt General in charge of an elite unit.

No need to add more generals right now. She works her best at the squad level.

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>>35291098
Oh, I missed that one, sorry. Just throw it in as a custom.

>>35291074
>>35291113
ok,
>6. Custom
personal guard for now. with option to make her a captain/general eventually

>>35291074
>1&3

>>35291074
personal guard

>>35291074
>2.

>>35291074
>2
>3

>>35291108
>I think the hope is by then via integration and improved race relations they wouldn't have even an inkling to rebel.
forcing every single one of them into perpetual service in the army as expendable war-slaves isn't exactly the path to doing that.

>>35291074
>2. Make her a captain or Lt General in charge of an elite unit.
>6. Custom
Make her an independent elite unit only answerable to us separate from our main army.

>>35291145
>>35291149
I'd like to remind people voting 3 that this is literally the one thing she told us she has no interest in doing at all.
although there was meta discussion about it being a lie... which would mean this is just as keikaku moment for her if we go for that

>>35291074
>4 Make her choose between 1, 2, or 3

Or 2 with 3 eventually.

We should push Fin to get her to help him lead, be his second in command and adviser or lead of his personal guard.

>>35291162
>forcing every single one of them into perpetual service in the army as expendable war-slaves isn't exactly the path to doing that.

I don't think anyone has ever said to do that actually. Lots of integrating them into our military with perks and giving options for those who do not wish to serve. But not press ganging an entire minority into perpetual service.

>>35291074
make her a gaurd

>>35291108
That never happens. Someone always will if given the chance take power.

Talon will probably spend his entire life juggling problems that may come up hundreds of years later when he gets more experience.

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This is pretty clearly a majority (not just a plurality) in favour of 2. In retrospect, the inclusion of 3 in the way I did it is terrible. I don't know how to count it. So, revote on that one part.

DRAGON LEADERSHIP VOTE
>1. Don't have Rayza do any dragon leadership or recruitment right now.
>2. Have Rayza actively try to recruit any dragons she might know or encounter. Try to put the word out that she's here and dragons are welcome.
>3. Have Rayza take up the role of racial leader for dragons. It's a stronger declaration than 2 as you'll effectively be declaring her a queen under you. She has said she doesn't want this but may be lying.
>4. Custom

>>35291162
Personally I say we should give them limited freedom but offer a bunch of perks to those that join the army willingly.

Press ganging them is a bad idea. But giving them nice pay a good suit and a few special rights on the other hand. The key thing is to keep jealousy down. But we could always claim that it's mostly there due to the sacrifice people may give to the empire later.

>>35291268
>2. Have Rayza actively try to recruit any dragons she might know or encounter. Try to put the word out that she's here and dragons are welcome.

>>35291268
>>1. Don't have Rayza do any dragon leadership or recruitment right now.

Lets get more dragons after we get stronger.

>>35291268
>2. Have Rayza actively try to recruit any dragons she might know or encounter. Try to put the word out that she's here and dragons are welcome.

>>35291268
>2. Have Rayza actively try to recruit any dragons she might know or encounter. Try to put the word out that she's here and dragons are welcome.
slowly and very very cautiously

>>35291268
>2. Have Rayza actively try to recruit any dragons she might know or encounter. Try to put the word out that she's here and dragons are welcome.

Don't try to get too many to come all at once though. We don't want them to become targeted.

>>35291268
>>1. Don't have Rayza do any dragon leadership or recruitment right now.

>>35291273
Of course within 10-20 years they should be totally within society. But we do need to get a martial tradition going on here because while our vets grow old and die these guys could be warriors for hundreds of years. Which could be vital in time.

>>35291268
>2.

>>35291268
>1. Don't have Rayza do any dragon leadership or recruitment right now.
lynn is probably a better choice for that, and honestly I rather we don't even do it all.
the dragons are gonna be joining us anyways over time, what with our reputation

>>35291268
>. Have Rayza actively try to recruit any dragons she might know or encounter. Try to put the word out that she's here and dragons are welcome.

>>35291268
>>2. Have Rayza actively try to recruit any dragons she might know or encounter. Try to put the word out that she's here and dragons are welcome.

>>35291268
>1

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Welp, time to roll for dragons then. This is only to see if you have any dragons currently in your forces that will join you before Shropham.

[DC16 Dragons]

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>35291448
Crap.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>35291448

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>35291448

>>35291466
>>35291476
>>35291479

Not meant to be...

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>35291448

>>35291466
>>35291476
>>35291479

This is why we can't have nice things.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>35291448
Feel like rolling.

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No dragons before Shropham, unless you want to use an FR point.

Writing it up now.

>>35291519
Nope

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>35291448

>>35291519
dont you dear touch those points

>>35291519
no FR.

I am glad we didn't have a crit fail here.

>>35291519
Not worth it.

>these rolls

Thank god we aren't in active combat today, christ.

>>35291519
>no dragons
>no vampires
>50 odd foxes
>50k+ humans between garrisons and professional

We're the best at being multi racial.

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>2 then 2 then Target not met

You give Rayza a steady gaze as she glares at you. Endless months of doing nothing hasn’t been good for her temperament it seems. Aladria looks between the two of you with amusement.

“Really, she offered herself to you and you declined?” she asks. “That’s a surprise. She seems your type. Not one to touch your squire’s goods?”

Sighing, you give Rayza an answer. “Whilst I would prefer you to make your own decision, if you’re that adamant about giving up your freedom then I’ll make it for you. I want you to be a leader. Prove yourself as a commander of an elite unit, then I’ll give you more responsibility. You’ll be a Master of the Order of the Griffin under Lynn, though you’re not answerable to her otherwise.”

A smile blooms on her face as she nods in return. It vanishes with your next words, though.

“I also want you to recruit any dragons you know of and let others know that they are welcome here,” you say. “Not as a leader or queen, but as a fellow dragon.”

She relaxes a bit with those last words. “I guess that’s doable. There’s none in your current army but there’s bound to be a few lurking about in your territory after that tourney display last year. Who am I under, if not Lynn?”

“Myself. If necessary, another general but I’ll likely put you under Finn if that happens,” you say.

Aladria laughs. “You think the elf can control the dragon? Maybe you should peek on their bedtime habits, master.”

“From what I hear, those are precisely what makes me confident,” you say flatly.

Rayza scowls, looking away. “He tells you about that? Not that I should be surprised. He tells you everything, then tells me he tells you everything. Then probably tells you-“

“Enough,” you cut in. “You said you’d do it. Are you happy now?”

Giving you a happy look, she nods. “It gives me something to aim for. Are you sure you don’t want to do something to celebrate?”

>continue

>>35291657
Eh, we'll have 300 vampires or so.

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>>35291704
“No,” you say, catching her intentions immediately. “Also, play nice with Finn and the other girls. Talk some sense into him if you have to.”

Huffing like your familiar, Rayza mutters about picking Finn so she didn’t have to share.

“Well, at least I was the first one,” she says as you leave.

Aladria vanishes shortly, probably to rendezvous with Felix, and you decide who to visit.

>1. Undine
>2. Gnome
>3. Sala

>>35291724
>1. Undine

>>35291724
>1. Undine

>>35291724
I think the danger of Felix going day walker route is pretty high. Oh well, poor guy hasn't gotten much attention since the tourney.

>1. Undine

>>35291721
And the former thralls. They'll be a great help to us.
Since they know every dirty deal that Shroopam made with the Vampires of Taour in the past 20 years. Our propagandists will have FUN.

>>35291724
>2.
If Gnome's back from Castle Gimbon already

If not
>1.

>>35291724
>1. Undine

>>35291724
>1. Undine

>>35291724
>3. Sala

>>35291724
>1. Undine

>>35291724
>1. Undine

>>35291657
It's not like we really care all that much about being multi-racial. Talon views other races in lens of how useful they are to his empire+a desire to build a empire where everyone can live under him freely.

>>35291704
>“Really, she offered herself to you and you declined?” she asks. “That’s a surprise. She seems your type. Not one to touch your squire’s goods?”

I'm in love.

In any case I'd think the Imperium would either put these loyalist on ice and thaw them when they need something with a bit more ooomph when the regular chapter doesn't cut in.
>Want something killed dead and Blood Angels/Space Yiff not killy/scary enough? Send in some World Eaters/Night Lords loyalist to crank it up all the way to 11.
Thousand Sons before the Rubric where among the strongest psykers right?

Funny no one spoke of the Alpha Legion, even as a joke. Everyone knows they're loyal.

>>35291724
>3. Sala

Best elemental is best.

>>35292035
Wooops wrong thread.

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>1.

You find Undine in one of the offices at the back of the keep. Scattered across the table she’s sitting at are countless sheets of paper detailing complicated engineering plans. She’s looking over one of them, a plate of sandwiches next to her.

“Are you sure you should have food and drink so close to the canal plans, Undine,” you ask her as you approach.

Giving you a reproachful look, Undine swallows done her sandwich and says, “I am an adult and I know how not to spill things.”

“I’m an adult and I spill things.”

“Maybe that means you should practice your etiquette,” she replies.

“Or maybe it means everybody else should be less stuffy. I am the Imperator, after all,” you say, sitting down.

The light-hearted bickering is as enjoyable as always, you think. Gently tugging the plans away from your Champion, you demand her attention. She’s been burying herself in the canal lately and you want her to do something new before she goes to war with you against Shropham.

>1. Talk to her about living with her sisters.
>2. Talk to her about why she’s been burying herself in the canal so much.
>3. Ask her what she thinks of being your Champion.
>4. Custom

Also, if you have any special topics you want to talk to her about (story events etc) then bring them up now. The post after the next will be where I’ll try to address any of that.

>>35292057
Hahahah.

>>35291576
Honestly those rolls are better then normal for combat.

>>35292110
>Talk to her about why she’s been burying herself in the canal so much.

>>35292110
>1.

>>35292110
>2. Talk to her about why she’s been burying herself in the canal so much.

>>35292110
>2. Talk to her about why she’s been burying herself in the canal so much.

>>35292110
take her out on a date. nice dress, dancing. food. romantic walk.

>>35292110
>>1. Talk to her about living with her sisters.

We should probably ask her opinion on vampires and how things are going in Termina.

>>35292110
>2

>>35292110
>>2. Talk to her about why she’s been burying herself in the canal so much.

>>35292110
>2. Talk to her about why she’s been burying herself in the canal so much.

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>2.

Ignoring the look that Undine gives you for taking away her work, you say, “You’ve been spending a lot of time working on the canal. I know you’re helping a lot with the water engineering parts of it, particularly with the reservoirs, but I think you’re spending more time on this than Gnome.”

She shrugs with a small smile. “Maybe. But then, she’s done a hundred of these once-in-a-lifetime projects. When I was still in Ahm, she would often tell me about the wonders she built or designed. Shropham’s great platform; Westmile Fortress in the northern reaches of Malataine’s mountains; even the Tower of Stars itself. Then there were the canals – she helped Taren build a canal from Sortaine to Westmile Fortress. Or the longest canal that she built in the far north, when a landlocked empire was worried about being embargoed by its neighbours and so built an enormous ship canal from the tiny stretch of coast it actually controlled.”

You nod in agreement. “Gnome does like to talk about herself and how great she is.”

Batting your arm lightly, Undine says, “Really, now. She wouldn’t like you to say that.”

“I’m sure she’d be very happy that we’re talking about her.”

“You do like to tease her, don’t you?”

“She enjoys it,” you say, shrugging. “So Gnome has worked on a lot of wondrous projects. She’s a legendary and ancient earth elemental. It comes naturally to her. Why are you so drawn to the project, Undine?”

“Because it’s something that I can do. Something special that everyone will recognise,” she answers, a bright smile on her face as she gazes into space, presumably imagining her future. “I’ve never done this sort of thing before. It’s also something I’m doing for you that nobody else can do. Some of these plans are practically impossible with weaker water elementals. I’m your Champion and this makes me feel I truly am championing your cause. Not just in battle, but at home.”

>Response?

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>>35292526
I take it I should just move on, then?

NEXT SCENE
>1. Go see Vad
>2. Try to work out Aladria and Felix are doing.
>3. Speak to Sylvian about the dragon thing.
>4. Custom

>>35292697
>>2. Try to work out Aladria and Felix are doing.

>>35292526
This makes me happy.
Hug, kiss. Thank you.

>>35292526
Ok, after trying to write something coherent for the last ten minutes I'm going to give up and bullet point my ideas.

-express the sentiment that we're glad tht she's our champion
-let her know that we're going to have more engineering projects for her going forward

>>35292697
>3. Speak to Sylvian about the dragon thing.
Huh, I guess people are starting to

>>35292697
either 1 or 2 works for me

>>35292736
This

>>35292697
>3. Speak to Sylvian about the dragon thing.
Lets spend some more time throwing down the charm.

>>35292526

And that is something I truly appreciate nor would I deny you. From the very beginning I've told you how important you are to this, to the empire. But... I seem to remember a date in Vitria where you said I work too much. And it was your job to make sure I still "had fun". I'm feeling a distinct lack of fun with your buried in papers Undine.

I was trying to find the exact thread where we went on that date with Undine. Sorry.

>>35292697
I honestly am not sure what to say. I kinda want to ask if she feels some sort of inadequacy but, the last bit tells me she doesn't.

I'll second expressing the sentiment that we're glad that she's our champion.

Otherwise
>3

>>35292697

Echoing sentiment.
And >2

>>35292697
>Go see Vad.

>>35292769
sounds good

>>35292697
>2. Try to work out Aladria and Felix are doing.

My internet is out again, thanks to my flaky isp. Ill post the update as soon as it is back. Assuming this is a short disruption.

>>35293151
Thanks for the update.

>>35293151

Well alright then. Hope it gets back up soon.

In the meanwhile, topic.

We discuss feasible and cost effective ways to create a cavalry unit that is unique and not outclassed by L/HMK with our current resources. Alternatively discuss ideas for future research into such things.

Uses may include:
Running down squishier units with speed while maintaining high levels of defense.
Flanking quickly.
Breaking enemy lines.
Sorties.

And go.

>>35293227
It might help you guys to consider tactics too. Shropham has a lot of mages and the MG have a alot of antimage units so new tactics might help you defeat a superior foe.

>>35292697
>>2. Try to work out Aladria and Felix are doing.

>>35293319
>Mages
Mages are long-ranged artillery but squishy up close, so stealth, speed and outflanking seem to be in order.
With that in mind, I propose research into invisibility and 'jump pack' enchants, so as to provide Stealth Mage Knights and Jump MMKs as a cheaper and tougher alternative to FMKs when scaling walls or getting into elevated ambush positions.

>>35293522

Speaking of invisibility we never really did figure out what Aspirational was hinting at with that whole thing. We know it involves Undine and the AAs.

Also, for Mages we should make heavy use of our HMKs, their armor is pretty good against magic as is. So when it comes to defense, those guys need to be taking the front.

>>35293227
Thats been talked about to death, pretty much hover bikes or some such that requires complex patterns and will be super expensive and require lots of research was the result.
>>35293522
Hit and run tactics or bullrushes seems to be the way to go vrs mages. Wonder if we can get some kind of nade or small expendable item to create temporary barriers.

Another thing would be to look into making some shields that are able to make barriers like Talon can. Not exactly like his due to astral but something that be used like a phalanx against mages.

Idea being heavy units push forward with the barrier then step to the side to allow faster units to swarm the mages.

>>35293319
>>35293522

I am still catching up on archives but could Taira's teleportation fit into the picture if it's instantaneous?

Just teleport some dedicated anti-mage killers right into their flank and then teleport out?

>>35293578
Note the use of:
>We discuss feasible and cost effective ways
&
>with our current resources.

I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel here with the nonsense hoverbike idea but rather bridge a gap between patterns and our current tech.

>>35293582
Want to say she has to take time to cast it, once in tho it could be disrupted I think.

>>35293690
I think the best bet would be to make summoning more popular and train summoner knights. The idea being they summon their own mount into battle.

>>35293522
the problem with invisibility is the ability of magic users and magical beings to sense each other with great precision using their magic sense

>>35293733

It's a shame our only known multiclasser is Arail and he's a Flyer.

I wonder if we could just get a bunch of summoners to summon for the Knights though. It might put them out of the rest of the battle for the cost of superior units.

Could possibly figure out a way to streamline summoning into something relatively easy even for the ad hoc magic users that most Knights tend to be.

>>35293582
>Use Spiritual Body to keep the actual body safe
>Teleport into a group of mages
>Instantly smash them into pulp with Force Technique since it ignores magical barriers
>Teleport back

>>35293765
That's true, we'd need to put research into disrupting magical sensing.
Maybe some kind of jammer that induces somewhat persistent magical signatures within a certain radius, thus overloading magical senses? Or damping built into the stealth armour? Or preferably both, really.

>>35293788
spiritual body?

also, here is a better plan

>kill the mages from miles away using force techniques without wasting your power teleporting
also, remember that taira is a squishy mage herself.

We still need units that will wreck your shirt from here to there or what some anon called "ShowStopers" that aren't heroes.

Vamps seem to be good for that.

Other than that speed and mobility should be something we really should start looking into

>>35293853
>shirt

Shit dammit shit not shirt

>>35293835

Substitute her real body with a spiritual body so that she can't die even if she is killed.

I assumed two things with that plan. That killing mages from miles away is somehow impracticable for God knows what reason and that she would be teleporting with bodyguard/magekillers to help maximize the damage and protect her.

Otherwise yeah, just gank them from far away.

>>35293830
Pretty sure we have these, and Mal is really good at it. Just need more mages that can do it.

>>35293853
Yeah I agree. Kinda worried about our AA as well they basically magic archers but the mage guard have units to counter magic and such

>>35293582

Do we really have any dedicated Mage killer units though? The Guard has their Wardens and Spellbreakers, while the RSK has the Tallorn.

We don't have that high level unit, unless we count Foxes. But most of our current Foxes aren't at the right level to combat masses of Mages yet.

How do Arcane Archers even work? I keep assuming they work like the Magick Archer class from Dragons Dogma

>>35293921

Well the Juggernaut MK idea comes to mind for a mage killer unit.

Since we know HMK do well against mages, we can assume an even beefier version would be able to walk right over and stomp them out. Possibly making better use of the warded plate the Spellbreakers use? We'd need to give them cover fire, but our AAs and FMK pretty much own the air right now.

>>35293888
>Pretty sure we have these, and Mal is really good at it. Just need more mages that can do it.
I meant as an enchant, anti-mage mages are good, but deployable/stationary jammers are better.
Well, not really, but we could possibly mass produce those which we can't do wih mages.

>>35294006
Oh yeah, I mentioned that idea earlier. I agree would be really nice to get some kind of magic chaff nade/arrows or something for troops.

>>35294006

It was mentioned that the Spellbreaker Knights the Guard uses has a version of this. It's just old tech and poorly implemented to today's standards.

Anyone else up for having our Spy Foxes steal a pattern for us? Even if the Spellbreaker pattern is old it gives us a solid basis to reverse engineer and build on top of. Mal's knowledge of disruption magic would play into this big time.

>>35293880
>That killing mages from miles away is somehow impracticable
for most foxes it is
she can do it.

even vad can snipe mages at a decent rate over a distance

>>35294048
we shouldn't do that until we are ready to go to war with them anyways.

>>35294021
I'm not sure why, but I'm really liking the idea of armoured knights with medieval weapons and also an assortment of magical grenades and shield projectors and stuff.

>>35293947
They have enchanted helms that let them see in the dark and way farther. Their arrows are enchanted to pierce armor and with more force I think, can't seem to find it in pastebin.

>>35294087
yeah, the more I think about it the cooler it gets.

>>35294080

>we should wait until the moment we're going to war with a nation to start working on ways to countering them
>we should wait to delve into research involving anti-magic wards and spells with a war against mages on our doorstep

wat.

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This looks like a big outage so I’m just going to hotspot my phone and update from that. Don’t expect fast responses to questions until my net is properly back. Keep up with the discussion, too.

>Be glad she’s your Champion but remind her to have some fun

You lean in and catch Undine in a deep kiss. She’s a bit surprised but responds happily enough. After a short, but worthwhile, reunion, you pull back and give her a serious gaze.

“You make me happy by being my Champion, Undine,” you say, and she smiles broadly in return. “However, I do distinctly remember you once telling me that I need to have more fun. It sounds to me that the tables have turned.”

“I am having fun,” she says poutily.

“Maybe, but I think you could use a break,” you say. “If you’re here to make me happy, then you’re going to take a short break with me.”

She gives you a look but it quickly breaks into a smile and she joins you for a short walk around the courtyard, looking at the new buildings in the noble estate. The new guildhouses for the Order of the Leaf and Griffin are still under construction but they will be magnificent once complete, you think. Your time with Undine is short, but pleasant, and you find your mind turning to work once more.

>3.

“So long as she stays under your thumb, I don’t care what you do with any dragons,” is Sylvian’s short reply to your question about dragons and Rayza. “The problem is in dragons running off and doing their own thing without protection or support. If they’re going to have to go up against you, and potentially the Magi League, then they’re going to think twice. Just make sure that they don’t get any ideas and move to a different nest.”

>continued

>>35294129
It’s surprisingly easy to get a direct line to Sylvian via magitech sending, you’ve found. The dragon is very eager to talk to you, so long as you continue to be willing to work with her. You’ve been using that to your advantage to gain information about the Mage Guard approach to Shropham.
“I’m not sure if I plan to make them their own nation or give them their own governance,” you say.

“I’ve heard that you have the same problems with the foxes,” Sylvian says. “The dragons are easier to herd, given that so many of them are young. Ren and the other leaders will happily cast aside a good opportunity should you not offer them what they want. Remember that it’s the leaders, not the foxes themselves, that you need to impress. They’re structured so that rebellion doesn’t happen.”

“I’m pretty sure Karise is proof that’s not true,” you say.

Sylvian is silent for a while. “My understanding is that the Garrotte clan was an exception. They effectively split in two when they’re clan was nearly destroyed. That’s what happens when a poor leader is selected. You should keep that in mind when appointing governors and generals. You need them to be reliable when you’re not around, not to divide into bickering camps.”

You’d half expected Sylvian to talk about succession planning but it seemed the dragon didn’t seem to think about your demise much. Or maybe she was just tactful.

The dragon topic is more or less closed, so you move on.

>1. Try to push Sylvian to work with you, despite Alyce’s misgivings. You’ve already got an alliance with Alyce that she’ll be hesitant to break. Having the helldragon to fight Shropham will be very useful.
>2. Ask Sylvian what she’ll do when you find yourself at war with the Mage Guard.
>3. End the call. You already have the information you need.
>4. Custom

I’ll jump back to the Aladria and Felix scene after the next post. Then I’ll do Vad’s kids.

>>35294142
>>1. Try to push Sylvian to work with you, despite Alyce’s misgivings. You’ve already got an alliance with Alyce that she’ll be hesitant to break. Having the helldragon to fight Shropham will be very useful.

>>35294142
>>2. Ask Sylvian what she’ll do when you find yourself at war with the Mage Guard.

>>35294142
>>1. Try to push Sylvian to work with you, despite Alyce’s misgivings. You’ve already got an alliance with Alyce that she’ll be hesitant to break. Having the helldragon to fight Shropham will be very useful.
Sylvian has said before that she doesn't hate magic she just doesn't want it going out of control. The deal will be just getting to get Alice and Sylvian to compromise on letting advancement on magic happen but in a controlled environment.

>>35293947
Magic bows that allow for greater pull with less effort, and enchants that add extra omph. Effectively destroys mundane units, and can hurt MK and slow them down.

Magical arrows that pack a punch. This combined with the bows is what makes them deadly to MKs.

Assorted other enchants; night vision, enhanced sight, silent step, quickness. Basically creating a lightly armored unit that is fleet of foot and can devastate enemies from afar of both mundane and magical nature. Giving us superiority in the air, and distance battle, plus first strike.

>>35294142
>2. Ask Sylvian what she’ll do when you find yourself at war with the Mage Guard.

>>35294142
>4. Custom

Help find dragons pls.

She kept tabs on Lynn. There is no doubt in my mind she knows where we can pick up a few dragons that are just lingering about.

>>35294122
>Strawmanning this hard
an attack on their foundries to steal a pattern is an act of fucking war you retard

>we should wait until the moment we're going to war with a nation to start working on ways to countering them
Stealing anti mage tech from the mage guard is not how we are going to win a war against the mage guard

>we should wait to delve into research involving anti-magic wards and spells with a war against mages on our doorstep
Stealing tech isn't "doing research", it involves armed agents fighting their way into a heavily guarded foundry through heavy security and then taking away their tech from within it.
that, or enthralling foundry workers to have them steal it.

>>35294207
>>35294228
[DC17 Convince Sylvian]

There's no huge penalties for failing, so I'm gonig with this over a tie-breaker.

Any write-ins or reasons why Sylvian should be helping you may lower the DC (she wants to be convinced so a good write-in will smash the DC or maybe auto-pass).

>>35293577
It's basically that 'create matter' spell that Undine used to create your furniture earlier on.

>>35294285

We've been told stealing templates happens. The RSK might do it to us with our AAs some day. It would just be harder.

We have a spy network that heavily extends into the MG, and it isn't far-fetched to say they would have access to foundries. Stealth mission, not act of war mission. I haven't the foggiest what you're on about, but I appreciate the needless name calling.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>35294391

>>35293947
>Magick Archer class from Dragons Dogma

Muh Nigga

http://youtu.be/-mXQlO4iUf0

>>35294408
The RSK is a super power 7x bigger than us.
And yes, they would be an act of war if they did that.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>35294391

>>35294408
>I appreciate the needless name calling.
Next time, don't strawman like a faggot by completely rewriting what other people say into something that doesn't bear the slightest similarity to it

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>35294391

>>35294391
>>35294438
blarg ok let me think

>>35294431

If we found out of course it would. But that sort of defeats the purpose of a stealth mission to gain intell on enemy templates. It would be in their court to fuck it up.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>35294391
Why did those idiots jump the gun on convincing Sylvian...dammit.

>>35294428
>Hunter Bolt

Holy shit if our AAs had that..

Is this game any good?

Rolled 13, 16, 15, 3, 10, 16, 7, 12, 20, 7 = 119 (10d20)

Testing rolls

>>35294476
We are talking about stealing unique tech that nobody in the world has and is notoriously difficult to research.
Its not gonna be hard to link the theft to us once we suddenly have the tech.
Also, spies can fuck up and get caught and mess up.
please remember that the garrote clan is split and 1/3rd is here with us and 2/3rd are there with them. so they are going to have double the spy foxes to guard against this kind of shit.

>>35294391
"Sylvian, if you're willing to risk the potential fallout with Alyce, I think I'd like you to join up with me formally. You've been an invaluable consultant thusfar, and I sincerely believe that I need your help with Shropham."

This is some gain a FR point level convincing we're going to need to do people. Break out the big guns.

>>35294391
I honestly don't want her to OPENLY be working with/for us, or rather not within a position of high authority.
She has too bad a reputation and her inquisition and methods created the mess of fanatics in the guard to begin with

Arguments
>You mentioned the mage guard needs to be pacified? Tell me how bad it is.
>I been hearing rumors... (specifically, the whole part about hunting unprotected dragons who did nothing)

>Shropam has been allied with taour working secretly from within the league to smuggle mageplate to them
>Shropam is bulking at the ethical restrictions placed on it by the league
>Some of the daywalker council escaped to shropam
>Shropam is about to rebel as per troop movements

>Alyce asked me to pacify them when they do. And not let the magi guard to be the ones to do it.
>This potentially puts me against the magi guard, and potentially puts me in conflict with you.

>So, are you going to just sit it out. Fight me on behalf of the guard... or help me pacify both shropam and the guard.
>Or try to get the guard to sit this one out while i deal with shropam

>>35294391

"You want to see what I'm capable of I take it. What the young upstart can do. People say you've grown lax in the Guard, you've lost power. The Guard is a pale shadow of what it once was and you're just a threat anymore, one that is taken lightly. People thought the same of me, even you did when we first met, needing to go as far to over shadow me and make sure to put me in my place. Or rather... Perhaps you knew I was capable. And those rumors had gotten to your ears, seeing your eyes on the ground here doing nothing more then fucking whores was a stark reminder of what you once had. So you needed to over shadow me, to convince yourself you still had it. Show me that on the field instead. Show me what the great Heldragon is capable of. And I'll show you what the future Emperor Talon York is capable of and why you made a good decision to ally with me.

>>35294391
>Write ins

"Alyce is well aware of the cracks in the Magi League. We also know she's not in favor of wildly dangerous and unethical research (and probably administrative policies for governing non-mages in their territories) that some of the break away factions will likely be pursuing. She can't do anything about it herself right now, and you can't do anything about it without uniting the majority of ML factions against the Mage guard.

That's where I come in. Like with Shropham I can act without the same level of backlash, but there are too many fires for me to put out without leaving my existing empire vulnerable, or having outside support.

That's where you, Sylvian, come in. I need you to lend me enough of your men and might to deal with the small insurgencies before someone does something horrifyingly stupid. But if we're going to make this work I can't isolate you from Alyce. It will inevitably make things more difficult in the short run, but it's also the only way we cam make this work look enough to see the task through."

Dunno if that helps at all, but fuck it it's all I got in me at this hour.

>>35294391
Well I'm late for the roll might as well try my hand for a reason.
Sylvian has mentioned before that the mage guard have deviated from what she intended them to be. Magic is not something she hates, but something she wants controlled so that the disaster from before can't be repeated. We should interest her in investing in our empire because we understand the need for control but balance for it. We should admit that yes we will seek advancement for magic but we wish for control over how it is advanced so that it does not destroy what it creates. The Mage guard are seeking to repress magic which in turn will cause mages all over to rebel against them. War over magic is not something Sylvian will want because it will no doubt bring about destruction like before.

>>35294391
Hey OP, I just had a really, really out of nowhere thought while trying to think of magic disciplines Syl disapproves of.

Anyway, if you wanted to preserve food for long periods of time would it be more efficient to use a necromancy spell to arrest the rotting process or just kill off any microbes than to use a refrigeration spell which would slow the decay process or potentially freezer burn the product?

I support... All of that. At least one of those has to do it.

>>35294391
"Sylvian when we first met I admittedly didn't think highly of you and felt working with you would be a mistake and a danger to my plans. However the more we talk, the more I am beginning to understand you. And I feel that having your experience and point of views to help balance my empire to be very important. You want to prevent catastrophes like the golden age from happening again and I respect that and I want to help you to do that. Alyce wants freedom for her people to research and make the world better. I think it would be wise to have you both on council to provide a balance on magical research.

You helping me with the Shropham and Magi league would not only save many of my people but also show Alyce that you're willing to work with me and thus her which would allow you to better watch future magical research."


Bleh Im a bad writer and I had lots people bugging me while trying to do it.

>Partial success from write-ins

Sylvian responds very slowly to your request, “I’m not sure you get it. The problem isn’t that I won’t get along with Alyce or that she won’t like me. That’s an absolute. We don’t like each other. We never will. We can almost certainly work together, especially with her little experiment blowing up in her face. That she’s so openly sided with you is proof of that – she is moving from being a ruler to a subordinate. Just like me.

“But she’ll still have her pride and her memories. Unless you can convince her otherwise, and I know you need more time for that, then having the two of us work together is a threat to the stability of your empire,” she says at length. “It is not hard to fool people who are already suspicious. I know this from my race’s history. You may have seen it, too, among the more experienced members of your retinue. They believe in you, but they also don’t trust your judgement as much as others. They grow suspicious and even small things can trigger yet more suspicion.”

You can’t help but think of the suspicion being directed at Sarah by the foxes that have recently joined you. They like you, even love you, but it is for that reason that they believe Sarah to be a threat.

>continued

>>35294918
“You think that Alyce will be dangerous unless the two of you can properly reconcile,” you say, filling in the blanks.

“Potentially. If not her, then her subordinates,” Sylvian says. “I believe that you can fend off Shropham. I believe that you can fend off and conquer the Mage Guard. I also dislike Shropham and everything the Guard have become. The Wardens have more influence than I would like and they are pushing the same agenda that caused so much destruction with the Magi Line mountains in the Golden Age. It is for that reason that I will not say no if you genuinely request my help.

“If you really so desire it, then I will defect. I suspect that my additional power will merely create more troubles for you, however. The Guard won’t move quickly – I have friends here who will stall any attempts at doing so. It is Alyce and the others in your retinue that will cause you problems. So, I ask you bluntly: do you want me to serve you, Talon York?

>1. Yes
>2. No

Accepting Sylvian’s proposal gives you a ton of power. You’ll gain more enemies and make some allies more suspicious of you. You won’t lose any influence she would provide over the MG.

Declining means you can’t get her to work for you until you resolve the difficulties between Alyce and Sylvian, plus any other problems your retinue has with her. She’ll still stall the MG as necessary.

>>35294935
>2

But try to leverage aid in another matter. Locations of dragons, Intel, etc.

>>35294935
>>2. No
We have the imminent Sropham war and it is bound to change things especially with Ahm and Alyce.

Let's not rush this.

>>35294935
>2. No
"It's tempting. Very, very tempting. But I'd be a fool to hire you on for your council by ignoring your council. I'll continue to work towards stabilizing my people. Thank you."

>>35294935
>2. Not yet.

>>35294935
>1. Yes
This could be a show of faith for all. Give her a chance to show shes changed her ways somewhat or is at least willing to work with others now.

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>>35295040
Internet is finally back properly. I plan on writing for a while yet so stay tuned if you can stay awake. I still want to do the Aladria and Vad stuff.

Not sure if there's anything else that needs to be handled before next thread (when you fight Shropham).

>>35294935
So, we clearly need to have a detailed discussion with Alyce and her families about exactly how politics work in the Magi League's overall administration...

>>35294935
>2. No

I want the Heldragon so bad. :c

>>35295051
I think very few people would see it that way. They'd react first with suspicion.

>>35294935
>2. No
Might as well ask her for some advice on the reconcile for her and Alyce.

>>35295075
>Anything besides the Aladria and Vad scenes?

Can I add a scene with Merce explaining who the hell we need to curry favor with and watch out for in the Magi League (seems like something Alyce would send her to brief us on) and possibly tease/verbally spar with the elf as usual?

>>35295096
Eh, I think if she started hanging out with us and people saw us start teasing her like we would she and everyone would start to warm up to her.

Shes just misunderstood and not good at making nice!

>>35295075

>no Finn scene

Come on man. We need best squire time.

Also a Tsucchi scene involving her finding the cure for thralldom, her current research into blood sub, and other thoughts.

>>35295103
I believe we did that last time. The gist of what I recall was that Sylvian was basically making herself appear like a greater threat than she actually was, and removing that illusion and Sylvian apologizing for threatening Alyce's family would go a very long way towards them being able to work together.

>>35295051
I don't know man, I think the optics would make it look like Syl was taking over (or was being revealed as the true power behind) the York Empire and leaving Talon there as a puppet king. We've conquered a few small countries so far. That's not nearly enough to warrant a Name like Sylvian (or to be fair, Alyce) attaching itself to us. Soon, but not yet.

>>35295197
Seconding something Thrallcure related with Tsucchi! Could be her excitedly showing up after the breakthrough, could be us holding a celebration in her honor for the achievement, could be something else. I think it might be small, but it's still a big enough in game moment to warrant some screen time.

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Pretty solid 2.

>>35295167
The spoiler is pretty much accurate. Sylvian's life has been very militaristic so she doesn't really know how to be nice. Even when dealing with Talon it's apparent she's being more pragmatic than nice.

>>35295089
Sylvian's a little more self-confident than Taira so you're in a position of 'no pain, no gain'.

>>35295200
>Sylvian was basically making herself appear like a greater threat than she actually was
It's more that she's used to being a open belligeraent and never used to care about the consequences. Then they came home to roost.

>>35295264
One day we will get to chastise an extremely powerful women who could crush armies by her self for not being nice to someone...

>>35295338
Doesn't that describe Every woman we regularly sleep with barring Sarah (since she can't single handedly an army, yet)? And probably both Alyce and Merce by now?

>>35295406
Well technically I think only Taria and Gnome can beat us, Lyn if we roll bad. But, yeah I see your point.