Normans through and through, you should strive to conquer these tyrants who would seek to hold dominion.
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If these guys are anything like some of the xenophobics in my game they will come for you very quickly you should consider more physics research.
Too bad with the space boars. Better luck next time.
I might be spoling a little bit, but let's just say, no better luck next time
That will be on my todo list. Only thing is, i need some preparation for that. A lot. They are more advanced then me and are breeding faster then me.
No colonization yet, just discovery. I don't even have the tech yet.
And worse? How could it be worse? Well, yea, if they were fallen empire with the same ethos and especially the ones who don't like me lingering around.
Believe me, i'm so working on it.
They are oligarchic. Meaning, they don't want to come after you unless you are kind of... weaker and an easy conquest. At least, that's how i think it works. So, having a strong fleet and having some allies alleviates the problem a bit.
Muhahahaaaaahahaaaaa! No, seriously, mwahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaa
Life in the Weirdest of Places
In 2202, Paseka Hauteville-Khumato finished survey of Alpha Centauri system. Two habitable worlds- huge desert world with high gravity and a continental planet a bit smaller then Earth. Capable of holding total 14 billion population. Assuming Normans can stop the volcanoes, clear the jungles, destroy the poisonous kelp and all that. Otherwise, the system had nothing of interest.
Alpha Centauri is offering two planets and little else
Then, Paseka Hauteville-Khumato turned back into Sol. First, he headed to 3 Juno in the Sol Asteroid Belt, where they had picked up some weird signals during the initial survey. Now, Paseka and his crew wanted to find something more about it. There was some landing, some drilling- and the crew made astonishing discovery. There was life on the asteroid. Lithovore worms, feeding on the rocks and minerals of the asteroid. Very primitive lifeform, yes, but somehow, they still managed to either get to 3 Juno or evolve from there. Debate over this topic still continues.
There is yet another form on life in space that was considered to impossible a mere decade ago
The immediate bonus was an idea to construct a research station near the small asteroid, studying and surveying the worms. The work begun in half a year and soon, Hauteville Empire had their first research station.
Meanwhile, Pasaka moved on, to conduct a deeper survey of Europa. Frozen moon of Jupiter- but beneath all this frozen ice, there is ocean. Covered by several kilometers thick ice, the bottom of the ocean is actually warm. Can you imagine drilling through ice that thick, in a hostile world though? It is a feat on it’s own. And anyone who thinks life of a scientist is glamorous adventures..., well, they should see then moving around in blazing blizzard, where temperatures are around -200C.
But the crew managed to pull it off and found an ocean, teeming with life, under the thick ice. This was the second place in Sol where life had been found. And it showed that life can be resilient and appear in all the strangest places- from deep space, from lifeless asteroids, from moons where the temperature is hellish. Universe is teeming with life...
Something is under the ice layer of Europa. Or someone.
Though Europa demanded more research, there was more urgent matter, survey of Barnard’s Star. That resulting in pretty much nothing, just a possible station to drain a bit power from the star. Then, Paseka came back, to survey Europa one more time. And what they discovered was something out of this world- larger species within the lower levels of the moon’s ocean that are capable of producing some healing enzyme. Now, this demanded more research and soon, permanent station was above Europa as well.
Sol just got a science boost
Across the Great Emptiness
At the same time, Captain Odo Dregnot and his small fleet (though the fleet had grown to almost twice in size) was preparing for something else. Jump from Sol to Tyl system. Only, the Tyl system was in other arm of the galaxy, divided dark space. Just close enough that wormhole can be opened from Earth, but still, dark space...
Jump against
Though Odo did feel some trembling upon his spine, he was much less worried then during his first jump to other system. He and his fleet were already accomplished travellers, they knew how to jump and how to run from the enemy. And so, in July 2204, the Norman Task Force set sail once again. This time, across the great emptiness that separated the spiral arms.
They were successful. But, in Tyl, they instantly picked up comm chatter from someone else. Angry sort of comm chatter. Like they were discovered by someone’s scanners and that someone really didn’t want them to be there. So, Odo retreated.
Entry across great emptiness
Scientific Advancement
In February 2203, Norman scientists and engineers finished up the plans to add solar panel networks to spaceports, reducing the power needed to upkeep them. It was a “future tech” though, cause Normans had just one spaceport and no minerals to spare at the moment, but it was going to happen sooner or later, so best be prepared.
This will not be of immediate use, but soon, it will help to keep the balance positive
Powered exoskeletons in April 2203. A rare application that gives a small boost to capabilities of mining crew and also, improving both aim and strength of the soldiers. Soldiers were of the far future though. Miners put it to use straight away. Any use of exoskeletons in the sport was prohibited a month later.
Power to the army, power to the miners!
First science, fist jump across spiral arms and first anomalies.
I imagine i'll be picking up a bit of pace soon, for 10th anomaly and 15th science station constructed is not as interesting as the first one. Or i'd better, for else i'll be writing this in the next decade too.
I imagine i'll be picking up a bit of pace soon, for 10th anomaly and 15th science station constructed is not as interesting as the first one. Or i'd better, for else i'll be writing this in the next decade too.
Sounds like the encounter Tyl won't be an ally. It seems your galaxy is full of species that don't like you or are too strange to be allies.
Looks good so far. I'm interested in how this will develop. Did you alter the pre-generated names list or do you just change the names manually yourself to make them more fitting with the theme?
Election of 2205
It was a perfect sunny morning in Palermo. Not a cloud in the sky, Mediterranean gleaming totally blue under the bright summer sun. Lazy breeze keeping it cool. At least a bit cooler. The sea was almost calm, with light sound of waves in the background. And the locusts, chirping away like crazy. Just one word to describe it- paradise!
Empress Emma I thought the same as she laid back in her recliner, situated in one of the balconies of Hauteville Palace- just overlooking the sea. Breathtaking view, fresh coffee, some freshly pressed orange juice on nearby table, as well as selection of fruits and her most favorite omelette. And no appointments, no official business, nothing for the whole day. She was feeling more relaxed then for years.
Her serenity was disturbed by her beloved husband, Bohemond, who opened the balcony door, jumped to another recliner, waved at the servant to bring him a cup of juice and broke the silence: “The upcoming Chancellor elections, m’dear.”
“Oh”, Emma said in totally disinterested, indifferent voice.
“Our beloved Chancellor, Jean-Francois Leclerc, has published his platform,” Bohemond continued.
“Oh,” said Emma, keeping this “oh” as disinterested as a previous one.
“... and that includes establishing slavery in the Empire and moving citizens to forced labor camps,” Bohemond continued, silently smirking to himself, waiting for the reaction.
“Oh?” but the “oh” was different this time. More high-pitched, with inquisitive tone and accompanied by widened eyes and rising eyebrows.
“Catch,” Bohemond threw his notepad to Emma. She caught it without error. Pilot reflexes after all.
She skimmed through the article. “New threat, yada-yada, evil pig empire, blah-blah, need to prepare, yada-yada,” until she reached the main point:
“Under the new threat,” Jean-Francois Leclerc wrote, “We, the Humans, need to prepare. We are currently lacking both minerals and power to effectively expand and to counter the boar threat. The main reason is the inefficiency of the current way we mine our resources 8-hour work days, 2 days of vacation, plus one month of vacation per year horribly hinders the production rate of minerals.
Seeing the new threat, it is prudent that we declare martial law, institute at least 16-hour work days, no vacation and no right to leave the workplace, plus mandatory assignments of workers to the mines. This applies both to residents involved in food production and mineral extraction. It is the only way to counter the alien threat and bring Hauteville Empire to the heights it is supposed to reach.”
Well, lookie at that: Jean-Francois Leclerc, the current Chancellor of Hauteville Empire.. and a slaver!
The text continued, but Emma stopped reading and put the notepad away. Very calmly. Bohemond knew the signs. Her face was a bit more pale, her lips were slightly tightened and her demeanor was as calm as it could be. Meaning, she was burning with anger.
She touched her communicator and summoned public relations officer. While waiting, she almost hissed: “I’ll veto the proposal anyway, if it goes through for some reason. But, let us make absolutely clear that this will not be tolerated.”
The public relations officer, Lieutenant Tanga, arrived after 15 minutes of so. Bowing slightly, she awaited Empress’s orders.
Emma said with a calm voice: “Let it be known that Jean-Francois Leclerc had earned Empress’s Displeasure. The Empress Herself decrees that idea of adopting slavery, no matter how you word it, in Hauteville Empire, is preposterous and will never happen. Thus, the Empress suggest that no-one in their right mind should even consider voting for Jean-Francois Leclerc”
She took a brief pause, then added “Make it about two paragraphs, strong wording, sent it to me to review. I want it to be out to the world before lunch.”
Lieutenant Tanga bowed again, checked that her notepad had recorded the original vision and left.
There was silence for a few minutes. The breeze was still cooling, the sun was shining and slowly, the color returned to Emma’s face.
She chuckled. “You know, i wish we had adopted slavery!”
“Oh?” It was Bohemond’s turn now, this was kind of half-surprised, half-inquisitive “oh” this time,
“...so i could sell Jean-Francois to slavery, for just coming up with the idea”
Both chuckled. Then, Bohemond added: “You just destroyed the man’s career with three sentences. That not enough?”
Emma shaked her head.
“Then perhaps we can sell him to the pigs?” Bohemond offered.
“The pigs would ask for money for accepting him,” Emma replied. “Not a good deal”
Both chuckled again
“Oh well,” she sighed, “I guess destroying his career will do”
They continued the breakfast, moving on to other topics.
The Result
Indeed, the career of Jean-Francois Leclerc was destroyed. In the final poll, he got little over 0% of the votes. Most likely, he would have failed anyway, but a having the popular Empress Emma’s Displeasure was a final nail to his coffin. He lived on, forgotten by everyone. And he was not sold to slavery for the pigs.
The next Chancellor was Tian Hauteville-Shan, former Governor of Earth. He was also well aware of the mineral problem, but instead of going crazy and proposing slavery, his solution was simple- expand in space and build some more mineral mining stations. Much more sensible.
Instead of instituting slavery, let's build space staions! Much better solution
Just a small interlude with elections. I stared at the screen, looked at the "Slaver" tag and somehow, this story wrote itself in my head. Like, really?
Yea, in the end, Hauteville end up like emos of the galaxy. Why no-one likes meee? Though i hope i meet someone friendlier as well.
Hah, end they look really cool as well
Though i think it's kinda hard to BBQ someone who begs you not to
Thanks! And edited the name files, added in a lot of Hautevilles, plus some Norman first names from CK II. That was a lot of copy-paste, but gives some randomness.
Well, i kinda missed out a few steps on the megacampaign part. From Medieval times straight to Space... hmm, that can actually be quite a story. Goddamn, can't remember the author nor the book at the moment, but there was a sci-fi book about aliens trying to abduct Medieval nobles going to crusade, then Medieval soldiers kicking some ass and taking over their Empire. Would make a good story- especially if your goal is to get back to Sol.
Yea, in the end, Hauteville end up like emos of the galaxy. Why no-one likes meee? Though i hope i meet someone friendlier as well.
Hah, end they look really cool as well
Though i think it's kinda hard to BBQ someone who begs you not to Thanks! And edited the name files, added in a lot of Hautevilles, plus some Norman first names from CK II. That was a lot of copy-paste, but gives some randomness.
Well, i kinda missed out a few steps on the megacampaign part. From Medieval times straight to Space... hmm, that can actually be quite a story. Goddamn, can't remember the author nor the book at the moment, but there was a sci-fi book about aliens trying to abduct Medieval nobles going to crusade, then Medieval soldiers kicking some ass and taking over their Empire. Would make a good story- especially if your goal is to get back to Sol.
For covering just a single event, this is fantastic. A slaver running for election in a society against slavery is certainly surprising. He had less than no chance.
These "small interludes", as you call them, really give your story more life and help to immerse oneself into the happenings of the Hauteville Empire.
Did you have to spend influence to sway the electorate? From a game-play perspective do you think he would have been re-elected had you done nothing?
Following
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My first game I started with warp I, 4 armed galaxy. Couldn't reach other arms. Bordering in the north, advanced start fanatical purifiers. Bordering in the south, evangelising zealots. Fun!
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My first game I started with warp I, 4 armed galaxy. Couldn't reach other arms. Bordering in the north, advanced start fanatical purifiers. Bordering in the south, evangelising zealots. Fun!
I find it quite disturbing that fully 5% of the vote fell to a slaver. Thank heavens our benevolent Empress is here to make sure such men never come to power!