kermit

i would like to see mindshields go bc they are a paper shield at best (easily bypassed with EMPs or surgery) and as such just a nuisance hurdle for antag gimmicks, and because i have faith in command whitelistees. like, you can technically just spam an EMP Rune until you roll the mindbreaker meltdown, then convert as per usual. vampires, now uplink-bound, can just purchase a box of emp grenades. but psiprotect isnt a suitable replacement in its current state and isn't intended to persist after the ADFT arc (subject to change of plans). psiprotect causes tremors, which technically makes you ineligible for all command roles (tremors are a cited example of Limb Impairment), if not for the extraordinary circumstances of ADPI in the Lemurian Sea.

ive been a bit mixed on mechanical skills, but can appreciate their purpose (not so large a reliance on rule restrictions). the problem i see as skills keep getting added is there are already many skills and more are coming, and i'm already seeing some that have unremarkable differences or don't really fit the skill system imo. ministry and leadership do the same thing with rather minor differences. why not merge them into an all-purpose 'Oration' or 'Charisma' skill, bc that's what they're really doing (and it would encompass secular counselling, acting performances, telling a good joke, etc.) instead of there inevitably being lots of different flavoured 'use speech ability to increase morale' Ministry, Performance, Humour, Leadership, and so on skills. tenacity also just doesn't seem like a skill to me? you can't learn tenacity or the ability to bleed slower. the description says that it represents your 'will to live' — that's not a skill. something like tenacity could've been tied to the morale system (higher morale = higher will to live) or the planned Quirks system. similarly, carousing is a very weird skill that, again & as currently implemented, is not a skill and instead changes your bodily traits instead of reflecting anything learned. this could've been a planned Drug Resistance quirk or something. i dont think bodily/personality traits should be tied to a skill system. on the morale system, which is a bit tangential to skills but was added in the same PR (i think) and heavily interacts with it. i'm not a fan of the morale system at all for the same reason i wouldn't be a fan of emotional moodlets. they are prescriptive to how my character should feel, and while i can just ignore the system, people are putting points into morale skills, so you are doing a disservice/invalidating their skill purchases by ignoring the morale system. i would like it if you could select which morale sources affect your character, but that would probably require another character set up tab — some characters may seek alcohol, others the words of others, some may be hardened against morale bonuses.

Double Murder in Triesto: Is It Related to the Zeng-Hu HQ Attack? Article 4 of True Widows Truth Finder has been made aware of an ongoing, double-murder investigation into two Assunzione citizens, which our analysts suspect may be related to the Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Frontier Headquarters attack and data leak. Two individuals were found together on the 17th of May in an alleyway of the Trieto arcology’s lower levels - a man and a woman, both of whom have not yet had their identities confirmed by city authorities. Both persons were found dead, the man with a fatal gunshot wound to the head and several to the torso, and the woman with a lethal stab wound and gunshot wounds to the lower extremities. The Triesto Metropolitan Police Service have so far declined to make a statement to Truth Finder, but have said that an investigation is underway. CCTV camera footage was posted by the owner of an adjacent motel on Chirper recently on May 24th, however was reportedly taken down for breaching community guidelines on the posting of violent content. Fortunately, Truth Finder was able to preserve this footage. Video: The preserved CCTV footage shows the murder victims cutting through an alleyway, where an unidentified figure in a military suit approaches from behind. Both persons are shot at by a firearm and fall to the ground, where the figure can then be seen executing them both. This manner of death, so soon after the attack on the Zeng-Hu Frontier HQ in Triesto, and a frightening exchange of phrases suggests that these events are connected. The Triesto Metropolitan Police Service and Fire Service concluded their investigation into the Zeng-Hu HQ fire last week, releasing a statement attribuing the fire to a negligent employee who supposedly confessed to causing the fire. Now, with greater stakes and two murders involved, we believe the megacorporation is going to have a much harder time suppressing whatever business it is they do not want found. Truth Finder will do whatever it takes to see Triesto’s investigation into the fire re-opened with this double murder in mind.

Republic Citizens Polled on TCAF Support Post—Peacekeeper Mandate Article 2 of Shake-ups and Break-ups, Pt. 1 The majority of Republic of Biesel citizens do not feel proud of the Tau Ceti Armed Forces, a poll conducted by the New Gibson University has revealed. Social researchers from New Gibson University (NGU) devised the survey in light of the Peacekeeper Mandate and its effects on the Tau Ceti Armed Forces’ (TCAF) recruitment rates and support. The survey was made available both online and had physical copies mailed out to all citizens of the Republic of Biesel, from Tau Ceti’s outer planets to Mictlan and Port Antillia in the Corporate Reconstruction Zone. The findings revealed that less than half of Republic citizens felt pride towards the TCAF, falling from 67% in 2462 to 44% in 2468. Half of the respondents who indicated no pride for the TCAF referred to the Peacekeeper Mandate in their reason why. Other reasons included lingering humiliation from the Second Invasion of Tau Ceti in 2462 and the general readiness of the TCAF. On the other hand, those who indicated pride cited the TCAF’s multicultural environment and its role in policing piracy and smuggling within the Republic’s borders. These views are prominent among all age groups surveyed by NGU, however the reasons and themes expressed in qualitative responses indicate differing reasons. Citizens in the age bands 16—25 were more likely to refer to online media content in their responses, with the infamous ‘Redsnouts’ special forces unit and its rumoured scandals mentioned in 19% of responses in the age group. Those in the age band 60—80 were more likely to cite core republic values and the right to self-sovereignty, with 36% responding an opportunity for referendum should have been given to Mictlan and Port Antillia prior to their acceding into the Republic of Biesel. The researchers said, ‘It is clear that the Peacekeeper Mandate has deeply affected views towards the Tau Ceti Armed Forces.’ The poll also confirmed concerns regarding fast-dropping recruitment rates into the TCAF. Whereas in 2460 62% of citizens said they would enlist if the Republic of Biesel had to go to war, only 49% of respondents said they would answer the call. However, when the qualifier of enlisting in the event of an attack on the Republic of Biesel was made, the number of respondents who said they would enlist in the TCAF sharply rose to 66%. Dr. Michael Holtqvist, the lead researcher, said, ‘These findings are of absolutely no surprise to my team and I. The Peacekeeper Mandate was not popular during or after — we saw protests, we saw politically-motivated arrests when our news and media flipped on the government. Something will have to change if faith in the TCAF is to be restored.’ Though, he noted: ‘It should be noted though that this is the first major, wide-spanning survey that includes all within the current Republic of Biesel — Port Antillians, Mictlanians [sic], and Cetians — where previous surveys only sampled those in Tau Ceti. This will certainly have its own, confounding effect on results, but nonetheless it is critical they are involved in such surveying.’ Most Read: | Phoron Scarcity | Einstein Engines acquires multiple NanoTrasen Corporation phoronic production facilities on New Gibson after massive auction. | Crime & Policing | Woman, aged 108, caught after 63 years on-the-run for Idris Incorporated high-value transit vessel robbery. | Health & Medicine | "YomiGenetics saved my life." - Port Antillian teen back in school after brain tumour treatment.

Congress to Deliberate New Armed Forces Reform Bill Article 1 of Shake-ups and Break-ups, Pt. 1 The Cetian Congress of Conservative’s Armed Forces Reform Bill has begun running through the hoops of Congress’ chambers, with experts predicting the bill to clear both the Tau Ceti Assembly of Spokespeople and the State Senate with record timing. The Armed Forces Reform Bill is an expansive revision of the Tau Ceti Armed Forces that was drafted in light of the Strategic Military Review 2467 (SMR) commissioned by the Cetian Conservatives. Published in March, the SMR was an in-depth analysis of defence policy by foreign policy, defence industry, and military experts. It highlighted several areas of concerns, which the Cetian Conservatives aim to rectify with the Armed Forces Reform Bill. The changes that seek to be implemented with the bill vary from the revision of public defence objectives, the contracting of military equipment production, and both macro- and micro-level structuring of the TCAF branches. The bill also includes a number of measures intended for civil preparedness, from information leaflets addressing various emergencies to incorporating anti-sabotage assessments into routine civil infrastructure planning. The Tau Ceti Armed Forces and its preceding Tau Ceti Foreign Legion have been shaken up numerous times by the government’s attempts to modernise its military. However, President Ake Torvald has insisted that it is necessary. ‘What we have isn’t going to work out against any contemporary military [...] The idea that we could pull a force of comparable size to the longstanding military forces elsewhere out of our arses in six years is mythical,’ President Torvald said. ‘We need to make sure that what we do have can punch above its weight.’ In his typical fashion, the president added a jab at the former president Joseph Dorn, ‘It doesn’t help that the last administration’s blunders on Mictlan tanked our recruitment rates too [...] we have to account for that too.’ Most Read: | Megacorporations | ‘I knew I shouldn’t have plugged it in’: Man confesses to Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Coalition Headquarters fire | Crime & Policing | Illegal Readic racing tournament organiser arrested in series of arrests on Anemenostrovilos. | Defence | Republic of Biesel to organise the largest non-Solarian joint-military exercise of the century with Elyra.

Zeng-Hu Frontier HQ Attack: PsiProtect Scandal - Thousands Dead or Harmed and Drug Still NOT RECALLED Article 3 of True Widows A major leak of confidential Zeng-Hu files revealing a drug scandal has hit the extranet following the megacorporation’s Frontier HQ attack on Assunzione. PsiProtect is a brand of genetically personalised drugs produced by YomiGenetics (a Zeng-Hu keiretsu member), marketed around the Orion Spur to those experiencing chronic psionic echoes and frequently supplied to Assunzionii Expeditionary Corps personnel. The drug brand appeared briefly in the Xanan New Service’s 2464 Lemurian Papers reported on by Truth Finder here. From 7 of Zeng-Hu’s own files, 7,127 people Spur-wide are believed to be dead as a direct result of complications arising from the use of the PsiProtect formulation marketed as 'PsiProtect Broad Use’. 120,179 people were recorded as experiencing a moderate to severe degree of neurological impairment after using the medications for as little durations as 2 months. Despite this, neither Yomi Genetics or Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals have issued a recall for ANY PsiProtect product. The medications continue to be prescribed to those experiencing psionic echoes and continue to be supplied to the Assunzionii Expeditionary Corps to fatal consequences. This must change and the limelight must continue to be shone on this scandal. The names and personal information of 42 Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals senior personnel involved in the research, production or marketing of PsiProtect products were also leaked in the files, alongside the compromising personal data of thousands of other Zeng-Hu employees operating within Coalition space. The leaked documents also reveal a number of other sensitive projects and internal concerns the Zeng-Hu Frontier Headquarters has had in recent years. However, insufficient details are available to truly piece together a story. These files were posted on 64tan on the 20th of May by an anonymous individual using the online moniker eyespy281, who claimed to have been involved in the attack on the Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Headquarters. In their post, which has since been taken down, eyespy281 said, 'literally using motel wifi to post this fml its a miracle the upload finished. they are coming for me, its been a good one. make it count'. No manifesto or apparent motive is present in the post or on the user's profile, which has also since been deleted, and we have been unable to contact them. Truth Finder is aware of no group that has claimed responsibility for the attack. Both Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals and YomiGenetics have not responded to our e-mails requesting comments. These leaked files can be found here, as well as on other download mirrors. As all ways, we recommend saving your own copies. If you have any further information regarding the attack, please contact us. ——— [[Available for download is a compressed folder with hundreds of Zeng-Hu Coalition Branch internal documents. Personnel records, Lemurian Sea expedition logs, internal product reviews, etc. — this is a pretty painful data leak. Some files have been renamed to sort to the top, others left untouched.]]

Zeng-Hu Frontier HQ Fire: Not Just An Electrical Fire Article 2 of True Widows Truth Finder has received submissions regarding the Zeng-Hu HQ fire in an arcology of Assunzione. On review, one thing is for sure: it was not an electrical fire - it was an attack. Our team has sifted through hundreds of contradicting videos and accounts which are circulating the extranet, many of which are likely artificially generated to obscure the Truth, but we have identified two submissions that are verifiably legitimate. This material is provided as-is except where edited to conceal any personal identities. ——— Video 1: Video 2: ——— The corporate media will not report on this, which means we have an obligation to.

Major Fire at Zeng-Hu Pharmaceutical’s Coalition Headquarters in Assunzione Article 1 of True Widows TRIESTO, ASSUNZIONE (GST) - A major fire has broken out at Zeng-Hu Pharmaceutical’s Coalition headquarters building in Triesto, Assunzione. At 04:12 AM Assunzione Standard Time, residents of Triesto were awoken to a loud explosion from the megacorporation’s headquarters. Earlybird commuters below the building also reported the ground shaking and debris ejected by the explosion falling onto surrounding buildings and roads. For around two hours, a large fire was seen burning at the source of the explosion, until the efforts of the Triesto Metropolitan Fire Service saw the flames extinguished. Fortunately, the TMFS reports that there have been no fatal injuries as a result of the incident. The headquarter building was evacuated of its overnight and early-arriving employees, of which 12 were treated for minor-to-severe smoke inhalation symptoms. Residents of Triesto have been advised to shut their windows and wear masks when outside, due to the smoke billowing from the headquarters building and the resulting strain on the arcology’s scrubbing system. However, it is reported the fire is now out. The Triesto Metropolitan Police Service and Zeng-Hu corporate security forces have cordoned off the immediate area due to structural concerns, debris, and the smoke. Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals has released a preliminary statement attributing the fire to the improper use of an unsafe electrical appliance, ‘which caused an ancillary thermal event’ responsible for the explosion. The TMFS has yet to comment on their own fire investigation, citing difficulties accessing parts of the headquarters building and uncooperative Zeng-Hu employees, but says they will have one ‘within 48 hours’. Video: Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals Fire Incident in Triesto, Assunzione Further Reading: Interfilm Director Tanvi Vijayalakshmi Dies, Aged 78, At Height of Inspiring Career The Burzsia Invasion, One Year On Around The Spur: Biesel's Unorthodox Uses of Phoron — From Atomic Wristwatches to Neural Wiring

This was accepted and implemented by Naut the long way around. https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php/Mendell_City

hi rooster, thank you for applying, your application was pretty good. nevertheless, I have decided to go with the other two deputy candidates. feel free to message me if you have any questions.

hello girdio, this was a great application all round. I think you've a good eye for themes, your proposal was well-written, and I think your ideas are on track for where i'd like to take things with you. your application has been accepted

thank you for the answers, louise the application was a bit sparse and the informal tone didn't help you, however your proposal & private examples of previous works definitely made up for this. I think you identified some of the larger problems (particularly with the megacorps) and I think you'll mesh well with the current plans for the RoB. i will be going ahead and accepting your application.

hi louise your responses to the Republic of Biesel questions were a little sparse. Do you have any thoughts on internal Republic politics and where you would take that? Can you list one or two of the ideas you had for Reade? i also DMd you about the private examples of past work

New Gibson (and Port Antilila) are both in need of major revision to make them origins that stand out on their own. New Gibson doesn't particularly have any pull-factors that bring players to it and the planetary environment is a bit vapid (another barren planet with Earth-simulating biodomes that negates the barrenness). The Undirstad-Overstad is also done better by Venus, which has the same Industrial Workers vs. Hydroponicists/Entertainers divide. I'd resolve to change up the planetary environment and make it something a bit more alien (eg. giving it an unusual biosphere that exists despite the frigid conditions) as New Gibson is one of the only planets I'd have domain over where I can explore alien planet environments. Expanding on the basis behind the Understad-Overstad divide so its not just 'We do the hard work while you live in the glitzy domes' would also be on my list and can be tied into this. New Gibson would also be included in my ramble about introducing a unique 'phoronpunk' aesthetic to Biesel. Being the industrial planet in Tau Ceti, that will probably present in all kinds of wacky phoronics industry stuff and probably giving New Gibson a transhumanist streak (can't lose your extremities to frostbite if they are cybernetic). Expanding on NanoTrasen's role on New Gibson would be included in the above, though I'd also want to bring in other megacorps (history of Hephaestus being here, until they recently gave way to EE and OX due to various reasons), bc New Gibson has shockingly little on megacorps for being in Tau Ceti. Much of this also goes for Port Antillia tbh. An Earth-like with not much going on it to pull players in; making the biosphere more alien is easy enough to get something interesting going on there.

'appearing to be a genuine beacon of liberty' would probably be the better phrasing. an effort to appear as such was made, otherwise various alien freedoms would just not be where they are. of course the reasoning behind this is incredibly malicious and its largely bc the corporations want a larger workforce, but the facade was a more convincing one imo. It all boils down to me believing the 2 centre states in our lore (Sol and Biesel) being very similar politically (at least in recent characterisation): they both have a strong streak of nationalism and they both have a streak of imperialism. the Sol Marine's 'oorah' is mirrored 1:1 by the Legionnaire's 'for the republic'. ofc there are differences, but I don't think they'll be very significant come talk of war and I think its the imperialism/nationalist that is going to pop out come pre-NBT2. So, I think the 2 centrepiece states need to be differentiated. The Alliance has always been the nationalistic/imperialistic one of the two, with Biesel going that route later on, so that's why I'm specifically saying Biesel should find its own path. Good vs. Evil is a boring theme in war stories, so I hadn't thought of or intend to white-wash Biesel. I think Biesel is too far gone for that and it's been rotted too deep by the megacorporations, of which the megacorporations are the arch-evil of the greater setting. This should not be a concern and Biesel will have its fair share of being evil. I just don't want it to be an overtly imperalistic or nationalistic flavour of evil, because that domain is what Sol is or has just shed out of. As for the ultimatum, I respect and don't want to waste the LTAs time and I think they can handle the bluntness. I don't like the characterisation of Biesel in years past much, I think it can be improved with the NBT2 in mind and result in an overall better outcome without departing too far from current direction (afaik). If this is one of the 'fixed' things or if my plans do significantly depart from current direction, then the LTA needs to know that in my application now and not in a few weeks. This is me letting the LTA know what strings I would like to play with, so that if this particular string is inflexible they can shoot me down and give another candidate a go.