(10-22-2023, 11:06 PM)Antonio Wrote: The event is over. Total goods smuggled: 2,396,448 / 2,500,000. OP will be updated shortly, expect details on top smugglers as well as rewards soon.
So, I know the event rewards top smugglers, and I'm sure the top of the top have made billions in old currency, but was there perhaps opportunity for those on the opposing side to get anything? I know there's no real way of tracking this, and every shipment stopped count, but being vigilant for an entire week trying to keep the smugglers in tow was hard, else they'd have completed the even 2 or 3 days before the cut off.
I have to say, the ADZ & UC people were efficiently disruptive from the PoV of a smuggler. They truly wrecked or taxed over half of the people trying to smuggle.
Also the random frigat's(I think that's what they are called) who camped Allentown to insta-engage and kill you before you got there were also very "effective" at stopping the event end sooner.
They put my smuggler out of action five-six times.
Posts: 851
Threads: 71
Joined: May 2020
Staff roles: Story Developer
Fashion brands would be making their goods on planets like Manhattan, not Cucaraco which is a one giant tropical resort which imports all luxurious items and vices from abroad to serve it to their customers as a complete package. There's no industry to speak of aside from services
Not that the OS&C would actually want to waste more of their precious tropical landmass with some hand-crafting manufacturing plants to make such clothes if they can be outsourced from literally any other non-resort planet.
Also, given that Cortez is an independent system, lawfuls wouldn't be able to enforce any laws in there and granting them such rights for the event duration would go against the spirit of the IWs.
Posts: 851
Threads: 71
Joined: May 2020
Staff roles: Story Developer
Lawful players and govs never cared about them, so I'm not all that surprised (I was one of them too). But in the lore, they are very important demarcation lines between Houses and crossing them is a can of worms that never ended up well for the adventurous House.
(10-23-2023, 12:09 AM)Chenzo- Wrote: I have to say, the ADZ & UC people were efficiently disruptive from the PoV of a smuggler. They truly wrecked or taxed over half of the people trying to smuggle.
Also the random frigat's(I think that's what they are called) who camped Allentown to insta-engage and kill you before you got there were also very "effective" at stopping the event end sooner.
They put my smuggler out of action five-six times.
Kudos to that side too..
The arch-nemesis of Cardamine; Nox. Nox shall prevail, and will put to sleep Malta, just like how many smugglers were forced to have a little nap.
--
Kudos to everyone for the event, and every side. Bonus kudos for AdZ for cooperating with UC, and being open to us, unlike what happened between factions that shared the same ID, I hope we can continue such cooperation in future events, and continue our Grand Combat (translation: Great Fight) against Malta!
Posts: 6,107
Threads: 309
Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
Aftermath
The long-term effects of the Maltese Slave Revolt are still being felt. While the the first harvests from rebuilt plantations are beginning to stabilise supply, the drug's atrophied distribution network remains a noticeable bottleneck in the colonies. The Revolt and the sharp fall in Cardamine availability led to much infighting and hoarding among dealers, with many of those dysfunctions and shattered relationships remaining apparent to this day. Similarly, the extended withdrawal of Outcast ships to Malta left the Orange Road unguarded, and their enemies emboldened.
The enormous market incentive offered by Liberty's Junkers spawned an influx of smugglers willing to chance the run's hazards for immense personal gain. All along the Orange Road, these ships would be targeted ruthlessly by Corse raiders, Crayter patrols, Hogosha enforcers and even independent pirates who have lost their fear of Outcast reprisals. Even so, the flood of vessels threatened to overload even Liberty's well funded security channels. The Republic did not sit idly by however, with a joint special operation immediately being launched by the LSF, LN and LPI.
Clever shippers still found their way through the tight net, but as the dust settled the Junkers and the Outcasts were both alarmed. They had fallen short of their target for shipped product by more than 5%. What was intended to demonstrate the resurgent might of the now outward-looking Outcast cartels instead raised difficult questions.
Had the distribution network failed? Would bloody examples need to be made to instil discipline? Had their enemies been allowed to grow unchecked for too long? Where would forces need to be focused to ensure a favourable status quo returned? As the Outcasts grappled with these concerns, other rivals smell blood in the water. The Corse in particular see a crack in the Outcasts' previous market dominance, and a disgruntled network of distributors that could potentially be turned to other pursuits... like Nox.
While Cardamine dealers in Liberty still struggle with shortages, the Orange Gold Madness has allowed them to largely balance out the supply issues with their stocks on hand. Despite this, prices remain sky-high, with some major dealers facing significant shortages. Those unlucky addicts at the bottom of the list face an unpleasant death from withdrawals; there have been reports of riots and disturbances related to the shortage on Houston and deprived areas of Denver.
1) Bad.Moon.Rising: Smuggler's POB - a derelict asteroid base; it is not invulnerable, can be upgraded but does not consume upkeep supplies (like a Core 5).
2) Wayward.Wanderer: Unique Smuggler ID + SPRINGROSE + ROSEGUARD
3) Galway: Unique Smuggler ID + SPRINGROSE
4) 0xSurveyor: Unique Smuggler ID
5) Premium.Schaumkraut: Unique Smuggler ID
6) Forum title "Cardamine Consigliere" for anyone who shipped over 20,000 units.
7) Forum title "Malta's Bane" for anyone who can provide evidence of a smuggler kill or cargo interdiction.
8) In-game news articles to be added to reflect various faction perspectives on the outcome.