GT-VISTAS.pdf

Clash of Cursed Crowns Legacy of the Heirs (100-200 CE): Long ago, in the Roman-inspired kingdom of Valdara, before the fierce rivalry between Valethia and Dravara began, there was a single, unified kingdom. This prosperous land, rich in resources, thrived under the...

Clash of Cursed Crowns Legacy of the Heirs (100-200 CE): Long ago, in the Roman-inspired kingdom of Valdara, before the fierce rivalry between Valethia and Dravara began, there was a single, unified kingdom. This prosperous land, rich in resources, thrived under the reign of a wise and just king. The Silver River, which flowed through the center of the kingdom, symbolized the unity of its people, nourishing both the northern and southern regions equally. But as the king grew old, his two heirs—twin brothers, Prince Alrith and Prince Cyrith—both harbored a desire to rule the entire kingdom. Their ambitions clashed, and neither was willing to accept a shared rule. To maintain peace, the king made the difficult decision to divide the kingdom in two. He believed that by granting each brother control over one half, they would govern peacefully. Alrith was given the northern lands, which became Valethia, and Cyrith took the southern region, now known as Dravara. However, this division did not quell their thirst for power. Both brothers sought to control the whole of Valdara, and soon after the king's death, their rivalry turned into a bitter and bloody conflict. The Silver River, once a symbol of unity, became the border of their divided lands, and over time, both Valethia and Dravara have been locked in endless wars, each trying to claim dominance over the other. The Shattered Lineage (200-300 CE): As the centuries passed, the bitter rivalry between Valethia and Dravara continued, even after the deaths of the original heirs, Prince Alrith and Prince Cyrith. Their descendants, King Tharion of Valethia and Queen Elira of Dravara, inherited not only the divided lands but also the deep-rooted ambition to reunify the once-great kingdom of Valdara under their sole rule. Generation after generation, the cycle of war persisted, with each new ruler believing they could succeed where their ancestors had failed. The once-prosperous kingdom had long since become a land of ruined cities, scorched earth, and constant conflict, as neither Valethia nor Dravara was willing to relinquish their claim to total control. The situation remains dire. Both kingdoms are locked in a stalemate, each weakened by years of warfare, yet neither is willing to surrender. The rivers that once sustained life are now tainted with blood, and the lands that once flourished have become barren. In a desperate bid to end the centuries-old struggle, King Tharion and Queen Elira have begun seeking alliances with neighboring kingdoms. Of particular interest is the mighty kingdom of Zharanthia, famed across all lands for its unmatched military might—its army, vast and undefeated, is said to be able to crush entire nations within days. Coupled with Zharanthia’s limitless wealth, which fills its coffers with gold and resources beyond imagination, this kingdom has become a force so powerful that even the suggestion of its involvement could shift the entire balance of power, threatening to bring a decisive end to the long-standing conflict. The Neighbouring Kingdoms: 1. Thornveil: Is a rugged, mountainous kingdom to the east, known for its elite mercenaries. The Thornveil warriors are famed for their unparalleled skill in guerrilla tactics and unconventional warfare. Their small but fierce army is often hired by neighboring kingdoms for decisive strikes, making them a sought-after military asset. 2. Velthorn: Situated along a strategic coastline, Velthorn is a kingdom of powerful seafarers and shipbuilders. While its land army is modest, Velthorn’s navy controls many important trade routes and sea lanes, giving them dominance over the seas and the ability to blockade or protect vital shipping lanes. 3. Ravenmoor: Is a northern kingdom shrouded in mysticism and home to some of the most powerful sorcerers in the region. Their mages specialize in magical defense and enchantments, giving the kingdom an almost impenetrable mystical shield that has kept it safe for generations. Ravenmoor’s strength lies in its mastery of magic rather than sheer military power. 4. Eryndale: Known as the breadbasket of the region, Eryndale boasts fertile lands and advanced agricultural systems. Their vast farmlands ensure that the kingdom is self- sustaining, and they are the primary supplier of food in the region. Eryndale’s strength lies in its economic stability and ability to sustain long-term prosperity through its unmatched agricultural output. 5. Galthorn: Is a kingdom of brilliant engineers and inventors. They are known for their architectural marvels and innovative siege machinery. Galthorn’s fortresses are nearly impenetrable, and their mastery of advanced mechanical designs gives them an edge in building both defensive and offensive war engines Kingdom 1 - Valethia: Valethia, once a jewel of the northern lands, is a kingdom born from the legacy of its first ruler, Prince Alrith. Known for its towering mountains and vast forests, Valethia has long been a land of ambition and military prowess. Its people are fierce and proud, forged by centuries of warfare with their southern rivals. The kingdom stands as a symbol of Valethia’s strength, with towering walls that have withstood countless sieges. Under King Tharion's rule, Valethia remains determined to reclaim its ancient right to the whole of Valdara, believing it is destined to reunite the divided kingdom under a single banner. Current Struggles and Challenges: The Curse: In Valethia, a horrific plague—known as the "Ashen Curse"—has swept through the kingdom like wildfire. What began as a minor illness among the lower classes soon mutated into a widespread epidemic. The plague’s symptoms are terrifying: first, the skin turns ashen-gray, followed by violent seizures, blood oozing from the eyes, and finally, paralysis before a slow, agonizing death. The disease strikes indiscriminately, affecting nobles, soldiers, and peasants alike. Entire villages have been decimated, and the streets of the capital are filled with corpses, left to rot in the absence of enough healthy citizens to bury them. The origin of the plague is unknown, though some believe it is a curse tied to the long years of warfare, while others suspect that it came from contaminated water sources near the Silver River, which has been polluted from the endless battles along its banks. The king’s physicians have failed to find a cure, and many have fled the capital in fear. The Valethian economy is collapsing under the weight of the dead and dying, as farms lie untended, trade grinds to a halt, and the workforce dwindles daily. With no resources to properly combat the disease, Valethia is rapidly falling into chaos. The plague has caused a total breakdown of Valethian society. Law and order have all but disintegrated in many parts of the kingdom. Cities that once thrived are now ghost towns, with streets littered with corpses that no one dares to touch for fear of infection. Valethia's once- bustling capital is now a city of silence and death. The marketplace, once full of traders and artisans, has been abandoned as merchants flee for fear of catching the disease. Only desperate looters remain, scavenging what they can from the homes of the dead. The kingdom’s mines, once the source of its wealth, have been shut down as miners refuse to work in close quarters where the disease spreads quickly. The few remaining craftsmen are either too sick to work or too fearful to leave their homes. Prices for basic goods have skyrocketed, making even simple bread unaffordable for most of the population. King Tharion, desperate to maintain control and prevent a full societal breakdown, has ordered that every remaining resource be funneled into the army, in the hopes that a final military victory over Dravara will secure Zharanthia's aid and, perhaps, the salvation of his people. However, the morale of his army is faltering as the plague spreads among soldiers, and fear grips the kingdom. The looming shadow of the Ashen Curse has become a deadly opponent even more fearsome than the enemy across the border. Mercenary Betrayal In a desperate bid to reinforce his armies, King Tharion recently hired a large contingent of mercenaries from distant lands, promising them gold and spoils from the eventual conquest of Dravara. These mercenaries were seen as a quick solution to the depletion of Valethia’s forces due to the plague. However, as the economic collapse deepens, Valethia has been unable to pay them as promised. Now, the mercenaries have turned rogue. They have begun to loot Valethian villages, taking what little remains and wreaking havoc in the countryside. Their growing presence has destabilized key regions and diverted the military’s attention away from the war effort. King Tharion, unable to control them, risks losing entire provinces to mercenary occupation unless he finds a way to pay them off or neutralize their threat. The Incompetency of the King: In an attempt to modernize his army and gain an edge over Dravara, King Tharion invested heavily in the development of advanced siege machines and war technology—particularly a new type of ballista and armored war vehicles. These machines were supposed to give Valethia a decisive advantage in its next campaign. However, unknown to the king, traitorous engineers tampered with the designs, rendering the machines ineffective and turning his bold gamble into a costly failure. This disaster only fueled the ambitions of Valethia's nobles. With the plague ravaging the kingdom and the king’s military plans in ruins, rumors of dissent began to spread among his closest advisors. Many saw King Tharion’s growing weakness as a chance to take power for themselves. The failed war machines became the final straw, and now, some nobles are plotting to overthrow him, sensing that the right opportunity to seize control of the kingdom. Kingdom 2 - Dravara: Dravara, the southern half of the once-unified Valdara, is a kingdom built on resilience and cunning. Governed first by Prince Cyrith, Dravara’s lands are vast and fertile, bordered by rolling hills and sweeping plains. Its cities are renowned for their beauty and craftsmanship, while its people possess a deep connection to the land they fiercely defend. Though centuries of war have tested Dravara's strength, its indomitable spirit endures. Queen Elira now leads her people with determination, believing that the time has come to claim ultimate victory over Valethia and finally unite the kingdom under Dravaran rule. Current Struggles and Challenges: Endless Winter and Economic Collapse: While Valethia battles the plague, Dravara faces a crisis of a different but equally devastating nature. A relentless, unending winter has settled over the southern kingdom. For the past two decades, the sun has scarcely shone upon Dravara’s lands, with thick, gray clouds blotting out the sky. Crops have failed season after season as freezing temperatures and snowstorms ravage the once-fertile lands. What little food remains is scarce and hoarded by the wealthy while the common people starve. Many whisper that the eternal winter is a divine punishment for centuries of bloodshed, while others speak of a magical curse placed upon the kingdom by ancient forces. Without crops to trade or gold to mint, the Dravaran economy has spiraled into ruin. Famine grips the land, and people turn on each other in desperation. Banditry and lawlessness are rampant, and Queen Elira’s grip on power weakens with each passing day. The kingdom’s infrastructure has collapsed, as roads become impassable due to the ice, and no money exists to repair the damage. The army, though loyal, is poorly equipped and underfed, with soldiers deserting in droves to search for food or flee the kingdom entirely. Amid Dravara's endless winter and economic collapse, a sudden and mysterious outbreak of an unknown magical illness has swept through the kingdom's southern cities. This illness, unlike any seen before, causes victims to fall into a deep, deathlike sleep, their bodies slowly freezing from within, despite the warmth of their surroundings. The kingdom’s few remaining healers are baffled, and no known cure or protective measure has been found. Panic is spreading as entire towns are affected, and fear of the illness is so great that people have begun isolating themselves, further weakening Dravara’s already fragile social fabric. Queen Elira, already stretched thin, now faces the additional burden of stopping the spread of this deadly and mysterious affliction before it brings her kingdom to its knees. Like her rival in Valethia, Elira has placed all her hopes on winning the war and securing the support of Zharanthia. But her people are growing restless, and whispers of rebellion echo in the freezing streets. If she cannot secure a victory soon, her kingdom may collapse entirely under the weight of its many disasters. Mental Health Crisis: The unrelenting cold, food shortages, and constant fear of war have led to a widespread mental health crisis in Dravara. Reports of mass suicides are increasing, particularly in the northern and most affected regions. Entire families have been found frozen to death in their homes, choosing to end their suffering rather than continue fighting against starvation and cold. This psychological toll has not spared the military. Soldiers are abandoning their posts or even turning their weapons on themselves. Queen Elira’s once-loyal army is suffering from mass desertions, and recruitment has become nearly impossible, as no one wants to join a force that seems doomed to freseze in the wilderness. The Incompetency of the Queen: In an attempt to gain a decisive advantage, Queen Elira redirected all of Dravara’s remaining resources into constructing a vast war fleet, disregarding the warnings of her advisors about the kingdom's fragile finances. The fleet was rushed into production using substandard materials, and when finally deployed, many of the ships either sank or malfunctioned, proving ineffective in battle. This disastrous endeavor depleted Dravara's already strained treasury, severely weakened its military capacity, and disrupted vital trade routes. With the kingdom now bankrupt and defenseless, discontent grew within the court. Military leaders and nobles, seeing an opportunity amidst the failure, began to conspire against Queen Elira, with increasing demands for her removal from power. Her once-loyal supporters now questioned her leadership, believing that her poor decisions were pushing Dravara closer to ruin. Zharanthia’s Offer: As Valethia and Dravara teeter on the edge of destruction, Zharanthia looms as the only potential savior. This wealthy and powerful kingdom has made its position clear: it will only help the victor of the coming war. Zharanthia’s coffers overflow with gold, its armies are unmatched, and its vaults contain vast stores of food, medicine, and other resources. Additionally, Zharanthia is the only kingdom that possesses the cure for the Ashen curse, which is crucial for Valethia to control and stabilize the ongoing pandemic. Zharanthia also holds an abundant supply of wheat, offering a valuable resource that can aid Dravara in revitalizing its economy, as the kingdom struggles with a shortage of wheat in its own lands. Yet Zharanthia is also a shrewd and calculating player in this conflict. By forcing Valethia and Dravara into a final, desperate battle, Zharanthia stands to benefit regardless of the outcome. A long and bloody war means that Zharanthia can profit from the sale of weapons, armor, and supplies to both sides. The cunning Zharanthian ruler, Emperor Zaros, has no interest in wasting resources on a kingdom that cannot survive. Instead, Zaros has subtly encouraged both Valethia and Dravara to escalate their conflict, knowing that a war to the death will weaken whichever kingdom emerges victorious. Once one of the kingdoms wins, Zharanthia will offer aid—at a price. Zaros’s true aim is to keep both Valethia and Dravara weak and dependent, ensuring Zharanthian dominance in the region for generations to come. Task at Hand: Your mission is to address the pressing issues facing your respective kingdom. You must develop comprehensive strategies to stabilize your kingdom, focusing on restoring your kingdom's economy, securing essential resources, maintaining morale among your people, and safeguarding your leader’s position. Additionally, you have to devise military plans to conquer the opposing kingdom, leveraging their unique challenges to your advantage. Consider how to exploit their vulnerabilities while positioning your own kingdom as a formidable force. Your ultimate goal is to attract the support of the powerful kingdom of Zharanthia, whose unmatched army and wealth could tip the balance of power in your favor. Deliverables: Executive Summary of your Kingdom. Establish a covert network of spies and informants to monitor and sabotage enemy supply chains. Develop a workforce allocation strategy for soldiers and civilians impacted by the war. Plan a recruitment drive to strengthen your kingdom’s military. Formulate a strategy to identify spies infiltrating your kingdom from the rival realm. Develop a crisis communication strategy to manage the narratives of your kingdom. Craft an official statement defending your leader's actions. Develop a phase-wise implementation strategy for your kingdom for each of the problems faced. Initiate a creative campaign to enhance the kingdom’s cultural identity amid the conflict. Create a long-term geopolitical strategy that leverages your kingdom’s alliances with neighboring kingdoms. Implement a wealth preservation strategy to protect the treasury from economic crises. Create a long-term reintegration program for veterans and displaced citizens for a smooth transition to civilian life. Create a targeted plan to restore your kingdom's international image after the mercenary betrayal (Valethia) and the failed war fleet (Dravara). Develop a video advertisement showcasing Zharanthia as a potential peacemaker and military ally. Compile a list of arms and ammunition to be utilized in the war, along with justifications. Establish a barter-based trade network using surplus goods from the war effort to secure essential resources. Implement a morale improvement plan for soldiers and civilians in conflict zones. Identify a new revenue stream for your kingdom and five-year revenue projections for your respective kingdom. Outline your post-conquest plan for re-establishing control over the conquered kingdom.  Plan a recruitment drive to enhance your military. Develop and present your final war strategy outlining how your kingdom will decisively conquer the rival kingdom. Launch an emotional marketing campaign to inspire neighboring kingdoms to support Valethia/Dravara through compelling narratives. Create a 5-year economic recovery plan for your kingdom. Develop a budget allocation plan for the ongoing wars. Taxation Policy for your kingdom Create a business proposal for a supply chain system that efficiently provides essential goods to your kingdom during the war. Create propaganda materials to rally public support and boost morale during the war. Design a campaign to regain public trust and confidence in your kingdom’s leadership amid war and economic challenges. Evaluate the financial risks involved in continued warfare and provide mitigation strategies to avoid total economic collapse. Prepare a contingency budget for your kingdom Formulate strategies to prevent your respective leader from being dethroned. Develop a unique communication network to disseminate news throughout your kingdom efficiently. Make a detailed post-war reconstruction budget for your kingdom. Formulate strategies to boost the kingdom’s financial reserves Develop an innovation plan for your kingdom to create new industries or businesses. Creatives (One extremely out-of-the-box creative is mandatory) Guidelines: A report of not more than 45 pages The report must be submitted in the Google Classroom of Group Task Deadline for Submission – 28th September, 5:00 A.M. PPT is optional All deliverables should be addressed in order as mentioned. The format to name your submission is: Team Number_Group Task (Only the Best Manager is supposed to submit for each team).