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Author Topic: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh  (Read 23882 times)

VoidSlayer

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #195 on: April 17, 2017, 09:33:12 pm »

We need to put our other plan on hold I think.

First, sign the defensive pact.  Inform the Prince that repaying the reparations to various parties is a priority of Ceaser and the senate as well, once the situation is stabilized and assuming we are not all dead.

I would dearly like to get that 5000 elf army together and not have it fighting our 6000 man imperial army, but what can you do?

Place Icarixip in the hands of Nixulop.  We need him to hold the city once more, but make sure he understand 60,000 acid elves are going to try and destroy the city while Whipscales 30,000 will defend it, so keep on her good side and don't pointlessly attack her tribe or something.  She may be weird and foreign but she honestly is TRYING to be an ally.

We will need our tarantula elf body guard to help command our troops in the war coast.

IronyOwl

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #196 on: April 17, 2017, 11:28:01 pm »

We need to put our other plan on hold I think.
Which other plan?

But yes, not letting dragonkin eat our children probably trumps literally everything else.


So our current priority is gathering up as many military forces as possible, and directing them to places they'll be effective.

Imperial Forces
Quote
x3000 Soldiers of the 53rd Imperial Legion, Hunting Rebel Clay Elves in the South of the Province, Personally lead by Commander Bufo Fidelis
x750 Soldiers of the Imperial Garrison at Traggix, Lead by a set of captains loyal to General Detesabilis
x750 Soldiers of the Imperial Garrison at Stimilif, Lead by a set of captains loyal to General Detesabilis
x2500 Soldiers of the Imperial Garrison at Icarixip, Personally lead by General Detesabilis
We might be able to redirect the garrisons at Traggix and Stimilif to the front, since they're unlikely to come under fire, unlikely to survive coming under fire with or without a garrison, and the populace will most likely not need pacification while we're preventing them from becoming food.

On the other hand, if 1200 rebels remain, they might use this opportunity to seize a city if it's undefended. Blegh.

If at all possible, we should withdraw our rebel hunters, though. They can't possibly do more damage than eating every last man, woman, and child with a light basil sauce.

Loam Coast Forces
Quote
x332 Soldiers of the Traggix City Garrison, stationed at Traggix, Lead by Captain Vikishux
x450 Elite Dive Guards, stationed at Sacred Point, Answers to High Priest Xamul

3000 Clay Elven Veterans, 2500 equipped with Ceramic gear
Well that's grim. We might be able to redirect Icarixip's new garrison to the naval installation, since in theory they can't hit Icarixip without punching through the installation. The holy guards might help prevent their people from being eaten or might remain to guard Sacred Point.

Elven City States
I assume they're going to throw in with us because they don't want to be eaten, but as noted we have no idea what capabilities they have. The treaty is a bare minimum, but we should probably take this opportunity to push for a more permanent alliance with anyone we can.

Rebels
I would dearly like to get that 5000 elf army together and not have it fighting our 6000 man imperial army, but what can you do?
Offer any rebels that join up with us complete amnesty, and declare that any who strike Loam or Imperial targets during the current war will be branded as race traitors to be sold to Acid Elves?

Might not be perfect, but it should give us some recruits and ward off all but the most bitter and desperate who remain.

Acid Elves
We're filthy rich and surrounded by brutal savages. Depending on the response from the city states, it might be worth it to hire Acid Elf mercenaries. Especially if they're the tribes Whipscale's clan would have to fight through to reach us.


For positioning, we have two fronts.

East
Whipscale alone has somewhere between half and a third of the enemy's forces, and we have not one but two heavily, heavily fortified defenses in the way. Given that Acid Elves are bad at siege warfare, I suspect the issue will be getting her forces to fight inside the walls instead of sallying forth to do glorious battle in the open.

Assuming that happens, the imperial installation might hold, and if it doesn't we can afford to fall back to Icarixip for a final stand. I'm not super worried about that front.

West
This is the tough one. Ideally we can concentrate all of our non-acid elven allies, former rebels, and rebel hunters in Spiceflood, where we should have a good chance at beating back a 15k horde. Less certain about the "large host" of frillfolk with them, but the real ugly part comes from what happens if they go around Spiceflood, because frankly there are a lot of soft, tasty elves sitting up north.

Frankly this front worries the hell out of me. We'll need to make sure Spiceflood is really, really well defended, but we also need enough forces to make sure they don't slip around it. And if they do, uh... we'll mostly be screwed. Another point for hiring acid elf mercs if they'll take it, I suppose.


All this being said, we have probably better qualified commanders to tell us all this. We should focus our efforts on rousing speeches and convincing as many elves as we can find to join our glorious alliance. It shouldn't be hard, given that our enemies literally wish to murder and devour every single one of us.


Place Icarixip in the hands of Nixulop.  We need him to hold the city once more, but make sure he understand 60,000 acid elves are going to try and destroy the city while Whipscales 30,000 will defend it, so keep on her good side and don't pointlessly attack her tribe or something.  She may be weird and foreign but she honestly is TRYING to be an ally.

We will need our tarantula elf body guard to help command our troops in the war coast.
Yeah, probably. Hopefully all of the fighting will take place at the imperial naval installation rather than Icarixip, though.
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VoidSlayer

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #197 on: April 18, 2017, 12:04:12 am »

Don't send our 3000 elf garrison to the imperial navy installation.

Sending the general after the pretenders is a bad idea now, as he is very likely to shit up any attempts at amnesty.

Weirdsound

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #198 on: April 18, 2017, 02:15:56 am »

(Eh. I'll give you some more concrete threads to grasp at. I feel like writing right now.)

---

Three days later an emergency meeting regarding the Acid Elf situation is held at Clayden. Aside from the usual members of your court, present are all of your judges, your brother Nixulop, Warqueen Whipscale, Commander Fidelis, and the Lion Elf King Redmane, who has been given authority to speak for the entire War Coast Confederacy in this time of emergency.

The most surprising guest, however, is your grandmother Royal Armsmaker Stellixeth, a fierce but kindly looking elf who you know from history to be elderly, but could easily pass for being middle aged.

The situation is tense, as not only are the stakes high, but many parties in the room are on bad terms. Redmane, General Detesabilis, and likely Stellixeth all hate each other and you. You also know for a fact that Redmane has bad blood with your wife, and you get the feeling neither he nor most of your fellow Clay Elves like or trust Whipscale either. By some small miracle, however, a basic defense pact is signed by all parties, and a productive conversation ensues.

The meeting is broken into three main topics, first being logistics and alliance building. As you have experience with both moving goods and engaging in acts of diplomacy, you are quickly nominated as the chief logistics officer of the war effort and put in charge of the general task of finding more warm bodies to throw in the Acid Elves' way. Right away you are given several offers related to these duties.

Any opposition Stellixeth might have to you and your business practices apparently pales in comparison to her opposition to being eaten by Dragonkin. She wholeheartedly offers assistance in two important areas. Noting that she is very close with some of your more rebelious kin, your grandmother offers to travel south and recruit some of the holdouts, assuming, of course, you are willing to offer amnesty. She also offers to travel to Icarixip and personally oversee the reboot the weapons manufacturing industry in that town. Sadly, the royal armsmaker suggests that either task would require her full and undivided attention, so she has to choose between providing one boon or the other.

Speaking of tough choices, your wife has one for you as well. Although she doubts committing many resources to your aid would be in her father's best interest, Tsunamia suspects that if she were to travel to the Everstorm Lands and make a personal appeal, she could bring a large percentage of Tideus' might to the Loam Coast. Although this would take the better part of a year to achieve, the reward would be great; 'Normal' blue witches specialize in defending coastal settlements from all sorts of danger, and her father's armed forces contain enough of those to easily make up for the weak fortifications at Treasurewaves, Traggix, and Stimilif.

On the other hand, a less time consuming yet more risky action your wife could take would be to travel to Sandwalls, investigate the runes in the catacombs there, and if possible summon and bind whatever terrible being is connected to that site as a weapon against the Acid Elves. The vagabond priest Drihilnovip, one of your court mages, practices the divine magic of the Ancient Swamp Dragon of Sandwalls, a being who could very well be or be related to the being tied to the catacombs, and is generally familiar with the city. Although he is less confident he could decipher the runes than Tsunamia is, he offers to take the journey, either with or without your wife.

You bounce the idea of recruiting other Acid Elves off Whipscale, and she tells you such help may be possible on the Eastern Front at least; Most smaller tribes near the War Coast to the West will likely put up a token resistance to the intruders as a matter of pride, but would otherwise be more sympathetic to their own kind than the hated Lion Elves. Whipscale suggests rounding up a bunch of weapons and/or luxury goods (most Acid Elves find the idea of currency to be absurd), sailing it to Bountytides, and marching North through the path of destruction left by the Wyrven Clans who would have followed the same route. The War Queen suggests that her clan will have left many devastated and desperate Acid Elves who may be willing to sell out in its wake.

The final and most important matter in terms of diplomacy and logistics is securing troops and supplies from the Empire. Having just fought a war against the Loam Coast, you highly doubt the Senate nor the military high command will be too enthusiastic about returning to the region so soon, even if you are sure Caesar would personally love to jump to your aid. Until news of a city getting cannibalized shocks them to their senses, or unless you go out of your way to try and ensure otherwise, you cannot count on anything more than token assistance from the Heartland.

With the table set, discussion moves onto the nitty-gritty of war-planning itself.

There are several schools of thought on how the Eastern Front can be won. The most basic and safe play would be to hide behind Icarixip and the Naval Installation until some sort of serious backup can be found.

Whipscale begins to prove difficult at this juncture, as her preferred soloution would be to put the ocean at her back to prevent a route, and face a hostile force almost surely much bigger than her own clan head on. The War Queen claims that the enemy is actually a poorly organized collation lead by handful of likely rival War Monarchs, and as such her own unified clan should have a massive coordination advantage. Although you don't doubt Whipscale would know more about the enemy than you, you also know that she likely considers martyrdom to your cause an outcome almost as positive as victory, and wouldn't put it past her to advocate for what she knows to be a suicidal last stand.

A more preferable idea would be to usher Whipscale's clan behind the walls of Icarixip or the Naval Installation, and wait until arms can be either imported or produced for them. Acid Elves are formidable enough when they are wielding gear of leather, scale, rock, and wood. Fully equipping a clan the size Whipscale's in Imperial Bronze or Clay Elf Ceremic would easily yield one of the most formidable standing armies the world has ever seen. Nobody, save the War Queen herself and your ambitious wife, is terribly fond of the thought of giving Whipscale such power, but most present agree that it beats being eaten, and that an armed Wyrven Clan could easily thrash all opposition on the Eastern Front before swinging around and doing the same in the West.

A fierce argument breaks out between General Detesabilis and Chief Redmane when it comes to the Western Front. After discussing the strength of the War Coast Coalition, both parties agree that outright victory is more or less impossible at present. The best move is clearly to hunker down somewhere and either wait the enemy out or pray that you can somehow muster the extra fifteen thousand soldiers they would need to stand a chance in open combat. Fighting begins when the matter of where the troops should be garrisoned comes up.

Redmane insists on putting all available troops inside the walls of Spiceflood itself, arguing that he is responsible for the entire War Coast Coliation and cannot leave Spiceflood out to dry; Although the city walls are high and mighty, Spiceflood's garrision is small and its people have a history of revolting in the face of a siege.

General Detesabilis is sure that Redmane wants to garrison Spiceflood because he wants to see the Loam Coast burn. He argues that it would be too easy for the foe to slip past and sack Traggix and Stimilif if all the troops are hidden behind the walls of Spiceflood. The Judge of Icarixip proposes that the best chance of saving Treasurewaves and the Loam Coast would be to split the allied strength in two and fortify natural canyon choke-points along the river to the north and east of Spiceflood.

The debate quickly turns from heated argument over military tactics to personal attacks. Detesabilis accuses Redmane of being an honorable fool unwilling to sign the Death Warrant of one city to save three. Redmane in turn counters that your favorite judge is an idiot and hypocrite with a personal judge against him, citing the fact that Detesabilis stole the judges position that should have gone to his daughter as proof. Detesabilis' classy retort to this is that Redmane's daughter is an uneducated savage whore unworthy of the position in the first place.

You are unsure which side you should take, or even if your voice carries much influence in this matter. Neither party cares much for you, and both are far more qualified than you are to speak on this matter; Each is a celebrated hero of the Tall Ears war, with a handful of past victories against Acid Elves to his name. This quarrel does, however, present you the opportunity to try and make a friend from a foe. You suspect that both Redmane and Detesabilis hate the idea of losing, both the war and the debate, more than they hate you, and you may be able to impress one by lending your powerful words to aid him against the other.

---

Now would be a good time to pose questions or make proposals to anybody present, either in public or in private.
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Taricus

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #199 on: April 18, 2017, 03:06:27 am »

Alright, given how likely Whipscale's clan is likely to kick MAJOR ass if they're equipped (And likely be a VERY powerful ally if there's a significant number of the left), and likely to swell in number if Whipscale kicks the ass of any acid elf that's defeated yet not dead into her ranks. Needless to say this is a wonderful idea!

That being said, that much bronze will be an exorbitant cost for us to import even with the funds with have from the sons of caesar. Likely the only way we're going to arm them is if grandma gets to work in earnest churning out clay weapons and armour immediately. That should secure the eastern front so we can draw off enough troops to hold off the enemy on the western front.

And for the western front, much as it pains me to say it Detestabilis has the right; Fortifying the canyons and other chokepoints will almost certainly be a better strategy than holing up in the one city, especially if we can split up the enemy forces. Leaving a formidable garrison in Spiceflood will force the enemy there to split into three groups in order to press the attack, those much smaller groups will be that much easier to deal with.
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IronyOwl

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #200 on: April 18, 2017, 09:24:10 pm »

Alright, given how likely Whipscale's clan is likely to kick MAJOR ass if they're equipped (And likely be a VERY powerful ally if there's a significant number of the left), and likely to swell in number if Whipscale kicks the ass of any acid elf that's defeated yet not dead into her ranks. Needless to say this is a wonderful idea!

That being said, that much bronze will be an exorbitant cost for us to import even with the funds with have from the sons of caesar. Likely the only way we're going to arm them is if grandma gets to work in earnest churning out clay weapons and armour immediately. That should secure the eastern front so we can draw off enough troops to hold off the enemy on the western front.
+1 to these two. A fully equipped Whipscale's clan is the long-term answer to all of our problems ever. Um. Assuming she doesn't die or anything.

In fact, we should definitely give them our 3000 ceramic gear up front and see if we can pry any gear off of our other imperial and Loam forces. Every soldier we strip of gear is a monster ready to fight in their place.

And for the western front, much as it pains me to say it Detestabilis has the right; Fortifying the canyons and other chokepoints will almost certainly be a better strategy than holing up in the one city, especially if we can split up the enemy forces. Leaving a formidable garrison in Spiceflood will force the enemy there to split into three groups in order to press the attack, those much smaller groups will be that much easier to deal with.
I'm not too sure about this one. If we hold Spiceflood, they might go around it. If we hold the passes, they'll eat Spiceflood. If we garrison all three, they'll presumably pick a pass to siege down or siege down Spiceflood and then pick a pass to siege down.

The latter one is still ideal if it gives us enough time to come up with something else, but potentially disastrous otherwise.


I'm also in favor of sending Tsunamia and the vagabond to Sandwalls. A dragon or something would be just what we needed and result in no complications whatsoever! Plus anything else she needs, like guards or a letter recommending she's worth a lot of money to whoever's captured her and is now rifling through her pockets.

Our fabulous wealth and connection to the Sons of Caesar should give us ready access to luxury goods for acid merc recruitment (any and all weapons will be needed for Whipscale). Trouble is, we don't really need them over there. If we can recruit in the east and shift them west, that'd probably be worth doing because holy shit are we desperate in the west. If not, I don't think there's much point.


We should personally focus on the imperial heartland problem, and I have a cunning way to do it:

We bring along Detestabilis.

I know, ew. But if we both show up at the senate (or write letters or however this should be done), and a legendary elven rights icon talks about how the empire's newest and most vulnerable citizens need protection, and a famous war hero who knows where pointy ears belong talks about how a slavering menace to the very concept of civilization needs to be put down, I imagine there will be very few points remaining to object to.

The rub here is getting the good judge-general on the same page as us. This shouldn't be too hard, because we're basically asking him to become the bigoted face of human triumph over The Long-Eared Menace. Still, we'd need to make sure he doesn't refuse to write/come or devolve into a rant about how Acid Elves are without exception just the worst, so we might end up needing to offer him something other than glory.


On various miscellany:
-We should ask anyone who might know what they think of an Acid Elf/Frillfolk coalition's methods and goals. We know the Acid Elves hate civilization in general and us in particular, and that the Frillfolk think we're fantastic in garlic and butter. Otherwise we're a little in the dark.
-Similarly, our grandmother should know how several of the pretender pharaohs are liable to react to this crisis. That could be useful for knowing how well defended our rear lines need to be.
-We should ask Redmane what the feasibility of evacuating Spiceflood would be. And if its people would really revolt while besieged with giant frying pans.
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Weirdsound

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #201 on: April 19, 2017, 12:07:11 am »

Pharaoh Karses II, Governor and Godking of the Loam Coast, and Head of the Divine Clay Elf Bloodline:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Occupied Government of the Loam Coast:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The Imperial Province of Loam Coast:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

---

You inquire about the motivations behind a potential Acid Elf/Frillfolk Alliance, and aside from the obivious fact that the appetite of the dragonkin aligns perfectly with the vengance of the elves, nobody knows much for sure. Redmane informs you that from time to time the Frillfolk will attack Silvershoes or Spiceflood, as both cities house populations of enslaved and impoverished Frillfolk that the leaders of Wraith Valley want sovereign rule over.

Detestabilis explains that in terms of methodology, Frillfolk will not pose much threat in direct combat, as they are much smaller than Acid Elves and don't have the ability to mass produce high quality gear (although their champions are often garbbed in frightening armor of various supernatural materials). They often rent themselves out as mercenaries, in exchange for coin and the right to eat the dead, providing support to other armies in the form of engineering skill, sorcery, and war animals. They are infamous for quickly crafting many low quality siege engines from little more than bone and twig, and some of the more terrifying creatures they breed can function as siege weapons in and of themselves.

Whipscale guesses that the fifteen thousand Acid Elves working with the Frillfolk would be under command of either War King Heckle or War Queen Ripper.

The mention of Heckle causes a shocked silence to fall over the room. Out of all the War Monarchs to serve the Dune Demon Horragle in the Tall Ears War, Heckle was the only one to both do so willingly and escape with his life. By all accounts he was an absolute monster, with a penchant for coming up with terribly creative ways to painfully kill his victims, including your litter-mate Xexllas. In addition to Heckle's reputation for unspeakable evil, he is also known as one of the most knowledgeable living witches, which freaks out many in attendance. Horragle was executed at Spiceflood, and Tsunamia confirms every-bodies unspoken fear when she states that there is a non-zero chance Heckle could resurrect his master if he were to gain access to the spot of the Dune Demon's death.

The name Ripper rings a bell to you, but you can't quite place it at first. According to Redmane she has been trying on-and-off to beat a path to the coast for the last fifteen years, and her once proud clan has suffered great losses because of it. Redmane notes that Ripper has no ties to the Tall Ears War, but that she is known to form alliances with anything interested in helping her attack the coast.

Whiptail Chimes in again, helpfully explaining the motivation of the other War Queen. Apparently Ripper used to keep an adventurous human from the Eastern Provinces as a lover and adviser, but after several years said human ran away in the night, breaking her heart and stealing her prized Dragon Tooth sword. She now seeks to capture a coastal city, and build enough boats to transport her entire clan to the Eastern Provinces so that she may track the man down, ensure he never leaves her again, and reclaim her sword. It is at this point that you remember that your friend Jericho owns a Dragon Tooth sword named Ripper that he claims to have gotten from a War Queen he seduced...

On the matter of rebel leaders, Stellixeth thinks that there is only one pretender Pharaoh who might be dumb enough to raise serious hell while there are Acid Elves about. Her son Tull II, the first born litter-mate of your father and High Priest Xamul, was passed over for the office of Pharaoh in favor of Xamut IV upon the death of your grandfather as he was considered too dull and bloodthirsty for the job. Tull commands about six hundred soldiers, many of whom are dangerous criminals he broke out of the Traggix Prision in the waning days of the war. Tull would definitely start raiding farms if Commander Fidelis withdrew his men from the region, and may even have the balls to try and take a city left undefended if given the opportunity.

Tull's men are apparently very well armed, as Stellixeth sheepishly explains that her eldest son... somehow... got his hands on weapons and armor personally made by her for the Divine Guard at Sacred Point, as well as the last twenty siege engines made at the Traggix ovens before Caesar captured and destroyed them.

You inquire about the possibility of evacuating Spiceflood, and although you learn such an evacuation would be possible, nobody present would advise it. The enemy forces are amassing too close, and nobody knows when they will mobilize. A stream of fleeing refugees would make a tempting target, and the western front cannot afford to lose troops defending them.

As it so happens, you actually own a plantation just outside of Spiceflood, and the Sons of Caesar Trading Company is tied to the cities market. You know exactly how much of a powderkeg that town can be. It is perhaps the most diverse city on the Southern Continent, and many of the races that call it home hate one another. When Spiceflood comes under siege, there is inevitibly at least minority group that works to sabatauge defense efforts as they would benefit from the siege-layer's agenda. This conflict is unlikely to prove any different, as both Frillfolk and Acid Elves call Spiceflood home.

You then mention to Whipscale the possibility of providing her clan with the ceramic armaments you already have. The War Queen considers your offer, and agrees to take just the weapons if you are willing to split up your armor sets. Her species is much larger than yours, so there is no way in the infernal realm of Drake that Acid Elves will be squeezing themselves into Ceramic or Metal Plate that isn't custom made for them.

---

The assembled group debates deep into the night, and eventually a general plan is reached.

On the Western Front neither Detestabilis nor Redmane is willing to back down, so an uncomfortable compromise is reached. You will send westward the entire 53rd Legion, The Clay Elves under the command of Captain Vikishux, and 2/3rds of the Imperial Garrisions at Traggix and Stimilif. These soldiers will unite with the strength of Libertas, Silvershoes, Treasurewaves, and the Lion Elf Tribes, and split three ways to garrison Spiceflood and the canyon chokepoints. It is understood that such a three-way split leaves your side extra vulnerable; If the enemy devotes its full might to besieging any one of your positions, you will have six months tops (perhaps a few more than that if they target the actual city) to establish strong supply-lines or a large amount of reinforcements before they break through.

Redmane will be in charge of the Western Front, and Commander Fidelis will be second in command.

Xamut V also declares his intent to travel west. Although he promises to return if it is Ripper who has aligned with the Frillfolk, he has every intention of avenging his sister if Heckle is there. You find this to be absurd and bordering upon suicidal; Your twin is a sailor, not a soldier, and the injury he received in the battle against Vulfhorn's fleet means he no longer possess the range of motion required to effectively wield a parrying knife in his non-dominant hand. Even if Xamut was fully healthy, no Clay Elf would stand much of a chance against an Acid Elf War Monarch in single combat, and you are quite positive Heckle's mighty witchcraft trumps your brother's divine magic. With all that said, however, you are not sure how you could go about talking your twin out of this, and if he does wittness Heckles' death, he might get the closure he needs to love again and put his hate of Acid Elves behind him.

As for the Eastern Front, you will send the 3000 clay elf veterans you recruited to Icarixip, to join with 2500 strong imperial garrison already in town. Your grandmother will tag along with the intention of making new gear for both Clay and Acid Elves. You have no control over the actions of the Imperial Naval Installation... yet, but you will send it a letter requesting that they encourage Whipscale's clan to continue moving on towards Icarixip so that they may receive arms.

Your brother Nixulop, legendary defender of Icarixip, will re-assume his old role for now, and is charged with recruting as many additional clay elf veterans as possible. He is, however, expected to play second fiddle to Detestabilis once the judge returns from his trip to the heartland with you. 'Ol Fuckwit and you will be traveling to show a united front to the senate in attempt to win large amounts of imperial support for the cause. While there you will also see about annexing the Southeast Cape, and may perhaps help organised a response to the conflict from the Sons of Caesar Trading Company, which invests heavily in the War Coast region.

Tsunamia will take your Tarantula Elf guard and a letter of introduction from you, which she will take to Sandwalls in hopes of convincing the king to let her poke around with his rune wall. With any luck, she may just earn you an ace in the hole...

If you wish to speak with anybody, attempt to modify the agreed upon plan, or preform any action before leaving for the Heartland, now would be a good time to do so.

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IronyOwl

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #202 on: April 19, 2017, 03:17:59 pm »

*spits clay coffee*

JERICHO


Maybe we could have an honest conversation with Xamut, tell him we know how he feels and that if something happened to Tsunamia we'd want to do something stupid as well. But we need him alive and on the eastern front managing Whipscale; she also has martyrish leanings, but should listen to Xamut as an extension of us, and our grand plan is essentially to weather the storm until Whipscale's clan is equipped enough to butcher both problems. Including Heckle if he's present, slowly and painfully. Remind him also that it's highly unlikely we'll be fortunate enough for Heckle to die to anything short of that, so Xamut is all but guaranteed to be on hand for the event.

Furthermore, her and her clan will remain vital to our power well past this conflict, so it'd be great if he could become familiar with her and her forces. We'd do it, but we need to secure imperial support to hold the west.


I'd also like to have a chat with Redmane before we go, to see what the members of our coalition think of this situation and each other. And how open they're likely to be to closer cooperation at the end of it.
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escaped lurker

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #203 on: April 19, 2017, 05:00:47 pm »

*spits clay coffee*

JERICHO
My thoughts exactly. But hey, isn't this a favourable situation for us?

Love is in the air~, or something.
Jericho has been with our fleet for~ at least a quarter year recently. It should be easy to find someone who can make a current, detailed / lifelike portrait of him brandishing ripper (Or a clay statuette, for all I know). Have said work of art delivered to Ripper herself, and attach some conditions to it. She doesn't need to go such a forceful route, if we, a close friend of her former lover, can easily establish a meeting between the two. If she plays nice, that is - else, we will do our best to warn him of her, and she can take a hike gods-knows-where. Jericho, having a fleet of his own, can literally flee to the end of the unkown world from her, and he has the connections to make it happen, too - while she, would be led on a wild goose chase through predominantly hostile waters. Tell her as much, and she would be a fool to be hostile towards us. (That the meeting would be much more on our terms, and she not able to abduct him, better left unsaid to her - but say as much to jericho. We wouldn't want to think that we would sell him out for a little political gain.)
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micelus

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #204 on: April 20, 2017, 06:50:37 am »

*spits clay coffee*

JERICHO
My thoughts exactly. But hey, isn't this a favourable situation for us?

Love is in the air~, or something.
Jericho has been with our fleet for~ at least a quarter year recently. It should be easy to find someone who can make a current, detailed / lifelike portrait of him brandishing ripper (Or a clay statuette, for all I know). Have said work of art delivered to Ripper herself, and attach some conditions to it. She doesn't need to go such a forceful route, if we, a close friend of her former lover, can easily establish a meeting between the two. If she plays nice, that is - else, we will do our best to warn him of her, and she can take a hike gods-knows-where. Jericho, having a fleet of his own, can literally flee to the end of the unkown world from her, and he has the connections to make it happen, too - while she, would be led on a wild goose chase through predominantly hostile waters. Tell her as much, and she would be a fool to be hostile towards us. (That the meeting would be much more on our terms, and she not able to abduct him, better left unsaid to her - but say as much to jericho. We wouldn't want to think that we would sell him out for a little political gain.)

We'd need to make sure that we're dealing with Ripper first, however.

*spits clay coffee*

JERICHO


Maybe we could have an honest conversation with Xamut, tell him we know how he feels and that if something happened to Tsunamia we'd want to do something stupid as well. But we need him alive and on the eastern front managing Whipscale; she also has martyrish leanings, but should listen to Xamut as an extension of us, and our grand plan is essentially to weather the storm until Whipscale's clan is equipped enough to butcher both problems. Including Heckle if he's present, slowly and painfully. Remind him also that it's highly unlikely we'll be fortunate enough for Heckle to die to anything short of that, so Xamut is all but guaranteed to be on hand for the event.

Furthermore, her and her clan will remain vital to our power well past this conflict, so it'd be great if he could become familiar with her and her forces. We'd do it, but we need to secure imperial support to hold the west.


I'd also like to have a chat with Redmane before we go, to see what the members of our coalition think of this situation and each other. And how open they're likely to be to closer cooperation at the end of it.

+1


I'd also like to ask the specifics about the dragon our heretical mage is using as a power source...are there any disadvantages to bringing it unto the world besides the chance it won't kill us all?  Also, the frillfolk don't have any connection to it, right?

If its not too late, I'd like to ask our grandma if she could go and restart our arms industry. I wouldn't trust our relatives in the least and should the Acid Elves breach our defences, it would be in their interests to defend themselves anyway.


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Powder Miner

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #205 on: April 20, 2017, 10:28:11 am »

Ahahahaha Jericho you absolute fucking madman

+1 to Irony's suggestions
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Weirdsound

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #206 on: April 20, 2017, 09:04:10 pm »

Pharaoh Karses II, Governor and Godking of the Loam Coast, and Head of the Divine Clay Elf Bloodline:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Occupied Government of the Loam Coast:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The Imperial Province of Loam Coast:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

---

After the meeting concludes, you pull Xamut V aside. "Listen. I understand why you want to go West. If somebody were to hurt Tsunamia, or one of Caesar's children that I grew up with, I'd want to do something dumb too. But I need you at Icarixip to manage Whipscale."

You sigh, noting that your brother doesn't seem convinced, and decide to stoop to an appeal to his racism. "Listen. She is a nut, a Zealot, and every other nasty thing that Acid Elves are said to be, but she is also our best chance of winning this war. That will not happen if she charges in and gets herself killed before we can arm her clan... and I'm afraid she might do just that. She worships me, and as my spiritual extension, she should obey you as well. You are the only person I can trust to control this savage..."

Xamut V falls silent for a few moments, before embracing you and tearfully agreeing to do as he is told.

---

You ask Drihilnovip about the swamp dragon he worships, and if there would be any unintended risks to bringing it back into the world. The answer you get is far from comforting.

"I worship the dragon not out of fondness or devotion, but because such worship gives me strength and helps keep its wicked soul pacified. If it actually is the dragon that is sealed away, I will do everything in my power to talk your wife out of summoning it. Whatever dangers the Frillfolk and Acid Elves pose, it is nothing compared to what the Swamp Dragon might do. It is far more likely, however, that what we will find is one of the beast's offspring, whom he made a habit out of killing or sealing away. History wrote little about these forgotten sons and daughters, so if one is summoned, there is no telling exactly what we will get."

On the matter of the Frillfolk's connection to the Swamp Dragon, Drihilnovip doubts there is anything to worry about. Wraith Valley was founded long after the last of the greater dragons fell, and its inhabitants tend to worship the evil spirits of the land around them rather than their own ancestors. If there is any danger of the dragon aligning with your foes, that danger lies with the Acid Elves; Most clans of the savage race keep a pantheon of several fallen dragons, and the Swamp Dragon is a popular inclusion.

---

Just before you leave, you schedule a private meeting with Redmane to discuss your relationship with the War Coast city states after this conflict concludes.

The Lion Elf spends the meeting glareing at you. Alone, he is far more open about his seething hatred towards you. "No son of that monster Xamut will ever be a friend of mine. I've worked hard to secure de-facto control over Silvershoes and Spiceflood, and you can't pretend you are not trying to undermine it. I know you are getting friendly with the Royal Family of Silvershoes, and I know your corporate stooges are moving in on Spiceflood under the pretense of exporting spices. I am not easily fooled."

The terrifying warrior-elf gets right up in your face, and raises his voice to a near roar. "You have gone so far as to marry the woman responsible for my greatest embarrassment. All of Tsunamia's friends are monsters, killers, or demons, so I shudder to even consider the soul of the person she would choose as a spouse. The only reason I will not turn my troops on the Loam Coast after these invaders have been dealt with is that my Friend Caesar and my own daughter are both stupid enough to trust you."

---

The voyage back to the heartland is a strange one, as you have never spent any real amount of time alone with Detestabilis. In spite of you better judgement, you spend a good amount of time talking with the judge.

He tells you old war stories, about the horrible things Acid Elves are capable of, and the sheer amount of effort it takes to put them down. You learn of his heartbreak over losing both his sons in the Tall Ears War, and how nothing a Clay Elf did to him could ever compare. "I may look down on your species, from time to time, but they have a rich culture that is inferior only to the High Elves and the Humans. I hate the terrible things they have done under the rule of your more recent ancestors, but Acid Elves have been doing those same things and worse for far longer, and lack the redeeming qualities."

By the end of your journey you can almost relate to Fuckwit's world view. Almost. You are positive that he can be trusted to do the right thing in this conflict, and fear that if you open up to him about your issues with Redmane, you run the risk of actually becoming his friend.

---

Your trip to the Senate proves far less effective than you might have hoped. You manage to fire up the members of the Elf Rights Movement, and Detestabilis wins the support of the most hardcore hawks and racists, but nobody save for the idealouges on either side seem interested in supporting a major military campaign. The main argument against sending troops to the Southern Continent is that the empire is still exhausted from the last war, and that the more scary threat is the War Coast Confederacy's responsibility, not the empire's. To make matters worse, a good handful of uneducated senators think that you are both exaggerating the sorry state of the Loam Coast's city walls and the willingness of the enemy to destroy entire cities.

In the end, the Senate agrees to give you emergency command over all Imperial military resources on the Southeast Cape, and also commits to sending 1000 additional troops to garrison each of your cities.

---

That evening, you and Detestabilis meet at a bar to drink away your shared disappointment and discuss the plan moving forward.

The judge wants you to travel north with him. His only daughter is married to the governor of Grizzly Province, and Detestabilis thinks his son-in-law might have soldiers to spare. He points out that his journey will bring him past a handful of the elf communities on Imperial land that you have done so much for, and perhaps they will be willing to donate troops to your cause if you ask.

You could spend more time in the Capital instead, trying to work over both Caesar's family and various senators in hopes of winning more troops.

Portum, your home town, is another option. There you could spend some time at the Sons of Caesar Trading Company offices, ensure the busniess plays it part in the war, or is at least as protected as possible from the consequences. You could also try to ratchet up or dial down corporate involvement in the War Coast region to either spite or mollify Redmane respectively.

If you want to sail, but don't wish to return to the Loam Coast just yet, you could head to the Eastern Provinces. Like Judge Asshat's proposed land-route north, the Eastern Provinces are also home to many elf communities that owe much to your help. Heading east would also give you the opportunity to check in with Tsunamia's Fleet, Jericho, and Prince Terriz Algers.

Of course, nothing is stopping you from returning to the warzone straight away.
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micelus

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #207 on: April 24, 2017, 04:33:37 pm »

...North. Going east would likely play into Algers' plans and since we're planning to off/forcibly resign general asshat anyway, it shouldn't hurt to agree with him for a bit.
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IronyOwl

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #208 on: April 24, 2017, 05:20:27 pm »

Quote
you run the risk of actually becoming his friend.
*horrified shudder*

Meanwhile, our diplomacy with Redmane consists of "You're a literal animal, but my daughter thinks you're cute."

He's not wrong about us mucking everything up, though. Him and our grandmother would probably get along! I hope him and our grandmother do not get along.


+1 North, best buddies road trip is go.
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Taricus

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Re: (SG) Vassal: Rise of a Pharaoh
« Reply #209 on: April 24, 2017, 05:22:59 pm »

+1 to north

Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if half his hatred towards us is partially because he things we're sleeping with his daughter while already being married :P
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