SparkNES: A Tale of Mad Scientists and Power!

[Terrance888]

William took off his goggles and squinted at the pressure gauge, his hand ready on a lever. "Nice and steady baby, you can do it" he whispered as he revved up the engine pressure. The boiler started complaining with puffs of steam, but he knows he can tempt a few more PSI's from Piranha, the main pump at the Cugy mines north of Lausanne. He scratched blond hair before putting his googles back on- hopefully his calculations are correct, and it won't get too messy.

"Uncle!" came a high pitched voice. William whirled around to see a small boy with dirty blond hair and a great big smile. The emerald-like eyes then turned to the hissing steam engine "Look at Piranha go!"

William smiled as he diverted excess pressure to vent safely, "Boccacio! You came just in time!" His young nephew, daughter of the scheming Marie Bouvier Helvetii, was the only bright spot in his brother's marriage to the ambitious peasant spark, "I'm just testing a new pump our boys at Lausanne built with my notes." He hugged Boccacio. They released and he watched as the boy examined the machine with wonder.

"May I launch it?" he asked, voice full of wonder.

"Go ahead" said William, "Watch for the pressure, here-my goggles"

A few seconds of preparation and Boccaccio released the valve. Out spewed a great volume of liquid, tearing into the mountainside. It quickly flowed down, mixing with the beaten stone and dredging the minerals into a catchpool.

"It's wonderful Uncle!" Boccacio called, he reached for the nozzle.

"Don't!"

"Wha?" cried his nephew, his hand frozen over the wet nozzle head.

"Um... that's not exactly water. Turn it off..." he notices the hose started steaming "AND GET AWAY"

Boccaccio carefully turned off the valve and took at look. Steam was emitting from the stone, as well as a repugnant, sulfurous smell.

He took a step back, just in time to see the hose sprout a leak, and then melt away into the ground. William quickly disconnected it from Piranha and the containment tank, and tossed it clear, then ran to check the boy for any burn spots.

"I'm fine, and that was great" said Boccacio, "What was it?"

"Well, a little of this and that" spoke William, "Let's go in the lodge, I want to hear what you mom's up to."

"Oh, you wouldn't BELIEVE it! She says that Borgia is going to be a general, and is calling up the stores to build more troops"

"Troops? What kind?"

"Troops. What kinds are there?"

"Are they armed with burning acid?"

The two sparks, a boy and a man, looked at each other. Then they both laughed, cackling and roaring, a laugh inherited from their barbaric ancestors.

"Let's go in the Lodge my boy, and we can talk all about it!"

OOC: Just normal operational mining equipment. .

Are we allowed to design new units Turn 1? Do we have to send the designs to you for the costs? What about fractional resources-round up, down, normal (.4 down, .5up) or none?

 

[Nintz]

OOC: If we try to invade smaller towns and cities, what type of resistance can we expect?

 

[Milarqui]

OOC: If we try to invade smaller towns and cities, what type of resistance can we expect?

It will depend on these factors:
1. Settlement size. The higher the settlement is, the less likelier it will be to convince them to join, or to put it down through force.
2. Charisma of your envoy. If you send an idiot, they'll laugh at you. If you send your most charismatic Spark, they will probably laugh with you.
3. Whether the town has an independent Spark or not. Obviously, if there is a Spark already then you will have to do something very good to ensure compliance.
4. What you send at them. If it is strong enough, they'll probably surrender soon. If it is too weak, they'll kill your army and dare you to come at them.
5. What you are willing to offer them. The best terms you give them, the likelier it will be that they'll join.
6. Writing stories will add up to the possibilities of gaining a town or city's allegiance.

For example, say that you want to add a medium-size town to your nation. You could send your entire army to force them to surrender, send a negotiator to wonder what they want, or send your Spark with a guard to give a speech in the town's main square that will give them the spark (pun intended) of nationalism. Of course, you can be creative and exploit your Sparks' abilities to make something unique that will make it easier.

 

[Terrance888]

OOC: Will you define "available towns" or significant areas for us at the start, or would we "explore" like in Botwakki, and then deal with what we find as we go on?

EDITOOC: I'm really sick and I will send somewhat psychedelic preliminary orders in acse I can't get the full set in on time.

 

[Seon]

Food? Food? Dis iz but a simple challenge.

WE WILL MAKE GIANT CLOCKWORK FISHING MACHINE THAT WILL FIND AND COOK FISHES AND MONSTERS FOR US. THEN ALL OF THIS PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED.

 

[Milarqui]

This is the 36 hour warning to send orders. So far, only 2 out of 11 orders have been sent. And, yes, food counts as the "maintenance", since it is needed to maintain people alive.

Also, it might be better to send first explorers. This first turn I might accept straight-out sending troops into nearby towns, as long as they are big enough.

 

[Nintz]

I sent my orders days ago, but I am confused by food.

With such a large portion of my income being food, could you please elaborate what exactly it is used for? The maintenence costs for troops don't show food after all.

 

[Milarqui]

I sent my orders days ago, but I am confused by food.

With such a large portion of my income being food, could you please elaborate what exactly it is used for? The maintenence costs for troops don't show food after all.

I thought I had explained it already...

1 Food feeds 1,000 people. Since the Militias and such are part of the population, there it goes.

If you haven't sent orders, you have 23:15 hours to do so. Failure to do so will not be appreciated.

 

[hbar]

Sorry that I don't get it yet (I'm a bit slow...) but is our unit maintenance already subtracted from our income? It better be, because as it stands I don't have enough metal or fuel to support my existing (starting) troops. If that's the case, then it would explain Nintz's question, since troop maintenance is already accounted for but population maintenance is not.

Orders will be in tonight.

 

[LDiCesare]

Schematics of Igor's Flying Sqvirrel, the Transylvanian airship.

Spoiler :

Please note the wheels are powered by zombie squirrels which require some fuel to keep running in their wheels. Wheels rotate the rotors which help direct the whole machine into appropriate direction, although unhelpful winds sometimes make things difficult.

 

[LDiCesare]

Igor was showing his last invention to his elder brother.
"Look. The sqvirrel is not very clever. That's vhy I put a metal plate that splits his skull in two. By separating the brain in two parts and controlling the connections vith copper vires, I manage to double the creature's intelligence.
-Neat. The metal plate also acts as a small helmet. I'm sure it can protect its cranium from falling nuts too.
-Don't be stupid. Squirrels have a sixth sense for nuts, they can catch them in-flight vhenever you shoot at them. That's vhy Igor stopped his nut-firing cannon experiments. Although the nuts are surpisingly devastating vhen hurled at high velocity against human flesh, a svarm of sqvirrels is a cheap but perfect defense against even highest velocity nuts."
BOOOOM!!!
The squirrel weaseled out of Igor's grasp as the brothers stared at each other for a moment.
"It didn't came from my lab.
-It didn't come from this lab either.
-I thought Igor vas not supposed to come to Bistrita with us. Might it be a surprise visit?.
-Unlikely. One of his bats brought a message from him not an hour ago. I'm sure he vould have mentioned it if he had found an explosive device able to bring him here at such a short notice."
BBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!!!
Igor and Igor shoved each other to look at the window. Beyond the roofs of nearby houses, a large smoke was rising from the city.
"Ve should build a castle here too. The one in Mures is really handy for peering at the town down under. The builder vas certainly clever.
-Yes he vas. I think it had something to do vith seeing the peasants come vith pitchforks and torches from afar. I'm afraid I'll have to get out and see by myself. Keep a look on the sqvirrel, will you?"

Five minutes later, a hunchback followed a big, greenish man into the streets of Mures in direction of the crater that stood where the fishermen's market was not an hour before. A throng was hiding behind pieces of rubble, peering through the veils of smoke.
"Dear man, said Igor, frightening an unsuspecting baker, may you tell me vhat's been happening here?
-Aaaah!!! Oh... It's you, m'lord. You're... the Igor?
-You mean the big chief Igor? No, I'm just Igor. He sent me with Frankie to check vhat's happ'ning here. Tell me. Vho's that girl? The one vho's hiding something behind her back?"

Spoiler :

A young girl was standing conspicuously in the middle of the deserted, and somewhat blasted place. A big metallic something was visible behind her back, and she looked like someone who's just done a big mistake.
"Mmmm... Frankie, I think you should go and fetch her before the people out there realise she doesn't vant to kill them. Vouldn't vant them to go from fear to anger before ve can take this new Spark out of harm's vay. Vell... out of harm... Kind of."

 

[Milarqui]

Sorry that I don't get it yet (I'm a bit slow...) but is our unit maintenance already subtracted from our income? It better be, because as it stands I don't have enough metal or fuel to support my existing (starting) troops. If that's the case, then it would explain Nintz's question, since troop maintenance is already accounted for but population maintenance is not.

Orders will be in tonight.

By my own account, you do have enough metal and enough fuel to support your starting troops. In fact, your fuel consumption is less than your production. Metal is going to run short, but you will still have 1.5 Metal by the end of the turn.

 

[hbar]

Whoops, forgot to add the banked resources. Here's what I calculated, can you confirm?

Spoiler :

Food Wood Stone Metal Fuel Gold
Bank 15 11 15 11 15 10
Income 46 19 9 7 10 16
Upkeep 35.5 0 0 16.5 13.5 15
Available 25.5 30 24 1.5 11.5 11

Question: can wood be used as fuel for steam-powered contraptions? It seems like wood and stone are much less valuable than the others, since they aren't used for any upkeep. That's not to say they won't be used in future top-secret units, no sir

 

[Milarqui]

The 500 Militia and the ship's and airship's tripulations already count as part of the main population, so your consumption of food is 35, not 35,5.

 

[Nintz]

Approx. 4 weeks ago, in the gardens of the af Vornhholm estate, Skane

Svend: I have been considering the values of illusions, recently, Unlce. What is your opinion on them?
Erik: Illusions? If the people believe something is real, it may as well be. But if some-
*Exhausted peasent runs into gardes*
Messenger: M'lord Svend! M'lord!
Svend: Calm yourself peasent, what is it?
- Vornholm is in great danger m'lord! Great, terrible danger!
- How so? Our great hometown has always been safe under our wing.
- This letter here, it details the problem. Vicous raiders have been attacking us!
*Hands Svend the letter*
*Svend skims letter*
-I see. You may go, we shall deal with this in due course.
-Of course m'lord. Thank you m'lord!
*Messenger trudges off*
Erik: We need to deal with this problem, nephew.
Svend: We don't have any men or troops to dispatch right now. Even if we did, this letter tells me they wouldn't help the situation!
- Explain
- Apparently, these vicous raiders are well armed, but stealthy as the night. By the time they are found in the villiage, they have already looted half a dozen houses.
- So?
- The only troops there are militia, they need time to mobilize. By the time that has happened, it is too late to catch the crooks.
- I see the problem. We could enlist night guards, more patrols.
- We don't have the men, as I already said. Perhaps if we had professional soldiers, but we don't right now.
- What are you going to do?
- These robbers need to believe we are right there ready to stop them the moment they come into town.
- Indeed. If we don't send more men, how could we accomplish such a goal?
- Perhaps...
- Yes?
- Illusions, uncle. Illusions.
*Svend walks off, clearly in thought.*
Erik: Illusions? What are you up to now Svend?


Town of Vornholm, present day. Svend and a handful of peasents are in the town hall. A large, odd-looking box is on the floor.

Peasent Technician: Could you tell us again what this is supposed to do?
Svend: It is very simple. It simply conveys a life-like artificial image of a pre-selected animal, at the press of a button.
- Right, right. But, what if it isn't convincing?
- I have been around animals my whole life, I should know how to replicate a realistic muscle tissue.
- What about reactions and whatnot?
- That too.
- I don't even understand how this works.
- Are you a Spark?
- ...No.
- Then don't understand, simply do.

-*sigh* Just trust me, okay?
- Okay...

 

[Grandkhan]

Speech from Elmiro de Togliacci to the people of Carbonia, from aboard the airship Burning Rage

People of Carbonia!

Surrender to me! My name is Elmiro de Togliacci. I am the son of Alzaro de Togliacci, Pirate King of Sardinia. I, save my father, am the mightiest Spark on the island of Sardinia, and probably the world. My inventions are without equal, my intellect is mighty.

You are peons. Minor beings that exist by the grace of my father. And now your time has come to do something useful for your masters. You shall become part of the Togliacci Empire. You shall labour for the greater glory of your spark masters. You shall serve a nobler cause than that of your unenlighted masters today.

For we are Spark! We are mighty! We understand the sciences and nature of the universe. We are the fated masters of the Earth. We are the Philosopher Kings, Emperors of the Universe, masters of Science.

Now, you may ask, what will the Sparks do for us? Well, there is a simple answer to this. I will let you live. Surrender unto the de Togliaccis, and I will not deploy the napthe liquid. If you resist, you and your homes will be burned. Surrender, and you will be spared, for a glorious life of service to the de Togliaccis!

 

[Omega124]

"Mother, we can't just leave those people out there. What are they going to do if we deny them access? How could we consider ourselves a free nation if we deny people freedom?", Maria asked in a passionate defence against Claudia. In the family study, a make-shift political debate has ensued over the refugees on the mainland that want to live in Venice. After the century of political isolation, the Neo Serena Repubblica has emerged as the only functioning democracy in all of Europa, which leads many displaced Europeans trying to emigrate to this free nation.

"What I'm saying, Maria, is that we don't have the resources to accept such a large population in the republic at once. With the exception of lowly stake on the mainland in Eraclea, we have no major sources of food. We rely too much on fishing, which isn't exactly the most reliable source of food, and many farmers are too focused on growing grapes intended for wine. Profitable, but not going to feed anyone", her mother retorted.

Maria struck back, "But mom, you overexaggerate our food reserves. Our stockpile might a little on the low side, but we are producing a lot more food than you think we do. Plus, I doubt there is as much people as the reports indicate. Most sources are inflating the numbers in order to tell a better story". Claudia laughed, "Yeah, the newspapers always did that when I was Doge. Who cares about accuracy if you can sell more copies? Still, I think you are being too optimistic and naive. Like how you are forgetting that many of these people probably don't even speak Italian. There are people as far away as Poland who are at those gates. They aren't going to be functional members of our society for years, and, well-"

Suddenly, a knock was heard on the door. Claudia stopped speaking as Maria walked towards the door. She instinctively reached for the door, but stopped herself. "Enzo, if this is you, I said I left the bottle of wine in the kitchen", she said what she thought was her husband. "What? No! This is Leo! Let me in, mom". She opened the door. Leo got ready to say something, but Maria interrupted him, saying "I need your opinion on something, come in". As soon as she said that, Maria grabbed her son's arm and dragged him into the study.

Maria, after getting back into her seat, said "Leo, Claudia and I were having a discussion about the refugees, and we were wondering your opinion about it". Claudia rolled her eyes at the usage of "we". "As much as I love my grandson", she stated, "you know he isn't exactly the best place to get political advice from. Those damn populists probably want to bomb the refugees or something stupid like that". Leonardo's mother glared at Claudia, and Leonardo said, "Well, mom. Those people down there are just as much as a person as you and me. Maybe even more so, as they have to sell themselves out to labor to feed themselves while we sit around indulging ourselves by stepping on their backs". Claudia once again rolled her eyes due to her grandson's comment.

"We are hypocrites if we were to deny them. A Venetian man is no more important than a man from the Wastelands, and every single one deserves our freedom, even if it is incomplete in a state like this. We also need to make sure every person is provided with a job, as well. While we're fine at the moment, due to the traditional shortage of metal, stupid greedy aristocrats are having the 'smart' idea to replace hardworking people with soulless machines, leaving workers starving while the rich get even richer. This. needs. to. be. stopped. No clanks should replace humans"!

Maria nodded. "Um.. I'll consider the second part....", she awkwardly said. Her son was going at it again with his strange views. One of the new ideologies he had was an incredible hatred of clanks. Maria didn't really understand why; Leonardo claims it dehumanizes a population and makes jobs harder to obtain for regular people, or something along those lines. "But that is what I was thinking about the refugees. Everyone deserves a safe haven here, and I will give them it". She paused, at a loss to say anything else in this topic. "Now, you wanted me for something?", she asked. Leo trailed off, "Oh, right. I think Dad wants you for something. Said something about a bottle or something...."

 

[Milarqui]

First thing: I love the stories! I also laughed with a few of them...

Second thing: if you are wondering whether an unit will be acceptable, consider two things: whether it is likely to be easily mass produced, and whether it is worthy of being built by a Spark. Notice, please, coffee machine Agatha Heterodyne made when she arrived to Mechanicsburg.

Third thing: please, make sure to take the maintenance expenses into account (and post them on the orders, please!)

Fourth thing: you have 90 minutes to send those orders. Anything that arrives later will be ignored.

 

[Terrance888]

Sorry Milarqui that I can't get them in time. I was sick and the stats confused my fevered mind. I'll try to not do it next time.

If you can accept something quick, here. But I won't expect anything.

Spoiler :

Raise another 500 Militia
300 Militia+2 Infantry Clanks goes to Berne (central Switzerland)
another 200 Militia scouts the Rhone river valley area

Designs
Alpine Militia, +1 Mobility +1 Defense, well trained, camoflauged, uses skiis, mules, and hidden supply bases on the mountains.
just reall quick

 

[Milarqui]

Aaand... time's off!

I have orders from: Nowograde, Skaneland, Sardinia, Transylvania, Venecia, Dardanic Order, Bolshevheim, Zwerg Metalworks Inc. and Buda-Pest.

Missing orders: Drulshal and Geneva.

I hope to have the update in two days, k?