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>>34489553
Current Date and Time: Midday on December 9th, 1952PC

>Note: this is before Finn did his stuff in Farun.

You wondered whether you’d ever be able to visit Ahm again without winding up in the archmage’s private suite. Not that being in this lavishly decorated quarters was a problem. You just didn’t appreciate the reminder that a city like Ahm was under somebody else’s thumb and you needed to play nice while here. Alyce being your ally meant you needed to play extra nice, even if it meant you’d never be left alone while in the city.

As the three women with you, Taira, Undine and Gnome, chatter away idly, you look at the figures on Alyce’s war table. It’s been much expanded, capturing your territory and much of the Mage Guard’s. Something about the troop dispositions and the cities bothers you but you’re not sure what.

[DC12 Intuition]

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>34489570

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>34489570
welp

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>34489570

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>34489570
Man, I hope this doesn't go awfu-
>>34489620
oh no

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>34489570

>>34489620
We are so happy to have you anon

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>34489570

>>34489620
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

>>34489620
>>34489656
>>34489666

Time to break out the hard stuff lads, going to be a long night.

>>34489620
distraction fluffy tail

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>Target not met

There’s very few figures around the Mage Guard, apart from near the borders of Shropham, so that’s not it. It’s something about the disposition of the troops in the League itself. You think you’ve realised what it is when the worst occurs.

“Talon, don’t waste your time over there,” Taira says as she pulls you away from the table.

Normally you’d just refuse but Gnome and Undine would probably just help her drag you away. They had been unhappy enough as it was when the shopping trip had turned into a serious meeting. Ignoring them might not be the wisest choice.

Sometimes you thought it would be better not to have the harem. Those times were very short and seldom occurred, so you never took the idea too seriously.

A few minutes later Alyce wanders in with Mercenie and you find yourself embroiled in some rather dry conversation about the alliance itself. Shropham is still being difficult, the Mage Guard are massing on their borders, some discontent about any connections between the League and your empire. Lots of rather dry matters.

“A four hundred mile long canal? Really?” Alyce asks when the topic moves onto a decidedly not-dry matter.

“It’s more than possible. The benefits are rather large, too,” Gnome says matter-of-factly.

“Going to build the whole thing yourself are you?” Merce asks with a slightly smirk.

You sigh, intervening before Gnome can react to Merce’s sniping at her reduced power. “As plenty of this benefit would flow to Ahm as well as my empire, I figured we’d split the construction along our borders.”

“It’s your merchants and land-owners who will control the ports, Talon,” Alyce reminds you. “That’s where a lot of the money is.”

>continued

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>>34490325
“That’s where the hard wealth will be,” Undine chides, “but not the money itself. The merchant and nobles of Ahm and Lyss will be generating all of the value, and keeping most of the profit. They’ll be able to have a much faster trade route and better access to sea. Does it not also solve your worries over the supply of spices from Pharos?”

Alyce frowns at that. It was a topic that had never come up directly, but if the League was to find itself fracturing and thus at odds with Malataine and the Three Lords, on top of the Mage Guard and RSK, its land-locked state would cause incalculable damage to its ability to import and export goods. Plenty of nobles would go without their earthly pleasures and export industries would swiftly collapse without any customers. Pharos would normally devour civilian magitech exports, which the League had in spades, but with no easy trade route there would be plenty of opportunity for others to fill the void.

“In any case, if we split the construction itself we can finish the canal faster and not worry about splitting costs,” you say. “Other than the actual operation and maintenance, of course.”

“Although I can see the economic benefits for us, I’m not seeing why you’d embark on such a grand project,” Alyce says, frowning. “Granting more wealth to your cities is one thing but you seemed a little more short-term and direct than that. It will take years, if not a decade or three, for the full benefits of the canal to flow into your coffers.”

You hesitate a bit at that point. Alyce didn’t ask you why you’re doing this but the question was implicit. No doubt a test of the trust between the two of you.

>1. Admit to being interested in the ability to swiftly move soldiers along the front, particularly if you keep expanding the canal.
>2. Restate the fact it’s just about the economic benefits. You’ll be around to see them, after all.
>3. Ignore the implied question and move on
>4. Custom

>>34490362
>>3. Ignore the implied question and move on

Just pretend to be too dense to notice.

>>34490362
>1. Admit to being interested in the ability to swiftly move soldiers along the front, particularly if you keep expanding the canal.

>>34490362
>2. Restate the fact it’s just about the economic benefits. You’ll be around to see them, after all.

>>34490362
Time to pull a Finn.
>2.
or a custom answer fit of being called "an Finn answer."

>>34490362
4. "I imagine you can already guess. There is more reasons."

>>34490362
>1

>>34490362
1 is fine.

although
>I have a reputation for short term thinking?
>Thinking of the long term is in my job description.
>Besides, I stopped aging more than a decade ago. I am going to be around until someone powerful enough puts my head on a pike.

>>34490362

>1. Admit to being interested in the ability to swiftly move soldiers along the front, particularly if you keep expanding the canal.

It also comes with a stabilizing effect on our empire. Better travel, exotic goods at lower prices and shared wealth possibility will help bind the more fractious portions of our empire together more strongly.

Its all good building an empire, but we intend to keep it.

>>34490362
>3

>>34490362
>3. Ignore the implied question and move on

She's smart and deosn't ened confirmation.

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>1.

You shrug. “It should be obvious, but a canal would speed troop movements by a great deal. It would make reinforcing my war fronts considerably faster so long as I keep expanding it. The benefits to trade will flow along behind the soldiers and help keep the empire I’m building together. I’m not here just to build an empire, Alyce.”

Alyce nods while Merce looks a tad annoyed. You can honestly never tell if the Aefir is annoyed because you’re impressing the archmage, admitting to something she dislikes or if she just doesn’t like you in general. Perhaps it’s all three.

Still, you have one other matter to raise, “I have a reputation for short-term thinking? I would have thought that my long-term thinking was rather obvious given my position. It’s not like I’ve needed to worry about old age for almost a decade.”

Alyce shakes her head with a smile while the other women around you give you an odd look. “I meant that you seemed the sort to dedicate your resources to projects that would give you more immediate returns. You’re still expanding quite rapidly after all, given- Wait, you stopped aging a decade ago?”

You nod but find little time to do or say anything else.

“Nobody felt the need to comment on that being a little strange?” Gnome asks you dryly.

“Mal did mention it was a bit of ridiculous fluke once we noticed,” you say, remembering quite a few years back.

Merce snorts. “That’s one way to put it. Most knights never work it out – it’s typically a little too complicated for improvised sorcery.”

>continued

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>>34491031
Alyce gives you an unreadable look before nodding slowly. “It makes a certain amount of sense with everything that’s happening, though.”

You blink at that. Does Alyce know of your astral powers? You’re not certain of what else she might be getting at. The conversation moves on before you find the chance to ask, and you’re not certain you want to as it is.

“As I was saying, given your recent invasion of Farun it’s obvious you’re expanding quite rapidly,” Alyce says. “I’m surprised you bothered with such a simple casus belli, however. It works, given the land unresolved land disputes between Termina and its surrounding nations since the kingdom receded, but I expected you not to bother with the technicalities. Are you trying to prevent the Mage Guard from intervening?”

You hesitate before answering, not sure how to bring up your idea of trying to get Alyce and Sylvian not to be at each other’s throats so much. The casus belli of the land dispute being Farun and Termina, as well as your alliance with King Lyyph, was mostly to give the Mage Guard a neat reason to stay out of the conflict. No need to push Sylvian’s influence further than necessary.

Do you just admit to that or are you interested in trying to push Alyce a little closer to civility with Sylvian right now? And how?

>Response

>>34489570
>>34490325
>Intuition fail
>There’s very few figures around the Mage Guard, apart from near the borders of Shropham, so that’s not it. It’s something about the disposition of the troops in the League itself. You think you’ve realised what it is when the worst occurs.
ok, no intuition for us.
But what about considering some specific scenarios and whether the troop distribution we recall supported that
>Shropam is mobilizing to withdraw sooner then expected
>Shropam is going to have more troops than expected
>Someone else other than shropam is also mobilizing to withdraw
>League is mobilizing on its other fronts (RSK, Elves, Melatine, Lord ember)
>League has more/fewer troops than our intel suggests

>>34491031
>The benefits to trade will flow along behind the soldiers and help keep the empire I’m building together. I’m not here just to build an empire, Alyce.
that seems a bit contradictory.

>>34491058
Honestly no real reason to flat out say we are quite yet. No need to give her ammo to plan too far ahead.

>>34491058

Man I was against the idea from the start so I really have no idea. I don't feel like dropping that bomb on her will be a good idea down the line, but bringing it up so early in an alliance doesn't seem the best move either.

>>34491203
Honestly a big issue is she is so sharp if we give her time to think about it so early she might plan something out we don't want.

We should probably ask Gnome or undine what history those two have so we can get a better idea of what we are trying to bridge later.

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>>34491153
It's not, I just had some pretty poor word choice. A better wording would be:

>"The trade benefits will flow along behind the military and keep the empire in one piece economically. I'm here to rule a lasting empire, not just build one."

Though even that's kind of dodgy even if it gets the message across.

>>34491121
You didn't have the time to get down all the placements and where. The oddities were in the east, though.

>>34491242

Though that also brings up the issue that most to all Magic users and magical beings seem to have a bias against Sylvian so they might not be much help either. Cabinet didn't seem too thrilled by the idea when it was initially proposed.

>>34491058
>Response
The casus belli just landed in my lap.
I would have proceeded without it. But since I had it, I saw no reason to not use it.

>>34491291
Undine and Gnome will do what Talon asks. So there shouldn't be too much to worry about there.

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So, it seems that nobody wants to bring up the Sylvian topic now?

>>34491430

Looks like it, don't know if it's cold feet or something else.

>>34491430
I would rather we didn't. I have been trying to write up exactly why but such things take time

>>34491430
Frankly i dont think its time to let that particular hatching out of the nest just yet.

>>34491430
after the nat 1 i dont dare to

>>34491430

Now is not the time. Once we have Farun and have a plan, then we can bring Alyce up to speed...

>>34491448
>don't know if it's cold feet or something else.

There were many nuances to the vote that got lumped together
Some wanted to bring them togehter, others just wanted to convince the wardragon to not personally take to the field against us.

IIRC I suggested that we should first work on sylvian and only if we can get her to mellow, only then bring it up with alyce. And 2 other guys said they had the same position when they voted.

>>34491430
Personally I would bring it up alone and far far away from Mercenie. Right now It feels too early and we don't really have Sylvian's view point yet.

>>34491527
>Mellow

Personally as long as she doesn't get much of a crap about patterns I don't really care. She wants to keep the powers under lock and Key. Talon wants to rule the world and keep the powers under his control.

There really isn't much reason not to try.

>>34491527

I could have sworn we were told that time was an issue with that plan. Don't get me wrong, I'd go for it, but for some reason I feel like it got shot down.

>>34491430
can we ask for the room to be cleared so we can talk in privet with Alyce

>>34491663
I"m pretty sure fairly soon the mage guard and us will be getting into it. So yeah it's going to be a pretty big problem. Personally right now I would rather get to hear Sylvian's position.

>>34491585
Well, my main line of argument is the results of what she has been doing in the mage guard
Her teachings and methods meant to protect the world have resulted in dangerous zealots. The kind who would slay a young dragon just for being a dragon. They are potentially a bigger danger than the risk of uncontrolled research. Not to mention that she has personally earned so much ire.

>>34491663
That was an argument for taking things slowly.
Aspir basically said that taking a long time to "work at it slowly" won't really help much

However, that doesn't mean we can't work on each separately first before we even think of putting them in the same room. Or that we should mention it to alyss first

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>Leave the topic alone

“The casus belli means the Mage Guard won’t have cause to intervene under their protection pact with Farun and Compagnon,” you say, carefully avoiding bringing up any possible reasons revolving around keeping Sylvian friendly. “Termina has the same protection pact and they can wage war against the other nations without Mage Guard interference. My empire’s involvement is strictly along the lines of assisting an ally.”

Alyce smirks slightly before saying, “In other words, Sylvian still wants to marry you and rule an empire together so is letting you get away with enormous diplomatic abuses.”

You blink, surprised that Alyce picked up on that. You do have a rather neat way of shutting down that line of conversation, however.

“Why is it that you seem to think that I have all these marriage suitors?” you ask Alyce. “You seem to still think that Sylvian wants to wed me. You thought that Fenix was offering me his daughter. Do I seem that lonely and single to you?”

Alyce’s eyes narrow as she blushes slightly. “You’re the ruler of a growing nation and you’re unwed. It makes sense to assume that other women would use it against you.”

“Against me,” you repeat flatly.

>continued

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>>34491845
“It could be a sweetener to any deal they offer you,” Alyce says defensively. “An alliance and a wife. Or are you saying you would never care about marriage?”

“I generally try not to make decisions about my empire for personal reasons, no matter how pretty a face is shoved in front of me,” you say dryly.

You hear Merce mumbling a rather crude rephrasing of where exactly the face would be shoved and keep your face straight. You’re probably the only one who does so, however. Giving her familiar a nasty look while the other girls either giggle or roll their eyes in exasperation, Alyce tries to recover her composure.

You…

>1. Press the attack. Why does she seem so interested in your marital status?
>2. Move on Merce. She certainly seems interested in the topic, too.
>3. Drop the matter and get back to serious business.
>4. Custom

>>34491821
She honestly seems rather chilled out anyway and doesn't seem to like how the guard has split into so many factions.

So I"m not too worried. We will have to ask her views on Patterns though since she did save a bunch of the books on them from destruction. In the end her process is a great way to justify a couple of power grabs.

But we need to ask her more and get a better idea on how far we can push before she starts pushing back.

>>34491873
>3. Drop the matter and get back to serious business.

Serious business Imperator today. Too much flirting with random women as it is.

>>34491873
>>1. Press the attack. Why does she seem so interested in your marital status?

>>34491873
>>1. Press the attack. Why does she seem so interested in your marital status?

>>34491873
>>1. Press the attack. Why does she seem so interested in your marital status?

>>34491873
>>1. Press the attack. Why does she seem so interested in your marital status?
Maximum overtease

>>34491873
>1. Press the attack. Why does she seem so interested in your marital status?
ITS TIME
ITS HAPPENING
IT HAS TO HAPPEN

>>34491873
>1. Press the attack. Why does she seem so interested in your marital status?

>>34491873

>1. Press the attack. Why does she seem so interested in your marital status?

We can flip it onto merce if she tries to come to the rescue as well.

>>34491873
>4. Custom
Are you offering yourself to be wed to me?

>>34491873
"So, unless you want to propose to me, shall we continue with the business at hand?"

>>34491873
I don't know why but I just hear in my head right now. "If you think it that easy I'm amazed you haven't made some kind of offer along that lines by this point then."

>>34491930
>She honestly seems rather chilled out anyway and doesn't seem to like how the guard has split into so many factions.
exactly, yet she wants to do the same in the york empire.
Her offer was for her to come be talon's right hand. reform the inquisition in his empire.
I am saying that we should argue that such an act will have the same results as the mage guard.

>>34491873
>1'. Press the attack. Ask Alyce if she's been fending off marriage offers embedded in deplomatic proposals as often as constantly as she seems to be implying.

i offer prayers to the dice gods for good rolls

>>34492173
Scratch that, ask Merce if Alyce has had to fend of the plethora of persistent proposals. I have a feeling she's enjoy the opportunity to tease her master.

>>34491873
>2. Move on Merce. She certainly seems interested in the topic, too.
Considering how much she teases alyce, the former is bound to join us on that one for delicious results

>>34492137
Why would she want to reform it? She just wants a powerful empire that can control shit so things don't break down. The guards biggest issue was the faction splitting and her losing power as she became more moderate.

She wouldn't have any real issues there because Talon wouldn't let a faction split happen and she is already more moderate so the odds of things getting too fanatical is lower with Talon and her around.

>>34492244
Aaaaaand we're jinxed.

Gods dammit.

>>34492253
oh, now that IS a good idea.
Obviouslly alyce is speaking from personal experience here

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>1.

“You seem awfully interested in my marital status, Alyce,” you say with a poker face. “Given your constant probing about it and your perception of me being ‘easy’, does this mean you’ve been trying to keep some sort of marriage proposal up your sleeve in case I wasn’t going to ally with you?”

Undine gasps slightly while her sister muffles her laughter with her fist. Staring at you in shock with a growing blush, Alyce splutters for a few seconds while Merce rubs her back. She recovers quite quickly, at least insofar as being able to voice a coherent response.

“That’s not it!” she retorts. “I had no intentions of offering to marry you. Where on Gauron did you get that idea?”

“You literally just mentioned it yourself,” you say. “I don’t recall saying that you were going to offer to marry me personally, Alyce.”

Alyce narrows her eyes as Merce grins mercilessly at her. At least her familiar is on your side when it comes to teasing her. Instead of giving you a response, the archmage simply harrumphs and cross her arms under her chest, glaring at a wall to the side.

“In that case, do you receive countless marriage offers during negotiations? You seemed to be speaking with firsthand experience,” you say, choosing a new direction of attack.

That gets her familiar’s interest as Alyce stares at you in slight horror.

[DC18 Alyce’s Composure]

Her composure DC got raised thanks to the write-in about personal experience.

>>34492291
nobody has offered prayers before so this is a new thing im trying

>>34492253
Eh, Mercenie will jump in anyway if she feels the need. No real need to try and tease her too.

Rolled 80 (1d100)

Offering for the dice gods.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>34492331
Shite.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>34492331
rollinf

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>34492331

>>34492357
Noice

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>34492331

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>34492331
Dice gods please.

one most offer to the dice gods and they will love you

>>34492357
>>34492360
>>34492371

You can't be serious. How and the fuck do everyone make these rolls?

Rolled 15, 1, 17, 19, 16, 19, 15, 15, 14, 1, 15, 13, 18, 12, 1 = 191 (15d20)

testing

>>34492357
Ok, remind me, did we want to pass or fail this check?

>>34492137
We should argue that the real threat isn't magic. Magic is, as she says, only a tool after all. The real threat is the poisinous attidude of racial superiority, and near complete ignorance of the fallacy of composition.
Kushan? A problem not because of his skills, but because of his "KILL ALL NONHUMANS" bit. The Lords? Preached racial superiority of their "gods" and deliberately weakened the other parts of their society, such that when one went crazy, he and his knights were able to take out the entire rest of military and still have enough men to fight off the Magi league and Mage Guard. Oh, and then there are the felldragons and elfs...

>>34492405
But isn't this one if those situations where failing is slightly better than passing?

>>34492357

WHY. You bastards always pass the comedy rolls. Every. God. Damn. Time.

>>34492445
Fail.

>>34492467
Because this is a very serious quest. Very, very serious.

>>34492331
In the vague hopes of unsettling her more we should say: "I wonder how many times royalty has tried to seduce you away from your crusade, ever tempted?"

>>34492490
Shite. My bad.

>>34492452
I"m pretty sure the god knights are just that badass. Though honestly in the end I mainly just want a big stick to beat down forces against us and with a philosophy Talon can use to justify controlling powers that could threaten the world.

>>34492519
I think that mentioning royalty is more likely to piss her off than throw her off balance. Anger can be a great emotion to center yourself with when feeling confused and unexpectedly vulnerable.

We aren't trying to help her raise her defenses.

>>34492357
At this rate I can see Merce and Talon just sagely nodding at each other.

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>Target met

To her credit, Alyce manages not to splutter in surprise. Instead she schools her face, apart from a rather obvious blush, and prepares a response. You’re not sure what’s more intimidating to her – the fact she’ll be admitting to receiving numerous marriage proposal in front of yourself, Gnome and Undine or the fact that Merce appears to be glaring daggers at her master over the revelation.

“I may have received one or two marriage proposals,” Alyce says, pointedly not looking at anybody as she speaks. “Usually as a way to try to make me more appreciative of the deal they were offering.”

“I don’t remember any marriage proposals ever being offered,” Merce says coldly.

“Nobody was ever stupid enough to make them in front of you,” Alyce mutters.

“In other words, some of the nations, including the RSK, probably offered you a few pleasant nobles to show you the right way,” Gnome says bluntly.

>continued

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>>34492712
Alyce scowls. “Not just other nations. You mean to tell me you haven’t received any marriage proposals so far?”

“Not especially,” you say slowly, remembering that there was a potential one from Farun. “Most negotiators probably pick up on my reputation and realise I’m not really going to be swayed by another pretty face.”

“Shouldn’t it be the opposite?” Gnome says dryly.”

“No, no. When you already have a litter of pretty faces to choose from you don’t particularly value getting any more,” Taira says knowledgably. “Extra ones are fun but not worth trading anything of value.”

Gnome and Undine stare at the fox, still under her illusion spell, before sighing. Taira had a lot of experience in that field, after all.

Meanwhile, Alyce looks between the four of you in confusion. “I’m not sure I understand.”

Merce blinks, giving her master an odd look. You do the same. Did the archmage just admit to not realising you basically had a harem?

>1. Clear things up and mention what you’re doing with the three women with you.
>2. Just move on. Merce can explain it in her own time
>3. Custom

The next post will be the last banter post before moving onto the serious stuff (magitech, machinists etc).

>>34492733
>1. Clear things up and mention what you’re doing with the three women with you.
AAHHAHHAHH

>>34492733
>2. Just move on. Merce can explain it in her own time

STOIC AS A MOTHER FUCKER.

>>34492733
>2. Just move on. Merce can explain it in her own time

He should just tell her to ask Merce later.

>>34492733
>1. Clear things up and mention what you’re doing with the three women with you.
must tease Alyce with this

>>34492733
>>2. Just move on. Merce can explain it in her own time
I'll show you later.

>>34492570
>I"m pretty sure the god knights are just that badass.
Oh, they're quite badass, that doesn't mean that the decision to deliberately forsake technology like patterns and mage knight gear wasn't a deliberate decision to ensure that there was no domestic force capable of challenging Astral Adapt supremacy. Plus, Emver almost certainly wouldn't have had the numbers to hold off the Magi league and Mage Guard, because the Lords would have been basically untouched by the purge of the original Magi league, and thus have Golden age tech or better.

>>34492733
>1

>>34492733
>1. Clear things up and mention what you’re doing with the three women with you.

>>34492733
>1. Clear things up and mention what you’re doing with the three women with you.

>>34492733
3 call bullshit she smart enough to lead a nation she knew about Talon's personality

>>34492733
>1. Clear things up and mention what you’re doing with the three women with you.

>>34492829
don't forget that she has read his books

>>34492733
>2. Just move on. Merce can explain it in her own time

>>34492733

"Merce, I feel you may need to explain some things to Alyce... So far as I am aware, She is the only person who doesn't know what goes on in my Fortress..."

tldr; get Merce to do it now.

>>34492733
3. "That explains a lot actually. Moving on..."

>>34492733
>2. Just move on. Merce can explain it in her own time

>>34492733
>1. Clear things up and mention what you’re doing with the three women with you.

>>34492847
Oh! This! We are well aware of the trashy novels she happens to peruse.

>>34492847
MUH NIGGA

>>34492856
Backing this, in a way.
But if we can phrase it as if asking her to teach the birds and the bees to her then all the better

>>34492856
We have to do this.

>>34492917
"Now you see Alyce when a man and a women and a women and a women and a women and a women and a women and a woman and a woman love each other very much."

>>34492962
lol

>>34492917
"When a man and n women like each other very much..., where n equals the number of your harem."

>>34492733
>2. Just move on. Merce can explain it in her own time

>>34492962
>Talon ever implying love

He'd sooner hangout with Blackwater then open that can of worms even in an offhanded manner.

>>34492733

"I am surprised that Merce hasn't had 'the talk' with you yet. I would offer, but I feel that I am not the best to explain such things... Or could it be that she is hiding vital intelligence from you on purpose as to put you in a compromising situation? Did you want a moment?"

>>34493012
speaking of that ass where did that motherfucker go

>>34493052
Eh, I'm sure we'll see him again.

>>34493012
Hey now. We love our girls very much.
this is NOT just about casual sex

>>34493086
thats the problem

>>34493052
Honestly blackwater seemed pretty Okay to me. He did just walk away instead of pressing his advantage and he even did it with a salute.

>>34493052
Hey, I wonder it that has something to do with the troop positions on Alyce's war map? Either she's hunting him or responding to attacks/vampire outbreaks?

>>34493104
Hahhahaha. Love. That's a good one.

>>34493172
That's why we'll give him a fitting warrior's death.

>>34493172
Well, it wasn't strictly such a big advantage. We did hurt him and we weren't out of steam yet.
But he could have tried to take a hostage, go after a follower, or cause us trouble. Instead he just left and went underground, i appreciate this

>>34493172
He walked away because there was a real chance of death which he hadn't expected. Astral Power son. The whole fight was just fuel for his ego anyway.

>>34493191
We would have heard about it and blackwater isn't retarded so no.

>>34493172

In another timeline Talon and Blackwater are the broest of bros. And we'll never know that glory.

>>34493172
I imagine he's going to feel rather embarrassed when he learns of our technological vampire advances. I mean, he had 20 years or so with the resources of an entire nation to overcome the blood issue, and accomplished shit.

>>34493232
Thing there is Talon was like 10 seconds away form collapsing. So if I was him I would have stabbed him in the face to get rid of the danger while he could.

>>34493292

I don't think Blackwater gives much of a fuck about that when he has his own OP Lichdom thing going on.

>>34493292
To be fair, I don't think we've gotten around to actually starting that research yet. Still working on the thrall problem.

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>1.

“You remember how you used to do all these fun and exciting things with these three women here,” you say, gesturing to Gnome, Undine and Merce. “Well, I do similar fun and exciting things with these women here.”

Alyce goes redder, but doesn’t look too surprised. “Oh. That. I… missed that. I kind of figured that things might be… er, different.”

Then she suddenly looks shocked and turns to Merce. “You too? Really?”

“What? No!” Merce shrieks. “Where did you get the idea I was part of Talon’s harem?”

“Well, he did just say… Are you sure you didn’t do anything odd while dealing with him? It might explain all your strange visits to him during that time,” Alyce says seriously, glaring at her familiar.

“That’s not… I’m more interested in Undine,” Merce says, holding her hands in front of her to ward off Alyce.

“Who is with Talon,” Alyce says. “I see.”

“I don’t think you see,” Merce says.

The farce goes on for some time while you watch Alyce mercilessly tease her familiar into submission. You wonder where she just faked not knowing about your harem for the opportunity to tease Merce.

“Moving right along,” you say as the conversation gets back onto a serious track, “I understand your two machinists are coming to The York Empire.”

Alyce nods. “That’s correct. They’re not our best two, but you already have a machinist who was once one of our very best. I’ve also followed through on my promise and streamlined the process for mages in League towers to transfer to your towers. Your tournament gathered a bit of interest in that, particularly from mages who are interested in using their talents to hold more influence in TYE. The sheer size and age of many towers in the League means that talented magisters often need to go abroad to actually advance.”

>continued

>>34493299
Talon wasn't actually that bad off. He had no way of knowing how much longer talon could last and we did give him that permanent nosebleed. which is kinda scary when you are a "true" immortal.

Also, he isn't that strong, he just has a gimmick. Talon could have withdrawn and used his army to contain blackwater while his mages take turns trying to figure out a way to finish him for good or to trap him despite his little gimmick

>>34493357
Yeah. Thing there is if all our units couldn't pull off holding him back our knights would never pull it off. So it's not like it's a utterly cowardly retreat or anything.

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>>34493354
Nodding, you recall Maloric handling various matters with his tower and some of the others. Your mage numbers are growing and it’s just a matter of putting them to work.

“The other matter are the trade deals and potential trading of magitech,” Alyce says. “A trade agreement and the canal go hand-in-hand, so that’s already taken care of. As for selling magitech and designs to you, the former is easier than the latter. Many mages aren’t keen to be selling their IP to you. I think I can probably wrangle at least one major template, if that’s what you’re after, or several smaller design improvements. You’ll need to pay a fair price, if somewhat discounted.”

You consider that. The League has some rather complex and capable designs, mostly focused on medium mage-knights and flying mage-knights. They’ve tended to favour designs that supplement their powerful core of mages and spellblades. The RSK were the ones who favoured a broader troop range and more complex factories, so the League will likely be loath to sell you any progress they’re making in more fringe areas given their importance to any war effort.

>What sort of things are you guys interested in potentially purchasing in terms of magitech?

This is a great time to talk about research, too. I’ll be having lunch around now and taking care of a few chores so expect things to be a tad bit slow.

Research is in the latest GDoc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1f5rmmhKQvi0tUbCbqapsKoF8BtsDb-ti7E6KH2wCKEk/edit?usp=sharing

Basically, I’ve got two proposed research ideas. One favours the idea of having different streams within each unit type. This would likely favour heavy specialisation and may be a bit complicated to track. The second favours incremental improvement in your designs rather than trade-offs. As you improve your templates, each new item of research takes longer (but will get shorter with more machinists and better factory tech). I’d like thoughts on this.

>>34493431
Personally what I think we need is LMK armor.

>The second favours incremental improvement in your designs rather than trade-offs. As you improve your templates, each new item of research takes longer

I like this one more. It's slow but it lets us get a general all around force going with less issue.

>>34493431
I personally like the first one. Speaking of mages transfering, did we get any spellblades? You'd think given their lower status some of them would be interested in jumping ship. Hell, a few might be loyal to Raza, she probably led units of spellblades during her service to the league.

>>34493431

Personally I'd be in favor of going after a FMK template. That one large one is something we can improve on ourselves, assuming there isn't infringement laws or something of that sort.

I'm also in favor of the second research tree type. Not quite sure what to say on it. Someone else might be better suited for working those ideas then I.

>>34493393
holding him off means
>take turns blasting him while staying out of his reach
not
>defeat him

>>34493523
>Hell, a few might be loyal to Raza
>Rayza
>Inspiring loyalty in anyone.

im out of my element with this one

>>34493431
Considering how many times tradoffs have been mentioned IC I think that the 1st is better.

>>34493431

Limiting the first idea's specialization could work. Just making things stronger mechanically is borings, but too many tech/specialization branches is quick to bloat and drag the quest down.

Maybe giving just two or three specializations to a few things, even if generic would be good enough.

>>34493431
Specialization beats generalization, as long as the specialists are good at combined arms.

>>34493541
He pretty much didn't flinch or move with a astral arrow and it was mentioned we didn't have a method to keep him from moving with Gnome and undine.

>>34493558
She's probably saved quite a few spellblades' lives

>>34493431
>https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1f5rmmhKQvi0tUbCbqapsKoF8BtsDb-ti7E6KH2wCKEk/edit?usp=sharing

Is it jus tme who's bugged, or is it impossible to scroll tot eh sides?

>>34493598
Combined arms and specialization kind of go cross purpose. If you focus on only one unit above all else when someone else pops up with 3 that are good enough and work in differing situation your screwed.

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>>34493431
Minor question: is it reasonable to assume that the instant a magi league machinist steps into either our darlesia or Vitria factory the Arcane archery concept is probably going reach Alyce in a depressingly short amount of time?

Also, does anyone else picture the AA's equipped something like this?

I think first option would cause a lot of really unnecessary bloating, limited specialization is a possibility, but as far as I'm concerned that's what Noble Knights, Spellblades, Wardens, etc. are for. The bulk of the army isn't necessary to bloat and split up, when in the end the use will be minimal and given the reactions to troop deployment votes earlier in the thread, largely ignored.

In short, bulk of army, generalization.
Specialty units, specialization.

>>34493530
>HFMK
Death from above.

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I've attached the MMK examples so that people can quickly compare the two.

>>34493584
>Just making things stronger mechanically is borings, but too many tech/specialization branches is quick to bloat and drag the quest down.
That's what I'm worried about. I'm also worried about voting on specialisations giving folks a chance to continuously push for their view even when it's been outvoted in the past.

That and tracking units produced under each type can be hard.

It's also importnat to note that the 2nd version does favour specialisation indirectly - the increasing research times with every completed project mean that specialisation is still a viable approach (as it will keep research times on the 'more valuable' project lower).

>>34493673
AAs are spreading a bit. Alyce will probably bring them up next post.

>>34493673

The AA templates are our own IPs, they'd have to buy them if they wanted it. Stealing them would be a large offence, and put the alliance in jeopardy, I doubt they'd be so stupid to do that.

>>34493530
Thing there is why already have a good idea about FMK. While we have no LMK or an idea how to build them. So we are loaded up with all rounders and heavies but no high powered skirmisher units.

>>34493720

I'm going to go ahead and support the second approach. I favor simplicity in any quests with empire/civ management aspects and I'm afraid too much tech talk will detract from the quest's high quality.

Though research wise it's almost always universally better to go for the Factory research until it's too cost inefficient. Just because having even a 25 percent boost is massive in a war front.

>>34493763

Well the offers for major templates are FMK and improved MMK. Doesn't seem LMK are on the table.

Besides we don't have a FMK template anyway, and they compose an incredibly small part of our army, it would be a quick grab of a good specialty unit that a few of our Generals would excel with handling. An air raid by a large contingent of Flyers would be comparable to a LMK ground raid in my opinion.

>>34493720
>AAs are spreading a bit. Alyce will probably bring them up next post.

Could we trade? IP for IP?

>>34493729
They let us win the ranged engagement in Raupe despite being outnumbered 4 to 1 in mages. That would probably scare the crap out of the Magi league.

>>34493828
True. But we might be able to wrangle one out of them. We do already have FMK armor to theorize about the process with so it should be faster to develop it.

Though it just depends if we can't get that FMK is yes agreed.

>>34493729
but they could try to develop something similar from scratch

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>>34493521
Missed this. The League has LMK but it's one fo the experimental areas. Alyce may not be able to get it and you'd pay through the nose for it.

>>34493828
>An air raid by a large contingent of Flyers would be comparable to a LMK ground raid in my opinion.
FMK and LMK are similar in some ways. It's just that FMKs can fly and are better at crowd control whereas LMKs can cause a lot of damage to other mage-knights and specialists in a lightning raid because they're loaded to the gills with offensive enchantments.

>>34493828
You have to understand just how much of an impact aerial travel is.
Let me compare it to the paratrooper.

While sure, paratroopers do not carry as heavy weaponry as they can, what they do add to an army is an amazing capability for strategic mobility. Are you chasing an enemy army through a valley and can't catch up to them?
Put the FMKs at the other end to become an anvil.
Need to cross a river but aren't sure if you can make it to the bridge before the enemy garrisons it heavily?
Send in the FMKs.
Need to raid the enemy's supply convoy?
Send in the FMKs.

While they aren't as good in battle, they are an incredible resource.

>>34493431
>purchase interests?
Definitely a Flying Mage Knight template. Not sure we'll be able to swing one, but certainly worth the attempt.

As for the research ideas...well I'd actually go with a mix of both. Have different streams within each unit type and apply some fraction of the research investment in them to the cost of a full template overhaul.

So we can invest in boosting a specific attribute to cover an exploitable shortcoming in our current design, or we can start making progress on a more advanced template.

>>34493896
That was honestly more Talon wiping out 1/2 of their mages.

>>34493927

This man knows what's up. FMKs all the way son!

>>34493927
>Let me compare it to the paratrooper.

Lets not compare them to a gun magnet.

>>34493902
Frankly, we can almost certainly get LMK gear for reverse engineering purposes. From companion has 100 of them after all.
>>34493931
They might not know that. It doesn't change the fact that Talon has repeatedly used AA's to counter his lack of mages, both against Taour and Olan. The idea of the RSK with them would be justifiably terrifying.

Isn't it time to make ballistas to take advantage of their range?

>>34493913
> Alyce may not be able to get it and you'd pay through the nose for it.

Yeah then FMK works best. LMK could be easier to gain when we take Farun and have their LMKs to research.

>>34493913
>Missed this. The League has LMK but it's one fo the experimental areas. Alyce may not be able to get it and you'd pay through the nose for it.
Doesn't her tower have the IP?

I imagine we'll be paying out a bit for one of the IPs regardless, I don't know if anyone else would support it, but throwing the AA template in might even it up a bit. Dicegods permitting.

>>34494000
That in a way just creates a bigger thing for the mages to focus on.

>>34494045
Crossbows. We need Crossbows

>>34493720

Ah, that kind of specialization.

I was thinking of general things and roles instead improving certain stats.

>>34494069

We have those actually. They're rolled into the Archers for simplicity's sake.

>>34494069
Thing there is we already have magic to help with the draw. Crossbows work best in that you don't need to train a guy for years let them fire.

>>34494000

It would be a nice addition to Fluffy Tails Artillery Brigade

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>>34494009
Alyce explains that many of the new templates developed during the war have been joint-ventures by numerous towers. They had no real way to keep up with the kingdom wide military complex of the RSK otherwise. Many improvements to templates are owned solely by towers, and some of the older templates are solely owned or mostly owned by one tower. Some mages may have an interest in the template despite the tower owning it, however.

VOTE
>1. Go for LMK. It's a longshot, however, and will be expensive.
>2. Go for FMK. Alyce can probably get them even if they will cost a bit given their complexity and value.
>3. Go for MMK improvements. Alyce can easily get you a number of MMK improvements without much fuss.
>4. Custom

These options are mutually exclusive as time spent gonig for one is wasted if she can't get it. Negotiations over price will come in a bit.

>>34493927
I wonder how hard it would be to create underwater mage knights?

>>34494150
>2. Go for FMK. Alyce can probably get them even if they will cost a bit given their complexity and value.

>>34494150
>2. Go for FMK. Alyce can probably get them even if they will cost a bit given their complexity and value.

>>34494150
>>2. Go for FMK. Alyce can probably get them even if they will cost a bit given their complexity and value.

I love fliers and they go well with Arail's asymmetrical offensive style.

>>34494150
3
it is the core of our army.

>>34494150
>2. Go for FMK. Alyce can probably get them even if they will cost a bit given their complexity and value.

Rev up that Flight of the Valkyries son.

>>34494150
>>2. Go for FMK. Alyce can probably get them even if they will cost a bit given their complexity and value.

>>34493431
The second option sounds like how 4x games handle research. Would you then just make a tech tree with different paths for "specialization"? Say so many months to research joints 1 or something completing it increases movement or agility by .5 or 1 or w/e.

Would make things easier to track and still give a bit of specialization.

>>34494150
>2. Go for the FMK.

>>34494150
>>2. Go for FMK. Alyce can probably get them even if they will cost a bit given their complexity and value.
FMK all the way. Their mobility makes them worth it.

>>34493927
isn't LMK faster and more stealthy than FMK? Sound like they would do better in convey raiding.
FMK does do the riving thing better though

>>34494150
>3. Go for MMK improvements. Alyce can easily get you a number of MMK improvements without much fuss.

The backbone of our forces.

>>34494222
The FMK has the advantage in engaging the convoy from farther away and in any situation.

>>34494178

Not just Arail, but Fuurin would work well given they're basically flying artillery. It's a good pick up for a lot of reasons.

>>34494222
I find them pretty useful due to tearing shit up easier. But their pretty expensive and it's a long shot. So best to go for the one we are missing that isn't as hard.

Flying Arcane Archers? We can shove some bows & arrows at our FMKs, right?

>>34494244
They have to attack at point blank though. So if the foes has archers or mages.

>>34494273
thats a scary thought

>>34494273

Well they have the magic gauntlets that rain hellfire down on their enemies sooo

>>34494296
So they can't actually get through armor?

>>34494273
There really isn't any advantage though. AA's will by at least 3 times cheaper and will work just as well 90% of the time.

Question about the Magi League FMK template, do they have a particular set of enchants for their gauntlets? And can we change it if we feel the need too?

>>34494296

The magical gauntlets have limited ammo, right?

>>34494347
Rechargeable.

Arcane crossbowmen when?
Is the crossbow even an weapon created yet?

>>34494325

There's been times where they were used in air raids and burned up some folks nice and crispy, so I imagine they can.

>>34494372
What is with you people and crossbows we have them already it's been stated in this thread they are counted as Archers.

>>34494334
But they can't fly

>>34494372
Never. We already voted to start with Longbows. Why would we spend the time and money to make a weapon that would probably be inferior anyway.

>>34494372

Yes. Vitria used it way way back when during the Second Siege.

Aspirational noted that they are rolled into the Archers, but we can assume it exists.

>>34494296
>Well they have the magic gauntlets that rain hellfire down on their enemies sooo
Those are standard for all troops, including MMK

>>34494395
That's kind of a good thing because they can't get shot down. Instead they line up and do the shooting down and don't get mixed up and need to make sure their line of fire is clear.

>>34494397

/tg/ has a crossbow fetish

>>34494397
You don't need much training with a crossbow, it's a perfect weapon if you want to use for a force that won't see heavy fighting. A militia per exemple.

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ALright, FMKs it is. Just finished lunch so I'll write that up now.

>>34494339
Darlesia purchased their FMKs from Ahm, so you'll be getting the same offensive spells. Binding spells and explosive spells.

>>34494372
Pretty sure crossbows were in the first thread (or perhaps not until Vitria besieged you). I just abstracted all bows to be the same as they had no functional difference at the level I was worknig at.

>>34494202
There wouldn't be explicit paths, but every upgrade you choose within a unit type increases the research time for other upgrades (because you'll have to continuously make the template more complex). So if you wanted your MMKs to be tanks, you'd be better off avoiding speed upgrades because they'd make any research into better armor take longer.

>>34494411

While true the Flyers have a specialty armament that caters to their distinct purpose as air raiders and crowd control.
>The gauntlets however, are loaded with spells. The Darlesian spell armament are binding and explosive spells - the knights can swap between the two with a delay of 15-20 seconds and a small expenditure of their current charges (which recover reasonably quickly). The binding spells are suited to restraining movement of enemy elites but the explosive spells are mostly about a lot of damage, despite being slower to cast. Their weapon typically carries a standard magical bolt enchantment, with relatively few charges, and a cutting enchancement.

>>34494477
>Pretty sure crossbows were in the first thread (or perhaps not until Vitria besieged you). I just abstracted all bows to be the same as they had no functional difference at the level I was worknig at.
except for turning archers into arcane archers. Crossbowmen would be effectively untrained, while longbowmen would have useful skills. Which is why we almost certainly use exclusively longbows in our standing army. Also, because they could theoretically fire enchanted arrows as well.

>>34494545
It's not like it would be hard to get a strength enchantment for longbows anyway. The advantage is more in the enchantments on the arrows then the arrows themselves.

>>34494545

I always imagined that crossbowmen serve more purpose in garrisons then the open field. The crossbow is more of a point blank thing while the AAs have that massive arching range.

If anything Crossbows are a secondary weapon anymore given the advent of AAs.

Late to the party on this one, but I'd go for the second research plan, as Enchanted Pavises would be awesome. Imagine the trench warfare we could pull off with those and the AAs.

>>34494477
I am trying to read the research tree thing.

So, in the first v1 version. Does anti ranged defenses replace all-rounder defences? or just add to it?

why is speed increase blue?

what is PSN, ABL?

>>34494642
Trench warfare only happens when you have a geographically limited front between two large powers, which allows for enormous concentration of force.

We need to invent artillery

>>34494712
What are mages?

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>>34494677
>So, in the first v1 version. Does anti ranged defenses replace all-rounder defences? or just add to it?
There's a little note in the Slot headign that mentions you can only have one active upgrade in each slot. So having anti-ranged would replace all-rounder.

>why is speed increase blue?
Because it's researched but inactive.

>what is PSN, ABL?
Stats used in the battle calculator. I'll be providing a short explanation on what the stats do when I actually bed down research. PSN (presence) is basically intimidation factor. ABL (ability) is basically their capability in melee. Armor is anti-ranged armor.

>>34494743
I don't think even mages do indirect fire?

>>34494744
I see, thank you for explaining.
So this differs from v2 in that v2 has only iterative boosts rather than tradeoffs?

>>34494712
there are catapults and Ballista. Both with enchanted projectiles.

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Thanks for the thoughts on research. I’m still thinking on how to handle it and nailing down research times and effects.

>2.

You explain to Alyce your desire to get flying mage-knights. She smiles a bit as she listens.

“I’m not too surprised,” she says. “Everything I’ve heard and seen of your battle strategies suggest you favour powerful raiding units and strong ranged power for your forces. You’ve been able to manage the front-lines yourself, after all.”

It seems Alyce hasn’t sat too idle, though you find her mention of ranged assaults interesting. She’d been at the tournament where Moss had placed very highly with his magical bow. If she had information as good as she is suggesting, she should know more.

True to your thoughts, Alyce immediately moves on the topic. “When it comes to price, that’s going to be the difficult part. The FMK template is one of the better ones in our armoury. It’s a very complex design that manages to equal the performance of the RSK one despite the fact they’re developing theirs on much more advanced factories. We could look at doing a trade and my understanding is that you have something of great value as well.”

“My arcane archers,” you say.

Alyce smiles widely. “Exactly right. They perform very well but I’m uncertain exactly what enchantments you have on the bows and arrows. I remembered that our intelligence dug up a failed RSK research project a couple of years ago where they attempted to enchant the arrows as they were fired. One of our own attempted to make ultra-light and flexible bows, focusing on the materials that could be produced by magitech factories. Both produced sub-par results but you’ve come out of nowhere and produced magitech archers almost overnight.”

>continued

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>>34495056
You keep your surprise at the research projects hidden. You’d thought the capability of archers had been overlooked by the major powers but it seems they’d simply failed to come up with a successful template. Most likely they’d been trying to develop templates to replicate what individual enchanters could do, and if your enchanter had the wrong idea then you’d get a bad template. Your breakthrough had been the fact that Mal had the talent to quickly enchant hundreds of arrows in hours, where most enchanters wouldn’t consider enchanting the ammunition or ‘wasting’ a factory on producing it.

You’re not certain whether you should take Alyce’s bait, however. Arcane archers are one of your best advantages – if the template spreads to the League then it’s only a matter of time before it ends up elsewhere. Of course, the same could be said of what will happen when more machinists begin working with it in your empire.

“What’s the cost of the FMK template without a trade?” you ask.

“Probably about 1000TBY,” she says and you wince. “That’s with the discount. It’s a good price, too. It would take you at least a year to produce a template half-as-good. That’s several hundred TBY just in research and foundry expenses, not to mention the time factor.

Well, that’s a kick in the guts. You’d known that templates were typically expensive but hadn’t thought it would be so bad. Farrell had mentioned the Vitrian foundry had used 100TBY of expenses each year just for normal operations. You’d be running three foundries now and research time was expensive.

>Any ideas for negotiation on price?

I’ll be moving back to the empire after this, unless you have some topic for Alyce.

>>34495091

Are there no resell clauses? So we could technically stave off the OG design getting out there too far too quickly, but their own remastered version would likely be fair game?

I mean I'm all for the trade, after decided to fund the canal straight from our coffers it seems the best idea to avoid further debt.

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>>34495162
>Are there no resell clauses?
The issue is that other nation's spies and other towers may just steal the template, especially once Alyce puts it into production. She could shutdown League towers but Shropham and the like may just try to ignore her. The RSK probably have a larger intelligence presence in Ahm than your empire currently, too.

>So we could technically stave off the OG design getting out there too far too quickly, but their own remastered version would likely be fair game?
If Alyce engineered her own version somehow then they'd be able to sell them however she wished.

We should probably see if we could trade a monkey model- A dumbed down version. They don't have to know that it is, of course.

>>34495349
Well, it will either be of limited use/good, or it will reveal to them the secret of how it works and once the secret is out, its out

1) Joint research & development with the Archers

2) Offer a marriage proposal.

Y not both??

>>34495349
if shes going to be our ally I say we don't lie to her and just tell her its the dumbed down version

>>34495091
The league wouldn't' happen to have HMK would they?

>>34495091
"Technically, it was literally overnight for the prototype. You really should have offered Mal a position in the Tower of Stars."
As for resell clauses, we can include an exclusive contract for the League, that promises we won't just turn around and sell it to the Seraphs as well. That would probably mean they end up paying us money.

>>34495091
so, its EITHER the AA OR 1000TBY?

I think we should hold off on both. Even if we get an FMA template, where are we going to produce it? we will have to build yet another factory, and then pay for the production. we are kinda short on both.

We might instead angle for access to the rare ingredient needed for the HMK

>>34495446
She's our ally for now. We shouldn't get too involved with her other then in her usefulness.

>>34495091

Could we offer the trade on the basis of joint research into further developments? That way even if the base gets stolen or picked up elsewhere we still have the superior version in hand?

Marriage proposal joke please

>>34495473
>we will have to build yet another factory

There are underutilized/unused slots in both Darlesia and Taour.

>>34495506
pls no. Joke too old now.

>>34495267

would they be interested in the Heavy MK template?

alternatively, we could always sell them the bow template... Arrows are a seperate production, and not nessicarily AA specific... normal archers could use the Magitech arrows, just not to as high effect as the AAs... kind of like how MMK doesn't come with weapon templates...

>>34495430
no

>>34495462
I don't think we should reveal that. She didn't know we didn't know about the failed attempts to do the same. Now that we know they have been trying to and can't figure it out, it makes a big change to its value. We should up security on those foundries btw

>>34495446
better yet, don't do the dumbed down version at all

>>34495525
Those are foundries with unused factory slots. you still need to build an actual factory in said slot.
And then you need to operate it. both cost money

>>34495529
good point.

>>34495561
now there is an interesting proposal.

>>34495561
>kind of like how MMK doesn't come with weapon templates...
It does though.
also, this is gonna go like htat
>Give AA template
<

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VOTE
>1. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. Also require that all research into the template be jointly done (meaning you'll gain all their research and vice versa).
>2. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. No joint research.
>3. Try to haggle down the price and pay for the FMK template.
>4. Offer a dumbed down version of the AA template for the FMK template. (Plus maybe some additional money if you want to be honest about it being dumbed down).
>5. Custom

No resale clauses are included.

>>34495459
They've probably got their own knock-off design or are creating one but it's less important for them as they're not facing masses of devastating mages like the RSK is (which was the whole reason HMKs were created). Their spellblades are pretty good at holding the line otherwise.

>>34495602
>>1. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. Also require that all research into the template be jointly done (meaning you'll gain all their research and vice versa).

I mean that's a win win really.

>>34495430
>Joint research

Since we're a month away from an upgrade unrelated to our initial research, I'd rather not make this a joint project.

>propose marriage
Maybe we could make a joke about /not/ proposing to her, but even in jest I'd rather avoid making a proposal to someone with half our harem present.

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>>34495602
Also, I'll be treating 1 and 2 the same to avoid vote splitting. They'll only split to choose between joint-research or not.

>>34495561
>kind of like how MMK doesn't come with weapon templates...
It does though.
also, this is gonna go like htat
>Give AA template
>They complain it doesn't work as advertised
>Explain that this is the AA, arrows enchanted seperately
>They now know the trick and the secret is out anyways
>Also we upset our allies

>>34495602
>>2. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. No joint research.

>>34495602
where is the option to hold off?
I think we should delay this entire purchase until post shropam. with the justification that we do not want shropam to get their hands on such tech

>>34495602
>>1. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. Also require that all research into the template be jointly done (meaning you'll gain all their research and vice versa).

>>34495602
>1

>>34495602
>2. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. No joint research.

>>34495602
5 custom >>34495683

I REALLY don't want to face shropam where they outnumber us, outmage us, AND they have AA.

>>34495602
>2. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. No joint research.

>>34495725

I have no idea where this paranoia is coming from, I'd imagine Alyce would be a lot more careful with the template knowing full well that they're going to revolt and would hold a major advantage with it.

>>34495683
>
On second thought, sure. I'll go with this. Switched from this>>34495684
I think.

>>34495777
>I have no idea where this paranoia is coming from
Aspir explicitly told us that this will happen

>>34495602
>1. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. Also require that all research into the template be jointly done (meaning you'll gain all their research and vice versa).

>>34495602
>1. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. Also require that all research into the template be jointly done (meaning you'll gain all their research and vice versa).

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>>34495792
It may happen. I also told you the RSK and others could steal it from you and that Alyce might just reverse engineer it and sell it to everybody anyway.

Essentially, there's risk in all options.

>>34495602
>1. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. Also require that all research into the template be jointly done (meaning you'll gain all their research and vice versa).

>>34495602
>>2. Trade the Arcane Archer template for the FMK template. No joint research.

>>34495831
speaking of reverse engineering...
How hard is it to reverse engineer something? cause we have some LMK and FMK

>>34495602
>They've probably got their own knock-off design or are creating one but it's less important for them as they're not facing masses of devastating mages like the RSK is (which was the whole reason HMKs were created). Their spellblades are pretty good at holding the line otherwise.
Speaking of which, are any spellblades coming to us along with all the mages?

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Might as well throw a random negotiation element in here. You can't actually fail the deal, though. Critfail is the same as a regular fail.

[DC15 Negotiation]

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>34495975

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>34495975

Sure why not.

>>34495999
I'll take it!

>>34495602
I can't help but feel she is getting a better deal here.
The AA are a much rarer commodity, which others couldn't replicate, and are extremely good against the league's main enemy

More importantly, the AA are EXTREMELY ridiculously cheap and VERY fast to manufacture.

I don't think anyone knows just how ridiculously cheap and fast it is to manufacture compared to any other type of magic armor out there.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>34495975

>>34495999
>>34496001
>>34496019

And Talon confirms yet again he can only negotiate well with women.

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>>34495913
There's probably a few tagging along with some of the mages in dribs and drabs. I'll be sussing out exact mage numbers, as well as your military etc over the next week.

>>34495911
>How hard is it to reverse engineer something?
Pretty hard. If you already know what you're creating then designing the template is much easier. At the same time, knowing what an enchantment does might let an enchanter reproduce it but it's incredibly difficult to then turn that into a template that can then be plugged into a factory.

>>34496016

Well I mean we kind of have been told how cheap and easy it is, not like we aren't going full tilt with it ourselves.

I'd say it's relatively even, the Flyers are an underutilized unit and that's a pretty top tier template. If anything we're getting it for a steal, along with bonus advancements on our own stuff.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>34495975
Rollin' anyway

>>34496105
What i mean is, that due to the ridiculously good price AND production speed.
our best bet is to pretty much build nothing BUT AA factories from now on.

>>34496105
I had a thought. what if the AA upsets the balance of power? we conquer shropam and are bogged down with the magi guard. meanwhile using the AA the league takes the rsk and suppresses further rebellion?
I know she is our ally, but we ultimately want to win mostly by ourselves. let the league fall apart, snap up the pieces, and then when we are significantly bigger then them, absorb them diplomatically (thus having alyce join us as a trusted vassal and, say, the archduchess of Ahm)

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>1. Plus target met

You eventually broker a deal with Alyce, convincing her that she’s getting a noticeably better deal. After all, she’s the one who failed to offer Mal a position in the Tower of Stars in the first place. She eventually caves and offers an MMK improvement and two hundred suits of FMK plate. It’s pretty clear she’s sensed that she can get a hold of a new template and is trying to seal the deal. You can practically seeing her salivate.

“The FMK template, one of our improvements for your Darlesian MMK template and two hundred suits of FMK,” Alyce says after more than an hour of bargaining and haggling. “And this is going to be the actual and complete Arcane Archer template, correct?”

“Yes. Make it three hundred suits and the deal is sealed,” you say, making one last rejoinder. “I also promise not to propose to you.”

Alyce scowls at you from that but caves. “Fine. Three hundred suits. I’ll organise the delivery of everything as soon as possible. End of January, hopefully. I want my template at the same time.”

“Just make sure you keep it out of Shropham’s hands,” you warn as you seal the deal in ink.

Then it’s a matter of simply satisfying the girls you brought to Ahm, who are rather unhappy that a shopping trip turned into a diplomatic trip. After that and a shower, you actually go shopping for Lynn’s birthday present.

>I’m going to do one short social scene before jumping back into the politics and empire management.

>1. Caitlyn’s birthday
>2. Sarah gloats over Annette’s capture
>3. Visiting Karise’s village
>4. Custom

>>34496244

That would mean that the League is giving up a majority share of its front with Ember. Which would be dangerous presently. The League-RSK conflict is at the stand still because of it, the inner fractions on both ends are likely to extend that. Going to war and giving up any particular battlefront for a weakened country isn't the smartest move.

Though it is possible, I won't deny, that the League gains an advantage through the AA template. It all depends upon how they adapt it, and how thoroughly.

>>34496329
>1. Caitlyn’s birthday

All those glorious bonuses. Arail is going to be hyped as fuck with a pile of new Flyers.

>>34496329
>2. Sarah gloats over Annette’s capture

YISSS

>>34496329
>>3. Visiting Karise’s village

>>34496329
>2. Sarah gloats over Annette’s capture

>>34496329
>2. Sarah gloats over Annette’s capture

>>34496329
>2. Sarah gloats over Annette’s capture
Both for the amusement, and because this relationship is a bit to poisonous to be healthy.

>>34496329
>1. Caitlyn’s birthday
How is this a choice?

>>34496329
1 or 3
i had enough of sarah being catty for a while

>>34496329
>3. Visiting Karise’s village

Because new clan.

>>34496329
>2. Sarah gloats over Annette’s capture

>>34496329
>2. Sarah gloats over Annette’s capture

>>34496329
>1. Caitlyn’s birthday

So, is Samael still fighting behind the wall? Or is that just a silly idea?

>>34496329
>3. ALL THE FLUFFY TAILS!

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>2.

Current Date and Time: Midday on December 20th, 1952PC

Out of all the action that had occurred in the war with Farun, of which there was very little, probably the most amazing was your squire’s. When Lynn had spoken to you about how Fuurin and Arail hadn’t approved of her sending Finn off on his little jaunt you’d told her that justifying your actions to your subordinates was part of the job of commanding. You suspect that regardless of how she mishandled her relations with them personally, the absurd success Finn achieved meant they wouldn’t be able to deny her in the same way. After all, he’d managed to net an entire tower of mages and capture the princess of the enemy.

As you watch the circus that is Sarah’s meeting with Annette, with Finn watching on helplessly, you wonder whether Princess Annette intended to be captured. You’d kept the elf behind until this happened as you’d noticed the princess seemed to have a liking for him. Plus, you wanted Caitlyn to develop her skills as a commander without relying on Finn’s personal ability. You’d forgotten that although Finn appeared weak when in the company of yourself and other similarly powerful beings, he was still a demigod compared to most people.

“Really, Ann, you couldn’t even defend yourself from a small raiding party in your own territory?” Sarah asks mockingly. “Perhaps you should have offered a better deal like I did.”

“You mean I should have spread my legs for the Imperator here?” Annette bites back from the other side of the large table.

Sarah hisses like a cat while Finn winces. You’re not sure why Sarah’s that surprised – surely rumours of your involvement with her should be well known. She’s about to bite back and you’re wondering if you should step in now.

>What do you say or do?

>>34496329
1 or 3

>Talon can pet fluffy tails better than any fox
You know, I bet talon can author something similar to the kama sutra.

>>34496860
"For the record, that wasn't part of the deal."

>>34496877

Anon. That is sheer genius.

>>34496860
"Actually, Sarah basically doubled the size of my military in the earliest days."

>>34496860
"That was a nice bonus. You would have been enjoying a similar situation if you joined me."

>>34496860
Condescendingly talk to Finn about "Catfights". The two are clearly fighting for dominance. Finn also needs to know it is best to stay out of them entirely, let the girls argue.

>>34496982

I support this.

>>34496931
Sounds about right. Defend her actual contributions to the empire, which are substantial.

>Caitlyn’s birthday

man. We talked about this so much before.

I hope we get to do these scenes on a later thred.

>>34497009
Same... all them feels missed...

>>34496982
We could always make Farun a part of Vitria instead of Termina. It would be funny, and have advantages.

>>34496877
Actually, I would find that hilarious. Put it on the to do list.

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VOTE
>1. Defend Sarah's actual contributions to the empire.
>2. Condescendingly talk to Finn about "Catfights". The two are clearly fighting for dominance. Finn also needs to know it is best to stay out of them entirely, let the girls argue.
>3. Stay right the hell out of this.
>4. Custom

>>34497126
I'm abstaining.

>>34497126
>2. Condescendingly talk to Finn about "Catfights". The two are clearly fighting for dominance. Finn also needs to know it is best to stay out of them entirely, let the girls argue.

>>34497126
>1. Defend Sarah's actual contributions to the empire.

>>34497126
3

>>34497126
>2. Condescendingly talk to Finn about "Catfights". The two are clearly fighting for dominance. Finn also needs to know it is best to stay out of them entirely, let the girls argue.

"Here we witness women in their natural habitat"