The Words of the Divine Order of the Torltelian

We defend our wave from the heathens of the outside world.

We bring down punishment upon the breakers of law.

We worship Tortel. Forever and always.

Octavian’s interest is lost the minute that I announce my decision on the Market, and he begins wandering through the room. His pattern mimics a leaf in the wind, dancing between different areas of the room as if uninterested and curious for something to satisfy his boredom. It’s only under the context of my recent realization that I realize his true purpose; he uses his wandering to carefully analyze each of us and always keeps an eye on an exit.

I have no idea how I ever missed it.

Elias’s voice then breaks through my careful observation, bringing me back into the present. “So what’s next?”

I respond. “Well, I’ve got two things left to decide. The first is whether or not to choose a Sponsor and the second is deciding on the Planetary Goal.”

Octavian’s head whips around and his eyes narrow on me. “You … you are able to choose a Sponsor? Who’s willing to take that risk for an 11th Wave Planet?”

“What are you talking about? What risk? Also, what or who is a Sponsor?”

He sighs in exasperation. “A Sponsor is a higher Wave planet or organization that offers to tie themselves to your fate. You become a direct representation of their interests and would become a target for their enemies.” Scratching his head, he seems to fall into himself, muttering in consternation. My increased Perception, boosting my ability to hear him, allows me to catch the tail end of it. “Who would offer though? The 11th Wave is still in its infancy, there’s no strategic benefit…. Perhaps …”

He cocks his head to the side and glances upward. “Who are your options?”

I pull up the Primus Screen and select the Sponsor button. Another notification, smaller but overlaid in the same rich golden color, appears directly on top of the first. Even as it overlaps the larger one, both are somehow perfectly legible.

Sponsor Option:

Anonymous: This Sponsor has offered their support but has chosen to keep their identity secret for now. The main benefits of this Sponsor would be withheld until their identity is revealed. Passive Benefits: 5% Planetary Increase to Research and Development.

A note has been attached to this sponsorship:

Dear Cael. I apologize for the anonymous nature of sponsorship. Making our connection public at this point would only increase the danger you are about to face, making it impossible for you to survive. Instead, I offer you a promise: as soon as you and your people are able to stand on your own, I will make myself known and you will come under my protection. The only thing I ask is that you continue to explore, to experiment, and to grow in power. I understand our last meeting didn’t end in a manner you were hoping but I guarantee that your new Class Parameters will help keep your people safe. Sincerely, The Man in the Robe.

Realizing who wrote the message, I flash back onto the last time that I saw him. His grey skin turning slightly pale as the walls collapsed around us, his bushy eyebrows wiggling, and his eyes staring into me, filled with kindness and pity at the circumstances I had found myself in. His brown spun cotton robes hanging down his body as he informed me of the time dilation. He gave me no personal information, no way to reach him, and yet I still found myself trusting his every word.

This same man now offers me his sponsorship and I don’t even know his name.

Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. The decision is obvious. Even if I trust this man, which I’m still not entirely sure if I do, I can’t risk the fate of my entire planet based on a single interaction. Without understanding his motivations and how I play into his long term plans, I can’t accept.

Reaching down, I select the ‘No Sponsor’ button at the bottom edge of the Sponsor Screen. It promptly dissolves into gold dust that seems to fade into the room, invisible to everyone but me.

I look up at Elias and respond, “No one. There aren’t any good options so I selected No Sponsor.”

His jaw drops in surprise, which a quick inspection reveals is real. After a few seconds of sputtering, he manages to get out, voice dripping with sarcastic frustration, “You idiot! Do you have any … you were offered Sponsorship, and turned it down?? Do you have any idea what you just did? That could be considered a massive insult, or a deadly offense!”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “I don’t think so. He strikes me as the type of person that will be amused by it. But we’ll see.”

Getting up out of my chair, I walk over to the window and look out at the city below. Small plumes of smoke rise up from the living quarters as the sun begins to rise into the sky. I can hear muffled voices through the glass, yelling about baked goods or fishing schedules for the day. This is a city of life and love. In spite of all the challenges and trials that have been thrown at it, it still survives and even thrives in this new world. People have begun new relationships, found new passions, and even created new families. It is the shining city on the hill, the representation of what humanity can accomplish if we work together.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

But it is just one small part of a fractured Earth. Roving beasts, vindictive warlords, useless technology, and general chaos have broken us apart.

And it is my job to put it all back together.

I pull up the Primus Screen, half listening to the words spoken around me. My father voices his doubt at my decision and Elias rants about my stubbornness keeping us from important diplomatic relationships. It’s a fair criticism but I don’t have time to second-guess myself anymore. Now is the time for action.

Clicking on the Planetary Goal button, I watch as another golden notification screen blooms into existence.

Planet Unification – The planet is fractured, broken into hundreds of small towns and cities that each vie for the same resources. As Primus, you have decided that unifying the entire planet into a single government is your immediate goal.

Time Limit: 6 Months

Completion: 75% of planet population under unified government

Military Creation – The universe is a place of battle and strife. Nothing is more important to a planet’s survival than a strong, hearty military. As Primus, you have decided that creating a strong military is the only goal that matters. Survival is key.

Time Limit: 6 Months

Completion: Military has over 100 members and average level of 45

Diplomatic Relations – Conflict is universal but there are always those who see things the way that you do. As Primus, you have decided that creating alliances is the focus. The universe is dark and full of danger; only those with friends can survive the terror.

Time Limit: 12 Months

Completion: Create and Sign Three Alliances with Foreign Civilizations.

Dungeon Acquisition – Dungeon Worlds play a pivotal role in the long term growth of civilization. Skills are learned faster, leveling occurs quicker, and more dangerous beasts provide more experience. As Primus, you have decided that obtaining a Dungeon World is more important than anything else. What is unification when compared to raw power?

Time Limit: 12 Months

Completion: Acquisition of a Dungeon World.

My eyes widen as I read out all the options. I pulled up the screen with a set goal in mind and now I find myself unsure. Well, I’m surrounded by people whose advice I trust, better to use them than leave them in the dark.

As soon as I fill them in on the different options, my father bursts onto his feet and slams his hand down on the kitchen table with a grin. “Military! It’s the best choice”. He looks around at the rest of the group, seeming surprised when he sees a few dissenting looks. “Bah, it’s obvious! If the universe is really as dangerous as Cael is telling us, then Military is the only choice that makes sense. It can be defensive, used to destroy threats, and even as a method of unifying the planet. Any city that stands against us will find themselves facing off against the planet’s strongest force.”

Elias, walking out of the kitchen having apparently poured himself a drink early in the morning, scoffs. “Could you be any more transparent? I swear, every time something military comes up you basically fall over yourself trying to push it on him.”

“So? It’s only because I’m able to recognize that it is the best option. Let me guess, you think Diplomacy is the path we should take?” he responds in a mocking tone.

Taking a long sip of his drink, Elias waits for a second or two before answering. “Of course I do. What are our other options? Dungeon World? We don’t understand how to get a Dungeon World, which makes that a useless choice. Unification? Largely irrelevant. Who the hell cares what the rest of Earth is up to, we have a strong base in Everwall and that’s all we need. And god, Military is the worst one. I still can’t believe you think having a strong fighting force is the way to go. Shit Damian, your son was able to take over an entire planet on his own. Power lies in the hand of the individual now, not large groups.”

He takes another sip. “Diplomacy is the route that will open us up to other planets, which means we’ll get to see new ideas, new Classes, new weapons, and things we can’t even comprehend right now. It’s the only option that really makes sense.”

Julian raises his hand ever so slightly and both of them quiet down, showing the respect that they have for my soft-spoken friend. He doesn’t often speak his mind, but when he does his incredible intelligence is revealed.

“B-both are d-d-decent choices but I w-would argue for u-unification.” His voice carries through the room like a whisper on the wind.

Elias raises an eyebrow in curiosity and Julius chuckles before explaining himself, first looking at my father. “M-military is good b-because i-it h-helps us cement de-defense. B-but it p-pigeon holes u-us into th-the type of planet we’ll b-be. C-can’t re-really create an all-alliance when people t-think we’re b-bloodthirsty.”

He then directs his words towards Elias. “Di-diplomacy is s-similar. If w-we position o-ourselves as a p-p-peaceful planet l-looking for allies we’ll b-be attacked b-by those who w-want our r-resources. I-I’d rather n-not have to re-rely on another pl-planet for de-defense in a t-t-time like t-that.”

Finally, he looks over at me, laying out his case. “U-unification al-allows us to p-p-postpone that d-decision. M-maybe we’ll n-n-never have t-to make it. The o-other planet’s won’t know how w-w-we’ll react and that w-will k-keep them d-defensive. W-we can s-s-show our u-unification as a-an example of u-u-us foc-focusing on di-diplomacy, at l-least on a sm-smaller scale. A-and we can g-g-get technology t-to more p-people”

He then blushes slightly and averts his eyes away from all of us. “A-and i-if we find an-any more Ve-Vertasium I w-wouldn’t mind h-having some m-more f-f-for the M-management b-bureau. W-we are g-g-going through it i-incredibly f-fast.”

The room dissolves into laughter at his confession and his face becomes beet red as he looks away, unable to meet any of our eyes. It’s quintessential Julian; focused on the big picture and too honest to hide his personal motivations in any argument. But not only that, it shows off his consideration for both person and planet. In the end, his argument is all the convincing I need to follow my initial decision.

Pulling up the Primus Screen, I select Planetary Unification and watch as the other options fade away from the screen, dissolving into golden flakes that drift off into space before finally disappearing.

Looking up at the Council, I meet their eyes and say, “Well, let’s get to work. We’ve got six months to unify the planet.”