>>41554855
>C) Put aside for more info later.
Let's see everyone else first.

>>41554855
>>C) Put aside for more info later.
Gotta ask why he is so quick to abandon his people

>>41554855
>>A) Accept
But we will have to talk to him later.

>>41554855
Am I reading this right, he's a relative of the big guy we killed?

>>41554855
>C) Put aside for more info later.

>>41554923
Yup.
>>41554855
Can you tell us how they cost.
It would be good to keep rescinding 22 resources.
Also should these have gone up because of all the land we conquered?

>>41554855
Shouldn't the goddess/what ever she is be visiting us tonight?
She basically said she would.

>>41555081
Let's deal with these guys first.

>>41555081
Nonshe didn't? She just said we'd meet again.
I kind of doubt we'd wake up to a naked Vella in our bed in the middle of the night.

>>41555149

I kind of don't, considering she's established herself as a magic tart

>>41555149
you know that might be the shit she'd pull on us to get under our skin.


I just had a thought. what if she impregnated herself with our child through magic bullshit...that could be bad.

>>41555219
Duuuuude.... That would be hilarious honestly

>>41555219
I don't even know where to begin addressing this.
>But what if she magic engineered a plague that onky kills people with our dna and spread it all across our kingdom
Don't care, cross the bridge when we get to it.
Also, what if she had our child? It'd be a bastard and would have no right to inherit the throne.

>>41555319
Even a bastard can claim the throne with enough support.

>>41554910
>>41554907

You have many questions for him, but, ultimately, they will have to wait for a bit. You tell him to move to the other side of the room and call upon the next person.

The young man with the glasses stands up in a jolt, "Yes, your Majesty! I am Cecil Karnov, from Esmerin. I am the bastard son of Count Igor, sire." He pushes up his glasses and bows, "Forgive my heritage, please, but I would like a chance to redeem my family name. I was raised by my mother's father, when she passed giving birth to me. I am an engineer, sire. I can help improve fortresses and castles, as well as siege engines."

You sit him down next to the old man and call for the next woman. "Unlike the rest of these individuals, your highness, I am not here to serve you, at least not on a permanent basis. I'm an explorer! I travel the world and see the things that diplomats have a hard time seeing. I have maps for sale, a lot of them, but the prices are very high." You show interest in this one and put her next to the rest.

The second woman rises and bows, "Sire, it is a pleasure to speak to you. I am a wandering alchemist and want to become an attache. I will work for cheap." You thank her and set her off finally facing the last man.

"I heard of the events of the ball last night in Queen Bethenne's feast. I want to offer you my services as a bodyguard and personal duelist, in case such a thing happens again, to have my honor insulted in your name, and to dispatch anyone like the Prince again." Yep, he's from La Faresse.

"Alright, list your prices and I'll make a decision, perhaps." They all nod and list their prices.

[cont]

>>41555361

>A) Person 1, 6 Resources/Week, Grants Access to New Traditions (Naval, and Heavy Infantry) and is a General

>B) Person 2, 1 Resource/Week, Grants the ability to your Generals to raise Improved Forts, and can improve defenses.

>C) Person 3, Map costs vary based on their coverage and level of detail. She has not seen the whole world.

>D) Person 4, 3 Resources/Week, Can help establish an Alchemist's Guild

>E) Person 5, 5 Resources/Week, Bodyguard, and can teach a new tradition (Line Infantry)

>>41555042
[The resources did go up.]

>>41555378
>>B) Person 2, 1 Resource/Week, Grants the ability to your Generals to raise Improved Forts, and can improve defenses.
>D) Person 4, 3 Resources/Week, Can help establish an Alchemist's Guild
>A) Person 1, 6 Resources/Week, Grants Access to New Traditions (Naval, and Heavy Infantry) and is a General
>E) Person 5, 5 Resources/Week, Bodyguard, and can teach a new tradition (Line Infantry)

I think we can afford this.

>>41555378
ALL OF THEM!!!!

>>41555378
>>41555378
Persons 1 2 and 4

Id rather send our hero to do mapping and exploration with a cartographer

>>41555378
>A
>D
>C for more info on what maps are available, also if she'd be interested in explorin mountains for us
>E
I'd rather E guard Bethenne to be honest, we don't have much use fornhim as we already have Elsabeth.

Hmm, I'd honestly prefer putting off hiring #1 for now, we need resources for the maybe coming war.

>>41555508
We also could use a navy, im thinking he could be our admiral

>>41555508
The heavy infantry would be nice.

>>41555541
>We could use a navy
Not really, only thing that could possibly be good now is ships for trade, we don't have any naval enemies and we really don't want to stick our heads far across the sea.

>>41555588
Do you not realize what an advantage a navy would be over a nation without one?

>>41555611
>>41555588
lets not fight about that right now. first we have to build the damn things and that takes an assload of time.

>>41555611
A navy can only directly attack the coastline, or transport land troops to the coastline. If the nation has no navy then its coastline likely isn't that well developed, making damaging the coastline not that useful.
Or am I wrong?

>>41555413
>>41555431
>>41555459
[We're going to hire 1, 2, 4, and 5.]
>>41555508
[It appears he's a popular choice]

[The cost of your new Followers is 15 Resources/Week. This cost will go down for nearly all of them, should you grant them land, titles, or statuses, as well as let their loyalty increase.]

You agree to the hire of the four of them and have them go talk to Ralero, politely, and sign the registrar with their names and abilities. You then step aside to talk to the explorer, and upon discovering her prices, nearly three hundred Crowns for a map that shows just beyond the Order and Centaur lands, you thank her for her time and send her on the way.

[Adding the Followers to the list, as well as their costs.]

The new recruits head off to the quarters you provide for them and Ralero comes up to stand next to you, "Sire, it is very late, would you like to adjourn to sleep?" You nod, exhausted from the day and head back up to your room. Sleep overtakes you quickly.

~Mid-Morning, Sixthday~

You stir awake and Ralero is standing beside you, almost bouncing on his heels. "Sire! There has been a great event!" You sit up straight and tell him to continue, "The Centaur Warlord, Rugar Axebiter, has arrived outside the capital waving a flag of diplomacy. Our diplomat is beside him and appears to be in good spirits."

The news jolts you to dress quickly, deciding to give a military appearance, and you stroll down the steps of your palace, the centaur congregation waiting at the bottom almost nervously. Your Honor Guard flank the staircase and pound their spear-butts into the ground as one and salute you. You wave them down, amazed at the training they have gone through, probably at Piotr's bidding.

[cont]

>>41555378
Every one, he'll the body guard can teach us the tradition that marrying the French chick would give.

>>41555655
Exactly, it is also by far the best way to transport supplies, and the order has a pocket of coastline

>>41555662

The Centaurs stick out their left legs and lower themselves into a bow, except for the largest of them, who is covered in scars. "Greetings, Human King Valorian. I am Rugar Axebiter, Warlord of the Tribes." He extends his hand to you and waves it in a gesture of greeting. You bow your head and offer him come up the steps into the building. He shakes his great head and paws the ground with one of his hooves, "No, thank you, King Valorian, but you need not show such mercies to us." You cock your head slightly, looking at the diplomat behind the Chieftain, who shrugs with a smile.

"I have heard tales, a trader whom we rely upon, tells me that the human Valorian Vastov, King of Vastov, drove the fierce Raiders of the West Sea into the grave. We have battled with them several times, and they were fierce opponents. I simply dismissed it as human trickery. Yet, then I am told the next day that their numbers were reduced to a mere six men, marked with the number of their dead!" The work of your historian, you must imagine, but remain silent, as he shakes his head.

"Your father, King Valorian, was weak, a typical human. He showed an urge to speak and not fight. You, however, show no such qualms. I do not wish my tribes to meet the same fate as the Raiders, and so I offer you a position of servitude. We will remain free in our lands, however, your kind are welcome to build on it, so long as they leave the half beneath the Krezaki Divide to us as roaming lands. In exchange, you provide us with human weapons and allow me the opportunity to fight amongst your powerful warriors, along with my brothers."

>A) Accept
>B) Hold out for more
>C) Refuse, be honest about the story

That reminds me, we should ask Piotr if he knew there was a disturbance in his lands, and then ask him if he knows any Order politics since he sent his daughter there, the first should shake/scare him enough to tell us.
Or I guess we could just ask Eleisha?

>>41555751
>>A) Accept
Well...this is a good thing.

>>41555751
>B) Hold out for more
If that fails accept.

>>41555751
>>B) Hold out for more
It sounds good. As we hold out for more, corect him as we would work together. At no time, will we be in. A position of servitude to him.

>>41555751
>Accept, be honest about the story
No reason not to.

>>41555751
>A) Accept
>B) Hold out for more
Stay silent and wait to see if he had more to offer, if not than accept.

>>41555751
>B) Hold out for more
tell him it is good that he came, for he was our next move in conquest
what he heard isnt too far off, the only ones that survived did so by our mercy
offer him a position like the khazadites have

>>41555804
Wow... Ok. This isn't any trick is it?
>>41555821
I guess all of my This

>>41555815
You do know if we are honest he would give us less land, and it's only half true out of 6000+, only 600 survived.

>>41555829
and this. let's be friendly still

>>41555833
>>41555804
Read again, namefags, he's offering to be in servitude to us.

>>41555829
this works.>>41555751

>>41555849
600 out of more than 6000, that was just the last group of soldiers we fought.
That 600 survived only of our mercy and now lives to work for us, that's plenty impressive still, and he would find out eventually anyway.

>>41555857
The context makes it seems that way.
the way it was worded seemed weird, so just covering our bases.
>>41555829
Sounds good. But I Wouldn't play it as aggressive since he is already here.

>>41555898
we should definitley mention we spared some after the decimation

>>41555751
Accept it, bt we will only provide them weapons when they're fighting alongside us, and we want all the lands for administration but promise to let them be free in it.
Also a yearly tax, maybe? Or tribute or whatever.

>>41555857
All I'm saying is there is no need to be "evil". We gotta show the conqueror type. Just be honorable

>>41555940
What the fuck are you talking about. The Warlord was here to head off a potential genocide by us and is willing to bend the knee. So what the fuck?

>>41555751
I'm reading this right, he's offering to be in servitude to us, right? Centaurs serving Vastov, to be clear?

>>41555967
Duuuuude... So you wanna go murder hobo on them just because they said we can?

So after this we going back to empire building and count making right?

>>41555751
Holy crap these agents are paying off

I want to give titles of nobilty to both the historian and the diplomat

give the diplomat a barony in our fief, and the historian could maybe just be head of the soon to be founded Royal library instead of giving him a landed title

>>41555829
No way, way too early for Khazadite type thing, maybe after a few years.

>>41555829
>>41555804

You cross your arms over your chest and look up at him, "It was good of you to come to me, for you were the next target of my grand armies." He nods, slowly, "Yes....I assumed as much. It would only be natural, we are scattered tribes of raiders, and our women-folk rest with our foals in distant hidden villages. Against such forces we cannot stand against you. Human King Valorian, I come to you not as a warrior, but as a father and a husband, something I pray you can understand." He lowers his head, causing his warriors to drop their frontlegs onto their knees and bow fully, refusing to look up at their honored warlord in such a position of shame.

"I do not wish bloodshed against a foe so superior, it would be as fighting the wind with a spear." He crosses his hands across his stomach, "I would gladly surrender wealth, though we have naught but ale and some meat, and I would surrender my life, were it enough to appease your hunger for victory. Thus, I give you all that I can. We will submit entirely to your kingdom's rule, and give all of our raiding wealth to you."

This has gone on far enough. You put your hand on his shoulder and speak, "Arise, Rugar Axebiter, your show of humility does me great honor. It is true, that I destroyed most of the Zestreid, some still live, as slaves. Yet, I do not wish that fate upon you. There exist a race of men in my lands, the Khazidites, do you know them?" He nods, "Yes, we call them the Half-Centaur, for when they are on a horse, they move as we do, with the same unity."

You nod, "They live in my Kingdom, under my reign, and when I go to war, they give me the men I call for, and for that, they live unmolested by my reign, without having to pay." His head looks up at you with surprise, "You would be so generous?"

[cont]

>>41556039
Arent we already planning on doing it with the Mavens? How is this different? The only think id worry about is hurting the feelings of the Khazadites

>>41556015
No you asshat. I'm explaining what their doing and why he showed up. I want them as vassels for the upcoming war with the order. The fuck are you talking about.

>>41556062
How much longer you gonna run for?

>>41556020
Guys I really think we need to reward our Agents who pulled this off for us

>>41556062

You smile, "Rugar, we have warred before, and peace is fickle. Instead of war, give us access to your lands, to move my armies through them, and give me a muster of your soldiers at my call. To begin with, as a test of loyalty, I will have you give me only one third of your raiding wealth, and in exchange for this good service, I will provide you with access to trade with us, for food and supplies, to improve your lives, as well as human weapons so long as you never turn them against us. Is that acceptable?"

The Centaur nods, extending his hand, which you grab firmly, "Yes! It is a most merciful deal, sire, thank you! You will not regret our presence, I assure you."

[New Special Cavalry: Centaur Warriors, added to site]

He makes his way through the streets roaring in joy, his men following him, battering on drums as they leave the city to give the good news. The diplomat is left behind, combing his fingers through his hair and giving you a huge smile. "Sire, I know, it was a bit risky, but it was an opportunity." You laugh and grab his hand, shaking it firmly. "You have done well. What is your name?" The man tells you his name, Kaspir, and you tell him that his excellent service will be remember and rewarded very shortly.

You return inside and Ralero is waiting, holding the ledger. "Sire! I have excellent news, I have the list of able nobility. I have done the work of weeding through the worst candidates and present the best for you."

[Baron Orlov: A bit of a blow-hard, he is a competent Baron, and seeing as his barony is already in Esmerin, it would be easy for him to simply expand his authority and rule over it.

Sir Garzoy: One of your honor guard, he is the fifth son of a lesser noble, and so received no title. He fights nobly and was knighted by Lady Valeriya for his courage in war. Perhaps a good candidate for Hoogstrad?

Kaspir: The Diplomat is extremely successful and would make a good noble.]

[cont]

>>41556151
[1.5 hr]

>>41556275

[Lady Valeriya: You could give her rulership of all of Greater Essland, which almost elevates her to co-ruler status. This may be unwise, but it is an option, should you wish it.

Contessa Eleisha: She could be given rule over a County, if you wish to have her cede her claim to Ruston. This serves the extra purpose of putting her on equal strength as her Father.]

"Are any of these options interesting, sire, or would you like me to find more?"

>A) Write in

>>41556317
>Contessa Eleisha: She could be given rule over a County, if you wish to have her cede her claim to Ruston. This serves the extra purpose of putting her on equal strength as her Father.]
and
Sir Garzoy: One of your honor guard, he is the fifth son of a lesser noble, and so received no title. He fights nobly and was knighted by Lady Valeriya for his courage in war. Perhaps a good candidate for Hoogstrad?

>>41556062
Damn.
Hardcore.
Will we know how many centaur there are and such?
Oh man, we'll have to build them roads along their coastline, build port cities, and get trade started with Essland.
We could even send some mages over to study stuff, or the Khazadites could go play with them sometimes.
>>41556244
They're getting payed, give them a bonus maybe, but that's reward enough.
>>41556317
Orlov and Garzox sound good, maybe give Kaspir land in the Centaur lands? I'm not sure how that works, did we seriously get absolutely no land from having the Centaurs become subservient?
Don't want to deal with Eleisha and the General right now.
Let's go talk to Eleisha about the Order instead, and read her letters.

>>41556317
>A
we should talk to Vella, see if she will respond when we call out to her mentally, and ask if she really has an interest in ruling over Hoogstrad

Other than that we should give Sir Garzoy Esmerin to increase the loyalty and motivation of our honor guard, and we should give ,the peninsula part of Greater Essland to Lady Valeriya

>>41556275
>Baron Orlov
>Sir Garzoy
>Kaspir
Person 1 and person 5.

>>41556358
Oh, but don't give Orlov role iver all of the county, divide it in half and keep the one closer to us for ourself.

>>41556350
She can't spie on her father anon.

>>41556358
I was thinking to reward Valeriya with lands in the Centaur lands. Considering she fought them she might know some of their tactics and could find better uses for them. The rest seem like a merry bunch. Although Eleisha could be a replacement for her father eventually?

>>41556435

We shouldn't trust Valeeoya with too much power mang. She's very useful but she may decide that she is too useful to be our henchmen forever. We should instead promote other loyal people to keep her in check.

>>41556375
Hell no, don't give Vella Hoogstad, and Valeriya is already pretty powerful anyway.
and why not ive Esmerin to the one who lives there?
>>41556435
Eventually for Eleisha, but I think we shouldn't give Val much land now.
Having fought them would mean that they would have bad blood, no?

>>41556465
Not neccesarily. They value strength and combat prowess

>>41556358
[Wrote the land part wrong. We have the land. It's basically Khazidites but they pay 1/3 their raiding earnings, and give a muster at any time, instead of just during times of war.]

>>41556388
>>41556379
>>41556317

[At present, the setting will be the following.

West Essland (burned former farmland): Sir Garzoy

Hoogstad (and east Essland): Unclaimed, could give it to Duchess Natalia, which would give her control of an equal size land to Vastov, almost.

The Centaur Lands: Kaspir gets some of it, the rest is ungoverned for now.

Esmerin: Baron Orlov gains control of eastern Esmerin, including the fey woods, and we get control of west Esermin.]

>A) Write in response, and suggest changes if any

>>41556500
For some reason captcha is not working for me.
>>41556379
>>41556317
Also adding to talk to Valla about ruling hoostag.
>>41556350
>>41556435
Horrible idea to give her that much land it even s as us so, it's also why we have our own personal army.

>>41556500
Sounds fine

But let's call out to Vella, I'd like to see if we can get her on our side

>>41556500
Talk to Valla about hoostag.

>>41556514
I'm not saying to give her ALL the land. A small/medium Duchy or whatever.

>>41556500
By person 1 and person 5 I was talking about our new admiral and honor guard.

>>41556500
Do not suggest to Vella that she rule Hoogstag, too unpredictable.
This is fine as is for me, we'll find ithers for the rest.
But actually, nevermind, give that baron all of Esmerin.

>>41556500
Sounds good.
building roads improves our trade output correct? At least the resources to an extent?

>>41556500
Get the whole Vella position cleared up about her ruling that land.

>>41556514
>>41556546
You're the same person, right? You've spelled her name wrong repeatedly now.
She is not trustworthy enough to let her hae Hoogstad right now.
>>41556500
No on the Vella thing, it would be retarded considering we don't even know if we want to work together with her.

>>41556570
Just want to see if she really is ruling it and also don't want our new count there to die or suddenly marry her.

>>41556514
>>41556545
>>41556546
>>41556589
Why do you want to give Vella power?
She was literally behind the Raiders' rule, you realize that, right?
>>41556639
No she isn't rulin it, how could she be? We'd know about it if that was the case, that was just an excuse for her to be at the ball/party.

>>41556628
Yup if you read what I first out there, captcha keep Fucking up and didn't let me add talking to Vella, since any people we send there could be a big problem.
Which is who think we should settle that especially when she calls herself their ruler.

>>41556684
Captcha is still fucking up for me too

>>41556582
[This is correct]
>>41556570
[The baron will now be Count of Esmerin.]

[People seem split on the Vella thing for now, so we'll leave it until we run into her next.]

Ralero nods, "Very well, sire, I will execute your will. These appointments and promotions will require ceremony, as I'm sure you know well. The Harvest Festival is in a month's time, that would be an ideal time to give them these promotions, at least to give the celebrations for it. If you wish, I can order them to their stations now?" You nod, "Yes, we need the leadership. Hoogstad can stay under my control until we get a trustworthy noble into position for it."

After sending your orders out he twirls his quill, "So! What would you like to do with the rest of today, sire?"

>A) Talk to Matron Olga
>B) Go back to Hoogstad and check in
>C) Other, write in

[New Followers will be active and visible come the new week.]

>>41556695
>>A) Talk to Matron Olga

>>41556695
>>A) Talk to Matron Olga
and see if we can contact v e l l a on the way back, i have a feeling what she has to say will be related to our "goddess"

>>41556695
>A) Talk to Matron Olga
>>41556694
Yeah it's a pain in the ass since it sometimes does not let me post right away.

>>41556695
>Talk to Eleisha, THEN talk to he Matron
We need dirt on the Order,

>>41556695
>>A) Talk to Matron Olga

Don't trust Vella in the least. At best, I say we tell her we need a good show of faith, and either a permanent upgrade to our mage quarters. Or get rid of the barrier between the queen and us. Perfecr ably the barrier. And say it would show us she can work with us.

>>41556772
4chan is deeeead

>>41556745
>>41556695
Don't forget the letters thus time.

>>41556745
>>41556728
>>41556721
>>41556702

"Ah, before I forget." You head back upstairs and grab the pile of documents that Eleisha gave you, securing them inside your coat and head back down, "Alright, let's go talk to the Matron." Ralero pales and swallows nervously, "Are...are you certain you need me for that, sire? In fact, I believe that you told me to survey the realm! Yes, actually, you did!" He starts to move towards the door before Elsabeth catches him by the neck and smiles, "Awww, look how scared he is. Sire, let's bring him. You like it, right, Ralero?" The poor man sighs and stands up, "I have my things, sire. Let's go."

On your way through the mountain path you read into Eleisha's notes. A lot of them are just quick stolen notes about events, talking about people you don't know in places you don't recognize. Not extremely useful on their own, you keep going, finally finding something valuable.

"The Five Masters of the Order of the Tower,

Commissioned by order of Grandmaster Heiser von Kelmut-

At the top of this elite group, the Five Masters, stands Heiser von Kelmut. He was chosen when the previous Grandmaster died in battle against the Tyranny, where he was brought to power by Rite of Offering, granted directly authority to rule by the Grandmaster.

Next in age and peerage stands Master Johan Geuhrer. This man is Heiser's junior by a mere three days, and fought alongside him for many years. However, unlike Heiser, he never finished the Four Arches, stopping on the third, where he remains as Grand Inquisitor of the Order to this day.

Master Warner von Lahtz, standing Master-at-Arms, is the personal bodyguard to Heiser von Kelmut in situations where he fears for his life. Warner is trained in all forms of combat, both armed and unarmed, used by the Order and has the greatest range of Noble Calling in the Order.

[cont]

>>41556877

Master Anna von Lahtz, wife to Warner, is the First-Lance of their Lance-Brothers Division. She has never been unhorsed since she took her office, and it is said that she did battle with over twenty Husks and emerged with her foes shattered behind her.

Finally, Master Brunhilde, youngest of the Masters, has a connection the Great Will that none could even claim to match. She is confident and fair."

The note ends with that and you make sure to keep that one apart from the rest, in case you need to refer to it. The rest of her notes are copied notes from Piotr, talking about his deeds that you already know about.

However, one of them does mention something that was alluded to in later notes. Piotr, here, describes an underground Monastery to Thusk where an Order representative is training his soldiers to be Order equivalent, and is paying to have arms and armor sent to his castle, disguised as iron ore. You do not forget this one and are about to read on as Ralero calls out, "Sire, we're here."

Elsabeth rides ahead and gestures for you to follow. The three of you hitch your horses and dismount, walking into the Monastery, where you bow to the Matron who greets you politely.

"Sire, forgive me for calling you up here so quickly, however, I have a few things to discuss with you. First, I would like to congratulate you on your war against the Raiders. I hope that my Daughters were of use." You, of course, assure her that they were vital. She nods, clearly not interested in this issue too much. When she breathes in slowly, you know she's about to get to the point.

"Tell me, Sire, what relation do you have with the Order of the Tower?" You feel your smile hitch slightly as she mentions them.

>A) Be honest, you hate them
>B) Be courtly, you are not allies
>C) Lie, you are largely unknown to one another

>>41556959
>>A) Be honest, you hate them
It's the truth.

>>41556959
>B, with a bit of A recently

>>41556959
>>B) Be courtly, you are not allies
Our quarrel is with the schemey grandmaster I still have hope things might get better later on with them

>>41556959
>A) Be honest, you hate them
You did tell us they don't like each other.

>>41556959
>>A) Be honest, you hate them

>>41556959
>>A) Be honest, you hate them

>>41557013
>>41557010

"I am no friend of the Order, however, my main issue lies with the Grandmaster. Heiser von Kelmut is a backstabber, a rat, and a bully. I wish to see him dead." The Maven laughs and slaps the table hard, "You really do hate him? That's impressive, King Valorian! Very impressive." She muses and takes a sip from a cup on the table before nodding,

"A few of them came up here, yesterday evening. White robes, black marks. They had clubs, knives, and big dreams. Dreams of a coven of women at their mercy. We slew them before they made it up here." She smiles softly, sipping from her cup again, "It's interesting, sire, how they found us. Do you know how?" You shake your head as she nods,

"Sadly, I don't either. And that's what bothers me. For if it were just a few rogue elements, what's a hundred men here and there....but if the army knows....that would be bad." The Matron puts her cup down and looks at you, "Valorian. I am told they are followers of Thusk, yet I am the Bride of Thusk, and I do not condone these blasphemers doing work in his name with such ill deeds. Perhaps, as you suggest, it is the Grandmaster, but I believe the whole body to be rotten."

The Matron stands and paces around, "So this is what I suggest. I am told you have built Quarters for my Daughters, that they would feel at home amongst one another. I am told that you have treated Elsabeth with respect and honor. That is good, and it makes me confident in you." She sighs, "I have a feeling you wish something of me, but I will offer first."

"You may have access to all of my Daughters, free of charge, so long as your foe is the Order. All two thousand of us stand ready to fight for you, but only against the Order. Otherwise, you may have five hundred of my daughters, but no more."

>A) Accept
>B) Write-In

>>41557167
>>A) Accept

>>41557167
>B) Rather than serving me directly, I would have you move north to the kingdom between myself and the Order. It is known as La Faresse, and its Queen is my ally, and she is at great risk from the order. Perhaps you could relocate yourselves there, and help defend her lands in the event of a sudden invasion, and eventually help our two nations if we face war with the Order?

its wordy and it sucks but this is the basic idea

>>41557167
>A) Accept
>>B) Write-In
Mention frenchie and ask about her being our gods bride.

>>41557208
>>41557209
combine these two >>41557167

>>41557167
Accept, ask her about her goddess, offer her to formally recognize her and allow her to build a temple in the capital in exchange for her bending the knee, and ask her to send a portion of her warriors north to La Faresse to set up another monastary/defend them from the order

>>41557167
>>A) Accept

>>41557235
This

>>41557167
>Knifes and clubs
Those fucks that tried to kill us were Order men!!!
They are now on my super shit list.

>>41557167
>A) Accept
What's this about being Thusk bride?

>>41557266
Nun

>>41557167
Accept.
See about sending 200 or so of these women, patrolling the borders along 10th another unit or two of the centuars. Making sure none sneak in.

>>41557256
> Piotr, here, describes an underground Monastery to Thusk where an Order representative is training his soldiers to be Order equivalent, and is paying to have arms and armor sent to his castle, disguised as iron ore

Guys, PIOTR IS FUCKING AROUND

We need to execute him

>>41557256
You didn't catch that when this was mentioned?>>41556959
>Piotr, here, describes an underground Monastery to Thusk where an Order representative is training his soldiers to be Order equivalent, and is paying to have arms and armor sent to his castle, disguised as iron ore. Y

>>41557295
Ok. Let's fuck Piotr's shit up. I've had it with that bastard. Let's do it with style tho. Make him help us against the order without him knowing. Let's set something up with the mavens and his daughter. Right here and now

>>41557295
The Order needs to die. After we get more infrastructure and get our new holding in order

>>41557278
Easy he is away from his castle, just go to it and kill the order there.
The order and him can't say buckshot about it unless they want to admit to it.
Hell we can hide as inspecting fir corruption.

>>41557322
He is actively plotting with the Order against us

He is a treasonous vassal. He will be brought to trial

>>41557318
>>41557278
Why not just wipe these troops put and take their armour/shit left behind.
These guys are supposed to be secret and the count is at our place training soldiers.
So why not take these guys out, the two fuckers can't say shit about it.

>>41557334
Not while he us improving our army.
Let's kill him once we go to war with the order.

>>41557344
He is committing treason and that needs to be addressed

>>41557295
Yeah, I say we kill this trade route and training of order troops.
In the mean time, just give him one last chance to confess. And give us the details of this and see if we can exploit it. Like getting a good shipment of gold/and resources. And say it's for an uprising or something. That way we take from their resources and increase our own.

>>41557256
You seriously only now realize this? I literally wrote it in the chat when that happened.
>>41557167
>Yes
Once that is dealt with, we can try to get them to fight anyone we want for free, like the Khazadites.
DO NIT MOVE THEM TO LA FARESSE
There are Order man there and we don't want fights before they attack.
Movenour army to the La Faresse border but have the Mavens in the capital.
At most just have a 300 of them or so in La Faresse.

>>41557363
We have his daughter spying on him.
We always knew he was commuting treason when his daughter told us the truth the reason we kept him was so that we can use him, and also to see who else is part of his treason

>>41557361
We can put a new vassal into his holdings. This asshole is actively trying to screw us even though he took that oath

>>41557235
>>41557243
>>41557209

You nod, "I am fond of your terms, Matron, but I offer this counter. Instead of giving me the five hundred sisters, allow me to keep the two hundred I have now. Those five hundred, however, should be sent north, into La Faresse, to protect that vital area from Order invasion. It could happen at any time, and I need an army that is not my national army there to protect. You may build a temple to Thusk attached to the Maven Quarters, but you must swear your loyalty to me." She muses and nods, "Very well, King Valorian. I swear it."

She kneels and looks up at you, "I have only ever once taken to my knees like a servant, when I swore myself to Thusk." You nod and draw your sword, "You will find," you say with a smile, "That I am much less demanding." You tap her shoulders and perform the entire ritual. She swears her Oaths and you shake hands with her.

"Now, Matron, tell me, you are Thusk's Bride? Have you met him?" She nods, with a soft smile, "Yes, just once, but yes. I am widow, my husband and I fought in battle together, but when he was slain I grew mournful. I felt like he died protecting me, and that I was useless. Then he appeared, Thusk, and I made my promise to serve and love only him." She smiles and nods, sipping from her drink. "It is a lovely tale." You nod, agreeing with her statement as you rise with her and head to the gates.

[cont]

>>41557386
We should really build the thieves guild so this shit doesn't go under our noses any more

We should be careful with piotr. He may have some order's men around, and they are tough

>>41557387
>>41557363
>>41557334
Doing so will probably start a war so be prepared for that if you high as go for this.

>>41557395

"I will send the soldiers as soon as possible, Sire, thank you." She bows and closes the doors of the Monastery. Ralero is waiting outside, standing next to Elsabeth who is leaning against a horse, laughing at him. The two stand up straight when you approach, all smiles. "Well, things appear to have gone well." You nod, "Yes, indeed. Congratulations, Elsabeth, you are no longer paid. Instead, you are my vassal now, and work for free!" She sighs, rubbing her forehead, "I suppose that's fine, Sire. Despite myself, I actually enjoy working for you. It's interesting." You grin at her and she groans, shaking her head, "No, sire, I take it back, I regret losing the pay."

You laugh and get on your horse, Ralero on his own as you all start the ride down the mountains. Things have been successful and upon reading the notes to their completion on the way back home you learn the following.

1- The Grandmaster is NOT an autocrat, despite his appearances. While he is the leader, the Masters all vote on decisions, and his vote simply counts for 3, but he can be overruled.

2- The other Masters are all interested in becoming Grandmaster, naturally, but Heiser has proven to be both pious and knightly in his rulership, at home, it seems.

3- The war against the Tyranny has gone absolutely nowhere. In fact, as the Order commits more and more men to fight the Husks, it seems that they just keep coming back stronger and more suitable to fight the Order. It has forced a rapid escalation in training, which unfortunately for you, has produced troops of a truly world-class caliber. An individual Sword-Brother, for example, is easily the peer of ten of your men, without question.

4- Piotr is actually the son of Master Warner von Lahtz's aunt, making the two of them cousins. This explains his close ties to the Order. It also could mean that Piotr can do the same kind of divine magic that Order warriors could, but that one is unconfirmed.

Finally...
[cont]

>>41557439
fyi I want to go to Hoogstad before returning to the capital

>>41557469
Same, but I also want to clear this mini order army in the counts castle before they are fully trained.
The count and the order can't do Jack shit about it since if they speak about it, they admit to raising an army in our region.

>>41557439

5- The letter you found this information in appeared damaged, repaired, or doctored intentionally. This is difficult to say exactly which. However, it directly mentions Piotr spending his funds, truthfully YOUR taxes, shortly before you arrived and he surrendered to you at the beginning, and sending them to the West Sea Raiders so they could serve as a front to hire an assassin to kill you.


You take it all in and sigh, "Oh, Piotr...what a difficult man you are proving to be..." Ralero rides forward and speaks softly, "Sire...forgive my forward nature, but....perhaps it would be worth instituting the Azdrovni again." You nod, remembering the foot-note in your history well. Created by Cernos' grand-son to help try and keep a fading kingdom from falling apart, the Azdrovni were magically armored and armed secret watchmen who used artifacts that are current locked in the royal vault under the castle to change their faces and voices and root out conspirators and treachery. They were famous for brutality and merciless power.

You keep his suggestion in mind and prepare yourself, mentally, to go do what needs be done in.....

>A) We head to Ruston, to remove that cell of soldiers
>B) We go to Cernorian to arrest Piotr
>C) We go to Hoogstad

[This is last post. Next post is wrap-up and opening Q/A for a short time.]

>>41557491
By that time we will have already started a conflict. They can go all "muh reveng" after we kill piotr. We won't care tho. We have a motive for starting a war.

>>41557515
>>A) We head to Ruston, to remove that cell of soldiers
What is this about order stooges in my lands?

>>41557515
>>B) We go to Cernorian to arrest Piotr
priority number 1
>>41557515
if we remove the nest of soldiers first he might flee and we cant have that, we take him out, take out the cell, visit hoogstrad

>>41557515
>C) We go to Hoogstag
I want to know how that elemental or whoever we found in a pool of his own blood is doing.

>>41557515
wait im changing my vote from this >>41557534
to supporting this>>41557547

>>41557515
>A) We head to Ruston, to remove that cell of soldiers
>>41557518
Reread my post I never said to kill the count.
The count and the ass can't say shit about the army unless they want to admit to raising one which would be enough to Fuck them over both.

>>41557548
our vassal, whi is currently training our army, plotted to kill our father, us, then us again. we need to address this before this wily fuck rots us from the inside out

>>41557574
It can wait, we will be back within 3 days, he can't brainwash our troops in that time.
>>41557547
Don't arrest him yet.
Just have the guards/watchmen stop him if he tries to leave, this way we can delay taking out the cell a bit.

When will the portal be ready?

>>41557515
>B) We go to Cernorian to arrest Piotr

>>41557547
>>41557558

"Ralero, when we arrive in Cernorian, raise up my Honor Guard and the Khazidite Bound Hunters, I will need all the strength I can muster to clean this cell out." He nods his head, "Of course, sire, it will be done."

Elsabeth pipes up, "Say, what about Thorn? He's been sitting in his tree, or whatever it is he does, looking bored. I'm sure he can be of help." You nod, agreeing with her and making sure to remember it. After all, a Hero like Thorn needs to be kept busy or he'll get bored and wander off.

[And that will conclude us for the evening. Thank you all so much for playing. Keep your eyes on the birdie to see when we're running next, ask me stuff on ask.fm and entertain us both, and don't forget to stay gold.]

[Open question & answers is open for like, 10-15 minutes tops.]

>>41557515
>>A) We head to Ruston, to remove that cell of soldiers

>>41557600
Would Thorn enjoy mapping and adventuring for us?

>>41557600
so how did we do with this session. Is war with the order inevitable at this point or can we make them back down with a show of united force?

>>41557615
[He's not much of the mapping kind. He likes Quests, Heroes love Quests. He also likes Dueling, and Warring. But Exploring is not his favorite. He hates Inspiring.]

>>41557600
When will the portal be ready? Have we got any magic books borrowed yet to read? When will we get sword training by Elsabeth? Will the map be updated now that we got the Centaur lands, or do they not do a lot of cartography? Does Eleisha know Order secrets? How good are our interrogation techniques?
Does Piotr have any unique traditions(I forgot), or is he just a good strategist/general?
He was the one who told the Order about the Mavens, right?

>>41557628
[War is not inevitable. I'm not going to railroad you into wars, especially not so soon after we just got off one.]

>>41557633
So would thorn be up for assassination quests? Like going into order territory and killing one of the masters? Or just going into their country and wrecking havoc for a while.

>>41557633
Is he a solo quest guy or would he like our company? Could we ask him to clear out that hollowed out demon mountain, or would that be too big a job? Would he like to Retrieve the Axes of Khazad for us? Could he be tasked with hunting down the mask and bringing him to us alive?

>>41557647
So are our gods paying attention to the shit going on or are they just sorta meh about it. Besides sea bitch.

>>41557673
[We don't have any god's ear close enough for them to care much. They're sorta having fun watching.]
>>41557669
[Thorn likes fighting alone. You absolutely can send him into the mountain, if he can find it. He also can retrieve the axes! He even could hunt down Mask, yes. Basically, if it was a Labor of Hercules style thing, Heroes can do it.]
>>41557667
[Certainly within his power and skills. Thorn doesn't have those annoying scruples some Heroes have.]

[And that, for me, is a wrap. I'm gonna head to sleep. Thanks again guys, sorry we cut it sorta short tonight, but we did a lot of work.]

>>41557709
I left you am ask, since my phone is Fucking up on 4chan and us really missing me off that it keeps crashing mow of all times.