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2411.6-2411.7
Consequences

Shortly after Tezlok left for his ship, I discovered something frightening. From asking the lords, I was told the Grand Lord usually received a briefing from his predecessor and various history logs and journals, as well as other maps and plans that the predecessor had made. Tezlok had taken them with him.

Perhaps it was by mistake, but I am furious for that, and for the lack of useful knowledge I had of our political situation. It seems we are at war, or have no treaty with 5(!) empires.

Then reports came in that the Norak convinced one of the ship Lords to defect to them. He sent a message to me saying he could not continue to work for a people concerned with money and ignorant of his "true religion". I dismissed the whole thing as bunk, but I've been in a flury working on counterpropaganda, and other intelligience. He's eluded the price I've placed on that ship so far. Our Lords know this is the most any Grand Lord has offered for anything to be done ever.

I was about to send out an impassioned plea not to defect, combined with telling them the consquences of defecting (No more Fazrah Gold was the obvious one). But as usually, Jacob came up with a better idea. Give the Norak, Amon'krie and Praetorian captains a reason to join us. The more the Norak take our ship Lords, telling them of the virtues of their religion, the more we will tell their captains about freedom and money.

The standard speech goes something like this:
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Greetings Captain!

I'd like to congratulate you on your position and title. Ship Captains have more freedom than others in any empire, due to the distances between HQ and the ships. However, I would like to offer you an even better option.

Upon joining the Fazrah, you will have complete control over your ship and crew. You are free to believe what you will, and hire whomever you want. To keep yourself in good supply of fuels and other wants, all you must do is choose from a list of missions and tasks.

Thats Right! When we send out a group of orders, they aren't really orders. We simply give a price for each one. Thats how much we'll pay in Fazrah gold if you complete the objectives. (Fazrah gold is pure Gold, not diluted like some currencies)

The rest of the time, sit back and relax, enjoy your favorite beverages, and smile knowing that no dictator has your number.

To arrange a meeting, send a message to our envoy of your Empire.

Grand Lord Alzene
Fazrah Anarchy
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I have no doubt that will convince a few Captains. For all our disadvantages, we are flexible and wealthy, and we also know how to fight dirty.

Tezlok will be hunted down, and we are beefing up homeworld defenses. I plan on calling up an army or two to patrol homeworld. I've also recalled nearly a dozen ships to homeworld. Its time we fight back. That'll be the largest concentration of ships I've ever seen at homeworld.

Amon'krie, Praetorians and Norak are our most persistent enemies. And I have sent off a request for peace to the Norak, so long as they don't convert our ships. I have no problems with their religion, except when it leads to defections. But once a lord has distorted his idea of the good life enough to prefer the Norak way, he is truly lost.