Blood on the Field of Lilies

[Ailedhoo]

The Duchess of Franchpais, under holy instruction of the pious Cardinal Fleury, is ever blessed to announce that we serve as patrons for a holy order of knights most devout to serve as the sheep dogs of the flock. This order of knights, devoted to the ideals of the Saviour, will be forged in the coming seasons by the blessing of the priesthood, our shepherds. We will as patrons have the order under our stewardship for the benefit of the salvation of humanity. These knights will protect the faithful against those who would undo the flock. We are this stage organising the plans for the order's creation, the site of its bastion, the design of said bastion and whom will lead the faithful. Its name will also be determined; for now we declare our intent for the humility of the flock.

 

[Crezth]

The Comtesse will pray to the Lord for the strength to have mercy on the reformists, Republicans, faithless charlatans, and agents of the Devil running around disguising themselves as honest politicians and virtuous nobles and disadulating our great Empire.

 

[Nuka-sama]

Stats are now updated; you will notice that there is a new peasant mechanic! Instead of losing gold per turn, your non-magical units will receive peasant casualties! If you do not meet the minimum require threshold of peasants, your economy may suffer, so be careful!

Private PMs will be sent over the weekend and an order deadline will be set, likely around March 8th.

 

[Nuka-sama]

You may have noticed that you received as a quest reward 'Favors' from a certain faction or more broadly, a Whispered Rumor. What do these mean?

Favors are essentially as it's described as on the tin: you did something for them, and they're willing to do something for you. Favors can be used in specific quest situations, but they can also be used for powerful rewards. The more favors you have, the more powerful the reward.

The latter is a part of the game's 'secret' system, which can be used to gain powerful advantages over your rivals OR can be used to improve your knowledge of the world. The Bazar is willing to buy and sell information

Neither favors nor secrets can be traded between players.

Chancellerie

Spoiler :

10 Favors-The Chancellerie is a sprawling institution, and everything that happens in the Empire eventually makes its way here. If a hundred bureaucrats already know some ‘secret’, what’s the harm in telling just one more person?

25 Favors-During the Age of Lilies, the Empire had a program designed to ‘imperialize’ conquered regions. Build up roads, expand fields, send alchemists to make improvements...the program fell by the wayside during the later years, but it still exists. Some strings might need to be pulled to make something happen...but it can be done.

50 Favors-Clermont is a beautiful city that few rarely choose to leave if they can help it. But there comes a point in the Chancellerie where one has exhausted their opportunity to rise. Often times at that point, some begin to let the quality of their work decline, come in late, leave early, what have you. But some still have the fire of ambition deep in their soul. They might be willing to leave their position to be, if not the master of their own house, at least the right hand of the master.

Chevaliers

Spoiler :

10 Favors-The Chevaliers often find trinkets, items, and weapons of magical value on their campaigns. Half of what they find is supposed to go to the crown, a quarter to go to the treasury of the Chevaliers, and the rest is kept by the one who finds it. They keep the best for themselves, and often sell the rest but, for a good friend, they might make a gift out of it instead.

25 Favors-Many nobles wish for their sons to have the training of a Chevalier as a squire and unfortunately, few can receive such an honor.

50 Favors-A Chevalier Captain gives a long life of service to the Empire before he retires. While some enjoy such a life after years of fighting and campaigning, there are others who feel only comfortable in the saddle. If there is a place for them, by a just lord’s side at the helm of an army, they are willing to fight once more.

The Secret Merchant


A Whispered Rumor-There are so many whispered words, some true, some lies, always interesting. If you have enough of them, you might find a kernel of something usable. These can often be picked up incidentally and without much difficulty.

A Secret-The currency of the game of shadows. Can be used to purchase greater knowledge of the world, used to accomplish other means, or simply be sold.

Vital Intelligence-What would we do without it? Use against a specific family and for one year (two turns) and gain significant bonuses in military and espionage actions against them.

Searing Enigma-A burning secret of the world, begging to be revealed. (Usage is rewarded with skill upgrades, influence gained in a region, or a unique quest; can be used to complete certain quests).

A Dread Surmise-There are few of these in the world and even the bazar has but one to give. When it is revealed, the world will never be the same again.

Spoiler :

Selling
A Whispered Rumor-10 Gold
A Secret-10 Whispered Rumors
A piece of Vital Intelligence-10 Secrets
A Searing Enigma-25 Secrets
A Dread Surmise-10 Searing Enigmas

Buying
A Searing Enigma-2,000 Gold
A Dread Surmise-20,000 Gold

 

[theDright]

House Name: de le Loup
Magic: Elemental
Background: Chevalier

The de le Loup have a long history serving as Imperial Chevaliers. With interests in a variety of mercantile ventures around Clermont, the family estate in the Marnogne valley, as well as marrying into fishing and shipping concerns in the south, the fortunes of the House have seemed bright. Those members of the family in Imperial service currently answer to the Warden of the East.

Location: Clermont, in the Marnogne valley

Members:

Henri Louis de le Loup, Cptn. Imp. Chv. Ret. (M, 58)
Wise, Skilled(Tactics), Skilled(Lance),Just, Moral, Patient, Distant

While the rebellion of the Hero against the Tyrant raged, the de le Loup remained in the service of the Tyrant almost until the end, as a Chevalier Captain. Only through the persuasion and intercession of Gaston d'Ribeau did they withdraw from the defence. Afterwards, only Henri's friendship with Gaston shielded his family's place in society. Henri was not so lucky; being politely told to retire to his estate. Nevertheless, he has enjoyed his retirement, despite being recently widowed.

Thierry Marc de le Loup, Cptn. Imp. Chev. (M, son of Henri, 35)
Smart, Skilled(Tactics), Diligent, Amoral, Patient, Vain

Remaining in the Imperial Chevalier service since the retirement of his father, Thierry has slowly risen through the ranks of the Chevalier. While as patient as his father, Thierry is determined to insure his family's continued good name.

Josephine Georgette de le Loup (nee de la Mer) (F, 35 wife of Thierry)
Clever, Friendly, Proactive, Cynic, Dishonest

The de la Mer family of alchemists own many shipping and fishing concerns in the south of Clermont. Josephine cares deeply for her husband, Thierry, but is far more determined to keep their good fortune than their good name.

Georges Guy de le Loup (M, 18, son of Thierry, twin, unmarried)
Smart, Literary, Idealist, Pious, Ugly

Hoping to attend the College of Champilême, Georges dreams of using his talents to extend magic and literature, while possibly pursuing a career in the church.

Stephanie Lucretia de le Loup (F, 18, daughter of Thierry, twin, unmarried)
Attractive, Friendly, Amoral, Cynic, Temperamental, Arrogant, Vain, Dishonest

No one could be more different from her brother than Lucretia. She splits her time between helping her mother manage the family's business, hunting on the family estate, and having a grand old time in the city.

 

[theDright]

A sample of the wild rumors and slogans burning through the duchy of Clermont, at least among the peasants of the de le Loup.

Bebe dans les Bois, Bebe dans le Palais

A child, heir of her father and thus foremost in the minds of her people, became lost in the woods; raised by whom and where none know for certain. Returned to the palace, what shall be done? If heir she is, shall she rule? Is she fit? Does that matter?

Courageux Chevalier, le Mieux sans compter les enfant

A knight, brave, the best choice. But what follows? Are his children worth counting?

L'Etranger, Sorciere, pour l’amour du ciel pourquoi, est-ce réel ou imaginaire ?

A foreign witch, why, for the love of heaven? Is she real or imaginary?

 

[jackelgull]

Excerpts from the journal of Lucien the Mad



In the middle of the Forest of Silence I found a tree that is a god

… oh right i can feel some of you taking offense

Fine, it’s a magical being with power and wisdom so far beyond human i may as well call it a god regardless of it’s actual divinity

You can call it a fairy, oh you mad ones who choose to use words without power

As if it can save you

Anyways the god

To its envy and hatred, five thousand years is but the blink of an eye

Or is it righteous anger and sense of justice?

You can never tell with gods

Either way when it wakes up alot of people will die

Horribly

Word of warning - it’s waking up now

If by now I mean some general time scale between me writing this, and the last person to read this before the end of human civilization and the disappearance of Taliese as a recognizable cultural entity with a language.

Honestly it’s so hard to tell with time. Am I in last week? Or tomorrow? Or has this never happened?


There is a beast with the body of a lion, the head of a ram and the tail of a sparrow.

No, it has the head of a parrot, the body of a lynx and the tail of a rabbit

No, it has the head of a dormice, the body of an ibex, and the tail of a shrew

All of these are true

All of these are false

It depends on the beholder

Remember what the beast looks like

It will tell you who are

I have already forgotten


No one ever listens

But i will warn anyways

If you hear the world drown in unsheathed knives

When the sun kisses the trees

Run

Or something will give you three answers

And where are the questions, you ask?

Sweet, sweet child you are better off not knowing

The questions will destroy you

But alas, you will ask them anyways

I did and i can no longer stop screaming

 

[Nuka-sama]

Right then, stats are up, PMs have been sent to those who needed a PM (I will follow up with those who sent a response shortly) and I am setting a deadline of let's say March 8th?

 

[Nuka-sama]

Just a reminder, orders are due this Friday