Naprous started out as a relic. They made bad wine and their fiefdoms were completely swamped by the rising seas of E2.

They sent out their main noble who had a scepter to Assimov and he got jumped by some pirates; the pirates asked for a ransom but Naprous couldn't pay it by themselves and no one helped out and they didn't borrow to pay it, so he was killed and the scepter went missing. Oh also the imperial fleet attacked the pirates...

But they started a major agricultural reclamation project and turned their economy around and started to export some foods. When the plaque hit E2 they acted 'for the betterment of man' (opportunistically?) to swallow up as much land and freemen desperate for protection that they could. They borrowed heavily and developed units capable of operating in the face of the plague. They then sold the plans for this for diplomatic and economic incentives and managed to futher their lands and influence even further.

All the while it was revealed that the new head of house naprous, who had married the head of house klorin (thomas berubeg's faction) had known about the regent starting the plague and hidden it. So she was burned at the 'stake' (actually a big circle in this world).

Now they have control over the majority of E2's very small merchant fleet and are doing alright selling thier grain to their neighbors. They probably need to develop the infrastructure in their new lands (both physical and government) and continue expanding their control of E2's merchant navies and carry trade.

I think thats the Naprous in the broad strokes.

Consider me Naprous. :D

Welcome to the Game... (despite out two house's nebulous friendship :p )

Crisis averted. I'm keeping Kilgore.

Vert I wouldn't mind if we talked further over AIM, MSN or on IRC (#nes its in my sig).

I will attempt to use IRC. Failing that I shall get MSN fired up and working.

Consider me Naprous. :D

Welcome aboard.

Naprous is involved in a few diplomatic 'groups'. I am sure you'll get social group invites soon.

Iggy, a friendly warning, Toteone/Previous Naprous player had quite many deals going, with quite many different people.

The "Known worlds" and the Imperium are merely the property of the Church of the Pancreator, who themselves are only a small faction within the Grand Galactic Republic, a body very technologically advanced and culturally powerful. The Church, however, does not want us to know this, and so keeps us contained in fear and petty squabbling, knowing that no one will question them. Thus, they use us as a pool of Raw Resources and Manpower for their political maneuvering against other factions in the Republic. The Symbiots are a fabricated threat, a product of the Bioengineering of the Church, designed to create an enemy so feared by the Imperium, which has the illusion of self governance, that they will never turn against the church, as the church is seen by all as thier only chance of survival against the terrible threat that once burned through the planets (A tactic by the church to put the fear of the Symbiots in it's slaves, and no doubt a story that has been greatly embellished over the years to make the symbiots even more terrifying.)

Think about it: it makes sense... There's a reason the Church forbids the opening of the Jump Gates: they're afraid we'll discover the rest of the republic (Knowledge of which has been passed down in the histories and legends of the Imperium as an ineffectual body, rife with corruption and long since destroyed, with it's capital on E2 (Is that really it's original name, or one fabricated by the church to enforce our ideological subservience?) This is likely a lie, with the capital of the Republic a distant world, More Glorious than any others.)

Holy Errovus was likely not the birthplace of humanity, but rather the Birthplace of the Church of the Pancreator, and so, in their propaganda, became the cradle of humanity, and, through it's Holiness, Illegal for any but the chosen few to see. The Church is afraid we'll see that the space traffic is unusually high, with thousands of Alien races as visitors, and realize that the church has been lying to us for Centuries.

The Evvis are likely an Alien race which was, for a time, allied with the Church, but, after a schism, became an effective scapegoat for the tool of oppression unleashed by the Church on Stigmata.

Even the League plays a part in this, the shadowy opposition to the church, which serves to preserve the illusion that the Church is not the Absolute ruler of the "Known Worlds", while, in fact, being an arm of the Church itself.


This'd be amusing, wouldn't it?

I am afraid that I will not be able to dedicate enough time to this NES for at least a month or two, as I get settled into a new job.

I will be sad to give up the reins of the proud Eekin Family, I hope the next player will be able to continue the successes Eekin has had.

If desired, I can send crude orders tonight or tomorrow. Sorry.

There goes the Imperial fleet.

Okay Seon can you take over the reigns for the Imperial Fleet this turn? Next turn I will appoint a new Fleet Commander.

Also welcome to Iggy. Holy Gate and Naporous go way back and I hope we can continue to work together. Do you have msn by any chance?

Okay Seon can you take over the reigns for the Imperial Fleet this turn? Next turn I will appoint a new Fleet Commander.

OOC: That makes absolutely no sense IC. It's groundless and would just break immersion. Better if germanicus gives vague directives and then Immac plays them this turn. Next, another player can hopefully be found.

I assume that a player leaving would correspond to a house leader dying. Otherwise it would make no sense anyway when a new player joins and starts to take the house in a new direction.

At this stage we need proper and indepth orders for the Fleet. Seon knows the Stigmata situation better then anyone, I want him to write the orders. A new player can certainly not take over the Imperial Fleet with things as they are right now. We need experienced players in office.

Control of both the fleet and the garrison for a turn?

It's like my dream come true.

I assume that a player leaving would correspond to a house leader dying. Otherwise it would make no sense anyway when a new player joins and starts to take the house in a new direction.

At this stage we need proper and indepth orders for the Fleet. Seon knows the Stigmata situation better then anyone, I want him to write the orders. A new player can certainly not take over the Imperial Fleet with things as they are right now. We need experienced players in office.
I'm sorry but this is all OCC and doesn't make sense to me IC.

Perhaps Seon can take the fleet and Northen Wolf can take the Garrison this turn? I know that Northen is well briefed on the situations both on Hubbard and Stigmata, and he has excellent experience (and a proven track record) commanding the Garisson. (All OOC, but assume this is the stance of the Sanctious'Als as well.)

I support, IC and OOC, letting Seon control the Fleet this turn.

This'd be amusing, wouldn't it?

OOC: "Nothing is true, Everything is permitted"?

I am afraid that I will not be able to dedicate enough time to this NES for at least a month or two, as I get settled into a new job.

I will be sad to give up the reins of the proud Eekin Family, I hope the next player will be able to continue the successes Eekin has had.

If desired, I can send crude orders tonight or tomorrow. Sorry.

OOC - @Immaculate: You might want to PM God Emperor and ask him if he stills wants to join this game. Make sure he knows it takes some serious reading to get into :p

Control of both the fleet and the garrison for a turn?

It's like my dream come true.

OOC: Well I'm doomed. We're all doomed! :eek:
j/k - I hope.

OOC: I support hbar's suggestion both OOC and IC. A reshuffle would make sense anyway as Seon is not that popular with Garrison troops at the moment, can't possibly imagine why... This could lead to leadership issues if Seon tries to do anything remotely controversial or risky with Garrison forces this turn.

I can roll with that. Northen, send one of your ACC to Stigmata this turn while I try to fix that "symbiot fiends in our fuel tank" problem.

I shall also send you important deals that Garrison have right now.

Technically the Regent can change who is any position as they see fit. Just make up a reason saying Eekin wants to resign or something and then shuffle away. Or Immac can control the Eekin ACC in charge of the Fleet as an NPC until a new player is sufficiently briefed (so for like 1 turn).

You know what, I'll just post them here right now.

Issues of Stigmata, as of current era.

-The greatest threat that faces us in Stigmata as of right now is surely the jumpgate. The gateway, which had been the object of our protection for such a long time, have turned into something more sinister. Symbiot troops have been shown to be capable of emerging from the jump gate and strike us from the back.
--Corollary: The symbiotes that emerged from the jumpgates were plant-like in nature, and were vulnerable to the Fleet's Heavy guns. However, I expect them to be strengthend by the next time we encounter them.
--Corollary two: We do not know where the symbiotes that control these creatures come from. Creating another front on the planet, however, is an expensive venture that we cannot accomplish at the moment.

-The Fleet's fuel tanks were infiltrated by bug-like symbiote creatures, which infiltrated Hubbard via this method.

As of right now, we shall first have to empty the fuels from the ships suspected of being infested by symbiotes, and add additional filtering measures to ships arriving at Stigmata to prevent even more infestations. In any case, this may mean that the Fleet's system may require an overhaul by the next year, and that a new supply of fuel be transported to the Fleet.

Hive Data.

In our battles with the hive, we were able to identify important characteristics of hive species...

Hive Raum: transformative and high speed. This means that these creatures consume much energy. As it happens, Hive Raum also has the greatest plant life around it which provides them with energy via photosynthesis. If we clear out this forest, we expect that the Hive Raum's ferocity would decrease by far.

Hive Eurynome: Giant armored lizards. They have demonstrated previously unknown ability to somehow disable our plane's systems, causing it to crash. Artillary bombardment is recoomanded for dealing with the creatures of this hive.

Hive Ayn: These are giant sea urchins, covered in a white mucus of some sort. They were able to somehow cause an itching sensation to the soldiers of the Garrison whilest they were 20 kms away via the usage of poisonous clouds. While they were easily dispatched by our tanks, they were still an annoyance.

Hive Philansomething: These are giant armored centipedes which turned bullets and flames. The heavy bombardment of tanks and Dauntless dive-bombers proved effective against them, however. They have the ability to burrow underground, and attack in many swarms.

Seismographs that have been placed around the Garrison facilities, however, should be able to detect their approach, allowing a Garrison commander to detect their coming.

Caym Hive: Flying metallic insects. Stinger fighters are effective against them, and should be used. I advise caution when fighting this. Garrison anti-air abilities are not something that I wish to test in a major scale.

Hive Malphas: Big freaking jellyfishes, and the bane of boar tanks. I advise using the Grimson's flamers and the Church's magic against them.

.................................................. .................................................. ........

Garrison Particular Issues

Besieging a hive: It surely is the most nightmarish task for a Grimson Legion to attack another hive. They would be fighting in cramped corners in a confusing underground labyrinth whilst the enemies attack from all sides. However, to ensure the complete destruction of a hive, a thermonucleonic device must be detonated within the heart of the hive.

The garrison's magic training, which we hoped would allow us to bypass this step completely by teleporting a bomb directly into the hive, had been delayed by a coup within Klorinheim. However, CoM have agreed to build a training facility for magi within the icy planet of Inceillia. Around 25 MF of the budget should be used for this task.

Budget: the budget has always been the issue of the garrison and the fleet. Part of the reason is because of the current mess that the Errovus Secundus is in as of the current era. Therefore, to strengthen the Garrison and the Fleet, the issues that Errovus Secundus face today must be solved as quickly as possible.

For this reason, I have hired the Bureaucrats. They had been tasked with organizing rebuilding efforts within the heart of the Imperium. I advise using around 35 MF for this effort, although surely they would require more.

Garrison's air unit:It has always been a mystery to me why the Garrison did not have more anti-air capabilities. Although some may say that it is the Fleet's job to protect the celestium and provide surveillance to the Garrison troops, the recent event shows the fallacy behind that reason. Besides, aerospace fighters are much more expensive than a normal fighter.

For this reason, I have tasked the SoE to design a fighter for us. 18 MF have been spent on the designing process in the Garrison.

Medics: I have tasked the Koriate House with designing and providing the Garrison with more magic units dedicated to the healing of troops, although with the regime change, I might reconsider funneling the funds to more urgent issues, such as Hubbard.

Hubbard: The planning stage for countering the Hubbard infestation is under way. For now, we have considered using the Bossheaim Asb'el's assistance in burning the grass around the cities in order to prevent Symbiote infestation of plants. We have also several plans in place for the quarantine.

For now, with the number of Grimson in the planet, we are considering using the nuclear option on one of the cities.

We wonder that an ACC can't be found without hiring the bureaucrats, which strikes us as an indubitable waste of Garrison funds. It's not like there's a complete lack of ACCs on E2.

We also think that using nuclear weapons against cities on Hubbard would be deeply immoral.

We also think Hubbard would be a far better place than Incellia for a magical facility, and this would override the risk in our judgement.

We, the Sanctious'Als, are already building a magical facility on Arrakis, which will be complete in 12 month's time. We have done this of our own funds, but as good servants of both the Church and the Empire, we are willing to offer it's use to the Imperium. We lack the technology to produce the armors and weapons of the Garrison, but we can train minds to manipulate the Holy forces against the Symbiots.

This facility was announced two years ago, and yet neither the Imperium nor their contact in the Council of Minors bothered to contact us. We are a small house, but not insignificant. Please accept our assistance.

...is that said magic facility producing dimensional capable mages?

No, but I can change my preferences for mana. I'll have more details after the update. I'm open to suggestions on mana choice, but I am wary of dimensional magic - I think it is too much of a one-trick pony, and as far as I know, every portal goes two ways.

No, but I can change my preferences for mana. I'll have more details after the update. I'm open to suggestions on mana choice, but I am wary of dimensional magic - I think it is too much of a one-trick pony, and as far as I know, every portal goes two ways.

I am working on Dimensional magic (again for the sake of the garrison, though that project has been put on hold until I get out of this interdict) and I don't see it as opening portals for the movement of objects and people, but rather just an instantaneous moving of objects and people. (Basing on the Escape spell in FFH.) I'd imagine opening a portal would take alot more energy than just teleporting one's self or an object.

Well, it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to have multiple, redundant facilities dedicated to different aspects of the bugwar. Unless someone convinces me otherwise, I'm sticking with my original plan.

Agreed. I'm working on Dimensional and metamagic (the last of which was shown in the last war to be highly effective on Symbiots)

The garrison's magic training, which we hoped would allow us to bypass this step completely by teleporting a bomb directly into the hive, had been delayed by a coup within Klorinheim. However, CoM have agreed to build a training facility for magi within the icy planet of Inceillia. Around 25 MF of the budget should be used for this task.

Last I heard this could be on Hubbard...
We also think Hubbard would be a far better place than Incellia for a magical facility, and this would override the risk in our judgement.
And apparently I was not the only one.
Here's the quote:
I agree that Hubbard probably still is the better choice, I'll talk to him about it.
edit: He (Labbis) says Hubbard is fine
Incellia is quite far from Stigmata... two jumps is a lot of time. It means one ship transporting troops from Incellia to Stigmata would take a full year to make the round trip, not counting time to unload, repair, etc. Any small delay or issue means that reinforcements may not reach Stigmata in the year they are needed.

Hubbard: The planning stage for countering the Hubbard infestation is under way. For now, we have considered using the Bossheaim Asb'el's assistance in burning the grass around the cities in order to prevent Symbiote infestation of plants. We have also several plans in place for the quarantine.

For now, with the number of Grimson in the planet, we are considering using the nuclear option on one of the cities.
Nice to hear of a quarantine that has never ever been announced right now (OOC: the day of the initial limit for orders).

Besieging a hive: It surely is the most nightmarish task for a Grimson Legion to attack another hive. They would be fighting in cramped corners in a confusing underground labyrinth whilst the enemies attack from all sides. However, to ensure the complete destruction of a hive, a thermonucleonic device must be detonated within the heart of the hive.

House of Hyppean believes that best method to wipe out hives is pump the hive full of Gas or take many high incendiary-explosives into the hive. That would not only crush symbiots underneath collapsing hives weight, but would reduce hive energy re-routing capacities to basically zero. I would recommend to cause as much incendiary explosives damage as possible, when attacking symbiot hives. Symbiots use plant-symbiots to convert and transfer energy to their main attack troops(including transferring same energy into producing new troops), so destroying the hive by blowing off its center, might not damage the power structure of Hive beyond repair. And anything that is not broken, does not need to be fixed.

Hubbard: The planning stage for countering the Hubbard infestation is under way. For now, we have considered using the Bossheaim Asb'el's assistance in burning the grass around the cities in order to prevent Symbiote infestation of plants. We have also several plans in place for the quarantine.

For now, with the number of Grimson in the planet, we are considering using the nuclear option on one of the cities.

Garrison:
7 companies grimson legion, 2 divisoins infantry IV, 2 brigades boar-class imperium tank, 5 batteries Vengeance-Class Imperium Artillery
Regency Guard Hubbard (Hubbard) (guard fiefs)
5 companies Grimson Legion, 11 divisions infantry IV, 3 batteries Vengeance-class artillery, 2 squadrons stinger-class aerospace fighters (based out of Imperium Garrison’s Windigo II aerospaceport)

That is grand total of:

12 Grimson Legions, 13 Inf IV, 8 Artilleriers, 2 boar class tanks, 2 Aerospace Fighters.

That's grand total of
120*12= 1 440 Grimsons
13*10 000= 130 000 Infantry IV
240 Artillery units
2*30= 60 Boar-Class artillery units

These are all of Garrison and Regency units on Hubbard. House of Bossheim has Death Guards, who could prove useful in protecting/controlling evacuated civilians, however, they have not yet offered us their services OOC: Maybe my mistake, I think I did send diamondeye a message? I also believe that sending death guards into retaking control of the city would waste maaany more units than they could save civilians for.

Tanks are rather useless against bug and -grass type symbiots and hence are not useful for containing anything other than symbiot infected civilians or highly-evolved life forms. And we don't have those.... yet. Artillery would be far more effective at bombing out one city than sharing their shots between two different cities.

And infantry IV? They are simply not protected against symbiots and prone to being taken over. So we need most of them to secure the Buffer zone and defend already existing property, but we can't use them in directly clearing out symbiot infestations. Esp. in buildings.

There are two infected cities:
Molvyet (Fleets) and Windigo II (Garrisons). Windigo II contains spaceport and pop of 230,000. Molvyet contains 45 000 Pop and no/little important structures. However, should symbiots focus their goals towards spreading outside from the cities, we are, simply said, flipped. Flipped Hard. And then Flipped on our side.

Hubbard contains railways, that lead through many minor towns, villages and mines. These villages/mines could provide large amount of cover and quick-expansion for symbiot life-forms, as movement in mountains is difficult for us. Spreading away from habited areas is also a threat to us, as huge amounts of grasslands and bugs can be infected at rather fast pace, while keeping low-profile. Normal grass is hardly separate-able from infected grass, Making wildreness a perfect spot where to symbiots could spread and build up their forces, without we being able to properly contain this threat.

So once quarantine is broken, we are basically ... flipped. That is why Quarantine has to be built up since day 1 and kept in place until the day when last symbiot on Hubbard is dead. For this, a buffer zone of burnt grass-ground, around cities has to be established and we will need many units both inside the "buffer zone" and around the buffer zone. Just to keep Symbiots from braking outside from the cities.

All life forms inside of the Buffer zone have to be destroyed (FIREEEE!)- plants, bugs, animals and anything that shows signs of infection has to be put down. That includes civilian groups who do not follow our orders and/or show signs of infection. We will, of course, try to get as many serfs and nobles out from the cities as we can, but at some point, one of the two cities has to be nuked/ICBd/Levelled, so we could clean up another city and preserve its infrastructure for future use.

Molyvet, having population of 45 000+, but on hilly grounds is our proposed target for destruction - we will get some troops into city, make safe zone around the city (burn grass and anything that can be infected around city), get as many surviors out of it as we can and then nuke/level/whatever it. I see no other solution, as We don't have enough resources to guarantee quarantine of both cities. And windigo II has several important buildings in it and far more potential new symbiots than Molvyet.


We also think that using nuclear weapons against cities on Hubbard would be deeply immoral.
House of Hyppean thinks this is utterly stupid opinion. If we can not contain the situation into two cities (that we can not do with current available units), Hubbard shall be essentially new Stigimata. We Can not let Symbiots gain a new foothold. House of Hyppean will use extreme measures to prevent quarantine to be broken. Some sacrifices have to be made. And we are going to make them. Unless you got a better plan?

We, the Sanctious'Als, are already building a magical facility on Arrakis, which will be complete in 12 month's time. We have done this of our own funds, but as good servants of both the Church and the Empire, we are willing to offer it's use to the Imperium. We lack the technology to produce the armors and weapons of the Garrison, but we can train minds to manipulate the Holy forces against the Symbiots.

This facility was announced two years ago, and yet neither the Imperium nor their contact in the Council of Minors bothered to contact us. We are a small house, but not insignificant. Please accept our assistance.

House of Hyppean has invested its own personal funds into this project as well. Seeing that no one else cared about our future saddens us, but we will do our best to keep this symbiot menace at bay. House of Hyppean also believes that House of Sanctious'Als has proven its worth countless of times by doing deeds worthy of any Major house. In this light, House of Hyppean shall treat all nobles from House of Sanctious'Als, same worthy as they would have come from any Major house.

Nice to hear of a quarantine that has never ever been announced right now (OOC: the day of the initial limit for orders).

Why is this information important to you? House of Tsedeq has no troops or civilians on Hubbard, has'nt it? The Quarantine is only viable way how to save as much uninfected population as possible, as well as preventing symbiots from spreading (it'll be enstablished, even if city is going to be nuked on day 1, to prevent any potential spread of symbiot life-forms via use of Grass).

OOC: I asked immac to give me until Saturday evening to send orders for Both Garrison and Hyppean house, as I am rather busy IRL. So, we actually have/had some time to plan how to deal with symbiots.

Why is this information important to you? House of Tsedeq has no troops or civilians on Hubbard, has'nt it? The Quarantine is only viable way how to save as much uninfected population as possible, as well as preventing symbiots from spreading (it'll be enstablished, even if city is going to be nuked on day 1, to prevent any potential spread of symbiot life-forms via use of Grass).
Simply because house Tsedeq has a freighter that landed on Hubbard last year and traded with the Garrison there. And that this freighter has been going to Hubbard regularly for a few years already.
So, although it may be obvious to you and whoever knew about it that there is a quarantine and that this quarantine is limited to certain areas of the planet, when house Tsedeq hears that Hubbard is under quarantine, we wonder what this means, particularly when we have already discussed with house Bossheim to try and make sure the freighter risks as little as possible when landing and leaving the planet. You Will excuse us to wonder whether the whole planet is under quarantine or some parts of the planet only. It makes a huge difference and yes it is relevant to us, to house Bossheim and house Klorin, along with the Garrison by the way, since we do bring trade goods that are intended for use by the Garrison.
We believe these to be most excellent reasons for us to be informed about the situation on Hubbard.

House Klorin would also really like to know of the extent of this quarantine... (considering we hadn't heard of it either)

We wonder that an ACC can't be found without hiring the bureaucrats, which strikes us as an indubitable waste of Garrison funds. It's not like there's a complete lack of ACCs on E2.

The bean counters are good at their job, do not have any particular loyalty, listen to what I tell them to do, doesn't cost all that much and can be trusted not to have any ulterior motive. Competition for the right to rebuild E2 is going to be fierce.

We also think that using nuclear weapons against cities on Hubbard would be deeply immoral.

Of course it's immoral. I wouldn't have used it at first, but furher conversation with Northen convinced me that it is for the best.

We also think Hubbard would be a far better place than Incellia for a magical facility, and this would override the risk in our judgement.

Alright then. Which one of the CoM wishes to volunteer himself or herself to come to the Garrison facilities on Hubbard and build a training facility?

Personally it doesn't matter to me whether or not it is located on Inceillia or Hubbard. Hubbard is closer to Stigmata, which is nice, but slightly more dangerous.

IIRC, Gas is only temporary: Lethal agents have them developing immunities and restrictive agents sometimes work, but they can develop ways to bypass it.

It is my pleasure to announce that an official treaty has been negotiated regarding the end of the Great Nomad War and the resulting dispute between the Houses of Xicier, Vanari and Kilgore. A treaty which will hopefully bring peace and prosperity for years to Arrakis for years to come. It is now formally put to the entire Imperium as a legitimate and legally binding treaty.

The Treaty of the Great Nomad War

Preamble

The Great Nomad War was a war indirectly and inadvertently caused by the House of Kilgore against the Houses of Xicier and Vanari. The war was not waged by the House of Kilgore and thus they are not held accountable by either the Houses of Xicier or Vanari and they cannot be held accountable by the interstellar community.

The Terms

The House of Kilgore will pay reparations to the House of Xicier amounting to 10MF over a period of three years. 3MF are to be paid in the first to years and the remaining balance, of 4MF, in the final year. If needed due to unforeseen circumstances these reparations can be suspended. All outstanding payments are null if the House of Xicier declares a war against the House of Kilgore before they are paid. The House of Xicier will enter further negotiations with the House of Vanari to split these reparations fairly, in a manner proportional to the loss to both parties. The House of Kilgore has no obligation to pay reparations directly to the House of Vanari.

The House of Kilgore has rights to build a railway to connect with the Xicier-Vanari railway in Xicier territory. The House of Kilgore is responsible for building this railway. This railway may only be built when all reparations have been paid.

The House of Kilgore will be granted entry to the Northern Arrakis Defense Pact, pending a formal vote of the members. Entry will be granted as soon as obsolete sensitive material has been removed.

The House of Kilgore will not sell weapons to the nomads of Arrakis.

The House of Kilgore has the right to move soldiers across the territory of the House of Xicier on Arrakis in order to secure sovereign lands that will be legitimately acquired in the year. These soldiers will surrender their arms upon entry of the territory of the House of Xicier and will receive them again upon entering the sovereign lands of the House of Kilgore.

Signatories

Tulong Xicier, Leader of the House of Xicier

Lieutenant Alron Gore, Minister of State to General Iferius Bliel

Phillippe Van Gar, co-Chief of all Actives of Aries Corps, Head Minister of House Vanari

Clarifications

The treaty has been formally signed, and I have no interest in redrafting and signing it, I will include a couple of clarifications here.

1. The reparations have been sort as compensation for damages incurred to the House of Xicier due to the reckless sale of firearms which lead to the war, not the actual war itself. Reparations for the war cannot be sort, and would not be sort, as House Kilgore is not held accountable for the war.

2. The use of the word 'sovereign' is not meant to be any insult to the authority of the Regency. It is an appropriate term to be used as this negotiation was between Noble Houses only and each Noble Houses' fiefdom is sovereign territory to other Noble Houses and Guilds.

If any further clarifications are needed by anyone please ask.

If you want to ask me any questions, I am on #NES right now.

OOC: Arrgh, sry LDiCesare, I thought you re-routed your tradeship. Sorry. I would not land in Windigo II as the city is under attack and we can not risk spreading this plague.

House Klorin would also really like to know of the extent of this quarantine... (considering we hadn't heard of it either)

This WOULD BE public information, but Royal Cabinet of the Imperium is CLOSED and I do not have access to there. Being not controller of Garrison (for whatever reasons). I was given task by Seon to coordinate defense of Hubbard and that's we are doing. We could not discuss much of it in-detail before knowing what we had to use (without stats). Besides You can't put all the empire future on his shoulder alone, can you? +I have 2 symbiot-experienced ACC in the area.

We are planning a "safe zone" of at least 10 km around the towns and civilian refugees area. That safe zone will be incinerated, meaning all plant-life (and possible animal life) in it will be destroyed by flames. Anything that even dares to step on that area, will be killed by artillery, fire, mines or whatever else we can use. This is to prevent plant-symbiots to spread outside from the city (Grass Symbiots can spread quite far quite quickly) and to keep symbiots from leaving the city. Safe zones will be monitored by both naked eye as well as whatever detectors we have.

Any human/other race groups that attempt to cross this safe zone, will be separated into several smaller groups, ordered to strip their clothes and then taken to "safehouses". These safehouses are dead-end mining tunnels, and all refugees will be separated into smaller groups. These groups will me guarded by infantry units (If Bossheim has, I would like to have few death guard units to protect them) In case of emergency a tunnel (or part of it) can be destroyed via use of pre-planted explosives. This will make sure that no symbiot life form could get out from the tunnels. People in these tunnels will be fed from Hyppean garrison supplies until it is 101% certain that they are uninfected. They will then be shifted outside (but still kept away from towns and under close observation).

If possible, we will also use toxins in safe zones, when half of the population is out from the city and we are starting to retake control. - This will make it more difficult for bug-symbiots to pass through safe zone area and also make ash more easly to be (re)ignited. Toxins are one thing that Symbiots do get resistance for, but they can slow them down.

While this quarantine is quite large and requires large manpower to maintain, It is essential to keep symbiots from breaching out and to keep our infantry units safe.

While there is a perimeter established around the cities, our troops will set up shelters in-city for surviving civilians to gather to. These shelters will provide us with much needed info about symbiot encounters as well as offer civilians a rescue point and symbiot free areas inside the cities. At first possible moment, civilians are transported into safe houses. Most of the safe houses are outside of the city (in dead-end mining tunnels tunnels), but some will be in city (if moving large group of civilians is out of question). Areas around safehouse tunnels and paths from city-to-safe-house-tunnels will be Safe-Zoned (burned) as well.

We will then attempt to wipe out as much plant life in city as possible, preventing symbiots access to energy. We will focus mostly on defense of Windigo II, as it has several key structures that are needed. Once we get majority of surviors out of Molyvet we will level it to ground. It's small city, a significant hit to Fleet income but it's better than losing key spaceport and allowing metropol railstation (that was very useful in coordinating supplies to and from spaceport) to be rendered useless.

-------------
We have, so far, decided this to be the most effective way of containing this "plague", while saving some of the civilians from certain death. If anyone else is willing to spare their ACCs, funding, units and strategy to this task, then step up and do it better. (Of course ACCs, funding and units are always welcome :D )

Hubbard is too dangerous a location to build such a training facility. This will be a significant investment of the Imperium and will need to be kept somewhere safe and far from the front lines in my opinion.

Then make use of the newly open fiefdoms that The Query have already proposed go to the fleet and garrison on E2.

The Regent recognises the Treaty of the Great Nomad War and accepts the proposed reshuffle of cabinet assigning Seon to Fleet and NW to Garrison.

Then make use of the newly open fiefdoms that The Query have already proposed go to the fleet and garrison on E2.

Neither the fleet or garrison have the funds to secure this land at the current time. Also, it is worth noting that land on E2 is generally a drain on the economy of its controllers until it has been fully restored and developed. Redevelopment of land is not the mandate of the Imperial Offices, especially considering the existential threats we currently face from Stigmata and Bradbury.

Yes but those were/can easily be again productive land. But oh well.

TO: The Garrison and House Hyppean

House Xicier could supply any forces from Arrakis that the defenders of Hubbard wish, though some would have to remain to defend the fiefdom against any remaining Nomads or unexpected threats. The defenders of Hubbard would have to co-ordinate their transport though. I could also give a maximum of 6MF on top of my obligatory donation to the Garrison as a member of the Council of Minors. This is the very most we can offer to the defense of Hubbard. We are sorry that we cannot do more to assist but we must look to our own lands and obligations there as well.

Tulong Xicier

House of Hyppean thinks this is utterly stupid opinion. If we can not contain the situation into two cities (that we can not do with current available units), Hubbard shall be essentially new Stigimata. We Can not let Symbiots gain a new foothold. House of Hyppean will use extreme measures to prevent quarantine to be broken. Some sacrifices have to be made. And we are going to make them. Unless you got a better plan?

House of Hyppean has invested its own personal funds into this project as well. Seeing that no one else cared about our future saddens us, but we will do our best to keep this symbiot menace at bay. House of Hyppean also believes that House of Sanctious'Als has proven its worth countless of times by doing deeds worthy of any Major house. In this light, House of Hyppean shall treat all nobles from House of Sanctious'Als, same worthy as they would have come from any Major house.


To House Hyppean
CC the Regent (particularly re: the second paragraph)
From House Texier

To quarantine the cities fully and hope the lowly forms of Symbiot life that have spread onto Hubbard do not turn out to be able to infect human beings. Or at least evacuate the cities first, given there is no reason to think that the lowly varieties of Symbiot plant life that have got to Hubbard can infect humans, and then quarantine those humans, each separately, elsewhere so that it can be determined that none of them have become infected by the Symbiot infection.

You are trying to make an unnecessary sacrifice, and I hope that if you cannot see this, the Regent will, and that he will intervene, if he wishes to be reckoned among the strong and virtuous leaders of these worlds and not among the cowards and posturers and hypocrites. If, Hyppean, you do this, you shall be reckoned by us as among the irremediably tainted with evil.

In addition, if ever you refer to us directly with disdain - a disdain indirectly but nevertheless clearly shown by your remark to the virtuous 'Als on the matter of their highly commendable actions - we shall see this as an insult to our honour. You have fiefs on E2 and we are the most militarily and economically powerful house on E2. You do not wish to insult our honour because we take it seriously. Any further insinuations that we are stupid of the sort that you made at the begininning of our post shall be regarded in a similar vein and will not be taken lightly. We hope we may speak for many houses when we say we do not give a quarter-firebird for your opinions of which houses constitute royalty and which houses constitute nobility, and so we beg you desist from your encroachments on our honour. We do not care for your reply or arguments on this but we should hope you will listen and take note, and behave with the decor that the royalty you suppose yourselves to be ought to aspire to.

Notwithstanding the above, we suggest you take our advice with regard to Hubbard not on the basis of what you think of our noblesse and honour but on the basis of the fact that our advice is good advice that you should follow if you do not wish to risk eternal damnation for the needless slaying of many strong children of the Pancreator.


OOC: By the Pancreator, if I were playing the Inquisition, I'd have a field day!

Then make use of the newly open fiefdoms that The Query have already proposed go to the fleet and garrison on E2.

The Church is already in the process of seizing them, and so it is highly necessary that if this is to happen the Church should be spoken to.

Again thats fine and dandy, but we personally feel that the use of the land in the defense of all of humaity against the symbiote plague and other scum is worth while enough to pursue. However since its obvious neither party wishes to perfom such a mutually beneficial situation then we will harp on it no longer.

Hubbard is too dangerous a location to build such a training facility. This will be a significant investment of the Imperium and will need to be kept somewhere safe and far from the front lines in my opinion.

Then Arrakis or E2 might make sense, but I believe they are quite far no matter what. Incellia, Assimov and Clarke are 3 jumps away from Stigmata, which means it is not possible to bring troops yearly with a single ship from these planets. They should all, for this reason, be considered too far to be useful.
The proposal of the Query that E2 be used therefore makes a lot of sense, particularly considering the Garrison already has facilities on this planet.

The bean counters are good at their job, do not have any particular loyalty, listen to what I tell them to do, doesn't cost all that much and can be trusted not to have any ulterior motive. Competition for the right to rebuild E2 is going to be fierce.

You don't think you can find even a single noble on E2 willing and trustworthy enough that you would let him or her help you? Really, how's that going to help the Empire against the Symbiots? Do you not think that every last firebird should be retained, if it can be retained through the co-operation of nobles? It is an absurd premise to run an empire on not to accept the cooperation of your nobles when it is clearly the best course of action.

Of course it's immoral. I wouldn't have used it at first, but furher conversation with Northen convinced me that it is for the best.

You worry about ulterior motives and then you blithely go along with someone else's strategy? :p

Alright then. Which one of the CoM wishes to volunteer himself or herself to come to the Garrison facilities on Hubbard and build a training facility?

Personally it doesn't matter to me whether or not it is located on Inceillia or Hubbard. Hubbard is closer to Stigmata, which is nice, but slightly more dangerous.

This is presently under discussion in the Council.

Then Arrakis or E2 might make sense, but I believe they are quite far no matter what. Incellia, Assimov and Clarke are 3 jumps away from Stigmata, which means it is not possible to bring troops yearly with a single ship from these planets. They should all, for this reason, be considered too far to be useful.
The proposal of the Query that E2 be used therefore makes a lot of sense, particularly considering the Garrison already has facilities on this planet.

E2 has no ley lines worth the name, although Texier agrees that it makes no sense using somewhere as distant from Stigmata as Incellia. Arrakis makes more sense than E2 if Hubbard is considered inappropriate, although we continue to regard Hubbard as the best choice.

To House Hyppean
CC the Regent (particularly re: the second paragraph)
To quarantine the cities fully and hope the lowly forms of Symbiot life that have spread onto Hubbard do not turn out to be able to infect human beings. Or at least evacuate the cities first, given there is no reason to think that the lowly varieties of Symbiot plant life that have got to Hubbard can infect humans, and then quarantine those humans, each separately, elsewhere so that it can be determined that none of them have become infected by the Symbiot infection.

I will interject as the former Garrison Commander.

Lowly forms of Symbiots do, and have shown ability to infect human beings. The conversion takes two hours to manifest itself, before which the human being collapse due to heavy fever. The people that show signs of infection will most likely immediately begin to infect anybody not sheilded in their vicinity.

This "lowly" variety of plant life that you speak of is, in actuality, a cloud of biting and snapping bugs that will infect human, plants, and animals with a single bite. Symbiotes can, and will infect any organic life forms that it can reach.

The infected humans are already roaming the streets and we are quickly running out of time. No more time than a week is to be given for the citizens of Molyvet to be evacuated. Some of the evacuated people, as per my suggestion, shall be placed near the infected zones to ensure that the symbiotes do not chase the main bulk of the populace. Immoral? Yes, it is very.

You are trying to make an unnecessary sacrifice, and I hope that if you cannot see this, the Regent will, and that he will intervene, if he wishes to be reckoned among the strong and virtuous leaders of these worlds and not among the cowards and posturers and hypocrites. If, Hyppean, you do this, you shall be reckoned by us as among the irremediably tainted with evil

I believe that the Strong and the Virtuous of the known worlds and the people like Garrik and myself have their own space in the world, as directed by the Pancreator. We make tough decisions for you so that you do not have to.

In addition, if ever you refer to us directly with disdain - a disdain indirectly but nevertheless clearly shown by your remark to the virtuous 'Als on the matter of their highly commendable actions - we shall see this as an insult to our honour. You have fiefs on E2 and we are the most militarily and economically powerful house on E2. You do not wish to insult our honour because we take it seriously. Any further insinuations that we are stupid of the sort that you made at the begininning of our post shall be regarded in a similar vein and will not be taken lightly.

Garrik does not speak for House Hyppean. He speaks for the Imperium Garrison. Although his remarks may have been out of hand, if you dare use military might on House Hyppean territory using this as an excuse, I shall see it as an insult upon the Fleet and the Garrison.

Notwithstanding the above, we suggest you take our advice with regard to Hubbard not on the basis of what you think of our noblesse and honour but on the basis of the fact that our advice is good advice that you should follow if you do not wish to risk eternal damnation for the needless slaying of many strong children of the Pancreator.

It is better to purge a million lives to the flames than it is to allow the symbiotes to spread its influence to the other planets. That, is the way that I have always believed in.

Do not presume that you speak for the Church.

-Dante Labis.

You worry about ulterior motives and then you blithely go along with someone else's strategy? :p

The strategy was heavily discussed by both myself and Garrik in its formation. I trust him.

TO: All concerned
FROM: House Xicier

May I suggest that House Texier remember that nuclear weaponry would be a weapon of last resort, perhaps the commanders have not made that point clear enough, and would not be used unless quarantine was broken. All efforts would be made to evacuate civilians though, after say a month, has passed it can only be assumed all civilians are dead- infected by the Symbiot. At this point a nuclear solution would be best, as long as it would not adversely affect Hubbard too much due to fallout, to sterilise the area. Sacrificing infrastructure and sending tormented civilians robbed of their bodies and minds to the Afterlife to prevent the spread of this contagion is surely the Pancreator's will, more than trying to maintain false hope? I would urge them to moderate their statements slightly for fear that it may divide the Imperium at a time when unity is needed. I would remind you that it was not so long ago you were urging me for a peaceful solution. I urge you to find one here.

Tulong Xicier

To Dante Labis
CC Garrik Harnoth
From Jyut Texier

The following in what you said, as valid objections to what we said, warrant replies. On the matter of the infection on Hubbard you no doubt have a better idea of its severity than I do, although we think you are nevertheless showing a dreadful lack of tactical imagination and of caution.

Garrik does not speak for House Hyppean. He speaks for the Imperium Garrison. Although his remarks may have been out of hand, if you dare use military might on House Hyppean territory using this as an excuse, I shall see it as an insult upon the Fleet and the Garrison.

The Garrison is an impersonal entity. If Garrik speaks, he speaks as a member of House Hyppean, and we do not have anything against the Garrison by any means. Equally, we would not hinder a Garrison commander in the performance of his duties. We do not infer that Garrik's words are to be upheld as true by every Garrison commander that is ever to be. If Garrik will kindly cease to insult us, Garrik will not provoke us. Believe us, we have better things to do with our lives than trade insults with arrogant aristocrats that think they are better than us.

Clearly, Garrik calling us stupid or minor is not a casus belli. We are not threatening, have not threatened, and do not intend to threaten war, and we assure you we are far from intending, contemplating, or desiring it. But to speak foully is but a step away from acting foully, and we should hope that Garrik prefers not to arouse our temper. The sentences of our communication to House Hyppean that you may be mistaking to constitute a threat of armed hostility are merely intended to draw Garrik's awareness to the fact that we are not nearly as irrelevant as he would obviously like us to be.

Do not presume that you speak for the Church.

I do not, and, as I surely ever am mistaken in my understanding of holy Scripture, I doubt that the Church will hesitate to correct me in a congenial fashion if I err greatly. Without the Church having presented us with an opinion on this issue, I can only draw my own conclusions from holy Scripture, and hope that it is not within the Pancreator's design that I should err to-day on this matter.

Perhaps you should ask the Church what it has as its opinion on this matter?

(OOC: And my OOC remark was, of course, as marked, OOC.)

House Kilgore, having the greatest military minds in the universe, would be the best choice should any new training operations be undertaken.

With regards to Hubbard. I hope the Garrison isn't thinking about nuking anyone with Symbiote. Because if that happens, like, holy crap will the General be mad. His face will turn red and he will get this one vein that pops out on his forehead. It is so scary. Do you really want him to yell at you and call your mother names?

I didn't think so.

Lieutenant Alron Gore, Minister of State to General Iferius Bliel

To Dante Labis
CC Garrik Harnoth
From Jyut Texier

The following in what you said, as valid objections to what we said, warrant replies. On the matter of the infection on Hubbard you no doubt have a better idea of its severity than I do, although we think you are nevertheless showing a dreadful lack of tactical imagination and of caution.

You accuse me and Garrik of lack of imagination, yet you fail to give me an alternative plan which both lures the symbiotes from spreading away from the city while ensuring their destruction and saving as many civilian lives as possible.

You accuse me and Garrik of lack of caution, yet it was you who said something along the line of "hope that the lowly symbiotes cannot infect human beings."

Yes, we will work to rescue civilians. But we simply do not have enough men to safely evacuate and clear both cities without risk of further symbiote infestation of the planet. One city will be evacuated and destroyed.

The Garrison is an impersonal entity. If Garrik speaks, he speaks as a member of House Hyppean, and we do not have anything against the Garrison by any means.

All nobles in command of an Imperial post works in the service of the Imperium, and not his noble house. As Garrik was working for an Imperial Post, he was speaking in behalf of the Garrison and not the House Hyppean.

Equally, we would not hinder a Garrison commander in the performance of his duties. We do not infer that Garrik's words are to be upheld as true by every Garrison commander that is ever to be. If Garrik will kindly cease to insult us, Garrik will not provoke us. Believe us, we have better things to do with our lives than trade insults with arrogant aristocrats that think they are better than us.

Very well.

Clearly, Garrik calling us stupid or minor is not a casus belli. . But to speak foully is but a step away from acting foully, and we should hope that Garrik prefers not to arouse our temper. The sentences of our communication to House Hyppean that you may be mistaking to constitute a threat of armed hostility are merely intended to draw Garrik's awareness to the fact that we are not nearly as irrelevant as he would obviously like us to be.

I believe that constitutes a threat.

Although I also personally dislike several of Garrik's rash remarks, you have overstepped your bounds by reminding him of your "military might."


(OOC: And my OOC remark was, of course, as marked, OOC.)[/QUOTE]

I am revising the plans of the phase, after my fears came true. Diamondeye's cooperation, I believe, will be necessary.

Firstly, the Asb'el is to set fire to the entirety of the area around the two cities under the Symbiote infections. This should be the entirety of Bossheaim contribution.

The Garrison Fleet, Trident and Sceptre, is to be called from Errovus secundus and be placed in orbit around Hubbard.

The stinger fighters that we have in command is to constantly harrass zombies within the city limits and notify the artillary of promising targets.

The infantry IV we have in command shall be establishing defensive zones outside the "buffer zones" provided by our flame attacks around the city. They, along with a single unit of Grimson, shall be responsible for the handling of the evacuated civillians, including making certain that none of the people have been infected by the Symbiotes.

While Boar tanks' effectiveness on the zombies are questionable at best, it is painfully obvious that there is nothing that the zombies can do to a boar tank that can possible damage it.

Therefore, a single unit of boar tanks shall be sent into the center of infections in both cities, to draw the symbiotes to them and to slow down the spreading of the infestation.

Several small fortresses shall be constructed on the outskirts of the cities. SOme of the evacuees, based on convenience, skill, and general usefulness, shall be placed within these fortresses along with a small contingent of Grimson to act as a distraction if the Symbiotes ever encroach further than the city interior.

While all these preparatory actions are being taken place, Grimson shall begin to evacuate the people, starting from the outskirts of the city. The flames are to be turned on citizens on the slightest hint of the infection. As the Symbiotes does not seem to be able to understand human speech (yet), we will be able to broadcast messages to reach the check points relatively safely.

In the worst case scenario, the fleet that we had brought in from Errovus Secundus shall begin immediate and complete bombardment of all the zones suspected to be infected.

To House Hyppean
CC the Regent (particularly re: the second paragraph)
From House Texier

To quarantine the cities fully and hope the lowly forms of Symbiot life that have spread onto Hubbard do not turn out to be able to infect human beings. Or at least evacuate the cities first, given there is no reason to think that the lowly varieties of Symbiot plant life that have got to Hubbard can infect humans, and then quarantine those humans, each separately, elsewhere so that it can be determined that none of them have become infected by the Symbiot infection.

Please learn about the topic before you start your insane rants. Symbiot Plant life is well capable infecting humans if they manage directly to touch skin of human being, true, not effective as symbiots on Stigimata, but even slighest scratch will infect anyone or anything, including nearby plantlife. Symbiot bugs are also capable of burrowing themselves inside or simply biting a Human being. Both Windigo and Molvyet have already symbiot plantlife and infected creatures, including humans. They are not on the main streets as of this moment, but once they have gained enough backallies and sewers under they control (to produce energy for their assault troops) they will. The fact that they are not as highly advanced as symbiots on Stigimata means NO fast-Shapeshifting. That means, that most targets are first zombified and then turned into weapons over course time, giving humans a strong skin and claws for an example.

Humans who are infected with these life forms will go down in about hour or two, it starts off with a fever. During this period it is LIKELY that they are able to spread the virus, altho lacking proper "equipment" (claws, spit, tails), their chances to do that are slim and they will act like normal human beings with strong fever.

We have never spoken of nuking/destroying a city without trying to get at least some population out from the cities. We have set up plans to get them out, before symbiot infestation grows too large.

So, your facts or thoughts are wrong.


You are trying to make an unnecessary sacrifice, and I hope that if you cannot see this, the Regent will, and that he will intervene, if he wishes to be reckoned among the strong and virtuous leaders of these worlds and not among the cowards and posturers and hypocrites. If, Hyppean, you do this, you shall be reckoned by us as among the irremediably tainted with evil.
I, Garrik Harnoth, will take neccecary risks. I do not like killing towns not one bit more than you do, but I have to choose - 25 000 people and infrastructure of town or few millions of people and entire infrastructure of Hubbard and Stigimata. If you are implying that this is "stupid" and "unnecessary" then I consider you and your house as a traitors and cowards house, we sincerely hope that this is not the case and this "overreaction" is merely caused by care for imperial citizens. Of course, we will try to save as many citizens as possible, but at some point sacrifces are need to made and you pray, that one day, you do not have to make them.



In addition, if ever you refer to us directly with disdain - a disdain indirectly but nevertheless clearly shown by your remark to the virtuous 'Als on the matter of their highly commendable actions - we shall see this as an insult to our honour. You have fiefs on E2 and we are the most militarily and economically powerful house on E2. You do not wish to insult our honour because we take it seriously.

A MINOR HOUSE DARES TO CHALLENGE HOUSE OF HYPPEAN? Bring it on. BRING IT ON! House of Hyppean is doing as good job as it can, having 2 of our sceptre holders in direct fight with Symbiots. I see none of your nobles here. We are constantly funding this war. Have you been doing the same? We are making plans and sacrifices to keep YOU and ENTIRE EMPIRE safe. We don't see such sacrifices in your "house". We have made sacrifices. I do not see your sacrifices, no where near the level, that we have sacrificed our economy and power in this war. But if you wish to fight, we will fight. And we will fight with everything that we have. But you would not want that, would you? As we are the main thing that keep symbiots away from your doorsteps. Or do you wish to take up that task yourself? Be my guest.

And Unlike your "house", Sanctus'Al has proven their worth to house of hyppean. And for us their nobles are treated as they would come from any Major house. I can not say same about you, can I?

Any further insinuations that we are stupid of the sort that you made at the begininning of our post shall be regarded in a similar vein and will not be taken lightly. We hope we may speak for many houses when we say we do not give a quarter-firebird for your opinions of which houses constitute royalty and which houses constitute nobility, and so we beg you desist from your encroachments on our honour. We do not care for your reply or arguments on this but we should hope you will listen and take note, and behave with the decor that the royalty you suppose yourselves to be ought to aspire to.

Then this reply will be ignored. But your words are very republican - nobility and Royality are important. A house who forgets that or ignores centuries old traditions deserves to be destoryed. You scream that we "making poor decisions of war", while you have done how many decisions on your own? So, shut up and don't tick us off any further, because you are not worthy of being even minor house. Want to prove your worth? Come to stigimata/Hubbard and fight these things or do many glorious acts in the name of Pancreator like Sanctus'Al have done.


Notwithstanding the above, we suggest you take our advice with regard to Hubbard not on the basis of what you think of our noblesse and honour but on the basis of the fact that our advice is good advice that you should follow if you do not wish to risk eternal damnation for the needless slaying of many strong children of the Pancreator.

Of course. But you said nothing new, nothing about how to improve our plans. Your information is flawed, at best. You undervalue threat that Symbiots pose to entire Empire. That is, in some sense, reasonable because your house has not had any contact with symbiots. But that does not give your house premission to critizise current strategies of the Empire or those who spend most of their time in fighting these creatures, rather than playing politics, like you are.


You worry about ulterior motives and then you blithely go along with someone else's strategy? You call leader of the Garrison (and as it seems, fleet) blind and not able to think for themselves? You would call two houses who have invested large amount of they Nobles time into fighting these symbiots unable to decide what is best course of action?

The Garrison is an impersonal entity. If Garrik speaks, he speaks as a member of House Hyppean, and we do not have anything against the Garrison by any means.
We are glad, that you do not have anything against the force that is directly in charge of protecting you. But Garrik is member of house of Hyppean. And he values that house more than your house. He has same right to represent Hyppean as any other noble. And he will do that, should issues about our activity rise. Sure, His replies are often mixed, Sometimes he is representing Hyppean sometimes Garrison, but in the end he would sacrifice his own house, if that call has to be made to prevent this plague from spreading. And by this regard we allow him to speak for both Imperial Garrison and House of Hyppean.


Clearly, Garrik calling us stupid or minor is not a casus belli. We are not threatening, have not threatened, and do not intend to threaten war, and we assure you we are far from intending, contemplating, or desiring it. But to speak foully is but a step away from acting foully, and we should hope that Garrik prefers not to arouse our temper. The sentences of our communication to House Hyppean that you may be mistaking to constitute a threat of armed hostility are merely intended to draw Garrik's awareness to the fact that we are not nearly as irrelevant as he would obviously like us to be.

You are threatening and he has right to respond to you. Like any high Noble of Hyppean has right to respond to you. Your "offer" armed hostility shall be remembered long after your children rule your house.

Equally, we would not hinder a Garrison commander in the performance of his duties. We do not infer that Garrik's words are to be upheld as true by every Garrison commander that is ever to be. If Garrik will kindly cease to insult us, Garrik will not provoke us. Believe us, we have better things to do with our lives than trade insults with arrogant aristocrats that think they are better than us.

A major house should be careful about not insulting minor house? A MINOR HOUSE? We would shrug that off, if you would be active in defense of stigimata/hubbard. Or if you would do great deeds for the Empire inside of the empire. But please, Come to your senses, you are not doing either.

Although I also personally dislike several of Garrik's rash remarks, you have overstepped your bounds by reminding him of your "military might." His "remarks" speak for all of Hyppean. And he has right to speak for Hyppean. Being in service of the Empire does not take away that right, aslong as Empire comes first.


May I suggest that House Texier remember that nuclear weaponry would be a weapon of last resort, perhaps the commanders have not made that point clear enough, and would not be used unless quarantine was broken. All efforts would be made to evacuate civilians though, after say a month, has passed it can only be assumed all civilians are dead- infected by the Symbiot. At this point a nuclear solution would be best, as long as it would not adversely affect Hubbard too much due to fallout, to sterilise the area. Sacrificing infrastructure and sending tormented civilians robbed of their bodies and minds to the Afterlife to prevent the spread of this contagion is surely the Pancreator's will, more than trying to maintain false hope? I would urge them to moderate their statements slightly for fear that it may divide the Imperium at a time when unity is needed. I would remind you that it was not so long ago you were urging me for a peaceful solution. I urge you to find one here.

Hubbard has no nuclear weapons, we do have Artillery and Fleet cannons/whateverTheyUseInSpace. Once those who can get out from Molvyet are out, we will use as much force as we feel "needed" for survival of Hubbard. We are not planning to turn Hubbard into E2.

TO: The Garrison and House Hyppean

House Xicier could supply any forces from Arrakis that the defenders of Hubbard wish, though some would have to remain to defend the fiefdom against any remaining Nomads or unexpected threats. The defenders of Hubbard would have to co-ordinate their transport though. I could also give a maximum of 6MF on top of my obligatory donation to the Garrison as a member of the Council of Minors. This is the very most we can offer to the defense of Hubbard. We are sorry that we cannot do more to assist but we must look to our own lands and obligations there as well.

Tulong Xicier

Garrison is currently unable to transport any troops to Hubbard, I do not think Fleet has any units that might not be infected by symbiots (that are not in hubbard-stigimata area either.). However all donations help and if your nobles and troops could help to improve Garrison/fleet properties on other planets then they would be great help.

I am revising the plans of the phase, after my fears came true. Diamondeye's cooperation, I believe, will be necessary.

Firstly, the Asb'el is to set fire to the entirety of the area around the two cities under the Symbiote infections. This should be the entirety of Bossheaim contribution.

The Garrison Fleet, Trident and Sceptre, is to be called from Errovus secundus and be placed in orbit around Hubbard.

The stinger fighters that we have in command is to constantly harrass zombies within the city limits and notify the artillary of promising targets.

The infantry IV we have in command shall be establishing defensive zones outside the "buffer zones" provided by our flame attacks around the city. They, along with a single unit of Grimson, shall be responsible for the handling of the evacuated civillians, including making certain that none of the people have been infected by the Symbiotes.

While Boar tanks' effectiveness on the zombies are questionable at best, it is painfully obvious that there is nothing that the zombies can do to a boar tank that can possible damage it.

Therefore, a single unit of boar tanks shall be sent into the center of infections in both cities, to draw the symbiotes to them and to slow down the spreading of the infestation.

Several small fortresses shall be constructed on the outskirts of the cities. SOme of the evacuees, based on convenience, skill, and general usefulness, shall be placed within these fortresses along with a small contingent of Grimson to act as a distraction if the Symbiotes ever encroach further than the city interior.

While all these preparatory actions are being taken place, Grimson shall begin to evacuate the people, starting from the outskirts of the city. The flames are to be turned on citizens on the slightest hint of the infection. As the Symbiotes does not seem to be able to understand human speech (yet), we will be able to broadcast messages to reach the check points relatively safely.

In the worst case scenario, the fleet that we had brought in from Errovus Secundus shall begin immediate and complete bombardment of all the zones suspected to be infected.

To Dante Labis
From Jyut Texier

Thank you and congratulations for devising a sound strategy.

To Garrik Harnoth
From Jyut Texier

Clearly you don't really care about good relations with your supposed subordinates, if you keep on reminding them how useless they are in your eyes. We have told you before, we don't care for your skewed perceptions of the feudal system or of what constitutes "republicanism". Why must you remind us of these things, knowing full well that we hold them in no regard?

Inceilla should be the site of the Training facility because it has one of the largest populations in the known universe, including the people of House Klorin who have a natural affinity for magic. It seems that some people do not appreciate the nature of this project, it is a university. If we build it on Hubbard then where will it draw its students from? Interplanetary travel is hard for private individuals, and the Imperium cannot be responsible for ferrying potential students around all the time. The students will train and research on Inceilla, and through the facility we will develop a number of battlemages who can join the Regency or Garrison, both of which have significant land on Inceilla. What's more, Inceilla is amongst the most stable of planets. The Union of Inceilla assures peace and co-operation between the Houses, there is no chance that civil war will develop there, while I am still extremely sceptical of Arrakis. Errovos Seccundus is plagued by constant problems and is perhaps the least stable of the planets. Inceilla is the best choice by a mile.

As for the Hubbard situation, I am not a military man. The Garrison and Fleet are responsible for developing a strategy, and there is no interference from the Regent.

OOC: Also, when you speak you don't speak for your House but fot your character. If that character is the leader of your House and holding an Imperial office then there is no distinction. The same person cannot say one thing ''as their house'' and then something totally different ''as their office''.

Because the leader of Holy Gate is the Regent, there is no distinction between Holy Gate and the Regency.

However if there were different characters as house leader and as the holder of the office, perhaps in RP terms you could have two seperate voices?

To a few players

Remember that i do not accept add-ons to orders. If you want to amend your orders, you need to resubmit orders in the proper format that include the amendments.
If you do not do this, i will only take into account the orders i receive that are in proper format and you will be disappointed with the results.
Ultimately this requests is good for all of you because it GREATLY decreases the time and energy required to process your orders.

OOC: Tomorrow morning, I'm leaving on an 8-day trip to New York where I won't be "wasting time" with games. I've sent in orders so hopefully, it won't affect the game :)

OOC: Yes the person can. Since they are the regent and the leader of a house they can speak as either office. Just because as regent you need to deal with regency issues does not mean that you stop dealing with house issues which may be wholly independant from the regent's issues.

Personally if my leader (:p) ever gets to be regent then the leadership of the house would temporarily be handed over to the second in command.

Inceilla should be the site of the Training facility because it has one of the largest populations in the known universe, including the people of House Klorin who have a natural affinity for magic. It seems that some people do not appreciate the nature of this project, it is a university. If we build it on Hubbard then where will it draw its students from? Interplanetary travel is hard for private individuals, and the Imperium cannot be responsible for ferrying potential students around all the time. The students will train and research on Inceilla, and through the facility we will develop a number of battlemages who can join the Regency or Garrison, both of which have significant land on Inceilla. (...) Inceilla is the best choice by a mile.

This is all wrong.
I'm sorry but, as you point out, interplanetary travel is not an easy thing. There are very few spaceships. some noble houses don't even have one! Ferrying mages to Stigmata, which is the only goal of the facility, will require ships, and from Incellia it's a 9 month trip! This means a promotion of mages trained in one year can't get easily to Stigmata. At best they could reach Hubbard and the ship be back for another trip the next year, at the expense of a ship every time a coven is built! I point out that building units that far from Hubbard will be a logistic nightmare when you want to move them to the front. You didn't address this concern.
As for house Klorin having an affinity for magic, please let me laugh. Bossheim and Tsedeq are both more advanced with magick than Klorin. This is the most ridiculous argument so far.
The project is a university. It's not for any commoner to attend. Its goal is not to train battlemages to join the Regency either, contrary to what you're saying. Of course, should the Garrison decide to lend their facilities to other parties like the Regency, they are free to do so, but not at the expense of having to build additional spaceships just because their facilities are as far from their target as it is possible.

OOC: Also, when you speak you don't speak for your House but fot your character.
OOC: Then please take care to use the characters names when saying you'll be giving the Fleet to Seon, it's juse, well... who?

Also Immac, what is the state of house Eekin this turn? I feel that replacing them on the fly the way it's being done without any input about what happened IC is a bit offhand.

What do you suggest LDi?

OOC: I've been wondering about that as well, since technically there is no IC reason to replace them as far as I know. But then it would mean the Fleet would need to be controled for a bit by either the Mod or a new character. I just feel there needs to be an IC reason for the replacement so Eekin isn't negatively impacted from simply loosing a position due to player change.

What do you suggest LDi?
The best would be to have germanicus12 give a vague outline of orders and you carry them out/NPC him this turn.
Now, if he didn't send orders, he must be NPC'd. There is no IC reason for this to cause a change in the Fleet Command.
If we need a reason for that, I can't find any except the death of lord Eekin. His wife might take over, but she's at Assimov.
Killing Eekin would also mean killing one sceptre-holder and weakening his faction quite a lot in my opinion. Turning him into a half-vegetable or somesuch, where he'd be unable to actively command, might work, but that would still require to remove him as an ACC.
I think there's no good IC reason to replace him that would have house Eekin remain an interesting faction to play. Killing him, turning him into a vegetable or somesuch could work, but to me it would sound too gamey and artificial.

Ultimately it's up to you to decide. Either you kill Hellwind Eekin or find a reason why he would renounce his charge, or be unable to attend it, or you NPC him and ignore his replacement by others.
Since you're asking me, I'd just NPC him and ignore the decision to replace the Fleet commander with zero IC reason from the moderator. You can still kill him or turn him into a madman the same turn so next year the changes are valid IC.

OOC: I think that whatever Garrison orders anyone writes should be assumed to come from Dante Labis and whatever Fleet orders anyone writes should be assumed to come from Hellwind Eekin, regardless of whatever actually happens.

I don't want OOC events to affect IC events, especially not like this. IC I jolly well hope that Garrik provisionally taking over the Garrison doesn't mean IC Garrik keeps it, because IC Garrik is a complete idiot. I mean, this reshuffle wasn't the one Eko chose, and it really should be Eko that chooses his Cabinet; the arrangements made ad hoc for this year should not affect the arrangements for the future because that is a general non sequitur in terms of IC politics and the storyline.

OOC: I do not desire any outcome but honorable discharge or resignation or death. Eekin noble tradition should not marred by insane leaders.

I can send Fleet orders until such elections happen and a new commander is picked. (2 more years right?) I would not be able to do much with Eekin domestic affairs, but general vague orders there and my wife, and the nobles can take care of everything else. If this works for you I will hold off my resignation until elections have taken place and I have honorably left office. Though by then I might have a laptop with wireless capabilities, and would end up staying.

Though, I do not want to undermine the efforts of others who have replaced commanders, Seon for me and Northen Wolf for Seon. But I do leave the choice in your powerful hands and of course the Regent can decide what to do with the offices.


I also believe the Regent has the ability to replace a commander at will, so my resignation from Fleet should be fine, but it should happen next year as there is few days left in this year IC. I will send orders for this turn soon tonight before I head off to Alabama.

I do not think "vague orders" as fleet/garrison orders are good enough, We are dealing with Immac as moderator and deadly symbiots, that have potential to attack every ship of The Fleet that has filled its fuel tanks on Stigimata. And that's a lot of ships. But I'm happy with whatever the community chooses.

My English (and even Estonian) expression skills are not anywhere near level that you guys use. If my diplo is unacceptable, then sorry, I'll retire from playing House of Hyppean as soon as possible, because it is a major house and I've been trying to play as IC as possible. That includes playing my Nobles IC and considering their traits when writing diplo. And House Hyppean views most of the Minor Houses as weak opponents, but weak opponents are still opponents. Major houses have earned their worth and are viewed as "worthy". Garrik represents both Garrison and House of Hyppean because of semi-OOC reasons (I just can't make two different types of replies in one post, I just can't)

I am also unable to focus on writing a simple 1 post diplo for 5 hours to make it somewhat near the level that your diplo has. And you can just respond in 10 minutes. Sorry. My English is not best, my self expression is lacking. If you guys find it unacceptable, I'll give this place up for someone who can play this nation better than I can.

OOC: Your English is really excellent, NW, and you get your point across very well. Your diplo is always outstandingly well-written and IC. :) That doesn't mean I don't think (OOC and IC) that your character's an arsehole and an idiot, but he's a very believable one, and he's undeniably and consistently IC.

OOC: Yes, NW, Garrik comes out as an arrogant b**ch, but I'm certain many nobles in such a context would be exactly like that.
Your diplo is fine. You just don't make your character liked because he keeps belittling others and generally behaving like a bully. He's got a well-defined character, which makes him come out as unpleasant to all those he views as his lessers (i.e. about everyone).
He may be forgetting a few things along the way, like the fact that many now-minor houses were once major houses, but I guess prejudices don't need to be based on facts - the list being: 'Als (Sanctious Als became minor and a splinter due to heresy), Texier (royal house on Clarke), Naprous (lost fiefdoms to Kilgore and Sanctious 'Als), Eekin (gave most of their possessions to found the Empire). I've probably lost one in the lot but couldn't find it.

Xicer of course! X-cor was felled and almost irradiated by merciless Killgore raids... um... yeah this is OOC...

No it wasn't Xicier; the other royal house got killed off completely.

Orders sent!

BTW, I really like my spread of NESes right now...
A Heavy Medieval/Space Opera Fantasy NES.
A Boardgame 20Min to the future NES
A Boardgame Mobsters NES
A Flexible nation building EQ NES
A Story-based Earth Fresh Start NES
A Generic Fanatasy Fresh Start NES

Ah well, at this point I am just hoping that we made the right choice.

May mass times acceleration be with us all.

Still no movement.
The wastes seemed clear of life.
Shuffling slightly to reduce it's discomfort, a being netted with camoflague observed the deadness stretched out before it.
He'd been out there for a while, the veins of sweat pouring down his brow and mouth dried to the point of feeling like it was full of glue a testament to his patience.
It was hardly luxurious conditions.
Barely a foot deep warren to lie in, before the netting was placed on top.
But he had to wait.
Had to watch.

Then, a flash of movement.
Caught in his peripherals.
He turns his view to the scope, careful not to disrupt the hide.
"Yes.. Not a perfect target, but it'll do all the same.." He thought, while scanning the organic caught in his sights.
A cautious hand slipping down the butt, he reached the trigger of his rifle.
He squeezed gently to rest on first pressure.

The sighted individual erupted in colour.
Crimson burst violently from its abdomen, as it fell with a sickening thud.
The netted one shot up from his sights and snatched his hands away from the trigger.
His eyes, terrified, were cast everywhere to hunt for the cause of the intervention.
But it was just wastes.
Just dead.
No signs of anything which could have caused the target's elimination.

Wait.
Was that?
It was!
A slight twinkling of light, several hundred yards off to the north-east..

The fool had reflected the sunlight off his sights!
Well, that arrogance would be dealt with promptly, as the netted one slithered from his warren, towards the source of the distraction.

Half an hour of cautious belly-crawling later, he was directly behind where he'd seen the glint. Pausing only to run a dirty hand through his increasingly muddied blond hair, he moves, slowly, slowly, towards the source.

At about 5 yards behind it, he noticed it was a camoflagued warren, not unlike his own had been.
He gently slid closer, unnoticed by the shooter inside who was completely engulfed by the view down the scope.
As the blond approached softly, he managed to get right behind, before sweeping away the netting with one graceful gesture.
The shooter immediately spun round, fearing for his life after this sudden intrusion.

Before recognition kicked in.
"C-Commander Remi!" spluttered the shooter, lowering his rifle.
"Relax, Captain.. I'm just here for a question.."
"Yes sir?" he answered, having quickly recovered from the initial shock.
"So why, exactly, are we using bullets today, Captain?
...
I thought the mission briefing specifically stated we were to neutralize the targets through non-lethal means.."
The ranger captain didn't even flinch before cooly responding.
"Well sir, I ran out of assigned less-lethal rounds.. The nearest resupply point is several kilometres off, meaning i'd have to tramp all the way back over the course of hours, almost certainly blowing the others' covers.. But it was just such a lovely day that I couldn't simply stop, could I?
After all, fine gentlemen such as ourselves were just born to hunt."

His arrogance aside, he had listed some excusable reasons.
Besides, Remi couldn't help but feel some admiration for how suavely this petty captain had stood up to him.
"Of course not" Remi said, after a second's pause. "One should never cease a hunt in process.. Here, have some of my rounds."
"I appreciate the offer sir, though I can't accept something without a gift in return.. Ah!" He began rummaging through a backpack, set in a corner of his warren.
Eventually, he drew out a long, thin flask. "This should do it. You like it shaken or stirred?"

Remi, by now thirsty beyond reason, attempted to down as much of the cool liquid as possible.
Until it hit his tongue.
It was some form of repugnant liqour - clearly not wine of any sort - which seemed an affront to his every sense. Nonetheless, not wanting to seem rude, he finished his mouthful, with difficulty, as he passed the flask back.
Nearly choking, he thanked the captain.
To which he smoothly responded: "Call me Jack."

OOC: I will assume my orders were not horrific then? As they are on the front page and I have received no e-mail in reply. That's good to know.

OOC: Feel free to e-mail them to me, and I'll email you my old orders as well. We can help each other.

OOC: Might do that actually.

Orders are due tomorrow at noon. If i didn't list you on the first page i don't have your orders.

2303- July.

I have decided to buy myself a diary, as the record of my life may come to help me in the future, when I tell stories to my grandchildren of my golden days. Of course, others may laugh at me. Jimmy, for instance, teases me every day for being what he calls “bookish” than almost every other soldier in the army, and if I may dare say it, most nobles as well. But still, paper and book is precious, especially when all I have is a soldier’s salary. Only book that I actually own myself is a stolen book written by a man who went insane from contracting syphilis from a certain island territory just north of Koriate lands.

But there is little that I can do about the situation. One of my friends told me that I should join the Glass Scalpels if I desired money, as they do receive better salary than the rest of us, but I fear that my service records leave something to be desired.

2304- January 1st.

Welcome to the Hollow Man, an inn to drink the famous Urine Flavored ale made of real Holy Gate wheat and also coincidentally one of the places where drinking water may be hazardous to your life. It was in this particular inn that Jimmy introduced me to his “best friend” Jenna.

I mostly pretended as if I was invisible, and appreciated the intoxicating aroma of blood and stale piss that seemed to emanate from the entire place, and, interestingly enough, the drink itself. I briefly wondered what kind of methods that the Holy Gate brewers used to be able to give the drink this kind of texture and flavor, and wondered if the secret recipe I heard from Jimmy, which involved 100% real urine left to dry until crystallized, may not have been an exaggeration.

They say that Dante Labis’s wine is brewed from the blood of the serfs. I do hope they were exaggerating there too.

2304 February 8th

Something most peculiar had happened to me today. A few weeks ago, I had applied to become one of the Glass Scalpels, one of the most elite warriors in Koriate control. I had little hope that I would actually become one. I had, after all, no distinguishing feature in my service history.

But yet, Jimmy came to me today and asked me whose palms I had been greasing, so that he could do the same and join the Glass Scalpels. I, of course, believed that he was joking. Then he showed me a letter from the Command, telling me to come to the headquarters within the barracks to receive additional physical examinations.

My men and I had a farewell party that night. We actually went to a better place than the Hollow Man that night too.

2304: February 12th

First thing that they do to you when you join the Glass Scalpels is that they relieve you of your rank.

“Here,” Drill Instructor Higgs said. “You actually have to earn your rank.”

Then, on the first day of training, the rest of the trainees and I were ordered to line up in a row in near the mountainous forests of Lodos in full battle gear, complete with non-lethal rounds. The drill instructors were also armed with pistols filled with similar non-lethal rounds made of rubber. The purpose of this was rather unclear until the instructors shot us in the leg and told us to run to the forest as quickly as possible. To those whom fell behind limp running, the instructors shot them in their better leg and told them to crawl. I happened to be one of the unlucky ones.

“The best of the best that the militia can offer, indeed!” Higgs shouted into my face. I had a twinge of fear that these instructors were, instead of training us to become a glass scalpel, merely trying to kill us all to satisfy their sadistic pleasure.

March 3rd

I apologize for the delay between the writing of these diary entries, but training regime for the Glass Scalpels, as noted before, is hard, and I could simply never find the right time to start writing once more. It is nearly impossible to satisfy these instructors. The moment that almost every one of us can complete a task, the instructors hit us with an even harder challenge, such as climbing to a peak of a mountain where cherubs would sing and a helicopter would pick us up, only that it was slightly made more complicated by the fact that instructors wielding rifles loaded with non-lethal rounds would ambush us, knocking the breath out of us and dropping us faster than we could remember which of the saints we were supposed to curse in that situation. The damn sadists, some of us were hit so hard that they were sent to that white fluffy place where beautiful women and nice, bespectacled men donning white clothes took care of them.

After a couple of weeks of such abuse, however, we were able to break through the instructors lines after a vicious firefight. Even as we were able to knock all the instructors to unconsciousness, many of us were similarly injured. We were forced to leave them behind as we pushed forwards. And as adrenaline continued to make our blood boil and the entirety of our brain devoted to a strange thought process that can only be described as a mixture of the primordial instinct and actual squad tactics, we made it.

We had finally reached the peak that had eluded us for such a long time. From the distance, we could already see the helicopter approaching. We all broke into a cheer at that moment.

The helicopter landed softly on the top of the mountain. The familiar and hateful face of the Instructor Higgs peered out of it. “There’s too many of you,” he said. “You will have to leave someone behind.”

And as the others began to mutter cries of shock and disgust, I raised my own submachinegun, and shot the bastard 5 times in the chest with a rubber bullet.

March 10th

The couple of days that I spent on the brig as a result of a case of a violence against a superior officer was a rather enjoyable one, compared to the hellish training at the very least.

Sure, I was labeled a criminal, but my actions on that peak had earned a certain amount of respect from my fellow commandoes and the lay soldiers. Some of them made a pilgrimage to my cell in block 5 and kept me company.

In the end, however, the command had released me, partly due to recommendation of that perhaps-not-so-bastard Instructor Higgs. Or maybe that bastard was just afraid of what my men would have done to him if charges were actually filed against me. Nevertheless, I was reinstated my position among the commandoes.

The mood at the barracks that day was a cheerful one.

March 15th

I met one of servants of the Akatas House. Apparently the Duke decided to visit Lodos for a time being, and she was touring the barracks to get a chance to see what it was like being a soldier or something like that as part of thisa big overhaul of the security protocols within the Koriate nation.

Unfortunately, I did not like her. I have heard that she was a “natural” at casting of magic that the sergeants were talking about back in the barracks. Koriate magic corp, who would have thought that this day, would come? Nevertheless, dealing with the supernatural is something that I believe is best dealt with by the members of the Ecclestial Order.

In addition to being a wizard, Sonny is a woman. So in addition to warlocks being in Koriate military, there will also be a woman within the Koriate military.

Some nobles say that the custom is much more common than we realize, and that the Koriate House is merely catching up to the times along with other noble houses, but I refuse to believe that is true. Have the men under the rule of other noble houses grown so decadent and cowardly that they put their wives and daughters and mothers in danger by sending them to fight for them? We all saw the videos. We all know how a sniper round can obliterate an entire skull. We all know what happens when a person is shot with a shotgun from very close range. We all know how your innards and lungs can get sucked out of your body when a thermobaric bomb detonates next to you. Yet are we seriously exposing our woman to such an ordeal?

Wizards, despite being dangerous, I can see how they would give the Koriate military the edge it needs. But women? I feel as if it is unjust to send in those whom that I have sworn to protect into battle.

March 17th

There was a fire drill inside the barracks today, and I left my diary on top of a cafeteria table as the sarge quickly dragged me outside. When I came back, however, it was gone. The fear of being unable to finish my entries, and being unable to recall my life in later date frightened the hell out of me.

And so, my expression was both of relief and extreme hatred when I spotted the Sonny woman reading my diary in the next room.

“This,” she told me. “is very impressive. Where did a soldier like you learn how to write?”

Then I snatched the book away from her and punched her across the face. She let out a frightened whimper before apologizing and running off into a corridor.

“Oh nice job,” one of the other glass scalpels told me. “You made a lady cry.”

“Shut up,” I shot back at him. I do not believe in needless violence, espescially against a woman, but in this case I believe that it was necessary.

March 19th.
We met a queer noble named Leon. The man had long hair, which barely touched his shoulder, and seemed to be no older than 18 years. He was also wearing a damn makeup, which added to that special aura which only a spoiled son of a nobleman possesses. The symbol of the golden dragon was engraved upon his coat, which meant that he was related, in some way or form, to the scepter holding families of the Koriate House.

The noble told us that he wished to see the nighttime skies on top of the mountains of Lodos, and demanded that my squad in particular be tasked with guarding him as he ascended, forgoing his usual protection of black-suited men that Ludenard Akatas seemed to have provided him with.

I, of course, objected. I told him that the mountains were dangerous to wander around aimlessly in the night, and that my squad had not been trained in the art of VIP protection. Leon shot down all of objections. We would not be wandering around aimlessly, he told me, but rather shall head straight to the peak. And how did I expect him to look at the stars during the day, where it’s supposedly safe to wander around the mountain? And besides, what was the worst that could happen?

And so, my squad full of grumbling men found themselves walking up the steep mountain in the dead of night, with the nobleman following us with a surprising amount of vitality. After around an hour of climbing the rock face of the mountain, we stayed on the peak for 10 minutes until the noblemen grew bored and then came down again. Something about the entire episode reminded me of Higgs, except that I would not be allowed to shoot the nobleman.

The nobleman’s name, I later learned, was Leon. They told me that Ludenard had named him as his successor in the event he died. Problem, of course, was that nobody knows who Leon actually is. Whatever I think of Leon, however, I feel as if it is not my place to meddle or even make an opinion in the affairs of nobility.

Reminder: Buy flowers before I go to town today.

NOTICE to Northen Wolf

Remember to pay 18 MF to SoE if you want that fighter aircraft for the Garrison, Northen...

NOTICE to Northen Wolf

Remember to pay 18 MF to SoE if you want that fighter aircraft for the Garrison, Northen...

I'm already spending 20+ MF to improve garrison income. I don't think it'd be wise to spend more 50% of our current funds onto things that don't contribute to defense or income. And plans on their own do not contribute to defense. Or do you think that "fighter aircraft" would be THAT useful?

Scion of the Naprous

My name is Zacharias Diomedes Naprous. My mother, Cathrinn Mellhurst, was murdered by the Inquisition. My father, Dain Kawalen, was regent of the Imperium.

Both perished, or were martyred, before my second birthday. I, an innocent child, was spared from the flame, and was taken in by the House Naprous. Rhodes Bertrand might have served as a surrogate father-figure had it not been for his near-constant absence from my life. His fleeting interactions range from grooming me as an heir to the house... to grooming of a decidedly more base nature. I shall not speak of it.

Channoe Proparsic was the wife of Rhodes Bertrand, and had very little more presence in my life- she was, I still believe, an astoundingly poor mother, but an exceptionally strong woman. She provided a role model for myself, a firm figure whose stony will I ever sought to emulate. I suppose I must also be thankful for some of the fruits of her womanhood- she birthed a son, Rhodric Thomas, who served as one of the few friends to populate my earliest years.

I was born and raised into difficult times for my House- our scepter was lost, our name blacked with infamy, our lands beset with hardships and tinged with impious heresy... and I know from my earliest memories that it would one day be my duty to right these things.

But for now, I was only four years old- a precocious learner, who was 'frighteningly mature' for my age- yet nonetheless, I was still not yet ready to make my mark. These earliest years belonged to my seniors- I could only hope that they would not squander them.

Scion of the Naprous

My name is Zacharias Diomedes Naprous. My mother, Cathrinn Mellhurst, was murdered by the Inquisition. My father, Dain Kawalen, was regent of the Imperium.
(...)
But for now, I was only four years old- a precocious learner, who was 'frighteningly mature' for my age- yet nonetheless, I was still not yet ready to make my mark. These earliest years belonged to my seniors- I could only hope that they would not squander them.

Errr. Sorry, but I can't see how that would be possible. Cathrinn Naprous and Dain Kawalen were married in 2301 (update 1). Cathrinn Naprous gave birth to a healthy beautiful baby girl whom she names ‘Carma’ in 2302 (update 2).
Late 2303, Dain committed suicide and Cathrin was arrested. She was executed on January 7, 2304 (update 3.5).
Had Cathrin had another child, we would have known it since we were told about Carma, and the fate of this child was at the heart of a heated debate between the Klorin and Naprous houses, as house Klorin stated Carma was the last heir of the Kawallen line. Carma was taken into fosterage by I can't remember which major house who cared about her for some reason. This makes it improbable, to say the least, for another child to have been born. Furthermore, in 2305, he couldn't be 4 year old. Even if he had been a hidden twin of Carma, he'd still be 3 years old in 2305.

I'm already spending 20+ MF to improve garrison income. I don't think it'd be wise to spend more 50% of our current funds onto things that don't contribute to defense or income. And plans on their own do not contribute to defense. Or do you think that "fighter aircraft" would be THAT useful?

We are getting 30-60 MF from the COM. Don't forget that.

Plus you're both getting an extra 3MF from me. Add that to my existing donation of 7MF, due to membership of the COM, and you come to a nice amount. At the moment my extra donation is split between the two of you, would it be better to send it all to the garrison?

Send it all to the Garrison. They need the money.

Immac/Anyone, a quick question - I've been assuming that I can not use donation money on the turn I get donation. Unless it is my own house money. Am I right? (if I'm not right, then I have to redo the budget)

Okay I'll e-mail Immac and change it. Sorry NW!

Immac/Anyone, a quick question - I've been assuming that I can not use donation money on the turn I get donation. Unless it is my own house money. Am I right? (if I'm not right, then I have to redo the budget)

its okay to spend it on the turn you get it.



ALSO:

with 40 minutes to the deadline, i lack 6 order sets.
One of these has explained the circumstances of his RL and got a private extension (of a few hours). The rest of you better get writing.

The Query are the guardians of Carma.

Upon endless plains they strove to ride
Nomads all, in its vastness they hide
For the joys of freedom itself is bliss
On the desert ball known as Arrakis

A chief, nameless, on his regal mount
His men behind him, to swift to count
Some held rifles, others bows
Smoothly, like a river's flows

They crest the hill, to meet face to face
Men on horses from another place
Swiftly, for months of practice they shoulder
Guns which hadn't had a chance to moulder

The two chiefs stood eye to eye
still even when upon one's face landed a fly
recognition of the past
"Brother, news of how you survived the Aries Blast?"

So the two shared the tales
Of humiliations and epic fails
Capture and work was the story of one
While the other was forced to sulk and begone

"Yet here you are, on your steed
Have you ran, by another be freed?"
"No, for this is a difference between you and me
One of us is a slave, and the other free"

And so parted the two chiefs
One in, one out, of the fiefs
So says the legends of lore
Of the end of the Great Nomad War

orders away

I did not read about Carma in any of the updates, and assumed that the pregnancy mentioned in '01 had not received further mention. Apologies for that, there is a huge amount of material to go through. Zacharias could be a second child born conceived shortly after Carma's birth, or a 'hidden twin'- the exact age is not critical. I'd just like to find a reasonable way to make this work. :)

Orders are going to be late sorry. Got a bit of a family crisis going on, haven't had much time for this. I'll try to get them in by tomorrow.

FYI the reason The Query have Carma was to prevent a war between Klorin and Naprous. If there was another child between them it would open a serious can of worms. As she was a scepter holder she could have an older child from a previous spouse.

FYI the reason The Query have Carma was to prevent a war between Klorin and Naprous. If there was another child between them it would open a serious can of worms. As she was a scepter holder she could have an older child from a previous spouse.

She was not a sceptre holder. As such he would have had to be a hidden bastard child.

Bastard? Child from previous marriage perhaps. And that would not count as "bastard". Probably.

---
OOC:
Orders for both Garrison and Hyppean are sent. Hyppean orders are fine (they were short and simple), but Garrison is quite a mess (mainly due to me lacking units on Hubbard to properly deal with two infected towns WHILE saving civilians from both towns. But saving civilians is a must :sad:). Hopefully they'll pass as "decent" or "kinda poor". I can revise + improve them tomorrow, if that is Okay with Immac.

Yeah, but a bastard child is much more interesting.

Yeah, but a bastard child is much more interesting.

+1. Another child of Dain seems just impossible, as his father's house would have known it and the child would be along with Carma in the Query's hands now.

Intercepted Message

From Ludenard Akatas to Unknown Destination

126.9 19.00 88.91 16.00 238.03 39.95 101.07 152.97 47.88 101.07 39.95 14.01 32.07 6.94 39.95 47.88 126.9 14.01 69.72 47.88 1.00 126.9 32.07 126.9 183.85 126.9 6.94 6.94 32.07 39.95 6.94 238.03 47.88 252.08 88.91 16.00 238.03 101.07 252.08 19.00 19.00 16.00 101.07 47.88 32.07 14.01 101.07 39.95 126.90 32.07 252.08 39.95 69.72 6.94 39.95 32.07 32.07 126.90 14.01 88.91 16.00 238.03 101.07 1.00 16.00 14.01 16.00 101.07



Now for something completely different.

If there was one thing Ludenard hated more than remembering things, it was being asked stupid questions. Stupid questions such as "Who the hell is this Leon fellow you named as your successor, Duke Akatas?" or "Are you certain that this is a right choice, Lord Akatas?" or "What do you wish to have for breakfast, Master Akatas?"

He espescially hated the last one, because they always asked that when he was least prepared and left him staring into empty space, trying to find an answer to that question.

Ludenard glared at the maid, who had the misfortune of asking that question at this particular moment. "How long have you been serving me again?" he asked.

"I believe it had been a week, Master Akatas."

"...nevermind then," Ludenard said, deflated. "Tell the cook that he can prepare whatever he wants."

The maid bowed and walked out of the room. Ludenard picked up his pencil and began to randomly scribble things onto a piece of paper with a blank stare. He tended to do that when he was bored, depressed, or both.

"...that's kind of creepy, you know," Ludenard woke up with a start and stared at the intruder. Sonny was leaning against the door.

"Oh, it's just you," Ludenard answered. Sonny frowned. "What do you-"

"So, how was Lodos?" Ludenard said hurriedly.

"It was fine," Sonny said. She cleared her throat awkwardly. "Listen, I have to ask a favor."

"What is it?"

"Before I came here, one of the researchers in the bio-lab called me. He needed help dyeing syphillis bacteria..."

"He did what with the syphillis bacteria?" Ludenard said, raising an eyebrow.

"Not too loud!" Sonny hissed. "But after I helped him, I noticed that I had several cuts on my hand."

"..."

"So, if I test positive for the disease, could you testify that I got it from your labratory?"

"...are you sure that you didn't get it for private reasons?"

"...Extremely sure."

Ludenard buried his face in his hands. "Alright, I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you," Sonny said, walking out of the study immediately. Ludenard glanced down at what he had been scribbling for the last few minutes.

"What...the...hell?" was the only thing he could say.


http://www.trauerbegleitungen.de/images/logo_150.jpg

Hmm, is a secreted twin unaware of his heritage possible here?

I suppose a second child would have been possible, but I feel only if he had been conceived a bit before the revelation of the plague, and born while Catherinn was under church jurisdiction, which is why word didn't get out (Dain didn't know, and the church kept it secret?)

However, that child would be VERY young.

Yeah, the age really isn't super important. I was just intrigued by the idea of a child orphaned by these events in House Naprous, but if it would mess up canon too much, then I'd be willing to squeeze Zach somewhere else in the Family tree. :p

We'll see what Immac says?

IMMAC!

“Shut up,” I shot back at him. Although I do not believe in violence, like all good followers of the Omega Gospel should believe in, I still feel as if some people need to be told what is not acceptable.

The omega gospels say nothing against violence. Violence can indeed be holy if it saves the soul.


Iggy: i sent you a PM.

Will edit that.

Hmm, is a secreted twin unaware of his heritage possible here?

I guess, but then it's almost like what's the point because the child would have to have been so far removed from nobility that it would be raised as a commoner. A bastard prior to the wedding would be more plausible, though this is treding into mod decision land due to the serious political repercussions.

I think I'm going to remove him from that tempestuous little end of the family tree and put him elsewhere. :p

I'm on a business trip to China until Friday. No idea if this forum is approved by the Great Firewall, so I might be incommunicado until the weekend. Regardless, I'll be checking and posting more infrequently.

Terrence is Chinese IIRC, so maybe.

Terrance is from Ohio. :p

See wasn't sure. I swear there was someone on here who regularly posted from China though in the NES boards. Just cannot recall who it is.

Kraznaya spent a while in China a year or so ago.

Family Matters

Lady Alex walked along the docks watching the crews load supplies, troops marching around, and stopping to make changes with the officers when she noticed something that needed to be corrected. She continued to walk keeping the same expressionless appearance on her face she always adopted when she wore her military uniform. Discipline is key to any military and The Query valued the total control of emotions, unlike many other forces.

While her outward demeanor was rigid, a storm raged in her mind. She found that leaving behind her husband and Carma was much more difficult than she imagined it would be. While it had many years since last she had decided to lead an expedition herself that was always when she had no family at home. Her sons were all grown and out in the world and it had been before she remarried. Now that the family was back with a husband and child leaving was … upsetting.

She received a polite nudge from her attaché, Sub-Tribune Marcus, Tate Clan, she turned to look at him and he simply pointed to the next meeting scheduled on his pad: Lunch with Legatus Tristan, Black Clan. Lady Alex nodded and the entourage headed off.

When they arrived Legatus Tristan stood up from the table and walked around to greet his guest. He saluted as was proper then smiled and embraced Lady Alex.

“It’s good to see you mother.” He smiled, then continued. “Since I set this specifically as a personal lunch please relax.”

“It is good to see you, even if it was just a week ago I saw you last.” Lady Alex waited for a servant to pull out a chair and then sat. She waved off her staff and they took the cue to leave and have lunch themselves. Only the pair’s bodyguards remained.

The lunch went pleasantly as they simply told each other of family happenings and old stories. Legatus Tristan was very pleased his staff was not present or they would be swapping tales for months in the barracks about his childhood.

“So what did you think of the new chef we have at the Palace?” Lady Alex queried.

“Ah you always did hire the best chefs, mother. The fish was excellent. You sure don’t get that kind of fare on E2 most days.” He paused to sip the excellent wine. “I did love meeting Carma though since all I had to go on was your correspondence and photos.”

“Yes, she is a darling child. I just loved her question when you decided to be her instructor in military matters.” They both laughed. “I mean she is learning two languages so she tends to focus very hard when she hears a new word. ‘Uncle Tristan, what is tack – ee – ticks, is it a bug?’” Lady Alex sat back and looked at her son. “Seriously that is a generous offer seeing as how well you trained your brothers, and Lord Guy.”

“I am serious in the offer mother. And I am sure once Justin and Mark meet her in person they will offer their services as well. She really is the daughter you never had isn’t she.”
The question asked innocently struck Lady Alex hard. She had always referred to Carma by name, as ‘the child,’ or as ‘fosterling.’ Yet what her eldest son said was true. Carma really had become the daughter she never had; regardless of where she came from or how she ended up in Lady Alex’s hands. And the fact that she felt her son really did mean he saw her as a sister was pleasing.

“Yes, I suppose she is. I have always taken great pains though to try not to let her realize it.”

“Seriously mother, of course she views you as her mother. I mean she may not understand until she is older, but really you will raise her, even if she does get tutelage in the customs of the houses she was born to she will always be the daughter of condemned heretics. Except in your home.” Tristan slapped himself lightly. “Look at me getting all serious when I meant this as a break for you from all the planning sessions and such you have been in.”

“No really I am glad to hear you feel that way. You have also always been good at gauging the reactions of your brothers so you are likely right. But still it’s going to be difficult not to call her daughter.” Lady Alex gripped the hilt of Crimson Dawn in the nervous habit of hers when she became agitated.

“Then my advice is not to try and fight it in private. In public obviously the proper etiquette must be maintained, but no other foster we have ever housed has hit you as hard as she has. Of course you have never fostered a girl before or a child from practically birth. Of course this is different.”

“When did you get old enough to lecture me?” She waggled her fingers at him mockingly.

“I’m not lecturing. Perish the thought.” He responded jokingly. “Would you like to go to the family church tonight? I think we could do with some mind clearing. It’s not as if we followers of Saint Hess, the Knight need to be disciplined all the time, but we do need to clear ourselves with the expedition coming.”

“Yes, I’d like that we shall go this evening.” She rose and they bid each other farewell until the evening.

(OOC: Adrogans, if you'd like, for story purposes, I'd be willing to negotiate letting you adopt Carma.)

(OOC: we have a long way to go for that yet, but in the end it may be requested, of course we have to contend with both houses.)

((OOC: I'm back :scan:))

Me too. I picked a good time to leave the country, apparently.

Emmerich was an old man who lived in a strip of land around Cappricidia named the Elysian Fields, where the graveyard was also located. Elysian Field, once a quiet neighbourhood, wasnow being encroached by the evergrowing city of Cappricidia, making it an unholy mixture of liveliness of the city and deadly silence of the grave.

Emmerich was an old man who had too much time in his hand now. He liked nothing more than an idle chatter with the people who made an annual pilgrimage to the grave. He was, however, not seen as annoying. There was something in his face that was instantly likeable, something that made it impossible for anyone to be annoyed by him, everyone except Sonny that was. Emmerich was also a man who had great patience for everyone. He never grew angry, even against Sonny.

When Sonny passed by him at one cold summer afternoon in her leave from work, she found him in a deep conversation with a local factory owner, discussing business. Emmerich claimed that, because of the sudden warmth, businesses always boomed around July. The factory owner nodded his head solemnly and said that this was indeed, true.

Emmerich claimed that it was, however, always hard around February and August. The factory owner nodded and said that this was also, indeed true.

Emmerich sighed and wished that, for once, that his facility would be booked for three months in advance. Sonny chose to be annoyed at that exact moment and asked Emmerich whether or not he still operated that funeral home in the middle of the graveyard.

Emmerich flashed his signature smile and said that he still had the pleasure of operating the funeral home, assisting the dead's final journey to the Pancreator's kingdom somewhere in outer space. Then he asked Sonny if she had any ideas on how to make more people use his facility.

Sonny replied that she very much wanted to know the answer to that herself.

Factory owner, emerging from his own thought, wondered out loud that, since a funeral home was a branch of the Church, a person operating it did not need to worry about finances.

Emmerich let out a deep sigh and said that he was still using expensive tithes from the Church, and that it always made him feel guilty whenever he let those funds go to waste without work. Did not the Omega gospel proclaim the beauty in thrift? In addition, serfs and the nobles were paying for it anyways, wouldn't it be better for everyone if people used the facility more often?

Sonny told him, quite blatantly, that that was a stupid idea.

Emmerich chuckled and said that she may be right. Sonny threw her arms up and began to walk away. Emmerich blessed her with words of Saint Succell as she left.

ImmacuNES II B- Emperor of the Fading Heavens on Hold

Hello everyone,

I am very sad to say that i am currently can't seem to be very motivated to moderate this game. Please don't think i have lost interest, i certainly am still interested in moderating this NES and i've have and continue to have a great time sculpting this world along with you the players. Having said that, i have no problems with the stats or the dice or even creating the plot-line of a story, its simply a problem for me to somehow enjoy writing it out. And if i don't enjoy something thats supposed to be an enjoyable hobby, something's wrong. Which leads to lack of motivation.


So, because of that, and because i want to play more NESes (not moderate them) and fish more (its fishing season again!) and because i want to enjoy this game and not think of it as homework,

I'm putting this NES on hold.



PLEASE DO NOT REVEAL YOUR IN-GAME SECRETS. I forsee us launching again late summer or early autumn.

Figured something like that was happning. :p

It's OK, Immac. this is fun, and I'll certainly be here when we start up again.

I look forward very eagerly to the NES's resumption!

So anyway so and so did this and sos and so did that...

I hate you for eternity immac :(

Ken, you don't have to post in character anymore :crazyeye:

On a side note am I being too obvious Immac? :p

sadcakes all around...

Sad to see it being frozen. Glad that it's not dead :)

That's a shame, although I think I saw it coming.

On the bright side, my exams have been postponed so I'm now effectively on summer break. I'll be putting the finishing touches to my new NES and hopefully starting it within a week or so.

Arrggghhhhh!!!! Damn cryocopters!

no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no !no!no!no!no!no!no!no!no!

Yes. :p

This works for me.. I can remain in this NES, when this restarts I will by then have a laptop and will be able to participate more often. :D

Twenty-Three Hundred and Five (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2za82wDzcg)


Symbiots on Errovus Secondus

Some had suggested that the in-flight damages incurred by the Hyppean frog-class yacht landing on Hubbard and the subsequent infection of Windigo II and Molyvet were linked, that the fuel tanks of the yacht had been infected by symbiots when refueling at the Imperial fleet orbital spaceport over Stigmata. Such a suggestion would imply a ‘time-delay’ trap by symbiots, an attempt by them to have humanity disseminate their plague on their behalf. Those who made that suggested may have had their suspicions confirmed, unfortunately, when the Moon’s Silver fleet of stealthy crickets, arriving over Errovus Secondus in twenty-three o’ four to support the Church’s quarantine, eventually revealed their parasitic passengers. Perhaps due to some difference in the strength of the ley-lines between Hubbard and Errovus Secondus, perhaps due to their remaining in atmosphere for longer, perhaps for some reason unfathomed, the symbiot passengers hiding in the fuel tanks of the Moon’s Cricket did not immediately respond to their arrival at Errovus Secondus. Indeed the order from Dante Labis to examine the fuel holds of ships throughout the Imperial fleet arrived, relayed by scepter, before these ships entered Errovus Secondus atmosphere.

Unfortunately the order was to use metamagics to detect the symbiots in the fuel tanks. On Assimov or another planet with strong ley-lines, this might have worked if the thamaturgist was skilled enough but on E2 where maggicks have been so depleted, maggicks were not available outside atmosphere and so fuel was actively pumped to a secondary container and lowered via spaceport into range of Errovus Secondus’s weak ley-lines. It is then that the symbiots within, for indeed there were symbiots hiding within the fuel, exploded into activity and breaking from the reinforced fuel tank they hid within, were strewn across the atmosphere of Errovus Secondus, dark tendrils of fuel-covered worms wriggling and screeching as they fell through the atmosphere.

The Imperium was well prepared for such an eventuality however, and even as the contained exploded, the Flying Knives had gone into action, the stingers delivering explosive fire to the worms in mid-atmosphere. Unfortunately Scarabedaie are not trained to fight such creatures and are not armed with flame-based weapons and so though deployed, did little to prevent the worms falling through the sky. Though much of the symbiot tendrils were destroyed by the ‘Knives’, many escaped and continued their descent. When all seemed lost and the tendrils were falling gently to the surface, only thousands of feet above the fiefdoms of Illbourne and Orthodoxy, Sir Gustav Pleasuv, a minor noble of the Querry house who had risen amongst the ranks of the Imperium, and captain of the regency ‘Hopeful Dawn’ White-Sky class cruiser ordered his ship to open fire upon the surface of the planet.

A fateful day, over 200 missiles raced through the celestium, racing the tendrils for the unknowing serfs of the Church and Illbourne house. When the symbiot tendrils were hundreds of feet above the innocents below, they were kilometers away, their rockets propelling them at speeds Pleasuv hoped would be sufficient to save hundreds of thousands of lives. Under his hand he held the button that would order the explosion of the missiles. He only hoped that the explosion would be atmospheric, that he would not have to destroy the people below to save the planet from this newest threat. But alas, it was not to be. Today the Pancreator did not smile upon the people of this accursed world. While the missiles were still thousands of feet away, the first of the tendrils reached the earth, some destroyed from the fall but many immediately snaking their way to find victims to parasitize.

Peasuv saw, and he took action, an action some might curse him for but which many celebrated him for as well. He waited until his missiles were hundreds of feet over the drop zone and he pushed the button …and there was fire.

A massive swathe of land, land that had been painstakingly won from rebel warlords, land that serfs had sweated and bled over to turn into greenhouses and rail-lines, lands outfitted with pipes and cable for water power, small businesses, nobles’ estates, churches, graveyards, so many graveyards and all the people who lived within were turned to ash, the pavement and concrete set alight, only the ceramasteel girders of massive buildings rising from the resulting flaming inferno.

Afterwards Church thaumaturgs hazarded to scour the area and using their metamagics found only a few badly burnt symbiot spores which quickly succumbed to the flames of Grimsons and Penitants.

Though Errovus Secondus was scared, it would live one more day.

In the aftermath, the Moon’s Sliver fuel has since been destroyed, replaced with a purer form. These ships have since been recalled to the Symbiot front, their crew eager for revenge.


Fleet Fuel on Stigmata

At the stigmata orbital spaceport, Dante Labis was involved directly in the cleansing action of Imperium fuel. Here again the thamaturgs were ordered to use their maggicks to discover the presence of Symbiots but, unlike E2, skilled thaumaturgist of the Brothers Battle were able to detect the symbiot presence while still in high orbit.

Why these did not ‘activate’ like those over Hubbard or E2 remains a mystery. Nevertheless, Labis did not wish to take chances and so all fuel was filtered and any tendrils found were quickly reduced by flame and explosives. And yet none acted to protect themselves. When the filtering was complete, this time the thamaturgs found no evidence of infestation. Though it takes nearly two months, the ships are cleaned, some requiring partial disassembly and reassembly. And yet the symbiots seem willing to allow the fleet to do cleanse themselves without taking action. Indeed, they are strangely quiet.

For the most part…

(Houses producing and exporting oil get bonus income already included in their stats for the turn to represent the huge demand for new fuel to replace the massive reserves destroyed by the fleet this turn)


Mercy of the Hyppean Command

A mutiny amongst the Imperial Garrison serfs and lower ranking officers was only nearly averted this year. In twenty-three-o’-four, Dante Labis of house Koriate had ordered the Imperial Garrison unarmored infantry across the irradiated sands of Stigmata to fight in the thick symbiot-infested jungle. Not only was the action responsible for thousands of countless deaths due to symbiot attack, the entire twenty-three thousand infantry quickly succumbed to radiation sickness upon return to the Imperial Garrison base. This was enough to infuriate those who felt their lives were being needlessly wasted by the incompetence of their superiors. Indeed the entire stigmata garrison command was seriously considering ignoring the orders of the Imperial political positions and assuming their own commanders. But this crisis was averted when the popular Garrik Harnoth was given temporary command. He sent Tenith Erona to Stigmata and she in turn immediately began, amongst other projects, the evacuation of the poisoned and ill from the front lines back to Hubbard where, after it was assured that no symbiots had parasitized the ship or its crew, they landed at Windigo II, and again at Whiteknife. On Hubbard, Garrik ensured they received the best in Imperial medical care including, in addition to iodine cleanses and blood/spinal fluid exchanges, vegetable juices and the best in blood-letting leaches. For the duration of twenty-three o’ five, while many of these soldiers continue to succumb to their illness, a not insignificant minority begin to recover. Perhaps these veteran soldiers could be used as trainers or strategist though their wounds and burns preclude them from active duty for the rest of their natural lives.


Burning Hive Raum

With the Imperial fleet now clean of infected fuel, Dante Labis orders the ’Mercy of Man’[/u] into position over Hive Raum so as to begin orbital bombardment of this symbiot infestation. Perhaps the Raum hive was still recovering from the slaughter they delivered to the unarmored imperial fleet in the previous year or perhaps they were pre-occupied with regenerating their numbers but the arrival of the Mercy caused no great stir amongst the southern symbiot hive.

http://gregorhutton.com/boxninja/threesixteen/art/316art01th.jpg

And so the Mercy was able to take up position above Hive Raum, their optics revealing the great thickness of layered jungle forestation below, and via thermal imaging the dense body of symbiot life-forms deep within this. The monitor class battle-ship, ‘Suns’ Hope’, and the white-sky cruiser, ‘Kraken Beak’ began systematic bombardment of the hive. And still there was no real response. Thermal imaging revealed a systematic cooling of the hive before the bombardment began and warming of many long thick tendrils crossing the jungles as well as a mass exodus of symbiot life-forms from the hive but the creatures were apparently unable to counter the attack upon their nest and so many were caught completely helpless and undefended when the first atomic missiles exploded in the high canopy. Only once Hive Raum had received several strikes with both atomic and conventional warheads did the Symbiots respond whatsoever. The Admiral class carrier was the first to detect the incoming symbiots, strange ship-sized bee-like creatures (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=8134898&postcount=2691 ) ascending from Hive Caym. These were relatively few in number and two were destroyed by the action of the valant and rabid-class destroyers before they were able to approach too closely. When they finally did their rear abdomen opened to reveal a honey-comb structure full of creatures very similar to the ‘razor-wasps’ of previous attacks. These attempted to grapple, and using long metallic scythes emerging from their fore-legs, cut into the Imperial fleet ships. The Fleet responded by launching their stinger-class fighters who’s greater mobility and speed as well as their long-range weapons quickly reduced these wasps while themselves only losing 2 fighters.

Later, Hive Raum destroyed, its surrounding jungles reduced to sand and glass, the victorious Imperial fleet would celebrate their unexpectedly easy victory and yet wonder at the relative absence of major resistance.

Only much later in the year did their sensors report the launch of major Symbiot life-forms over Hive Ambdicius on the far side of the planet. Each structure seemed to float in low geo-synchronous orbit, almost exactly opposite to the fallen gate and the Imperial orbital spaceport. Sensors could not uncover too much information but they did report major electromagnetic activity between the surface of the planet and the floating space-forms.


Rebuilding Errovus Secondus

The constant threat of freeman warlords at the borders of the various noble, imperial and church factions on Errovus Secondus has ensured that those who face this threat will do what they can to overcome them and expand their fiefdoms. In the majority of cases these operations entail militarily overcoming what little defenses local warlords can muster and annexing their lands. Most of the freemen who inhabit these lands, often little more than ghosts amongst the ruins are only too happy for the ‘sponsorship’ of a major noble house for it no doubt means the development of infrastructure including food and clean water.

In the north, the Imperial Garrison is eager to claim lands though in doing so they overstretch their infrastructure considerably. Thankfully the temporary Imperial Garrison commander has ordered the repair and modernization of the Garrison fiefdom and the new lands are incorporated easily enough.

Juno Xicier does much the same on the eastern continent, claiming much of the land they had lost during the chaos of the plague. There is no major enemy positions here and losses are limited to a single unit of armor who are ambushed by a mob bearing Molotov cocktails and ancient plastic explosives. Unfortunately without proper infrastructure development, the land is a net economic drag on the Xicier house on Errovus Secondus.

Also on the eastern continent Heifel Aries orders her forces not only to expand but to rebuild areas reclaimed, tearing down crumbling apartment blocks and where possible, planting urban gardens, building small workshops and even minor factories. Investments in infrastructure development and rebuilding pay off quickly with the new workforce eager for a stable wage and the reassurances that brings.

http://digital-art-gallery.com/oid/0/640x379_203_Dead_city_IDsoftware_2006_2d_sci_fi_ci ty_ruins_post_apocalyptic_picture_image_digital_ar t.jpg[i]
Large tracts of Errovus Secondus remain desolate wastelands

The Hyppean and Sanctious’Als have come to an agreement. Lands that were traditionally Hyppean but awarded to the Sanctious’Als by the people themselves and church were returned to the Hyppean who, in turn, also expanded their lands towards the Eekin in the west. Those freemen who did put up some resistance, and there were few warlords who tried, were quickly overcome by the Hyppean shield-bearers amongst whom all major losses were limited to the more primitively armed divisions.

Other factions choose instead to develop their infrastructure or trade capacity without claiming new lands. The Thana and Texier both go about quietly recovering their physical infrastructure and replacing the talent they lost in the plague. The Naprous also develop their lands, consolidating the gains they have made in recent years with much more conservative attempts to expand both their domestic industry and merchant navy. Naprous ships are now a common site in the harbors or shores of many of the noble houses of Errovus Secondus where they not only sell their own wares but also claim a dominant position in the carry trade. Their only competition are the Tsedeq who re-establish their relationship with the guild merchants once loyal to Kareem Kelter. Offered new positions and generous signing bonuses these sailors not only bring their merchant navy to the Tsedeq but advanced Terrier-class destroyers and Sea-Wasp Helicopter carriers. And though their merchants are common along the southern coast of the central continent, their command of the naval trade is limited in comparison to the Naprous. Despite these limitations, most treasurers and accountants have begun to report that food production on Errovus Secondus is finally beginning to match the demand with many noble houses investing in farming and agriculture on both small and large scales. The only problem they see is the distribution of food throughout the fiefdoms. Those fiefdoms who suffer the most starvation and hunger are those who have the least-well developed roads, harbors, and rails (or the biggest populations).

The Klorin, consolidating themselves in the face of the interdict placed upon them by the Universal Church have arranged to trade many of their fiefdoms and holdings with both the guilds and with the Killgore faction. One of these is the Klorin fiefdom on Errovus Secondus.

In June the Coachmen, having made a deal with the Klorin, arrive to pick up the remnants of the Klorin army and deliver them to Incellia but while the more disciplined elite units board the ship (outfitted with expensive life-support systems), many of the lower ranking soldiers simply refuse to give up their lives and families on Errovus Secondus. They disband and return to civilian life, disgruntled and disillusioned with the what they consider the abandonment of their former masters and their sale to the goat-loving, stinking mountain people of House Killgore. Meanwhile the Killgore secure their eastern fiefdom with fresh infantry recruits while their armored Marauder drop infantry move northwards via dropship and secure the formerly Klorin lands. There is little resistance to this move. Those that do resist are killed without ceremony and the others quickly learn to accept their new militant lords.

The Querry are also interested in expanding their fiefs in the northern reaches of the eastern continent. Their main force, consisting of their Hydra Guard are preceded by the commandoes of the Daimon Force, who quickly provide reports of well-organized paramilitary militia forces pledging allegiance to unknown warlords. These are in possession of track-mounted missile launch platforms, and modern rifles, presumably taken from the armories of the Authority who previously governed these territories. Lord Guy orders a cautious approach, sending in their infantry first but once Hydra fighters and armor begin to make their appearance guided battle-field range ballistic missiles soon appear as blips on the Hydra guard horizon radar, their launch undetected. The armor and fighters of the Hydra guard are relatively primitive and have no means of countering the guidance systems of the incoming missiles in a few short minutes. While the warlords’ missiles are effective against the fighters and armor of the Hydra guard, the Querry Infantry are able to disperse enough that they are relatively ineffective against them. And so Lord Guy orders a general careful advance, calling back his remaining armor and fighters. It is at this point the that the warlords reveal their Reapers and these stop the Hydra infantry cold. There is no choice for the Querry to withdraw and this they do, Lord Guy’s experience and expertise turning a chaotic rout into an orderly withdrawal. He even manages to secure a Terrier-class destroyer from the docks during his withdrawal and thereby saves some face in the face of an otherwise complete loss.

http://digital-art-gallery.com/oid/0/640x476_219_Lost_unit_2d_realism_tank_war_picture_ image_digital_art.jpg
A Querry armor unit lies abandoned after being struck by a battlefield guided missile

The Texier expand their territory militarily in the northern continent, encountering relatively little resistance and turn their attention to the southwestern Authority fiefdom where Dascha had made her last stand. Guis Texier orders his forcs forward, mindful of Church claims but when Texier transports arrive in April they find little Church forces in the north-west. It is an irradiated wasteland and no one seems willing to shed blood over it. When they arrive, claiming that they ‘Don’t want good farmland to fall to waste’, they see they are too late. There is no farmland here any longer. The Texier expand to a rather large area, hoping that some land they claim might be farmable and during this operation they hear reports of continued guerilla resistance and encounter Church forces operating search and destroy missions throughout the area but otherwise the Texier mission is quiet.


Symbiots on Hubbard

The presence of Symbiots on Hubbard has brought a panic unknonwn to this words since the previous symbiot infection. Indeed, as a result of the infestation all trade between and within the Imperial fiefdoms and that of the Garrison in particular has ground to a near absolute halt. It is impossible to gather resources or taxes and as a result, fighting the menace has become harder than it otherwise would be.

Garrik Harnoth, acting Imperial Garrison Commander is on site however and he begins a comprehensive project to fight the infestation and prevent the fall of this planet to he Symbiots. A greater responsibility has never been placed upon his wide and capable shoulders. The first thing he orders is the collection of all industrial and mining explosives from throughout the fiefdom that he can gather and the mobilization of local Imperium forces. Those forces and explosives are used to burn everything around Molyvet and Windigo II that can burn. Steppe grasses, stunted Hubbard forests, everything is burned until all that remains is ash and blackened stone. Within the cities the people hide in their homes, afraid of the symbiots and of the toxic fumes overcoming the cities. More than a few elderly or young succumb to the smoke and cinders but the population generally supports the maneuver, much more afraid of the symbiots than a bit of thick smoke.

The second stage invoves evacuating those individuals capable of travel to mine shafts and tunnels in the hills surrounding the city and stocking them with food and water. This complete, the fire perimiter is extended considerably and parts of both cities are soon reduced to ash as well as the fires escape control and sweep through avenues and backyard gardens.

To prevent the symbiot infestation from reaching beyond the ashen landscape by infected flying creatures or other possible symbiot organisms, infantry and civilian volunteers are provided with potent poisons and these are disseminated over a wide area, shriveling steppe grass and killing sheep by the thousands, even claiming the lives of several dozen volunteers and infantrymen. But the perimeter grow more and more secure.

Many civilians evacuating to the mine shafts reveal signs of infestation, acting erratically and unable to comprehend speech, seeking to flee or attack others. These are quickly disposed of by flame-wielding grimsons, though an occasional refuge is deemed unsalvageable and doomed to a fiery end.

Molyvet is then burned, systematically, block by block then Grimsons head into the city, the sewers and twisting alleyways especially and turn their flame-guns upon all life, rats, weeds, insect and those few who have not already been burned and in this way the people though not the city of Molyvet are saved.

For Windigo II, there is the spaceport amongst several important fiefdoms to consider and while the forces of the Garrison attempt to clear the city and spare the spaceport, it is the spaceport that is most heavily infested, its complex service tunnels, fuel and communications pipelines all serving to hide miniature nests of increasingly complex symbiot lifeforms.

http://wingedorange.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/tunnel01-441x269.jpg
The sewers of Windigo II prove a bastion of Symbiot infection

Many of these fight back and many a grimson or infantrymen falls before he can turn the purifying flames upon their attacking but ultimately a complex plan involving baiting and patience is victorious and Windigo II and its surroundings are declared clear. Ultimately however the price is high, much of the city lies in fire and many a man, woman or child has been claimed by the symbiots or as a casualty of the purge.

No one will ever return to Molyvet, the area is considered cursed; the point is reinforced when orbital bombardment delivers massive conventional missile fire leaving the even the stones aflame. Only the bravest or the desperate will return to Windigo; the damage is just too great to ignore with much of the city lying in ruins due to Garrison artillery fire or bombs. The spaceport itself is heavily damaged and will require rebuilding as well.

Though Hubbard is saved, the effort is not without cost. Ultimately however the will and determination of Garrik of House Hyppean is not cursed but celebrated. The planet is saved; the people know the wickedness of the Symbiots and though many have lost family and almost all have lost their homes and treasures, they are understanding of the methods used.


Prospectors Purchase Klorinheim, Firefight Errupts Aboard Mammon of Tsedeq

Brother Cabil heaves a sigh of relief when he hears that Klorinheim has been traded to the Prospectors. The guild, in turn, is eager to invest the funds they have recently acquired due to their operations on the Clarke’s moon, into mining operations on Hubbard where, with their expertise and the men of Klorinheim, they hope to quickly turn a profit.

To help evacuate Brother Cabil and the elite nobility and soldiery of Klorinheim, the Klorin cut a deal with the Tsedeq who send the Mammon, once again, to the assistance of the desperate men and women of this unlucky fiefdom. While at Hubbard they also land at the Bossheim fief, careful to avoid infestation though the symbiots have not expanded beyond Molyvet or Windigo II.

Brother Cabil and his elite soldiery board the ship and the Mammon returns to atmosphere. As it approaches the jump-gate however, something horrible happens within the ship. Throughout the known worlds all are suddenly aware that a scepter-bound has passed. Brother Cabil has died.

Later the crew reveal that a firefight erupted when Klorinheim citizens boarded the ship clandestinely and were found by Klorin commandoes. A gunfight ensued and a bullet caused the explosion of a heating unit; the entire hold was instantly depressurized and all died suddenly. The Mammon made the jump to Arrakis, what it will do with its hold of corpses remains to be seen.

Meanwhile the Prospectors have sent the Muster under Tong Yang Grigor’s personal command to Hubbard to secure the fiefdom.


Cathedrals and Blood- The Scramble for Clarke

While Ichabod of House Query Sterling clan begins the development of a new grand cathedral amongst the Query fiefdoms, Alex of the Black clan focuses on more military matters- the invasion of the formerly Klorin fief. In the past year the Klorin nobles of Clarke have thrown off the rule of the central house in response to their interdict by the Church. This has left them susceptible to hostile take-over. Black makes contact with several potentially friendly nobles and arranges a friendly port of call for the Kraken Patrol and Talus Guard. Upon arrival they quickly learn that they are not the only ones with plans to annex the formerly Klorin fiefom. The Tsedeq are already there.

And indeed so too is Tsedeq money. The minor houses have been busy importing and purchasing weapons with foreign funds and they’ve use these to arm several battalions of infantry. Of course, the nobles receiving this funds are loyal to the powers providing those funds and so when the Tsedeq arrive, they have friendly, armed nobles ready to receive them.

A scramble ensues with the Tsedeq and Querry nobles each eager to gain the support of the various minor noble clans. The result is a slice of the southern coast, including many estates near Coatbirdge but not the city itself pledging allegiance to the Querry and a larger slice of the north, including the urban estates of Inverness itself pledging allegiance to the Tsedeq. Despite the division of the island between independent rebels and these two major houses, there has been limited violence as of yet, with most of the contest limited to political influence-peddling and backroom diplomacy.

Killgore Adopt Klorin Fiefdom on Arrakis

While the Sanctious’Als are celebrating the opening of their theurgic academy and the Vanari are resettling their prisoners of war as new feudal vassals, the Hyppean are seeing unprecedented economic growth and income. For years this major house has relied upon dirt tracks and caravanserai to distribute the grain and trade goods; it is the only system easily amendable to the snaking, often dried out river beds and parched dessert. Now, a major series of railways crisscross the fiefdoms, connecting production to markets like never before. To understand the significance of this to this massive sprawling fiefdom consider that for every 50 miles of travel, any unit of grain’s costs are effectively increased one-fold. All that is changing now and already there is a push amongst the population to urbanize and develop new industries and specialized commerce.

Amongst the Xicier, there is also a push for economic development as the house opens several new textile factories using much more modern production mechanisms. While this leaves many of the more conservative serfs fearful for their souls when they see the massive banks of machinery, many brave souls find a safe, efficient work environment.

For the Killgore, things are not as quiet; indeed they send several battalions of soldiers through Xicier territory and to the Klorin fiefdom. These fertile lands are very different from the high shepherding lands of the traditional Killgore fiefdoms. Arriving they find much of the local population very unenthusiastic regarding their ‘sale’ to the Killgore and while the Killgore infantry quickly secure the capital of Lanark, much of the outlying towns and villages declare their independence, refusing to recognize the ‘barbarian bandits of Killgore’. Many of the rebel families unite under one banner, calling themselves the ‘House of the Dessert Scythe’ and purchasing what weapons and military advisors they can.

The annexation of these lands promises to be a rough affair, already some minor skirmishes have broken out between the Desert Scythe and the Killgore, though losses have been limited to a few poorly armed batallions.


Klorin complete Cathedral of St. Bhall on Incellia

With great fanfare the Klorin house completes the Cathedral of St. Bhall. Though not as grandiose as the Holy Gate cathedral dedicated to St. Sabel, its completion comes at a good time. The people have come together to work as one and finish the cathedral ahead of schedule and under-budget. The idea for many is that the construction of the cathedral is a penitence for sins of the house and most are eager to save their souls.

http://www.unseen64.net/wp-content/gallery/revolution_conceptart/cathedral-interior.jpg
The Cathedral of St. Bhall is an airy affair with the sun’s rays passing through flame-etched stain glass windows

With the completion of the cathedral in late November, the Inquisitional Synod of the Universal Church of the Celestial Light declares the interdict lifted. Immediately there is a flood of Klorin serfs for the churches and abbeys of the fiefdom as they seek the solace and security of the church liturgy and ritual.

Amongst the Incellian lands of the Killgore, the lifting of the interdict is also much appreciated because due to the negotiations of House Killgore and Klorin, their lands have passed into the hands of the major house Klorin. For many this event hardly registers. Lambs still need watching, sheep need sheering and politics might as well be as distant as Errovus Secondus itself. For those few minor noble houses eching out a living in the highlands of the fiefdom who are directly affected, their new master are effeminate wimps who can’t wipe their own arses let alone defend themselves. There is talk of rebellion and when the Klorin fail to assert their claims to these lands with any military, talk blossoms into action. The islands declare themselves the independent “House of Winter Peaks”.

Elsewhere on Incellia, the Thana-Koriate railway continues development, bringing trade between these people and between the Thana and the Known worlds via the planetary spaceport at Cappricidia to new heights.

The Remillard also invest in their infrastructure and focus on road building while Remi sets out with loyal frost rangers to study and capture local wildlife beyond the regular territorial boundries of their land. Exploring new territory they not only discover new species they have not yet seen before including massive reptilian creatures with eight legs and a propensity for breathing some sort of super-heated steam when threatened, they discover the existence strange alien ruins in the frozen ice of the high arctic.


Quin Push into Jungles of Assimov

While tales continue to arrive of the expanding Church fiefdoms in the northen islands, the Quin Monks of Vader push further and further into the southern jungles. The monks begin reaching the territory of the Xyall and finally find both the source of the cocoons and a Xyall hive. The cacoons belong to a sort of floating balloon-type Assimovian insect that seems to filter-feed on the dense jungle atmosphere and its many aerial pollens and pheromones. These are actively farmed by the Xyall in plantations of sorts in the high canopy.

When the Monks of Vader find these they come under heavy attack and despite their heavy weapons, marks and aerial support, they suffer heavy losses due to the ferocity of the Xyall attacks and the terrain they fight in which despite the Ranger’s relative comfort and training, ultimately is the home-ground of the Xyalls themselves.

Finally the xyall are beaten back, with considerable assistance from the air-force, which also suffer loses incidentally due to the thickness of the vegetation they must maneuver through to deliver their payloads. The Xyall live, much like termites, in giant concrete-like towers. But unlike termites, those of the Xyall strentch for hundreds if not thousands of feet into the air, often rising above the Jungle canopy. Within hundreds of the creatures live and breed and feed. The raiders finds hundreds of eggs, hundreds of thousands of firebirds worth of unspun cocoon fiber, and even the remains of a queen, a giant version of the other Xyalls but unable to move due the massive expansion of her abdomen.

Elsewhere on Assimov, it is said that the Imperial Eye has made contact with the Evvis though what they speak of or how they proceed diplomatically, remains unknown.


Lost Naprous Scepter Comes to Life

As many had expected the scepter lost by the Naprous to pirates does indeed lie in the hands of an Evvis pirate captain. Using the scepter his elf introduces herself as ‘Captain Velace of the Void Zephyr’. Little is known of her or her relationship to the planetary Evvis of Assimov as of yet.

http://digital-art-gallery.com/oid/12/640x494_3860_Midnight_Mistress_2d_fantasy_girl_wom an_portrait_picture_image_digital_art.jpg
Captain Velace of the Void Zephyr will be able to vote in the next Imperial elections.

In Other News

Bossheim found Gabellan Institute of Natural Studies on Hubbard
Akbar'Al preaches obedience to church and the central houses.
Koriate develop magical research facility at Wei on Incellia.
Thana begin development of new Scientific Institute
Lady Eirenprone expands staff of Tleilaxu Clinic with ex-rangers, Hospital academics and retired monks.


Rewards

Your story rewards are included in your stats


New Trade Routes:

No new trade routes.
Note that the Charioteers have built a new freighter and are eager to develop contracts. Currently they are focused on working with the Regency as part of the Imperial Regents campaign promises.



New Designs:

Sea-Wasp Helicopter Carrier
Cost: 7 MF for 1 ship
Tech Requirements: 4 P/E, 4 C/B, 5 CS
Developed In: 2301
Developed By: Authority
Usable By: none
Heavy Weapons: 3
Light Weapons: 2
Armor: 3
Speed: 5
Sensors: 2

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/USS_Wasp_%28LHD_1%29.jpg/300px-USS_Wasp_%28LHD_1%29.jpg

The Sea-wasp is an amphibious attack support vehicle. It can carry up to four helicopter or VTOL aircraft squadrons, up to 2000 infantry, and up to two armor brigades. The Sea-Wasp can also carry 1 brigade of air-cushion landing craft, and 2 brigades Kelter-Class amphibious assault vehicles. It also has remaining tonnage to carry whatever equipment might be necessary. Within the ship, an internal monorail is used to shift cargo from the cargo holds to the well deck.

The Sea-wasp have an internal hospital with 600 beds and 8 operating rooms.

They are armed with 8 self-guided missile surface-to-surface launch systems, 6 homing infrared anti-air missile barrage systems, four heavy chain guns and fifty smaller machine guns. They also possess a full armament of torpedo decoys, chaff buoys, missile decoys and an advanced electronic warfare suite. For search and rescue or merely for protecting against incoming air or submarines, they possess air, surface and depth radar/sonar.

Tsedeq can design for half cost.

Pop-pit Air-Cushion Landing Craft
Cost: 2 MF for 1 brigade
Tech Requirements: 4 P/E, 3 C/B, 4 CS
Developed In: 2301
Developed By: Authority
Usable By: none
Heavy Weapons: 0
Light Weapons: 1
Armor: 0
Speed: 1 (land, relatively smooth surfaces only), 2 (water)
Unit Size: 30 ships

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/USMC_LCAC_offloading.jpg/220px-USMC_LCAC_offloading.jpg

Meant to get soldiers and vehicles from ship to shore or beach to beach, the Pop-pit are each capable of carrying up to 50 soldiers or 1 heavy armored vehicle (a reaper?). They are armed with two medium-sized machine guns but remain relatively unarmored, relying instead on their mother-ship or soldiery to protect them.

Though more hampered by rough seas than the Kelter-class, the Pop-pit is able to breach a much wider range of beaches and swampland.

Tsedeq can design for half cost.


Kelter-Class Amphibious Assault Vehicle
Cost: 2 MF for 1 Brigade
Tech Requirements: 4 P/E, 4 C/B, 4 CS
Developed In: 2300
Developed By: Authority
Usable By: none
Heavy Weapons: 0
Light Weapons: 2
Armor: 2
Speed: 2 (land) 2 (water)
Unit Size: 50 units

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/AAV-australia.jpg/751px-AAV-australia.jpg

A fully tracked amphibious landing vehicle, the Kelter can each deliver up to 40 soldiers from ship to shore or beach to beach. Though not as versatile as the Pop-it, they have the advantage of being armored and being relatively resistant to most small arms fire. They are ideal for assisting soldiers in establishing a beachhead wherever needed. They are also armed with two rotary machine guns

Tsedeq can design for half cost.


Obese Sparrow-class Transport Helicopter
Cost: 3MF for 1 twelve gunship squadron
Tech Requirements: 5 P/E, 3 C/B, 4 CS
Developed In: 2301
Developed By: Muster
Usable By: Muster
Light Weapons: 1
Heavy Weapons: 0
Armor: 1
Atmospheric Mobility: 1
Sensors: 1
Range: 670km

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQAVjTeM7SF1dUWabTdeG0ep2n3Dh2Id fNsexi4buW3e0mBrEik&t=1

These are transport helicopters designed for all-weather, day or night assault transport of combat troops and movement of supplies and equipment. In addition to its two door-mounted machine guns and light ceramasteal armor, its massive engines can lift up to 16,000 kg of weight and has room for 35 troops.

Tsedeq can design for half cost.


Vanari Desert Raptor- Infantry Fighting Vehicles
Cost: 3 MF for 1 Brigade
Tech Requirements: 4 P/E, 4 C/B, 4 CS
Developed In: 2305
Developed By: Vanari
Usable By: Vanari
Heavy Weapons: 2
Light Weapons: 2
Armor: 5
Speed: 5
Sensors: 1
Unit Size: 80 units

Ceramasteel armor, 40mm auto-cannon, 7.62mm machine guns, and capacity for 6 ‘Screaming Prophet’ anti-tank missile, these vehicles can each transport up to 25 infantrymen and almost, but not quite, keep pace with the Vanari “Aries” class tanks.


Imperial Garrison Screaming Hog
Cost: 4 MF for 1 squadron
Tech Requirements: 6 P/E, 5 C/B, 6 CS
Developed In: 2305
Developed By: Society of Engineers
Usable By: Society of Engineers, Imperial Garrison
Light Weapons: 6
Heavy Weapons: 2
Armor: 2
Atmospheric Mobility: 4
Stealth: 0
Sensors: 1
Range: 2600km

http://iphoneappsclub.com/anime/thumb/04587.jpg

A multi-role strike-fighter designed for use against the Symbiots, the Hog favors lighter ceramasteel armor and armaments over speed, though it effectively outmaneuver and out-flies any existing atmospheric-only aircraft available to the Imperium. Its weapons systems are designed to destroy a wide number of more lightly armored targets using fragmentary and incendiary weapons at long or short range. Due to its modular design and excellent engineering it is a very reliable vehicle costing relatively few firebirds to produce.

The Hog relies almost purely upon its heavy armament of highly-miniaturized missiles and has only two 30mm cannons capable of firing 45,000 high-explosive fragmentary or incendiary rounds per minute. The Hog’s entire cannon ammunition can therefore be emptied in less 40 seconds. Its primary armament are its one-hundred and four state-of-the art miniature missiles. These are each approximately 30cm long and 2cm wide, laser-guided after target lock or capable of infrared and ‘profile-hunt’ self-guidance, and capable of delivering a fragmentary or thermobaric warhead at beyond visual-horizon ranges.

For ground strikes, the Hogs are armed with 12 medium sized missiles each capable of delivering 144 cluster fragmentary or thermobaric bomblets.


Maps

Will take a bit.



Stats


Hopefully done tonight.

Ah, so the murderess reveals herself at last... interesting...

Stats are up.

Units are updated.

Last thing left to do will be maps i do believe.

EDIT: spy reports out tomorrow sometime- they are written its just really really late.

Stats are up.

Units are updated.

Last thing left to do will be maps i do believe.

EDIT: spy reports out tomorrow sometime- they are written its just really really late.
Just skimmed through the update, but Have I ever mentioned that I love you? I do!

Hey immac

You no longer suck. =D

And Garrison is victorious once again ... But, as I was just a temp. replacement because Fleet Commander dropped off the game, so who shall be the new garrison/fleet leader?

Also will the -previously closed social group- to be reopened?

OOC: Nice - an update! :)

Announcements from the House Bossheaim
To the Imperial Community
We are impressed by and thankful for the swift and decisive action of House Hyppean's Garrik Harnoth in securing Hubbard from the Symbiotes and reining in the Imperial Garrison. We very much support the motion that he should be elected Garrison Commander.

To whom it may concern
Alexis Gabella of our House Bossheaim announces her retirement from the political stage; As she is not a Sceptre-bearer, her vitality is not without end, and recent private matters means that Alexis will not be able to dedicate enough time to the intricacies of politics; Instead, she will dedicate what time and effort she can spare as head of the newly-established Gabellan Institute of Natural Sciences with hopes of improving the agricultural potential of Hubbard soil.
Taking her place as the domestic leader of the House Bossheaim is Lord Tempus Agari, Hubbard.

((OOC: This means that from the next turn, if Immac allows, Alexis will no longer be an ACC, but Tempus will instead.))

The holding of a sceptre by an elf is foul and unacceptable.

We, House Texier, propose that the sceptre system should rather be abolished than we put up with this subversion of the constitution, and that we should vote without anonymity and according to the original distribution of sceptres, unless some preferable settlement can be reached with these elves.

It is truly a much greater subversion of the constitution to keep the system and to have a sceptre given to an elf, than to abolish the system and to disallow the abhorrent concept that our next Regent should have to campaign for the vote of an Elf. Besides, it seems to me that allowing this one elf to become so powerful risks him becoming more important in the elf world too; perhaps he will become King of all the Elves on the authority of his Sceptre and will make war on us with the Elves as a united force? To let this sceptre stand as valid is extremely dangerous to the security of the Empire.

edit: although to make sure the votes were genuine, those of us who still have our sceptres would still vote through them by telling all the others openly how we voted.

Perhaps we should just kill the elf and reclaim the scepter.

Seems like a pretty awesome plan to me.

Immac, what happened to my maruarder drop legions and dropships on E2? You said there was little resistance and now they are all gone? :(

My stats say I have 57 Infantry battalions, Immac. :p

Also, my policy, as summarised in my stats, misses the point; my policy is a policy to improve my science facilities rather than to make money.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the stats are not, in fact, done.

Wow! Didn't expect the update. Nice surprise. Thanks Immac!

The so-called House Winter Peaks is not recognised by the Regent, this is an illegitimate rebellion by minor nobility and is not to be engaged with diplomatically. Holy Gate suggests that the Union of Inceilla convenes to plan a prompt and all-encompassing reconquest of the islands.

Also, I agree that the system of sceptres should rather be abolished then allow a pirate lord and elf to vote in the elections.

Your Regent

And what would take the place of the scepters? You propose only destruction.

Stats are done.

Infantry is now divided by battalions instead of divisions (2000 people instead of 10,000). So you got an equivalent monetary value of new battalions. This is to allow smaller deployments and more flexible application of force.

Killgore and Tsedeq and Quin stats all had errors that have been fixed now. If you think your stats are screwed up, please don't hesitate to tell me (gently).

Stats are done.

Infantry is now divided by battalions instead of divisions (2000 people instead of 10,000). So you got an equivalent monetary value of new battalions. This is to allow smaller deployments and more flexible application of force.

Killgore and Tsedeq and Quin stats all had errors that have been fixed now. If you think your stats are screwed up, please don't hesitate to tell me (gently).

So, one battalion = 2,000 units.

Infantry II
Cost: 1MF for 3 batallions
So for 1 MF I'd get 6 000 men in 3 battallions?

yes.

Most of the units describe how large they are.

Perhaps we should just kill the elf and reclaim the scepter.

Seems like a pretty awesome plan to me.

We concur.

All spy reports and post-update notes are out.

To:House Tsedeq
From: House Klorin

There has long been a friendship binding our two houses together. As such, we bear no ill will for the death of Brother Cabil aboard your ships. We merely ask that you complete the transaction, returning us his body and his scepter.

Your awesome! Sending orders/still participating despite limited internet!

Perhaps we should just kill the elf and reclaim the scepter.

Seems like a pretty awesome plan to me.

Agreed. The sceptres are our link to the divine. To abandon them because of one elf is weak willed and foolish. Even if we never reclaim the sceptre, if we kill the evvis infestation, the problem is solved.

Does this Evvie have something to offer to us in exchange of Scepter (and her life)?

House Klorin agrees that the Scepters are integral to our system of rule, of being.

House Texier is not remotely averse to killing this elf if a way can be found to do it. Any ideas?

House Remillard will gladly offer military units for tackling either the Evvi's or House Winter Peaks - whichever our Reagent should deem the more pressing issue.

Effective immediately for an indefinite period, all attempts at travel north of Saint Donat must be made known to local Remillardian authorities, whereupon we will attempt to provide security escorts for access to and from Mont Saint Gris as soon as possible.

Unauthorised movement north of Saint Donat, or movement north not directed towards Mont Saint Gris, will warrant immediate questioning and potential arrest, regardless of status.

Hopefully this will not prove an issue.

- Remi

House Klorin thanks House Remillard and The Imperial Regent, but feels that it will be able to handle this so called "House Winter Peaks"

The Imperial Eye has established contact to the Evvis on Assimov. We will report to the Regent immidiately, but we argue against rash decisions when it comes to the Evvis sceptreholder.

On behalf of House Bossheaim we also agree that it would be a disgrace to discard the Sceptres and their Divine Nature because of the carelessness of a single noble.

Not a problem, Klorin. Same for the Imperial Eye.

The best part of offers is they can be turned down if unnecessary.

- Remi

May I ask as much as a reason for this increased security protocol in your land, Remi?

Announcements from the House Bossheaim[/B]
To the Imperial Community
We are impressed by and thankful for the swift and decisive action of House Hyppean's Garrik Harnoth in securing Hubbard from the Symbiotes and reining in the Imperial Garrison. We very much support the motion that he should be elected Garrison Commander.


To: the Imperial Community
Garrik Harnoth thanks you for this, rather high, praise. I - one of the scribes on hubbard -, send this letter in his name, as he is busy with reorganizing garrison units on Hubbard. Garrik says, that he will need at least 2 years (one year to get onto Arrakis, other year to return after completing his task). He will use these two years to attend to his Noble Duties on Arrakis. He has sacrificed several years of his life in this war and feels he still needs to make two important actions to aid his house and every house in the Empire, before he can continue serving the Empire in direct battle. I'll also remind you that House of Hyppean took control of Imperial Garrison forces only because of emergency - having ACCs in the area.

House of Hyppean Is not the controller of Imperial Garrison, House Koriate is. Not giving garrison to Garriks command was Your decision. So, house of Hyppean nobles are free to leave (or stay) in the area, not being tied into Imperial Services for -at very least - next two years.

However, should Empire or Regent decide to (re)Appoint House of Hyppean into Garrison Leader position, Garrik would reccommend to Tenith Erona to be appointed onto leaders position, until he can return to Hubbard/stigimata. True, Tenith is young and has less experience than Garrik but she is a tactican and has several years of combat experience with these abdominions. Yet her ceremons are excellent for the morale.

OOC: Removing me from garrison commander duty was your decision, I was threatened several times with removal of leader position from Hyppean if I don't do what you guys say. So now, it's your turn to suck it up, I'm not going to leave uber warrior onto place where YOU did not want him to be. even if it costs us a planet or two. Kinda IC: House of Hyppean took their removal from garrison leader position - without proper reasoning - as an rather strong insult.

May I ask as much as a reason for this increased security protocol in your land, Remi?

During a recent hunting excursion into the northern wastes, we uncovered many new species, including reptilian lizard-beasts capable of defending themselves with great gouts of super-heated plasma.

As we are still busy evaluating the threat posed by these new subjects of the House, and the necessary defensive measures to contain them, we are locking down the area to all unauthorised personnel.

After all, imagine how it would look if someone was vapourised by the local wildlife while visiting your lands? Whether a peasant or the Reagent himself was the victim, once the news got out it could very quickly deter any future tourists from visiting.

Our glorious snow-capped mountains are perfect for skiing - we rely rather heavily on the tourist income, as such.

So - Better safe than sorry, don't you agree? It's easier to prevent an accident than have it forgiven and forgotten.

If you have any ideas of future investment, don't fear, the restrictions should be lifted within the next three years, tops.

- Remi

During a recent hunting excursion into the northern wastes, we uncovered many new species, including reptilian lizard-beasts capable of defending themselves with great gouts of super-heated plasma.

As we are still busy evaluating the threat posed by these new subjects of the House, and the necessary defensive measures to contain them, we are locking down the area to all unauthorised personnel.

After all, imagine how it would look if someone was vapourised by the local wildlife while visiting your lands? Whether a peasant or the Reagent himself was the victim, once the news got out it could very quickly deter any future tourists from visiting.

Our glorious snow-capped mountains are perfect for skiing - we rely rather heavily on the tourist income, as such.

So - Better safe than sorry, don't you agree? It's easier to prevent an accident than have it forgiven and forgotten.

If you have any ideas of future investment, don't fear, the restrictions should be lifted within the next three years, tops.

- Remi

Spurts out liquor WHAT?!

I mean, well, umm...

Care to send me a specimen of it?

-Ludenard Akatas

All Frost Rangers are currently busy this year, establishing the defensive perimeter, and I dare not send less qualified soldiers to attempt to contain these behemoths, as it would essentially be marching men as if lambs to the slaughter..

Nonetheless, once the border is set and fortified, we can garrison it with more regular units. I should have sufficient Frost Rangers freed up to take specimens the following year - i'll do my best to ship one for your use by 2307.

- Remi

DON'T WASTE THE LIQOUR!

This public announcement brought to you by

Lord Guy of the Fye Clan, Query

House Bossheaim would like to (re)assure House Hyppean that we have always had good opinions of their house and their capabilities, and that we have supported their candidacy for the Garrison. If your removal from the post was seen as an insult, we would like you to know that we want not to be considered the insulting part. We hope that our honest appreciation of your deeds will make these words believable.

House Bossheaim would like to (re)assure House Hyppean that we have always had good opinions of their house and their capabilities, and that we have supported their candidacy for the Garrison. If your removal from the post was seen as an insult, we would like you to know that we want not to be considered the insulting part. We hope that our honest appreciation of your deeds will make these words believable.

OOC FYI:
For an example House Texier has implied several times that there are more capable commanders around. Well, your experience is not so needed that we would be willing to have in our government a minister who openly objects to the premise of that government, i.e. a Minor Regent. There are other good generals around.

And there has been Several players more with this kind of behaviour. From both minor, as well as major houses. All threatening of my "removal" or if I don't do X or support Y they will aid the removal cause. Empty threats or not, but you eat what you sow and everyone suffer (or perhaps succeed, I don't know who'll be the next commander) but one the best elite leaders of symbiot war, is not going to lead garrison again until re-elections, when new houses who are assigned onto Imperial positions. Take it as you would have wounded "house Hyppean" pride. Of course, this only for your information and you may choose to treat it as both IC or ignore it. I'll try to base all my replies off this view. I'm too pathetic in english to represent that IC.

As we have stated The Query simply follow the lead of the regent and your appointment or removal is strictly at their discretion. We are impressed with the fine job you have done though.

Lord Guy, Fye Clan, Query

...
What's all this fuss about now?

Really, we need the best men for the job, on the job if we are to hold back the symbiot.
Need I remind my fellow Houses that living symbiotes have made a landing, however temporary, on Errovus Secundus?

This is damned impertinance! If they can fall from the sky onto E2, where shall we let them next?

Holy Errovus itself?

I refuse!

We hold them where they stand! Hyppean has proven itself more than competant within the temporary role of Garrison Commanders, and therefore, as long as it is not jammed down our throats, their personal political views should be ignored in the light of their exemplary service.

Holy Reagent, surely you can't allow our fellow nobles to damn us all to the mercies (of which I am assured there is very little) of the symbiot simply because of the personal opinions of one noble? What reasons, I would wish to know, do they have for barring him from this post, aside from his distaste at your appointment as Reagent?

- Remi

@mgsmuhammad that was a quote not from ekolite but from Spry, you can view entire public log in my profile.
And currently Fleet is lead by House Eekin/germanicus12 and garrison by Koriate /seon. Eekin just left from this NES IIRC? and we need both garrison and fleet to have proper leaders. NPC just won't do, for the sake of keeping things interesting.

House Texier sees itself pointed to, and so we shall necessarily make our perspective clear, even though we would not have felt the need to do so otherwise.

Harnoth accurately understands our perceptions on House Hyppean's pretensions to have the best possible commanders among its sceptre-holders. There are indeed other perfectly capable commanders around, among the two dozen sceptre-holders in the noble houses, and it clearly takes quite a leap of faith to suppose that there are no better commanders than Harnoth when you only have experience of one man, Labis, to compare him to. That would be of parallel absurdity to saying, for example, that our excellent current Regent is the greatest Regent the Empire could possibly have because he hasn't unleashed an enormous plague on us, as the only other Regent we have been ruled by has.

Besides, why should anyone suppose Erona can command an army? We have and always have had ample evidence that Harnoth can command an army, but in Erona's case we know nothing of the sort. There is no reason [IC, I mean] why we should favour Erona just because her fellow house-member has had success on Stigmata.

The Hyppeans are good fighting stock.

From time immemorial, their ancestors have fought over Arrakis.

Besides - People are innately changed by those they keep the company of.

Even if she truly does have nothing else, a claim I am not willing to believe without evidence, i'm sure some of Harnoth's technique will have bled over into the girl.

Surely, at the very least, we could appoint her temporary commander, as Harnoth was?

- Remi

Described Events from a disturbance in an upper-class bar and restaurant in Caseri. Subject identified as Riodel Dair-Thana, peripheral member of the ruling family.

Early in the evening, Dai-Thana was seated at the bar, showing signs of extreme intoxication.
Riodel Dair-Thana: An-an-and, I was, i was at work today, an-an-an I hear somit reeell intrusting.Can ya guess wa’?

Subject 1 [a member of a secondary noble family]: uuhhh. No edea. Wa’?
Subject 2 [Member of a prominent banking family]: Uno, juss tell usses?

Riodel Dair-Thana: Well, way I hears it, some scientists over at the gov’ labs ‘ave figured ways to regrow tissues, same as before. Could grow an arm in a few weeks.

Subject 2: Sheet, really?

Riodel Dair-Thana: Yeah, planning to give to the Garrison, so that soldiers can get back in the action reeelll quick like.

Subject 1: Huh, that sounds-

Riodel Dair-Thana [showing increasing signs of sobriety, as well as increasing in volume]: So, the scientists don’t want a “Demon Fish” hew-and-cry, so they sent the data to the Church, so that they can look it over. And guess what? It’s heretical!

Subject 1. Looking concerned: Whoo, Rio, you keep your voice down-

Riodel Dair-Thana, screaming: NO! I WON’T [Riodel Dair-Thana, showing no signs of drunkenness, jumped of a table and spilt a large file on the floor. Papers latter identified as rough outlines of tissue and organ regeneration sciences and similar data] That’s right, the same church that claimes fighting the Symbionts to be the biggest task of mankind go’s and says that the abilities to allow maimed and crippled soldiers to fight again, or to live proper lives afterwards is HERESY! Ya know what else? There were talks of working with the Garrison to make drugs and bio-mods that could make soldiers more resistant to Symbiont infestation!

[At this point, restaurant security were reaching Riodel Dair-Thana, and attempting to remove him when he pulled a firearm, causing security to retreat.] YES! The church says that ways to fight the Symbionts are “HERESY”. HAH, so what, does the church WANT us to loose!? If the church won’t let us fight the Symbionts with things that will work, then WE WILL LOOSE!!! And I don’t want to wait to see that day! I won’t commend my soul to the Pancreator, because if he feels this way, the HE! IS! A! BASTARD!!!

[Riodel Dair-Thana promptly perished by self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Caseri police collected all spilled papers. Thanan scientists refused to comment on validity of Riodel Dair-Thana’s claims]

awesome update, at least on my lonely little moon. The current and turn 4 maps for Asimov don't seem to be working though.

To the Guild and All Noble House (that obviously have a sceptre to receive these message...)

You've been invited...

Dear Nobles, Guilders, and other people of interest.

You have been invited to this party, which shall be hosted in the city of Cappricidia exactly 190 days from the broadcast of this message at July to ensure that all interested parties can attend it, to come together to enjoy ourselves among each other's company.

All attendees are advised to leave behind any animosity that they may feel towards another honored guest of the party, and that they behave in a manner expected of a fellow important personage of the Imperium.

-Ubertino Mercator

Dear Gormands and Masque Guild

I believe we will be requiring your assistance in this party of ours. Let us discuss the specifics soon.

awesome update, at least on my lonely little moon. The current and turn 4 maps for Asimov don't seem to be working though.

Yeah thats weird. it once existed. I looked on my tinypics account for it and its gone. Not sure how that happened. Maybe its a tinypic thing???
anyway, i'll get a new one up but probably not tonight.

To the Guild and All Noble House (that obviously have a sceptre to receive these message...)

You've been invited...

Dear Nobles, Guilders, and other people of interest.

You have been invited to this party, which shall be hosted in the city of Cappricidia exactly 190 days from the broadcast of this message at July to ensure that all interested parties can attend it, to come together to enjoy ourselves among each other's company.

All attendees are advised to leave behind any animosity that they may feel towards another honored guest of the party, and that they behave in a manner expected of a fellow important personage of the Imperium.

-Ubertino Mercator


What's the occasion?

I thought I would note that I am still in this... with the "hiatus" this NES entered I was able to get my affairs in order and I am now fully prepared to take on the challenges of the Fleet and House Eekin.

To the Guild and All Noble House (that obviously have a sceptre to receive these message...)

You've been invited...

Dear Nobles, Guilders, and other people of interest.

You have been invited to this party, which shall be hosted in the city of Cappricidia exactly 190 days from the broadcast of this message at July to ensure that all interested parties can attend it, to come together to enjoy ourselves among each other's company.

All attendees are advised to leave behind any animosity that they may feel towards another honored guest of the party, and that they behave in a manner expected of a fellow important personage of the Imperium.

-Ubertino Mercator

Dear Gormands and Masque Guild

I believe we will be requiring your assistance in this party of ours. Let us discuss the specifics soon.

From House Tsedeq
To House Koriate

We will not attend.
You will understand that spending 6 months out of touch with the world in order to travel to another planet and back without really pressing reasons is not something we can consider. All the more since space pirates roam and space travel is not a safe thing.

To:House Tsedeq
From: House Klorin

There has long been a friendship binding our two houses together. As such, we bear no ill will for the death of Brother Cabil aboard your ships. We merely ask that you complete the transaction, returning us his body and his scepter.

From House Tsedeq
To House Klorin

Why would you, indeed, bear ill will against us for an accident in which one of your soldiers, or a rebellious serf (the situation isn't very clear, we'll have to investigate more when the freighter can land) caused massive damage to our ship? It is the Mammon which will now need unplanned repairs in a spaceport, preventing its trip to go on as initially planned.
Although we mourn the passing of Brother Cabil and understand your pain and suffering, we would rather have expected excuses for having your soldiers and serfs damage our ship. The fact they also killed themselves and one of your nobles is unfortunate and sad, and we mourn them with you.
However, we don't feel obliged to complete the transaction as you request, because you have yourself breached one of your contracts with us: We had bought your Cevedes destroyers on Clarke, but one of them refused to join us and joined House Query instead. Of course, we bear no ill will against house Query for this, nor, in fact, for the captain of that ship, as we prefer our vassals to be willing rather than reluctant. Nonetheless, you sold us something you weren't able to sell. Your transactions with House Kilgore indicate that this behavior of yours is not limited to your relations with house Tsedeq but are indeed more general.
Your house has thus proven it didn't respect the contracts it signed, both with us and other houses. We were already somewhat reluctant to treat with you considering the fact you have been found guilty of being accomplices to a genocide. Now, it appears you are in addition untrustworthy trade partners.
Therefore, we think that, since you breached our contract, we have no obligation to do anything more than what we already did. We will not ask you of repairs for the destroyer and the damage to our freighter, and we will be generous enough not to ask you to pay for the lost trade due to the detour to repair the ship in a spaceport, thereby losing trade opportunities on Arrakis. We won't, because we feel your House can no longer be trusted to do its part of its contracts.
We will instead bury Brother Cabil with all the due honors in Inverness, since this was a city of his House during his life, and we will keep the scepter as your paiment for the wrongs you did to us.

OOC: I like this move, does house of Tsedeq have 3 sceptres now?

IC: Scepter is a treasury of one the Major houses. House of Hyppean views is as a theft and quite a bit larger theft than stealing few peasants.

To: House Tsedeq
From: House Xicier

This is a blatant attempt to grab power and your excuse for it is frankly pathetic. Your freighter was damaged and a destroyer you brought has gone rogue so you decide to steal another House's dead and spectre? Perhaps House Tsedeq should spend more time working out safe loading and security procedures to make sure their freighter doesn't blow itself up again and less time punishing a House for bad luck and rebellious subjects?! House Klorin clearly had every intention of fulfilling the contract but were unable to do so because other human beings exercised their free will. All men are free to choose their path and, if a captain or local noblemen choose to rebel against their House, it is their choice not the House's. Thus House Klorin failed to fulfill a contract due to a force majeure and is therefore legally free from liability for said failure. Thus, if House Tesedeq, chooses to continue down the road of claiming the spectre and body of Bother Cabil along with the other dead as damages for a breach of contract, they are unjustly enriching themselves and House Xicier will stand by House Klorin until this matter is resolved. My House and I will NOT tolerate daylight thievery, which is justified by wholly incorrect application of contract law, perpetrated towards any House by any House. If you wished to pursuit the route of criminal damages and loss of earning due to the irresponsible actions of House Klorin subjects, you would have received more support from me and mine, though I would probably have argued that you have a responsibility to tale certain reasonable measures to ensure the safety of your freighter such as safe storage of firearms. But your current position is legally and politically untenable. House Xicier stands by House Klorin in its hour of need in light of this thievery and power-graping at House Klorin expense.

Tulong Xicier

What's the occasion?

No occasion. Just having fun.

Members of "Arrakis Defense Force" social group. Please check it (and comment) for proposed defense design.

OOC: No, that's 2 sceptres.

To: House Tsedeq
From: House Xicier
All men are free to choose their path and, if a captain or local noblemen choose to rebel against their House, it is their choice not the House's. Thus House Klorin failed to fulfill a contract due to a force majeure and is therefore legally free from liability for said failure.
Tulong Xicier

This is blatant republicanism and utterly ridiculous. Men are NOT free to choose their paths. Vassals MUST obey their lieges, and all MUST obey the Church. Your arguments are so utterly ridiculous that it is a shame you even dare profer them. You can't even call yourself a noble with such ridiculous thinking. It is blatant your house still acts as if it were the X-Scape corporation of the Grand Republic. You might want to mature and act as a noble house now. The Republic days have mercifully been over for a long time.

As for calling us thieves: House Klorin has failed to honor any contract passed this year. All that they have sold has had to be taken by force. This is outright thievery from their part. Until they prove trustworthy, we are not going to deal with them again. They would even have sold their holdings on Clarke despite being unable to enforce them. Selling things you know you can't give is not force majeure, it is treachery.

Honestly, we don't give a sh** about what house Xicier may think of this situation.
What matters to us is that the Church will certainly see nothing wrong in our acts. We retrieved teh scepter from a dead, interdicted noble from a then interdicted house. We are totally at peace with our conscience with keeping it until house Klorin proves they can effectively fulfill their parts of their deals.
I'll also add that the only authority out there who did anything regarding house Klorin participation in E2 genocide was the Church. The Regency remained silent while this major house was found guilty of being accomplice to a mass murder. Considering mass murder, genocide, slaying of several sceptre-holders, including a Saint, is not deemed worthy of pursuit by lay authorities, I can't see why anyone would have anything to say about my interpretation of contract laws.

Scepter is a treasury of one the Major houses.
No, this one is not, it used to be. I would like to remind you that other sceptres have been taken over and you have never reacted to this. Like the Authority sceptre belonged to the Guilds. Did you say anything about its disappearing?
We didn't hear you then.
We will keep it as repairs for the damages perpetrated by house Klorin, on Clarke, on our freigther, and on Errovus Secundus, unless they prove able to provide us with an adequate alternative.

OOC: Historically, I wonder how some of the houses got their sceptres. In particular, house Kilgore looks like they could have taken theirs from Naprous or someone else.

In the Imperium, only law is "don't **** with imperials/Church, and honestly speaking House Tsedeq obeyed it.

This is blatant republicanism and utterly ridiculous. Men are NOT free to choose their paths. Vassals MUST obey their lieges, and all MUST obey the Church. Your arguments are so utterly ridiculous that it is a shame you even dare profer them. You can't even call yourself a noble with such ridiculous thinking. It is blatant your house still acts as if it were the X-Scape corporation of the Grand Republic. You might want to mature and act as a noble house now. The Republic days have mercifully been over for a long time.

I did not say all men have the RIGHT to act freely only that they CAN act freely. This is a simple statement of fact. If I encountered a being identical to a human in every way except that it lacked free will I would not regard said being as a human being. All men have free will and I fail to see how stating this fact is republicanism. Perhaps you should be more mature and accept that in every business venture losses can occur and seek to learn from these losses rather than punish and insult everyone in sight. I would also suggest that House Klorin might be willing to assist you in repairs to your freighter and recovering the lost destroyer if you talked to them rather than stealing their sceptre.


As for calling us thieves: House Klorin has failed to honor any contract passed this year. All that they have sold has had to be taken by force. This is outright thievery from their part. Until they prove trustworthy, we are not going to deal with them again. They would even have sold their holdings on Clarke despite being unable to enforce them. Selling things you know you can't give is not force majeure, it is treachery.

On the contrary failure to complete a contract due to armed rebellion and mutiny is one of the classic examples of force majeure. You accuse us of still being an X-Scape corporation and yet you decide to try and contradict us in contract law. Klorin had a reasonable expectation that the transfers would be completed satisfactorily however due to an unforeseen occurrence, namely the rebellion of their subjects, was unable to fulfill this contract. It also amuses me that you seek to try and legally punish, for you have invoked law not I, House Klorin but say nothing on House Kilgore's own failure to deliver their fief on Incillia to House Klorin. Perhaps a lesson should be learnt from this, minor nobles and serfs may not actually appreciate being brought and sold like cattle. I would also like to point out I am not arguing whether it is right or not for you to deal with them again but rather the illegal theft of property and woeful disregard of Klorin dead.


Honestly, we don't give a sh** about what house Xicier may think of this situation.
What matters to us is that the Church will certainly see nothing wrong in our acts. We retrieved teh scepter from a dead, interdicted noble from a then interdicted house. We are totally at peace with our conscience with keeping it until house Klorin proves they can effectively fulfill their parts of their deals.
I'll also add that the only authority out there who did anything regarding house Klorin participation in E2 genocide was the Church. The Regency remained silent while this major house was found guilty of being accomplice to a mass murder. Considering mass murder, genocide, slaying of several sceptre-holders, including a Saint, is not deemed worthy of pursuit by lay authorities, I can't see why anyone would have anything to say about my interpretation of contract laws.

Nor do I give a sh*t what you think. I only seek to see that the law, when it is invoked in matters between Houses, is properly and justly applied. By your own reasoning the elven captain Valace has every right to her spectre and the right to vote that comes with it as she retrieved from a dead noble! As I previously stated every reasonable effort on the part of House Klorin was made to fulfill its obligations and House Klorin was not the only House to not fulfill its obligations this year. I care naught for the state of your conscience, which is clearly only motivated by power and greed for any reasonable human being would return the dead and the property of an ally and then talk to them about the situation rather than openly declaring their intentions to steal said property and dead! On matters regarding the plague on Errovus Secundus, as far as I am aware the Regent ruled it was the actions of one madman that brought about the plague on Errovus Secundus and the rest of House Klorin were as unaware as the rest of us that he would unleash such a great evil. In my own opinion the Church could have been slightly more moderate in their response. There was also the practical matter that taking military or economic action to punish House Klorin was impossible given the state of affairs in the Imperium at the time so no lay punishment could be effectively enforced.


No, this one is not, it used to be. I would like to remind you that other sceptres have been taken over and you have never reacted to this. Like the Authority sceptre belonged to the Guilds. Did you say anything about its disappearing?
We didn't hear you then.
We will keep it as repairs for the damages perpetrated by house Klorin, on Clarke, on our freigther, and on Errovus Secundus, unless they prove able to provide us with an adequate alternative.

The reason no-one reacted to the Guilds reclaiming the Authority spectre is that it IS a Guild spectre which they can award to whomever they wish amongst the Guilds and thus they had every right to reclaim it! Secondly its disappearance was rather overshadowed by absolute anarchy and the greatest plague known to man to strike any populated planet in recent times. What damages have they committed on Errovus Secundus for you to seek repairs for? No contract regarding Errovus Secundus was breached this year, unless you are still carping back to the Demon's Cough which House Klorin has already been fully punished for. Finally, as pointed out earlier, you cannot legally seek repairs for a force majeure so your actions do amount to theft. I would suggest you return the spectre and then negotiate with House Klorin about suitable compensation for the damages to your freighter and the loss of the destroyer on Clarke.

OOC: He invoked words such as contract and repairs not me. That means contract law and thus the legal wrangling begins. I have no doubt he will simply carry on and House Klorin will have to take some other form of action, which I would support. Also I believe there are laws regarding the interactions of Houses, like in RL, but they are merely neigh impossible to enforce without resorting to a private war or the intervention of the Regency or the Church, again like in RL.

an unforeseen occurrence, namely the rebellion of their subjects
This is the problem. It is THEIR subjects who rebelled, therefore THEY are responsible.
It would be otherwise quite easy to pretend that someone who committed some deed was just a rebel and therefore their liege cannot be held responsible. All the more so since they KNEW they had little or no control over their serfs and HID that information from their trade partners.

By your own reasoning the elven captain Valace has every right to her spectre and the right to vote that comes with it as she retrieved from a dead noble!
Except she killed that noble in the first place. I am taking the sceptre as an insurance because I can't expect paiment from house Klorin.

as far as I am aware the Regent ruled it was the actions of one madman that brought about the plague on Errovus Secundus and the rest of House Klorin were as unaware as the rest of us that he would unleash such a great evil.
No. The Church was the only entity to actually investigate the facts and issue a ruling. House Klorin has been found guilty. If you say otherwise, you defy the Church.

There was also the practical matter that taking military or economic action to punish House Klorin was impossible given the state of affairs in the Imperium at the time so no lay punishment could be effectively enforced.
I disagree with this assertion.

he reason no-one reacted to the Guilds reclaiming the Authority spectre
You do realise that the Guilds no longer hold this sceptre, and it is most likely under control of the Church right now? Or are you deliberately misunderstanding what I said?

you are still carping back to the Demon's Cough which House Klorin has already been fully punished for
No they have not. They have been punished by a spiritual authority, so I can agree that the penal punishment has been delt. They have paid no repairs, so the civilian punishment hasn't been delt.

The Regency maintained silence during the investigation of House Klorin because the investigation was a church matter, not one relating to the secular authority of this Empire. I think certain Houses should be careful not to deign to speak for the Church, it is unlikely that they would appreciate this presumption.

If either party wants to fill me in on the exact details of the situation I will be prepared to make a judgement as Regent as to who is the sceptre's rightful owner.

House Query recognizes the situation on Clarke has become complex, but as with all such situations the situation on Clarke is not directly effecting the Imperial offices and as such is not in their jurisdiction. For any concerned the Houses involved have reached an understanding and we believe stability will return to Clarke shortly.

In regards to the sceptre and its ownership as The Query have no direct reports from anyone on the freighter during the incident we cannot say what took place and thus cannot determine at this time how we feel about the ownership of said sceptre. The leaders of the Query cannot come to a concensus yet as we see both sides arguments but fear setting a prescedent without a full investigation into the circumstances as sceptres are immensley important relics.

Lady Alex, Black Clan, Query

To House Tesdeq

Please feel free to make use of our spaceport on Clarke for your repairs. We will keep any fees minimal to simply not lose money for your time and use of our facilities.

Lord Ichabod, Sterling Clan, Query

To House Koriate

It has been so long since a proper gala has been held, assuming all the usual guarantees of safety and such are upheld we will likely be sending a representative. The precise representative is being debated at the moment though.

Lady Altea, Rouge Clan, Secretary to Lady Alex, Black Clan

To: House Tsedeq
From: House Klorin

If, Indeed, it were rogue Serfs from Klorin who damaged the freighter, House Klorin will pay for the reparations. (We note that the argument that house Klorin hadn't offered to pay to fix them was part of your "reasoning," (if that word even applies, here) for keeping the scepter, while not yet having asked us to pay for it.)

HOWEVER, the scepter is a possession of House Klorin INFINITELY more valuable than a single freighter, as we are sure the church will agree. As such, your argument that it is valid payment is false, especially as house Klorin payed house Tsedeq what was promised for the transfer. As has been said, this is nothing but blatant theft, not from an interdicted Noble, as you stated, but from one who was fully in the light of the church, as the interdict had already long been lifted.

If house Tsedeq does not turn the scepter over, we will be forced to take action.

To All Houses:
From: House Klorin

We thank those houses that have spoken in favor of House Klorin. To those that have not, think of the ramifications of someone seizing a scepter by such treachery and duplicity. What if an assassin manages to sneak into your Palaces and Halls, and kills you and takes your scepter. Would that be a legitimate change of hands?

This is only more reason why this absurd archaism that allows for continual power-grabbing and contravention of the Imperial Constitution should be abolished.

I will not stand by and hear more of this abolishment of the Imperial Charter. The Query will not support such a move in any way, shape, or form. I will not stand for the relegation of the sceptres to mere trinkets. And I do not understand how you can call the Charter 'Archaic' as it was only recently established, your ignorance is glaring.

On the note of the issue with House Tesdeq and House Klorin, I personally feel the sceptre should be returned and all damage to the freighter paid for by House Klorin. The Sceptre is worth many, many freighters.

Lord Guy, Fye Clan, Query

The sceptres are ancient and holy, and a great and wonderful means of communication, that we must sincerely thank the Pancreator for. This is why they can never be trinkets: they are our sole means of quick interplanetary communication. We have no good reason whatsoever to use them for anonymous voting purposes though, and the use of an ancient tool of communication for a manifestly inappropriate use is an archaism.

Using them for voting is a recent innovation, one that we have been trying for the past five years, and one that has been proven to be absurdly inefficient by recent events, and whose purpose has been subverted substantially by theft, as well as the death of electors, disenfranchising those houses for the purposes of the last election.

But we can't and won't press the issue if hardly anyone agrees.

To House Koriate
I regret to inform you that the House Bossheaim will not be able to send a representative to your gala. I am myself to busy with the responsibility of the Imperial Eye that has been bestowed upon me by our Regent, and the Lady Gabella is back at Hubbard and is, due to personal matters, unable to attend even if she has given me the impression of the deepest respect and understanding.

Tebryn Arbandi XII of House Bossheaim.

On the Tsedeq-Klorin conflict
We tend to agree that House Tsedeq are in their good right to hold on to the Sceptre of Brother Cabil at least until proper reperations have been made to them. His body should be returned (if it is still recognizable, our understanding is that there has been a rather large explosion) to be interred by the Klorin.

OOC: You could send Non-ACC nobles, just saying.

On the Tsedeq-Klorin conflict
We tend to agree that House Tsedeq are in their good right to hold on to the Sceptre of Brother Cabil at least until proper reperations have been made to them. His body should be returned (if it is still recognizable, our understanding is that there has been a rather large explosion) to be interred by the Klorin.

We have AGREED to pay such reparations. We rather take offence to house Tsedeq deciding to claim the scepter as payment without any discussion or debate.

OOC: You could send Non-ACC nobles, just saying.

That is correct, as long as you have the yacht to transport said noble to Inceillia, that is :p

We have AGREED to pay such reparations. We rather take offence to house Tsedeq deciding to claim the scepter as payment without any discussion or debate.

If reparations are agreed to then why are we even having this discussion? Sceptres can be claimed via many means, but if payment will be made...Of course if there was more to the sceptres...*ahem* I mean how much would Tesdeq sell the sceptre for. Wait no, I mean how much are you expecting in reparations and are they a feasible cost for the damages suffered?

Why can you not see this will only end in bloodshed should you continue this path? Why must we waste...Naw on second thought those lives probably aren't worth all that much are they? I mean sure they serve their purpose in life by defending humanity or simply farming, but really...Damn I'm tired, need to get back to building.

Lord Icahbod, Sterling Clan, Query

To House Koriate

While I must regretfully inform you that myself and Renee are pre-occupied this year, the Remillardian House will be represented at your festivities through the mayor of Neigeville, my uncle, Reginald Remillard, who shall arrive with the assistance of the Coast Guard.

We hope this eases the disappointment of our absence.

- Remi

To Cardinal Claude Remillard

Grand Uncle. You've been awfully quiet recently...
If you don't mind me enquiring, what's the Church's official standpoint in this Tsedeq-Klorin business?
I'd hate to offend the Pancreator by having the hubris and vanity to assume a view myself, and the ignorance to pick the wrong one.
Wont the shephard lead his flock while they stand divided and mistaken?

- Remi

OOC Comment: I don't think visiting a party takes an ACC if you are on the same planet as the one which party is being hosted.

OOC: That's what i'm counting on.

Still doesn't mean they can get there, though..

Well, I suppose Renee may be able to, but she's pretty busy essentially running the whole damn show on Incellia this year..

OOC: I do but believe it's a bad idea to have your nobles work 365 days of the year. It makes them sick and tired of work.

OOC: I agree that's why someone will be going.

OOC: But when you have noone on-planet, it's really a bad idea to spend 6 months in space-travel to get to the feast.

Presumably every House has ambassadors on the planet that they could send.

You know, I wonder if there is a resort open somewhere. Somewhere nice and cool against the Arrakis Heat, and relatively quiet... I might send an ACC on vacation one of these years. Just to improve focus! You know!

The church's view on the Tsedeq/Klorin affair:

The Klorin were under interdict at the time. We don't care what was done to them during the interdict.

We have AGREED to pay such reparations. We rather take offence to house Tsedeq deciding to claim the scepter as payment without any discussion or debate.

We merely mentioned that it seemed a critical point in the Tsedeq line of reason that your vows are not always fulfilled. We suggested that the reperations be paid before the transfer of the Sceptre, that is all. We believe this would make it more agreeable to both parts.

Presumably every House has ambassadors on the planet that they could send.

((OOC: If this is the case, I'd like to send these, but I don't have holdings on Incellia))

From Archbishop Alij Jetnl
(who is the archbishop of Incellia within the Church of Universal Light and a member of the Orthodox sect- two of you would have known that- it may be a surprise for the rest of you)
To the Koriate,

With your permission I would like to attend your party. It will be a good opportunity for me to share with the nobility the affairs of the Incellian church.


From Jason Bird of the Reeves,
To the Imperium,

We have been informed by members of the nobility that there are spies planted by yourselves amongst the Society of Engineers operation on the moon over Clarke. Explain yourselves!


From Jason Bird of the Reeves,
To the Tsedeq,

Best that you remember who your friends are and who supports you. Should the Mammon or its escort be passing through Clarke any time soon its pilots should be wary of losing their way lest they not find their way home.


High Inquisitor David Ghul of the Avestites to House Killgore,

I am dispatching my best inquisitors to your fiefdom on Arrakis to speak about your new fortress. We have heard distressing rumors we would like to confirm for ourselves. Remember that no treasure of this world, no hidden worldly knowledge is so great that one should endanger one's eternal soul to obtain it.

From Archbishop Alij Jetnl
(who is the archbishop of Incellia within the Church of Universal Light and a member of the Orthodox sect- two of you would have known that- it may be a surprise for the rest of you)
To the Koriate,

With your permission I would like to attend your party. It will be a good opportunity for me to share with the nobility the affairs of the Incellian church.


Certainly, your holiness. I would, however, beseech you to be careful in your words and deeds just as any other guests in the party, for not doing so may place an awkward burden upon my shoulders.

To, Umbertino Mercator

I will, of course, be attending your event, however am hardly the centre of such festivities.
-Rodwen Thana

To The Avestites

Cool. What's your favorite drink? Food? My wife makes the meanest dip, you guys are going to love it.

Lieutenant Alron Gore, Minister of State to General Iferius Bliel

To The Avestites

Cool. What's your favorite drink? Food? My wife makes the meanest dip, you guys are going to love it.

Lieutenant Alron Gore, Minister of State to General Iferius Bliel

OOC: I love this guy.

Kanna’Als, Clarke, 2239

The celebration was in full swing. A column of armor and infantry glittered in the noon sun, stretching through the city like a ribbon of molten ceramsteel. Martial music piped through the omnipresent government speakers as the peasants stood and cheered. This was the third military parade in as many months, but the ‘Als never tired of displaying their might, and their enemies rarely needed reminders. From the gilded balcony of the palace, Abrm’Al looked on in regal glory, impassive but pleased at the spectacle unfolding beneath him.

“My lord, I do not believe renaming the capital was a good idea. The Church is gaining strength and allies, and to name our flagship city after a goddess considered heathen by the Orthodox is inviting trouble.”

“Kedar, you are too quick to credit our enemies with an overabundance of courage. We have just destroyed a great house, and we are stronger than ever. Our armies are greater than half the nobility combined, our ships ply the seas without challenge, and we alone hold an orbital presence above the skies of Clarke. And besides, the “Church” no longer holds a monopoly on the arcane arts.”

And it was true. The ‘Scorchers’ had proved devastating in the last war, and dissent had dropped to almost nothing since the Nether Guard began stalking the shadows from the spaces between dimensions. Their flickering visages had become commonplace in the slums and alleys, and their blades were famous for striking from the ether when least expected. Criminals and vagabonds disappeared into the bowels of the royal palace, and a steady stream of ever more powerful mages emerged. The ‘Als methods were shrouded in secrecy, but their results were unimpeachable.

“What worries me most, my liege, are the foul missionaries roaming the streets, preaching subversion and alligence to the church. I do not understand why you tolerate their presence...”

Abrm sighed. “Kedar, our enemy’s greatest strength is their compassion. They could never take defeat us in a ground war, and they won’t dare attack from space when so many of their brothers are within our gates. The missionaries are merely noisy hostages, and they will feel their gag soon enough. But enough of this. The parade is ending.”

The trumpets sounded one last triumphant chorus as the army below came to a crisp salute. Abrm returned their salute and raised his hands over the gathered throng. As the cheering subsided, he turned to his advisor.

“Come, Kedar. There is much to do before the fete tonight.”

…

The hall was decorated in rich tapestries, gilded in gold and platinum, and humming with the music of a full orchestra. The tables were overflowing with rich food and Arakeen wine, and the slave-concubines beckoned from dark corners. The guests were powerful nobles and businessmen, the top of Clarkean society. But the one decoration that could not be ignored was the trio of crosses hanging over the central fire. Each cross held a man, brutally nailed to the heavy wood and bleeding from multiple wounds. Each was tended to by the’Als twisted equivalent of a life mage, hooded figures tasked with keeping the honored guests alive and conscious.

Abrm raised his glass and stood to address his guests. “These men, these agents of the false Church, they seek to diminish our Goddess. They deny her in their comfort and devout piety, but they cannot escape her embrace. No one can escape Kanna’s cruel grasp, for it is pain that binds us all. In their torture, they find repentance. In their agony, they are able to truly worship Her.” He drew his knife and carved a glyph on the chest of the center victim. Blood poured from the fresh wound, and the man cried out in a pitiful wimper. “These men give their lives in the service of our Lady, and their noble sacrifice grants us strength.”

He reached down and filled his goblet from the blood-filled basin below the crosses. “My friends, tonight we drink to the dawn of a new age. Tonight we drink to the Age of ‘Als.”

…

The party wound down as the dawn approached, most of the guests passed out in the arms slaves and nobles. Abrm held his wife tenderly, seemingly a different man from the sadist head of a hellish carnival.

“Keturah my dear, don’t cry. You will be queen of the known worlds. Your word will shatter houses, make worlds, and as our magisters push the limits of creation, you will be as a god!”

She looked up at him with a sad, solemn look in her eyes. “My love, you cannot see beyond the next victory. I will follow you through oblivion, but what of the twins? They have earned no part in this. I want … I want to send them away for a while, to our holdings off-world. Just for a year, until the church’s fury is spent.”

Abrm’s face grew stern. “I forbid it. My son will stay at my side, and his sister will be raised in a civilized world. Arrakis is a barbarian backwater, and Errovus Secondus is firmly in the Church’s hands. They are no place for nobility. Now off to bed. I must meet with the War Council.”

...

The palace hangar was nearly deserted as the sun rose over the russet hills of Clarke. She led a small entourage of trusted servants and wet-nurses across the launchpad. At the first yacht, she placed her son, Ophit of the Als. She told her servants to take him to Errovus Secondus, to hold him there as long as they could, and to guard him from divine assassins and unguarded cups. The second craft received her daughter, Belgit, though the ship was experimental and unfinished, it would have to do. The crew was pointed towards Arrakis, land of wind and dunes. She told them to keep her daughter safe in the shifting sands, away from the war she felt coming. As the craft receded out of sight, Keturah knew her children were flying beyond her reach.

…

The mood in the war room was jubilant. The ‘Als had just defeated their greatest rival, and there was a sense of invincibility, of destiny. There was talk of consolidating forces before the next campagin, but mostly, the talk was of victory. Among the old men in high spirits, however, there was something wrong. In the corner, at the telescreen, a young aide frowned. He checked the screen again, and began to stammer.

“Um, ahh, your Excellency, there’s, ah, something odd on the comm. It’s the Atomos, sir. They report gate activity. It looks like 12, ah, no, 15, 22 ships. By the dark lady, m’lord, it looks like the entire church fleet just came through the gate! They’re opening fire...”

Above the skies of Clarke, the Cardinal gave a short prayer for the souls of the soon-to-be-departed, the missionaries and spies who provided the detailed makeup and deployment of the heathen fleet. The kinetic artillery opened fire, raining down on the city that dared defy the Church. He turned away from the viewscreen and said to the helmsman, “Continue firing until the continent is glass. Their crimes are unforgivable. May the Pancreator sort the righteous from the wicked.”

…

Three months later, above E2, a gate swirled to life. A single yacht emerged, carrying a babe to a house that he would not recognize, if he knew from where he came.

Three months later, above Arrakis, a gate remained dark.

Three years later, a young boy learned the liturgy and the chants at the hands of the Arch-Bishop himself. A young noble learned of his duty to the church and the people, and a house survived.

Three years later, over Arrakis, the gate remained dark.

Thirty-five years after the fall of Kanna’Al’s, Ophit’Al loved his people and his Church. He inspired a people genuinely moved by faith. He alone guided the house of Sanctious’Als down the path of redemption, of righteous purity and faith.

Thirty-five years later, the gate over Arrakis swirled to life.

…

The yacht landed on autopilot, undamaged and intact. The ship had suffered no damage, and in fact looked as if it had just left port. When the recovery crew opened the doors, however, no one came to greet them. The crew of servants and nurses were gone, vanished without a trace. But the bassinet in the the hold held a single, infant passenger.

The other twin, Belgit’Al, had arrived.

We have AGREED to pay such reparations. We rather take offence to house Tsedeq deciding to claim the scepter as payment without any discussion or debate.

We keep the scepter for now for two reasons:
1/ You have proven yourself untrustworthy and therefore we can't just send you the sceptre without insurance that paiment will be done.
2/ You lack the funds for proper repairs.
The damages dealt by house Klorin to house Tsedeq are the following:
-Not providing a destroyer
-Damaging a freighter
-By damaging a freighter, making it impossible to sell cargo as expected on Arrakis on our way back to Clarke
-Being accomplice of the late regent in the damages ccaused on Errovus Secundus.
The estimated repairs for damages dealt to our houses are as follows:
-Public apologies for not doing your part of your deals.
-2MF for the destroyer. It is the price we will have to pay to build a new one.
-5MF for repairing the freighter.
-10MF for loss of trade due to having to land on Clarke and bypass trade opportunities on Arrakis.
-10MF for the damages dealt to Errovus Secundus.
The total is 27MF. We would consider a 15% per year interest rate, but I suppose the guilds can lend you money for cheaper.
Until we agree on these terms, we will keep the scepter as a negotiation tool.

House Texier, renowned for its policy of complete neutrality and ever desirous of being seen as honest and reasonable, and in no position to steal the items due to the superiority of the Tsedeq fleet on E2, is willing to receive the sceptre and the money from each party and then give them to the other party to ensure a fair exchange, if that what each House would like.

Hbar,

I REALLY liked your story.

We keep the scepter for now for two reasons:
1/ You have proven yourself untrustworthy and therefore we can't just send you the sceptre without insurance that paiment will be done.
2/ You lack the funds for proper repairs.
The damages dealt by house Klorin to house Tsedeq are the following:
-Not providing a destroyer
-Damaging a freighter
-By damaging a freighter, making it impossible to sell cargo as expected on Arrakis on our way back to Clarke
-Being accomplice of the late regent in the damages ccaused on Errovus Secundus.
The estimated repairs for damages dealt to our houses are as follows:
-Public apologies for not doing your part of your deals.
-2MF for the destroyer. It is the price we will have to pay to build a new one.
-5MF for repairing the freighter.
-10MF for loss of trade due to having to land on Clarke and bypass trade opportunities on Arrakis.
-10MF for the damages dealt to Errovus Secundus.
The total is 27MF. We would consider a 15% per year interest rate, but I suppose the guilds can lend you money for cheaper.
Until we agree on these terms, we will keep the scepter as a negotiation tool.

Clearly house Tsedeq has a great sense of humor, as these demands are clearly ludicrous.
2 MF for a destroyer: Not our fault the ship mutinied.
5 MF for repairing the Frieghter: The damages are barely 1 or 2 MF's worth. That, we will pay.
10 MF for loss of trade: That was covered in the costs of hiring the ship
10 MF for damages: Really? House Klorin has amply paid for the crimes of the Dead Regent, and it is IN NO WAY the place of house Tsedeq to demand reparations for crimes that have already been punished for.

Tsedeq,
CC: House Klorin

House Klorin has been punished enough for the acts of the former Regent, judgement has been exacted and it is not for House Tsedeq to demand further payment in damages. Especially as an addendum to an otherwise entirely unrelated issue. Forgiveness is a primary tennet of our shared faith, and with the removal of the official interdict, I believe the Church has forgiven the House, which we all know played only a limitted role in the affair as the plague was caused solely by the actions of a madman and a few minor accomplices. The Church has forgiven, the Regent has forgiven, I think its time that you as a supposedly loyal and devout servant of the Pancreator, also forgive.

What you're doing is holding Klorin's sceptre to ransom, which I as Regent of this Empire would strongly discourage. This fact is obvious and indisputable, and an utterly arrogant way to conduct diplomacy. House Texier has offered to arbritrate your repayment, and I suggest that you take him up on this offer.

However, this deal should be a fair exchange, and not a ransom. Klorin should receive the sceptre, and Tsedeq payment for the repairs needed to the freighter. Should you refuse to come to a reasonable agreement with Klorin I personally will consider your actions to be theft.

Your Regent

House Klorin has been punished enough for the acts of the former Regent, judgement has been exacted and it is not for House Tsedeq to demand further payment in damages. Especially as an addendum to an otherwise entirely unrelated issue. Forgiveness is a primary tennet of our shared faith, and with the removal of the official interdict, I believe the Church has forgiven the House, which we all know played only a limitted role in the affair as the plague was caused solely by the actions of a madman and a few minor accomplices. The Church has forgiven, the Regent has forgiven, I think its time that you as a supposedly loyal and devout servant of the Pancreator, also forgive.
House Klorin has been punished by being interdicted. It has never been punished by civil authorities, and repairs have never been issued out. They never even apologised either. As for the "few minor accomplices", I don't care. These had enough funds to at least provide token repairs, and they did not.
The issue is not unrelated. The sceptre is mine because I took it from a dead, interdicted man. This would be different if that man had been at the time part of our Church.
Klorin keeps selling stuff they can't give and then say they will not even reimburse what they didn't give. So, I will do as you ask. Look. I will give you the scepter, but it is not my fault if the messenger doesn't deliver it, not anymore than it's Klorin's fault if their ships mutiny or their soldiers or serfs shoot in space ships.

House Klorin HAS agreed to pay for the repairs... (as you might recall, there hasn't been a turn between the events, yet, in which you could have been paid.... and, no, I didn't put a contingency plan in my order to pay in case of disaster, as I didn't think that'd happen.)

I humbly disagree with Our Regent. It should be up to the Tsedeq to decide. It would be against every code of conduct for the Imperium to interfere in a feud between two noble houses such as this. The Tsedeq are in their full right to keep the Sceptre until full and fitting reperations have been made to them, in my opinion, and if the Regent seeks to intervene by Imperial Means then he can consider The Imperial Eye without leader.

Tebryn Arbandi XII of House Bossheaim.

Clearly house Tsedeq has a great sense of humor, as these demands are clearly ludicrous.
2 MF for a destroyer: Not our fault the ship mutinied.
5 MF for repairing the Frieghter: The damages are barely 1 or 2 MF's worth. That, we will pay.
10 MF for loss of trade: That was covered in the costs of hiring the ship
10 MF for damages: Really? House Klorin has amply paid for the crimes of the Dead Regent, and it is IN NO WAY the place of house Tsedeq to demand reparations for crimes that have already been punished for.

'Not our fault the ship mutinied.' I may very seriously send you the scepter given to an untrustworthy messenger. It won't be my fault if he goes away with the scepter? Ponder this and come back to me with an answer regarding the ship.
This loss of trade was not covered in hiring the ship. The ship was not at full capacity with your people aboard. Even when it had first sent the settlers to Klorinheim, there would have been room for more. So there was cargo room left. You paid for the risks of going to symbiot-infested Hubbard, and the cargo loss corresponding to the room allotted to your people. However, I am saying that I won't be able to land on Arrakis, outside a spaceport, as initially planned, on my way back to Clarke and then to Incellia. This is where the 10MF in loss of trade comes from.
How do you know how much damage the ship suffered, and how can you assess its cost? I will have to land the ship on Clarke as usual, but the deal I have with the prospectors may be stretched if I don't pay them for the use of their small spaceport. I may use the Query spaceport as they proposed, in which case the cost could be lowered indeed, probably down to 3 MF.
House Klorin has never paid damages for its complicity with the dead regent's plots. It has been punished in a the penal and religious spheres. However, it has not paid repairs in the civilian sphere. You might want to consider this. I'll, in fact, quote house Xicier on this point:
In my own opinion the Church could have been slightly more moderate in their response. There was also the practical matter that taking military or economic action to punish House Klorin was impossible given the state of affairs in the Imperium at the time so no lay punishment could be effectively enforced.
Although contrary to house Xicier, house Tsedeq does not question the Church response, we realise that they think the reason for not asking your house to pay repairs was the impracticality of such an action. Such an action is now possible, and lay punishment can be enforced by withholding the sceptre. House Xicier might realise this. I understand our Regent is all for forgiving, but house Tsedeq can't pretend to have the same religious fervor as such a high-ranking member of the church as our beloved Regent.

Simple. Give the scepter to Carma Klorin. *hint hint* *wink wink*

(yes this is a joke, course if you really want to I won't say no)

Kyzarc, mind answering my PM? :)

October 2305 - Hubbard gate

Tuan Grigor cursed as he typed the coordinates of the Arrakis gate.
What was Mortimer going to do now?
The freighter was damaged, but that was a secondary issue a minor noble such as himself could handle.
No. The problem was the sceptre. Cabil was dead. Normally his sceptre should be brought back to house Klorin, but Cabil was under the interdict. He was, right now, a man outside the Church, no better than an evvis. A pity for a man of faith to die in such a state. However, this also ment his goods could be recovered from him without endangering one's soul. Mortimer would try to make use of that, it was certain.
In the meantime, Tuan Grigor cursed once more.
Why did, he, a noble, have to be the one who piloted the Mammon? He should never have been in such a precarious situation!
It was a job for Pancreator's sake! Nobles shouldn't have to work, and yet here he was, paid to carry stuff between the worlds, and now dead passengers and a priceless artefact to boot!
His copilot looked at him with a frown on his old, wrinkled face. The man was very pious and strongly objected to Tuan's constant cursing, but he dared not speak because he was but a serf. An exceptionally intelligent, clever, gifted serf for sure, but still, only a mere servant. He knew better than to speak to a noble. But, from every outsider's point of view, pilot and copilot seemed to be of the same rank, and Tuan couldn't bear it.

Tuan thought it was already a lot to have to live with, but having to deal with the sceptre behind him made it worse.
Hadn't his father, Tuan Grigor Tsedeq LXXXIIb, wasted a fortune to get himself a magical replica of an ancient legendary spear that everyone but the Grigor family had forgotten, Tuan, or more exactly Tuan Grigor Tsedeq LXXXIIIb, wouldn't have had to work.
But Tuan LXXXIIb had wasted the family's fortune, and his son had to earn a living. It was such a shame for a noble. Of course, the Grigor family was what everyone called 'minor' nobles. Well, when they tried to be polite. Tuan knew a baron had called him a 'barely' noble once, when he though he didn't listen. Such a shame. The Grigor family was maybe the most ancient among the Tsedeq. But they had always been misfits. The family tradition had it they joined the Sheaim nation on Holy Errovus millenia ago, fleeing from a ravaged nation during the Soul wars. The tradition also stated that they were cursed, bearing the name of a dead hero or monster, it was not clear what exactly, and that the first ancestor had brought the magical spear to the Sheaim. A spear that had been long lost, and whose powers and history were forgotten. But Tuan Grigor the first had managed to join the Sheaim nation, and his heirs joined the Tsedeq house when the Sheaim splintered.
If only the damn tradition hadn't been so compelling. It was more of a curse in fact. Every son of the Grigor was to be named Tuan, and carried a mark of some kind which prevented him from being really accepted by the other Tsedeq.
The family had endured, though, and managed to survive, with its curse or tradition, for more than two thousand years. They had established a decent fiefdom on Clarke, and things had gone relatively well until Tuan Grigor LXXVII.
Tuan Grigor Tsedeq LXXVII had had twin sons. They were numbered LXXVIIIa and LXXVIIIb. And the fiefdom had been divided between them. From that point onwards, things kept going worse for the family. Tuan Grigor LXXXa died without heir but with lots of debts, and his holdings were taken by an important duke. Tuan Grigor LXXXb and his son lost portion after portion of their lands, and wasted lots of money on the daughters' dowries. Tuan LXXXIIb finished wasting his fortune on a useless magical weapon, and his son now had to be a pilot in order to be able to feed his serfs on Clarke!

And now, he was carrying a sceptre, one of the most sought-after items in the whole imperium, aboard a damaged spaceship.
When he would emerge from the gate, three months would have passed for everyone else. Who would be waiting for him at the jumpgate? At best, he would receive instructions, not knowing what had happened in the meantime, and probably not having time to do any thinking before taking another jump for Clarke. Ant then he would have to hope that three more months of scheming by all the nobles of the world wouldn't turn him into a target for hostile fleets.

Tuan sighed and swore that he was really cursed.

His copilot frowned again, but said "Ready".

Tuan nodded, activated the switch, and suddenly everything around him turned grey as the Mammon dove into the jumpgate.

WHen are the next elections out of interest?

The Imperium

http://sholarijames.com/fadingsuns/Pics/Emperor.jpg

Elections are scheduled for 2308.


here.

One brick, two bricks, three bricks four
Rebuilding an old E2 Floor.
Five Bricks, Six Bricks, Seven Bricks more
Up and up the tower soars.
Eight bricks, nine bricks, ten bricks done
Another cart of bricks all gone.

Shovel, haul, roll and dump
One cart of rubble at a time
Knocking down the old lump
Of tenements to make more lime
Fresh water comes out from pump
Until the shift bell all would chime

Working for another meal
Clean and build and install
Most think that its all a steal
And money will just fall
It is hard work but you'll feel
Much better and safe from all

One day, two days, three days four
Rebuild the city and soul's core
Five, days, six days, seven more
Hard work, hard pay, and hard back's sore
Eight days, nine days, ten days BREAK!
Breather from work at Vanari's Lake

-A Churl's Work Song: Former Freedmen who lack nobles and instead elect Foremen and Managers as their representatives.

The song talks about rebuilding of Errovus Secondus, and the various trials to be done. They destroy hopeless causes (damaged buildings, not people) to reuse for rubble and mortar. Some of the freedmen see this work is easy, but it is backbreaking work. Most Churls, however, still enjoy these tasks for the freedom from fear and actual pay. Every ten days, they get an afternoon's break for full mass and to restore the body and soul beside various Vanari waterworks, listening to preachers, story tellings, and spending their money. This has also lead to a growth of local merchants, who certify with the local government and became relatively rich by taking over distribution as the troops move farther afield.

feel free to help out with the wiki (http://immacunesiib.wikia.com/wiki/ImmacuNES_II_B-_Emperor_of_the_Fading_Heavens_Wiki#)

Omgwtfbbqawesomepwnagebetterthanendofempiresgreata wesomereallyneededthispwnageawegasmgreatscotomghuz zah!

Huzzah indeed.

The thing is i wanted to move the descriptions of the houses off to let me have more room for the stats themselves. Then i thought of this. Then i thought yeah, that works, people can update their house descriptions directly and include whatever they want.

I hope you all use it.

I can't do it all right now but you get the idea of what i am trying to do so if you feel like contributing, please feel free.

Cool idea. I'll add my stories to it at some point.

Huzzah indeed.

The thing is i wanted to move the descriptions of the houses off to let me have more room for the stats themselves. Then i thought of this. Then i thought yeah, that works, people can update their house descriptions directly and include whatever they want.

I hope you all use it.

I can't do it all right now but you get the idea of what i am trying to do so if you feel like contributing, please feel free.

Awesome!

Edit: You probably could make it a register-needed wikia, otherwise spambots are gonna have a party. You don't have to confirm registrations manually. Besides,that shows who messes with your stats/whatever.

http://api.ning.com/files/oaJXvV*Y4LTXh*fzRNfe0q5n6SDCULilBXX5glFFT1Sa5ixITY *qMXlvAw2jAnWChqMo9JJepXd*ebaW4WYouqYPlJySqm6b/HuntingtonBeach1928.gif
A Minor Oilfield on Arrakis. Now in my wiki!

To the Empire,
From Archibald Tarsenusis, Holy Gate
re: New Regent

The symbiot mennace has grown and grown in recent years, and with the discovery of the new planet of Bradbury, and the dangerous warlike mutations the symbiots have developed, including far greater ability for space flight and combat, it has become abundantly clear that we need a wartime leader capable of rallying the Empire to war against this symbiot plague.

I am not a military man.

For this reason, I am appointing Ludenard Akatas as the new High Commander and Regent of this Empire.

I urge that all Imperial resources are gathered against the symbiots, and that the Houses unite to build their own planetary defenses.

It is with great sadness that the suspension of this Imperial tradition must be undertaken, however I feel that at this point there is no real alternative. We need Leaders from houses experienced in war, and Holy Gate cannot provide these.

A. Tarsenusis

Evidence deleted

From Reeves on behalf of the League of Guilds,
To Archibald Tarsenusis, Holy Gate

*eyebrow up, questioning look* "muh?"

Excuse me, but His Holiness the Archibald Regent can...agh... Err... Nevermind.

What he means to say is that he is retiring from his post due to medical reasons. so until the next election in 2308, I have been appointed by him as your temporary Regent. I will make a formal statement regarding the appointment and policy changes for the Imperium soon.

-Ludenard Akatas