>>5114740

You had submerged yourself in your bathtub with your nose just barely above the water. The hot water eased the aching muscles and made you feel better after a tough morning and afternoon of fighting. You went through the different fights in your mind and blew bubbles with your nose as you submerged deeper in the water.

Holding your breath for a moment under water, you raised your head above the water and started washing yourself. Your armour had been carried away by the servants and sent to the blacksmiths who would fix whatever damage it had taken during the fighting, while your clothes were in progress of being washed.

There was also the news that there was to be a feast in honour of those who participated in the tournament and in honour of your victory in grand melee.

In the hot bath water also floated the short scarf Calia had given you when you asked for her favour. As you left the tournament field, you had searched for the sword you had been using and found it had already been collected by the umpires. You wouldn’t want to lose this scarf as you thought that you should return it to Calia and due to it being dirty thanks to all the sweat and dust, you had let it soak before washing it too.

There was a knock on the door and before you could answer or get out of the bath, the door was opened and you heard a familiar voice as the door closed shut.

“It is me Alric, congratulations on your victory.” Came the voice of Jaina Proudmoore. She sounded happy, but the silence after that was a clear sign of confusion. “Where are you Alric?”

“I am in the bath.” You raised your voice and let out a sigh.

“Oh, OH!” Was her reaction when she realized what you had said.

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>>5114743

Jaina had carried your fine clothes closer and turned her back when you came retrieving them while just having a towel wrapped around you. Having put the clothes on, you came out from the bathroom and allowed Jaina to turn around.

“Sorry for barging in like that.” She said bit embarrassed.

“Ehh don’t worry about it.” You said and waved her concerns away as you dried your still wet hair with a towel.

“I cannot lie, but me and Calia were terrified during your fight with Arthas. We thought that the warhammer would be the end of you.”

“I did think the same. Year or two more training for him and I couldn’t have beaten him. That is the fact.” You said back to her and put the towel down.

“Arthas might not take this loss well, but I hope he does. He still has a lot to learn.” Jaina said with a mix of disappointment and hope in her voice. “But I am not here to talk about Arthas, but you. You are man of the day.”

“What do you have to say?” You inquired.

“Two things actually. I heard that King Varian and other kings are going to sit down and discuss the Alliance business for the next few days. And I heard that you might get an audience with them the day after tomorrow.”

That did sound quite good actually. You could present your case to them in person and maybe get something accomplished.

“That is very good news, this is exactly what I was waiting for from this trip.” You said and raised your voice a bit in excitement. “Jaina, what is the second thing then?”

“Well I thought that with tomorrow being free and… if nothing else happens, could you… I mean will you come on a date with me?” Jaina asked and you could see her face turn a bit red as she tried to look down.

This time it was your time to be surprised. You like Jaina and you find her really lovely, but this really did surprise you a bit. Going out on a date with Jaina?


The Date:
>That sounds lovely, go out on a date with Jaina and spend a fun day with her.
>Accept her offer, but try to mix leisure with business. You can’t just have fun in Stormwind.
>Politely decline and think of a good reason why to not hurt her feelings.
>Other, write in.

The Coins Jaina lended for your new clothes:
>Just pay her back with the reward you received from winning the grand melee.
>Let her keep the favour.

QM: Not a romance lock. And choose if you want to pay her back, it doesn’t cost any Wealth to do so or let her keep the favour. The pastebins have also been updated. And 10th thread, I am very happy that we have reached this far.

>>5114746
>>That sounds lovely, go out on a date with Jaina and spend a fun day with her
>Just pay her back with the reward you received from winning the grand melee.

Welcome back qm !

>>5114746
>That sounds lovely, go out on a date with Jaina and spend a fun day with her.
>Let her keep the favour.

Hell yeah here is my favorite quest back!.

I would say let her keep the favour so she has an excuse to drag us into more shenanigans later.

>>5114746
>That sounds lovely, go out on a date with Jaina and spend a fun day with her.
>Let her keep the favour.

>>5114746
Not a lock, eh… ngl, I like Jaina a lot, but I thought we were crushing on Calia. It would be better to clear things up early than trying to chase two tails and end up hurting them both.

>That is quite a tempting offer… though, I’m sorry if this sounds dumb, but I got the slightest impression you and Arthas were going out?

As for the money we owe her
>pay her back, but assert that since she helped us when we needed it most we still owe her a solid
Really the money is relatively minor compared to circumstance of first impression we needed it for.

>>5114746
>>Politely decline and think of a good reason why to not hurt her feelings.

Tell her that her family might get mad at her if they find out.

>Just pay her back with the reward you received from winning the grand melee.

I think that it is most strategically beneficial to marry Calia. It will result in an alliance with Lordaeron, therefore Terenas would lift his edict against us. Better yet, he might send his own troops to help us reclaim Alterac.

Kul Tiras is a distant island nation and we don't have any coastal settlements, therefore an alliance would be of little benefit.

>>5114852
I mean, it is sounding what you are saying, but Terenas will never allow it, we don't really have anything that would benefit him and his standing with the other kings will be tarnished by allowing her daughter to marry a traitor Alteraci.

Besides, Lordaeron will cease to exist as a kingdom in a couple years,

The most beneficial in the long run would be Jaina.

>>5114876
>we don't really have anything that would benefit him

Securing Gallow's Corner will allow passage through the Alterac Mountains. That benefits everyone in the kingdom.

> Lordaeron will cease to exist as a kingdom in a couple years,

We don't know that, don't metagame.

>>5114876
Ehh that is too meta reasoning for my tastes. Though there is merit to Jaina both as princess of sorts and as a promising archmage. Although we could get away pursuing heart regardless.

Anyways, courtship is mid term issue and not really suitable for our current hurdles unless we’re already resigned the lords will cockblock us for several more years.

>>5114746
>>That sounds lovely, go out on a date with Jaina and spend a fun day with her.
>>Let her keep the favour.

>>5114876
That is bit meta, but the point about King Terenas is probably true. He wouldn’t really allow the marriage, he has too much to lose. Truth to be told, Admiral Proudmoore wouldn't accept it either, but would he lose as much?

Secret wedding is our only option?

>>5114760
>I would say let her keep the favour so she has an excuse to drag us into more shenanigans later.

Why would you WANT her to drag us into some nonsense when we can pay back our debt right now?

>>5114760
Seriously mate, you're asking for a negative.

>>5114882
I guess not important enough for them to care much about it, pretty sure because politics or profits for other cities taking tariffs from the merchants going around into or out of strahnbrad.
And even if they really cared, they would use the Silver Hand or the Regional Defenders to take it instead of wasting a political asset into a marriage with a dead kingdom.


>Why would you WANT her to drag us into some nonsense when we can pay back our debt right now?

Why not? also it would not be as if Jaina will ask us something absurd like Uther forcing us to fight gnolls, and every experience will be useful for Alric, like having experience in a date for when we make our true choice for our partner.

>>5115076
>Why not?

Because if we don't pay back our debt, we will have to give her a favour that she could ask for at any time, even if we're planning to do something else. Giving her the money now will get it over with so we won't have to worry about her in the future.

>>5115081
>>5115076
honestly this point is moot since I can't imagine Jaina abusing her favour on something that would be outright detrimental. In fact I'm pretty sure circumstances where she'd call in a solid would be those where we'd likely be willing to help regardless.

Another issue is that there's really no escaping that in terms of utility the coin she loaned us was much more critical then than what we return would be now so we'll still be owing her a favour, saying we're even now would be cheapening her help.

Going on a date wins and paying back/favour is a tie, but I can work with it. Give me a random event roll.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>5115751

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>5115751

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5115751

“If I don’t have anything tomorrow then yeah, let’s go on a date. Sounds like a lovely idea.” You answered to Jaina.

“Then let’s do it.” Jaina said back. “See you later in the feast.”

“Ah Jaina don’t go yet. I want to pay you back for these clothes. For once I actually have plenty of coin.” You interrupted her and smiled as you walked to the table where the reward chest full of coin was.

“Alric, you are not in a hurry to pay back.”

“I know, but I don’t want to stay in debt for too long.” You said back. “But still the fact is that you helped me when I needed it most, I still owe you a solid.”

“Well if you put it like that, yeah I will accept the coin.”

…

After Jaina had left, you had spent an hour or so checking your clothes and combing your hair. You tried to make yourself as presentable as possible. After that you just lounged on the couch and killed time. When it was time to leave for the feast, you just rechecked everything and took your new sword with you. It looked heavier and it was a bit longer, but actually was and felt somewhat lighter than your old sword.

Finally you took the scarf you had received as a favour and tucked it behind your sash. Then you wrapped the second silken scarf around your neck. You really had received two scarfs from Calia, a fact that you had some difficulty to really understand. It really has been a wild day for you.

…

>8

It was time for the feast and you had left your room. Pair of Lieutenant Beckstons Kul Tiran Swashbucklers followed closely behind you. The servants and guards of the Stormwind Keep either stepped away, gave you a salute or a small curtsy as you walked past them.

Then you heard some commotion ahead of you just in front of the door leading into the grand hall. Approaching it you saw a somewhat familiar man talking with a few guards and clerks relatively loudly. Then the man saw you.

“You embarrassed me in the field! Prince Perenolde! Face me again!” Lord Lescovar shouted to you and drew his large sword. The guards around him moved their hands on the hilts of their swords and took a few steps towards the man.


>Completely no sell Lord Lescovar for he is way below your attention.
>The man is embarrassing himself again, let him know that he clearly knows how to do it without you even having to help him.
>Draw the Cinder Sword and intimidate the man down. If you beat him without getting a touch on yourself earlier today, imagine what a live blade would do to him.
>Other, write in.

>>5115835
>The man is embarrassing himself again, let him know that he clearly knows how to do it without you even having to help him.
"If you dont mind, there is a feast i would like to attend to. This is hardly the time or the place for a duel for me. And I imagine for you as well Lord Lescovar. I suggest you to put your sword back in your sheath, change clothes and return to enjoy the feast."
Make a smile
"Another duel can be then done at a later date, with a proper manner. Don't you agree ?"
If he accepts move on, if he is still blocking us though
"If you insist again and come at me now, i will draw my sword and not consider this a duel, since what you are clearly attempting to do in this hall looks like something else".
"I am clear Lord Lescovar ?"

>>5115835
>I’m afraid that I can’t spare time for a rematch right now, lord Lescovar. I’m sorry, but you will need to look to prove your valor elsewhere.

Surely there’s a Gnoll or Murlock camp around or something… let’s not say that though.

>>5115835
>>Completely no sell Lord Lescovar for he is way below your attention.

>>5115835
>>Completely no sell Lord Lescovar for he is way below your attention.
Why should we give him any attention? Man is a fool and we need to be above fools in Stormwind.

>>5115835
>Draw the Cinder Sword and intimidate the man down. If you beat him without getting a touch on yourself earlier today, imagine what a live blade would do to him.

Two votes for no selling him and two for saying something to him. Could I have a tiebreaker or when I start writing I will roll a die to see what wins.

>>5115835
>>5117023
>Completely no sell Lord Lescovar for he is way below your attention.

>>5117023
Alright
>>5115835
Support >>5115930 but if he continues let him know we'll defend ourselves like >>5115917

Rolled 2 (1d2)

You guys, now the vote is 3-3! Well I will roll the dice.

1 is no sell
2 is saying something to him

You stopped on your tracks and turned your head to face him. He hadn’t moved yet and the guards were hesitant to act.

“I’m afraid that I can’t spare time for a rematch right now Lord Lescovar. I’m sorry, but you will need to look to prove your valour elsewhere.” You said to him and continued. “At least if you had any valour with how you are acting right now.”

You could see that he was furious and when he took a half a step forward, the guards stepped between you and him and drew their own swords. For a moment it seemed that there would be bloodshed.

“You insolent brat!” Lord Lescovar spat at you and threw his sword down on the stone floor. “One day you will get what you deserve!”

Lord Lescovar attempted to push his way past the guards, but they grabbed his arms and after a very brief struggle, they started to escort him away.

A crowd had gathered to see what was going on and you knew that you had to keep the stiff upper lip and not react any further. As the guards started to escort Lord Lescovar away, you turned your gaze away from him and continued walking forward.

“Prince Alric, is everything alright?” The steward at the door politely asked you.

“Yes, now may I enter the grand hall?

“Of course my Prince.”

Pair of guards pushed the door open and you stepped in.

“Prince Alric Perenolde, the Prince of Alterac.” The steward announced with his clear deep voice.

Compared to yesterday, this time when you were announced in, there was no lull in discussion to see who was coming and to give a quick glance or leer at you.

The moment they realised who had arrived, people started to flock around you. Knights and soldiers in the feast congratulated you for winning the grand melee and some more braver ones clapped your back. You shook many hands and thanked everyone as you attempted to walk forward where the raised pedestal was.

You noticed that this time there were way less burghers and nobility and more knights and soldiers. You quickly wondered if the nobles didn’t care that much about the grand melee and this feast or was there some other reason for that. Either way, the grand hall was probably even more full than the day before and it immediately felt that the atmosphere was more relaxed.

Having gotten past the congratulating crowd you saw the raised table and saw who were sitting there. Arthas and most rulers of the Alliance were missing, but King Varian was sitting there with few of his closest officers. You noticed that there was a free seat next to Varian.

You gave a quick bow fitting for a prince to Varian and he waved you to join him. Sir Reginal Windsor stood up and held the chair for you. Having sat down next to King Varian, he leaned towards you.

“Welcome to the feast in your honour Prince Alric. It was a good win and it is a shame that Prince Arthas couldn’t join us this evening.” King Varian said to you and took a bite off a chicken wing.

“Thank you King Varian, it is my honour to be part of this.”

1/2

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1.3 MB PNG

>>5117358

“Pleasure is mine, it is my honour to have you here. In just a few days you have turned quite many heads with your presence and what you have done.” He said to you and continued. “Sadly what I don’t have is time, I will have to leave the feast relatively soon. As a King you cannot participate in two feasts in a row, way too many official duties.”

“I might not be a King yet, but I sometimes feel dragged down by the paperwork and official duties.” You said to him with a smile.

“So in that regard we are the same, even if we are completely different otherwise.” King Varian said back. “But due to lack of time I can’t really be just chit chatting here. There will be a meeting between the leaders of the Alliance starting from tomorrow and we will be discussing about you and Alterac. So if you have anything to ask or tell me, then now you have the time.”

This was a good chance for you to ask or say something to King Varian that might not be covered in their meeting or you could try to get him to see your position and goals in a better light.


>Tell him how Alterac has been a lawless place since the fall of Alterac and before you started to make moves, no one seriously tried to reclaim the land and bring it under the law. Attempt to make him see the benefits of your actions.
>You can’t possibly influence him to any direction right now, so ask him how it was to lead the Stormwind refugees during and after the Second War. How was it to lead people scattered by war?
>Ask him about the Stonemason’s Guild. You talked with Edwin VanCleef and it seems there are disputes about them getting paid. While it is not your business, things like this do interest you.
>Other, write in.

>>5117361
>>You can’t possibly influence him to any direction right now, so ask him how it was to lead the Stormwind refugees during and after the Second War. How was it to lead people scattered by war?

>>5117361
>You can’t possibly influence him to any direction right now, so ask him how it was to lead the Stormwind refugees during and after the Second War. How was it to lead people scattered by war?

>>5117361
>>Ask him about the Stonemason’s Guild. You talked with Edwin VanCleef and it seems there are disputes about them getting paid. While it is not your business, things like this do interest you.

>>5117361
>You can’t possibly influence him to any direction right now, so ask him how it was to lead the Stormwind refugees during and after the Second War. How was it to lead people scattered by war?

>>5117361
I’d like to bring up the stonemasons and van cleef, get his version of the events

Maybe segue into it asking about his experience from reconstruction of a kingdom.

>>5117536
Although we should rather avoid drawing comparisons since there is a difference between having your city ravaged by orcs and by having it ravaged as punishment for colluding with orcs and the difference may be a sore point for both of us.

I’m fact maybe we should just ask about this van cleef situation as this is maybe the only chance we’re going to get.

You thought about this for a moment. Trying to sway his mind or get him to support you would be near impossible, whatever talks there would be about Alterac would have to happen in the proper meeting.

“How was it to lead your people back then?” You suddenly asked him.

“Prince Alric, what do you mean?” King Varian asked, a bit confused.

“I mean the Second War and during the reconstruction.”

“It was not easy, but with the support of King Terenas, Lord Lothar and others, we managed to pull through it. I had to trust others to succeed for I was too young to command the troops in battle or rule wisely over the refugees.” King Varian said to you. “And after we returned back to Stormwind to rebuild the city, I had grown and was a few years older. Now people did expect me to lead them.”

King Varian had a small pause as he drank some wine and watched as more knights and others had arrived into the grand hall.

“Prince Alric, you have seen our city. How glorious it is and how high the towers reach. I alone couldn’t rebuild this city so I had to rely on the support of others. The House of Nobles, Stonemason’s Guild, my subjects who had fled into the wilds and forests away from orcs and those who had returned back here with me. All of us had to support each other to accomplish our shared goal.” He said to you and continued. “And I know the comparison between me and you. Two rulers whose people were driven from their home trying to scrape everything back together.”

You had thought about this a bit before when you read about the life of Varian Wrynn and the history of the First and Second War. And this comparison was in your mind when you asked him the question.

“Like I trusted my allies and friends to support me, you must do the same. In this we might be similar, but that is where the similarities end.” King Varian said.

“You are right, we are two different people.” You said back to him and was ready to continue, but King Varian interrupted you.

“In addition I had many allies and friends helping me. I know that you don’t have that many. And while as a warrior I can appreciate and honour your victory in the grand melee, as a politician and ruler I have to be wary of you. And how does it look when you suddenly arrive into Stormwind invited by Lady Proudmoore, speak with Edwin VanCleef during the feast and then win the grand melee while having Lady Menethil's favour? Looks quite brash and audacious, doesn’t it?”

1/2

>>5118460

“It does. What are you after?”

“It makes people think that who is this man, why does he have the audacity to come here into our city. They know your family name and the past of your family. And due to that this audacity of yours might end up making winning their support harder. So my second advice is to think about how others see your actions.”

Again King Varian was right. It was quite brash how you had appeared here, but you are only doing what you must. Chances like this don’t come often and even if people start to see you in a different light, at least they know that you exist.

“I am only consistent.” You said back to him.

“That is definitely true.” King Varian said with a laugh. “Oh I have heard about your actions, always first to act, doing things your way. Well if you think that is the key to your success, then who am I to give you advice?”

He rose up from his chair and you followed him. Varian extended his hand and you shook it.

“I have spoken for too long. Enjoy the feast Prince Alric.” He said to you and left the table with his officers following behind him. This left you alone at the raised table.

…

It was also a sign for the knights and other guests to arrive to congratulate you now that King Varian was gone. You had actual trouble eating as you were constantly interrupted by people.

The band had started to play and with King Varian gone, different servants of the keep had arrived to the feast. The music changed and some went to dance, while servants on duty carried more food and drink for the thirsty and hungry guests.

Then the person who you had been waiting for arrived. The steward first announced Calia Menethil who was accompanied by a few of her handmaids. For a short moment your and her eyes caught each other, but then she was interrupted by one of the guests. A moment later arrived Jaina Proudmoore who was followed by a young man wearing Kul Tiran clothing. It did not take long for them to be surrounded by people introducing themselves or wanting to greet them.

You thought about going to them, sitting alone at the table felt somewhat silly, but if you called both of them to you, at least then you would have someone to talk with.


>Approach Lady Calia and thank her for her favour and return the scarf back to her.
>Jaina looks more annoyed being surrounded by all these people. Go save her and the Kul Tiran who you do not recognize.
>Ask one of the servants to bring both of them to you, after all they sat at the table during last night's feast.
>Other, write in.

>>5118468
>>Approach Lady Calia and thank her for her favour and return the scarf back to her.

>>5118468
>>Approach Lady Calia and thank her for her favour and return the scarf back to her.

>>5118468
>>Jaina looks more annoyed being surrounded by all these people. Go save her and the Kul Tiran who you do not recognize.

>>5118468
>Approach Lady Calia and thank her for her favour and return the scarf back to her.
I reckon Jaina is with family and we probably should take care of this…

>>5118468
>Approach Lady Calia and thank her for her favour and return the scarf back to her.
first things first

You finished your half full cup of wine and stood up. Walking past the table, you picked another cup of wine from a servant and navigated your way past a group of knights. When you approached the people surrounding Calia and talking to her, they thankfully recognized your arrival and stepped aside allowing you to see Calia. She was wearing the really beautiful bluish gray dress this evening. The people stayed to watch and listen to what you were to say to her.

“Lady Calia.” You said to her and gave her a slight bow while keeping your eyes on her blue-green eyes.

“Prince Alric.” She said and replied with a curtsy.

“Lady Calia, I wish to thank you for the favour you gave me earlier today. I would like to think that it gave me fortune and helped me to win today.” You said to Calia.

“It was my pleasure Prince Alric.” She said back with a smile.

You reached under the sash that kept the silken robe tightly on and retrieved the freshly washed scarf that she gave you as the sign of the favour.

“I want to return this, I think I have gotten everything I can from it.” You said and held the small scarf in your hand. “Lady Calia, you should keep it so that you can give it again in the future to someone in need of your favour.”

“Oh you don’t need to give it back.” Calia said back and continued. “But if you insist, you may wrap it around my arm.”

Calia smiled and raised her left arm up so that you could tie the scarf around it. Taking her hand and then arm, you carefully wrapped the scarf around it while not breaking eye contact with her at all.

In return she gave you the most gentle smile you had ever seen.

1/2

>>5119006

You continued talking with Calia. Her handmaids listened carefully as Calia asked questions about you while sipping from a cup of wine. You answered her questions on Dawnholme, how it was to flee Alterac City and how you grew in different places before settling down in The Headlands. You happily answered them and watched how her eyes widened in fascination when you told the more exciting stories.

It did feel that your relatively eventful life was something Calia hadn’t personally experienced. She seemed like someone who had been living in the Capital City for most of her life and due to that had avoided experiencing the bigger world.

The band started to play music more fitting for dancing and Calia gave you a curious look to which you replied with a nod. Two of you finished your wine cups and holding Calia’s hand, you guided her where others were already dancing.

You allowed Calia to push herself closer and with expertise she guided your hands where they should be. She didn’t say anything as you started dancing amongst the people, you just kept your eyes on hers. You didn’t really have to say anything and it felt like the world around you became silent. Just like when you are fighting someone, all your concentration is on your opponent. This time it was just Calia and you danced with her.


>Dance and be with Calia. This feast is in your honour, no one will dare to interrupt you.
>Follow the tradition and switch the dance partners between songs, but return to Calia as many times as possible.
>Dance with Calia, but don’t appropriate her for the whole evening. Dance with others, dance with Jaina.
>Other, write in.

>Flirt with Calia.
>Don’t flirt with Calia.

QM: Please vote on both.

>>5119008
Dance with Calia, but don’t appropriate her for the whole evening. Dance with others, dance with Jaina.

Flirt with calia

>>5119008
> Dance with Calia, but don’t appropriate her for the whole evening. Dance with others, dance with Jaina.
>Don’t flirt with Calia.

I can’t justify flirting with her after we agreed to date with Jaina desu

>>5119008
>>Follow the tradition and switch the dance partners between songs, but return to Calia as many times as possible.

>>Flirt with Calia.
I think we should use this time to be with Calia

>>5119008
>> Dance with Calia, but don’t appropriate her for the whole evening. Dance with others, dance with Jaina.
>>Don’t flirt with Calia.

>>5119008
>Dance with Calia, but don’t appropriate her for the whole evening. Dance with others, dance with Jaina.
>Don’t flirt with Calia.

>>5119008
>Dance with Calia, but don’t appropriate her for the whole evening. Dance with others, dance with Jaina.
>Don’t flirt with Calia.

>>5119008
>Dance with Calia, but don’t appropriate her for the whole evening. Dance with others, dance with Jaina.

>Don’t flirt with Calia.

The band played their songs and you continued dancing with Calia. After a pair of songs you and Calia stopped for a moment to rest your legs and drink some wine. You let one song go and when the next dance was ready to start, one of the maids of the Stormwind Keep tried her luck and came to ask you for a dance.

You gave the maid a small nod and took her hand. Before you left for the dance, you turned towards Calia.

“Sorry Lady Calia, but she was a bit faster.” You said with a laugh and saw that she understood what you said. It would be tacky to dance with one partner only and denying others too many times. Tradition after all was to switch dance partners between songs.

So you danced with the maid for the duration of the song and when it ended you switched to another lady. This continued and you danced with quite many of them.

When you took short breaks, you saw that both Calia and Jaina had joined others in dancing and you saw that both of them were having fun. You finished another cup of wine and returned back into the dancing.

…

You finished dancing with one of Calia's handmaids and when the band started to play a new song, you found that someone had already taken hold of your hand. Turning to face whoever that was, you saw that it was Jaina. The song was a slower one.

“Hello Alric.” Jaina said to you and continued. “You really do like dancing.”

“Well it is quite fun.” You said back. You had been dancing for some time already. “How has your evening been?”

“It has been fun, I have to enjoy this as we don’t have events like this that often in Dalaran.” Jaina said.

“You don’t have dances or feasts?” You asked somewhat surprised.

“Not really no, at least no official ones. The mages tend to be somewhat too serious and busy for all this.” Jaina said and meant everything that had happened today. “That is why when trips like this happen, or I get out of Dalaran, I have to enjoy everything that happens.”

“That is fair. Have you been enjoying your stay here?” You asked carefully.

“I would say yes, I have seen my family and friends. I get to dance with you so yeah, I enjoyed my stay. It is nice to be with you” She said with a sly smile and clinged closer to you.

Was she flirting with you? Yes she was, that was your conclusion. So you danced with her, letting the band finish the song before letting her go.

“See you tomorrow Alric.” She said to you and smiled.

“Same to you Jaina.”

1/2

>>5119869

People had started to leave as the evening turned into night. You had started to dance less and chit chatted with the guests while attempting to eat a little to offset the wine you had drunk. As you talked with two knights of Stormwind, Calia who hadn’t left yet approached you.

“Prince Alric, it is late and I feel tired. Could you please escort me to my room?” Calia asked you.

“Of course Lady Calia.” You said to her and excused yourself from the presence of the two knights. You offered Calia your arm and she took it. When you left the grand hall, you let Calia to guide you.

It took a while to walk through the sleeping Stormwind Keep. You only saw a few guards and after reaching the part of the keep where Calia and other members of royalty were sleeping, there was no one in the hallways. Then Calia stopped at one door.

“This is my room.” She said to you and continued. “Thank you for the day Prince Alric. It was an exciting day.”

“Pleasure is mine Lady Calia.” You said back and smiled.

“So, good night Prince Alric.” Calia said and slightly stumbled in her words before hugging you and placing her head on your shoulder. “Thank you for this day.”

Calia freed herself from you and carefully opened her door and slipped inside.

It really had been an eventful day that is for sure and you had plenty to think about all this. But first, you wanted to get to your bed and sleep.

…

The next morning arrived faster than you had expected, at least it felt like it. You had slept long and there was the slight feeling of hangover from the wine you drank last night. You quickly washed yourself and ate a quick breakfast. Today you would be spending most of the day out with Jaina so you opted to put on your normal clothes and leave the new fine clothes in your room.

You checked that your clothes were tidy enough and your new sword secured at your side before putting your chaperon on your head. It was time to head out.


>Go find Jaina and head out into the city early, you have a date with her after all.
>Arthas wasn’t at the feast yesterday and seemed to be upset due to his loss to you. See if you can find him and speak with him.
>You had heard a lot about the Stormwind House of Nobles. Find someone who can explain the political situation in Stormwind better to you.
>Other, write in.

>>5119874
>>Go find Jaina and head out into the city early, you have a date with her after all.
I think we might have missed something with Calia

>>5119874
>>You had heard a lot about the Stormwind House of Nobles. Find someone who can explain the political situation in Stormwind better to you.

We are here for political reasons first.

>>5119874
>Go find Jaina and head out into the city early, you have a date with her after all.

Probably better to make good on our word than risk we go past each other later.

Not looking forward to further confrontations with Arthas, although he might appreciate us not going after his sister, he will be bothered we snatch his gf with added loss of not having Jaina mellow him out. Oh well.

>>5119874
>Go find Jaina and head out into the city early, you have a date with her after all.

>>5119874
>>Go find Jaina and head out into the city early, you have a date with her after all.

>>5119874
>Go find Jaina and head out into the city early, you have a date with her after all.

Going to find Jaina wins, give me a roll


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5120498

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>5120498

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>5120498

The decision was simple, you were going to find Jaina and head out into the city early. You wondered a bit what you would be doing with Jaina, but trusted that she would lead the way. When you went for the door, you quickly reminded yourself and went to fill your coin pouch from the reward that you got from winning the grand melee. This time you wouldn’t be needing to loan coin from Jaina.

Lieutenant Beckston and one of his men joined to follow you. At first you didn’t want any escorts, but how you were attacked back in Dawnholme made you doubt that. Sure you were in a far away city, but you were in a far away city. You wouldn’t really know what could happen so a pair of guards following you wouldn’t be that bad even having a pair of your men following you would ruin the privacy of the date.

You had to ask a few servants if they had seen Lady Jaina somewhere and finally one of them guided you to a study where she was. Ordering Beckston to wait outside, you knocked on the door of the study and entered it.

“Oh hello Alric.” Jaina said and waved at you as she raised her head from a book. With her was the young Kul Tiran man that you had seen yesterday.

“Good morning Jaina and…” You asked and tilted your head towards her companion.

“This is my little brother Tandred.” Jaina said and elbowed his side.

Tandred stood up and gave you a deep bow and introduced himself.

“I am Tandred Proudmoore, pleased to meet you.” He said with a unenthusiastic voice.

Tandred looked a few years younger than Jaina or you and shared the blonde hair of his sister. He did share some other similarities too with Jaina.

“Pleasure to meet you too Tandred.” You said back to him as he sat down. “So Jaina, are you ready to leave?”

“I am, I just have to make sure Tandred keeps up with his studies.” Jaina said to you. “Father has given him a quite strict set of studies to follow.”

Jaina carried a few of the books to Tandred and went quickly through his studies and what their father expected from him. Having done that, she went to collect her pack. As she packed a few of her belongings in it, Tandred decided to speak.

“Hey Sis, this your boyfriend?” Tandred asked.

“What no, no!” Jaina said quickly and you could hear the embarrassment in her voice before she responded with determination. “How dare you say that Tandred. Prince Alric is a good friend of mine and it is not suitable to speak like that to a Prince. Apologize.”

Tandred stood up and bowed down.

“I am sorry Prince Alric.” He said to you quickly. It sounded like he wasn’t that serious with his apology, but you wouldn’t hold a grudge over something like this.

“Apology accepted, no harm done.” You said back to him. “So Jaina, you ready?”

“Yeah, keep studying Tandred, maybe one day you get to spend a day in Stormwind.”

1/2

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>>5120940

You and Jaina had walked out of the keep and you decided to speak.

“So a boyfriend? Your little brother is quite talkative.” You said with a bit of a tease.

“Yeah, he happens to be.” Jaina said and deflated a bit. “He has always been like that. Forget what he said.”

“So what is our plan?” You asked.

“To see the city of course!” Jaina said with a smile.

…

>6

You followed Jaina with your guards right behind you across the city. You stopped at one small restaurant to eat a dinner of salmon soup, then two of you walked across the Old Town into the Trade District where traders from all corners of the world were plying their trade.

You went from a stall to stall looking at trinkets, rolls of cloth, supposedly magical gems and circlets. Jaina looked at everything very carefully and asked an awful lot of questions from the traders, making most of them very annoyed. In the end you ended up buying a pair of ice cream cones.

As the two of you ate the ice creams and laughed at the jests and jokes thrown left and right, the day turned towards afternoon. And as you walked towards the place where you heard there being more stores, you first heard and then saw some commotion ahead of you.

A group of men wearing red bandannas were pushing a man wearing a relatively expensive set of clothing around the street. The man looked like he was in distress and his clothes had already torn. Several of them carried wooden clubs and few of them had other tools of their trade in their hands. Chisels, hammers and so on. There was a pair of Stormwind guards, but they looked helpless as the men in red bandannas blocked them from helping the nobleman.

Then you realize who they were. Edwin VanCleef had worn the similar bandana, they were part of the Stonemason’s Guild. You continued eating the ice cream as you gave a quick glance to Jaina who just like you watched what was going on.


>These aren’t your people, this isn’t your business. Step away, call more guards to deal with this and instruct your bodyguards to help them.
>Interrupt the Stonemasons and demand them to release the poor man. While it is not your business, you are not going to stand helpless and watch as man gets bullied around.
>Draw the Cinder Sword and demand that they release the man. The Stonemasons can only lose here if they don’t release him.
>Other, write in.

Ask Jaina for support.
>Yes
>No

QM: Please vote for both

>>5120942
>Interrupt the Stonemasons and demand them to release the poor man. While it is not your business, you are not going to stand helpless and watch as man gets bullied around.
>Yes

>>5120942
>>Interrupt the Stonemasons and demand them to release the poor man. While it is not your business, you are not going to stand helpless and watch as man gets bullied around.
>>Yes

>>5120942
>Interrupt the Stonemasons and demand them to release the poor man. While it is not your business, you are not going to stand helpless and watch as man gets bullied around.
>No
if jaina wants to help let her but dont ask her outright.

>>5120942
>>Interrupt the Stonemasons and demand them to release the poor man. While it is not your business, you are not going to stand helpless and watch as man gets bullied around.

No. Let's not drag her into this.

>>5120942

>Intervene
However keep in mind we do know that the stonemasons feel justified here so we should approach with temperance.
Violence here won’t put them in position where they can achieve justice, quite the opposite.

>no
She’ll back us up on her own if she considers it beneficial.

>>5120942
>>Interrupt the Stonemasons and demand them to release the poor man. While it is not your business, you are not going to stand helpless and watch as man gets bullied around.
No

“Jaina, can you please hold my ice cream.” You said to her.

“You are going to intervene?” She said as you handed her your cone.

“Yep”

You started walking towards the Stonemasons and placed your left hand over the hilt of your sword. Lieutenant Beckston followed right behind you with the second man following him.

“Alright, you may stop pushing that man around.” You proclaimed loudly and made sure that they would hear you.

The Stonemasons stopped pushing and beating the man as they turned towards you. Your odds were maybe dozen to one, not counting your guards.

“And who the fuck do you think you are?” One of them asked.

“Prince Alric Perenolde, the second heir of Alterac.” Was your stern answer.

The Stonemasons were taken back by that revelation and some of them whispered to each other.

“So what the fuck do you want.” The loud one asked.

“As I said, for you to leave that man alone.” You said back with a stern voice.

“Ahh fuck it, this isn’t worth it.” The Stonemason said and pushed the nobleman towards you as they started walking away. Few of them glanced towards you, but as you opted to stand your ground, they left without a further issue.

The nobleman stumbled towards you before the Stormwind guards managed to catch him and hold him still. He had a few small cuts and bruises, but they would heal with rest and care.

“Thank you Prince Alric.” The nobleman said and attempted to pick himself together.

“Why would they attack you?” You asked him as Jaina joined you and handed over the ice cream cone.

“Over the reconstruction budget. The House of Nobles see that they have gone over the budget and we aren’t willing to pay more than what is fair.” The nobleman said. “Those ruffians recognized me and attempted to force me to see their way, but things don’t work like that!”

The nobleman was furious at how he had been handled.

“Most importantly you are alright.” You said to him. “Just follow the guards and get to safety and healed up.”

“Aye, I will do that. The House of Nobles won’t forget what you did today.” The nobleman said to you as he started to be escorted away by the guards.

You watched as the man disappeared into the watching crowd and continued eating the ice cream cone.

“Alric, you just casually continue eating your cone after an event like this?” Jaina asked you.

“Yeah, of course. Otherwise it will melt and I will get ice cream all over my hand.” You said back to her and shrugged.

1/3

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>>5121471


You had continued deeper into the Trade District with Jaina. While she looked for a good clothing store, you kept your eyes open too for something nice.

In the end Jaina found a store selling dresses and other clothes for women. This meant that you got to be the one giving the opinion if the dress fit her. A job that you frankly had no real idea how to perform in.

Jaina went from a yellowish dress to a green more revealing one into a dark black dress that reminded you about the stories of witches and warlocks you had heard and read. You attempted to give her a fair opinion on the dresses, but really you just were saying things that sounded right or correct. You really weren’t on your element and Jaina knew it as she went from a dress and apparel to another. From less revealing to ones more suitable to nuns of the monasteries.

Thankfully finally she decided on a dress of white and purple after a thorough search. It fit her well and the purple was the colour of Dalaran, so there was that benefit too. Jaina seemed very happy at having found something she liked and was practically beaming when she exited the shop with the new dress folded neatly inside her shoulder pack.

You also didn’t leave the Trade District without something new as you had found a store that sold bags and you had found one made from leather that matched your jacket.

When you and Jaina had finished shopping, the two of you just walked across the city and looked at the sights. Frankly Stormwind was a beautiful city and after a considerable walk two of you had found yourself sitting on a park bench and watching as children played around the trees.

Without really noticing when and how it happened, you found your hand holding Jaina’s hand. And frankly it felt nice.

…

While it was summer, the sun had already started to set slowly as you two reached the Stormwind Keep. Just outside it and outside the sight of many people, Jaina turned towards you.

“Thank you Alric for this day.” Jaina said and continued. “I am not good at this dating business, but I think we did well today. Thank you for coming with me.”

“Well you asked me.” You said a bit sheepishly. “And you are correct, it was quite a nice day to spend with you.

“And it is good that I asked.” Jaina said and continued a bit more seriously. “Tomorrow they might call you for the meeting. Are you ready for that Alric?”

“I think I am. I have thought about what I say and as long as I work for the benefit of my people, I know I have done the right things.” You said back to her.

“That is good to hear. Alright Alric, let's go in the keep. We will probably have a long day tomorrow.” Jaina said back.

2/3

>>5121473

As you were escorting Jaina towards her room, you passed a few maids and servants. The keep felt quite empty and silent again and it wasn’t even that late yet. Then you saw someone who you didn’t maybe want to see today. Prince Arthas walked towards you and stopped when he saw two of you.

“Lady Jaina, Prince Alric.” He greeted the two of you and continued. His voice had the tone of disappointment in it and he looked directly at you. “Jaina, I was looking for you today, but I think I know where you were today.”

“Yeah I was with Alric, I asked him to escort me today through the city as I thought you had the Alliance business and meetings to deal with.” Jaina said back and missed the tone in Arthas voice.

“True I was busy, but just to escort? What do you say Alric?” Arthas said to you.

So Arthas did not know that it had been a date with Jaina, but he clearly suspected something. You could be a bit dense when it came to girls, but it was clear that he was somewhat jealous that Jaina had asked you, but not him. At the moment you felt like not answering him at all. What business of his would it be that you had spent a day with Jaina?


>Yes, you were on a date with Jaina. Be frank and tell the truth.
>Jaina had asked you to escort her through the city. Tell Arthas that, but not the full truth.
>You couldn’t believe how Arthas could speak to you. Tell him that you don’t answer to him on what you do with others or how you spend your time.
>Other, write in.

>>5121475
>>Yes, you were on a date with Jaina. Be frank and tell the truth.

>>5121475
What a dilemma. Normally I’d advocate being frank with him but in this case it would feel like throwing Jaina under bus, seeing as she is covering for us.
Then again sticking to the Truth(tm) might still be for the best, to avoid getting into a cycle of deception and resentment and clear the air…
Another question is whether to bring but the defias since not only we could have avoided tangling into it, bringing Arthas into question might not work or it might make matters worse. But on the other hand, he is a Paladin with a sense of justice and him being aware of there being a problem if he isn’t already might be worthwhile in itself - especially if he acknowledged gravity of the issue and could bring it up in voice concurrent with ours, thus dispelling at least some notions we are merely pushing our agenda here.

>>5121475

>Arthas, do you seriously expect me to gainsay Jaina?
>But yes, I spend a mostly pleasant day in her company.
>Arthas, are you aware of the tensions in the city? We saw a noble being accosted in broad daylight. That is not something a mugger would do to relieve a rich from their wealth, this is showing of indignant anger. This can grow dangerous.

It's a shame we can't simply buy off the debt from the stonemasons and bring them to Alterac. The money owed is probably like two or three orders of magnitude above what we can conceivably muster. That, and we haven't reclaimed the city yet...

>>5121740
This

>>5121475
>>5121740
Supporting this

>>5121471
>“Alric, you just casually continue eating your cone after an event like this?” Jaina asked you.
>“Yeah, of course. Otherwise it will melt and I will get ice cream all over my hand.” You said back to her and shrugged.
kek based Alric

>>5121740
support

>>5121699
Well it s not easy with Arthas, he really doesn't like us for him we are basically an enemy walking around, ready to back stab the alliance again

>>5121740
This.

I'll admit I feel kinda bad for Arthas. Think of it from his perspective first it was Jaina his childhood crush. Fuck. Then his own big sister displays interest in the same guy. FUCK. Imagine how he would react if he ever finds out both of them were the ones who hit on Alric and it wasn't actually Alric who made the first move. So I really cannot blame him for hating Alric. I mean shit that would suck so hard and that isn't even getting into anything else.

>>5121908
And on top of this, Alric just kinda appeared from nowhere. As Arthas what can you even do in this situation that doesn't look bad or make him look very jealous? So yeah I feel bad for Arthas too, I just wish he could be our bro.

“Do you seriously expect me to contradict what Jaina said?” You asked him and didn’t expect an answer. “But yes, I did spend a mostly pleasant day in her company.”

“Mostly pleasant? What does that mean?” Arthas asked back.

“Are you aware of the tensions in the city between the Stonemason’s Guild and the House of Nobles?” You asked Arthas and this time waited for an answer.

“Yeah I have heard about it. Stonemason’s have asked too much and went way over the budget so the nobles aren’t going to pay them.”

“Well we just happened to stumble on a scene where a nobleman was being accosted in broad daylight by a group of Stonemason’s. They pushed and beat the man to intimidate him. They were no robbers, but people angry towards the establishment, towards nobles. Things like this are dangerous if they are allowed to grow.”

Jaina watched as two of you exchanged the words and it didn’t feel like she wanted to participate in this.

“How is that relevant?” Arthas asked.

“Because imagine how it would have looked, even how improbable it is, if those Stonemason’s had targeted Jaina if she had gone alone? Sure I trust that Jaina could have dealt with them easily and wasn’t in any danger, but how would it have looked if a foreign lady got attacked in a city in which she is a visitor?”

“I hadn’t actually thought of it like that. It would have been humiliating for King Varian for something like that to even happen.” Jaina said to you and Arthas.

“I guess that sounds true. Well I hope at least Jaina’s day was a good day. That is the most important thing.” Arthas said and sighed. “Have a pleasant evening Jaina.”

Arthas gave a respectful nod to her and walked away, leaving two of you alone. You and Jaina watched as he disappeared behind a corner before Jaina turned towards you.

“Has Arthas been like this before?” You asked her.

“No, he took losing to you badly. Especially as it was supposed to be his tournament to win.” Jaina said and sighed. “He will get over this, I know it.”

Jaina knew Arthas better and for longer than you, so you trusted her judgement of his character.

“Well I think we should go now. I still need to go check if Tandred has finished his studies.” Jaina said to you and continued. “It was a fun day.”

“It really was.” You said back with a smile on your face.

1/2

>>5122070

Next morning the servants brought your armour back into your room with a list of small things the blacksmith had repaired or replaced. The dents had been beaten out, a pair of straps had been replaced and generally everything had been checked. The mountain lion pelt had been carefully washed and it looked cleanest it had been for a long time.

In addition a messenger came and officially invited you into the meeting that would happen in early afternoon. The messenger told you to look presentable and behave according to the situation. You would speak only when asked something and when you spoke, you would have to answer quickly. How the messenger described the meeting, it seemed more that it would be an interrogation instead of a proper meeting.

Now you just had to choose a proper attire for the meeting with the Kings and representatives of the Alliance. What you wear could have an effect on how they see you.


>Go with your normal clothes. The utilitarian and practical look, doesn’t make you look like a noble though.
>Your new finer set of clothes. The more noble and princely look to make you seem like one of them.
>Wear your armour. It might not be the finest, but put the emphasis on all the martial accomplishments you have achieved.
>Other, write in.

>>5122071
>>Your new finer set of clothes. The more noble and princely look to make you seem like one of them.

>>5122071
>>Your new finer set of clothes. The more noble and princely look to make you seem like one of them.
Not seeing any other option honestly. They won't take us seriously at all in our normal outfit and our mismatched armour would probably send bad message on every front. Even if some of them learned we relied on Jaina to help us get it it's probably still our best option.

>>5122071
>>Your new finer set of clothes. The more noble and princely look to make you seem like one of them.
While normal clothes could make you look less threatening, the finer clothes should make you look more important.

>>5122071
>>Your new finer set of clothes. The more noble and princely look to make you seem like one of them.

I was considering to put the armor, but it s not the best. But alongside the normal clothes it represents Alric well. Far more than the nobles clothes. I recon they know we have bought this clothes recently, we have probably one or two people always watching our movements here in Stormwind. But we need to "fit" with them at least in this "meeting". This might become a pain honestly, the fact that we don't have many allies and friends in politics is even more of a problem. At least we have Blackmoore.

>>5122071
>>Your new finer set of clothes. The more noble and princely look to make you seem like one of them.

You really didn’t have any other choice and you put on your finer set of clothes. They had seen quite a lot of use in the past few days and there were few new wrinkles on them, but luckily no stains. You put on the clothes and then you would just have to wait till someone came to guide you to the meeting.

…

It was early afternoon when there was a knock on the door and when you went to open it, it was the messenger from a few hours ago. He told you to follow him and with four Kul Tiran Swashbucklers following right behind you as guards, you walked behind the messenger through the keep. Rumours of this meeting had spread and the servants stopped to watch and follow as you walked past them. It felt like they were watching a man walking into his own trial.

The messenger guided you into a room which had a large wooden door that was guarded by a pair of soldiers in very well made and decorated armours. You were told to wait here while the messenger slipped past the soldiers and the door into the room. Meanwhile you gave the order for your men to stay in this room.

In a moment the messenger came back and held the door open for you signaling that you were to go inside. When you then walked into the room, you saw the large table that was used during the meeting and all the people around it.

“Prince Perenolde. It is good that you could join us.” King Varian said from his position at the head of the table. “Please sit down.”

You bowed deeply and sat down on the only free chair in the room and immediately King Varian started the meeting as the large door shut behind you. You had a bit of time to look around and see who all were there. Genn Greymane sat to your left, then there was Admiral Proudmoore and Jaina, who was wearing her robes of Dalaran. After Jaina came Prince Arthas who sat next to King Varian whose left was King Terenas. Finally there was Archbishop Alonsus Faol, Lord Uther the Lightbringer and Thoras Trollbane who sat to your right.

“We will start the afternoon portion of the meeting. Because this is Prince Perenolde’s first time in such a meeting, I will go through the details.” King Varian spoke and you noticed a trio of scribes furiously writing everything down as he spoke. “We are here to discuss Prince Alric Perenolde and the situation in Alterac. Sadly representatives of Kingdom of Quel’thalas or Kingdom of Ironforge could not come here today.”

You looked around and saw that Jaina gave you a very faint nod while other people in the room either avoided looking at you or stared at you sternly.

1/2

>>5122438

“We have several topics today and to finish this meeting quickly let us immediately get into the business.” King Varian said and continued as he moved the papers and scrolls in front of him around. “The first subject is the legality and status of the Kingdom of Alterac. After King Aiden Perenolde was arrested by Lord Uther, Alterac became an unclaimed and unincorporated part of the Alliance.”

“We should split it up just like I suggested years ago when we talked about this.” Thoras Trollbane said. “The eastern parts of Alterac are still claimed by Stromgarde.”

“Thoras you well know that as long as there are claimants to the Alteraci throne, we cannot go splitting the land.” King Terenas reminded him.

“Does the Alliance support splitting Alterac between the member states?” King Varian asked.

“Aye.” Thoras proclaimed, while a series of nays were said by everyone else.

“Nays win, Alterac won’t be split.” King Varian proclaimed. “But here we get to the next part. Prince Alric, we know that there are three claimants to the Alteraci throne with strong claims. You, your cousin Isiden Perenolde and your big brother Aliden Perenolde.”

Hearing the name Isiden brought back some memories. You remembered Isiden, who was your cousin, not that well, but you knew that he had fled to Gilneas after the war.

“Genn, is Isiden still in Gilneas?” King Terenas asked him.

“Yes he is.” Greymane said back to him. “His claim is just as strong as everyone else's.”

“Prince Alric, we suppose you know that your brother is alive.” King Varian said to you. “We know that he fled Alterac with the majority of the nobility and managed to avoid being caught by Lord Uther. But since then our efforts at finding or catching him have been fruitless.”

You avoided looking at Jaina who had been attacked by the Syndicate assassin who tried to kill you. It did not seem that King Varian and others knew about the Syndicate or they were not telling you that.

“What can you tell us about your brother. You must have heard something, where he is, what he is doing and so on?” King Varian asked you.


>Tell them the bare minimum. You know that he is alive, but just like them, you don’t have any idea where he is or what he does. The information you know is too dangerous for you or your people to be spread around.
>You have heard rumours that Aliden Perenolde has armed men under his command, but you do not know where he or the men are. Tell them enough for them to be happy.
>The truth, tell them about the Syndicate, that Aliden commands them and that he was behind the bandit attacks Hillsbrad had been suffering from last year. Telling them everything should show that you trust them.
>Other, write in.

>>5122442
>>The truth, tell them about the Syndicate, that Aliden commands them and that he was behind the bandit attacks Hillsbrad had been suffering from last year. Telling them everything should show that you trust them.

If they know that he leads a bandit gang, they are less likely to support his claim against our own.

>>5122442
>>Tell them the bare minimum. You know that he is alive, but just like them, you don’t have any idea where he is or what he does. The information you know is too dangerous for you or your people to be spread around.
If they get to know about the Syndicate, it might cause too much attention to Alterac and force Alliance to act. If Alliance presence in Alterac grows, our autonomy to act suffers.

>>5122518
It would only be beneficial for us if the Alliance helps us against the Syndicate. It would be one less thing for us to worry about.

>>5122525
Yeah and what would the chance be for the Alliance troops then leaving Alterac? Would we control the land or the Alliance with their army?

>>5122442
>The truth, tell them about the Syndicate, that Aliden commands them and that he was behind the bandit attacks Hillsbrad had been suffering from last year. Telling them everything should show that you trust them.
Just bite the bullet.

>>5122442

Well we can basically rule out anyone in the present company being a syndicate spy themselves. The question is who would they pass any information we share on to in process of acting on it. But in general I feel risking that we omit something they know we know, for instance from Uther's report or from any sources regional lords like Thoras might have, is more dangerous than sharing what we do know.

The downside is we may have difficulty washing our dirty laundry under our own roof. But on the other hand seeing as Aliden makes incursions outside Alterac it would be only fair to not pretend like it's only our problem.

>The truth, tell them about the Syndicate, that Aliden commands them and that he was behind the bandit attacks Hillsbrad had been suffering from last year. Telling them everything should show that you trust them.

>>5122630
I'm not too worried about that, they could easily go with Trollbane's plan if they desired to control the area with feet on the ground. A reliable heir is a cheaper and more legitimate solution for them I reckon... as long as he's not a perceived as a threat. Which we will be to some extent no matter what, we need to show ourselves to be a better opportunity and partner to make up for that.

>>5122442
>You have heard rumours that Aliden Perenolde has armed men under his command, but you do not know where he or the men are. Tell them enough for them to be happy.

>>5122630
The biggest issue is no matter what the Alliance is going to dispatch a shit ton of troops to crush Thrall's horde in Alterac and fail miserably. Before that, both the snowwolves and Warsong show up and start destroying camps under his command. So really it comes down to WHEN. Thrall will actually destroy the Alliance presence in Alterac during his Horde formation before laying low and vanishing off to Kalimdor. The problem is how to stay alive when caught between Thrall's New Horde and the Alliance.

Not to mention our brother. Who is honestly a minor issue compared to the hell storm that is Thrall's Horde and later on the Scourge. The alliance presence in Alterac is strictly temporary assuming we take advantage of the New Horde showing up who BTFO the Alliance forces before they withdraw. The real problem is how to not get caught in the crossfire.

>>5122442
>You have heard rumours that Aliden Perenolde has armed men under his command, but you do not know where he or the men are. Tell them enough for them to be happy.

“King Varian, I know that my brother is alive, but I have as much information on where he is as you do.” You said to him and others in the room.

“Anything else?” King Varian asked.

“Yes, I have learned that Aliden Perenolde leads an organization called the Syndicate and that he has armed men under his command. In addition he has connections to the bandit groups operating in and around Alterac. One of those groups currently control a portion of the King’s Road in Alterac and the second group was behind the bandit problems Tarren Mill faced last year.”

King Varian and others gave you curious looks as you told them what you knew.

“That is treacherous, but what can we expect from a Perenolde.” Trollbane said. “King Terenas, Lord Uther, did you know about this?”

“No Thoras, Aliden Perenolde has stayed elusive and avoided our spies. We knew that he had soldiers, but acting against the citizens of the Alliance is a new thing. Lord Uther, what about you?”

“King Terenas, I know as much as you do.” Uther said and gave a quick glance to you. “The Alliance presence in Alterac has been minimal and as long as Strahnbrad has paid their taxes, there hasn’t been a reason to send more forces there.”

“This new information is quite damning to your brother Prince Alric, do you understand that? This can have quite an impact on Alterac and you” King Varian said to you.

“I do King Varian.” You said back.

“Good as this is something we must discuss in peace. Prince Alric, could you please leave the room for a moment.” King Varian said.

“Understood King Varian.” You said and stood up from the chair and gave him a small bow before walking to the wooden door and exiting the meeting room.

You sat down on a bench and waved your guards to stay as the meeting hadn’t ended yet. Now you would just have to wait for you to be called back in.

1/2

>>5123380


You had to wait for a surprisingly long time. Whatever they were discussing took a long time and it frankly started to be a bit worrying. Was telling them about the Syndicate a mistake or are they deciding future plans for Alterac? You couldn’t know.

Finally one of the scribes opened the door and you were called in. You bowed again and sat down on the chair.

“Prince Alric, we have reached several conclusions and decisions regarding you and Alterac after this new piece of information received from you. These decisions are official and have the full weight of the Alliance of Lordaeron behind them. Is this understood?”

“Yes King Varian.” You said back and nodded.

“Good as following decisions affect you. First the Edict of King Terenas will not be lifted and further all incursions into Alterac are banned from all forces other than members of the Alliance of Lordaeron. Second, due to potential threat from the forces of Prince Alric Perenolde on the security of the Alliance of Lordaeron, a diplomatic surveillance mission will be launched and official review of Prince Alric Perenolde, his forces and his holdings will be made. Third, we will send a detachment of Alliance troops to the town of Dawnholme to act as an Alliance garrison.” King Varian read the decisions from a scroll.

You had difficulties to keep the stiff upper lip and show no emotions as Varian read through the decisions. If you moved, showed emotions or said something, it could be used further against you. Clearly this was just more obstacles to be dealt with in the future. It clearly was a mistake to tell the Kings of the Alliance anything about the Syndicate and your brother.

“Prince Alric, in addition by the request of a member of Alliance of Lordaeron, I will put you into an official room arrest until we can be sure what to do with you. There are some things we have to look into first.” King Varian said with maybe a sliver of disappointment in his voice. “I hope you understand, the safety of the Alliance of Lordaeron is paramount.”

King Varian waved his hand and a pair of guards stepped forward. You understood his intent and stood up, gave a quick bow to King Varian before turning around and walking off. There were good people in this room, but also people to whom you had no respect towards anymore.

You exited the room and told your own guards to go back to Lieutenant Beckston as you were under different guard now. The two guards followed right behind you as you walked through the keep, there was no point in trying to fight back or try parley with the guards or the Kings of the Alliance. You did not have the status or political power to do so.

2/3

>>5123382

You reached your room and one of the guards asked for the key. With a sigh you gave it to him and let him open the door. As you stepped in, the door slammed shut and you heard the key turn in the lock.

You couldn’t restrain yourself anymore and grabbed the first thing that your hand caught. A small vase with flowers flew across the room and shattered into dozens of pieces as it hit the wall.

“Fucking pieces of shits! Fuck!” You cursed aloud before just falling on the couch.

The leaders of the Alliance could not see over their hatred of Alterac and your father the benefits of your work and what you were trying to do. And this was extremely infuriating. Now you could just hope that the few people you trusted that were present in the room could talk for you.

…

A servant had brought some food and drink some time ago, but as you didn’t really have an appetite, you just ate a tiny bit of it. From the balcony you saw the city lights as the evening had arrived. Hundreds of lamps lit the streets, some moving as guards walked the streets and houses had their windows lit with candles and such inside the houses. Stormwind was a quite beautiful city even during the night.

There was a knock on the door and as you had no power to stop anyone from entering, you just turned around and walked back into the living room as the door opened. You expected a messenger or a servant, but not Prince Arthas.

“Good evening Alric.” He said to you.

“Good evening Arthas, what are you doing here?” You asked him.

“It is regarding the meeting. Why did you tell them about the Syndicate and all?” He asked you.


>Sooner or later they would have learned and then they would have started to ask questions. It was better to tell them now and show that you trusted them.
>The Syndicate affects more than just me, even if he is my brother, he needs to be defeated if Alterac was to be reclaimed.
>Ask Arthas who had voted what and how those decisions happened?
>Now that he is here, ask him about his loss to you in the grand melee?
>And what is his problem with you spending time with Jaina?
>Other, write in.

QM: Please limit the meta gaming a bit. It did not have an effect on this result, but I don’t like it when the player character makes decisions based on things only the players know. And if decisions start to happen because of meta reasons, I as a QM will react to it within the story. Also Stats and Social Points pastebin updated with some minor stuff.

>>5123384
>Sooner or later they would have learned and then they would have started to ask questions. It was better to tell them now and show that you trusted them.
>The Syndicate affects more than just me, even if he is my brother, he needs to be defeated if Alterac was to be reclaimed.
Preferably both answers.

>>5122797
They still hate our guts, they can just assign Dawnholme to a minor lord or a commander. The land is not much and they have more forces.

>>5122812
You dont know if it can be temporary our army is still small in comparison to what the Alliance can field. Raising enough men for take it, and garrison it shouldn't be much of a problem. Locals could just be throw out again and divided in several settlements.
Remember they aren't our friends or allies, people like Uther don't consider us someone to trust. But a tool.

>>5123384
>>Sooner or later they would have learned and then they would have started to ask questions. It was better to tell them now and show that you trusted them.
>Write in
"And that's it. I am fighting my own brother and perhaps half or more of my people, while having to watch my family kingdom being in ruins and with ogres, gnolls and orcs running rampant in it. I have kill for free each piece of land i hold, and i will kill more until my people have their lands back. Even my own blood if necessary."
"But i was naive today, what i did is not enough, since i am still a dirty Alteraci scum in the eyes of any leader of the alliance."
Pour some wine in two glasses might as well drink for once, even if Arthas isn't a friend and will not become one. But we already have told everything there was to tell, so whatever.
"So what you think is the most likely action they will take with me now that i am in their hands ? Renounce my claims and lands ?"

Ah when Arthas is gone maybe we could start writing a letter to Blackmoore. He is our most useful ally. We give him something and in exchange he gives us some political aid, for take us out of this political nightmare. Preferably avoiding to have fucking Alliance troops in our own lands is the top priority. I hope people will not have the "idea" to tell we have a sorcerer in Dawnholme as well.

>>5123384

Well that went pretty much as bad as it could have. I sure hope we won’t have to make an odyssey back home in clandestine manner. Things could get extremely ugly if the Alliance forces show up and we’re not there to get them to accept the peacekeepers. Well, we’ll deal with each hurdle as they come.

Also supporting >>5123426

>Sooner or later they would have learned and then they would have started to ask questions. It was better to tell them now and show that you trusted them.
>The Syndicate affects more than just me, even if he is my brother, he needs to be defeated if Alterac was to be reclaimed.

Although I consider dealing with Alien our responsibility, it can’t be denied he is problem for everyone, not just us.
And ribbing Arthas with the melee or Jaina would serve no purpose, and we have different stuff on mind now.

Besides, our integrity is pretty much the only thing we have right now.

>>5123446
>to get them to accept the peacekeepers.
We aren't accepting a garrison, i prefer us to fight them than to just accept them, without doing nothing, as our overlords. We need to do everything for avoid it instead, if we accept a garrison we tie our hands and bow to them at the same time. We should use the alliance we have with Blackmoore and use his influence for avoid at least the garrison. Or any other favour we can call. Alric has not done all this voyage for just receive a political kick in the nuts, i refuse something so dumb and out of character.
If we can't even control our lands anymore we would be a Prince only in title. We have no heir too. What happens if they decide to give us an "accident" ? Both alliance and syndicate gain from our death, and that alive cousin is likely more docile and preferable to someone as active as us.

>>5123462

Well unless we get a diplomatic opening to change someone's mind there is nothing we can actually do. We don't have military that could keep Alliance out if they invite themselves in. They mustered more than we have just to disperse some gnolls.

Blackmoore is not going to go full traitor for our benefit no matter how we ask or what we offer him, the odds are not nearly good enough for that.

Best case scenario, barring something unexpected and dramatic tying alliance up (but we have no reason to anticipate anything of the sort) is that we collaborate with the garrisoning force in pacifying the syndicate and in process get at least some of the actors on our side to the point where they let us, rather than Isilden, stay formally in charge.

Attempting military action against Alliance at this point would be suicide and amount to second razing of Alterac.

One other option we might be considering is actively stir shit up in Stormwind somehow to get Alliance something else to worry about, but that would likely just negate what little progress we might have made in winning over Varian and Uther (for fat lot of good it did so far).

>>5123384
>>Sooner or later they would have learned and then they would have started to ask questions. It was better to tell them now and show that you trusted them.
>>Ask Arthas who had voted what and how those decisions happened?
Yeah that went really well, I expected something like that knowing how other kings and rulers are against us. Also no need to push Arthas buttons by raising up other issues.

>>5123462
We should attempt to fight against the decision to send the garrison and if it is sent, try to work around them as much as possible. I don't see how much Blackmoore could help as he has his own problems with Alliance and our deal to send him few troops is a secret. But I agree that we should attempt to pull as many favours and contacts in an attempt to find a way out of this.

>>5123462
>(for fat lot of good it did so far).
although in fairness I don't want to discard that at all. I think Uther must have speak up for us with Arthas at least, I think he'd be more abrasive otherwise considering our history.

>>5123471
Blackmoore is still important for the fact of those imprisonment camps. If they can at least hear what he could say it could be better. Honestly I prefer a solution he would give to this. This is bad bad bad.

>collaborate with the garrisoning force in pacifying the syndicate
We can t even do that though. Only alliance forces can enter our homeland with their edict, and I bet they will just stop any military actions we do beyond patrols. It s going to be a nightmare if it passes.

>is actively stir shit up in Stormwind somehow to get Alliance something else to worry about
Honestly if we can find a way to be unrelated i am considering it. Ultimately i really don t like the idea of bowing to them after everything done so far.


>>5123475
On that i agree with you fully. Even if the edict really put us in a bad position where we can't do much. And if they add more to it, I don t even know what we can do. Nothing stops them from adding further points to the edict, this was just one session of their meeting.
Blackmoore has still some influence so is the best i can imagine for us.

>>5123481
Maybe ? Honestly who knows. Beside the sword and social interactions, i regret to be here. So far none of our political objectives where gained, we don't have a gain friends we can trust or political allies either.

>>5123481
I would like to think that Uther attempted to have our side at least a bit. That is why I would like to hear from Arthas who voted what and whose idea these things were.

>>5123485
Actively stirring shit would be very bad idea.

Just throwing my 2 cents out here i think its naive to think alliance wouldnt move against fully sooner or later.
The more we grow the more attention we'll get and if we just stayed silent a decision would be made for us by an army at dawnholmes gates.
That and this isnt as bad as people treat it as. They will look around dawnholme find basically nothing as we have been forthright and honorable in our dealings.
Remember if they would want to wipe us out they would have done it ages ago.

>>5123494
I could imagine that Calia could be counted as our friend now, sure she doesn't have that much political pull, but I can imagine her having our back. I could also see Jaina being stupefied by these decisions and wanting to see these restrictions off. She after all invited us here. I also think how Varian has interacted with us that he isn't as much against us as others. Due to this I would like to see if we could meet with VanCleef. He could prove to be good ally and contact in here.

>>5123505
Yeah I think this it is. They haven’t found the reason to destroy us and we aren’t exactly doing anything that could cause them to get the reason to attack.

>>5123505
Well one obvious point of hazard is Eligius. He's going to need to leave or keep extra low profile if there's snoopers around.

The other is syndicate provocations. We can expect the Alliance will be experiencing 'accidents' and our people are going to be implicated.

And ultimately the crucial point will be who will be in charge of the protectorate. If it's someone like Garithos we're gonna be up the shit creek without a paddle. Hopefully us being fortright could win us at least some goodwill in that they will send someone of integrity...

>>5123495
Better than doing nothing. Even if i would prefer not to do it.

>>5123505
Ages ago we where not important enough to gather attention. Though our actions we have gather far more eyes on us, we are also on their hands. Do remember they all have grudges with Alterac and hate us. That combined is not a great mix for us and our people.
Our reconquest also happened in a relatively short time period time as well, and since is a medieval age a response that isn't immediate is expected. This is more or less the best situation they could have ask, since we are on our own in their territory.


>>5123515
Could be.
I don't know about Varian, i am not sure we have even his symphaty.
VanCleef could be of use, but we don't really have a great amount of wealth to offer and he might have heard what we did in the city. But we should try anything we can.

If it comes to having a foreign or a puppet like our cousin ruling over our people, i am considering doing actions like offer our people to change government or elect a new prince from their own. Ultimately Alric actually cares for his people and homeland, more than gaining the crown, if a Perenolde isn't more in the equation but just another Alteraci then the Alliance has no reason to dislike them so much. We can exile ourselves and fight in Alterac until we die, at least our people can live like they want.

>>5123546
*through our actions

>>5123546
>>5123518
I Dont know where you got the idea that they will take over administration.
that and Eligius isnt an idiot he will keep hes mouth shut unless i forget only few people know of who he is.
That and the house Arrest shouldnt be that long and the garrison atlest would prove as extra deterence against orcs trolls bandits ogres.

>>5123384
>Sooner or later they would have learned and then they would have started to ask questions. It was better to tell them now and show that you trusted them.
>The Syndicate affects more than just me, even if he is my brother, he needs to be defeated if Alterac was to be reclaimed.

Both if possible. If we can only pick one then

>The Syndicate affects more than just me, even if he is my brother, he needs to be defeated if Alterac was to be reclaimed.

>>5123384
>Sooner or later they would have learned and then they would have started to ask questions. It was better to tell them now and show that you trusted them.
>The Syndicate affects more than just me, even if he is my brother, he needs to be defeated if Alterac was to be reclaimed.
>Ask Arthas who had voted what and how those decisions happened?
Man I feel like it wouldn't be surprising for MC's hatred for the Alliance to slowly blossom. Just right now he doesn't think there are any alternatives but is constantly being treated like shit and feeling like there are no other options...hm.

>>5123428
My biggest fear is in terms of casualties we are very fragile in comparison when caught between the Horde, Alliance, and Scourge. We cannot really afford to take losses but there isn't a chance in hell we will have much luck employing mages in the traditional way who hate our guts. Limiting us to human troops and whatever we can scavenge. The only thing that honestly gives me any kind of confidence in the terrain but that would require somehow dealing with the monsters in the mountains. So we don't get outflanked.

Although I do have an idea for magic support and to a degree reinforcements in general. Mercenary Camps will let us hire monster, creep, and otherwise nontraditional units. Otherwise, in terms of mage support we are stuck with either warlocks as we have no other options(rogue wizards in general which would include necromancers but beggars can't exactly be choosers) or shamans if we somehow suck up hard enough to Thrall.

Mercenary camps were honestly the only idea I could come up with that would work soon rather than wait until everyone is getting fucked so hard they can no longer pay close enough attention. Dark Iron dwarfs would also be a good option to consider in terms of diplomacy. I would also kill for a Hero's Tavern. Mercs are very likely the only way we can acquire additional units especially those with abilities or magic.

“They would have learned sooner or later and then they would have started to ask questions.” You said to Arthas and continued. “Aliden’s goal must be to reclaim Alterac and when, not if, he starts making his moves it comes out that I had known about this potentially for years, how would it have looked? The little brother of the traitorous leader of a group of bandits knowingly hiding his existence while playing a law abiding citizen?”

Arthas did not answer when you told your explanation and walked same time to a cabinet with the wine glasses, pouring one to yourself and then nudging the second one towards Arthas who just nodded so you poured a glass for him too.

“The Syndicate affects more than just me and I don’t have the forces or ability to counter it. Even if he is my brother, he needs to be defeated and brought into justice if Alterac was to be reclaimed.” You told Arthas and took a sip of the wine.

Arthas drank his wine and did not answer for a moment. He seemed to think his words.

“I see your reasoning. A difficult situation.” He said back.

“What do you think they are going to do next? I presume the meeting did not end when I left?” You asked him.

“It did not. We continued discussing Alterac for a moment before switching to other subjects.” Arthas said and finished his cup. He did look annoyed that he was here. “I am not here because I want to be here, but because I was asked.”

“By whom?” You asked back.

“Calia and Jaina. Apparently they are trying to ask Lord Uther’s help to at least lift your room arrest off.” Arthas told you and walked back to the door and knocked it so that it would be opened. “Thank you for the wine.”

With that Arthas left you and you watched as the door was locked behind him. Then you sighed deeply. Thankfully you had some friends here, but you could only hope that they could succeed.

…

You hadn’t slept that well and next morning when a servant came to collect the previous plates and brought some breakfast, you were still annoyed by how yesterday had gone.

To pass time you had changed into your normal clothes and started to do push ups and squats in the living room. Working out a bit helped to relax you and move your thoughts away for a moment. It probably wasn't the best idea, but you took the Cinder Sword and went into the balcony. The balcony was big enough for you to go through the standard sparring you did as you tested the sword. It really was lighter than the swords you had used before and it did not take long for you to get used to the heat it radiated. You would require a few more sessions with armour on to really use the Cinder Sword properly and get used to it.

It definitely was a fine sword.

1/3

File: Katrana Prestor.jpg (315 KB, 1080x1417)

315 KB JPG

>>5123806

During the early afternoon there was a knock on the door and the messenger from yesterday entered your room.

“Prince Alric, King Varian wants to see you.” He said to you.

You jumped to your feet immediately and followed the messenger right behind him.

As you walked through the Stormwind Keep, you noticed that the servants stopped to watch you walk past them. Nearly all of them greeted you as you passed them.

The messenger guided you to the office of King Varian and after knocking on the door, you were quickly let inside.

King Varian sat in his chair and next to his table sat two more people. Lord Uther and a woman in a red dress who you had seen and danced with during the feast.

“King Varian, Lord Uther and…” You said and greeted the people in the room.

“Lady Katrana Prestor, she is one of the more prominent members of the House of Nobles.” King Varian said to you.

“Pleasure to learn your name Lady Katrana, because didn't we meet during the feast.” You then greeted her.

“And you were a good dancer Prince Alric.” Katrana said with her soft voice and gave you a faint smile.

“We are not here to talk about your dancing skills, please take a seat.” King Varian said while being clearly annoyed.

“What is this about?” You asked and sat down.

“You Prince Alric. Since yesterday’s meeting I have been regularly visited by people, first Lord Uther came to speak with me regarding the decisions Alliance of Lordaeron made during the meeting and wanted us to rethink them. Then later both Lady Jaina and Lady Calia came to see me and asked why so strict restrictions were put over you? This morning during a meeting with the House of Nobles they had heard about the decisions and they raised an issue with it. Apparently one of the noblemen had been saved from a group of Stonemason’s by you two days ago and now the nobles were irritated that this was the way you were rewarded for your actions. Finally of course the rumours spread through the keep and the servants couldn’t believe that you were arrested.”

“With all the problems and issues with the Stonemason’s, the House of Nobles do not want any more distractions they have to deal with.” Lady Katrana explained. “I have told King Varian our opinion that you should be allowed to move freely in Stormwind without any escorts forced upon you.”

“The House of Nobles do not have power over the Alliance of Lordaeron, but in Stormwind they do field plenty of power.” King Varian said and continued. “So I cannot make this a domestic problem for us to deal with. Even against the wishes of other members of the Alliance, the room arrest is lifted, you are free to move as you wish.”

Lady Katrana smiled and nodded approvingly.

“King Varian, It is good that we came to the right conclusion.” Lady Katrana said and stood up from her chair. As she walked past you, her hand brushed yours briefly, but clearly intentionally.

2/3

>>5123808

After she had left the room, King Varian spoke again, still clearly annoyed.

“I hope I don’t have to deal with this again while you are here. I don’t have anything else to say to you now, so please leave my room and stay out of trouble. Lord Uther can stay.”

You stood up and bowed to both King Varian and Lord Uther before leaving his office.

Outside the office Katrana Prestor leaned her back against the wall. She clearly was waiting for you to leave and when the door closed, she gave you a quick wave to follow her.

“The House of Nobles seems to have a lot of power in Stormwind.” You said to her as you started following her.

“You are correct Prince Alric, while King Varian is powerful, even he cannot walk over the nobles.” Lady Katrana said back with her soft voice.

“So you wanted to talk with me? And before I forget, thank you for the help.” You said to her.

“You're welcome and yes, but not now, later in somewhere…more private location.” She said and gave you a faint smile.

You stopped and allowed Lady Katrana to disappear into the next hallway. So now this prominent noble lady shows interest in you. You rubbed the bridge of your nose and closed your eyes, first Jaina and then Calia are both clearly interested in you. And now some noble lady on top of everything else?

Thankfully it was only early afternoon and you had time to spend today now that you were free to go and move without restrictions.


>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them going to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit.
>Find Edwin VanCleef and see what he has to say. He had some sort of a trade deal in his mind.
>Clear the issues with Arthas, you cannot let these things between you and him fester.
>Other, write in.

>>5123812
>>Find Edwin VanCleef and see what he has to say. He had some sort of a trade deal in his mind.

>>5123812
>Find Edwin VanCleef and see what he has to say. He had some sort of a trade deal in his mind.

>>5123812
>Find Edwin VanCleef and see what he has to say. He had some sort of a trade deal in his mind.

So the obligatory gon waifu shows up so when will the elf and orc one emerge?

>>5123812
>>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them going to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit.
I was thinking of going to see VanCleef tomorrow, as thanking Jaina and Calia seems more important to do, but if it wins I am fine with it.

>>5123742
Alric really must start to feel frustrated about how the Alliance is run.

>>5123812
>>Find Edwin VanCleef and see what he has to say. He had some sort of a trade deal in his mind

>>5123812
>Clear the issues with Arthas, you cannot let these things between you and him fester.
i dont even think it would be the best idea to see vancleef now considering how troublesome they seem.

>>5123840
The Alliance really went to shit after the second war without a common enemy to unify them they quickly fell apart internally which is one of the major if not the biggest reasons why the Scourge was so successful. Even the appearance of Thrall with his Horde wasn't able to make them get their shit together which goes to show just how bad they are doing internally since it was LITERALLY an Orcish Horde(again).

It's worth noting that the failings of the current Alliance only include humans. Both the dwarfs and elves still behaved as they should. Too bad it resulted in the elves getting betrayed by the Alliance and left to die. It is worth noting though that the dwarfs and high elves behaved honorably until the end. Basically don't trust the human Alliance members. The only good human members aren't taken seriously by the Alliance due to their age and it will be years before they get anywhere. Until then we are fucked.

Alliance is going to keep treating us like shit both before and after the Horde and Scourge show up. On top of falling apart internally. It took them years after the Third War to get their shit together again.

>>5123812
>>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them going to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit

Well glad something worked out. This is better than being close in our room at least. I am divided with going to Van with the whole problems between him and the nobles, what a pain. This counts has a favour for someone we don't even know.
With Arthas idk. If we want to go with a girl is our and her business, it s not like we are harassing them.

>>5123742
Yeah mercs are really one of the best things for us. We have hire many and even integrated some of them so far. I doubt we can really recruit any kind of mercs especially if is evil, or a disliked species, but we can see what to take.
Regular troops we can only recruit so much, though our people have grow in this short time.
We will still not be able to field anything too big, but we should be able to create a respectable army at least. Of course the alliance will no doubt do something about it.

For our army improving it in quality of training by making more of them veteran, improving the quality of the equipment with a forge and also having different regular units even with different weapons (two handed axes, maces, halberds ecc). We should be able to make it stronger with this. We could even hire some healers/medics and create a professional group for aid the wounded of our army after battles.
In regard to magic maybe we could ask Jaina but it s a stretch. Mercs are the best, otherwise warlocks if we don't have other options.

One of our stronger points is knowing our own homeland as a people. It makes the reconquest less of a pain.

>>5123925
Yeah, we desperately need to find a Mercenary Camp and if by some miracle a Heroe's tavern. Not to mention we could hire magic users who aren't fucking warlocks from there! Even if we are cut off from the legitimate Alliance mages and healers. Keep in mind even Arthas and the Dwarves made use of 'evil' or disliked species as mercs. Muradin was even disgusted when Arthas betrayed his mercs. Yeah, that is my concern with regular troops never mind the fact that Alteric was never heavily populated to begin with and only so many will return especially given past events. Personally, I'm more worried about casualties cause this isn't a game with an endless supply of troops so long as you got the gold, wood, and food. While aren't one of the Scourge who can just rob graveyards for corpses to provide reinforcements and use the plague/butchery to make more. Even if we do happen to 'acquire' some necromancers of our own who turned on the Scourge like the Forsaken. They'll be limited like our warlocks. Yet again though beggars can't be choosers which is something the MC already acknowledged with accepting a Warlock. Only a matter of time before others find out and form a coven under us as cover.

On the plus side, that will likely mean we get an early warning of the Cult of the Damned since they exist in the same circles. So we will actually get a heads up which is nice. The downside is they will know who we are early on...so fuck. Well, honestly not as it could possibly get any worse with what is coming our way anyway being between them and Dalaran...

In terms of our actual army, I want the Elite variants who are tough as hell. The extra beefiness they got is worth far more than the damage they deal. They are very hard to kill. In terms of equipment, I think we are best off talking to the Dark Iron dwarves to see if we can come to some kind of deal. We can upgrade their equipment about 3 times? Magical items and actual machinery are gonna be a problem though unless we suck up to the goblins and rogue/merc mages.

Finding those fucking mercs will solve so many of our problems it's not even funny...so long as we got the gold and can find those damned camps and merchants.

>>5123812
What a helpful lady. Maybe we could try to convince her that it would be to benefit of everyone to seek reconciliation with stonemasons.

Anyways.
>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them going to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit.

Going to VanCleef right away would probably not look too good, but I agree we should meet him too.

It would be funny if we ended up trying to broker a truce between him and lady Prestor.

Also guys please stop discussing scourge, it doesn’t exist and we have no idea how it could. We might consider orc bands as a hazard, though not on a scale Alliance would find genuinely threatening.

>>5124000
I mean mercs send contracts to possible clients. When there is recruiting time, we have usually the option to recruit some companies if we want. If we want more we just have to send calls around, since we are a lord and prince. Costs are varied though depending on company, so it s not necessary the best sometimes. They have the main advantage of not taking recruits from our people, and only wealth cost.

I am not sure for Dark Iron dwarves equipment it might be too high as a cost, in comparison to upgrading the buildings local. Unless we bring the price down. For heroes our reputation could help in attracting great warriors, beyond that a tavern is kind of a common thing in a medieval age.
For the moment we don t need to fear of the future. The present is scary enough if we can't avoid the edict, or at least compromize and take out a point or two. It limits our military options and many other things, at the moment we where preparing for strike at the fort the syndicate was building near us. The orcs tribe that attacked us will have to fight the ogres in Alterac, for good land to live in, so that works for us. But we still have the threath of Silver Hand if even think to expand in Alterac, + the edict.

You had some doubts on going to see Edwin VanCleef right now, but you didn’t exactly know when you would have to leave Stormwind. Now that Arthas had been made a full paladin had happened and a few days had passed, you could be leaving relatively shortly. So you had to spend your time effectively after wasting a few days with this Alliance business.

Walking to the yard of the keep, you found Lieutenant Beckston milling around with his men. You could see the relief in him and the men when they saw you.

“It is good to see you Prince Alric. How did you get out of your room arrest?” Lieutenant Beckston said and saluted you.

“Bit of a long story to tell, so it will have to wait till later. Main thing is that I can move freely now and I have a need for a few guards.” You said back to him.

“Understood, me and few of my boys will follow you.” Lieutenant Beckston said and quickly had his moving.

…

You walked across the city and tried to spot a Stonemason’s or two. The city was bustling with activity and you thought you would spot one easily. Going through the Old Town didn’t give you results, but going deeper into the Trade District was the right choice. Few Stonemason’s were standing near one tavern with their tools and cudgels at hand. They noticed you approaching them so they picked up their equipment.

“What does the Alteraci Princeling want from us?” One of them asked you. “The word has spread, you interrupted our business earlier so make it quick.”

“I want to see Edwin VanCleef, I have business to discuss with him.”

“You want to meet with the Guildmaster? Now you want to suck his dick next?” The Stonemason said and continued. “The rumours spread Princeling, the nobles helped you with something in the keep.”

You didn’t let blatant disrespect affect you. This wasn’t the time to pick up a fight with these ruffians.

“Do I have to repeat myself?” You asked back and saw that the Stonemason realized that him talking shit didn’t have the desired effect.

“Alright, follow me. I will lead you to him. But no funny business, me and my boys will watch you.”

1/3

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>>5124578

You followed the Stonemason as he zigzagged through numerous streets deeper into the Trade District. Finally, at the far corner of the city well away from guard outposts, there was the Stonemason’s Guilds headquarters. The dilapidated house looked awful and not like a guild headquarters it was supposed to be, but when you stepped in, the house looked way better from inside with rich tapestries and bookshelf full of ancient looking books.

Edwin VanCleef was behind a table going through a small mountain of papers with a few others. He stood up immediately when he saw you and came to greet you.

“Pleasure to see you here Prince Alric.” He said and gave you a quick bow. “Everyone please leave, I want to speak with him in private.”

The other Stonemasons walked away and left you to be alone with VanCleef. He motioned you to sit down at the table and carried a pair of cups and wine to drink. He poured a cup for himself and you allowed a cup to be poured for you.

“I know you stopped my men beating that nobleman a few days ago. I can’t be angry towards you, in fact I am thankful that you did it. If they had gone too far, I would have had a small army of guards kicking open that door and dragging me into The Stockade.” Edwin VanCleef said to you and sipped his wine.

“So you had some trade opportunities in mind?” You said back and took the cup.

“Yes, actually two ideas. First is that the Stonemason’s Guild would like to purchase all silver that you can mine and sell it here in Stormwind. We believe that with the local sources of silver having problems delivering enough for the craftsmen and the mint, the Alteraci silver could fill the market share and we could ask for higher than normal prices. This is of course done through several intermediaries.”

“Mr. VanCleef, I did not bring my ledgers with me into Stormwind and my trusted trader in Southshore deals with the silver traders. I cannot make that decision right now.” You said to him.

“Understandable, we can’t make decisions like that on a whim. But I do wish that you could at least consider it and talk with your trader. In any case I will be sending one of my own men to Southshore soon and he can then discuss the matters more closely with your trader.” Edwin VanCleef explained to you.

“What would be the second thing then?” You asked him and drank some of the wine.

2/3

>>5124583

“I will be blunt Prince Alric, the Stonemason’s Guild needs the coin and gold. So I want you to loan us your tournament winnings.” He said to you and continued. “We cannot pay the salaries of our workers and I fear that when the House of Nobles decide to not pay what they owe us, there will be riots.”

“And you want my winnings to pay the salaries?” You asked and leaned back on your chair. There must be a catch

“In short yes, it would ease up the situation, maybe for a few weeks.” Edwin VanCleef said and continued. “I know this is a lot to ask from you, especially by someone you might not trust and taking in account that we cannot pay you back with coin or gold.”

And there the catch was. They would want to get your winnings, but they couldn’t pay back.

“That is an awful offer. Why would I give you my winnings and not get anything back? I have my own expenses too.” You asked Edwin with confusion in your voice.

“It is, but if you help us now, I will send one of my trusted master masons with his work crew to Alterac. They will then work until the loan is paid off.” He explained to you.

“So paying back without coin, but with labour?”

“With interest.” Edwin finalized his offer.

It wasn’t the best offer really, giving off your winnings that could be used in training more troops or buying expensive things. But meanwhile you would get an experienced master mason to help in building things and you had seen the quality of work they had accomplished in Stormwind. The work quality is superb. Then their offer to buy all of your silver. At minimum you make as much as before, but with a chance of increased profits. But putting all eggs into the same basket could be a mistake in a long run. Still you needed friends and allies, and while Stonemason’s Guild and Edwin VanCleef might have not been the most economically stable allies, you didn’t really have a chance to pick and choose them.


Edwin VanCleef’s Offer:
Give your Grand Melee winnings, 10 Wealth to him. Receive Stonemason’s Guilds Master Mason with his work crew for a season, who will work to pay off the debt with interest.
>Yes
>No

Promise to bring up selling all your silver to Stonemason’s Guild with Beric of Strahnbrad when you go back home.
>Yes
>No

Total Resources:
10 Wealth, +16 per season
16 Supplies, +1 per season
80 Peasants

QM: Total Resources is up to date. Please vote for both.

>>5124589
Hmm… I kinda wish we could have talked with the girls and hear them out before we make this call, and it might make things more difficult when we talk with the nobles representative. Nobles might take the masons gaining a new partner as excuse to squeeze them even harder.

But although it bothers me we don’t get this exact chance to commission the fancy suit of armor, the chance to gain an indentured guild mason is too good to pass up,

>Yes
>Yes

>>5123925
>>5124000

Regarding mercenaries, as more famous you will become and more mercenaries you will hire, potentially you will be approached by different more specialized mercenaries. The word will spread. At the moment the mercenaries that have been available have been mostly just those who have been in Hillsbrad region and looking for anyone to hire them. I haven't really thought about Mercenary Camps existing, but I can say that Hero Taverns don't exist. Think Alric and other named characters that work with you or you meet with as the heroes as a loose comparison.

I have thought about doing some minor reworking on the mercenaries, so you might see something small and new when the new season comes and we do the season start updates.

If you have any other questions about the game, I am always ready to answer as well as I can.

>>5124589
What are the benefits of any construction made by them ? It reduces the costs in making a better building for example ? Or multiple buildings ?

>>5124617
They will work until you have deemed that they have paid their debt with the labour with interest. Practically you are paying Wealth now to construct things with it later if it was to be chosen. Potentially you will get more with less, the interest part should make that possible.

>>5124589
>>Yes
>>Yes
I too would have liked to get the armour commissioned, but this seems too big to miss really.

>>5124589
>No
10 wealth just for some builders is not worth it, as skilled as they may be.
>No
We need more wealth most of all.

>>5124690
What we need is jobs for the workers we poached from Southshore.

Some of that is going to be in the military but in order to feed and fund military we're going to need to develop economy further, and for that we're going to need construction.

Guildsmen that rebuilt Stormwind from the ruins are much more than worth their weight in gold.

>>5124603
I honestly figured that a heroes tavern would simply be champion class mercs who are comparable to powerful name characters especially once they have had time to level up and offer heroic units who would normally not be available to your faction in exchange for a fee. Basically an elite version of mercs. So not a heroes tavern per a say but rather elite 'named' mercs so to speak. Same is true for mercenary camps offering troop units that are not normally available to your faction. So far we have been stuck with human mercs because we haven't found a mercenary camp and have been only hiring randoms we have found in nearby taverns in human cities who obviously are going to be human too because of it.

>>5124556
Dark Iron I would imagine is going to be the best way to get superior equipment in bulk is what I meant. In terms of construction they would only be particularly useful when we start actively digging into the mountains themselves.

Yeah the Silver Hand and Edict has us by the balls still. At least we can work on taking over and controlling the surrounding area of Alterac, but not being able to deal with the Syndicate who is digging in is painful.

On the plus side though once word spreads and Alteric nobility joins us. They will come with high quality reinforcements and will be made up of mainly those who despised our older brother's dishonorable measures of the Syndicate. The only quality reinforcements we can look forward to and whatever hedge knights like the current knights under our employ are. Although those guys are likely to be the exception outside of mercs sadly. Unless of course we keep turning a blind eye to people like Warlocks but considering how the Alliance later reforms their taste in magics like the Horde does not a big deal in the long run and will give us a head start.

>>5124589
>Yes
>Yes
What great timing. We needed to build a barracks and other structures made of stone like towers anyway. Only builders of better quality would be actual dwarfs.

I have a proposal dear anons that I previously wouldn't have thought possible if it wasn't for being able to reform bandits and gangsters which pushed me over the edge for this idea of mine. We desperately need too many things like troops, magic, and superior equipment. While we cannot trust the Alliance to help us out but I have an idea for a potential solution.

Alteric happens to be surrounded by mountains centrally located and a key geographic location. My proposal is to establish a free neutral ground town/later city in the mountains outside of the main Alteric mountains itself...yes the same ones crawling with bandits and monsters but hear me out first. Goblins are known for their neutral trade cities but they never actually fully exploited the fact of the neutrality aspect only using it for trade purposes alone. My proposal is that it serves as a strict neutral ground for diplomacy, trade, negotiation, and recruitment. Where if we cannot find a mercenary camp we simply establish one there. Where we can reach out to the goblins and later the dark iron dwarfs to establish merchants and industry there. That will have a council of representatives and a mayor elect who handles the day to day affairs. As our right of the Alteric heir we will sponsor this town and its only rules are very simple. Like if you want to fight do it outside(later an arena due to extreme cold winters).

We can first establish this town by reorganizing our armed forces by separating our 'official' army with our more unsavory troops like the former bandits which have caused us problems before and like the warlock now under our employ. We scout those mountains for a good spot to build it and reach out to the neutral goblins and dark iron dwarfs before building the settlement under the cover of mining and setting up a trading outpost. While expanding but the key is we distinguish the difference by separating it from Alteric itself by establishing it as a strict neutral grounds that is not formally a part of us but is merely helped sponsored by us(and later whoever chooses to invest like no doubt the goblins will) as we will offer up the land lease treaty and some initial troops/manpower to get it off the ground early on.

Once the trading post is established we would have a flow of goods and coins coming from at first the goblins potentially dwarfs and later whatever else shows up to trade. While opening up the chance of diplomacy with factions not normally available and recruitment possibilities once we establish the merc camp there too and whatever else really. It's honestly the only idea I can come up with to bail our ass out and it only requires signing a land lease for land that Alliance or our ancestors were never able to secure and hold in the first place. The only difference is we officially acknowledge and exploit this fact. By setting up peaceful neutral grounds for diplomacy, trade, and hiring purposes.

>>5124627

Thanks
//
>>5124589
>Yes
Change to two seasons at least. Haggle time.
10 is a lot of money and we are doing him and the guild a great favor, if we give them the money now. We aren't a king or a great lord, but, make a point that if he accepts it could improve our relations and we are more likely to consider other deals in the future with the guild. Especially, if, the reconquest can be completed by us.
If not the two seasons, we do one season but we also want one very capable stone mason. He remains for a whole year in our service and he will be payed 1 wealth for the other 3 seasons of the year, while the first he remains free. 3 wealth in a year, while is small is still money for the guild.
All signed contracts in the city hall.

>Yes
We will bring it up, it doesn't mean we accept it outright but we will consider it at least.

////
Also drop that we are going to visit the nobles of the city, point out that the tensions in the city are not good for making money, if he wants we can act as a bridge, he could give us a letter from the guild for excuse themselves for the offense to the nobleman yesterday. It might do nothing but at least it gives the message, that the masons would prefer to cooperate and not have a bloodshed.
Make it clear that this is just an offer because we care about the city folk, for us there is not really much to gain and only one city that likes us in all of the alliance, doesn't change the political scene for us in the slightest.

>>5124739
As I refuse to believe this is impossible given how we managed to reform bandits and gangsters. Not to mention how literal Fel Orcs successfully managed to negotiate and recruit some of them much less the Horde. Given how merc units and heroes are a thing. Along with friendly furbolg and murloc tribes for example. By using neutral grounds as an excuse we can start filtering out which smaller factions and species have members who are open to diplomacy, trade, and recruitment and those who will always be hostile regardless. Making true peace a possibility. We can then work together with those 'friendly' groups of monsters to push the hostile groups away and thereby covering our flanks and securing land that was previously impossible to secure. We simply need an excuse and place to draw them out for talks.

All in the name of peace and order. This is something that is quite possible. More than possible in fact. As we are not doing anything that doesn't really already exist just centralizing it and making it formalized in a single location close to us. While reorganizing ourselves before it can grow more problems and provide early solutions.

We may be a beggar prince with no kingdom but we still have our people and care for them. We still have certain rights and claims that come from our position. It is high time we exploit that fact and find work arounds to the Alliance screwing us over. The best way I can think of is to exploit our claims and neutrality for trade, diplomacy, and hiring purposes. Plus I would rather not pay out the ass for healing via alchemy and get stuck soley with warlocks for magical support as well as limited troop variety. Variety is the spice of life and all of that plus shit is expensive. While it won't be cheap by sponsoring it we can take a cut of the profits and hopefully afford all we need. The mountains are rich in minerals we just need to find and exploit the fact which becomes a whole easier with such useful things in place to help.

>>5124739
>>5124751
I don't think a true neutral city is really that doable, but inviting goblins, dwarfs or Dark Irons could happen. Especially Dark Irons as we already have met one.

And I do agree on alchemy, could be very useful, but it eats into our already lacking supply production.

The bandits and variety you mentioned I like. We have Radan and those thugs we now employ as footmen. There is also those Lyions rogues. Maybe we hire them and have a this large rogue/bandit force?

>>5124890
That is why the idea is to start with a neutral trading outpost and town first. The city comes much later when we can actually afford it. Also, a place to stash our guys pronto who draw a bit too much negative attention ESPECIALLY now that the Alliance is going to actively put a garrison in our own base to watch us(the mines are not a good place since they will also be checked). Kinda need to move those former bandits and gangsters pronto yesterday...we were supposed to execute them and all plus they make us look bad. Doesn't feel right doing that to people who are trying to turn their lives around and redeem themselves. Much like how the MC is. Admittedly Alric is actually innocent his family on the other hand...

Alchemy sadly is our own choice for healing and it is indeed fucking expensive. On the plus side if we pull it off we can give every soldier an emergency healing potion which would be a godsend.

Thanks for reminding me I have two other proposals I wish to raise. One is long term and the other is short term having to do with reorganizing our military forces a bit especially with the soon to be Alliance totally not jailors forcing me to move up the timetable for the second. I was hoping to have more time for that one. So I will start with that first since you brought it up. I will say it's not a true rogue and bandit force but close. It can very easily disguise itself as one which is nice.

Operation Redemption.

Much like how Alric is forced to redeem himself from the sins of the father. This has given Alric a surprising amount of empathy for those in similar or not so similar straights who never the less wish to do right but have a very hard time in doing so. As shown with him accepting the bandits, thugs, and even a warlock. This is merely the next step and is also meant to help drain and cripple the Syndicate of people who wish to turn another leaf. Knowing very well there are already spies and infiltrators present among them regardless.

The idea is to accept those who have done wrong in their lives and wish to redeem themselves through action. Whether that be through hard labor or fighting. Regardless Alric won't judge and will not ask about their past or their real names so as to not be forced into revealing their past sins. In exchange, all he demands is for them to believe in and support each other and themselves just as he does.

He will call them the Redeemers for they aim to redeem themselves by action and others through example. He will approach Sir Radan about acting like a true Knight once more and shed his dishonor. Knighted again but this time his armor was stained black in charcoal to represent his change. Along with Benedict with his men as Black Guards to guard against that which lurks in the dark that they understand all too well. To reform themselves and their men under the Redeemers. To no longer harm the people and instead protect them. As they now see the error in their ways.

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>>5124589
>Yes to Both

Let's be honest here, we have the deal of a lifetime. Our silver gets sold tenfold, we avoid a future crisis between nobles and the workers (both sides will absolutely love this, the nobility thank us for getting them off their hands while the workers straight up get a new boss). Additionally, if we need emergency funds then we sell our magic dagger or send more men to the camps.
We're cutting it close, but that's our style - that's how we'll win Alterac, that's how we beat Arthas, that's how we swim in a sea of beauties. Getting not just one, but two of the sources of influence is worth it.

I understand the fear, but here's the thing. The Alliance knows about the Syndicate, so it's THEIR problem if they want a slice of Alterac. This means that if they want Alric as a puppet leader, the Syndicate needs to be taken down one way or the other. Oh yeah, and how the Syndicate straight up convinced a man with power to funnel a constant flow of weapons and armour.

TLDR - Best buds with Vancleef, the Alliance will only lose if they don't aid us.
The Alterac Great Trial is coming.

>>5124918
With Sir Radan as a noble example and Benedict as a commoner example. Alric hopes that others will follow their example and aim to redeem themselves too. Just as he is also a Royal example. Even Eligius is a mage example. A strangely fitting notion, faction, and belief he believes in. The redeemers will fight and work to redeem themselves. Protecting the people and starting with dishonored, shameful, and destroyed Alterac which is most fitting. Accepting all who come no matter their past. For the Redeemers care not so long as you fight hard and work hard for redemption.

To start with they will sadly be sent away out of the watchful gaze of the Alliance to find a good base of operations in the mountains to turn into a safe house for themselves and to guard the neutral trading outpost we plan to establish. They will be the first of the second half of our full military forces...which will be irregular and informal in nature. As in comparison for they will not be the formal or official Alteraci Army but rather made up of misfits and mercs. Really whoever won't blend in and mesh with our actual formal forces we send their way. The Redeemers will be a faction within that force.

Hopefully, it will cripple our brother of his support from those who wish to reconsider their current path and draw out reinforcements from across the land to work and fight side by side with the beggar prince of no kingdom who also wishes to redeem himself, his people, and kingdom. Basically, I find it extremely fitting and poetic.

The next idea I have in mind is long term. It has to do with our militias, education, and replenishing rates. My idea is to reform our militias make training mandatory every week. Encourage people to do so daily. Have the men train with shields, maces, axes, and bows. While having the women train with shields, spears, daggers, and crossbows. Potentially slings, polearms, and swords for both. While the children will do both to see what they're good at whilst also being taught how to hide, run, and survive. While equipping the people with leathers, shields, weaponry, to start hopefully later on a breastplate, mail, and splint armors with helms if possible. Train EVERYONE to be militia except for those too young and too old. Making it very easy to replenish our ranks as needed. We can even offer incentives with small prizes like a little coin or nicer booze/equipment or even job offers with the fun regular mini tournements and the occasional big one.

Meanwhile, for children, I was thinking we offered to pay for their apprenticeship and education in exchange for x years of service to us to cover the cost of it. Thereby ensuring even the poorest of children can be educated or get an apprenticeship. Eventually, we can even hopefully find a way to test for magical talents beyond the arcane and gain our own mages that way by paying for their training. On top of having a wider variety of magic users.

>>5124956
Of course, it will be expensive which is why I say long term. Maybe once the people are rich enough even have common schooling. Regardless I think the militia reformation should be done once we have the barracks and the upgraded blacksmiths. I am not so sure about the children part admittedly. Whenever we have enough coin to spare to start getting them trained and educated. It will probably be our only formal source of mages as well is to pay for their upbringing out of our own pocket. Otherwise, we will likely be stuck with mercs and shady types. Not to mention it will make replenishing our forces SO much easier.

On top of which having regular tournaments could be great for fame, entertainment, recruitment, and morale. Even if they are small and local. I would like to mix it in with the militia reforming to better entertain and incentivize people to go along with it. Hopefully getting them to work out and train every day instead of every week is mandatory. As well as keeping their equipment handy and in good condition. Even better for our small outlying settlements and farms. By ensuring everyone is trained and equipped. They will better be able to defend themselves and hold out until rescue can arrive.

We are after all surrounded by enemies and people who hate us. I think we best start acting like it and make sure our people can also defend themselves accordingly. Thereby helping to minimize losses and casualties. Which is a big deal given our tiny size and lack of manpower.

>>5124965
Come to think of it we have lead, so casting sling bullets is entirely possible and makes them hit a lot harder than ordinary stones. Slings themselves are very cheap and we have leather, wood, and iron. So maybe we can start the early setup for the militia training with polearms, shields, and cheap leather armor/caps. I would just prefer them to be better equipped so they're less likely to die. Some training and gear are better than no training and gear as it still improves their odds of survival. Especially those out in the distant farms and mines...hm.

In terms of ideas for Prince Alric himself. Just because he doesn't have an arcane talent doesn't mean he cannot learn magic at all. There are other sources of it after all so it is something to consider. On a somewhat random note, how cool would it be to become the first Dragon Knight?

>>5124922
Except its Onyxia who is purposefully stirring trouble. Considering we are natural trouble magnet and chaos amplifier I honestly doubt she would care much though and that is probably the reason why she likes us to begin with. Stupid sexy dragon milf waifu option. Sending more men to the camps is a good idea regardless especially if we can have someone pass off a message and emblem to Thrall's human sister in case she ever needs help thereby can request it from our soldiers there.

The thing to keep in mind about the Syndicate and banditry is it's a problem that is only going to get worse, not better. They have an alternative puppet leader option in the form of our cousin. The only reason why they haven't is because he is too close to one of the King's which means he will show favoritism something the other kings are not fond of. Probably the only reason they haven't gone with that option yet.

Yeah...getting caught between Thrall's Horde and the Alliance is going to be extremely painful...not as bad as the raping that is going to come from the Scourge though.

“Having a master mason in my service would be beneficial and I wish this is a start of a prospective relationship between the Kingdom of Alterac and the Stonemason’s Guild of Stormwind.” You said to him and continued. “Mr. VanCleef, you have your deal and I will talk with my trader.”

Edwin VanCleef sighed from relief and stood up to shake your hand.

“As you can see, I am relieved beyond description. With the coins we should be okay for a moment and get us into a more stable economic situation.” He said to you as you stood up and shook his hand. “For the prosperity of the Kingdom of Alterac.”

“And for the prosperity of the Stonemason’s Guild.” You said back.

…

You and VanCleef discussed the details for a moment and he showed some of the paperwork regarding the Guild activities and how much wealth they were owed. The numbers he showed to you were astronomical and way above what you could even gather in a year, maybe even more than what the whole Hillsbrad could gather.

When you left the Stonemason’s Guilds headquarters, VanCleef had given you a written contract with the terms of your deal with him. Everything looked good and with it signed, you would just have to deliver the coin to him.

You told the quick details to Lieutenant Beckston who would be moving the chest with the winnings to here under armed guard. You told him to get a horse cart to move it and to have all ten of his men guarding the chest just in case. He saluted you and with that you left back to Stormwind Keep.

…

It had taken some time to get back to the keep and have the chest be sent to the Stonemason’s that early evening had already arrived. You heard that Genn Greymane had left Stormwind earlier that afternoon and other rulers were planning on leaving relatively soon.

There was still time today to visit someone. There were Jaina and Calia you wanted to thank, but at the same time Lady Katrana Prestor apparently has something to say to you and her being a prominent member of the House of Nobles could mean that it is something useful. Then there was Lord Uther. Having learned that he had spoken for you during the meetings meant a lot to you.


>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them having went to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit.
>Lady Katrana Prestor wanted to see you somewhere…more private location.
>Try to find Lord Uther. He held your side during the meetings and discussions, so you feel that you are required to thank him for all the help.
>Other, write in.

QM: Plenty of tremendous discussion here in the thread. Makes me as a QM a very happy man, but somewhat hold your horses. It is still year 15 After Dark Portal and Alric has plenty of time to build towards better Alterac. Some of the ideas presented could be doable, while some would require me to change a few things how the game works. I have taken a few notes so you might see something in the future updates.

>>5125203
>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them having went to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit.
>Lady Katrana Prestor wanted to see you somewhere…more private location.

Uther is the one person we don't have to worry about encountering again and thanking him later is easily doable. The others not so much. It will be much harder if we miss this chance. So we can delay meeting Uther again.

>>5125203
>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them having went to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit.

I'd really like to get in touch with our best friends in here before we bumble into something that they might have warned us about. I really hope we'd be able to meet the lady Prestor afterwards.

Talking to Uther would be good too, but I'm worried we won't have time for everything.

>>5125075
As awesome as it would be to ride a dragon, I think that is really ways off. Although... orcs did have tame dragons during second war. Maybe there are some liberable clutches left in or around Grim Batol?
Though more realistically, for air force we might be sooner able to reach out to Wildhammer clans, or maybe gnomes for their flying machines.

>>5125203
>>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them having went to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit.

>>5125203
Good to know my ideas are actually viable. I was stumped for a while on how to fix our predicament. Great to know we still have plenty of time to prepare. I hope the changes aren't too severe but seriously it was the only thing I could come up with. Although I felt like the redeeming the bandits thing was something that was being teased about and hinted on like with the camp guards but sneakier. That made me think the plans could actually be viable and seemed like our only hope.

>>5125224
What gave me the idea was Katrana Prestor. Previously I marked it off as impossible until I realized just how troublesome we are which black dragons love and if we pull off the neutral grounds/diplomacy angle with the uncivilized savage species. That would generate a lot of goodwill from the red dragons. Made me realize it wasn't as impossible as I thought. Especially if we somehow help heal the land and restore nature.

The Black Rock Clan still has a dragon's nest until the Scourge destroyed it with Arthas but it's the very last one until the Black Dragons team up with them. Otherwise, I don't recall the exact time frame of when the Red Dragons get fully freed and when they're replaced with the black dragons.

As for an air force...I have no idea. Kinda need one obviously cause of mountains. To be honest Katrana Prestor has me worried OOC and I can completely understand why she likes us IC. Which has me deeply concerned as I can totally see why it all clicks and how the pieces come together in the puzzle when it comes to the black dragons. Not very happy about that but entirely understandable given the circumstances.

I just hope she isn't the only dragon waifu option. Plus I still wanna see whatever the elf and orc one will be. Probably a frostwolf or Warsong unless the QM pulls a fast one with a bad girl orc option. Maybe we'll even get lucky enough for a Night Elf too if we wait long enough.

>>5125278

Well as far as we know she's just a noblewoman that may consider us attractive. But with Jaina and Calia already interacting with us we have good IC reason to not let her get under our skin too easily. Jaina asked us out and Calia we have in-character crush on, so reaching out for yet another woman is ill advised for us...

Besides we did just get reminded we're not here in a place where honesty and kind word are always rewarded so we should be a bit more careful, especially with the tense situation.

>>5125203
>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them having went to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit.
I wish people would metagame less as of right now Alric has zero reason to think alliance is gonna disapear or something bad will happen to it.
That and Honesty could be useful as it would nurture a reputation for trustworthyness which would have diplomatically with basically anyone.

>>5125310
Oh yes, I agree. However we needn’t assume others are always as honest as we are.

>>5125297
The issue I'm afraid of is unlike those other two she is very powerful and influential even now. She knows we are very useful when it comes to making trouble and creating chaos. She can potentially really help out our plans but well...at what cost and can we even afford to refuse her?

Meh I guess I'm just leery of her. Alric is slowly figuring out that he is the ultimate playboy by being considered a bad boy and actually a good guy at the same time makes him extremely attractive to the opposite sex. It's just I'm pretty sure Katrana actually can turn it around on him and can offer a lot of support.

>>5125310
Agreed its where my neutral grounds hope stems from ultimately. I do think Alric is already noticing the crippling internal problems of the Alliance. I don't think it will be obvious until Thrall though.

>>5125203
>>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them having went to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit.
>>Lady Katrana Prestor wanted to see you somewhere…more private location.
I think we can have time for both. Visit Jaina and Calia first and then go for later in the evening visit to Katrana.

>>5125297
I agree with you. To Alric Katrana has just showed interest in him potentially politically and perdonally and as you said might consider Alric attractive. Or it is just a way to get Alric to be helpful, by being sultry seductress and wrapping the unexperienced young man around her finger.

And what you said next was very true. Being too honest and trustful could backfire as not everyone is as honest as we are.

>>5125203
>>Go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. Them having went to talk with King Varian must have helped a bit.
>>Lady Katrana Prestor wanted to see you somewhere…more private location.

Well we can talk with the lady at night. This will be a long day for Alric. Yey.
Bring our guards.


>>5124739
I could see a neutral trading outpost work well, for attract people that can align with us. If we split it between us and other minor powers it could be a way for avoid that the alliance decides to take it. We can aee about what it can become if the idea attracts others. A settlement would be nice too later.

For the Redemeers is a nice idea. We could use it for enlarge our forces further, especially if the Alliance starts bothering us with our main military force numbers (Hopefully they aren't able to, or we able to gather a decent amount of political support for shield ourselves from further edicts). Though it would take a while for find people that would join them. Maybe when we reclaim Alterac we can transform them in a sort of military order, while maintaining their practices.

Yeah I imagine. Well we can look forward to collaborate with dark iron if they like us.
If there is still some Alterician nobility around that didn't join our brother they are welcome here. More cavalry would be nice.

For the citizen militia we need to see the costs first. But it would be really beneficial for recruitment to have a lot of people fit and with some basics for war. Organized war games, public tournaments are also good ideas too.
Education for children is costly, and people could be pissed if since childrens usually helped their families at work. But is a great benefit and a long time investment even for the future of the kingdom after Alric. If we win this reconquest.
I honestly don't have a plan for take that fort from the syndicate. Especially if they expanded it again. We can do another scouting mission with Bill maybe.

>>5125387
Yeah, all the plans I came up with was in character. Preferably the neutral trading outpost would have the cover of being placed near some rich mineral deposits in a defensible valley or vale with running water to explain its existence. That and having actual time to find a good spot. Now we kinda have to move the bandits, gangsters, and warlock yesterday. That was not according to plan. Will need to move them and have them start scouting for a location to place and defend it. Much sooner than expected. I was hoping for some proper scouting and having multiple locations to choose from.

Alliance restrictions on our military numbers are indeed a concern. Redeemers can help with that along with mercs and totally not militia/volunteers. In the long term, I don't think finding Redeemer recruiting will be a problem. The short term will probably be problematic. As for turning them into an Alterac military order later on I think that may be problematic given their mixed origins and purpose isn't to Alterac alone. Alterac would serve as the original host and sponsor would have to be good enough.

To be honest I'm hoping the ogres will take back the tower cause we have no access to siege equipment to dig out the Syndicate if they keep entrenching themselves. Ogres are at least lazy and dumb won't bother with that kinda stuff. Personally, I don't mind securing and entrenching everything around the Alterac mountains before moving in. Provides extra layers of defenses and fallback points. I'm someone who likes to build up and go overkill though. All those mountains have tons of resources, experience, and excellent defensive positions just waiting for us to find. I'm not that eager to rush the ogres considering how they can match a knight and that isn't even getting into ogre magi. I'd rather take our time and lull everyone into a false sense of security while firmly entrenching ourselves.

>>5125387
>>5125601

I like the idea of providing sanctuary to outcasts that wish to return to the society and to unorthodox sapients but we will need to be careful as along with opportunity such a plan carries a lot of risk.

Especially if we wanted to do it early, and under alliance's noses.

First there's issue of initial investment - we'd need a piece of uncontested land which could be exploited in a different manner. We'd be turning over natural resources there to this community we form.
Then it's the matter of how much infrastructure we would place before letting the immigrants take over, and the extent of our presence we'd be keeping there.

Next issue is how the arrivals would actually behave once they arrive into this melting pot. We can't exactly count on them of carrying any inherent loyalty to Alterac - a voluntary immigrant is something different than a spared enemy, repatriated kin or a rescued stranger.
Most will come to follow their own interest, which of course is something we could work it if we intend to draw exotic mercenaries and professionals from there, and some will arrive as outright malicious.
For instance, how do we keep syndicate from simply walking in and taking over?

Depending on how genuinely neutral this new community would be it might develop from a profitable opportunity into a troublesome neighbor. Which means added risk if we commit to this enterprise too early or outright rely on it to make up substantial fraction of our military power.

Alliance is virtually certain to take it as a threat regardless so setting it up would require us to keep it secret from them, which is rather difficult if we simultaneously want to advertise it, and it would preclude us from announcing ourselves as benefactors, shifting the settlement towards independence from us.

What you would do next was an easy choice, you had to go thank Jaina and Calia for their help. You will have the chance to thank Lord Uther later so he can wait, but the girls are a bit of a question. If Calia and her family were to leave tomorrow, you might not have a chance to talk with her.

As you watched Lieutenant Beckston and his men start escorting the winnings away from the keep, you turned around on the yard and walked past a score of guards that had come to watch what you were doing. You greeted them back with a nod as they saluted you and headed into the keep and towards Calia’s room. If you were to find where Calia is, then maybe you will find Jaina too? If not, maybe one of the servants knows where they are.

Having escorted Calia to her room before, you had a vague idea how to reach there and thankfully it didn’t take long for you to find the correct door. After knocking the door a few times, you waited a moment and as you were going to knock a second time, the door was opened, not by Calia, but by her sibling.

“Prince Alric, what are you doing at my sister's door?” Prince Arthas asked you.

“Good evening Prince Arthas, I wanted to thank her and Jaina for their help.”

“Alright come in.” Arthas said with a sliver of disappointment in his voice.

Following him, you entered the living room of Calia Menethil. It was way bigger than yours and had much richer tapestries, furs on the floor and the general quality of the furniture were tad better than in yours.

When Calia saw you, she sprung up from the chair she was sitting on and with a few quick steps walked to you and gave you a light hug.

“It is good to see you Alric. When did your room arrest end, I cannot believe that the Alliance would try to stop you like that.” She said while hugging you. As Arthas watched this, you could see from his face and eyes that he wasn’t enjoying your presence here at all.

“Some of them just hate Alterac and my father too much to be able to see me as who I am and not as what they want to see me as.” You said to her and carefully removed yourself from her hug. “By the way, where is Jaina?”

“Not here. She is with her family and they are leaving tomorrow.” Arthas said to you. “When Lord Admiral Proudmoore heard that Jaina and Calia had gone to talk to King Varian about you, he called her daughter back to their ship.”

You sighed deeply and hoped Jaina hadn’t gotten into too much trouble thanks to you.

“It is a shame to hear that, especially as that was the reason why I came here. I wanted to thank both of you for having my back and going to talk with King Varian.” You said to Calia.

“Oh it was nothing. No need to say thanks.” Calia said and dismissed it away with a smile. “They have stepped too far and are unreasonable in their demands and restrictions. Arthas, don’t you agree?”

1/2

>>5125809

“Calia, it is more complicated than that.” He said back.

“Arthas!” Calia raised her voice a bit.

“It is the politics Calia. The other kingdoms feel threatened by Alric and him breaking the status quo they put in place after the war.” He said back to her.

“But the good work Alric has done must have some weight behind it?” Calia asked.

“Alric could do what he has done tenfold, but as long as he isn’t their equal or can’t be controlled, they will attempt to hold him down.” Arthas explained to Calia and to you. “And frankly if I had a vote, I would have voted the same.”

You could see Calia deflate a bit when she heard that and you understood that your time visiting these two was over. There was no need to antagonize Arthas further with your presence as Arthas started to walk over to the balcony away from you.

“I understand. I will be leaving you two now, I have thanked Calia which is why I am here.” You said to both of them and started to leave.

When you reached the door, you were stopped by Calia.

“Arthas did not say, but we will be leaving the day after tomorrow.” Calia said to you and continued with a quieter voice. “I want to see you tomorrow evening.”

Calia smiled at you gently and opened the door for you.

“Good night Lady Calia.”

“Good night Prince Alric.”

…

So Jaina would be leaving tomorrow with her family and the Menethils would leave the day after. You had caused enough headache to both families and didn’t really feel like you should go asking to get aboard on either of their ships. How to get back to Southshore was a thing you will have to worry about, but that can wait till tomorrow.

The evening was still young so you decided to go see Lady Katrana Prestor as you had time. You wondered what she wanted to talk about with you. Would it be business or would this be more of a…personal visit for you?

Kris Legace had been right about you as you have been receiving a plenty of attention from the fairer sex lately. You pinched the bridge of your nose again, closed your eyes and sighed deeply. There were other boys in Dawnholme of your age that had already married and already had children. You knew that at some point you would have to do the same, to bring two families together and to produce heirs. But it wasn’t time for that yet, you wanted to experience life and do things before the burden of being a prince becomes too big and chains you down. One day you will have to make these decisions, but thankfully it wouldn’t be today.

Today and now you just had to find where Lady Katrana Prestor was living.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5125811
Looks like our diplomatic mission did not go nearly far enough. We need to go to Arathor and suck Trollbane’s troll bane some to soften him up. He’s vocal about hating our guts but I suspect he may be more amenable than Greymane, who stands only to lose if we make Strahnbrad reachable without the Tirisfal detour, in contrast Trollbane could benefit from shortening if the route.

Big question now is how much interference we’re going to get from the Alliance garrison because if the lords are already packing up they are unlikely to be willing to open the issue again soon. Hopefully the commander will be someone we’ll be able to win over if we bond over skirmishes with orcs and thugs. If we’re forced into confrontation, things will become extremely unpleasant.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5125811
Find the spooky lady.

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>>5125834
I wonder if rolling 3 10s would mean we catch her half scaly.

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5125811

>>5125830
I have just thought, we don't even a place for the alliance garrison in Dawnholme. I am not accepting to throw out our men and they sit in, they can wait out in tents. I also hope the Alliance doesn't expect us to pay and feed all of them, because then they really want to act against us. It will be incredibly weird and irritating to have them, and the commander + officers either will sleep out or in our house since we have no free fancy homes, palace or castle. And our home isn't that big either

>10

You walked through the keep and as the evening had arrived, there was less activity within the keep. Only a few servants and guards could be spotted walking the pathways or at their stations. That is why you noticed the footsteps behind you, someone was following you.

Whoever it was quickly realized that you had realized that you were being followed and you couldn’t hear the footsteps anymore as you walked through the keep. You asked one of the servants where Lady Katrana Prestor is living and got your answer. Out of the keep, first road to the right and second house. Simple as that.

As you walked through the yard and exited the keep into the city, you did not think that you were being followed anymore. You didn’t hear anything and you couldn’t notice anyone, but you now had the confirmation that you most likely had been followed the moment they realized that you were in the city. In addition to how fast the rumours had spread, you had to expect that whatever of note you were going to do in big cities like this, was going to spread and be heard by people who deem information important.

It was also one thing amongst everything else that you needed to do, you needed your own spymaster or at least more informants as Kris Legace alone just is not enough.

You took the right street and it was impossible to miss the large house of Lady Katrana Prestor, especially as the house had a sign with her name.

You walked to the door and knocked it twice. It did not take long for a servant to come open the door and let you in. Immediately you were guided upstairs and through a door into a large study. Very expensive antique furniture filled the room with bookshelves, trophies and exquisite weapons and cloth covered the walls. It was immediately very clear that Lady Katrana had very expensive taste and very deep pockets to have acquired all this.

“Prince Alric, you did come after all.” Said Lady Katrana as she stepped from behind a large veil that covered one corner of the study carrying a large book. “I thought you would have more business with the Stonemason’s considering how quickly you left to see them?”

1/3

File: Katrana Prestor2.jpg (546 KB, 1600x900)

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She was wearing a very loose red dress with a plunging neckline that showed plenty of her breasts and cleavage. Only her short open lizard skin vest and a silk sash on her waist seemed to keep the dress on her. There was no denying that she was very beautiful.

“How did you know that I had dealings with them?” You asked a question you knew the answer to and watched as she walked across the room towards you and put her book down on the table. As she turned, you noticed her black silk stockings.

“There are enough eyes in the city for me to know what is going on there.” Katrana said with her soft voice and gave you a mischievous smile. “And I am interested in you Alric. May I call you just Alric?

“You may.” You said back after getting the confirmation that there are spies and informants everywhere.

“Then you may just call me Katrana.” She said with a smile and walked to a glass cabinet and took out a bottle from there. “Finest sherry?”

“Yes please.”

Katrana opened a bottle and poured two glasses. When she gave you the second glass, she walked really close to you and you just saw how yellow her eyes really were and smelled her fragrance. She again had her mischievous smile on her face.

She sat down on a couch and crossed her legs. You meanwhile sat down across her and started to slowly sip on the sherry.

“Alric, what do you think of this study? Magnificent isn’t it.” Katrana said and looked around the room.

“It is very beautiful. It must have taken quite an effort to find all this after the city was destroyed by the Orcs.” You said to her. Her collection in this room alone could probably pay for a year's worth of construction in Alterac.

“It was quite an effort. My familys previous holdings were destroyed, but those stupid brutes didn’t realize to dig underneath the foundation. So we had a sizable sum saved to start again.” She said to you with a soft voice of hers. “It still took me years to track down some of the missing things and add new things to my collection.”

“Katrana, I don’t think you just called me to marvel at your collection of artifacts and old books?” You said to her and continued sipping the sherry.

“That is true. I called you here because you are a very interesting person and I have laid my eyes on you.” She said to you and kept watching you closely while drinking the sherry. “A foreign prince of which I had heard rumours in which he had saved a town from bandits, freed peasants from gnolls and fought along with Lord Uther the Lightbringer. And then suddenly that prince is in Stormwind, is friends with not one, but two noble ladies and then goes to win the grand melee.”

She moved her legs and crossed them again. Your eyes caught this movement which she noticed.

“So no wonder I am interested in you Alric. Not often people like you appear in our city.” Katrana said and gave you her smile. “And now I am more interested in you than before. Your deal with Stonemason's, whatever it is, is very intriguing.”

2/3

>>5126056

“Katrana, what is your stance about the Stonemason’s?” You asked back.

“Very complicated. I have paid my own part of the reconstruction, but many of the other nobles think that they are asking too much. The Stonemason’s deserve to be paid, but are they asking too much?” Katrana said and shook her head. “That I do not actually know. But if some sort of agreement hasn’t or can’t be made, I do fear that something might happen.”

She noticed that you had nearly finished your sherry and she finished her own glass.

“More sherry?” Katrana asked you to which you just nodded.

She went to pick up the bottle and filled her and your glasses before just putting it down on the small table in front of you. Instead of sitting across from you, this time though she sat down next to you and put her hand behind your back. The way she looked at you felt gentle, but mischievous at the same time. She clinged the glass with you and gave that smile of hers before drinking a bit.

“I don’t think the only thing you want is to hear about what I have done with the Stonemason’s?” You asked her as it was really blatant and easy to see what she was doing.

“Oh Alric, there are many things I want in my life. I want my family artifacts back and the stolen wealth returned. I want to see both Stormwind and the Wrynn family grow stronger. I want peace and prosperity.” She said and drank some sherry before putting the glass down on the table.

Katrana moved closer to you and turned to face you. Her face was just inches away from yours and you saw her beautiful yellow eyes as she touched your leg with her arm.

“I want you Alric, not just personally and in flesh, but also as a potent ally and friend in Lordaeron. I know that you want allies who can help you when you need it. You want someone like me who can do that and I want someone like you, who can help me when I need it. For I see that our relationship together as allies could be a boon to both of us.” Katrana said with her alluring soft voice and moved even closer.

Your heart raced as Katrana spoke to you. Having a prominent member of House of Nobles as your ally in Stormwind, who also happened to be quite rich, seemed quite a useful thing to have. Especially as you lacked allies that had wealth and political power. But the way she had approached you, you can be dense when it comes to women, but undoubtedly and undeniably she was attempting to seduce you.

“I want you Alric.” Katrana said quietly and pressed her forehead on yours. “So how shall it be?”


>Yes, let it happen. Consider yourself an ally of Lady Katrana Prestor.
>Make out with Katrana for a moment, before you talk about the details of allying with her.
>Decline. If she wanted to talk about business or become an ally of her, she could have just talked with you.
>Deny her. Attempting to seduce you was the wrong approach to gain you as her ally. Leave her place.

>>5126061
>>Yes, let it happen. Consider yourself an ally of Lady Katrana Prestor.
>>Make out with Katrana for a moment, before you talk about the details of allying with her.
Well fuck me I did not expect her to be this direct. I can see Katrana succeeding in seducing Alric to be a plausible thing, especially as Alric is bit dense with women. If this is the price of gaining a powerful ally, then I think I take it. Either choice is fine for me.

>>5126061
>Take her hand and look into her eyes.

>I am exceptionally flattered, lady Prestor, than a dame of your beauty and stature would feel in such a manner about me.
>However, my guardians did teach me to avoid making long term commitments in heat of the moment... in any sense of the word.
>The goals you state seem noble, and considering you have me at a disadvantage in terms of knowledge of my past efforts, I suspect you can tell it wouldn't take much to convince me to assist in pursuit of such worthwhile ambitions.
>I'll be delighted to hear if you wish to discuss something specific you had in mind.
and let's hear what she has to say, if anything.

OP, why are the trials you put us through so merciless?

>>5126061
>Make out with Katrana for a moment, before you talk about the details of allying with her.

Argh, there are no IC reasons to refuse or reconsider and we really need the help. Fucking aggressive dragon milf waifu option just ain't playing fair...at least she is reliable and surprisingly trustworthy given the circumstances of our position for causing the Alliance trouble and inducing chaos but still fuck me. Hopefully WoW canon is played around with by the QM.

>>5125713
That is why 1 it put in an area of mountains that were never successfully truly claimed or captured by neither Alterac nor Alliance and 2 to pull a goblin by making it neutral territory where we are simply the landlord charging 'rent'. Unlike goblins, it's not limited to strictly trade only but also for diplomacy and hiring purposes.

In terms of defensive countermeasures, a Syndicate takeover for example would break its neutrality agreement which would be against its key most ruling that not even we as one of the founders and landlord can break. That is why it is important for the neutral future city to be located outside of Alterac mountains in lands that would otherwise go to waste anyway and are crawling in creeps anyway. As there is nothing much we would ultimately lose but everything to gain. The only way it could develop into a troublesome neighbor is if somehow the various minor factions somehow put aside their differences and united like the Horde.

You are right in regards to the Alliance yet somehow the goblins are able to accomplish it regardless and it's their expertise I intend to use and borrow. Plus those we wish to advertise its existence among means the Alliance will be the very last ones to find out about it and even then they will just think it's another goblin trading outpost that we rented to.

>>5126077
>>5126140
>But the way she had approached you, you can be dense when it comes to women, but undoubtedly and undeniably she was attempting to seduce you.

We are aware she's trying to manipulate us.
And when someone's trying to manipulate you, you can be absolutely certain it's not going to be for your benefit.

I'd really rather not go through a passionate bout of dragon wrangling only to have her tomorrow present her bruises claiming that the brutish alteraci tried to violate her in her own home, and probably murder her for the stonemasons or something.

And we do have reputation for being a womanizer which she is no doubt aware of.

>>5126140

Well if we are going to rent something out, we have to seize it for ourselves first. But yeah, it should be viable to use a remote area in wilderness for such purpose.

As for Goblins, for one they set up their settlements in remote areas, far out of Alliance reach. Even in the wilderness between Alterac and Hinterlands they'd be uncomfortably enveloped by Alliance kingdoms, which on the other hand could be a benefit in terms of accessibility for the outcasts and improve its potential as trading post.

But that reinforces the risk of intentions of people it would attract and related question of enforcing the neutrality and the order which requires muscle. Goblin settlements have their own bruisers that enforce order and if we want to be the ones who define the order we are going to be tying our forces into this role. And if we let the goblins or whoever else comes to control this settlement do it without our intervention, we may create for ourselves a source of problems that may shelter bandits hostile to us and attract

And finally there's the issue of us being Alteraci and the associated stigma that will make any deals with greenskins much worse for us image wise than they would be for pretty much anyone else.

All I'm saying is that if the opportunity comes for us to commit to this endeavour, we should be prepared to make necessary investment, material and personnel, and be prepared to deal with possible fallout. Possibly literally if Goblin alchemists are involved.

Hmm.... imagine getting to benefit from noggenfogger monopoly...

>>5126061
>>Deny her. Attempting to seduce you was the wrong approach to gain you as her ally. Leave her place.

Begone, thot.

>>5126187
That is why I voted for making out with her only that and I don't want a half dragon bastard with claims to the throne. Best to throw her a bone and play tough to get at the same time. Making sure we don't entirely fall into her rhythm while agreeing to play along for our own interests. We obviously know she is lying about something given the blatant open seduction and yet her claims. Typical for a noble but yet again beggars can't be choosers. As frankly I don't trust her yet but at the same time cannot afford to turn down any assistance.

According to what I looked up the Alliance never successfully controlled that region and its crawling with creeps. While we have 'official' claims to it and thereby can grant the land claim for it to be established before washing our hands of the matter since everyone officially and unofficially knows that nobody has ever successfully managed to properly hold such difficult lands. Basically, it's as secure and remote as it can get while at the same time being relatively accessible and defensible. It will likely annoy the Alliance but even they have their uses for neutral parties and it's not like our reputation an Alteraci can possibly get any worse than it already is. In terms of muscle that is what our more unofficial forces are for who are not strictly Alteraci military aligned but still answer to us.

Basically, the idea is to abuse otherwise worthless land and our already shit reputation. To establish a neutral zone in close proximity to Alterac that would have otherwise been useless at best to us regardless. While the Alliance Royals might not be very happy about it. The story will be very different for the nobles, merchants, and commoners who can profit immensely from such a...unique settlement and arrangement. Which is a key point to it.

For our own purposes, it's meant for trade, diplomacy, and mercs.

That s a lot of passion. Alric is going to die with this. Honestly I am not sure. On one hand i don t want Alric to look like easy to take or someone that can be manipulated with this way. On the other i dont want her to be offended, since she can be of great help to us and Alterac.
Beside Blackmoore we don't have many allies so is tempting. But the fact she is leaving the details for later and didn't specify, makes me worried. She did us a big favour as well, and I don't want to spit on that at all. Choices choices ....

>>5126061
>Make out with Katrana for a moment, before you talk about the details of allying with her.
Just to get more answers. Completely unrelated but id fuck a dragon.

>>5126187
She fucking with us like that I don’t think will happen and Alric does not have a reason to think so. She did help us earlier. Sure he realizes that she is attempting to seduce him and being helped could be part of that, but it could be just explained by Alric being a handsome young man with good athletic body who just happens to be a prince. Its no wonder there are women interested in us.

Only real thing that is missing are the exact details of the potential alliance, but I don’t think that this is a cooperation in which you know the exact terms. Is more a plot tool to build story around it.

And I don’t like to think that Alric starts shadowrunning like a true black trenchcoat and become paranoid as fuck who sees enemies everywhere.

>>5126061
>dramatically place a finger above your mouth when she tries to approach for a kiss, cock blocking her
>"I am deeply flattered, Lady Prestor. You are a beautiful woman, that is true, but I know deep inside not to trust empty words from any soul. I appreciate your enthusiasm and the hospitality. However, I will need more details if we are fated to be allies. Would it not be more... exciting that way?"


I suppose this is a decline action, but it feels fitting to counter seduce and make it practical - can't really hop on the bang train, but we should hear her plans for a moment. Plus, we're not getting manipulated this easy, she needs to pull the rope harder.

>>5126061
>Decline. If she wanted to talk about business or become an ally of her, she could have just talked with you.

>>5126081
Support

>>5126061
>Completely no sell the seduction, ask her directly what she wants from you
Anyone that tries to partner with us by getting into our pants instead of telling us the details probably wants to use us as a connection instead of an agreement.
Remember, this is the one that was sent by the nobles to represent them to King Varian. She definitely has enough political power to get most of what she wants. We have to make it clear that we can see through what see actually wants and get ourselves back under control.

>>5126061
>>Decline. If she wanted to talk about business or become an ally of her, she could have just talked with you.
Look I'm all for dragon pussy, but as comically dense as Alric can be, he's not "two drinks and a pantyshot" easy. Make her earn it!

You lifted your finger and placed it on her lips and gently pushed her away. When finally there was some distance between you and her, you moved your finger away and watched if she tried to approach again.

"I am deeply flattered, Lady Prestor. You are a beautiful and a very lovely woman with such a great stature. I am flattered that someone of your beauty would feel in such a manner about me. But I know deep inside not to trust empty words from any soul or to make long term decisions in the heat of the moment, in any sense of the word.” You said to her and watched her reaction. “I appreciate your enthusiasm and hospitality, but I will need more details if we are fated to be allies. There needs to be…what would the correct word be…some foreplay first? Would it not be more... exciting that way? "

Katrana listened to you closely before she pulled away from your side and took the sherry glass from the table.

“Oh Alric.” She sighed and for the first time you saw her vulnerable. Previously she had been so confident on how she carried herself. She did not seem to have expected you to decline her.

“Katrana, if you wanted to talk about allying with me or establishing a trade relationship, you could have just talked with me.” You said to her.

“To be denied like that.” She said with a laugh that you didn’t expect to hear. “I really did not expect you to do that, but still…I don’t see or recognize any lies in what you just said. Alric you are a very intriguing man.”

Katrana looked at you while biting her lip, before she drank some of the sherry and straightened her back.

“If you really want to hear what I can offer to you, you better be listening now.” Katranas soft voice had regained her confidence.

“The Prestor family has its hand in many businesses. Trading, farming, producing naval supplies. Whatever you can name, we are involved in it. Through this trade I have gained the fortunes that I have used then to collect the things you can see in this room and more stored elsewhere in the house or other secure locations. A small, but sizable portion of this wealth could be yours.” Katrana told you and continued. “I have the political power and pull in the Stormwind House of Nobles and due to that it is me and not some old man who has the ear of King Varian Wrynn. Be it legislation, making things happen or denying things, King Varian Wrynn listens to me because he cannot deny me or the House of Nobles.”

Katrana finished her drink and placed the glass down and looked directly into your eyes.

“What I am saying is that I can give you opportunities that will be profitable or advantageous politically.” Katrana said to you.

1/2

>>5126537

“And in return?” You asked back. “It cannot be only me who gets something out of this.”

“You are correct. I need someone who I can trust in Lordaeron, someone who can help me or do things for me when required. Be it holding things for me or delivering them somewhere. Or maybe push things that benefit me to happen.” Katrana said and continued. “But Alric you don’t have to worry, I am not going to ask you to do things that I know you can't or won’t do. That would be foolish as it could break the trust between us.”

Katrana sat back down across you and poured her another glass and refilled yours before crossing her legs and arms.

“How is it, how does it sound? Is this what you wanted?” Katranas soft and sultry voice had returned.


>Agree to the terms and raise a toast for the two of you. For Alric and Katrana.
>You cannot make this decision now, you need some time to think.
>Decline again, you cannot sadly accept these terms.

>>5126081

Because dear anon, I enjoy seeing you and only you hurt. Rest of my sweet dear anons, I appreciate each and everyone of you.

>>5126543
Ask her what exactly are her goals in Lordaeron.

>>5126543
>>Agree to the terms and raise a toast for the two of you. For Alric and Katrana.
We need the friends with political pull and wealth and she has both. This way our trip to Stormwind would be at least somewhat successful.

>>5126543
>Agree to the terms and raise a toast for the two of you. For Alric and Katrana.
I am both relieved and somewhat disappointed that we did not accept any moves from the dragon lady milf...

>>5126543
>Agree to the terms and raise a toast for the two of you. For Alric and Katrana.
What dragon milf? theres only this nice human milf here.

>>5126543
>>Agree to the terms and raise a toast for the two of you. For Alric and Katrana.
Phew Alric purity has been maintain !
Jokes aside, if Katrana wants to actually have something serious ... well Alric has not receive really any kind of lessons on courting at least not in depth. He is really young if you think about it.
I imagine Norman wanted to save that argument when Alric was a bit older, though with the recent developments maybe is better to talk about it now.

And i forgot we need a spymaster. Asap.
And Katrana has many contacts, we could ask......
Or we find it on our own. Though the qualities we want is someone loyal and somewhat competent, and it takes time for someone that doesn't even know where to search. We could ask our new sarge since he was an ex ganger with Kavdan.
I am almost tempted to ask her if she has any armor and shield among the artifacts. Maybe next time.

>>5126639
Honestly I have no idea where the hell we would even look for a good spymaster. Much less find one. Not sure if asking Katrana would work since she would own whoever it is she found for us. I mean if we intended to marry her sure why not. It wouldn't matter at that point but if we wanted to keep our options open it's a terrible idea. At least Alric kept it in his pants this time but has a horny teacher and has the trader pointed not minding a tussle in bed with no strings attached hence her being a wandering trader...not to mention all the potential baggage and politics involved. Ugh gives me a headache. I'm more surprised the QM didn't have us roll for self control given the drinks and the MC being a horny teenager. Small mercy that.

Sadly we are not aware IC she has a literal dragon's horde and associated armory of assorted treasures to ask about. It may come up in the future depending on how closely we work together with her and for how long.

>>5126673
Dark alleys and inns ?
I am not sure, but I would say not in usual places.
But if we are allies it could work fine ? Then again .... still she would gain our trust if she give us an hand. I still don't know how we can repay the favour of getting out of our room.
I am not sure for marry her, i want to see what we can do and romance isn't the first priority for me at the moment. But I will consider her beside looking nice, she has a lot of power and wealth which would no doubt help Alterac in case there is a marriage. And she is interesting. Though I wonder how we will interact with her in the future, since we are a bit far away. Same for the other girls that aren't near us. Letters maybe ?

>>5126543

>Those terms are agreeable, lady Prestor. I will be delighted to lend you what assistance I can as my other duties allow and will appreciate any assistance you may provide without inconveniencing yourself. As although I appreciate your generous offer, I wouldn’t want to put your good name at risk.

>>5126558
How cruel!

>>5126543
>Agree to the terms and raise a toast for the two of you. For Alric and Katrana.

>>5126727
As much as I would like to say the old Alterac Spymaster that probably isn't an option and our brother is definitely way ahead on that part. We are kinda flying blind and I really don't have any good ideas for spymasters what with everyone hating us and all. Along with our brother taking away much of the Alteraci nobility and underworld for his own...our options are pretty shit for spying.

Jaina can teleport and has already visited our place. Lady Prestor is a dragon lady who can also fly over. Both of them stopping by is not a problem. The only one who will have problems with booty calls and visiting both is Arthas's sister. She is in serious trouble with the competition she is dealing with and has yet to realize it. Kinda hard to compete with a teleporting archmage hottie and a rich dragon lady...especially in terms of transportation. In terms of communications, we are surprisingly not nearly as fucked as we should be when it comes to romance(as two out of the three waifu options so far are cheaters in that regard). Sadly relationships are one of those things that cannot be avoided since we sorta have to sell our own ass out in marriage to acquire whatever we can get.

You know, I'm wondering if the relationship with the Stonemasons is an opportunity to build something of an intelligence circle in Stormwind. They've got fingers on the pulse of the street level happenings in the Kingdom, while Katrana can get us the skinny on the nobles.

>>5127189
...That is actually a really good idea. Especially since it turns out the Stonemasons are also surprisingly well connected to the underworld. Not to mention how well connected and powerful Katrana is...oh man we are so stuck with Katrana aren't we? I fucking swear if the elf waifu option is Sylvannas of all elves I'm gonna cry.

>>5127189
>>5127461
There are two problems here though.

One is that we know that stonemasons and nobles are in open conflict which will make keeping good relations with them difficult as it limits ways in which we can help each other or share information that could be harmful to the other party. Or bear the risk of playing them both, putting our sole selling point of being a man of his word at stake.

The other problem is the immediate utility. Although having contacts is always a beneficial thing, it would do us little good to focus on building network in Stormwind before we gain a measure of control over our own immediate surroundings, which is currently as far as we know under Syndicate control.

Luckily we are not entirely without threads to follow. We can gain some information from trader Beric and Kris the smuggler, we can ask Monica for rumors, and we can ask sir Radan about his impressions.

We could try winning over some syndicate agents, though that will be difficult since we know they are quick to execute turncoats and now we may be even less appealing to them since we’re gonna look like Alliance puppet. And we will naturally have to protect our contacts from both syndicate and the Alliance.

On semi related note, maybe we could take remainder of our stay in Stormwind as a chance to recruit someone to work in our counter intelligence. It might be possible to find a suitably educated youth here without connection to Alterac and adventurous enough? Not necessarily a rogue, but maybe someone with analytical mind.

>>5127488
Also we are probably going to need to find some Merc job for ourselves in order to secure passage back to Southshore. Although I guess that also depends on when the Alliance force is set to depart for Alterac, we might be wanting to invite ourselves alongside them so we arrive with them at latest. Although I don’t thing Garside would allow himself to be dragged into confrontation without us so it might be safe to take the scenic route. Then again, who knows what might happen.

You stood up and took a few steps and faced Katrana.

“We have a deal.” You said to her and raised your glass. “For Alric and Katrana.”

“For Alric and Katrana.” She said and gave you her mischievous smile.

You drank plenty of the sherry and Katrana did the same before she started to carefully approach you. Katrana placed her hand on your arm. Looking deep into your eyes, she pushed herself closer and just before her lips could meet yours, you raised your hand and put your finger on her lips.

“What! Again?” Katrana asked with the finger still on her lips as you took a step away and then walked a few steps away from her.

“Yes, what did I say earlier, there needs to be some foreplay first.” You said with a jest.

Katrana did not know what to say and just looked at you mouth wide open.

“Katrana Prestor denied for the second time today. No, second time in just a short moment in my life.” She said and was confused about what just happened.

Katrana took a few steps and collected herself again before drinking more sherry and pointing her finger at you.

“You have the nerve to deny me. I take what I want and you denied me twice.” Katrana said to you without the usual softness in her voice, but still a wide smile on her face. “You are a very intriguing man Alric and one day I will get you. You win this time.”

Katrana put the glass down and walked to you before taking a ring out of her hand and carefully putting it on your left middle finger.

“It is a Dragonclaw Ring. It is a sign of my favour and it might end up useful in the future.” Katrana said to you as you looked at the ring. It was made from black metal and had a shard of a dragonclaw set in it.

“It is a fine ring.” You said to her and continued. “But what are you going to do next?”

“I will try to make some sense of this problem with the Stonemason’s Guild. If they don’t get paid, then there might be bigger problems ahead of us.” Katrana said to you and continued. “But don’t worry about it darling, this is Stormwind business. And for you it is most likely leaving Stormwind and returning back home and continuing your duties as a Prince.”

“You are correct.” You said to her. “And speaking of leaving, I better leave now before someone notices that I am gone. I am supposed to stay out of trouble.”

“Then you must leave. Ask my servant for guidance, he will tell you a way to return back into the keep without being seen.” Katrana said and gave you her smile. “Goodbye Alric, may we see each other again in the future and engage in more intimate conversations.”

Katrana leaned forward and gave you a faint kiss on your left cheek before pulling away and giving you once more her mischievous smile.

“Goodbye Katrana, may we see each other again.”

1/2

>>5127647

You had returned back into the keep by using the back alleys and doors the servant had told you to use. You just walked into your room and after kicking off your boots and throwing your jacket away, you just jumped into your bed.

It had been a wild day. First the deal with Edwin VanCleef and the Stonemason’s. Then you talked with Arthas and Calia. Finally you were being seduced by a beautiful noble lady. As you were lying on the bed, it really did hit you what just had happened. You had denied Katrana Prestor's attempt to seduce you not once, but twice. You know that you are dense with women, so to you it was a small miracle that you got through this at all. But as you are short on allies, you agreed to ally with her. The wild thing was that while so confident and maybe too forceful even, when you denied her, she seemed to accept it. It seemed Katrana even enjoyed being denied by you.

The thought did come to your mind, what if you had let her seduce you? You would now probably be in bed at her side, but what would happen next? Would you at some point ask for her hand? Would your life shift to Stormwind to support hers or would she join you in Alterac? Or would it have been just a one-nighter? It was probably for the best that things went like they did, but it was in your mind. When you meet her again, will you deny her again?

You closed your eyes and pinched the bridge of your nose. So much had happened during this trip to Stormwind that it would take a few days for you to think through all this.

…

The next morning had come and after a quick breakfast you heard the news. The ship carrying Lord Admiral Proudmoore and his family had already left thanks to good winds. You cursed this in your mind as you couldn’t thank Jaina anymore in person as she was with her family, but instead you would be forced to send her a letter when you got home.

Calia had asked you to come see her this evening as they were leaving tomorrow, so you still had time to do things before that. You could train with your new sword or venture back into the city and find Edwin VanCleef again. Or you could find Lord Uther and speak with him.


>Go to the training yard in your armour and go through your sparring with the Cinder Sword.
>Talk with Edwin VanCleef again about business. Ask him how he hears all the things in the city and how he has organized all that?
>Find Lord Uther and speak with him about the meeting and the Alliance.
>Other, write in.

QM: Stats and Social pastebin has minor updates.

>>5127650
Hmm… it would probably be wise to meet Edwin and mention we may have a sympathetic person among nobles to help reconcile (Hah)
Sparring could give us random encounter with someone from the expeditionary force.
But maybe we should meet Uther, he’ll have something to say for sure.

>go find Uther

>>5127650
>Find Lord Uther and speak with him about the meeting and the Alliance

Katrana is going to learn that slowly getting what she wants by putting an effort instead of straight up banging is way better, gosh darn it.
>the small kiss on the cheek
>"You'll be mine next time!"
More like a cute date at an afternoon dinner, you angry lady. With enough progress, she'll get the honor of handholding.

>>5127650
>>Find Lord Uther and speak with him about the meeting and the Alliance.
While going to talk with VanCleef interests me, I think we will be dealing with Lord Uther more regularly and closely. Better to talk with him now then

>>5127650
>>Go to the training yard in your armour and go through your sparring with the Cinder Sword.

>>5127650
>Find Lord Uther and speak with him about the meeting and the Alliance.
Time to play hard to get with a certain lady and reward her when shes doing well for alterac.

>>5127650
>Find Lord Uther and speak with him about the meeting and the Alliance.

>>5127650
>>Find Lord Uther and speak with him about the meeting and the Alliance.

It s time for give the weird thanks. (Alric is costantly reminded that he just needs to do something wrong and the might of the Silver Hand will crush him).

File: Uther_TCG_Alt.jpg (97 KB, 415x594)

97 KB JPG

You thought about going to see Edwin VanCleef again, but King Varian had told you to stay out of trouble and you really didn’t want to cause any waves in your last few days in Stormwind. Due to this you opted to find the person you hadn’t talked to in private after the Alliance meeting was over.

It took you a while and in the end you were guided towards Stormwind Cathedral where you found the one you were looking for. Lord Uther the Lightbringer was discussing something with his fellow paladins when you stepped inside the cathedral. You waited politely for a moment and allowed him to finish whatever he was talking about before he excused himself from the company of others and came to you.

“Prince Alric, I am somewhat surprised to see you here. That you seeked me out.” Uther said to you.

“Why is that?” You asked back and frankly you were somewhat confused why he would say so.

“The old order of Lordaeron denied you and I am part of it, it would make sense for you to be angry and disappointed.” He said back and for a moment the gallant Lord Uther the Lightbringer you knew was replaced by an old man burdened by the weight of his responsibilities.

“Lord Uther, I came to thank you, for apparently you held my back during the Alliance meetings.” You said to him. “If you somehow think that you have failed, then you have to stop thinking like that.”

“I guess you are right Prince Alric. But let us talk in a more private location, there are a bit too many ears around us for my liking.” Uther said.

…

Uther had guided you to a large stone structure behind the cathedral. Here the people wanting to become paladins lived and studied while they were in Stormwind. Uther guided you upstairs and found an empty study where two of you could be in relative peace.

“Here no one will end up listening to us or interrupting us. People other than paladins or priests cannot enter this building, unless they are accompanied by someone like me.” Uther said to you as he sat down.

“Lord Uther, I need to ask, how did the voting go? Who suggested what?” You asked him.

“King Genn Greymane is still pushing Isiden Perenolde as his choice for the Alteraci throne as he did years ago. King Terenas and King Thoras won’t accept it. Annexation of your lands or being forced to be taxed won’t go through either as Genn wants the land to Isiden and Thoras for Stromgarde. So after a brief discussion and again in a deadlock, a compromise was made. And the decisions you heard were agreed upon.” Lord Uther explained to you.

“So even the final decisions weren’t unanimous?”

1/2

>>5128154

“No, everyone has their own goals and what they want. King Terenas enjoys the status quo, but I know he would like to see the whole Alterac problem to be solved. King Genn, as I said, wants Isiden on the throne, but he fears that whoever else ends up as the ruler of Alterac, tips the balance of the Alliance off. And King Thoras, as you know your families have had skirmishes for centuries in the Alterac and Hinterlands and he doesn’t want anyone else getting Alterac, especially as it was his men who fought and died when pursuing the Orcish Horde through the Alterac Mountains.”

“So it was really was a difficult decision even for them to reach?”

“Yes, except Lord Admiral Proudmoore. For him this is easier. He has nothing really to gain from Alterac, but he is adamant that it will not end up back in the Perenolde hands.” Uther finished talking.

This really was tiresome. Could you really win the different Kings of the Alliance on your side or was it a doomed effort?

“Could something be done about these decisions? Of course they can’t be lifted without their permission, but working around them? Turning a blind eye?” You asked Uther.

“Prince Alric, are you asking me to work against The Alliance of Lordaeron?”

“No, but is there anything that could be done?”

Uther didn’t say anything and you weren’t sure if he wanted to hear more, but asking something from him could be worth the shot.

“Then what about you Lord Uther? What did you tell them during the meeting?” You asked him.

“I have done reports on your actions since we have met, do not be surprised about that. And since King Terenas and others have known about you and what you have done.” Uther said to you and continued. “For I tried to explain the benefits of your actions to Hillsbrad and its people, but they wouldn’t listen. And when you then told them about the Syndicate, they had no reason to see you as other than a threat to them.”

Lord Uther sighed deeply and continued.

“I value your honesty Prince Alric, but telling them about the Syndicate was a mistake. Why didn’t you tell me before? It wouldn’t have had to be a surprise to them.”


The Syndicate:
>The fear of you Lord Uther, you needed one excuse to come charging in with the full might of Silver Hand behind you.
>Less people know about the Syndicate, a smaller chance for them to know that I know about them.
>It is my brother, I feel that this is too personal for me for others to deal with him.
>Other, write in.

The Decisions, choose one:
>Ask Uther to help you to lift the Edict of King Terenas or at least to turn a blind eye if you have to go into Alterac.
>The Diplomatic Surveillance Mission worries you, what if the report is biased against you? Ask if Uther could do something about it.
>The Garrison is a threat to your autonomy. Ask Uther to pull some strings to get a more favourable garrison there.
>Do not ask anything from Lord Uther.

QM: Please vote on both.

>>5128174
>It is my brother, I feel that this is too personal for me for others to deal with him.

Uther what would be involved in joining the order of the silver hand?

>>5128174
>The fear of you Lord Uther, you needed one excuse to come charging in with the full might of Silver Hand behind you.
>It is my brother, I feel that this is too personal for me for others to deal with him.

Both of this are true, we had a reminder more than once in our mind of what could happen. And once we discovered about our brother, we have thought about the inevitable confrontation with him


>The Garrison is a threat to your autonomy. Ask Uther to pull some strings to get a more favourable garrison there.
The edict might just be too much.
I think we can handle the diplomatic mission if we arrive far before them.
But a garrison that costantly is a thorn on our side and hates our people ? Yeah no

>>5128198
We don't have any excessive time for join an order, being a paladin means dedicate yourself to being a paladin, then either you leave or remain. Arthas is someone that has the time.

>>5128174
>The fear of you Lord Uther, you needed one excuse to come charging in with the full might of Silver Hand behind you.

>The Garrison is a threat to your autonomy. Ask Uther to pull some strings to get a more favourable garrison there.

Honestly i do not want to ask anything from Uther but it would be a pain if a garrison from stromgarde comes to cause problems.