Hi I have now resolved all actions for 1438. ---+ Actions for Republic of Kaeir ---+++ Action 2 *Resolution:* Diff = Extremely hard (-3) + Dice (+-+0) + Extras () = -2 Failure *Results:* No progress. *Interpretation:* The advice from Eerith is not very helpful. The best source of information on (traditional) magic is Mir. The second-best is probably Burcancy. Of course, a third possibility is to find some more powerful help (from Dreaming), or go searching from lands beyond the coasta of the Middle Sea. ---+++ Action 4 Now, I really have to put out some numbers. There are some differences between population figures on the Qaiyore world and game websites (w.r.t. Kaeir). Hmmm... I'll have to fix those at some point, but for now I think it's safe to say that the sizes of Kaeir Republic, and the area Salokin controls are about the same, and therefore also the amount of troops is about the same. However, Kaeir has swelled its ranks with volunteers, and there's the previous increase, too. Salokin's royal forces: size Very small (-3), force Great (+2) = -1 Salokin's militia: size Small (-2), force Mediocre (-1) = -3 Kaeir navy: size Very small (-3), force Good (+1) = -2 Kaeir volunteers: size Fair (0), force Mediocre (-1) = -1 Mods: -1 for Kaeir (see actions in 1436), +1 for Salokin (defending) Total for Salokin: -1 (greater value of separate troops is used) +1 +1 = +1 Total for Kaeir: -1 (...) *Resolution:* Diff = Very hard (-2) + Dice (00, 4fp: ++) + Extras () = 0 Mixed results *Results:* Partial success. A bridgehead is acquired. The -1 for Kaeir from 1436 is removed. But keeping the position is very exhausting. *Interpretation:* The Kaeirean Fleet enjoys initial successes, taking the harbour and Port Keep, but fail to take the outer keep, giving Salokin time to send in troops. After bloody street fighting, a stalemate is reach, leaving the city divided neatly between the inner and outer city (sea-side and land-side) between Kaeirean and Czarist forces. Having seized half the city, the Kaeirean forces continue to be supplied thanks to their absolute domination of the Kaeirean Straits. However, it is a difficult position. ---+ Actions for Cedonia ---+++ Action 1 *Resolution:* Diff = Fair (0) + Dice (00-0) + Extras () = -1 Failure *Results:* The expedition returns without the ore, but not without hopes. No bonuses this year, but a similar expedition next year would be 'Easy'. *Interpretation:* The Kasovian mines are mostly closed and flooded, the miners driven off by brigands or starvation. However, the expedition claims that the mines are rich, and if they would return next year with more men, they could reopen the mines and return with great amounts of ore. ---+++ Action 2 *Resolution:* Diff = Hard (-1) + Dice (-++0) + Extras () = 0 Mixed results *Results:* Mostly no news. One piece of useful information exists, but it is risky (+1 to attack next year, but any failure will be catastrophic). *Interpretation:* The scouts bring back terrain maps, but were unable to get close to any critical defensive installations, and unit locations are mostly guesswork. Most of the information is as expected: the Duke is as efficient as ever in deploying his army. However, there is one piece of information which might prove extremely useful. The far west flank is poorly defended - partly because of the poor condition of the army, partly because of the difficult terrain. The General could well suprise the Duke by going that way, but to do so, he would have to overextend from his own territory; getting back after a possible defeat could prove impossible. ---+++ Action 3-4 *Resolution:* Diff = Very hard (-2) + Dice (+-0+) + Extras (+1) = 0 Mixed results *Results:* (0,x,x) *Interpretation:* The alchemists manage to prove with a small bit of ore provided by the expedition that their guesswork was right. The downside is that the ore is far away and difficult to acquire. ---+ Actions for East Torphan C-THE STRIKE ---+++ Action 1-4 *Resolution:* Diff = Very hard (-2) + Dice (0---) + Extras (+2+1) = -2 Failure Group one: (-0+-) The Empress and her children are separate. The Empress, when found, fiercely fights back, and manages to escape. Of the children, one is captured, the others are not even found. Group two: (00--) High Lord is not located. Group two is stuck in with fierce fighting with the Palace troops almost immediately after their arrival. Although they inflict much damage, only a few manage to escape. Group three: (--0-) Also encountered by the Palace troops, the group three has much worse position (and training) than the first two groups. Only the mages with this group return. They report trying to open the portal, but failing to do so due to powerful magical protections. Others: (00++) The smaller groups cause much destruction in the city and harbor. Mainly due to this, part of the group one manages to escape and carry the Empress' son away. *Results:* One child of the Empress captured, and held against his will. Otherwise, the strike is a total failure. *Interpretation:* A week after the strike, two messages are delivered to the King. One is from the Empress, expressing her rage over the atrocity performed by the Burcancy attack and demanding the immediate release of her son - as only a former Empress of Cedonia can express herself. The other is obviously from the High Lord of the V'raal. It is a small square flag, a feet across, originally white, but stained dark red with blood. With it, a small note follows, which says: "This blood is mine." The strange message become clearer a week after, when a scholar suddenly remembers that in the language of the Vraa'al, the words for 'blood' and 'revenge' are the same. A judging by the amount of blood, the revenge is likely to last a thousand years... ---+ Actions for Exquaestio ---+++ Action 1 I did not fully grasp the meaning of the action, but here goes nothing. *Resolution:* Diff = Normal (0) + Dice (-000) + Extras () = -1 Failure *Results:* *Interpretation:* Qaiyore features many gods, even many real gods. Mostly those gods are creatures of the Dreaming, providing protection, hope, or wisdom to their followers. Feroze's position among them is not without some difficulity. This is true in general for any god/religion that attempts to gain ground. Also spiritual territory can be something somebody can consider as property... ---+++ Action 2 Increasing score is never easy. Although it is easier at first. The question is: what has Exquaestio to offer (as opposed to e.g. Wanderers), and how loyal are its followers? Hmm... I suppose it is somewhat easier than for the Wanderers. *Resolution:* Diff = Easy (+1) + Dice (-++-) + Extras () = +1 Success *Results:* During this year, Exquaestio gains 200 new followers, mainly from around its core area, but also from the Free cities. *Interpretation:* ---+++ Action 3 Development of any of the determinants is always very hard. I would prefer if you would specify a strategy, how are you going to do this, and then we would make a strategic action for it. *Resolution:* Diff = Very hard (-2) + Dice (000-) + Extras () = -3 Serious failure *Results:* Any new resources (and more) are really swallowed by the having to teach the new followers. *Interpretation:* ---+++ Action 4 See action 3... *Resolution:* Diff = Very hard (-2) + Dice (++--) + Extras () = -2 Failure *Results:* No progress. *Interpretation:* Tallas falls asleep, exhausted again. Mira shakes her head and sighs. "If only we had more time in our hands", she thinks wistfully. ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
Lord Basiluddin sat quietly on his perfumed pillow, sucking a deep breath from his pipe, as the Inner Sanctum of the Information Secretariat entered the chamber, taking their positions on the floor in a loose circle. "So", Basiluddin started, blowing out a cloud of green smoke, "I am told the mental science project has not made any progress", gazing at the senior agents of the Secretariat. The Secretariat Sheriff, Karl von Kahshaar, spoke up, "Lord Senator, the project has not made any progress as I have informed you already, but the research has led us to several new possibilities to explore. Frankly, Lord Senator, we won't see any results soon, but I would not agree with the opinion of some in the Secretariat who argue for the abandoning of the project altogether, just yet." Basilludin paused, surveying his loyal lieutenants, the men who ran his secret tool of state and power, and asked, "What of the rest of you? There is a strong demand on resources for the intelligence activities on the mainland. If we are not going to gain anything from the project, then I'd rather rechannel the resources back into supporting the Tirmari Campaign, and have the Secretariat maintain its focus on intelligence only." Sheriff von Kahshaar interjected, "Lord Senator Basilludin, I must protest, the resources on the mental science project are not being wasted. I told you at the start it would take time. I have already sent a cell of agents to Jabau on the northern Midsea coast, to investigate a possible lead there. The Eerith, who admittedly have been disappointing in their advice, do offer us some prospects, particularly in helping to narrow the focus of our research. With all due respect, Lord Senator, the sacrifices we are making now will bear fruit, in time." Basilludin nodded his head, and motioned for the discussion to move on to the next agenda item. A young Secretariat officer was brought into the room, and was introduced as the under-secretary for intelligence and counter-intelligence. Pulling a written report from his satchel, he began to read to the assembled Sanctum, "Lord Senator Basilludin, honourable commanders. Here is the Secretariat Intelligence report as requested. It has been confirmed that the Major Houses have been attempting to contact the Czarist regime. Agents in Port Kaeir and Port Tirmar have validated the rumour. Lord Senator Sanus Jafaarsan sent a secret delegation to Port Tirmar to secretly meet with Czar-General Salokin in Port Tirmar, purpose unknown. Our agents in Port Tirmar are continuing to monitor the matter. A Secretariat cell has been established in Port Jabau in the Jabuasi hinterland on the Calarnari Desert. Within 12 months they should be operationally ready. Preliminary reports indicate establishing contact with the theocratic-tribal federation in the deep desert should not be difficult, given their interest in trade. Next, evidence has begun to emerge of limited infiltration of the Secretariat network in Tal City and Port Tirmar. Field agent and analyst suggestions are that more resources and effort be put into counter-intelligence. It is assumed that the infiltration is by Czarist forces, indicating that the presence of the Secretariat is known to some degree. The most relevant suggestion for counter-intelligence is the reformation of the mainland network into a cell structure, so as to limit the effects of infiltration when and where it does occur. Lastly, the Port Tirmar agents are awaiting orders, following the surprise attack by the Kaeirean Navy. Given that most of the Port Tirmar cell's cover has not been compromised, the possibilities for subversive activities is still very strong - including sabotage, assassination, inciting rebellion or riots, intelligence gathering and propaganda." With that, the young officer passed his report to Basilludin, bowed and promptly left the chamber, whereupon the Sanctum burst in arguements, particularly over the Jafaarsen issue. Basilludin motioned for quiet, "I understand your concerns. In time Jafaarsen and his aristocratic mob shall be dealt with. For the time being, the delegation from Jafaarsen will be monitored as close as possible, given the situation. Jafaarsen and his House court shall be monitored even more closely. Give orders again to the agents in the Jafaarsen House to report anything suspicious, and start infiltrating more agents, as a backup. Continue with the project as well. Chase these leads you have, Von Khahshaar, but I expect some results, however miniscule, soon. See if you can encourage these pet Eerith you have in the Secretariat to be more helpful in their advice, particularly in the opening up of new avenues to examine. Lastly, Tirmar. As you all know, the invasion has met with some success. A strong beachhead has been made in the city, but the Navy and the Guard failed to take the city outright. The actual surprise attack proceeded as we had discussed, but the Guard failed to take the outer keep of Port Tirmar, allowing the Czarist forces to reinforce the meagre city watch. As a result, the outer city was retained by Salokin's men. Thankfully, we had some measure of success, enough for the crowds in the city below us", gesturing out the window at the Port Kaeir cityscape, "but it is not enough. Whatever happens, we must take Port Tirmar, otherwise the Republic itself could be threatened. For that reason, I am not stopping Jafaarsen's parlays with Salokin. In a worse case scenario, we can negotiate the a ceding of Port Tirmar to the Republic. However, I would rather eat my tongue before seeing that. Enough for now. I've already given you your individual orders for your departments. We will meet in weeks time to discuss further the Tirmar Campaign. Please ensure you have the necessary work completed by your deparments." The New Yahoo! Search - Now with image search!---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
In a message dated 11/10/03 4:33:47 PM Mountain Standard Time, juuso@iki.fi writes: >---+ Actions for Exquaestio > >---+++ Action 1 > >I did not fully grasp the meaning of the action, but here >goes nothing. I'm not sure whether you mean that you didn't understand _what_ I was trying to do or whether you mean you didn't understand _why_ I was trying to do it, so I'll explain both. What this action does is define doctrine within the religion. This is similar to defining laws for a government. Doctrine guides the growth of custom. As to _why_ I'm trying to this: First, it gives the other players an idea of what Exquaestio is like. Second, I'd hoped your response would provide more information about the religious situation. Third, I'd hoped the results would tell me what areas are potential allies and which are potential enemies. And finally its a simple action to get the idea of how the system works. >*Resolution:* Diff = Normal (0) + Dice (-000) + Extras () = -1 Failure Why Normal? It seems to me this should be Easy at worst. >*Results:* > >*Interpretation:* Qaiyore features many gods, even many real gods. >Mostly those gods are creatures of the Dreaming, providing protection, >hope, or wisdom to their followers. Feroze's position among them is not >without some difficulity. This is true in general for any god/religion >that attempts to gain ground. Also spiritual territory can be something >somebody can consider as property... *Interpretation:* The project bogs down in petty wrangling and personal differences. No progress is made this year. ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
