evandorf

Szek-Hakh Delegation Shuttle Attacked A Day of Hope and Promise Ends in Uncertainty Earlier today, as the Szekziran envoys departed for home, a cowardly strike against their shuttle was launched as they left the safety of the city’s air defenses. As we reported, this diplomatic delegation was present at the Karszekan’s request to discuss terms of collaboration and fealty. Since then the self-proclaimed Szekzir, Lady Lazak Szek-Hakh, was confirmed to be present and negotiating with Izweski leadership personally. Secrecy of the visit was cited as due to security concerns and it appears those concerns have been vindicated. It is assumed that the presence of Szekzir Lazak is the primary motivator of the attack witnessed today, though as of yet no group has officially claimed responsibility. Details of the members present only became public knowledge some hours ago as it was announced that the area known as the Queendom would be officially recognized as a sovereign region of the Karszekani. As part of the agreement, Clan Szek-Hakh was invested with control of the full Guzan region, doubling its effective domain size. A variable tithe of commodities from the region was also agreed upon; to be reviewed at a later date as the Szekzir works to improve the local infrastructure and output. To aid in this effort, Master of Rivers Hutay’zai has been tasked with increasing the Guzan region’s priority in reclamation efforts. So far no mention of Viridis resources have officially been allocated but it is surmised that this is primarily a logistical hurdle and sources say that Lady Szek-Hakh has shown continued interest in the promise shown by the Lords Verdant. An official denouncement of Si’akh practices in the region was also given while High Priest Azandar was present to bless the proceedings. Once all parties accepted the terms and the negotiations were completed, a short but respectable ceremony was held; oaths were sworn, allegiances given, and Szekziran Szek-Hakh and her entourage boarded their shuttle for the return trip home. The Lord’s Claws, Mizaru Izweski, released the following details of the attack in an official report: Szekzir Szek-Hakh has been reported as bruised but alive. All survivors were returned to Skalamar for treatment where they are expected to make full recoveries. The Karszekan has made plans to provide his guests a more secure, trans-orbital return trip home and has vowed to discover the source of the attack. Funerals with full honors are scheduled for the pilot and co-pilot of the downed Gryphon. The same has been offered to the fallen of the Szek-Hakh but it is expected that they will decline and instead bear their loved ones home. We will continue to bring you updates as the situation unfolds. Further Reading: Growing Unrest Reported in the Vharzkan House of Medicine Affected by Continued Drop in Phoron Availability Optimistic Progress Reported by Viridis Oversight

“Queendom” Delegation Meets with the Karszekan Forging the Future of Sezk-Hakh Lands and Greater Guzan Approximately two weeks ago, a declaration was broadcast from the region controlled by the Sezk-Hakh clan acknowledging the Karszekan’s efforts in restructuring of titles and fealty under the Nikziran. The message also stated the intentions of Lazak Sezk-Hakh; that their domain will hereafter be known as Szekziran and they would also be adopting elected positions similar to the Karszekani. Crucially, nothing was said regarding the Szekzir’s intentions of fealty to the Karszekan and it has led to much concern and speculation in the minds of our readers at home and abroad. In the time since we reported the announcement very little has been said officially by way of response from Skalamar. High Speaker Sarnac repeated their stance that the matter was being debated but until an official position was determined they would not engage in speculation. It appears the time of waiting has ended and in dramatic fashion. An official statement has been released stating that earlier this week a delegation from the Szekziran had been received in Skalamar and that they have been in talks with the Karszekan and other officials to forge the future of the “Queendom” and its place within the Karszekani. Spymaster Hizoni Izweski cited security concerns as the reason that the arrival of the delegation was not met with more ceremony and that every precaution was being taken to ensure the safety of the envoys present. Whether or not the venerable Lazak Sezk-Hakh is present has not been confirmed but, given the previous attempts at assassination and their advancing years, great prudence is shown in restricting this information. The released statement continues by announcing that the talks with Szekziran officials have borne fruit and that the minutiae of tithe, title, and other considerations are actively being discussed and drafted. While details of any arrangement are sparse, it is speculated that possible further wastes encroachment has brought the “Queendom” to the table and that any agreement may hinge on access to reclamation technology or Viridis resources. Access to the region’s aquaculture has been hampered in the years following the war but some are hopeful that improvements to the area and relations in general will provide a boost in available provisions both locally and globally. Not everyone is as optimistic in regards to the outcome of this new collaboration. High Priest Azandar, as well as many others within the church, have made it clear that regardless of any political concessions made by the Sezk-Hakh leadership, the changes which have come about in the Szekziran due to the consequences of the war pose a real and present danger to the spiritual well-being of all Sinta who come in contact with them. “These Sinta would willingly discard their roles and aspects [of the great spirit] as one changes soiled clothes. Transcendence of the Sublime Barrier brings one closer to understanding Sk’akh but requires dedication and considerable contemplation”, said one church official we spoke with. “I am aware of the challenges they faced after the war, and you must do what you must to survive, but their time spent in isolation and warped duty has poisoned their spirits. Look at these ‘Healer-Protectors’ they venerate; blood thirsty Taa who would rather murder the sick than see them healed. Mark my words, Guzan will not be truly cleansed until the spiritual sickness is dealt with.” It is expected that talks will complete within the coming weeks and, should things go well, a public demonstration of fealty by the Szekziran will take place soon after. As always we will keep you informed of updates as they become available.

This could use some clarification, given its age, but at first glance this looks like a stance taken due to the fact that borers started the round in someone's head. I can see why there would be a ruling against running to have it removed as soon as it made its presence known. It would be the height of gimmick squashing, but not only has the culture shifted since 2020, borers spawned from the uplink already have someone working with them.

I think their potency is a little overestimated. It will be a simpler implementation if we don’t have to modify their behavior and unlike cult or rev it’s not a permanent conversion. The infested person has almost full autonomy and even when the borer takes over their mind they can retake control. The borer can also be removed with surgery. I also don’t look at this like a vamp or ling conversion. The antag using the borers doesn’t necessarily have to be one of the infested. They could simply use them as a tool or work with the borers.

I wouldn’t expect you to be able to buy a large amount of them. One at a time, possibly with a total limit like with sana. My experience with borers has been that once the crew knows what’s going on they are easy to defeat since helmets and other full head coverings block the conversion process.

My understanding of borer mechanics is that you have to apply psionics multiple times to your host and you don’t get everything you would get from a jump starter all at once. You also get incapacitated and twitch like mad and generally attract attention every time this happens.

Full disclosure, I watched Wrath of Khan immediately before making this so it’s not my most original or creative suggestion but I still think the idea has merit. It would allow uplink users to include an oft unseen antag and utilize them in modes outside of the standard borer/bughunt setups. The details about how many you can buy, how much they cost, and other restrictions can be hammered out.

Sezk-Hakh Proclamation Prompts Speculation Nikziran Draws a Response from “Queendom” as Sinta Great and Small Weigh the Outcome In an unexpected and surprising move earlier today, a statement on the reorganization of the Karszekani was delivered not only to officials in Skalamar but also to Sinta Articles and various other news outlets. The statement originated from the Sezk-Hakh fief in Guzan, sometimes referred to as the Queendom, and its contents have become the subject of scrutiny and speculation by sinta of all stations. While there is no official response from the Karszekan yet, initial reactions from the general public range from cautious optimism to guarded suspicion and worse. On the condition of anonymity, Sinta Articles spoke with one peer of the Scept who stated, “ They [Lazak Szek-Hakh and her courtiers] twist and corrupt the three into false forms that fit their purposes. Whether they support the Nikziran or not, the Karszekan should not consider even dignifying this missive with a response until their backward ways are corrected.” Inquiries to the office of High Speaker Sarnac have so far gone without response, but Sinta Articles will keep you informed of any updates as they are available. The full communique is presented here, in its entirety. Sinta Articles acknowledges its non-sinta readership on Ouerea and other corners of the Karszekani. To help those who may not be familiar with certain terms, we have begun adding footnotes where applicable. 1Literally translated “High Ruler of the Land” 2Shortform pronoun of the formal Saa 3Lit. Trans. “Domain of the Ruler of Rivers” 4Lit. Trans. “Noble of the Rivers”

I should also point out that not all antags have access to the uplink and other options, nor is succumb strictly an antag verb. It’s a tool for anyone to use and IMO that’s the way it should remain.

This is why they pay you the big bucks. EDIT: For clarity's sake, I should note this was a joke. We do not pay our devs since poor devs are more easily motivated.

That's how it should work, though I personally last used succumb maybe two weeks ago so something may have changed with a lot of the code updating that's been happening.

There's also the fact that this isn't the only way to avoid brig/medical if that's what you want. If I don't want to be caught or identified I'll setup an explosive implant, for example. If we remove succumb under the argument that players shouldn't have a way to avoid brig/med play, then you'll need to remove many other things. I don't think that argument is sustainable, however, giving succumb a unique death message is still something I think would be useful.

If that's the case then I agree with @LforLouiseeee and avoidant behavior should be ahelped, but it needs to be dealt with by the moderation team so the behavior can be documented.

This feels hyperbolic and an assumption of intent, and even if we had stated intent from those players the suggestion seems reactionary to me. There are instances where succumb is useful, especially if you are running a gimmick where the intended ending is to die. A focused and supplied medical team can keep a person alive and recover from even 1 - 2 % brain activity. On the other hand, I don't think it would be bad to have succumb give a unique message on death, so that everyone is aware of what happened and can make better OOC and IC choices in the aftermath.

Hello and thank you for applying! You app looks good and you seem to have a good understanding of the lore. I just wanted to pull on a few threads and ask some clarifying questions. - First, I just wanted to touch on what I think might be a typo. Was this supposed to be "...working as a medical aid in a Traditional Coalition ward" or something similar? - You mention that Aizi had specific experience for the Horizon that other paramedics who don’t work directly in the ER lack. This might just be my own lack of IRL medical work-experience but can you clarify what skills she has that others don't that would benefit her on the Horizon? - Her work seems to be a defining aspect of her life. Not only was her desire to go into the House of Medicine directly related to her mother's death, but she seems to be constantly searching for fulfillment through it. How much of the drive to be a healer is from her desire to help people and how much of it is a vehicle to find purpose? Is her compassion fatigue exacerbated by a lack of direction? - She was born into a lower noble house. How does her background affect the perspective she has on medicine and better care not reaching the less fortunate while going to others whose situation is similar to hers? - How has her house fared since the war? You mentioned that ties to the House of Medicine helped keep them afloat to a degree. Does she still provide the majority of support with her corporate pay? - The NT nuke connection is not proven currently, and is along the lines of rumor and conspiracy. A lot of people still hate NT so it's a reasonable belief to have but is there something specific that drew you to it or that you would want to explore in the future?