>>6483234
>Master
>Slaver
Slave maxing!

Oops forgot
>Antislaver

Also the 'master' isn't slave owner but teacher. Realized I should have clarified that better.


Don't expect the usual cheese methods to work; on the plus side things that were unfinished like trade and slavery actually make sense now compared to the game As in slavery will make you rich now. In terms of modded content will be mostly limited to what was unfinished game and makes sense like the Swamp Frogs or Cage Beasts for instance.

Upbringing choice will have very real costs and benefits depending on your choice. Including things that would otherwise be very difficult to acquire. For example slaver unlocking prisoner recruitment and Nomad with Taming, which is admittedly self explenatory benefit. Is it possible to attain later on? Yeah, mostly but depending on what it is, some things are much easier or harder to acquire than others later on. It will also affect your starting rep, so don't expect to be friends with the antislavers; for example if you choose slaver.

Just don't expect OP shit like prisoner recruitment to be anywhere near as good as the mod even if it is technically viable. Slavers bully the weak for a reason and why would a strong enemy want to join you exactly? On the plus side, random bar recruits no longer suck balls and it's entirely plausible to find far stronger recruits available without trying to cheese/cheat with prisoner recruitment so hey that isn't only option now for recruits who don't suck. Albeit it also means you won't have access to unusual recruits for the most part but hey.

>>6483234
>Ninja
>Both parents

>>6483234
>Master
>Bandit
Being a bandit is based

>>6483234
>Mother
>Noble
Hive Princess!
She's in exile and wants to build a new hive of her own.

Alternatively, instead of having been banished from her home, maybe she's the long lost daughter of the fog hivers before they went nuts and everything went to shit? (It's been a while since I've played Kenshi, so I don't remember how long they've been crazy cannibals. If they've been like that for hundreds of years then nvm ignore this bit)

>>6483234
>Master
>Noble
Im thinkin of a Belmont archetype. Im tempted to vote for slaver but you can only sell slaves for money and I dont think I'll stay in this quest for long if its mainly that.

Winner is...3 noble and 3 master. Interesting combination and honestly I was expecting more min maxing like slaver or something. Noble is unusual in that it is the ONLY option that that buffs certain noncombat skills and of those it buffs stuff like intrigue, leadership, politicking, and even warfare. Only a couple of options specifically buffed noncombat skills and of those not the nobleset.

As for the master option that grants additional options that otherwise wouldn't be there.

Next up, what is your master?
>Hiver
>Skeleton
>Shek
>Greenlander
>Scorchlander

Who are you?
>Shek
>Hiver
>Greenlander
>Scorchlander

>>6483453
It goes beyond selling slaves as in its actual profitable and you can use slaves yourself. There is a reason why the UC are rich and love slavery.

>>6483467
>Skeleton
And
>Scorchlander
For being able to eat raw meat. Greenies are too soft.

>>6483323
I would have to pull some stuff out of my ass about a Hive Queen/Princess but doable. Would be easier if Hiver lore wasn't nonexistent; probably steal from the Hiver expansion mod desu. Hivers have the least lore to use.

That option would count as Master/Mother with hiver/hiver.

Fog hivers are an old problem directly tied to the absence of a Hive Queen. The only ones immune to it are the 'rogue/free hivers' who can survive without the hivemind connection. Freewill as it turns out, grants you immunity and why it's unique to hivers.

As for how old the fog is... it's a very old problem. You had the cannibals show up sometime before the Second Empire because they had to devote resources to containing them. While the Fog has to do with a fault innate to Hivers if they lose their Queen.

This is why the Fog can spread and infect the other hives if you kill their Queens. The fog has quite some disturbing implications. Like the Bugmaster and the Spiders. So yeah, the Fog can spread and the Fogmen have to come from somewhere...

>>6483467
>Hiver
>Hiver

>>6483499
Ah okay. If the fog isn't a recent problem, then ignore what I said about it. Just an exile from one of the other two hives probably still works.

>>6483467
Master
>Skeleton
&
>Scorchlander

>>6483742
+1

Rolled 43, 23 = 66 (2d100)

>>6483470
>>6483742
>>6483757
>>6483808
So a tie huh? I'll admit I was considering how I was gonna manage a hivemind with the changes I intended to make to recruits and followers but this sorta makes it easier.

Two starter MCs it is then. One female Hiver Princess and the other a Scorchlander man.

>>6483888
>Scorchlander Name???
You don't remember much, only the screams, flames, blood, dying, and fighting. That was your first ever memory you recall. Hell you don't even remember parents. You only know what they look like thanks to a surviving artpiece that wasn't even a portait but instead made during one of the many truces between the UC and Holy Nation meant to 'honor' the agreement. You just remember a wandering skeleton who would later 'adopt' you as its student suddenly appearing tearing his way through the rebellion to rescue you. The only survivor of a noble family. Sadly nobody else survived really. No servants. No soldiers. Only rival nobles 'eager' to tear apart your inheritance even as they cried crocodile tears over your 'loss' and swore 'vengeance' on the rebels on your 'behalf'.

Your family was one of the unlucky sacrifices of a sudden surge of rebellions. One in which the nobles took...VERY poorly. Resulting in massive crackdowns and accelerating ongoing crackdowns. Business was good for the slavers and traders but everyone else suffered even the Nobles.

Luckily while you might be down and out, you still hold some assets that are intact. Mostly in terms of remaining wealth as your 'actual' assets either died, fled, rebelled, or were burnt to ashes. Your master meanwhile, turned out to be a former governor of the Second Empire and before that something called an 'administrator'. Which you only knew about from overhearing him talking with his fellow skeletons once. You never knew anyone could be so wise and since the Second Empire fell, he chose to travel the lands as a Wandering Sage. One who was an astute fighter with that exotic giant blade or with his fists when he really wants to, but according to him fighting was never his specialty. Instead, he taught you concepts and subjects that even the best Imperial Tutors of the UC couldn't dream of. Hell, you're pretty sure he could even put the Machinists to shame. Alas you are no Greenlander so quite a few topics went over your head entirely. Like, what the hell even is a nuclear reactor?

Still, thanks to him, you also got stuck traveling the world on your own two feet, no less. No pavilion carried by slaves. No beasts to ride. He made you walk. Like common filth. He also took you far and wide. Even managing to travel through the Holy Nation thanks to your credentials and his stealth(he could be surprisingly sneaky when he wanted to be). Even as lands as exotic as the ever warring Shek Kingdom and even visiting the Hives where you made your very first 'friend'. You spent quite a bit of time among the hivers because apparently they are the only ones who don't charge a fortune for robotics and repairs. A service your teacher very much needed so most of your downtime was spent among them.

There you met and befriended certain young princesses in a failing hive colony gradually being overrun. You previously thought your circumstances in life as a noble were rough...

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>6483899
>Hive Princess name???

You are a princess of a falling Hive. Your Queen Mother is gradually falling ill. This hive was SUPPOSED to expand the reach of the Hives, but instead you ended up beset on all sides and you are too young to replace your mother. So dire is the cirumstance she already arranged a letter to be sent to the Western Hive for annexation to prevent the spread of the dreaded Fog. Your mother is too weak and ailling to fully maintain the hivemind and you cannot replace her yet as you are both too young and too weak... Unexpectedly, she was still strong enough to give birth to you. Alas, it was too late to save your hive.

However your mother wasn't without options. She couldn't trust the other Hive Queens with her own daughter but she apparently had a old friend whom she DID trust that much. A skeleton sage whose once-legendary reputation has been long forgotten by the world. She liked to him, the 'old ghost of the lost ages'. To you, however he was just a passing tutor who introduced you to your very first free willed being that wasn't hellbent on trying to slaughter or enslave you all.

How the hell they manage without the guiding might of a hivemind you cannot comprehend, much less how they still have RULERS like an Emperor despite such a...unreliable chain of command hierarchy, as the old skeleton would describe it. This time your scorchlander friend came by to visit again while your mother and his master are currently holding a private meeting. Giving you both a rare moment of respite and free time to play around. Your both too young to do much but that doesn't mean you cannot have fun or get into trouble...

What do?
>Bother the Royal Guards for combat training
>See what the Princes brought back from trading
>Check in on the drone workers in their workshops
>Sneak out with the patrolling soldiers
>Other?

>>6483907
Oh right don't forget to include the names of the two characters.

>>6483907
>Other?
>Talk to the nomads that have come to trade
For names I would say
>Scorchy: Aladdin
I would also be interested in Judah (from Ben-Hur) or Pendragon (from The Man Who Would Be King), because I like the idea that our skelly master would name us for a prince from 'the most ancient of legends'
>Hiver: Candle
(I think Hivers are named for the first thing they see)

>>6483907
>Hive Princess name???
Atana
The first thing she saw was a cool sword leaning against the wall. However, the queen said "katana is a stupid name", so the k was dropped.

What do?
>See what the Princes brought back from trading

>>6483907
>Scorchlander: Taiga
Im a little proud of this one lol
>Hiver: Atana
>See what the Princes brought back from trading

>>6484033
>>6484236
Looks like the name for the Hive Princess is Aatana. Scorchlander name to be determined still gonna need some more votes for that.

Honestly your not sure why you can understand a hiver princess just fine while a Queen is ony shrieking without an interpretor? Maybe that will change when she is older? Regardless you did learn a few tricks about the Hivers and trade especially thanks to your teacher you know to spot a relic among the trash that even a Tech Hunter or Machinist would miss. The hivers REALLY like collecting a ton of crap which they in turn love to pawn off on any sap who dares by it.

Say what you will about the Trader's Guild at least they aren't selling trash. Naturally without Atana you would never have known that the hivers do in fact have good shit...that is never for sale. Goddamn greedy cheapskates. Sadly in a declining Hive like this that isn't say too much compared to the other bigger hives.

Still you follow Atana to go bug the returning Trade Princes and the shops since you know you know you'll just ripped off otherwise.

----
As a Princess naturally, you get first pick of tribute from the returning caravans and whatever else the Hive scavenges. This time it turned out the traders struck it rich. Not the best find since you can remember but damn close. Did they risk a journey to Black Desert City? Your mother doesn't like you wandering around without a bloody army to go anywhere...and armies are slow. Even hiver ones.

It turned out some scavenging teams and patrols also managed to have great luck this time around. Piles of Holy Nation and United City gear from their endless fighting nearby. The usual cannibal and bandit trash...but this time you note the presence of relics and machinery mixed in. Why are those...LEVIATHAN PEARLS? You don't even remember the last time a hunting team sent out that managed to return with those but... yup, a small pile of them. Neatly tucked to the side beside the mountain of meat and hides.

Your friend was just complaining about the lack of proper decor. Your workers can easily carve them into those fancy showpieces he loves so much...and nobles in general really. SO many treasures to choose from...and holy crap there really was a caravan returning from visiting the skeletons!

Maybe Mother is upgrading the royal guards? Otherwise, you're not sure why she would bother, given how expensive it is and how impoverished your hive is...

"So...you uh wouldn't happen to be selling would you?" Asks your strange free willed human friend. As his eyes zeroed in on the caravan that came back from visiting the skeletons and his hands were examining what they brought back.

"I mean...I suppose so but not for free and are you sure you got enough cats?" You agreed.

"I do... it's just replenishing them that is the problem," he admitted with a shrug. "I am surprised your Hive managed to afford all this...this easily in the hundreds of thousands of cats at a minimum. If not millions."

>>6484294
"Yeah, it is strange," Atana admits with a shrug. "Mother must be up to something. Especially to burn through what was left of our treasury for this.

You peruse the goods. You did notice some choice pieces of tech and machinery but likely your teacher would understand them much better. Maybe if you were better with books...but weapons and armor? You get that. Looking at what the caravan brought back...ALL the Hiver Caravan Guards who went were now equipped with at least SPECIALIST quality armour and Skeleton Smith tier weaponry. You also note that they were badly wounded with many missing limbs that were replaced by cybernetics...which is most unusual. Hivers generally recycle crippled hivers instead of salvaging them like this. Not a good sign truthfully...especially given their quality. Those were all high qualty cybernetic replacements.

Looks like it was a very dangerous journey for them but they made it back, albeit not in one piece.

Besides that you notice a LOT of scavenged gear from the UC and HN. The hiver workers were already stripping them of their markings for resale. You can see Atana was busy drooling over the massive chunks of levathian flesh and some Beakthing eggs...which were her favorite. Honestly, you can understand the eggy delicacy but Levathian flesh? Nobody in their right minds tries to harvest that. Its pain in the ass as it to reach the pearl and everything else is worthless. With the hide too thick and hard to work. The flesh...the less said, the better. It makes raptor meat smell and look delicious.

If only you had the men, you could easily equip them properly right here and now. Albeit you don't have nearly enough for the best stock they brought back from the skeletons, everything else was doable. If you were willing to take a huge hit to your savings, you could afford something for yourself...barely.

Come to think of it though your family lands aren't too far from here in Bast. Maybe it was time to finally get some ronin of your own...or even slaves if you could somehow keep them in line. Drin is a big city after all...the problem is the nearby lands are swarming with rebel scum and the Hivers simply don't have the manpower needed anymore to suppress them. They are having a hard enough time with the cannibals and slavers as is. But you could probably hitch a ride with a hiver caravan. They go there ALL the time, as it's the closest city for trade.

Only doing so...oh man, it's not gonna be cheap to recruit anyone who isn't trash and you have 0 income. On your journeys, you count yourself blessed if you pick up enough goods on the way to afford room and board. If you aren't, you end up spending your savings instead...that adds up. Especially since you can't be seen among common filth. Your barely maintaining your position as is and that is mainly due to the aid of your teacher and goodwill from the military for your family...the damned traders guild and nobles have long tried to make a move otherwise.

>>6484301
As you are looking yet ANOTHER caravan comes in. This time from the nearby tech hunter city based on the direction and all the stuff their carrying. Tech, parts, and lower quality cybernetics. Better than hiver stock which is odd. With their arrival you notice that Atana wanders over when she notices the crippled workers were being dragged out and having cybernetics slapped onto them.

A hive reduced to even conserving its worker population? That...isn't good. Not good at all. Even you know that and you can tell Atana is worried about it now. Its almost as if the hive is completely liquidating its treasury for some reason...and trying to desperately conserve its dwindling manpower.

What buy?
>Weapon
>Armour
>Tech(what?)
>Other?

I rolled insanely well on what they brought back. Pretty much the only thing they don't got is stuff like an AI core, which would have been available if it were a crit.

Astana approached where the crippled drones...that SHOULD have been recycled were now being restored with cybernetics. Cybernetics while not the best...weren't even Hiver manufactured. You knew the manpower shortages were severe but not to the point of crippling. You can't think of any other reason for your mother to taking such desperate measures if it weren't for that...is she even still laying eggs at all?

Looking at what else they brought back...tech and books. VERY valuable books. The kind full of forgotten and obscure knowledge kind. You know your hive wasn't exactly lacking in tech given your Hive's ability to make cybernetics for cheap even but this...this is too much. As in you now have a really bad feeling about this. Soon your worst fears were made reality when you saw Mother's Royal Guard arrive and start exchanging their gear...including crippled soldier and princes who were given much better cybernetics to restore them. You can feel your mother's pheromones radiating dread, concern, and even... desperation, with a tone of finality to it.

You cannot help but inquire with a Prince to check the bookkeeping...sure enough, your worst fears are realized. Replenishment sharply declined. Treasury emptied. Restoring crippled units instead of recycling whenever possible. Replacing gear to best available options to minimize casualties...this...this is terrible. Are the cannibals planning another major invasion? Is it maybe the slavers or rebels instead? Holy Nation has to fight their way through the UC first to reach your hive. Even at this current attrition...your hive is doomed and you cannot possibly grow up fast enough to save it.

At this rate even your low pheromone production will be enough to keep the hivers in line...assuming the Fog doesn't get them. Then again, that is why your mother reached out to the Western Queen...the last thing anyone wants is for that damned Fog to expand. Is that why she brought the tutor here? Is Mother preparing to move out the Royal Guards?

>>6484302
The Royal Guards are NEVER supposed to leave the Queen's side...but you can see now that most of them are now gathering near you instead while failing miserably to pretend otherwise. But that wouldn't explain the gathering of the caravans and the old outlying villages have been abandoned ages ago...you don't like this. Not at all. Normally you would ask your friend given how much old books he is forced to read by that tutor but you know enough about that kind of hardware to understand that the Sage is also in very rough shape. The kind of damage that available replacement parts and skeleton beds can't fix. Not that you could bring yourself to ever tell him your suspicions about that...skeletons are believed to be immortal. Which is false. As a Princess, you'll mature into a cyborg organism that is a Queen. Your kind know understand skeletons better than anyone else but the skeletons themselves. Just nobody has any idea how good Hiver's actually are with it cybernetics because nobody is suicidal enough to want people to suspect your Queens and bring harm to them. Hence why you only sell the shittiest possible kind. Minimal attention while still allowing easy servicing and better understanding of the tech that keeps a Queen functioning...mostly. Sometimes accidents happen and problems arise regardless, like with your mother...

Are they planning to march off to war or something? Would certainly explain all the soldier drones gathered up...no your mother isn't that stupid or suicidal. Than what?

The answer as it turns out came to you. As the Cavaran Heads gathered together approaching you when one was abruptly selected and push outwards to take the blame.

"Princess...the Queen has a new lesson plan for you. You seek to travel yes? Queen agreed!"

"..." Normally this would have you jumping up and down out of joy because you are NEVER allowed to leave the Hive. At best you get to move along the outskirts with bloody army following you the whole time. Yet NOW she wants you to just...leave? Why now? What's going on? Damn it if only you could control the hivemind like your mother. Clearly sensing your frustration the Trade Prince sacrifice(representive) continued in a hurried fashion.

"OR...Queen insists that you accelerate your studies with a tutor to help," it finally squeaked out, awaiting its inevitable execution by Royal Guard following your every command. Sure enough one of them was already lifting up its heavy polearm preparing to cut off the offending prince's head off. Yet while you pondering your newfound 'freedoms' you realized that maybe killing this offending prince wasn't such a good idea given the numbers problem...a completely alien thought that should be limited to those strange singleminded beings. But you still needed to make an example so you were merciful enough to let the royal guards delimb the screaming prince instead. This way he'll still be useful with some new limbs AND you get to vent your anger.

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>6484304
See you DO pay attention in class! This way you get the best of both worlds and honestly with such a 'slowminded' Prince who so easily got singled out and outplayed by his brethren he was likely doomed anyhow. Prince infighting is worse than Princesses because Princesses are too valuable to risk losing. That doesn't matter for princes despite their brains and thanks to their ambitions...well they love screwing each other over. You long given up on trying to break them of that particular habit. Too many of them and their too damned clever. Only a Princess can keep them from infighting but there is no way for a princess to keep an eye on them all. Honestly, there is a reason why the Queens simply don't bother...

Still, the only time you ever recall a Princess being allowed to just...leave was to build a new hive. The problem with that is your far too young for that. So what the hell is your mother planning? You are proud to say that on Kenshi no Queen is as clever or intelligent as your dearest mother. Not by half. Not that greedy Western Queen or that Warlike Southern Queen can compare to her brilliance! Honestly, it's why that despite her failing health and terrible location, she was able to holdout and even thrive for so long. Anyone else would never have made it...

But as a sheltered and spoiled princess of course you aren't allowed to know what is really going on. Just that she either wants you to study hard or...flee? But you're not a grown princess yet! Hell, you're the ONLY Princess in this hive. You are supposed to be your mother's heir...

What do?
>Travel
>Study hard
>Other?

>>6484302
>What buy?
Some of those books seem valuable. As a favor from your friend, ask if you can read through them. Not keep them; just skim through for free before giving them back in a few hours.
Other than that?
In the world of Kenshi, you want stuff that won't get stolen. That's why knowledge is soo good. Armor and high quality weapons are the first thing that thieves and bandits will take.
The best thing to spend the money on (imo) would be stealth/survival oriented gear. Good shoes, acid proof clothes, durable backpack, that sort of stuff. Other anons can decide the details if they want. This is just my suggestion.

>>6484305
>What do?
Study Hard
I want to get this show on the road and begin the adventure, but this might be the last chance to get some priceless prep in before heading out.
On top of the usual lessons on ruling, Atana should dedicate some extra attention towards what she'll need for a new hive. Ideal locations that have water and good soil, memorization of maps, the political landscape of the nations and who hates who, etc.
Even if the queen isn't telling her everything, I don't think Atana is an idiot. She can see the writing on the wall, and knows that she'll need to be planning for a rough future.

>>6484294
>Scorchlander name to be determined still gonna need some more votes for that.
I took a look at the random names list for scorchlanders. I kinda like these two:
Hiroto
Fuujin

I'm fine with either, although I guess you could combine them where one is the first name and the other is the family last name.
Side note, but I wonder if our human protag calls the princess Tana as a nickname

>>6484465
>>6484620
Well, I've waited a while and since there are no other votes...

As for the topic of Princess Atana. The Scorchlander MC was the first person she ever met who said no to her, given his freewill and wasn't her mother. That is why he likes to call her Sastana or Astana, much to her annoyance due to how sassy, spoiled, bratty and bossy she is. She is also unsurprisingly, extremely egotistical, never wrong, and always in charge. Pretty much what you would expect from a solo Hive Princess who has never been challenged once in her entire life. Even other Hives don't generally have just a single princess to keep her from getting uppity and encouraging competition for self improvement.

It is this challenge that is why she likes him so much, despite the sheer GALL to say no or correct her as a spoiled bratty princess. Atana isn't actually stupid just bratty and spoiled. She inherited her mother's keen intellect and perception. Does in fact know how to defend herself surprisingly enough with a crossbow whenever she can sneak out and practice with it. As a princess, however, she was never allowed to fight in melee. Knowing how to shoot was already pushing it.

According to her (only)friend she can browbeat even the most spoiled, egotistical, and bossy nobles imaginable with her sheer attitude, expertise, and 'experience'. After all even nobles have to consider other nobles and even slaves have their own will. Atana, on the other hand, has never once been challenged in her entire life and commands(not demands) absolute obedience. Her voice has a harsher crack to it than even the most masterful slave trainer's whip. Suffice it to say, from her sheer bravado and ego alone, she is EXTREMELY convincing with her bossy bluffs or commands.

Now for the still (unnamed) scorchlander. His master tried to convince him of the importance of book learning, with mixed results. He was much keener on the lessons of politicking, warfare, intrigue, and gear. Rather than that of science, theology, or philosophy. As a 'proper noble' despite his heavy traveling he has bit of a chip on shoulder due to his clearly ignoble lifestyle and desire to reclaim what is supposed to belong to him. Thanks to his time with his teacher he understands extremely old human references predating even the First Empire and looks down on how 'uneducated' nobles are with their distinct lack of...'heritage' rather than class. Despite being a noble, he isn't spoiled but he definitely isn't interested in the ascetic life his Master encourages(being a skeleton will do that you). He still has serious backbone and spine from his harsh living but refuses to let it break him and instead looks down on the nobles for being 'too soft'. So his master's teachings in that regard did rub off on him somewhat. A 'proper' noble wouldn't stand surviving off raw meat and blood, which the MC has done regularly. Having a skeleton master REALLY fucking sucks for quality of life.

>>6484828
Unsurprisingly, he clings to whatever luxuries the poor guy can get his hands on. Family-wise, he was born to a more martial Household. His mother enlisted in the military to avoid the familial harem backstabbing, intrigue, and politicking of nobility. Where she met his father from the HN on the battlefield...repeatedly. During a truce, their marriage was arranged in the hopes of helping to cement a lasting peace, but when their military forces were lured away to handle a cannibal raid, the rebels took advantage of the opening to attack. Having their forces divided and pincered led to their downfall. With his master taking the opportunity to swoop in and save the boy. Who apparently had a bit of a...history with his parents which he hasn't elaborated much on. Technically he does have surviving relatives on both sides but being nobles the relationship wasn't good. Luckily due to his parents favor in the military they intervened to keep him as heir from losing everything, which is why he still has savings and upheld claims.

Which makes him quite the outlier and pariah in noble circles. Mainly due to how his master decided to raise him. He didn't experience a normal noble upbringing. Instead, it was an ascetic and enlightened, albeit harsh, upbringing, wandering the wastes. The MC unsurprisingly hates rebels but the feeling is quite mutual. He doesn't have a personal grudge towards the Antislavers but they hate him on principle. In terms of bandits...being raised by a sage ascetic skeleton guaranteed a distinct lack of loot to be had. Like robbing starving bandits and expecting to find something worthwhile...as for the Shek, they at least acknowledged his master as being 'strong'. Which he knows to be true, as he has seen his master wield an MK Fragment Axe with ease and never lost a single fight he participated in. He secretly suspects how he might match legends like Catlon, Tinfist, or Bugmaster but alas he never saw him fight against the strongest of foes. Everyone else though, would count themselves lucky if they only lost some limbs and became crippled. Too bad his master wasn't interested in fighting anymore and had apparently developed a distaste for it ages ago. To be honest he isn't even sure why his depressed ancient sage master wanders so much despite apparently knowing everything, being completely ascetic, and not interested in battle. Much less his interest in saving a noble child and teaching him. The master does have a motive for doing so.

>>6484465
Anyway both MCs are still kids so they have a lot of growing to do including personality changes, interests, and ambitions. this is Kenshi after all.

---
As much as fancier equipment attracts you...you know this will simply make a you target. Instead you consider stealth and survival. Leaning more towards the ninja way to maintain a low profile. You might be a noble but its not like you have a retinue to keep you alive...so discretion is the better part of valour in this case.

As it turned out with a lot of digging through the ninja gear you DID manage to scrounge up an Ashcoat. Along with a bag. New boots were tricky on the account of hiver feet and they didn't underarmour was also lacking. Luckily this IS a trade caravan so they had some stuck but their bias was very obvious. New sandles and a pair of exotic boots you never seen before but which the Prince swears up and down can survive an acid bath and Venge...look kinda weird tho. Crabby almost but made from...carapace and leather? Not metal. Very exotic. Shockingly comfortable though you can feel the soles adjust to your feet. A new bag that wasn't a crappy basket or crate. A proper thieves backpack this time. A new pair of drifter's pants(pants that don't get destroyed by acid are annoyingly hard to find). A leather turtleneck that is somehow in your size. Finally, the helmets...a new rattan hat to keep the rain off and a swamp ninja mask. You've had bad experiences with gases before...had to get carried out a number of times by your master when you passed out from bad air.

Next were the weapons...you need something light and fast. As much as that fancy Edgewalker katana called to you...discreteness mattered but it wouldn't be fitting to have a junk sword either. So you grabbed a skeleton smith katana. Larger weapon wise you considered spears given your lack of reach and they had quite a fine selection to choose from. You went with the naginata to stick with your theme. This time though you went with a Catun quality to avoid less attention. Something like that is to be expected and won't draw much attention unlike the rare Skeleton smith quality. It hurt though but at least you had a nice katana to make you feel better...

Looking at yourself in the mirror despite your height. The mask hanging on your belt next to your katana. The spear and backup you look like your typical discreet but well experienced drifter...much to your chagrin. The whole set DID put a dent in your savings but not too much since you weren't going for the best options...except for the katana and comfy underclothes. Damn it, you deserve at least SOME luxury in your life...pathetic excuse of a noble you are.

>>6484849
Still, at least you got to check out the books...which turned out to be all scientific stuff that made your brain hurt even glimpsing at it. Based on how ancient a lot of it is...VERY expensive and rare. Like you need to hire suicidal tech hunters to delve ruins level rare and hope they get lucky to find anything. Definitely not in your budget.

---
Atana meanwhile, for the very first time in her life, didn't do what she wanted to do most. Which was finally to leave the hive and see the world before she gets forced to settledown in her own hive and never leave again...the fate of all Queens. Instead she realized this could very easily be the last time she saw her mother again. As the Hive's situation was most dire...no hive bothered to give out cybernetics after all. just wasn't worth it when you could replace them with ease. At least that is what is SUPPOSED to happen...so sh willingly attended her lessons for possibily the final time much to her grim acknowledgement.

Her mother was still healthy enough to be seated on the throne but given the lack of eggs and how sickly she looked...you very much doubted she could stand and being Queen, she refused to lie in bed awaiting her death. Instead she refused to show weakness and was ready to die with dignity on that throne. Surprisingly you found that the sage was with her too. A tutor? Well not the first time...

But this time you asked pertinent questions. Where you can establish a new hive. The sorta of maps that marked ecological conditions(which the mysterious tutor surprisingly had, albeit dated back to the Second Empire). Another map of the whole land marking borders, this one being much more up to date. You asked about political landscape and who was in play.

This your mother explained breathlessly with the occasional input from the skeleton.

"The Holy Nation is on the warpath, currently distracted by the Shek King, who is driving his people to extinction on a dual front war with the United Cities as well. The Holy Nation is striking everywhere. Leveraging their rich stockpiles of supplies to attack the Westen Hive, Shek, and even the UC. The UC is currently beset by famine and rebellions everywhere. So much so that the nobles and even Trader's Guild are considering replacing their Emperor. A War in which the Shek are clearly losing and the UC so weakened internally is unable to properly counter both armies. Not even to save the Shek mind you, but enough to slow down the HN. The Western Hive for its part is helping to arm the Shek along with the Trader's Guild as they need the distract and harm the HN. The Southern Hive has been trying to expand again but keeps getting throttled by the bandit clans, tech hunters, antislavers, and skeleton remnants. As for the other hives...currently a few have fallen to the Fog. The Border Queens are no more. Succumbing to the HN assaults and being swallowed whole by the Fog. Pushing the HN directly bordering the Fog Islands themselves.

>>6484856
"Which will open a new unexpected front to their war. This time however, it contains overwhelming numbers," interrupts the skeleton pointing at the right spots on the map. "With the fall of the Border Queens and the Shek getting pushed out of the Borderlands by the HN. The HN will be hard pressed to maintain so many war fronts at the same time. Especially when the Shek Kingdom undergoes its death throes and go beserk. They won't be able to hold the line or maintain their aggression.

If the Southern Hive doesn't give up on its Hive expansions, it will be forced to fight the southern UC via the bonefields or take the fight directly to the Tech Hunters or Skeletons. Given their taste for capturing ruins they may end up ignoring the UC or probing them for weakness."

"That will never happen," gasps the Queen. "The Western Queen is extremely opportunistic. The fall of the Border Queens has allowed her to expand right up to the HN and Borderlands. My death will enable her to encroach upon the UC directly. The Southern Queen meanwhile, is extremely aggressive and hostile to everyone even our own kind. She WILL attack the UC, smelling weakness. Try to break through in the bonefields for expansion, as it's her only option. Especially since she hasn't managed to crack the Antislavers or Tech Hunters. While her attempts to overwhelm the skeletons have failed thanks to the Iron Trail and Ashlands. While the bandits there..well doesn't matter how many you kill. They are endless and keep getting replaced. They are what feeds the war machine that is her King, after all."

'Do you think she can get past the Fishmen?" It inquires.

"The Fishmen keep her off the coast but that is the best they can do," she states.

"What of the bandits, slavers, and antislavers?" You ask them.

"The Slavers are following the lead of the Trade Guild. They take advantage of the chaos and wars to enrich themselves and expand. While the Antislavers are getting dragged down by the Southern Hive and bandits near Spring. However, they are setting up a new operation with their allies The Flotsam Ninja village and they are building a new base secretly in the swamps while the UC is distracted. The bandits meanwhile will soon welcome an explosion of Shek reinforcements and gangs when the Shek Kingdom finishes its suicidal war to extinction. Leaving nothing but Shek Bandits and nomadic tribes," your mother finishes.

"The real problem is the rebels. I haven't seen so many since the Second Empire," corrects the skeleton pointing out all over the map.

>>6484865
"The fall of so many Hives has led to a surge of Rogue Hivers and risks the Fog spilling out. The HN, in their holy zeal of crusading, have pushed their own backlines to the breaking point. Both from former slaves and desperate commoners. Not to mention religious schisms. In the UC meanwhile, you have the Trader's Guild actively exacerbating the famine for the sake of profit. Forcing starving and desperate citizens to rebel or die. While the crackdowns from the Nobles and Emperor are only worsening the situation. Meanwhile, even the Shek are becoming rebellious because not all of them wish to die a pointless death or drive their very species to extinction."

"So...no good place for a hive than huh?" You mutter, disappointed.

"Leviathan Coast but it is extremely isolated, maybe," shrugs the Skeleton. "Otherwise, you can try your luck in the forsaken lands."

"In terms of geographic location...Shem is best," states your Mother. "However, the sage is right when it comes to speaking politically. The Levathian Coast is safest. Even cannibals don't like going that far and the naked bandit tribes hate them with a passion, which will distract them from you. In terms of pioneering, you're stuck fighting it out with the bandit tribes, colonies, beasts, or skeletal ruined lands. In most locations, that is very dangerous and your neighbors won't want a hive forming right next to them. Nobody wants to risk another Southern Hive with its aggression or Western Hive with its scheming."

"Anywhere I should specifically avoid?"

"Avoid strong neighbors and beware the Fog," states the Skeleton pointing out the obvious.

"...Thanks to your 'friend' you may have a chance with the UC and even slavers," finally comments your mother have a long pause.

"What?" you couldn't believe what you were hearing from her. Even the skeleton sage looks confused and stares at your mother in if it had a face disbelief you imagine.

"Elaborate," it agrees with you.

"As a lonely Princess and potential Queen, you are the GREATEST possible prey to the slavers. They will hunt you everywhere they can, lest you are given a chance to establish yourself and given how valuable you are; they won't mind hiring mercs to help. However there is a loophole thanks to their own slaver's code, UC law, and Trader's Guild Charter," she begins.

"...A loophole?" This even draws the sage's interest.

Yes. A very notable one, only possible if a Noble is willing to share, heavy bribery, and slavery, but it IS plausible. The Slaver's NEVER enslave their own kind. The Trader's Guild cannot harm those who pay the Fees. The Empire must not disgrace or harm the rights of the nobles. On your own, this wouldn't be viable but if a noble backs you?"

"Ah...so THAT is why you allowed the friendship with my student...I had thought most unusual given the protectiveness over Princesses." States the sage, now puzzling out her plan.

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>6484866
"I won't force you, daughter, but this is the best I could come up with to keep you safe," admits your mother with a weary and sad sigh. As a right-hand prince approaches, handing over two sets of neatly signed and sealed documents.

One of which is a probationary slavery charter and the other a signed membership contract from the Trader's Guild.

"I already paid for your membership to the Trader's Guild as a caravan owner. However, that alone isn't enough to protect you. You will also need to take some of my drones to slaveshop or slaver's camp to sell them as proof of validation of the Charter...they changed the rules to help keep out the antislavers. They won't acknowledge it otherwise. However, if you do so and with the aid of a Noble...even as a Queen, they'll be forced to accept and acknowledge you. No doubt they will later patch the loophole, but not before it is too late," she finishes.

"..." You are speechless despite being a Princess. Even for you, selling your own drones into slavery is a bit... much, but you must admit that if done with the help of your friend. There is simply no way they can refuse. After thinking about it you ask her. "Can't we just sell others instead? I don't want to enslave my own-"

"Can you catch that many in time?" Points out your mother.

"I-with your drones surely I coul-"

"That will cause a diplomatic incident. Everyone knows the Hives do not engage in slavery because they have no need for it. This is something YOU must handle yourself. Not via a Hive entity, which will draw the attention of other Hives. This is a loophole they will never accept," points out the previously silent sage.

"...but will it work? Truly?" You plead.

"With your friend... yes, it will. A noble's status and backing cannot be challenged due to how the UC organizes its government structure. To them wealth and lineage is everything. To deny it is to destroy their very own foundation and meaning of existence," states the sage. "However you still need to counter both the Slaver's Guild and Trader's Guild. It is only with all three can your safety be guaranteed and give you the means to operate in the UC territory without problem. You will, for all intents and purposes, be 'immune'. Be the first Noble Queen without buying in as a Rogue Hiver."

"Of course the choice is up to you...daughter. I cannot force you to do this but selling my drones is the easiest way...or you can find your own way entirely." Far too calmly states your mother acknowledging your decision.

What do?
>Hunt for slaves yourself
>Sell the minimal drones required
>Send a message sell ALL the drones
>Refuse
>Other?

I'll admit it was one hell of a loophole and only technically viable because you also have a noble character to smooth things over. Yes, Mother Queen really IS that dangerously intelligent.

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>>6484874
Well shit, this is potentially a really big decision to make.
How much time does Hive Momma still have left?

Personally I like the idea of going for the Leviathan Coast as our long term spot. Good soil, lots of water, nice and distant from the big ongoing war, etc.
The Leviathans themselves are also a useful albeit mixed blessing; they keep the number of Beakthings down, and would be a huge pain in the ass for anyone who tries to bring a large army through the area. On the flip side, they are equally dangerous to any small settlements that are vulnerable to being trampled. In a pinch I guess they're also a decent emergency source of meat, which we learned that Atana has a preference for.
Right next door, the Iron Trail has a good source of metal (and circuitry due to the robot spiders).
Plus, "The Northern Hive" has a nice ring to it.

>What do?
Sell the minimal drones required

Since the slavers will hunt us anywhere we go, then yeah we should listen to Momma.
Having long-term friendly relations with the UC is useful, especially if we ever try to grow. Nobody likes the cannibals, so if we manage to grow a surplus of food, then we could feed some of the starving United Cities in exchange for helping us expand.

>>6484874
>>Sell the minimal drones required

>>6484902
>Sell the minimal drones required

>>6484874
>Other
With what little is left of the treasury, wouldn't we be able to just buy slaves from some other slavers and then immediately sell them at one of the guild centers as proof? It's not like they know or care where we got the slaves from, right?

>>6484849
>they have a lot of growing to do including personality changes, interests, and ambitions.
Unimaginable kino if the two best friends end up becoming enemies by the end.

>>6484902
>Leviathan Coast
What about Greenbeach?
It has green fertility, and the Crab Raiders can be total bros sometimes.
The biggest threat would probably be the Reavers to the north, but fortunately everyone is hostile to them AND they're disorganized.
Admittedly, we'd be a lot closer to Tinfist and the Anti-slavers than I'd like, but I doubt some budding Hiver colony will be his priority considering that the UC are in a crisis right now aka the prime opportunity for a slave rebellion

Looks like selling minimal drones is chosen. The evil path has been chosen but not evil maxxing yet.

>>6484902
The biggest issue with Queen Mother is her infertility. Her failing health is lagging behind that but what good is a sterile Queen? Hive Queen's are technically a hybrid between machine and organic, makes treating them especially problematic.

Atana is quite literally the biggest prize ever to exist for any Slaver. Enslaving a future Queen? Holy shit imagine the profits? That is the downside of having a Hiver Princess...not to mention hive politics between the Queens. Just look at Western and Southern Hive; those two fucking hate each other's guts.

>>6485043
Plausible but expensive. Even the cheapest slaves cost thousands of cats and you'll need to buy a good number. Plus they keep records for that sorta thing and it makes you look like a Antislaver sympathizer...unless of course you intercept slaves BEFORE they get recorded in Slaver shops and bases.

So technically doable but expensive.

>>6485053
Surprisingly likely given Atana's atrocious personality complex. Whereas the Scorchlander has issues with asceticism and higher arts despite his skeleton master trying to teach him how to be an 'enlightened' ruler.

>>6484874
>>6484902
>>6485002
>>6485022
STILL UNNAMED SCORCHLANDER POV(seriously, where's tiebreaker vote when you need one...)

Atana never did shut up about how 'brilliant' her Queen mother was. Which honestly is something you highly doubted, given her geographic location being on the coast surrounded by rebels, cannibals, and overenthusiastic slavers. The only 'smart' thing you saw done was using the UC as a meat shield to keep the HN away.

That was until Atana insisted on dragging you along to a slaver base. You thought she lost her mind being a princess that is the very LAST place she should ever visit. Than she explained her mother's plan to you. Very abruptly you realized Atana hadn't been exaggerating about her mother after all. Such a plot...would force all three parties to neutralize each other while at the same time granting Atana immunity and even protection...oh man, you WISH you could see the looks on the faces of the slaver bosses, noble council, throne room, and Trader's Guild HQ. They are gonna be SO fucking pissed. The worst part is there is nothing they can do about it lest they destroy the very foundations of their ongoing existence.

You will also be getting dragged into directly...as noble advisory and backer to fully 'authenticate' the citizenry and contracts as a 'neutral' third party representive. Thereby sustaining your duties as a noble and totally not a biased favoritism or blatant power building...damn it. You can't refuse this amazing offer. Everyone would consider you a joke before this. Just another dying noble housescion, but rolling up with a Hive Princess? That changes EVERYTHING. They will ALL know exactly who you are and for a noble that MATTERS. That shows how much influence and weight you truly have. Nothing matters more to a noble than that. After all cats and wealth are easy to gather...but prestige? That is a VERY different story.

...thus how you ended up getting dragged along. In awe of her mother's frightening genius...which Atana may not have inherited. Sure does have the ego for it, though. You'd bet on her ability to trump the Emperor in authority and bravado alone. Oh that is a show you would pay to watch...but you're pretty sure either of you are not gonna be receiving any invitations to parties and meetings anytime soon after this. Which honestly isn't a change for you, but they are gonna be reeling from this and angry. Sadly too busy putting out fires to do anything about it.

Thus, how you ended up wandering back into the desert with a HIVER of all things slave caravan... man, life is truly strange.

>>6485068
Atana POV:

Bullying your friend into helping out wasn't hard. How dare he question the greatness of yourself and mother? He did finally agree after you explained her plan to him but still. Very annoying that those with this...'free will' can question or even disobey! The sheer audacity of such a crime! One made the feeling all the worse when you found out which hivers you were bringing away in chains.

HIVELESS...except these ones weren't kicked out. Your mother was saving them for just this moment. Filthy disgusting trash, that are no longer part of the Hive and can no longer hear the voice of the Queen. Yuck. If you didn't need them for this...and most frustrating of all, despite being Hivers, they can DISOBEY YOU! Which is how you discovered the truly cathartic experience of why chains and whips exist.

Huh...maybe those inefficient slavers are onto something after all? I mean, getting all these...things to work and obey must be so damned difficult with a hivemind doing all the heavy lifting. Truly, yet another riveting example of why Hivers are superior...when they don't break. Goddamned Hiveless. You fucking HATE them. They're an abomination right there with the Fog! They are Lost and should stay that way!

...oh right that is what you are doing right now. At least this way you can get one more use out of them for the good of the Hive. Damned Lost Ones being Hiveless and refuse to acknowledge that the Fog is worse. Fog is broken but Hiveless? Malfunctioning. Both are broken. Both need to be gone!

So you stewed completely missing that you were finally able to leave the hive and wander into the desert. Heading towards a slaver base to sell them all and finish your mother's careful planning. Honestly took you a day or two to remember you were finally traveling! Than the fucking HIveless had to exist and ruin your fun. They cannot even FEEL your commands anymore! Goddamn it, you cannot hate them enough...

First time traveling but it had to be ruined by the fucking lost ones. By the Queens you cannot HATE them enough...

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>6485072
It was a quiet trip, all things considered. Rebels were more interested in taking advantage of the chaos that the cannibals and Holy Nation are causing to head deeper into the desert. Whereas the Antislavers were busy and distracted. No doubt plotting something diabolical but it's not like they would suspect a Hiver caravan actually being slavers...shit nobody would expect that. Which led to the very amusing expression of the slaver guard faces when your caravan rolled up, being led by a Princess...who informed(ordered) them that she was selling slaves.

The looks on their faces were priceless. Hell, you didn't even know a soldier drone's face could be so expressive. It got even better when you met the slave trader to sell them. The dawning look of realization, shock, and resulting horror...priceless. Even as Astana so 'kindly' ordered him about as if she were a noble. Hell the Slaver Boss had to stop himself since she was so natural at it. Even as he changed out her probationary charter with an authentic one, much to the disbelief and horror of all the slavers.

Even the local noble came out to see wtf was going on...and you barely managed to avoid that erupting into a fight. This was exactly why you always insisted on carrying some noble robes around and your own papers. Barely defusing the trigger happy Royal Guards from brawling with the Noble Guards. All because said noble had the 'gall' to question Atana.

Fortunately, that is what tea parties are for. Allowing Atana and nobles to snipe and jeer at each other politely without swords and bloodshed. The nobles at least were better at keeping a straight face but you're pretty sure Atana has successfully given quite a few slavers an existential crisis based on the massively increased drinking and how many of them were weeping at random or stumbling into walls.

Even the slaves were confused about that one...

Atana, you're pretty sure, has just discovered her new favorite pastime. Noble Tea Parties and forcing others to obey her. Okran save those poor nobles...they just don't have that kind of aura to them that Atana does and your pretty sure the shaking cups of tea are from a delectable mix of rage and jealousy. For once you aren't on the receiving end but get to enjoy the show from the sidelines!

...Oh wow one of the nobles just broke down crying because she just pointed out that, diplomatically speaking, she already outranks them as Princess and because she is now an arguable UC citizen, doesn't that mean she now officially outranks them too?

"Call me Princess," orders Sastana.

"...Damn you...Princess," chokes out the humiliated noble.

"AHAHAHAHHAHA!" Okay, that time you couldn't hold it in but you aren't the only noble chuckling.

"See, not hard now, was it!" She 'kindly' points out. "I am Princess Atana and don't you DARE forget it!"

What do?
>Buy some slaves
>Look for recruits
>Back to the Hive
>Unleash Atana at parties
>Other?

Alright if we still need a tiebreaker for the scorchlanders name, then I'll go with that anons suggestion of Hiroto
If people don't like it, then we can just say that Hiroto is his "wastelander" name. The one he uses when he doesn't want anyone to know who actually is, such as the Anti-slavers.
Thus if everyone likes it, then we can keep it, but if anyone hates it, we can just come up with his "real" name later on.

>>6485072
>Cringefist: "None are deserving of slavery. Everyone should be free!"

>Sanest Princess in history: "Kill hiveless. Behead hiveless. Roundhouse kick a hiveless into the fog. Feed hiveless to Beakthings. Report hiveless to the Holy Nation. Build roofs in Venge out of hiveless. Gift hiveless to the skinbandits. Kill all hiveless."


>>6485077
What do?
>Look for recruits
Okay so our boy has the long-term goal of avenging his family and reclaiming his territory, but what are his plans to do so? How do we get him from point A to point B?
Atana is a good start, especially now that she's a proper citizen, but that won't be enough on its own. Finding some help, along with their associated price is probably a good start...

>>6485053
The two known major bandit forces that exist currently in that area are the Skeleton Bandits(led by a skeleton and thus have been around for a long while) and Crab Raiders, because they operate more like a proper kingdom, so they also exist and have been around for some time. They are likely connected to the Deadcats given their proximity.

Skin bandits will be showing up soon. When the madman Savant uncovers certain tech to establish them. The Reavers are in the process of forming right now, but nobody really cares about them as they are currently little more than bandit slaver gangs as they're still disorganized.

Also Tin Fist will be a major problem for you there without the Reavers keeping him distracted. There is also the fact that the Southern Hive is trying to expand into that region as well...and they don't even like other Hives either.

It is however, VERY rich in resources including late game goodies. Plus, the crab raiders are easy to befriend and get along with. They are also very dangerous thanks to being Scorchlander majority giving them superior quality gear and they use the best heavy armour in vanilla Kenshi as their standard. They won't be nerfed by using dex weaponry, so yeah, they're fucking scary mofos in a fight.

>>6484902
Forgot to mention Leviathan Coast. It is near LOTS of ruins and one region next to it is still operational. The Iron Trail. The shrieking bandit tribes HATE the cannibals but are also very difficult to get along with. It is possible though according to the Nomads who are able to travel freely through their lands and according to them they are simply misunderstood. So they serve as a great distraction but you'll be stuck close to an endless tribal warfare between the two groups. There is also the Tech Hunters who poke around the region due to richness in ruins and having operational ancient machinery that is safely accessible without a hostile environment unlike most places you can still find that tech.

Also Leviathans are very common but their Bulls are gonna be a problem with their aggression or a Mother Leviathan if she feels her calf is threatened. Not to mention the swamp raptors and beakthings but they regularly get stomped by Leviathans, preventing their overpopulation, unlike Gut.

It is a very good spot...if it weren't for it being extremely isolated and any travelers have to travel through both a great distance and some very dangerous regions.

Oh I almost forgot the Beserkers may also be a problem; they're largely nomadic and hyper traditionalist Shek tribes that like to hunt the nearby cannibals and may pass through since their own homeland is nearby too. They are definitely the strongest enemy you may encounter near there who aren't tech hunters. The Cannibal Hunters should prove a ready ally but you'll have issues with the Flotsam Ninja and their Antislaver allies due to slavery.

>>6485091
I want to point out the male MC HAS been that way before in both areas. His master took him to see Stobe's grave before and it was one of the only times his master got emotional. As for the other direction he didn't pass through cannibal lands and instead they snuck through via Western Hive and UN. Bypassing most of the cannibals and with his teacher with his old clearances, they were also able to avoid a lot of problematic machines. Even visiting Obedience along the way where his master also got emotional. That trip however, his master wasn't specifically going to visit a specific location; instead he was trying to find some old friends and allies of his who used to operate around there, trying to contain the Cannibal threat. Sadly, too much time passed but it alerted the MC to where some ruins were, including some forgotten and buried locations only an ancient fossil refusing to die would know about. Unlike visiting Stobe, his master refused to get close to the Southern Hive OR near the Ashlands where he specifically warned him against going. Up North they wandered around a lot more, but were wary around the cannibal or shrieking lands. Largely relied upon the old and dangerous machines to bypass them both when possible.

Princess Atana meanwhile got stuck learning about politicking, scheming, ruling, micromanaging, and trade...much to her frustration. After all, she got to hear the stories and bugged him endlessly about his travels.

Levithian Coast is a very good place with its isolation...just keep in mind you'll need to build around the fact that Levathians are also giant living siege engines so keep that in mind. Also you can in theory expect support from the UC, as they actually strongly encourage colonization and building outposts. Providing very VERY large discounts even from the greedy ass Trader's Guild included. However if you want direct support and reinforcements from the UC itself you'll need to pay the Tax but in exchange they WILL send reinforcements. The UC is very attached to their holdings and members.

In terms of the Greenbeach you'll facing the strongest bandits, the largest concentration of hostile skeletons, and machinery. A very angry and aggressive Southern Hive. On top of the Anti Slaver HQ being right there. However, it is unmatched in terms of resources and tech. Nowhere else has such large concentrations of both. The UC maintains a nearby presence, which can also lend support. I mean, there is a damned good reason why it is the premier late-game location...

In terms of the male MC's familial holdings, he actually holds land claims in both HN and UC. Specifically, Bast and Okran's Valley/Pride. He also unsurprisingly hates rebel scum but his bias towards commoners and others isn't nearly as bad as other nobles'. In terms of religion, he knows about ancient philosophy and older teachings of Okran that are less popular now(Okran faith has changed a LOT over a thousand years).

>>6485095
It is worth noting that unlike most forces, he does differentiate the bandits in a far more accurate manner than most. For example he doesn't view the crab raiders as a proper bandit gang because, technically speaking, they are a kingdom. Which he knows. He also notes that Berserkers are more nomadic and tribalistic rather than a proper gang, unlike the Band of Bones.

Atana is different to her there is the Hives and the everyone else. Everyone else is a chaotic inefficient clusterfuck without a proper all powerful ruler keeping them all in line with flawless obedience. A big part of this is due to sheer inexperience, as she hasn't experienced what 'free will' actually means in terms of sheer variety. To her, it was just the monolithic hivemind vs outsiders.

Unsurprisingly, her first introduction to Lost Ones and Hiveless has led to her most personally offensive discovery ever. That she handled...extremely poorly due to them being Hivers. Which, in her mind, is no excuse. While slowly developing a fondness for slavers and bullying the nobles who foolishly believe in their own superiority(hivemind and hiver supremacy baby!)

She would get along great with Thrallmasters if they met on peaceful terms.

Again though, this is due to her inexperience, naivete, and complete disdain for non-Hivemind entities that she considers inferior.

>>6485080
As a noble the Scorchlander that MC has two names(including surname unlike most plebs). For Atana she'll get her surname when she establishes her own hive and what it is known for.

You are beginning to grasp Atana's mindset. She has a very...extreme and skewed character/personality due to her upbringing. To her, there is nothing more vile than a Hiveless. Even slavers/nobles are just wannabe superior hivers who try and fail to replicate and copy the greatness that is the Hive but at least they try.

In terms of a male MC he is a grounded noble tutored to be a great enlightened ruler figure. The issue is his hatred of rebels, disdain for commoners/spoiled nobles, and not being sure what he is supposed to do exactly besides reclaim his birthright. He does, after all, know a lot more about stuff than the current spoiled rulers...

Funnily enough, though, he DOES question slavery because he knows about the industrialization and machinery. How using it is stagnating civilization at best, if not outright furthering its decay. Probably the only noble who feels that way. Nor is he in favor of Luddites, despite not personally being too interested in science and tech. which can be changed and more; it's a quirk of him not being as Greelander IMO; no bonuses there

Atana, meanwhile, sees it as trying to copy superior Hive greatness.

QM this is an overwhelming amount of context pls give us plot info with the story itself

>>6485108
A lot of it can be guessed by checking the wiki but noted. The quest is taking place years before Kenshi starts and Kenshi starts during a lengthy truce. Before that it was a real clusterfuck.

File: Kenshi Quest guess.png (569 KB, 677x581)

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>>6485095
>In terms of the male MC's familial holdings, he actually holds land claims in both HN and UC. Specifically, Bast and Okran's Valley/Pride.
OH! Speaking of that, I had something I wanted to ask for.
If it's not too much trouble QM, could we get a rough circle on the map of where Momma's hive is, and where Scorch's family territory was?
I made an attempt in pic related, but I don't know how accurate my guessing was.

>>6485072
>you discovered the truly cathartic experience of why chains and whips exist
>She would get along great with Thrallmasters if they met on peaceful terms.
Oh damn, I hope this doesn't spark something in her. #1 Catlon fan in-the-making. If she met, I wonder if she'd ask for his autograph.

>>6485098
>She has a very...extreme and skewed character/personality due to her upbringing.
I'd like to say that I am really enjoying your writing and portrayal of Atana. I wasn't expecting a spoiled bossy princess to be such a compelling protagonist, but so far she has been a lot of fun to watch.

>>6485223
Mother Queen's hive is the distant hive villages of the Western hive bordering the UC on the coast in that map's corner. They get transferred to her later on. Scorchlander MC claims one of the burnt out villages in Bast and Okran's Valley. Closer to where it intersects with the cannibal lands in a rough triangle. The red circle is roughly right for where his claimed ruins are. Green is closer to where the fallen Queens hives were that get absorbed into the Western Hive. The Border Queens were moving into Borderlands and bordered the HN when they got wiped out. Another bunch of hives in Dreg didn't belong to the Western Queen either but they ended up joining the Western Hive to survive. Based on their location, you guess what took out the Dreg hives.Had to come up with some excuse for how the Fogmen keep on replenishing their numbers. Luckily, I can easily blame the HN or cannibals maybe machines/Shek if they're moody. UC aligned prefer enslaving instead and avoid outright slaughtering hive villages.

She would question him about the lack of lobotomies for the fatlegs or copying superior hive methods. Flip a coin to determine if Catlon is either riveted by the idea or breaks down at the missed opportunity.
Currently something already DID get sparked in Atana when she realized the point behind slavery/nobility and how the slaver and noble methods are clearly inferior but inspired by superior Hives. It is a twisted understanding but reasonable and logical given her upbringing.

To Atana the nobles/royals are clearly inferior fleshy Princes and Queens as their command structure cannot compare with a Hivemind. Whereas the slavers are trying to replicate the effectiveness of Hivemind labor management. To her, it is a hopelessly inferior level of civilization because she hasn't grasped what free will is and considers it a flaw.

I'll admit I like writing her a lot too. She is a truly terrible person but an absolute riot and a lot of fun if you ignore how awful she truly is. The reason she is like that is completely understandable when you consider her being the ONLY Princess of her Hive and commanding the Hivemind completely twisted her mindset. To a normal person, she would easily make a slaver or spoiled noble look like a saint with how monstrous her views, speech, and actions are. Of course you should obey without question, without hesitation, work 110% until you collapse from exhaustion/die, and throw your lives away at whatever goal she considers worth pursuing. To Atana, there is no individual; it is an abomination. Only the group/hive as a whole matters and the individual pieces do not.

Yet by the free willed beings' standards, that absolutely makes her a monster but a hivemind? That is simple common sense. Her personally interacting with the free willed beings is what is causing the problem instead of having interpreters and middlemen via the Princes.

Quick question to whoever knows the Belmont archtype for the Scorchlander where do I read up on that? I never played Castlevania, and it was suggested for him.