Damaris Actions


Action 1: Strengthen the Orasareni Defence League

External Strategic Action (year 2 of 5)
Action Type: Diplomacy
Actor: The Council of Scholars
Secrecy: No
Primary Determinant: Wealth (Great)
Task: Very Hard
Reaction: Business as Usual

Enlisting the help of the merchant navy and the powerful trading
houses of Damaris, the Council sends a small fleet to provide relief
to the coastal cities of Videssia, as well as the inland city of
Celoa, assuming that the Arand River is navigable. The Council invites
the other members of the Defence League to participate in this scheme
to stabilize the situation in the once-great republic.

With this plan, the council hopes to increase the cooperation among
the members of the League, although it is determined that Damaris will
bear the entire burden alone if necessary. On the one hand, the
Council is quite happy that the dominance of Videssia in the region
has been broken, but on the other hand, it is alarmed at the lack of
stability that might result from prolonging the situation. Moreover,
the Council is attempting to increase the manpower of Damaris by
inviting veteran soldiers, wealthy merchants and all manner of
craftsmen to migrate to Damaris rather than suffer under the current
turmoil in Videssia.


Action 2: Strengthen the Fleet of Damaris

Internal Strategic Action (year 2 of 5)
Action Type: Develop
Actor: The Damaran Navy
Secrecy: No
Primary Determinant: Resources (Good)
Secondary Determinant: Exploitation (Great)
Task: Hard
Reaction: Business as Usual
Possible Modifiers:
+ As a coastal trade city, Damara should already have a pretty
  effective navy
+ Damara has sufficient wealth and resources to devote to the project
- The Damarans are not exactly warlike
- The defeat of the navy in 1406/07

In 1432, the construction of new galleys progressed rather more slowly
than anticipated, but with a distinct possibility of final success.
The Council orders the efforts to be increased and the newly
commissioned craft to be put to the test immediately. They are to
patrol the sea lanes to Videssia and the coasts of the republic in
order to deter looters and pirates, rescue refugees and impose some
kind of order.


Action 3/4: Expedition to the Great Southern Land

External Tactical Action
Action Type: Exploration
Actor: The Crystal Barons
Secrecy: Action
Primary Determinant: Trade (Great)
Task: Very Hard
Reaction: Heroic
Possible Modifiers:
+ Double action
+ Better prepared than last year
- Public opinion opposes the project
- The climate, and the uncharted and dangerous waters of the South

After the survivors of last year's spectacularly unsuccessful
expedition limp back into the harbour of Damaris, the merchant barons
are crestfallen. The public is in an uproar about the appalling loss
of life (and material) on such a reckless enterprise. The Crystal
Barons attempt to win back public support by the usual means of bread
and games, and the relief mission to Videssia provides them with a
fitting opportunity to show their magnanimity.

In private, the Crystal Barons are divided on the issue of the failed
expedition. The more conservative merchants are determined to abandon
the whole project and forget it as soon as possible, but a few young
and rebellious merchants (mainly upstarts and second sons) are
unwilling to give up so easily. Amazingly enough, some of the
surviving captains are also willing to give it another try.

They form a cabal, known to its members as the "Lions of the Sea", in
order to equip and launch a second expedition to the Southern coast of
Qaiyore. This time, they take all possible precautions based on the
experiences of last year.

Due to the fact that the Amo'trall are a nomadic people thinly spread
across a vast area, the "Lions of the Sea" feel that the establishment
of a permanent trade post or colony is the only realistic chance to
jumpstart trade with the South. Hence they recruit a large number of
adventurers, desperados and indentured servants to establish such an
outpost on the Southern coast. The expedition also includes several
hunters and furriers, as well as fishers, who are to guarantee the
self-sufficience of the trade post.

Should this expedition also fail, the Council of Scholar is certain to
take drastic measures in order to curb the power of the Crystal
Barons, and the merchants involved in the second expedition are sure
to be severely punished.


Action 5: Riots

Internal Tactical Action
Action Type: Disruption
Actor: The Underground
Secrecy: No
Primary Determinant: Influence (Fair)
Task: Hard
Reaction: Business as usual
Possible Modifiers:
+ The public is appalled by last year's failed expedition
- Extra Action

The underground movement in Damaris sees the public outcry about the
loss of life and material caused by the Crystal Barons' expedition to
the South of Qaiyore as a welcome opportunity to stir up some trouble,
by distributing revolutionary pamphlets, writing slogans on walls, and
generally attempting to incite rioting and looting in the city. While
the underground movement has neither a programme for reforms nor a
clear plan of action, the disenfranchised elements of society are
always eager to seize an opportunity for causing trouble, damaging the
property of more fortunate citizens and breaking the heads of their
enemies and rivals.
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