AN ADDRESS FROM THE EMPEROR

[vivalamods]

AN ADDRESS FROM THE EMPEROR

[Following the New Year’s attack, the Empire’s airspace has been locked down tightly. There hasn’t been much information from the Isles Above, even Elysium is mostly empty, save for those who were there during New Year and have been barred re-entry for a time. Once again, travel is beginning to flow, but with it, the Corsairs have managed to intercept a major, public broadcast.]

Citizens of the Empire, hear me and attend. This is Emperor Cladius Varschein II, appointed by the Divine, lord of all Esthere above and below. Citizens, today we stand at a crossroad of history. Our beloved Empire, whole and pure, unsullied by the divisions of man that plagued the lesser societies of our forebears, in perfect harmony with the will of the Divine and blessed with unending prosperity, is once more under threat. The Crimson Corsairs, murderous villains of the highest order, have brought their arms to bear against our beloved land. They have plundered our wealth, murdered our people, and spewed their venomous false ideologies upon our pristine shores.

Beloved citizens, I know in your hearts that you believe as fervently as I in the Divine’s plan. It is we who ended the Dragon Lords, and with them united the world under one culture, one language, and one purpose. The Corsairs seek, as ever they have, to divide our peoples, turn our beloved citizens against each other, and cast down all that we have built. Will we allow it? No!

[In the background, the roar of assembled soldiers echoing “No!” reverberates through the audio feed.]

In the wake of this attack, the Empire shall make things right. We are deploying soldiers throughout the Empire to keep the peace. Citizens may be called upon to defend their loyalty before their protectors, an honor to any who walk within our blessed lands. These measures will allow our beloved citizens to sleep easily at night. Further, I am here today declaring the Crimson Corsairs an Enemy of the People. The full force of our unstoppable army will be brought to bear to eradicate these sniveling worms. We will drive them from their holes, cut them down where they stand, and execute their survivors before the masses. Only through their blood can our sacred nation continue its path to peace and prosperity.

IMPACT

Due to the results of the mission, the following changes have occurred.

Advancement: The Crimson Corsairs continue to grow in strength, the relative power scale for PC Corsairs has increased. In general, Corsairs now hit with the force of 1.5 cannonballs, and can resist the force of 1.5 cannonballs.
Threat Level: The Crimson Corsairs are now regarded as Threat Level 1. The Empire will be consistently attacking the Crimson Corsairs moving forward, while this may come up in main plots it can be expected for any Player Plot to run into some kind of Imperial resistance no matter where it takes place. Due to these changes, all Villain characters will be expected to post a unique log, either as part of the main plot or some brand of player plot every month going forward. There will always be some kind of circumstance in which they would be active and encounter the Corsairs.
Starting Notoriety: All Corsairs now start with 500 Notoriety. If your character has not yet reached this level of Notoriety in total Notoriety, including expenditures, you may make a note in your Notoriety comment and set your Notoriety total to 500 (in other words, 500 - however much Notoriety you have already spent). Villains who convert into player characters will receive 750 Notoriety to account for having run several player plots during their time as villains.

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[freearcadia]

He pauses, his expression softening as he sits down... right, not everyone here has his experience - he had become rathered jaded... how long has it been since he became an outlaw?

"They are serious - and the idea can be rather frightening." Harlock admitted as he closed his eye. "And it is not shameful to have that fear," Others have so much more to lose.

[purplexing]

How can anyone not be afraid of that? But then he's seen some of the Corsairs, how bold and fearless they could be. He knows a lot of people seem so at home on a battlefield, so maybe having someone targeting anyone associated with the side you chose for death isn't really anything new. And it's not like death hasn't been a possibility even in the missions they've partaken in. So...is this really all that different?

Donnie glances up at Harlock almost hesitantly, wondering if the pirate even has such answers. He sighs, shoulders sagging with the rest of him.

"So...what do we do with this information?" he asks instead. Information is easier to deal with. Information is something that can be applied to potential problems. Reassessments of protocols, making changes to training habits and workloads... Maybe he should cancel that planned trip back home.

[freearcadia]

He mulls over the question, recalling bits of conversation. "If you are in contact with your family and they are not loyalists, give them a warning - what kind depends on what you believe is best in making sure they can make plans to get themselves safe."

With that, he continues, trying to recall his own experience, and things he has read in history books. "We observe - the Emperor did not go on by himself, he had people cheering - that is often a way for tyrants to look like they have more support. In reality, most people do not have that strong of an opinion of their government unless it affects them personally." People can be great... but they can be oh so frustratingly apathetic.

"This means while they are after us, having to make this announcement means they are on the defense. We can then observe where they are moving, and what specific things they are saying about us... it will give us insight as to their priorities and what they are afraid of."

[purplexing]

The turtlekin's expression tightens a little as Harlock mentions his family. Had it been so clear on his face? His eyes drop down towards the ground. "...I'm not. I was going to see if they were still where I thought they would be, but..." Should he risk it? The Imperials don't seem the sort to patrol the forests outside of Elysium without any real cause. Donnie's brow furrows as he starts to consider options. Originally he'd thought of making use of the speedy little sloop he and Shu had acquired during their cattle liberation activities, but maybe it'd be better to just go by foot from Elysium. Or would that be more dangerous now?

He sighs, somewhat frustrated but at least it's a little better than his earlier hesitance. Something to think about.

At least Harlock gives him something more to digest. He sees the captain as someone with experience in these sorts of matters, so he listens closely to what the man might have to say about it. They're good points, and for someone information-oriented like Donnie, a good way to alleviate the initial panic by breaking down the details into another perspective.

"Okay," he says, nodding slowly as he makes mental notes.

[freearcadia]

"Do what you think is best, but if your mind is paralyzed - trust your instincts, it is smarter than you think." He leans back, resting a hand over the right half of his face.

"We can do it. The Empire is massive but it full of smaller, moving parts - parts we already show we can wreck."

[purplexing]

Instinct... He can't help for the slight face he makes then.

Donnie's never been particularly good with that. He's more prone to overthinking things, he's never been particularly good with trusting his gut because his head always insists on having more information.

"That's true. It's...like I said when we made the broadcast in Bluvink. The Empire likes to think its worth is in its external appearance, but they don't care much about the inner workings that keep the rest of the machine functioning."