Expedient Politics
| Expedient Politics | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Quest Type | Landsraad Mission |
| Mission Specialization | Sabotage |
| Rewards |
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| Recollection Rewards |
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Unbury the secrets of two Great Houses buried in the Ruins of Tsimpo.
Briefing
Tsimpo's ghosts are not just raiders in the dust; they are also the paper trail of bad decisions and worse orders. The true story of the conflict was buried with the village. Our House wants you to investigate - search out execution notices, field reports, and communinet logs scattered through the ruins. Of course, we understand that openly exposing your own faction would be political suicide. Infiltrate Tsimpo, recover or erase incriminating evidence, and bring back the curated truth that best serves your current alliances.
Objectives
Old Wounds
- Travel to The Ruins of Tsimpo
The Gates of Tsimpo
- Approach the gates to Tsimpo
- Examine the bodies at the gate
- Read the Notice of Execution
The Hawks
- Find the Atreides loyalists' hideout
- Read the note
- Find Arack's house
- Access the Atreides Communinet Relay
The Griffins
- Find the Harkonnen loyalists' hideout
- Read the note
- Find Greyr's house
- Access the Harkonnen Communinet Relay
Voices From the Dust
- Search the Council Hall for information
- Read the survivor's note
Escape from Tsimpo
- Return to the ornithopter
Findings
Examining Corpse during objective: The Gates of Tsimpo
The corpse has been hanging here for a long time, desiccated and preserved by the dry air. The corpses here were clearly left as a warning or message.
"Notice of Execution" from objective: The Gates of Tsimpo
By Order of Count Rabban, these villagers who consorted with the Atreides are to be left hanging as a warning of the price of disloyalty.
May their water go to waste and their ghosts choke on the dust of their betrayal.
"Note from Atreides loyalist" from objective: The Hawks
We have been in contact with Thufir Hawat and our prayers have been answered. He is sending men to repair our cistern and soldiers to defend us against retaliation. The elders are angry, fearing the wrath of the Harkonnen, but they have grown fat on bribes and complacency. We have set up a communinet relay in Arack's home - the decryption code is "Liberation". Finally our village can thrive once more!
Accessing the Atreides Communinet Relay during objective: The Hawks
"Log 01: Again, the young ones spoke with the Atreides. They brought back word of repairs, of clean water flowing again, washing away the fear. The cistern can be fixed, so they say, if we help them root out the Harkonnen loyalists hiding among us. But how well are they hidden? How do we know? The elders are wary of replacing our daily fear with a greater terror. The youth say, 'Life will be better for everyone.' The hope is infectious."
"Log 02: The Harkonnen sympathizers are gone. Some fled. Some were taken, with the help of our young ones. They are gone. No one misses them. Atreides banners now fly, where Harkonnen flags were torn down. But Atreides military presence has lessened. The cistern repairs have begun, but the progress is slow. Supplies are delayed. We are told that is to be expected. We are told Tsimpo is secure, no longer at risk, no longer a military priority. This is new territory. It is frightening, but hopeful. The youth celebrate. Do we dare to join? Do we dare to hope? I choose to."
"Log 03: The old fear returns, but worse. I must record these words. News has reached us that Harkonnen forces are on their way to Tsimpo. What was left of the Atreides forces fled in the night. Their commander ordered a withdrawal before dawn. No warning. No garrison left behind. They took their equipment. They took their promise. Tsimpo lies defenseless. We were useful - until we were not. I finally discovered the Harkonnen loyalist nest. I'm uploading the co-ordinates here. Fool that I am. Fools that we all are. I must record these words. The dead must have a voice. May the Atreides hear our echoes for all time."
Player:
1. Make a copy of the logs.
2. [ATREIDES] Delete the logs. (+25 
Faction Standing)
"Note from Harkonnen loyalist" from objective: The Griffins
Those young fools! Don't they understand that everything we have is through the generosity of the Baron! Yes, the cistern is leaking and the Harkonnen have been slow to fix it, but working with the Atreides risks attention we do not need! We cannot get caught in the War, we will be crushed. I've had Greyr set up a communinet relay for communicating with the Harkonnen - decryption code is "Preservation". Our youth flirt with disaster, perhaps we can salvage this before it is too late.
Accessing the Harkonnen Communinet Relay during objective: The Griffins
"Log 01: Soldiers log of Immenbrech Scheck. Returned to this jackal dung heap of a village to remove Atreides collaborators. Resistance was minimal. Standard procedures. Identified traitors were publicly executed to restore total compliance. Remaining Atreides elements withdrew to their stronghold. They will remain contained there."
"Log 02: We questioned local informants claiming Harkonnen loyalty. Most were compliant. The exceptions were re-educated. No further correction required. Tsimpo is brought to heel. Civilians released and told to return to their dwellings. Order is restored."
"Log 03: The settlement known as Tsimpo is marked for clearing. Standard withdrawal procedures are underway. We directed the population to assemble in the Council Hall. Local informants no longer necessary. Concentration ensures efficient cleansing. With our duties well in hand, we indulged in levity. We told the informants to await their 'reward' in the Council Hall. Their greedy eyes lit up. Cliffside batteries are active. Withdrawal complete. Shelling authorized."
Player:
1. Make a copy of the logs.
2. [HARKONNEN] Delete the logs. (+25 Faction Standing)
"Survivor's Note" from objective: Voices From the Dust
After the fire stopped raining from the sky, we tallied our dead. We don't know who did this to us - Atreides or Harkonnen - but I don't care. The Atreides speak of honor and nobility - while our blood spills for their cause. The Harkonnen are honest in their brutality and abuse - but that doesn't excuse it.
While we piled our dead in the Council Hall, we watched the Atreides slink away into the dust. We heard the Harkonnen laughing as they abandoned us. We are just... collateral damage in this war of theirs. Ghosts to be forgotten and abandoned.
I will show them what a ghost can do.
Completion Message
The dust of Tsimpo now hides fewer secrets. They say the truth is written by the victorious, but it is less what is written and more what gets omitted. I am sure your patron will find comfort in knowing you have cleaned up their business. And we will use this information against your enemies. A win-win for both of our Great Houses.
Notes
- Choosing to delete the logs associated with one's own House will grant bonus Faction Standing.
- The Completion Message remains the same regardless of the player's choice.
