Season 1 - A Swindling Spring

[crazynuto]

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Year 10XX - Spring

The Beginning of the End of King Tyronius's reign began as all years do. This Spring started like any other. A warm coastal breeze, a calm respite from the frigid winds constantly blowing from the North, flowed across the Sugarvine Islands, carrying the scent of malasadas across the entire realm. Odds are you'd find a priest of Blaiddydism hosting an outdoor sermon in any town square you come across. The peasants were eager to enjoy a few upcoming festivals, and prepare themselves for the start of sowing season. But with peace comes apathy, and with apathy comes opportunity...

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 The Council Chamber is slowly filled, most members blinking sleep out of their eyes. King Tyronius sits at the head of a large chamber, Prince Casimir by his side, the center of the room ordained with a circle of ornate podiums, stylized in each Noble's personal tastes.

As is custom, each alliance proposes one issue to the Council, with the King proposing one affecting the entire Kingdom.

Each Noble gets one vote per Issue, with the King and the Prince each getting 1 vote they are allowed to allocate to any 1 Issue of their choice.

Here are the current issues up for discussion:

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Prismed Rim - Petrardian Navy blockades Strait of Mystery

Due to a supposed debt owed by Royal Rat Ratsworth IV, the Petrardian Navy has upped their military presence in the Strait of Mystery. They have been forcing Ratsburgh and nearby island nations to pay tariffs on their goods until this debt is cleared. Imports and Exports out of the area have slowed to a crawl.

VOTE - How should the Kingdom respond to these pilfering Petrardian demands?

A) Force Royal Rat Ratsworth IV to pay back what they owe.

( - All Ratsburgh Personal Wealth / -1 Trade / -1 Authority / +1 Farming / +1 Defiance )

B) Mobilize the navy to increase defense of our seas.

( -2 Military / +2 Trade / +1 Authority)

C) Have the Kingdom cover the costs on behalf of Ratsworth.

( -1000 Treasury / -1 Stability / +1 Trade )

D) Do nothing and let the Petrardians continually tax Ratsburgh.

( - 2 Trade / -1 Farming / -1 Faith / - 1 Stability / +2 Defiance )

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Provincia Smaragdina - Monstrous Mayhem in Monstrome!

A large creature has been spotted skittering between Magimkam, Monstrome, and Crystalis. It is a Paralycrys, a hideous eight-legged creature that feasts on wild animals. If bitten by one such specimen, the infected body will rapidly crystalize, entombing its prey in pure gemstone. Paralycrysi are skittish creatures, rarely attacking anything larger than a mouse, but these new breeds are going after livestock and horses. Blaiddyism strictly condemns these creatures, calling them a plague against the natural order of everything.

VOTE - What should the Kingdom do about these chittering crystalline chrysalids?

A) Increase the amount of armed guards in local settlements near the Paralycrsi hunting grounds.

( -1 Military / +1 Farming / -1 Trade / +1 Authority / -1 Defiance )

B) These crystals are worth a pretty penny! Feed the Paralycrys more livestock to make more money!

( +500 Personal Wealth Magimkam, Crystalis, Monstrome / -2 Farming / +1 Trade / -1 Faith / -1 Stability / +1 Defiance)

C) Capture a dozen or so for testing purposes

(% Chance based upon alliance’s military x 10)

D) Ask a local definitely heretical witch for help, for a small fee of course.

(-500 Treasury / -1 Faith / -1 Authority / +1 Farming / +1 Defiance)

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United States of Azulongmon - The Dread Pirate Enoshima is on the loose!

Trade has been declining in the Western Provinces. While most have enough food to get by, there is an underlying poverty crisis in the Cactus Land and the Union of the Holy See’s lower class. Some have taken to the seas, crowding under the banner of an upstart Pirate Queen, the Dread Pirate Enoshima. Rather than fighting for gold or treasure, the Dread Pirate plunders holy sites along the coast, taking their relics and burying them somewhere hidden. She demands access to the Union’s most valued relic, The Legendary Spear Areadbhar. If it is given to her without a fight, she will sail off far away, never to be seen. Or so she says…

VOTE - How should the Kingdom deal with this pillaging pirate?

A) Send a detachment of naval soldiers to the meeting point in order to arrest Enoshima.

(% chance based on Military x 10)

B) Give her Areadbhar, no strings attached.

( -2 Faith / +1 Trade / -1 Authority / +2 Defiance )

C) Create a blockade around the Union, inspecting every vessel that leaves or enters.

( +1 Farming / - 1 Trade / -1 Stability / +1 Defiance )

D) Have Azulongmon deal with the problem himself.

( -1000 Azulongmon’s wealth, -2 Farming / +1 Trade / +1 Faith / +1 Authority / -1 Defiance )

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And lastly...

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Capital - Berserk Officers

A few moderately high-ranking members of the Royal Army have been acting strangely. Several Lieutenants, Corporals, and Sergeants have been imprisoned for insubordination. A few have even attacked their commanders in a blind rage! Upon investigation, a strange ashy substance was found in their barely-slept beds. Our court physicians are unsure as to the cause of these mood swings.

VOTE - How should the Kingdom deal with these rambunctious recruits?

A) Pray to Blaiddyd for a solution to this mess.

( -1 Stability / +1 Faith in each region / - 1 Military in each region )

B) Investigate the strange powder.

( -1 Authority / -1 Military in each region / +1 Farming in each region / -1 Faith in each region / +1 Defiance in each region )

C) Search the Kingdom’s agricultural lands for a food-related cause.

(-1 Farming in each region / -1 Military in each region / -1 Trade in each Region / +1 Defiance in each region )

D) Fire those who have been afflicted, hiring new soldiers in their place.

( - 1000 Treasury / +1 Authority / +1 Trade in each region / +1 Defiance in each region)

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The Council Chamber is open for discussion. You have 48? hours to discuss (although time can be lowered if there's a consensus on voting)

[Vaellin the Bard]

Vanyara frowns as she considers the options.

"Regarding the spear and the tariffs, if we wish to favor unity we should under no circumstances force a single territory to bear the brunt of the damage from an outside force. As a first time offense for Ratsburgh, as far as my documentation goes, and considering the audacity of the Kingdom of Petrard and their blatant build up of military forces, I lean to not force either of them to have to deal with the problem themselves. A compromise is more likely to be helpful."

[Evie The Bat]

Ratsworth angrily paces he room

"These...these petradian bastards! They think they can tax my people and get away with it?! I demand the navy asist in this transgression! This doesnt just hurt me, its hurts us all. My cheese needs to flow freely.

As for the other issues which are less important, the crystal beasts seem to be a good potential income. I vote to sell the goods or study them. We cannot allow this pirate to dictate us, we are above them I vote to arrest that criminal. For the strange ash powder, drugs are bad so i'd say just replace them, it is their fault anyway."

[Shogun Zi Hao]

Jun 18, 2024 15:55:33 GMT -6 Vaellin the Bard said:

Vanyara frowns as she considers the options.

"Regarding the spear and the tariffs, if we wish to favor unity we should under no circumstances force a single territory to bear the brunt of the damage from an outside force. As a first time offense for Ratsburgh, as far as my documentation goes, and considering the audacity of the Kingdom of Petrard and their blatant build up of military forces, I lean to not force either of them to have to deal with the problem themselves. A compromise is more likely to be helpful."

"I agree with you on the tarrifs, Vanyara, but as a Neighbor to the Holy See, however, I must act with their interest. I could be next, after all. Is merely capturing Enoshima enough, I wonder. I have witnessed remnants of past armies doing desperate things. Perhaps a blockade?"

He sighs, looking over the issues.

"What is this with the military? I have little interest in civil war from some mood swing: we need to investigate what's involved. I'd suggest either the powder or the lands. And as for the Paralycrys, I feel we need to up the army, lest the beast attack people next. I feel no reason to encourage a beast such as this."

[Nekomaru]

"King Tyronius, Prince Casimir, it's good to see you again! Everyone here as well. I trust you're all in good health?"
"It's true that The Pirate Enoshima is causing a big ruckus in our territories... However, we at Sugarvine have many boats, constructed with our own strong hands! I think that using them would be to the advantage of all. Together, my people can block the mainland and personally inspect each ship who wishes to pass. For the Union, and for the Kingdom as a whole, we are more than happy to do so."

[Sachi]

"Harumph! Pirates and pilferers abound in my oceans, north and south. I greatly support the plan of increasing our naval defenses. 

In Ratsworth's case, it is unthinkable to me that we sit idly by. These are our lands they are imparting these tariffs upon. Yet I must concur with Vanyara - it is unacceptable to allow Ratsworth to handle the damages on his lonesome. 

I will not stand for simply paying these bandits off, either. We must demonstrate our naval might and prevent them from attempting this farce ever again. In the case of the Prisimed Rim's plight, I am in full support of Option B.

Now, on the matter of my northern seas, we face a very similar issue. A persistent tick that continues to take, unaware that she will soon burst under her own greed.

I wish to deal with this myself. The monetary cost for the expedition is of no consequence to me... Yet my northern comrades raise an important issue. With my attention so focused on Enoshima's fleet, I will not be able to assist the fisherman. This leaves not only an immediate loss for myself, but a potentially great future loss for the remainder of the region.

Thus, I believe Option C is a fine alternative. I firmly believe that A and B are out of the question. I will not hand over the relic to some common brat, and based on our own naval strength, I doubt we would leave the situation unscathed. 

A thorough investigation of all ships reduces the number of scallywags our men will have to fight at once. Thus, a far easier battle, and a far easier time ensuring Enoshima's head is rightfully taken!"

[⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆]

Soy nods emphatically to Diana and Azulongmon's words.

"Yes, yes. The blockade sounds good to me too. As for the berserk officers, I would recommend investigating that strange powder as soon as possible. The sooner we understand what we're dealing with, the sooner we can find a solution."

[Nekomaru]

Jun 18, 2024 16:26:16 GMT -6 ⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆ said:

"[...]As for the berserk officers, I would recommend investigating that strange powder as soon as possible. The sooner we understand what we're dealing with, the sooner we can find a solution."

"I could not agree more, Lord Soy! It's important we find out more about the powder, so that we may cure it. And perhaps... Find a way it may be used beneficially!" 

[Shogun Zi Hao]

"Azulongmon, Diana, I am glad to see your agreement on this topic. The Holy See will likely appreciate the commitment, and such a holy relic being looted would make us look inept in the eyes of other countries. If any are opposed, I would like to hear it. This is the point of a noble council, after all."

[Sachi]

"That powder is a horrific drain on every single one of our resources. Pah. I shall ignore it for now.

The solution to the Paralcrysti seems obvious to me. Those heretical creatures must be destroyed at any cost. I am tantamount in my choosing of Option A, and no amount of talk will convince me otherwise."

[Hansbulla]

"Armies ought to be honed by any means. Deploy the navy. Station guards. Crush the pirate. As for the powder, we could gleam something in studying it... to see if it can be used advantageously."

[Sachi]

"I see no reasonable alternative to investigating the powder, but I will once again voice my distaste of all the resources required for it. We lose so much, and for what may turn up a loose end... Perhaps offering prayers to Blaiddyd may not be such a terrible idea after all. It is certainly less taxing."

[Vaellin the Bard]

"I am wary to deplete our military forces for all solutions. While we are a nation founded on war, one does not keep peace by using it as our only solution. I believe in Ratsburgh's case, mobilizing the military is an absolute necessity but the others we should at least consider alternative options."

"Our nation is divided enough as is, for example, and while it would wear on the military--as any option outside of spending our treasury would--I believe our faith in Blaiddyd, alongside our other religious figures, may better benefit the nation in guidance. We are blessed by many gods and divine beings, including one currently in our presence, for example."

[Shogun Zi Hao]

"Praying for Blaiddyd's guidance? Admittedly, if we're doing either the blockade or the navy, investigating all of the army may be less helpful for other interactions. Should we wait for more connections, then? We do have to consider what might happen if we just randomly investigate the armies... it could lead to grudges."

[Nekomaru]

Jun 18, 2024 16:49:09 GMT -6 Vaellin the Bard said:

"[...]We are blessed by many gods and divine beings, including one currently in our presence, for example."

"You are right that gods walk among us. However, I believe the best thing to do in any situation is to earn the victory with our own hands. Should we start leaving things to the gods, we would soon find ourselves turning to mush. To maintain a strong community, we must rely on those who live here! We must support ourselves!"