Reality Revision

The Penthiae Arc is the third chapter of the TIP story. After some debate, I have decided to also make it the final arc. This means that the Chroma Arc (4th) and Second Penthiae Arc (5th) will be removed altogether. The reason why? because the elimination of two arcs drastically reduces the amount of resources required to finish such a project.
Besides, one could always write a sequel later. =)

The Penthiae Arc will take place some time after Exelar’s coronation and the Imperial Proclamation, maybe by about a week or so. However in terms of the player’s perspective, the time gap is negligible, as it should follow right after the last scene of the Astraea Arc.

[TIP Spoiler Alert]

…continuing from the Astraea Arc…

(ME): Anomaly - Just a week following the birth of the Terran Imperium, the first capital starship launched by this new empire is sent into space. The Light Cruiser Lesnaya is of a new ship class designed for space exploration, and it was dispatched out to begin charting the nearest unexplored star systems from Astraea. It’s first mission was to a system on the edge of the Milky Way’s outermost rim, where it discovered a strange occurance - sensors detect an usual form of stellar radiation coming in from further out, and upon examination the waveform seems to be magical in origin. They were being emitted by a star just beyond the outermost rim, one so small its presence was not even noticed in further away systems. This discovery was immediately reported back to Astraea, where the new Imperial Fleet Command (IFC) dispatched orders to Lesnaya to scout out the star. Lesnaya would soon send back another message of discovering an anomalous system, a planet without a star but surrounded by a powerful magical field. What’s more interesting is that the planet is filled with life forms, and not just any… they were humans. The planet has a significantly lower function technology level, but a high level of magic and magitech dominance, and also contains numerous ruins of high technology from ages prior. This information was quick to be propagated through the command chain, soon brought to the attention of Aoric and Hikari, whom informed Exelar. [Exelar, Aorin, Aoric, Hikari].

(ME) Mission - Despite the fact the Imperium has been formally declared and Exelar now given responsibility over it, being the Emperor of a single city upon one planet leaves him with a task that sounds monumental but is simplistic in reality. While Aoric and Lothair are busy reorganizing the military and government structure in according to the plans described in the Imperial Charter (which was prepared by the Overseers, and editted in minor details by the Heirs), Exelar himself have not had much to do. Lothair believes that dealing with another inhabited system will certainly require a level of wisdom and guile no ordinary Cruiser captain can be expected of, and that the best option would be either him, Exelar, or Tolkin (if still around) leading the expedition. Aoric however, expresses a still distrust of Tolkin, but claims that this would be a good opportunity for Exelar to further boost his reputation amongst the public. First generation Kings and Emperors of the past have always founded empires through their own might, whether at the conference table or on the field. However, he makes it clear to Exelar that under no condition is he to bring danger upon himself, and that it’ll be Aorin’s job to secure this. [Exelar, Aorin, Aoric, Lothair]

(ME) Expedition - Exelar decides to take all the Imperium Heirs that can be spared onto this expedition to the newly discovered planet. The foremost priorities of the expedition will be to learn about, establish relations, and forge trade between the two planets. Only more information is acquired, how to proceed will then be determined. He’ll be taking the Star Cruiser Berezina to meet up with the Light Cruiser Lesnaya still scanning the system, along with Aorin (protective entail), Hikari (because she’s absolute in coming along), Canan (information gathering), and Sofiya (navigation and guidance). The following characters are also optional: Farad (artificing lore) or Exam (information gathering) [note: there will be a limit to characters chosen. Aorin and Farad will come with ground combat troops who may be available/reinforce you in certain battles].
Note: Farad’s artificer expertise and his skills as an Arcanum Kreuzritter would, in totality, help far more in battle than Exam (who’s pretty good himself), but Exam is obviously necessary for Canan/Exam path, and his presence helps with recruiting Miros.

(ME) Into the Unknown - Exelar leaves Astraea and reaches the newly discovered system. The Lesnaya’s crew informs Exelar of their finding about the magical ward surrounding the planet. It seems to function as both a defensive ward from the outside, capable of shredding an entire asteroid, as well as serve as a limitless source of energy on the inside, thus taking over the environmental roles a star normally has. The Lesnaya survey team also reports that they discovered the barrier’s defensive potential is purely reactive, thus the more energy it receives, the more powerful it gets. Therefore they discovered that it is possible to bypass the ward entirely by reducing ship speeds to a bare crawl. With that said, the Lesnaya reports that they have surveyed the planet as best they could for now, and while the Berezina made entry into the planet’s lower orbit the Lesnaya leaves to continue its original mission.

(ME) A New World - The Berezina enters the planet’s lower orbit near the pole, where the least amount of energy is required to keep the ship orbiting. Exelar and co. then proceed to transport by shuttle to the northernmost area of the planet. Although population was sparse in the area, scanners soon discovered what appeared to be a major provincial town, the the group landed nearby.

Note: During this time it’s a free-for-all scouting of the general vicinity. Canan (and/or Exam) is obviously best for the job. Might try to implement a few funny scenes here when Exelar tries to sneak off (and fails miserably). The locals speak a completely different language, which Exelar and co. were forced to use translation spells in order to communicate with.

(ME) Nostalgia - The night after landing, Sofiya has a dream, ‘vision’ to be more precise, that she saw this world they’re on linked with Earth, that a feeling of nostalgia and reminiscence comes about from this world. Whatever it is, this world probably means more to the human race than they believed.

(ME) Terrorism - No matter how the scouting went, one result is the same. The group discovers that they’re in a nation named Norinth upon the world of Penthiae. The town they’re besides currently is called Fairwinter, and due to unconfirmed reasons the local populace, as well as several nearby villages, it suffering from an outbreak of plaque. The townsfolk seem to be blaming terrorists of a foreign nation they call Archeron for the disease, and rumor has it that the Capital has dispatched aid towards them to deal with the problem. Sofiya notes to Exelar that they do have an abundance of medical supplies onboard the Berezina. Aorin/Farad/Rika would also support this idea. However Canan/Exam warns Exelar that taking such an action would blow any cover they have, and Hikari warns that their medication may not even work on this foreign planet with its own ecology. Exelar has to make the decision…

(Scene) Medicine vs. Healing - If Exelar decides to help, Hikari will run an analysis on the disease to find a lack of known information regarding its causes. However, based upon the symptoms alone, she selects a type of medication, which the group brings into town to the local authorities, claiming they have what might be a cure (or at least aid) towards removing the disease. The medication was distributed, however although it temporarily suppressed some symptoms, it did nothing to remove the disease, and the half-elves of the community were discovered to have a hostile reaction to it… if you have Farad, he finally remembers that this might be a magical disease in which case science could do little again, which he proves by digging out an old spell (cure disease) and testing it out. He explains that he didn’t think of it at all earlier because this practice was so utterly atrocious it was considered taboo to the magical associations of earth over five centuries ago, even the Fateseekers consider it below them.
If Exelar doesn’t help, the group merely continue to gather information in the area for a bit and planning for heading towards the Capital before deciding to move out…

(ME) Justiciar - The aid locals have been awaiting finally arrives, in the form of about half a dozen armored mages and their support, “enforcers” as the local people call them. During this time Exelar and co. was just preparing to leave (and if you helped, they were trying to figure out why what happened did while dodging various accusations from the locals). The enforcers were led by a man named Gallagher Corshek, whom apparently had quite the reputation amongst his citizens. Him and his men quickly began work removing the disease, through the all-too-easy process of a mere simple chant followed by a touch. At the same time, Gallagher seems to have begun digging for culprits responsible for the activity, and Exelar’s group was tracked down as a suspect almost instantly. If Exelar tried to help, after a brief conversation, Gallagher is convinced that Exelar’s group are not citizens of Norinth, and thus they can only be infiltrators of a hostile “southern” nation here to wreck havoc. If Exelar did not help, he might be able to negotiate his way out of a fight against Gallagher’s enforcer squad.
Note: Defeating Gallagher in combat gives you the option to dispose of him or not, in which if you choose not to, he accepts the fact that maybe you aren’t his enemies, but either way he must report to his higher ups on the matter (the reason certain chars would advise killing him in the first place).
Note: If Exelar tried to help, it’ll make recruiting Gallagher easier in the future.

(…)

Note: During this time, in order to acquire more information, the group travels to a number of major towns and cities in Norinth. Canan’s disguise spells and information on the local culture has helped the group enormously on fitting in. If Farad is in the party, he also develops a magical bead which can ‘phase’ into one’s tongue and server as an automatic translation tool, without the need to trying to keep spells up (which causes a scene that the translation spell wore off in the middle of a conversation if Farad isn’t around).
The group continues to learn about the world, about how Norinth came to be from a band of exiles, about why they’re in constant hostilities with the southern nations, about how a ‘lich lord’ whom popped out of nowhere suddenly seized power about ten years ago and began a military expansion, about how he launched the latest war against the south, about how the people are tired of this war who are draining away what little resources they had…etc. It’s soon discovered though that few people know about Penthiae history past 100 years, mostly due to a lack of interest and the knowledge that is “wasn’t pleasant”. Neither was a century ago for that fact, as the First Great Alliance War is responsible for shattering half the continent.

(SCENE) Shadow Guards - If Exelar fought Gallagher, whether killed him or nor in the end, Exelar will fall under periodic attack from groups of assault-mages who excel in close range teleportation attacks and shadow/darkness spells. If Exelar killed Gallagher, each group will also be lead by an enforcer. If not, Canan(/Farad/Exam) manages to discover from them that it either a direct order from their liege, the self-proclaimed Lich Archduke of Norinth. Canan also discovers that those attacking them, known as the Shadow Guards of Norinth, actually serve as the nation’s primary espionage/counter agency. Aorin suggests that maybe it’s a good idea to leave Norinth for another nation, and Exelar/Canan points out that with the rest of world still at war, there isn’t anywhere peaceful to go to.
Note: rather than being defeated normally, Shadow Guards discorporate into shadow when ’slain’. If researched upon, Sofiya’s divination discovers that the more capable shadow-guards are able to reform themselves after a day of being discorporated unless they receive a fatal wound to critical location.

Note: If Exelar did not fight Gallagher, the Shadow Guards will still soon suspect the group of being infiltrators of the enemy, but it takes much longer for their attacks to grow in strength.

(SCENE) Phantom - After several attacks, an elven commander who introduces herself as Ariethil Angrudul shows up with more Shadow Guards. She declares that under orders from the Norinth Executrix, the intruders are to be brought to their death, and proceeds to attack the group. After defeating her, Ariethil would disperse into shadows but return two times afterwards, her forces growing each time.
Note: If you brought Exam along, Ariethil notices that he’s a vampire as soon as she starts attacking.

(SCENE) Ancient Past - During one of the nights Sofiya receives another vision. The image of a city built on an everlasting flowing iceberg, where all the answers are hidden. Canan soon gathers that this city is the Capital of Norinth, Borea. However, teleportation into the city’s near perimeter proved impossible, thus the group settled for teleporting into the nearby hamlet of Whitefield and head into the city tomorrow.

(ME) Battle of Whitefield - During the night, Ariethil’s Shadow Guards arrive in mass, whom completely surrounds the village and begins an extermination campaign. If Gallagher is still alive, he will show up with his enforcers with the intent on stopping Ariethil [and Exelar may attempt to recruit him, diplomacy score necessary (easier if you tried to help in Fairwinter)]. The two also have a verbal duel where Gallagher questions Ariethil’s beliefs, and she states that she belongs to no country, but is merely earning her pay by executing the liege’s orders.

(SCENE) House of Corshek - After defeating Ariethil, who discorporates once again, if you recruited Gallagher, he has a conversation with Exelar and company. He reveals that he is the head of the noble house of Corshek, one of the three former executive houses of Norinth before Cogaau took over ten years ago. Yet back then after the former head of house died during the power struggle, Corshek, knowing they could not win, decided to relinquish power to Cogaau to stop the fighting. Yet over the years he’s not quite sure he made the right decision. The currently archduke cares nothing for the land and people, and his only intent seems to be continuing the war in order to acquire the five artifacts of Penthiae… etc.

(ME) The Frozen Citadel of Borea - The group finally arrives at the Capital City. If Exelar recruited Gallagher, he gets the group into the city without problems. If not, Canan/Exam would have to work up a disguise to get everyone in without being detected. One way or another, the group makes it in and heads towards the city’s giant underground(underice) library, where the ancient history and lore of Norinth was kept. It is here that Exelar and co. discovers that Penthiae is actually the moon of Caerleon, the origin homeworld of the humans of Earth. Apparently a colony ship was dispatched to a system of same coordinates as Sol centuries ago, while Caerleon was still around, but was never heard from again. They also discover that whomever this Cogaau was, the elite bodyguards of his palace carried high tech psionic weaponry, and definitely not of this planet. [Note: Also if Exelar did not recruit Gallagher, the group will find out about the information he shared here].

(ME) Determination - It was here that Exelar finally determined (with some persuasion from Gallagher if he’s onboard) that he would seek to topple this Archduke Cogaau, whom obviously has no regard for the planet itself and is merely causing chaos and mayhem to its inhabitants. Furthermore he is not even of this planet, and there is a possibility he may not even be human, but merely disguising himself to rule over the humanity of the homeworld. Before Exelar & co. could leave the city and return to their ship, they were ambushed by the elite forces of a man who identifies himself as Miros. If Exam is available, both of them notices immediately that both are vampires. Not only that, Miros’ entire closest squad were all vampires (whom vaporize into gas when you defeat them).

(ME) Sacred Kingdom - After leaving Borea, Exelar makes contact with Aoric. Aoric agrees with Exelar’s decision, and he leads the full force of the Imperium Battlefleet, plus Lothair, Rika, Kayeten, and anyone else left behind, to Penthiae. However, soon upon arrival, they noticed that another fleet FTL-jumped into the system, their ships similar to those that assaulted Pegasus Base, except only a small scouting force this time. Unfortunately, the Imperial cruisers were still unable to make a second starwarp jump without some time to recharge, and Aoric was faced with no choice but to defeat the enemies. The battle would go successfully, but not without losses as the Poltava, Aoric’s Flagship, was destroyed in combat when they went in to save Rika’s ship from being destroyed. Thankfully, the ship lasted long enough for most of the crew to escape, including Kayeten. Aoric, who was directing the evac until the last moment, teleported down to the planet (since the allied ships were still performing combat maneuvers).

Note: If Aoric gained experience on Astraea (will probably add some anti-critter ones) and had his Charisma raised, he would return to join the party with another member he happened to come across - Sylvanna (whom Gallagher knows by name, and a good portion of the party immediately takes a strong dislike to), which an interesting tale to tell.

(SCENE) Diplomatics - If either Gallagher or Sylvanna joined the party, they offer the options to go try persuade Ariethil and Miros to switch sides in this impending battle for Norinth. Either Gallagher or Sylvanna would be able to persuade Ariethil to join (Gallagher requiring Exelar’s help in diplomacy). Miros however, choose not to either way, refusing to become a traitor for such a reason. [Note: Exelar must talk to him here to recruit him later.]

(ME) Assault on Borea - The first two-fronted battle. Aoric will land a full contingent of Imperial ground troops and lead an attack on the major city of Trias, attempting to provoke the Norinth forces into a field engagement outside the city (Miros leading the enemy). Meanwhile, Exelar will lead a smaller group on an assault on the Frozen Palace of Borea, where the archduke ‘lich’ Cogaau stays. During the battle with Cogaau, the group discovers that he is a ball of light/psionic-energy using a hologram to mimic other races. Cogaau proclaims to be a vandalian. He declares simply that he has no interest in this world or it’s people, only the power of the five legendary artifacts, which he wishes to take back to Vandala and finally grant the Vandalian Navy a god-granted power to end their centuries long war with the so-named Sacred Kingdom.
[Note: After defeating Miros for a second time, Exelar may pay another trip to Miros, where he’ll agree to join (diplomacy required).]

(…)

Note: Around this time Aoric and Lothair once again gets busy, bringing Norinth under their control. If Gallagher joined Exelar he’ll help. If not he’ll launch an attack against the group and gets killed. A second knighting of new Centurions occurs…

(ME) Vandalian Dominion - Not long after taking control of Norinth, a far more formidable fleet of the Sacred Kingdom shows up. However on their tails was the fleet of another race. An epic space battle followed, and the unknown fleet came out victorious. They made contact with the Imperials, formally introducing themselves as the Vandalian Dominion. Exelar questioned the situation on the planet and the Vandalians exclaimed that apparently one of their fleet officers who came here by accident went rogue, for it is against their race’s principles to interfere with other races, particularly those of a far lower technology. They came here this time only to track down a fleet of their enemies - the Sacred Kingdom. After some negotiations, the Vandalians offer an Military Cooperative Alliance with the Imperials in defense against their common foe. They also question Exelar’s intentions regarding the world of Penthiae, but agrees afterwards to stay out of the humanoids’ internal affairs.

(…)

Next Points (too tired to write in detail):

• The Sacred Kingdom return once again later, with a huge stronger force which pushed the Vandalians to withdraw and the Imperials to hide behind the planet’s magical barrier. After the suicidal attempts to enter the barrier on the same side as the Imperials’ defenses, the Sacred Kingdom entered from the south and made contact with Penthiae’s Souther Alliance, who still held hatred against Norinth and thus the newly arrived Imperials
• The joint counterattack of the Southern Alliance, from the elven kingdom of Airindale and gnomish nation of Naralan begins.
• Dual-Battle - One force would be sent to crush Airindale’s advance, while another to hold off the Naralan attack and keep them from established a foothold in Norinth.
• Decisive Battle - The final battle of the game, when the Imperials gather their full ground force to duke it out with a combination of Naralan and Sacred Kingdom forces. Meanwhile the Sacred Kingdom also attack the Imperial fleet in low-orbit over the land battle. A fleet commander of sufficient tactics score must be assigned to win the space battle (losing either the ground or space battle causes a game over). [Note: Aorin died in this battle unless Exelar completes her arc.]
• Epilogue - The Imperials have a steady foothold on Penthiae, a world even considered by the Vandalians as one of the universe’s precise resources (they also describe their “theory of the three forges” to the Imperials). At the same time Aoric begins planning a massive push towards Penthiae’s south in forcing them to surrender, as the Southern Alliance’s military resources have been shattered by the war already.

Ahhh that was a lot of writing. I’ll post more details on things tomorrow.