1) magic is the solution to all problems: the Empress will use dark magic to teleport Caron the Terrible to the South Pole in hopes the dragon can cause harm against Yuri.
2) Queen Ysbal XI of the Fae Realm of Shee will attempt to pass administration reform the diplomatic department of Majterre to help counter our diplomatic penalty.
3) the Civil Service will use Artemis's customs powers to detain Jeanne as she attempts to move forth, with Javert deployed to bring the crusader to court.
5 (3): At the
very last second Caron dives down and you hit Bellator instead, sending him to the frigid wasteland of a continent nearly as unsuitable to his constitution as it would be a giant lizard's. Bellator suffers -5 defence and -3 hitpoints/turn from the hostile climate.
1 (2): In a clumsy attempt to reset the agenda, Paris has managed to worsen neighbours' already-considerable suspicion of Majterre's motives. Meanwhile, Venezuela has personally attacked Ysbal as the "puppetmaster" behind a "Manx world domination conspiracy", going so far as to charge Majterre is secretly in league with the Psi Corps. Dark Artistry incurs a further -2 diplomacy penalty; the Volksreich, European Federation, Greece, Egypt and Chavezland gain +1
casus belli against you.
6: It's as Artemis is preparing to embark at Marseille that she realizes sailing straight into the heart of enemy territory in the hope of arresting Jeanne with no actual
force is a really,
really bad idea. (Artemis is immobilized for one turn as travel plans are scrapped.)
The Mediterranean coalition opens fire, but the volley goes wildly off the mark!
ROLL TO DODGE!
1 (1): A stray shell only barely misses Esther, who suffers 16 damage and is now concussed, penalizing all her actions -2! 19th, 20th and 21st Minotaur Battalions lose 7%, 8% and 7% strength from the bombardment and are now scattered, suffering -2 combat and -1 mobility, while Leon suffers 9 damage from errant debris.
1) Thank Saber for Her purifying light and humbly ask Her to remove -2 penalty to all rolls because that's making smiting Her enemies a lot harder than it needs to be.
2) The 7th Biker Squad, supported by the 12th Biker Squad, will join their comrades in the
Battle for the Hume Highway by firing a load of rockets at the 10th Light Tank Platoon and (hopefully) utterly obliterating it with the power of rocket launchers.
3) Send faithful Saberist Indiana Jones to assist Pearl in finding Excalibur via
one of those map montages.
20 (18): She'll do better than that: the ACT is blessed with
Righteous Crusade, gaining +2 to all rolls relating to combatting the Psi Corps for the duration of the war!
7 (15): Coming in fresh, the bikers tear into the platoon's flank, blasting away 14% strength and penalizing its defence -2.
20 (20): No need for a montage: he's already at one of the dig sites! Indy teams up with Pearl, conveying a +3 bonus to archaeology... as well as a fairly robust defence against any random Nazis they may encounter.
With the goal of increasing our number of actions per turn, Mr. Stockholme is going to setup a new quasi-state enterprise in Santo Domingo (quasi because it's owned by him and several other leading financial capitalists) that will contract between the Caribbean state and overseas call centres, personal assistant firms, IT firms, and other such time-saving and labour-saving human resources in low income areas around the globe.
2: While overseas call centres are perfect for haranguing frustrated customers in a labyrinthine trap of buck-passing and redirects such that barely a single percent will weather their complaint through to resolution, it turns out that is the very opposite of what you'd want when trying to run high-level functions at the state administrative level. -$25,000 personal funds; gain policy
Your Call Is Important: -5% net revenue, -2 to administrative actions, +3 spy defence.
14: In the chaos and confusion of America's fall to political extremism, you have emerged as a beacon of continuity to the most sacred of national institutions: an executive, legislature, and judiciary. Using a system of public fundraising known as "taxes", you're even able to maintain a state-wide network of services and utilities, as well as levy a permanent military to defend your territorial integrity.
NATIONAL OUTLOOK
Peace, Order, and Good Government: While America tears itself asunder over ideological rivalry, you are content to propagate the most universal form of government: purveyance of security and social structure to enable stable economic development. +1 stability, +1 domestic economy, +1 trade, -1 starting or joining a war.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ
Trent Curtis (Red_Spy)
66% approval
+1 statecraft
Action I: Use A Plane
Action II: Lets Be Calm and Cool It OFF
Action III: Oh Wow I Didn't Actually Expect To Find That
19: She hops aboard a government jet, ETA 1 turn. You're more than satisfied she'll be able to charm the other delegates however need be.
3: You don't mean the same Teddy Roosevelt that won the Peace Prize for mediating the very war he helped set in motion, right? Regardless, as much as Cairo and Athens appreciate one of Majterre's precious few not!enemies trying to curb its behaviour, between the flooding, Crete, the summoning of literal demons, as well as unconfirmed rumours Esther is plotting vindictive black magic against the head of state of a neutral nation, the absolute
minimum condition for a formal treaty either is willing to consider is now the complete relinquishment of the island to Greek control. Given Paris' recent statements, this is pretty much guaranteed to be a non-starter.
5 (10): After a thorough comb of multiple dig sites, she concludes that Excalibur is not to be found in these premises.
Action 1: Construct additional factories to boost the industrial capacity.
Action 2: The Revengeance Commence bombardment on the Mutator.
1 (1):
How many times do we have to teach you this lesson, old man?! National industry grinds to a halt as too few resources are spread over too many projects. -$30 million; supply shortages worsen to -8 industrial production, -4 civilian happiness, -20% wealth taxable; construction time for all units is DOUBLED from original estimate!
17 (15): Diverting course for Nouméa, the
Revengeance concentrates fire on the Genetic Mutator, inflicting 12% damage.
Test the rocket
Recruit a pilot from the large number of able bodied men and women of the North East of England.
6: There is no propellant stored to power the engine.
17: James Fulton, aerospace engineer by trade, Rebel Alliance cosplayer by passion, jumps at the chance to "put the 501st occupation of New Zealand in its place" and eagerly signs on to your project. Whether or not he realizes it's
not a convention, his technical skill will certainly prove handy for your very real flight plan.
The Hayekians bring their heavy guns to bear.
ROLL TO DODGE!
18 (+1 [Ascetic Virtues] +1 [Know the Mods, Know Thyself] +3 [Crowd favourite] -1 [HYK combat bonus] -3 [HYK Heavy Platoon combat bonus] =
19): The Prophet's sick moves utterly confound the Libertarian losers, scattering the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Volunteer Platoons and dealing 12% and 14% damage to the 4th and 5th Heavy Platoons, respectively. The outlying Evangelist Companies seize the opportunity to press their own attacks on the line's flank.
ROLL TO DODGE!
20 (+1 [Know the Mods, Know Thyself] +1 [flanking bonus] =
20): Suppressive fire further penalizes the 1st and 3rd Volunteers, who suffer -19% and -22% strength, respectively.
Washington Surrenders!
Outnumbered, outgunned, and with no relief in sight, government forces in Washington, D.C. have surrendered to the Namibian army, ending the vicious battle for the American capital. Under siege since the war began, the city suffered surprisingly minimal damage as the numerically superior Expeditionary Army routinely outmanoeuvred the defenders, launching surgical strikes on key objectives with unnerving precision. Indeed, most of the collateral damage was at the hands of the US Air Force, which attempted to carpet bomb the front line. While the Antonopoulos cabinet remains trapped in the White House, fighting in the city has ceased and the revolutionary flag now flies from the Capitol Building. This is a decisive victory for the Coalition.
Namibia captures Washington, D.C.! $30 million state funds and $4029.66 wealth taxable transferred from United States to Namibia; -4200 population in D.C. and USA loses additional $490 wealth taxable from continued refugee outflow. USA 1st Marine Brigade, 2nd Mechanized Brigade and 7th Air Defense Battalion disarmed and made prisoners of war of Namibia; christos200 loses 15% approval and government forces suffer -2 morale for 10 turns. NMB 1st American Expedition, 2nd Bluecape Brigade gain +1 urban combat and reduced civilian casualties from combat experience.
In related news, Redcap marauders southwest of Columbus have dispersed following sustained airstrikes, opening the possibility of an encirclement of the northeastern front. While the Ohio garrison was reluctant to push into neighbouring states for fear of overextension, the recent arrival of German troops in New York will doubtless encourage a more aggressive posture by the Bluecapes now that the southern front is secure.
USA 2nd Redcap Battalion has been destroyed!
Raid on Norfolk
A daring raid on the USA's main naval base has yielded a windfall to Namibia. Virtually destroyed during the war against the Eternal Kingdom, the US Navy recalled its surviving vessels to the eastern seaboard for repair and refit that ended up suspended indefinitely as the economy collapsed and the Antonopoulos government shifted its limited budgetary priorities elsewhere. With the armed forces concentrated on the defence of the capital, Norfolk was left lightly-guarded; Bluecape raiders swiftly overpowered the garrison and reactivated the mothballed fleet, escaping with enough ships to organize three carrier task forces. However, the vessels are critically understaffed and most ships are still in need of extensive repairs to be combat-capable. According to intercepted transmissions, the Namibians also captured the USS
Alaska with its ballistic payload intact; whether the socialists opt for peaceful coexistence or a Posadist endgame remains to be seen.
NMB 3rd and 4th Bluecape Brigades reduced to 30% strength each; 1st, 2nd, 3rd Task Force, USS Alaska organized off the Virginian coast.
Malcolm Granger Takes Command
Stationed in Colorado at the outbreak of the war, Air Force General Malcolm Granger defected to the Denver rebellion following mounting dissatisfaction with Washington's mismanagement of the armed forces and nepotistic meddling in the chain of command. The subsequent uprising in Salt Lake City gave the rebels an air force, yet he was not placed in charge prior to JamesCaesar's demotion. With Denver's zone of control now stabilized, Granger has asserted himself Chief of the Air Force to co-ordinate support missions in the operation to secure the American midwest.
USA 2nd Storm Biker Platoon disarmed and made prisoners of war of Sgt Pillar's Band.
Meanwhile, rebel propagandists faced no resistance as they drove into Kansas City, where the populace welcomed an alternative to the Washington government's kleptocratic rule. A local militia is already organizing to guard the city against the ultranationalist militias now prowling the countryside.
Sgt Pillar's Band captures Kansas City! $162 wealth taxable transferred from USA to Sgt Pillar's Band.
Crete Turns Hot
All attempts at mediation have failed and the Cretan crisis has formally come to blows. In suitably dramatic fashion, blockade vessels opened fire on the renegade dragon, but panic over Majterran incantations led to an uncoordinated attack that ended up shelling much of the battlefield to considerable collateral damage. The Empress herself was supposedly struck by a wayward salvo, but the dragon reportedly emerged unscathed. Moreover, the demonic beast that accompanied Esther's arrival has purportedly vanished completely—Europe holds its breath as it awaits Paris' next move.
MAJTERRAN EVENT: Desperate Measures
The recent escalation has put the capital in a tizzy as the various court factions bicker over a formal response. While even imperial councilors are now describing it as the "Cretan folly", Paris retains enough loyalty to the Empress that it will follow her lead—and as the situation rapidly deteriorates, drastic action is becoming much more palatable. The blockade’s overwhelming firepower has blown a serious hole in Majterre's thaumaturgic superiority complex: the Lay Council questions whether the empire is truly capable of confronting a modern military toe-to-toe, and is pressuring for the immediate rescue of the Empress, Crete be damned. Conversely, the nobility touts the original hard line and is pushing for full mobilization—if not to intimidate Athens and Cairo, then at least to prepare for the crusaders. Within the bureaucracy there are even whispers of a regency to reset diplomatic relations by taking Esther's dubious reputation out of the equation entirely.
Emergency Evac: Too much blood has been spilled over Crete already, and the Empress' life is not worth the risk. By consolidating their skill, the realm's mages can invoke a mass teleport spell to bring Esther and her entourage back to the mainland, leaving Caron to the foreigners. Greece will almost certainly move to occupy the island, but it is not the hill upon which the Empire should die. +5% support for Lay Council; Esther Solomon and any specified units in Crete will be teleported to Paris; all Warlocks will be immobilized for several turns proportionate to total forces transferred.
Weapon of Mass Distraction: Alternatively, teleportation spells could be used to break the blockade by literally moving the ships somewhere else, alleviating the immediate danger and buying time for Esther to resolve the situation at her leisure... but such intervention will be impossible to gaslight. +5% support for Warlock Council; Greek and Egyptian surface fleets will be displaced out of range of Crete; all Warlocks will be immobilized for several turns proportionate to the total distance.
Athens and Cairo will consider this an act of aggression.
Sound the Drum: The recent shelling is an act of war, not to mention an attempt on Esther's life! With few friends and enemies on all sides, the public has never been more galvanized for a fight... but neither have neighbour states. +5% support for Warlock Council, -5% support for Lay Council; Majterre declares war on Greece, Egypt and the Heretics' Crusade with bonus to initial levy; gain policy
Castle Doctrine: +2 recruitment, +2 defence and +5 morale for 10 turns.
This will alarm neighbour nations.
Operation Unthinkable: Under the pretext that Esther has been incapacitated in the field, an emergency regency is enacted to negotiate a peaceful solution in the sovereign's name... but without her input. +5% support to Civil Service and Regional Governors; gain policy
Regency Council: +6 diplomacy and Majterre will automatically begin negotiations to resolve the Cretan crisis, potentially under unfavourable terms.
Empress Esther is reduced to default Personal Action for duration of the regency.
The Empress' Prerogative: Magic is the solution to all problems, and the Empress' magic is the best of all. No effect.
Islamic Jihal'QaISIS on the Defensive
The latest flare-up of Middle Eastern terrorism looks to be doused even faster than the last. Rational
defenders have deployed a ground-level EMP blast, knocking out much of the enemy's attacking vehicles which are now easy prey to coalition retaliation. Meanwhile, a Turkish landing on the coast has exposed Raqqa's flank, while the northern front retreats only barely fast enough not to be run over. Outnumbered and outgunned, the insurgents are unlikely to be able to hold the line for long. GG al-Baghdadi, no re.
Namibian Forces Compromised over South Atlantic
Namibian interception of Yuri's shuttle has encountered a major setback as a feint tricked the fighters into close-enough range for him to deploy his mind-bending abilities to turn the squadron on its allies. While the strain of controlling such a large group forestalls complete subversion of the air force, this may buy him enough time to flee the pursuit and regroup with his Congolese slaves.
Yuri has brainwashed the NMB 2nd Fighter Squadron!
The situation on the ground, however, is decidedly not in the Psi Corps' favour. The assault on the Falklands continues to stonewall, with British raiders sabotaging supplies to the freshly-landed tanks, while the battle of the Hume has encircled the 10th Initiates and may be poised to destroy them in detail. Meanwhile, the South Congolese incursion is rapidly crumbling, and with the imminent arrival of the Australian hero party Allied forces will be able to consolidate for Yuri's arrival.
Custerfield Declines Psychic Summit
Reykjavik's recent declaration that it could not afford to ignore the threat of Yuri had led to speculation that the country was finally prepared to become an international player. Alas, it appears the state's peculiar strain of radical neutrality will continue as the government declared it would not send a delegation to New York, even as observers. An official statement read the government "refuses to compromise [its] sovereignty, no matter how dire a crisis may appear." President of Europe Martin Schulz stated he was "deeply disappointed" in Custerfield's "continued contempt for even the most token gesture of good faith to the international brotherhood", although stated that if worst came to worst, Europe would not forsake the Icelanders out of petty spite. Remarks from other leaders were far less generous.
Conversely, self-proclaimed Empress of the not!country Ái Kougyoku Ren stated she will lead a party to the UN, claiming first-hand experience in psychological warfare of this calibre. The royal entourage has departed from Qingdao and is expected to arrive within four turns.
New Zealand is the New Venezuela
As if to prove anything a socialist state fails at, a fascist fails harder, the Kiwi Empire's attempt to rectify its industrial overheat by heaping on further demand has effectively shut down its manufacturing base, as a massive factory expansion project has cannibalized its arms programme for no substantive return. With the labour pool drained to meet worker quotas, rumours of socialist agitation are spreading across the nation, while logistical planners warn material and manpower deficits are already eating into field supply stockpiles.
Kiwi Empire suffers -2 economy, -2 stability, -3 defence v. socialist influence, and units will not automatically regain strength until the situation is ameliorated.
KIWI EVENT: Supply and Demand
While the government in Wellington has always preferred to go it alone, the economic crisis is now so severe that the junta is in agreement that outside intervention is necessary, and is prepared to fast-track a foreign trade agreement even if it means playing to a seller's market. Several countries have stepped forward offering to ease the burden of New Zealand's overtaxed industrial sector... but all come with a price beyond mere premium valuation.
Svenskt Stål: South Sweden is offering to supplement the shortfall in raw materials at premium prices, in exchange for certain diplomatic guarantees related to the Scandinavian tension. This will be the most expensive gross deal, but will shave considerable time off assembly. Gain policy
Swedish Favours: +3 trade with, -3
casus belli v. South Sweden, -2 diplomacy with the Sámi states, +5
casus belli v. aggression on South Sweden; South Sweden will dispatch raw materials convoys valued at $90 million, upon arrival supply shortages will end and production time for all current projects will be reduced 75% of original schedule.
You will suffer a major diplomatic penalty if you fail to honour defensive obligations before the trade is completed
Chinese Electronics: The telecom company Huawei is offering to produce the necessary electronics systems at competitive prices. While it assures you it is entirely independent of the Chinese government, there is reasonable concern Huawei components will feature backdoor protocols to enable surveillance by the PRC. People's Republic of China will dispatch military electronics convoys valued at $20 million, upon arrival supply shortages will be halved and production time for 3rd Star Destroyer and 5th Strike Fighter Squadron will be reduced 50% of original schedule; both units will suffer -3 electronic warfare v. People's Republic of China.
The PRC may eventually reverse-engineer the technology.
Outsource Assembly: In what it calls a "win-win paradigm", Faxum seeks to seize the opportunity to bootstrap its industrial base, offering local production facilities for the Star Destroyers in exchange for startup investment. Assembly will be temporarily interrupted as the hulls are moved offshore, but this will eliminate the strain on your own industry entirely. Gain policy
Faxumite Contracting: $45 million transferred to Faxumite Empire, +5 trade and +2 diplomacy with Faxum and vice versa, -3 diplomacy with Egypt, can assign any current unit under construction to production in Djibouti as a free action; supply shortages reduced proportionate to outsourced production.
Faxum will gain technical knowledge of anything it produces.
The Godzone First: Made-in-NuZee problems deserve made-in-NuZee solutions. No effect.
Emperor Augustus Reasserts Claims
With the Mediterranean in crisis, Rome is reasserting its "rightful and legal claim" to the southern Italian peninsula, stating it will "brook no aggression" by foreign actors against the region. The declaration is considered an implicit statement of intent to formally annex the southern territories, which thus far have shown no explicit resistance to the presumptive Emperor. While Flavis Augustus' imperial rhetoric has caused some consternation in Cologne, the Kaiserin remarked that "the Italians are walking into their own backyard". No comment has been given on how this affects Rome's stance on Sicily, which recently allied with the Heretics' Crusade against the Majterran régime.
Notes from the GM
Two updates in a season? I'm on
fire this year!
Might have been faster but the mouse glitch I mentioned last time has gotten steadily worse. Hopefully I'll have it fixed within the week.
On that note,
orders due Friday the 16. Minor Diplomacy Post to follow later today. People that got Events, remember to actually answer.
