>>41325172
>>A) Chase down the Raiders

>>41325172
>A) Chase down the Raiders

>>41325290
>>41325311

"Let us away. Chieftain, I have need for those trackers." He calls for them and two men come, pulling horses which they mount quickly as you and Ralero cliimb onto your steeds, and then, with your Guard, set off up the mountain pass.

A half hour into the trip you can see why they believe this mountain pass to be non-existent, the entire area looks the same. Rock walls and cliff-faces carry into one another with equal ease, and details are easy to lose. If you were placed here, you had to admit, you would be miserably lost.

The Khazidite trackers, however, guide and pull your party along as if they were walking down a well-laid path. An hour into the trip you hear the sound of foreign language, yelling, in the distance. The trackers give hold to the party and creep forward. They return a minute later and whisper, "We have found the intruders, there are two left, and they are carrying one of their comrades on a crude stretcher made of his cloak and sticks. They're completely lost, that path they're attempting leads to a sheer cliff-face."

Ralero speaks up, "Perhaps, sire, it would be possible to interrogate and capture them, as opposed to wholesale slaughter?" You lean back in the saddle to think about it. You have never interacted with the Raiders, but from what you remember of your military history, they are extremely stubborn and hateful against the Vastovan people. You are still unsure as to why.

>A) Capture them
>B) Kill them
>C) Write in (other)

>>41325496
>A) Capture them

>>41325172
Hail Your Majesty!
>>41325496
>A) Capture them

>>41325496
>A) Capture them

>>41325578
>>41325579
[Well met!]

"Excellent idea, Ralero, let's do that. Guard, bring them to me, alive." Your horsemen and the trackers go after them and you follow up behind them. The Raiders don't even offer resistance, just lowering their friend and putting their hands behind their heads, "Mercy, sire, please!" One of them speaks to you in your tongue with a great deal of fluency. "We have an injured comrade, please, treat his wounds."

Your men quickly strip them of their weapons and get rope from the trackers, quickly tying the men's wrists and legs together to prevent them from leaving or escaping before one of them looks up to you. "Milord, what should we do with the injured man? He appears to have severe wounds to the torso from axes. He has lost much blood. Should we save him?"

>A) Spare the wounded man and take him with you
>B) Let him perish

>>41325882
>A) Spare the wounded man and take him with you

>>41325882
>A) Spare the wounded man and take him with you

>>41325882
>A) Spare the wounded man and take him with you
"understand that this man's life, not merely your own, is dependent on your good behavior. So no running or surprises eh."

>>41325970
Less Canadian but basically this

>>41325970
I'm with this guy

>>41325970
>>41325942
>>41325930

"Carry him with you." The two West Raiders sigh in relief before you extend your finger, "But, remember this, that his life hangs in the balance with your behavior. Run, fight, or do anything but what I tell you, and he will be put down like the dog he is." The two men nod and your party returns back to Khazidor.

The injured man is at death's door by the time you return, and the Chieftain waddles out with a smile on his face, "Praise be to you, sire, I see you have captured these men. Shall I put them to death?" You shake your head, "No, Chieftain, that won't be necessary. To the contrary, I would like you to treat this man," you indicate towards the wounded man, "Before he passes to death."

After their capture, and your warning to them, the Raiders have remained silent. The one of them who was capable of talking to you looked serene, but his comrade, a man younger than you by the looks of him, still looks uncomfortable. The Chieftain agrees to treat the injured man, saying that he will send a courier with news of his ultimate fate, and takes his trackers back.

On the trip home the vocal raider speaks up, "Who are you? I understand that you are of great importance, but are you King?" His question is directed to you. Ralero leans close and whispers, "Sire, I would be cautious about telling them, stories have told that they can whisper to the wind and grow to the size of a house." This, you must admit, seems a bit far-fetched. If they had such power they would have used it by now.

>A) Tell him who you are
>B) Other

>>41326438
>A) Tell him who you are

>>41326438
>>A) Tell him who you are

>>41326563

"I am King Valorian Vastov, lord and master of this realm. Your trespass into my land with hostile intentions has told me that your kind are still my enemy." The man laughs, "Hostile intentions? We emerged from our hunting trip and were immediately set upon by your wild men. Of course we defended ourselves." The man's casual demeanor is insulting, but his kind have always been barbarians.

Upon your return to the capital you find a large muster of lightly armored peasants standing in front of the new stable building. Their sergeant raises his spear in salute, "Sire! May I present to you, your new levy cavalry. We stand ready to do honor to your name." You nod to him and tell Ralero to direct them to Valeriya's personal army. He speaks up,

"Sire, a word of caution. Your Followers, even as devoted as Lady Valeriya, can become too powerful. If you have no other standing army but that under her control, can give her an undue sense of superiority. A less noble personage than her could use your own armies against you. Perhaps it would do us well to assemble your own Personal Army?"

Your Honor Guard take the two prisoners to the dungeon in the bottom of the castle while you discuss this with Ralero. "And what is the implication if I were to keep the entire military under my command?" He ponders, "It would cause your Generals to feel mistrusted. Perhaps finding another General would be to your advantage?"

You nod your head, "Very well, Ralero, I command..."

>A) Find a new General, establish a Second Army
>B) Put these men in my Personal Army and add to its ranks
>C) I trust Valeriya, give her the cavalry

>>41326749
>>B) Put these men in my Personal Army and add to its ranks

>>41326749
>>B) Put these men in my Personal Army and add to its ranks

>>41326866
>>41326787

"I hereby laid down a mandate for the Royal Army to be created." You turn your steed and face the levy soldiers, "You men shall be the first added to the Royal Army, see to it that your hearts and minds are ready to do battle should I call upon you." They bow their heads and give you great thanks for the opportunity to serve. They head back to the training grounds to practice their skills and improve in service.

[Royal Army of King Valorian
Forces:
1x Levy Cavalry
1x Honor Guard]

Ralero rides with you to the castle and once your horses are put away he opens his ledger, "Sire, I have heard word that Count Pitor would like an opportunity to serve you as a General in your army. His personal forces remain quite numerous, and his skill as a commander is not to be denied." You shake your head, "I will test him more before I accept him as someone in charge of my forces."

The two of you return up to your sitting room where he takes his place at the podium and begins writing various notes and updates on the course of the day's events as well as other sundry things. As you sit there, letting your mind wander on how to proceed, you decide what to do next.

>A) With a pass through the mountains, send an exploratory force through to see the West Raider lands.
>B) Now that you have established some partnership with the Khazidite, turn your focus to the Centaur
>C) Your Personal Army is important, focus on raising and equipping forces for your use.
>D) We are stretched thin for personnel of talent, and a new week has begun, find new Followers and Agents for hire.

>>41327113
>a
>c
Can be done simultaneously

>>41327113
>A) With a pass through the mountains, send an exploratory force through to see the West Raider lands.
>C) Your Personal Army is important, focus on raising and equipping forces for your use.

>>41327113
>>A) With a pass through the mountains, send an exploratory force through to see the West Raider lands.

>>41327162
>>41327139

"Ralero," you say, interrupting his work at a decent stopping place, "I would like emphasis to be placed on the Royal Army. I want all soldiers trained this week to be placed under my banner, and for a greater quality of arms and armor to be passed to them." He nods and reviews his figures, "Very well, sire, it will take extra resources to make them more able than other soldiers, but I will execute your will."

[-5 Resources to grant the "Improved Quality Equipment" to all soldiers trained this week.]

You nod your head, "Additionally, I would like a small group to be sent through the mountain pass, lead by the Khazidites, as an exploratory force." He checks the information in his ledger, before responding, "Of course, my King, we can dispatch a few units of archers and some Khazidites to see and report." He writes down some orders and passes them to a courier.

"Sire, the Royal Army is in need of trained officers. Units are far more efficient with smaller-scale leadership, as I presume you will take the role of General. However, we lack an Officer's School, and the means to staff it or provide materiel to improve the quality of those we send there. All of our builders are busy this week with what you ordained they do this morning."

He is not wrong, your Father's lack of military drive has hurt this kingdom in more than one way. "There are a few options, of course."

"Firstly, we could place Lady Valeriya in charge of the officer training. She is an admirable field commander, but her teaching skills are excellent. Alternatively, we could employ Count Piotr in it, though I understand your lack of faith in the man. Finally, if it were to be in your interests, I could seek out an officer of repute and add him to your list of Agents in the short term, though his teachings may not coincide with our own Doctrines."

[cont]

>>41327433

You ask him about Doctrines and he quickly turns the pages of his ledger to an entry on the subject. "Doctrines, sire, represent an overall ideology of how our armies engage in combat. At present, we use the Doctrine of Combined Arms. This is the standard Doctrine of human armies where we mix archers, infantry, and cavalry with magical support to attempt to address all elements of warfare. We form a strong forward line with Line Infantry, using Heavy Infantry to surge past them once combat is engaged. Cavalry is used as a flanking force to remove their ranged elements and flank. During Sieges we employ great engines of war to destroy defenses before attacking head-on. Doctrines are extremely complicated and perfusing them through the Army becomes harder as the Army becomes larger. With our forces at their present size, a Doctrinal change can take only a few weeks. However, should our army be as large as, say, the Order's, it could take months or even years, depending on its size."

You take the information in and determine.

>A) Appoint Valeriya, the Doctrine is fine.
>B) Appoint Piotr, the Doctrine is fine.
>C) Appoint Valeriya/Piotr, but find a new Doctrine while you do so.
>D) Hire a foreigner and have him/her teach their Doctrine to our soldiers on my approval.
>E) I will deal with this later.

>>41327560
>D) Hire a foreigner and have him/her teach their Doctrine to our soldiers on my approval.

Wildcard bitches!

>>41327560
Is Piotr a marginally better commander than Valeriya

>>41327613
[He is a notably better in-field commander than Valeriya. He is about twenty years her senior and, as noted before, he has had books and instructional materials written to convey his lessons, books that you studied. She has triumphed at around ten battles, including the easy sweep at Baskor, whereas he has successfully led armies in around fifty battles and sieges.]

>>41327560
>B) Appoint Piotr, the Doctrine is fine.
In that case let's use him

>>41327560
>>B) Appoint Piotr, the Doctrine is fine.

>>41327736
>>41327687

"If he's so eager to serve, then bring him to the capital. We may not have an Officer's School, but he will personally teach the units, one at a time." Ralero sends your orders to be carried out, "He should be here in the morning, all things considered."

As the two of you settle back in to chat peacefully a messenger arrives, "Sire, I bring tidings from Brooksend." He bows and presents a bound scroll. Brooksend is a small town to the eastern side of the Kingdom, near the border of the Seelie Forest. You open the scroll and take a quick read over what it has to say.

"Sire,

I am Andrei Melnik, a human servant of yours in Brooksend. Recently, we have noticed odd noises coming from the forest. The sounds of swords and howls of beasts reach us at night and send fear up our backs. However, these such things are not uncommon. I contact you, honored Majesty, because recently a great horn, not unlike that of the hunting nobles on a fox hunt, fills the air and a great figure on a stag bursts through the treeline, followed by others similarly equipped. Boris, the guard, was unfortunate enough to be in their line of sight upon entry and they slew him with an arrow fletched with green feathers. I ask you, sire, for I have heard whispers of their return, that you come to our aid and protect us."

You dismiss the messenger and turn to Ralero, letting him hear about the nature of the event. "I cannot claim to have heard about it sire, but perhaps we can put our Sage on the case. Do you wish to send the military, or would you like to intervene personally?"

>A) Send the army, a King's job is to lead.
>B) I'll go with the army, I am General as well as King
>C) Go personally with the guard, I am the Hero this realm deserves.

>>41328121
>C) Go personally with the guard, I am the Hero this realm deserves.

>>41328121
>>B) I'll go with the army, I am General as well as King

>>41328121
>B) I'll go with the army, I am General as well as King

>>41328121
>C) Go personally with the guard, I am the Hero this realm deserves.

The wild hunt...

>>41328121
>>C) Go personally with the guard, I am the Hero this realm deserves.
Gotta let the army train

>>41328275
>>41328227
>>41328178

"Have my horse and armor readied. I will go there personally to see what this is all about." Ralero sends your orders and then speaks up, "Sire, perhaps it would not be unwise to bring one of the artifacts we recovered from Count Igor's person?" You take his suggestion into consideration before agreeing and have it retrieved from the vault.

An hour later, you and your Guard ride out, two swords on your hip, one your personal sword, and another the Sword of Foul Winds. Though you are unsure if it will react any differently in your hands, or if you need magic to use it, you bring it, just in case.

Night has long since fallen by the time you arrive in the village with fanfare. The inhabitants emerge from their homes, holding aloft lanterns, and upon seeing you and your banners kneel, "Great King, it is an honor to have you grace our humble village," one of them speaks as she comes forward. She is an older woman, nearly in her fiftieth year it seems, and haggard from a hard life, "I take it that our letter found you in good spirits." You nod your head and speak, "Tell me, have the creatures emerged from the woods again?" She nods, "Yes, sire, and this time four who took up arms against them were slain. They were carried away by the leader's men, for whatever foul purpose." She looks at your Guard, and then behind them, "Forgive my rudeness, your Majesty, but I have seen these creatures in combat, their steeds are swift and horses fear them, and their bows fire great arrows the size of your sword with unnatural speed. Are you certain that you can combat them?"

You see Ralero furiously writing in his ledger as she talks, before continuing, "I shall do what I can to end this threat. When do they usually strike?" She bows, apologetically, "Sire, they are usually upon as at the break of dawn. Their horn announces their arrival." You thank her and order the peasants back to their houses.

[cont]

>>41328548

"Men," you begin, "We are not here to kill or to wage war with the fae. If we can, we will attempt to dissuade them from attacking our peasants, and will attempt to understand their reasons for doing as they do. We will rest in the common house until dawn, remove your armor, but be prepared for the morning." They do as ordered and Ralero comes up to your side,

"Sire, what would you like to do? We have around five hours before dawn arrives."

>A) Go into the woods before-hand and talk with the Seelie
>B) Prepare the village to be a more suitable battlefield
>C) Rest and be ready for combat

>>41328627
>A

>>41328627
>>A) Go into the woods before-hand and talk with the Seelie

>>41328627
>B) Prepare the village to be a more suitable battlefield

>>41328682
>>41328649

"Then it is best I attempt to end this before it begins. Ralero, come with me." The two of you set off down the road into the forest. Your mounts become uncomfortable, shifting slightly as they walk, looking around more than usual, and shaking their heads. The air of the forest is still and cool, despite the relative warmth of the summer months. Ralero sneezes and wipes his nose before saying, "Sire, according to my understanding, you are the first King to enter the Seelie Woods in several generations." You chuckle softly and thank him for that refreshing piece of information.

Twenty minutes into your walk Ralero sneezes and wipes his nose before saying, "Sire, according to my understanding, you are the first King to enter the Seelie Woods in several generations." You chuckle softly and thank him for that refreshing piece of information.

Forty miutes into your walk, Ralero sneezes and wipes his nose before saying, "Sire, according to my understanding, you are the first King to enter the Seelie Woods in several generations." You chuckle softly and thank him for that refreshing piece of information.

An hour later, Ralero sneezes and this time you stop and say, "To your understanding, I'm the first King to enter the Seelie Woods in several generations, correct?" He leans back, astonished, "Yes, sire, that is exactly what I was going to say." You nod and your horse paces back and forth slightly, "I know....I feel like we've not gone anywhere. Don't you recall saying the same thing? And do not these woods look familiar?" Your servant looks around and nods, "I must admit, sire, I have seen these exact trees since we entered."

You dismount and as soon as you touch the path you feel immediately nauseated, a sensation tugging at your stomach. "Sire!" Ralero calls out as he jumps down after you, before himself doubling over and outright vomiting. You close your eyes to steady yourself before, suddenly....

[cont]

>>41328841

The warm summer air returns around you, wrapping you up like a blanket. You force your eyes open and look up to see the two of you standing in front of a beautiful and impossible building. A tall structure that appears to be made of beautifully wound roots and branches, with a massive leaf for a door, towers ahead. "Ralero, look." The smaller man spits on the ground and stands back up, then steps back in surprise. Both horses have vanished from sight and the path has completely changed.

Flanking the door are two tall and thin males. Their faces are slight and alien, with leaf-like protrusions where the corner of their eyes would be appear twitching slightly as you take notice of them. "Welcome to the Castle of the Seelie Court, Human. Do you seek an audience with King Oberon?" You compose yourself, drawing tall, you stand a good head shorter than these beings, "Yes, I would speak to King Oberon." They nod and indicate to your hip, "Your blades must remain with us, mortal. Such creations are not welcome in the Summer Realm." Seeing that you have no option but to listen to them, you surrender your swords and, though they keep away from your armor, you know it would also be taken away if they could.

You and Ralero are taken inside to a massive lotus-like sitting room. Your feet sink in and then slightly bounce off the floral ground as you walk towards the two thrones in the center of the room. A wizened male figure sits in a throne alongside and elderly woman. The two of them wave their hands, "And who is this mortal who so boldly seeks out the Summer Realm of Oberon?"

>A) Kneel and present yourself
>B) Stand and address them as equals
>C) Other

>>41328972
>>B) Stand and address them as equals
Kings don't kneel

>>41328972
>>B) Stand and address them as equals

>>41328972
>B) Stand and address them as equals

>>41329038
>>41329036
>>41329030

You extend your right arm and bow your head, just a small incline of courtesy, "I am King Valorian Vastov, of the Kingdom of Vastov. I have need of your attention, oh King and Queen." They sit up a bit more in their chair at your title as the Queen leans forward, "Truly? A Human King? From Vastov? And here I had thought that your line had ended." She chuckles with her raspy voice as the King settles back in his chair, "Are you the son of Cernos? I have not had counsel with him for many years now, what is become of your father?" You gather your brow in confusion.

"King Oberon, Cernos is my ancestor of many generations past, that was nearly two hundred years ago. I am many children his descendant." The King lets out a knowing sigh, "Ah, yes, of course you are. Well, King Valorian, to what do we owe this pleasure of your arrival?"

You explain, "Recently, a rider and his men have emerged from your woods and have slain my subjects in their homes. I wish to end this needless hostility and..." as you speak, you feel something odd, a sudden coldness as a spectral image appears in front of you. The man is tall and wears a sharply pointed goatee. He is dressed in rich silvered robes and carries a long staff. "...and understand what I could do to bring our two nations closer together." The man's voice is deep and authoritative, and as soon as he finishes speaking he vanishes, leaving you speechless.

King Oberon nods, seeming to not notice the sudden phantom, though hearing its words, "Of course, oh Human King, you must forgive the Wild Prince, for he allows his passion for the hunt to exceed his wisdom. I will give him word to no longer have your people be his prey. Is there anything else we can do for you?"

>A) Write in a question
>B) Leave

>>41329210
>A) Write in a question
It is rare indeed for our people to speak, and it would be a shame for it to be another 2 centuries before you speak to one of our monarchs. Is there anything that could be done to bring our two nations closer together?

>>41329210
>>B) Leave

>>41329210
>>B) Leave

>>41329381
I'll back this.

>>41329549
>>41329474
>>41329516
>>41329381

(First post wins in a tie)

"It has been many years since we have contacted one another, King Oberon, and it would be a true shame for such a thing to happen again. Could, perhaps, we enjoy a closer relationship? We have coincided largely peacefully for many years, but I would like to reach an understanding with your people." The King laughs, his Queen joining in, before he gestures, "Certainly, certainly, King Valorian. Come, let us talk and walk." He stands up, nearly eight feet tall with a beard that reaches the ground, and walks over to you. His steps are as light as could be, and it seems that a stiff wind would blow away the frail old man. The Queen rises and walks alongside Ralero, speaking to him politely as the two of you lead the way.

You head to the back of the flower, which leads far back into the rear of the castle. "We Seelie maintain a philosophy of understanding the world around us. That, and of course, seclusion. We ward our forests with enchantments to keep us safe from invaders, and study the natural world and the art of magic. Cernos, for his youth, was an admirable sorcerer, and while your people recognized him as an Archmage, he was still untrained in the Great Artes." You nod, "What is this Great Arte of which you speak?" The old fae looks down at you and smiles faintly, "Why, it is the foundation of mystical understanding."

The four of you reach a droplet of water and enter it. Your garments remain dry and the droplet falls into a great pool of water. Though the droplet bursts upon the surface your feet hit it solidly as if it were made of stone. "You see, King Valorian, our people used to war with others, abducting humans and turning them into squirrels or other such foolery. However, we have turned our focus, instead to comprehension. Behold, the pride of our land."

[cont]

>>41329643

You stand with the others atop a cliff-face and glance down into another radiant pool of water. The light of the moon dances across its silvered surface and around it stand four fae who raise their hands in unison. Green energy flows around their fingers, coursing and twisting like vines growing at amazing speed, reaching their chest and soon enveloping their bodies. A figure lifts from the pool and gasps before collapsing onto the now solid water. The figure stands and is greeted warmly by the other fae. You look at Oberon questioningly.

"We have defied death and her cold grasp with our sorcery. This pool, the Doleful Pond, is able to return life to those who have passed. It is truly the pinnacle of Artestry." You nod and Ralero looks down with wonderment, "Truly, fascinating, your Majesties." The Queen smiles, "Of course, such a feat takes many decades of study."

The King turns to face you, "I believe, King Valorian, that you have been sent to us as an act of providence. We have a duty to share our gifts and learning with the world. I am certain that a land founded by the Human Cernos is teeming with mystical understanding, that we could study in exchange for a service. What do you wish of us, King Valorian, for such a trade?"

>A) Teach my Battle Mages in exchange for studying our magic
>B) Help me found a Mage's Guild in exchange for studying our magic.
>C) We do not have that much magical knowledge, I'm sorry.

>>41329799
>>C) We do not have that much magical knowledge, I'm sorry.
I have just begun my reign after a great period of decline and infighting. Already I have unified the realm and founded a mages guild to further knowledge of the arcane arts. I have little to offer you, but I am eager to hear what the price would be for your aid in advancing our knowledge

>>41329871
I'll back this.

>>41329799
>B) Help me found a Mage's Guild in exchange for studying our magic.

>>41329799
>>C) We do not have that much magical knowledge, I'm sorry.
Sadly we have lost that knowledge

>>41329905
>>41329871

"Sadly, the Kingdom has suffered much from infighting and decline, however, I am doing all that I can to restore the arcane arts to our lands. I do not offer you much in the way of arcane understanding, but would be willing to hear your price for assistance." The elderly King strokes his beard and smiles, "Magic, King Valorian, is a gift to be shared with the world. Please, allow us to help you establish a greater magical tradition as a show of good faith. I am not unaware of the Seelie Court's repute, and I would like to offer you this gift in return for the lives of your men we have taken." You thank him repeatedly and shake hands to seal the deal. "I will send three of my foremost instructors to help educate your Mages by the week's end."

The rest of your visit is spent lightly talking before you politely make your way out of the palace. You are given your arms again and, at the guard's behest, step through a tree trunk with Ralero and return to the road.

The nausea fades and when you mount, not a minute passes before a horn's sound blasts through the forest, shaking your bones to their core. A thunder of hooves fills the air and suddenly a fae astride a stag, the both of them adorned with great antlers, followed by other fae who merely have the stubs of small horns, follow. He pauses not fifty paces from you and calls out. "Hail, and well met, mortal. You are in the presence of the Wild Prince, and I would have you bow before his greatness."

You draw yourself up and speak, "I do not believe it is custom for a King to bow before a Prince." This utterly bold statement escapes your lips without your bidding and Ralero looks at you as if you have taken leave of your senses.

The Wild Prince strides forward and, when he is nearly in front of you, at which time you can see his towering size and musculature, he laughs and bows, his stag mirroring his bow. Those behind him bow as well, their steeds touching their antlers to the road.

[cont]

>>41330131

"Forgive me, mortal King, I did not mean you any disrespect." You nod and say that it is forgiven. As he speaks, however, you see something come over his eyes, which were simply blue as the open sky but become a bright green as he speaks. "I...shall, let you...." The fae struggles to speak, but as he does, a vine crawls up his throat and twists around his tongue.

"Sire..." Ralero begins as the same green-eyed condition appears to possess the Prince and his men. "Perhaps we had best take our leave," he urges and turns his horse away. You put your hand on your sword's handle.

>A) Stab the Prince while he's vulnerable
>B) Run
>C) Talk to him

>>41330199
>>C) Talk to him
Wild Prince! Are you alright? Keep up this posting speed man this is good

>>41330199
>C) Talk to him

>>41330199
>C) Talk to him

>>41330312
>>41330270

You hold up your hand and order Ralero to stop, "Your Higness?" You ask the Wild Prince as he twists on the beast's back and his face suddenly becomes blank, free of the pained expression it once held as he quickly lifts his bow and draws one of his massive arrows. When he speaks it is a voice that is not his own, "The hunt begins, my brothers, the prey has presented itself to us! I shall have the first kill!" He appears to be done with conversation.

As he pulls the bow you raise your sword, desperately, and swing away the arrow. Incredibly, the arrow meets the sword, but as soon as it comes into contact, your sword withers to rust and then blows away in the wind. You toss away the handle, leaving only the magical sword in your possession.

"Run, King!" Ralero urges you again, as the Prince begins to pull his bow. He is near enough that you could engage him in melee, if you want, or at least cut his bow-string.

>A) Cut his bowstring (Physical + Swordsmanship Test requires 5 Successes)
>B) Run away
>C) Write in

>>41330448
>A) Cut his bowstring (Physical + Swordsmanship Test requires 5 Successes)

>>41330484
[Roll 7d10, with any results of 6 or lower counting as a success. A result of 1 counts as 2 successes. You get +2 successes automatically, from your Swordsmanship training]

Rolled 7, 7, 5, 4, 10, 7, 9 = 49 (7d10)

>>41330501

Rolled 1, 1, 3, 7, 1, 7, 7 = 27 (7d10)

>>41330501
well here we go.

>>41330520
in any other game this would be good.

>>41330520
>>41330520
.... Normally this would be a great roll

Rolled 4, 4, 8, 1, 2, 3, 1 = 23 (7d10)

>>41330501

>>41330541
>>41330538
[But in this case 0538 destroyed it. 9 successes over 5]

You whip your sword out and slice his bowstring in an instant. As you do so, your stomach begins to heat up as if the sun were shining right on it, and a blast of wind rolls out, throwing the other fae off their steeds and ripping the Prince's spear from his back, impaling it into a tree.

"Wild Prince, I demand you stop this aggression!" The green quickly fades from his eyes and he coughs, spitting out a leaf. The fae slowly clamber to their feet and return to their mounts.

The Prince shakes his head, "Forgive me sire...I am sorry." He starts to speak again, but as he does so your vision becomes hazy. You can feel the heat in your stomach grow in intensity before, suddenly, it goes out completely and you fall backwards off your horse. Yet you never hit the ground.

Your vision clears, feet on the ground now, as you take a step forward, staggered from the experience. "I've had quite enough of this fae trickery!" You roar out, alone in a dark grove, surrounded by thorny brambles. Your sword is still in hand and you clench it tighter than ever as you look around. A voice rolls out from the dark, smooth and rich like a fine wine.

"What a shame, mortal King, to be so short-tempered." From the depths of the darkness a figure steps. She is tall, nearly your height, and dressed in a daring purple dress with long cuts up the sides. She bears the same leaf-like features near her eyes, but unlike the fae you've met before, hers are sharp and withered leaves, like leaves in the fall.

"Who are you, mortal King?" She intones softly as she walks towards you. You hold your sword readily at your side. "That blade dances in your hands quite well, but you are not of the Tyranny, nor of La Faresse....Where are you from?"

>A) Tell her your name and origin
>B) Do not give such vital information to a fae.
>C) Demand hers first

>>41330694
>>C) Demand hers first
I am a King. You might know more when you introduce yourself, as courtesy would dictate.

I feel like giving a fae out name could be bad for magic reasons

>>41330694
>>A) Tell her your name and origin

>>41330694
>C) Demand hers first

>>41330766
It is it really, really is.

>>41330882
>>41330766

"I am a King, and I would have yours first, should you wish for mine." The fae smiles sweetly and laughs, a sound which rings throughout the thorny grove, "Very well, Mortal King, if we should have such courtesies, I will give you my title as well. I am the Witch."

The Witch walks towards you, getting within fifteen paces of you, "How did you defy the Wild Prince? Simply a title granted by mortal men is not enough. In these woods one must always obey their Fate. Yet, you defied your place in it. How?" Her voice is touched with eagerness as she speaks. You can see her eyes are purple like her dress, and her features are fair and composed.

"I do not understand, my fate is my own to make." You say boldly as she sighs, "Ah...." she trails off, "So it is because you are human, you claim. I understand. Yet I do not. For other humans have met their Fate in these woods." She looks away and waves towards you, "Please, there is no need for that sword, I will not harm you, that I swear."

Something about her words let you know that she will not break her word, and you put the sword away. The Witch sits, a throne of twisted thorny limbs appearing to support her. "Please, Mortal King, sit." A stool of, thankfully, non-thorned vines appears. "What brings you to our woods?"

>A) Tell her your involvement with the Wild Prince and the King and Queen
>B) Tell her nothing
>C) Ask her a question instead

>>41330956
>>A) Tell her your involvement with the Wild Prince and the King and Queen

>>41330956
>>A) Tell her your involvement with the Wild Prince and the King and Queen

>>41331012

"I came here in these woods to bring an end to the Wild Prince's slaughter of my people. To that end, I met with the Seelie King and Queen." At your mention of them she snarls, her purple eyes becoming red, "Those old fools! I will be their undoing!" She leans back, as if burned and covers her mouth, her eyes returning to normal, "Forgive me, Mortal King, such things are...difficult to control." You nod, more than a little lost by her outbursts.

"Tell me," she starts a new, with light in her eyes, "Would you care for some food or drink?" She gestures and a table with a goblet of wine and a plate of fruits appears next to you. "This, I offer you. After all, you have been in these woods for several days."

>A) No thank you
>B) Eat
>C) Several days? I must leave

>>41331214
>A) No thank you

Partake of no food from the fae!

>>41331214
>>A) No thank you
NEVER EAT FAE FOOD OR DRINK

>>41331214
>A) No thank you
Not about to get Persephoned

>>41331252
>>41331239

You smile and nod, though as she mentions your time in these woods your stomach burns with hunger and your throat aches with thirst, "No, thank you, Witch." She nods, but a small smile turns at her lips as she lowers the food and it vanishes back into the ground.

"You are more than a simple man, Mortal King. Your wisdom exceeds your years, and I feel that our Fates are somehow united." She gestures again and a small table rises, this time bearing a wooden whistle, "I offer this to you, not as a gift, but as tribute and thanks for your service to me." You accept the gift, more than a little leery at the prospect, and when you do she tells you, "This whistle will allow you to navigate our woods and always find your way home, or to where you seek. Simply blow the whistle and the road will show your way."

You put the whistle, complete with a tether, around your neck and she nods, "Until we meet again, Mortal King." She snaps and suddenly you are mounted again, Ralero at your side, and the forest behind you. "Sire?" Ralero says as he snaps his fingers, "Are you well? I understand you are weary, dear King, our journey proved ultimately fruitless and we wandered in those damnable woods for days...let us return to the village. I am certain your Guard are very concerned for our extended absence."

He appears to remember nothing of what has come to pass. Your mind feels heavy and fuzzy, what DID come to pass?

>A) Tell him what you remember
>B) Have him write down what you remember
>C) No need, you won't forget it.

>>41331389
>B) Have him write down what you remember
What we record will be of import not just to us, but our descendants when we are graced with them.

This is not the first, nor the last time a king will have need of talking to the Fae.

>>41331389
>>C) No need, you won't forget it.

>>41331389
B
Cmon Nordstrom net don't fail me now

>>41331389
>B) Have him write down what you remember
Tell him to keep the document from prying eyes, its more for our descendants, and us incase we forget like Ralero. When he calls us crazy we'll tell him just to wait until those promised magic teachers show up, and ask him if he can remember us acquiring this whistle.

>>41331389
>B) Have him write down what you remember

>>41331634
>>41331599
>>41331461

"Ralero, do not question the nature of what I tell you, simply write it as I describe it." He nods and immediately produces his ledger.

A few minutes later he finishes it and asks, as you ride to the village, "Sire, did these things truly occur?" You smile and laughs, "Ralero, I am not so sure myself, yet I have you do this because I feel its weight of importance."

~Dawn of Fourthday~

You arrive in the village and are immediately surrounded by your Honor Guard. "Glorious King!? You are alive! We had thought you dead and were preparing to dare the forest for you." The leader of your Guard voices his thoughts with relief and hastily passes you a waterskin which you drink from thankfully and then give to Ralero. "There is no cause for alarm, I am well."

You wipe a bit of water that ran down your chin and as you do so feel a small object hanging around your neck. Curiously, you investigate it and hold up a small necklace, a piece of crystal that, suspended inside, holds a crude whistle. "How odd." You say to yourself before shrugging it off and ordering for food and more drink.

You return to the capital and arrive by the afternoon. Ralero spends the time immediately after your return running around and talking to his agents around the castle. You go up to your chambers and wash your face and hands, as they are covered in dirt and sap. After this, you put your whistle in a curio and store it on a table.

You collapse onto the bed, exhausted from the journey, and swearing that you will never visit the fae again, if you can avoid it.

~Fifthday~

"Sire, most joyous news!" You groan at the cheery voice of Ralero and sit up. He gestures outside of your room, "Overnight, I am told, a building grew from the ground, like a sapling into a tree. By morning it became a fully stocked and equipped Mage's Guild. We are sending students there as we speak! This is truly a miracle, perhaps the gods themselves have favored us."

[cont]

>>41331843

Visible from the castle itself you can see a building that definitely wasn't there last night. A squat little building with budding sprouts on its corners sits as if it belonged there. People are gathered all around it and look at it with awe and wonderment.

"I believe this is the work of the fae, and it proves the truth of my story." You assert and Ralero nods, "Of course, sire, as you say." He says, but seems slightly contrarian about it. Still, you let it pass. A new Mage's Guild, full of books and tomes for your Mages to study, and what appears to be a well contained back area for them to practice. This will be extremely useful, as up to now you only had battle mages available.

"The students are asking for direction on what to study, sire. Any particular demands?"

>A) Have them study whatever
>B) Have them study portal magic
>C) Have them study construction magic
>D) Have them study healing magic
>E) Suggest others

>>41331935
>D) Have them study healing magic
Then they can learn as they see fit i think, having a wide range will be useful.

>>41331935
>>D) Have them study healing magic

>>41331935
D
Alwayse healing magic.

>>41331935
>D) Have them study healing magic

>>41332034
>>41331994
>>41331981

"Have them study healing magic. This will aid us greatly in our war efforts. As well as help us at home." He nods and sends a missive carrying your will. "Ah, this is interesting, a message from the exploratory force through the mountains, sire." He hands you a document which you tear open and quickly read.

"Sire:

Our entry into the Raider's lands was free of conflict, though I could not shake the feeling that we were followed or watched. I have included a rough map and estimate of the enemy presence directly below the mountain. To summarize, their armies are armed and armored well, but their discipline is lacking. They seem to rely on a system of strength begetting rulership, and it would be easy to take advantage of their disorganization. However, the opening on their side of the mountain is well guarded as they have lost many men to these mountains and assume that it is our doing.

-Sergeant Oleg"

You take the information in. "So, sire, what is your whim? Shall we marshal for combat?"

>A) Wait til the new soldiers are ready to make a move.
>B) Try to find a new way through the mountains
>C) Other

>>41332266
>>A) Wait til the new soldiers are ready to make a move.
We need to wait

>>41332266
A

But have men posted to keep an eye on the opening with fast horses.

>>41332266
>A) Wait til the new soldiers are ready to make a move.

>>41332266
>A) Wait til the new soldiers are ready to make a move.

>>41332266
>A) Wait til the new soldiers are ready to make a move.
Contact Mavens?

>>41332266
>>A) Wait til the new soldiers are ready to make a move.

>>41332520
>>41332387
>>41332305

"I want a watch placed there who are able to alert us rapidly in case of danger. However, I do not want to advance against them until the next group of soldiers are raised." Ralero nods and raises his notes to continue, "Catherine Russovi has returned early saying that the iron trade with La Faresse was fast-tracked thanks to no small amount of influence from the Queen herself. I took the liberty of giving her some rest. Carts should be arriving in Amaar today. Count Piotr has also requested that his smithy be turned into the National Foundry. Such a decision would increase their output significantly, but would cost us a few resources to convert it before the week is over."

You nod and then ask, "What of the Mavens of War? Could we attempt to find them and seek their assistance?" Ralero nods, "Of course, sire, I will organize a group to do it, unless you wish to do it yourself?"

>A) Convert Amaar's Blacksmith's Guild to National Foundry [-10 Resources], Find Mavens Personally
>B) Do not Convert the Guild, Find Mavens Personally
>C) Convert the Guild, send a team to find the Mavens
>D) Do not convert the Guild, Send a team to find the Mavens.

>>41332682
A

>>41332682
>A) Convert Amaar's Blacksmith's Guild to National Foundry [-10 Resources], Find Mavens Personally

>>41332682
>>C) Convert the Guild, send a team to find the Mavens
We don't need to do every thing our self

>>41332682
>>C) Convert the Guild, send a team to find the Mavens

>>41332682
>>C) Convert the Guild, send a team to find the Mavens

>>41332682
>A) Convert Amaar's Blacksmith's Guild to National Foundry [-10 Resources], Find Mavens Personally
this is after all a diplomatic mission we lead from the front these are amazons so it shall only gain a measure of respect

>>41332682
>A) Convert Amaar's Blacksmith's Guild to National Foundry [-10 Resources], Find Mavens Personally
Something tells me sending mooks could flub the whole thing.

>>41333065
>>41332945
>>41332744
>>41332717

"Piotr possesses quite a few opinions doesn't he? Very well, I'll indulge him again." You say and Ralero notes it, "Convert the smiths to the National Foundry. I want those Mavens found, immediately, bring me Sergeant Oleg, I will go find them myself." He nods and sends a messenger to gather the Honor Guard. A few hours later you stand in the increasingly familiar Khazidite village. The Chieftain approaches, "Most radiant King," he says with a rich bow, "I am pleased that our cooperation is such that you are welcome to my village." You are not sure if he's making a comment or paying a compliment, regardless, you nod and dismount.

After the now-traditional embrace he pulls you aside, "My King, I have heard that you are rebuilding the lodge my men stayed within at times past in your capital city. This does my heart very proud. I must say, you are well on your way to becoming a dear friend as well as Lord of my people. My men, sire, they fight with their hearts and axes fully for you, but they can only respect a Khazidite leader. I have a proposition for you, should you be willing to hear it?"

>A) Hear his proposal
>B) Put him off until you return

>>41333137
>A) Hear his proposal

>>41333137
>A) Hear his proposal

>>41333137
>>A) Hear his proposal

Let him know though that we have business with the Maven's and his proposal might have to wait depending on time constrants

>>41333137
>>A) Hear his proposal
Ib4 Marrying his daughter

File: Aditya.jpg (506 KB, 670x937)

506 KB JPG

>>41333199
>>41333190

"Certainly, Chieftain." He smiles and puts his arm around your shoulder, "Sire, please, call me Bohdan, for it is the name given to me by my father." You nod and remember his name.

You are taken to a circular hut with a hole in the roof. A sheet of dark leather separates the inside from the outside and he pushes it aside, "Aditya, we have a distinguished guest." The young woman sitting in the center of the room, grinding a mortar into a pestle containing something stands and bows. She is not unwelcome to see.

"Please, tell the King of the Bond of Brotherhood." He says and crosses his arm across his jovial belly. She nods and raises her hands, a flash of white smoke filling the room as a scroll made from flesh of some type appears, and she speaks in a soft voice,

"The Khazidite originate from across the seas and were founded by two members of the tribe once called the Zakmir, a man named Zukov and his friend Olatvy. They were promised to one another's lives, Zukov as ruler and Olatvy as his servant. Yet, Olatvy wished the throne, and as they settled in this land he began stirring dissent. A man from a nearby village, a native of this land of Vastov, heard of this plot and, having met Zukov, warned him of the danger. No sooner did Zukov hear of it than the trap was sprung. Traitors poured in from all sides and attempted to slay Zukov. This villagers, a man named Khazad, took up his hatchets and sought to defend Zukov. Yet, he failed to spare him the mortal wound that would ultimately slay him, though all the traitors were, themselves, laid low."

She gestures again, the scroll vanishing as the smoke took the shape of a wounded man on his back and a man kneeling beside him. "Zukov, on his dying breaths, offered his blood to Khazad and gave him leadership of the tribe. The leadership was passed to Khazad who slew the treacherous Olatvy and was hailed as a hero. So the tribe took his name, Khazad, and named the land after him."

[cont]

>>41333137
>A) Hear his proposal

>>41333503

The smoke dances off through the roof as she extends her hands, two axes made of smoke appearing in them. "Years later, Khazad died in battle and his axes were lost. Ever since then, the Chieftain has offered those whom he finds worthy to become part of our family, our tribe, so long as they promise to return to us the Axes of Khazad, so as to restore our tribal heirloom to its rightful place." The smoke axes vanish and she sits down, clearly exhausted from her story. Bohdan walks forward,

"So, this do I offer you, good King. Exchange blood with me, take the Bond of Brotherhood, and swear to return the Axes of Khazad to us, if you can. Join us in our unending quest, and my men will follow you as they follow me."

>A) Accept the Bond
>B) Refuse it

>>41333597
A

>>41333597
>A) Accept the Bond

Nothing can go wrong.

>>41333597
>>A) Accept the Bond

>>41333597
>A) Accept the Bond

But do it with pomp and ceremony at the opening of the Lodge in the capital.

>>41333647
>>41333765

"Of course, Bohdan, I agree." He claps his hands, "Wonderful! Aditya, please, the knife!" You hold your hand up to stop her, "However, I would like to give proper respect to this ceremony. Let us do this on the Newday, at the repaired Lodge in front of all as a show of good faith and acceptance." The large man grins even more as he nods, "What a wonderful idea, sire!" Aditya gives a small smile at your gesture of kindness as you leave the tent. "A moment, please, my King."

You turn and face Bohdan again who whispers, "I must be so rude as to request a favor. My daughter, sire, she is plagued by visions and exhaustion from her gift. Can you please allow her into your schools for those with her talents?" You nod, putting your best smile on, "Of course, my friend, I will be happy to. Send her to the capital and she may train at the Mage's Guild." He nods and offers, "However, I do not expect this freely, she will be able to serve you with talents and knowledge. If you wish it."

>A) Accept Aditya the Shaman as a Follower
>B) There is no need for her to work for me, she may just attend school

>>41334034
>>A) Accept Aditya the Shaman as a Follower

>>41334034
>A) Accept Aditya the Shaman as a Follower

I need skilled subjects that I can trust, and there are few in this realm I trust more than you, Bohdan. I graciously accept your offer.

>>41334034
>A) Accept Aditya the Shaman as a Follower

>>41334034
>>A) Accept Aditya the Shaman as a Follower
But of her own will ask her if she will accept working for us.

>>41334139
>>41334160
>>41334048

[Follower Aditya the Shaman gained]

"I would be honored by her service." He clasps your shoulder in thanks and departs, sending his scouts to your orders. In short order you and your Guard ride up the mountain pass. Several fruitless hours of wandering later have left you and your men exhausted. The scouts sit on rocks near you as they drink from their waterskins. Your men roll their shoulders and stretch, as comfortable they are in their armor, such a time of stillness can put stress on them. Ralero looks around, "Sire, I must admit that this journey is becoming difficult." You agree with him and look at the scouts and ask them,

"What do you feel about our travel?" One of them smiles, missing many of his teeth from fighting it seems, "Ah, sire, this is a hard walk to be sure, but I can tell you." He gets up and you lean down to hear him, "We're being watched. There is a woman, behind and left of you, that is up on the ridge there. She thinks she is invisible, but Latvy and I have been aware of her for an hour or so. We're getting closer, she is getting more panicked as we walk. Mayhaps another hour or so and we'll be on the way."

You nod and give the order for everyone to move out.

An hour and ten minutes later you find a huge upwards ramp that winds around the mountain. "This way, lads!" Latvy says as he points up the hill. A whistling noise fills the air and you raise your shield automatically. An arrow hits firmly into the shield. One of your Honor Guard yells out, "We're under fire!" In a quick commotion, your Guard surge around you, holding their shields high and moving your horse towards the shade of the mountain. The scouts are pulling out smaller axes and throwing them up towards the attackers, but after the first volley of arrows there is no second one. Your guards move away from you and the scouts laughs, "Perhaps it was just a warning, sire."

>A) Push on
>B) They don't want to be bothered, let's go.

>>41334324
>A) Push on

I'm going to regret this but my curiosity is killing me.

>>41334324
>>A) Push on
Onward into the breach

File: Maven.jpg (43 KB, 500x668)

43 KB JPG

>>41334434
>>41334386

"We have come this far, we will not be turned away. Forward!" The scouts surge ahead, this time holding their throwing axes in preparation for any conflict. Your horsemen ride quickly with you, now forming a box around you and Ralero who holds his quill and ledger close, perhaps to use a shield should he need it.

The trail is lengthy, but you are unopposed any further up the hill until you find a tall and ominous looking chapel. Outside of it you see a large gathering of heavily armored figures wielding dangerous and businesslike weapons. At the front of them stands a blond woman with a circlet and a fierce look on her face. She carries a large mace that has the head planted into the ground. She frowns and calls out,

"You are not welcome in this land, outsiders. Step even a foot closer and we will set upon you with a vigor. Turn and never return and we shall spare you." The woman declares loudly. Your guard shift and hold their lances tighter, "Sire, we can overrun them if it necessary." One of them whispers to you, but you hold your hand up and order them at ease. You part the men and ride up the indicated point of acceptable distance as you speak.

>A) How will you respond to the Maven's ultimatum.

>>41334434
"Nice Greetings! as you can see by our Attire we aren't who you think we are. I am King Valorian and i am here on a mission of Diplomacy send out your leader!'

>>41334324
>>A) Push on
there part of the reason that the people on the other side of the mountain are hostile to us because they believe we are killing them.

>>41334569
"Is this how you greet allies? Then it is no wonder you hid yourselves."

>>41334684
Guests not allies calling ourselves allies so early is presumptuous

>>41334569
My people have heard tales of your valour and ferocity in battle. We have also heard of your feud with the West Sea Raiders. We too, seek their demise.

I am King Valorian, ruler of the people of Vastov, and I humbly request an audience with your leader so that we might come to some sort of agreement.

>>41334586
If they thought we were West Sea Raiders I doubt we'd have even gotten the warning shot.

>>41334684
We're not allies yet, as I recall this is their first interaction with us.

>>41334728
We aren't guests either.

>>41334732
And could be the last they have with us if they can only talk in threats.

>>41334756
If their usual interactions with the outside world are the West Sea Raiders one can understand their hostility.

>>41334756
>>41334732
>>41334586
>>41334684

"I am King Valroian Vastov, of the land to the east of these mountains. You are quite difficult in your treatment of visitors, however I approach with words, not steel for you fierce maids. Allow me a chance to speak to your leader, and I will make my intentions fully clear. However, in brief, I too seek the demise of the West Sea Raiders." The woman laughs and shakes her head, "They are of no concern of yours, King Valorian Vastov. However, if you wish to parley, then dismount and leave your soldiers. You may bring the weedy one with you, if it would comfort you, unless you fear the presence of women such as we."

You dismount and your Guard seems uncomfrotable, "Sire....these are no simple women, stories of their ferocity in battle have reached the length and breadth of our kingdom, they are not to be underestimated. Allow us to accompany you?"

>A) Accept her demands and go with Ralero
>B) Demand a personal guard
>C) Leave

>>41334569
"Vigor? I suppose those arrows were rather lazily shot. How about we engage in the most terrible and dangerous of pastimes:diplomacy"
>>41334684
Got be honest thats a little too cheezy for my tastes. Not that mine are better or anything. Also pointing out that their hiding to what I assume is a proud warrior race is bad form.

>>41334834
>>A) Accept her demands and go with Ralero
"Trust is the first step in forming a friendship good guard, have some faith in me."

>>41334845
So's throwing axes at everyone you see, warrior race or not thats just bad form.

>>41334845
dammit too late haha
>>41334834
>A) Accept her demands and go with Ralero
"Oh I have no worry, can you not see how fierce he is-point to Raleo- slain a thousand he has. I nned no other guard."

>>41334834
>A) Accept her demands and go with Ralero

We have enchanted arms and armour which should buy us enough time for our Guard to arrive, I should hope.

>Aside to Ralero
"I really hope you're correct about the pen being mightier than the sword here."

>>41334834
>A) Accept her demands and go with Ralero

>>41334937
>>41334930
>>41334899
>>41334875

"My faithful assistant is all the protection I need," you say cheerfully as you walk past your Guard with Ralero, who appears only a slightly bit terrified. As the two of you near you whisper, "I pray that you have remembered your diplomatic skills." He nods feverishly and gives a thumbs up, eyeing the weapons of the women with fear.

The women put their weapons away and as you walk up to the woman in charge a part forms in her ranks of soldiers. The woman in charge is easily your height, and her broadness appears to be equal to your own, though you imagine the armor helps that. She leads the way, and as you walk past them they hiss and bang their weapons against their shields, causing Ralerto to jump slightly in discomfort, eliciting laughter from them. You give a fierce look to them, which abates some of their mockery.

You are taken inside the monastery and brought to a sitting room to the side of the entrance. The woman sits and places her mace against the wall. "You seek to speak to the leader? You are looking at her, I am Maven Mother Olga. Now, to what do I owe the 'honor' of your visitation?" You can almost hear the sarcasm dripping from her voice as you sit opposite her. Ralero takes your side.

>A) Write in your opening line (Ralero will offer assistance if needed)
>B) Rely on Ralero.

>>41335022
>>A) Write in your opening line (Ralero will offer assistance if needed)
"I come to ask your assistance, I have reunited my fractured kingdom and even now work has begun to repair the damage my fool of a father allowed to happen, but the raiders continue their attacks upon my people and my army,though spirited and eager to fight, is to weak to hold them off forever, I come to ask your aid in defending my people."

>>41335022
>A) "The Raiders have discovered a path into my lands. i intend to Dissuade them from trying to capitalize on its discovery, of coarse marching an army through your backyard without permission would be most shall we say impolite"

>>41335022
>A)

"It is clear you seek neither our friendship nor do you wish to do battle with us, else we'd be trading blows already."

"Let us talk not of alliance then, but of co-operation. Your people hate the West Sea Raider, my people hate the West Sea Raiders. We don't have to like one another to unite and shatter our mutual foe."

Best not to overly rely on Ralero here, they don't seem to respect him much.

>>41335129
she will simply laugh us away should we Directly Ask for aid. a simple Stay the fuck out of our way will help us more here, her Ego shall force her to try to help.

>>41335275
how the fuck would that work, hell insulting her would probably just end up with us fighting her and she seems like the kind of person to respect honest and direct answers.

>>41335324
I disagree, outright asking for her help would be interpereted as a sign of weakness.

As this >>41335275 anon said, going with a "Stay the fuck out of our way, WE'LL take on these Raiders all by ourselves." will probably prickle her pride enough to want to take part.

>>41335129
>my army,though spirited and eager to fight, is to weak to hold them off forever

Why on earth would a Royal Sovereign ever utter these words? Hell, even if they were true (which they're not).

We're not a diplomat, we're a -King-. Kings do not beg or plead, they demand and inspire.

>>41335410
>>41335275
>>41335242
>>41335206
>>41335129

"I come to you with information. I am in the process of repairing my kingdom. However, the West Sea Raiders continue to be a problem for me. I have found a way to strike at them and would like to tell you to expect more of us in these lands. We mean no harm to you, but I also bid you mean no harm to us." You say as diplomatically as you can as Ralero supplements, "We are aware of your devotion to martial talents and just from first appearance, it is clear to us that you are mighty, and we would like your aid." She shoots Ralero a single loaded glance and he quiets down.

You continue, "We do not wish to fight you, and it appears you do not wish to fight us outright. I want to eliminate the West Sea Raiders as quickly as possible and reclaim my land." She leans back and thinks on it for a moment before looking at you,

"King Valorian, I knew of your father and his weakness. We laughed at him, calling him Two-Berries and No Branch." Your temper flares but you keep it cool as she talks, "However, you are impetuous enough to come and seek us out with a small group, instead of an army. And, you came personally instead of sending a diplomat. I will make you this offer."

She rummages for something before producing a scroll, "This is a map of the mountains, including three paths that lead into unguarded portions of the raider's lands. We abducted their men from time to time, in the past. You may have this as a show of my respect at your decisions. However," she pauses, "I know their armies well, and you do not know what strength they truly have. My Daughters are trained and experienced, easily the match of any soldiers in your army." You laugh, "I believe my Guard would have something to say about that."

[cont]

>>41335550

She shrugs and continues, "I offer you our service as mercenaries. If you wish, for the price of 200 Crowns per week per unit of Mavens, we will work for you. Bring the gold to the base of the mountain and we will gather it. I will talk to no other but you," she then pauses with a devious smile and leans in toward Ralero, "I'll also talk to you, little bird," he leans away in surprise, red as an apple, when she clicks her teeth at him. You clear your throat and redirect her attention to you.

"200 Crowns per week, per unit?"

>A) That is far too much, I will pay no more than 100
>B) You're fooling yourself, I will pay 50
>C) Let me see proof of these claims, if you are to charge so much
>D) Refuse outright

>>41335598
>>C) Let me see proof of these claims, if you are to charge so much
"...you did not hear me, My kingdom is in shambles and I need every resource I have available to me, you ask much and show only a map for proof...I need more."

>>41335598
>C) Let me see proof of these claims, if you are to charge so much

>>41335598
>A) That is far too much, I will pay no more than 100
"You say 200 as if you have no desire to fight them yourselves, no want of their spoils, and no need of allies to ensure casualties do not ruin your people. I'm sure your warriors may well prove themselves worth 200, but that is not my offer." If she doesn't agree oh well. Remind her that it will be awkward if when we lay low the raiders the Mavens still shelter themselves from the world.

>>41335651
Seriously stop with the "We are a ruined, weak and destitute people" thing. We're not anymore, and regardless that's not what they will respect.

>>41335651
Dude. We're King Valorian not Smeagol.

Loud and Proud is the name of the game when you're representing your nation.

>>41335651
>>41335667
>>41335747

"I would be loathe to pay 200 for a host of horsemen, let alone a group of isolationist warrior women. If you demand so great a fee, prove to me your greatness." She smiles, and leads the two of you to the back of the Cathedral, down a staircase into the basement.

Here you see several women wearing bandages only over their chests and leather pants, covered in cuts and bruises with wraps on their knuckles, smashing into one another like deer in battle. She claps her hands once and they salute, then glance over to see the two men in their midst. "Daughters, this is the King Valorian and his aide. He does not believe him when I tell him of our pure devotion to martial combat." They laugh and clear the ring, pushing aside the blood-covered rags on the ground.

One of them, apparently on a position of leadership from the way she wears her hair at length, calls out, "So, King Valorian, will you fight us, or must we fight for your amusement?"

>A) I'll fight you
>B) Kings don't mingle with rabble, fight and show me your quality.

>>41335598
>A) That is far too much, I will pay no more than 100

Remind her that the Glory of taking down the Raiders will be all ours should they refuse.


>Ralero x MavenMistress
Not sure if want.

>>41335856
Yeah with peasants and other kings, not religious warrior women who only know us in comparison to our weak father and the fact they respect us for our current actions with them. They could care less that we are a king.

>>41335899
>A) I'll fight you

>>41335899
>C) I believe my personal Guard are more than a match for you. Beat one of their number and I'll face you myself.

In any case we should let our guys know that we're not getting stabbed in the throat when they start hearing steel against steel. They might jump to the wrong conclusion.

>>41335899
>>A) I'll fight you
Man it's going to suck when we lose

>>41335920
They respect us -because- we are not sniveling and begging for help.

You seem to be having difficulty telling the difference between humility and cravenness.

>>41335899
>A) I'll fight you

>>41336026
right, I was totally going for sniveling and kissing their feet by telling them that we need help and being honest with them. We should have pulled out our dick and proclaimed our superiority to the isolationist warrior women who remember our father and know nothing about us. That would have ended well.

>>41336091
>>41335996
>>41335961
>>41335920

"I would be glad to fight you." You say and adjust your helm with your crown on it as you remove your cloak and hand it to Ralero who folds it over his arm. A few of the women whistle at him and taunt him while they make a room in their circle for you to enter the ring.

The woman with the back-length hair rolls her shoulders, "You can wear your armor if you want, you'll need the protection." You smile politely at her and raise your mailed fists, "I don't think that's wise for you." The women around the ring start stomping their feet in a slow rhythmic beat as the two of you circle one another and she rushes in towards you, grabbing at your arm. You...

>A) Swing your knee into her stomach
>B) Throw her across the room (Body Test required: 5 Successes)
>C) Tackle her

>>41336173
>A) Swing your knee into her stomach

>>41336173
>>A) Swing your knee into her stomach

>>41336173
>A) Swing your knee into her stomach

>>41336141
>my kingdom is in shambles
>I can't afford to pay that much
>my warriors aren't enough

Yeah dude, totally not sniveling.

>>41336173
>>A) Swing your knee into her stomach

>>41336173
>A) Swing your knee into her stomach
If at all possible look really bored while doing it.

>>41336173
How good are we at fighting anyway?

>>41336289
And your method would have gotten us into a fight or at the very least made them an enemy with an over bloated ego in assuming that these women will listen to us just because we are a king.

Hell insulting their pride was just a dumb idea on any level.

>>41336225
>>41336216

You immediately raise your knee hard into her stomach, gripping her around the waist and pulling her into the attack. Her hands loosen and you cock your fist back and drive a punch into her side. Finally, you offer a kick to her thigh, pushing her onto the ground. "I don't want to hear you complaining about me winning unfairly." You proclaim and throw your gauntlets to the ground and let your breastplate fall to the ground before kicking it out of the ring. She gets up and snarls at you, "As if a boy like you would win." She jumps at your legs, trying to pull them out from under you.

You push your legs backwards and smash your hands into her back, making her bend away, as you grab her around the waist and throw her back onto the ground. This time, however, she kicks at your feet and throws you to the ground. She quickly scrambles on top of you and starts raining punches down on your face, avoiding your helmet when possible. You feel some of the punches hitting home, but roll hard and fast enough to pin her down.

Quickly you shift your armored legs onto her stomach and sit down, then start swinging at her sides. She rolls from side to side, covering up by curling her body, before the Matron yells out, "That's enough!"

You get up off the bloodied woman who follows you and snarls, "I wasn't finished with him!" The Matron gives her a look of severity and extends her hand to you, "100 per week per unit, and I will personally send Sister Elsabeth to be your point of contact in the capital to ensure that our investment is protected and you do not send my Daughters to their doom." Though her words are harsh, her eyes show a begrudging respect for you, and you can hear that the women around the room are no longer jeering.

>A) Accept
>B) Haggle more

>>41336363
[We are trained in knightly combat, so we are very competent at fighting while armored and on the ground]

>>41336419
>>A) Accept
that went better than expected.

>>41336419
>A) Accept

>>41336395
Not listening to us because we are a king Listening to us because we are confident and proud with the strength of arms to back it up you Simpering Fool. We arent starting a fight nor are we insulting them we are meeting the amazons as equals.

>>41336419
>>A) Accept

>>41336419
>>A) Accept

>>41336481
That only works if they see us as an equal you egotistical ass. They know nothing of us other than we are the son of a fool and a coward. What pride is there in that? Reuniting a kingdom is a mighty feat but do they care? No they don't. We earned their respect by being humble and proving our martial might on honorable one on one combat rather than hiding behind others (assuming you chose that one) and using our blood as a reason for their support.

>>41336454
>>41336463

You take her hand and grip it, "Then it is a deal. I will take two units of your Mavens to begin with, and should I need more, I will request them. Send them down to the capital. They will encounter my Khazidite allies first, simply tell them my name and they will allow you to pass." The Matron nods and calls, "Elsabeth! Clean yourself and accompany our new client, King Valorian, to his home."

The woman that you were just a minute ago beating on grabs a nearby cloth and wipes herself of sweat and dirt before heading up the staircase. "She will be prepared in ten minutes. Here is the map," she hands it to you and looks at Ralero with a grin, "Don't be so shy next time," you whistle after she says this to focus her, "Thank you, Matron, I appreciate your good-natured offer. I will be waiting with my men."

You leave after Ralero helps you rearmor yourself and head back up to the door, making sure Ralero is close to you. The Honor Guard rush out to you when you return and one of them speaks up, "Sire! You appear wounded, did those wenches harm you? Shall we set fire to their little convent?"

You wave your hand, "No, there is no need for such violence. They are mercenaries in our employ now, I would rather we not ruin that." You climb on your horse and pick up your lance again, your banner flying high in the air.

Ten minutes, nearly to the second, Sister Elsabeth comes out on a white horse and bows her head, "King Valorian," she says, clearly humbled, but not happy about it.

>A) Try to be polite to her and give her some measure of pride back, example, "You fought very well"
>B) Realize that with her wounded pride she will not accept condolences.
>C) Ignore her moods.

[Sister Elsabeth added to followers.]
[Mavens of War Special Infantry Unit will become available on Newday.]

>>41336665
>>B) Realize that with her wounded pride she will not accept condolences.

>>41336665
>B) Realize that with her wounded pride she will not accept condolences.

I can't help but feel that this is a trap option

>>41336665
>>B) Realize that with her wounded pride she will not accept condolences.

>>41336665
>B) Realize that with her wounded pride she will not accept condolences.

Offer her a rematch when we are returned to the capital.

>>41336590
>We earned their respect by being humble

Are you even reading KoMGM's posts?

>>41336685
>>41336707
>>41336715

You give her a nod, "Welcome, Sister Elsabeth, glad to have you here." And with no more than that, you give her warrior's pride a chance to recover as you return to the capital.

[We are nearing the end of tonight's quest and the week. Is there anything you would like to accomplish this week, or would you like to progress to next week on the next thread?]

>A) Progress to next week
>B) Write in other thing you want to do this week.

>>41336817
>>A) Progress to next week

>>41336817
>>A) Progress to next week

>>41336817
>A) Progress to next week

Assemble the army, marshal our forces, load the ammo and the ordnance!

>>41336875
>>41336853
>>41336831

You spend the rest of the week in a state of anticipation and tense excitement. As you watch the work being done both outside and inside your domain, you feel something rise up from within you, pride. You have already, not a month into your time as King, achieved what your Father had let fail. He was a man given the tools of a craftsmen with dreams of a beggar. He sold his tools, but you intend to use yours and improve them. On the final day of the week four hundred Mavens appeared outside your castle and, with Sister Elsabeth's command, were placed in quarters and told to make ready for battle.

~Newday Week 3~

On the dawn of the Newday, you were awake before Ralero even came to wake you. "Sire," he said with surprise as he adjusted his circlet, "It is a surprise to see you active so early. I can tell that you are eager to proceed with our plans. The foremen are reporting full successes on all buildings, and your men are ready to join the Royal Army. Here, take a look,"

[Time for management! Please refer to the Followers section of the site and select actions for your Followers (as it's starting to get too lengthy to list all the options here). I will, as always, do my best to reconcile the multitude of choices.]

>>41336590
Your right amazonian woman that only care for strength enjoy being around the weak and pitiful and out of the kindness of their hearts would ally with them.
BY ACTING LIKE WE BELIEVE I REPEAT WE BELIEVE we are their equals we shall make it so Humbling them instead. with people like that you must only show strength. the shit you try to make us say is what our pitful father would say, what did they call him twin berries and no stick. by not taking their shit we earned more respect then being humble ever would, our character is a King and should act like it.

>>41337051
Ralero Sukov
[20] Rest: Ralero is given a rare week of vacation and personal time, allowing him to be more efficient upon his return.

Aditya the Shaman
[10] Attend Training: Aditya will go to the Mage's Guild who will help her powers develop in a way that is helpful. This may be selected twice, though doing so will exhaust her.

I think we should interact with Contessa Eleisha since we don't know her loyalty.

>>41337118
This is getting obscene. Ok here how about this, I stop with the humble thing and we kill this conversation right now. Olive branch or are you going to throw a tantrum.

>>41337152
>>41337118
Calm down fellas, we've gone past this point.

>>41337152
second

>>41337152
olive branch gladly accepted.

>>41337174
I'm over it, this guy aint. Hell I'm offering a olive branch to end it and I'm just waiting on the other guy to make his decision.

>>41337210
>>41337202
Yay now we can get along again.

>>41337210
might wanna refresh the page

>>41337202
Thank you, anyway you got some suggestions for the other followers?

>>41337240
just saw it.

>>41337240
>>41337210
>>41337202

[The real enemy is the West Sea Raiders, y'all.]

>>41337152
[What of Sister Elsabeth, you want her on Bodyguard? We can talk to Eleisha before we assign her for the week, if you'd like.]

>>41337274
Body guard sounds good

>>41337274
Can we talk to sister Elsabeth while she's guarding us? If so lets do that. And sure lets talk to Eleisha to.

>>41337051
>Ralero
>Rest [20] Fella earnt a break after sweating under the gaze of the Mavens
>Vasily
I'm assuming he's still working on that gift.

>Aditya the Shaman
> Attend Training [10]
Her primary purpose for coming here was to train, we'll do that first before we make further use of her.

>Eleisha
>Reduce Corruption [10]
>Charm Figure [5] Ralero
"Aw did the big mean Maven's say nasty things to you?"

>Catherine Russovi
>Reduce Corruption [10]

Corruption has spiked a lot with our new holdings, let's clamp down on that.

>Sister Elsabeth
>Bodyguard [10]

>>41337323
Not talking but hey this works to. Can we combine it with my ideas >>41337152
>>41337274

>>41337296
>>41337292

[You can absolutely talk to Eslabeth then, she'll be following you very closely, you'll find it hard not to talk around her.]

>>41337358
>>41337323
[These coincide nicely with the above, but we'll talk to Eleisha first. Otherwise, we're going with this, verbatim]

"Are you certain, sire?" Ralero says when you order him to take a week off, "I'm perfectly ready for service." You smile and tell him, "Are you certain? Has all the blood returned to the rest of you from your face and your..." he cuts you off with a quick bow, "Sire! Yes, as soon as I am done with taking your orders, I will retire to my home." He flushes a bit red and adjusts his circlet again.

[Muster List:

6x Spearmen Units
3x Archer Units
3x Levy Cavalry Units
3x Men-at-Arms Units
2x Maven Warrior Units
1x Apprentice Mage Unit
2x Khazidite Raider Units]

[Please assign the following units to your armies as you wish, I will attempt to reconcile if there is a discrepancy.

Army 1:
Royal Army of Vastov
General: King Valorian
Current Composition:
1x Honor Guard
1x Levy Cavalry

Army 2:
Army of Zaspiry
General: Lady Valeriya
Current Composition:
On website]

>>41337471
the Khazidite raiders should be in the royal army obviously and so should the maven warrior women to. Everyone else can make their choices with the other units.

>>41337471
I'm on mobile guys in a car on a multiple hour drive I can't vote but please make sure that any and all khaxadites are under U.S. Personally

>>41337471
TO THE ROYAL ARMY:
6x Spearmen Units
3x Archer Units
2x Maven Warrior Units
1x Apprentice Mage Unit
Rest into the second army

>>41337531
>>41337525
>>41337540

[Going to the Royal Army are the following:

6x Spearmen Units
3x Archer Units
2x Maven Warrior Units
2x Khazidite Raider Units
1x Apprentice Mage Unit

Going to the Army of Zapsiry:

3x Men-at-Arms Units
3x Levy Cavalry Units]

He takes your orders and sends them. "I wish you best luck on your campaign, sire." You thank him and turn to the last thing you need to do as your weekly orders. "The Foremen are ready, I presume?" He nods at your question, "Of course, sire, they stand willing and able."

[5 Build Crews available]
[Buildings Available

>A) Build Maven Quarters [Bonus to Relations with the Mavens] 1 BC
>B) Build a Chapel [Bonus to Relations with the Order of the Tower] 1 BC
>C) Build a Garden [Increase Follower Loyalty during Rest Weeks] 1 BC
>D) Create Improved Roads 2 [Decreases the Travel Time through the Kingdom. Current time from Khazidor to North Ruston: 9 Hours] 6 BC
>E) Build an Architect's Hall [Discover new Schematics] 2 BC/Lose 1 Build Crew Permanently to Teach Here
>F) Build a Barracks [Increase the number of standing Units available. Current Limit: 20] 2 BC
>G) War Stables [Allows the training and improvement of Levy Cavalry to Riders] 1 BC

Upgrades

>A) Fletchery [Archery Add-On. +1 AV to all Archer and Special Archers trained here] 2 BC
>B) School of Riding [Stable Add-On: Allow non-Cavalry Units to always travel on horseback, increasing Army speed] 2 BC
>C) Arcane Combat Training Field [Mage Tower Add-On: Allows the hire of the Mage-Captain Agent which grants a Unit resistance to magic attack.] 3 BC
>D) Khazidite Quarters [Barracks Add-On: Allows the training and recruitment of improved Khazidite warriors]
>E) Ranger Academy [Skirmisher School Add-On. Trains Rangers instead of Levy Skirmishers.] 1 BC.]

>>41337471
>Royal Army
2x Khazidite Raider Units
2x Maven Warrior Units
3x Spearmen Units
2x Archer Units
1x Apprentice Mage Unit
1x Levy Cavalry Units

>Army of Zaspiry
3x Men-at-Arms Units
3x Spearmen Units
1x Archer Units
2x Levy Cavalry Units

>>41337672
>>A) Build Maven Quarters [Bonus to Relations with the Mavens] 1 BC
>G) War Stables [Allows the training and improvement of Levy Cavalry to Riders] 1 BC
>E) Ranger Academy [Skirmisher School Add-On. Trains Rangers instead of Levy Skirmishers.] 1 BC.]
>E) Build an Architect's Hall [Discover new Schematics] 2 BC/Lose 1 Build Crew Permanently to Teach Here

>>41337672
Buildings
>a
>c
>g
Upgrades
>b

>>41337672
> Maven Quarters [1]
> Garden [1]
> War Stables [2]
> Architect's Hall [2] (I'm assuming we can dedicate 1 to it this week and 1 to it next week)

>>41337672
>A) Build Maven Quarters [Bonus to Relations with the Mavens] 1 BC
>B) Build a Chapel [Bonus to Relations with the Order of the Tower] 1 BC
>C) Build a Garden [Increase Follower Loyalty during Rest Weeks] 1 BC
>>F) Build a Barracks [Increase the number of standing Units available. Current Limit: 20] 2 BC

>>41337672
>A) Build Maven Quarters [Bonus to Relations with the Mavens] 1 BC
E) Ranger Academy [Skirmisher School Add-On. Trains Rangers instead of Levy Skirmishers.] 1 BC.]
>F) Build a Barracks [Increase the number of standing Units available. Current Limit: 20] 2 BC
>D) Create Improved Roads 2 [Decreases the Travel Time through the Kingdom. Current time from Khazidor to North Ruston: 9 Hours] 6 BC

I'm assuming Maven's are heavy-infantry?

>>41337697
>>41337672
>>41337471

Voting to change the name of our Armies.

>Royal Army of Vastov
to
>The 1st Royal Vastov Regiment 'The Kings Own'

>Army of Zaspiry
to
>The 2nd Royal Vastov Regiment

>>41337820
I'm good with this

>>41337820
Check quickly on the usual size of regiments then if it matches I'll support it

>>41337820
>>41337766
>>41337765
>>41337757
>>41337749
>>41337740

[Maven Quarters 1 BC, War Stables 1 BC, Garden 1 BC, Ranger Academy 1, Architect's Hall 2 are now under construction]

"Your words will be heard, sire." Ralero says as he signs the orders and sends them out. "Just a few more pieces of paperwork." You look up at him, "I thought that was the last piece?" He coughs and shakes his head, "No, sire, we have new potentials that have come to us."

"Ralero, I also want to change the name of our Armies," you then indicate the new names and he nods, "I will make certain the Registrar has the new names, sire."

[Agents for Hire:

1x Scholar 2R/W
1x Musician [Increases the Morale of Units he is attached to] 1R/W
1x Herald/Standard Bearer [When attached to your Unit increases the AV and DV of your Unit by +1 as well as out of combat benefits] 1R/W
2x Diplomat [Can be sent to other nations and entities to slowly build their relations] 2R/W
1x Drill Sergeant 3R/W
1x Historian [Can spread words of your deeds in a "preferential light" to increase your global fame] 2R/W ]

[Please select which Agents you would like to hire]

>>41337959
[Regiment can mean almost anything these days, but usually it meant around a thousand men. At present, the Royal Army is around 2,000 men.]

>>41338003
>1x Scholar 2R/W

2x Diplomat [Can be sent to other nations and entities to slowly build their relations] 2R/W

>>41338003
>Scholar 2R/W
>1x Herald/Standard Bearer [When attached to your Unit increases the AV and DV of your Unit by +1 as well as out of combat benefits] 1R/W
>1x Diplomat [Can be sent to other nations and entities to slowly build their relations] 2R/W
>1x Drill Sergeant 3R/W
>1x Historian [Can spread words of your deeds in a "preferential light" to increase your global fame] 2R/W ]

>>41338050
second

>>41338050
thirded

>>41338003
>1x Herald/Standard Bearer [When attached to your Unit increases the AV and DV of your Unit by +1 as well as out of combat benefits] 1R/W
>1x Diplomat [Can be sent to other nations and entities to slowly build their relations] 2R/W
>1x Historian [Can spread words of your deeds in a "preferential light" to increase your global fame] 2R/W ]
While a historian seems overmuch alot of the diplomacy we've done so far is through our spreading reputation. Global fame would almost be better than an additional diplomat in cost benefit sort of way

>>41338050
>>41338111
Oh sorry was busy writing up my post, I'll go with your suggestions instead. Scholar and drill sergeant are good as well.

>>41338050
I'll back this. Though historian seems more like "Chief Propogandist"

>>41338140
>>41338111
>>41338050
[Scholar, Drill Sergeant, Herald, Diplomat, and Historian Hired.]

"I'll put them to work immediately, sire. The Scholars are awaiting your guidance on what to research. The Historian and Herald are now part of your Army and are ready to serve."

You give your final orders out and give the order to muster the army outside of the city. The time has come for you to strike your first blow against the West Sea Raiders, but first, you reconcile, you must fulfill your promise to Bohdan and take the Bond with him. You also want to talk to Eleisha first.

[Assign what the Scholars should look into, where you want to send the Diplomat, and then we're done for the night]

>>41337820
[Also, Mavens are Special Infantry.]

>>41338240
>Diplomat
Centaur Lands: I want to be sure these guys want try anything stupid while we're busy with our Raider Campaign.

>Scholars
Maps, maps, maps. Rivers, defensible locations, customs and disparate tribes in the theatre of our new campaign.

>>41338294
this works.

>>41338294
I don't want to deal with the centaurs yet but whatever I'll second this

>>41338294
I like this. If the scholars look at the topography it would also be nice if they did general survey work while they're at it: Populations, soil and crop yields, what rivers feed where and how deep they are, etc.

>>41338294
Sure

>>41338342
I think he meant establishing some form of contact and trying to keep them neutral to us, gauge their interest. Not so much push for closer relations or make demands/threats.

>>41338380
Contacting them in any way will change the status quo, they don't respect us yet so sending any sort of diplomat is pointless

>>41338294
>>41338326

You meet with the diplomat, a handsome and well-mannered man name Zakram, and his bodyguards. "Sire, I will be more than happy to establish contact with the Centaurs. I will do my best to understand their wishes and convince them to see things our way. If they wish to meet you, I will send a messenger." You bid him on his way.

A quick meeting with the pair of scholars, a rotund young man from a good family, and a thin older man, "I need the two of you to update our maps, we have only the barest of political understandings. I want a survey done, find rivers and identify defensible locations and anything you can find about the land I am going into." They both bow and head up to their chambers to study.

[Alright boys! That'll be a mark for tonight. As always, thank you for playing, keep your eyes on the Twitter here: https://twitter.com/KingValorian. I post a lot in the week while I'm at the office. I'll probably open an ask.fm to chat with you guys about anything setting related.]

[We're probably looking at Friday for our next run, but if I get the hankering like I did yesterday, I'll run during the week. ]

[And, as yesterday, I'll keep this open to answer any questions/comments people have who wanna stick around. For everyone else, thanks and look forward to the next one!]

>>41338449
so can you give a overall writup of how we did? Economically,politically and in the minds and hearts of the people?

>>41338449
Dude great thread, I'm really impressed again by your system and especially by your posting speed

On the issue of marriage, how firmly monogamous is our society? Would the nobility accept us having two wives?

I'm asking because I think it might be a good idea to marry Piotrs daughter to ensure her loyalty, it's actually a bit off that he didn't offer if she was of age

>>41338449
Cheers mate.

>>41338492
[How we did this week, or overall? The people are experiencing an overwhelming amount of pride in their Kingdom, and a feeling of increased national unity. Politically we are bringing the Khazidites back into the fold and are actually increasing relations more than ever before. Economically we are spending a lot, but we have to spend to make progress. We are actually still building resources, but Agents are expensive. More trade, improving infrastructure, and more land will improve our income.]

>>41338556
Any new nobel families looking to score a duchy or maybe marry their daughter to the new and currently kick ass king? How to the warrior women see us? A general idea of how the other nations are viewing us, if they are paying attention at all.

>>41338539
[Thank you sir! I do what I can. Monogamy is traditional, and doing so is a firm bond of union between two entities. We certainly can marry her, but as a lesser, Piotr would offer us very little. I'll tip my hand a little and say that the decision to marry should be taken with severe gravity as it can entail a lot of changes (new unit types, upgrades to Honor Guard, etc) based on the wife and her origin. It's a decision we can make only once. Mistresses are silently acceptable, but they are less impactful than wives.

He didn't offer her, by the way, mostly because he knew that he was suspect of treason, and it may seem desperate.]

>>41338620

[We can actually scour the land for lesser nobility to elevate to fill the loss of Count Igor. There is actually someone in our employ who we could convince to do it, with enough loyalty. The Mavens are not as disdainful of us as they are of other men, which is a big step in the right direction. Going down their "approval route" will take a great deal of effort. La Faresse is hugely positive, and the Order sees us as a growing force. The others are largely ignorant of us for better or worse.]

>>41338556
Are there noble families other than the counts who we could make lords of the eastern lands?

>>41338671
[See here, >>41338668]

>>41338668
Would asking them to help train women folk so they can defend themselves and their children help? Also how...shocked would the traditionalists be if we took like four wives for example, I know you said it was tradition but lets go extreme here for a second. Also Do we have any factions to worry about in court? How is court anyway?

>>41338689
Just saw that. Maybe you could make that an event next thread? Introduce us to some lesser nobles and find someone to replace the count?

>>41338668
>La Faresse is hugely positive, and the Order sees us as a growing force. The others are largely ignorant of us for better or worse.

Good, I'm happy to keep it that way for now. We'll need heirs sooner later though.

>>41338711
You can fuck off with your harem there, sonny.

>>41338713
[Certainly! We just need to get the Follower to gather the people for us and at the start of next week we can have a Special Event with the lesser nobles. Gotta do our kingly duties for a bit.]

>>41338711
[They wouldn't mind training them if we get a bit more in their good graces. Shocked? They'd be floored and call us a degenerate or something, 'King Valorian and his harem', and such. However, as said, there's no hard rule against it. Convincing your wives to go along with it would be quite an effort as well, depending on who they are.]

[As for any other factions in court, because of the Kingdom's low importance and our father's one good skill, diplomacy, everyone is pretty content with us and the only people who were threats to us, the Counts, have been handled. Oh, and Valeriya, the only Lord in the Kingdom, she sits above the Counts, but is no threat.]

[Court is largely the least nobles trying to get some favor from us and for us to show them a bit of attention, maybe a promotion. They have daughters and sons who, if we were interested in building a dynasty, we can adopt them to the family.]

>>41338782
[We could expand sideways as well as just vertically through adoption.]

>>41338782
I was going for a extreme example rather than a harem thing. Still having one wife does limit us so I propose we go for two wives, max three maybe.

>>41338711
The thing with multiple wives with a ruler is that it complicates the succession process in horrible, civil war causing ways. Having some jelly on the side, or even a publicly acknowledged paramour/concubine would be a different case. That and when marriage is to secure a political alliance and favor over other competitors, and you just marry more neglecting that, well... the original bride and their political representation (Family/kingdom) would be awful pissed.

>>41338820
>>41338846
[Basically this. It's a difficult position. Gotta think of history when you marry as a King.]

>>41338846
true, true. Gonna have to think this one through a bit more.

>>41338816
What about marrying other races? Maybe a Fey noblewoman and us hit it off and marry and shit what then? What about a Centaur? Do genetics work DnD or real world here?

>>41338881
[We are compatible to produce heirs with anything that is humanoid and bipedal at the time. Centaurs are out. Fey are in.]

>>41338910
Hm damn. Alright.

Could having the other wives children becoming cadet braches of the house midigate some of the civil war tension bullshit?

>>41338910
Oh god no. No fey please. But I hope we learn of more human factions soon because unless we do our marriage prospects are the queen of La Faresse and Piotrs daughter

>>41338937
[The issue with having bastards, or even multiple children from multiple wives, is as soon as we die, they have claims to the throne through their descendance from us. They go around parts of the empire, claiming to be the "one true heir" and raise armies. Civil War. If you try to create subordinate houses, it may hold, but it only takes one person breaking their position in the delicate order of things to act up.]

>>41338983
[And Bohdan's daughter. Or the Mavens. As we know so far.]

>>41338910
What techology level are we at anyway? Can we make crossbows or are we stuck with bows?

>>41338983
Never really dealt with the fey much meself but whats so bad about marriage with em? Never make a deal with them but marriage is kinda...bigger than a deal I guess?

>>41338999
Could we create a epic magical device to decide the best son or daughter should hold the throne? Also what is our succession anyway? Gavelkind agnatic or what?

>>41339037
[Agnatic primogeniture. Eldest son/daughter gets it all.]

[Technology is at crossbows. We can develop them and arm people with them with the requisite facilities/technology. Beyond that, magic is used to enhance everything.]

>>41339082
Can't wait to make magic gatling guns...going to take a while but hell it would be glorious. Also how many unique units could we have anyway?

>>41339098
[Unique Units? As many as we can convince to serve us! Unique Unit, by the way, is a special title reserved for units that are either A) too hard to categorize in other groups in the army Doctrines, IE Giants, or B) units that are so unbearably elite they are few in number and incredible in ability]

>>41339134
ok that makes sense. How magictech are you going to allow us to be anyway.

>>41339037
Fae are like super elves + fairies combined with hardcore magic and with a logic/mindset we can't comprehend

Can't ever trust em. Like that witch who offered us food? Couldn't tell her our name cause maybe she'd cast some weird doppelgänger spell in U.S. Couldn't accept her food because maybe [probably] that food would keep us trapped in the forest for decades

Also qm what would have happened if we did those things, told her our name and ate her food?

>>41339168
Now I get that part but why not marry one? Sure its an insane idea but if our descendants had fey blood in em, that could work well for the future of our nation.

>>41339168
[Won't give specifics, but Fae have rules that are extremely complicated and are enforced on everyone who deals with them. So your instincts are correct to be concerned.

>>41339163
[Magitech is super cool. If we can make the leaps in logic, in universe, as well as have the magical support for it, we can go quite far.]

>>41339188
Cause maybe she and our kids would randomly disappear one day never to be seen again, or some other equally problematic occurrence. Maybe we'd tick her off and she'd make it so we could only say the opposite of what we wanted to. Just too complicated. But if people want to go for it whatever, I'd just rather we kept things human

>>41339239
That is very logical...would only work with polygamy.
gunna have to think this one through.

>>41339208
you don't know the dangers you have unleashed. Sky ships, roving packs of earth swimming shark-dog magitech robots to support our troops in battle, mutli armed gunslingers with literal eagle eyes...the glorious future is open!

>>41339208
by the way I'm surprised we don't have a nickname yet.

>>41339302
[With whom? Our people? Good King Valorian, as well as Valorian the Unifier will have to suffice for now. Let's beat those West Sea Raiders and get a title like, "Valorian the Conqueror".]

>>41339280
[Oh I know the genius of fa/tg/uys when it comes to magitech. I'll be sure to keep an eye on you.]

>>41339325
Hey. I'm in great shape. I'm an elegan/tg/leman

>>41339082
>Crossbows

Fuck yes. Crossbows rule, archers drool.

>>41339325
Oh the bullshit, oh the bullshit will come!

What kind of magical creatures can we run into? Gryphons? Lamia? Lots of east and west shit going on here?

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>>41339361
[If you're playing this quest, you're a valian/tg/entleman
>>41339406
[Once that Architect's Hall is built we can start getting that way.]
>>41339418
[I wish I could show you guys the scope of the world. Not gonna tip too much of my hand, but there's a lot out there. A LOT.]

>>41339446
anyway could you give us a general Not!culture overview of the surround cultures and our own please.

also would a half fey-human child do to the fey courts, especially if it was from a princess or whatnot and what would their power level be?

>>41339325
How advanced are the Tyraness and Order of the Tower comparably? Seems like those two are the big players around here.

>>41339446
Sweet, you strike me as the crazy-prepared sort of GM, I like it.

>>41339280
>polygamy

Stop it. Just. Stop.

>>41339492
after this thread I will.

>>41339492
Dude. He has a creaking website. No shit he's prepared

>>41339492
[From what little we know about the Order and the Tyraness it's about this way: The Order is a group of hyper religious knights and crusaders. They are more traditional than progressive, and focus instead on using Holy Magic (their interpretation of it) to wage war. They empower soldiers and bless their armies. The Tyraness is so vast and so powerful that the Order has struggled for the past fifty years against the equivalent of a company of the Tyrany's. Their size and power are vast. What could be holding their attention so much, I wonder.....]

[I am extremely prepared! In my free time I'm writing quest stuff, which is why I'm so hype to talk about it. Thank you.]

>>41339487
[In case the names didn't tip you, we're not!Imperial Russia and the Khazidites are not!Cossacks. La Faresse is not!France and the West Sea Raiders are not!Vikings. The world out there has a lot more not!Cultures and others.]

[The fey courts are super complex, based on a fundamental understanding that we have yet to make. Let's find out about it, and then we can talk more. As far as half-fey children, their magic would be insane. We already have latent magic in our blood, so reawakening it like that would yield a truly powerful son/daughter.]

>>41339583
I thought they were more mongol/stepp people than cossack but hey whatever. Now i really really REALLY want a fey wife...She would play with our mind like no ones business wouldn't she.

>>41339627
[It's certainly on the table, with the right circumstances.]

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>>41339583
>What could be holding their attention so much, I wonder.....

>>41339650
well well see what happens won't we....what would it take to create a god?

>>41339627
Let's wait till we get the lay of the land, have a few embassies in our capital to have this conversation. I will vote against fey(probably) but we should figure out where we're at first

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>>41339583
> not!Imperial Russia

That settles it, new tradition for our Heavy Infantry when we get magitech.

>>41339704
[Fucking based Vostroyans]

>>41339681
[Fighting gods, probably. They wouldn't like to share. That or being Rank 7 and doing some epic shit. We're Rank 2, by the way.]

>>41339685
[Embassies would be an excellent invention, once we've got some more political clout.]

[Also, open point of discussion, but there is a whole West Sea past the raiders, so we've got a lot more chances to rub elbows. As well as being able to finally have a navy. Also, there's land to the south past the Centaurs. What's down there, who knows]

>>41339762
I will create the Deus Ex Machina as a real god, just you wait. Also how do we rank up anyway?

>>41339801
[So Ranks are kind of like "levels of power". We're Rank2, making us more powerful and capable than mere mortals. As we increase our personal power and accomplish great things we can gain ranks. With each Rank increase comes a lot of power. Heroes are often around Rank 3-6. The truly legendary heroes reach Rank 7. Gods are Rank 8]

>>41339842
so what are ranks 9-10? are ranks hereditary or does each descendent have to earn that shit? can we impregnate a god? what are the not!religions of this world anyway?

>>41339885
[No ranks 9-10. Ranks are not hereditary 1-1, but if you're the child of two R6's, you won't reach adulthood as an R1, that's for damn sure. Yes. And very many, I will post them tomorrow on the ask.fm.]

[With that, I think I'm gonna duck out. Thanks for the questions, and I'll post the ask.fm info on twitter. Good night y'all!]

>>41339988
cool later man.

>>41339988
Night man