Triumph of the Ultimate Society: A Stellaris multiplayer AAR.

[Randallw]

2246:09:12

The Estates were faced with two problems, they had run out of space to expand, and they were victim of a substantial energy shortage. The Estates had expanded wildly over the years grabbing many systems both occupied and unoccupied. Now they were surrounded on nearly all sides with nowhere to go, but energy production was by far the bigger problem. With the expansion had come heavy construction. Ships were needed to explore the region, troops were needed to pacify primitive cultures, and always facilities needed to grow, particularly in the military with its need for more and more warships as potential threats loomed. The estates struggled to power what it had already achieved, never mind any potential growth, and industry only continued because of a donation of free energy from the Faloriens. It galled the leadership to have to rely on allies, even if loyal allies they were. Roberto Lopez had been tasked with finding a new source of energy, and had focused on the problem to the expense of everything else. Now he thought he might have found a solution. The Estates were replete with military spaceports. They littered the empire, watching over conquered worlds and colonies, and churning out ships for the fleet. What if, Lopez thought, they could be turned to solve the energy problem.

“Divert flow from panel 10a to panel 16b” he commanded.

“Diverted.”

“Initiate stage 2” he ordered, going over the series of updates flowing into his workstation. He studied the projects progress as it developed. Finally satisfied that everything was progressing as expected he gave the order to continue on to the last stage.

Out on the test module shutters withdrew, baring the solar panels to the vacuum of space. As Lopez watched energy flowed into the panels and the meter levels grew. The problem, which had long vexed the scientific team, was that the energy taken in would quickly plateau, supplying little more than necessary to power local equipment. What was needed was the ability to take in not only larger amounts of solar energy but to store it for dispersal throughout the empire. Lopez thought he had solved the problem.

“Activate quantum phase state” he ordered. At his order the array of solar panels were ordered by a quantum charge that lineated the constituent molecules into a sub atomic array that facilitated electron flow. The energy levels wavered for a moment before shooting up. Lopez had been conservative as to what to expect, but was surprised as the energy gained outweighed his expectations. The carefully designed monitoring equipment struggled to keep hold of the amount of energy being measured. The control room erupted into cheers as the team witnessed the breakthrough, but Lopez mind had already turned to another problem. With this amount of energy provided, might it be possible to increase the energy seed in a developing wormhole and lengthen the reach. He pondered the question.

2248:12:05

James Smar was a junior aide in the office of the Dominar. He had just arrived in the offices and noticed a crowd around the Dominars office.

“what’s going on?” he enquired.

“The Dominar is conversing with the leader of the Faloriens via secured communications.” a senior aide explained.

“What about?” james asked, but no answer was forthcoming.

“Yes, we know about the Yeon, though not directly” James could hear the Dominar say. Evidently the alien leader replied but James couldn’t hear the translation.

“The question though is, if we support this proposal what can the Estates expect in return. The Yeon are outside our space and we don’t share a border. How can we possibly assist in your invasion?” There was a substantial pause before the Dominar spoke again.

“Yes, we very much appreciate your sharing our rivalry with the Taxis and their allies, but…” at which point the Dominar was silent for a moment.

“Would that be the resources you already supplied us with, or new ones?” pause.

“I see. Well in that case I’m sure there will be no problem passing the proposal. You have our unconditional support.”

It was several minutes before the Dominar emerged. She looked grim.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Falorien Compact , and thus the Estates, are now officially at war with the Centralised Yeon Systems.”

 

[Randallw]

2253:09:26

Yuuto Kobayashi carefully considered what had led her to this moment. Since a child she had been raised to see service to the state as the sole purpose of her life. She had been friendly towards the children of some of the serfs that worked on her parents’ estate, but had never forgotten that her position made true friendship impossible, besides there were plenty of other children of Lords for her to mix with. She had always been of a scientific bent, frantically keeping up to date on the latest achievements of the empire’s science endeavours, so when the time came to pick a career she had eagerly joined the science directorate. Many hoped that the long period of trouble would soon end. There had always been revolts in the conquered territories, and always those revolts would be ruthlessly put down only for them to rise again several years later. Why couldn’t the lesser races see that their efforts for independence were futile? What had been shocking however was when a faction on the Lord colony of Delphi had risen up, calling for independence. This so called Lord Dominion had feigned loyalty, going so far as to declare support for the Compact’s war with the Yeon, but all the same the leadership could not accept disunity. The independence movement had been put down before it could barely start, but the damage was done. In the southern sectors three illegal governments, The Royal Sek-Lokkar Stars, the Zithorian Polity, and the Kroll Interstellar union had risen. These factions had been crushed, but resentment still remained. In Yutto’s opinion more effort had to be spent preventing these revolts rather than just waiting for the inevitable factions to rise only to be crushed by garrisons as had happened every time. The leadership named the Taxis and their allies as a larger threat but Yuuto was not sure. The Taxis had been viewed as a threat for nearly 50 years and yet in all that time they had never done anything to threaten the empire, apart from one insulting incident and their habit of grabbing territory around the border. Yuuto had heard of the Taxis and the Academy of the Golden Banana claiming unknown rivals, even waging wars with them, so in Yuuko’s opinion the threatening aliens were probably more interested elsewhere than with the Estates. Besides the Estates had loyal allies in the Faloriens and the Iiderians.

During this time Yuuto had participated in the enhanced physics movement. The leadership saw that expansion was vital, yet the Estates were hemmed in on nearly all sides. The only unclaimed space was a region on the border with the Ess’Jaggon Shard, but it had been unreachable by Lord wormholes. The Leaderships solution was to prioritise funding towards physics research to the cost of other fields. Yuuto had helped Professor Skobolev’s work on the enhanced wormhole technology, eventually coming to lead one of the research teams. Now, with the new wormholes perfected the outer arm was accessible. The first target for exploration was a system identified as Sosta, and for her work on the technology Yuuto had been named as chief scientist for the expedition. She just hoped that whatever she found would help the Estates to grow stronger and assert their dominance.

 

[Jabberwocky]

*Incomming transmission from the Academy of the Golden Banana*

Greetings,

It has come to the attention of the directorate that you continue to use of the term 'bananas' to refer to our most esteemed Academy of the "Golden Banana. It is clearly delineated in all diplomatic communication that we are to be referred to as "Golden", "The Golden", or "The Academy" and not as a simple mundane 'banana'.

Continued use of the derogatory term 'bananas' will be taken as insult. Henceforth all references towards the "Lords" Estates will be replaced with "Hairless Ape" Estates, until such corrections have been made. There are discussions currently underway to discover how to reintroduce a proper coat of fur to your grotesque smooth pink bodies.

Good day.

*Transmission Terminated*

 

[Randallw]

2256:10:10

Yuuto had now spent several years exploring the new territories opened up to the Estates. They had been a fairly peaceful few years, with little to occupy her apart from the occasional anomaly. One was especially promising but she had to admit the percussions were beyond even her skill, it would have to be left until she gained more experience or one of the scientists working at home could be detached to investigate it. She and her crew had been slowly surveying the systems in the new area and she had started to think there would be no sign of competition until, that is until they reached the 6th planet of this, the Diadem system. As her crew finished up their survey of the planet and prepared to move on they had been shocked to witness an Academy ship enter orbit. She almost forgot to address them according to the new rules laid down when the Academy of the Golden Banana had protested the way the Estates habitually referred to them. The leadership, seeking to improve relations had transmitted orders to comply. The presence of the Academy was troubling. How far had they surveyed the region? She had not been informed of any colonies in the area, the closest some far off Taxis territories, scattered further along the arm. Leadership, once apprised of the situation, had ordered her to continue survey efforts. The future of the estates hinged on the occupation of this territory. Initially such growth would have been targeted at the Golden Cloud alliance, but conflicting orders had recently been sent. The other states in the Falor Compact were starting to warn of a threat in the far off North Eastern sector of the galaxy, as such things were reckoned. The estates had no contact with the region, but, she was informed, the Taxis did. Could it be their belligerence was not targeted towards the empire, as long suspected, but towards a larger threat. Yuuto pondered the situation. All she could do was continue her mission and hope their efforts would be fruit, unhindered by opposition by the other empires bordering the region.

 

[Randallw]

OOC:Nothing much of note happened for the last half an hour. I don't think it's worth bothering detailing it, besides I need to install windows 10 on one of my computers.

 

[Randallw]

2262:03:24

The Defense committee of the Estates discussed the condition of the empire. Exploration efforts in the new territories in the outer arm had borne fruit. A small pre-industrial civilisation had been discovered on one of the distant planets and once an occupation fleet arrived, quickly subjugated. So as to facilitate the claim to the surrounding area a frontier outpost near the Taxis border had been disassembled and rebuilt in the new territories. The situation was tenuous however as an Academy colony had been detected just as the new outpost was brought online. The committee unanimously agreed it needed watching. Apart from that however things were improving. The Estates had gone through a long period where influence had been lacking, with revolts and uprisings threatening stability, however recent advancements had vastly improved the empires standing. Likewise many of the officials remembered the widespread deficit of energy. Pleasingly, that problem had seemingly vanished for good with energy supplies reaching a level where it was hard to find more room to store it. Other good news was that food yields had increased due to advances in genome mapping. Many planets cursed with incessant uprisings had faced starvation as insurgent attacks damaged farms and hydroponics stations. A pleasant use of the technology was also to improve the leadership themselves. Many of them were elderly, and remembered the indispensable leaders that had fallen victim to old age. Such improvements were useful and ensured the recipients would serve the state faithfully for a long time yet.

 

[garion132]

James Smar was a junior aide in the office of the Dominar. He had just arrived in the offices and noticed a crowd around the Dominars office.

“what’s going on?” he enquired.

“The Dominar is conversing with the leader of the Faloriens via secured communications.” a senior aide explained.

“What about?” james asked, but no answer was forthcoming.

“Yes, we know about the Yeon, though not directly” James could hear the Dominar say. Evidently the alien leader replied but James couldn’t hear the translation.

“The question though is, if we support this proposal what can the Estates expect in return. The Yeon are outside our space and we don’t share a border. How can we possibly assist in your invasion?” There was a substantial pause before the Dominar spoke again.

“Yes, we very much appreciate your sharing our rivalry with the Taxis and their allies, but…” at which point the Dominar was silent for a moment.

“Would that be the resources you already supplied us with, or new ones?” pause.

“I see. Well in that case I’m sure there will be no problem passing the proposal. You have our unconditional support.”

It was several minutes before the Dominar emerged. She looked grim.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Falorien Compact , and thus the Estates, are now officially at war with the Centralised Yeon Systems.”

totally how it went down.
His Intergalactic Imperial Majesty, Garion132, Emperor of Faloria

 

[Randallw]

2264:01:17



“Who are these Djomar?” queried the defense minister. The race in question had just sent a diplomatic communique wherein they made their attitude fairly clear.

“They’re a seemingly new race. They appeared suddenly in Taxis space. They are a new race without much territory, and what territory they have they share with the Taxis. We are working on the assumption they evolved in the Mer Catalog system where we detected them.” Responded an aide.

“So they were living under the Taxis sight all along and yet the Taxis allowed them to develop to such a stage that they reached space and not only compete with their neighbours but are actively antagonising them? Seems pretty irresponsible. You’d think the Taxis would know to subjugate the primitives the moment they were detected.”

“From what we know of the Taxis they seem reluctant to act with force.”

“Hmm, pretty dumb way to assert yourself” the minister mused. “Maybe we can conquer these Djomar ourselves.”

“That may not be advisable. It is technically Taxis space, they might be hostile if we move in and take over half of one of their systems”

“Damn!” The minster exclaimed. “Well keep me apprised of the situation.”

 

[Randallw]

2271:07:01

Ksenia had been spent many years serving the state, heading research projects, primarily increasing the prestige and influence of the Estates, and thanks to the recent advances in genome mapping she could look forward to many more, but she had to admit that perhaps she would not see anything more mysterious than her current project. Many years ago when this new region was only just beginning to be explored anomalies had been detected in this the first system to be surveyed. Lesser scientists had attempted to investigate the strange readings but it had been beyond them. Now, after many advances in her own endeavours, Ksenia had been ordered by the leadership to attempt to find out what the source of the strange readings were. Her team had scoured the area above the planet where the signals originated. Floating in orbit were a number of corpses clad in unfamiliar space suits. Every one of them was missing a helmet. The species was alien but it fit standard humanoid physiology, including a respiratory system. Due to the tissue damage caused by exposure to vacuum it was hard to determine exactly how long they had been floating here but it was fair to estimate it must have lasted thousands of years. The spacesuits themselves contained components the composition of which heralded many advances in engineering once studied, but what concerned Ksenia more was the corpses themselves. She studied intensively the bodies utilising MRIs, scans and tissue samples. But one thing caught her attention. With the help of an assistant she turned one of the bodies over. Located on the back of what for a human would be a neck was a series of strange markings, in appearance they resembled the bar code placed on serfs to identify them. Ksenia quickly compared them to those on her assistant. Very similar. A quick check found the same markings on all the other bodies. What a coincidence to find such foreign, yet similar, samples. She would have to report her findings to the leadership. These Cybrex deserved more investigation.

 

[Randallw]

2275:04:15

Julian Philips was going over some important reports while eating lunch, when his assistant came into his office.

“Sir, I think there’s something you should look at.”

“What is it?” Philips asked as he got out of his chair.

“We received a message from the Faloriens. They pointed out to us some activity on the border with the new territories”

“Where exactly?” he queried as they entered the main sensor control room.

“The Trabano system”

“Doesn’t sound like one of ours”

“It isn’t. It’s on the edge of Academy space. We don’t have a colony in the immediate vicinity. The closest is the new Ilderian colony hemming in the Academy colony at Ditrim”

“Oh, of course. Well bring the sensor reports up.”

The assistant activated a control and a map of the area in question came up on the main display. Manipulating some controls, the image zoomed into the Academy border. What met the observers was a large fleet lurking around the Academy wormhole station at the edge of the system.

“By the leadership!” someone exclaimed. The fleet was massive, easily outweighing the combined fleet of the estates, speaking of which.

“Contact Home fleet control. Immediate priority!”

“The Home fleet is on deployment, hunting down space creatures threatening the conquests.”

“Well get them back!”

Alarms wailed.

“Multiple hostile fleets detected!”

“Inform the leadership immediately”

Philips looked in horror as his sense of security collapsed. The combined forces of the Golden Cloud alliance were converging on Sol, and there was seemingly no stopping them.

 

[Randallw]

The control room was a scene of controlled chaos. Reports came flowing of enemy advances on all fronts. No more information flowed from the new territories, the banana worshippers having cut off all transmissions. Three fleets, each from a member of the Golden Cloud alliance, had penetrated into the Home system. They proceeded to swiftly destroy all defences orbiting Earth. The leadership’s hopes had partly lain in the extensive mine fields orbiting Earth’s main Space Station, but those hopes had been swiftly dashed. The enemy had flown though the field disregarding the mines dashing themselves against them. The enemy fleets had then proceeded to open fire on the station. Too late the Home Fleet arrived and moved to engage. Once the station had been demolished the invaders turned on the desperate defenders. Led from the Dark Wanderer, the alien designed and built flagship of the Home Fleet, the defenders fought desperately and valiantly. For the most part they had been designed to fight off the missiles of the Taxis ships, but faced with overwhelming numbers, and the ships of the other alliance members, they had been destroyed one by one with increasing swiftness. As the last defender fell, the Falor Compact members arrived in system. Forced to cool their generators after their transit they sat helpless while the Lord ships were destroyed, but eventually they too joined the fight. They too were faced with overwhelming odds, as the last of their smaller vessels were destroyed the Faloriens in particular cut their losses and their mighty battleships made a hasty escape, fleeing into warp space.

All the defenders dealt with, the invaders moved to secure space above Earth. The defences below shook as the enemy started their bombardment. The surface pacified, the invaders armies started their descent. The defenders on the surface fought back but the result was all but assured as they were swamped by the invading numbers.

With their homeworld lost and the enemy moving onto other colonies, and with the new territories lost, the leadership was forced to sign a humiliating peace. At a stroke all the new territories were lost. The border colony of Virconum was annexed by the Taxis, and the Penthalans on Cirtish were forcibly given their independence, tied to the Golden Cloud alliance. The Estates, reduced, but not totally defeated, were forced to examine their reduced domain. But one thing could be said, all doubts as to the perfidy of the Taxis and their cohorts were forgotten. The Estates now knew for certain who their true enemies were.

 

[Hellknightimp]

great read, glad we could make it interesting.

High Thought Weaver Hellknight of the Jac-aha Cloud

 

[Jabberwocky]

ha! I didn't notice he had temporarily called the star Banana Split.

 

[Zan'nh]

ha! I didn't notice he had temporarily called the star Banana Split.

Yep had it at the that name maybe five minutes at most. I switched the star's name several times couldn't think of anything that would fit and I got a name list from a book series (has a glossary). Noticed that my colony would split direct border access to the rest of the Academy of the Golden Banana so I called it that literally then switched it a moment later to Newstation.

On another note towards the end of the session after talking about absorbing a fallen empire I noticed a colonized star system in the Taxis Free Haven near my territory called Foxy Neighbors.

 

[Randallw]

2278:12:04

The leadership had convened to discuss how to rebuild the Estates. Luckily, apart from the loss of Virconum the Empire had suffered little lasting damage. The main loss had been the fleet built to defend Home, which, though it had caused losses in the enemy, had been overwhelmed.

“We need to rebuild our construction facilities!” said one official.

“We need to rebuild the fleet, what if the Taxis attack again!” said another.

“We need to rebuild our construction facilities to rebuild the fleet!” interjected a third.

The Dominar called for calm.

“We won’t accomplish anything by leaping to conclusions. What we need to do is take some time to consider our options. First, the Penthulans. What’s the situation with them?”

“Well as you know, one of the conditions for the peace was their liberation. Of course we immediately considered their re-subjugation but it was widely considered that being in the enemy’s fold reconquering them would invalidate the peace treaty”

“But?”

“Well, somehow, they were approached by the Faloriens and willingly submitted themselves to them. They are now officially vassals of our allies.”

“Surprising, considering the trouble they went to showing their disdain when we controlled them”

“Yes, very. The Faloriens queried us as to whether we wanted them put back under our control. Of course we did request them back, but we have yet to hear anything from the Faloriens.”

“I always said they weren’t good allies” said one official “First they go running when the Taxis invaded Earth, we endlessly supported them in their wars, for little return I might add, and now they grab species that rightfully belong under our yoke”

“What would you have us do,” the Dominar replied a hint of anger showing in her features “we joined their compact for the sole purpose of providing some security should the Taxis be openly aggressive. Granted that didn’t help us much, but if we leave the compact that will leave us vulnerable, or do you wish us to be in the same position as the Yeon? They had an empire once, now all that’s left of them are divided states toiling as vassals of the Faloriens and their allies. No, I say we stay with them. There is still nearly 10 years before the peace treaty expires. Who can say what the future holds. Meanwhile the Taxis and their allies have other opponents, the Cryn for example. Now, I have sent an embassy to increase relations with them, but surely there must be others. Just continue rebuilding, reach out to others. We are too weak, at the moment, but who knows what the future holds. We must face facts, we lost…we lost!” she said to the council’s calls of disdain. “Do not rush into decisions that could make things worse. Are we agreed?”

The council reluctantly agreed.

 

[garion132]

2278:12:04
...
“Yes, very. The Faloriens queried us as to whether we wanted them put back under our control. Of course we did request them back, but we have yet to hear anything from the Faloriens.” ...

The Falorien Empire is currently preparing to integrate the Penthuians in order to return them to the rightful control of the Great Lord's Estates.

The son of His Intragalatic Imperial Majesty, Garion132, Immortal Emperor of Faloria:
Vladimir, The First of his Name, Emperor of Faloria, and Lord of the Reyubb, the Yeon States, and of the Yeon Conglomerate

 

[Randallw]

I'm not sure if I need to point out I personally am not bothered. It's just the characters.

 

[garion132]

I'm not sure if I need to point out I personally am not bothered. It's just the characters.

you don't need to. when i am replying in character, i am mostly replying to the characters in your AAR (usually the Dominar). i am well aware that it does not reflect your actual opinion.

 

[Randallw]

2282:03:18



The Dominar was working on vital reports when her communicator sounded.

“Dominar, the…um…representatives from the Penthulan Confederation is still waiting to meet you” the aide on the line said hesitantly.

“Very good, I’ll be there shortly. Have Rosie bring some light refreshments.” The Dominar ordered.

“Yes, maam.”

The Dominar continued perusing her documents for about 5 minutes before standing up and exiting her office. She walked down the hallway, various aides following close behind. Once she reached the meeting chambers she made her way to the raised dais at one end, ignoring the group standing at the other end, and making herself comfortable seated herself on her throne. Finally looking up she addressed the Penthulan ambassador.

“How can I help you, K’Ran?”

K’ran, ambassador from the Serene Penthulan Confederation to the Lord’s Estates quivered slightly, whether in fear or anger was hard to determine.

“That’s Ambassador K’ran” the indignant ambassador finally exclaimed.

“Oh don’t let us stand on ceremony. After all we have known each other for years. Why I remember fondly all that time we spent together, me managing for the good of your people, you ably assisting the governor on Cirtish.” At this the gathered Lords chuckled slowly.

“Labouring under your fist more like” announced the alien ambassador. At this the Dominar’s face darkened markedly.

“What do you want K’ran?”

“The provisional government on Cirtish wants to establish formal relations. We wish to put behind us the past and establish a new relationship as equals”

“What do the Faloriens think of this?”

“This is not a matter for the Faloriens. The Penthulan people are free to make their own decisions”

“I’m sure you are.” Said the Dominar, smiling. As if by a signal the doors to one side opened and a servant came in.

“Ah good, refreshments. Please, help yourself.” Announced the Dominar from her throne, addressing her guests.

But the Penthulan delegation looked with shock at the servant. The Penthulan serf, one of the many still labouring on Earth and other worlds of the Estates, went slowly about the room, her eyes downcast offering food to the ambassador and his aides. The aliens hesitantly accepted the food, which seemed to be serf rations. Finally the serf approached the Dominar offering better quality food. The Lord ruler dipped her hands into a bowl of water and washed them before choosing some fruit from a bowl meekly held by the servant. Taking a bite, the leader addressed the diplomats.

“Very well, establish your embassy. I’m sure my staff can locate some quarters, let us say, suitable, for your esteemed presence.” The Penthulans were silent as they exited the chambers. The Dominar considered them as they left. Finally she turned to the serf.

“Thank you, Rosie, that will be all”

“Yes, lord.” Replied the servant whose real, but little spoken, name was S’rna.

 

[Randallw]

eveything is pretty much standard management, not much story worthy. Here's a map of the galaxy circa 2288:08:15

also of casual interest. The head of the nationalists for the southern conquests faction is Penthulan, despite that planet not being part of the sector, or indeed empire, anymore.