Dimensional is opposed by Enchantment, I believe, Kyzarc. Or at least Ceridwen is opposed by whatever god responsible for Enchantment.

@Seon
I Luv you even more !

-Fire: FIRE BALL!!! FIRE BALL!!!!! FIRE BAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!


And passion, and just indignant rage

Opposition Charts:

Entropy: Creation
Ice: Nature
Death: Life
Fire: Water
Sun: Shadow
Air: Earth
Spirit: Body
Enchantment: Dimensional
Mind: Metamagic
Law: Chaos
Force: Everything else.

Opposition Charts:

Entropy: Creation
Ice: Nature
Death: Life
Fire: Water
Sun: Shadow
Air: Earth
Spirit: Body
Enchantment: Dimensional
Mind: Metamagic
Law: Chaos
Force: Everything else.

http://civwiki.de/images/0/01/Sph%C3%A4ren.jpg
Okay, I was almost right. Its Body/Spirit and Mind/Enchantment, not the other way around.
Dimensional is opposed by Enchantment, I believe, Kyzarc. Or at least Ceridwen is opposed by whatever god responsible for Enchantment.
yeah, Ceridwen and whatsherface Nantoseulta are enemies, but their mana aren't opposed. Opposite with Arawn (Death)and Sucellus (Life)

I think that's mixing fire with law and good Thomas, but I have to admit most people my character's have burnt deserved it. ;P
Man Seon's quote makes me want to play Wesnoth's red mages... its the only spell they have. ^_^

lovely chart Kyzarc

Toteone, we're basing this of of Fall From Heaven. That's what Fire Magic is (or was, before Bhall's Cannon fall)

Fall from Heaven? Never heard of it before, so extra thanks!

Gah!!

YOU"VE NEVER HEARD OF FALL FROM HEAVEN? :o

Heh, that's what I thought too. Then I realized that this isn't technically a FFHNES, it's just based on one.

Toteone, don't worry; you don't need to know any of the FfH backstory or lore for this game. However, you might miss some references, and you won't understand why certain houses, surnames, saints, etc. act as they do.

And I think I speak for everyone here when I say, download and try out the Fall from Heaven mod. It is a huge change to the base Civ 4 gameplay, and is a fully realized world with a working mythology and thousands of years of history. Truly an amazing achievement that goes far beyond what most consider to be a 'mod'.

OOC: Oh boy.

You've done it now.

I've heard of it and even seen some stuff I think now, vaguely...
I never liked Civ III ya see, so I've barely tried number IV as not playing number three properly made it hard to keep up.

Thanks for the info guys! =^_^=

Indeed I still play it when my machine isn't dead :(

I've heard of it and even seen some stuff I think now, vaguely...
I never liked Civ III ya see, so I've barely tried number IV as not playing number three properly made it hard to keep up.

Thanks for the info guys! =^_^=

I never liked civ 4, felt like it's too graphical and designed for masses, so I've never played FFH. Most of my knowledge (very limited) comes from FFH Wiki (http://fallfromheaven.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page).

... nifty!

I didn't like Civ III at all but Civ IV was great. No. Is great. Just saved my game right now. Civ V on the other hand is crap. FfH2 is an awesome mod, not so much for the gameplay (the ai has some issues) but for the world. Just surviving the world and learning how to play the various factions...
She'aim for instance, from whom Bossheim and Tsedeq are descended, are special in the sense they are strongest when the world's about to be destroyed, while Calabim eat their population, dwarves sit on heaps of gold, and so on...
And then some other nations like the Eekin aren't part of FfH2 but ImmacuNESII.

But you should REALLY look up who Saint Barbatos actually is and what he did. That might shed an interesting light on the Orthodox Church.

But you should REALLY look up who Saint Barbatos actually is and what he did. That might shed an interesting light on the Orthodox Church.

That's HERESY!

Yes...mmm tasty Heresy....like dark chocolate with a hint of mint.

But also a touch of cyanide...

That just adds some almond flavor.

how about a nice smoky aroma? that of an auto-da-fé in the morning

I don't know about heresy, but to me undeath tastes like White Chocolate. Looks like it, too.

But you should REALLY look up who Saint Barbatos actually is and what he did. That might shed an interesting light on the Orthodox Church.

Well my search from wiki did not give anything to read about, other than "lich Barbatos".

That'd be the one.

Edit: In FFH canon, Barbatos is one of the students of Kylorin (the original founder of my house.) Kylorin was an Immensely powerful Archmage-King, learning the art both from Ceridwen and nantosuelta (through a whole story of Falls and redemption, and unrequited love.) He eventually redeemed himself, and led a civil war against the Empire he once ruled, which was now led by his various students. Of these, Barbatos certainly did not match the power and evil of Perpentach (who was discovered by Kylorin as an orphan where he had bewitched all the nuns who were takeing care of him to only take care of him, not any of the other orphans nor themselves. Fun fact, he also has a copy of the personalities of everyone he has ever met in his brain) or Laroth (who made people love and trust him, and used them for his personal gain, and is now doing the same in the underworld, attempting to overthrow the god of death and, potentially, that of spirit), but he was definently one of the more powerful of Kylorin's Students. A Master of Death Magic, Barbatos ensured he could not be killed, and, instead, upon his defeat by Kylorin, was imprisoned in a near unbreakable sepulcher. of course, near unbreakable is NOT the same thing as unbreakable...

Kylorin was actually such a badass that he killed a GOD.

Kylorin used a special weapon initially forged by gods for that, though.
Still, Kael about Barbatos: He's probably the most powerful necromancer int he world except for Kylorin (assuming hes still about) and Tuoni (who technically isnt a necromancer but does have the ability to tap into and control god levels of death magic).
So Kylorin is stronger than Barbatos in necromancy, and that's not even his main magic. And noone has any idea what happened to Kylorin after he left.

it's sorta implied he's just puttering about, looking for his wife. (He is immortal, and she is cursed to reincarnate, so he sorta follows her around)

I'm not sure Kylorin is more powerful then his students in their field of magic. He's is extremely skilled in each, and is probably #2 for every field, but his students have specialised and become just that little bit better then him in their specific field. That's why he found it so tough to defeat menay of them. Perpentach especially.

By the way I love that the descendents of Bannor and the descendents of the Amurites both ended up primarily on the same planet :p

WMG:...wait... the Church was founded by a partnership between Barabatos and Laroth?!?!

I'm not sure Kylorin is more powerful then his students in their field of magic.

Kael himself said he was stronger than Barbatos in death magic in the quote I posted. So, with the exception of Perpentach who was probably the strongest of them all, Kylorin was likely stronger than most of his students in their own fields. He was definitely stronger than Barbatos in death magic.

And I haven't seen any mention of Laroth in the Church background. Barbatos's enough to make it a...

(knock knock)
-Damn. Can't finish posting happily! What's that?
Knock! Knock!
-Oui, j'arrive!
-KNOCK! CRASH!
-What the...
-Nobody expects the Avestite Inquisition!
-Aarrgghhhh...

True, but how did they become so popular? A story that I'm pretty sure was official had Laroth starting a least one major cult before Kylorin recruited him. True, he didn't know how it worked, but he would now...

Hmmm, actually, Barbatos would probably be the only creature capable of pulling Laroth out of Arawn's vault. I still don't think the Orthodoxy is Laroth's style, though. Too much like the Order - the obedience is strictly enforced, not mindlessly given.

Of course, this information was all lost long ago in the Soul Wars, so we all know this is OOC, right?

OOC? There's a NES or some communal game for this Fall From Heavens thing? : )

Anyway any information is appreciated and I understand if there's a succession game or something else going on there's an application process of course. Plus I might not want to break out my stronger laptop (I'm just using a puny compact word and surfing lap atm), but it'd be interesting to know.

It's a mod for Civ4.

Immac's and my own previous NES's were based on fall from heaven. This one is a sequel to his previous one but is only loosely connected to fall from heaven. The main influences come from some other game that I haven't really heard of.

OOC? There's a NES or some communal game for this Fall From Heavens thing? : )

Anyway any information is appreciated and I understand if there's a succession game or something else going on there's an application process of course. Plus I might not want to break out my stronger laptop (I'm just using a puny compact word and surfing lap atm), but it'd be interesting to know.

NES is roleplay based off some lore with purpose to lead something from that lore, Some NESes are based off real history, some have Alternate Timelines (say, what would have happened, if Southern USA would have won fight with Northern USA). Some are based off games lore, science fiction books or similar -lores.

ImmacuNES is based off lore from FFH. So No Behind the scenes "succession game". Just draws lore/background from the game. Just like my NwolfNES series takes bits and inspiration from Warcraft lore.

OOC: Well background from FFH and teh game concept/setting from Fading Suns RPG. Never had the chance to play Fading Suns, but it seems like an intersting setup.

Hmmm, actually, Barbatos would probably be the only creature capable of pulling Laroth out of Arawn's vault. I still don't think the Orthodoxy is Laroth's style, though. Too much like the Order - the obedience is strictly enforced, not mindlessly given.

Of course, this information was all lost long ago in the Soul Wars, so we all know this is OOC, right?

I don't know. it's only towards most nobles and the guilds that the church enforces obedience strictly. The poor do Mindlessly obey, which, to me, is perhaps a sign that Laroth is there as well with barbatos. (Though, IDK if Laroth would want to give up his quest for the Godhood of Death.

and If they are, then... who else?

Mikel Dylantyr, The Fire Mage? (The Inquisition sure likes it's fire)


Air- Greysun
Body- Kezef (whose experiments killed all the animals on the Grigi plains)
Chaos- Carnivean
Creation- Majen (elven)
Death- Barbatos
Dimensional- Os-Gabella
Earth- Jenkin
Enchantment- Velgyr
Entropy- Asmoday
Fire- Mikel Dylantyr
Force- Paimon
Ice- Badb
Law- Soqed Hozi
Life- Leucetios
Metamagic- Gastrius
Mind- Perpentach
Nature- Herve
Shadow- Wode (elven)
Spirit- Laroth (who would create his own empire in the underworld)
Sun- Tamesis
Water- Trenton Majosi (aifon)

Perpentach, in my mind, is the scariest of them, and we do know that he's probably puttering about as the head of the Masque (I think.) Even Kylorin was almost overwhelmed by his mind magic, and isn't quite sure how he defeated Perpentach (The Most recent copy of Kylorin in Perpentach's head broke the barriers keeping all the personalities he had copied silent, and perpentach's concentration was broken. Incidentally, this is why he is INSANE.) Oh, fun note... Perpentach is not really immortal, but rather lives forever by copying his mind over into a new body. Pleasant, eh?

OOC: Well background from FFH and teh game concept/setting from Fading Suns RPG. Never had the chance to play Fading Suns, but it seems like an intersting setup.

This is what threw me off, I got it the first time you guys said FFH is a Civ IV expansion, but this game seems to draw much more heavily on Fading Suns which I've played... in fact I thought it was exclusive so referring to FFH in OOC made me think maybe there was a NES or some sort of RP for it too as well as an expansion. ^_^

All the previous NESes Immaculate hosted was based heavily on FFH.

Perpentach, in my mind, is the scariest of them, and we do know that he's probably puttering about as the head of the Masque (I think.) Even Kylorin was almost overwhelmed by his mind magic, and isn't quite sure how he defeated Perpentach (The Most recent copy of Kylorin in Perpentach's head broke the barriers keeping all the personalities he had copied silent, and perpentach's concentration was broken. Incidentally, this is why he is INSANE.) Oh, fun note... Perpentach is not really immortal, but rather lives forever by copying his mind over into a new body. Pleasant, eh?

Me, I'd be most scared of Laroth. You could hate him and truly want to kill him, yet he could make you love him and be utterly devoted, all while you know what he's doing. At least mind control would likely make you forget.

That's part of my reasoning for my Laroth+Barbatos=Orthodoxy theory: Emotion manipulation is the key tennant of religeon (usually making you fear an unpleasent afterlife), but still requires convincing logic. Laroth wouldn't need that, he could stand in a crowded market and basiclly become a human crack-dispensor by blasting feelings of love, bliss and joy, saying only enought to keep people arround until they become addicted, and convine people that the feeing was frome some god. Boom, instant core group who spread the word.

Or, he could get Pavlovian, emotionally supressing a group of people, then, when they do something he likes, hit them with pleasent emotions, and when they do something he dislikes, hit them with fear and dispair. He then convinces them that a god is responsible, they spread the word, and eventually people forget why they even started.

My heresy-o-meter's tingling.

this is all OOC and theoretical. The Church doesn't need to know :p

I still see no reason why Laroth would be around. He hasn't been mentioned, has no reason to befriend Barbatos (since he would be the god of Death, why would Barbatos want to be his servant when he is his equal?), and most importantly there's no magic needed to turn people into religious fanatics.

I know. That's why it was a totally outt here Wild Guess.:)

Oh right... Barbatos the undying... I thought you guys were mentioning a character from the first page, but I wasn't sure which and then I started doubting.

Huh, and I thought he was just a fairly invincible fellow.

Naw...hes a whole lotta something and the reason why I fear the church in an OOC sense.

None of this has been confirmed by Immac. For all we know he might have just liked the name... :p

Glass Scalpel Commandoes
Cost: 3 MF for 1 Battalion
Tech Requirements: 3 physics, 2 biotech, 3 social
Other Requirements: 3 intrigue quality
Developed In: 2217
Developed By: Imperial Eye
Usable By: Imperium (all), House Koriate, House Querry, House Klorin, House Quin, House Tsedeq, House Sanctious’Als, House Texier, House Remillard, House Albriño
Light Weapons: 2
Stealth: 1
Sensors: 1
Unit size: 1,200 Soldiers

Equivalent to cold-war era special forces units

Whose Albrino? Is it a secret house? It sounds interesting.

House Albrino is now House Naprous.

Oh. :blush:

OOC:

So... I joined the flint knapping club at Mcgill, and made a suprisingly competant arrowhead. guess who's set for the apocalypse? :p

(yeah, just taunting you all, making you think there are developments.)

take a picture and post it?

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2774/dscn1032y.jpg

The left one is the best (sharp enough to cut leather: flint, as is the second left one.) The two obsidian ones are... OK... the smaller one is damn sharp (cut my hand on it) but the other is essentially just a chunk of obsidian...

Edit: the viewing angle of the second one isn't great, but it's decent as well. the only thing is they are all too thick.

broken picture link... :(


EDIT: figured it out; remove that last slash.


Second one looks the best... pretty color too.
nice work caveman thomas :)

Fixed the link.

Those are really nice Thomas~

I'm back :scan:

I was about to comment that nothing's happened but then I remembered congratulations, Immaculate! :D

thanks

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.” – Kassie Aries, Former CEOD


The pulse of Mark Hadrel-Aries quickened as he entered the yatch. The Yatch itself is big, holding enough food and space for 12 people. However, the importance of their cargo means that they had reused one of the fuel storage compartments for insulation and the precious cargo: Algae, blueprints, instruments and simple machines that will be needed to rebuild the machine they left on Arrakis. Within the passenger area itself they held more cargo, willing to go on limited rations until Errovus Secondus in order to help the most.

This itself means that they need to use one of the massive boaster-engines to save fuel for the yatch. As the pilot, himself a scientists of reknown, prepared the craft under the direction of the Romei Airport Central Control Tower, Heifel debriefed them a final time. “Our goal is simple,” she said, “Yet crucial. We are to provide hope to Errovus Secondus. Vaccines are arriving at a brisk pace from the Eye, and other houses are doing their best. However the Vanari Citadel and the rest of the Western Continent has received little of the aid, and faced some of the strongest warlords.

We will provide hope in leadership. We will provide a new future. We have rediscovered techniques that turn the very water into bounty. With this we will go.

Now, prepare for launch!”

The countdown begin, and all felt a tingle down their necks as if this was the count down to Doomsday of the Pancreator. The Pilot quickly flipped the switches as fast as he could,

5…
Heifel gave one more thumbs up to the passengers below.

4…
Mark wondered what kind of adventures his brother has got himself in.

3…
Everyone tensed as the ignition fuel is sent.

2…
A large roar vibrated the shuttle as the restraining tower itself struggled to hold down the behemoth as the ignition fuel lit and the Booster engine began to power up.

1…
The Tower surrendered, sundering the thin yet strong connection that bound the shuttle to earth. However, it began to sink under the strong weight. Would the explosion beneath them be strong enough to push them up without destroying them all or would it give out, and send them to their doon?

And we have liftoff! The exhilarated voice came not from the control center or Heifel, but Mark himself. The sight of the clouds growing closer excited him. From his birth he wanted to explore, and had always tried to hide his bitterness and his adventuring spirt for his brother’s sake. As the craft lifted into space, the light of the Sun of Arrakis smiled upon the craft. The booster separated, and fell into trajectory to land, mostly burned out, just north of the Query Fiefdom. Ahead, there are the numberless stars of the galaxy. And ahead is the only path to take through them.

The Jump gate, still many miles ahead, warmed up.

EDIT:
sorry- let me look
EDIT 2:
sent.

Jungle Prophet
Lord Nereus held his head in his hands. Good god, everything seems to be going wrong since his step-brother was murdered. The thrice-damned Xyall attacking out of nowhere, the Plague decimating Errovus Seccundus, the total blockade of E2 and, by extension, Asimov, heavy losses on Stigmata, and now the Avestites are burning everyone they see. Vladimir would never have allowed this. He started as a cool hand stroked his neck. He heard his wife’s soothing voice in his ear, speaking of how well the negotiations with the Apothecaries for vital equipment and expertise were going. She was such a skilled manager, a true godsend. He stood and embraced her, this was likely the last time they could meet for the next month or two, their duties to the House were paramount.

Lord Nereus stood straight, watching the runway intently. His thoughts strayed back to his youth in House Eekin. Seven years as a cadet, learning basic tactics from the great generals who fought the Symbiots before the Trancendentals’ return. The joy when he was given command of his child, the Rabid Class destroyer Red-Sky-at-Night. Meeting first then-House leader Vladimir and later Vlad’s half sister, Lady Eirenprone. What would he do without her? He shook himself free from his memories, why think of the past when the present required your attention? With a heartfelt sigh he turned his back to her departing plane and returned to his office. Seeing he was done, an aide hurrried up to him, bearing a stack of papers almost a foot high which had accumulated over the last three days. Duty called.


Johanas was wandering down the pathway between Lan and his family’s plantation, mind abuzz with the latest stories he would tell them of work at the hospital. Working as a nurse beat the hell out of the constant labour on the farm, it paid better too. His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed a stranger dressed in odd clothes. The stranger didn’t seem to notice him, he just sat there in the middle of the road in a gently swaying meditative pose.

“Hail stranger, how goes you?”

The man ignored him quietly, staring at a bush in front of him.

“I said Hail, stranger. Don’t you know it tis dangerous to wander these pathways alone?” Johanas said again, this time louder. Finally he decided on a different tact. “Well then who are you?”

The stranger’s serene gaze turned away from Johanas again, looking back to the mammoth trees. Just as Johanas was about to give up and continue on his way the man responded. “I’m a soldier”
Johanas laughed “A soldier? Where’s your gun?”

The stranger focused on a drop of water poised to fall from a leaf. “I don’t got no weapon, and I don’t need one.” He paused for a moment, completely absorbed by the drop of water. The drop grew in size as a little rivulet fed into it and Johanas started to watch it as well. “I don’t need no weapon ‘cause I don’t fight no war”

Johanas suddenly felt pity, something must have happened to this poor man out in the jungle. He said kindly, humoring this poor soul “Well then Mr. Soldier what you fightin’ for?”

The stranger was utterly silent for several moments. Johanas found himself unable to tear his eyes from the droplet. With the faintest of sounds the droplet’s connection to the leaf broke and it rolled off, plummeting to the ground. The stranger turned back to him, his brilliant green eyes boring into Johanas’s. There was a drawn out moment of silence, stretching out for what felt like hours. The stranger slowly smiled and he whispered “You shall be free”

Johanas stared back, momentarily taken aback. He scoffed “Excuse me mister, are you saying I’m not free? I don’t see no shackles or no chains on me.”

The stranger’s smile and gaze remained unwavered as he replied “We’re chained to our hatred and shackled by greed, too blind to even see the wonder and the mystery of the very planet we live on. We got to love one another, all of us. When you love without limits, without fear, then you shall be free.”

Johanas felt something deep inside of him move, some inner door open at this man’s words. He struggled internally for moment, torn between his logic telling him that this guy was a kook and that he should just leave and his emotions, bolstered by whatever has awoken in him, insisting he stay. He sat down, thinking about how absurd this would seem. The stranger nodded encouragingly, “Good, now open your mind. Feel everything about you.”
Johanas tried to comply, relaxing his muscles one by one. His rational side faded, its protests dying down as he mentally let go. Relaxation slowly turned into sleep, a black curtain that blocked off all feeling.

He wandered his mind, exploring through the utter darkness. After an eternity of walking deeper into his subconscious he felt something, a spot of light in the curtain that shone like a laser. He suddenly knew what he had to do.

Placing his hands in the hole and pulled them apart. The fabric resisted at first, but as the tear grew it became easier. Laughing, he wrenched one last time and the tear took on a life of its own, spreading up the curtain like a lightning bolt. The fabric collapsed on either side of him and he stepped through into a blinding light.
Johanas jerked awake, his mind still flooded with strange thoughts and ideas. He turned to the stranger, his formerly disdainful eyes filled with awe. “Y-y-you”
The stranger smiled as he got up “Good, you’re awake. Come, you have much to learn”

ooh... I'm guessing some of the gods are getting more and more involved :P

regardless... Great story.

Bump, to keep this near the top

(Can't allow this not to be...)

Of course gods are getting more involved I'm here aren't I?

-----

Are you withdrawing or not Toteone?

Are you withdrawing or not Toteone?
OK, actually I'm staying on in ImmacNes and EQNes.
Source: His Signature

Lord Guy stood in the high guard position awaiting the start of the sparring match. Swordmaster Javier looked from Lord Guy to his opponent a member of the special forces, Signifier Charles Long. The two combatants stood facing one another trying to steel their wills for victory, trying to not allow their rational mind to get in the way of their instincts and the memories of their bodies, trying not to jump the gun. Finally Swordmaster Javier signaled the start of the match.

The pair circled each other trying to gauge who would be the first to strike. Their muscles tensed in anticipation like wild cats waiting to pounce. Lord Guy finally struck out with a quick feint towards the left arm, the parry was just as fast and effective. The strikes began in earnest. All the sound in the training arena was gone except for the rustle of clothes, the grunts of exertion, and the musical tones of blades striking one another. The pair matched strikes, parries, and counterstrikes for what seemed hours, but was over in a matter of minutes. Signifier Charles swung a forceful overhand strike aimed for Lord Guy’s head. He quickly changed the angle of his parry to deflect the strike away but was unprepared for how quickly the Signifier adjusted his strike. The parry failed and blood was drawn upon Lord Guy’s right cheek. Swordmaster Javier signaled an end to the match. The pair saluted each other as proper form dictated and then set off to clean up.

“I see you found someone who can actually tax my abilities this time Swordmaster.”

“Of course milord. I knew the previous opposition has long since become predictable by yourself and thus not challenging. Then again you could always spar with me all the time.”

“No thank you Swordmaster.” Lord Guy chuckled. “I learned my lesson in that regard long ago. Until I can best everyone you find to send at me I cannot beat you.” He paused the question he always longed to ask on his lips. Lord Guy waited for the training arena to empty before he finally uttered it for the first time. “Swordmaster, I have heard tell that Lady Alex is a Swordmaster in her own right. Is she really that good?”

Swordmaster Javier stopped and turned around to face Lord Guy. “Let me put it this way. Do not ever challenge her to a duel, the weapons she chooses for it will be swords. And she will kill you. I have only ever seen her duel once, she did things I could only have dreamed of. She is agile and accurate. And when she wields Crimson Dawn…there is a reason the blade is blood red.”

“Who challenged her? When?” Lord Guy burst out.

“It was 30 years ago. A noble from the Azure Clan decided to try and challenge her for leadership of the Black Clan. He was a prodigy, destined for greatness in the world of swordsmanship. The duel was over in one strike. She removed a good portion of his head and shoulder as she struck a downward blow. I have never seen anything like it nor do I expect to again.” He began to resume packing his equipment.

“I thought most duels are fought to first blood or submission in The Query, did she despise him so much that she challenged to the death?” Lord Guy sounded appalled and amazed in the same breath.

“Apparently from those who witnessed the challenge being issued she cut him off before he could finish issuing the challenge and warned him that she only fought one type of duel and it will always be so as long as she lives. She went on to warn him the duel is always to the death and since she never issues challenges herself she always chooses swords as the weapon. He challenged her anyway and paid the price she warned him would be coming.” The Swordmaster looked up at the sky as if reliving the day he witnessed the duel. “I heard from my master that it seems to be custom that around every fifty years someone comes along and challenges her leadership. Apparently he said it takes that long for the memory of her skill to wear off as a warning.”

The pair continued to talk as they left the Training Arena but Swordmaster Javier refused to ever speak about the duel anymore. He did let slip that someone had made a recording of the duel but he had no idea if it still existed. Lord Guy decided he had to find it.

Source: His Signature

Indeed... this is the NES I like the most here. Sorry for the fuss. Also sending in an extra set of orders for Kalmar, didn't mean to inconvenience anyone. : )

Weekly bump. Also, a word of encouragement from our Fearless Leader would give us all hope that this is neither dead nor dying...:please:

He's working on it he told me, but didn't mention any time (I have no idea (other than him mentioning roughly a month three weeks ago, but I'm sure that was a flexible statement)). I'm sure the babyshowers have only just about worn off and allowed him to draw breath. : )
Anyway all I'm saying is I don't think it's dead/dying at all. ^_^
... and railing off, after all the Fall from the Heavens talk I asked, he gave few even OOC details, but apparently Barbatos IS the most fearsome single body in the Empire (that is, not counting leadership) he didn't say anything more though... <_< >_> thought it might be make for an interesting topic?

So why is he called the undying? :'D

Scepter + no assassinations = immortal.

Yeah but he was around well before sceptres I think.

I theorize that he will instantly die if he ever leaves Holy Errovus, unless he has found a way to circumvent the whole 'being in space negates magic' business.

Yeah but he was around well before sceptres I think.
Barbatos was a student of Kylorin, specializing in Death magic. When Kylorin switched alignments from Lawful Evil to Lawful Good, he warred with most of his former students. Barbatos (master of Death) obviously could not be killed, so Kylorin sealed him in a great sepulcher. In the Age of Rebirth (following the Age of Ice), the sepulcher was found broken, its inhabitant missing.

Barbatos was last seen held in place, furiously summoning Earth elementals, for some reason :lol: (inside joke, used to be an in-game unit in FfH). Since his subsequent disappearance, his whereabouts have been a mystery.

This lore was all lost in the Soul Wars, and no record remains (as far as we know, up to the mod of course). There is no way for any character in the current world to know, or even guess at this, so don't even try!

ImmacuNES II B may take some more time before it sees an update but the update is definitely under construction. (2 more weeks?)

I've taken the time to fix a few things with the system that i have wanted to clarify a bit- mostly just formalizing the spreadsheet to make updating your stats easier and
1) to take into consideration your popularity and noblesse when considering the taxes you take in.
2) develop an infrastructure stat (which affects your capacity to get products to market, your rate of taxation efficiency, and your local demand for various commodities)
3) break down commodities a bit further to differentiate things like agricultural base products, luxury agriculture (coffees, etc), textiles and fur, minerals, commercial manufacture, industrial manufacture, high-end stuff, oil and energy, etc.
4) develop a stream-lined interplanetary and interplanetary trade system so that all the calculations are done for me and the relative demand or glut of product on a planet determines the outcome of exporting stuff to that planet Automatically...
5) developing a system for players to get a few more actions per turn if their noblesse or popularity or both are high...

... basically trying to automate stuff for myself and hopefully make a few changes to make noblesse and popularity more meaningful stats.

Ooooh, oooh, will profit matter for our tax base? ;D

1) to take into consideration your popularity and noblesse when considering the taxes you take in.

:eek: Oh noes! My nobles (at least the ones that survive this update :mischief:) aren't really fans, so to speak...

Also, take your time. I'm just glad to see this is still living.

Its Still Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RthZgszykLs).

Barbatos was a student of Kylorin, specializing in Death magic. When Kylorin switched alignments from Lawful Evil to Lawful Good, he warred with most of his former students. Barbatos (master of Death) obviously could not be killed, so Kylorin sealed him in a great sepulcher. In the Age of Rebirth (following the Age of Ice), the sepulcher was found broken, its inhabitant missing.

Barbatos was last seen held in place, furiously summoning Earth elementals, for some reason :lol: (inside joke, used to be an in-game unit in FfH). Since his subsequent disappearance, his whereabouts have been a mystery.

This lore was all lost in the Soul Wars, and no record remains (as far as we know, up to the mod of course). There is no way for any character in the current world to know, or even guess at this, so don't even try!

Yes, but I was responding more IC... as in thats so long ago I have no idea what you are talking about. You heretic.

Profitability will not affect tax collection. It does increase the demand for certain goods (basically creating a market to sell certain things to and thereby making it harder to create a glut in the supply of a product)

Its Still Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RthZgszykLs).

I am so awesome, that link showed up as "I have been clicked"-purple when I read your post. :lol:

ImmacuNES II B may take some more time before it sees an update but the update is definitely under construction. (2 more weeks?)
Here's how it must be happening:

Now, let's check the western Authorit...
Waaaahhhh!!! Waaaaahhhh!!!!
Immac runs away to check why all the cries. Apparently, nothing, baby just waves at dad when dad looks over the cradle with a concerned look on his face.
So, the Western Authority... Let me remember where I ...
Honey, did you buy some baby diapers?
Damn! I knew I had forgotten something! Not yet, darling, I was just going to drive to E2's... I mean to the supermarket and buy them. I won't be long.

Meanwhile, symbiots are growing and multiplying.

Um no not how it goes at all...you can pretty much drop the thinking about NESing for a while. Hell I disappeared for a year.

Ok, just 4-6 weeks til I get there... No wait, I have to land (park?) and pick up the Algae... no diapers... Algae diapers?

Paper or Plastic?

Cermasteel Flamegun!

:lol:

Just wrote this for fun.

Alexia tapped at the jar containing one of the most disgusting things that Ludenard had ever seen. “Brains,” she said. “Are really fascinating, you know.”

“Uh huh,” Ludenard answered. He cringed as he caught another whiff of the preservatives. Alexia didn’t seem to mind the smell at all. “After all upper cognitive functions are eliminated, for instance,” Alexia continued. “All that remains is what I call Four Fs of instinct. Fighting, feeding, fleeing, and reproductive behavior.”

“Uh huh,” Ludenard said. Then he cringed for a very different reason. “Wait, the last one doesn’t begin with a..”

“Oh for Barbatos’s sake,” Alexia burst out laughing.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………
Nothing was ever true in Inceillia.

Ubertino had found that out the hard way a long time ago. Most noblemen of a Major Noble House on Inceillia did. Koriate House was no exception, although travelling scholars did praise as being the most centralized of the Noble Houses. Akatas House seemed to wield absolute power, after all. But under that orderly exterior was the same old web of intrigues and backstabbings and back-door dealings of any other noble houses.

That was why Ubertino was not very glad to return to Inceillia at all. Sure, it was too hot in Arrakis and all the animals except for some of the sheep seemed to be trying to murder you in the most horrific way possible, but at least you didn’t need to check every corridor for laser trip mines and clear out every forest in preparation for an assassin. Dante Labis didn’t need to do that, and that was only because he carried a submachine gun in his daily walks.

Ubertino sighed as the doors of the shuttle slid open. The same old frigid air of the planet greeted him, just as he remembered it. It wasn’t that bad, he supposed. Things got much better once you learned to become a better judge of character.

Then he brightened as he saw a figure outside the door.

“Jarrim!” Ubertino said. Jarrim Akatas smiled back. He was a mild looking man with a warm glow around him. His purple cloak donned the symbol of the Gold Dragon. “Good to see you!” Ubertino said, giving Jarrim a firm handshake. “I came as soon as I heard what happened to…”

“Yes,” Jarrim replied. Ubertino stood silently for a moment. “How’s your nephew taking it?” Ubertino asked.

“…Not very well,” Jarrim said. “It’s a difficult time period for him, but…” Jarrim trailed off. “He was never quite stable. Not ever since his mother died.” Jarrim stared out into the distance for a moment. “I don’t know what I am going to do, Uber.”

Ubertino shrugged. “He will get over it when the time comes, Jar. But the real question is how are YOU taking it.”

“My brother…” Jarrim said. “He was brilliant. I don’t know who could have done this. I don’t know who would’ve wanted to either. The entire House is in turmoil, Uber. Dante Labis is taking care of some minor revolts in the South as we speak.”

Ubertino sighed. “Jarrim, I have been hearing rumors. That you we-“

“Oh not you too.” Jarrim sighed. “Listen, my brother was poisoned. Where the HELL do you think I could’ve gained that kind of poison?”

Ubertino shrugged. That was a fair point. “Then who did, Jarrim?”

“I said I don’t know. Unless…”

“Ah,” Ubertino said. “So you DO have a suspect.” Jarrim looked around to ensure that nobody was listening. “Alexia,” he said.

“That sweet girl?” Ubertino raised his eyebrow. “Impossible. Where would she even get the poison?”

“Made it herself, I guess. You know how she has a collection of herbs from Assimov. One can probably kill a Clarke Leviathan with the stuff from that godforsaken planet,” Jarrim replied. “And she’s more ambitious and brave than you would realize, Uber. Have you ever looked into her face when she thinks that nobody’s watching?”

“No,” Ubertino admitted. “But I am pretty certain that you are being parano-“

“THEN WHO IS IT?!” Jarrim yelled. Ubertino drew back. “I-I don’t know.” Jarrim covered his face with his palm. “I worry that she will be going after the scepter next.”

“I thought Ludenard was bonding to it already.”

“Exactly, and they are getting married,” Jarrim replied. Ubertino frowned. “Oh, no. You can’t be serious. Don’t you dare tell me that…”

“Maybe I am,” Jarrim replied. “Whatever the truth is, I am not going to wait to find out. I need your help.”

“No!” Ubertino shouted. “No, I can’t do that Jarrim. I am sorry.”

“It’s for Ludenard’s sake,” Jarrim replied. “He can’t tell right from wrong. He has too little experience in this kind of thing.”

“I am sorry,” Ubertino replied. Jarrim glared at Ubertino for a couple of seconds. “Fine,” he said, turning around. He briskly began to walk back to the city. “Just don’t tell anyone about this.”

“What are you going to do?” Ubertino hurriedly asked. “I don’t know,” Jarrim replied. “But I am not going to let my brother’s son die any time soon.”

Here's how it must be happening:



Immac runs away to check why all the cries. Apparently, nothing, baby just waves at dad when dad looks over the cradle with a concerned look on his face.




Meanwhile, symbiots are growing and multiplying.

Lol And Lol Terrance

Nice story Seon!

Here is an example of the new stats system in action. I just copy and pasted from an excel sheet without any individual modification. Note that there is one stat thats a little tough and thats military qualities that are equal to zero. So in this case the Querry have a maggick of zero and it shows up wonky (#DIV/0!). Honestly i don't care. If you see that, it means zero. Note that there is random numbers built into the stats so, for example, your popuation can fluctuate quite wildy from turn to turn. Thats mean to reflect your lack of real knowledge regarding your faction without a census.

EDIT: note that the trade income is not final- i need to work on inter-faction markets. Presumably income will increase by about 4MF still.


House Querry
"House Query’s leadership has long been under the control of the family Quer. Such is the official line, and indeed the house’s crown lies there. However, everyone understands the truth, and the truth is that the crown is there because the real rulers want it that way. Every Crownbearer – for there have been no kings of Quer - has been surrounded by his Trusted Council, the members of which are ‘delegated’ virtually all powers of rule. Membership to the Council is fluid, and given to any who make a claim and survive long enough to actually take a seat in the Council Chamber. Because of this, the number of Councilmen varies; historically, there have been as many as forty or as few as one. There are currently eleven (sitting) members, a number that includes all the Sceptreholders within Query. There are also two other members, but one might not be technically alive and the other hasn’t been seen for a hundred years.

Even though the Crownbearer is little more than a figurehead, without even a Sceptre, his/her presence still demands a strong loyalty from the peasantry of the House. The nobles are another story, but for the most part the most powerful end up on the Trusted Council anyway. The nobles also know that refusing Council orders would mean they’d never get a chance to be on it, so their scheming is generally channeled against each other in order to gain recognition. The eclectic nature of the newer families is also both a boon and bane; a boon, because the House tends to have friends in unexpected places, but a bane since those friends can often be on a less-than-cordial relationship with the Church. There has never been *proof* of heresy within Query itself, but many clergy like to end that statement with “yet”.
"
Economic Overview:
Treasury: 96
Net Income: 44
from Taxes: 24
from Domestic Economy: 13
from Trade: 7
Average Infrastructure: 3
Approximate Popuation: 26,285,338
Technology
Physics: 4 ( 105 / 150 ,+ 12 )
Biotech 4 ( 107 / 150 ,+ 8 )
Society 4 ( 103 / 150 ,+ 9 )
Military Quality
Army: 3
Air: 2
Navy: 2
Space: 1
Maggicks: #DIV/0!
Intrigue: 3
Approximate Reputations:
Popularity: 4
Noblesse: 6
Piety: 3
Profitability: 5
Policy
Reaping the Whirlwind:
Reap scientific progress by searching for brilliant and motivated minds and providing them with the support they need to excel.
Unit Groups
House Query Cursor (E2) (no orders)
1 Republic Frog-class Yacht
Cerebrus Guard (Errovus Secondus) (maintain quarantine)
1 divisions infantry III, 2 brigades light armor, 2 squadrons fighters
Chimera Guard (Arrakis) (guard Arrakis fiefs)
2 company Marauder Legion, 22 divisions Infantry III, 4 brigades heavy armor, 4 squadrons fighters
Kraken Guard (Clarke) (guard Clarke fiefs)
1 company Marauder Legion, 6 divisions Infantry III, 2 divisions infantry I
Kraken Patrol (Clarke) (patrol shores of fiefs)
6 destroyers, 2 cruisers
Hydra Guard (Errovus Secondus) (guard E2 fiefs)
3 divisions Infantry III, 2 divisions infantry IV, 2 brigades medium armor, 2 fighter squadrons

Actions
Character Actions: 3
Domestic Actions: 1
Action-Capable Characters
Ichabod Sterling (sceptre-holder), pacifist, tech-friendly (Arrakis)
Gustavus ('Guy') Fye (sceptre-holder), prone to vice, martial training, martial experience, fair administrator (E2)
Alex Black (sceptre-holder), otherworldly beauty, suspicious bloodline, adaptive, wields ‘Crimson Dawn’, hates the Evvis (E2)

I like it! Much more detailed economic section~

How does taxes differ exactly from domestic income... is taxes tariffs or perhaps domestic income is the amount of the retail market you control?

Thanks! : )

Here is an example of the new stats system in action. I just copy and pasted from an excel sheet without any individual modification. Note that there is one stat thats a little tough and thats military qualities that are equal to zero. So in this case the Querry have a maggick of zero and it shows up wonky (#DIV/0!). Honestly i don't care. If you see that, it means zero. Note that there is random numbers built into the stats so, for example, your popuation can fluctuate quite wildy from turn to turn. Thats mean to reflect your lack of real knowledge regarding your faction without a census.

EDIT: note that the trade income is not final- i need to work on inter-faction markets. Presumably income will increase by about 4MF still.


House Querry
"House Query’s leadership has long been under the control of the family Quer. Such is the official line, and indeed the house’s crown lies there. However, everyone understands the truth, and the truth is that the crown is there because the real rulers want it that way. Every Crownbearer – for there have been no kings of Quer - has been surrounded by his Trusted Council, the members of which are ‘delegated’ virtually all powers of rule. Membership to the Council is fluid, and given to any who make a claim and survive long enough to actually take a seat in the Council Chamber. Because of this, the number of Councilmen varies; historically, there have been as many as forty or as few as one. There are currently eleven (sitting) members, a number that includes all the Sceptreholders within Query. There are also two other members, but one might not be technically alive and the other hasn’t been seen for a hundred years.

Even though the Crownbearer is little more than a figurehead, without even a Sceptre, his/her presence still demands a strong loyalty from the peasantry of the House. The nobles are another story, but for the most part the most powerful end up on the Trusted Council anyway. The nobles also know that refusing Council orders would mean they’d never get a chance to be on it, so their scheming is generally channeled against each other in order to gain recognition. The eclectic nature of the newer families is also both a boon and bane; a boon, because the House tends to have friends in unexpected places, but a bane since those friends can often be on a less-than-cordial relationship with the Church. There has never been *proof* of heresy within Query itself, but many clergy like to end that statement with “yet”.
"
Economic Overview:
Treasury: 96
Net Income: 44
from Taxes: 24
from Domestic Economy: 13
from Trade: 7
Average Infrastructure: 3
Approximate Popuation: 26,285,338
Technology
Physics: 4 ( 105 / 150 ,+ 12 )
Biotech 4 ( 107 / 150 ,+ 8 )
Society 4 ( 103 / 150 ,+ 9 )
Military Quality
Army: 3
Air: 2
Navy: 2
Space: 1
Maggicks: #DIV/0!
Intrigue: 3
Approximate Reputations:
Popularity: 4
Noblesse: 6
Piety: 3
Profitability: 5
Policy
Reaping the Whirlwind:
Reap scientific progress by searching for brilliant and motivated minds and providing them with the support they need to excel.
Unit Groups
House Query Cursor (E2) (no orders)
1 Republic Frog-class Yacht
Cerebrus Guard (Errovus Secondus) (maintain quarantine)
1 divisions infantry III, 2 brigades light armor, 2 squadrons fighters
Chimera Guard (Arrakis) (guard Arrakis fiefs)
2 company Marauder Legion, 22 divisions Infantry III, 4 brigades heavy armor, 4 squadrons fighters
Kraken Guard (Clarke) (guard Clarke fiefs)
1 company Marauder Legion, 6 divisions Infantry III, 2 divisions infantry I
Kraken Patrol (Clarke) (patrol shores of fiefs)
6 destroyers, 2 cruisers
Hydra Guard (Errovus Secondus) (guard E2 fiefs)
3 divisions Infantry III, 2 divisions infantry IV, 2 brigades medium armor, 2 fighter squadrons

Actions
Character Actions: 3
Domestic Actions: 1
Action-Capable Characters
Ichabod Sterling (sceptre-holder), pacifist, tech-friendly (Arrakis)
Gustavus ('Guy') Fye (sceptre-holder), prone to vice, martial training, martial experience, fair administrator (E2)
Alex Black (sceptre-holder), otherworldly beauty, suspicious bloodline, adaptive, wields ‘Crimson Dawn’, hates the Evvis (E2)


You are awesome.

What's the Domestic Actions for?
I understand it's linked to noblesse/popularity, but how will it differ from Character Actions? Can we plan on a recurrent domestic actions number based on popularity/noblesse, or is it going to be one-off events?

I'm assuming they are strictly for internal actions - begin build xyz that sort of thing.

Yeah- actions were a bit limiting traditionally what with each player getting two or three actions depending on number of scepters.

Popularity can increase the number of character actions you can perform. Any character can perform any number of actions up to that amount but the total character actions you can take is limited by that number. So if you have Bob, Jim, and Rob and four actions, then Bob could take all the actions and Jim and Rob could watch tee-vee. The limit is logistics- Bob can’t take actions on Stigmata and Errovus Secondus and Hubbard all at once. Characters who get to take no actions or characters who are overworked may suffer negative traits.

Your domestic actions (does it need a new name?) is based mostly on Noblesse and less on Popularity. It represents trusted nobles and officials within your faction who can perform domestic development on your behalf (not wage wars, not command forces- just things like develop farms or a military academy, or whatever). Money spent on domestic actions or orders provided to domestic actions are not guaranteed to occur exactly as you had hoped. The money might get stolen by your nobles once they have a chance to profit from it or they may want to enrich themselves a little on the side or they may otherwise act disloyally (usually dependent on your nobility score). Domestic actions are meant to be inferior to character actions.

Popularity is a measurement of happiness within your population right?

Well, more like loyalty. it could be because they are happy or it could be because they are terrified of your secret police. It doesn't have to be happy shiny people all the time.

Might be worth renaming it Loyalty then :p

So.. when's the update coming?

Yes, so long as I can use brute force to maintain my people's "happiness" I'm fine.

Secret police ups happiness? OK, maybe I will bother with intelligence services after all.

Brutality ups happiness?
Huh.

EDIT: darksaber said it better.

To get brutality=Loyalty, you need to be feared, but NOT hated. Given the social levels of the setting, try what Machiavelli ACTUALLY wrote, theres not too much social diffrence for the commoners from 16th century Italy.

Other than magic, guns, airplanes, and spaceships.

Yeah except again the average serf in this has access to none of those. So not really a social issue is it?

The Slave

The dust slowly dribbled out of Trent’s gloved hand as he stood, holding a dull silver disk. It was about the size of his palm, smooth and flat with no distinguishing marks on its perfect surface. It was perfectly clean, which was odd since he had found it buried most of the way in the ground. It had only barely caught his eye, catching the light of sun as he walked into entrance of the ancient towering apartment complex. Turning it over he checked the disk’s surface again, marveling at how strange it was. Quickly he glanced around, hoping that no one would suddenly jump out and start calling him a thief for picking it up. Satisfied that there was no one in sight he then tentatively put the disk up to his mouth and bite down, trying to see if it would bend. Amazingly it didn’t, in fact he let out a little moan of pain as a sharp needle of pain shoot up through his molars. This couldn’t be silver, he thought to himself as he eyed it closely. No teeth marks were left behind by his little test, not a scratch or bend or warp, nothing. It looked to be only slightly thicker than a sheet of paper, yet it didn’t bend? Some silver this was. Quickly he slipped the disk into one of the many pockets covering his leather vest, making it seem like the entire thing was sewn together only out of pockets. Resting around his neck were a pair of black goggles, lenses tinted to block out the bright light of the welding torch he frequently used in his work. They always left circles around his already large eyes, making him seem like an owl, a fact frequently pointed out by his peers.

A little noise of pleasure escaped his throat as he walked through the doorway, its broken door lying open. Blinking rapidly as his eyes began to adjust to the darkness he finally was able to take in the interior. It wasn’t very big, and from what he could tell, not very well kept. A large dilapidated wooden desk sat snuggly to the right against what were once white walls but had long ago turned a milky tan color. A smart little bell lay on the front desk, and as he came closer to look he realized that there was no one sitting there. In fact the chair belonging to the desk seemed to be oddly missing. To the left were the remnants of looked to be a long dead elevator, judging by sorry state of the half bent out doors. What had caused the doors to bend out like that he did not know, and did not want to know. Next to it was what he presumed to be a door that lead to the stairway and when he peaked inside the door he could tell that no one had used these in a long while. In a few places the rusty metal stairs contained gaps. He wished this wasn’t the only place he could afford. I suppose I’ll have to use the fire escape to get up and down, the thought to himself as he went back to the empty front desk and gave the little bell a smack, smiling at the chime it made. Sighing he leaned over it, peering over counter to see what was behind it. It was only then he realized that it was one of those fancy two tier desks he had seen at upscale doctors offices. Of course he had never been to the doctor in his life on, mainly due to his sore lack of funds, but they sometimes needed things repaired so he’d get a chance to wonder about the sterile looking halls. Most hospitals like that had been burnt down in the plague, or at least in this sector. Oddly enough all the second tier held was a pencil, strewn carelessly across it, a rather pristine notepad and a rather large crack in the wood. Squinting Trent leaned over the desk further as he inspected the notepad closer, noting a small fleck of red on it. How strange. He reached to pick up the notepad but quickly snatched his hand back when he heard a particularly loud thump from outside.

“Sorry, I wasn’t going to take anything” he said quickly as he looked out of the door, narrowing his eyes as he tried to make out what it was. Some sort of dark shape lay on the ground. Slowly the mass began to stir as Trent took a few tentative steps closer. As he neared it, stepping out of the door and into the light he realized what the mass was. A man. A groan escaped the man’s throat as he struggled to lift himself up, his legs jutting out at an impossible angle, clearly broken in multiple places. His lower jaw hung uselessly from his face, as blood trickled from his limp mouth. His hands, bloodied and half broken, gripped the ground tightly as he pulled himself towards Trent, his dark brown eyes wide, filled with tears. Cautiously he approached the man, not sure what to do, or even if he could do anything. It was then a shrieking noise from above made up his mind for him. Covering his ears as the deafening sound assaulted his senses he looked up, almost blinded by the sun for a moment before he saw a massive shape plummeting from what looked to be the 5th floor. The incredible noise he was hearing was coming from a giant flame shooting out from its back, slowing its fall. Crumpling to the ground as he clamped his hands over his ears, Trent watched as the fire cut out just as it was about 10 feet from the ground, one of its feet landing on the legs of the man. A horrible cry shot out from the poor man’s useless jaw as his body went rigid with pain. The thing, whatever it was, stood towering over the man, nearly seven feet by Trent’s reckoning. It looked human, massive arms and legs sheathed in metal. In fact its entire body was covered in dust and blood spattered armor that looked impossibly heavy. Mounted on its left shoulder like a jealous cat sat a massive two barrel contraption, perhaps a gun with bullets big enough to shred a man to pieces. In place of a head was a great dome that sparkled in the glaring sun, making it seem like the thing’s head was bathed in light. Trent’s heart seemed to leap out of his chest and into his throat as he stared up at it, not daring to move. The thing casually appraised him, not seem very threatened by the man before it, nor did it seem bothered by the writhing man caught like a mouse under foot. Then, seemingly convinced that Trent was not dangerous it stepped forward with it left foot, hovering it over the crumpled mans head before bringing it smashing down. The moans of the man went silent abruptly, as his body sagged, a puppet with its strings cut.

Trent had felt flecks of blood slap his cheek after the head popped, making him flinch. He could see the red liquid slowly running out of the crushed mass of hair, bone and flesh. Slowly it spread out on the dust covered asphalt ground, inching closer and closer to Trent’s trembling foot. He could make himself move his foot, no matter how hard he tried, no matter how much he willed it he was frozen. And when he looked up at that domed head, no eyes, no face, a ball of fire in the light of the sun, he felt like a pig about to be slaughtered. He watched as the thing slowly lifted its foot, now covered in a mess of blood from the splattered head. It planted it firmly on the ground, the blood making a sickening squishing sound as it shifted its weight to its left foot. He could see bits of skin and hair still sticking to the foot and the smell of all the gore finally assailed his nose. He hadn’t even realized he was holding his breath when he sucked in a gulp of air, only making worse. It was then, all at once, he fully realized what he had just witnessed and his stomach rolled before he turned over on his hands and knees and heaved, emptying his half digested food. There’s my egg sandwich, I think I see some hot sauce to, Trent thought as his body trembled, a string of spit and bile hanging from his lips until he spit it clear. Then the strangest noise came from behind him. At first he wasn’t sure he heard right, but then it came again, louder this time. Laughter, high, rich and feminine flitted to his ear. He turned to look. Where the dome of glass once was, now a head lay, cocked to the side with a devilish smirk tugging the lips aside. It was a she, or so he thought. Spiky black hair, cropped close, erupted from her head in every direction. Her earlobes stretched down unnaturally, with great big holes in them. Black tattoos swirled up and around her cheeks, each curve ending in sharp deliberate points, making her laughing face all the more terrifying. Her skin was a rich brown, a color so foreign to him he hardly recognized it as such. He wondered how could one be see dark. He had seen some before, who had tans but never so dark as this one. And as his mind assembled all the pieces of her face he could hardly understand how she, was a she. It was only her voice that hinted at a gender.

And she looked down at him, eyes piercing.

Great story, Ken! I got that "Samus is a girl"-moment at the end :p

...cannot write more...need update to continue...

:p

Update is actually progressing fairly well. Three planets are done. New unit designs are done. Some NPC diplo is done.


Teaser:
NEW Jump-coordinates have been uncovered.

Weeee can we go and kill whatever it leads to? New things should be killed.

Maybe they can go through and kill uw from wherever they come from. Immac didn't say 'we' found coordinates. Maybe the Evil Blasphemous Condominium of Blormx has found the coordinates of Holy Errovus and is going to kill us all?

Sounds great. I'll have a shot at a story meanwhile...

The escort of men in blackened armour stopped at exactly the same time, in front of the little hut. Looking at it, you could almost think they were thinking with one mind. From the protective carapace of the circle of guards stepped a finely dressed man with a noble stature. He pushed open the door, went inside, and let it fall closed behind him. The guards stood stiff as statues.

Inside, the noble blinked his eyes, trying to pierce the almost complete darkness. Moonlight from a single window was the only source of light, illuminating an old wooden table. At one of its sides, a shaded figure could be seen, sitting. The figure moved, and an old and creaking voice escaped it. "Tempus... It has been years since you last visited me. Why have you come?"

Tempus Agari sat down opposite the old lady. "Mirabella. I apologize for my rare visits. I am come to read my fortune in your cards."
The old lady nodded. "I thought so. Are you ready?"
Tempus focused his thoughts on the issue in which he sought clearsight. All sorts of images danced on his retina, most of them concerning his son. After a little while, he nodded. "I am ready."

The old lady found a deck of cards on the table and started shuffling them with experienced hands. Although there was sixty four cards in the deck, they would only need five. He looked with anticipation as the old lady revealed the first card.
It was the card number 52, and its backdrop pattern was ䷳. The card, Tempus knew, was called "Standstill", or "Stasis". But he also knew it carried the notation of the first son, which might be more appropriate in his case. He nodded, and the old lady revealed the next card.

The second card was number 11, "Peace", and its backdrop pattern was ䷊. Tempus again knew many of the card's other connotations, notably its second primary meaning, that of pervading quality. He nodded, slower this time. His thoughts started to grind behind his eyes as he waited for the third card.

The third card was number 10, "Treading". Its backdrop pattern was ䷉, and Tempus was relieved to remember that its primary meaning was 'treading', or 'proceeding with caution'. He nodded, and Mirabella revealed the fourth card, the last of the three project cards before the final outcome.

That card was number 41, called "Decrease". Its backdrop pattern was ䷨, and its primary connotation of loss shocked Tempus. Recoiling from the initial fright, he pondered that it need not apply to the main subject. It could mean the decrease of something else... Nevertheless, he looked nerveously as the lady placed the last card, the determination, on the table.

It was "Breakthrough", card number 43. Its backdrop pattern was ䷪, and it traditionally carried many positive meanings. He smiled, bowed lightly and thanked the old lady before hurrying back outside, eager to get home. The old lady looked at the cards. She had very much figured out what Tempus was asking, but she also remembered that "Breakthrough" was often called "Seperation". All in all, the Sintarot cards were often so brimming with different meanings that most of the meaning was in the eyes of the beholder. And she knew that Tempus always saw what he wanted if it was at all possible. She shook her head and looked at the five cards again before shuffling them into the deck.

The Imperium of Holy Errovus fears NO alien, especially not a Evil Blasphemous Condominium of Blormx. Instead, we will Declare a Holy INQUISITION to purge their HERESY and XENO FILTHINESS from the PANCREATOR'S glorious UNIVERSE. The FLAMES of HOLY FIRE will BURN their homeworld of BLORMX to an ASHY hell, in recompense for their EVIL HATRED of all that is GOOD and PURE in this UNIVERSE...

http://th08.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2011/002/5/3/adeptus_astartes___dark_angel_by_freejimmy-d2wwxd0.jpg

PURGE!CLEANSE!SMITE!
PURGE!CLEANSE!SMITE!BURN!CLEANSE!SMITE!BURN!CLEANS E!SMITE!BURN!MAIM!SMITE!BURN!MAIM!SMITE!BURN!MAIM! KILL!BURN!MAIM!KILL!

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRO-!!! -wait, sorry, wrong door. I'll just let myself out, lets pretend this never hapened? 'K?

Break your daily bread in honor of the Pancreator, and swear to BURN THE FIRST SYMBIOT YOU SEE WITH FIRE!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGnR5H_H0s4/TVwIJ7lsiiI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Kx8mSOwdKaQ/s1600/kill-it-with-fire-demotivational-poster-1235695993.jpg

Amen.

Break your daily bread in honor of the Pancreator, and swear to BURN THE FIRST SYMBIOT YOU SEE WITH FIRE!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGnR5H_H0s4/TVwIJ7lsiiI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Kx8mSOwdKaQ/s1600/kill-it-with-fire-demotivational-poster-1235695993.jpg

Amen.

Why the first Symbiot? Heresy is much more common, unless you are on stigmata. I say BURN THE FIRST HERETIC YOU SEE.

Whatever. KILL IT WITH FIRE!

The best way to un-friend someone: Personally.

Thank you Terrance. I got a good chuckle out of this!!!

Whatever. KILL IT WITH FIRE!

The best way to un-friend someone: Personally.

So Facebook == BBQ ?

I wish it did. At least then it would serve a purpose.

But facebook does serve a purpose.. Sometimes I wonder how I ever lived without it :lol:.

but facebook does serve a purpose.. Sometimes i wonder how i ever lived without it :lol:.

kill! Burn! Fire! Death! Infidels shall never dominate ! Burn ! Kill it with fire!

What do people have against facebook..? :confused:

IDK. Facebook is really useful!

Doing the update.

Have only stigmata and E2 left to do. Bad things happened....

Pancreator Forbid!

It seems like a standard for this universe. I think I would lose my mind if good stuff happened, the pancreator would've forsaken us then...wait perhaps we are all actually evil worshippers and don't know it.

Barbatos is infected by the Symbiote virus

:p

Honestly that might be awesome.

and bloody terrifying.

http://nik.bot.nu/img/orig/3/4/344837.jpg

Imperium fleet, maybe?

That dar shur izh purty!


Do they have one of the fleet running away from symbiots? Just jokes.

Yes, it is a very pretty picture! Thank you Thomas. : )

wait-wait-wait, did you draw that yourself? If so then wow

It's looks like either a promotional or concept art (not sure which) from EVE Online (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EVE_Online). Look in the top-right corner.

I didn't... I just found it. :p

It looks like art for Eve online, their graphics aren't that good, plus the lower left has a clearly 'drawn' quality to it.

my word program:

There are too many spelling and gramatical errors in ImmacuNESIIB-update 4. To continue displaying them, learn to frigging spell

That might not be an exact quote but you get the idea.

Twenty-Three Hundred and Four ( http://www.waxtailor.com/index.php?lang=fr)


Fighting Monsters

On Stigmata, Cannon Private Rage Song of the Brothers Battle has been assigned to Dante Labis’s assault on Hive Raum.

January, 2304 We are due to make another assault on a Symbiot hive and I can only say that I am too eager. To serve Saint Baelius and the Pancreator by bringing fire to these demons is the greatest gift I might ask for and I can only say what disdain and frustration I feel having to once again wait for new commanders to arrive from distant fronts. While Dante Labis is here and ready to lead us at a moment’s notice, he will not advance without the support of the Imperial fleet and while the imperial fleet are well-disposed to Labis, their loyalty is to the fleet commander Sir Hellwind Eekin who will not arrive from Assimov for another 10 months. It is the same situation we found ourselves in last year when we waited for Tenith Erona and I can only pray that the Pancreator give me the patience to not curse the names of the politicians and diplomats who cause this needless delay.

There is not much to do. The Symbiots seem to be regrouping and are not terribly active.


The Diary of Deacon Areta Osnabruck

Orthodox Deacon Areata Osnabruck was born and has lived her entire life on Holy Errovus, hearing of the sinful dens of Errovus Secondus and the outer planets only from the lessons of the chartophylax or the eulogies of priests who had served missions beyond the safety and comfort of Holy Errovus. Now she has been assigned to assist in the guidance of souls back to the Orthodoxy under the command of Cardinal Quelus Heventi

February 16th, 2304 Rumors abound amongst the refugees that have sought the help and assistance of the Orthodoxy just as they do amongst the brothers and sisters of the faith and the Penitential Legions of the Holy Flame. It seems that this camp is sometimes the center of a sophisticated intelligence network for all the strange and wondrous news I hear. Diary I have heard so many rumors. Perhaps the most frightening is that there has been a high-altitude nuclear explosion over the northern Authority farming continent. This explosion has had caused some damage to the Church fleet electronics as well as the various satellites that orbit this planet but certainly the damage was minimal compared to that inflicted upon the Authority continent claimed by Kareem Kelter. By the grace of the Pancreator our optics were able to reveal that the nuclear explosion caused some sort of electronic bombardment of the continent, what the brass are calling an ‘EMP’ attack. Duscha Sehryi has been reminded that any use of atomics against humanity or crop-bearing lands is an act of aggression against the church and would certainly draw the ire of the Patriarchal Legions amongst others but somehow I do not feel we can trust her.

Not all is going poorly for Kareem’s guild for his men and more importantly his sailors have received the vaccine so desperately needed by many of the ships who have been drifting at sea for so long. These ships, now properly protected against plague have been loaded with rice and grain and have already been seen in the harbors of the Tsedeq, Xicier, Thana, and Querry and so perhaps it is a sign that things are returning to normal for the nobles.

Certainly things here are anything but normal. The Penitential Order of the Holy Flame continue to expand their influence both from our own fiefdoms and from the fiefdoms of the Sanctious’Als, demanding the surrender and allegiance of the warlords and their bands where they encounter them and providing clean food, pure water, shelter, clothes and most importantly the security and reassurance of regular prayer and worship to those who agree and the punishing fire of the Pancreator’s wrath to those who refuse. I understand that the Naprous are continuing their efforts in a similar vein to the North as are the Illboure to the west. Indeed, they have been most successful for where they go, fresh water, power and clean food follow and many warlords are more easily swayed by the Illbourne who they see as one of their own then they are by the Church or traditional noble houses. I understand that they are received food shipments via bomber relay from the Texier but Cardinal Quelus Heventi has generously agreed to assist them with Church foods in recognition of the support they have provided us. Their new rail and roadways, in addition to ensuring their expanding fiefs have food and water, are greatly assisting in the cooperation between our two people.

I must now attend vespers; may the Pancreator give me strength and wisdom to lead my new flock with grace and confidence.


Bleached Bones

The Stormwind tribe are desert raiders who have been targeting the new railroad between the Vanari and Xicier holdings. Ky is a member of that tribe.

February, 2304 Ky squatted on the sand and listened to Ichid speak to the crowds. At his side lay his bow and quiver. Ky was one of several thousand of Chief Ichid’s elite warriors, brave horse-archers and light infantry who only recently had had the chance to embrace the destruction and terror of guns. Ky was explaining to the tribe-members how he had heard that the Xicier and Vanari houses would join to track down the Stormwind and destroy them and how they had been offered sanctuary by House Killgore. Chief Ichid had refused the offer. Other tribes that had struck at the Vanari or Xicier had accepted the offer, agreed to call General Iferius Bliel lord- in doing so they had agreed to stop their raids upon the Vanari and Xicier. To Ky and his ilk it was treachery not only to the nomad tribes’ independence but to their culture and way of life.

Chief Ichid was indignant, he had sent messengers to many of the nomad tribes, testing their new allegiances and proposing the union of the small tribes under one banner. Today he was rallying his forces. They would need weapons and that meant further raids.

Returning to his horses and wives after the chief’s speech, Ky was jubilant. His people belonged free, a bow or gun in their hand and they would bow to no one. The cheering of the warriors still reverberated in the canyons and dunes… and in his soul he knew he would die for Ichid’s cause- to be a true child of the desert.


A Ranger’s Campfire

Nihj Rever is a Quin serf and a jungle ranger, a member of the Monks of Vader.

February 2304: House Quin could not afford to lose the expertise and skills of a two year veteran of the Xyall skirmishes and so Nihj had been sent back to active duty. His left arm was a stump now and his left eye was covered by a patch but that didn’t mean that Nihj had lost hope for his arm or eye. Indeed, many of the rangers had been discussing Lady Eirenprone’s latest project- a research facility dedicated to uncovering the secrets of the native wildlife and plants. And Nihj knew firsthand that many of these could regrow a lost limb or even an eye. Perhaps there was hope for him yet.

The Xyall themselves seemed to have quieted down in the last two months. There had been no repeat of the major offensive but then again Lord Nereus didn’t seem in too great a rush to take the battle to the Xyall either. Nihj was content to enjoy the lull but many rangers were not and had taken positions with the Imperial fleet as scouts in the Fleet’s operation to search for the pirates that had been striking at the local space-traffic. Nihj had heard that Lady Ysyrin Eekin was being flown in from Clarke while Sir ‘Hellwind’ Eekin was flying out to join the fleet at Stigmata in accordance with his new position as commander of the Imperial fleet. Without Lady Ysyrin’s guidance, the search for the pirates might take some time to organize; Nihj’s ranger friends who had taken positions with the Imperial fleet would find themselves with just as little to do. The only action he had heard from amongst their ranks had been the celestial disintegration of the raptor-class previously damaged by the skirmish with the Evvis cricket-class frigate last year.

Luckily there was something to keep the Rangers talking and that was the imminent arrival of the Church of Universal Light fleet under command of Philip Crent and the Inquisitional Synod.


On the Trap-Line

Ooniemme is a serf of House Thana and a fur trapper operating in the frozen hills south-west of Azriel.

February, 2304: In the southern hemisphere the temperature was dropping quickly and the lighter snow and longer days were already turning to stormy blizzards and seemingly endless dark nights. Incellia turns slowly around its sun and so too upon its axis and so winter always seemed to last so very long and the long nights were longer than anything outsider Arrakis or Assimov. It meant that trappers like Ooniemme had to keep baiting and checking traps in the darkest depth of night.

Alone in the chilling dark with the moons overhead illuminating his breath as it escaped through his ermine-fur scarf, Ooniemme stepped lightly around the thin stream. There were Incellian white beavers here. He saw their prints, their unmistakable marks upon the birch and dry reeds. He knew his traps would have caught several though none he had come to had yet shown any promise. As he stepped lightly through the woods, rifle at the ready, he pulled a mitten off with his teeth and slid his hand under his coat, lightly squeezing the bear-tooth amulet one of the southern orcs had given him. It was supposed to be magic.

http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/the-trapper-charolette-a-coulter.jpg

Ooniemme wondered at them. What would their future be? For several years the locals had kept the secret of the orcish tribes to the south a sort of semi-unofficial secret but now they had begun to come to the small villages not a week’s dog-sled ride from Azriel. Officially Ooniemme knew they were heretics; Incarnates –they believed they could commune with the Pancreator directly without a member of the church. Ooniemme had seen their rituals- they were very different from the Orthodox services he had attended his 60 long years and yet they had seemed much more… and here Ooniemme was interrupted. What had been that sound? Something large. He lifted his rifle and clutching the amulet spoke a quick word of orcish theurgy calling upon the lines of nature mana that were strong here. His ears grew long like those of a rabbit, his nose took a slightly whiskered appearance and his heart began to rush like that of a frightened rabbit. Using the spirit of the rabbit he let his presence extend into the forest, pull in every sound, every smell. Ah… there it was… a white tiger. Ooniemme knew this one- a solitary female who had lost her kits in the summer. She would stay away from Ooniemme- like him she was probably searching for beavers. The trapper knew he would find many traps sprung, the area littered with precious little blood or fur and with the prints of the large cat everywhere. Feeling tired but excited, the trapper let the little prayer magic slip and turned to his trapline. As he trudged along the streamlet, he thought again of the orcish Incarnate tribes. Their rituals had spoken to him and they had taught him the secrets of the forest, of the totem spirits. He wasn’t sure what he thought of their faith but he knew that they touched something real- that the Pancreator did live in the forest and spoke with those who would listen; he just wasn’t sure how that fit with the grand halls of the Orthodox church… or his own faith. And now the orcs had arrived in Azriel, eager to trade their own furs and copper weapons and tools. The local nobility had not known what to do and so they had allowed the trade, eager to gain the furs and metalwork that they could then export.

And exporting was becoming easier each day. The houses of Thana and Koriate were cooperating to link Caseri and Cappricidia, their respective capitals. From Cappricidia Thana merchants could export their furs throughout the entire known worlds for Cappricidia’s spaceport was the gateway to the stars. Stories of merchants returning from Cappricidia told of a city undergoing change. There was construction and artisan jobs aplenty. Ooneimme had never been tempted to visit… but now… with all his furs from both his own traps and trade and with the rail line opening up the foreign capital, he might just make the trip.

Looking down at the blood and tuffs of fur, the trapper realized he had been right. The tiger had taken all his beavers for the night. Ooneimme sighed- he was told old to be surprised or upset.


Fighting Monsters

On Stigmata, Cannon Private Rage Song of the Brothers Battle has been assigned to Dante Labis’s assault on Hive Raum.

March, 2303 Three days ago the jump-gate began to hum and throb with scintillating lights as it came active. We were not expecting any jump from Hubbard for another 7-9 months and the Hyppean nobles had already left and so we all expected that the Symbiots would be attempting to escape from their prison planet once again. But we were wrong- the Symbiots did not seem to gather themselves for an assault. Indeed they seemed as surprised by the unexpected activity of the gate as we were. Finally yesterday the mystery was answered when a mass of shining bronze plant-like material burst through the gate into mid atmosphere. Obviously symbiot in orgin it quicky began to unravel and come-apart sending tendrils and spores throughout the area in a thick green and yellow cloud. The wind soon caught it and sent it eastwards.

Our commanders ordered an immediate mobilization and many Brothers, the Fingers of Man and the Manifest Light were taken to 60,000 feet and dropped. Maneuvering through the atmosphere we chased the spores and tendrils with flame-guns and theurgy. At first we had expected them to have the same acidic properties we had encountered so recently in the attack from hive Malphas but we soon learnt that the spores and tendrils were seemingly benign. None-the-less, they were obviously symbiot and we hunted them as best we could. While some did escape into the symbiot jungles, the vast majority were destroyed and in the evening we celebrated our victory with prayer and feasting. Today, I am not sure exactly what happened… like many I wonder at the possibility of another Symbiot infested planet sending its spore to Stigmata.


The Diary of Deacon Areta Osnabruck

Orthodox Deacon Areata Osnabruck was born and has lived her entire life on Holy Errovus, hearing of the sinful dens of Errovus Secondus and the outer planets only from the lessons of the chartophylax or the eulogies of priests who had served missions beyond the safety and comfort of Holy Errovus. Now she has been assigned to assist in the guidance of souls back to the Orthodoxy under the command of Cardinal Quelus Heventi

April 26th, 2304 I continue to hear many rumors. Secondary shipments of harvest have left Kelter’s northern lands and now arrive throughout the many continents and where there was once a scramble for food and starvation was rife, the situation is finally calming. With the population so heavily decimated and so much grain stored and ready to ship finally arriving at market I can not only buy flour to bake bread but buy it at a price that is not unreasonable. We still purchase our water from the Illbourne as we do our power that w use for our various engines but at least here in the center of the central continent, things seem more and more normal.

Grain should soon be even more plentiful for there has begun a major drainage project south of Hyppean lands to reclaim the coast from the punishing floods of sea-water that have claimed so much of the lands we once farmed or lived upon. It is a grand project, headed by the Mortimar of House Tsedeq, who in the process has won much love for himself from the people. Also involved are the Hyppean, Eekin, and Sanctious’Als. The Sanctious’Als are another well-loved house and a queue of several dozen thousand men and women stand at the broken gates to this house, only too eager to pledge their allegiance to a house that has stood by the people against the predations of both the plague and its own nobles. Diary, one would hardly dare to believe it but Akbar’Al, who wields the ever-flowering branch of the Yddrasil tree, has personally led his people in rebuilding their ravaged fiefdom, indeed their newly swelling population is a common site amongst the laborers reclaiming the southern lands from the marshes. I am not sure of the specifics, dear diary, but I have heard more sinister rumors from the Sanctious’Als fiefdoms. There has been an attempt, Pancreator forbid, by the minor nobles of that house to usurp control of the fiefdom. But the nobles did not have the support of the people who’s loyalty was to Belgit and her cadre. There was a brief confrontation between her forces and those of the rebel nobles but ultimately the Fire Angels were victorious and those nobles who were not slain were captured and many of the ring-leaders and generals were publicly crucified; such is the mercy of the Sanctious’Als for those who would dare strike at them. Those nobles who remained loyal to the center were rewarded for their loyalty with the properties and fiefs of the rebel nobles. With greatly expanded lands continually expanding every day it is truly the most short-sighted and vindictive nobles of this house who would choose to rebel.

The Penitential Order of the Holy Flame reports contacting the advance forces of House Naprous and the Imperial Regency. They report that the Naprous forces have been incredibly aggressive, moving quickly over a wide range of territory without adequately reinforcing their supply lines or forward bases and wonder that they will not collapse due to their over-ambition. Meanwhile regency ships arriving from Incellia have arrived with massive quantities of fresh water from that planet which the regency forces have been doing their best to keep clean and pure and to distribute to their own forces and those freemen willing to accept regency serfdom. I do believe the new regent to be a good man. Archibal Tarsenusis, in addition to being an arch-bishop in his own right is a generous man and has shared his water and vaccines with the people of the Northern continent and with the Naprous as well. He has ordered and funded the manufacture of medicines against water-borne diseases such as cholera which he shares with regency serfs first but Imperium and Church serfs as well. His construction efforts also include new hospitals to treat typhus and tuberculosis as well as camps to provide shelter and protection to those who need it. These projects continue both within the northern lands and here on the central continent. Many of the previously defunct industries badly damaged by the plague are already beginning to recover, though of course the loss of so many biologists and trained scientists will take a long time to recover.

I wish I knew more of the Naprous efforts in the North, the eastern continent or the authority lands. Diary, I will write any news when I hear it. Now I must pray for the ever-growing number of Church serfs who depend upon me to protect their souls.


Return to the Dust, Books and Skin

The library of Amur is located in Falkirk, at the Klorin fiefdom on Incellia. Ronny is the personal assistant and clerk to Lady Embra, a noble of house Klorin.

April, 2304: Ronny continued to serve at the side of his mistress, the Lady Embra. She had been very quiet recently. Worried. Ronny was not a bright orc but he knew the cause of her worry. It was the interdict. Philip Crent and the Inquisitional Synod had declared that enough of the highest ranking nobles of House Klorin must have known something was amiss, must have known that the source of the Demon’s Cough had been their own house. And if they didn’t know, then they must have had suspicions at the very least. From what Ronny had been able to put together, the Inquisitional investigators had questioned the scientists responsible for creating the virus using various mind-bending maggicks and that had led them back to Incellia and Falkirk’s library of Amur and Inverary’s grand-bazaar. Indeed Ronny had seen hundreds of the red or beige-robed monks amongst the streets and even the halls of the library. From their the inquisitors had delved deep into House Klorin’s biotech program and learnt that much of the technology used to make the virus had been also used to propel House Klorin’s own research. It was enough to seal the case. Many scientists had been burned, their labs, equipment and notes confiscated and finally their facilities burnt to the ground. On February 28th, by Holy Errovus reckoning, the beginning of Spring in northern Incellia by its turn of the sun, they had made their pronouncement- House Klorin would serve an interdict. Ronny had had to ask Lady Embra what that meant. She had been kind enough to tell him; it was an ecclesiastical penalty similar to an individual’s excommunication but which affected an entire state or people, in this case the entirety of House Klorin’s nobility and serfs. The entirety of the Klorin people had been barred from receiving absolving their sins through the church’s confessionals or penitential acts. While the priests continued to performs their services of worship, Klorin serfs and nobles had been barred from receiving any of the sacraments; tens of thousands of babies had been born and unable to receive the rites of naming or purification. For the serfs and even many of the nobles, it was the greatest possible punishment they could receive and while many believed that the late regent was solely responsible, many others couldn’t help but feel that their nobles and leaders had abandoned them and led them into endangering their very souls. Public sentiment was very strongly anti-noble and anti-rulership presently and Lady Embra had complained that tax income had dropped sharply as the peasantry gave their money to the church instead of their lords. The lords in turn could not pay their fief taxes and the rulers found themselves quickly having to face the very real temporal ramifications of the church’s spiritual displeasure. For the rulership there was a greater danger as well; any house attacking the people or nobles of a house under an interdict could do so without endangering their souls or drawing the displeasure of the Church. It meant that while lady Embra spent much time examining ancient texts for star charts and the history of long-lost planets, she had to keep a very close eye on the reports of the Klorin Eye. Soon Ronny was worrying too.

Perhaps to lift the inderdict or perhaps to win back the loyalty of the people, Lady Embra had hired the Bureaucrats to design and organize the construction of a grand cathedral similar to the one at Palakkad amongst the Holy Gate fiefdom but this one would be dedicated to St. Bhall. Already the bureaucrats had arrived and begun organizing labor and funds. The locals themselves were only too happy to be involved, thinking it a fine way to win penitence for themselves in the eyes of the Pancreator if not the Church.


Bleached Bones

The Stormwind tribe are desert raiders who have been targeting the new railroad between the Vanari and Xicier holdings. Ky is a member of that tribe.

April, 2304 The wind blew strong and hot, the grains of sand each like a stinging shard of hot metal as they made their way through his cowl and gloves. Ky hardly noticed; he was too entranced by what he saw below him. In the shadow of a great peak towering to the north of the site, a fortress was taking form. One of the traitor-tribes, their numbers much diminished by Chief Ichid’s diplomatic attempts to separate the true children of the desert from the servants of the Killgore, the Hjira were helping the Killgore to build a grand sandstone fortress around the site of the ancient ruins of St. Viprious, said to have once been home to a now-extinct noble house. Already they had uncovered the miracle floating stone that Stormwind legend told led to the stars and the ancestor spirits. Stormwind spies had also recounted that the Killgore had found an underground hanger with nearly two-dozen bizarre plane-like vehicles of ancient make. Ky wondered what else the fortress would contain.

Ichid has ordered Ky to survey the site and report what he saw, to confirm with his own eyes the reports of the spies and allied tribe scouts. His mission complete, he yelled a curse down into the valley and turned his horse and galloped into the setting sun.


Bleached Bones

The Stormwind tribe are desert raiders who have been targeting the new railroad between the Vanari and Xicier holdings. Ky is a member of that tribe.

May, 2304 Stormwind attacks upon the Vanari proved more successful then those against the Xicier. Somehow the Xicier always seemed to know when and where the Stormwind or their allies would strike. Ky had heard tales of many an abbreviated raid upon their House- almost always the nomads would ride into a company of armored tanks or hidden ranger commandoes.

The Vanari were investing in their manor towns, nearly self-sufficient villages run by minor nobles wherever there were oasis’s or floodplains to grow crops and access to the new railroad. Many were built, in typical Vanari tradition, around a factory, mill or simple smithy. Local garrisons usually consisted of members of the ‘Railroad Institutional Control Army’ or occasionally the ‘Desert Rats’ but typically didn’t amount to much more then two or three hundred soldiers with squak boxes for calling in air support. It was the rails feeding these towns that the Stormwind preferred to strike at. They would demolish the raillines and wait for the trains to either come to a stop or actually derail then assault them. Typically their assaults were quite successful but they had always to operate quickly for RICA fighter planes were never too far behind.

Tonight Ky and his fellows were resting in a deep canyon in a rocky outcropping east of the Vanari manor towns, secure in their knowledge of the local terrain.

Secure that was until they heard the characteristic sound of Vanari fighter planes thump-thump-thumping overhead. Suddenly the walls of the canyon were being lit up with machine gun fire as the planes strafed the resting nomads. Suddenly Ky and the others were grabbing at reins and gathering weapons and equipment, breaking camp in a hurry. The Vanari airforce sent was fairly small but they knew they would be a precursor for light armor divisions- the typical response to attacks upon the railroad. Ky followed a company of horse-mounted raiders up one gully and out to a ridge overlooking the eastern deserts. Sure enough the Vanari armor were on their way; easily outpacing the picket scouts that the Stormwind had posted as they raced back to the camp.

http://bittsandbytes.net/WARBIRDS/AVIATION_ART/HEINZ_KREBS/Desertsharks.jpg

Briefly Ky wondered at how the enemy had known of the site of their camp but then he smiled as he heard the woosh-thump of the guided missile fire from one of the shoulder-mounted units behind him. The enemy’s fighters would not go unanswered. The Vanari armor were approaching the ridge and some were moving into the gullies but carefully, the tank-commander’s experience and training telling them to be careful in this terrain without infantry support. Ky watched as his commander spoke a word to a man armed with a recently purchased guided-wire missile launcher. He pointed at one of the tanks and the man expertly sighted his launcher and fired at the silhouette. His aim was good and the vehicle suddenly exploded into burning wreckage. Ky couldn’t help himself and let out a scream of pure joy. His people WOULD be free and they WOULD take what they wanted from whom they wanted when they wanted. THEY were masters of the deserts of Arrakis.

The rest of the battle was relatively short-lived. With the high sandstone cliffs and deep ravines to protect them the Railroad Institutional Control Army stood little chance to dislodge the nomads and after loosing half a dozen tanks and 3 fighters, withdrew.

It wouldn’t be the last time they would face them; Ky had heard that Philippe Van Gar was known as a stubborn and determined man. He would want to finish this.

Hear The Sheep’s Bells Ringing in the Valley

Acolyte Guillaume is a minor orthodox monk assigned to the colonists of Klorinheim on Hubbard. He writes to the ecclesial leader of Hubbard, Archbishop Yertr Usten.

June, 2304: I truly fear for the souls of the men and women I have been assigned to protect and lead. The interdict against House Klorin had been devastating to our unity and purpose here on Hubbard. For years the colonists from Errovus Secondus, so eager to escape the misery of the stinging rains and hunger of the grey jungle, had suffered amongst the high mountain peaks and howling steppe winds. We have eaten the leather from our shoes, boiled with wild grasses. Many of us have died of starvation. Others have seized what wealth they could, mostly sheep and escaped into the hills to try their luck apart from Brother Cabil’s leadership and so we have been divided and helpless in the face of violence and terror. But now, with word of the dreadful plague reaching the colonists and many wondering at their brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers in their homeland and knowing too that the house they have only recently sworn fealty to was responsible for the deaths of their family; for many it was too much. Many are overtaken with guilt, fear, confusion. I do what I can to comfort them and my flock is plentiful but I see the doubt in their eyes as easily as they hear the doubt in mine own voice. The people were only too ready for the charisma and empty promises of a false prophet. And that is what they fell for.

Maja claims that we are under a curse- a curse given unto us for serving the demon Dain Kawalen, for pledging service to him and his house. And we must cleanse ourselves from the curse by renouncing our vows of fealty and destroying the source of our curse. Many listened. Maja has gone into hiding here, for fear of the scalpels commandoes, but he has eyes and ears everywhere and he has won the loyalty of much of the population.

Meanwhile, Brother Cabil has cancelled his plans to journey to the Imperial fiefdoms, fearful that without his calming leadership all will be lost. Instead he focuses on developing wells irrigation so that we might grow some grain to feed ourselves. Surprisingly, there has been some success and this morning I ate bread as I did for every morning for the last three weeks. The days of hunger begin to look like they may be behind us. I only worry for when winter (remember that Klorinheim is in the southern hemisphere and so they are experiencing their summer in June of 2304) comes and that our granaries will not be nearly full enough.

But enough of our troubles. Let me share with you what I have heard from other fiefs.

You have probably already heard the news but Tennith Erona and Garik Harnoth of House Hyppean have arrived at the Garrison and Fleet garrisons to the north. It is said that Lady Erona is negotiating a deal to purchase sheep from the fleet imperial fiefdom and begin raising them among the Garrison territories. She had also been visiting several churches and though she has not said anything untoward regarding yourself of the Church, her views are surprising liberal and cause me some discomfort when I hear of them. Sir Harnoth, I hear, is investigating the adminstration of the Imperial fief, hoping to provide some direction and support. Meanwhile he too is meeting with the soldiers and garrison vassals, speaking of their role as the ‘Sword and Shield of the Pancreator’ himself. His views too are decidedly liberal and though he too is careful not to endanger himself, I would suggest that you send investigate what both intend to do here. Despite their occasionally confrontational words, they have been well received and their assistance and money most welcome. There is only the small matter of the difficulties their yacht experienced once they arrived at Hubbard space. From what I heard, they had to land under emergency conditions due to an unforeseen and unexpected holing of their fuel tanks.

I will write more, your grace, when the situation here bring news.

Walk in light,
your servant Acolyte Guillaume of House Klorin


Return to the Dust, Books and Skin

The library of Amur is located in Falkirk, at the Klorin fiefdom on Incellia. Ronny is the personal assistant and clerk to Lady Embra, a noble of house Klorin.

July, 2304: Ronny was a good clerk. He kept his mouth shut and his ears open and he did everything Lady Embra told him to do. For months he had been finding tomb after tomb regarding various ancient planets long abandoned to the Symbiots or scrolls concerning the location of long-dead holy warriors and saints for her and her team while also ensuring her Xicier nut-kaf was never far from her side. But he also heard things. The interdict continued to have horrible repercussions upon house Klorin. The entirety of the Klorin fiefdom on Clarke had declared their independence disdain for the sin and treachery of Dain Kawalen and ‘his cronies’ though Ronny wasn’t sure there had been any ‘cronies’. The local military, mostly a professional navy supported with a local levy militia, supposedly loyal to House Klorin was divided. A destroyer had been sunk and one had sailed off, requesting to join house Querry. The militia had fought a bloody battle but it had been short- local support was overwhelmingly in favor of independence. From what Ronny heard Lady Embra, independence would not last long. The islands were too tempting a prize for the Avestites or the other Noble Houses… and with the interdict weakening house Klorin’s reach

Ronny sighed and decided to go for a walk. Outside it was snowing lightly, the blizzards and freezing gales of winter over now and the lighter sprinkling of snow of the long spring on Incellia the dominant weather now. Soon the long cool summer would come and there would be no more snow, for a few months at least. But for now the snow continued to fall. Unconciuosly Ronny retraced the path he had taken ever couple days since the first stones were laid at the cathedral of St. Bhall. Arriving quickly, he perused the small abbey and dormitory dedicated to the Avestites that had already been raised. They kept a fire burning eternally therein, fed by the mana of the planet and said to purify those who could tolerate its heat and flame. Ronny had not tested himself but he could see a line of pilgrims stretching back hundreds of feet. They had come from as far as Dornach, always on foot, to ask penitence and absolution from the Holy Flame. Next to the small abbey rose the dark shadow of the scaffolding and stone of the Cathedral. It would be an elegant building. The bureaucrat’s guild had designed an edifice that would sparkle with the Celestial light like some flickering flame- the concept was an open one with thousands of long thin windows fitted with red stain glass imported from Leagueheim- a fitting design for a building dedicated to St. Bhall.


Bleached Bones

The Stormwind tribe are desert raiders who have been targeting the new railroad between the Vanari and Xicier holdings. Ky is a member of that tribe.

September, 2304 For Ky there was no shame in his tears. He did not cry for his lost brothers in arms. He did not cry for the four fingers he had lost to a high-explosive shell fired from an Aries-class tank, the bane of his men and allies. He did not cry for the allied tribes who had finally begun to succumb to the might of the Xicier in the south. No- he cried because the lands he had called his for his entire life were behind him now. Ky and the remnants of his company were fleeing west. There was no more ammunition, no more missiles, no more courageous stands in thick rocky outcroppings.

At first the Stormwind and their allies had done well. Ichid, as late as August, had claimed that the servants of the noble houses would soon be vanquished, that they had slain hundreds of thousands of their soldiers. Ichid believed it too. With their initial successes at repelling the Vanari and Xicier in the desert and wild-lands, Ichid had attracted hundreds of thousands of nomads. This would not be a raid but a definitive war. It was amazing how quickly momentum had carried the nomads forward under charismatic and excellent generalship. Ichid had stood tall and spoken to half a million, tribes from the Southern Guanif to the Olset in the north, tribes that had pledged eternal independence from the noble houses to tribes that had accepted the Killgore offer of sanctuary only to later refuse it when they saw the success of their brothers.

The Xicier had proven frighteningly prescient in the defense of their lands and their massive fortresses with their automated guns and extensive tunnels had proven impossible to overrun but when the Xicier had chased the nomads into the desert, their glamour and invulnerability quickly disappeared. Their fighters had faced the same anti-aircraft missile fire that the Vanari airforce had. Their tanks had faced attacks with deadly desert wasps- their nests dropped from on high or hidden in the desert and awoken only as their armor rumbled by or by the weapons made from the naphta that was skimmed from the bitumen pools. Ceramic jugs of the material covered in black powder had destroyed entire armor brigades. Ultimately it was the number of enemy infantry that had forced the nomads back- that and the Aries tanks. The enemy soldiers had faced horse archers armed with arrows poisoned with a combination of snake venom and serum toxin (the snake venom to cause necrosis and the serum toxin to infect with deadly gangrene ensuring that even a tiny scratch proved fatal within a few days), had faced booby traps of all sorts, many armed with poisons or explosives, had faced huge towering fire of trenches of naphta lit afire… and they had died in droves… but they just kept coming. Indeed Philip Gar had been as stubborn and determined as expected and though his losses mounted into the hundreds of thousands, the losses of the nomads had also mounted to even greater levels. Between the numbers of enemy troops universally armed with rifles while many of the nomads used bows or even swords and the awe-inspiring and terrifying Aries tanks (not a single one had been destroyed- they had churned through lakes of naphta lit aflame like it had been sand- had been struck with missiles and hadn’t slowed for a second), the nomads had been forced to give up one rocky hilltop after another, one life-giving oasis after another, one pasturage after another. The nomads had made the noble soldiers pay dearly for every foot of territory and they most certainly had not expected such heavy resistance but their forces had been too great and it was all over so surprisingly quickly.

Ky was ashamed of the tribes who had surrendered to the Xicier and had sworn loyalty to them- he knew that already they were leading them to the black oil and clear water they loved so dearly. Ky was ashamed of the nomads who had surrendered to the Vanari and faced trial by their courts that would never understand a nomad’s heart. Ky was ashamed of the tribes who had run to the Killgore, reliant upon their guns to protect them from the united Vanari-Xicier offensive. But no… he was not ashamed of his tears.


Fighting Monsters

On Stigmata, Cannon Private Rage Song of the Brothers Battle has been assigned to Dante Labis’s assault on Hive Raum.

August, 2304 Commander Labis grows impatient for the arrival of Sir Hellwind Eekin and the resumption of an active campaign and so he has ordered the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 11th garrison legions to take forward positions to the south-west. Originally his intention had been to wait for bombardment of hive Raum to commence but with the Imperial fleet protecting the repairs of their spaceport and awaiting the arrival of Sir Eekin, we have been ordered to push forward. We are a massive force, and in addition to 24 companies of grimson legions and support artillery and tanks include 23,000 men and women with excellent training and weaponry but no armor. These division of standard infantry have, for as long as I know, been used to defend the Garrison fortress and I cannot help but wonder at the wisdom of moving so many unarmored forces outside the fortress for not only does it leave the fortress virtually unprotected but it also leaves our unarmored forces easy targets for attack and what is worse, infection. While part of me tells me to have faith in the commander, a larger part thinks it is suicide.

Tomorrow we will come into sight of the Symbiot jungles and I will turn my flamegun and call upon prayer to form the flames of vindication to burn the symbiot plant-life with the Pancreator’s purifying fire. We will move forward under covering protection of the artillery and protected by the boar-class armor and grimson legions.


The Diary of Deacon Areta Osnabruck

Orthodox Deacon Areata Osnabruck was born and has lived her entire life on Holy Errovus, hearing of the sinful dens of Errovus Secondus and the outer planets only from the lessons of the chartophylax or the eulogies of priests who had served missions beyond the safety and comfort of Holy Errovus. Now she has been assigned to assist in the guidance of souls back to the Orthodoxy under the command of Cardinal Quelus Heventi

October 25th, 2304 Diary, I have not written is so very long but I have been most busy; there are so many projects that I am involved in. New homes are being built form the rubble and debris of the shanty-cities that have existed here in times past. There are skeletons overgrown in mould and vines that need proper burial. We have begun to attempt to reclaim huge swathes of land once the home to thousands of the of the poor and terrified. We scavenge their meager lands for materials and set about transforming them into the largest greenhouses I have seen, importing power and water from the Illbourne- hopefully we can soon trade them for our crops. The Illbourne, like the Sanctious’Als, Texier, Tsedeq, Thana, and Bossheim continue to develop their influence on the central continent, most have now received all the vaccines they require courtesy of the Imperial Eye and house Bossheim’s Tebryn Arbandi.

News has begun to trickle in from the eastern continent. Surprisingly the Killgore have managed to make a move on that continent and claim substantial lands for themselves. Drop-marauders landed in urban areas overtaken by gangs and warlords and using superior weaponry as well as contacts with Kareem Kelter’s authority and imports of food and water there-from to secure the local population and force their allegiance. Form their they have been quite busy, never resting and each day either securing more lands and people or building new fortifications. They have secured many urban streams and some springs, though these are still somewhat polluted and will need purification. None-the-less, they have been strategic in their goal and many warlords have sworn loyalty to their House. Additionally, I have heard from that the Xicier and Vanari have begun to rebuild. Juno Xicier has arrived from Arrakis and rebuilt the Errovus Secnodus military and using these to reestablish control over those lands lost to banditry or chaos. No real rebuilding has truly begun however and the people remain doubtful of their future. Meanwhile the Vanari have returned with a plan and immediately begun developing small-scale water and wind turbines to provide power to their people as well as new water purification centers to provide clean water. Combined with their policy of updating their military with new training and weapon and deploying these in conjunction with their armor to secure their territory, the Vanari are doing not too badly for themselves.

The Querry, one of the few to avoid the affects of the plague, are attempting to expand their influence north of their traditional fiefdom, offering the food they are purchasing from Kelter’s Authority as well as vaccine to influence the local population. The Cerebus guard have moved into the northern lands in force and have encountered frighteningly organized and determined resistance. It seems that the local warlords are attempting to do something similar to what was done with the Illbourne and to unite many smaller bands together under the determination and organization of a strong charismatic figure with access to the Authority’s high technology. In this case the Cerebus guard have come under fire from cruise missiles armed with high-explosive and incendiary warheads. Guy Fye, not wishing to risk his forces, has withdrawn in the face of such resistance. This, unfortunately, has left the Klorin fiefdom in the north of the continent relatively exposed and they have been targeted by many of the desperate warlords and gangsters that in other areas have become much less rare due to coordinate efforts by other houses, the Church and the Imperium. It pains me to say this diary, but their ‘Grafted Legions’, despite their monstrosity and strange meld of monster and man, have been most successful in turning the tide of the enemy forces, despite their numbers. I have heard relatively little from this distant land and so am unsure what effect, if any, the interdict against House Klorin has had amongst their serfs of this planet.

Finally I have heard from the north of our continet where the Naprous are expanding their territory and influence. They have been working in conjunction with the Fisher’s guild in an attempt to set up fresh-water fishing projects in the many streams and rivers that criss-cross their lands and I have heard from one monk that he had the pleasure of eating salted fish from these fisheries. Truly this is a good sign for many had considered that with the poison in the rain and seas the rivers would be equally poisoned but if fish can survive then surely we can eat them without worry? The Naprous agricultural project has finally completed as well and the great sub-continent that is their lands has finally been completely drained and replanted with rice, corn and wheat. Indeed the Naprous have taken advantage of the confusion amongst he Authority guilds to begin exporting their products and I have heard that some harbors have encountered Naprous merchant fleets assisting in the export of their product. I had originally heard that their expansion was too fast, without consolidation but those rumors have begun to die out. Natural borders have been found with our own Church forces, those of the Regency and even those of the Illbourne. The lands of wild freemen are a thing of the past in the north and now there are only loyal serfs. The Naprous have had to fight many a gangster or warlord but their forces are numerous and equipped to operate in lands overrun with a variety of diseases and sickness that are common here. The probem now is one of economics and jobs. Of course, the Naprous have a wide area to farm and a huge market to export to and so many of the former desperate poor have become farmer serfs not unlike those of Arrakis or other lands. Indeed there has been a huge depopluation of the urban graveyards of the newer Naprous lands for these lands have no future, no farms, no factories, no jobs of any kind and a Naprous serf an always find a job as a farmer or day laborer in the old lands where a pair of helping hands and a strong back are always welcome, at least now that the lands are being reworked and reclaimed.

And now I must pray.

October 27th, 2304 Despite the warnings, Duscha Sehryi has employed nuclear weapons against humanity. I pray for the future of Errovus Secondus. Oh Pancreator, save us from the darkness of man’s ignorance and blasphemy! From what I have heard from the Penitential Legions, an amphibious assault was launched by Kelter’s forces against the north-eastern beaches held by Sehryi and she, lacking the conventional forces necessary to turn their numbers, launched her missiles, striking at the enemy just as they were leaving their ships. More I do not know for with the explosions, our satellites and ships have had to repair and replace many of their electronics. I must pray for us all diary! For all of us!

October 28th, 2304 Church Seraphi fighters have been able to penetrate the massive clouds of radioactive soot that have been thrown into the atmosphere to observe the southern authority continent. Cardinal Leonid Mirmah has warned Sehryi to surrender immediately but I know not her answer.

There have been several more atomic explosions. Rumors says that the Seraphi fighters observed a second of Kelter’s navies, this one approaching from the north-east, launching a barrage of low-altitude missiles at the silos of the Sehryi faction in an attempt to prevent any further launch of atomics but that Sehryi, realizing that she might not have another chance to use her atomics ordered the fire of the missiles while she still could. Thank the Pancreator; Kelter’s launch, for the most part, struck first. Unfortunately the madwomen was able to launch three of the long-range missiles. As each of these flew for the northern Authority continent, they divided into twelve smaller warheads. In total twenty-eight atomics exploded within the nortern continent, and eight in the waters around it. What has not been destroyed immediately was destroyed by a series of tsunami-strength waves that overwhelmed the dykes and swept across the irradiated landscape. There is nothing left of the northern continent but waste now. Such utter destruction! How could Sehryi ever think that she could win such an exchange? Pancreator save us- a madwomen has control of atomics.

Carindal Mirmah has declared war upon the Sehryi faction on behalf of the Church of Universal Light.

October 29th, 2304 Sehryi had apparently lost many of her atomics with the destruction wrought by the conventional weapons of Kelter’s last attack but she retained many of her aerospace fighters and having planned for the potential attack upon her siloes, their missiles were armed with nuclear warheads. Her first target was Kelter’s second navy which had already begun to scatter. Despite this her forces using a combination of atomic and conventional bombardment were largely able to destroy the threat to her faction, though in doing so much of the northern coast of the southern aurthority fiefdom joined the north-east in becoming an irradiated swampland. In response to Cardinal Mirmah’s declaration, she next targeted the carriers of the Church fleet for she knew that if she did not strike at them first, she would surely lose everything. And so there was an exchange between the Church and the madwomen and very soon, despite the excellent skills, piety and righteousness of the Church forces, one Dagda-class carrier was lost, though not a single other ship. The Authority’s orbital and planetary spaceports have been reduced to scrap and ash- the orbital port to prevent resupplying and launch of aerospeace assets, the planetary port as a consequence of the devastating fires of the Tearless legions. I have heard that Patriarchal legions and Tearless Pentitial legions have landed upon the remaining Authority fiefdom.

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There is much to pray for. Forgive me diary- I must spend all my energy begging the Pancreator’s forgiveness for humanity’s hubris.

October 29th, 2304 It is perhaps all over now. Sehryi has been captured and will face trial. Her forces are dispersed and while many continue to resist in the outlying lands, they have been forced southwards by the poison unleashed upon the northern shores of the remaining authority lands. Church forces continue to hunt them and most are only too eager to surrender, knowing the great sin that lies upon their souls.

There remains now only the problem of the clouds of radioactive soot overtaking the northern continent shared by the Texier and the Imperium.


Fighting Monsters

On Stigmata, Cannon Private Rage Song of the Brothers Battle has been assigned to Dante Labis’s assault on Hive Raum.

October, 2304 We have been forced to withdraw and I can only give thanks to the Pancraetor for if we had continued, we would most certainly have been destroyed. Despite our flames, guns, and artillery, the creatures of Raum are clever in camouflage and shapechanging and strike quickly without warning. Our front lines punished the creatures dearly but many broke through our line, borrowing beneath the soil and as we approached exploding outward, bristling with scythes and spines and wherever the tender flesh of the divisions of infantry were scratched, one man would fall only to rise again turning upon his fellows with slashing blades forming from his bone and acid spit squirting from grotesquely changed maws and turning upon his fellow slay and infect them as well before being felled. In this way one symbiot might kill dozens or even a hundred soldiers. When we were ordered to retreat we had not even penetrated two kilometers into the jungle.

A second reason for withdrawing is that Sir Hellwind Eekin has finally arrived and contrary to the expectations of commander Labis, will not be providing orbital bombardment support to our advance. From what I have heard of Fleet forces, they are preparing their own operation within the celestium.


On the Trap-Line

Ooniemme is a serf of House Thana and a fur trapper visiting the Koriate capital of Cappricidia.

October, 2304: Cappricidia was a city of bustling bodies, strong foul smells, soot-covered buildings. Ooniemme did not think it particularly pretty. There were factories everywhere and housing was haphazard and thick, entire blocks were made up of corrugated metals and half-rotten wood built in layers high into the sky. Everywhere he looked the trapper saw thick muddy slush black with soot and ash. But he had sold his furs easily and for much more then he expected. Even near the equator the heart of winter was cold and the people had needed the warmth. But there was also so very much to spend his wealth on; food and lodging were expensive. The result, so he was told, of a massive influx of farmers and villagers into the city in response to some noble’s idea concerning ‘modernization’ of agriculture and industry. The nobles seemed well-off so it must have worked to some degree but to Ooniemme it was just so much soot, coal-smoke and human filth. And now there was construction and bustling activity everywhere. Thana diamonds had truly found a market here. The nobles of House Koriate had sponsored the development of hundreds of small craft-shops and jewelers and the newly mined diamonds from his homelands mines were on display wherever he walked. There was also artisans everywhere he looked, many developing monuments in the city streets. There were murals and mosaics and engineering pieces Ooniemme could not identify. Builders were doing well. Many had had to choose between these projects and a major construction project at House Remillard where apparently they were building an ‘Academy of Enlightenment, Improvement and Social Clarification.’ The trapper wasn’t sure what that meant but the builders were ecstatic that their services were so in demand. They too drove up the cost of staying in the city that was both sparkling and darkened.

No, Ooniemme did not like Cappricidia- it made him think only of the forges of the Vanari, only without any of the order and hyper-organization they were known for. And yet, the locals seemed impressed. The city was pretty, in a city-dweller’s sort of way. The artistry was impressive. Despite the soot and grime and poverty there was a richness and beauty everywhere he looked. It was a strange place- an international meeting place of the cultured and beautiful sharing a city with the coal-dust and grimy sweat of industry and smithies.

Hear The Sheep’s Bells Ringing in the Valley

Acolyte Guillaume is a minor orthodox monk assigned to the colonists of Klorinheim on Hubbard. He writes to the ecclesial leader of Hubbard, Archbishop Yertr Usten.

November, 2304: Archbishop Usten; there is dark news from Klorinheim indeed though certainly nothing as horrible as what I hear has occurred amongst the streets of Molyvet and Windigo II. Imagine; symbiots returning to Hubbard! Truly these are dark days indeed! May the Saints Palamedes the Knight and Cleary the Martyr, all the angels in the heavens and the Pancreator’s light protect us. But alas, while in the alleyways of these cities men and women are parasitized by insect-sized symbiots who use righteous men and women like puppets to spread their filth and pestilence and to turn the very pastures of the hills and the grasses of the steppe into their servants, amongst the lands of Klorinheim there has been an attempt at a coup!

Brother Cabil was most loathe to strike, I can assure you, and you can be proud of his behavior and loyalty to the oaths he has taken. But when the false prophet Maja and her armed bands struck at him, he was most ready and the witch fell into a trap from which she did not escape. The glass scalpel commandoes are most certainly responsible for the survival of Klorinheim for without them, we would have been overrun. None-the-less, the rebellion speaks to the fear and confusion these people fear. You must do, Archbishop, by the grace of the Pancreator, all you can to end the interdict. The people have suffered enough for the madness of one man.

Walk in light,
your servant Acolyte Guillaume of House Klorin


A Ranger’s Campfire

Nihj Rever is a Quin serf and a jungle ranger, a member of the Monks of Vader.

November 2304: The long dark had come and with it cooler temperatures. Almost none were really used to the 50-day dark but Nihj took solace in the cool temperatures and the serenity of the jungles. Things slowed down. The dark gave you time to think. And talk. Soldiers liked to talk. Rumors spread amongst the ranks of an army faster then it did through a nobleman’s kitchen servants. And the Monks of Vader, for all their training, were no exception. Amongst the Monks, who had still not seen any real action against the Xyall beyond a few skirmishes usually involving plantation prospectors moving further into the jungle in nearly a year, there were three topics of conversation.

The first was the arrival of Church fleet in April. Most of the people of Assimov had assumed that the fleet would be solely under command of Philip Crent and would have been sent to investigate Houses Quin and Klorin, the Imperial Eye and the Apothecaries in relation to their involvement in the heresy of the Great Fever. Not so. The Church had come to stay. When they came, they came en masse. The fleet was compromised a Celestial Light Cassiel-class cruiser, an Equipose Dagda-class carrier, its complement of Seraphi-class aerospace fighters, two VK-II class freighters and an IP-III class freighter on loan from the Remillard noble house. Initially Inquisitional investigators operating from orbit had begun their questioning with the Imperial eye; they had wanted to access all the research of Doctor Kortof. By then the last of the vaccine had already been shipped back to Errovus Secondus and so they had to content themselves with the notes of the research. They spent nearly a month amongst the Eye facilities, before, apparently satisfied, they moved on to the Apothecaries where they spent much longer and if Nihj’s contacts were to be believed, tried more than two dozen scientists for heresy and had them burned and much of their research confiscated before moving onwards, declaring them innocent of any wrong-doing in the Demon Cough affair. Finally they investigated the Koriate and Quin fiefdoms, by then merely a formality, at least in Nihj’s eyes and quickly pronounced them equally innocent.

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But as the investigators of the Inquisition turned the screws of their stretching racks and lit the pyres of purifying fire, Patriarchal legions were dropping from orbit in the more lightly wooded areas of northern Assimov, clearing space for their freighters to land. Unloading material and colonists, it was obvious they were here to stay. Their first task was to produce the infrastructure they will need to build churches, administrative buildings, barracks, and even the beginning of a military aerospace port. Explained to him by an orthodox priest, Nihj was told that until recently the planet of Assimov had been considered too undeveloped and perhaps too isolated to warrant the guidance of an archbishop and so each Bishop of the Koriate, Quin, Apothecary, and Imperium Eye fiefdoms would individually provide guidance on behalf of the Universal Church. That time was over now. Patriarch St. Barbatos declared the Kalinthi Bishop, Yieslin Venyr, Arch-Bishop of all Assimov. Nihj and others knew little of Yieslin Venyr or of the fairly minor and secretive Kalinthi sect beyond their interest and competence in both intrigue and theurgy.

The second was the marriage of Alexis Gabella to Asmilliam Quin. Alexis Gabella was a top-ranking noble, though of a distant house from Hubbard, and certainly known by the serfs of the majority of the Houses throughout the entire Known worlds whereas Asmilliam, though known by most serfs of House Quin most certainly wasn’t known by the serfs of Bossheim or really anyone beyond Assimov. Nihj himself had only heard of him on rare occasions and certainly hadn’t taken the time to formulate an opinion of the fairly minor noble. Neither the groom nor bride had bothered to celebrate the marriage; indeed it had been a very quiet affair with a very limited guest list. Perhaps this more than anything else made the marriage a topic of conversation. Usually when a extremely high-ranking noble such as Lady Gabella married the celebrations would last months and literally millions of firebirds were spent on the affair. One had only to consider the marriage of the late regent and his condemned wife to be struck by the contrast. Nihj, though not of a political mind, wondered if the lack of celebration would adversely affect local politics for the Quin or Bossheim. Certainly there was a small amount of shame amongst the soldiers that their house wouldn’t have bothered to celebrate such a momentous occasion. Perhaps that is why the couple had suddenly left to return to Hubbard.

The third object of rumor was the arrival of Lady Ysyrin Eekin and the hunting of evvis, real pointy-eared, dandelion-eating twiggers here on Assimov. Now the Fleet had no problems hiring rangers and others as scouts, it certainly didn’t hurt that Imperium-hires made Imperium wages. Regardless, Eekin grimson legions from the Fist of Baelious working in conjunction with rangers hired from the ranks of the Quin army had found the cricket-class frigate downed last August. The Eekin soldiers had found the remaining crew, dead, pointy-eared every one of them, along with navigational equipment and local maps of Assimov. If the rumors were to believed, and Nihj had no reason not to believe them, the frigate revealed two important secrets. The first was the existence of a rather extensive fiefdom of the Evvis near the great lake on the continent west of the Quin’s own. Many had wondered how an entire nation could remain undetected for so long. But Nihj did not; he knew this jungle. From its canopy one could not see twenty feet into the thick verditure and certainly not to any buildings or infrastructure thousands of feet below it. No- it would have been an easy thing to hide for so long… if the maps had not been captured. Lady Ysyrin Eekin had ordered a low fly pass of the area shown on the map by the Fist of Baelious dropship which was only barely able to escape after coming under rather extensive long-range missile fire. The second important secret revealed by the cricket frigate was in its jump directory. The ship held coordinates for a jump to a planet the evvis called Oghma, accessible from Assimov but no other planets. Nihj wondered what sort of planet Oghma might be and if there were even greater number of Evvis there.


The Diary of Deacon Areta Osnabruck

Orthodox Deacon Areata Osnabruck was born and has lived her entire life on Holy Errovus, hearing of the sinful dens of Errovus Secondus and the outer planets only from the lessons of the chartophylax or the eulogies of priests who had served missions beyond the safety and comfort of Holy Errovus. Now she has been assigned to assist in the guidance of souls back to the Orthodoxy under the command of Cardinal Quelus Heventi

December 4th, 2304 Diary, Errovus secondus is poisoned; poisoned by the hubris of man. But it is perhaps this poison that will save us from a second poison. Diary, by the Pancreator’s will, the rains that every day bring us stinging acridity and burn our skin and clothes, force the great billowing clouds of soot and atomic poison that drift across the seas. While some have landed in the northern continent, in partiular amonts those of the Regency and Garrison, the majority has fallen in the seas, ensuring it forever remains a poison to mankind. But such is the mercy fo the Pancreator that the Noble Houses, in their relative innocence, have not been poisoned by the pride of one madwoman.


Fighting Monsters

On Stigmata, Cannon Private Rage Song of the Brothers Battle has been assigned to Dante Labis’s assault on Hive Raum.

December, 2304 Stigmata is not lost though it was at times no sure thing; I give thanks to the Pancreator for our darkest moments were dark indeed It began on our return to base. As we trudged a demoralized and heavily depleted force back to the Imperial fortress the relative dearth of defenders within the fortress as well as the preoccupation of the Imperial Fleet forces at the spacesport must have attracted the attention of many hives including the hardened tunneling forms of Hive Philantaneous, the metallic insect-like forms of Hive Caym, the jelly-fish like forms of Hive malphas, the sophisticated forms of hive Mephistopheles and the previously unknown forms of hive Eurynome and Aym.

Still more then a week out from the fortress we began to hear distressing calls from the Imperial fortress; they were under attack. Seismic sensors were the first to be forewarned. The heavy borrowing forms of hive Philantaneous were working their way towards us, their ponderous bulk which might be a tempting target to aerial or orbital bombardment protected by dozens of meters of sand and rock. Commanders Labis and Eekin then took it for granted that the Malphas forms were en route though they were always very difficult to detect due to their limited mass and near translucence.

From what I heard only later, Sir Hellwind Eekin had prepared a trap for the orbital Symbiot forms, using the newly repaired spaceport as well as a pair of frigates as bait. Tales tell that indeed the bait was taken for hive Mephistopheles forms were soon en route.

http://www.igorstshirts.com/blog/conceptships/A_Gaudi_tribunal_spaceship.jpg

This time upon sight of the green-bronze forms, the fleet was ready for their disgorgement of smaller vessels and symbiot marines. Instead of relying upon their guns and armor, the fleet withdraws towards the spaceport firing on the enemy ships from a distance and not letting the symbiot marines come into range. Once they reached the spaceport, they made use of the forces there, the Scarabeidae space marines, the fighters and bombers and finally all the missile and guns of the Mercy of Man. The Mephistopheles forms had apparently expected only to engage two frigates and so their original assault, now facing the combined might of the Fingers and Mercy were quickly destroyed and a great victory was won for humanity.

But it could not last. Once again the jumpgate at the center of our defensive formation began to hum and swirl with phosphorescent light. The fortress is meant to protect the gate, our defenses aim outwards there-from and though we had recently seen the gate disgorge symbiot mass, we had never been truly threatened by them. Now that would change.

Commander Labis’s army in the field, heavy on unprotected but well armed infantry soon came under attack by giant wasp-like creatures flying swiftly on wings of some metallic material. These fired upon us with a spray of molten metal as hot as any flame-gun’s holy fire. For the grimsons and other armored units, their attacks were pitifully ineffective and our return fire felled many. But for the common infantry divisions their molten spray was devastating. And while the columns of infantry were quite capable of destroying several hundred or even a thousand of these wasp-like forms prior to them engaging, once they closed to shorter range their attacks were devastating. As we responded to the attack from Caym hive, it was hive Raum’s turn to enact vengeance for the attacks we made upon them. Once again they rellied upon speed and their regeneration to close with us and upon scythe-like blades and whip-like tentacles to cleave many a man in twain. I could only thank the Pancreator for my heavy armor as it turned on attack after another. Even with the grimsons and boar-armor protecting the lighter infantry, in many a column it appeared as though men fell in swathes like wheat before the harvest. I called upon the Pancreator’s grace and many of the enemy fell into confusion and ceased their regenerating the wounds we inflicted but I knew it would be a long time before we returned to the Imperial fortress.

And they needed us for hive Pilanteanous, Eurynome and Aym were fast approaching. We had not previously encountered the creatures of Eurynome or Aym. The creatures of Aym resembled nothing so much as towering sea urchins, ten or even twenty feet in height. These were covered in a strange thick white mucous and moved relatively slowly but when they were still twenty kilometers away, the soldiers of the Heart of Man and the Garrison legions who had remained to protect the fortress soon felt a itching and crawling sensation upon their skin and in their throats. Our boar-class armor was sent forward to keep them at range and with their internal air supply, they were able do, firing at the great spiky beasts from range. The urchins, proving relatively unarmored and unable to attack the boar-armor at such great distances died in droves and for a second time it was humanity who was the unquestioned victor. But hive Eurynome was a different story; its forms were lumbering giants much like those of Pilanteanous but unlike Pilanteanous they did not borrow, being more like eighty-foot-long eight-legged lizards with a thousand tiny mouths and antennae instead of a head. The creatures were targeted by the Stinger fighters and dauntless bombers of the Fingers and Grace of Man but these soon learned that the lizard-like creatures were not defenseless. Waving their antennae and screaming with their many horrid mouths the ships would shudder and convulse and many a pilot lost control and plowed their vessel into the irradiated sands. The heavy orbital guns of the Grace of Man then began to fire and these were much more successful. Later I would learn that it is then that the hundred and thousand foot long millipede-like forms of Hive Philantaneus struck, their heavy armor turning flame and bullets, though thankfully not the shells of the imperium tanks or bombs of the dauntless-class bombers. The forces of the fortress were choking on the thick clouds of poison vapor unleashed by the urchins of Aym as they fought but the grimson, Phoenix guard and many divisions of standard infantry were able to hold against the giants of the hives Philantaneaus and Eurynome.

But with much of humanity’s forces occupied in the field and Hive Malphas’s jelly-fish like forms rising to do battle with the Grace of Man, the remaining forces at the fortress knew that they were alone against these giant enemies. Where armor of the boar armor was disrupted by the strange antennae attacks of the lizard-creatures, their crew were overwhelmed by the stink of the putrid gases. Where a wounded giant millipede regenerated its massive wounds and struck at the masses of grimson legion, dozens would been sent flying. The situation was bad but not desperate. In the field we faced worse, especially considering their local air and orbital support. But as I had mentioned the jump-gate soon disgorged more of the Symbiot threat.

From the swirling milkiness they came, great masses of floating plant-islands. Amongst their masses were inorganic metal slabs the plant-things used to defend against our attacks, deflecting the impact of our missiles and the flames and bullets of our guns. They in turn struck with strangling tendrils and razor-sharp leaf-like weapons. Despite their unexpected origin and fearsome demeanor, they had little defense against the fleet’s missiles and heavy guns however. While the Imperial fleet turned upon the new-comers to great success, the ground forces soon applied the boar-armor to destroying the millipede creatures and the grimsons to the lizard-like creatures. For once they were not too numerous- perhaps due to their great size- and so the battle was finally turned in humanity’s favor and once again the Imperial fortress stood tall.

And that is how I was able to return to barracks for once the fortress was secure the entire Imperial fleet could turn upon the jellyfish forms and though they were able to claim a rabid-class destroyer, the loss was acceptable in the face of the assault we endured. The fortress and celestium secure, the grimsons, artillery and boar-armor in the field were able to defeat the lightly armed and armored forces of hive Caym and Raum, though our unarmored infantry was almost completely destroyed.

While I celebrate our victory with prayer and fasting, I wonder at where the new Symbiot threaten came from and wonder if we can expect more and of what sort.

In Other News

Guild activity on Clarke bring new prosperity to fishers and farmers there.
House Thana continues development of alluvial placer diamond mines.
House Remillard opens first classes at large ‘Academy of Enlightenment, Improvement and Social Clarification’.
Carma Klorin to nurse-maids, “Let’s bake cupcakes!”. Cupcakes exceptionally yummy and chocolaty!
Koriate investment in commercial manufacturing maturing.
Tsedeq continue expansion of oil development.
Hyppean investment in oil drilling maturing.
Eekin research center maturing.
Naprous continue to see excellent returns on investment in dykes as more crops harvested and sold.
Houses Klorin and Bossheim agree to a mutual defense agreement. Will this spell disaster for House Bossheim during the Klorin interdict?
Hyppean expand oil refineries.
Hyppean build a series of railways to connect their cities and provide domestic trade and infrastructure.
Houses Eekin and Querry agree to a defensive military alliance.



Rewards

to come




New Trade Routes:

Only change: Tsedeq trade route now includes symbiot-infested Hubbard fiefdoms… oh maybe that won’t last long.



New Designs:


Arakkis Desert Nomad Raider
Cost: 1 MF for 2 Divisions
Tech Requirements: 1 biotech, 1 social
Developed In: times unknown
Developed By: various Arrakis tribes
Usable By: various Arrakis tribes
Light Weapons: 1
Stealth: 1 (in deserts only)
Unit size: 4,000 mounted soldiers

Typically armed with a mix of melee weapons, bows and the occasional heavier weapon, the Arrakis desert nomad raider typically fights from horseback, striking quickly from the depths of the desert and retreating before real resistance can form. They are masters of their lands and of its various animals and plants and use a variety of non-conventional weapons including those made from animal or plant venoms and toxins and the bituminous or oil outcrops that are often common in their lands.

Xicier, Vanarii and Killgore can develop this design at half price.


Patriarchal Legion Mark Two
Cost: 7 MF for 1 Company
Tech Requirements: 5 physics, 5 biotech, 6 social
Developed In: 2299
Developed By: Orthodoxy
Usable By: Orthodoxy
Light Weapons: 5
Heavy Weapons: 2
Armor: 5
Unit size: 120 Soldiers

The Patriarchal legions are to the Church what the Grimson is to the Imperium, an elite force of highly-trained and sophisticatedly equip soldiers who can hold the line against the vast majority of forces.

They wear ceramasteal armor, use automatic ballistic weapons and flame guns, and make use of extensive tactical and strategic integration and are thus more effective when supported by orbital, aerial or planetary forces with strong sensors. They can stay in space for up to 30 minutes and can even propel themselves to a limited degree.


Tearless Penitent Legion
Cost: 11 MF for 1 Company
Tech Requirements: 5 physics, 6 biotech, 5 social
Other Requirements: 5 maggicks quality
Developed In: 2302
Developed By: Penitential Order of the Holy Flame
Usable By: Penitential Order of the Holy Flame
Light Weapons: 6
Heavy Weapons: 1
Armor: 3
Spellcraft: 2
Mana: Mind, Fire
Unit size: 120 Soldiers

The elite soldiery of the Penitential Order of the Holy Flame, they wear reinforced thermaceram armor, are equipped with superior thermobaric incendiary weapons, and possess significant maggickal talent in the realms of both mind and fire. Their armor though heavy, focuses on fire and heat protection.

The Tearless often undertake suicidal missions and fight completely without concern for their safety or life, wishing only to die in the service of the Penitential Order so that their souls might be saved from some past transgression they wear like a stain.

If Tearless are deployed to the battlefield, its going to end up a scorched plain of ash.


Equipoise Dagda-Class Carrier
Cost: 83MF
Tech Requirements: 6 physics, 6 biotech, 7 social
Developed In: 2302
Developed By: Orthodoxy
Usable By: Orthodoxy
Weapons: 1
Carrier Capacity: 3 aerospace squadrons
Orbital Bombardment: 0
Armor: 2
Celestial Maneuverability: 2
Atmospheric Maneuverability: 0
Sensors: 1
Stealth: 0
Jump: Yes
Land: Orbital spaceports only

The Orthodoxy’s attempt to recapture the knowledge and technology of the Grand Republic, The Equipose is not quite as sophisticated as the Admiral but certainly serves its function admirably. Like the Admiral, it is limited to short-range ballistic cannons and missile weapons and its composite armor is also light. It is capable of both carrying up to 3 aerospace squadrons as well as three dropships and up to 720 fully-armored soldiers.


Sphener-Class Cruiser
Cost: 80 MF
Tech Requirements: 7 physics, 6 biotech, 6 social
Developed In: 2304
Developed By: SoE
Usable By: SoE
Weapons: 4
Carrier Capacity: 1 aerospace squadron
Orbital Bombardment: 1
Armor: 5
Celestial Maneuverability: 2
Atmospheric Maneuverability: 0
Sensors: 1
Stealth: 0
Jump: Yes
Land: Orbital spaceports only

Based on the White-Sky cruiser, the Sphener sacrifices much of that ship’s focus on planetary bombardment to focus on ship-to-ship combat. It boasts heavier weapons, heavier armor and the capacity to launch an aerospace squadron. It can also carry up to two dropships and 240 fully-armored soldiers and has a 1,800 metric tons deadweight transport capacity for armored vehicles or other cargo.

The Sphener is not designed to be able to enter atmosphere.

The Society of Engineers have promised to provide this design to House Klorin when they are able to understand its complexities.


Seraphi-Class Fighter
Cost: 71 MF for 1 twelve fighter squadron
Tech Requirements: 6 physics, 7 biotech, 7 social
Developed In: 2302
Developed By: Orthodoxy
Usable By: Orthodoxy
Weapons: 2
Armor: 0
Celestial Maneuverability: 8
Atmospheric Maneuverability: 7
Sensors: 0
Stealth: 1
Jump: No
Land: Planetary and Orbital Spaceports only

Surpassing the tried and true stinger-class fighter, the Seraphi makes use of a proprietary and secretive piloting interface and incredibly light composite materials with radar-absorbing properties whose origins also remains unknown. Because of these factors the Seraphi can often appear completely unnoticed, fly between missile and gun battery fire and land their payload on target.


League VKIP-IV-Class “Vee-Kip” Freighters
Cost: 35 MF
Tech Requirements: 6 physics, 5 biotech, 5 social
Developed In: 2304
Developed By: SOE
Usable By: society of engineers
Weapons: 0
Armor: 1
Celestial Maneuverability: 2
Atmospheric Maneuverability: 1
Sensors: 0
Stealth: 0
Jump: Yes
Land: Land only

The VKIP-IV answers the call for a generalist freighter capable of moving both large numbers of people and freight. It sacrifices the capacity to move large numbers of both and focuses on limited life-support systems (capable of transporting 12,000 people) and more limited freight capacity (21,000 metric tons deadweight).

The vee-kip can land on any nearly perfectly level planetary surface of sufficient density including the landing pads of most major fiefdoms and cities.


Notes:

Sorry for being so late. ‘nuff said.


Maps

Will take a bit.


Stats

Will take awhile- so sorry.



NPC Diplo

From Sereead Aekraiah
To Houses Bossheim, Killgore and others of Hubbard,

We will no longer be making trips to Hubbard as the danger of being infected with the Symbiot contagion from that planet is too great.

From Sereead Aekraiah
To the Houses of Errovus Secondus,

We will now be making planetfall at Errovus Secondus but with the destruction of the Authority spaceport, we will need to find another central port.

From the Assembled Guilds of the Council
To the Sceptre-bound of the Known Worlds,

We hereby dissolve the Errovus Secondus Authority guild and will do all we can to support the Imperium and Church in repairing the damage wrought by Sehryi

1) sorry about lateness
2) sorry about spelling/grammar- too lazy to go clean it up.
3) no stats for a bit
4) no maps for a bit (probably not as long)

3&4 partially due to family visiting from out of town.

I can think of no punishment suitable for Ducha Sehryi. May Pancreator rend her soul when her time comes.
-Matriarch Godwen Thana.

[OOC: Herectic Orcs? Great, just what I needed.

Bloody hell, the imperium is screwed. Symbiots on Hubbard? (Or did I misread that?)

Yes. I think.

It is merely that Symbiotes are reinforcing themselves through the jump gate now. Nothing major :).

Ah, who am I kidding.

Install flamegun nozzles at the edges of the jumpgate to burn anything unauthorized!

In space?

The Truly Faithful can make EVEN SPACE BURN!!!

(All you really need for the the mix to contain a large amount of oxygen, like in rocket fuel)

Nevermind what I said, those vicious symbiotes are on Garrison holdings.

House Hyppean, you shall be hearing from us to how to deal with the problem later.

No... the Symbiots are in Fleet and garrison lands... Windigo II :p

I just had a coup to deal with.

Where does it say that the Symbiotes were on Klorinheim, Thomas? :p

put the flamethrowers on the stigmata end, that gate's on the ground

dangit, Avestite colonies on MY planet

It's kind of several hundred kilometers long in diameter. If not thousands.

And they can dig through the underground to reach the gate.

Hear The Sheep’s Bells Ringing in the Valley

Acolyte Guillaume is a minor orthodox monk assigned to the colonists of Klorinheim on Hubbard. He writes to the ecclesial leader of Hubbard, Archbishop Yertr Usten.

November, 2304: Archbishop Usten; there is dark news from Klorinheim indeed though certainly nothing as horrible as what I hear has occurred amongst the streets of Molyvet and Windigo II. Imagine; symbiots returning to Hubbard!

There... Molyvet and Windigo II

See, that is half of what I had said before: that symbiotes were on Garrison holdings. Now why do you think I said they were on Klorinheim?

To All Houses, The Church of the Pancreator, and the Various Guilds

In light of this Interdict, justly placed upon our house by the Inquisitorial Synod, We find ourself at a difficult Impasse. For the Salvation of the Souls of our Nobles and Serfs, we have begun to construct a Cathedral, Dedicated to the Glory of the Pancreator and to St. Bhall. However, we have come upon the difficult realization that, despite the Holiness of our project, Much funds are still required to complete the construction. Funds that House Klorin find lacking.

As such, to raise the appropriate amount, We find ourselves with the Necessity to sell some of our Holdings, namely those of Klorinheim, on Hubbard, which rest atop a very rich vein of Metal, and the Holding of Novamuritia, on E2. While we regret selling these holdings, as they are both potentially very rich investments, immediate need is more pressing.

Edit:

To House Tsedeq, the Guilds

House Klorin would like to commission a freighter to travel to the holdings we are selling, to pick up key personnel. Additionally, this Freighter would need to travel to Clarke, to extract forces that are still loyal to their proper rule, as well as any assets they may have.

Houses of the Empire,

It brings me great pain to confirm that, as you have no doubt heard, the Symbiots have made significant gains against the Imperial Garrison, and have not only been able to reinforce their assault on Stigmata but have even managed to spread their pestilence to the world of Hubbard. This is sad news, and my heart goes out to those giving their lives for the Empire. May the saints bless them, and our eternal Lord have mercy in the afterlife.

However the Symbiot threat is even greater then it appears, agents of the Holy Gate have recently discovered the existence of another planet, known only as Bradbury. It is a world filled with Symbiots, and this places many planets in danger. We know that transport between Bradbury and Arrakis is possible with the right co-ordinates, and sources seem to indicate that connections might be possible between there and other planets as well. Inceilla and Errovus Seccundus are likely possibilities.

Symbiots are a greater threat than ever, and a threat to more planet then ever. We can no longer sit idly by, content in the fact that our world lies far away from the frontier on Stigmata, safe from the terror of the Symbiots. All planets and all people of the Empire are at risk and it is time for the planets to accept the responsibility for protecting their occupants.

Our people must be protected. We must build great fortifications, garrisons, and defences. We must be able to defend from orbital invasion, and we must train magicians to summon the flame of Saint Bhaal to destroy our enemies.

I am your Regent, and I will help you in this task, but local authorities will need to be formed in order to co-ordinate the funds I supply. What I do not give to the war effort on Stigmata, I will give to the fortification of planets deemed to be in danger, but it is my express wish that Noble Houses of every planet co-ordinate with each other to fund and build such fortifications. If the Symbiots break through and attack another planet the Imperial Garisson will be fully occupied with Stigmata and unable to provide the necessary force to repel them.

If the Empire is to survive at all, we must learn to protect ourselves well.

Your Regent,

A. Tarsenusis

May Sehryi forever burn in hell. We are so sorry for having been right in appraising her as an untrustworthy treacherous blasphemous monster.

OOC:
Nice update. Do we have any detail upon Hubbard's symbiots invasion? Like how did they get there?

To All Houses, The Church of the Pancreator, and the Various Guilds
As such, to raise the appropriate amount, We find ourselves with the Necessity to sell some of our Holdings, namely those of Klorinheim, on Hubbard, which rest atop a very rich vein of Metal, and the Holding of Novamuritia, on E2. While we regret selling these holdings, as they are both potentially very rich investments, immediate need is more pressing.


From: House of Hyppean
To: House of Klorin
We may be interested in buying Klorinheim, on hubbard.

--------------

Nice update. Do we have any detail upon Hubbard's symbiots invasion? Like how did they get there?
EDIT THIS IS IMPORTANT:

Symbiots on hubbard
There is only a small patch of symbiots here, who appear not to be very intelligent (Their main focus is on expanding via attaching themselves to other creatures and creating new symbiots not strategical assaults/expansion). They do not seem to have organization of any sort. Their size is small - just like bugs. They do not appear to have any special "weapons" or "hidden talents" - no shapeshift, hidden steel blades or high level-mind. It may be possible to bait them to simple traps.

Signed,
Garrik Harnoth

What would be your Bid?

From House Tsedeq to all Noble Houses and Guilds
House Tsedeq is considering redirecting its Mammon freighter from Hubbard to E2. In such a case wee, like the Chariotteers, would benefit from a spaceport on E2, but would also be interested in trading partners on E2 (we can bring in Clarke fish, oil and Arrakis products in particular). We could even make it a round trip through Incellia if there is a demand for that and id we could get access to a spaceport there.
Please contact us if interested in participating. We would be particularly interested in trading with the Garrison on E2 in order to compensate the inability to trade with the Garrison on Hubbard.
We would also be interested in helping build a new orbital spaceport around E2, but our technology and funds are both vastly unsufficient to do this all by ourselves.

Finally, we realise the situation on Hubbard and Stigmata is critical, and if our freighter can be of some use to help the Imperium on these planets, we will happily help even if that means cancelling our trade routes for this year. The Regency and Garrison know they can ask us if they need to.

House Quin would like to know if that now the Cough is all but eliminated and the pirates have been found whether Asimov will be part of any future trade routes. Our world has a great deal to contribute in exotic food and medicines, and we have a fully-operational spaceport in Lan which can be used by freighters.

and on hubard:
http://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/500/NukeOrbit.jpg

House Tsedeq might redirect its trade route to Assimov, but that would mean expanding it to E2 then Assimov. We'd have to be certain the E2-Assimov jump would be worth it. If you can provide us with interesting figures (knowing we can bring in fish, oil, ore, luxuries... from Clarke and Arrakis) we would consider the change.

Ignore for the time being at least. :)

To All
From House Texier

House Texier intends to consider the construction of a new spaceport on its territory. Once we are able to confirm this, we are willing to receive investment for the purpose. [ooc: we need to see our stats, consider the practicality of the idea, and know more about the radioactive dust cloud mentioned in the update before we can confirm this.]

You do realize that it needs high level of science (6 all the way through, to be exact) and 200 MF investment, correct? :p

No, I didn't, which is more or less why I said I'd have to ask first. :p

IC: Someone should build a new spaceport.

Will the members of the Regency please report to the Department of the Fleet for an update on Fleet movements and reports. Thank you.

You do realize that it needs high level of science (6 all the way through, to be exact) and 200 MF investment, correct? :p

I supose it depends on type of spaceport. A nic level plain much like a modern airport would be much cheaper, in both money and physics. I would also be useless for non-atmoshperic ships.

Oh no. That was the estimate for the cheapest possible space port.

Nice and very long read :D
like how it carries old and new characters consistently

House Kilgore congradulates the Fleet and Garrison on a job well done this year. You have thwarted a great onslaught of the treacherous symbiote, and in the face of overwhelming odds and unforseen advesaries, you have prevailed. Though there is much work to be done now, know that once where the General was a skeptic in your ability, now he is a believer.

May the souls of our fallen soldiers live forever with the Pancreator. And may our wrath burn the infestation at Hubbard.

ooc Yes, shocking, i'm not insulting any of you for once. Well done.

On closer inspection of recent news Naprous wants to note its insistence on forced detente last year though our constant refrain was overlooked or even scorned by some parties as at first we sought profit for our house before giving it up with Sehryi's rebuke but still worrying for the Empire and also for the intensity of our insistence. It might would very likely have prevented or lessened the amount of destruction that occured, Regency Phoenix Guards dropped onto the ICBM launch site could easily have taken control of the ICBM sites in the first two weeks of the year while Sehryi was still out of range of the facilities. While the outcome has removed Naprous' primary local competitors in agricultural products we would much prefer to have seen them survive for humanity's sake. We hope in the future the Imperium will take a stronger stance against the use of any sort of WMDs by any Imperial entity against another.
Secondly we note our strong support last year for a proportional Imperial tax on all Imperial entities to fund an expanded war effort against the symbiots, and our suggestion that defenses on Hubbard be modernized (also not sure why the Garrison felt like another offensive, the first hive was a severely crippled one). We congratulate the job in combating them though. We hope greater taxation will be considered due the expanding symbiot threat.
For example, 10% Imperial Tax would net ca 100mf from Noble Houses and ca. 100 mf from the Guilds and Church.

To Immac: You had a kid lol, no sorry needed. Still gratz with that and hope it's going well. :D

Houses of the Empire,
...
Our people must be protected. We must build great fortifications, garrisons, and defences. We must be able to defend from orbital invasion, and we must train magicians to summon the flame of Saint Bhaal to destroy our enemies.
...
If the Empire is to survive at all, we must learn to protect ourselves well.

Your Regent,

A. Tarsenusis

We of the Sanctious'Als are eager to serve, and we would like to remind the Imperium that we are currently constructing a world-class research university of the Theurgic arts. Once complete, we would gladly share our knowledge and our fire & sun mana if it aids in the defense of Arrakis. Furthermore, the facility is located near the Hyppean spaceport, aiding in rapid deployment of any theurgic troops stationed nearby.

The facility is scheduled to be completed in two years; however, the construction could be hurried to one year with an investment of only 25MF.

Walk in Light,

Belgit'Al

The first month of 2304 offered the possibility of a forced detente between the two warring parties or seizing the ICBM launch site. While Klorin was regent Naprous sought benefits from Sehryi for brokering an active intervention to end the conflict in her favor. After deposing off Dain once he went mad Sehryi rebuked us understandable for still wanting benefits. After this Naprous gave advice solely out of concern for the Empire (it is after all wildly profitable for Naprous that the Authorities are now dead or broken), there was the option of convincing the Guilds to authorize a conditional carte blanche to fool the Authorities into thinking the Regency had a free hand in dealing with them. But the radical option understandably aside we believe, though we fully support the Regent, that the very minimum should have been dropping Phoenix Guards to secure the ICBM facilities, and on multiple occasions this was cited by the Regency as a planned minimum action though understandably the policy was not locked and was changed.
We ask that the Empire be ruled as an autocracy, with a firm iron grip.

- Rhodes Bertrand Naprous

Symbiots on hubbard
There is only a small patch of symbiots here, who appear not to be very intelligent (Their main focus is on expanding via attaching themselves to other creatures and creating new symbiots not strategical assaults/expansion). They do not seem to have organization of any sort. Their size is small - just like bugs. They do not appear to have any special "weapons" or "hidden talents" - no shapeshift, hidden steel blades or high level-mind. It may be possible to bait them to simple traps.

Signed,
Garrik Harnoth

It may be that these Symbiotes are so far from others that their hive-mind is very weak. We suppose that they will grow more sophisticated if they are allowed to expand - and more aggressive to boot. They must be purged.

However, there is also the slight possibility that it may be an altogether more "peaceful" incarnation of the Symbiote organism, and that it will remain peaceful upon expansion. This does not change our opinion that it must be destroyed, for we cannot perceive how the spawn of the Devil can ever coexist with beings of the Pancreator.

House Bossheaim.

House Kilgore congradulates the Fleet and Garrison on a job well done this year. You have thwarted a great onslaught of the treacherous symbiote, and in the face of overwhelming odds and unforseen advesaries, you have prevailed. Though there is much work to be done now, know that once where the General was a skeptic in your ability, now he is a believer.

May the souls of our fallen soldiers live forever with the Pancreator. And may our wrath burn the infestation at Hubbard.

We, too, would like to congratulate the forces on Stigmata and their commanders in particular. We cannot imagine how bad the situation could have been if the race of man was not shielded by such giants, with such pure and devoted hearts, as the Imperial forces.

House Bossheaim.

((OOC: I will reply to other stuff when I have private results such as stats and spies' reports))

To: All

We praise the action of the Fleet and Garrison during thes trying times and hope they continue their successful actions against the Symbiote and Eevis threats.

All Sceptre Bound of The Query

To: Klorin Fiefdom on Clarke

I do not wish to see open revolt on the seas of Clarke, my home for many years now. The Query have taken in those who wish to be safe from the violence of The Klorin fiefdoms and we are also more than willing to allow those fiefdoms to join The Query should they choose to do so. We only ask the violence stop and that those still loyal be allowed to leave for other Klorin fiefdoms safely. The Query stand ready to aid in the peaceful resolution of this matter since we can and do understand wishing to remove yourself from the interdict. We just pray you do not cause more victims in pursuit of your goals.

The Query welcome those who wish to peacefully resolve this especially since House Klorin's nobles have already agreed to leave the fiefdom if peacefully allowed.

Lady Alex of the Black Clan, Sceptre Bound, The Query

(OOC: More to come as I catch up also one of the biggest understatements ever in there Immac I hope you laugh.)

Secondly we note our strong support last year for a proportional Imperial tax on all Imperial entities to fund an expanded war effort against the symbiots, and our suggestion that defenses on Hubbard be modernized (also not sure why the Garrison felt like another offensive, the first hive was a severely crippled one). We congratulate the job in combating them though. We hope greater taxation will be considered due the expanding symbiot threat.
For example, 10% Imperial Tax would net ca 100mf from Noble Houses and ca. 100 mf from the Guilds and Church.

Under the Regency of Archibald Tarsenusis, Holy Gate, there will never be an enforced, non-consensual Imperial tax. I hope that the Houses will continue with their generous donations, but I am not about to forcibly demand anything from anyone. That is not how this Aristocracy should be governed.

Your Regent

"I am alone."

The three words, so simple, were uttered with a world's weight of emotion. Despite the victories, despite the prosperity of her house, Belgit could not escape the realization that she was the only remaining pureblood 'Al in the galaxy. The lesser nobles were related, of course, cousins and uncles and brothers twice removed, but their blood was thin and lifeless. They were below her. She was taken to Arrakis as a newborn, her first few months of life spent in the divine limbo of the jumpgate. She was destined to rule this planet, but it was supposed to be a satellite of the corrupt 'Als empire, an outpost of hedonism in a world of piety. Then came the interdict, the excommunication, and the holy fire. Why the outpost on Arrakis was spared, she was not sure. The rest of her family was smoldering in a glassy crater, their sins judged in an instant as the orbital bombing pierced the deepest bunkers. Her brother, too, had been spared, but it was his uncharacteristic piety that earned him his place on Errovus Secondus. He died without leaving an heir, which brought Belgit back to her current dilemma.

"I am alone."

Her advisors had told her the obvious, that she must wed, and produce an heir. How can I think of love, of intimacy, while the world crumbles around me, she asked. You will do it because you must, they replied. You will do it because you are the last.

You will do it because you are alone.

OOC: Belgit'Al is looking for suitors

“The only successful people in the worlds are those who can make and follow Plan Bs.”

Silence.

Then a distant rumbling.

Jonas stood silent, a engineers basic toolbox in one hand and a pistol in the other. A hard helmet stood on his head as he watched the distant train head closer. Beside him stood a new friend he found during training, a man by the name of Jack who was once a serf to a metal-working Nobleman.. Ten more mechanics stood near to him, as well as two men from the army. They wielded dangerous-looking rifles. Along the long station platform, other such squads of men stood waiting, but with different tools. There are builders, ditch diggers and engineers. Further down are entire sections devoted to sons of Nobles willing to establish a new fief in the wilderness and their most trustworthy serfs and valuable tools. At the far end stood squads of soldiers, holding their weapons with a tenderness not found by the militias closer to the cities.

Soon, the train pulled in closer. The massive diesel engine roared as it moved across the desolate landscape. Behind it was a half-emptied gondola of rails. Coaches followed behind, and a few turrets from the more damaged light festooned flat-bed trucks as an extra layer of defense before spare parts could be mustered. A long sonorous blast announced its arrival as the brakes emitted gave their own, less harmonious cry. The men held on to their helmets as they braced for the wind.

“Hey Gary Vari Cherry, why do they have rails in that gondola?” he asked a nearby veteran mechanic. He is the leader of their band of novices.

“Its to repair rails” replied the man. His experience is exemplified simply by his unshaved beard and his sand and sun worn skin, “The damned nomads keep ripping them up for the metal. Sometimes I even have trips where they ran out.”

Jonas wondered at that. There must be at least thirty rails left, and there are twenty rails currently being loaded onto the gondola. “It must be really serious,” he thought.

The diesel passed the station, slowly down even as it moved pass the edge. Finally, it stopped, emanating heat from its engine. The train drivers clambered out and ran to the Cool room as Jonas and the rest of them boarded the train. The room was small, and a not-well disguised blood stains covered the sides opposite some holes that were patched with scrap metal and engineer’s tape. Jonas looked out the small window as the train refilled its load of fuel, coupled and decoupled a few coaches and cargo trucks, and prepared to move.

He looked to the sky, where, in the distance, he can catch the brilliance of a spaceship as it flew into space.

He knows the Mark is in there.

It is impossible not to fall asleep during the long trip. The train moved on and on, occasionally stopping at a Manor Fort to unload goods and men, and to load up fuel and small-scale industry. Already these forts have been mostly completed closer to Original Vanari lands, stabilizing the land, providing some protection for the rails and starting a second migration of nobles who claimed fiefs of their own, without support, and are starting their own manors under the security of their neighborhood fort.

However, the brakes was put on once again on the third day. Gary poked him hard and whispered, “Our squad’s turn to fix the rails. You ready?” Jonas looked at his role model and nodded. The group gripped their pistols as the other groups aimed theirs out the window. Some foot soldiers are already walking outside to establish a perimeter.

“NOW! “ Yelled Gary, “Quicky!, we must finish as soon as possible!” As the men jumped out, already the air began to fill with fire. A large volley of arrows flew into the air, and provided a menacing shade before falling among the soldiers. Some cried in pain, but others used their layered combat jackets to dull the tips to leave only bruises. However, the struggling platoon was soon cut down with a roar of automatic and semi-automatic gunfire and a large group of horsemen rode out of an almost invisible gully.

Chaos ensured. Gary waved his rifle as Jonas picked up a rail with two other Mechanics. Some of the set tank turrets roared in response. A coach exploded from a rocket, followed by one holding goods. Jonas ran, followed by his squad to the front of the train as more troops poured out of the train and as some enterprising Nobles ran out with their entourage. Behind him his comrades were putting up a barrage of pistol fire from within the coach. A scream pierced the air, followed by many others diminishing to the background as he carried the heavy rail to the missing tracks.

Once, the end of the rail fell into the sand before another pair of hands picked it up. Uncountable times have rounds kicked up the ground near them as they pulled the life-saving rail into place.

Jonas placed down the new rail and nailed it in with a pneumatic nailgun.

An airplane flew by from a near by Manor fort. The horsemen who were almost upon the coaches exclaimed in dismay as they left: a rocket flew up but missed, allowing it to strafe down the retreating raiders before itself being hit by another volley of rockets.

The raiders at the gulley provided covering fire, and jumped on their horses to leave again, like dust in the wind.

Jonas looked at his hand. It was red with blood. A comrade lay dead on the rail. As his shuddering hand reached for his canteen in his back, he found a gaping hole in it.

The next hour was spent burning the disabled coaches and piling the dead in a special coach. Among the dead was the tough Gary, who had thrown himself infront of the workers during a long volley. Noblemen of Yazar and Wendar have also passed away.

Jonas reentered the coach, surviving his baptism by fire.

The small village was just on the outskirts of true civilization, on the way from the mountains where Alexis had spent the last couple of years to the large city where the Bossheaim yacht 'Deliverance' was waiting to take them to Hubbard.

It was the home city of Asmilliam, and that was the reason they had chosen this village to stop in. It housed a few thousand people, mostly serfs, ruled over by the Coral line of the Quin nobles, headed by Asmilliam's father, Claudius.

This was to be the place for their marriage. Neither of them had been concerned with what the world might think that two nobles of at least some reputation went about their marriage in such a discreet way. To them, this was not a political marriage, or a chance to show off their status. It was a sacred union of two who loved each other.

The small church was filled to the brim; six hundred men and women were seated in the rows of pews, and just as many people were gathered outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of the couple. In the frontmost rows, the whole family of Asmilliam were seated. Alexis had not been able to recognize a single face among them, but the isolation among strangers was not new to her, and it was certainly not enough to extinguish her happiness in this moment. Next to her, holding her hand, Asmilliam was smiling.

"And now, Asmilliam," the old priest said with a low and dry voice, "It is time for your vows." Asmilliam's face fell into a more serious mask, he looked at his bride, and said with a voice which was controlled, although Alexis could hear his happiness bubbling just underneath it:
"I vow that from this day on and until Death parts us, I shall love and honor Lady Alexis Gabella as my one and only bride. I vow that I shall live for her happiness, be there to share with her the bad times that may come and the good times that will surely be bestowed us. I vow that in order to be with her, I shall follow wherever she goes, even if it carries me far from my home, to distant planets and strange climates. I vow that from this day on and until Death parts us, I will be the loving husband of this woman, whom I love."

He breathed out heavily, content with his performance. Alexis smiled at him, tears of happiness threatening to run from her eyes. The old priest caught her eyes. "And now you, My Lady."
Alexis took a deep breath and looked at Asmilliam, struggling to keep her face neutral and her voice not too light. She spoke:
"I vow that from this day on and until Death parts us, I shall love and honor Lord Asmilliam Coral Quin as my one and only husband. I vow that from this day, he shall be the keystone of my life, and that nothing else in the known and unknown worlds shall be more dear to me than him. I vow that I will be yielding when he is strong, be caring when he is weak, be sad when he is sad, and be happy when he is happy. I vow that from this day on and until Death parts us, I will be the loving wife of this man, whom I love."

The old priest nodded slowly as loud cheers echoed around the small church. When the silence had returned, he spoke with a voice that rung with authority, the pair looking intently at him. "Then, in the name of the Pancreator, I pronounce you mand and wife, may you live long and prosper in His light." He then turned to Asmilliam, and with a vague smile, added, "you may now kiss the bride."

The words were carried all the way outside in the silence before the storm as the entire crowd applauded. Alexis' eyes were closed, but behind her eyelids a bright light was shining, almost blinding her. Her heat was threatening to explode with happiness as they walked down the aisle.

Later that day, she leaned her head on Asmilliam's shoulder as they were sitting alone together. Looking up at him, she whispered, "I never want to be alone again. Stay with me always."
He smiled at her. "Of course, my love. Nothing would make me happier."

OOC: Belgit'Al is looking for suitors
A silly question, but how old would she be?
She's not scepter-bound.
You depict her as being born when the 'Als were still heretics, but this must have happened when they were still a major house, therefore before the major houses were reduced to 5, which itself happened before Stigmata being discovered by the Evvis, which happened 62 years ago (2242).
So according to your story, she'd be more more than 62 years old...

A silly question, but how old would she be?
She's not scepter-bound.
You depict her as being born when the 'Als were still heretics, but this must have happened when they were still a major house, therefore before the major houses were reduced to 5, which itself happened before Stigmata being discovered by the Evvis, which happened 62 years ago (2242).
So according to your story, she'd be more more than 62 years old...

Well...nobles live long these days :p

A silly question, but how old would she be?
She's not scepter-bound.
You depict her as being born when the 'Als were still heretics, but this must have happened when they were still a major house, therefore before the major houses were reduced to 5, which itself happened before Stigmata being discovered by the Evvis, which happened 62 years ago (2242).
So according to your story, she'd be more more than 62 years old...

Damn...

I'll have to retcon that story a bit then. You did a lot more research than I expected anyone to :lol:

She's in her early thirties. I'll just change it so she wasn't born in the heretic era.

or she had a youth engine

See, I thought of that, but they're not exactly embraced by the church. The transformation from heretic to devout was supposed to have happened extremely quickly and completely. A barely-legal piece of republican tech just doesn't fit.

To the Nobles of the Empire, the houses and peoples of Arrakis in particular
The Imperial Eye has investigated the situation on Arrakis, and can report that it is now certain that the House Killgore is behind the weapons supply that the desert raiders have been receiving. The Regent has asked us to publicly reveal this information, that there can be no doubt in the matter.

We have no opinion on what sanctions may be inferred from this, but it would be natural to assume that the Killgore fiefs on Arrakis will be declared renegade and that the houses that have so suffered from the bandit raids will liberate the people of these areas from their current and insufficient leadership.

Tebryn Arbandi XII,
House Bossheaim and the Imperial Eye.

maybe she previously used one and its effects have taken a while to wear off

To the Nobles of the Empire, the houses and peoples of Arrakis in particular
The Imperial Eye has investigated the situation on Arrakis, and can report that it is now certain that the House Killgore is behind the weapons supply that the desert raiders have been receiving. The Regent has asked us to publicly reveal this information, that there can be no doubt in the matter.

We have no opinion on what sanctions may be inferred from this, but it would be natural to assume that the Killgore fiefs on Arrakis will be declared renegade and that the houses that have so suffered from the bandit raids will liberate the people of these areas from their current and insufficient leadership.

Tebryn Arbandi XII,
House Bossheaim and the Imperial Eye.

To the Same

Our intelligence is separate from that of the Eye, and although presumably inferior, we can support the above statement. Over the past year, many nomads have allied with us, and many others were captured. Interviews and questioning have revealed a resounding statement repeated in various forms by almost all Nomads.
I/we were bribed with weapons to attack your noble house by the Killgore.
We will indeed take these findings, certified by the Imperial Eye, and will announce our position regarding Killgore on Arrakis. The Imperial Eye has proved that weapons have traveled from Killgore, and we have proved their use: to bribe the Nomads, not just as trade. This action will be considered.

To the Nobles of the Empire, the houses and peoples of Arrakis in particular
The Imperial Eye has investigated the situation on Arrakis, and can report that it is now certain that the House Killgore is behind the weapons supply that the desert raiders have been receiving. The Regent has asked us to publicly reveal this information, that there can be no doubt in the matter.

We have no opinion on what sanctions may be inferred from this, but it would be natural to assume that the Killgore fiefs on Arrakis will be declared renegade and that the houses that have so suffered from the bandit raids will liberate the people of these areas from their current and insufficient leadership.

Tebryn Arbandi XII,
House Bossheaim and the Imperial Eye.

I was not aware that the Imperium was seeking a monopoly on the arms trade. Is it now illegal to sell guns? What about swords, or shields? What of the secrets of theurgy, or martial training? The desert nomads have chosen to go to war; that is their right as freemen. It will not end well for them, but that is not my concern. What does concern me is an implied threat against a minor house. I spare no love for the warlords of Kilgore, but to declare a house renegade is a serious matter. I am sure the Vanari and Xicier can handle the situation without Imperial intervention.

Are also not aware of our own statement that Killgore's Arms Trade was not of goods, but of weapons for war? This is almost a mercenary deal!

-Phillippe Van Gar

I do not dispute your right to defend yourself, nor your right to wage war against the Kilgore. You would be justified in doing so, and frankly, you would be doing the more civilized houses a favor. If requested, I may even join your efforts.

However.

No laws of the Imperium have been broken. There have been no transgressions against the church, and no atrocities have been committed. There is absolutely no reason for Imperial involvement, let alone a veiled declaration of renegade status. The regent and the Imperium have much bigger issues to deal with than the feuds and minor wars of the noble houses.

I do not dispute your right to defend yourself, nor your right to wage war against the Kilgore. You would be justified in doing so, and frankly, you would be doing the more civilized houses a favor. If requested, I may even join your efforts.

However.

No laws of the Imperium have been broken. There have been no transgressions against the church, and no atrocities have been committed. There is absolutely no reason for Imperial involvement, let alone a veiled declaration of renegade status. The regent and the Imperium have much bigger issues to deal with than the feuds and minor wars of the noble houses.

I agree the regency should not get involved, however I do feel that giving the weapons specifically to assault another house is obviously an act of war against those houses. As such since we are in a pact with Xicer and the Vanari we will aid them in their efforts.

I call upon House Kilgore to make recompense to those houses to avoid the escalation into full war between the houses. As all know I despise violence for any reason but self defense so I implore you to pay some reparations to them to avoid further conflict.

If this is not done The Query will stand by their pact and aid in defeating House Kilgore until appropriate reparations are made.

Lord Ichabod of Sterling Clan, Sceptre Holder, The Query

House Kilgore never hid that it sold arms to those who had the coin to buy them. We, however, deny any allegations that our House would fund attacks against any House without provocation. Further more the Imperial Eye has no authority to declare us renegade as we have done nothing illegal.

We, however, deny any allegations that our House would fund attacks against any House without provocation.

Either hundreds of Nomads were lying or there was provocation. As my confrontation with you was after the nomads began telling us thus, that was no known provocation. Do you say that hundreds and thousands of separate individuals have almost the exact same alibi?

House Klorin agrees that, while the houses on Arrakis may feel slighted and damaged, House Killgore does have the right to sell to whatever buyer they may find.

Story of the battle outside Stigmata.

Admiral Eekin stood on the bridge gazing out the wide windows of his Flagship as his fleet, The Mercy of Man, forms up and prepares the offensive. He thought back to his first few months in command, the command had seen some radical changes to the Fleet command structure and Eekin hoped it would be more streamlined and effective than it was in the past. After leaving his wife at Assimov and taking the cruiser straight to E2, he immediately laid off those incompetent officers who knew nothing of command or led an unit in battle, after leaving his offices he promptly left for a rendezvous with The Mercy of Man currently guarding the disabled Jump-Gate to Stigmata. After boarding his new Flagship, he was surrounded by familiar faces, former captains and Commodores of Eekin's old fleet. The same men he had commanded before the fleet became the Imperial Fleet, many of them had either been promoted or shuffled to new commands, either way he still remembered them and they still remembered him. The newer ships crewed and led by officers from other families were unfamiliar but still welcome as Eekin familiarized himself with the set up of the Fleet.

In the next few days he shuffled ships between fleets until he was finally satisfied at the proper number of defensive-offensive capabilities of the fleets. It was during this time that Admiral Eekin called his commanders together and led them through his daring and risky plan for what he hoped would be the crushing blow against the Symbiots. After nearly a week of preliminary arguments and counter-arguments, which Eekin allowed as it allows his commanders to build up their tactical and strategical know-how and understand the battle-plan in full. In his opinion a commander that does not immerse himself into a battle-plan is an incompetent commander and should be transferred or demoted on the spot. Eekin searched for such a commander during those several days of debate. To his delight he found none. His fleet was ready, he was ready... all that was left was to prepare the bait. Reports from the mechanics claim the station would be online in days and that vital supplies were needed. It was the command Eekin had been waiting for, the operation was on.

After preparing standard operating orders for his bombing fleet to protect the Garrison, Eekin sent his 2 Frigates ahead. The main fleet followed just days behind. They jumped through the gate which quickly closed behind them as the Grace of Man remained behind to defend the gate. Several days went by as the Fleet waited nearby the now fully operational space station outside Stigmata, each ship of the fleet was well concealed in the darkness of space and the only lights visible were the engines of the 2 Frigates who slowly advancing towards the station. It during this wait that the radio buzzed over reports that the Garrison needed air support, and were followed by reports of the Garrison being attacked and threatened by what appeared to be an overwhelming force, Eekin cursed his bomber fleet. It appeared they followed the main force instead. Eekin will take care of this problem later. The reports then shifted to radio chatter from the Frigates, they have spotted an fleet approaching them and have begun to retreat. The battle is on, and had one happened to glance at Admiral Eekin, they would have seen a large smile that appeared unnatural for someone about to enter battle against the Symbiots. Eekin was in his element and the captains somehow knew their ships would survive the coming battle. Call it whatever you want, but Eekin always appears to make his crews appear calm and sure of themselves, and that goes a long way in battle.

Eekin's flagship, a Moniter class Battleship, fired the first shot in what would be a crushing victory for humankind. The shot was followed by a thunderous broadside from the fleet, the Symbiot fleet was stunned. Their pursuit of the Frigates took them right into the guns of The Mercy of Man, unable to turn around due to their high rate of speed and countless other ships behind them and unable to turn to either direction, forced to go only straight into the mouth of Hell, the Symbiot fleet was outgunned, outnumbered and outmaneuvered. Admiral Eekin paced the deck as his aides read the reports live from the radio, "A Symbiot ship has been destroyed." "A Cruiser has suffered damage to its engines." "The Carrier has sent out their fighter and bomber detachments." The reports went on and Eekin just smiled and gazed out the windows at the unfolding battle. The missiles streaking across the vastness of space, small explosions on the surfaces of various ships, he could see where his ships were and the enemy ships, for a slight moment he felt a slight pang of remorse for his rival, no one should ever have to suffer this kind of a beating, but he remembered that the Symbiots never show mercy. Then he will not show them any as well, he prayed that his fleet will annihilate the entire Symbiot fleet here now.

The battle has now progressed to the point where both fleets were now able to move about and gain better positions, the Symbiot fleet has now sent out small crafts to assimilate our ships, Eekin was ready for them. The Carrier's fighters descended on them like Angels of Death, the various ships small guns designed to defend against enemy fighters began chattering away. Pretty soon the Symbiot threat was gone, Eekin was feeling high and mighty thinking he just might be able to keep his entire fleet intact despite scenarios claiming casualty rates of nearly 20% or more. With the Symbiot Fleet now destroyed and the fighter detachments now searching the vicinity for possible escapees, each ship began a self check and all reported they were fit for duty, even the few ships who had damaged componenets were able to repair them sufficiently for battle. Eekin hoped that another battle would not be needed, he needed to get his fleet back to E2 for repairs.

As Eekin and his commanders retreated to discuss the after action reports of the battle, a radio man entered with a message from The Grace of Man. They reported the gate was opening and was inquiring as to whether or not it was the Mercy of Man opening it. Eekin jumped up immediately and rushed to the radio room. He grabbed the mic and demanded to be put through to the Flagship of The Grace of Man. The report back was not promising, the fleet was under attack by some new Symbiot life forms. Eekin cursed as his own fleet began firing, they were under attack as well, he turned to his aides and muttered, "Where the hell are these guys coming from?" Reports also show that the Garrison was also under attack by new life-forms... The Grace of Man and even the Fingers of Man were already nearby and were finally able to provide orbital defense. After taking care of his minor problem, defeating the Symbiot threat with relative ease compared to the battle that just happened days ago, Eekin immediately set course for the Gate. The Year ended with several victories for humans and a successful defense against the Symbiot counterattack.

The next year Eekin would have to repair his fleets and he no doubt now has other problems arising around the Empire, such as newly developed reports of a new system called Oghma among others. He would have his hands full for the remainder of his time in command.

I repeat. Vanari has no problem with commerce of weapons directly traded for goods, coins, what may be. What we do have a problem is the use of this trade not for goods, but for the service of attack, and an attack on another house. Not only is this definate, known from various interrogations and connection from our information services but also accertained from the other side that there were weapons being traded. Isn't hiring a mercenary attack on another house right? How about hired attacks who told the victim of their payer, who deserted them and attempted to isolated himself from the incident? How about using these attacks as an underground war against others? This is what Killgore has perpetrated by using weapons to hire the Nomads to attack us. Not only that, but the attack was in secret and Killgore themselves refused to aknowledge their their own agents say.

We consider this an attack on Vanari interests by Killgore by the way of hired mercenaries and will deal it as such.

Either hundreds of Nomads were lying or there was provocation. As my confrontation with you was after the nomads began telling us thus, that was no known provocation. Do you say that hundreds and thousands of separate individuals have almost the exact same alibi?

Essentially, yes. If the Houses of Arrakis wish for us to cease sales of our weapons to the Nomads then they can do one of two things.

1. Buy the weapons themselves.
2. Take all forms capital from the Nomads so that they might never again buy our wepaons.

I repeat. Vanari has no problem with commerce of weapons directly traded for goods, coins, what may be. What we do have a problem is the use of this trade not for goods, but for the service of attack, and an attack on another house. Not only is this definate, known from various interrogations and connection from our information services but also accertained from the other side that there were weapons being traded. Isn't hiring a mercenary attack on another house right? This is what Killgore has perpetrated by using weapons to hire the Nomads to attack us. Not only that, but the attack was in secret and Killgore themselves refused to aknowledge their their own agents say.

We consider this an attack on Vanari interests by Killgore by the way of hired mercenaries and will deal it as such.

How does selling weapons suddenly buy loyalty. The Nomads came to us, complaining of being forced from their homes by others. Who these others were we do not know. Perhaps other nomad tribes, perhaps you. We simply sold them a means to defend themselves. It is you who have brutally crushed these once peacefull people. Tell me Vanari, did you not think that land upon which you built your great railroad was not owned and lived on by someone else? Your arrogance betrays your ignorance.

Essentially, yes. If the Houses of Arrakis wish for us to cease sales of our weapons to the Nomads then they can do one of two things.

1. Buy the weapons themselves.
2. Take all forms capital from the Nomads so that they might never again buy our wepaons.

What does sales of weapons have to do with this?
1. This we can consider: but how much weapons DO you produce? Enough to outfit a rather large Nomad war tribe, although raggedly, pretty decently?
2. What does this have to do with anything? As we have seen, Nomads have only two 'capital' you are interested with: results of raiding and the act of raiding. To stop their credit we must destroy them all. This is not in Vanari interests. Unless you are willing to kill them all or vassalize them to prevent raids for 'capital'*, we won't do so as well.

*As of so far, Nomads we have seen do not use Firebirds as currency, and their own currency of food and water would not normally please a powerful house like Killgore. Unless Killgore means that they trade weapons for food and water (which we find even more absurd), we assume they mean that they trade it for scrap metal and/or the attack. Infact, the nomads themselves say that the implicit agreement was to use the weapons in exchange for attacking Vanari.


As I have countered your rebuttal, I shall launch my own.
One, this is not sale for capital: Money or Scrap metal or even scouting we would be fine with. However, this is weapon sales for deliberate raiding on Vanari Property. As they themselves have said: We are bribed to attack you with weapons from Killgore. Bribed into war, they say. Isn't then Killgore using resources directly counter to us? How is that, then different from war?

If they get weapons and raid us, and you are not directly implicated as urging them on, we would not have this confrontation.


EDIT: You have edited your statement.

And your ignorance betrays your arrogance. Did we not lay the track far from habitable oasis? Did we not pay handsomely for locals to move out and even helped that process? As we repeat, we are fine with weapon sales. We are not fine with deliberate calls for violence which where prescribed by Killgore.

The other side represents you.

*As of so far, Nomads we have seen do not use Firebirds as currency, and their own currency of food and water would not normally please a powerful house like Killgore. Unless Killgore means that they trade weapons for food and water (which we find even more absurd), we assume they mean that they trade it for scrap metal and/or the attack. Infact, the nomads themselves say that the implicit agreement was to use the weapons in exchange for attacking Vanari.

I don't know about you but food and water in a Desert planet are pretty valuable

and oil and coal and timber and sheep and goat and other herds.

Allow me to clear up a misunderstanding.

The Regency will NOT be involved in any sort of conflict between the noble houses on Arrakis. The Regent is of the belief that the Minor Houses in Arrakis are more than capable of devising any impending retribution upon House Kilgore.

On a personal note, I must express my sincere doubts that some tribe of cavemen were able to garner enough funding to buy anti-aircraft missiles and anti-tank weapons in that quantity (OOC: seriously, Immaculate. Those things are expensive). Edit: Ah, the explanation above I find satisfying.

On another personal note, I will express my disgust at the Kilgore's actions. I feel that selling of weapons to the nomads with the full knowledge that it will be used against the Xicier and the Vanari IS an act of war no matter how one looks at it.

I don't know about you but food and water in a Desert planet are pretty valuable

Yeah, but resorting to buy a few gallons of oasis water or a couple of hares strung by the legs is a little too much, isn't it?

Well, Kilgore fief is a mountain chain in a bleak middle of nowhere on a pile of sand.

Oh ok. Now I can understand their desperate need to trade Anti-aircraft and Anti-Tank rockets for several carcasses of indeterminable age. Each.

I had no idea they would use them against Vanari. Seriously. But I wasn't the one who was goobling up their land at an insane pace and building a giant railroad in the middle of what was previously nomad land.

I sold them cheap weapons, yes. I'm very good at what I do, which is making weapons.
Did I know the nomads would get so ticked off at you for building your railway? NO

I resent the accusation that I did.

I sent out all private information that goes with the update. if you are missing intel or anything, PM/e-mail me.

Also- maps are progressing- but stats are going to be out not for awhile- i want to rework some of the excel stuff.

House Kilgore never hid that it sold arms to those who had the coin to buy them. We, however, deny any allegations that our House would fund attacks against any House without provocation. Further more the Imperial Eye has no authority to declare us renegade as we have done nothing illegal.
I don't know about you but food and water in a Desert planet are pretty valuable
Contradiction much?
How does selling weapons suddenly buy loyalty. The Nomads came to us, complaining of being forced from their homes by others. Who these others were we do not know. Perhaps other nomad tribes, perhaps you. We simply sold them a means to defend themselves. It is you who have brutally crushed these once peacefull people.
If they are once peaceful, then the would not be forced out by other 'once peaceful' nomads. Leaving just 'Perhaps you'.
I had no idea they would use them against Vanari.
Yeah right. You hear the news on radio as often as well do. (well, in light of trading mid-tech equipment for carcasses and dollops of water may change our perception). You yourself claim that the nomads were once peaceful before US. But then it doesn't work either because they raided Xicer before our railroad started too. Then, of course, if you are telling the truth there, they can't be pushed out by other nomads, and only us, then you do know the fact that they will use it against us. It was only your intelligence that prevented you from connecting the dots.

I would like to apologize from assuming you have the guile to attempt such a thing, and to not even see what my two-year old neice can see by connecting the dots. I overestimated your intelligence.

:sarcasm:

http://blog.r4nt.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pirates_gold_chocolate.jpg

The nomads make very good chocolate coins.

What, in the name of the Pancreator, is "The United States of America" and "In God we Trust"

There are no 'God'. Only the supreme Pancreator. Therefore:

There are Heretical Nomads! By arming them you must be arming heretics! And you own the coins that prove so!

:sarcasm:

Story about the defecting destroyer

The destroyer made record time fleeing to The Query’s shores. They were welcomed, if you can call being brought in under cover of three destroyers and then being forced to remain on their vessel until released as welcoming. Many rumors had been coming out of House Klorin’s fiefdom. Some said there was armed rebellion; cooler heads said it was simply public disturbances. Whatever the problem it upset the well run and peaceful Query settlements. There was no such issue in Query lands and they hoped to keep it that way, especially here on Clarke where seas had to be crossed to even come near. And yet such a disturbance was underway nearby in the Klorin fief.

The Captain of the destroyer, a man by the name of Charles Thorne, was brought to the Black Palace. It was not named for its color, a common misconception; it was named as the main residence and central administration for the Black Clan, and home to Alex Black. Architects came from all across Imperial space to view it and take notes. The building had been in place for almost as long as there had been a human presence on Clarke. It was able to be imposing yet refined, welcoming and threatening, and put together it was a masterpiece. Artists also flocked to it to view the myriad of paintings, portraits, and tapestries from many different eras. Some whispered that several of the landscape paintings were actually by the hand of Lady Alex Black, but the ones they pointed to were not very recent so the whispers were disregarded, not to mention almost all the works had small plaques with the artists’ names on them.

Captain Thorne was ushered through the palace at a quick clip. His escorts made sure no one could get near him, occasionally more forcefully than intended when they shoved a few people out of an elevator. He was led to an office of quite some magnitude and the group stopped at the secretary's desk, and for the first time Captain Thorne knew that all the rumors of the beauty of The Query were true. The red haired woman looked up supremely unimpressed by the party before her and examined them with her green eyes. Captain Thorne could tried to cover his natural reaction since it seemed he couldn’t look at any part of her and not see it was perfect, so he stared at a landscape piece which was obviously Clarke, and it was so well done he though he could feel the spray from the sea as it washed up on the slightly craggy shoreline. He shook himself as he realized they were talking about him and he dragged his mind back to listen.

“…she said to bring him immediately to discuss the situation in the Klorin fief.” finished the gruff yet obviously competent soldier leading his escort.

The secretary began to speak and her voice was just as amazing as the rest of her and his hands tugged at his coat to cover a very embarrassing reaction. “Fine, she never mentioned when you would be arriving though and I believe that she is currently discussing the myriad of situations currently going on. I’ll send one of her guard to check.” She waved the perfectly manicured fingers at a bodyguard Captain Thorne hadn’t even noticed. Strangely this man was one of the best looking men he had ever seen as well. Perhaps this noble was simply obsessed with appearances. The bodyguard walked over to the intricately carved doors of the office and entered.

While they waited Captain Thorne began to look more at the doors to see what they depicted, as much from curiosity as to stop himself from staring at the secretary. It seemed to be depicting a battle between Eevis and what he assumed was a Query. Strangely, the two warriors, one an Eevis Noble and the other a woman who had apparently run a sword through the Eevis Noble while fires raged in the background. It was one of the most unusual pieces of art he had ever seen and again extremely detailed almost as if…His thought was cut off by the return of the bodyguard beckoning them in while he opened it wider to admit them all.

Once inside the office Captain Thorne knew he wasn’t in the office of just any noble. This had to be a truly important leader. He glanced around and saw all the trappings of wealth, but it was done in such a way as to be tasteful, fancy, and usable without crossing into decadence.

“Ah you’ve arrived Captain Thorne. Sit.” The woman issuing the command was walking across the office and then he knew true elegance. She carried herself like a professional dancer wearing a simple black dress trimmed in red and oddly fitting a sword. She wore precious little in the way of jewels or precious metal, but she had no need for them. Lady Alex Black sat behind her desk and looked inquisitively at Captain Thorne and he saw the timelessness in her eyes that bespoke all the untold things she had witnessed, done, and the weight she carried on her shoulders. Even with all that she put the secretary to shame. Captain Thorne simply sat stunned to have ever been able to even see her with his own eyes. She began to speak again.

“So your crew decided to leave the unrest in The Klorin fiefdom? Why come here aside from proximity?”

“Well,” he was dry washing his hands in nervousness and forced himself to stop with sheer will. “my officers and I discussed it and decided we would rather simply leave then get dragged in. We also hoped you could do something to stop the fiefdom from falling into chaos.” He realized he was pleading and didn’t care. She might be able to do something and if she could she might save his relatives and friends from harm. That alone was worth it. She sat there and stared at him as if trying to decide if he was going to continue or if he was telling the truth.

“It is difficult for me to accept someone who has forsaken their fealty to their house. I understand they are under interdict and this has caused unrest, but has it really gotten so bad as to actively seek the aid of us to bring the situation to heel?” She continued that unblinking stare and he wondered how she did it, maybe she knew sorcery, yes that must be it. “We are not prepared for war, though we could be quickly. I must stress that this is a difficult time for The Query, yours is not the only fiefdom falling apart. Throughout Imperial space there have been rebellions, unrest, symbiotes, and” her voice grew harsh and the hatred spilled forth unbidden, “eevis. This doesn’t even mention the nuclear weapons used on E2.”

Captain Thorne caught his breath at that, it was news he had not heard and he was glad even with the unrest that he lived on Clarke. The weight on Lady Alex Black’s shoulders must be great indeed if this is what she deals with everyday. He decided to try again though as it would save all of his friends and family. “Please Lady Alex Black, I beg of you!” he dropped out of the chair onto the floor before the escort could grab him. “You must do something, of all the houses on Clarke you are the one our fief would accept over the others with the least resistance! I truly believe that, you are the closest, you have the most resources, and they would accept you personally as a liege who would not lead them astray!”

He could feel the weight of her gaze upon him and he simply stayed there upon the floor waiting her response. He felt helpless and knew few people could do anything to stop the coming storm in the Klorin fiefdom, but here before him was one of the few.

He heard whispering as if to someone’s ear, yet he knew no one was close enough to her. The conversation went on for a couple of minutes and at first he was worried she was insane. Then he realized she was talking through her sceptre. She was actually using it to get advice or reach a decision. Now not only was his fate in her hands, but in who knows who else’s?

“Rise.” Lady Alex Black intoned to him and he did keeping his head bowed. “Sit.” He sat. “I have decided to do what I can to aid your cause, this will of course mean you will swear fealty to The Query. Also the use of force has not been determined to be something I can do yet, though the option is still open also do you understand?”

“Yes Lady Black.”

“Okay first thing you need to understand is I am Lady Alex of the Black Clan, not Lady Black.” Captain Thorne nodded. “Good then off with you Rachael will tell you what to do so check with her on your out.”

Captain Thorne bowed deeply and followed his escort out of the office. He spoke to the secretary, Rachael, who set up a schedule for him and his crew for the next several weeks. He realized he could look at the secretary without a problem now because compared to Lady Alex she was simply plain.

Turn 4 Maps

E2: http://i55.tinypic.com/iz9wma.jpg
Stigmata: http://i52.tinypic.com/2mw9so7.jpg
Hubbard: http://i54.tinypic.com/16jg6tj.jpg
Assimov: http://i51.tinypic.com/5v14hu.jpg
Clarke: http://i53.tinypic.com/2ho8ml2.jpg
Arrakis: http://i51.tinypic.com/2gxgy7t.jpg
Incellia: http://i52.tinypic.com/25qxhs9.jpg

I do not dispute your right to defend yourself, nor your right to wage war against the Kilgore. You would be justified in doing so, and frankly, you would be doing the more civilized houses a favor. If requested, I may even join your efforts.

However.

No laws of the Imperium have been broken. There have been no transgressions against the church, and no atrocities have been committed. There is absolutely no reason for Imperial involvement, let alone a veiled declaration of renegade status. The regent and the Imperium have much bigger issues to deal with than the feuds and minor wars of the noble houses.

We re-iterate that this was part of our personal opinion; that is, if I were leading one of the attacked houses, it is how I would act in the situation. It has nothing to do with Imperial Authority.

House Kilgore never hid that it sold arms to those who had the coin to buy them. We, however, deny any allegations that our House would fund attacks against any House without provocation. Further more the Imperial Eye has no authority to declare us renegade as we have done nothing illegal.

We have not attempted to declare you renegade, merely that it was our personal conviction that it would be a treatment befitting you. We ask for our fellow nobles to discern between words and actions.

Tebryn Arbandi XII,
House Bossheaim and The Imperial Eye.

Good to know. Hey how are those symbiote on Hubbard? Want to do something about them?

I want to clarify that the position of the Regency regarding Arrakis weapons deals is, and has always been, that it is not the concern of the Imperium. There will be no action taken against House Kilgore by the Regent, and we will certainly not be declaring them a ''renegade House''. The Regent strongly believes that it is the duty of the planets to solve and prevent local problems. I call on the Houses of Arrakis to decide what is to be done, and if they choose to, to reprimand House Kilgore in a capacity that they see fit,

DiamondEye does not represent the views of the Imperium.

House Kilgore thanks the Regent. Truly he is wise.

Good to know. Hey how are those symbiote on Hubbard? Want to do something about them?

OOC Snide; We can send you a few so you can see for yourselves.

Imperial Community, House Naprous is running an opinion poll. "Are you opposed to a 10% tax (on all Imperial Entities, Houses, Guilds and Church Sects) to double the budget of the Imperial offices given the Symbiot advances?"

23 Infantry IV divisions were lost. This equals 69 Million Firebirds and 690,000 serfs. While many of these will undoubtedly be replaced by Grimson Legions more cost efficient and combat effective versus Symbiots it is clear that with the last three years on E2 and the losses of the Stigmata garrison and the reinfection of Hubbard the war effort is not only not sustainable, but rapidly being lost!

This is my own initiative to run this opinion poll. House Naprous will not rest until the Empire has the funds it needs to win!

We wish to contribute, but only if it law that all contribute so that we are not alone. We believe many others out there share the same opinion and fear of being alone.

The Symbiot must be driven back, the Eevi must be exterminated or enslaved, the Xyall must be subjugated and Errovus Secundus must be restored!

Hail the Empire!

From house Tsedeq to all noble houses
While the situation on Stigmata seems under control despite the unfortunate death of many unarmored soldiers to the evil symbiots thanks to the courageous actions of the Garrison and Fleet, the situation on Hubbard is extremely worrying.
We know that some symbiots reached the planet. They are apparently located in the Molyvet and Windigo II areas. These are the cities of the Garrison and Fleet.

House Tsedeq would like to know how the symbiots arried on Hubbard.
We think it's unlikely that they came from the jumpgate or space, as they have not been sighted. Furthermore, if that was the case, they would be present on all the planet, including Regency fiefdoms, Klorinheim and Bossheim fiefs.
We therefore believe that the symbiots may have been brought accidentally by the Fleet and Garrison on the Planet.
If these symbiots are small, they may have infected a few marines and soldiers, and been brought back to Hubbard unnoticed. Once released, the monsters would spread as they are used to.
We therefore ask that there be a quarantine on all troops having had contact with the symbiots. Until they are proven clean of symbiot infestation, they should not be allowed to leave Stigmata and Hubbard.
The symbiots at Hubbard should be analysed if that is possible in order to determine whether they could, in fact, have remained unnoticed given the current quarantine and health regulations. If indeed the symbiots had infested some soldiers and marines and remained hidden, then new regulations must be found to avoid the symbiot plague from spreading further.

We would also advise Bossheim, Klorinheim and Regency fiefdoms on Hubbard to avoid contact with Fleet and Garrison personnel and limit visits to the infested areas to the absolute minimum.

Of course, our information on the situation is minimal. Maybe the first victims were not soldiers or personnel coming back from Stigmata. However, with our limited knowledge, we don't feel like taking any risks and ask that all information available about the coming of Symbiots to Stigmata be made public.

Our Mammon freighter may or may not be rerouted from Hubbard depending on the measures taken. Given the current situation, it will definitely not land at the spaceport but might land near Bossheim (or even Klorinheim) lands.

The Imperium makes roughly 1,450 mf per round (roughly 556 for all Houses, 146 for the Offices and I surmise 700 for the Church and Guilds though I expect the Noble and Imperial net product to go up by at least 3 percent this round). Victory is eminently achievable. Hail the Empire!
Sorry for being annoying, but we MUST rally around the Empire. There must be a 10% tax as this will double the budgets of the Imperial offices from 146 to 300! Please state your opinion.

The battle against the symbiot is the test of humanity! Most certainly the suns will no longer fade should we emerge victorious!

(Basically I just don't want Phil telling me in ten turns along with everyone else 'Your resistance on place was adjective, but eventually you succumbed.' :D)

I had no idea they would use them against Vanari. Seriously. But I wasn't the one who was goobling up their land at an insane pace and building a giant railroad in the middle of what was previously nomad land.

I sold them cheap weapons, yes. I'm very good at what I do, which is making weapons.
Did I know the nomads would get so ticked off at you for building your railway? NO

I resent the accusation that I did.

Well Brother Vanari, at least he had no intention of using them against you...

Perhaps in the future noble houses should announce weapons sales to Imperial entities that consider themselves outside Imperial law?

Perhaps in the future noble houses should announce weapons sales to Imperial entities that consider themselves outside Imperial law?
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

You realize that all the houses are essentially small almost completely independant nations of their own right?

All within the Known Worlds are imperial entities as defined as being entities within the Empire even if accorded no rights, with no exceptions. This is a core aspect of Imperial Law.

You realize that all the houses are essentially small almost completely independant nations of their own right?

re.: Your question assumes the truth of the inherent statement. I disagree somewhat. The would-be Emperor went so far as to ban all but Authority fleets on E2. Granted E2 is at the heart of the Empire, but it's hardly 'almost completely independent' when several houses (some of them solely on E2) isn't even allowed to have a fleet on E2 simply because the Emperor signed an agreement with a guild. I agree with your statement question to some degree, but we need to cooperate more. Our suggestion which was mocked and ignored last year would have seen less devestation on E2. Our future must become more autocratic.

From house Tsedeq to all noble houses
While the situation on Stigmata seems under control despite the unfortunate death of many unarmored soldiers to the evil symbiots thanks to the courageous actions of the Garrison and Fleet, the situation on Hubbard is extremely worrying.

House of Hyppean voices its opinion - we see stupidity of leaders that made Garrison lose many of our worthy soldiers. House of Hyppean would have NEVER attacked symbiots with en-masse infantry. We have warned, several times before, that using infantry against symbiots is a terrible idea. But our warnings were not heard. House of Hyppean led Garrison successfully against symbiots, yet we were demoted. But who are we, to question decisions of Regency.

We know that some symbiots reached the planet. They are apparently located in the Molyvet and Windigo II areas. These are the cities of the Garrison and Fleet.

House Tsedeq would like to know how the symbiots arried on Hubbard.
We think it's unlikely that they came from the jumpgate or space, as they have not been sighted. Furthermore, if that was the case, they would be present on all the planet, including Regency fiefdoms, Klorinheim and Bossheim fiefs.
We therefore believe that the symbiots may have been brought accidentally by the Fleet and Garrison on the Planet.


I, Garrik Harnoth, previous commander of the Imperial Garrison (Until I was removed from my duties by a "better candidate") can present few possible ways how this could have happened:

1) Gate itself is contaminated with symbiot life-forms (symbiot plant-life bursted through the gate on stigimata and could have contaminated gate with barely-visible symbiot-life forms or some life form could have been created), some seeds or small forms entered when gate was dialed to hubbard (or from hubbard?).

2) Despite all of careful preparations, symbiots managed to somehow insert themselves into fuel, that Hyppean transport used. (OOC: Update says that my transport lost portion of fuel upon entering athmosphere of Hubbard). It may have happened over a year ago, when space station/fuel station was still infested. If fuel is contaminated, entire fleet may be overrun.

3) Symbiots traveled through space and hover around Hubbard and Hubbards gate - they might have been carried there with any of the transports, but they were unable to enter athmosphere without a 'host vehicle'. This is the most worrying scenario, meaning symbiots could be circling around most planets, just waiting for a spacecraft to carry them onto land. This also means any trade fleet could carry a small patch of symbiots lifeforms with them to any planet they visit.

4) There was a project of garrison, fleet, house of Klorin, Bossheim, Kilgore or Regent that went bit ... wrong.


If these symbiots are small, they may have infected a few marines and soldiers, and been brought back to Hubbard unnoticed. Once released, the monsters would spread as they are used to.
This is not likely as symbiots have never been able to take control of their host mind - they tend to take the body and modify it for their own purposes (exsplosions, steel tails, regeneration, deadly gases). I Do not think, that evolution of this scale could have happened during so small time-frame.

[qutote]We therefore ask that there be a quarantine on all troops having had contact with the symbiots. Until they are proven clean of symbiot infestation, they should not be allowed to leave Stigmata and Hubbard. [/quote]
You ask two planets with more than 5 million citizens to be quaratined. AND all imperial troops, vehicles, ships and anything that can - and is - used against symbiots, essentially halting the warfare against symbiot threat. Besides travel between planets takes 3 months, so symbiot life forms would have probably shown signs during that time.

The symbiots at Hubbard should be analysed if that is possible in order to determine whether they could, in fact, have remained unnoticed given the current quarantine and health regulations. If indeed the symbiots had infested some soldiers and marines and remained hidden, then new regulations must be found to avoid the symbiot plague from spreading further.

Researching symbiots is dangerous business, I'd prefer to fry all of these bugs, but if Regency insists on this matter, then we will do our best.


We would also advise Bossheim, Klorinheim and Regency fiefdoms on Hubbard to avoid contact with Fleet and Garrison personnel and limit visits to the infested areas to the absolute minimum.

All towns must be prepared for invasion and ONLY garrison has technological skill and experience with symbiots to do that! Not allowing people to interact with Garisson would mean death sentence to civilians and many more symbiot-recruits.


However, with our limited knowledge, we don't feel like taking any risks and ask that all information available about the coming of Symbiots to Stigmata be made public.

I have given you all of the information that is in my knowledge.


Our Mammon freighter may or may not be rerouted from Hubbard depending on the measures taken. Given the current situation, it will definitely not land at the spaceport but might land near Bossheim (or even Klorinheim) lands.

I'd recommend your ships to be triple checked for possible symbiot nesting/hiding areas, both inside and outside of the ship.

Signed,
Garrik Harnoth,
Written on: Hubbard
House of Hyppean

---
OOC:

Edit: We could ask The Church to lend us a hand vs the Symbiots.

Imperial Community, House Naprous is running an opinion poll. "Are you opposed to a 10% tax to double the budget of the Imperial offices given the Symbiot advanced?"

23 Infantry IV units were lost. This equals 69 Million Firebirds. While many of these will undoubtedly be replaced by more cost efficient Grimson Legions it is clear that with the last three years on E2 and the losses of the Stigmata garrison and the reinfection of Hubbard the war effort is not only not sustainable, but rapidly being lost!

This is my own initiative to run this opinion poll. House Naprous will not rest until the Empire has the funds it needs to win!

We wish to contribute, but only if it law that all contribute so that we are not alone. We believe many others out there share the same opinion and fear of being alone.

The Symbiot must be driven back, the Eevi must be exterminated or enslaved, the Xyall must be subjugated and Errovus Secundus must be restored!
The Regent has already said that he wouldn't pass such a law. What is the point of a poll then? As you rightly pointed out, the Regent is an autocrat, and he doesn't need to know or heed such a poll. We are opposed to the Imperium imposing us. We are noble houses and are willing to contribute to the defense of our worlds by ourselves.

Regarding the lost infantry units, we believe that they have been risked where they shouldn't have been sent, proven they are ineffective, and should be kept to garrison duty. It is not clear whether their replacement should be similar infantry, but if so, they should remain in defense. We believe that with proper bombing support or a more defensive stance, low-end infantry may be useful, but they are not a loss to our offensive capacity on Stigmata.

Finally, although the Symbiots and Evvis are monsters that threaten the whole worlds, the Xyall are simply savage beasts that roam the jungles of a planet, and therefore a domestic problem of this planet. If people on Clarke woke up some monsters in the abysses, it would be up to Clarke to solve the issue, not the Empire.

Note that symbiots do take over host mind as well- though usually its turned to animal savagery.

Remember that time doesn't pass for any life-forms while in jump. People do not age, plants do not grow, a fetus does not mature. Presumably a symbiot would be in stasis too.

All within the Known Worlds are imperial entities as defined as being entities within the Empire even if accorded no rights, with no exceptions. This is a core aspect of Imperial Law.



re.: Your question assumes the truth of the inherent statement. I disagree somewhat. The would-be Emperor went so far as to ban all but Authority fleets on E2. Granted E2 is at the heart of the Empire, but it's hardly 'almost completely independent' when several houses (some of them solely on E2) isn't even allowed to have a fleet on E2 simply because the Emperor signed an agreement with a guild. I agree with your statement question to some degree, but we need to cooperate more. Our suggestion which was mocked and ignored last year would have seen less devestation on E2. Our future must become more autocratic.

No it shouldn't. Honestly the reason that they could quarantine E2 was twofold - 1 none of us wanted the plague to spread 2 - No one had the force to dispute the quarantine if they wanted to.

To House Naprous
From House Bossheaim

You may have already figured this out, but we - like what looks like the entire Imperial Community - are against the Imperial Tax. The Regent has already assures us that it will not happen, so we see no reason to further discuss this terrible idea.

House of Hyppean voices its opinion - we see stupidity of leaders that made Garrison lose many of our worthy soldiers. House of Hyppean would have NEVER attacked symbiots with en-masse infantry. We have warned, several times before, that using infantry against symbiots is a terrible idea. But our warnings were not heard.

House Tsedeq agrees that the handling of operations on Stigmata ground could have been better handled. The lack of coordination with the Fleet bombers didn't help either.


You ask two planets with more than 5 million citizens to be quaratined. AND all imperial troops, vehicles, ships and anything that can - and is - used against symbiots, essentially halting the warfare against symbiot threat. Besides travel between planets takes 3 months, so symbiot life forms would have probably shown signs during that time.

First of all, Errovus Secundus has been quarantined against a much lighter threat and its population is about similar.
Second, the Chariotteers are suspending all trade already, so the planets are almost quarantined already. As for sending military spaceships out of Hubbard when all known symbiots are on Stigmata and Hubbard, I miss the point.

The Regent will always respect the integrity and rights of the Imperial Houses. There will be no taxation, despite the fact that the Empire is in dire need of funds. Instead, I ask that the Houses, perhaps via the Council of Minors or other bodies, continue to donate firebirds to the Garrison as they have generously done in the past.

I will also reinterate my request that the people of Arrakis and Inceilla begin the building of fortifications and defensive projects. The discovery of the planet Bradbury has placed these worlds in dire danger, and they must be able to defend against an orbital assault. One or more guilds have the access codes to activate the jump gate, and if they do they will no doubt alert the symbiots there to our pressence, if they are not already. As I have said, I am willing to contribute as much as I can to this effort, so please organise a defense project and send it to me so I know what's going on. If the Bradbury symbiots attack, the Imperium will not, I repeat not be able to defend you. You will be required to defend yourselves as best as you can.

Your Regent.

I ask that the Houses, perhaps via the Council of Minors or other bodies, continue to donate firebirds to the Garrison as they have generously done in the past.
House Tsedeq will give some money to the Garrison, but only if the Garrison explains its plans for the year to come.
If more sending of unprotected soldiers to the symbiots is planned, we will not waste money.

Infantry IV will no longer be used outside the fortress. The artillary that had been bonded to the Infantry IV regiments will be taken out and be used.

As of this moment, the Garrison's priorities is to eliminate the Symbiote infection in Hubbard. We shall use the Grimson Legion, the Boar Tanks, and the Artillary currently stationed in Hubbard to burn out the infection and rescue as many survivors as possible. The survivors shall be put on quarantine and be watched for any sign of infection. As the symbiotes in Hubbard are not as developed as the Symbiotes on Stigmata is, the Grimson will be virtually immune to harm.

Meanwhile, the Garrison's second priority is to create additional defenses within the fortress that face towards the Gate. As we do not know how the situation is beyond the gateway is, I feel as if it would be a suicide to leave the fortress undefended as of this moment. Unfortunately this means going on the defensive, but I doubt the Garrison, with the reinforcements from Errovus Secundus and Hubbard delayed, will be able to go on the offensive for this year.

The third priority of the Garrison is to bring in advanced medics and morale raisers in form of magi into Stigmata to treat the wounded.

And may the Pancreator help us all.

...
I will also reinterate my request that the people of Arrakis and Inceilla begin the building of fortifications and defensive projects. The discovery of the planet Bradbury has placed these worlds in dire danger, and they must be able to defend against an orbital assault. One or more guilds have the access codes to activate the jump gate, and if they do they will no doubt alert the symbiots there to our pressence, if they are not already. As I have said, I am willing to contribute as much as I can to this effort, so please organise a defense project and send it to me so I know what's going on. If the Bradbury symbiots attack, the Imperium will not, I repeat not be able to defend you. You will be required to defend yourselves as best as you can.

Your Regent.

I believe each planet should have (elect? appoint? decree?) a Symbiot Defense Force (SDF) general, for clear command and control in case of an infection. Each house should allow some part of its garrison to be activated in the case of a symbiot attack. For example, our Burnt Angels would be very helpful in eliminating a small symbiot invasion, and we would gladly offer their services in the face of an attack. Having a competent central commander might make the difference between victory and defeat. To further that aim, I am creating an Arrakis Defense Force (http://forums.civfanatics.com/group.php?groupid=439) group to coordinate the efforts of my home planet - I suggest members of each planet do the same.

It is already in place - called the Garrison Commander. The Query will not support any changes to the Imperial Charter. Your heart is in the right place, but we feel it is unneccesary at this time.

Lord Guy of the Fye Clan, Sceptre Holder, The Query

Story:

Scouting the remnants of The Authority

The Cerberus Guard had spent days going scouting what used to be the Authority fiefdom north of The Query fiefdom. They had examined the area making detailed reports on the conditions, abandoned facilities, interviews with residents, and the multitude of little warlords that now infested the area. The region used to house many people but now was a shadow of its former self. First the plague came through and decimated the local population, during this time the Authority began its civil conflict and this fiefdom fell into chaos. Now the region which was once overpopulated had lost most of its residents. The ‘warlords’ that had risen all over this and the nearby freemen zone the situation for The Query had become…complicated.

The warlords all thought they could become the next noble house as if all it took was a small band and a couple of tanks and a missile. The Cerberus Guard was out there to try and offer a chance for them to join The Query and avoid further pointless loss of life. Do far the only takers were individuals who were not under the control of any of these warlords, Prefectus Hisbon gave them direction to one of the processing centers to join as serfs for The Query and tried to convince as many of them as they could to take anything of value with them. One of the Subbies came running up to report.

“Sir, we are coming up on yet another warlord’s base. It appears she controls about a three square mile region. They have not yet detected us, but our scouts have ascertained she has a unit of light tanks in more or less usable condition, a pair of medium tanks, and what seems to be a small mobile launcher of some sort. The troops appear to be mostly a rabble with only maybe half of them carrying firearms of any kind.” Sub-Tribune Wolcott finished his report and stood at rest awaiting directions.

Prefectus Hibson sighed. She knew this warlord would also reject the generous terms offered by Lord Guy, but she was under orders to try. “Send the usual terms and await response but be prepared for defensive action. Get snipers and anti tank weapons emplaced here and over there.” She pointed out the positions on nearby roofs and the Subbie nodded and began to make it happen.

The offer was sent out to this warlord, and as usual the response was what Prefectus Hibson thought disgustedly was an ‘army.’ Perhaps ten thousand in a mob, only half armed with anything that could fire a bullet, and the small handful of tanks already reported. But in the back what really did seem to be a mobile missile launcher. That could be an issue. Well let the fighters handle it Prefectus Hibson decided and called for them to strafe the position.

The well disciplined and trained troops of The Query got into position and waited for the order to commence dispersing the mob coming towards them. As always they awaited the enemy to fire the first shot. And they did when a missile streaked out towards their position.

The explosion completely obliterated a nearby building, thankfully the lack of training on the part of the warlord’s army showed and they missed most of the Cerberus Guard, but they did kill a handful and injured a few more as well. The gloves were off now. “Commence firing!” Prefectus Hibson shouted.

Bullets flew. Tanks began to fire. Fighter planes strafed the warlord’s forces. The cacophony of carnage was enough to even rattle the nerves of the trained soldiers of the Cerberus Guard, but as expected the poorly trained rabble quickly broke and began running in all directions. The rout had begun.

“Do not pursue the rabble!” Prefectus Hibson shouted above the gunfire. “Take out the tanks and try to capture the missile launcher!”

Soldiers ran all around, medical teams dragged the wounded to cover while they frantically attempted to stop them from expiring. Fighters darted around the sky as they strafed the main body of opposition or tried to damage tanks. Slowly the bangs, booms, and yelling began to taper off until the battlefield was left to only hear the yells of commands and the screams of the wounded.

The units began to check in at the base camp and casualties were thankfully light, less than a hundred dead and a couple of hundred wounded. Prefectus Hibson decided he needed to commend the soldiers for this action, especially the sniper teams who seemed to take down the missile platform’s crew quickly. So they had routed the opposition and captured a missile vehicle for examination. Prefectus Hibson decided that since this was a very minor warlord they should take it easy and possibly even return to base to report their findings. Even here only a few miles from The Query fief there was already dangerous warlord activity. It needed to be dealt with, and quickly before the rot spreads.

“Cerberus Guard is to withdraw from this zone and return to base to report and bring any weapons or vehicles of interest as we collect them up.” ordered Prefectus Hibson. It was going to be a long mop up operation she thought. Damn why can nothing ever be easy!

I believe each planet should have (elect? appoint? decree?) a Symbiot Defense Force (SDF) general, for clear command and control in case of an infection. Each house should allow some part of its garrison to be activated in the case of a symbiot attack. For example, our Burnt Angels would be very helpful in eliminating a small symbiot invasion, and we would gladly offer their services in the face of an attack. Having a competent central commander might make the difference between victory and defeat. To further that aim, I am creating an Arrakis Defense Force (http://forums.civfanatics.com/group.php?groupid=439) group to coordinate the efforts of my home planet - I suggest members of each planet do the same.

We believe they meant that planets would have an independent commander, independent of Imperium command.

It is already in place - called the Garrison Commander. The Query will not support any changes to the Imperial Charter. Your heart is in the right place, but we feel it is unneccesary at this time.

Lord Guy of the Fye Clan, Sceptre Holder, The Query

...As I have said, I am willing to contribute as much as I can to this effort, so please organise a defense project and send it to me so I know what's going on. If the Bradbury symbiots attack, the Imperium will not, I repeat not be able to defend you. You will be required to defend yourselves as best as you can.

Your Regent.
I am merely showing initiative in following the orders of the Regent. Trusting others to fight all of the battles for us is tantamount to suicide.

But that is the purpose of the Garrison Commander, to be in ultimate control of the Garrison. The Garrison already has generals in charge of various locations and forces who are doing exactly what you propose.

I feel that adding another commander to the mix would create two garrison commanders essentially. Two seperate people using the same pool of resources to accomplish different ends. Why add this confusion and potential for conflicting orders to the troops?

This is not to say we cannot all state our opinions or offer advice, but ultimately it should be up to the Garrison Commander to decide what to do and a military needs that central authority and single direction to run smoothly.

Lord Guy of the Fye Clan, Sceptre Holder, The Query

I agree, actually; I am just trying to start a discussion on what is the best way to handle the planetary defenses. Specifics can be worked out in the group discussion.

Infantry IV will no longer be used outside the fortress. The artillary that had been bonded to the Infantry IV regiments will be taken out and be used.

As of this moment, the Garrison's priorities is to eliminate the Symbiote infection in Hubbard. We shall use the Grimson Legion, the Boar Tanks, and the Artillary currently stationed in Hubbard to burn out the infection and rescue as many survivors as possible. The survivors shall be put on quarantine and be watched for any sign of infection. As the symbiotes in Hubbard are not as developed as the Symbiotes on Stigmata is, the Grimson will be virtually immune to harm.

Meanwhile, the Garrison's second priority is to create additional defenses within the fortress that face towards the Gate. As we do not know how the situation is beyond the gateway is, I feel as if it would be a suicide to leave the fortress undefended as of this moment. Unfortunately this means going on the defensive, but I doubt the Garrison, with the reinforcements from Errovus Secundus and Hubbard delayed, will be able to go on the offensive for this year.

The third priority of the Garrison is to bring in advanced medics and morale raisers in form of magi into Stigmata to treat the wounded.

And may the Pancreator help us all.

Kinda IC-OOC, Garriks comments:

Garrik believes that Infantry should remain behind to protect the artillery. Infantry should not be used in front or mid-rows.

Garrik Believes that going onto offensive with this few troops will mean certain defeat. Even larger scale attack will mean certain defeat for Imperial Garrison. For survival, Hive Raum HAS to be defeated or atleast weakened by bombardment.

About Hubbard:
Both Garrik Harnoth aswell as Tenith Erona are on Hubbard and are willing to lead Imperial Garrison offensive/defensive there. Garrik was previous commander of Garisson and it'd be unwise to throw away such an opportunity. Of course I'll not be giving over control of my ACCs - they'll still follow my orders. I want Garrik to lead the assault/reconquest plans and Tenith defense/stop expansion plans.

About E2: Garrison should expand its territories and holdings there, just to gain access to extra funds and secure E2 future.

About magic: Garrison has no magic quality, better leave it to battle brothers or some other faction. Altho healers who can dis-spell symbiot magic and then heal would be useful, great idea!

Garrisson is Sword and Shield of the Pancreator. We My brothers will defeat this symbiot threat.

Can I first say that the Imperial Charter is horribly flawed, and I will change it if neccessary. I don't understand why it is treated with such reverence, the church isn't particularly against changing it so I don't see why so many Houses are.

With regards to planetary defense, what I want is for planetary organisations to form and to take care of the defense on each planet. It's up to you how you organise yourself from there, and I won't intervene. However as Regent I would like an invite to any groups formed.

House Texier hereby presents its view on the administration and defence of the Empire, particularly for the attention of the Regent.

Firstly, we see a need for the Regent to cooperate more closely with the Church. The Church has enormously extensive resources that are not being used to fight the Symbiots but perhaps they could be doing so if the Regent were conferring fully on the matter with his fellow-Clerics. edit: not to mention the fact that the Church is spending enormous funds and forces on matters of dubious urgency.

Secondly, something needs to be done to replace the role of the Authority on Errovus Secondus. The prime purposes of the Authority - the water gates' maintainance and the distribution of grain and the prevention of piracy - need continuing by someone.

Thirdly, the southern Authority continent needs to come under the legal ownership of someone. The Regent must consult with the Church on this matter.

Fourthly, we urge everyone to behave with extreme caution and moderation with regard to Arrakis.

Fifthly, we agree with the Regent that diplomatic overtures should be made towards the Evvis, and we rather wonder why this sort of business has not been brought before the Nobles to consider in the thread.

Sixthly, what is the status of the naval treaty with the Authority on Errovus Secondus? House Texier wishes to know if it is now free to build ships; at any rate, what must certainly be avoided is the complete absence of any naval force to protect merchant shipping on the seas of the planet.

House Texier is willing within reason to carry out duties and take on roles in collaboration with the Regent to make sure that the Authority's demise does not result in economic or political chaos on Errovus Secondus.

To House Klorin
From House Texier

Depending on our stats, we may well be interested in the purchase of your fiefdom on E2.

A very important OOC note for Immaculate:

We no longer have the Authority interfering in our trade and we can trade freely without them receiving a cut in every deal. Therefore fiefs on E2 ought to receive a pretty hefty income boost?

Also, what happened to the Orthodox fiefdom immediately to the south of my fiefdom on Errovus Secondus?

But there is no need for you to be in on every discussion between houses. This is mighty intrusive. As for the charter how is it flawed? It provides for planetary forces, space forces, and intelligence forces aside from the Regency itself.

If a valid argument for why the charter should be changed can be presented then perhaps The Query will support it, but overall we see no need at this time.

Lord Ichabod, Sterling Clan, Sceptre Holder, The Query

The Southern Authority continent does need to be placed under someones command, but how to decide such fairly? I am of the opinion that it should be split between the various Imperial Positions, primarily the Garrison and Fleet, to secure incomes for these very important groups. Obviously actual piracy will take a while to occur on the seas of E2, for now I suppose like on all other planets the individual houses should safeguard their fiefs while the Garrison could take up anti piracy activity.

I would also imagine that local gates and such facilities should be run by the fiefdom they are located in or near.

We also stand ready to aid E2 in preventing the collapse of its structure. The Query have already begun to undertake actions to prevent collapse but would be open to discussing such things with other interested parties.

Lord Guy, Fye Clan, Sceptre Holder, The Query

To House Klorin
From House Texier

Depending on our stats, we may well be interested in the purchase of your fiefdom on E2.


We have already received an offer of 16MF for that Holding. If you are willing to raise, great :)

But that is the purpose of the Garrison Commander, to be in ultimate control of the Garrison. The Garrison already has generals in charge of various locations and forces who are doing exactly what you propose.

I feel that adding another commander to the mix would create two garrison commanders essentially. Two seperate people using the same pool of resources to accomplish different ends. Why add this confusion and potential for conflicting orders to the troops?

This is not to say we cannot all state our opinions or offer advice, but ultimately it should be up to the Garrison Commander to decide what to do and a military needs that central authority and single direction to run smoothly.

Lord Guy of the Fye Clan, Sceptre Holder, The Query

Imperial Garrison is the Sword and Shield of the Pancreator. Their might defends you. But Imperial Garrison is facing hard times, (especially) because of poor conditions they are in and because of poor decisions their new leaders have made. Imperial Garrisson will, eventually, defend every citizens of The Empire, but Garrison has limited amount of funds and manpower and thus can not be present everywhere.

It is both traditional and logical for a noble to defend their lands themselves against an invasion - for a short time - until their lord can gather a defense force and counter attack invaders. This battle tactics is ancient. It's tradition. Like that it has always been, Like that it shall always be.

A Planet wide defensive pact has been done before - Union of Incellia (OOC: Spelling?!?!).

In case of a conflict, This group would coordinate defense and offense of the planet until Garrison can muster up a defensive/offensive force to counter an invasion.

Signed,
Tenith Erona,
House of Hyppean

But my Lord Fye, the Church is already taking control.

@Adrogans:

I'm not saying I'm changing it now, but that I may do in the future if the need to arose. Personally I despise the voting system and think its extremely unfair, but that's an entirely different matter.

There's no need for me to be on in the discussions, but considering the Regency has land on almost every planet (if not every one), including Arrakis, it would make sense for it to be involved in a purely local manner if required. If there was an infection on Arrakis, I wouldn't send in the Garrison but if I had troops on the planet anyway I don't see why they shouldn't be involved. It would be maddness for them to just sit idly by. They wouldn't be used to arbritrate disagreements between the Houses, but in the face of symbiot invasion of course they would be involved.

Yes, I thought he meant to add another commander to the Garrison, not strictly an anti symbiote structure for Arrakis. Also we have just proposed that the Fleet and Garrison take over the southern E2 continent to bolster their income to aid in these tough times.

But my Lord Fye, the Church is already taking control.

Yes but why not hand it over to those two bodies who desperately need the income to defend all of humanity instead?

@Adrogans:

I'm not saying I'm changing it now, but that I may do in the future if the need to arose. Personally I despise the voting system and think its extremely unfair, but that's an entirely different matter.

There's no need for me to be on in the discussions, but considering the Regency has land on almost every planet (if not every one), it would make sense for it to be involved in a purely local manner if required. If there was an infection on Arrakis, I wouldn't send in the Garrison but if I had troops on the planet anyway I don't see why they shouldn't be involved. It would be maddness for them to just sit idly by.

But to what purpose? There is no reason for the Regency to be involved in agreements between houses unless the Regency is trying to join said pacts, alliances, discussions. Otherwise this seems like simply a way to spy on everything.

Lord Guy, Fye Clan, Sceptre Holder, The Query

OOC: Seriously I cannot understand why I am the only one arguing against this.

Yes but why not hand it over to those two bodies who desperately need the income to defend all of humanity instead?

Lord Guy, Fye Clan, Sceptre Holder, The Query

Precisely; the Regent needs to confer with the Church to secure for us all what is best for the Imperium and for the glory of the Pancreator, namely to dispense of these lands wisely and appropriately. Your suggestion also has a huge amount to commend it.

And I concur that there's no way the Regent would get automatic membership of any E2 defence association social group if I were the administrator. He would learn anything relevant to him from me if any such association came into being.