Editing Parabolan War (Guide)

{{GuideFor|Location = The Dolorous Pavilion|Pages = Parabolan Oneironaut#Parabolan Infantry#Parabolan Cavalry#Parabolan Grenadiers#Parabolan Infrastructure#Parabolan Armaments#Grand Parabolan Company#Parabolan Campaign#Stage of the War#Advance!#Campaign Morale#Your General#Parabolan Dominance#Ravages of Parabolan Warfare#Parabolan Counsel#Parabolan Cultivator}}{{Audience|LateParabola}}{{GuideNeedsWork|Collapse=More details on…|Reason=
* [[Parabolan_War_(Guide)#Campaign_Details|options in specific campaigns]] (e.g., the campaign against yourself) 
* cost-benefit analysis of [[Parabolan_War_(Guide)#Choo_choo!|running your train through an opposing army]]
* options available [[Parabolan_War_(Guide)#After_a_Campaign|after Campaigns]]}}
[[File:Bleedingforest.png|alt=|right|frameless]]
{{ActivitySummary
|Activity=Parabolan War
|Length=Limited
|Starting Actions=2
|Progress Actions=22+/37
|Ending Actions={{Tooltip|2+|If Ravages are cleared via TtT, its 2, otherwise actions must be spent on clearing ravages.}}
|Progress Details=Raise {{IL|Advance!}} to 24 for each stage of the campaign. 3 stages for short ones, and 5 stages for long ones. 

Afterwards clear {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|Appearance=Ravages}}.
|Output Items=*{{IL|Night-Whisper}}
*{{IL|Stalemate}}
*{{IL|False Hagiotoponym}}
*{{IL|Ray-Drenched Cinder}}
*{{IL|Parabolan Parable}}
*{{IL|Edicts of the First City}}
*{{IL|Mortification of a Great Power}}
*{{IL|Oneiromantic Revelation}}
*{{IL|Waswood Almanac}}
*{{IL|Concentrate of Self}}
|Boost Items=*{{IL|Solacefruit}}
*{{IL|Royal-Blue Feather}}
*{{IL|Memory of Light}}
*{{IL|Wing of a Young Terror Bird}}
*{{IL|Glass Gazette}}
*{{IL|Correspondence Plaque}}
*{{IL|Moves in the Great Game}}
*{{IL|Well-Placed Pawn}}
*{{IL|Moves in the Great Game}}
*{{IL|Deep-zee Catch}}
*{{IL|Secluded Address}}
*{{IL|Palimpsest Scrap}}
*{{IL|Trace of Viric}}
*{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self}}
*{{IL|Silvered Cat's Claw}}
*{{IL|London Street Sign}}
*{{IL|Apostate's Psalm}}
*''{{IL|Dr Schlomo}}''
*''{{IL|Set of Cosmogone Spectacles}}''
|Raw EPA = 5.00
|EPA Notes = Ratmarket the parable, and using the 1.67 advance/action from below.
|Raw SPA = 7.81
|Input Items='''Clearing {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|Appearance=Ravages}}'''
*{{IL|Ostentatious Diamond}}
*{{IL|Glass Gazette}}
*{{IL|Direful Reflection}}
*{{IL|Dubious Testimony}}
*{{IL|Sworn Statement}}
*{{IL|Antique Mystery}}
*{{IL|Solacefruit}}
*{{IL|Touching Love Story}}
*{{IL|Cellar of Wine}}
*{{IL|Moves in the Great Game}}
*{{IL|Vienna Opening}}
*{{IL|Vital Intelligence}}
*{{IL|Ambiguous Eolith}}
*{{IL|Volume of Collated Research}}
*{{IL|Uncanny Incunabulum}}
*{{IL|Bottle of Strangling Willow Absinthe}}
*{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self}}
*{{IL|Favour in High Places}}
}}
''The Is-Not is yours to shape as best suits your need. You will be its steward and its shepherd as you enter the Parabolan Wars.''

Waging War in [[Parabola (Guide)|Parabola]] entails a significant amount of content, and will take some time to fully explore.

This guide assumes you've completed the following prerequisites:

* Becoming a [[A Person of Some Importance (Guide)|Person of Some Importance]]
* Obtaining a [[University Laboratory (Guide)|University Laboratory]]
* Opening a way into [[Parabola (Guide)|Parabola]]

You have more options available to you if you've also advanced your [[Railway (Guide)|railroad]], but it's not required to play or win your campaigns.

==Getting Started==

=== Establishing a Parabolan Reputation ===
In your [[Parabolan Base-Camp]], the storylet [[The Drumbeat of War]] allows you to begin [[Establishing a Parabolan Reputation]].

* The first choice you will make during this process is your initial {{IL|Parabolan Counsel}}, and thus which Tutorial Campaign you will embark on first. [[Choose the Viscountess]] to take on the Fingerkings first, or [[Call on the Ophidian Gentleman]] to take on the Cats first.
* Next, raise your {{IL|Parabolan Defences}} to 3; see [[Build up your Base-Camp]] for options.
*: '''Non-Fate Route'''  If using only non-Fate options, you will need 1600 {{IL|Drop of Prisoner's Honey|Appearance=Honey}}, a {{IL|Strong-Backed Labour}}, a {{IL|Parabola-Linen Suit}}, a {{IL|Parabola-Linen Frock}},  {{IL|Rookery Password|11 x}}, and a {{IL|Bengal Tigress}}.
**This is acquired from the Bazaar to the tune of 2077.5 Echoes and 13 actions spent [[Send him out for a little more honey|grinding lab honey]].
**Instead of the {{IL|Rookery Password|11 x|Appearance=Rookery Passwords}}, you can use {{IL|Nodule of Pulsating Amber|11 x}}. But this will cost more if purchased from the Bazaar.
*: '''Fate Route''':
**Instead of the {{IL|Rookery Password}}s, you can use:
***{{FontRose}} {{IL|Countess of Thorns}}
***{{FontHallowmas}} {{IL|An Enfranchised Anchoress}} from the [[Election (historical)|Elections]] (now available during [[Hallowmas (Guide)|Hallowmas]])
***{{FontHallowmas}} {{IL|Roseate Antagonist}}
**Instead of using a {{IL|Bengal Tigress}}, which will be consumed, you can make use of:
***{{FontWhitsun}} {{IL|Dream-dwelling Carnivorous Aurochs}},
***{{FontFate}} {{IL|Slavering Dream-Hound}} from [[Breeding Monsters (Guide)|Breeding Monsters]],
***{{IL|Parabolan Panther}} from a {{IL|Parabolan Kitten}} through {{FontFate}} [[A Panther's Progress (Guide)|A Panther's Progress]] or the retired {{FontSunless}} kickstarter.
* Once {{IL|Parabolan Defences}} reaches 3, you can [[Establish a Pavilion of War]], at a one-time cost of {{IL|Puzzling Map|1 x}}, {{IL|Strong-Backed Labour|2 x}}, and {{IL|Whisper-Satin Scrap|5 x}}.
* At the conclusion of the process, choose to [[You will act upon Parabola|act upon Parabola]] (to start with {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x}}), or to allow Parabola to [[Parabola will act upon you|act upon you]] (to start with {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}).

After completing these preparations, you can access {{IL|The Dolorous Pavilion}}. From there, you will be guided into a series of tutorial storylets.

===Assembling Your Grand Parabolan Company===
To engage in war, you will need a {{IL|Grand Parabolan Company}}, which consists of:

* {{IL|Parabolan Armaments}}
* {{IL|Parabolan Infrastructure}}
* {{IL|Parabolan Infantry}}
* {{IL|Parabolan Cavalry}}
* {{IL|Parabolan Grenadiers}}

These can be arranged at the storylet [[Assembling a Grand Parabolan Company]].

The main gameplay effect of your choice of Company is your initial level of {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|Appearance=Oneironaut}} and {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|Appearance=Cultivator}}, which has a minor impact on {{IL|Campaign Morale|Appearance=Morale}} at the start of a Campaign. Both qualities will also advance over time as you complete Campaigns. Your choices of units you recruit will also change the text of some options on the campaign trail, but not the availability, difficulty, or results.

Assembling your company is expensive; however, you only need to do this once, not for each Campaign. Your initial Company will last as long as you want it to. You may also dissolve it and create a new one whenever you wish. Creating a new Company will reset both {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|Appearance=Oneironaut}} and {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|Appearance=Cultivator}}, including any gained through Campaigns.

====Armaments and Infrastructure====
Your company will need 3 each of {{IL|Parabolan Armaments}} and {{IL|Parabolan Infrastructure}}, at the cost of various items. There are multiple options for each, with different costs and different effects on {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|Appearance=Oneironaut}} and {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|Appearance=Cultivator}}. You can choose the same option multiple times, or combine different ones.
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''{{IL|Parabolan Armaments}}: [[The Munitions of War]]'''  
!Option
!Cost
!Alignment
|-
|{{IL|Words, Broken|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Memory of Discordance|1 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}
|-
|{{IL|The force of law|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Legal Document|1 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}
|-
|{{IL|The Spectre of Decay|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Thorned Ribcage|1 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}
|-
|{{IL|An Antiphonal of Doubter's Hymns|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Verse of Counter-Creed|1 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}
|-
|{{IL|A Vision of Peace|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Crystallised Euphoria|1 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}
|-
|{{IL|Muster the Workers' Dreams|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Strong-Backed Labour|5 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}
|}
The cheapest and easiest options for Armaments are {{IL|Strong-Backed Labour}} ([[Curiosity Grinding (Guide)#Strong-Backed Labour|sources]]) and {{IL|Legal Document|Appearance=Legal Documents}} ([[Legal Grinding (Guide)#Legal Document|sources]]).
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''{{IL|Parabolan Infrastructure}}: [[The Logistics of War]]'''  
!Option
!Cost
!Alignment
|-
|{{IL|Sow a crop of Flourishing Aurochs|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Horned Skull|1 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}
|-
|{{IL|Reorient Parabola|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Vienna Opening|3 x}}|{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self|2 x}}}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}
|-
|{{IL|Summon dreams past|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self|5 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}
|-
|{{IL|Kindle a dream of pigs|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Sausage About Which No One Complains|1 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}
|-
|{{IL|Draw upon Parabola's bounty|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Crate of Incorruptible Biscuits|3 x}}|{{IL|Tin of Zzoup|2 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Orange-apple|1 x}}}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}
|-
|{{IL|Build a Parabolan waterway|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Cellar of Wine|1 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}
|}
The most efficient option for Infrastructure is to spend {{IL|Cellar of Wine|Appearance=Cellars of Wine}} ([[Wines Grinding (Guide)#Cellar of Wine|sources]]). 
==== Recruiting Units====
In the [[The Mercenary Companies of Parabola]], you must select which units to recruit for your {{IL|Parabolan Infantry|Appearance=Infantry}}, {{IL|Parabolan Cavalry|Appearance=Cavalry}}, and {{IL|Parabolan Grenadiers|Appearance=Artillery}}. There are three choices for each. There is no cost to hire any of the units; however, some are only available if you meet certain requirements.
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''The {{IL|Parabolan Infantry|Appearance=Infantry}} of Parabola'''
!Option
!Requires
!Alignment
|-
|{{IL|The Wakeful Gentlemen|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|nothing
|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}
|-
|{{IL|The Satrap-Saints|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Favours: Fingerkings|3 x}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}
|-
|{{IL|The Pax Homines|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Having Recurring Dreams: A Game of Chess|Appearance=Dreams: Chess}} 15
|{{TableList|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}}}
|}The easiest option for your Infantry is [[The Wakeful Gentlemen]], who are willing to work with you without conditions.
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''The {{IL|Parabolan Cavalry|Appearance=Cavalry}} of Parabola'''
!Option
!Requires
!Alignment
|-
|{{IL|The Company of the Exiled Rose|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|A Vial of Queenly Attar}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}
|-
|{{IL|The Grand Myriad Company|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|nothing
|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}
|-
|{{IL|The Peace of October|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|nothing
|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}
|}For your Cavalry, if you wish to hire [[The Company of the Exiled Rose]], you must possess {{IL|A Vial of Queenly Attar}}. 
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''The {{IL|Parabolan Grenadiers|Appearance=Artillery}} of Parabola'''
!Option
!Requires
!Alignment
|-
|{{IL|The Pale League of Irem|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|nothing
|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x|Appearance=Oneironaut}}
|-
|{{IL|The 77th Queen's Own Hussars|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Flask of Waswood Wellspring Water}}
|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}
|-
|{{IL|The Order Speculorum|Appearance=|Size=40px}}
|{{IL|Glasswork}} 7
|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x|Appearance=Cultivator}}
|}[[The Pale League of Irem]] is the fastest choice of Grenadiers, as hiring them also has no requirement.

==={{IL|Parabolan Counsel}}===
A commander, however skilled, cannot run an army alone. In your Pavilion you may [[Managing your Advisors|manage your advisors]]. 

You begin with two choices: The Viscountess of the Viric Jungle, and the Ophidian Gentleman. Whom you choose as your Advisor will decide which Tutorial Campaign is available to you. The Viscountess, naturally, represents the Cats of Parabola. The Ophidian Gentleman is a representative of the Fingerkings. Choosing one will embroil you in a war against the other.

You may freely change Advisors at any point, even while on a campaign. Both Tutorial Campaigns will continue to be available permanently; your choice of initial Advisor determines which content you experience ''first'', but you will not be locked out of anything.

Completing full-length campaigns will eventually [[A Visitor|unlock a third Advisor]], with [[The Chessboard 2|an additional full-length campaign]].

===Completing Your Company ===
When you have assembled your army, their armaments, dreamed your infrastructure, and chosen an advisor, go into the [[Assembling a Grand Parabolan Company]] storylet. From there you may officially [[Form your Grand Parabolan Company]]. Along with opening the path to war, this will reward you with {{IL|Bottle of Fourth City Airag: Year of the Tortoise|1 x}}. To victory!

== Mechanics At a Glance ==
War in Parabola is carried out as individual {{IL|Parabolan Campaign|Appearance=Campaigns}}, aided by your Company and sometimes a {{IL|Your General|Appearance=General}}. During a Campaign, your Company must {{IL|Advance!|Appearance=Advance}} through Parabola in Stages by passing skill checks or spending items. Finishing a Campaign earns various rewards. Afterwards, you must clear any {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare}} you've accumulated before embarking on another Campaign.
===Campaigns===
Each Campaign finds your Company assisting one of the powers in Parabola against another. In addition to revealing different things about the goings-on in Parabola, your choice of Campaign affects which General can lead your Company, the rewards available at the end, and which power is [[Parabolan Dominance|dominant in Parabola]].
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''Parabolan Campaigns'''  
!Campaign
!Stages
!Unlock
!Reward 
!{{IL|Parabolan Dominance|Appearance=Dominance}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|The Viscountess}}
| rowspan="2" |3
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|Parabolan Counsel|Appearance=}} Viscountess
|{{TableList|{{IL|Night-Whisper|3 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x}}}}
| rowspan="2" |(no change)
|-
|{{TableList|{{IL|Stalemate|3 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|The Ophidian Gentleman}}
| rowspan="2" |3
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|Parabolan Counsel|Appearance=}} Ophidian Gentleman
|{{TableList|{{IL|Night-Whisper|3 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}}}
|(no change)
|-
|{{TableList|{{IL|False Hagiotoponym|3 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x}}}}
|(no change)
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|The Cats}}
| rowspan="2" |5
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|Played Tutorial|Appearance=played first Tutorial}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Ray-Drenched Cinder|1 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|3 x}}}}
| rowspan="2" |Cats
|-
|{{TableList|{{IL|Parabolan Parable|1 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|3 x}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|The Fingerkings}}
| rowspan="2" |5
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|Played Tutorial|Appearance=played first Tutorial}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Edicts of the First City|1 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|3 x}}}}
| rowspan="2" |Fingerkings
|-
|{{TableList|{{IL|Parabolan Parable|1 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|3 x}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|A Second City Vengeance|Appearance=A Dreaming Priest of the Second City}}
| rowspan="2" |3
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|Played Tutorial|Appearance=played first Tutorial}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Mortification of a Great Power|3 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x}}}}
| rowspan="2" |(no change)
|-
|{{TableList|{{IL|Oneiromantic Revelation|3 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|The Chessboard 2|Appearance=The Chessboard}}
| rowspan="2" |5
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|Played Tutorial|Appearance=played 3 Tutorials}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Parabolan Parable|1 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}}}
|Chessboard
|-
|{{TableList|{{IL|Waswood Almanac|1 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}}}
|(no change)
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|Yourself}}
| rowspan="2" |5
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|{{IL|Played Tutorial|Appearance=played 4 Tutorials}}|{{IL|A True Denizen of the Neath|Appearance=completed Ambition}}|{{IL|Mirror-Fed|7 x}}}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Concentrate of Self|1 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|3 x}}}}
| rowspan="2" |(no change)
|-
|{{TableList|{{IL|Waswood Almanac|1 x}}|{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|3 x}}}}
|}
Your first Campaign will be the 3-stage tutorial Campaign with the Viscountess or the Ophidian Gentleman, depending on which you chose as your {{IL|Parabolan Counsel}}. Completing this unlocks additional Campaigns, as well as the option to appoint {{IL|Your General|Appearance=Generals}}. Further Campaigns may be unlocked by playing the 5-stage Campaigns with the Cats and Fingerkings, plus additional requirements.

=== Stages of War ===
Campaigns are conducted in Stages, each of which requires your Company to {{IL|Advance!|Appearance=Advance}} through a region of Parabola by passing skill checks or spending items. You can also call upon your Company's {{IL|Campaign Morale|Appearance=Morale}} for a burst of progress. Each Stage requires {{IL|Advance!|24 x}} to complete.
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''Stage of the War'''  
!No.
!Stage
!Items for faster progress
|-
!'''1'''
|[[Traversing the Wastes of Want]]
|{{IL|Moves in the Great Game}} (if a {{IL|Silverer}})
|-
! rowspan="2" |'''2'''
|[[Through the Hanging Mountains]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Solacefruit}}|{{IL|Well-Placed Pawn}}|{{IL|Moves in the Great Game}}|{{IL|Deep-zee Catch}}}}
|-
|London theater: [[The War from Home]]
|{{IL|Secluded Address}}
|-
!'''3'''
|[[Along the Writhing River]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self}}|{{IL|Glass Gazette}}|{{IL|Royal-Blue Feather}}|{{IL|Memory of Light}}}}
|-
! rowspan="2" |'''4'''
|[[Along the Smoking Shore]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Palimpsest Scrap}}|{{IL|Silvered Cat's Claw}}}}
|-
|London theater: [[Shadows on the Mirrorpane]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Memory of Light}}|{{IL|London Street Sign}}}}
|-
!'''5'''
|[[Within the Castle of Forests]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Trace of Viric}}|{{IL|Apostate's Psalm}}|{{IL|Wing of a Young Terror Bird}}|{{IL|Memory of Light}}|{{IL|Glass Gazette}}|{{IL|Correspondence Plaque}}}}
|}
Full-length Campaigns consist of 5 Stages, while short Campaigns only feature the first 3. In full-length Campaigns, the second and fourth Stages may be fought from London instead, with different options. You may shift the campaign to London at any point, and retain {{IL|Advance!}}, but you may not shift combat back to Parabola until you have concluded the Stage.

===Generals===
After completing the first Tutorial, you [[The Seeds of War|gain access to Generals]], who assist on your Campaigns by lowering the difficulty of certain skill checks. There is a General associated with each of the Powers in Parabola: the Cats, the Fingerkings, and the Chessboard. 
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''Parabolan Generals'''  
!General
!Alignment
!Benefits
|-
|{{IL|General: Principle of Heralds|Appearance=Principle of Heralds}}
|Cats
|{{IL|Shadowy}}
|-
|{{IL|General: Principle of Hollows|Appearance=Principle of Hollows}}
|Fingerkings
|{{IL|Persuasive}}
|-
|{{IL|General: Principle of Horizons|Appearance=Principle of Horizons}}
|Chessboard
|{{IL|Watchful}}
|}
At first, Generals may only be used on Campaigns associated with their Power: e.g., the Principle of Heralds can only assist the Cats. Once a General has completed a Campaign—so long as you have {{IL|Dangerous Gains}} 12 (see [[Raising Attribute Caps (Guide)|Guide]])—they receive gifts, which raise their effectiveness in lowering challenge difficulties. This also unlocks a [[University Laboratory (Guide)|Laboratory]] project to upgrade the General, which makes them even more effective and allows them to participate in any Campaign.

===Epilogue and Lasting Effects ===
Campaigns have multiple endings, depending on narrative choices you make in between Stages or at the end. Your final value of {{IL|Stage of the War}}, representing the ending, determines the epilogue you see. This is reset when you begin your next Campaign.

Some Campaign endings shift {{IL|Parabolan Dominance}} to the power you fought for, unlocking certain content in Parabola (and occasionally London). For instance, {{IL|The Dome of Scales}} reflects the current dominant power, with unique options available for each. Other differences can be seen in the {{IL|Viric Jungle}} and a certain house in {{IL|Wolfstack Docks}}.

If you have accumulated any {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare}}, you will need to clear them in [[The Aftermath of a Parabolan War]] before you can begin a new Campaign. Ravages also affect narrative text elsewhere in Parabola, but they also have some mechanical effects, including the difficulty of an [[More! Further!|option]] when attending a dreamer in the Viric Jungle.

==Campaign Details ==

{{GuideNeedsWork|This section needs information on the minor Campaigns.}}

===The Viscountess===
[[File:Viscountess.png|right|frameless]]
''The Viscountess teaches you warfare by fulfilling an old obligation.''

'''Unlocked with:''' Creating the Pavilion.

The rewards are set by your choice in {{IL|The Entanglement of Glass}} at the end of the campaign. 

'''Rewards:'''

*{{IL|Break the Glass}}: {{IL|Night-Whisper|3 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x}}
* {{IL|Walk away (The Entanglement of Glass)}}: {{IL|Stalemate|3 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}

===The Ophidian Gentleman===
[[File:Chap6.png|right|frameless]]
''The Ophidian Gentleman teaches you warfare by fulfilling an old obligation.''

'''Unlocked with:''' Creating the Pavilion.

The rewards are set by your choice in {{IL|The Enshrinement of Waters}} at the end of the campaign. 

'''Rewards:'''

*{{IL|Follow the Gentleman}}: {{IL|Night-Whisper|3 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}
* {{IL|Wait for the Ophidian Gentleman}}: {{IL|False Hagiotoponym|3 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x}}

===A Second City Vengence===
[[File:hieroglyph.png|right|frameless]]
''A Dreaming Priest wishes to finish a quixotic quest for vengeance.''

'''Unlocked with:''' Completion of initial tutorial Campaign.

The rewards are set by your choice in {{IL|The Palace of the Rising, Conquered}} at the end of the campaign. 

'''Rewards:'''

*{{IL|Enforce your demands}}: {{IL|Mortification of a Great Power|3 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|1 x}}
* {{IL|Suggest she join you}}: {{IL|Oneiromantic Revelation|3 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}

===Cats===
[[File:Cat.png|right|frameless]]
''The Cats wish to regain control of the Lost Palatinate, controlled by the Fingerkings since a long-ago war.''

'''Unlocked with:''' Completion of initial tutorial Campaign.

The rewards are set by the hidden quality [[The King of Cats' Petition]], which is set by your choice in {{IL|Petitioning the King of Cats}}. This also affects some actions which are available after the campaign.

'''Rewards:'''

*{{IL|Encourage the Prince to accept the King's offer}}: {{IL|Ray-Drenched Cinder|1 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|3 x}}
* {{IL|Encourage the Prince to reject the King's offer}}: {{IL|Parabolan Parable|1 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|3 x}}

If you accepted the offer, you will have access to {{IL|The Restored Palatinate}}; if not, {{IL|The Lost Palatinate}}.
{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!Palatinate
!Choice
!Requirements
!Cost
|-
| rowspan="5" |{{IL|The Restored Palatinate|Appearance=Restored}}
| rowspan="2" | Enter the Palatinate alone
|
|{{IL|Unprovenanced Artefact}}
|-
|{{IL|Lyon Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary|Appearance=Lyon}}
|{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self}}
|-
|Enter in the company of a Fingerking
|{{IL|Connected: Fingerkings|5}}
{{IL|Nightmares|0}}
|{{IL|Favours: Fingerkings|1 x}}{{IL|Nightmares|8}}

Move to {{IL|The Mirror-Marches}}
|-
|[[Enter in the company of a Storm-bird]]
|{{IL|Storm-bird}}
|{{IL|Aeolian Scream|1 x}}
|-
|[[Plant a rose-garden in the Palatinate]]
|{{IL|A Vial of Queenly Attar}}
|Trade it for {{IL|Favour: Her Roseate Splendour}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |{{IL|The Lost Palatinate|Appearance=Lost}}
| rowspan="2" | Enter the Palatinate alone
|
|{{IL|Nicatorean Relic}}
|-
|{{IL|Lyon Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary|Appearance=Lyon}}
|{{IL|Apostate's Psalm}}
|-
|Enter in the company of a Fingerking
|{{IL|Connected: Fingerkings|5}}
|{{IL|Favours: Fingerkings|1 x}}
|}
Both choices also allow access to [[The Dome of Scales, Becoming]] and the [[A Cub's Education|Cub's Education]].

===Fingerkings===
[[File:Fingerking.png|right|frameless]]
''The Fingerkings wish to recover part of the Catastrophe of Crowns, hidden within the dream of the Final Khatun.''

'''Unlocked with:''' Completion of initial tutorial Campaign.

For mechanical purposes, the only decision which matters is [[The Khatun's Dream]]; do you free part of the Catastrophe, or (temporarily) free the Khatun?

'''Rewards:'''

*{{IL|Recover the Khatun}}: {{IL|Parabolan Parable|1 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|3 x}}
*{{IL|Recover a piece of the Catastrophe of Crowns}}: {{IL|Edicts of the First City|1 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|3 x}}

This choice also sets which of two events appears in the {{IL|Viric Jungle}}:

*{{IL|The Final Khatun}}: {{IL|Royal-Blue Feather|5 x}} per action when you {{IL|Speak with the Khatun}}
*{{IL|The Catastrophe of Crowns}}: {{IL|Solacefruit|5 x}} per action when you {{IL|Sit with the Catastrophe}}

Either way, you may also {{IL|Encounter the Ophidian Gentleman}} in the jungle, with a variety of actions.

===The Chessboard===
[[File:Ruby.png|right|frameless]]
''The Appalling Socialite dreamt that her family's stolen jewels could be found in Parabola. Your Company will escort her, and her Aged Governess, in search of the jewels.''

'''Unlocked with:''' Completion of 3 tutorial Campaigns (your initial tutorial, The Cats, and The Fingerkings all count).

[[The Bloody-Handed End|This campaign's ending]] is determined by the levels of three hidden tracking qualities—{{IL|White Leaning|Image=Pawn.png}}, {{IL|Red Leaning|Image=Pawnred.png}}, and {{IL|Black Leaning|Image=Pawnblack.png}}—which are affected by choices you make after the second, third, and fourth Stages of the war. 
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''Advising the Appalling Socialite'''
!{{IL|Stage of the War|Appearance=}}
!Storylet
! Leaning
!Option
|-
! rowspan="3" | 2
| rowspan="3" |[[A Quiet Moment with the Appalling Socialite]]
|{{IL|White Leaning|x 1|Image=Pawn.png|Appearance=}}
|Abandon her quest
|-
|{{IL|Red Leaning|x 1|Image=Pawnred.png|Appearance=}}
|Continue her quest
|-
|{{IL|Black Leaning|x 1|Image=Pawnblack.png|Appearance=}}
|Seek vengeance
|-
! rowspan="3" |3
| rowspan="3" |[[The Rosy Crown]]
|{{IL|White Leaning|x 2|Image=Pawn.png|Appearance=}}
|Keep the jewels
|-
|{{IL|Red Leaning|x 2|Image=Pawnred.png|Appearance=}}
|Wear the jewels
|-
|{{IL|Black Leaning|x 2|Image=Pawnblack.png|Appearance=}}
|Destroy the jewels
|-
! rowspan="3" |4
| rowspan="3" |[[Queen of Roses]]
|{{IL|White Leaning|x 2|Image=Pawn.png|Appearance=}}
|Retain the Aged Governess
|-
|{{IL|Red Leaning|x 2|Image=Pawnred.png|Appearance=}}
| Surrender the Aged Governess
|-
|{{IL|Black Leaning|x 2|Image=Pawnblack.png|Appearance=}}

{{IL|Red Leaning|x 2|Image=Pawnred.png|Appearance=}}
|Defy the Roseate Queen
|}
'''Rewards:'''

* White, Red, or Black at 4 or higher: {{IL|Parabolan Parable|1 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}
*White, Red, and Black all 3 or less: {{IL|Waswood Almanac|1 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|1 x}}

Currently, the Almanac is available only from this and the Yourself campaign. It is needed in order to [[Break open the gate]] at {{IL|Marigold Station}} (see [[Marigold Station (Guide)|Guide]]). The ending that yields the Almanac does not change {{IL|Parabolan Dominance}}; the others set it to 4 (The Red-Handed Queen Throughout).

If you qualify for the {{IL|Red Leaning|Image=Pawnred.png}} ending, and have the {{FontFate}}-locked quality {{IL|Scarlet-Handed}} (from the Exceptional Story [[The Fair Unknown]]), you can choose to [[Make a sacrifice]] and exchange Scarlet-Handed for {{IL|Crimson-Handed}}.

Upon [[Depart for your Base-Camp|departing for your Base Camp]], your Leaning qualities will be reset, and you can play the campaign through again to get another ending. However, the ending you reached will influence the rewards available from [[An Empty House]] in Wolfstack Docks (see the [[Parabolan War (Guide)#After a Campaign|After a Campaign]] section below).

===Yourself===
[[File:Declaim2.png|right|frameless]]
''Something is amiss in the Pavilion. Troops stationed in the marsh have gone missing. Munitions requested are absent without leave. Investigation is required.''

'''Unlocked with:''' Completion of 4 tutorial Campaigns, {{IL|A True Denizen of the Neath}} (awarded upon completing your [[Ambitions (Guide)|Ambition]]), and {{IL|Mirror-Fed|7 x}}.

Upon beginning this Campaign, your {{IL|Parabolan Cavalry}} goes missing, to be regained only at the Campaign's conclusion, when you confront yourself. At this point, you will be presented with two options: [[Give your reflection what it wants]], or [[Deny Yourself]]. The former option has unique text corresponding to the specific ending of your Ambition.

'''Rewards:'''

*Give your reflection what it wants: {{IL|Concentrate of Self|1 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut|3 x}}
*Deny yourself: {{IL|Waswood Almanac|1 x}}, {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator|3 x}}

Neither ending affects {{IL|Parabolan Dominance}}.

==After a Campaign==

Certain Campaign endings alter the availability of content in Parabola, London, or elsewhere. This is mainly controlled by:

*{{IL|Stage of the War}}: The final value of this quality reflects the specific ending achieved. It remains set until you '''begin''' a new Campaign.
*{{IL|Parabolan Dominance}}: Some endings shift this quality to the side you fought for. This remains set until you '''complete''' another Campaign that alters Dominance.

{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''Parabolan Dominance'''
!{{IL|Parabolan Dominance|Appearance=}}
!Power
! Set by
|-
!1
|{{IL|Parabolan Dominance|Appearance=Fingerkings|Image=Snakehead.png}}
|[[The Khatun's Dream|Completing the Fingerkings 5-stage Campaign]]
|-
!2
|{{IL|Parabolan Dominance|Appearance=Cats in the Viric Jungle|Image=Viscountess.png}}
|[[Request a demonstration (Viscountess)|Request a demonstration]] when Dominance is 1
|-
!3
|{{IL|Parabolan Dominance|Appearance=Cats Throughout|Image=Parabolanpanther.png}}
|[[The Palatinate, Regained|Completing the Cats 5-stage Campaign]]
|-
!4
|{{IL|Parabolan Dominance|Appearance=The Red-Handed Queen|Image=Bloodhand.png}}
|Black, White or Red [[The Bloody-Handed End|endings of the Chessboard Campaign]]
|}

===Fingerkings===
Completing the 5-stage Campaign for the Fingerkings sets {{IL|Parabolan Dominance}} to 1.

Fingerkings Dominance unlocks {{IL|The Dome of Scales, Occupied}}. It remains available even if Dominance is [[Request a demonstration (Viscountess)|shifted]] to Cats in the Viric Jungle. At this version of the Dome, you can gain:

*{{IL|Incisive Observation|4–5 x}} for [[Offer the Storm-bird to Fingerkings]].
*{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self|1 x}} for [[Display yourself]], if you have a {{IL|Tatterskin Shawl}} from {{IL|Ambition: Light Fingers!}} ([[Ambition: Light Fingers (Guide)|Guide]]).
*{{IL|Favours: Fingerkings}}, which is needed to unlock The Mirrored Salon in [[Helicon House (Guide)|Helicon House]].
**Also provides with {{IL|Weasel of Social Discomfiture|Appearance=Weasels of Social Discomfiture}}, {{IL|Possessed Goldfish}}, {{IL|Forty-Nine-Voiced Warbler}}s, and {{IL|Viric Lizard}}s, which reduce Bizarre, Dreaded, and/or Respectable, useful at the Bone Market, and which can also be sold there for various Upper River items.
*{{IL|Connected: Fingerkings}}, needed to [[Plant an unsecured mirror]] in [[Khaganian Intrigue (Guide)|Khan's Heart]].
*{{IL|Shadowy}} +275 CP for {{IL|Vitreous Almanac|4 x}}, via [[Keep below the leaves]].
*{{IL|Shadowy Gains}} and {{IL|Glass Studies}}.

Depending on your ending choice during the Campaign, you can obtain the following in the {{IL|Viric Jungle}}:

*{{IL|Solacefruit|5 x}} for [[Sit with the Catastrophe]], if you chose to [[Recover a piece of the Catastrophe of Crowns]].
*{{IL|Royal-Blue Feather|5 x}} for [[Speak with the Khatun]], if you chose to [[Recover the Khatun]].

===Cats===

The 5-stage Cats Campaign sets {{IL|Parabolan Dominance}} to 3: Cats Throughout.

Cats Dominance unlocks {{IL|The Dome of Scales, Becoming}}. It provides opportunities to gain the following:

*{{IL|Extraordinary Implication|1 x}} or {{IL|Glass Gazette|1 x}}, and a one-time reward of {{IL|Salve of Righteousness|1 x}} (currently {{FontFate}}-locked), via [[A Cub's Education]] ([[A Cub's Education (Guide)|Guide]]).

This also unlocks {{IL|Feline Expeditions into Shadow}}, where you can gain:

*{{IL|Shadowy}} +275 CP for a cost of {{IL|Sighting of a Parabolan Landmark|450 x}}, via [[Prowling practice]].
*{{IL|Shadowy Gains}} and {{IL|Glass Studies}}.

Elsewhere, you can gain:

*{{IL|Wretched Mog}}, for [[Offer passage to a Wretched Mog]] in {{IL|The Waswood}}.

{{IL|The Lost Palatinate}} is unlocked if you rejected the offer of the King of Cats during the Campaign. Here you can gain: 

*{{IL|Nicatorean Relic|1 x}} for entering the Palatinate alone; or {{IL|Apostate's Psalm|1 x}}, if you have {{IL|Lyon Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary}} from {{IL|Ambition: Light Fingers!}} ([[Ambition: Light Fingers (Guide)|Guide]]).
*{{IL|Favours: Fingerkings|1 x}}, if you [[Enter in the company of a Fingerking (Lost)|Enter in the company of a Fingerking]].

{{IL|The Restored Palatinate}} is available if you accepted the King of Cats' offer. Here you can gain:

*{{IL|Unprovenanced Artefact|1 x}} for entering the Palatinate alone; or {{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self|1 x}}, if you have {{IL|Lyon Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary}} from {{IL|Ambition: Light Fingers!}} ([[Ambition: Light Fingers (Guide)|Guide]]).
*{{IL|Favour: Her Roseate Splendour|1 x}} in exchange for {{IL|A Vial of Queenly Attar}}, if you [[Plant a rose-garden in the Palatinate]].
*{{IL|Aeolian Scream|1 x}}, if you [[Enter in the company of a Storm-bird]].
*{{IL|Favours: Fingerkings|1 x}} (and an instant trip to {{IL|The Mirror-Marches}}) if you [[Enter in the company of a Fingerking (Restored)|Enter in the company of a Fingerking]].

===The Chessboard===
Winning the Chessboard Campaign sets {{IL|Parabolan Dominance}} to 4, unlocking {{IL|The Dome of Scales, Adorned with Rubies}}. Here, you can gain:

*{{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|25–32 x}} when you [[Attend a Shrouded Soirée from the Wrong Side of the Mirror]], if you have {{IL|A Member of the Order of Those Who Will Not Be Caught Red-Handed}} from [[Hallowmas (Guide)|Hallowmas]].
*{{IL|Shadowy}} +275 CP for a cost of {{IL|Glass Gazette|20 x}}, via [[The arts of indirection]].
*{{IL|Shadowy Gains}} and {{IL|Glass Studies}}.

All endings to the Chessboard Campaign unlock the storylet [[An Empty House]] in {{IL|Wolfstack Docks}}. Here, you can find out a bit more about what happened to your companions on the Campaign, and receive a small but repeatable item gift.

*{{IL|Dubious Testimony|5 x}}, with ending 300 (White Leaning)
*{{IL|Whisper-Satin Scrap|5 x}}, with ending 325 (Tied)
*{{IL|Moves in the Great Game|5 x}}, with ending 350 (Red Leaning)
*{{IL|Secluded Address|5 x}}, with leaning 375 (Black Leaning).

===Attribute Gains ===
{{HasGuide|GuidePage=Raising Attribute Caps (Guide)}}
{{IL|Parabolan Dominance}} determines which options are available to raise {{IL|Dangerous Gains}} and {{IL|Shadowy Gains}} (increasing the stat cap for these skills to 230) and {{IL|Glass Studies}} (raising the cap for Glasswork to 7).

'''Dangerous:''' With {{IL|Dangerous Gains}} 12, winning a full-length Campaign with its General (e.g., the Cats with the Principle of Heralds) awards an additional 6 Gains. At the same time, your General will receive their gifts, and the [[University Laboratory (Guide)|Laboratory]] project to upgrade them will be unlocked. You may only do this once for each General, requiring all three to be used to raise the {{IL|Dangerous}} cap to 230. 

'''Shadowy:''' With {{IL|Shadowy Gains}} 12 and Base {{IL|Shadowy}} 212, {{IL|The Dome of Scales}} contains options to raise Gains to 18, 24, and finally 30. The cost in items or Favours depends on {{IL|Parabolan Dominance}}.

{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''Raising Shadowy Gains'''
!{{IL|Shadowy Gains|Appearance=}}
!{{IL|Parabolan Dominance|Appearance=}}
! Option
!Cost
|-
! rowspan="3" |'''18'''
|1–2
|[[Observe what the Fingerkings do at Mahogany Hall]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Memory of Light|1 x}}|{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self|2 x}}|{{IL|Favours: Fingerkings|7 x}}}}
|-
| 3
|[[Join the Cats in support of the Shroud]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Blackmail Material|1 x}}|{{IL|Whisper-Satin Scrap|20 x}}}}
|-
|4
|[[Observe the Red-Handed Queen at work in Mahogany Hall]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|64 x}}|{{IL|Favours: The Great Game|3 x}}}}
|-
! rowspan="3" |'''24'''
|1–2
|[[Observe what the Fingerkings do in Varchas]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Zee-Ztory|1 x}}|{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self|2 x}}|{{IL|Favours: Fingerkings|7 x}}}}
|-
|3
|[[Join the Cats behind the mirrors of Varchas]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Blackmail Material|1 x}}|{{IL|Whisper-Satin Scrap|20 x}}}}
|-
|4
|[[Observe the Red-Handed Queen behind the mirrors of Varchas]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|64 x}}|{{IL|Favours: The Great Game|3 x}}}}
|-
! rowspan="3" |'''30'''
|1–2
|[[Visit the Fingerkings amid the roses of Caduceus]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Soul|1 x}}|{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self|2 x}}|{{IL|Favours: Fingerkings|7 x}}}}
|-
|3
|[[Join the Cats in the gardens of Caduceus]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Blackmail Material|1 x}}|{{IL|Whisper-Satin Scrap|20 x}}}}
|-
|4
|[[Observe the Red-Handed Queen moving among the rose-garden of Caduceus]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|64 x}}|{{IL|Favours: The Great Game|3 x}}}}
|}'''Glasswork:''' {{IL|Glass Studies}} can also be raised at the Dome of Scales, with different options depending on Dominance.
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table"
|+'''Raising Glass Studies'''
!{{IL|Glass Studies|Appearance=}}
!{{IL|Parabolan Dominance|Appearance=}}
!Option
!Cost
|-
! rowspan="3" |1
|1–2
|[[Be introduced to the enormous snake]]*
|{{IL|Memory of Light|50 x}}
|-
|3
|[[Be instructed in the traversal of mirrors]]
|{{IL|Baptised Rattus Faber Corpse|5 x}}
|-
|4
|[[Procure a patron in matters of Glasswork]]
|{{IL|Vienna Opening|5 x}}
|-
! rowspan="3" |2
|1–2
|[[Purchase a greater freedom of the place]]
|{{IL|Favours: Fingerkings|7 x}}
|-
|3
|[[Be instructed further in the traversal of mirrors]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Favour in High Places|1 x}}|{{IL|Baptised Rattus Faber Corpse|5 x}}}}
|-
|4
|[[Flatter your patron in matters of Glasswork]]
|{{IL|Queen Mate|1 x}}
|-
!
| colspan="3" |<small>* unless you have either {{IL|Touched by Fingerwork|Appearance=Fingerwork}} 15 or ({{FontFate}}-locked) {{IL|Promises Made to an Ophidian Gentleman:|Appearance=Promises Made to an Ophidian Gentleman}}, which have no-cost options</small>
|}

==Campaign Strategy==
To efficiently pursue Campaigns, it helps to understand the '''action types''' available at each Stage, and when it is best to use each one.

===Action Types===
Each stage has a unique set of actions available. Most actions fall into a number of common categories, although the variations are still considerable and there are exceptions. These categorisations are an attempt to map Parabola, with all of the attending caveats.

'''Progress Safely'''

These options are the slowest, but the least-risky and usually the least-costly. They are characterised by having easy skill checks (150 or lower), and generating {{IL|Advance!}} even on failure.

In the first two Stages, they have no cost above the action and produce {{IL|Advance!|1 x}}. In later stages, they cost a {{e}}2.50 item and produce {{IL|Advance!|2 x}}

'''Progress Quickly'''

These actions can potentially produce faster progress, but are more risky and costly. They have higher skill checks of 250 (reducible with Generals), and cost items worth {{e}}3 or more, which are often lost even on failure. Success produces {{IL|Advance!|3 x}}, while failure produces {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|2 x|Appearance=Ravages}}.

Some actions in this group produce {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|Appearance=Ravages}} on success instead of costing items. Actions in the final Stage cost items worth {{e}}4 and produce {{IL|Advance!|4 x}} on success.

'''Airs Options'''

As their name implies, these options depend on {{IL|Airs of the Parabolan War}} and each of them is only available 30% of the time. These actions share several features: A base difficulty of 250 (reduced by Generals), successes giving {{IL|Advance!|4 x}}, and failures giving {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|3 x|Appearance=Ravages}}.

'''Skills Options'''

These options are characterised by testing against Advanced Skills instead of the Primary Skills. They are somewhat expensive, but ''do not'' generate {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|Appearance=Ravages}} on failure. In general, the challenges have a difficulty of 5, generate {{IL|Advance!|2 x}} on success, and cost items worth {{e}}1.50 on both success and failure.

'''Morale Options'''

There is less variability among these options. Options that generate Morale are usually a {{IL|Dangerous}} challenge with difficulty of 175 which produce {{IL|Advance!|1 x}} and {{IL|Campaign Morale|1 x}} on success and {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|2 x|Appearance=Ravages}} on failure. Options that use morale exchange {{IL|Campaign Morale|5 x}} for {{IL|Advance!|5 x}} with a trivial challenge. You can only have a maximum of 16 Morale at any time.
====Action Type Comparisons====
This is a ''high-level summary'' of the different action types. Actions that cost items will be compared based on their echo cost, for convenience and easier comparison. A grinding guide should go into more detail about sourcing those items, but this is merely meant to compare whether the faster or slower approach is generally preferable.

{{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare}} can be cleared at a rate of 2 levels for 1 action and an item costing {{e}}2.50. For simplicity we shall approximate that 1 Ravages = 1 Action. When calculating the {{IL|Advance!}} per action, Ravages will be counted as increasing the Action cost, i.e. they will increase the denominator.

Early '''Safe Progress''' options gain {{IL|Advance!}} reliably at '''{{IL|Advance!|1 x}} per action''', with negligible chance of failure. Later options gain 2 {{IL|Advance!}} at the cost of 1 action and {{e}}2.50 of items. Assuming the items can be obtained at 1 per action, this gives the same rate of 1 per action. Better sources might improve this, but not significantly--if items can be obtained at an unrealistic 5.00 EPA, that would improve to 1.5 Advance per action.

Actions that use {{IL|Campaign Morale}} also have negligible chance of failure (except in London without an appropriate General). Options that '''Gain Morale''' universally spend 1 action to gain {{IL|Advance!|1 x}} and {{IL|Campaign Morale|Appearance=Morale|1 x}}, while options that '''Spend Morale''' generally spend 1 action and {{IL|Campaign Morale|Appearance=Morale|5 x}} to gain {{IL|Advance!|5 x}}. Five gain actions and one spend action will therefore generate '''{{IL|Advance!|1.67 x}} per action''', a significant improvement over Safe Progress.

Before the last stage, '''Fast Progress''' options spend items to gain {{IL|Advance!|3 x}} on success, while accruing {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|Appearance=Ravages|1 x}} and a smaller item cost on failure (1/3 to 1/2). The item cost can be incorporated as the number of actions it takes to obtain the items in question. For an item cost of ''c'' actions and a success rate of ''s'', the {{IL|Advance!}} per action is given by the formula below. The numerator is simply the average Advance per attempt. The denominator is the sum of the actions required: 1 action for the attempt, plus a ''c''-term for actions for the items consumed<ref>Because fewer items are consumed on failure, this term is more accurately represented by the expression below. Replacing this whole expression with ''c'' is pessimistic, but gets more accurate as ''s'' approaches 1. The expression assumes item costs are reduced by half on failure. <br /><math>c \times s + \frac{c}{2} \times (1 - s) = c\frac{s+1}{2}</math></ref>, plus an ''s''-term term for the actions required to clear Ravages afterwards.

<math>A = \frac{3 \times s}{1 + c + (1 - s)}</math>

The value of ''A'' in this formula is very sensitive to ''c'', and somewhat sensitive to ''s''. With unrealistically optimistic values of ''c'' = 0.5 and ''s'' = 1.00 (which requires modified stats over 340), the maximum is '''{{IL|Advance!|2.00 x}} per action'''. More realistically, an endgame-equipped player with 300 stats would have a success rate ''s'' = 72% against a base difficulty of 250, improved to ''s'' = 87% with a max-level general, giving '''1.75 to 1.88 Advance per action''', a slight improvement over Morale-based options. At these same success rates, if ''c'' is estimated at 1.00, these options give 1.40 to 1.45 Advance per Action, not as good as Morale-options. Overall, the efficiency of these options strongly depends on how you obtain the items they consume.

'''Airs-Dependent Options''' give {{IL|Advance!|4 x}} on success, and {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|1 x}} on failure. For a success chance of ''s'', the expected Advance per attempt is 4''s'', and the expected actions is the sum of 1 action for the attempt plus 1-''s'' from Ravages. The formula for Advance per Action is given below:

<math>A = \frac{4 \times s}{2 - s}</math>

Our hypothetical endgame-equipped character with a stat of 300 would gain '''{{IL|Advance!|2.25 x}} per action''' taking actions with the base difficulty of 250, and '''{{IL|Advance!|3.08}} per action''' taking actions where a General has reduced the difficulty to 205, a ''substantial'' improvement over Morale options. This calculation is ''extremely'' sensitive to ''s'', as it appears in both the numerator and denominator. 

Options using '''Advanced Skills''' do ''not'' accrue Ravages on failure, but merely cost {{e}}1.50 of materials on success or failure. As before, these items can be accounted for by the number of actions to acquire them. Treating these as worth half of an action each, they have an expected result of <math>A = (2/1.5)s</math>. Even with a 100% chance of success (which is fairly accessible), this caps out at only '''{{IL|Advance!|1.33 x}} per action''', a poor return compared to Morale-based options.

In summary, '''Morale Options''' are ''usually'' superior to other forms of making progress. Situationally, '''Airs-Dependent''' options ''can'' be better, for exceptionally well-geared players and when using a matching General.

{{reflist}}

=== Stages===
{{#lsth:Parabolan War (Guide)/Tables|Action Types by Stage}}

{{#lsth:Parabolan War (Guide)/Tables|Actions by Stage}}
===Morale ===
Morale is gained at the beginning of each campaign based on your level of {{IL|Parabolan Commander}}, with a maximum of 9 Morale, plus 1 if your ethos is aligned with whom you're campaigning for - i.e. if you have {{IL|Parabolan Cultivator}}>{{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut}} for Cats, {{IL|Parabolan Oneironaut}}>{{IL|Parabolan Cultivator}} for Fingerkings or the two qualities equal for the Chessboard. The formula for starting Morale is unknown; see the embedded table below for what's been collected. It is also gained, along with one {{IL|Advance!}}, on certain options (e.g. [[Host a hunt]], [[Hold a feast]]), but it is not possible to have more than 16 at any time. It can be traded with various options at a rate of 5 morale (and one action on a relatively easy stat roll) for 5 {{IL|Advance!}} (except when [[Along the Writhing River]], where it is 5 morale for 6 advance). Effectively, this means that with the morale options, you are spending 6 actions for 10 (or 11) {{IL|Advance!}}, assuming no failures. These options also don't cost items. However, failing them will add 2 {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare}}, which have to be removed by either spending actions and items, or waiting for [[Time, the Healer]].

If your probability of succeeding at a morale option is ''p'', then on average doing it will net you ''p'' {{IL|Advance!}}, ''p'' Morale and 2(1-''p'') Ravages, requiring 1-''p'' actions and materials worth 2(1-''p''){{e}} to clear. So accumulating 5 Morale and then spending it will on average take 5(2-''p'')+1 actions and 10(1-''p''){{e}} of materials to gain 10 (or 11) {{IL|Advance!}}. For example, if your chance of success is 100%, you'll use 6 actions for 10 (or 11) {{IL|Advance!}}, whereas a 50% chance will take about 8.5 actions and 5{{e}} for 10 (or 11) {{IL|Advance!}}.

{{:Embarking_upon_a_Campaign/Starting_Morale_(Table)}}

===Choo choo!===
If you are in the middle of a campaign when you [[convene a Board Meeting of the Great Hellbound Railway]], you may have an option to use your trains for war. This requires having built track to Balmoral, and potentially building a Spur Line depending on your choices there. This board action will automatically complete the Stage you are on (sets {{IL|Advance!}} to 24) and gives {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|8 x}}.

Depending on the number of Board members you have, deploying a train can provide {{IL|Advance!}} far more efficiently than any other option, if you discount the {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare}}. [[Time, the Healer]] reduces the latter by 10 each week and allows you to send another train, so the following strategy can be used to maximise the benefit:

#Prosecute the war using non-train methods until you possess at least {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|2 x}} (or exactly 2 if you are on the final stage) and exactly {{IL|Advance!|0 x}}.
#Begin a Board meeting (after any other Board-related preparation) and deploy a train before concluding.
#Await [[Time, the Healer]].

This may be repeated indefinitely for maximum value.

==Warplan Calculator==
Access the calculator page on its own at [[Parabolan War (Guide)/Warplan]].

{{:Parabolan War (Guide)/Warplan}}

==Reference Material==
===Campaigns===
{{GuideNeedsWork}}

===Composing a {{IL|Grand Parabolan Company}}===
{{#lsth:Parabolan War (Guide)/Tables|Company Members}}
===Rewards===
{{#lsth:Parabolan War (Guide)/Tables|Rewards}}
@@ Line 385: / Line 385: @@
 If you have accumulated any {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare}}, you will need to clear them in [[The Aftermath of a Parabolan War]] before you can begin a new Campaign. Ravages also affect narrative text elsewhere in Parabola, but they also have some mechanical effects, including the difficulty of an [[More! Further!|option]] when attending a dreamer in the Viric Jungle.
-{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
-|+ '''Clearing the Ravages of Parabolan Warfare'''
-!{{IL|War's Scars|Appearance=}}
-!Choice
-!Actions
-!Cost
-!{{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|Appearance=}} Cleared
-!{{e}}/ {{IL|Ravages of Parabolan Warfare|Appearance=}}
-|-
-|rowspan="3"|1
-| [[Bejewel the Dome of Scales]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Ostentatious Diamond|4 x}}
-|2
-|1
-|-
-|[[Repair the Dome of Scales]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Glass Gazette|1 x}}
-|2
-|1.25
-|-
-|[[Introduce new designs to the Dome]]
-|5
-|{{IL|Direful Reflection|1 x}}
-|10
-|1.25
-|-
-|rowspan="3"|2
-| [[Purify the Waswood with fresh falsehoods]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Dubious Testimony|4 x}}
-|2
-|1
-|-
-|[[Dam the Waswood with truths]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Sworn Statement|1 x}}
-|2
-|1.25
-|-
-|[[Distract the Waswood]]
-|5
-|{{IL|Antique Mystery|1 x}}
-|10
-|1.25
-|-
-|rowspan="3"|3
-|[[Regrow the Viric Jungle]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Solacefruit|4 x}}
-|2
-|1
-|-
-|[[Tend the Viric Jungle]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Touching Love Story|1 x}}
-|2
-|1.25
-|-
-|[[Flush the Viric Jungle clear]]
-|5
-|{{IL|Cellar of Wine|1 x}}
-|10
-|1.25
-|-
-|rowspan="3"|4
-| [[Bring the Chessboard to heel]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Moves in the Great Game|4 x}}
-|2
-|1
-|-
-|[[Outplay the Chessboard]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Vienna Opening|1 x}}
-|2
-|1.25
-|-
-|[[Besiege the Chessboard]]
-|5
-|{{IL|Vital Intelligence|1 x}}
-|10
-|1.25
-|-
-|rowspan="3"|5
-| [[Soothe your Laboratory's Reflection]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Ambiguous Eolith|4 x}}
-|2
-|1
-|-
-|[[Instruct your lab's new occupants]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Volume of Collated Research|1 x}}
-|2
-|1.25
-|-
-|[[Devise an experimental device to speed the clearage]]
-|5
-|{{IL|Uncanny Incunabulum|1 x}}
-|10
-|1.25
-|-
-|rowspan="3"|6
-|[[Host a party]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Bottle of Strangling Willow Absinthe|4 x}}
-|2
-|1
-|-
-|[[Restore your Base-Camp]]
-|1
-|{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self|1 x}}
-|2
-|1.25
-|-
-|[[Send for your Advisor]]
-|5
-|{{IL|Favour in High Places|1 x}}
-|10
-|1.25
-|-
-|}
 ==Campaign Details ==