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>>37067411
So now is the super exciting thread that I probably shouldn’t be running as sleep deprived as I am. The objective of this thread is to make all the decisions relating to empire management for the next few years in-quest. The following is the list of things I’ll cover, in the order I’ll cover them.

1. What to do next in-quest (e.g. Terrnaine)
2. Finalising negotiations with the dwarves
3. Medium-term objective (e.g. fight the Mage Guard or Darvui)
4. What to do regarding Darvui
5. Financial overview and region management (e.g. what to do regarding Shropham’s problems)
6. Construction projects
7. Military and foundry
8. Research

If there’s something else you want to cover, let me know.

Now, in regards to what to do next in-quest, the idea was to claim the PoP in Terrnaine. My only worry about this is whether people want to do the actual content involved rather than claiming the PoP. That is, do people want more action/adventure/worldbuilding threads after the last thread blew up or do they want to do the timeskip and get to the big picture army battles etc. Alternatively, I’d also like if people point out the things they didn’t like about the last two threads. One thing I’m considering is an extended arc with more interactivity in regards to where to go and what to do than just Terrnaine. SO yeah, discussion and vote.

>1. Do Terrnaine Forest next, claiming the PoP and doing some Finn stuff.
>2. Do the timeskip and get to the army battles and big picture stuff.

And no, I didn’t do anything more on the Taira FTB. Sorry. Also note that the numbers on the maps are slightly out-of-date. I didn’t want to update them, only to change them all again.

>>37067420
Will we have the opportunity to do something to make amends with Sylvia in this thread?

>>37067420
>>1. Do Terrnaine Forest next, claiming the PoP and doing some Finn stuff.

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>>37067500
Sure, I'll handle it after Darvui.

>>37067420
>1. Do Terrnaine Forest next, claiming the PoP and doing some Finn stuff.

Well OP I'm going to be leaving for work in an hour, but good luck with the thread, and I'll be keeping an eye on it on my breaks!

For everyone elese, here are some things to remember when making political decisions:
>Ask yourselves who this helps and who it hurts
>Long term benefits are almost always better than short term gains
>Be bold
>Crush your enemies
>Uplift the weak.

>>37067500
Whatever happens, SUPPORT HER. We're already walking a very, very fine line with her and if we don't, we'll get a very angry helldragon all up in our grill.

>>37067420
>>2. Do the timeskip and get to the army battles and big picture stuff.

>>37067420
1.
I'll be seriously annoyed if we delay binding talon even more

>>37067420
>1

Never ever want to skip content.

>>37067717
Feel free to post that thing I suggested via email. I'd do it myself, but I'm at work, on a phone.

>>37067717
Not to be rude but you might want to switch foundry and military with R&D, in case anons want to get a new template or get an upgrade to production speed.

>>37067420

Hey do you mind if we name/fluff our new Ranger Order that popped up in Vitria?

Have we had any diplomatic relationships with Asfael? They share our southern border, but I don't recall us having any dealings with them...

>>37067420
>That is, do people want more action/adventure/worldbuilding

I will be honest, I love the chracters and the interactions in this quest, at least as much as the wars and battles. I'm all for more action/adventure/Slice of life scenes/etc. There's something special about your character, and we just got a couple of new people in the party, so i'd like to explore them a bit before going to war.

>I’d also like if people point out the things they didn’t like about the last two threads.

I didn`t like Anon. Anon loses his cool under pressure and makes poor decisions, like the fake tsucchi incident.

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>>37068166
You mean the spellblades in the Guard thing?

>>37068219
That's a good point.

>>37068290
Knock yourself out.

>>37068298
Asfael hasn't made any external approaches, which makes sense given she's claiming to be a regent of the RSK (not a separate power).

>>37068329
Yup, that's the thing

>>37067420
>Alternatively, I’d also like if people point out the things they didn’t like about the last two threads.

I don't think anything in particular was about you. I enjoyed the last few threads, content wise at least. I didn't even mind getting hood winked by EWTC, I thought that was actually pretty cool.

More character development arcs are always approved by me. I'd like to go after Finn's past, all 4 of our elementals Undine specifically, some more Sarah time. It's just a matter of how you want to dedicate the time to them, or if you think we'll be interested or not. But really I just want to go dancing with Undine again.

>>37068316
I agree with your first point, but the second, well...
maybe it's because I lurked for some years, but I tend to forgive Anon for doing dumb things, because while we tend to agree on the bigger lines, we all seem to have different ideas on how to color inbetween.
On the other hand, there are many topics where I tend to take a backseat, like probably this thread. I won't most likely vote, for instance, because I know jack shit about economics or actual politics.
Maybe that's why Anon does dumb shit on occasion?
I dunno, I'm mostly just rambling.

>>37067500
>>37067806
Ya. Aspie said if we fuck up to bad with her we have the potential of not only burning the bridge but making her our enemy.

One way we could go about strengthening her in the Guard, is putting pressure on Irlin and the Traditionalists to separate themselves from the Extremists. It might create factionalism we could exploit.

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>1.

So we’ll do Terrnaine next. I’ll just play it by ear and hope it doesn’t blow up. Not much else I can do.

DWARVES

The dwarves want complete export and import tariff exemptions. They don’t care if anybody else gets them too. They also want the ability to setup a trading post in Vitria that will handle the import/export from the port and the canal. The company they’ll setup for this purpose will have a few dwarves running it (plus some dwarven security) but will mostly be local employees. After all, most dwarves don’t like living above ground.

In exchange, the dwarves are offering export and import tariff exemptions for goods you’re trading with them (basically, for all trade by TYE citizens and companies). They’ll also make two dwarven engineering teams available (each counts as two of your IEC teams) – you currently have 4 IEC teams plus Gnome and Laryya. They’re also willing to trade dwarven weapons and armour with you, if not the enchanted stuff, which is normally export-barred – the benefit of this is that you’ll get a slightly increased number of noble knights across your territory (due to cheaper high-quality armor and weapons to be enchanted) as well as the ability to hire HMAA equivalents for a nominal price (250 units for 10TBY, with a limit of 5000 units a year). HMKs will also halve in price due to access to a special catalyst.

>Acceptance? Counter-offers? Note that if you try to offer them less, they may offer less in return. Also note that the cost-reduction to HMKs will be reduced if they offer you anything less than full export tariff exemption.

>>37068557
By giving these tariff exceptions what will we lose, I see from your post what we stand to gain, but I am unsure on the cost

>>37068557

As far as I can see that's a pretty good deal. This is definitely a long term relationship, so counter offering right now seems silly, especially after the EWTC debacle.

Though... I do want a Rune-Smith.

>>37068316
>I didn`t like Anon. Anon loses his cool under pressure and makes poor decisions, like the fake tsucchi incident.

I agree. Too many silly arguments recently, getting mad over dumb stuff, and taking it out on Aspir.

We need to remember that this is a collective game, and we aren't all going to agree. Debating choices is fine, but things have been taking the vitriol route too quickly recently. And it's hurting the quest, especially since we went so long without it being a thing.

>>37068557
Not a big numbers guy but I think the biggest thing is the reduced cost of HMK's. The IEC team would also be a huge boon. Also I remember that tariffs would be paid in product not cash. In times of economic bust in Vitria this would be good as the dorfs inport alot of food. In times of economic boom it could be detrimental.

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>>37068316
I'll be honest, I stopped doing dedicated slice-of-life stuff because actual participation was terrible. I used to get plenty of interest in the post-thread content, even if I ran for hours (and I don't mean people saying 'I want it') but that turned into one or two votes at some point. Then there was a point where doing a promptless scene received like one post twenty minutes after I asked for input and I dozed off. I also need people to actually have specific things to discuss instead of 'this character' because sometimes it's hard - hell, I avoided Felix for so long because of this.

I'm happy to try more of that sort of thing, especially because it feels like lots of older characters have been ignored lately, but if it feels as dry and empty as before I won't spend the extra time on it. I'll probably give it a go next thread, given that will mostly be light content. Actual scene recommendations (like the guy wanting to go dancing with Undine) are a good thing.

>>37068695
You'll lose some amount of tariff revenue (it looks to be about 50TBY pa currently, but that will grow with your economy) and will annoy Vitrian nobles. Long-term, you should see an Order increase from the extra trade in provinces connecting the dwarves with Vitria. Naturally, the Order hit to Vitria will hurt its economic growth.

>>37068557
>make two dwarven engineering teams available (each counts as two of your IEC teams) – you currently have 4 IEC teams plus Gnome and Laryya.

Sold. There are so many things we can build. I want it all!

>>37068695
If I understand it correctly, we effectively lose out on the potential revenue of taxing any trading done by the dwarves using the canal we put stupid amounts of funds into.
Second, we set a precedent for doing so and others may demand similar rights and/or become unhappy with not having such rights.

>>37068557
I'm fine with the trading post, less so with the tariff exemptions. I'd be perfectly happy giving them HEAVY discounts, charging them something other than a percentage of product, or other similar measures. but I feel like letting them simply use the canal as much as they want for free sets a poor precedent.

>>37068695

Based on what we have heard about Dwarfs, they might take advantage of the 0% tax on import/export to undercut other groups over shared product lines...
which means less tax income from them...

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>>37068840
The canal isn't free - there's a volume-based fee that needs to be paid to use it. Otherwise it would be free to use it for trade between Darlesia and Vitria.

Keep in mind that the dwarves will need convincing or additional offers to offer you tariff exemptions if you don't offer the same.

>>37068789
Well, now we have Sylph, there should be a ton of possible scenes, with all the sisters together again. You could also do something with Mal wondering if this is what it's like to be Talon, with two girls wanting the D.
Probably more, but I'm relatively tired.

>>37068890
>Keep in mind that the dwarves will need convincing or additional offers to offer you tariff exemptions if you don't offer the same.

What do dwarves even want?

I mean we could offer to help them resettle Marnn if they're into it. But that seems pretty drastic just to avoid giving them full exemption.

So the Dwarves basic deal is products and tax exemptions in exchange for services. I cant see this working out to well for us because the cost of their services might vary wildly in the future. I think we should negotiate a deal involving them paying low tariffs, but not none.

>>37068890
In that case I'm a heck of a lot more comfortable with letting the deal stand as is.

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DWARF VOTE
>1. Let deal stand as-is.
You'll immediately lose 80TBY pa from tariff decreases, a number which will grow over time (mind you, if you continue to lower or phase them out this won't matter). Of course, you'll also save 240TBY due to the catalyst discount. Vitria will take an Order hit. Plus, the other stuff in >>37068557
>2. Try to renegotiate for discounted tariffs but not exemptions.
Offering them Gnome's and Laryya's services for construction is probably the only way to keep the tariff exemption on their side, otherwise they'll only match your discounts.

>>37069104
>1

>>37069104
>1. Let deal stand as-is.

>>37069104
>1

Even though I don't like taking unnecessary Order hits.

Actually we'll need to come up with a way to immediately counter that. Vitria is going to become a bit of an issue soon if we keep these kinds of deals up.

>>37068789

That's rather sad. I'm rarely able to participate in your threads, due to timzeones, usually only the first part if I'm lucky...

Well, if you want scene suggestions, then how about, say, art moments wiht the elemental sisters? Be they dragging Talon to check stuff out or working on it themselves; Gnome ought to be a pretty good sculptor, no?

A vampire moment with Felix and Vampire Familiar I Forget The Name Always. We also haven't had a real talk with the foxes after the not!Tsucchi moment.

>>37068789
Would the order loss be mitigated by pairing pairing the announcement with a revised completion date for the canal and the announcement of extending it to shropham?
A>>37068798

>>37069104
New idea. What about exemptions based on the product. Give tax exemptions to essentials like food, but keep taxes for luxuries. This should both make the dwarves reliant on our trade and keep many Vitrians happy

>>37069104
>1

>>37069206
Maybe we could establish some kind Central Trading Forum in Viteria? Make it The place to go to make Trade deals perhaps?
Maybe subtly encourage the nobles to try and outdo each other in who has the best locations to conduct business, or who hosts the most important negotiations?

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This looks like a 1 as I'm not seeing much support for a revised deal.

>>37069363
The dwarves make their money on exporting luxuries and other manufactures, so they'd match you and you wouldn't get the full benefit. The dwarves basically want full exemptions because they plan to use Vitria as a trade hub and they'll retaliate in the deal if they don't get that.

>>37069321
Vitria already has a large Order increase (to 4) thanks to the canal work happening so fast, so no.

>>37069365
Isn't that basically the Commercia? Plus the fact that most of the noble houses already have private trading forums in order to avoid sales tax.

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>1.

You’ve agreed to the dwarven deal as stated in >>37068557.

Note that the EWTC stuff will be handled in-character due to what it involves.

MEDIUM-TERM OBJECTIVES

There’s been a few people bashing out the future objectives that I’ve noticed. The main conflicting argument seems to be whether to take on the Mage Guard next or do something about the RSK issues. There’s also the question of timing – if you delay until midway through 1955PC (about 18 months or so after Shropham), there’ll be a world event that will distract you. If you’re doing something else at the time, I’ll probably just delay it.

The main problem with shifting to the RSK is that you already have tensions with the Guard. The League also might take a dim view of you working with the RSK, particularly given they’re pushing for a concrete treaty (not an alliance, but more cemented trade and peace terms). On the plus side, you might be able to use the various actors in the RSK (Fenix, Asfael and Darvui) to gain lots of territory relatively quickly, if you succeed. They’re all pretty tough to fight – Darvui is one of the most powerful mages alive, with a pet dragon and sizeable military; Fenix has a massive military and elite generals; Asfael has Falwick and his terrifying power and army.

Fighting the Guard involves politicking in the civil war and potentially fighting a massive army of 250k+ soldiers, with loads of mage-knights. On the plus side, there’s lots of territory available, lots of potential soldiers if you play your cards right, a silver helldragon who will serve you after the conquest and lots of kudos from Alyce if you destroy the Guard. There will be world-wide ramifications if you do so, however. The Guard were a powerful force and their disappearance will cause people, particularly the League, to act differently.

Also note that Raphael will start asking for soldiers within a few years. I’m also willing to allow an expedition to the Taurine Islands.

>>37068789

I've got piles of scene suggestions:

Ren scene where we walk in on him flirting a little heavy handedly with one of our aides before a meeting. Her retorting with, "Talon does it better."

Our older military guys like, Arail, Glynn, Phrace, Gareth, Cormman inviting Talon for a pint. Find out about their lives now, how they like it, where they want to go. Maybe a little part with Phrace and Talon discussing how many times Talon has tried to kill him.

Lynn training some Flyers and Knights that want to fly with little success, with Sala. Her attempt to give herself an auxiliary force that can keep up with her during battle. Talon offers pointers further encouraging leadership goals for herself and the further plans for the IOotG, gets coerced into flying with Sala, terrible things happen.

Aladria picking through Talon's library, finds some of the stuff he's written himself about wartime history, maybe his own autobiography. She teases him endlessly about it, then we get into some of her history with a story for a story.

Felix training with his two friends who are hopelessly out matched now. He challenges someone else maybe Finn, a group of IOotG knights, Phrace and some of his Elites with Rayza to a fight and then loses. Talon talks to him about his new powers, what his old friends think of it, if he feels more alienated now or less, encourages talk of holding to his ideals or making a new Knightly Order, etc.

Finn, Hartman, and Moss playing a game of HORSE and invite Talon along as well. Increasingly ridiculous shots from the towers of the Keep to the shooting range near the Order of the Silver Arrow's guildhall, from across courtyard hitting an apple suspended by the reflection pools fountains. Lots of banter, hearing about how the Ranger Orders are coming along, getting Finn's input on them and hearing about Elven archery perhaps finally putting to use his promise to teach Talon Elven techniques.

>>37069777
>I’m also willing to allow an expedition to the Taurine Islands.

How long would that last?

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>>37069864
It would initially be setting up a small colony and scouting out the place. No real costs beyond a ship or two plus some men, but you also wouldn't gain much beyond some reports and a foothold.

>>37069840
Thanks for the scene ideas. Many will play out a little differently but I can use many of the concepts.

>>37069777
I'd rather not an expedition to Taurine islands. It would just serve to distract us from what we need to do in Gauron.

Focus should be on the MG with intentions of undermining the Traditionalists, to garner support for Sylvian. If the Guard begin fighting a civil war it would be a great place for Talon to step in as Syl's ally. We would join her war with the intentions of creating stability in a part of the world that has ensured magical catastrophes havent been an issue.

For Asfael, I think we should invite her to a private meeting to find out her intentions and why she has joined Falwick/

>>37069984
> but you also wouldn't gain much beyond some reports and a foothold.

Well that sounds at least like something it'll be a fun little distraction at least. Would Talon and co get to go on safari?

Either way. I'm not really sure about mainland Gauron, I feel like we're in too deep with the Guard nonsense to abort at this point. And letting things continue to divide on the hard line would not only affect us adversely.

Honestly I wish we had just kept to working on the League exclusively. But we can't fix that now.

>>37068789
Got a few suggestions:
Drunk Alyce calling us after a particularly stressful meeting to vent.
Finn with all his girls in one room.

>>37069777

I feel we should leave the RSK relitively alone for the time being, though keep an eye on how their fracture works out. If they start an open Civil war, we might have an opportunity to absorb one side then take out the other two when they have exhausted themselves from the war...

The Mage Guard is going to be a lot trickier to handle due to their sheer numbers, though if we can get a physical split in their territory, we might be able to get away with getting Sylvian's faction into our empire along with some of their lands, otherwise we are going to have to muster a rather large defence force along the entire front...

With the Magi League, through subterfuge it might be possible to make all of Alyces opposition break away from the main faction then we take over before they can consolidate their hold until Alyce is unopposed, then we encourage her to bring the Magi League into our fold...

If we focus on the Magi League first, we might be able to use what we are doing there to affect the Mage Guard though tactical use of Sylvian's forces...

>>37067411
>2014-12-30 gdoc update
-on research, there are two "magic" categories, the second is clearly supposed to be labeled maloric
-didn't we get more machinists from the league? (machinist is still at 50 RU)
-can you remind me, did we get the shared research treaty with league for AA research?
-about the baseline column, why not use something like image where the baseline column is renamed upgrades and used as per the image to track upgrades?
-I had an idea, what if we have a mist bottle enchantment for our soldiers. Carried on a utility belt, it turns water into mist, and also repulses the mist so it spreads out from them. Either constantly at a slow rate or all at one when triggered. After all, our magitech units have vision enchantments in their helmets that sees through mist. For the AA in particular, this can augment their illusion cloaks in avoiding enemy sniping
-Can you describe the current composition of the AA baseline template? Is it just a magic bow and arrows? or does it also include some magical armor? does it come with strength boosting bracer? is the vision enhancement from goggles/amulet/helmet?

>>37067420
>If there’s something else you want to cover, let me know.
we were going to resolve the whole issue with the EWTC

>>37068166
>Feel free to post that thing I suggested via email
what is the email? I haven't seen it posted in recent threads

>>37069777
I think we should use my idea with the spellblades to increase Slyvian's hand, and prepare for things to come to open fighting.

Is there a chance to mitigate the amount of dealings with have with the Guard?

What if we openly created a NAP with Slyvian and her faction, and it lead to the territory she controls being a sub-state of the Empire. Then we just start to cut off resources from the remaining territories with embargoes (I assume this would be pretty easy to convince a few of the factions of), and slowly start to build relations with the League while giving what remains of the Guard just enough push to eventually lead an all out war on the Empire, that the League would help us with.

>>37070217
from me
>Does the reformist camp have any powerful mages? I was thinking that Sylvian might be able to tempt the reformists over to her side, and possibly split Irlin's coalition by suggesting that the Mage Guard set up a combat magister or spellblade (or other evocation using shock troops) program and putting a reformist mage in charge of training. The reformists would like it because they would see it as the first step in getting power back, and moving away from the mage Guard's anti mage roots (and eventually, towards less militarism), while the extremists would hate it for the same reason. The loyalists would either support it because Sylvian is in favor, or because it seems like a practical step. On the other hand the Tradisionalists would be divided, with those mostly disillusioned by Sylvian's failure to take out Ember would be in favor of it, while the hardliners and "warden strong" (spellblades would be competition) people opposed, and probably saying things that really piss of his mage support. Essentially, try to put Irlin in a position where he can't keep everyone in his party happy, and he has to chose between supporting his moderate and extremist wings.

>Your spellblade idea for the Guard is an interesting one, though combat magisters would be a step too far. It would more or less have the results you'd expect except not as open if Irlin and his supporters keep a lid on the discontent. It's the sort of situation where Irlin, who needs to guide a huge and disparate group, will attempt to choose the option that will lose him the least support (which would be supporting the spellblades, given his rhetoric on the military weakness of the Guard) while still attempting to attack Sylvian to keep the hardliners happy (because they'll hate his decision but like his attacking Sylvian). It won't single-handedly break the coalition but it will expose weaknesses.

>>37070197

>>37069777
>Note that the EWTC stuff will be handled in-character due to what it involves.

>>37070109
In the long term we will be far stronger due to getting involved into the guard though and we can't just like put our head in the sand.

>>37069777
Honestly I feel we should work mostly on the guard right now. The RSK is falling apart and a two front war would be god awful to get into.

Maybe offer to get a fast alliance with one of the factions for later. But no more then that.

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>>37070166
>Like image
>Forgot to post image
here is image

>>37070284
>from me
Sorry, I meant what is the email address of aspirational.
I notice references to it and I think i saw it once, but i can't find it now.

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>>37070166
>-didn't we get more machinists from the league? (machinist is still at 50 RU)
Umm, you realise it was like 10 or 20 before? I completely revised all of that anyway.

>-can you remind me, did we get the shared research treaty with league for AA research?
You did, but they're still implementing them. They'll probably start R&D over the timeskip so it'll matter then, not now. Assuming they don't completely redesign it as Merce was hinting they wanted to.

>Can you describe the current composition of the AA baseline template?
Helmet with vision upgrades, lightly reinforced armour, the bow and the arrows.

>>37070256
The Guard are mostly self-sufficient, despite their lower agri yields. Tons of land with relatively fewer people (about 150k sqm with the same population as your empire at 110k sqm). It would also just trigger a civil war, as it's unlikely the traditionalists would let Sylvian split off with just Balkarin.

You could try cutting off diplomatic relations with the Guard but that would limit your ability to impact their politics directly.

>>37070239
That's after this, if people want to tango with the Guard.

>>37070197
See:
>>37069777
>Note that the EWTC stuff will be handled in-character due to what it involves.

>>37070159
To be blunt, making the League fracture will make Alyce hate you if she knows you did it. That was why she was reacting the way she was at Shropham - she feels the League is going to break apart but still wants to keep it together for personal reasons. The factions within the League need to feel its safe to split (and thus not need miltiary aid) before they'll split on their own - hence why Albanon got cold feet.

>>37070426
aspirationalqm@gmail.com

>>37070284
That could be useful. What we mostly need is to split Irlin's powerbase without doing it in such a manner he can rally and get us attacked or the likes.

Remember that any civil war in the Guard would cause the Magi League to collapse within a few years. One of the only things keeping it together was the threat of their boarder enemies. With the RSK and Mage Guard fighting themselves, the eastern and southern towers will be reluctant to help the northern defend against Ember.

>>37070284
>The reformists would like it because they would see it as the first step in getting power back, and moving away from the mage Guard's anti mage roots (and eventually, towards less militarism)
Spellblades are extremely deadly soldiers, how is this demilitarizing?

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>>37070453
I believe he meant that the growing acceptance of magical soldiers like the spellblades would lead to less anti-mage sentiment, and therefore no reason for the Mage Guard to be as militant (because they don't need a huge army to beat up upstart mages).

Spellblades also tend to be attached to towers so this would also be a reform they'd like because it would vest power at a lower level than the state (like the nobles possessing their own private forces).

>>37070442
>Umm, you realise it was like 10 or 20 before? I completely revised all of that anyway.
It was? oh, I misremembered

>Assuming they don't completely redesign it as Merce was hinting they wanted to.
Would that mean it won't fall under the treaty?
Actually, the mobile siege template sounds a lot like ideas i had for pushing the AA further to the next step.

>Helmet with vision upgrades, lightly reinforced armour, the bow and the arrows.
Do they have a strength enchantment? If not, then a potential upgrade is strength boost on their armor and adjusting the bow to match

>>37070442
>You did, but they're still implementing them.

We did? I done forgot about this then.
>>37070446
There is always Talon at the gate. That and that would honestly be kind of a good thing as long as the fall is gradual. Due to being able to snap up the land as it happens.

>To be blunt, making the League fracture will make Alyce hate you if she knows you did it.

Yeah. I honestly don't think that is a good idea due to this. The league is falling apart as is no need to make it worse right now.

>>37070453
Because one of the main platforms of the Reformists is demilitarization. More political power means they are closer to that goal.

>>37070501
I see... now the question is, would sylvian be offended at the suggestion.

>>37070561
Why would she be?

>>37070446
>Remember that any civil war in the Guard would cause the Magi League to collapse within a few years. One of the only things keeping it together was the threat of their boarder enemies. With the RSK and Mage Guard fighting themselves, the eastern and southern towers will be reluctant to help the northern defend against Ember.
This actually works out in our favor. since it lets up pick up the pieces, piecemeal.

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OBJECTIVE VOTE
>1. Concentrate on the Mage Guard for now.
>2. Focus on the Magi League, trying to cause them to fracture and let you conquer the breakaway territories. May piss off Alyce.
>3. Turn to the RSK, focusing on the factions there.

>>37070526
I forgot, too.

>>37070508
>Would that mean it won't fall under the treaty?
Yeah, but it would likely be an inferior template.

>Actually, the mobile siege template sounds a lot like ideas i had for pushing the AA further to the next step.
The main difference is that the use of a self-contained ballista means that you can wear heavy armour without restricting the ability to use the bow. That's the reason there's no more base upgrades to the AA - if they wear armour they'll become less effective as archers, unlike rangers who use magic to alleviate this problem.

>>37070584
>Why would she be?
because its supporting and empowering her political enemies. The reformists are not irlin, but they are still her political enemies.

>>37070611
>1. Concentrate on the Mage Guard for now.

Time to go balls deep on politics. Hoping we get to do some lighter stuff to break that up a bit.

>>37070611
>1. Concentrate on the Mage Guard for now.

>>37070611
>1. Concentrate on the Mage Guard for now.
because I don't want to piss off Alyce

>>37070611
>1. Concentrate on the Mage Guard for now.

>>37070611
>3. Turn to the RSK, focusing on the factions there.

>>37070611
>The main difference is that the use of a self-contained ballista means that you can wear heavy armour without restricting the ability to use the bow. That's the reason there's no more base upgrades to the AA - if they wear armour they'll become less effective as archers, unlike rangers who use magic to alleviate this problem.
isn't LMK / MMK armor laden with strength boosting enchantments? I would think an LMK would be even better with the bow thanks to that extra strength and mobility

>>37070632
The second sentence outlines how it would join the Reformists to her.

>>37070611
>>1. Concentrate on the Mage Guard for now.
Lets see if we can get another dragon.

>>37070611
>1. Concentrate on the Mage Guard for now.
I really would like to stir shit with the RSK... but this is probably for the better

Oh ha, I just had a dastardly idea
>Talon binds pop
>Figures out youth fountain thing
>Offers fenix eternal youth in exchange for fenix becoming talon's vassal.
that would be lulz.

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TIMELINESS VOTE
>1. Push towards the Mage Guard now.
This would involve getting deeply involved in Guard politics now and relying on success there to overcome the massive military advantage of Irlin's faction. If it fails you'll be hard pressed to fight them off.
>2. Work on the Guard slowly, playing politics all the while.
Spend the next 2-3 years building up, working on Guard politics until you're in a suitable position to fight them.

Note that the world event will occur while 2 is happening, but will be delayed if 1 is happening (unless you conquer them quickly).

>>37070667
Because the suit would restrict the ability to draw the longbow properly, whether it be the gauntlets or just the bulky suit preventing doing so fully. Keep in mind that all the MK suits, even the LMK, are pretty damned bulky so that they can squeeze the enchantments into the steel. They might not weigh much but the suits themselves are a problem.

>>37070635
Well, I suspect the next 4-5 threads will be downtime and Terrnaine.

>>37070794
>2. Work on the Guard slowly, playing politics all the while.

This would also let us have time for the Islands.

>>37070682
>The second sentence outlines how it would join the Reformists to her.
Which is nice politics, but she is a very personal person and those are people who have been openly opposing her for a while.

>>37070794
>2

>>37070794
>2. Work on the Guard slowly, playing politics all the while.

>>37070794
1 I think. Though I do want to make some political moves to weaken him.

>>37070794
2

>Because the suit would restrict the ability to draw the longbow properly
I see. Is it possible to make an enchanted item providing strength boost that isn't armor? like, a belt?

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>>37070871
Not really, unless you want a belt made of solid steel that's as thick as your fist. Armour is used to provide this sort of enchantment simply because it involves a ton of metal which is suitable for holding the magic - little else is.

>>37070871

Anon the enchantments are already in the bow and arrows themselves, easier to draw, more distance and providing some extra omph to the shot, while the arrows are the ones with the magical penetrative enchants.

Any extra strength is just going to lead to a slightly more distance, and is unlikely to put them over the edge enough to outright penetrate HMK/NKs suits.

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>1 & 2

So you’ll concentrate on the Guard over the next few years.

APPEASING SYLVIAN AND GUARD POLITICKING

This is where you propose any ideas to make Sylvian happy, if you want to. She’s noticeably upset with Talon, to the point where she avoided him even after he arrived in Balkarin. Making her personally happier will make it easier to work with her and especially so in regards to making cute between her and Alyce. Your ability to ‘mould’ Sylvian into a more suitable cabinet member will also depend on her opinion of you.

Also, in regards to Guard politics, there’s the idea at >>37070284 of having Sylvian propose spellblades to address the recent military deficit. Read the linked post for the specific details. Sylvian personally likes the idea, even if she doesn’t give a toss about the Reformists. She just likes the fact that it both salvages her reputation a bit and puts Irlin in a hard place in regards to his own faction. Do note that this will likely mean that the Guard will have a small number of spellblades later, though many may end up on your side of the civil war. Feel free to propose any new ideas to implement on the Guard over the next few years.

>Discussion

what is the world event again?

>>37070794
>Because the suit would restrict the ability to draw the longbow properly, whether it be the gauntlets or just the bulky suit preventing doing so fully. Keep in mind that all the MK suits, even the LMK, are pretty damned bulky so that they can squeeze the enchantments into the steel. They might not weigh much but the suits themselves are a problem.
I feel compelled to point out that Talon's armor is described as nearly as bulky as HMK gear, and he seems able to draw a bow.

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>>37070910
so, like that chest thing he-man wears?

>>37070948
>Any extra strength is just going to lead to a slightly more distance, and is unlikely to put them over the edge enough to outright penetrate HMK/NKs suits.
extra strength would allow the bow to be adjusted for overall more speed, power, penetration, etc.

>>37071055
I suppose Sylvian could steal our Siege archer idea, she probably needs it more than we do because god-knights

>>37071187
>I suppose Sylvian could steal our Siege archer idea, she probably needs it more than we do because god-knights
I don't quite understand what you mean here

>>37071127
It can also change its shape and form to properly fit us.

>>37071224
She's currently at war with ember and lacks the ranged punch to threaten his forces.

>>37071055
>Also, in regards to Guard politics, there’s the idea at >>37070284 of having Sylvian propose spellblades to address the recent military deficit. Read the linked post for the specific details. Sylvian personally likes the idea, even if she doesn’t give a toss about the Reformists. She just likes the fact that it both salvages her reputation a bit and puts Irlin in a hard place in regards to his own faction. Do note that this will likely mean that the Guard will have a small number of spellblades later, though many may end up on your side of the civil war
Sounds good to me.

>Feel free to propose any new ideas to implement on the Guard over the next few years.
What if sylvian "arranges" a beneficial trade deal between TYE and the guard.

>>37071261
>She's currently at war with ember and lacks the ranged punch to threaten his forces.
I thought there is a stalement there. Also, this isn't what I meant
what do you mean by "let her steal the idea"

>>37071302
She proposes it as a new template to the guard to supplement their ranged forces

>>37071055

Send her the biggest fruit basket ever. Filled with the heads of her enemies.

On a serious note, would she appreciate Talon doing the humble pie thing again and asking her about some stuff related to the Empire? Particularly the EWTC deal? Maybe more Foxy dealings, or just something related to the nature of the Empire that Talon might not know enough to figure out entirely on his own.

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>>37071127
The power of being a PC, just like the fact he's able to draw a bow (even a reinforced one) without it snapping like a twig despite having strength 7. That and the armor practically moulds itself to Talon's body and is articulated in a way that IRL plate armour never was. Talon has much greater range of motion than MKs - that's why you dropped a small mint on similar versions for Lynn and Finn.

>>37071276
>What if sylvian "arranges" a beneficial trade deal between TYE and the guard.
For her to win any kudos it would need to have some sort of military nature. There's political benefit to lowering tariffs etc but that won't impact the civil war.

>>37071187
>>37071261
I think I remember Aspirational telling us that the SA's would not be able to counter GKs directly. Because that had come up in the initial concept phase.

There is the idea of giving Syl the AA template, however I could see Alyce reacting poorly.

>>37071323
>She proposes it as a new template to the guard to supplement their ranged forces
A template is more than an idea. There is advanced research involved, and if I am not mistaken a lot of it is based on principles others were unable to replicate that we figured out with the AA (and are now applying to a new design).
Also, it would really hurt us with the upcoming war with them. and she can just have her followers build those rather then proposing it to the guard as a whole. Or better yet, we can build those and trade them to her, thus boosting her military forces, as well as her position in the guard, and not giving out the secrets of its working.

>>37071055

Invite her to a demonstration of some of our more ambitious military projects, perhaps a tour of Harrowmont?

Perhaps suggesting some form of 'War games' between her forces and ours? maybe joint operation manoeuvres? get our forces used to working with each other...

>>37071323
Letting the mage guard have better range capabilities will make it extremely hard for us to fight their armies. Right now we only have that range advantage. Losing that could be fatal.

>>37071327
>For her to win any kudos it would need to have some sort of military nature. There's political benefit to lowering tariffs etc but that won't impact the civil war.
Well, we have the ability to buy HMAA gear up to a certain limit for a very low price, and no restriction on resale. We could make a small profit, and improve her position.

>>37071327
>For her to win any kudos it would need to have some sort of military nature. There's political benefit to lowering tariffs etc but that won't impact the civil war.
well, in that case there is >>37071409 idea of selling her faction specifically gear.

Or... are they still actively fighting lord ember and his god knights? securing talon's assistance on that could be something that she "brings to the table" so to speak. It would mean deploying through the guard to fight some god knights though. which will be pretty tough

>>37071439
>Well, we have the ability to buy HMAA gear up to a certain limit for a very low price, and no restriction on resale. We could make a small profit, and improve her position.
Is there really no restriction on resale? And, HMAA is not that impressive. Now, knight gear is better.

Yeah... I'm not willing to give up a template just to appease her a little. It has too many widespread ramifications, even if we give it to her specifically the other factions will politic their way to it, or outright steal it and then we suddenly lose our ranged advantage.

Not a fan.

>>37071455
Yeah, f we could help her in a push on Ember in some way it would show her military power.

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I'm not seeing any real opposition to the spellblade idea. Not sure whether anybody wants to give her the AA template or the Siege Archer idea. The latter will be a pain because the League might just steal it - they don't respect Guard intellectual property.

TEMPLATE VOTE
>1. Give Syl the AA template.
>2. Give Syl the Siege Archer idea.
>3. Resell HMAA equipment to Sylvian
>4. Custom

All military deals will come with a relationship impact with the League and Alyce for obvious reasons. You can attempt to mitigate this with diplomacy.

>>37071326
THe former would probably lure her into Talon's bed immediately. The latter will probably make her less pouty - I'll try to remember to do a scene on it.

>>37071415
Taking her around Harrowmont could work, though she'd detect the Source instantly if she doesn't already know about it.

The latter could turn ugly quickly, particularly if Irlin's faction is denied the same thing. It would be playing your hand pretty openly.

>>37071455
They're not actively fighting Ember.

>>37071439
You could. Keep in mind that any military deals with Sylvian would require you to assuage League fears. Especially because the Guard would probably just start mass-enchanting the dwarven equipment, creating a bunch of HMK equivalents.

>>37071494
>And, HMAA is not that impressive
Yeah, but its cheap. I do want to take advantage of it to strengthen our cities garrison.
>>37071523
Eh, they can't all be winners.

>>37071055
How faithful is our friend in the extremist side to their anti-mage policy?

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>>37071552
Harry has probably jumped ship to the Loyalist faction by now, simply because he couldn't take the heat.

>>37071541
>4. Custom
No to military deals at the moment.

>THe former would probably lure her into Talon's bed immediately.
mmm, doing some covert operations inside the guard to assassinate her enemies without a trace? they already are having fighting in the streets.
If we are found out it would mean open war sooner then we want. But if we are not found out we can both weaken her opposition and make her happy.

>>37071541
>3. Resell HMAA equipment to Sylvian
Do not give the templates out. It threatens the only advantage over the mage guard we have. It would be better to just sell them the AA equipment if you want to boost her.

>>37071541
>4. Custom

None. Doesn't stand to gain us anything other then coin and a stronger enemy.

>>37071541
>Taking her around Harrowmont could work, though she'd detect the Source instantly if she doesn't already know about it.
We could "trust" her with the fact we have the source without the open show of giving her a tour of harrowmont.

>>37071541
You forgot a don't do any of that vote. Although I could be in favor of helping her set up a (loyalist) Ranger order.

>>37071602
I wouldn’t want to risk it with our history of rolls. One critical failure would expose everything. Also I doubt her enemies are that easy to kill.

>>37071541
>You could. Keep in mind that any military deals with Sylvian would require you to assuage League fears. Especially because the Guard would probably just start mass-enchanting the dwarven equipment, creating a bunch of HMK equivalents.
huh, i guess that HMAA gear is impressive after all.

>>37071633
>Although I could be in favor of helping her set up a (loyalist) Ranger order.

That's not a half bad idea actually. We might need to give up a few of our guys though to get it started. And since the talent pool isn't widespread enough any Orders that the other factions set up would pale in comparison and likely wouldn't cause us too much damage.

>>37071641
>I wouldn’t want to risk it with our history of rolls. One critical failure would expose everything. Also I doubt her enemies are that easy to kill.
I meant talon himself doing covert operations in the guard.
A crit failure can be mitigated by a mass expenditure of astral power (FR points)

>>37071673
Is ours established enough to lose some guys already?

>>37071541
On the resale of HMAA to sylvian, she will make it into HMK for her own faction. And it will stay in her faction, yes? It won't be a deal with the guard as a whole?

>>37071686
I hope you aren't serious.

>>37071708
It wouldn't be helping her much militarily if the opposing factions got access to it.

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>>37071647
Well, regular HMAA gear can't be used for that. it's just that the dwarves are selling you normal equipment that is so good is counts as HMAA and can be enchanted to serve as HMK armour. Except it's cheaper to just make HMK suits if you have the template (the Guard don't).

>>37071708
She can't really guarantee that - she can ensure that most of the armour stays within her faction but not all of it.

>>37071633
I did, and it seems to be the most popular option. I'm gonig to go ahead and do the spellblades but no military trade option.

Darvui is up next, should be relatively quick (I hope).

Given Sylvias emphasis on personal stuff we should make a personal gesture.
Look into her past, find something she finds regrettable, and use our power and influence to turn it into something good.

>>37071775
Most of the stuff she regrets in her past happened hundreds of years ago.

>>37071810

We'll punch that skeleton good. Show it to mouth off to a god damn heldragon 400 years ago.

>>37071767
>She can't really guarantee that - she can ensure that most of the armour stays within her faction but not all of it.
I am ok with that actually... still worried about the implications with the league.

Wait, what if we talk to alyce about this possibility ahead of time and try to sell her on the idea before we even go for it?
The justification is pretty straight forward
>Guard is poised for civil war
>Biggest, strongest faction is hardliner anti mages
>We want to shore up a more open minded faction via limited military trade
>Can we do this without freaking out the league too bad?

>>37071775
This is why she would jump into our bed if we present her a gift basket with the heads of her enemies.
I guess we COULD spy on her enemies looking for either misconduct to ruin them socially/politically. or an opportunity for assassination

>caught this alive
Yep, I'm up way too late.
I'm an archive reader, just wanted to say Aspir, don't get too down, your writing gets worse when you're in a bad mood and you're in a bad mood when you write worse.
It's a vicious cycle so don't get caught in it, will ya.

This is one of my favourites, keep up the good work.

Also since I can't post this properly when the military research discussion should be running:
How is MMK weaponry handled? Does every knight have a standardized weapon set [sword + magical-bolt-thing+shield] with shieldwall formations being the standard?
As you said I think the fighting is nowadays very standardized and is mostly about hurling more [preferably higher quality] things at the enemy, and our innovations would help immensely.
Guys with specific weaponry like Knight orders are mostly handled narratively from what I gather.

How about mixing it up?
Pair fighting was a very effective method of taking apart formations and transforming battles into melee where such tactics shine - especially with our AAs providing a good tool for breaking formations.
By pair fighting I mean the mixed companies where guys would fight in pairs - one guy had a hooked spear, or a halberd and would trip up/pull down opponents/shields and the other guy would then decapitate/maim the disabled opponents with an axe/sword or w/e.

So I propose MMK companies with mixed weaponry, specializing in maiming enemy formations in conjunction with previous AA barrages.
They need special training to work in pairs of course.
A good example of this kind of fighting was in the Stormlight Archives series.

>>37071961
cont.

Also man-scorpion armor is the best thing ever, we have to make it work. There's basically no mass-produces anti-HMK with broad usage.
I imagine LMK fucks up anything but the anything has to be unprepared. Man-scorpions would just not give a fuck.

Also how do you imagine man-scorpions? Separate units like HMK companies? Where would they be on the battlefield then?
I rather imagine them as a general addition to MMK/HMK's in like a ratio of 1 to 100 regular soldiers. They'd be behind/among the regular shield formations and break up enemy formations and fire into pockets.
Their barriers will have to be strong because they will obviously draw lots of fire.
They should also be able taller than normal armored guys to be able to fire OVER our formations.
That would imply a shoulder mount, not an arm mount like the one in the picture.

>>37071870
The main excuse we could use other than profit is that its a token of goodwill for the help at Shropham and the ongoing fight against the Lord of Embers.

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>Spellblade offer and no military deal

Sylvian plans to propose the spellblade idea to the Guard, destabilising them. You’re unwilling to offer military aid to the Mage Guard, given you’re going to fight them shortly.

DARVUI TRADE

An embassy from the federation of cities that Darvui pseudo-controls wanted you to trade with them through the weakened land route through Gespad. This will obviously upset the RSK.

>1. Trade with Darvui’s faction.
You’ll make about 300TBY per year from doing this for as long as you trade with them (though the amount may grow over time, especially if you were to conquer Gespad). This may also give you the opportunity to speak with Grand Magister Darvui himself. Relations with the RSK won’t rise above cordial while this is happening, however.
>2. Don’t trade with Darvui’s faction.
You’ll still be able to work with Fenix in the long-run and open a trade deal with him by sea. You may also be able to slowly win over Gespad, given the threats from Darvui and Asfael – they won’t take you seriously if you side with Darvui but Fenix will play along if you join his embargo.
>3. custom

>>37072021
>>2. Don’t trade with Darvui’s faction.

>>37072021
>You may also be able to slowly win over Gespad
I thought they are part of the RSK

>>37072021
>2. Don’t trade with Darvui’s faction.

Only because of the slow build to taking Gespad which would only aid in our taking over the east coast.

>>37072021
2

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>>37072088
They are, hence why you need Fenix to help you convince them to join you and not him.

>>37072021
Also, I might up the 300TBY per year to 600TBY per year. You're their only trade partner after all.

>>37072021
>2. Don’t trade with Darvui’s faction.
Might as well keep up the embargo if Fenix is not going to actively war against them.

>>37072021
... oh god, i just had a nasty idea
>Pretend alliance with darvui
>Bind pop to talon
>Get darvui to visit in harrowmont
>Take him out with source cheatery
Of course, that would sour rep...
I am genuinely curious to know if he is really insane as his policies and fenix's claim make him out to be.

>>37072114
just to be clear, the trade with them is not anything military? only civilian stuff?

>>37072114
>600TBY
Oh my...
I just might reconsider.


Nah, still 2.
Fenix is an actual established ruler we know.
Darvui is a cat in a bag.

>>37072114
Would making a stockpile of AA gear for Sylvian to give to her faction be helpful for the civil war?

>>37072222
>Would making a stockpile of AA gear for Sylvian to give to her faction be helpful for the civil war?
You mean not giving it out, but having it ready to give out once fighting breaks?

>>37072222
Probably not. I mean, her forces wouldn't be trained in it initially, and we could use that gear to equip our own people.

>>37072021
>2. Don’t trade with Darvui’s faction.
The way darvui is handling his domain leads me to suspect he is as nuts as RSK says he is.

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>>37071961
Shieldwall formations are only standard against range. The probably with formation fighting ideas is that unless it's something strategic, it's probably too low-level to have an impact on the scale of the battles (e.g. is it something that will make MMKs as good as HMKs? If not, then it won't have any impact at all at the level of the calculations). This is why unit types and strategy matter, because the battles tend to be more narrative in nature with high-level number crunching. I might use pair-fighting in a scene (narratively) where MAA fight MMK, simply because it's one of the only ways for MAA to fight them.

>man-scorpions
They'll be siege archers. Not excessively long range, but with high penetration, damage and accuracy. Plus a decent rate of fire and heavy armour that prevents them from getting taken out easily (basically, HMKs with semi-automatic ballistas). Also, they can fire in a parabolic arc for range and to shoot over soldier's heads.

>>37072021
Can we try to arrange a meeting between talon and darvui in a neutral area? I really would like to get a measure of the man and speak to him before agreeing to work with him.

>>37071838
I know this post is late but I'm posting from a cellphone at work.

I mean more like a memorial to someone she loved who died tragically, or recovering and restoring something she treasured but lost centuries ago. Something sentimental and intensely personal like that.

>>37072436
>I mean more like a memorial to someone she loved who died tragically
wouldn't she have done such a thing already? also its obvious sucking up and looks in bad taste.

>or recovering and restoring something she treasured but lost centuries ago
But what though, we don't know her well enough to find such a thing.

>>37072436
A draconic item of power might count I suppose. They were the most powerful non-divine race, so I'm sure they made one or two over the years.

>>37071541
>THe former would probably lure her into Talon's bed immediately.

I-I'm so sorry Larios! The helldragon waifu wills it.

>>37072021
>2. Don’t trade with Darvui’s faction.

>>37072252
yeah like setting a faction of what we produce monthly and either just stock it till the war breaks out or evening giving it the her as soon as we get it because as this guy >>37072323 points out they won't be trained in it

>>37068329
>>>37068298
>Asfael hasn't made any external approaches, which makes sense given she's claiming to be a regent of the RSK (not a separate power).
So basically, she's claiming to be kinda like Sarah. (it would be funny if she called herself an archduchess.)

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>2.

Nobody wants to trade with Darvui. Poor guy. That means no embassy or relations. King Fenix is happy, however.

GROWTH, ORDER AND CONTROL

So the big new addition is actual growth, albeit in a way that intentionally only has an effect over decades. The structure of the provinces is already very broad, and this is simply an endogenous way to model changes.

To quickly explain the relationship between the economy and taxes, most of your income comes from agriculture (about 80%, excluding licenses). About 15% comes from the cities and the rest from towns. Licenses are weird and can really just be considered a big bonus from new conquests now due to the way they work. What determines your tax intake is the Control of a province, with each point of control increasing the tax take by 25%. Growth rates are largely determined by Order. This means that Control in provinces is important for immediate income and Order is important for long-term income.

Order and Control in cities is important because they provide about 75% of your non-agricultural tax income despite only taking up 25% of your provinces – cities also have relatively high growth rates, due to high economic growth. With that said, Order and Control are important elsewhere due to the impact of agriculture on your tax intake. Rural areas tend to grow very slowly, however. Their income is also dependent mostly on population, unlike cities. Also, provinces with features like fish, coffee etc are really important because they tend to have high incomes relative to other provinces.

>continued

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>>37072726
CURRENT STATUS

Right now most of your provinces are doing okay, with middling Control and Order. A few provinces with large militaries have Control 4 and a few happy provinces like Harrowmont have Order 4. Farun is still mostly Order/Control 2 due to the relatively recent conquest.

The big problem is Shropham – you wrapped up the conquest before planting season could really get going, so there was no interruption beyond the manpower deployed having to be dismissed and the change of power. With that said, the city is still in turmoil due to the damage it took, along with the provinces the Guard walked through. You’re faced with the choice of trying to put enough troops in place to collect the taxes at the expense of Order or exempting those provinces from taxation so that they might recover faster. Exempting them from taxation will cost you about 600TBY in revenue this year, however. Not doing so may lead to riots and other problems.

Your current financial situation is that you’ll end the 1953-54 financial year with about 2200TBY, or 2800TBY if you tax those few Shropham provinces. Annual profit for the following FY will be another 2200TBY with no new expenses (beyond annual foundry output).

>1. Tax those three Shropham provinces, trading Order for Control (and money)
>2. Don’t tax those three Shropham provinces, giving up 600TBY for higher Order and no chance of riots.
>3. Custom

>>37068329
>Asfael hasn't made any external approaches, which makes sense given she's claiming to be a regent of the RSK (not a separate power).

You know I kind of wonder about the logic here. She may claim that but everyone knows it's bullshit.

>>37072747
>2. Don’t tax those three Shropham provinces, giving up 600TBY for higher Order and no chance of riots.

>>37072726
oh hey, this reminds me

>The root cause of the commune
Interesting unintended consequence. We have created a class of both nobles and merchants who get a permanent annuity from the empire forever, for having had land which we conquered.
I came up with a solution to fix this in the long term.
1. We make this annuity tradable. People can freely sell their "shares" in it between each other. This means a person who is stupid with his property can lose it and his authority
2. We create a voluntary buyback program where the government can buy those shares people own. we only buy, not sell, and we price them at a semi generous (say, 10% more than similarly returning commercial investments). Eventually most of those will disappear over many years as people liquidate theirs for more profitable investment (that is, if they sell shares giving 1000 coin per year to us, the cash they get allows them to invest in stuff giving 1100 coin per year.) Not everyone will sell of course, some liking the security. And some will buy it from each other for more than its "worth", again, for the security. But over time we will get those back and stop funneling taxes into private hands.

>>37072747
>2. Don’t tax those three Shropham provinces, giving up 600TBY for higher Order and no chance of riots.

>>37072747
>2. Don’t tax those three Shropham provinces, giving up 600TBY for higher Order and no chance of riots.

>>37072726
>About 15% comes from the cities and the rest from towns
we are way under taxing cities.
I think we should slowly start taxing them. a little bit at first. increasing 1% every 10 years. maybe doing fluctuations where tax goes down some years and up other years to get people used to the idea.
Because damn 85% of tax from farmers and 15% from city folk is ridiculous disparity

>>37072747
>2. Don’t tax those three Shropham provinces, giving up 600TBY for higher Order and no chance of riots.

>>37072747
>2. Don’t tax those three Shropham provinces, giving up 600TBY for higher Order and no chance of riots.

>>37072747
>2. Don’t tax those three Shropham provinces, giving up 600TBY for higher Order and no chance of riots.

>>37072747
>>2. Don’t tax those three Shropham provinces, giving up 600TBY for higher Order and no chance of riots.

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Wow, so this means that people have given up 1800TBY in total over the two FYs before the end of the timeskip. Nobody can complain about not having enough money.

>>37072817
That was the next thing, tax reform. Right now sales tax and property taxes are a bit of a joke.

>>37072866
>Wow, so this means that people have given up 1800TBY in total over the two FYs
wait what?
I thought you said it was 600 TBY. did you mean 600 TBY per province?

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>>37072936
600TBY per year from Darvui (1200TBY) and now 600TBY for the first FY from the Shropham provinces.

>>37072978
the vote said it was 300 TBY / year for darvui...
you said you MIGHT up it to 600, after most people had already voted.

>>37072866
I'm not worried. Where we are going we don't need money anymore.

>>37072978

It's all a part of our master plan to go into massive debt to the Vitrian's thus making them happy again.

>>37072747
>3. Custom
what if we did light taxation instead of none, as well as putting some of it back into "disaster relief" to those who can show having suffered direct damage and doing direct rebuilding where we can with our engineer core?

>>37072866
I disagree with the Darvui choice, but this is good for the long term.

>>37072978
>600TBY per year from Darvui (1200TBY)
for a chance as gespad, not pissing off RSK, and likely chance of trade deals with RSK (which should bring us some money back... even if its not as much as durvui would have)

You know, in retrospect we seem to be missing an opportunity to trade with everyone for war profiteering. we could have traded with darvui AND with sylvian and dwarves and league... if we could have wrangled a trade deal with RSK too would have done super trading achievement, getting mountains of cash

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>>37073018
No, I said it would be 600TBY then waited 25 minutes to let people change votes. Nobody did.

>2.

You exempt those three Shropham provinces from tax for the first year of control.

UPDATED FINANCES

Okay, so, I made a slight boo-boo with my earlier calculations. For some reason I hadn’t included the canal labourer team’s cost. Luckily, some fudging of the soldier costs (like garrison soldiers that weren’t being paid by your for half the year), it still comes out with an end of FY treasury of 2200TBY.

Rolling over for the new financial year and correcting the damned licenses, you will have 3650TBY at the end of the 1954-55 FY. The canal and Harrowmont expansion will have been completed. In other words, you have 3650TBY to spend.

TAX REFORM

All of this should make it clear that the urbanised population pays similar tax to the rural population despite being much wealthier. This is mostly because property taxes are low and sales taxes only apply in very specific circumstances. Most of your taxes on the cities come from tariffs and trade licenses. Changing this will take time.

The introduction of the canal is probably the best time to revamp property taxes across the empire if you want to. The massive increase in value in the cities will result in enormous amounts of wealth flowing into their pockets, despite the fact you own the canal and they must pay a fee. Whilst the canal license will be a sizeable chunk of income, it might help to start raising property taxes. Alternative are to start making sales taxes more expansive in application. Note that rapid changes in taxes will lower Order in cities and Order won’t really rise in them even with slow changes in tax.

>Any discussion on tax reform?

>>37073257
>No, I said it would be 600TBY
looking back at >>37072114
>Also, I might up the 300TBY per year to 600TBY per year. You're their only trade partner after all.

>>37073257
>The canal and Harrowmont expansion will have been completed
can we look into expanding the canal now?

>>37073257
I suggest at least a property and additional corporate tax for those living within a certain distance from the canal.

>>37073257
First off, no inheritance tax. The nobility would correctly see it as a mortal threat to their reign, so unless everyone wants to see the knights and mages tell us to fuck off, we're not changing that ever.
An increase in sales taxes seems in order.

>>37073257
>Note that rapid changes in taxes will lower Order in cities
A small-medium raise now with the canal, followed by slow increase over a period of some years?

>Order won’t really rise in them even with slow changes in tax.
What do you mean by this?

>>37072726
>So the big new addition is actual growth, albeit in a way that intentionally only has an effect over decades.
And you just crushed my dream of making Vitria the 5th metropolis of Gauron.

>>37073257
I am thinking we raise both sales AND land taxes. but slowly.

>>37073363
>corporate tax
do they even have corporations? They seem to have merchant families, sounds like personal ownership rather then corporations.

>>37073257
We should create a dedicated organization to handle the tax reform and any issues that may occur. They should also be responsible for auditing with leniency for the first few years.

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>>37073346
As said in the opening update, construction will be handled later.

>>37073402
Basically, whilever you are changing taxes Order won't rise in cities.

>>37073363
>corporate tax
There's no equivalent to this currently. Do you mean a tax specifically for companies only (e.g. what the dwarves and EWTC set-up - relatively rare structures); a tax for all large business-like set-ups (e.g. the noble houses of Vitria) which would catch pretty much all nobles; or a tax that catches everything that would be considered a business in modern times (e.g. all the blacksmiths, family-run stalls etc)?

Basically, income tax isn't a thing and neither is company tax.

>>37073444
The huge metropolises don't form naturally. If you want to make Vitria into a metropolis you would need to spend a lot of money and effort in doing so. Kind of like how money spent on expanding Harrowmont expands it rapidly.

>>37073402

I believe that while we are raising taxes, the level of Order will not rise. so we won't benefit from the bonuses higher order levels can bring until we stop raising the tax levels. even then it will take many years for the levels to rise naturally...

On the other hand, if we raise taxes slowly, If we ever need to massively boost the Order in our territories for any reason, we can simply cut the taxes...

so, what are we looking at tax wise? 10%-15% VAT?

>>37073515
>Basically, whilever you are changing taxes Order won't rise in cities.
So, you are saying that if we raise taxes and then leave them constant, order will start rising, but if we slowly raise it order will remain constant at whatever it is now (presumably low?)

>>37073515
>Corporate tax
A catch all for every kind of business.

>>37073539
if that is the case, it sounds like its best to handle it in jumps.
set taxes to 10-ish % now, take the order hit. over a few years order will recover. Then, say, 10 years from now we can raise it to 15-ish%

Overall our order seems to be pretty poor. Many 2-3s, a few rare 1s and 4s.

>>37073257
If you ask me I say we expand Sales Taxes slowly over time.

>>37073620
Three isn't too bad. It's mostly the twos we need to bring up since having moderate order is always good.

>>37073515
Can we get some input from advisers/cabinet on this. This is pretty major change and we got limited understanding on the impact considering its fantasy economics

>>37073515
>The huge metropolises don't form naturally. If you want to make Vitria into a metropolis you would need to spend a lot of money and effort in doing so. Kind of like how money spent on expanding Harrowmont expands it rapidly.
Fair. Would a combination of the canal, fox migration, and us making Vitria our primary fleet base (which will probably grow quite large post MG) boost it considerably?

>>37073674
>Three isn't too bad.
its on a 0 to 5 scale.
1 = 20%
2 = 40%
3 = 60%

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Anyway, looks like an expansion of sales tax and increasing land taxes for now. In the end, the specifics end up being smashed into one weird number that applies to the entire tradeable economy (which is more or less equal to GVA).

>>37073497
>>37073600
Basically, while there are corporations (e.g. mage towers, the EWTC), most shops and operations we would consider a business are not actually incorporated. Everything is typically family or sovereign owned or controlled.

>>37073620
3 is a normal number. It takes a fair bit of effort to raise Order or Control to 4. Note that they can drop to 0, which is pretty catastrophic.

>>37073682
That would just be time-consuming.

The main things to keep in mind is that most blacksmiths, merchants etc don't keep records. That's why there's no income tax. Property tax is low due to difficulty calculating values of land. Sales tax only applies in public markets, not private ones or private sales. Tariffs are really the only reliable source of income.

>>37073717
The difference between 40 to 60 is pretty huge. but 3/5 is a good minimal for order due to getting more then you lose. Higher is good but two/one feels worse.

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RESEARCH

Now for that thing I’ve been putting off for ages. Research is kind of done. Note that all magitech research will be backdated in such a way that you’ll get two years of research by the end of the timeskip (e.g. 730 days). There’s a big Research tab at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ivILcp5fUKCXV6SpWD0HTxLUWpTX6rMowFpXM7zJdos/edit?usp=sharing that is useful. I’m not going to be able to easily reproduce everything in the thread, sadly.

MAGIC RESEARCH

Because everybody and their dog has ideas for what to work on in the magical domain, the only research project I have here is a locked one that is dependent on one of Mal’s research path (more on them later). Basically, let me know the sorts of things you want to research for magic – this can include programs such as implementing battlemage towers or spellblade academies. It could also cover stuff like trying to spread more mages in agricultural areas. I’ll try to cost their research time as people suggest viable projects.

>Basically, recommend magical research projects.

MALORIC RESEARCH

Mal understand his crystal now, which is great. The problem is they’re still crazy volatile and nigh useless by themselves. Oh, and they’re dangerous to be around unexposed for extended lengths of time. He’s put a lot of effort and development into this, so nobody else can easily reproduce his work. He’s left with two paths to follow, each of which will demand his attention for a few years (probably longer as he runs off to help you blow stuff up).

The pic attached contains the two choices. They are essentially a choice between patterns and better magitech factories or more elite units and better enchantment. Naturally, picking the former will begin to specialise Mal towards his summoner side and the latter towards his enchantment side.

>Discussion before I call a vote

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>>37073927
Also, the two big unlocks mentioned are greatly increased magitech factories, putting you a mile ahead of every other nation. The other is the blood substitute for vampires, enabling you to safely mass produce them.

>>37073927
Magic Battery

>>37073927
I say we get patterns here. Everyone has enchantment in some capacity but patterns are something they lack.

As we get more mages as well we can probably get some basic enchanters to work on that. So I say we should specialize in the use that is rarely used for surprise and it's unique advantages.

>>37073927
defiantly battery

>>37073927
>The pic attached contains the two choices. They are essentially a choice between patterns and better magitech factories or more elite units and better enchantment. Naturally, picking the former will begin to specialise Mal towards his summoner side and the latter towards his enchantment side.
Is there any chance that, in a few years once he finishes one of them, he can work on the other?

IIRC there was mention of using a "fake" generator in harrowmont only using the source once talon binds a pop. This would allow us to get those generator benefits without it, but limited to only the harrowmont factories. incidentally you also said we would require special research to adapt a magitech factory to the source so it doesn't explode. so there is that.

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>>37074038
>Is there any chance that, in a few years once he finishes one of them, he can work on the other?
He could, but he'll also unlock more advanced research when he finishes one. Once he unlocks pattern research he'll be able to start work on crazy pattern stuff, like usable Corrfax's or griffins. The alternative research path might not look as enticing at that point.

>>37073927
I would like to do the military academy thing in harrowmont.

Basically, a military academy teaching knights, spellblades, battlemages, and tactics (for command positions). Maybe even administration classes and infiltration too. We want them to rub shoulders there and socialize.
The key is that its meant to train people whose loyalty is first to talon, not to a mage tower. Unlike a tower that is limited to about 100 individuals, this would be expected to train a LOT more than that.
in that its for training people who are enlisted in the army only. Furthermore, we arrange for testings for magical talent throughout the empire and those that test well we try to recruit with generous offers financially to get them to come to the academy and become imperial battle mages.

>>37073927
Magic ideas:
Blood substitute. Could we use source abuse to get around the requirements? You said that they need blood for the small amounts of astral energy, and binding the source gives us ludicrous control over massive quantities of astral energy.
Spellblade academy, battlemage tower, daywalker knight program, Dragon sorcery collage.

>>37074096
>He could, but he'll also unlock more advanced research when he finishes one. Once he unlocks pattern research he'll be able to start work on crazy pattern stuff, like usable Corrfax's or griffins. The alternative research path might not look as enticing at that point.
I am mainly asking because I REALLY want to get that blood substitute thing solved. But I prefer the patterns research. Then again, we do have a solid blood bank thing going on. So as you said its really a matter of how many vampires we can support.

>>37073927
I would say patterns. It is Maloric's mage focus and being to create patterns would be a great tradable item.

>>37074119
>Blood substitute. Could we use source abuse to get around the requirements? You said that they need blood for the small amounts of astral energy, and binding the source gives us ludicrous control over massive quantities of astral energy.
Oh hey, that is an interesting idea. A single factory for artificial blood... in harrowmont? wow, that would give us MASSIVE control over vampires since talon is personally the source of their food.

>>37074158
>Trading pattern tech
NEVER! No fucking way. this is gonna be way way way too valuable to give out.
The mana batteries btw, explicitly says it will be a great tradeable good.

>>37074172
But how long would the blood last? If it spoils on route to our provinces it would be disastrous.

>>37074096
Does mal have a personal preference here? Since his passion is summoning and he only got into enchanting because politics fucked him over, I would guess he would prefer to go that route

>>37073927

I'm throwing my vote in with Magic Generator.

>>37074188
I wasn't talking about the tech but the finished product. Something like a bodyguard for VIPs or automated defenses for certain areas.

>>37074201
its a substitute, not actual blood.
Actual blood though can be preserved forever via magic

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MAL RESEARCH VOTE
>1. Magical Battery (vampires and enchantment)
>2. Magical Generator (magitech and patterns)

>>37074119
>>37074038
The problem I run into with using huge amounts of magical energy generated by the Source power in Harrowmont is that it will vanish once you leave Harrowmont. You could create a ton of a magitech factories using your godlike power that manufacture using real materials nad magic and the creations will be fine outside the domain, but use the magic of the Source to actually enchant it (letting you produce nigh-infinite quantities) won't. This is why you can effectively prevent people from aging but they'll start aging again once they leave.

The artificial blood in Harrowmont wouldn't be usable outside of it, although you could sustain vampires inside of it, requiring them only to feed when they need to leave.

>>37074154
The blood bank can sustain your current population of vampires. It's just that you won't be able to mass produce vampires without the substitute. Essentially, there's no reason not to le tthe vamps out but you won't be able to create huge Nightwalker or Daywalker armies.

>>37074214
Mal's passion is summoning and patterns, but he suspects he'd be a better mage as an enchanter and he'd be more useful. Essentially, he's torn between his passion and his ego.

>>37074201
There are ways to preserve blood with magic.

>>37074096
would patterns lead to the possibility of a magical smartphone?

>>37074250
>2. Magical Generator (magitech and patterns)

>>37074250
>1. Magical Battery (vampires and enchantment)

>>37074250
>2. Magical Generator (magitech and patterns)

>>37074250
NOT A VOTE
>1. Magical Battery (vampires and enchantment)
the doc also says it will increase noble nights, rangers, and provide a tradeable good.

>>37074250
1

>>37074250
>2. Magical Generator (magitech and patterns)
I was more thinking about using it indirectly to buff the mages to get around what they need the batteries for. Oh well, dude had some interns I think who will figure it out eventually.

>>37074250
>>2. Magical Generator (magitech and patterns)

>>37074172
Honestly for me I kind of feel that we could try this. Pattern tech is too useful to not get early and our vampire population will take time to hit a decent level to start with so it isn't burning much if any resources.

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Also, the basic rule for vampires is that you can support 1 vampire per 4000 population with your blood bank. This would come down to 1 vampire per 1000 population with the initial substitute.

>>37074291
yes, that's because of enchantment. The noble knights become more common because it enables cheaper production of their equipment. It's a tradeable good for use in enchantment. Then they become good enough to let enchanters start producing things they couldn't before.

>>37074250
>1. Magical Battery (vampires and enchantment)

>>37074375
>This would come down to 1 vampire per 1000 population with the initial substitute.
oh, so there might be improvements to make to it later then?

>>37074250
>2. Magical Generator (magitech and patterns)

>>37074250
>>2. Magical Generator (magitech and patterns)

>>37074250
>1. Magical Battery (vampires and enchantment)

>>37074250
>2. Magical Generator (magitech and patterns)
after thinking about it all, let mal pursue his dream. Also, I trust soldiers wearing our magitech more than noble knights and I don't want to create a massive vampire population anytime soon.

Isn't sylvian opposed to pattern research? or am i just misremembering?

>>37074250
>2. Magical Generator (magitech and patterns)

>>37074375
Well, we can currently support 5284 vampires, most of which will be in the military.

>>37072021
>no military deal

I know I'm late, but did the rest of the anons not realize that we were arming the friendly faction within the guard? The forces that will end up supporting Sylvian and thus us when it comes time to kick off the next conquest? And we'd get to strengthen our alliance with her to boot?

Goddamn it.

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>>37074497
Why would they be in the military? Mass-conscripting an entire race isn't really going to satisfy them. Plus, that's how many you can support, not how many you currently have. You've only got like 2k IIRC.

>2.

You have Mal begin work on the magical generator research.

MAGITECH RESEARCH

See pic attached. You’ve got 730 days of research – note that if you want to complete the super magitech factory research soon-ish that Mal lets you do, you’ll have to choose one of the 200 day research options first due to timing (you’ve only got 550 days from when Mal starts his research). Yes, I realise everything seems to take forever. Remember that the quest takes place over years and that you’ll get more machinists over time.

MAGIC RESEARCH

From >>37074119
Note that construction projects will be later.
>Spellblade academy
600 days research for an appropriate program, regime and teachers.
>Battlemage towers
300 days research.
>Daywalker knight program
800 days research into the sorts of daywalkers and candidates you need to cultivate a semi-consistent force of fighters. Can be halved to 400 days if you don't mind angering the League and the Guard if word gets out about the research.
>Dragon sorcery college
I don't know what this is.

>Discuss the upgrades you’re interested in and I’ll call a vote once we’ve narrowed them down.

>>37074451
The main problem with reviving patterns is that their would be opposition from the majority of the mage community.

>>37074451
She actually saved most of the current books on patterns so I don't think she really cares.

>>37074497
Yeah. Honestly daywalkers will probably expand slowly due to eugenics here and we only need like 500 NW to have a absurdly scary force.

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>>37074593
Blargh, wrong pic. Forgot what I was doing.

>>37074612

I'd say... External Power Supply followed by Siege Archer Template.

>>37074593
>You've only got like 2k IIRC.
try 500, though more might have immigrated
>>37074593
>I don't know what this is
formal school to teach draconic magic, since finding instruction is ludicrously difficult.

>>37074593
>Spellblade academy
Does that include battlemages and military support mages, or just spellblades?

>>37074662
I agree with External, but think that Juggernaught might be better. These guys could sit in front of our AAs and guard them forever, to say nothing of their utility in sieges.

>>37074593
>>Daywalker knight program

We really should work on this one soonish as well as the spell blade.

>>37074612
Antimagic wards
Anti-magic defenses
Streamlined templates.


I think we should buy up a lot of the man to man upgrades right now with our hefty starting number. Then we should work on the daywalkers/spellblades/mage academy and the likes.

That way we have the basic things man to man and can get the big things for around the point our major wars start.

>>37074593
I think our machinest research should obviously be external power supply first. We just set mal on the prerequisite and it gives ridiculously awesome return on investment with +50% production speed and +1 base upgrade to all templates (out of curiosity, that means +1 SLOT for upgrade, right?)

Although the arcane archer's enchanted pavise looks really good due to how cheap it is.

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>>37074710
Just spellblades. They're a pretty specific and strange breed of mage.

>>37074675
Well, the limit for that would be in actually finding enough dragons to teach it first.

>>37074716
Problem is that they don't have the anti magic defenses the HMK could have if we research it in only 200 days.

I think External Power Supply is a no brainer for first option, its returns are huge.

>>37074593

Juggernaut Template sounds appealing, especially as a strike unit deployed behind enemy lines... we might even be able to sell individual suits at exceptional cost to select individuals...
Self-maintaining Factories also interests me due to the increased production speed, which would mean the commercial factories can produce for 25% more population than normal meaning we can have either less factories or export more goods...

Secondary research would be Anti-magic defences for the HMKs and Anti-Armour Weaponary for the MMKs

>>37074716
Both are pretty damn useful to be honest. Siege archer+Juggernaut as well as the daywalker eugenics could build a godlike force.

Problem there is time. I think personally right now the Siege archers would be more useful all in all though.

>>37074744
>We really should work on this one soonish as well as the spell blade.
I think we should pass on the spellblade actually. Remember, Sylvian is doing it for us.

>>37074593
>Spellblade academy

>>37074612
Definitely agreeing with this. External Power Supply is just plain good and those Siege Archers will murder things I just know it. Also interested in a Spellblade Academy.

>>37074796
>Problem there is time. I think personally right now the Siege archers would be more useful all in all though.
Its kinda hard to tell really. Since the ranged portion of the battle tab is pretty outdated.

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>>37074756
>+1 base upgrade to all templates (out of curiosity, that means +1 SLOT for upgrade, right?)
it means that instead of just being able to research and use, say, Speed and Mobility on MMKs you could also do Anti-Magic Wards. Whereas before I wouldn't let you research a second upgrade for those templates.

>>37074744
>>37074796
WIth Mal's Generator research there's really no point in doing the rest of the factory research options, given it takes the same time to do the much superior power supply research.

>>37074800
No, Sylvian is letting the Guard have spellblades. Basically, the towers will do a whole lot of recruiting.

>>37074612
External power supply is huge, with the template upgrades and production speed increases. We should get that

>>37074839
>No, Sylvian is letting the Guard have spellblades. Basically, the towers will do a whole lot of recruiting.
I meant that once the civil war starts we'll take control of her program. For that matter, what happened to Shrophams program?

>>37074757
>Just spellblades.
Personally I prefer combat mages rather then spellblades.

Also, can we get the mundane non magical aspects of the academy built as well?
I am thinking:
step 1: set up military academy in harrowmont, teaches tactics to officers. maybe some administrator and infiltration education too.
step 2: set up combat mage school in Harrowmont Academy
step 3: set up spellblade school in harrowmont academy

>>37074593
How many days in a year in this quest again?

>BattleMage Towers
Only military academy we can set up and get a fully trained class of recruits (or two) out f before the Guard War.

>Siege Archer Template
We need mobile siege platforms

>MMK Armor Speed Upgrade
Always good to raise the bar for your rank and file armed forces.

>>37074782
Agreed there. I'm not sure if we should spend everything on it though.

>>37074770
They'll probably have similar magic defense without it though.

A lot of this depends since we have a year and a half or so to build up. Personally I say we should grab some 100-200 days things then jam it all into something big like external power source and then work on the juggernaut/daywalker/siege archers.

>>37074897
Don't forget that we need the enchanted Pavis's

>>37074879
>Only military academy we can set up and get a fully trained class of recruits (or two) out f before the Guard War.
For that I am thinking longer term than the guard war.
I am thinking of trying to get solider mages who are loyal to empire and talon rather then to towers. And also to increase our military power directly. Towers look down on combat mages anyways and combat mages are the best in blowing shit up (barring archmages like alyce and durvui). I don't expect combat magisters for years, but a few journeymen combat mages would be nice for now. And also, it is whom I want to provide the benefits from the source once we bind the pop. So already having the academy set up ahead of time helps with that.

>>37074839
Speaking of Sylvian, what are her faction's military deficiencies against Irlin's and the extremists? Which provinces are her strongholds and how strong exactly is she in them relative to the disloyal guard?

Depending on how best we can support/integrate with her forces I might want different short term research priorities.

>>37074612
siege archers sound really really awesome, as are juggernauts (although i like siege archers better).

>>37074853
we are, as per >>37074839
>WIth Mal's Generator research there's really no point in doing the rest of the factory research options, given it takes the same time to do the much superior power supply research.
its straight up superior to everything else IF we have the generator tech from mal. which we did choose to go with.

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Note that you have 730 days of research befor ethe timeskip finishes.

MAGITECH VOTE
Note that the timing of Mal's research means you can fit in a 200d research before Ext Power Supply can start.
>1. Anti-Magic Defences for HMKs then External Power Supply followed by Siege Archer Template (200d + 600d + 500d)
>2. Anti-Magic Defences for HMKs then Ext power Supply followed by Juggernaut Template (200d + 600d + 800d)
>3. Custom

MAGICAL RESEARCH VOTE
>1. Spellblade Academy followed by Battlemage Academy (600d + 300d)
>2. Daywalker knight program (800d)
>3. Battlemage Academy followed by Spellblade Academy (300d + 600d)
>4. Custom

>>37074868
What program? Shropham had a bunch of spellblades because the towers recruit and train them.

>>37074879
I use our calendar (without leap years) for simplicity.

>>37074937
I respect you for thinking longer term, but thinks it this way: the academy systems we built will earn us an annual return for our military and can be expanded as our empire grows, the battle age towers might not have the greatest long term return of the possible projects, but they start producing flows of troops the fastest and are the easiest to expand at a later date. Irlin is going to be a bigger challenge than I first expected, I want every resource we can reasonably put our hands on at our disposal, and we know combat magisters are strong against the league as well looking to the future. We can start work on the spell blade academy after setting up the battletower, so by the time we do have to take on the guard or RSK (or it's break always), but for the next 5-10yrs we'll have a little extra advantage from the first few classes of combat mages.

>>37075062
>1. Anti-Magic Defences for HMKs then External Power Supply followed by Siege Archer Template (200d + 600d + 500d)

>2. Daywalker knight program (800d)

>>37075062
Magitech
>1

Magical
>3

>>37074933
True it's pretty cheap for a decent effectiveness. The illusion cloaks would be useful as well but we need to work on getting the big things done given the time.

External power source though is godlike. Now that I see what base upgrade means. In the long term it means once we upgrade our base templates we can have more then one specialization

Also guys remember that the guard is based around killing mages. So the battlemage idea won't be as effective vs its time cost

>>37075062
>1. Anti-Magic Defences for HMKs then External Power Supply followed by Siege Archer Template (200d + 600d + 500d)
>2 Battlemage accademy followed by Daywalker knight program

>>37075062
>1. Anti-Magic Defences for HMKs then External Power Supply followed by Siege Archer Template (200d + 600d + 500d)

>3. Battlemage Academy followed by Spellblade Academy (300d + 600d)

>>37075062
1
2

>>37075062
Magitech Research
>1
Magical Research
>3

>>37075062
>MAGITECH VOTE
>3. Custom
MMK Speed and mobility increase
followed by power supply followed by siege archer

>MAGICAL RESEARCH VOTE
>3. Battlemage Academy followed by Spellblade Academy (300d + 600d)

>>37075062
1 and 2

>>37075062
>1
>3

>>37075123
Option #2 for magical research isn't a Battlemage option...

>>37075112
>So the battlemage idea won't be as effective vs its time cost

That was basically my logic. It'll be good later on, but for now Vampire Knights.

>>37075062
>What program? Shropham had a bunch of spellblades because the towers recruit and train them.
That would seem to indicate that they have the teachers and curriculum. We could always hire those guys.

>>37075062
>2. Anti-Magic Defences for HMKs then Ext power Supply followed by Juggernaut Template (200d + 600d + 800d)

>2. Daywalker knight program (800d)
What would a daywalker Juggernaught look like?

>>37075093
What is the difference between your "battlemage tower" and my "battlemage academy"?

>We can start work on the spell blade academy after setting up the battletower
My proposal was explicitly
>Set up battlemage academy
then afterwards
>Set up spellblade academy

>>37075168
>What would a daywalker Juggernaught look like?

Jesus christ how horrifying.

>>37075062
>1. Anti-Magic Defences for HMKs then External Power Supply followed by Siege Archer Template (200d + 600d + 500d)

4.Custom: Daywalker knight program (800d) Since we are going to fight the Guard anyway why don't we half the time down to 400 days and throw in the Battlemage Academy after?

>>37075062
>>1. Anti-Magic Defences for HMKs then External Power Supply followed by Siege Archer Template (200d + 600d + 500d)

Archers will be the most useful here given who we will be fighting. The Juggernaut templates are most useful for the RSK and the Lords. So we should have more time to research those later on.

>3. Battlemage Academy followed by Spellblade Academy (300d + 600d)

The daywalkers will be useful but right now we need someone who isn't as much of a drain. The interesting bit is that we can half the daywalker time if we need to later on. So it would be more useful to get the battlemages out of the way now.

>>37075112
>Also guys remember that the guard is based around killing mages. So the battlemage idea won't be as effective vs its time cost
The battlemage idea draws from a seperate pool called "general research". for that our choices are:
>battlemage academy (300 days)
>spellblade academy (600 days)
>daywalker academy (800 days).
Mage guard actually is equally specializes in killing all 3, and we have 730 days of timeskip. (which to be fair, talon shouldn't know) And all 3 are useful in the long term even if not ideal vs the mage guard.
Also, remember that baby battle mages who eat their veggies grow up to be big bad combat magisters

>>37075184
Honestly a daywalker knight would probably work best with some specialized knight armor instead of machine plated things.

Juddgernaught armor+Nightwalkers would be absurd. Especially if lead by spell blade tier daywalker knights.

>>37075243
>Honestly a daywalker knight would probably work best with some specialized knight armor instead of machine plated things.
dwarven made armor?

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Siege archers are definitely the most popular. I think that Option 3 is beating daywalkers by a couple of votes, too.

>>37075168
>What would a daywalker Juggernaught look like?
Volante with less spooky powers, I guess. Nightwalkers would probably be similar.

>>37075163
Not qutie how it works. The towers basically accept talented fighters with magical talent, offer them a room and a stipend in exchange for being security. The spellblades then practice and train against each other adn the mages using their facilities. No real formal programs. The only formal training programs for mages are the bog-standard battlemage ones that militaries use to induct farmers with magical talent and get them to use very basic magical spells.

The academies you're creating will be a big change from the norm. They'll also be a bit pricey and time-consuming as a result.

>>37075191
>Why not cut the time in half to 400 days?
Because we don't want to spook the League (and Alyce, and Sylvian) and possibly start unifying them against us? It's not just the Guard we're looking to pissoff by doing that.

>>37075243
>Juddgernaught armor+Nightwalkers would be absurd. Especially if lead by spell blade tier daywalker knights.
those would have stacked beutifully with the blood substitute if we went for it... but we didn't
also, as awesome as they are, there are a lot of other awesome things out there... like griffin templates

>>37075240
>Also, remember that baby battle mages who eat their veggies grow up to be big bad combat magisters

Combat Magister is more just being a genius. At least the really good one.

>>37075240
This honestly makes me think one of hte better ideas would be to half the daywalker time then go for the Battlemage.

It could upset the guard and league if we don't keep a plug on it but it would give us Battlemages and Spell blade Tier fighters right now and still have about 30 days to put into spell blades.