Welcome to The Kushana Initiative, a play-by-council game. As I play, I'll be posting regular reports and leaving the direction of the game up to those who have chosen to join the council. The planning topic for all discussion leading up to this game and continuing out-of-character discussion can be found here: Play by committee? (Kushana Initiative Planning and Discussion)
Of particular interest is the post detailing the back story for the whole game: Back Story
A summary of gameplay:
- Regular council sessions to take place every game quarter. I'll be posting each quarterly report and any pertinent information, including the UP vote every year, at which time the council will decide the course of action. Essentially, I'll be playing in 12 turn blocks and coming back for direction.
- Between sessions councilors are free to request additional info and entertain any discussion. This includes calling votes and modifying directions.
- The council is comprised of those who took part in the planning discussion. Others may request to join the council, but please read the background material and post a request before joining in. Requests to join should be posted in the planning and discussion thread linked above.
- This topic is for quarterly reports and in-character discussion only. Off topic and out-of-character discussion should be posted in the planning and discussion thread.
The Current Council:
- qrtxian
- NikolaiOmega
- noctilucus
- Talonschild
Inactive Councilors
- LordCarlos
- TMS2224
- -__- (May be addressed as SarcFa)
- Mambaman
Rules of Voting:
1) The ballot should list the issues and have a place for councilors to sign either FOR or AGAINST a measure. (the council or balloteer can decide the exact terms)
2) Councilors should copy the ballot from the last person who voted and add their signatures. No need to rewrite the ballot and no chance for it to be changed in transcription.
3) Make your arguments in a separate space. Don't break up the ballot with comments after each item.
4) Once a vote is cast, it is cast. No changing votes or editing the ballot. Listen to arguments before voting and consider your decisions wisely.
5) To get an issue on the ballot, it should be proposed and seconded. The exact wording/nature of the issue should then be established.
6) Amendments/Addenda - I see these as separate sub-issues. Maybe list them under the main issue and vote separately?
Galaxy Conditions:
Our Competition:
A good mix of opponents. I purposely left out the Terrans and Altarians. Not only am I kinda sick of them, but they would mess up the story. I see the Tolmekians as more neutral, so theres 3 good, 3 evil, and 2 other neutrals. Also note the difficulty - the AI has a 20% economics bonus. Not only that, but I customized each opponent and made sensible ability and politics choices rather than let the computer randomize it. I expect some stiff competition.
Custom Race - The Kushana Initiative:
You'll see that I swapped the PQ bonus for 20% morale. Given the conditions, I want our people happy and making us money! I also did my best to spice up the ships, but that's pretty much it.
That should be it for the start. Now to get into it!
Research
Sub-Space Drive: 1, 1, 2, 2, 8, 1, 1
Xeno Engineering: 6, 8, 1, 1, 1, 5, 7
Space Weapons: 5, 4, 4, 3, 7, 6, 2
Interstellar Republic: 2, 2, 5, 5, 2, 3, 3
Soil Enhancement: 8, 7, 8, 8, 6, 8, 4
Diplomatic Relations: 7, 5, 7, 4, 4, 7, 5
Advanced Computing: 4, 6, 3, 6, 5, 2, 8
Trade Centers: 3, 3, 6, 7, 3, 4, 6
Councilor Signature: qrtxian, Mambaman, Noctilucus, NikolaiOmega, LordCarlos, SarcFa, TMS2224
G'Norlisk:
Due to some confusion on the new voting procedure, we've had to amend the ballot. Here's the current vote tally, with Councilor SarcFa's rankings corrected. We'll leave the polls open for a while longer to give Councilor Atrahasis a chance to vote.
Sub-Space Drive: 1, 1, 2, 2, 8, 8, 1 (23)
Xeno Engineering: 6, 8, 1, 1, 1, 4, 7 (28)
Space Weapons: 5, 4, 4, 3, 7, 3, 2 (28)
Interstellar Republic: 2, 2, 5, 5, 2, 6, 3 (25)
Soil Enhancement: 8, 7, 8, 8, 6, 1, 4 (42)
Diplomatic Relations: 7, 5, 7, 4, 4, 2, 5 (34)
Advanced Computing: 4, 6, 3, 6, 5, 7, 8 (39)
Trade Centers: 3, 3, 6, 7, 3, 5, 6 (33)
Tallybot 5201:
Input data . . .
Analyzing . . .
Compiling results . . .
Generating report . . .
Voting results
Councilors Responding: 7
Research:
Transmitting results to Exterra Command . . .
Transmission complete.
***INCOMING TRANSMISSION - SECURITY LEVEL ALPHA***
***FROM: COMMANDER MEKOIDES, EXTERRA COMMAND***
***TO: INITIATIVE COUNCILORS AND ROYALTY, TOLMEKIA PRIME***
***SUBJECT: QUARTERLY REPORT, JULY 01, 2228***
Cmdr Mekoides:
Here we are again, councilors, at the end of the quarter. We've enjoyed smooth progress so far, and have a number of positive developments to report. We do however, have one negative report, which I'll get to shortly.
The quarterly report. Not much of interest except the note about our population levels. We've been quite successful in our efforts to claim worlds and recruit citizens as both taxpayers and potential soldiers. This success has translated into economic security, as the viceroy will discuss in his presentation.
Here is an unmodified image of the galactic map. As you can see, we've solidified our claim to the core systems. Unfortunately, you can also see that the Thalans have claimed a number of additional worlds to our NE. Given their explosive expansion and economic might, we're faced with the reality that the race to the NE is already lost. I'm not saying we shouldn't continue our efforts in that direction, but that we must do so without false hopes. The Kushana is already in the area and has found an unclaimed world. I'll return to a more detailed version of this map in my closing.
A close up map of our core worlds shows all five of our newest colonies, a number of which have been named in honor of our councilors. We gambled on sending the colony ships from Fortuna first out to New Qrtx, then working back from there. Intelligence tells us that the Sakkra have a colony ship headed for Eridani, but the Sooner orbiting Fortuna can make planetfall within three weeks.
There are only a few worlds left here to claim - Eridani, DS7, Hector, and Alenil. There are also low quality worlds near Holmes that we can worry about afterward. After that, we're left looking outward beyond this cluster of stars.
Thank you councilors. I'll turn it over to the staff.
***TRANSMISSION INTERRUPT - STAND BY FOR RECONNECT***
***RESUME TRANSMISSION - SECURITY LEVEL ALHPA***
Viceroy Gunray:
As the commander alluded to in his introduction, our economy is growing at a healthy pace. Our weekly deficit first shrunk to a mere 4bc per week. This prompted continued expansion, causing our deficit to swell throughout the quarter until it was again nearly 80bc per week. Then, completion of the Recuperation Center on Exterra allowed us to increase the tax levy sufficiently to create a 2bc per week surplus. Final adjustment of spending levels at the end of the quarter leave us with a projected deficit of 30bc per week as we pour money into our social projects.
First is our outlook at previous spending levels, followed by our revised outlook with increased social spending. We simply have more social production capacity than either military production or research, so any increase in social spending creates a net increase is cost.
Our treasury can easily cover this deficit over the next quarter, though our growing economy should again begin to cover our expenses and perhaps return a surplus.
Our most recent transaction, this one with the Drath Legion. Our intelligence revealed that they were on the brink of perfecting Xeno Industrial Theory. We contacted them to offer our help in exchange for their assistance with Xeno Engineering, which the council rated as a high priority. We also profited in bc and a token vote at the next UP meeting.
Minister Andimus:
Greetings, councilors. Our colonization and development reaches new levels. The increase in social spending shown by the viceroy is intended as a temporary push to complete our Galaxy class projects - the Restaurant of Eternity and Galactic Bazaar. Spending levels were carefully adjusted so that both projects could be completed in the next quarter, while also providing enough research funding to establish our Interstellar Republic in the same period. Afterward, a return to higher military and research spending is likely, depending on the circumstances.
Let me show you our projected production for the quarter.
There's quite a bit to see here. First, you can see that both the Restaurant and Bazaar can be operational by the next session. Next, you can see that we have more worlds developing research and production capability. Then, there's the freighter almost ready to launch from Exterra. With twin Ion Drive and Sensors MkII, it can manage 7 parsecs per week on its way into Thalan space and provide a greater level of intelligence on their holdings.
You may notice that approval levels are much lower than last quarter. This is a direct result of our substantial tax increases. While not optimal, these levels reflect the approval of a majority, and our population can continue to grow at a steady pace.
Next, I'll show you an overview of our new planets.
Of the bunch, Mamba Prime is home to some significant ruins, and New Qrtx seems a good world to support a large population.
Other than the increased social spending, I have two proposals to further our development.
That is all for now, councilors.
Dr. Markus Malar
Our research team has kept up with the requests from the council, implementing the Xeno Industrial Theory and perfecting the Sub-space Drive. As Minister Andimus mentioned, our twin Ion Drive ships from worlds with Navigation Centers can achieve 7 pc/week. The only advancement left open in that field is to develop Advanced Navigation Centers, but the resources required to do so make it . . . quite impractical at the moment.
Speaking of that, let's move on to our other research options.
You can see our progress on establishing an Interstellar Republic, which can be finished this quarter. For everything else, keep in mind that the time estimates are given current spending levels. Not only will spending increase in the following quarter, but we should also have completed two additional research facilities based on precursor ruins.
That means, for example, that Xeno Entertainment would take about 5 weeks to research, rather than 9. The techs that look unattainable here are actually reasonable to consider, and the least complicated techs could be implemented in as little as 2-3 weeks.
I don't have any strong recommendations at this point. Xeno Entertainment is a reasonable option. Soil Enhancement and even Weather Control are increasingly appealing considering that our oldest worlds are nearing full development. A Weather Control Zenith would increase the quality of our planets by 3, effectively allowing us 2 extra developments. It is also a gateway technology for research into Extreme Colonization. Of course, with our research teams occupied for the coming quarter, this is all something to discuss next session.
Until then, councilors.
Minister Sune:
Our agents have been returning intelligence at a steady rate. We now have low-level infiltration amongst the Drath, Korx, and Sakkra, and Mid-level with the Thalans. We have left all three of our active agents among the Thalans to work toward a high level of intelligence.
Our colonization efforts have surpassed the Drath and Korx, but are overshadowed by the Thalans. The Korx claim 10 worlds, the Drath 13, we have 14, and the Thalans 27.
As requested, here is a report on our relations with nearby empires. There are no wars or treaties to report at this time. We were unable to determine any specific reason for cooling relations with the Thalans, other than their size and propensity toward war. Our close borders may also be an underlying issue.
Our current standing among the major forces in this region. Although we are ranked last overall, we are quite highly rated in a number of important areas. Our production tops the list, no doubt thanks to our finds on Fortuna. We are also quite advanced technologically. Our economy ranks right in the middle, while our treasury remains well funded.
As always, we will continue to provide intelligence to the council as it becomes available to us.
Our outlook remains good, despite disappointing reports from the northeast. To continue a strong expansion, we're considering a change in our production on Fortuna. You may have seen on the colony report that production was focused on social projects. By returning to balanced production on Fortuna, we can reduce shipbuilding time from 8 to 4 weeks, while only pushing completion of the Bazaar from 10 weeks to 14. After we launch a couple more colony ships, we can revisit production focus to see if we can optimize build times.
Our analysts have modified the galactic map to show the remaining unclaimed habitable worlds. With balanced production at Fortuna, we should have colony ships either en route to or landed on the three western core planets - PQ 6,7,and 9 - by the end of the quarter.
The map also shows new acquisitions by the major powers, circled in red. You can see how the Thalans have dominated the corridor systems and claimed the worlds beyond. The Kushana will continue exploration there and if we find any misstep by the Thalans, we'll be ready to capitalize on it.
Next, I'll review significant circumstances we encountered during colonization.
We respected the council's wishes to hold ourselves to as high an ethical standard as possible without damaging the future of our new colonies. Interestingly, at DS11 we ran into the same starship that we hailed in orbit around Gimble. They seem to be surveying unclaimed worlds in this area. Maybe someday we'll learn what they're looking for. It wouldn't be far-fetched to think it may have something to do with the vast network of precursor ruins we're uncovering. We're certainly not the first advanced races here. Even the native races in this region seem young compared to the precursor civilization. Dr. Malar has archaeological expeditions combing the ruins in search of answers. In time, we hope to receive a detailed report on their findings. Until then, we can only speculate.
With that, I'll leave the council to its deliberations. Thank you for your attention.
***END TRANSMISSION***
All,That's worrisome news in the area of colonization! 27 planets under Thalan control... Let's hope that our Restaurant of Eternity will soon be up and running and boost our influence in those regions that we managed to colonize before the Thalans.
I'm fine with both proposals from Minister Andimus; even if our economy is in better shape than before it will be good to get in the green so we can operate more freely and in the long term create room for fleet maintenance costs.
Regarding research I still have the same opinion as last quarter. Personally I find it too early to consider Weather control zeniths since most of our planets haven't been developed yet.
Commander, I think it's a solid plan to temporarily focus on colony ship production to try and grab some more planets before the pink smudge spreads. Considering that we're only ranked 7th in population, it makes sense to colonize some more planets so that at least we maximize our upper population limits.
Everyone,
Although I am somewhat troubled by the Thalans rapid colonizing, it would seem that other major races on the other side of the map are giving the Thalans a run for the most colonies, so I am not all too concerned with only the Thalans.
To beat the other races to colonies we need faster colony ships, and to have faster colony ships we need more engines on them, therefore to help with this I suggest that we research basic miniturization which would allow us to put more engines on our ships. After basic miniturization I suggest researching fusion power plants so our manufacturing could increase exponentially. Otherwise I have nothing to say.
I do not thing we need more research in this area, i believe that by the time that this technologies are available the colonizing rush should be over. I would like verification from the Dr. on this matter. Also i would like to know if the minituarization would really allow us to add another engine to our ships.
While it is true that the rush will be over soon, basic miniturization, by our estimates, will only take 5 weeks, which is not enough time for this colony rush to end.
True it would be nice to know if it would add an engine or not, because I honestly do not know if it would. If it does not add an engine I would happily put down my proposal in favor of a more needed tech.
***SUPPLEMENTAL TRANSMISSION - SECURITY LEVEL ALHPA***
Very interesting, councilors. We ran some simulations and it looks like Basic Miniaturization technology would indeed open the door for us to add an additional Ion Drive to our ships. It would, however, come at the cost of range as we would have to remove one of the two Basic Life Support modules. Even so, the new ships would be able to reach the distant PQ4 world recently discovered by the Kushana, which would in turn become a supply point and extend our range significantly beyond that. We've been so focused elsewhere that we hadn't considered the option, but it could help us win some distant planets.
I would suggest, for a number of reasons, continuing work toward the Interstellar Republic before switching to Miniaturization research, should the council decide to pursue it. First, there is the inherent value of the republic to increase our economy (10%), influence (5%), and diplomatic might (10%). Second, there is our research spending and facility development to consider. Quite plainly, if we wait until our facilities are expanded and research spending is restored, it will take even less time to finish the work when we do begin. Then, most importantly, there is the fact the our shipbuilding for the next quarter will be focused on claiming the rest of the nearby worlds before the Drath, Sakkra, and Thalans can further encroach on our systems. After that is done, it will make much more sense to look at increasing ship speed.
Excellent thoughts, indeed, councilors.
Commander, fellow councilors.
Like the other members of this council, I'm quite concerned by the rapid gains of the Thalans. Besides the obvious, I find that this makes our diplomatic situation yet more precarious. During our last session, Councilor LordCarlos expressed concern about a possible conflict of interest in building ties with both the Korx and our other neighbors. I now have those same concerns about the Thalans. Even a fairly peaceful civilization becomes a dangerous one when it's so much larger then its neighbors; according to Minister Sune's report, the Thalans don't seem peaceful to begin with. While I have no particular recommendations at this early point, I feel it's important that someone points this out. Currently, of all species we've met, the Thalans are the most likely threat to galactic peace.
Next, I have some remarks on research. For the reasons given by Dr. Malar above, I support concluding development of the Interstellar Republic as soon as possible. However, I feel that we should develop Weather Control Zeniths by the next quarter at latest. While Councilor Noctilicus is correct in his objections that we don't need to develop our planets further, it's important to note that such a technology would be a gateway towards Extreme Colonization technologies. Given that many of our routes of expansion are being cut off, a early entrance into the extreme-colony game will give us a needed edge. I don't at all suggest we begin research into Extreme Colonization, but developing preceding technologies will save us valuable time when we do.
In response to the previous discussion on Basic Miniaturization, I have only one thing to add. I highly recommend that we research it before Space Weapons to ensure our first military designs are as good as possible.
Finally, I would like to voice my strong support for Minister Andimus's proposals. The development of a stable economy is important; our current situation is due primarily to high taxes that have stifled growth. As noted, our population is only 7th in the sector, so I feel it's important to reach a level where we can afford to have higher approval on developing worlds.
Councillors I concur with Dr Markus's suggestions re research and whilst I share Qrtxian's concerns about the Thalans I also see this as an opportunity to try and bind the most powerful race in the galaxy to us through Trade and also treaty (research, alliance etc)
At what point will we start researching the path to Alliances?
Alliances, as you are well aware, are not to be entered into lightly. If we are to convince other powers to stand with us, we will need to provide not only a show of strength but an openness of culture as well. Only after we have opened the doors to our society through Cultural Exchange Centers and the Galactic Forum will the path to alliances be open to us.
Diplo II is our prereq for Alliances.
As to the question of when we pursue this path, I think it safe to say that it's early yet in this game to start forming teams, so to speak. It is never too early to begin laying the groundwork for such things, as the councilor from Mamba suggests. The Thalans could be a pillar of the Initiative - or its undoing - depending upon which side they take.
Indeed Commander. Good points all but one for future thought nonetheless...
It seems we've heard the opinion of the council. Last call for final statements. So far we again have a research-only ballot. It looks like the proposed technologies are Xeno Entertainment and Basic Miniaturization. Weather Control was discussed, but does not appear to be a priority for the next quarter.
Any further comment, councilors?
As discussion seems to have closed, councilors, I've drafted the ballot. Only two proposed technologies are up for discussion this time. I've also added a vote for authorization to trade for Trade Centers from the Drath; this is a traditional yes/no vote.
Xeno Entertainment: 1
Basic Miniaturization: 2
Signed: qrtxian
Other
Authorize Proposal to Obtain Trade Centers from the Drath?
FOR: qrtxian
AGAINST:
Xeno Entertainment: 1, 1
Basic Miniaturization: 2, 2
Signed: qrtxian, noctilucus
FOR: qrtxian, noctilucus
Since both xeno entertainment and basic miniturization can be researched this quarter I could care less about which one goes first, nor do I have an opinion on the proposed trade with the drath.
Xeno Entertainment: 1, 1, 1
Basic Miniaturization: 2, 2, 2
Signed: qrtxian, noctilucus, SarcFa
Xeno Entertainment: 1, 1, 1,1
Basic Miniaturization: 2, 2, 2,2
FOR: qrtxian, noctilucus, LordCarlos
Xeno Entertainment: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1
Basic Miniaturization: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2
Signed: qrtxian, noctilucus, SarcFa, LordCarlos, NikolaiOmega
FOR: qrtxian, noctilucus, LordCarlos, NikolaiOmega
Councilors Responding: 5
Other:
Authorize Proposal to Obtain Trade Centers from the Drath?: Passed 4-1
I must apologise for my sudden absence fellow Councillors but there was a family situation offworld that required my immediate and sudden attention.
I am now back planet-side
I would like to point out that no one stood against the proposal for the trade with the Drath, so it should be 4 to 0.
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