>>41269539

You sit in your Throne Room, in your capital city of Cernorion. Ralero, your faithful assistant stands by your side and, having finished his length introduction, adjusts the circlet on his forehead before holding up a large leather-bound book. “This, sire, is the ROYAL LEDGER, and represents a quick overview on all goings-on in your kingdom. I update it weekly or whenever a major event takes place. Included in it is a brief dossier on the abilities of all your AGENTS, COMMANDERS, and any HEROES you may gain lordship over as well as your PERSONAL INFORMATION.”

What would you like to do?

>A) Learn about History
>B) Talk to Ralero
>C) Reflect on your past (Determine Character History)

[Thank you for taking part in King of Men Quest. All relevant information about this Quest and your Kingdom, and there will be a lot of it, can be found here at http://www.komquest.net/ .]

[This session will be shorter than usual, and the real game will begin tomorrow. Tonight's session is to establish the setting, gauge interest, and set up the rules and backdrop to the story.]

>>41269613
>A) Learn about History

>>41269759

"Ralero, tell me about the reign of my forebears." He nods his head obligingly and begins to recall the whole story.

"Our Kingdom was created two-hundred and forty years ago by your ancestor, Cernos Vastov, called Cernos the Stormlord at that time. He grew up a poor apprentice in a distant land that no longer exists, and through his mastery of the mystic arts and his incredible force of will and personality he rapidly became a famous hero of the land. When a mighty beast, the Devouring Sin, emerged from a foul place the King of La Faresse pleaded with him to save his kingdom, which stood in the beast's path. Cernos agreed on the condition that he would get half of the King's lands to make his own kingdom. Desperate, the King agreed.

Cernos did glorious battle with the monster and eventually smote it, sending its twisting form back to the nether from whence it came. He claimed his prize and, through tales of his exploits, gathered people from far and wide to clear the land and construct his citadel, Cernorion."

He pauses the story and asks,

"Is there anyone in particular in your lineage your majesty wishes to know about, or do you wish to know more about the affairs outside of our lands?"

>A) More about Cernos
>B) More about another ancestor
>C) More about my Father
>D) More about the outside world
>E) Enough history.

>>41270055
>B) More about another ancestor

>>41270055
>C) More about my Father

>>41270055
>>C) More about my Father

Why did he suck so much at domestic relations

>>41270283
>>41270111
>>41270135

"Tell me about my Father." He nods, "Of course, sire, it's only natural since you were away during most of his reign." His face contorts in a look of confusion, perhaps struggling with how to phrase it, before beginning.

"Your father, King Arden, was not a warrior, he was in fact brought to adolescence by scholars and was taught to be a statesman and a businessman before a proper lord. His father passed while he was still young, and so his mother, your grandmother, Queen Lianne, decided to teach him to avoid conflict as that was what laid your grandfather low.

King Arden, not a month after his ascension, was confronted by several of the Counts who still technically are our fiefs, but who defy the Crown at every turn. They demanded that he cede more land, retract his tax collectors, and basically surrender his sovereignty. Well, your father wasn't much older than you are, sire, and he was unprepared for such strife. He spent months putting them off, unsure about his ability to lead an army and his ability to combat these Counts. Fate spared him, however, as the Centaurs from the south decided that now was the perfect time to launch an attack.

Not even the greedy Counts could risk their lands being overrun by those brutes so they marshaled armies and fought alongside him. Your Father hated conflict, and though he and a very young Lady Valeriya did defeat them, he was petrified at the notion of further conflict. Truthfully, it was mostly thanks to her that civil war did not break out. She conducted many operations in his lands against the Counts to keep them under control. Eventually, five or so years of this, and they reduced their demands to freedom from every tax but the yearly grand tax. And that is what has stuck for twenty years, up til this point."

He sighs, "It is a crime to speak ill of a former King," he begins cautiously, judging your reaction, "But he did not do us many favors in regards to domestic issues."

[cont]

>>41270473

"Anevski, Esmerin, and Ruston are all still outside of your control and, frankly, they are starting to rival Tamaris in size. I fear that they may seize your coronation as a moment of weakness and organize some sort of strike, but I am not the one to talk about these things with." He hefts the ledger and gives it a quick scan, "Yes, it seems that Lady Valeriya is still the Commander of the Realm, if you would like, I can summon her. But I'm not certain about your priorities, sire."

>A) Reunite the kingdom.
>B) Repair the weakened army.
>C) Increase the kingdom's commerce and economy.
>D) Ask Ralero for his insight.

>>41270530
>D) Ask Ralero for his insight.
Reuniting the kingdom should be our first priority as long as we have the support of the counts the rest should follow on naturally.

>>41270530
>>D) Ask Ralero for his insight.

>>41270530
>B) Repair the weakened army.
Can't reunite shit without a functional military.

>>41270750
>>41270756
>>41270734

"You are a student of history, Ralero," you begin and he nods politely, "Tell me, what would you do in this situation, what did the Kings of old do?" He pauses for a moment, tapping his quill against his lips before speaking,

"Sire, it is in my best opinion that we marshal the greatest force we can, as quickly as we can, and decisively and utterly lay waste to one of the rogue Count's strongholds. Humble him, dismantle his force, show him and the other Counts that you are not to be trifled with. To acquire such a force, sire, I would recommend we send word to our Khazidite allies and call upon them for the years of men that they owe us, select a great Khazidite warrior to lead them, and place all of them under the command of Lady Valeriya." You nod, seeing the logic in his words.

"Ralero," you begin, "Would it be possible to train an improved army while we assemble this force for the short term?" He sighs, "Alas, sire, much of the manuals and teachers we once possessed have fallen due to misuse. If we wish to have improved quality of soldiers we will need to spend our resources to improve the facilities again. Where would you like to begin our improvements? Also, sire, would you like to call up the Royal Guard and ride with the army?"

>Answers must include which type of unit we will improve the facilities for (Line Infantry, Heavy Infantry, Special Infantry, Archers, Special Archers, Cavalry, Special Cavalry, or Mages. We cannot get Unique units yet) and one of the following.

>A) I am a natural soldier, I will ride with them. [Receive the Knight stat increase]
>B) I am a leader, I will ride with them [Receive the Commander stat increase].
>C) I am a leader from the rear, I will not ride. [Receive the Strategist stat increase.]
>D) Magic is in my blood, I will ride. [Receive the Mage stat increase. This is hard mode.]

>>41270884
>>B) I am a leader, I will ride with them [Receive the Commander stat increase].

>>41270884
>D) Magic is in my blood, I will ride. [Receive the Mage stat increase. This is hard mode.]

>>41270884
B

>>41270884
>>B) I am a leader, I will ride with them [Receive the Commander stat increase].

>>41270884
>>D) Magic is in my blood, I will ride. [Receive the Mage stat increase. This is hard mode.]

>>41271299
I'm thinking about undead army.

>>41271098
>>41270938
>>41270898

[Still need you to pick which unit type we're going to upgrade training for. Respond to this post with your improvement suggestion.]
[Upgrade applied to Stats sheet.]

"I am a leader, and a born commander, I will lead from the front. Do as you have suggested, gather the Guard and summon Lady Valeriya here with all haste. She and I will go bring the Khazidites to muster ourselves." He nods and leaves to send your orders out as quickly as possible with the swiftest couriers.

You leave the throne room and head down to the armory where the watchman in charge bows his knee, "Hail, Your Majesty! It is an honor to serve." You wave your hand and command him rise, "Bring me my kit and call my second at arms." A few minutes pass and the familiar face of Oksana appears, her blond hair cut short as the military demanded. She bows her head in greeting as you remove your doublet and stand in only your cloth vest. Ten minutes later and you stand fully armored. She attaches your cloak to your armor and you stride with her up to the hall, Oksana quickly going outside to get your steed, where Valeriya would be brought.

The older woman bows her head and presses her hand to her breastplate, "Hail, King Valorian, honor to your name." You salute her as well and she stands at militant attention. "I have assembled with my host, as well as your Royal Guard, as ordered." You thank her and head out. Fifty horsemen, clad in radiant armor, raise their lances high into the air, your royal crest flapping in the wind.

"The King! The King! Long live the King, Valorian!" Their voices fill the courtyard and you feel a fire in your chest of pride as you climb astride the horse Oksana brought to you. Turning the horse and rearing it, just as a bit of showmanship, you call out, "We ride for Khazidor!"

[cont]

>>41271348
Do we have muskets and cannons? If not, then the rangers/light infantry.

>>41271348

Two hours of hard riding later brings you and your host to the sight of the great Kruskovi Mountain Range. Several riders appear in the distance and ride towards you. Ten of your guard and Valeriya ride out to meet them. Once a hundred paces apart one of the riders slowly approaches. His heavily bearded face and the pair of heavy hatchets on his hips identify him very clearly as Khazidite and he bows his head.

"Greetings, sir, what brings you out to our lands?" He apparently does not recognize you. You lift the visor on your helmet and hold aloft your shield with your personal coat of arms embossed over that of the family. His eyes widen slightly and he bows his head.

"I am King Valorian," you intone with as much authority as you can muster, enough it seems to draw sweat to his brow, "And I am here to collect what I am owed. Bring me to your chieftain." The man nods quickly and sets of swiftly, your host following.

Ten minutes later you arrive in front of a large patch of tents and crude shacks that are common Khazidite living quarters. From the largest of these tents emerges a fat-bellied man with a grand white beard, full of animal bones and other marks of his distinction. He bows deeply, a grand sweeping gesture, "Ah, your Highness, to what do I owe this honor?"

You dismount and your Guard immediately follow suit, taking up position on your flanks with their large shields held at the ready, swords in their scabbards for now. "I am here, Chieftain, to claim the right owed by our ancestor's promise to one another. I demand a muster of your greatest warriors, for war is on the horizon." He laughs and grins, a broad toothy grin, "I apologize, your Majesty, but we have no warriors anymore. Our feuds have ended and we have nothing but hunters. I can offer you no men."

>A) Get annoyed, Intimidate him
>B) Be calm, convince him with your Authority
>C) Be reasonable, try to play his game with Diplomacy.
>D) Ignore him, command his men with your Leadership.

>>41271380
[We do not have muskets and cannon. Crossbows are as advanced as personal ranged weaponry gets. But rangers/light infantry would be a vote for Archers. The unit types, for the record, are on the site.]

>>41271556
>>D) Ignore him, command his men with your Leadership.

Also predicate this action by saying, "Then I need your hunters."

>>41271572
What site?

>>41271556

Two hours riding or longer, because two hours riding is a bit of a ways but not very far at all maybe 30 to 50 miles depending on how hard and how good the horses are and

>B) Be calm, convince him with your Authority

>>41271572
Then I change my vote to the crossbowmen, if they aren't part of Archers.

>>41271613
[ http://www.komquest.net/ . This has all the stuff related to the quest.]

>>41271669
>>41271591
"Then, lacking warriors, I shall take your hunters." You step past him boldly and address the crowd that has now assembled. Years of leading, studying leadership, and understanding people have brought you to this point.

"Great huntsmen of Khazidor, you are the sons of warriors and brave soldiers, men who were unafraid to share in whatever struggle we undertook as our mutual well-being was assured whenever you would grant us your strength. This land belonged to my ancestor, but it is your land now, just as much as mine. Yet, strife threatens its safety. Will you not stand by my side, as our fathers stood by one-another's, and bring peace and stability to our homes?" The bearded men raise a cheer that is met with an equal cheer of your host. The Chieftain looks around, confused at his men's reactions and angered.

You look into his eyes and speak, "Chieftain, I am King of this land, and should I require it, I will ensure you fulfill your due to the crown. Now, give those men leave." His fat face grows ruddy, but he nods and waves an irritated gesture in the air, "Huntsmen, gather, bring your gear for war, we march for the King."

In a moment the camp becomes a flurry of activity as men and women gather weapons, pull on leather armor, and call for horses. You mount your steed again and Valeriya comes up beside you, "Your Highness, you know that, despite your stirring oration, these men lose any hope of coherence and command without one of their own leading them. Who shall you choose?"

You glance around the camp and think of who best to lead these hunters into battle.

>A) Make the Chieftain directly responsible, elect him as Captain, and place him under Valeriya.
>B) Find a suitable hunter in short order.
>C) Ask for a leader to step forward.
>D) Allow them to fall into chaos in battle, they almost are more effective that way.

>>41271703
[They are Archers.]

>>41271820
>>A) Make the Chieftain directly responsible, elect him as Captain, and place him under Valeriya.

Let's not step too hard on the fat sod's toes. He may be useful later.

>>41271895

"The Chieftain should do just fine for this." You ride forward and stop next to the Chieftain, who is busy yelling at people and gesturing violently. "Chieftain, a word, please." He looks up at you and nods, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly.

"I would like you to lead your men in this upcoming engagement. Your unit would be place under my General's command. Is that acceptable to you?" Eyes begin to face you as the color drains from his face before flushing back in as he fumbles with an excuse.

"Well...why-I mean-, yes, of course....sire." He says, finally realizing that should he refuse his reputation may suffer, or so it would seem. A magnificent white horse is brought forward, then quickly saddled with an ornate saddle covered in thongs of leather dangling with charms and other such items.

A young boy brings forth a sizable chest and opens it, presenting the Chieftain his embellished axes, which he straps to his hips and mounts his great steed. A few minutes pass and before long a rowdy gang of Khazidites stand astride their horses, their Chieftain in front of them. Valeriya rides forward and gives him his position in the host, directly behind her and for him to ride next to her in the position of honor. You ride at the head of the column.

Valeriya quickly rides to your side and bows, "Sire, your forces await your orders. Where shall we strike?"

>A) Anevski, home of Count Grigori. He has a reputation for being a coward, but he hides behind mighty defenses. Defeating him would be a show that not even walls can stop your rule.

>B) Esmerin, home of Count Igor. He is a savage brute and famous for his short temper and his vast army. Defeating him would send the message that no amount of the defiant could defy your orders.

>C) Ruston, home of Count Piotr. He is a cool-headed schemer and a commander who you have studied in great deal. Defeating him would let all know that no one can beat your genius.

>>41272171
>B) Esmerin, home of Count Igor. He is a savage brute and famous for his short temper and his vast army. Defeating him would send the message that no amount of the defiant could defy your orders.

>>41272171
I vote for cavalry, also I vote B, people respect strength

>>41272171
>>B) Esmerin, home of Count Igor. He is a savage brute and famous for his short temper and his vast army. Defeating him would send the message that no amount of the defiant could defy your orders.

>>41272388
Actually I vote special cavalry, we should raise a company of cataphracts, heavy cavalry trained in the sword, lance and bow, a professional unit that is known for its tactical flexibility

>>41272388
>>41272362

"We ride on Esmerin. Igor's temper is unbefitting of a man of his station." She nods and with that you and the host set out for the long ride to Baskor, his seat of power. Once you enter Esmerin lands you start to notice that people look, almost in wonderment, at the colors you carry with you, the shining Guard that ride on your flanks, and the sight of Khazidites, a sight that hasn't been seen for many years in these parts.

When night fell you gathered with the army about an hour's ride away from Baskor's outer limits. This calm pastoral area was rich with wheat and was clearly well farmed. Though Ralero wasn't with you, you could only imagine the value of the yield from this land. It would be good to have it under your control, something that hadn't been for many generations.

As you sit in pleasant thought, your plans are interrupted by a disturbance to the far side of camp. You jump to your feet and see a line of torches, a very long line of torches, moving towards your camp site. "Douse the fires, now!" You call to Valeriya who gives orders and in no time you and the army sit in darkness. The torches of what could only be Igor's soldiers draw closer with each passing minute, and your soldiers ready themselves. Valeriya speaks calmly, "Chieftain, bring your men to the east and sit in hiding. I will go west. When their army is fully stretched between us I will sound a horn and we are to set upon them."

You ride alongside the Chieftain, wanting to show some faith in him. The grain stands tall, but you can still see over it, and the torches of the many foot soldiers pass by one after another. This army of Igor's is massive, defeating them head on would be difficult, but surprise appears on your side.

A loud horn thunderously pierces the night and the Chieftain yells out to charge. The fight has begun.

[And that's the stopping point for tonight. More info in a sec]

>>41272623

[We will be beginning the Quest in earnest tomorrow night at 6 PM EST. The Quest twitter for news and updates is https://twitter.com/KingValorian

and you can always read the site
http://www.komquest.net/

for updates and the current state of the Realm. Thank you for taking part in the intro section, and I'll see you guys tomorrow.]

>>41272638

This looks pretty good, OP. Looks like you have done your homework. I'll be playing tomorrow!