Ziost - Crown of the Sith Empire

Imperial Court - Day 2
Agenda: Where to best send supplies and military support to combat the plague and conflict.
Rules: No Additional Rules.
Outcomes: Option 1 - Focus on the Core Regions (Forces and Supplies stay in the Core Imperial Worlds), Option 2 - Focus on the Outer Regions (Forces and Supplies move to the Outer Regions, leaving the Core Worlds less defended), Option 3 - Focus only on the Military Forces (The People suffer but the Military Forces stay strong in the Core and Outer Regions), or Option 4 - Balance (This has the least effect but it tries to strike a delicate balance).
Mood: The mood is tense, due the Emperor's presence and the fact there is concern about the Eagle. Anyone rolling a Despair will increase their Suspicion by 5.

Rules are here.

OOC: Spending 5 Destiny for the first five player rolls, upgrade the difficulty.

Grand Moff Rolm finished her opening words, “In closing the situation with the plague in the outer regions is escalating and not getting better. Our forces are stretched thin after the Sith infighting and I am having to pull fleets from defending our core regions to shore up weaknesses in the outlying regions which leaves many of our supplies under supplied and opening the door for piracy. The Dark Council must decide on a course of action or those regions will be lost.”

Sylvain walked forward and bowed politely to those who were worthy of obeisance in the room.

"If I may so humbly add my thoughts, I would be so honored." Sylvain said before receiving permission to speak.

"The Empire is rotting... Many of the Aspirants have made claims in front of the Emperor that it is the center which rots... But I can tell you all that it is the Outer Rim which figuratively and literally is rotting. I am Sylvain Torsin, Governor of the Zygerria system. I have seen first hand the level of destruction which has been wrought on the Outer Rim by the expansion of this plague. It wastes more and more resources each day and weakens our Empire as we allow it to tear its way through our holdings."

He continued, "I think even the most peace-amicable our people would agree that the only true reason for a peace with the Republic was to consolidate our gains, refocus, and strike out from a place of strength again when the time came. By allowing our extremities to rot, we have only grown weaker. A plan to decrease our aid to the Outer Rim has as much logic as one who cuts off their own extremities because they think they can thrive just fine with only a brain.... The Outer Rim and its resources must be reclaimed if the Empire is to have a fighting chance against its enemies; enemies who will come with all of their arms and legs the next time we must fight them."

"The factories that power our troops, the manpower that forms the basis of our economies, the young children who will be the soldiers of tomorrow... All of these lay in bounteous supply in the Outer Rim. The years of fighting that we toiled for them after our invasion of this quarter of the galaxy must not be frittered away by senseless division, short-sighted wealth seeking, and misplaced resource distribution. The plague must be contained at key systems along important junctures in the hyperspace lanes. Research must make light-years of progress... now! And we must eradicate this disease before it leaves us feeble and unprepared for the days to come."

"Whether we are willing to confront this or not is the truly most important decision we will make in these two weeks... A decision which will have greater consequences for the Empire than who occupies an empty seat on the council. I share this for the sake of the Empire and that alone."

He bowed again and repeated clearly, "For the Empire."

----

D2 Court, For the Outer Rim, Charm, 2x Bonus from Talents/Gear, Influence, +2 adv from Armor and Sith, Force Pip from Armor: 3eP+2eB+3eF+1eC+2eD 1 success, 1 advantage, 4 Light Side, 1 Dark Side


1 Success 1 Adv+ 2 Adv from Gear/Sith, +6 Adv From Influence and Armor= 1 Success and 9 Advantage.

Destiny, 1 Strain and 1 Conflict for Dark-side use.

Agenda Point for Outer Rim.

8 Adv goes to Boost the next person 4x.

Shaisha was undecided still when court began in session, and she listened first to the Moff with a calm indifference. And then she listened to Sylvain.

In truth, it didn't matter to her where the resources went. But she saw the potential in scoring some brownie points with the likes of the moff and like-minded members of the Council. And... well, she might've lost touch with Sylvain, but this favor cost her nothing. She might as well speak for his cause. It was kind of a warm and fuzzy feeling in the Force twisted to serve her will.

Stepping forward, she raised her voice to speak too.

"The plague is an issue, one we cannot ignore. We'll all be rulers of plague-ridden worlds, with nothing but rotten dead as subjects. It might not be an issue yet for the inner world of the Empire yet, but it will gradually become a bigger problem as the outer regions are destroyed one by one and the line of supply ends. No more resources for lavish parties, or banquets."

"There's no obvious no-risk scenario here, because all our alternatives have risk, but as Sith we should not fear risk. And the risk of moving our resources to aid the outer regions is the most minimal in the long run, as we need the strength of those worlds to be re-established, to better serve the Empire."

She looked over to Sylvain, and then to the gathered court. "For the Empire."


----


D2 COURT: For the Outer Rim, for the Empirah! Deception (Cunning). 4 Boosts from Sylvain, 1 Boost from social skill. Difficulty upgraded from Destiny: 2eP+2eA+4eB+2eF+1eC+2eD 2 failures, 5 advantage, 3 Light Side

D2 COURT: Forgotten Boost from social option: 1eB 1 success, 1 advantage


Using Destiny to flip to Dark pips.
Net result is 1 success, 8 advantages (7 + 1 from being Sith), and 3 Conflict. Agenda Point for Outer Regions.

4 Boosts to next roller.

Ilar let a few people talk about the needs of the Sith, the high and powerful before making his own entreaty.

"The esteemed and grand speakers before me have laid out compelling reasons why the aid needs find its way to the Outer Rim, but I would humbly offer one more. From the deserved high pedestals on which you have all earned your seats, ruling over us lowly ones with the Power you have seized from the Strength you have been so rightfully granted, we are as ants to you, scurrying around beneath your feet only escaping being squashed by our insignificance."

Ilar paused slightly for effect before continuing on.

"But where do most of your slaves come from, your entertainers, the weaklings who help your lives run more smoothly, who handle the tasks too distasteful, too unsavory, too beneath you? If your infinite wisdom deems the outlying systems in the Outer Rim as insignificant as the people who dwell there are when compared to your splendor, then who will be left to serve beneath you?"


D2 COURT: Declaring Outer Rim. Charm (Presence). 4 Boosts from Tenebrous, 1 Boost from social skill. Difficulty upgraded from Destiny and Suspicion. Auto success from gear, auto threat from alien: 2eA+2eP+2eF+5eB+1eD+2eC 4 successes, 1 advantage, 2 Light Side, 1 Dark Side

((After modifications = 5 success, 0 advantage))

The first courtly meeting and it was already the most important one for her. House Valthren's entire powerbase lied in the Outer Rim. Without Imperial support, their carefully crafted government was so close to cracking.

"Are we rabid beasts, reaping only destruction? Or are we conquerors, ruling over lesser beings so that we can lead them to a better purpose?" Dayana raised her hands to the sky. "There are trillions of newly-inducted Imperial citizens. They were not raised with the same loyalty as in the Heart of the Empire. No, they must experience our greatness rather than simply hear of it."

She shot a smile at Shaisha. Truly she was grateful for the pureblood's assistance, even if Dayana was willing to betray her in a heartbeat on Vowrawn's command. Oh but you would do the same, wouldn't you?

Dayana's attention turned back to the court at large. "It seems, thus far, that we are all in agreement. If it makes no difference to anyone, House Valthren would gladly oversee the distribution of resources."

---

D2 EA Charm, Extra Boost from Social, Advantage/Threat Cancel Out, GM/Player Destiny, Suspicion Upgrade, Congenial Downgrade: 3eP+1eA+2eF+2eB+1eC+2eD 1 success, 2 Dark Side

Convert DS pips to Advantage. 1 Boost for next roller.

Forget to mark... for the Outer Rim.

Jaheem sat and listened to person after person plead on behalf of the outer colonies, a lull in the conversation happened as the latest petitioner laid out their case for using valuable resources on the far reaches of the Empire. This silence was shattered by loud slam as Jaheem's hand violently met the table top.

He rose from his seat his eyes burning with conviction as his voice laced with menacing threads of the dark side came out loud and firm "We sit here and fight for the outer reaches a place far away from here and one that not only already occupies much of our resources but fuels other issues such as crime and piracy. The Military is the backbone of our Empire and we cannot allow them to be weakened by plague and lack of supplies. If we reinforce the outer regions our core will be left undefended and piracy will flourish here, not to mention leaving our most important assets open to attack from our enemies."

He takes a breath before continuing, a cold menace in his voice as if anyone who disagrees may meet a sudden and violent objection "However if we pull back and guard our core we will lose valuable resources not to mention systems that are our by right of strength. They will become riddled with piracy as well. The solution is to strengthen our military, give them the supplies and men they need to properly watch over all of our Empire. If we favor either side we will lose supplies and men to pirates and other threats where as if we ensure that our men and women of the Imperial legions are kept in top shape we can defend trade routes here and out there. Our citizens enjoy a comfortable life here, they can stand to have a lean time in order to serve the greater good. The only true solution here is to ensure that our military might stays intact so that we may remain combat ready at any moment and defend what is ours."

He then sat, the aura of aggression and intimidation remain radiating off of the sith lord for a minute or two. The way talks were going he would surely lose though he would not sit idly and simply allow the council to make what he believed was a mistake. His peace would be heard and they would make their decision.

D2 Feast or Famine hard coercion upgrade from Dapper downgrade from intimidating boost from court advantage from sith: 2eA+2eP+2eF+1eB+3eD 3 successes, 1 advantage, 2 Dark Side


3 successes converting dark side pips into advantage for 3 advantage

1 point for military
next roller gets a boost

Lord Bellious would argue for reinforcement of her core strategies.

"The Republic is vulnerable when it becomes overstretched. It becomes overstretched if it is drawn into proxy conflicts well outside its core purview. It is tempted to do so when it sees it can press the advantage. The plagued Outer Rim is such an advantage. Hence the Empire's support for key choke-points in the Outer Rim is crucial so that they could be bled out far from their supply lines. The support should be given to non-aligned planets with Empire-friendly elites in the forms material and advisory assistance in order to let them either keep power, or seize it. The goal should be to create one hundred Bankors."

EA2. Feast or Famine. Outer Rim. Deception. Social Boost. Jaheem Boost. Sith/Alien Cancel Out. Influence.: 2eP+1eA+2eF+2eB+3eD 1 failure, 1 advantage, 1 Triumph, 3 Light Side


[Flipping Light to Dark for 1 Success, 2 Advantages, 1 Triumph]

Lord Rath followed Lord Bellious with a not entirely unexpected difference of opinion.

"Seriously? Feed the Outer Rim at the expense of our Military forces? That just leaves us exposed and weak when we should be on a war footing. Supply the military. Attack Coruscant with our full strength. Finish the Republic quickly. Take what we need when they surrender. Job done." He smacked one large fist into the open palm of his other hand to emphasise his point.

----------
Roll

Day 2. Feast or Famine. Option 3 - Military. Coercion. Upgrade and boost from previous roller. Boost from Sense Emotions. Upgrade from gear. Boost from ally. Sith add one Advantage. Upgrade from Suspicion. Destiny upgrade.: 3eP+1eA+3eB+3eD 3 successes, 6 advantage


1 point for Military!
+3eB for next roller

Raela blinked slowly once or twice. "Once the cure is ready, I recommend having resources in the Outer Rim ready to distribute it efficiently. Hitting that where the majority of the population has it will help it stop spreading."

Short and to the point as usual.

D2, Feast or Famine, Outer Rim, Medicine, 3 Boost from Jo'Ren, One Advantage from Sith: 1eP+3eA+3eB+3eD 4 successes, 4 advantage


1 Point for Outer Rim
+2eB for the next roller.

The Massassi proved once again to be quite disciplined. He did not quite care about the subject but he knew he had to support the Red Wraith.

''LORD BELLIOUS IS RIGHT! KEEP OUR ENEMIES ON THEIR TOES, FORCE THEM TO DANCE TO THE EMPIRE'S TUNE!''

Court day 2, same thing as Moyr, +3B from Joren, one setback, on diff upgrade from suspicion: 1eC+2eD+1eS+2eA+2eP+3eB 2 successes, 2 advantage(2 successes, 1 advantage since boosts from previous and not Jo)


+1 for Moyr's plan

The Emperor's witness had been quietly taking notes of everything that had been said. She was meticulous in them; and it might've been a task that she could not distract herself from by having thoughts of her own. But hers was a disciplined mind, perfectly capable of multi-tasking.

So she stood, from her privileged position in the court, and spoke.

"The people will manage. Hardship breeds discipline. When suffering is endured, strength is then demanded. Let there be strength for when that time comes. Let there be discipline. Ensure the fleets and armies remain at strength, ready to deal with any outcome."

With that, she sat back down, and continued her work.

Court D2; discipline (non-social/non-combat), upgraded difficulty from suspicion: 3eP+1eA+1eC+2eD 2 successes, 2 advantage, 1 Triumph

1 boost, 1 upgrade to next roller
+Agenda point for Military

Attending the court, Kristal Serasai had claimed her seat early and watched the events as they unfolded. She did not believe herself a schemer, but she was familiar with the battlefield and here she could witness certain lines as they were drawn. This discussion, as important as it was, had many implications for the Empire moving forward but each decision came with benefits and setbacks.

There was much to deliberate, to think on, if she should weigh in on her opinion in either direction.

[Making my Kristal was here post, might decide to weigh in on the rolls later but at current I shall not, much thinking to do!]

"If I may, mein ezteemed Lordz, zhe Dark Counzil, und to hiz eminent holinezz zhe Emperor. House Farro, must put itz woice behind zhe many who hawe called for our attention to fall upon zhe outer planetz. Zhere iz zomezhing ztrange about zhe nature of zhiz plague, und I am not wholly zertain zhat it iz purely naturally borne. Zhere hawe been many dizturbancez in zhe Forze, many from zhese qviet cornerz of zhe Stygian Caldera. Ve muzt zend zuppliez und manpover to zeek out zhe truth behind zhiz plague."

Her words appeared to fall on deaf ears. Mystic nonsense and superstitious mumbo-jumbo. Just what one would expect from the mouths of backwater sorcerers. Equal parts crazy conspiracy theorists, and confidence artists just trying to get money and supplies funneled to their regions of space. Or maybe just nobody could decipher what the hell she was saying.

Knowledge: Lore (Intellect) = 2 failures, 3 advantage

(No additional points for Outer Rim)

"For the Empire," she says, under her breath, "yes, I believe that we must make a choice now that will be shown to benefit the Empire most fully. For too long has the outer rim had constant conflict in which I myself have seen to quelling at every opportunity. It is here that we must bring forward our focus. Attack the problem where it begins or else it will spread."

"We cannot simply shore up our defenses and wait in the core worlds, we must go to our new regions where the conflict is most and put out these fires lest they spread unhindered. There is, simply, no other option that does not have lasting negative effect upon our Empire."

Roll:
Day 2, Court | For the Outer Regions, Discipline/Willpower (Social Skill Boost): 2eP+1eA+1eC+2eD+1eB 2 successes, 4 advantage


[Upgrade Difficulty from Suspicion]
[2 Boosts to next roller, I believe?]
[+1 for Outer Rim]

"If I may, my Lords," Hala said when there was a respectful break in between the Sith speaking their mind, "it is often said that 'Peace is a lie.' What is sometimes overlooked is what form that conflict might take. The conflict continues, even as we continue to observe the present truce. That conflict is working to produce the most effective, most disciplined troops. That conflict is working to develop the best tactics. The best weapons. The best people. The Core is currently well defended and well provisioned, but if we cannot defend the Rim then we do not possess the Rim. If we cannot feed the Rim, then there are places in the Empire which cannot produce the troops we need. If we cannot provide materiel support to the Rim, then our soldiers are under-equipped, our citizens inadequately cared for.

"Supplying the Rim will not transform it into a hedonistic paradise, possessed of every luxury found in the capital, but we must make it a functional part of the Empire. A fist cannot be formed without its fingers, and we cannot be the first of the Empire if we allow parts of the body politic to wither and die. It is waste, and we should abhor waste. Send the Rim the support it needs, and we will have a fully realized extension of the Empire on the Republic's doorstep. Fail to do so, and the edges of the Empire will wither. Weakened by hunger and disorder, malcontent may begin to foment. And that will be a far more expensive situation to correct than sending them shipments of bread and bandages.

It is the cheaper investment, in addition to being the more effective one. It is appears to be the correct investment. We must keep the whole scope of our conflict in mind, and prepare ourselves accordingly."

She bowed and signaled to the droid that she was surrendering the floor.

------------------

Feast or Famine: Outer Rim. Coercion. Boost from social skill, Lector, 2x from Kristal. Fatigue suppressed by Plausible Deniability: 2eP+3eA+4eB+3eD 1 success, 7 advantage, 1 Triumph


+3eB to the next Outer Rim advocate
Triumph to help avoid provoking any frustration from an otherwise very presumptive lecture by a non-Sith.

Sinea stood up, and spoke up, her black dress showing her in a favorable light.

"Everyone! The Empire is larger than just this lovely system. My brethren are speaking true, we must fortify our borders, before the foul Republic decides to break the peace we have agreed on. We cannot trust them, they will follow whatever folly the masses will think up next." She sneered in disgust. "Democracy." The way she said it it sounded like she stepped into some bantha poo.

OOC:
D2 EA, Outer Rim, Charm (Presence), Influence upgrade, 1 boost from using social skill, 3 boost from Hala, upgrade from Suspicion, Noble Regalia downgrade, +1 advantage from being Sith: 1eA+1eP+3eF+4eB+3eD 3 successes, 1 advantage, 3 Light Side, 1 Dark Side


converting dark pip to light, 2 boosts for next roller

The tall Arkanian looks over at everyone presenting it gave him some time to consider his words. For all of his knowledge, the art of public speaking was one thing that always alluded him. Reaching words "You'll forgive me if I lack the passion and emotion of those who came before me. My race has never been one to consider the emotional empathy of those before me. What I do understand, however, is logic. Reason. Understanding the medical important of dealing with a plague at its root before it reaches unto our front door."

He looks on at the others as he continues. "We have, in many of our histories, many stories of plagues, and the destruction it brings. Long before even the Duros stepped outside of their home world and into the stars, our ancient selves have suffered under such a microscopic terror. And each time, each and every one of our races dealt with it thru most effective means given to us: by cutting the infected limb off so that the host body can survive."

Sarron nods, giving it more thought. "However, we have come a long way since the time our species lived in huts. The great Empire has brought us further along than those fools of the Republic could ever hope to achieve. So I see this as a opportunity to study this plague, learn of its origins. and the most effective means to deal with it. Give the Emperor's subjects out there no reason to fret, knowing they may rely on us to aid them when the times. For they will be easier to bring to reign when they know their needs are met."

He paused, looking down at his datapad to compile his thoughts, then continues. "So therefore, we must send aid to the Outer Regions. Let this moment of calm that we have to fix the problems we face within the Empire now before they worsen. The Republic will no doubt break our compromise at some point, and when that happens, we must be healthy and strong. To have this problem still linger when the moment of conflict returns may bring disaster. History shows us this to be true, and there is no reason to think this matter will change even now." With that, he grabs his data pad and bows deeply to the Emperor.

"Whatever is decided here today, may we continue to bring glory for the Empire thru our actions." Bowing to the Emperor, he steps away from the podium and into the general audience.

--

Those Who Forget History...[Option 2. Lore Check. 1 Red Dice thanks to suspicion, considered to have 1 threat thanks to racism, considered to have 1 advantage due to Sithiness, 2 Boosts Gained due to previous roll]: 3eP+2eA+2eB+1eC+2eP 7 successes, 4 advantage, 1 Triumph


[+1(?) To Outer Regions Score
+2 Bonus Dice to Next Roll
+1 Upgraded Dice to next Roll]

OOC: Closed.

The Emperor had nodded and said, “My dark Council will make sure the Outer Regions are properly supplied. Vengean, make sure to bolster these forces with your plentiful reserves.”

“My will is manifest.”

OOC: The Outer Regions will get their supplies and the Core worlds will have their forces redirected to the outer regions thankfully they will not be completely undefended a token force is left behind to be bolstered by the fleets of Darth Malgus.