Galactic Pacification for Dummies

[trent.layell]

She got neither Spark of Genius nor Politician as level up traits (boo!) to make her a reserve councillor

Professor, I was recently told that the traits gained on level-up are weighted towards their current job(s). I haven't been able to test this or verify if it's true. If it is, perhaps the Alarians could have unassigned their Head of Research and recruited Malcad Disbeliever through that interface to improve the chances of getting a council trait.

 

[Peter Ebbesen]

Professor, I was recently told that the traits gained on level-up are weighted towards their current job(s). I haven't been able to test this or verify if it's true. If it is, perhaps the Alarians could have unassigned their Head of Research and recruited Malcad Disbeliever through that interface to improve the chances of getting a council trait.

This is irrelevant.

If a leader of level > 1 is available for recruitment from the internal pool, his first set of possible level up traits was determined when he was added to the pool based on his prior performance in real life, or, in the simulation, utterly at random.

This is why any of you students starting the simulation from the 2210 mark and recruiting Malclad Disbeliever will be offered the same set of traits to choose from as I was when selecting her level 2 trait, regardless of whether you recruit her directly to the council, a survey ship, a governorship, or floating in the ready pool: They were decided as soon as she was randomly generated and saved as part of her personal data.

Were she recruited at level 3 or higher, then the possible level 2 traits would be pretermined, but the possible level 3+ traits would only be determined after selecting a trait from the previous level.

 

[HistoryDude]

Some of those neighbors are worrying. Do the Alarians have a purely defensive fleet of some kind?

The donated Alarians can get over it. They are serving the greater good of the Alarian species, and at least they won't need to deal with any potential attacks on United After All space.

 

[Peter Ebbesen]

Some of those neighbors are worrying. Do the Alarians have a purely defensive fleet of some kind?

As can clearly be seen in the slides, the Alarians have, in addition to their nine mighty corvette scouts, no less than five, count them five, corvettes on duty in their capital system to repel any invaders.

I sense you are not convinced?

That's probably because you are used to Galactic Conquest, not Galactic Pacification, and in Pacification, you only need a large fleet when you face significant threats, and at the moment the Alarians face no threats at all, since the only threat on the horizon - the fanatical purifiers - is safely contained.

Are you, perhaps, afflicted by insecurities lasting longer than four hours?

If so, you are not the first one. It afflicts many feeble-minded students, and perhaps this will reassure you. It is a friendly warning to the timid, and I recommend you familiarize yourself with it rather than showing such lamentable insecurity and lack of faith in your teacher henceforth!

There are no worrying neighbours. All our neighbours love us.

 

[Peter Ebbesen]

Let me remind the students of this voluntary assignment; You've still got time to answer before tomorrow's lecture. Surely somebody can make an educated guess as what I am referring to.

Voluntary Assignment​

2220: Somebody discovered an asteroid hive in Tirramore

I will award extra credits to anybody who writes an even half-decent essay in a maximum of two paragraphs explaining the implications of this for the Rak-Rak Administration on the one hand, and the opportunities for United After All on the other.

Failing to complete this voluntary assignment will not be punished excessively.

 

[trent.layell]

Voluntary Assignment

The odds are good that the Rak-Rak Administration will waste significant resources throwing ships at the system trying to defeat the asteroid hive.

This should give United After All a good opportunity to vassalize them.

 

[jak7139]

Voluntary Assignment

Hi Professor. Sorry I'm late.

Jak hands the professor a tablet containing his best guess to the above problem before finding a seat. It reads:

The 6k-strength hive nest will slow down the Rak-Rak's expansion past the Tirramore sector into the Klendath sector. This makes the Rak-Rak weaker and less likely to interfere with the plans of UAA. This section of the galaxy will remain uncolonized for a while, since it can only be reached by either the Rak-Rak or the Tavurian Forerunner fallen empire.

If the UAA continues their expansion to the southwest (towards the Rak-Rak), then the Rak-Rak will be cut off from further growth. How specifically you can take advantage of this I'm not sure. Other than just a general weakening of one of your neighbors and a strengthening of you.

 

[Peter Ebbesen]

End of acceptance of voluntary assignments. Next lecture coming up within the new hours.

My apologies for this lecture arriving a day or two late, but the 2220-2230 lecture took longer to prepare than I originally planned.

The reason is simple: I had made the mistake of letting playing the game get seriously ahead of writing it, and when I realized Tuesday that I was up to 2282 without having begun writing the 2220-2230 section yet and the early details were dwindling in my memory, I decide to reset the game to the 2220 decade save, deleting a bit more than a hundred screenshots and a dozen save games in the progress.

So what follows is actually the second playthrough of 2220-2230 from the decade save presented in the last lecture. I have clearly benefited from hindsight in some regards, and will do so in forthcoming chapters as well, but on the other hand in one crucial matter the second playthrough was less successful than the original 2220-2230 decade with a significant implication, about which more will be told at the appropriate time.

(Also, I was more sloppy this time, bothering less with micromanaging exploration and explored slower and with more corvette losses as a result, but...err... that was obviously to stay in character as the professor, not at all because teleporting one or two commanders between 10+ corvettes exploring is about as fun as a kick in the balls, though thankfully less painful, and I really didn't care to repeat the experience.)

I'll try not to let the playing get more than a decade or two ahead of the AAR from now on, though it can be hard to stop myself from playing on when I'm having fun and wanting to play "just one more decade..."

EDIT: The next lecture is now posted, and, now that I've spent a few hours recovering, I realize I should have split it in two 5 year lectures rather than stick to the 10 year structure, because its length is excessive. Oh, well. These things happen.

 

[Peter Ebbesen]

Galactic Pacification for Dummies

Lecture the Third: 2220-2230
​

The Voluntary Assignment​

I note that only trent.layell and jak7139 spent their copious free time taking time off from drinking and firebombing mime artists, or whatever it is dissolute youth spend their time doing these days, to answer the assignment.

trent.layell's answer, though limited in scope, gets to the heart of the implications for United After All.

jak7319's answer goes into more details with the implications for the Rak-Rak, which is good, but misses the most important implication for United After All, making it adequate.

Both answers show promise.

As for the rest of you...

It is well known that the empires in the simulation, like all too many empires in real life, have trouble dealing with asteroid hives if discovered before they field a substantial fleet, and will unless their navy is otherwise occupied repeatedly send their main fleet on suicide attacks until they finally succeed, creating cycles of building up for the next attack followed by a swift attack and loss of their fleet.

Since the Rak-Rak Administration are Erudite Explorers we know that they do not focus on fleets to the same degree more warlike empires do, which means that – all else being equal – they are pretty much guaranteed to do exactly that, weakening themselves periodically by losing their main fleet.

The duration of each cycle depends largely on their industrial capacity and the travel time from their capital to the hive system, and at a guess they will be attacking on a 3-5 year cycle

This means that simply by placing a ship with sensor coverage of the asteroid hive system Tirramore to see when their fleet shows up, or looking at their capital system to see when their fleet leaves, I will know when they are vulnerable to diplomatic subjugation due to temporary weakness.

This means that it will be possible to push up the schedule; I only expected to be able to subjugate them in the late 2230s if I didn't want to grant them extremely generous terms that I would have a hard time affording with the Alarians current economy, but the asteroid hive changes that.

Thus I will

1. Immediately sign all the treaties I can with the Rak-Rak in order to build trust quickly, as they will only entertain a proposition once it reaches 50 and I currently have 22; This is more of an influence drain that I would prefer at this point, but the opportunity is too good to pass up on
2. Keep track of their fleet as noted above, so I know when to make my diplomatic move
3. Building up fleet power to make them a convincing offer rather than solely focusing on the economy, as the reduced time scale means I will not be able to build up economic and tech power to alone be enough to convince them within the next few years without a bit of help from the fleet; The ships don't need to be impressive or up to date, they just need to have enough weapons to be a credible threat to armed fluffy bunnies; Since we have discovered a Salvager enclave, I will achieve this goal primarily by buying corvettes for credits from the them, supported by as many corvettes as I can reasonably build for alloys without significantly slowing down territorial expansion
4. Make them an offer they can't refuse when the time is ripe; If this happens before 2227, I might even be able to integrate them before the end of the Luminary's 40 Years Plan(tm), but this will all depend on where on the suicide cycle they are right now; It is possible, but unlikely

This is an example of being willing to adapt your plan as circumstances dictate when new opportunities arise.

• jak1739 earns one extra credit.
• trent.layell earns not one, but TWO extra credits, and the right to be hazed as the teacher's pet for a week
• Everybody else gets 10 demerits

Chac1, desist immediately! You are not allowed to sacrifice the teacher's pet, not even if you use a cultural weapon. Sacrifice one of the sleeping students instead. There are plenty of them to choose from, like that HistoryDude snoring next to you.

The Luminary and the 40 Years Plan(tm)​

I have been given to understand that these days empire origins Under One Rule are optional for undergraduates and that some of you may therefore be vague on the specifics of the 40 Years Plan.

In a nutshell, shortly after seizing supreme executive power, the Luminary promised to take the empire to the stars, and do so well, within 40 years.

At the end of those 40 years, the Luminary will give a great speech boasting of their accomplishments and the people will be overawed, united and devoted for all time... if the Luminary did well.

In the simulation this progress is simulated by the Unifying Promise score.

2220: Current Unifying Promise score

The score is calculated thus:

• 1 point for every owned system
• 5 points for every owned planet with a colony, whether the colony is completed or under construction
• 1 per defensive pact
• 1 per federation ally
• 1 per vassal
• Halve the sum of all of the above if your empire is a vassal
• 10 for being federation leader
• 4 for being in a federation

68 points from 23 systems and 9 planets.

To represent the population's devotion to the Luminary in the simulation, the Luminary has a specific trait, the Luminary Growth trait.

Numerically it has the effect of +0.75 stability and +1.5% unity from jobs per point.

The Alarians have already completed one extra point on top of the two points (+1.5 stability, +3% unity from jobs) at start by gaining an extra point from uniting around building special housing on the first colony, and more are to come.

There are many actions the Luminary can undertake that will boost the people's devotion to her cause, but the biggest of them is to exceed expectations when fulfilling her promise, the 40 years plan, which grants her 1/15th of the Unifying Promise score upon conclusion of the plan.

Out current score would give her 4 extra growth points, that is, +3 stability and +6% unity from jobs, which is not bad for the first half of the 40 year plan, but I can surely do better in the second half.

Comments on Exploration​

As we discovered in the last lecture, there are lots of avenues of expansion for United After All, so let me make some brief comments of a strategic nature on the current situation, starting with what is undoubtedly the most interesting expansion route: Corewards, or, for those of you having trouble with anything but 2D map projections, the galactic west.

2220: Nearby Space, Galactic West by North-West

Given the opportunities in this region I have chosen to cede most of the Galactic East to the Velutarian Coalition and the Galactic South to Wholesale Redemption.

While it would be nice to control all three regions, the West-by-North West region, which contains two planets and potentially more in the unexplored systems, as well as both the Salvager and the Shroudwalker encclaves, coupled with the planets in the interior pockets we can seize at our leisure, should provide the greatest benefits with regards to satisfying the Unifying Promise of the 40 Year Plan.

2220: Nearby Space, Galactic East

2220: Nearby Space, Galactic South

So what is the first thing I do at this point, I hope you are asking yourselves? The answer should be obvious. It is a time for change...

Time for Reformation​

The Alarians have done well so far, but is an Exalted Priesthood running the government really suited to the interstellar polity they now find themselves in control of? And should the secrets of the universe be sought in the depths of their ancient Vaults of Knowledge, or is it the time to discard that hallowed tradition and seek spiritual answers elsewhere?

The Lady Undaunted After All with my wise guidance calls for change; It is time to look to the stars and beyond for answers, and Bureaucratic Efficiency + Dimensional Worship are now at the heart of government

2220: Reformation

The priests are still in charge of the bureaucracy under the rule of their leader, Undaunted After All, but no longer will they be bound by outmoded dogma, nor will they be exalted save the prove themselves worthy through efficient service.

As the first to ascend spiritually, discarding the acquired dogma in favour of universal truths. so their leader will no longer be addressed as the Lady, but the First Ascendant.

Since this is a simulation we don't have to care about the amount of political bloodshed required to make this transition happen so quickly and, dare I say, efficiently, but suffice to say that in real life you should have a mop ready. However saintly they may be, whatever tools they prefer to use, nobody arises to become a Luminary capable of ending the unification wars of a planet and with a will that can channel the survivors' restless energies outwards to new worlds rather than spending decades rebuilding and recovering, without a certain amount of political ruthlessness.

The main negative mechanical effects of this huge change in the simulation are as follows:

• The Alarians no longer gain +1 base unity from priests, so that's 20% of their unity income GONE
• They no longer gain High Priests as rulers instead of Politicians. That's a bit more unity gone
• They lose the +1 to initial skill when hired
• They lose the council job Archpriest(official) giving -2% priest job upkeep/level
• They lose the council job Keeper of the Vaults(scientist) giving -2% leader upkeep & cost/level

But they gain this:

• -20% job upkeep for priests... same as having a level 10 Archpriest on the council
• Edict funds for every priest equal to their base unity production, making it much easier to run many edicts simultaneously
• The council job of Superintendent (official) giving +2% priest job output/level to all priests (not priest unity output, priest job output)
• The council job of Astral Minister (official or scientist), with +0.2 physics output/level to all priests
• Various astral bonuses that are not relevant before Astral Rifts appear

This means it is time to ditch the Minister of Defence from the council, as the navy just isn't that important to the new and improved Alarian government. Red Doctor probably breathes a sigh of relief at losing this duty, busy as he is teleporting between exploration corvettes, or he would, were he real rather than a simulation, which he is not, so he doesn't, but I am sure you understand what I mean.

But I digress.

The new council consists of the Luminary, Head of Research, Minister of State, Astral Minister, and Superintendent,

Magical Lark, our erstwhile Head of Research becomes Astral Minister as the most experienced scientist, replaced in her old job by Neon Lark, the old Keeper of the Vaults.

Unstoppable from the Outset, the old Minister of State, becomes Superintendent, with her old job occupied by a new hire, a level 3 fertility preacher named Contentless Lark, giving us three Larks on the council, which is an odd coincidence.

I now have four officials (the Lady, two councillors, one governor) and exceed the cap by 1, which is a shame since officials level the slowest of the three leader types, but the increased productivity makes it worth it and sooner or later I will increase the official cap.

I could have dumped the Minister of State rather than Minister of Defense, thus not needing an extra official, but I would much rather suffer a temporary official penalty for going over the official cap than suffer the loss of improved first contacts and improving opinion from the Minister of State at this point, since first contacts and making friends is how the Alarians survive and expand rapidly.

Priesthood Tech, the Beginning​

Thus it is that after the reformation, by 2202.02.02 the difference in output between a researcher and a priest with the same ethics on the homeworld is the following:


2220: Priest vs. Researcher

Advantage Researcher: 2.8 physics, 0.7 society, 3.8 engineering
Advantage Priest: 8.6 unity, 4 edict funds, 2 amenities, -0.4 consumer goods upkeep

So researchers are clearly superior to priests for researching, and, indeed, they will always remain so, but as the Astral Minister becomes increasingly proficient the physics gap will narrow, and only the fact that the priests provide no engineering necessitates the employment of any researchers at all.

But who needs engineering this early unless their plan is Galactic Conquest, which is explicitly not the point of this course? Nobody.

As you probably noticed from the slide, the 2.3k energy surplus from the earlier previous slide has disappeared. Was it spent on on clearing the Central Spire on the Rubricator planet (which I have now helpfully renamed to avoid confusion) to make room for researchers, I imagine those of you not fast asleep wondering.

You wonder wrongly.

2k energy was donated to the arts, the Artisan Troupe enclave promising to keep us up to date on the latest developments in interstellar arts. As I am sure you all know, being a patron of the arts unites the population and occasionally gives influence, and that is what we need for expansion, not engineering research.

Now, let me show you what happened next.

2220.05.27: Welcome, Paragon!​

This is a great day in the history of the Alarian people. Their interstellar recruitment office managed to attract a gilded lady.

2220: Welcome, Vas, the Gilded

Fortunately, she is not so named because of being showy but of of little worth, but because she is, literally, gilded. It is just one of those quaint alien customs.

Her elevator speech, “Make me your ally and I will ensure you have powerful friends, in every corner of the galaxy” is only a fair reflection of her abilities, and if her refined luxurious tastes makes her an expensive ally as well, it is money well spent.

She'll replace Contentless Lark as Minister of State, and as I am now two officials above the cap and one of them is surplus to requirements, it is time to say:


2220: Farewell, Contentless Lark

We hardly knew you.

You were a brief and expensive acquaintance, and your firing proof that huge tracts of land and applied experience as a fertility preacher are no substitute for diplomatic competence.

2221.02.23: The Euthanizer War​

That happened quicker than expected! The Jogollwan Euthanizers attack the Jakly Star Bloc, the fanatical purifiers attacking the fanatically militant hegemonic imperialists.

2221: Fanatic vs Fanatic

While it is tempting in such a situation to say, “whomever wins, we lose”, that is not actually the case, because the evangelizing zealots of the Velutarian Coalition have unsurprisingly rivalled the Euthanizers and can likely be counted on entering the war if the Euthanizers suffer signifant casualties, which is almost guaranteed.

If they don't, they'll be building up to become a strong road-bump for the Euthanizers while I put together a federation of Wholesale Remption, Rak-Rak Administration, and, perhaps, the Velutarians as well. So nothing to worry about – for now – but I must admit I had hoped for another four or five years before war broke out between those three militant powers.

2221.12.09: Unusual Constellation Spotted​

During galactic exploration, made much easier by the Crystal Sensor edict allowing all corvettes to map the non-Nebula parts of galaxy without the help of admiral Red Doctor, one intrepid scout's sensors return this unusual constellation.

2221: That seems awfully suspicious

As anybody who sought additional credits by completing the tough, but fair, undergraduate course on constellation spotting, that pattern means that this particular galaxy contains the Chosen. By whom or for what purpose they were chosen differs, but they are always bad news and warded from the rest of the galaxy, accessible only by wormhole.

Which means that once the Alarians discover the secrets of wormholes, all travel by wormhole is strictly forbidden unless I am sure the wormhole goes somewhere else or I have a strong enough federation to take on the Chosen.

2222.06.07: Wholesale Redemption + United After All
are a Joyful Union After All​

2222: Joyful Union After All, the Holy Covenant

Finally the day has come, the Joyful Union After All is created, and never more shall Alarians and Silverfoxes be divided. As of this day they will labour ceaselessly to spread the good word of the Holy Covenant, and for now, just a temporary measure, the president of the union will be Undaunted After All, but the presidency will rotate every two decades, and it will be Rald Toros of the Silverfoxes next in a mere 20 years, the blink of an eye, because this is a union of equals.

This splendid occasion calls for a speech, and indeed, this is one of those historical moments that increases the people's devotion to, and belief in, the Luminary, represented in the situation by increasing the growth points of the Luminary Growth traits by 1.

2222: The First Ascendant's Speech

Also of interest: The Jogollwan Euthanizers war of cleansing against the Jackly Star Bloc began well, overrunning several systems before the Jackly fleet counterattacked early this year, evidently with success as the Euthanizers are currently suffering 39% war exhaustion to the Jackly's 9%.

The Jackly haven't retaken their systems in the three months since, which suggests that their casualties were not insignificant either or that they need to perform extensive repairs, but all points to this being a long war exhausting whomever ends up the winner, and, if I may be so optimistic, one that the Euthanizers will lose.

2223.05.08: The Race for Sidor​

The push to the galactic north-west has proved fruitful with the discovery of several new worlds, and both the Kilik Cooperative and United After All competing to claim them first. The contest has reached its conclusion in the race for Sidor; Whomever claims this system and its world is very likely to get Ijax and its world too.

2223: The Race for Sidor

But Sidor has a lot of stellar objects to survey, and the Kilik got there first, arriving perhaps two years before the Alarians did.

But they only brought one survey ship initially, with another catching up around the time my first survey ship arrived, while I sent in every survey ship that had a chance of reaching Sidor in time, and a construction ship as well to begin immediate construction if I finish first.

2223: The Survey War is coming to an end, and I am winning

2224.10.13: Ecumenical Council​

The great Ecumenical Council of 2223-2224 suffered from one fatal weakness: I was not willing to invest anything in making it a success despite the long-term benefits when concord prevails due to the urgent need to build up the economy and, to a lesser degree, the fleet in order to perform the planned Rak-Rak subjugation. Thus the outcome came as no surprise.

2224: Discord Prevails!

Other developments of note in 2224 is that as it came to its end, the Evolving Society agenda was completed and the council began working on a new agenda to convince everybody of the Alarians exceptionally peaceful nature.

This might prove useful on its own for its regular bonuses, but in particular I wanted the special benefits Under One Rule of getting Orbital Rings as a guaranteed research option. Not because I will have enough engineering science to research them anytime soon, nor the influence to build them even if I did, as influence is better spent on other things early on, but because this way they are removed from the random technology draw. This means that by the time I would otherwise legitimately be able to research them, it will be easy to draw other techs I am actually interested in.

2224: We Come in Peace

2225-2226: Timestamping Fleet Suicide​

2225.08.06 I detect the Rak-Rak fleet departing their capital with a course set for the astroid hive, and based on travel time they'll arrive about a year later; Unfortunately, I do not have a scouting corvette next to the asteroid hive by then to observe the exact timing, but it is seems unlikely I'll have amassed enough power to subjugate them by 2226 anyhow.

2225: The Fleet Departs

And so it proves. I am behind in tech and ahead in economy, but not enough that my still small fleet tips the balance into superior power, so I will pass up on it this time. However, it appears most of the Rak-Rak's fleet was merely damaged, not destroyed, so the next suicide attempt might only be 2-3 years in the future.

In other developments, in early 2226 I completed the Diplomacy tradition group and picked Imperial Prerogative, significantly reducing empire size, and the Velutarian Coalition declared war on the Jogollwan Euthanizers, whose cleansing war against Jakly Star Bloc had ground to an apparent stalemate, so the fanatical purifiers will soon be history as there is no way they'll be able to survive a two front war.

But the biggest development by far in 2226 is that Keides After All reaches adulthood and for a birthday present receives a survey ship, so he can pursue his ardent dream of unearthing the past.

2226: Keides After All

Keides has visions of three planets and urges his mother to fund expeditions to explore the planets. One of them is easily accessible but quite far away, another is closer, but only accessible with cloaking technology due to requiring passage through marauder territory, and the last is very far away unless a shorter route can be found. It might.

2226: Keides Visions

2228: The Fate of the Rak-Rak​

The Rak-Rak's 2.9k fleet has recovered enough for another suicide attempt on 2228.01.05 and sets course for Tirramore, arriving 2228.09.03, and this time I have a survey ship in position to watch the outcome:

2228: Rak-Rak. Perfecting Fleet Suicide since the early 2220s

This goes as well as expected, and by the time their remaining ~400 points worth of fleet power retreat, First Ascendant Undaunted After All makes them an offer they cannot refuse.

2228: Serve Me And Prosper!

The grateful Rak-Rak accept the offer, and in a gesture of goodwill, their benevolent overlord immediately orders the construction of a Ministry of Truth and a Satellite Campus to allow exchange students to spread culture, learning, and the wisdom of the First Ascendant. The Rak-Rak population will take time to fully accept the remarkably change in their fortunes, but buttressed by the strong relations built over the past two decades, less time than might otherwise be expected.

2229: Rak-Rak Disloyalty Soon History

And this, my students, is why building strong positive relations is essential to Galactic Pacification, which is well reflected in the simulation. Not only do friendly relations make others more likely to accept in the first place, but if you have a mere +340 total relations, that's just +3.4 loyalty/mth and you might struggle to build loyalty, whereas if you take your time building trust, improving relations, and perhaps having a few other sources of common interest, then like with the Rak-Rak the score might be +721 for +7.2 loyalty/mth.

For the first few stellar empires that sign up to serve the main difference is the speed with which they'll truly grow to appreciate the benefits of servitude, but for latter empires jostling for power and favour with your other vassals it may make the difference between loyalty and disloyalty.

2229: Time for Another Luminary Speech!

By 2229.05.01 the Rak-Rak are loyal, and while Rald Toros of Wholesale Redemption does not support changing Joyful Union After All's federation law to allow subjects to join in general, he does support the First Ascendant's plan to invite the Rak-Rak Administration to join Joyful Union After All in the specific, so the offer is extended to Chancellor Unyoff Stelharm:

2229: Rak-Rak, Become One of Us, One of Us!

2229: The Fate of Wholesale Redemption​

That was awfully nice of Rald Toros, wasn't it? Turns out there's a reason.

A year ago, while waiting for the astroid hive fight in Tirramore to begin, I noticed that Wholesale Remption was fighting a marauder fleet from the Lypan Wildlings and losing, badly.

2228: That's Got to Hurt

2229: Situation Critical: Home System Raided

It might not be a strong raiding fleet, but with their own fleet destroyed, it is strong enough. Clearly, Rald Toros has failed his people, and the Silverfoxes are in desperate need of succour, their suffering calling for immediate action.

In such desperate times, with the failure of their leadership and marauders crippling their profits, to whom can Wholesale Redemption look to for protection? There is one, and only one person who can save them, though it may take a bit of tough luck, but is she daunted by the task? Of course not.

When the tempers are high and chips are down, she remains, as always, Undaunted, After All.

2229: Tough Love, Silverfoxes

2229: Silverfoxes are Overjoyed!

2229: Serve Me and Prosper!

Rald Toros, seeing the way the board of directors is leaning, gratefully accept, and in return, in a gesture of goodwill, their benevolent overlord immediately orders the construction of a Ministry of Truth, Satellite Campus, and an Aid Agency.

In other news, a strange Dimensional Portal was discovered on the new colony of Exslillon Prime, and a proposal was floated to create a Galactic Community, a coordinating agency for the great and the good of the galaxy. The Alarians were all in favour of this diplomatic initiative, so let us hope it bears fruit.

And in news that will please those students fidgeting at seeing United After All's engineering science, the empire has once more exceeded 2000 energy. What will I spent it on this time? Am I, perhaps, going to clear the blocker on the Rubricator planet to employ 8 researchers?

Year 2230, the Fruits of Diplomacy​

The Good and the Great of the galaxy formed a Galactic Community with United After All as a founding member.

2230: Behold the Galactic Community!

Sadly, I shall not be proposing any resolutions anytime soon, as I need all the influence I can get to fulfill the Luminary's Unifying Promise of the 40 years plan, but I intend to vote in favour of the following if somebody else proposes them:

1. The Greater Good – my ultimate target is Balance in the Middle, with fairness for all but not enforcing equality by eliminating personal wealth
2. Divinity of Life – as far as the community will go; machines must serve
3. Bureaucratic Survelliance – all the way! Eliminating red tape in favour of Personal Oversight by the Luminary and the best and brightest of her priest-bureaucrats can only help improve the lot of common people
4. Forming the Galactic Market
5. Galactic Reform – in the fullness of time

In addition, whenever I remember it, I will vote in favour of anything that is guaranteed to pass without my support, in order to garner favour of the empire proposing the resolution.

On the home front, all members of Joyful Union After All are doing well, and the two vassals are getting used to the new world order.

2230: Loyalty Begins at Home

2230: Friends Everywhere!

When even the fanatically xenophobic materialists have neutral (-74) relations with your xenophile pacifist spiritualist empire rather than greatly disliking or hating it, you are doing something right.

Year 2230, Planetary Development​

Two big ones:

2230: Rubricator Blocker Finally to be Cleared

2230: Kähkö Power is obsolete due to vassal taxes... or is it?

Author's note: Different resource surpluses that other 2230 screenshots as I had started fiddling with market orders yesterday, so when reloaded today the numbers reflect the new orders.

Year 2230, State of the Empire​

2230: First Ascendant and Empire

2230: Traditions are doing fine

2230: Technological progress is underwhelming

Net science output has grown from 166 to 247 over the past decade, a 48.8% increase, which sounds great until you contemplate that 166 wasn't that impressive a figure to being with. Overall United After All is underperforming in technology compared to empires suited to Galactic Conquest, and in particular the low engineering is really starting to make itself felt, made all the worse as I am subsidizing Wholesale Redemption's tech.

Fortunately, engineering is the least important science discipline for this build, so the situation isn't critical yet.

Also, I can't help but point out that society science output of 167.26 is actually quite decent for now, and that fully 37.4 is from research stations. So research stations are making up 22.1% of “quite decent” society output by 2230.

Likewise, Diplomatic Networking, widely despised by clueless students, is making up 8.9% of the unity income of 528.78, which is a very respectable unity output for 2230.

Both the science contribution from research stations and unity from Diplomatic Networking will in a few decades dwindle into insignificance, but their early game importance should not be underestimated.

Another thing to note is that I desperately need to make at least one more research agreement; While not getting a +25% bonus to Doctrine:Support Vessels at this time is perhaps understandable as I am ahead in society tech of most AIs, It is ridiculous not to be getting a bonus to researching deflectors.

2230: Edicts are expensive, but covered by the edict fund

2230: The Council is doing well

I got Inquisitive and Hyper Focus as the first veteran science traits on the council so I have no complaints. The Luminary will soon reach level 7, where she will improve Enlightened Ruler, reducing the job upkeep of all jobs by –10% rather than the current -5%.

22 months remaining on the agenda and I've got a fine unity income; It may well be worth rushing the agenda for around 6-7k unity for quicker levelingl of councillors and perhaps one other leader, but that is an issue for the next lecture.

Tech Reflection: The Research Ratio​

I have been hinting at the issue for the past lectures, and it is about time to address the behemoth in the room: Technology.

Many undergraduates erroneously believe that science output is the most important value for technology, the be-all and end-all for high technology empires. They acknowledge that other values have impact on tech, but focus on science output, presumably because it is all their boozed-up undergraduate minds can grasp.

They are wrong.

If they want to focus on a single value, they should focus on a ratio. Specifically the research ratio for a given tech area, which is the ratio between total research output and research penalties.

The research output of a discipline absent stored research is its science output modified by research speed, and the research penalties are currently limited to the empire size penalty.

It follows that the research ratio for a given tech area is defined like this:

science_output * (1 + research_speed_bonus)
-------------------------------------------------------------
(1 + Empire_size_penalty)
​

Where the science_output is the output from all sources after all output modifiers have been applied, all taxes collected, all subsidies paid, and research_speed_bonus is the sum of all bonuses to research speed in general in addition to those that are specific to the given tech area.

The time it takes to gain a given tech is, absent stored research, simply its base cost divided by its research_ratio.

This is why when comparing two builds to see which progresses fastest in technology you should not look at science in isolation, nor use rules of thumb as to what is “high” or “low” empire size, nor focus on what is “good enough research speed”.

You should look at the research ratio instead, for it is a singular value with the property that the build that progresses fastest in tech in a given tech area is, assuming equal amounts of stored research, ALWAYS the one that has the higher ratio.

Looking at the current technologies on offer, we have an empire size penalty of 19%, which gives us:

Ratio_field_manipulation = 82*(1+43%)/(1+19%) = 98.5
Ratio_military_theory = 142*(1+38%)/(1+19%) = 164.7
Ratio_materials = 21*(1+63%)/(1+19%) = 28.8

From now on I will end every lecture with the current research ratios, which should make for interesting comparisons.

If you aren't used to thinking in terms of research ratios and champing at the bit to know more, I recommend you look at some of your favourite undergraduate Galactic Conquest simulations and calculate your 2220, 2230, 2240, 2250, and 2260 research ratios, to give you an idea of how you usually progress.

The 2230 Save File​

Can be downloaded from this Dropbox link for those who want to look at the situation or play around from this point.

---​

Author's note

As stated in my last post, I restarted the game from last lecture's 2220 end save due to getting too far ahead, having gotten caught up in the game and realizing by 2282 that I was starting to lose grasp of the details I were to chronicle in this 2220-2230 lecture. So I delated all saves and screenshots 2220-2282 and got playing and writing.

This has some implications, most minor, some major.

Major:

• The first time around I managed to vassalize the Rak-Rak by 2225-2226, which meant I renegotiated the agreement early 2236 and integrated them before the end of the 40 year plan for a huge boost to the Unifying Promise score from the extra planets and systems; This time I only managed to vassalize them by 2228, so I won't be able to get that huge a Luminary trait, and, more generally, the way snowballing works in the early game, a few years longer before receiving taxes has significant impact for long term development
• The first time I forgot to research Deflectors early despite knowing they are required for cloaking, which delayed completing Keides vision quests by several years. I juggled with the thought of deliberately ignoring Deflectors the second time around to stay faithful to the “professor's” deliberate sloppy playing, but just couldn't make myself do it. So he will probably reach full power already during the 2240-2250 lecture rather than in the early 2250s as last time

My guess is that, absent some truly strange developments, these will more or less cancel each other out, and that the result by the 2250s-2260s when the swing to unity+tech has come into its own will remain impressive enough to convince you that I am on to something with this unity stuff.


Minor:

• I know roughly where all the other galactic empires are and have a good idea of the general galactic geography; This doesn't matter much as I already discovered everything nearby, but still, it has to affect my decisionmaking to some degree, just like the original 10-15 year playthroughs from the 2200 save to test different civic strategies impacted my knowledge of early opportunities
• I couldn't be arsed to micromanage exploration corvettes as carefully the second time around, so I lost more due to blundering into spaceborne aliens, and overall the exploration of the rest of the galaxy is taking more time, and I don't care, because this way I don't feel like bashing my head in with my 2001 edition of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language

 

[Chac1]

"I'm sorry to report to you, professor, that I misunderstood the 'voluntary assignment.' I thought auditing students were exempt," @Chac1 said to the Professor after class.

(But now flashing backward to the events during class

Chac1, desist immediately! You are not allowed to sacrifice the teacher's pet, not even if you use a cultural weapon. Sacrifice one of the sleeping students instead. There are plenty of them to choose from, like that Historydude snoring next to you.

"Sorry, professor, I was just trying to improve my demerits score," Chac said while releasing @trent.layell from his grasp. "But I can't in good conscience blót @HistoryDude as he not only helps me with my homework, but is a true mentor. Even a rabid berserker like me would not do that."

Chac then picks up a different sleeping student nearby, hoists them on his shoulder and carries them quickly out into the hallway. "Keep going. Don't mind me. This shouldn't take too long," he says as he exits with the sleeping student just starting to awaken and struggle.

(He rejoins the class about here

But the biggest development by far in 2226 is that Keides After All reaches adulthood and for a birthday present receives a survey ship, so he can pursue his ardent dream of unearthing the past.

After class, in his post-class discussion with the Professor, Chac says, "From my notes I thought that was a reference to the ancient band called the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but then I realized I had misheard you and I had misspelled Keides After All in my notes. Was I supposed to understand his origins from a course I missed?"

 

[HistoryDude]

Congrats on vassalizing a few other empires...

What is your plan if one of the militarist empires actually manages to defeat both of the other militarist empires somehow?

 

[Peter Ebbesen]

After class, in his post-class discussion with the Professor, Chac says, "From my notes I thought that was a reference to the ancient band called the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but then I realized I had misheard you and I had misspelled Keides After All in my notes. Was I supposed to understand his origins from a course I missed?"

I don't know how they do it where you come from mister Chac1, but in THIS university "Destiny's Children, The Origins of Terrific Toddlers", by Cassandra Toldya, is obligatory reading for first year students.

AS YOU WILL REMEMBER, during the first lecture after assuming control, a blue baby was discovered in cryogenic sleep in a capsule from an unknown civilization in the Dugar system. This had destiny written all over it, and it is indeed one of the most common marks of a Terrific Toddler according to Toldya.

Decoding writings in the capsule, it appeared that the baby was the last hope of a dead race, the Vagros, and that his parents had named him Exokeides.

He was revived and adopted by the Luminary, who preferred the diminutive Keides, and thus he became known as Keides After All, the Scion of Vagros.

During the second lecture, the young Keides' great intelligence and curiosity was noted, and I decided to direct him towards spiritual pursuits.

Now a young man and brilliant scientist, he has undertaken to unearth the truth of his origin and the death of his race. Stirring stuff, the literature department outdid themselves for this one.

As Toldya predicts, he is destined to become a legend in his own lifetime if he doesn't find an early grave. Shepherding a Terrific Toddler from infancy to legendary paragon, respected by all, is a great responsibility, even in a simulation. When destiny knocks, do not fail.

What is your plan if one of the militarist empires actually manages to defeat both of the other militarist empires somehow?

Congratulate my newest best friend.

 

[jak7139]

"Very skillfully done Professor." Jak is in awe. "How likely are your new vassals to rebel? Are they completely loyal?"

 

[Chac1]

AS YOU WILL REMEMBER, during the first lecture after assuming control, a blue baby was discovered in cryogenic sleep in a capsule from an unknown civilization in the Dugar system. This had destiny written all over it, and it is indeed one of the most common marks of a Terrific Toddler according to Toldya.

Decoding writings in the capsule, it appeared that the baby was the last hope of a dead race, the Vagros, and that his parents had named him Exokeides.

"Thanks for reviewing this with me Professor," @Chac1 said with some embarrassment. "My memory was obviously a bit dim on that. Perhaps I too dozed off during that part of the first lecture. How many other sleepers will I need to sacrifice to get back in your good graces?"

 

[Peter Ebbesen]

"Very skillfully done Professor." Jak is in awe. "How likely are your new vassals to rebel? Are they completely loyal?"

They will never rebel. If they aren't complete loyal, they will be.

Loyalty only becomes an issue if you are incompetent or have many vassals. Since neither apply, if they aren't completely loyal at first, they will be.

How to deal with loyalty issues will be dealt with in detail in the forthcoming lectures covering 2240 and onwards.

"Thanks for reviewing this with me Professor," @Chac1 said with some embarrassment. "My memory was obviously a bit dim on that. Perhaps I too dozed off during that part of the first lecture. How many other sleepers will I need to sacrifice to get back in your good graces?"

Have you considered the virtue of self-sacrifice, mister Chac1?

 

[Chac1]

Have you considered the virtue of self-sacrifice, mister Chac1?

"Thank you for that suggestion, professor. I definitely consider "self" as a modifier before various verbs, and as others here likely have done, I have practiced self-sacrifice to a modest degree, but I think I glean your deeper meanings, sir. However, as those meanings no doubt would break forum rules along with the usually lax university behavior codes I will have to abstain from following your suggestion at this time. I will definitely remember this suggestion however, and attempt to modify my sleep patterns while improving my reading comprehension, not to mention curbing my own thoughts and urges regarding the annoying behavior of some of my colleagues, for the greater health benefits of the entire class," @Chac1 responded.

 

[Peter Ebbesen]

Galactic Pacification for Dummies

Lecture the Fourth: 2230-2240
​

Leaders of the Future​

This is as good a time as any to take a closer look at leaders. What I've got, what I need, and how I'll get there.

2230: Officials are mostly fine

The Luminary rules, and does so well. She now provides +2 society from priests, 6.25 stability, +7.5% unity from jobs, -5% upkeep from jobs, -20% amenities usage, -20% housing usage, and +10% governing ethics attraction, Level 7 and 9 will be used on improving her skill as an Enlightened Ruler, and as for the 40 years plan? It is safe to say that as impressive as she is now, it is as nothing compared to what she will become.

Currently Vas, the Gilded, my minister of state, is doing double duty as the federation representative. Due to my low influence income, she must focus on levelling her Deep Connections rather than Xenolinguistics.

Unstoppable from the Outset, the superintendent, will be assigned to the new Galactic Community. I intend for her to become an advisor rather than an ambassador in the hope of getting the Grey Eminence destiny trait and one or both of the Unified Focus and Reformer unity traits, but it is a tough choice.

The harsh reality is that for advisors, only two out of seven possible veteran traits are good for this build, and the remaining five pretty awful.

As an ambassador, Deep Connections, Entourage, Consul-General, Overseer, and Xenolinguist would all be helpful, so five out of ten.

So why choose advisor? Simply put, the chance to get the Grey Eminence Destiny trait, which provides -10% empire size penalty, is arguably more helpful that Master Diplomat – but it can be easily argued either way.

I will be looking to be levelling at least one possible replacement official if a good candidate comes along, i.e. a Politician that also has another useful council trait, or perhaps an Eye for Talent or Fertility Preacher that I level up once or twice to see what happens, that one might well become an ambassador. Time will tell.

I have a single industrialist governor, Insufferable Bandwagon, and am looking out for more bureaucratic officials to level as industrialists, but haven't been offered one after gaining Imperial Prerogative increasing the cap. Currently there is no hurry as most of my important planets are in one sector, and getting hand-me-down sector bonuses is fine, but in the long run I would like more, either to be used as sector governors or specialized planet governors in the capital sector.

The key word is bureaucratic. Due to the high focus on unity in this build, an official without bureaucratic has to be truly outstanding in some other way for me to be at all interested in hiring as a governor.

I neither have nor want any delegates, as they are, unfortunately, a waste of space. Officials assigned to the Federation and Galactic Community provide most of the power up-front from their level; The delegate specific traits are almost universally weak, to the degree that a non-delegate official being one level ahead of a delegate official is usually more useful.


2230: Commanders are uninteresting

Given that their primary purpose is exploring, dying and being replaced every now and then as I do not pay that much attention to their safety any longer, the traits do not matter much. These all look like council-wannabes, and that's how they'll most likely die: Pining for a Council that rejects their very existence.

I am looking for one or more commanders with decent tactical skill to head up my fleet expansion and kill those 4k Ancient Mining Drones aliens in the galactic west, ideally a Trickster or Cautious admiral who'll not get their people killed and ships lost out of bloody-mindedness, like the Unyielding admiral currently on offer, claiming that he is Best Nonetheless.


2230: Scientists are plentiful

No complaints about the two councillors, but I would like to recruit an extra scientist or two with council traits including politician or spark of genius as I prefer having reserves available, both for replacement in case I lose an existing councillor, which is unlikely, but can happen if I make a great mistake or randomly, but rarely, if I end up with the Composer of Strands, and for the ability to swap in if their traits differ significantly.

As an example of the latter, Magical Lark is a great councillor, but there might be situations where I would prefer to temporarily replace her with another scientist who had Politician 2, if I were rushing agendas and the other scientist wasn't much worse at science overall.

Unstudious Conclusion is my only other scientist with a veteran class, and she is a scholar. I know her destiny.

I almost always level the two first non-council scientist who are good at archaeology or investigating anomalies as scholars, and start power-leveling the best of by having that one scientist investigate all anomalies and be swapped on the council when completing an agenda. The goal is to become a Vibrant Storyteller, after which the scientists can level up ALL scientists simply by investigating more anomalies.

Usually this is accomplished by saving the Webwork anomaly until the scientists reaches level 7, and then investigating that to hit level 8.

The second scholar is both backup in case I manage to get the first one killed along the way and, more generally, to help with archaeology and astral rifts.

As I did not get any scientists with the trait for investigating anomalies and only Unstudious Lark is good at archaeology, Neon Bellevue, the next scientist to reach level 4, will be my second scholar as the best of the rest.

Unstudious Garters, Malclad Disbeliever, and Half-Hearted Legeteuse are all destined to become explorers. There is a lot of the galaxy to explore yet in the distant regions, for which an Exploration speciality will come in handy, but their long term prospects are non-existent: Ultimately they will be replaced by council candidates and analysts, whenever I get offered somebody truly interesting.

Keides After All, the Scion of Vagros, is doing well. Keep up the good work, young Keides!

You may have noticed, observant students, that I have some fairly specific wishes for leader traits and this is, indeed, the case.

Since United After All has had no need for Supremacy early on, and has no real problems with science either, all this points to picking Aptitude for the optional tradition in the CEO model for the additional leader trait option and the additional initial common trait. It is a bit early to say for sure, as the empire needs to go through its ascension path experience first, but it is looking that way.

Expansion: A Question of Influence​

I am in the final stretch of the Luminarys 40 years plan. With 10 years and 9 months to go, it is time for a realistic assessment of expansion opportunities and ruthless prioritization.

2230: 131 Unifying Promises ~ 8 growth ~ 6 stability and 12% increased unity from jobs

The points are tallied thus: 16 colonies (80), 33 systems, 2 federation allies, 2 vassals, 4 for being in a federation, and 10 for leading it. 80 + 33 + 2 + 2 + 4+ 10 = 131.

I have two colonizations about to being in systems I already control to the galactic north, and many opportunities left in the galactic west and a few to the galactic south.

2230: Go West!

In the western region 18 systems at a cost of 18*67 = 1206 influence will bring me ten planets and a Salvagar and Shroudwalker enclave, assuming I can kill the 4k Drones guarding one of the worlds, and assuming that none of the worlds have pre-FTL civilizations. I haven't encountered any yet, but perhaps my luck is about to change.

If influence is tight, the 4-arm containing the two enclaves can probably wait as Wholesale Redemption has more tempting avenues of expansion near its core area.

2230: Complete the Pocket

Two systems at 2*67 = 134 influence for 2 planets is a steal and will be claimed first.

All together I am looking at a bill of 1206 + 134 = 1540 influence, which over 10 years (to give a small margin for error in timing) is 154 influence per year, or 12.83 influence/month.

With a current monthly influence income of 4.83 before expenses and current fixed expenses of 0.5 federation and 0.5 from various treaties, for 3.83 surplus, currently reduced by 3 for specialist conversion, that is going to be a tight squeeze. Where will I find the missing 9 influence/mth on average?

Don't panic.

First, I am currently building a ministry of Truth on each vassal's homeworld, that is 0.3 influence before modifiers from each. So that'll give us something in the vicinity of 1-1.5 influence/mth when they finish construction within the year.

Second, Vas, the Gilded, only lacks around 1200 xp to level 5, where she will improve her Deep Connections skill to level 2, and that's another +0.25 influence/mth gained.

Third, I currently only gain 1.09 from Power Projection. If I build up the fleet a bit I can get 0.91 more, and with the vassal taxes and potentially the salvager enclave to help out, I can probably do that, though not in the early years of the decade. I will want a fleet to deal with the 4k aliens in Omicron Persei to gain access to that world anyway.

Fourth, our contacts with the Artisan enclave will undoubtedly pay off at least twice, and perhaps more often, this decade. That's 100 influence right there, perhaps 150... Or dare I dream, 200!

This still leaves me a bit short, but remember that influence gained from First Contact scales with the monthly influence income once you an empire has more than the bare minimum influence income, and there's nearly a quarter of the galaxy left to explore.

I won't have influence left over to tweak vassal contracts. Integrating the Rak-Rak before the end of the 40 years plan would have been worth the influence due to their planets, even at the cost of expanding less in the western region, but it simply isn't an option as I only vassalized them late 2228 and it takes a decade before the simulation allows new vassals to be integrated.

So every shred of influence will be spent on outposts,, and that will have to be good enough.

What I am saying, my overexcitable students, Is that while at first the idea of gaining 1540 influence in a decade when you have a net of 3.83 might seem a tad optimistic, it is doable with a little bit of luck. Now, let's see what happens next.

2232.11.11: Keides First Vision Quest​

2232: One down, two to go

It turned out that I did have a counterclockwise shortcut around the galactic core so Keides won't have to go all the way around clockwise to reach the location of his second vision, but it will be another half year or so before the science ship dispatched for the purpose arrives, so he can jolly well teleport to one of my several pre-positioned leader-less science ship to engage in ordinary surveying duties until it arrives.

2233.04.06: Cloaking Theoretically Possible​

2233: 43 months for basic cloaking

A great theoretical breakthrough and, as you will remember from the last lecture, a practical requirement to reach the third site of Keides' vision quest, as the system lies through the realm of the Lypan Wildlings. The timing is fortuitous; He is about to begin investigating the site of his second vision, which is estimated to take two years, and he will need cloaking after that.

2234.11.08: The Nature of Mind and Matter​

Following the completion of the Statecraft tradition as an essential part of United After All's galactic outlook, in a long awaited development, the foremost scientist-priests of United After All claims they have indisputable evidence that mind is, indeed, superior to matter, and that this proves they were right all along.

2234: Mind over Matter!

Where do I go from here, I hear you cry. First let me make some observations:

• I now have access to planetary ascension to tier 1
• I need Psionic Theory researched to gain access to Psionics traditions
• I have not discovered Psionic Theory through exploration of the universe, which means I need to get it from the Mind over Matter agenda
• Due to comparatively high social science output, once I discover the research option for Psionic Theory I will be able to research it quickly
• Due to high unity output, once I do have access to Psionics traditions I will be able to progress them rapidly

This leads me to a simple plan:

1. Get Psionics theory as fast as possible to unlock Psionics traditions; Don't cancel the current agenda to get started on the Mind over Matter agenda, but do rush it with unity with about 18-24 months remaining when the price will be bearable
2. Save unity to spend it. Do not spend unity on further traditions or on planetary ascension until Psionics is unlocked, at which point immediately unlocking several Psionics traditions will be possible
3. Profit

2235.01.01: A Pleasant Surprise​

Much to my surprise, a Fallen Empire brings gifts. Had it been the xenophile Fallen Empire that I handed over POPs for pampering to, I would have been less surprised, but this is from the Omnian Continuum, a civilization, if you can call it such, of deluded robots, with which United After All has had no interactions.

Perhaps they are satisfied I left them alone, or, more likely, their logic circuits are failing. Compared to the size of my economy the gift is small, but it would be ungracious to refuse it.

2235: Errr, thanks, I guess?

2235.07.01: Communications Interruptus &
Keides Second Vision Quest
​

You can't win them all. As is well known, regimes Under One Rule in the formative stage during the 40 years plan occasionally suffer communications problems, which miraculously do not affect other empires. Since this is seriously deleterious to the regime's unity, it is a problem that must swiftly be addressed.

As swiftly as possible under the circumstances, that is.

2235: Admittedly, higher engineering output would help a bit here

In rather better news, Keides completes his second vision quest and is now waiting for the completion of cloaking technoloy, projected for 2237.

2235: Two down, one to go

2235.05.29: The Power of the Mind​

It is time to complete the current agenda, A Higher Purpose, and begin the Mind over Matter agenda. As planned the scholar Unstudious Conclusion will substitute for Neon Lark on the council to gain extra experience.

2235: Serving A Higher Purpose

2235: Mind over Matter

2235.10.24: Jakly-Kilik War of Obedience​

Unsurprisingly the Alarians neighbour, the Jakly Star Bloc, the fanatically militarist xenophonic hegemonic imperialists next door, is busy subjugating its neighbours. Don't panic.

2235. Jakly Star Bloc are winning to nobody's surprise

The Kilik Cooperative is on its last legs, and presumably the next target after that will be the distant star realm of the fanatically egalitarian spiritualist Divine Imarian Commonwealth, a theocratic republic of ruthless capitalists, or my other neighbour, the fanatically spiritualist militarists of the Velutarian Coalition, an assembly of clans of evangelizing zealots characterized by their warrior culture and distinguished admiralty. Both realms are stronger than the Kilik Cooperative, and the Velutarians are guaranteed to put up a fight, so it will be interesting to see what the Jakly Star Bloc chooses in the end.

The one thing I can be sure of is that their next target will not be United After All, since the Alarians are great friends with the Jackly Star Bloc, in peaceful coexistence due to multiple pacts, high trust, and an Alarian envoy constantly working on keeping relations high. The Jakly Star Bloc will never turn upon United After All so long as I do not give them cause to do so.

I am not going to give them such a reason.

At least not until I am ready to deal with them. Like everybody else, will they, nill they, they will ultimately be pacified.

2236.06.08: Joyful After All's Triumph of Democracy​

The federation has been a great success, and a deepening of centralization between the members was agreed upon unanimously. The First Ascendant furthermore proposed changing the federation's succession law by abolishing the short-term unwieldy rotation principle that might have made people dizzy and replacing it with a more long-term solution of selecting leaders by spiritual conclave, now that mind had been proven conclusively to be superior to matter, and this too was unanimously agreed upon.

2236: Unanimously Approved, the democratic principle in action

2236.11.30: Hunting Ancient Mining Drones​

The Fleet build-up has succeeded, greatly aided by second-hand corvettes, only one previous owner, hardly used at all, no warranty, no refunds, no questions asked, from the Tinkerer salvager enclave.

2236: Onwards, to Glorious Victories!

Thus it is time to destroy the Ancient Mining Drones in Omicron Persei; I will ensure that a cloaked survey ship surveys it starting 2237 as soon as I have cloaking, and that I have a colony ship and constructor ready on the border to immediately start construction of an outpost followed by colonization once the system is clear.

2237.04.10: Dimensional Portal Collapses​

The dimensional portal on Exslillon Prime turned out to be a giant disappointment, leading nowhere useful, and collapsed on itself. Good riddance to bad rubbish is what the Alararians would undoubtedly be saying, were they real, which they are not.

Knowing the simulation as I do, I am more excited. Some outcomes are deceiving, and this is one of them.

2237: Dimensional Portal to Nowhere

2238.01.05: Galactic Community Does Something Right​

Since I have not sponsored any proposals in the Galactic Community to save influence, and have not twisted any arms either, it is unsurprising that my priorities have been sidelined.

Until now.

2238: It is time to Comfort the Fallen

Comfort the Fallen is being voted on, and it has strong support. Another of my priorities, a charter of Worker's Rights, is high on the list of agendas, currently in second place after Regulatory Facilitation. My third high priority, forming a truly Galactic Market, is far down the list.

So mixed news here, but things are looking up.

2238.06.08: A Research Dilemma​

This is one of the more pleasing dilemmas to have. The society research department completed creating the new field of archaeostudies, and the Mind over Matter agenda completed some months back, making Psionic theory available for further research. (And starting a new agenda of Departmental Efficiency.)

So it seemed obvious that Psionic theory would be the next society tech researched – obvious, that is, until I saw what was offered upon the completion of Archaeostudies:

2238: I want more dilemmas like this, please

Colonial Centralization. The gateway to bigger capitals, more leaders, and further centralization.

Since Psionic theory is the obvious choice, what are the pros and cons of choosing Colonial Centralization instead:

CON:

1. I get Psionic theory later, so I get started on Psionics traditions later; This means that for a period of the same duration as it takes to research Colonial Centralization, I don't benefit from psionic leaders
2. I might get the Great Awakening later than if I researched Psionics theory immediately depending on how much unity I will have stored

PRO:

• Psionic theory is a guaranteed research option; I can always research it next, whereas if I pass up on Colonial Centralization, who knows when I will be offered it again?
• While getting Psionics traditions faster is good, and awakening the population a primary objective, another primary objective a performance point of view is deploying psionic telepaths for the benefit of all citizens, and due to shortcomings in the simulation they can only be deployed on planets with a Planetary Capital or better, which requires Colonizal Centralization

Thus the pros greatly surpass the cons and I pick Colonial Centralization.

2239.06.01: Jakly-Velutarian War of Obedience &
Keides Third Vision Quest​

Eager to follow up on success after the subjugation of the Kilik Cooperative, the Jakly Star Bloc has declared a new war of obedience, this time to dubjugate the Velutarian Coalition. Investigating the circumstances, it appears that both realms have been busy making claims on each others territory, which explains why the Jakly chose to attack the stronger target rather than the weaker Divine Imarian Commonwealth.

2239: These Militaristic Societies are so Immature

The Jakly Star Bloc has slightly superior forces and a greater economic base, now strengthened by their Kilik Vassals, but roughly the same level of technology as the Velutarian Coalition, who for their part are led by a distinguished admiralty and strengthened by their warrior culture, and can be expected to compensate at least in part for their comparative weakness in terms of materiel.

Whatever Archon Grogg Spindrift and his fellow maniacs in the military junta of the Jakly Star Bloc may be thinking, this is pretty much guaranteed NOT to be a short victorious war but instead a long grinding war that might well end short of final victory.

In better news, United After All finally gained access to the Ivushesh system beyond Lypan space back in mid-2236, and once a survey vessel arrived Keides teleported aboard to commence his third vision quest, which has now completed.

2236: Finally Access!

2239: Three down, none to go, and what happens now?

Keides is left with more questions than answers, but his tinkering with the key relic originally found on his capsule has left hope that it can be fully restored. A special project to do exactly this has been started, a huge undertaking in physics, and Keides eagerly awaits the outcome... due sometime next year.

2239.08.20: Cleansing Omicron Persei of Drones​

Corvette swarm tactics at their finest.

2239: To the scrap heap of history!

Year 2240, the Fruits of Diplomacy​

The economy of United After All prospers, with the loyal vassals providing basic resources in return for technological advancement.

2240: Loyal Vassals Strengthen Economy

Overall the economy is coming along nicely, and the unity output is about two and a half that of society output, still fulfilling my original target, so that is okay. I would like it to be higher, of course, but this is certainly good enough to complete Psionics during the 2240s.

A stronger unity build could do so by the 2230s if it got psionic theory in time, but that would pretty much require getting psionic theory from a Dimension of Suffering, Zroni precursor, or Living Planet.


2240: They like me, yeah, yeah, yeah...

No problems here. Both domestic and foreign policy are doing their part.

Year 2240, Planetary Development​

I am sure specialization was covered in your undergraduate courses, but let us nevertheless take a look at a few of the most prominent planets in 2240.

2240: Home After All is filling up

Dedicated to industrial production and the power of the priesthood, the single research laboratory has survived the ravages of time. The generator and mining districts are long gone, replaced with industry, and the remaining agricultural districts are destined to suffer the same fate. Once the planetary capital has been upgraded and psionic theory researched, it will be time for a PSI corps.

Long term, the capital will get an Embassy and buildings upgrading both alloys and consumer goods rather than specializing the capital as either forge or factory, to allow me to easily address alloy or consumer goods needs caused by changing conditions by switching the capital designation, and to run the more generic empire capital designation boosting all resources most of the time.

VERY long term, once I have transformed the capital into an Ecumenopolis and once I have an industrialist governor with either maxed forge or factory veteran trait, I will probably want my capital to be dedicated as either forge or a factory capital designation rather than running it with the empire capital designation, but that is all in the future. For now the flexibility is more important.

2240: Rubricator is coming along nicely

Nothing much to be seen here, the Rubricator is the secondary industrial world, and like Home After All is having its administration upgraded to planetary capital and likewise in need of a PSI corps. Once I have a strong third industrial world, it will be time to specialize one as factory and the other as forge, but that is for the future.

2240: Kähkö Power – still going strong

Despite vassals I found a continued need for its energy. Next up is adding some another two city districts with temples, and then upgrading the administration and building a PSI corps.


2240: Exslillon Prime – my new tech world

Some Jogollwan Euthanizers fled the Jakly and Velutarian conquest and sought refuge in United After All, claiming they were political refugees and definitely not out to euthanize disgusting subj-Jogollwan aliens such as the Alarians. Hailing from an arid climate, they were housed on Exslillon prime and allowed to breed. Since they are highly intelligent, it was decided to channel their frustrations into more productive pursuits than regretting their deeply regrettable past, and I made Exslillon Prime the empire's first tech world.

The world is home to some Jakly emigreess, fresh from the Savannahs of their homeworld. Presumably the two species get on like a house on fire.

It definitely needs more POPs!


2240: Efoll Prime – the new factory world

The jungle world of Efoll prime started out life as a generator world, but vassal taxes made this obsolete giving Efoll's limited potential, so I began turning it into a factory world instead. I kept the old generator districts and pay the upkeep for three reasons despite nobody working their jobs.

First, because this will make it easier for me to reach 25 employed people to allow me to upgrade their administration by simply moving people temporarily to live on Efoll Prime once 25 is within striking range.

Second, because destroying them and rebuilding them year later might not be a saving at all.

Third, because while what the second argument states is true, that “might” is worth noticing; Odds are that it would be a saving, so arguably it would be a micro-optimization worth making. Not a lot, but something.

This a case where laziness and a view to strategy definitely trumps micro-optimization. If I destroyed them, and forgot to rebuild them (or other districts) in time, I would delay the process and end up losing out anyhow.

Why do I get in such agonizing about what is a trivial issue? The answer is simple. Once you start making micro-optimizations there is no end to them. Unless they are something you can apply to a a great many things, thus ensuring great benefit from doing them, stick to strategy instead.

Accept minor inefficiencies in favour of making sure you spend your time avoiding major inefficiencies through bad planning.

Year 2240, State of the Empire​

2240: First Ascendant and Empire

2240: Traditions are waiting on Godot Psionics

Technological progress is pretty good

Perhaps surprisingly to some, research stations still contribute significantly to science these 40 years after start by providing almost 10% of total physics and society output. Double that for engineering research, but that is less surprising given the technological focus of United After All.

More generally things are looking up from a technological perspective. While the science output in 2210, 2220, and 2230 was distinctly unimpressive, it is show promise now, jumping from a net 247 in 2230 to 833 output in 2240 after subtracting subsidies.

What is the cause of this great science output increase? There are several factors involved, and listing them in order of importance, they are:

1. The population grew from 194 to 308, and most of the new POPs are employed as priests
2. Around 20 workers were inducted into the priesthood due to vassals providing most basic resource demands. I am down to a total of 30 workers out of 308 POPs, and this trend is likely to continue as vassals cover more of my needs
3. I am employing 14 researchers, 1 dimensional portal researcher, and 2 archaeo-engineers, and they have higher base output than priests, so a significant increase in non-priest science producers
4. Increased output of priests from a higher level council: Astral Minister (higher base physics output), Superintendent (higher priest output); This effect is minor compared to the other two, but it is still very real and this will continue to be the case as they level.

This isn't a top science output empire by any means, but apart from the glaring issue of only having a net 93 engineering output, which is by now reaching critical status as the Alarians face greater challenges, it is certainly doing better that most undergraduate empires would do in terms of total science production 40 years after start of a simulation, and it is doing so while building respectable tech speeds and while keeping empire size under control.

But it needs more engineering science one of these days.

Corvette swarms, even with upgraded shields and physics weapons, can only take you so far after all.

From a purely defensive perspective, of course.


2240: Edicts are doing fine, but look out!

As everybody of you not fast asleep will immediately notice, the Alarian stock of rare crystals is reaching critical levels. It is time to disable the Crystalline Sensors edict.

I should probably also start the recycling campaign. I am approaching the point where it makes not only practical convenience but economic sense.


2240: The Council is Ever Efficient!

The Research Ratio​

Let us see what that impressive science output does in practice:

Ratio_particles = 322*(1+63%)/(1+41%) = 372.2
Ratio_psionics = 417*(1+48%)/(1+41%) = 437.3
Ratio_industry = 93*(1+48%)/(1+41%) = 97.6

As expected, keeping empire size under control relative to the size of the economy has paid off by allowing the research ratio to scale well with science output.

Also as expected, it is slipping a bit as POPs provide an ever larger portion of the base empire size before modifiers, but Psionic Theory, Harmony, Domination, and planetary ascension should be adequate to counter that in the long run.

Overall the particles and psionics ratios, with and without research agreement support respectively, are well within the limits of what should be considered high tech by 2240, and the industry ratio without research agreement is... well, to be charitable I could claim that the industry ratio, and engineering ratio in general, isn't low for 2240, but that would be comparing it to undergraduate builds. For post-graduate studies and real life Global Pacification it is definitely on the low side.

The 2240 Save File​

Can be downloaded from this Dropbox link for those who want to look at the situation or play around from this point.

---​

Author's note

This was a relaxing decade, surveying and building infrastructure. I mostly achieved the goals set out in 2230, but ended up with lower engineering than I would have liked.

The annoying UOR random event giving me a -20% unity modifier that could be removed with a mere 4000 engineering special project felt deliberately spiteful, coming as it did about 5 years before the end of the Unifying Promise period.

So I had the choice, of getting -20% unity (additive) for ~5 years or spending 26 months of engineering science to only suffer -20% unity for two and a half years. I went with the latter, trading engineering for unity, but am not at all sure I made the right call. Not that it has any great impact on the game, but the game could hardly have chosen a better low-impact/great-annoyance event to torment me with if it had tried to.

One thing that strikes me is that I haven't mentioned how I have been dealing with the four different approaches in the Unifying Promise situation over the decades, though it may have leaked in some of the screenshots. Each approach comes with a significant benefit and a significant cost.

Once I completed the Unifying agenda and could change the approach in the situation, I stuck with the original choice (Internal Affairs, +5 stability for -0.25 influence) for some years mostly through laziness, I'm afraid.

Then I made New Technologies approach default (+10% researcher output, +35% researcher upkeep), since it has minimal effect on United After All as priests don't count as researchers, swapping in Construction Projects (planetary build speed +35%, ship build speed +35%, -0.15 base metallurgist output) during periods with large building projects.

 

[trent.layell]

my several pre-positioned leader-less science ship

Professor, what is the decision-making process behind how many of these to build and where to position them?

 

[jak7139]

Jak went to speak with the esteemed educator after the lecture.

"Professor, forgive my ignorance, but is there any risk of the AI declaring war on you if you fall to far behind in Engineering tech? Or have your other economic and diplomatic advantages prevented this possibility? Do you have a contingency plan just in case?"

He hoped his questions weren't too naive. Stellaris was never his strong suit. But he hoped to learn much.

 

[HistoryDude]

Congrats on grabbing Mind over Matter!

Do you have plans on what to do if you get one of the other four Shroud-Beings? If so, what are they?

Let's hope that conflict among the militarists ends in a stalemate...