~ start
Magnus: *Magnus looks up from his work, setting down his pen.*
	Questions? I charge for most information, but I give you some for free. Ask.

- Tell me about yourself => about_magnus
- What can you tell me about wasteland politics? => wasteland_politics
- Tell me about Prosperity => prosperity_question
- That's all for now
	Magnus: Back to work, then. [#end]
=> END

~ repeat_questions
Magnus: What else?
- Tell me about yourself => about_magnus
- What can you tell me about wasteland politics? => wasteland_politics
- Tell me about Prosperity => prosperity_question
- That's all for now
	Magnus: Back to work, then. [#end]
=> END

~ about_magnus
Magnus: *He leans back in his chair, considering how much to reveal.*
	I'm an information broker. Trader. Liaison between parties who prefer not to meet directly.
	*He gestures around his office.*
	Prosperity is the region's commercial hub. Makes sense to operate here.
Magnus: *His tone becomes more measured.*
	I work with Casa Roja. We're free traders - independent operators who move goods, information, and occasionally people across the wasteland.
	*A slight pause.*
	Some call us raiders. Those people are misinformed. Raiders take. We trade. There's a difference.
Magnus: *He meets your eyes.*
	The Caravan maintains neutrality. We deal with everyone - Institute, Church, Techno-shamans, Rangers. Even the Children of Eve when they have caps.
	*A knowing smile.*
	Neutrality is profitable. Taking sides limits your client base.
Magnus: *He returns to his work.*
	That's all you need to know. My business is connections. Who needs what, who has what, who's willing to pay for introductions.
	*He doesn't look up.*
	And I'm very good at my business.
- I have more questions => repeat_questions
- That's all for now
	Magnus: Back to work, then. [#end]
=> END

~ wasteland_politics
Magnus: *He sets down his pen, a calculating look in his eyes.*
	You want the truth or the version people tell themselves?
	*He doesn't wait for an answer.*
	The region has three major city-states - Twin Rocks, Aniid Kin, and us here in Prosperity. Each controls their territory, their walls, their immediate surroundings.
Magnus: *His tone becomes more analytical.*
	But city-states don't have the resources to project real power. Not yet. They're still rebuilding, still consolidating. Their influence ends at their borders.
	*He taps his desk.*
	The real power? That's the factions operating across all territories.
Magnus: *He counts on his fingers.*
	The Institute offers knowledge. The Church offers salvation. The Rangers offer protection. The Techno-shamans offer spiritual guidance.
	*A pause.*
	Notice the pattern? Each faction provides something city-states need but can't produce themselves. That's leverage.
Magnus: *He leans forward slightly.*
	Twin Rocks needs the Institute's technical expertise and the Church's theological legitimacy. Aniid Kin tolerates the Techno-shamans' influence because their spiritual practices are intertwined with the city's identity. Every settlement pays tribute to the Rangers - caps or cooperation.
	*His expression becomes cynical.*
	City-states control geography. Factions control ideology, expertise, and narrative. Which do you think matters more in the long term?
Magnus: *He gestures dismissively.*
	Then there are complications. The Institute and Church barely tolerate each other in Twin Rocks - science versus faith. The Rangers and Institute have friction after Dove Creek. Details are expensive.
	*A slight smile.*
	The Techno-shamans disagree with the Institute about CELLs - something about proper reverence versus scientific experimentation.
Magnus: *His tone becomes more pragmatic.*
	Smaller players too. Children of Eve spreading environmental messages across settlements - seem harmless, probably aren't. Raider gangs testing borders. Casa Roja moving freely because we're useful to everyone.
	*He meets your eyes.*
	My advice? Don't pick sides. The moment you declare loyalty, you make enemies of everyone else. Stay flexible. Stay useful to multiple parties.
Magnus: *He returns to his ledger.*
	Politics out here isn't about ideology. It's about resources, territory, and who controls access to both.
	*A slight smile.*
	And information. Always information.
- I have more questions => repeat_questions
- That's all for now
	Magnus: Back to work, then. [#end]
=> END

~ prosperity_question
Magnus: *He gestures toward the window, where the market sounds drift in.*
	Prosperity. The region's beating commercial heart. If you want to trade, this is where you come.
	*His tone is matter-of-fact.*
	Founded by merchants and industrialists after the collapse. They rebuilt focusing on manufacturing and commerce rather than ideology.
Magnus: *He taps his desk.*
	No single faction controls Prosperity. That's by design. The city council maintains independence through careful diplomacy and economic leverage.
	*A pause.*
	Everyone needs what Prosperity produces - manufactured goods, refined materials, trade coordination. That need keeps us autonomous.
Magnus: *His expression becomes slightly cynical.*
	Don't mistake independence for freedom, though. Everything here has a price. Labor, goods, information, loyalty - all commodities.
	*He meets your eyes.*
	The city runs on caps and contracts. If you can pay, you're welcome. If you can't, you're a resource to be exploited.
Magnus: *He leans back.*
	Twin Rocks has water and faith. Aniid Kin has spiritual tradition. The Frontier has military strength. Prosperity has markets and manufacturing.
	*A slight smile.*
	And markets are more flexible than prayers or principles. That's why this city will outlast them all.
- I have more questions => repeat_questions
- That's all for now
	Magnus: Back to work, then. [#end]
=> END