Stories of Lore 50

 

Jiyan reports that the trip to the Blaiken is still not a recommended course of action, but now with more context. She encountered a Blaiken expert at another world belonging to something called the Playatis. They are apparently a peaceful trade hub that is considered galactically aware. Though their species is almost too cooperative for their own good. They have also established relations with the Hassani prior to encountering us.

More importantly, this expert among them had a much clearer definition of how Blaiken space is being defended. While no one is certain exactly what the Blaiken have they are aware that projectiles moving 6 lightyears per second originate from their system and are the cause of most ships destruction for entering their space. There are also automated guided missile launchers hidden on almost every planet in every star surrounding their space. It isn’t known for sure but it is theorized that these weapons have no central control mechanism, they have just been set into space and told to attack everything that they register as ‘not an asteroid’ for all time. To the point that it would not be surprising if all of this security was keeping something in rather than out.

Jiyan went to another of the middle planes to check for signs of continued violence. Which were found once again. The Blaiken are aware of pandem shenanigans and have opted to protect themselves on multiple planes. However, she found no such evidence in the lower planes. Specifically the Abyss. It might be possible to approach and open a rift right on top of their homeworld through the Abyss but there is a fair chance that all of these defenses they possess will remain an issue. Especially if they are intentionally hostile.

The other option is based on a wild theory of hers that the Blaiken are actually hiding throughout the galaxy but disguised. Their species is actually called the Kanis and as a whole they are widespread throughout the galaxy. Jiyan thinks that since we know they control a route into the Warrens that they are able to appear throughout the galaxy without anyone knowing what they really are. Exploring this possibility reduces the chance for immediate conflict but will likely take a lot of resources and exploring to assemble enough data to start taking guesses as to where a real Blaiken might be lurking.

Meanwhile back in The Reach, we’ve deployed the cruisers to look into things that Haleh had been up to. It is quite likely that it has been even longer than two years since they last saw her. Since once she was captured by Rahlken she might not have been able to continue governing her conquests. We also learned she was out here looking for something specific not to build the Phantoms an army of aliens. So they were never a high priority to her in the first place. We’ll have more information once the explorers report back. We also know from Eleazor’s time with her that her people were ruled under threat of violence and starvation. While not technically enslaved, it was obey the raider queen or starve to death in the ruins of the cities she left behind. Though given her longer term plans to remain in the Reach, we’ll see how that might affect her governing policies.

In asking Haleh herself, she didn’t seem to care much. Her actually loyal men were with her even after her capture and they are with her even now aboard Diadem. She is less of a ‘taxes and governing’ policy sort and is much more of a ‘Steal stuff and build a horde’ type. Apparently her whole plan is to just go wherever she wants and look for neat things. I suggest finding some way to get someone to go with her once she does start traveling again. If for no other reason than to send back reports of what she finds. She’s technically an explorer and is strong enough to not really worry about pirates like our other exploration corps. I just know that we will never get her to fill out a report, so appointing her an ‘assistant’ to do that for her might result in us gaining a lot of valuable information about our new galactic neighborhood.

In investigating Zenaka’s leadership, all altruistic lords died eight hundred years ago at the hands of the current established order. If any of them do have a heart of gold, they’re hiding it as not to make themselves a target. Zenaka’s free for all mentality means that putting up a big front is a big part of staying in power. Though the same can be said of the Council of Lords in the Demon Kingdom. Weakness means getting replaced by someone who would very much like a promotion. Even in the recent years several Zenakan territorial lords were either dethroned or murdered with replacements cycling in by exploiting our presence there in some way or another.

The WTC-2 Project is progressing first before they try to upgrade to the WTC-3 project. Though they are looking into it as requested.

Laura also brought in more than half the population of diadem, the other chunk were Ika we brought out of the labs and soldiers who wanted their free land rewards from being a part of the expedition. She has been moving people via her corporate alliances, relocating not only their executives but using this to convince people to “relocate for work reasons” without realizing that Laura is doing this. As they move with their families in tow, it is improving our recruitment of defenders though.

As for the land sales, a few million so far. Most being bought up by corporate entities preparing for development. Amusingly, Vittles bought a bunch of land for farming on paper. Which means you just paid yourself for your land.

Projections indicate that while people are moving around a lot of assets on spreadsheets, the actual process of convincing people to live aboard Diadem is currently in a slow state as developmental construction makes the place more appealing. Most of the early arrivals are those who intend to start businesses in anticipation of more people moving in. We’re also still renovating housing to make sure its up to code in many cases.

To be noted, back in Moncayo we’re having a different problem. Crime rates are rising, apparently they figured out that Laura is leaving along with most of her connections. There is opportunity to be had and new gangs are both forming or making moves to secure territory even before Laura has finished moving out. Probably in the optimistic hope that she won’t retaliate and keep her focused efforts on the move. All this is doing a great job of revealing just how deep Laura’s influence really was despite us catching her on shockingly little. In particular, this lead to the rise of Moncayo’s new criminal connection point. Due to how well connected she is, Ohalyn has accidentally become the new central figure for Moncayo’s less than law abiding citizens. Though this actually had the effect of reducing violent crime, Ohalyn serves as the neutral negotiator for many and has been more of an arbitrator than an actual boss fighting for profitable territory. She is also not technically a criminal, we legalized everything she specializes in and she left her slave trade business to other gangs a long time ago since she didn’t need to do it for money anymore. So despite being the most powerful person in the criminal world, she is herself pretty clean. Except for the occasional incident with smuggling and fencing. Local offices are preeeetty sure she is in possession of a lot of stolen things from Thenica somewhere.

All things considered, the assault on Rozanis could have gone worse quite easily. We didn’t exactly finish destroying all of his forces, but we got him out of the picture at least. Now all that Kharla has left should be Aikane, who is incredibly difficult to track down as of late. Usually we keep good tabs on Vloz’Khress but she disappeared upon realizing where this is all going, as a shapeshifter she is quite good at hiding.

Our agents keeping an eye on the Vloz, as everyone in Sol does apparently, report that nothing happened to the dolls in this process. The latest from the experts is that it is at the minimum an eternal curse, the kind old evil wizards used to do back in the day. Like the one that turned the entire Hulstaad plains into an undead wasteland before that one dwarf broke the curse and the place got turned into a regular old place…oh wait this expert report is yours. Well I see you’re keeping up to date with affairs around here sir.

Bardhe has been paid for his assistance in taking out several summoners before we even got there, now he’s off and away into the galaxy once again. He notably specialized entirely in pre-emptive assassination to clear the way. Almost as if he was avoiding Ilex.

The gate at Jamalia has finished construction but there is a teeny tiny problem. We now realize we need Eerihild to be the one to flip the metaphorical switch to actually open it. She just got back from the Rozanis mission and is currently at Moncayo. So now we’re just waiting for her to pop on over real quick. Though she is also on the way to Diadem to visit Friend, basically she’s just a little backed up with projects that need her attention. So that’s slowing the portal down a bit. Technically Haziel could also open it but we already lost track of her even with the whole team we sent to follow her around.

Okaaay, I had Renjala ask steamworks about building your random junk for you.

I updated the tac intel for you in regards to Agallias. He’s actually just on one world at the moment and it appears his general project is to just rule that world. It is notably one of the closest places known to have any standing civilization to the Blaiken that has not been turned into ruins.

There isn’t much infrastructure that protects Agallias himself, as he is too large for them to really build him a throne. I meant they’re working on it but for now the best they have is a chunk cut out of a mountain. However the giants and what appear to be converted native soldiers are able to make use of the world’s fortifications.

We also can predict one of the problems with attacking Agallias is that he is large and powerful enough to attack ships in orbit with his magic. Though he doesn’t have cyberware, we actually don’t know if Kanika ever did anything to him. He’s not a monster with any particular weakness. He does have modern armor built similarly to the way we would normally build a ship. Scouting reveals he can disappear at times and we’re not sure where he goes during the nights and days no one can find him. Perhaps another plane.

His domain already encompasses the whole planet, it’s not as if anyone was going to resist a titan that can just blast ships out of orbit with his own abilities. Terrain wise the planet is kind of flat compared to Thenica. Also a lot less water. Agallias himself seems to occupy one of the mountain areas, he carved his stump chair into it.

I think the plan has merit but the real problem is that you will only get one shot. As soon as that ship gets anywhere near him he will take it down. Even if he was just as strong as a titan was back in the old days, he could take down a battleship or carrier without much trouble. If he’s gotten any stronger with the help of some modern technology, it’ll be rough trying to use any orbital tactics more than once.

Also he can practically destroy the entire swarm we have with one shot. One can only hope he has mercy on his own people enough not to just evaporate us if we get within his sights. We have no knowledge of his personality though so we can’t really say. Though judging by  the phantom opinion of humanoids, I cannot imagine an actual titan would be all that more kindly to their subjects.

Honestly the problem is Agallias himself. Without him there we could likely start working on and consuming the giants over a longer period of time and win by attrition. So yeah go for him first. However, his throne is right on the edge of the capital city of this world. So he is quite close to civilians.

As for your harem, I know girls tell you size doesn’t matter all the time but that might not apply with me.

Rhazin is back with some new drones from his harvesting.

New Age lost one of the Zenaka facilities you had purchased, well the main one really. Vasia almost died too. Apparently Sarden found out Vasia was back, where she would be, and what she was doing down to the hour. Which is honestly just impressive, because we can’t even track Vasia that well. Though remember what we learned from the great mind meld of Kaisa that you provoked? We thought the Revenants were leaving Sol to find the Valdir swarm for help with their mummy rot issues that they acquired when they fought Sakhessa and Deinuu. Not all of them got infected though. A large part of their little gang did leave Sol, actually Moncayo might be able to even find them since that means they’re on a ship if we can just figure out the ID of that ship. Though reviewing security footage of the attack on Vasia reveals that Sarden, Morylan, and Naexi are still here in Sol. They also have some newbies with them. I still am not sure why they’re all consistently women though. Starting to think they’re grown in some sort of cloning facility – oh my god they’re a synapse. Our Ichor likes furry women. Theirs likes ninja girls, it all makes sense now! That’s why there is an infinite well of ninja girls just being churned out! I think it makes sense at least, worked for us right?

Also now that we know where they are at the moment, odds are that several open cases on Zenaka might be their fault. There’s been a string of murders all over the place but lets just say people don’t really miss the victims. In one of these cases they had a uh…minor prostitution ring. Not that it was small. Everyone involved in it was found dead over the course of a month and no one had any idea how there could be thirty two decapitation cases in one month including a territorial lord and no suspects. Was a job for the locals but given that it might now have some very particular suspects I guess it was worth bringing up the chain of command.

Anyways the girls are back and they blew up your zenakan breeding facility, almost killed Vasia, definitely killed her pack of 004C guard dogs, and despite the fact that we have actually seen Sarden’s face we are having no luck finding her. They also seem to be training a new generation since Alakira herself is infected with the Rot and even if she does come back she could be gone for years trying to chase after the Valdir.

Slight issue with the preserves for 40th day, where do you want them? We could try to build another vivarium style facility sure but that’s a massive facility that needs a lot of space. Not that there is a shortage of land anywhere other than Cayetano. Enohas isn’t doing much if you want free oxygen and gravity at least.

The archeology teams are still on the way to what I’m informed is known as the Dead Zone in the galactic community. Lot of death themes surrounding the Blaiken apparently. It’s a long trip.

As for the fallen mountain, actually the sub-surface layer could be used to create an underdark esque plate too. Though yes the mountain as well. Might have to pack the dirt down to make it firm enough for tunneling though if you wanted to try something with that.

Also you are in fact correct, Laura does have ties to Valencia but not directly. More so the Desoir family. We’ll keep looking into it but if you’re curious, Desoir already own an entire district in Diadem. Soon as Lancaster put land up for sale they bought a big piece. One of their grandkids of a grandkid of a cousin is there. Not exactly Valencia herself but since you were asking about Desoir. They also have holdings in Cayetano and handle a lot of trade between Cayetano and Thenica. There is a Desoir vampire in Diadem though and its one of Laura’s corporate allies. There’s another one, more so an associate of the true bloodline, who lives in Roha. They run a chain of restaurants. I have Craylin bring me their pasta sometimes. Though so far I have no confirmation that Valencia is working through Laura. I mean yeah Laura has money but you can’t call Valencia’s office secretary until you have at least a trillion. Can call her grandkids at a billion if you really wanted to.

Waianoa does not seem to be interested in being a drug dealer full time. She is already a priestess and runs the civilization of Mokihi’s mountain for day to day affairs. If you want a batch though she said she’ll give you the psionic weed for Lancaster if she can’t get uh…me. Apparently any fae would do but Lahela never joined VSEC formally and is just a citizen living in Moncayo. So Lancaster is the only fae we technically have ‘available’. I’m gathering that all trade with this woman will involve pimping out everyone we know.

It seems for the most part there aren’t many concrete references to this shadow creature. The Thing in the Dark is its most commonly written name but as far as the details we got from the books you sent over, it is hard to pin anything down for certain. The first mention of it actually mentions a creature with an entirely unbefitting personality. It may well be that this was one of the others it mentioned, it’s elder siblings who have since passed away. Which makes it even harder to tell which references are about the same thing. Putting all of the stories together and getting a general feel for the idea, it is part of a bunch of creatures that one day appeared in the shadow plane without much fanfare. Only being spotted here and there.

The earliest recorded spotting is hard to say for certain because their behavior is similar to another almost mythical creature known as the King of Shades. Well we know who he is actually but he is purposefully elusive and mysterious. Apparently the way to rule over other shades is to pique their curiosity. Their equivalents of nobles, rich folk, high society, whatever you want to call it also indulge in this type of playfulness with their own people. Since shades love a good mystery, it became a sort of high fashion to be just mysterious enough to intrigue people but not so mysterious as to be truly unknown. This behavior among shade high society makes it troublesome to pin down which ones are such people and which ones are these shadow creatures.

Either way, The Thing in the Dark is a very specific member of these shadow leviathan things and the others have distinct other enigmatic names. Such examples including, “The Enigma”, “Unseen Eye”, and “The Angry Dark”. The Thing in the Dark’s mythos that is specific enough to call out its name centers around it being an information trader as it stated. The earliest reporting on it that we know is this specific one was over nine hundred years ago. The earliest possible reports can be over sixteen hundred years ago, though those could be attributed to any number of its siblings or other participants in shade’s being fashionably mysterious. Either way, the specific alias “The Thing in the Dark” is attributed originally to an all knowing almost godlike creature. As time goes on they get slightly more mundane in their descriptions and assumptions as to its ability. To this day no one actually knows who or what it is. At least no one that wrote a report down in the Linsun libraries.

As it turns out, Vasia knows legends about this thing as well. Upon confirming we had made contact with it for herself, while we distinctly were trying not to confirm it for her, we immediately had to get Ilex to tell her to put down the containment box. Though her knowledge of its past was helpful in narrowing down which references we had were key to it. She also notes that in shade culture, The Thing in the Dark is a specific and somewhat venerated myth but a lot of them are folk tales that grew in the telling. Even some being outright fictitious to add to the lore of this mysterious all knowing being. It has served as a part of their mythology for hundred of years, stories passed down from generation to generation. Often playing the role of a guiding force in some of their fables and stories. This has made researching it even harder. Until just four hundred years ago, it was commonly accepted to just be a recurring character in stories. Like the metaphorical Devil in solian fables that may or may not have ever actually had anything to do with someone like the Demon King.

Hex: