Mordax et al

A peaceful resolution to the conflict over Skaia *can* be reached under certain circumstances. Every session is unique, as is every group of players, and I am sure that numerous solutions are possible, however there are several key points  I personally believe to be vital for such a resolution.

Prospit:

• The players must convey their intentions for a peaceful resolution to the White Royals. They will be skeptical at first, given that it flies in the face of destiny, but easier to convince due to their own more peaceful nature, and the royals’ desire to be reunited.
• The players must be alert for the more fanatical groups of Prospitians, who will want the prophecies fulfilled at all costs. How the players deal with this element is open to variation, but if not dealt with, these fanatics will do their best to make certain the war goes as planned.

Derse:

• The Black Queen (or current ruler of Derse if the she has already been killed or otherwise removed from play) must be convinced either that the players have no intention to create a new universe, and thus are not a threat to the medium, or that if they do, doing so will not harm the Dersites.

1. Convincing the rulers would be difficult, but is doable, especially if the players are willing to make concessions such destroying the machines necessary for frog breeding, or sacrificing the denizen-won grist necessary to create a universe.
2. On the other hand, convincing them that creating the universe won’t mean destruction will be significantly more difficult, given that there is little proof to the contrary. I know of one session where a universe *was* created and the universe remained. However, this session was severely glitched (the players were forced to remain in the medium) and the resultant universe decidedly cancerous, so it is unknown whether this is the reason that their medium was not destroyed in the process.  As a result of this, I would say it may be disingenuous at best to use this as proof that universe creation is harmless to the medium. On the other hand, a session with a sufficiently powerful space player might be able to make the concession that the players would bring Derse (and possibly Prospit and other planets) into the created universe.

• The Black King MUST be taken out of play for any sort of peaceful resolution, whether killed or exiled, though I do NOT recommend the latter. The warlike bastard will stop at nothing to continue the war to its inevitable conclusion if at all possible. Unfortunately, even the King has some loyal followers and even players who have the support of the rest of Derse should expect resistance from this part of the army in their attack, if they chose to remove the King in a direct attack rather than in some way by stealth or guile.

I should stress again that every session is unique and has its own strengths and challenges, and this should be in no way considered the definitive guide for peace between Prospit and Derse, however, I feel that following these guidelines will greatly help any players wishing to attempt such a feat.

As for if the different viewpoints of the kingdoms would prevent peace, it is certainly an obstacle. As I said, there are unfortunately fanatics on both sides— I would say that Prospitian dogmatics are more common than Dersite ones, but by the same token, Dersites are more likely to think that Skaia or the Prospitians should just be destroyed on principle. Luckily for the player, the average carapace has about as much say in whether the war ends as whether it continues, which is to say just about none at all— it is those in charge whose opinions must be changed.

Of course, if peace is achieved there is still likely to be unrest and suspicion between the moon for likely centuries to follow, or longer. After all, since carapaces do not have generations, the bulk of the population will always remember the war. After achieving peace an attentive player should be vigilant for things like minor rebellions, renegade war veterans turned terrorists, etc. A player who is in especially good standing with one or both carapace societies might also do one’s best to facilitate the end of old grudges, and stereotypes, and mediate between the two peoples.

As a final note on the subject of messengers of peace between Prospit and Derse, I will reveal a minor fact— not quite a secret, though it is not usually known to players: The Black and White Queen and the governments of Derse are in communication all during the war. Spies notwithstanding (and there are spies) each government has an ambassador to the other kingdom, and I believe that the Queens have occasional direct correspondence.