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/tg/ - Traditional Games


File: 1397763881483.png-(1.72 MB, 1190x1100, Maka Character Sheet.png)
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"I'm interested." You lean in a bit closer, interested in what the Denzik merchant has to offer. "Tell me what's on your mind."

"Mineral rights." He pulls a few papers from his bag. "The land you own is, quite literally, new. It did not exist up to a few days ago. It's virgin and unexploited, in every sense of the word."

"You believe that it might have precious minerals?"

"No way to know for sure at this point. But we'd like to prospect it. We know for a fact that Tianna is poor in minerals, or rather, most of its ores have long been dug out in the distant past." He explains. "And also that it lacks the tools and technical know-how to properly prospect, extract and refine."

"You know a lot of things." You smile.

"We trade with Tianna. it's a risky route due to the Lintha, but we do riskier routes. And therefore we know that one of Tianna's largest imports by value is refined metal bars. Steel, soft iron, pig iron, copper, bronze, brass, tin, pewter. It's pretty clear what that implies."

This guy is sharp, you'll give him that.

"Of course, there are other ventures that we're interested into. For example, I know that some of the Wyld has remained, and is now more or less under control."

"You REALLY know a lot of things."

"I could boast about out vast, capillary network of contacts and informants and the speed at which we are able to gather and process all this information." He brushes his hair back with a smug grin. "...But, in reality, I just happened to hear about Silk yesterday at dinner from a Three Rivers barbarian who had taken part in the assault on Tarien Dorian's castle." He admits with a laugh. "And that's interesting, because some medical and alchemical components are found only in the Wyld, which is a dangerous place normally. Of course, we'll need to send experts to see if the remaining Wyld has anything useful, but that's something that we can worry about at a later time."

You nod. "About those mineral rights."

(cont.)
>>
>>31542868
...I like this guy. But let's keep to prospecting for the moment. Don't sign over any actual mining rights without Amata to help.
>>
Rolled 5

>>31542966
We can't go running to Amata for everything, especially when it's on our land
>>
Rolled 3

>>31542966
>Don't sign over any actual mining rights without Amata to help.
yeah, we can discuss it, but we gotta get our fiancee in on any deal making of this nature
>>
Rolled 9

>>31543005
we can when its highly beneficial and going to be impacting Tianna in a large way and she knows a lot more about trading and running a country than us

don't get us fucked over just because you want to prove a stupid point and not have our allies help
>>
>>31543005
>We can't go running to Amata for everything, especially when it's on our land
Except we're super shit at making business deals, Amata is the one with training in this, there's no reason not to talked to her about this
>>
>>31543005
We can when it's something this major. This could affect the entire economic future of our entire empire for centuries to come. We need someone better at the skills involved to help us put together the ideal terms of a deal. This is HUGE.
>>
>>31543005
She's our fiance and the only one of us with business savvy. This us the exact, specific circumstance where we should run to her. This us also why we need more Eclipse and some bureaucracy charms.
>>
>>31543118
>She's our fiance and the only one of us with business savvy.
This.
>>
[Mental + Eclipse = 5 3 9 = success]

"First of all: Do you wish to first agree to a prospection, and then negotiate this deal with us, or do you wish to get immediately to the deal in a black box, and discuss the shares of this enterprise?"

You think about it.

The "black box deal" he means, that is, negotiating the mineral rights before prospecting, is a huge gamble.

If there's nothing down there, you can gain a lot of money by selling away something essentially worthless. If it's richer than you expect, on the other hand, it will be a loss for you and a gain for them.

Of course, it depends on what's the price you agree on, but you'd be both negotiating on something without knowing its true value. A HUGE gamble.

Prospecting first would first inform you both on the true value of those mineral rights. Less opportunity for big gains or big losses.

>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.
>I will sell you the mineral rights for my lands for... (begin haggling)
>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
>I'd like a different kind of agreement. (what?)
>>
>>31543040

... we're a former queen of GEM, I doubt we're shit at business deals, and I doubt that we didn't receive training in business negotiations.
>>
>>31543178
>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
>>
Rolled 8

>>31543178
>[Mental + Eclipse = 5 3 9 = success]
does not compute

>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31543178
>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.
let's not gamble on the future of our kingdom
>>
>>31543178
>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
Shit, we forgot to throw more dice
>>
Rolled 3

>>31543178
>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.
>>31543204
Fagots not turning on there dice means we only got 3 of our 4 rolls
>>
>>31543178
>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
STRAIGHT-UP THIS. This is some heavy shit, and even if it's our land, having Amata's opinion would be for the best, since she knows better about things like this then we do.
>>
>>31543178
Prospect first. We'll need to consult with Amata on anything beyond that. And we expect the consulting to be done gratis - its reward will be guaranteeing them first crack at negotiating over mining rights, before any other group even knows.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31543178
>[Mental + Eclipse = 5 3 9 = success]
EF, if you post an update with
>(cont.)
We don't expect you to be needing dice so please for the love of god, call for dice when you do that because there are way more people here posting than there are dice rolled because we thought you were continuing that post and not looking for dice
>>
>>31543178
>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.

We can start making black-box deals when we have more land.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31543178
>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31543234
Sounds good to me, but turn on your fucking dice, asshole.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31543178
>[Mental + Eclipse = 5 3 9 = success]
we should have had 4 rolls but didn't because of
>>31542966
>>31543040
>>31543079
>>31543118
>>31543139

So guys, FOR THE LOVE OF FUCK, TURN ON YOUR DICE
>>
>>31543178
EF, you forgot to call for dice again.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31543269
It doesn't sound like a decision we need to make using dice, but

>>31543232
Whatever. This is my post.
>>
>>31543178
>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31543178
>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31543249
>>31543234
>>31543232
>>31543217
>>31543201
>>31543197

TURN ON YOUR DICE FUCKNUGGETS

>>31543178
>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
Halp, we need an adult
>>
Rolled 1

>Consult spouse
>>
Rolled 5

>>31543234
Hold on I want to talk to Amata first, she might know something about the land we have now if she's looked at it before
>>
Rolled 1

>>31543178
>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31543178
>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
>>
Rolled 2

>>31543296
I was covered in wyld until a week ago, no she wouldn't
>>
Rolled 2

>>31543276
He never calls for dice anon, he has outright said before that he does not and we should post with our dice turned on all the time so shut the fuck up and turn your dice on faggot

>>31543285
>It doesn't sound like a decision we need to make using dice, but
Neither did him continuing an update from a
>(Cont.)
but look how that turned out...
>>
>>31543178
>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.
Let's see what's out there first then later work out who gets what. But since you'll be doing the prospecting, we can pretty well guarantee that you'll get preferential treatment.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31543178
>>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.
BUT
>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
>>
damn, didn't get here fast enough. I'm kinda in the same situation as our protagonist, and if the Denzik merchant here is genuinely interested in our lands, then we should LEASE the land, not sell the mineral rights.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31543178
>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.
pretty sure we can make this decision on our own
>>
Rolled 3

>>31543333
Cool your tits, anon.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31543391
and I'm pretty sure your going to get us swindled because your an idiot and think we can handle this when our wife to be is an expert in such business
>>
Rolled 7

>>31543178
>>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31543391
Bureaucracy is the roll that we've botched the most in, were throwing a measly 4 dice at this, we really want Amata here to pick up our slack
>>
Rolled 6

>>31543178
>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31543410
Fiance.

But yes, just as we shouldn't go to war without Tia, conducting business without advice from Amata is a fool's errand.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31543178
>>I'd like to consult with my spouse-to-be, this is not a decision I'm comfortable with making alone.
lets be smart about something we can't punch or fuck away
>>
>>31543178
>>I think it's better for everyone if first we prospect the area.
>>
You scratch your chin. "I'd really like to be able to discuss this with Amata first. I hope you don't mind."

"I don't." he says, "But why? Isn't the land yours?"

"For now, but we are due to be married in the near future. This is the sort of decision we should be taking together, is it not?" You smile.

"It's fair." He admits, while you leave the room a moment and ask Millian to go and call Amata.

Once you return, you go over what he said once more.

"Personally, I'd prefer prospecting the land first."

"A wise decision." He nods.

"Of course, I expect the prospection to be done at your expenses. The reward will be leaving you the right to be the first to negotiate the mineral deals."

"My." He smiles. "That's convenient. No economic risk for you, whereas if there are no minerals then we will have wasted money on a useless prospection, entirely on our bankroll." He nods. "Of course you know that, in a Denzik business venture, the partner whose investment has the most risks also has a right to the most shares, proportionate to the risk of the investment. The lower your risks, the lower your shares will be, lady Maka."

He hands you a slender file made of four papers rolled together, which you accept and begin reading. It takes you a few seconds to realize what's strange about it: this is the first time you see a document made with the movable-type printing press you've heard about. The letters, in black ink on yellow-brown wood pulp paper, are so stark and sharp that they almost jump out of the page.

Even though the wording is a bit dry, you can navigate the document quite easily: It's a primer on Denzik business law and customs. It's basically five points: joint enterprises with the Denzik must have a specific, well-defined purpose; Each members owns a share of the enterprise, in proportion to his risk; shares can be sold or traded; votes are proportionate to shares owned; and profits are proportionate to shares owned.

(cont.)
>>
>>31543609
There are other benefits to the operation. Logistically, anyone who you bring in will need to be fed, housed, and transported while here. That means your agents will have a first-hand look at the logistics and economic landscape of both Tianna and the new settlements that will be springing up on the untouched land. Don't pretend you hadn't thought of being the first one to start shipping goods to a brand new kingdom that you can get 'first dibs' on supplying. The 'mineral prospecting' is a good cover, though. I'm not impressed, but I do respect the attempt at subtlety.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31543715
Sometimes I can't tell when anons are being clever or completely retarded. Also, Turn on your dice faggot.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31543609
>Of course you know that, in a Denzik business venture, the partner whose investment has the most risks also has a right to the most shares, proportionate to the risk of the investment.
wait, it's only based on the risk of the investment, not on the amount you're investing? We're investing the land itself, which I'm pretty sure is worth more than the prospecting
>>
Rolled 5

>>31543715
if your going to post, turn on your dice for fucks sake
>>
Rolled 5

>>31543748
That is some bullshit

>>31543743
>>31543748
>>31543755
As are these dice, holy shit that's bad
>>
Rolled 5

>>31543609
>Each members owns a share of the enterprise
Who would be the members here, just us and Denzik?
>>
Rolled 1

>>31543748
Seriously, that's fucking bullshit. I'm willing to proportionately increase the value of their investment according to risk, but shares are determined by value of contribution. Period.
>>
Rolled 5

>>31543796
>Maka, master business women
We suck at eclipse rolls, we've botched them like twice in the past
>>
Rolled 9

>>31543609
>(cont.)
I hope to christ we don't need dice otherwise we botch this already steaming pile of bullshit deal
>>
Rolled 7

>>31543843
I assume we're still waiting for Amata and she can come over and save Maka the baka
>>
Rolled 4

>>31543743
>>31543748
>>31543755
>>31543796
>>31543814
>>31543827
>>31543841
Okay, I was against bringing Amata in, but the dice gods are apparently angry at SOMETHING, so I'm glad we did
>>
"So I can decide to take part to this venture while shouldering as little risks as possible, which will also keep my profits just as low. Or I can take a bigger share of the risks and profits. And votes on the conduction of the business." You note.

"Precisely."

You wave the documents around. "But I own the land. Risk or not, you can't mine if I don't let you, whereas I don't need you to mine."

"I'm here to make you an offer. You're free to refuse it." He replies, politely. "Your alternatives would be Coral, who would either first require you to become a Protectorate, or directly attempt a hostile takeover once precious minerals are found; the Guild, who I wouldn't consider a trustworthy business partner in the first place, not to mention that their workforce of choice for mining operations is particularly unhealthy... or the Realm."

That's about when Amata enters the room, to your great relief.

Roan stands up from his chair and bows. "Your Highness."

"Roan Denzik, it's a pleasure to meet you again." She smiles and offers him a hand to shake.

"You know each other?" You ask.

She nods. "Roan handles about one-third of our metal, silk, cloth and coal imports."

"Always a pleasure to do business with you." He replies, almost blushing from the praise, or making a good show to.

Meanwhile, Regis has brought another chair for Amata, who sits down with you.

"So, tell me everything."

Which the two of you do, over the next few minutes.

>Ask Amata to assist you as you negotiate the deal
>Tell Amata you'd like her to negotiate the deal in your place
>>
Rolled 1

>>31543918
>Tell Amata you'd like her to negotiate the deal in your place


so, no comment on >>31543748
>>
Rolled 3

>>31543918
>Ask Amata to assist you as you negotiate the deal
>>
Rolled 9

>>31543918
>Ask Amata to assist you as you negotiate the deal
>>
Rolled 6

>>31543918
>Ask Amata to assist you as you negotiate the deal
Surely we got all the bad roles out right?

Right?
>>
Rolled 6

>>31543918
>Tell Amata you'd like her to negotiate the deal in your place
I don't want to throw our 4 dice at this, plus this is why we married her, so she can do smart girl stuff for us
>>
Rolled 9

>>31543918
>Ask Amata to assist you as you negotiate the deal

Dice gods be with me!
>>
Rolled 6

>>31543918
>Tell Amata you'd like her to negotiate the deal in your place
>>
Rolled 7

>>31543946
I think probably not
>Ask Amata to negotiate the deal in your place
>>
Rolled 4

>>31543946
1 success on a mental + eclipse roll, we should think about raising mental soon, it'll help on these rolls and give us an extra essence to work with
>>
>>31543918
>Ask Amata to assist you as you negotiate the deal
>>
Rolled 3

>>31543918
>Tell Amata you'd like her to negotiate the deal in your place
>>
Rolled 6

>>31543938
>>31543939
>>31543946
>>31543955
>>31543963
>>31543972
I don't think a word has left my mouth in the last 5 minutes has actually been intelligible, just angry vowels and contestants
>>
Rolled 5

>>31543918
>Ask Amata to assist you as you negotiate the deal
>>
>>31543748
The Denzik consider risk to be a very important factor.
Of course, amount is also a factor: investing one cowrie at 30% risk is less risk than investing a million cowries at 1% risk, obviously.
>>
>>31543918

>Ask Amata to assist you as you negotiate the deal

I don't see why we shouldn't just let Silk turn trespassers into whatever she pleases and use them to mine the goods. This young man seems to think that we can only choose between Denzik, Coral, the Guild or the Realm.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31543918
>>Tell Amata you'd like her to negotiate the deal in your place
trust the wife
>>
Rolled 9

>>31544000
Why you mad tho?
>>
Rolled 5

>>31543918
>>Tell Amata you'd like her to negotiate the deal in your place
>>
Rolled 10

time to activate charms?
>>
Rolled 2

>>31544000
7 is a success. Still, I hope this one didn't require a roll.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31544039
Those dice man, that's just improbable to have that many failures in a row
>>
>>31544032
Because the guy is right? We don't have ANYONE who actually knows how to run a mine. He can find us the people with the technical ability to build one, run one, and turn a profit.
>>
Rolled 7

>>31544053
We don't have anything that would be useful in this situation, we already have MRP up, we might be able to get something good if we hit him with a TttH though
>>
Rolled 8

>>31544072
ah. Thought you objected to letting Amata handle this.
I agree though, our rolls have sucked as of late.
>>
Rolled 10

>>31544064
I clicked it by accident, there were also two 9s, but only one of thew three successes was in our dicepool
>>
Rolled 10

>>31544108
At least we didn't botch, that shit always makes me mad as shit, we should be raising eclipse this thread
>>
Rolled 1

>>31543918

>Ask Amata to assist you as you negotiate the deal
>>
Rolled 9

>>31543918
>Ask Amata to assist you as you negotiate the deal
We are the owner of the land, we shouldn't be just dumping decisions on others. Amata will do her best to support us in making the right decision.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31544098
>>31544104
>>31544108
>>31544126
Oh for fuck's sake, dice!
>>
Rolled 3

>>31544098
7
>>31544104
8
>>31544108
10
>>31544126
10!
I hate you /tg/. No, not you anons, the board itself
>>
Rolled 3

>>31544139
Fuck that, she's our soon to be wife, we should trust her to do this like she would us when she needs something punched hard
>>
Rolled 2

>>31544098
>we already have MRP up
do we? because I've not seen its results or it pop up next to our dice results in EF's posts
>>
>>31544188
What the hell are you trying to communicate?
>>
Rolled 2

>>31544191
It only applies to social rolls so it wouldn't show during any mental or physical ones we did
>>
Rolled 9

>>31543918
I've been thinking about the value proposition of buying charms and raising stats.

For example, the +3 dice adder charms (like Merchant's Wisdom) that cost 10xp give us 1 dice per 3.3 exp. Not a bad choice from a value standpoint when considered alone and it seems better than raising Eclipse or Mental, but since we need both the sailing and the bureaucracy charm we should consider adding them together and then consider comparing them to raising Eclipse. They would cost 20xp together. Divided by three they would give us one dice for 6.6 xp.

If we compare raising Eclipse to buying Eclipse charms, at this point raising Eclipse (6 vs 6.6) is actually a better choice from a value standpoint.

It might be even be a better choice to raise it to 4 if we add all the other Eclipse skills to the mix.
>>
Rolled 5

>>31544031
Gotcha. So amount invested proportionately increases risk, by their measure of shares, rather than risk increasing value. That's an understandable inversion that sounds like it ends up with about the same share distribution.
>>
Rolled 8

>>31544358
>we need both the sailing
No, we don't. We're never buying a sailing charm, because we're not going to try to take on the Storm Mothers. We want a bureaucracy charm and a trading charm. Adjust your figures accordingly.

That said, I agree, a point of Eclipse might serve us better, since it doesn't cost Essence to use, is always on, and unlocks better powers.
>>
>>31544358
How much would raising the Mental stat cost?
>>
Rolled 8

>>31544530
Currently 10XP, I'd consider raising it actually especially now that it gives us an essence for every point we have
>>
Rolled 3

>>31544445
>Merchant's Wisdom (1 Ess, Scene, add +3 to all commerce, economy and bureaucracy-related rolls for the scene.)

This is that charm. But I meant that we should get the sailing charm for the attack on Lintha, not because of the Storm Mothers. We are also going to be doing a lot of sailing in the future anyway. We should talk with Tia for her to develop a gender changing power that works on us.
>>
>>31544551
I didn't know that. Does it really?
>>
Rolled 9

>>31544578
Yes EF change the rules so now there's a reason to raise attributes, Phys gives us health, Mental gives us essence, and Social will give is background dots equal to the level we buy, so upgrading it will give is 4 dots seperated either in new things or existing ones
>>
Rolled 3

>>31544559
>we should get the sailing charm for the attack on Lintha
No, we shouldn't. If we actively participate in sailing, we're actively baiting the Storm Mothers - unless you want Maka to cut off her tits, scar her face, and start taking testosterone, because that's what it takes for her to sail without inviting their wrath. We are NEVER going to personally participate in sailing. We are, at best, going to be delivered somewhere else by sailors.

We are going to take Merchant's Wisdom - I don't expect we'll ever, EVER take another dice-adder for Eclipse. Certainly not a sailing-based one.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31544643
>unless you want Maka to cut off her tits, scar her face, and start taking testosterone, because that's what it takes for her to sail without inviting their wrath.
she could just dye her hair red
>>
Rolled 8

>>31544643
Well, we might get an air boat at some point, but that seems unlikely
>>
Rolled 4

>>31544643
Or Tia could learn that charm that let's her use her knacks on other people
I mean if we wanted to sail, it's still up in the air
>>
Rolled 8

>>31544676
If we get an airship or submarine at some point, I'll revise my opinion accordingly, but at this point, improving our ability to sail is a waste of experience at best, and actively inviting the wrath of the Storm Mothers at worst.

>>31544688
It's an incredibly foolish thing to do, buying a charm that requires someone else to give us temporary shapeshifting in order to safely use it.
>>
"I'll admit that I have little experience in negotiating business deals of this kind." You explain Roan.

It's not a complete lie, either.

"It's okay, you ARE to be married, after all." He nods.

"So, who were you thinking to subcontract the prospection to? Shining Waves Mineral Services? Green Mountain Prospections? Or the Luthe Mining Company?" Amata asks.

"Mh. Last I heard, most of Shining Waves' experts were actually in An-Teng. Only the apprentices are left in the region, and I'd rather leave this job to the experts."

"Green Mountain usually wants to be paid upfront, and it's a fixed amount, based on the size of the area."

Roan nods. "I haven't seen the land in question, but from what I heard from the barbarians, who tend to heave really clear ideas about the lay of the land in my experience, it would take about 70 red cowries.

You still haven't gotten COMPLETELY used to how westerners deal with their money being mostly in the form of pretty seashells, but by now you've gotten a bit the hang of it.

In the rest of the world (well, outside the Realm), people trade in silver. Each city and kingdom has its own coin, but it has somewhat standardized (mostly due to the Guild's influence) in the Dinar, a small, flat coin weighting about 20 grams (give or take a bit of weight of purity). 1600 Dinars make a Talent, a 32-kg bar of solid silver. Colloquially speaking, a Talent is a Lot of Money. You're not a currency genius, but you'd say that all your loot gained in the Wyld campaign amounts to about 4 or 5 Talents' worth.

Here, however? Cowrie shells.

(cont)
>>
Rolled 2

>>31544720
>You still haven't gotten COMPLETELY used to how westerners deal with their money being mostly in the form of pretty seashells, but by now you've gotten a bit the hang of it.
And people wanted Maka to handle this deal
>>
Rolled 3

>>31544720
>In the rest of the world (well, outside the Realm), people trade in silver. Each city and kingdom has its own coin, but it has somewhat standardized (mostly due to the Guild's influence) in the Dinar, a small, flat coin weighting about 20 grams (give or take a bit of weight of purity). 1600 Dinars make a Talent, a 32-kg bar of solid silver. Colloquially speaking, a Talent is a Lot of Money. You're not a currency genius, but you'd say that all your loot gained in the Wyld campaign amounts to about 4 or 5 Talents' worth.
And in the Realm it's jade coins, which are worth about five times what an equivalent amount of silver is worth. There are further exceptions, of course.
>>
>>31544720
>Easterner
>handling a Western business deal, with Western customs and money

Morons.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31544643
Leaving that aside, we should definitely have Tia develop the gender changing power that works on us.

How viable would be a sneak attack be where we just sneak in Tia and have her turn kraken on them? We should also bring Zaan for his sorcery. If we bring everything to bear, maybe we won't need skill in sailing.
>>
Rolled 8

>>31544857
Oh man we should totally ask Zaan for help when we go fuck up the Lintha, I had forgotten about him
>>
Red Cowries are insanely rare, and you think you heard there are sea gods managing their rarity and supply to keep the economy from self-destructing.
They must be fairly honest and incorruptible gods, fortunately, because the system seems to be working, as crazy as it sounds.

Red Cowries are large, glossy, perfect and beautiful, and valued at... 66 Dinars and two-thirds. Or rather, one Talent buys 24 Red Cowries, because they're a Big Deal.

So those 70 Red Cowries, if you were to spend them, would put a sizable dent in your personal finances. You're fairly sure Tianna's coffers can absorb that expense, however.

"That's a lot of money." You note. "What about the other company?"

"Luthe Mining?" Roan asks. "They'll ask for a lot less for the first prospection. Their rate is 22 Red Cowries right now, but I think I'll be able to haggle them down to 21 or even 20. They owe me a favor."

"Where's the part when you say "but" and then continue with a thing we won't like hearing?" Amata asks.

The merchant smiles. "They're a big company. They do prospecting, but also extractions. And I know their contracts: In exchange for their low-cost prospections, if we find something useful down there, they'll want to be the ones who do the mining."

"And keep a share." You nod. "How big a share?"

"Bigger than what other companies usually ask, although not by an unfair amount. All honest business: they take a risk, by doing prospections so far below market price, and in exchange they want a payoff."

"Are they good miners, at least?"

"Among the best, otherwise they wouldn't have gotten so far."

>I'd rather pay a lot upfront but get to decide who does the mining, or have a state-owned company doing it. Call Green Mountain Prospections.
>If we call the Luthe Mining Company and they don't find anything, we lose very little money, and if they find something we'll have a competent group doing the mining. It's win-win.
>>
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>>31544817
>And in the Realm it's jade coins, which are worth about five times what an equivalent amount of silver is worth. There are further exceptions, of course.
>>
Rolled 8

>>31544954
>I'd rather pay a lot upfront but get to decide who does the mining, or have a state-owned company doing it. Call Green Mountain Prospections.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31544954
>>I'd rather pay a lot upfront but get to decide who does the mining, or have a state-owned company doing it. Call Green Mountain Prospections.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31544954
>I'd rather pay a lot upfront but get to decide who does the mining, or have a state-owned company doing it. Call Green Mountain Prospections
If this is part of the risk taking this might give is a bigger share than asking Luthe to do it
>>
Rolled 4

>>31544954
>I'd rather pay a lot upfront but get to decide who does the mining, or have a state-owned company doing it. Call Green Mountain Prospections.
>>31544972
And people say secret is the moe one
>>
>>31544954

Before we agree to anything, we'd sure as hell better be informed about what the guy in front of us wants as a cut.

Undefined things are bullshit in business
>>
Rolled 8

>>31544954

umm.... big decision.
However they did mention risk and such.

>I'd rather pay a lot upfront but get to decide who does the mining, or have a state-owned company doing it. Call Green Mountain Prospections.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31544954
>would put a sizable dent in your personal finances.
so is this a resources 3 expense, then?
>>
Rolled 3

>>31544954
>>I'd rather pay a lot upfront but get to decide who does the mining, or have a state-owned company doing it. Call Green Mountain Prospections.
lets get the job done right and get bigger shares from the more risk and investment
>>
>>31544954
>If we call the Luthe Mining Company and they don't find anything, we lose very little money, and if they find something we'll have a competent group doing the mining. It's win-win.
Of course put a length on the contract, so that if it is in fact very rich they will not be milking us for the next century because we wanted to spend slightly less money.
>>
Rolled 9

While we're on the subject of mining, are there any demons designed for mining?
>>
Rolled 1

wait guys am not sure, but is it possible to ask from the god of plains about the minerals. (whatever his name was)
>>
Rolled 6

>>31544954
>I'd rather pay a lot upfront but get to decide who does the mining, or have a state-owned company doing it. Call Green Mountain Prospections.
>>
Rolled 7

>>31545103
pretty sure he's only the god of the plains themselves, not the earth under it.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31545058
It's about over half our total wealth
>>
>>31544415
Yes. It's a very cultural thing: the Denzik became big on crazy, high-risk schemes and mad ideas. The very idea of buying a thousand ships, trying them together and having a wandering island full of artisan and trading companies is ludicrous.

Their merchants are encouraged to take risks and try always new ideas, and they don't associate any negative stigma to failure - as long as it doesn't become TOO much of a habit. It's okay to bomb two out of three deals, if the third keeps you in the black, even if just barely.

Of course their large fortune is based on the simple fact that, even if your success rate is one out of three, every thousand deals you make, you'll nail ONE that pays off a million times over.
On that, and on the fact that they help each other during rough times, so that their merchants can undertake risky ventures knowing that there'll be someone to catch them if they fall. (But, again, only up to a certain point.)
>>
Rolled 2

>>31545123
>It's about over half our total wealth
well nothing says we have to pay it all ourselves yet, and I'm sure Amata would help our with it
>>
Rolled 6

>>31545200
Let's not recklessly spend Tianna's money.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31545225
investing in the future and securing valuable minerals is wasting their money?
>>
Rolled 9

>>31545225
seeing as this is very likely a very profitable venture for us AND Tianna, Amata is going to be helping out, if only for a share in shares and profits
>>
Rolled 6

>>31545264
I said "recklessly spend", not "waste." Don't put words in my mouth.
>>
Rolled 2

>>31545225
We could do half and half if we really want to, but i'm sure Amata won't mind, plus she would be paying out of the cities coffers so it wouldn't put in a nasty dent in it like it would us
>>
>>31545264
We don't know if there are valuable minerals there or not. That's the problem.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31545225
Let's not spend ANY of Tianna's money.

>>31545264
>>31545299
>>31545308
It is when Tianna's primary concern is still making repairs and upgrading their defenses. They're on a war footing, not a peace footing, and they can't afford to start investing their treasure when they'll have need in the near future for additional repairs and arms. If we DIDN'T have the Abyssals breathing down our necks, it would be a different story, but as it is, it would be reckless and foolish to spend from Tianna's treasure on things that wouldn't pay dividends for years or even decades.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31545340
you know what finding resources they don't have and trading them would give them?

RESOURCES THEY DIDN'T HAVE AND PROFITS TO HELP THEIR WAR FOOTING

goddamn you cannot be this stupid
>>
[Social + Eclipse = 8 6 6 4 8 = 2 successes]

"I'd rather pay a lot upfront but get to decide who does the mining, or have a state-owned company doing it. Call Green Mountain Prospections." You tell Roan.

He's already writing stuff down. "Alright. Well... if we find something, I already know a few names to call for the extraction."

"By your rules, I'm taking a rather large risk by footing this bill." You tell the merchant, trying to get in his mindset. "After all, there might not be anything down there."

He nods in response. "You'll have a greater share of the enterprise, of course. About... well, depending on what we find and which companies we contact..."

"Give us some rough numbers." Amata asks him.

"Well..." He finishes scribbling some math. "First of all: Denzik will be taking care of any required transportation and a naval mercenary company of our choice will take care of security on the sea. Will you be handling land security for the mining operation?"

"I'm fairly confident we can." You nod after exchanging glances with Amata.

"What about the eventuality we find Magical Materials such as Jade?"

>They are split in shares among the business partners like any other material.
>Tianna gets 100% of the shares on those materials, even if this will hurt our shares on other minerals.
>(Agree on a different percentage)
>>
>>31545397
>Tianna gets 100% of the shares on those materials, even if this will hurt our shares on other minerals.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31545397
>They are split in shares among the business partners like any other material.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31545397
>They are split in shares among the business partners like any other material.
>>
Rolled 5

>>31545397
>>Tianna gets 100% of the shares on those materials, even if this will hurt our shares on other minerals.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31545373
>RESOURCES THEY DIDN'T HAVE AND PROFITS TO HELP THEIR WAR FOOTING
YEARS or DECADES from now. We're not getting dividends or materials until it's prospected AND mined. We CANNOT AFFORD THAT until we're not longer at risk of needing to spend money to make repairs, hire mercenaries, train troops, buy weapons, and ALL THE OTHER THINGS that we need to do in war time.

There is a time for Tianna to be investing in its economic future. But that time is NOT when it's at risk of being destroyed by Abyssals.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31545397
>(Agree on a different percentage)
Tianna gets 50%, the remainder is equally split between the remaining parties
>>
>>31545397
>They are split in shares among the business partners like any other material.
We need the money to keep things running. We will be getting the bigger share of all already, that includes such materials.
>>
Rolled 2

>>31545397
>Tianna gets 100% of the shares on those materials, even if this will hurt our shares on other minerals.
>>
Rolled 5

>>31545397
>Tianna gets 70% of the shares on those materials, even if this will hurt our shares on other minerals.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31545397
>Tianna gets 100% of the shares on those materials, even if this will hurt our shares on other minerals.
ARTIFACTS GET
We need these to beat the shit out of the Abyssals, plus we could trade them if we want to later
>>
Rolled 3

>>31545397
>They are split in shares among the business partners like any other material.
we need money just as much as we need MMs, especially as we don't have any crafters
>>
Rolled 2

>>31545397
Seconding >>31545445

Assuming we are one of the remaining parties and not included in 'Tianna'
>>
Rolled 6

>>31545397
>Tianna gets 100% of the shares on those materials, even if this will hurt our shares on other minerals.
Or either
>>31545445
>>31545456
50% or 70%
Basically I want at least majority on magical materials
>>
Rolled 9

>>31545397
>They are split in shares among the business partners like any other material.
>>
>>31545443
Exactly this. We can afford to spend our own funds - as long as we keep enough to pay our pirates - but Tianna is in a dire enough situation that we can't ask them to contribute.
>>
>>31545397
>(Agree on a different percentage)
They're split like any other minerals, but Tiania has first purchase rights at a reasonable value.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31545652
>So those 70 Red Cowries, if you were to spend them, would put a sizable dent in your personal finances. You're fairly sure Tianna's coffers can absorb that expense, however.
What Maka thinks about the expenses, but we'll ask Amata about that when it comes up
>>
Rolled 1

>>31545689
Oh this is a good idea, pity its too late anon, maybe we can still use it later
>>
Rolled 1

>>31545689
this looks like a good idea
>>
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>>31545731
>>31545750
>Double 1s
>>
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"I'd like the full share of Magical Materials, or at least a greater share." You point out.

"Agreed." Amata nods. "We can put them to a very practical, immediate use, and Tianna is really short on Jade. We could use a lot more."

"Hoping the Realm won't notice if we find Jade there." He jokes nervously.

"Remember? We'll take care of land security." You boast.

Meanwhile, he apparently finished his math. "Let's say roughly... twenty shares total. Seven go to you. Five to the mining company. Three to us for shipping. Two to the security company for the shipments, One to the one for the land - this can stay to you, or a mercenary company of your choice. One to the company providing the tools and machinery for the operations, chosen by the mining company. One is set aside as emergency fund for the company and can be liquidated at a later time with a vote."

You glance at Amata, and she nods. She thinks it's a fair deal, but the decision is yours.

"Contact these other companies. If they agree to these terms, I will as well, and we'll sign the contract."
"Let's re-negotiate these terms, actually. (How?)"
>>
Rolled 5

>>31545825
>"Contact these other companies. If they agree to these terms, I will as well, and we'll sign the contract."

Is that image what I think it is?
>>
Rolled 7

>>31545825
>"Contact these other companies. If they agree to these terms, I will as well, and we'll sign the contract."

only one share for the land? That's not very much.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31545825
>"Contact these other companies. If they agree to these terms, I will as well, and we'll sign the contract."
>>
Rolled 7

>>31545825
>"Contact these other companies. If they agree to these terms, I will as well, and we'll sign the contract."
Sounds good, We should also get the one share for land security
>>
Rolled 7

>>31545859
For security of it
>>
Rolled 1

>>31545825
GET AMATA'S THOUGHTS ON THIS FIRST, if she's happy with it then
>"Contact these other companies. If they agree to these terms, I will as well, and we'll sign the contract."
>>
Rolled 2

>>31545859
The biggest danger are the ones that come from sea, especially with the Lintha nearby
>>
Rolled 2

>>31545892
>You glance at Amata, and she nods. She thinks it's a fair deal, but the decision is yours.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31545892
She said it sounds good at two points in the update, did you not read it
>>
Rolled 3

>>31545916
DERP
>>
Rolled 5

>>31545890
oh, missed that. Yeah that makes more sense
>>
>>31545859
The greatest threat in the east is high sea piracy, not land attacks, especially not on an island which is considered internally peaceful. The only ones who can realistically attack you via land are the Three Rivers and Tianna, and you are almost literally about to marry both.
He's being even too generous by considering it a whole share.
>>
We're a social beast, why don't we pop MRP and get a better deal?
>>
Rolled 9

>>31545967
it's already active.
try to pay attention
>>
>>31545825

There are to be no expeditions to the sacred island, and the Wyld regions are not included in this deal, only areas of creation.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31545825
>"Contact these other companies. If they agree to these terms, I will as well, and we'll sign the contract."
>>
Rolled 10

>>31545825
Let's go for it and hope for the best. It won't pay off in the short term, but once we've paid for the prospecting, we won't have to worry about it until again until the prospecting finishes and it comes time to talk mine placement. Let's hope it pays off long-term.
>>
>>31545825
>"Contact these other companies. If they agree to these terms, I will as well, and we'll sign the contract."
>>
Rolled 4

>>31545947
>He's being even too generous by considering it a whole share.
yeah, its a good deal, essentially us and Tianna get 8 shares
>>
Rolled 9

>>31545947
EF was MRP not applicable in that social roll we did here?
>>31545397
>[Social + Eclipse = 8 6 6 4 8 = 2 successes]
>>
>>31545967
The problem here is that you could try and seduce him to get a better deal, but unless you also go out and seduce everyone else he's going to involve in the deal, the other companies aren't going to sign what they'll immediately perceive as a shitty, unfair contract.
>>
Rolled 7

>>31545992
He mentioned the Wyld as a separate issue before, so I think we're good. Which means we have ANOTHER source of wealth. Yay Silk.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31546039
What about MRP, it's active but you didn't count
>>
>>31546022
Not really, because your interaction doesn't really involve personal charisma, this is strictly a business talk.
>>
>>31546022
MRP are zenith charms, not eclipse.
>>
Rolled 10

>>31546086
Oh okay, that's cool then
>>
Rolled 1

>>31546039

Yea, seduction is seduction and business is business. At least for the moment
>>
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You shake on it.

"Get a proper contract drafted along these lines and I'll sign it." You say.

"It will be my pleasure." His handshake is firm and strong. "And I hope you'll be satisfied with my mediation and will consider doing more business with the Denzik Merchant Company."

"I'll see you on your way out, I have to head to another meeting shortly." Amata also stands up. "Sorry, dear. Really busy."

"Here too." You exchange a kiss.

They both leave, and you collapse on your chair with a long sigh.

"Ugh, business talks is so stressful when you're still new to both the coinage and the laws and practices."

Tia has stood up and is approaching you with a silent step. Before you can ask her what's up, she swoops in and kisses you as well.

You give her a slightly puzzled look right afterwards.

"Been too long since I did that."

"You mean five hours?"

"That's what I said."

You decide you deserved a small break. "Millian?"

The dutiful maid opens the door. "Yes?"

"Bring some cold tea, and..."

>The mercenary captain
>The martial artist
>Ask them to wait a bit longer
>Ask them to come some other day
>>
Rolled 1

>>31546215
>The martial artist
>>
Rolled 7

>>31546215
>The mercenary captain
Still want that Sidereal last
>>
Rolled 6

>>31546215
>Ask them to wait a bit longer
>>
>>31546215
>The mercenary captain
>>
>>31546215
>The martial artist
>>
Rolled 10

>>31546215
>The mercenary captain
>>
Rolled 9

>>31546215
>The mercenary captain
No break on the guest train.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31546215
Mercenary captain now, then we'll take a break.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31546215
>>Ask them to wait a bit longer
>>
Rolled 2

>>31546215
>Ask them to wait a bit longer
>>
>>31546215
merc cappn'
martial artist needs a more impressive resume if he wants to be higer on the list
>>
Rolled 2

>>31546215
>The martial artist
>>
Rolled 4

>>31546367
Sidereal
I've been joking about it but I'm kinda scared that this dumb guess is gonna be right
>>
>>31546215
>The martial artist
>>
>>31546367
He's almost certainly a supernatural martial artist. He'll probably be more valuable long term if he can teach.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31546215
>Ask them to wait a bit longer
>>
Rolled 7

>>31546408
What are the chances he'll end up exalting?
What are the chances any of our mortals will exalt?
>>
>>31546426
You don't need to be an exalt to use terrestrial level martial arts. That's what makes them be so valuable.
>>
Rolled 5

>>31546426
Almost non-existent. There are only 450 Solar/Lunar exaltations in the entire world.
>>
>>31546408
the vast, vast majority of supernatural martial artists (mortals) lack any means of granting 'enlightenment' to others, so they can't really teach mortals very well.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31546472
there's the good old 'meditate for months and take magical drugs' method
>>
so faggot do you still pick and chose the dice to fuck our asses with you worthless cocksocker?
>>
Rolled 3

>>31546457
550 If we include Sidereals
>>
Rolled 3

>>31546472
We can do that though, eventually at least, EF mentioned a Zenith charm we can use to enlighten mortals
>>
>>31546497
Don't forget, Smoke will be increasing in power. If we convince her that the ability to hand out essence wielding skills will get her more worship/sacrifice (which it totally would) she'll probably learn it pretty quick.
>>
>>31546457
potentially up to 600, we don't know how many are abyssals/infernals, ef changes cannon. heck, no guarantee the 300-of-each limit is intact.
granted, if he's under 20, he could potentially exalt as a dragon-blooded, but it's not likely.

also, we don't even know if he's a supernatural martial artist, just that he's a famous one. in cannon, Panther was a famous martial artist before exaltation, without being a supernatural one.
>>
Rolled 5

>>31546497
The thaumaturgical ritual isn't even that tricky. You just need an actual source of essence, like a demense/manse or spirit/demon/ghost/exalt.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31546513
Those are destined to exalt. There's no chance there - either one of our minions will be a sidereal or they won't.
>>
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Rolled 2

>>31546547

Panther was a famous gladiator before he exalted.
Not sure if his pre-exaltation skills included martial arts.
>>
Rolled 7

>>31546215
>The mercenary captain
>>
>>31546579
also, they tend to be spirited away looong before they exalt.
>>31546589
he was famous for beating people to death with his hands. does that count?
>>31546550
And someone who knows the ritual. That's probably the hardest part.
>>31546534
if she's a god that's capable of it. no guarantees with spirits, their charms/access to them are basically 100% fiat
>>
Rolled 6

>>31546711
>And someone who knows the ritual. That's probably the hardest part.
All it costs is 1 experience point to learn it if you don't have the means of gaining an entire thaumaturgical degree, as a rote ritual. Every single order of supernatural martial artists should have some variation of it, to one degree or another.
>>
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After you had a moment of rest and a bit of tea, you let the mercenary captain in.

He's a tall, proud-looking man with cold eyes, wearing well-cared for heavy plate armor and a long black cape on his back. He gives you the feeling to be one of those serious, no-business professional soldiers.

It's rare to see mercenaries here in the west, or at least land mercenaries. And you can tell by his heavy armor that he's no marine.

"The famed lady Maka, I presume?" He gives you a long look. His expression doesn't shift much but he's undoubtedly enjoying the way your tabard hangs loosely over your body. He doesn't, however, seem too distracted by it as he removes one of his gloves and offers you a hand. "Erman Steelshard. Commander of the Steelshard Mercenary Company."

"Pleased to meet you." You shake his hand. His grip is hard, like he's trying to test your strength. You oblige. without overdoing it. "What can I do for you?"

He puts the glove back on. "Given the circumstances, I was wondering if you were interested in acquiring my and my company's services."

"Circumstances?" You ask.

"Both yours and mine. Tianna smells like war, you can't deny that. Metalworkrs downtown make less pots and horseshes and more swords and arrow tips. You have three now ships in your harbor, pirates recently brought into regular service. There's talk of the undead, of Lintha, and of other dark omens. And where there's war..." He knocks on his breastplate.

>How much does your company cost? How many men?
>Why were you in Tianna in the first place? Or did you come here smelling war?
>I have no need for your services.
>I have less money than you'd expect, I don't think I can pay you.
>Have you tried asking Amata?
>(other)
>>
Rolled 6

>>31546850
>Why were you in Tianna in the first place? Or did you come here smelling war?
>How much does your company cost? How many men?
>>
Rolled 6

>>31546850
>How much does your company cost? How many men?
>Why were you in Tianna in the first place? Or did you come here smelling war?
He looks experienced, what has he done before?
>>
Rolled 6

>>31546850
>How much does your company cost? How many men?
Let's get this out of the way. If he's as professional as he seems, he'll welcome the straight-dealing.
>>
>>31546850
>How much does your company cost? How many men?
>Why were you in Tianna in the first place? Or did you come here smelling war?
>>
Rolled 5

>>31546884
Agreeing to this
>>
Hi guys. Look, sorry in advance because I'm playing catch up and just made it to this thread, but has there been any discussion on paying back the water elemental court? We should probably get on that soonish.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31546850
>Have you tried asking Amata?
>>
>>31546932
We're probably going to do that on the way to Silk's court.
>>
Rolled 5

>>31546850
>How much does your company cost? How many men?
>Why were you in Tianna in the first place? Or did you come here smelling war?
Does he have any experience fighting with/against exalts?
How would he feel about us personally leading or would he prefer to lead his own men
>>
>>31546850
>How much does your company cost? How many men?
>Why were you in Tianna in the first place? Or did you come here smelling war?
I do believe this is a situation we should call Regis in for. I imagine training offers for his men will lead to a lower price. And the way that Tiger Warrior scales it won't cost us anything really.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31546932
We were going to do this today, but were stopped. We'll go tomorrow.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31546932
We were planning it before we we got interrupted, it's gonna be soon, right after this I hope
>>
Rolled 4

>>31546850
>How much does your company cost? How many men?
>Why were you in Tianna in the first place? Or did you come here smelling war?
>Have you tried asking Amata?
>>
Rolled 6

>>31546850
>Have you tried asking Amata?
>>
Rolled 1

Gah
This >>31547006
was an add on to this >>31546884
>>
Since its become a thing, anyone remember which thread OP spelled out the various methods of enlightening mortals?
>>
Rolled 1

>>31546850
>How much does your company cost? How many men?
>What are your specialties? Siege, infantry, archery, cavalry, etc
>>
Rolled 5

>>31547241
>What are your specialties? Siege, infantry, archery, cavalry, etc
Also a good question
>>
(Social + Zenith = 6 6 6 5 6 5 9 6 4 6 = 1 success)

"Why were you here in the first place?" You ask.

"Stopped on my way to Coral from An-Teng. Several villages on the coast had been raided and occupied by a Lintha offshoot."

"Did it go well?" You ask.

"Pirates might rule the waves, but when they get uppity on land they need to be reminded what heavy infantry really is." He smiles coldly. "After that, we were dry, and An-Teng didn't look like it had more work, so we booked a ship. Coral has the money, figured it might have trouble to throw the money against as well."

"You don't look An-Tengan." You notice. His skin is fair, although not as pale as a northerner's.

"I barely remember where I'm from anymore. Founded my company ten years ago in Nexus when my old company died in a really spectacular way and I was lucky enough to get away with some of the money. Been travelling all over Creation, picking up recruits all over. Don't care where people are from: Once they wear the colors, they're Steelshards."

"What sort of spectacular way?" You wonder.

"Big demon."

You blink. "How big?"

"Oh, about three meters, burly dude, like a living marble statue, robes, black eyes with a blue glow, big feathery wings, walks funny. Not big in that sense, but he rearranged all the roads in Nexus with a snap of the fingers, filled the damn city with horrors. Took a lot of good men dying, more Exalted than I could count taking the battlefield, even the Emissary fought him."

You have no idea what most of that means, but it still sounds impressive. "My next question was if you and your men had any previous experience in fighting supernatural enemies, or alongside Exalted, but I think I'll just skip that."

(cont.)
>>
>>31547305
>1 Success
Holy shit what
>>
Rolled 5

>>31547328
The dice only like us when we punch big things or are being sexy
>>
>>31547305
There six 6s. What the fuck, dice gods.
>>
>>31547354
Apparently.
We need to sex this guy up right now, it seems.
>>
Rolled 5

>>31547305
Shit, he fought the Prince Upon the Tower and survived? I want this guy under Maka in a completely non-sexual sense.
>>
Rolled 8

>>31547305
The dice are screwing with us now.
>>
Rolled 2

>>31547373
>Prince Upon the Tower
Who?
>>
Rolled 1

>>31547383
Probably an analogue to Satan or some other big badass fucker
>>
Rolled 7

>>31547383
https://exalted-infernals-malleus-maleficarum.obsidianportal.com/wikis/jacint-the-prince-upon-the-tower
>>
Rolled 7

>>31547455
>DEMON OF THE THIRD CIRCLE, EIGHTEENTH SOUL OF ADORJAN
Holy crap, and I guess that fight he mentioned is Exalted canon?
>>
Rolled 3

>>31547383
You now who are Yozis, the defeated Primordials, the former masters of the world? They have multiple souls, each of them is a separate being called a Third Circle Demon. Each 3CD consists of 7 2CD, who give birth to the lesser races of the demons.

As the primary servants of Yozis and the Unquestionable of Hell, they are one of the strongest beings in the setting. Like, among gods only Sol and Luna are stronger. 3CDs are so powerful, they don't have attributes and abilities, but flat dice pools for whatever they want to do, lowest possible being 18 dice, managing to 25-27 for their specialities.

Jacint is responsible for the infrastructure of Hell, and a few years ago fought the mysterious Emissary, who has been a member of the ruling body of Nexus for the last few centuries.
>>
>>31547532
And yet the Celestial Exalted still managed to kick their asses during the First Age.
>>
>>31547506
Not that I'm aware of.
>>
Rolled 5

>>31547560
To be fair, Their were 700 of them at the time, and a large amount of dragon blooded too
>>
Rolled 5

You think we could get a discount on his services if we offer to Tiger Warrior everyone?
On the condition he doesn't attack Tianna after our contract is done of course
>>
"My company worked for a few contracts under another company led by a Solar like you. Good man, good soldier, good boss. He sold me on the idea that you're not all skin-stealing monsters."

"I'll have to thank him." You reply. You're not sure if he was being sarcastic or not.

"Going to be honest with you, lady. I took jobs with the Realm in the past. It's all good business, nothing personal."

"Of course it is." You briefly wonder if he took part in any Wyld Hunts. Asking that would really spoil the mood. At least he's not calling you the A-word. "What's your company like?"

"Small but good." He explains. "About a Talon, give and take a few men. Some split after the An-Teng job, some died. Company really gets bigger and smaller over time. At times we've been a full Dragon, even. Right now, though, we have two Scales of heavy infantry, a Scale of archers, a Scale of cavalry, a Scale of skirmishers."

You mentally convert the Realm's unit names (which are also very common in the eastern mercenary companies) to sizes: a Scale is a platoon of 25, and five of them, or 125 men, are a Talon. Four Talons make a Dragon, a force of 500 men. Few mercenary companies ever get this big.

"We don't have experience in naval operations. Closest we got is some river ops." He comes out clean. "And we don't come cheap, either. Depends on the job. The flat rate to just stand guard is two talents of silver per month." Even with that, you're not going to be able to pay the prospectors and these mercenaries with your finances, not without bankrupting yourself. "For offensives, it's more. Increases with risk. Higher if you ask us to do naval ops."

>I can't pay you fully. What about looting rights?
>I can't pay you, but maybe Amata can.
>I can pay you. You have a deal.
>I can't pay you, but maybe we can agree to a different agreement.
>I don't need mercenaries right now.
>(other?)
>>
>>31547629
>I can't pay you fully. What about looting rights?
>>
Rolled 7

>>31547629
>I can't pay you, but maybe Amata can.
>I can't pay you, but maybe we can agree to a different agreement.

Speaking of Talon's, we should check up on him or at least send a get well card or something
>>
Rolled 5

>>31547629
>I can't pay you, but maybe Amata can.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31547629
>I don't need mercenaries right now.
>>
>>31547629
>I can't pay you.
Refuse him. They are a luxury we can not afford.
>>
>>31547580
It is, it happened in A Day As Dark As Night.
Yes, I actually read the Exalted novels. Mock me if you will.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31547629
>>I can't pay you, but maybe Amata can.
>>
Rolled 2

>>31547580
>Since his defeat by the
Emissary of Nexus a few years ago, Jacint has been unable
to appear in Creation and Malfeas simultaneously. Those
who summon and keep him from the Demon City for more
than a few days, and thus prevent him from creating its
roads, earn the enmity of Jacint and every demon in his
hierarchy.

I remember that it was written, that Jacint knows who Emissary is after their fight, but as the one who lost he plays fair is not inclined to share his knowledge.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31547629
>I can't pay you fully. What about looting rights?
>>
>>31547629
>I don't need mercenaries right now.
He's bankrupt us in a couple months at that rate, long before any kind of return on mining could be realized.
>>
>>31547629
"I can't pay you right now."
>>
>>31547629
>I don't need mercenaries right now.
They are too expensive for us right now. If Amata wants a mercenary she can get one, she just left us telling she was busy, we are not calling her back now.
>>
Rolled 3

So, guys, what do we want to use the mercs for? They aren't naval, so fighting the Lintha is worthless. What kind of ground fighting do we actually need, aside from guarding our mines and manse constructions?
>>
Rolled 8

>>31547629
"I can't pay you."
>>
Rolled 4

>>31547629
>>I don't need mercenaries right now but feel free to stick around and we might need you in the future
>>
Rolled 2

>>31547735
Abyssals
>>
Rolled 7

>>31547629
>I don't need mercenaries right now.
>>
Rolled 8

GUYS GUYS GUYS

REMEMBER THAT ONE SHARE FROM OUR PROSPECTING DEAL?

WE CAN PAY WITH THAT PROBABLY

>>31547629
>I can't pay you, but maybe we can agree to a different agreement.
See if he would accept the share for land security of our land being prospected
>>
Rolled 5

>>31547774
Would it be worth it?
He would have to agree to side with us but he could get paid with it sure
>>
Rolled 5

>>31547774
oh shit I totally forgot

changing from >>31547756 to seconding >>31547774
>>
>>31547735
Right now, nothing. They are a luxury we can not affor and do not need. We can look for mercs when we need them in the future.
>>
>>31547759
The Abyssals are going to wreck mortals, and a Tiger Warrior army might work better against the undead.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31547629
>I don't need mercenaries right now.
>>
Rolled 1

>>31547792
>He would have to agree to side with us
What.

You do understand what a mercenary is right?
>>
>>31547774
Sounds about right.
>>
File: 1397779273119.png-(553 KB, 394x635, exalted_fiction_book_2.png)
553 KB
553 KB PNG
Rolled 9

>>31547691

Well. At least Day as dark as night is more exciting then the next book Relic of the Dawn.

The good guys pretty much figure out the bad guys plan near the start and the rest is just waiting for stuff to happen
>>
Rolled 1

>>31547806
>They are a luxury we can not affor
we just got given an extra share for our land to use especially for MERCENARIES AND SECURITY

IT WAS WRITTEN RIGHT IN THAT POST
>>
>>31547735
That deal has not even been made yet. The merchant will talk to all parties and will come back to us so everyone can agree and sign. Then they will look for minerals and ores, and set up mines. There are months till the first stone is gathered.
>>
>>31547836
see >>31547843
We do not get any mines or any money from that deal for some time yet.
>>
Rolled 9

>>31547774
well, pretty clear the anons are scared of making this choice, heres hoping we don't lose the chance to retain them in the future with our spare share for security on our land
>>
Rolled 9

>>31547858
I know, its not like we're going to hire his company today and get them working tomorrow, we set up a contract and they start when the share starts paying out and producing results and the mines are setup
>>
Rolled 7

>>31547843
>>31547858
We could postpone the pay, or ask them to come back when were ready to pay, if we can't hire them now we could hire them later
>>
Rolled 2

>>31547629
>I don't need mercenaries right now.
we can't afford them
>>
>>31547506
iirc, in one of the (godawful) exalted novels, the cannon circle fights a 3rd circle demon in nexus. the emissary wrecks it for them i don't remember which demon it was though, and i can't be assed to find the book to figure it out.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31547629
>I don't need mercenaries right now.
>>
>>31547915
Hiring them later when they are needed is fine with me. I don't think anyone would be against that. The mercenaries might not want that though.
>>
Rolled 8

>>31547948
Then that's their problem. Right now, they're too expensive for us to hire.
>>
Rolled 3

>>31547948
We should at least ask them, they might be fine with waiting to be paid later if we're promising them this
They won't but it won't hurt to ask
>>
Rolled 3

>>31547948
I'm only hoping the 'right now' part of the 'dont need them' vote is emphasized
>>
>>31547948
I don't think they plan to stick around if we don't hire them. Mercs need to eat and expect to be paid regularly, I'm sure they could get an offer from the Realm or one of Tianna's neighbors if they wanted.
>>
(Social + Zenith = 7 5 4 3 2 3 3 3 8 4 = 2 successes)

"I don't really have a pressing need for a mercenary company, actually." You explain politely. "There are no enemies on this island, and-" You stop, glancing at the mockup of the Denzik contract lying on the empty bookshelf where you left it. (Not having pockets is annoying sometimes.)

"Yes?"

"...I have this." You hand him the paper. "What would be your opinion?"

He reads it. "It IS interesing, but there are problems."

"Such as?"

"First of all, it will be several months before the mine can be established and begin to pay dividends."

"You do not wish to stay employed for such a long time?"

"It's not that, but rather that I won't be able to pay my men for that period of time. Unless you can get someone to loan you the money in advance and then you pay them back once the mine begins to be profitable. Which leads me to my second problem: There's no guarantee that the mine WILL be profitable."

"It's likely going to exceed your monthly fee."

"Likely, but not certain." He slaps the contract. "What if we are unlucky and it doesn't? What do I tell my men?"

He has a point.

"...Yes, my problem is really that I do want to hire you, but I don't have the ability to pay you right now."

"It's a problem common to many." He replies.

"Maybe I'm asking you something weird, but... won't you be staying around for a while?"

"Not long enough for your mine to turn a profit, or, in case you're wondering, for any kind of agricultural development of your new lands to do so, I'm afraid." He offers you again his hand. "I think I'll return to my men now. Thank you for the audience, and once our contracts in Coral are exhausted we will consider returning here to Tianna, if your offer stands."

"It does." You shake his hand.

With that, the second-to-last meeting of the day leaves the room.

It takes you another cold tea and another kiss to regain the energy you need to finish the day.

[Session end]
>>
Rolled 6

>>31547931

The demon is Jacint.
They never really explained why Abyssals where working with a Yozi cultist.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31548119
Thanks for the thread, EF!
>>
2 XP (Base)
1 XP (Lots of meetings)
1 bonus XP (holy shit we played a lot today)

Can't foresee when next thread will be, so stay tuned. Might happen saturday, might happen monday, or who knows.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31548119
The dice really didn't want us to have this merc company
>>
Rolled 10

>>31548164
Can we get that Charm list again EF, see what else what we can buy?
I know people were still split on eclipse and TGp though
>>
Rolled 9

>>31548119
Thanks for the game EF
>>
Actually votes earlier today were clearly favoring Graceful Crane Stance, I was about to add that.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31548263
Oh sure that sounds good
>>
Rolled 3

>>31548263

Well since we the thread isn't in autosage this time. How about we do a re-vote.

I think a few people (including me) have changed their minds
>>
Rolled 9

>>31548263
There also seems to be a buttload of votes for eclipse

>>31548303
thread passed bump limit 8 posts ago, but its got plenty of hours on the board left
>>
Rolled 4

>>31548263
>Exalted Quest (Session 31.5)
There are probably some different people on now than were on then, so if you were to ask this crowd the response might change.
I voted for GCS this morning though, so I'm good if you don't (if you do, I might change to Eclipse)
>>
>>31548164
could you repost that bit about the various enlightenment options for mortals? I can't seem to find it.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31548317
>>Exalted Quest (Session 31.5)
damn it, that was still highlighted from where I archived the thread, wasn't it?
>>
Rolled 7

I'd be in favor of increasing mental, actually.
It would give us more Essence and we need it for ruling
>>
Rolled 3

>>31548263
GCS now, Eclipse 3 next time or the thread after next time. Sounds good.
>>
It's actually really late for me, so unless i see a lot of ferocious opposition to buying Crane Stance I'm inclined to go with it, since there has already been a vote.
>>
Rolled 2

>>31548358
I don't mind I suppose, thanks for the game again EF
>>
Rolled 2

I know this sounds insane, but how about we just max Zenith and be done with it?
>>
Rolled 4

>>31548358
That's fine, thanks again for the thread EF
>>
Rolled 1

I'm really not seeing how we need Crane Stance but whatever
>>
Rolled 10

>>31548353
I do want to do this soon though, more essence is always great, and it'll help maka stop being so much of a baka
>>
Rolled 5

>>31548387
It's a permanent and this thread is paranoid about spending essence
Also it's a prerequisite for thee walk on water charm, but we'd need to increase our night to get that
>>
Rolled 7

>>31548423
I'm in favor of increasing our Night and Eclipse when we get the EXP to spend.
>>
Rolled 10

>>31548263
Really? It seemed to be favoring Eclipse to me.
>>
Rolled 8

>>31548437
Go look at the start of the first thread, a lot of people wanted GCS
>>
Rolled 8

>>31548460
Yeah, and a ton of people wanted Eclipse. It seemed like Eclipse had more. I'm not mad either way, I just think his impression is wrong.
>>
Rolled 4

So, without meaning to sound pushy, next thread when?
>>
Rolled 10

>>31548575
learn to read
>Can't foresee when next thread will be, so stay tuned. Might happen saturday, might happen monday, or who knows.
>>
>>31548358
Any idea where you mentioned the enlightening mortal rules for this quest?
>>
>>31548489
Counting the post linking to >>31536021 (which is what i asked to do) I see:
Graceful Crane Stance: 4 votes
Judge's Ear Technique 3 votes
Heaven Thunder Hammer: 1 vote
Husband Seducing Demon Dance: 1 vote
Terrifying Glorious Presence: 1 vote
Eclipse +1: 1 vote

And various multiple votes (including someone that voted almost every single charm) that I usually only really count in tiebreakers.

So yeah, "a ton of people wanted Eclipse".
>>31548575
Read >>31548164


>>31548631
I can just repost them here:

There are several ways to give a mortal awakened Essence: alchemy, meditation, asceticism, Wyld-questing, artifacts, and gods or certain Exalted using certain charms on them. Two such charms are accessible for Solars at Zenith 5 and at Twilight 4.

The Twilight version is a medical/occult procedure. It has no particular limit on how many people it can awaken, and they develop their own Essence. The Zenith version is a blessing from the Unconquered Sun: it can only be maintained on [Social + Followers] people at a time, and the Essence is Solar-aspected (making them sorta-Solar-half-castes). This version is more powerful than the Twilight one: slightly larger Essence pool, and also grants a few Exalted-like benefits (increased resistance to illness, wound infection, blood loss, healing complications, and Wyld mutations).
>>
Rolled 1

>>31548660
>And various multiple votes (including someone that voted almost every single charm) that I usually only really count in tiebreakers.
Oh, you only count those in tie-breakers? I see those as casting a variable vote for each of those things. If you normally ignore them, I'll make sure to stop casting votes that way; you've apparently been straight-up ignoring my votes.
>>
Rolled 10

>>31548660

Well, we already gotten though the business meeting with our 2 Eclipse.
GCS will be a useful ability that can pay off in the long run.
>>
Rolled 7

>>31548660
>he Zenith version is a blessing from the Unconquered Sun: it can only be maintained on [Social + Followers] people at a time, and the Essence is Solar-aspected (making them sorta-Solar-half-castes). This version is more powerful than the Twilight one: slightly larger Essence pool, and also grants a few Exalted-like benefits (increased resistance to illness, wound infection, blood loss, healing complications, and Wyld mutations).
So we get the cool one, neat
>>
>>31548660
>There are several ways to give a mortal awakened Essence: alchemy, meditation, asceticism, Wyld-questing, artifacts, and gods or certain Exalted using certain charms on them. Two such charms are accessible for Solars at Zenith 5 and at Twilight 4.
Can we assume we know this more or less IC? Like if we can ask if Smoke or any of the other gods know one of those charms without metagaming?
>>
Rolled 2

>>31548660
>I usually only really count in tiebreakers
Wait, what? So all the times I've said something like, "I either want Majestic Radiant Presence or Eclipse," you just ignore it except to break ties? Jesus fucking christ, dude.
>>
>>31548660
Thanks for running. I'm completely new to exalted, but I am loving your writing, a dice system that seems largely based on succeeding and having fun and incredibly enjoyable characters.
Looking forward to your next thread.
>>
>>31548681
Not outright ignoring, but they are hard to count correctly and parse an intention from them as they are very vague. In-game I try and consider every vote, but when spending for XP I can't well do that.

If someone expresses a main preference and a secondary one i usually give a pull vote on the first and a tiebreaker on the second, but a poster voted for six different acquisitions. How was I supposed to count that?

>>31548720
Yes, gods "blessing" mortals with Essence is a known thing. It's also something gods only do rarely as it takes a lot of power off them, so don't ask it around casually.
The mortal enlightened by a god becomes a god-blooded for that god, essentially being "adopted" in a way. It gains some aspects of that god.

Regarding Graceful Crane Stance, i'll explain it in detail here because i don't want to cause misunderstandings: "perfect balance and lightness of step" means you can run on a wire, on leaves, on snow without sinking, and for short bursts of speed even on water and up walls. Basically, it's Wuxia Running from every chinese fantasy martial arts flick ever.
It doesn't mean you will NEVER fall down no matter what. If an enemy sweeps you and knocks you down, you get knocked down, because no amount of balance can protect you from a kick to the shin.
It does make you capable of supernatural feats of agility, but not dexterity: you become lighter, but not more flexible. Acrobat, not contortionist.
You jump slightly higher and with a lot more control, but not MUCH higher. (there's another charm for that).
This charm lets you MOVE like you're lighter, but it doesn't actually affect your weight. Maka still weight her full XX kilos.
Finally, this charm unlocks a lot of Night-caste "athletics" charms.
>>
Rolled 7

>not contortionist
I just realized that the DB "dancer" could raise her leg surprisingly high (in my imagination it was next to her head) and she can dance so she's probably very flexible.
Wanna find out if we can find creative uses for that?
>>
Rolled 1

>>31548924
>How was I supposed to count that?
Put one tally for each of them. How's that hurt the counting process at all? As long as one person isn't casting multiple votes for a single thing, it doesn't change anything, it just shows what range of options that person wants.
>>
>>31548924
Okay, so there are basically two types of enlightenment rituals:
Type 1 is an "Adoption Charm" that gives the mortal bonuses related to the type of being enlightening them. These are more powerful but limited in number.
Type 2 is a Thurmaturgical ritual of some sort. These don't have any special bonuses other than the ability to channel essence, and hence the ability to use terrestrial level supernatural martial arts, and sorcery. These can be "mass produced" after a fashion. For values of mass production anyway.
>>
>>31548989
If you spread your vote around it's going to count less than someone who expresses a single, solid preference.
Also, someday I just know that I'm going to get people going "I want A, or B. I also want C, but less than A. I want D even less, and I absolutely don't want E or F. Also I considered G and I'm iffy on H" or something ludicrous like that. I'd rather put down my foot now. Is it really, really that hard to just pick one thing to vote when selecting ways to spend XP? A lot of people seem to have no problem doing that.

>>31549049
Add type 3, which is attaining the enlightenment yourself with meditation, asceticism or wyld-questing.
Which has practical effects similar to 2, really, it's just different in origin.
>>
Rolled 4

>>31549142
>If you spread your vote around it's going to count less than someone who expresses a single, solid preference.
That's... That's kinda bullshit, and I feel cheated, because I almost always express multiple sentiments when I vote. I'll make a point of literally never doing that again. I'm not mad - not at all - I'm just sad I didn't know that in advance.
>>
Rolled 6

>>31549142
Hey really fast, did we lost our cult rating?
I voted to be a intermediary but i'm not sure if we kept our stat rating
>>
>>31549142
Got it. So, Celestial exalts, fae, undead and demons can do type 1, while in theory basically everyone can do type 2, if only by learning the mortal thurmaturgy. In practice however its really exalts and mortals who bother with type 2.
Have I got it right or am I totally off base?


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