Posts from The Empire of Reimia (3) Auto-translated

As I understand it, it's more beneficial to take Intelligence and Charm separately, get additional bonuses, and avoid penalties.

Yes. I haven't decided yet how to adjust it. Maybe I'll reduce Charm to 5 and lower the cost to 1.

—"He is smart, but lazy"... Yeah, right. -grumbled old Sinon Leveristos, without looking up from his work.
Across the wide desk before him, stacks of various securities and documents were neatly laid out, bristling with colorful seals and state symbols, which he checked carefully one by one, then made some notes in his massive ledger with a worn blue cover. Despite the inherent need for concentration and the great importance of the task, he always managed to combine it with other minor business meetings and simple conversations. And since no single mistake had been observed in twenty years of impeccable dedication, the superiors were more than ready to make such small concessions toward their best employee. Despite this, Sinon almost never used his extensive privileges — the old man arrived for duty earlier and left later than all the rest. Serving for the good of the Empire, solving the difficult tasks set before him, and handling important, often secret information gave him a unique pleasure, and for his four children, he dreamed of building only a similar fate — a life of joy, prosperity and plenty, in safety and surrounded exclusively by worthy and respected people.
—I once tried giving my children full freedom in choosing their own path. -Sinon continued. —And you know yourself how that turned out.
Moriner remained silent. He understood perfectly who was being discussed. Without a doubt, all of their father's dreams and ambitions had been invested in his eldest brother, not to mention unthinkable, fabulous sums of money. In return, the father received only resentment, annoyance and deep disappointment, a crumpled letter from the outskirts of Dreyeria, and then a body with a hole in the head. All of this took a heavy toll on the aging Sinon, and he never fully recovered from the stroke that followed shortly after: deadened legs, blindness in one eye and memory lapses finally buried all future professional promotions. Fortunately, this had little effect on his current job, but from that point on, the other children received no more leniency from Sinon.
—Take an example from Marlea. Until she was ten, she couldn't read a word — and now she's showing up those pompous professors at the capital's academy. Intelligence, laziness — all that is nonsense. The main thing is diligence and studious learning.
—I understand, father.
—What do you understand... -notes of irritation sounded in Sinon's voice. —If you understood, you wouldn't have let me down so much over these two years.
Moriner again found nothing to answer. He remembered his eldest brother poorly, but always considered himself more like him than the other relatives. Just like Tarvern, he could not find his calling, his life's passion. As for studying through force, pushing himself beyond his limits, his weakness of character would not allow it. Exact sciences were excessively difficult for him, he lacked talent in the arts, and in the military craft, poor health hindered everything. He feared disappointing his father and repeating the fate of the late Tarvern, but at the same time, he could do nothing to change himself. Often because he did not wish to change — to become, like his sister and second brother, pompous dolls obsessed with self-development, as if released from one of the imperial factories. Mere communication with them evoked in him a mixture of regret and loathing.
—Well, why are you silent? Ah, whatever. -Sinon finished checking another document and reached for the next. —Some good acquaintances recommended the military academy of Rheims to me. There you'll improve your health and, as they say, figure out your further life.
—Does that mean... into the army? -Moriner turned pale.
—Oh, come off it, not like that. Just a prestigious diversion for rich sons. But I've heard they have a difficult entry threshold and good teachers. -setting the papers aside, old Sinon looked at his youngest son with his empty gray eyes. —I can see that being strict with you won't work. Maybe they'll mold you into a man there with their modern educational methods.
—I... thank you, father.
—But mark my words, do whatever you want, but you must pass all tests with excellence! -Sinon threatened him sternly. -I will, of course, help however I can, but this will be the last time. Consider it a coming-of-age gift. If you screw up here too, blame yourself and go live however you want, even shoot yourself in the head.
—I understand everything. I definitely won't let you down again. -Moriner promised.
And for the first time, he did not fail the father's expectations: where possible, young Leveristos broke through with money and connections; where it was not possible, he strained himself to achieve success. Before leaving for the academy, a significantly softened Sinon even condescended to a firm handshake — the greatest praise that could possibly be earned. On the way, Moriner was in an inspired yet anxious mood: what awaited him ahead?


Traits
Wealth II (4)
Neatness (1)
Laziness (+1)
Love of Civilization (1)
Intelligence I (1)

Inventory
$

Wow, that’s fast! It seems like the character is ready even before the mechanics are fully implemented.

Actually, the mechanic has been fully finalized.

+1 to charisma if the character is a leader, -5 to willpower and resistance if not.

If a character acts alone, does he receive penalties/bonuses?

When you're traveling alone and still aren't the leader. Typical.

Judging by what Revan told me in a private message, charisma is used only for leadership skills, in any case. At least, that's how it is right now.

And what about the penalties?

If a character acts alone, do they receive penalties/bonuses?

Bonuses, yes, penalties, no.

So, it turns out that this trait is a must-have for a leader, if we choose him through democratic metagaming. However, a leader can also be appointed from above.

“Wait… is this like joining the army?” Moriner paled.

I found that amusing.

The life story of Linnea Sherman is hardly interesting or unusual. She was born to Agnes and Joseph Sherman, owners of a weaving workshop in one of the cities of the Rhemic Empire, and the hardships she faced were not particularly serious, nor something that other families did not encounter. By chance, the Shermans' workshop was popular among acting troupes, which influenced their circle of friends. Partly for this reason, Agnes and Joseph, along with their daughter, were frequent guests at various performances. Most of these, however, were dedicated to the heroic adventures of brave Rhemic soldiers. And it was these stories, combined with her simple and peaceful life, that prompted Linnea to seek something more. From an early age, she dreamed of entering the Rhema Military Academy.

Wiping away a meager tear, Agnes adjusted the hat on her daughter's head. Her daughter, her flesh and blood, was about to leave the nest. The woman felt mixed emotions: pride in Linnea, who had entered such a prestigious institution, and fear for her future.
— Nea, be careful there, — Joseph thoughtfully stroked his mustache and frowned. — There are rumors that they are now accepting all sorts of demon-bloods.
Linnea wanted to assure her father that he had nothing to worry about, but before she could open her mouth, her mother spoke.
— Darling, the Emperor himself oversees this place! — the woman proudly raised her finger to the sky. — At least safety should be top-notch!
— Remind you of events seven years ago? — the family patriarch raised his eyebrows in surprise.
— That’s what I mean, no one wants a repeat of such a tragedy, — Agnes replied, standing her ground. After that, as if the unfolding argument reminded her of something else, she turned her head back towards her daughter and smiled broadly. — By the way, Nea, if any of your wealthy peers, or even His Highness, become interested in your clothes, then don't hesitate to mention our modest workshop.
— That's right, — her father echoed, — and if you meet someone, bring them over to say hello.
Linnea, not knowing what to answer to all this, just gave an awkward smile.
— I guess I should go now. Don't want to miss the train.
— Yes, yes, of course, — Agnes realized, — we don't want to keep you.
Hugging their daughter goodbye, her parents wished her well on her journey and reminded her to write to them.

One landscape after another flashed past the window, but Linnea didn't care. She still found it hard to believe that it wasn't a dream. That she was really on her way to the capital, having been among the lucky few who passed the rigorous selection for the Rhema Military Academy. Many years had passed since she first dreamed of entering there, but at no time during those years did she have any doubts about it. Yes, the reasons changed, because by eighteen-plus, Linnea already understood that most of those performances were, at best, very loose adaptations of historical events, but not the young Rhemic woman’s determination to achieve her goal. Moreover, rumors of a new experimental training system developed personally by Eugen Rehm only fueled Nea's interest. And the students of the academy themselves, if one is to believe all the same rumors, were often quite unusual personalities. And Linnea hoped that this year would be no exception.

Traits:
Intelligence II
Strength II
Attractiveness I
Sadism I
Inventory:
Outfit (including hat) made for Linnea in honor of her admission to the academy
Food for the road
Money

Intelligence II
Strength II
Attractiveness I
Sadism I

Revan's waifu.

The appeal of I

It's not quite enough...

That's not enough...

You didn't allocate enough points to the traits...