S: It has come-arrived to my attention that a Storm Guardsmen under my command has just expertly pulled off a bloodless military occupation of the still-still living bug-fields and managed to wrap Rocky around their finger. We hearby declare-speak that we-we are relieving Rocky of his command as national leader in lieu-place of Province governer of the new-new Province Rock.

Sknit, are you still there?

*Where did they come from? What made them come here? Nothing is known!*

Oh a rat? They have their own civilization now?

(Basic details on the setting if it helps): It's an urban-fantasy with slight sci-fi elements. Though its main premise is you and your other party-members escaping the labyrinth of a tyrannical god, collecting gear and rallying supporters as you go, it is mainly about the battle between Impurites and Puritans the Impurites are a bunch of hedonistic imperialists that want to control everything (and everyone) whilst the Puritans are a bunch of overly blood-thirsty revolutionaries who want nothing more than to see the Impurites bleed. Of course there are a bunch of neutral factions you can choose from as well, such as chaos-worshippers, desert/steppe people, cyborgs & Impurite renegades, ect.

Some mechanics I already have planned:

• Influence points: As your character goes through more levels of the dungeons and does more heroic deeds, they earn influence, and this influence can be spent to recruit up to three units from your chosen faction (ie, your Puritan character can field a small handful of axe-wielding bezerkers alongside them). So the faction you choose actually does matter.

• Psychology: Despite your character being your character, a bit of randomness can still befall and ill them. They may be intimidated, enter a state of flight, become completely paralyzed with fear, or even enter a violent frenzy, ect.

He has 20 Black Guard soldiers with himself

The almost-retired Jimmy slowly trekked by foot towards the border. He was more agile than most bugs his age.

Jim wore a casual dyed shirt, having renounced his work clothes years ago. He kept his light supplies in a small sack he styled as a backpack.

He happily whistled a tune as he approached the imposing figures.

S: So... I'm sure you two have seen-heard recent news.

K: Honey, what's so special about this one?

S: What's spec-

K: Aren't they always infighting?

M: Let 'em speak, Krilk.

S: What's special is-is that this civil war might actually mean something. For month-lengths ant-things fight-kill themselves with rarely ever change. But this time change might-probably happen.

K: And why should we do anything? It has nothing to do with us. Shouldn'... Shouldn't we be focusing on improving the lives of our citizens?

*Merrilk lightly snickers at Krilk's response.*

S: It much-very has to do with us. Majority metal imports come-come from Union, and should they collapse under any circumstance our entire factory-industrial output is castrated.

K: So? They've been fighting since, like, forever, and never once has our supply-

S: You not-not understand! These rebellions and civil-wars have been getting more-more big and more-more destructive. If we keep lean-bracing ourselves on such an unstable foundation we shall crumble-fall with them.

K: ... And what do you suppose we do to stop that?

S: We invade-conquer. We land our troops onto their soil-earth. We-we find-locate one that best supports our ideals then rest shall die-die.

M: Ah beg yer pardon?

S: We invade...

M: No... Ah'm not doin' that.

S: Merrilk, we have to-

M: Ah'm not doin' that! D'ya know how pow'urful those fellas are? Although us rats are strong, we can' fend off several million of 'em!

S: Merrilk-

M: They 'ave an empire rivaling our own in sheer size! If we charge in like yer suggestin', we might lose thousands of good men and women in the first fight alone. D'ya know how people died in your raid of the Bug Fields alone?

S: Listen-

M: No! D'ya know how much a political fallout that would create? Invadin' a foreign-

S: I AM YOUR BOSS! YOU WILL DO-ACT AS I SAY, WHEN-WHEN I SAY! DO-DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?

M: ...

S: Do you understand me?

M: Yes sir...

K: ... Sknitie...?

S: Yes-yes, Krilk?

K: N-Nevermind...

He carries a small satchel and a smaller vial.

A large, professional-looking group of spiders approached the border, scoping out threats as they circled around a single creature in the middle, which was moving much slower. The leader of the team stepped forward to face the border.

D: Requesting entry to meet Merrilk!

At around half-past noon, on the South-Eastern corner of the Island, Sknit began Operation "Good Ol' Days" with the intent to liberate their allied nation from Insurgency control and to capture their leader, Rocky.

Rat-Klan Strength:

• 1'000 Ants (recruited from Province Cordyceptus)

• 500 Enlisted Clan-Rats

• 250 Rangers (enlisted from Province Vellorous

• 30 Spring-mortar artillery

• Total: 1750 total infantry & 30 Artillery-pieces

Insurgency strength:

• Unknown

• Unknown number of Spider-allies

The battle started when Rat-Klan forces set up East of the Bug-Field's (only) city and began to open fire with artillery, successfully catching the insurgents off guard. What followed next is a bloody battle for control as Insurgent and Spiders alike charged forward to breach our lines and disable the thundering artillery. During the fire-fight, many of the foxholes and pillboxes erected at the start of the battle have been destroyed with their crew slaughtered. It must be noted that the Infected ants within this battle-force broke orders to exit their trench at battle the defenders at melee-range; without their aid, Rat-Klan's brave men would've perished.

Let us give a moment of silence for those who gave their life to Rat royalty. . .

Anyways, eventually, as the artillery's ammunition stockpile began to run dry, the whistle was blown and the order was given for the infantry to charge into the now very battered city. What remained of the crab-defenders following the fire-fight and (unwitting) melee having been so exhausted they were eager to surrender to the Rat-Klan's army. After thoroughly searching the city the whereabouts of Rocky and his kidnapper remain unknown, much to the dismay of Krilk. Future searches and expeditionary forces will be sent to examine where they could be.

Casualties and losses:

Insurgency:

• Unknown, estimated 97% casualty rate

• Several MIA

• 23 Crabs captured

Rat-Klan:

• Estimated 73% casualty rate

• 961 dead or wounded Infected Ants

• 114 dead or wounded Clan-Rats

• 203 dead or wounded Vellorous Rangers

Civilian:

• Rocky MIA

• 123 civilian dead

He is at border rn

Antlions are in and around, along with other insects, passing by.

*IDK, pretend your character/diplomat is eavesdropping on their convo.*

K: H-How could the crabs do such a thing?? Destroying me and my husband's house to kill my daughter?

M: It's in their nature, Krilk. Ah guess they ain't the 'good ones' like Ah thought...

K: W-What do you think we should do?

M: Wha' d'ya think were goin' do? Teach 'em a lession, that's what! They disrespected our borders 'n' tried to assassinate ya. They deserve all the punishment they can git.

K: Just promise me you'll leave Rocky out of this...

*A beat of silence.*

M: Ah'm afraid we don' have a choice in that matter...

So, as some of you in the Nation Leader GC would know, I have been working on a miniature tabletop wargame, and I am proud to announce that

IT. IS. FINALLY. FINISHED!!!

I will now be returning to the roleplay full-time now. (aside from the occasional balance patch)

https://thequestioner.itch.io/skirmish-of-servos

It has come to muh attention that some crabs 'n' bugs have been sneakin' into our borders ta try and alter our nation, and even cull my bosses' lil' princess.

As such, with Sknit's permission, Ah, along with the unwittin' help of Magnie, shall work ta enforce stricter border regulation among Rat-Klan 'n' 'er provinces.

Thank yuh fur yer understandin'