Hey, Parable, if the crew ever goes to the Society's planet, they might get hired by the Society to get rid of a nuisance outside of its walls, which can be that race of war-loving lizardmen I proposed earlier. How does that sound?
Also, Piper and Blue, Odd Couple.
Okay! Tranquility post is up! Nations who are first-timers at the GN, this is your chance to make an "official" first impression on the galactic stage. Go up in whatever order you want. Rest of you take this an an opportunity to mumble to your neighbors.
Also, I'm amused that Johnathan's header still says 3 Stooges on it despite being on the Caroline now.
edited 15th Oct '13 9:15:42 PM by Parable
Notes on the Verandi Empire
Leaders!
Hemant II, Zaphnath-Paaneah, King of the Verandi Empire, Lord of the Twin Suns and Protector of the Nation
Born in 3470, King Hemant has overseen the the Verandi Empire for over half a century. Under his stern rule the empire had expanded over the frontier, aggressively pursued pirates, and consolidated power around the throne. He threw himself in governance and demanded obedience and total commitment from his subjects. Distrustful of his own nobles, he often relied on Grexian soldiers to oversee Verandi interest abroad. He committed troops to the war that overthrew the neighboring human monarch and established the Solar Republic. This obviously was not out of any love for democracy but a gamble that whatever came out of the war would not be anywhere near as powerful as what was there before and remove his biggest human rival on the galactic stage. Events proved him right. His unyielding resolve and 100% commitment to everything he did (and dark and sharp sense of humor) gave him the nickname the "Steel King".
However, the advent of the Solar Republic also gave rise to seditious groups inside Verandi. Those who called for more freedom from the monarchy and nobility. For the right to self rule, elections, free trade and travel. Hemant viewed these people as a threat to his power and suppressed them, sometimes violently. To add to the matter, an economic slump has crippled the nation's jobs and unemployment is at an all time high.
Hemant was a strong proponent of the philosophy of speaking softly and carrying a big stick. He would frequently send warships to watch over space routes, not so much to guard them but to remind others that Verandi had such projecting power. He was distrustful of the Rakasha but utilized their services. He actually admired the Sirian Union and sought to emulate some of their military structure, going so far as to support officer exchange programs. At the same time he prepared for for a war he felt was inevitable between the two aggressively expansionist nations. Of the Norb he was indifferent to their long presence, of the younger nations such as Kurasne and the Society he was only interested in how much he could exploit their unprotected solar systems, going so far as to consider putting the human originating Kurasne under "protection" and stationing Verandi warships there.
He died the week before the GN meeting of heart complications. Which brings us to...
Amelia, First of Her Name, Zaphnath-Paaneah, Queen of the Verandi Empire, Lady of the Twin Suns and Protector of the Nation
Born in 3537, Amelia was the third child of King Hemant II and his second wife, the late Queen Yessica. Depending on one's opinion of her, Amelia is either the "Young Queen" or "Her Accidency". Technically both are true, as she is young and was never meant to come to the throne. Amelia is the last of King Hemant's children. Her mother died of childbirth complications and the king distanced himself from his daughter because of that. Amelia had two older siblings, the Crown Prince Mathias and Princess Yvonne. Both were killed within the last two years, leaving Amelia the sole heir to the throne. Untrained in rulership, Amelia nonetheless was crowned following the death of her father.
Little is known about Queen Amelia's intended policies. Up until a year ago she was never really involved in politics. As the Crown Princess she began regularly meeting with Verandi leaders but spent most of her time simply observing. Based on her gentle personality, though, it is expected that she will take a softer stance on issues both foreign and domestic. She has indicated her distaste for the Grexian mercenaries and Rakasha spies, as well as displayed sort of maternal support for the smaller nations like the Society and Kurasne.
edited 4th Jan '14 11:34:17 PM by Parable
Some of the artwork for Dinotopia makes me think of the Society.
Waterfall City
◊, Sauropolis
◊, And wherever the heck this is
◊.
@Parable:
Am I correct in thinking that map is roughly aligned with the Galactic North facing upward, so that the Sol Republic is to the Galactic East, Verandi/the Sirian Union are to the Galactic West, etc.? I don't imagine it's too important, mind, but it's just something I'm wondering.
Locking you up on radar since '09News: Clawthewolf has gone on hiatus and the Solar Republic will be an NPC'd nation from now on. Given that Locoman hasn't posted in almost a month, I'm going to assume he's dropped. In which case the Najani will be relegated to NPC status as well.
Okay, here's my idea for the Verandi political front. Posting here for thoughts and feedback.
Within a short time all those negative things mentioned in the sign-up and the royal's background are going to come to a head and bring about a civil war in Verandi. The rebels will send their own ambassador to the Galactic Nations. Whether they are accepted or not depends on how the other countries vote. Doing so would mean kicking out Tebigon. Any country that recognizes the rebels as the legitimate rulers of Verandi would be sure to have to face the established government on the battlefield. But supporting the rebels would give you favors with Verandi should they win.
Verandi already has ties with Grexia and will probably get them involved to boost their own soldier numbers. The Norb will get involved simply because there is a bunch of them already in Verandi space.
The Sirian Union I suspect will support whoever they think will be weakest after they win since it'll be a good opportunity to move the humans out of the way and make themselves the top dogs of the galaxy.
Rakasha is trickier. Will they try to avoid offending the Sirians and support whoever they do? Or support the opposite faction with the hopes that the Sirians will drain themselves fighting against it and thereby leave them in a weaker position?
The Solar Republic will support whoever the Sirians don't. Just to be contrary.
But I'm stuck on how to involve the Free Minds Society and the Kurasne. Any ideas?
edited 24th Oct '13 4:12:48 PM by Parable

And there we go.
I'll handle the first adventure part, but as we start going to everyone's civilizations think about what kind of things you could do to carry on the adventure for our crew there. You'll basically be the GM of whatever happens inside your nation. And for the political side, I'll open that as well, first by introducing the nooblians and then by officially announcing the Veandi king's death. Info on him and the new queen will be forthcoming, just know for now that a major national policy shift will occur in Verandi and so whatever relations I had listed before may no longer be true.