>>5734102
>Make an inspection of their borders and decide form their on out
Did you enjoy your vacation?

>>5734105
Yes, though afterwards I got a second vacation with my parents to visit my brother in Ireland

>>5734102
>>Make an inspection of their borders and decide form their on out
Very cool to have you back. Hope the baltics were cool.

>>5734105
>>5734139
It is perhaps best if you get a closer look at the border in particular.

As such, you set out from Rittersbach to their estates. You made certain to take both of them as well as an escort of footmen with you to enforce any ruling you might give.

After about five days of travel you arrive where you are supposed to be. At a Y split in the road caused by a particularly dense forest stood two particular manors, each one had a road that joined at the split.

The one that belonged to that fat meatball called Kesselen looked particularly gaudy but cheap at the same time. It felt like it was designed to give off the impression of wealth without actually using the material and effort required.

The manor of the sour grape Teichenfeld looked dramatically dour in comparison. With strict straight lines and made of grey bricks and a garden that only consisted of a lawn, a fence and a path.

Afterwards you went into the forest to track down the wooden border poles that had defined the territory when it was first divided up.

After about two hours of searching your rangers reported back that the thick undergrowth had destroyed the poles and as such you could no longer find the old border.

Still, something had to be done

>Set up a new set of poles
>Give all of the forest to Teichenfeld
>Give all of the forest to Kesselen
>Order them to cut straight through the forest to build a new border
>Order the entire forest to be cut down

>>5734250
>Set up a new set of poles
And tell them that if the poles are not maintained, both are going to lose the forest as part of their domain.

>>5734332
+1

>>5734332
>>5734339

Indeed, you did hereby decree that form now they would both be held responsible for the upkeep of a new set of border poles

The new poles would be painted white, and every Midweek someone would look at the state of the poles and see if they needed maintenance. This would be done in alternating shifts.

Failure to comply with the measure would result in the entire forest being forfeited back to their liege-lord.

They both don't really seem to happy about your decision, but it is not enough for them to object to the new measure.

On the way back to Rittersbach you began to slowly think it all over. Why on earth was your personal intervention necessary? After all, you weren't even their direct liege, and you only got the case because the local lord was an infant who's regent was overburdened with work

Perhaps it was it to change that
>Create an office within your council that can arbitrate legal matters on your behalf
>Create legal subdivisions for your vassals that will have local court of law
>Change the law so that one of your vassal's council members may also arbitrate on legal matters with their lord's permission
>No, this isn't necessary

>>5734373
>Create legal subdivisions for your vassals that will have local court of law

>>5734373
>>Create legal subdivisions for your vassals that will have local court of law

>>5734373
>>Create an office within your council that can arbitrate legal matters on your behalf

>>5734373
>Create legal subdivisions for your vassals that will have local court of law

Glad to see this return.

>>5734393
>>5734536
>>5734623

You first took to the road back to Rittersbach, it was a relatively uneventful thing. On occasion you passed fields were peasant were working. Who, upon seeing you pass through would take of their hats and bow their head slightly as a showing of respect. Before going to work

When you got back to you palace you first patted your daughter on the head, kissed your wife on the cheek, lifted your son in the air and visited your infant daughter. You went back to work.

To improve the flow of legal and judicial matters you would divide the various fiefs and holdings in Greifswald according to their geographical familiarity. To begin with you would institute the so-called Landesgericht or regional court, for rural and smaller towns that aren't under immediacy to judge over both matters penal and civil. There would be both judges that would travel around and a permanent courthouse from where they would be headquartered.

In the free cities you merely elevated they already existing court to the rank of Stadtsgericht or city court. who would have jurisdiction over city matters.

To finish it all off, you created the Herzogliche Hauptgericht or Hauptgericht for short, essentially the highest court one could plead in before arriving at the final and sole legal authority: The Duke, or in other words, you.

This would all take a few years to properly implement but you of course had plenty of other things to do.

But what?
>I will seek to consolidate my position over my vassals further
>I must see to it that my revenue is improved
>I think i should sponsor the arts
>Perhaps I should look into building more infrastructure
>Maybe i could build a place to retreat from the stresses of rule with my family

>>5734979
>Perhaps I should look into building more infrastructure
Infrastructure => more wealth => more taxes => more money to spend on further improvements

>>5734979
>>I will seek to consolidate my position over my vassals further

>>5734979
>I must see to it that my revenue is improved
All these reforms we've been doing will eventually drain our coffers.

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>5735036
>>5735048
>>5735495

It seems we're at an impasse. Time to roll.

1:Infrastructure
2:Consolidation
3:Revenue

>>5735806

It was a cloudy morning when you received your treasurer whom had most upsetting when he told of the state of your expenses to income ratio.

''I am afraid your highness, that I must report that the treasury is nearly empty, your ambitious plans of reforms and building have but our monetary reserves under severe stress. As it stand right now, it is nearly empty.''

Well, you could, in retrospect, see it coming. After all you had spent a enormous sum of coin on a wide variety of things. Men-at-arms, a new castle, a new palace, a donation to the new cathedral, the city walls, a road network. It was honestly impressive that you did not run out of money earlier.

''Very well, tell the chancellor to convene the council at it's earliest convenience.''

and there, three days later you all sat behind the table ready to discuss the matter.

They were all there, the chancellor, the treasurer, the marshal, the chamberlain as well as some of their subordinates.

All were made aware of the precarious situation of the treasury.

Several proposal were made

The chancellor proposed an increase on tariffs to help fill the treasury. It would anger the merchants and cause a mild decrease in trade. But it would in his words increase the revenue

The treasurer had proposed a new tax to bring in more coin. Although no one liked an increase in the tax-rate it would be the be most simple plan to implement

The last plan was a brainchild of the chamberlain. It would use the last remaining fiscal reserves to invest into profitable investments, it would be risky but would not anger or upset anyone (well, save for the treasurer)

In the end, you choose for

>The tariff plan
>The tax plan
>The investment program
>Write-in

>>5735818
>The tax plan
>The investment program
long and short term?

>>5735818
>The tax plan

>>5735818


>Write-in
A new road network you say? Perfect opportunity for tolls. Further if we can mandate/offer the merchants a form of passport they can purchase to bypass the tolls, enabling the recording of their passings and manifests helps to ensure if they are attacked on the road we can better bring their attackers to justice. Plus with the new courts we can penalize those who try to abuse that system and smuggle.

>>5736043
+1 to this big brain autism right here.

>>5736043
>>5736376

''A new road network you say? Perfect opportunity for tolls. Further if we can mandate/offer the merchants a form of passport they can purchase to bypass the tolls, enabling the recording of their passings and manifests helps to ensure if they are attacked on the road we can better bring their attackers to justice. Plus with the new courts we can penalise those who try to abuse that system and smuggle.'' You proposed.

The council then took a few moments to think over your proposal.

First of all, your marshal spoke out: ''It would be doable, but it would require us to spread out the troops to an greater extent. Thankfully, most of our permanent forces are relatively unoccupied with other duties and can be used to guard any tollhouse.''

Your chancellor then spoke: ''It will take time to issue such passports, but it would help in the long term I believe. I will have one of my subordinates draft a few prototypes that may be issued.

The conversation then turned to have more casual topics as to keep a degree of friendliness in the council

You talking to a employee of the treasurer when he pulled out something interesting. Although it is looked like piece fo paper he assured you that it was far more then that.

''It's called a cheque, I am told. They issue these things as a substitute for normal money in Castana. They are issued by something known as a ''bank'' which is apparently a money lending operation. But they also keep deposits and issue these things for longer travels through unsafe places. Some of the crusades were apparently funded through these cheques. I got this one from a cousin of mine who engages in trade in Castana.

You did not really get how a piece of paper could ever subsite a coin made of metal with actual worth but you were not a merchant.
>Tell me more about these banks
>How interesting
>That money lending sounds... immoral
>Write-in

>>5736526
>Tell me more about these banks

>>5736526
>>Tell me more about these banks
Merchant dukedom for the win.

>>5736526
>How interesting

File: Banking.jpg (351 KB, 1082x722)

351 KB JPG

>>5736546
>>5736590

''Do please tell me more about these banks.'' You asked

''In Castana the land is pretty scattered. There is no real central kingdoms or empires claiming the central authority. An curiosity of the region are the various regional merchant republics that have sprung up. Most of these citystates have a central square or Piazza which usually have an hall nearby. Castana is the region from which trade from the near east and from Mithras flows further into Argalis''.

''Within these cities various merchant houses will every now and then lack the capital to undertake such endeavours or need to exchange their currencies. Or they need to go somewhere dangerous and as such need to keep their money somewhere where it is safe.''

''Most of the Castanan banks are family owned. They all have their own little bench or bank form which they operate. It works like this. Someone wealthy gives the bank money in exchange for interest. The bank than uses this money to lend this money to others, usually also with interest. If it all goes well, the client gets more money from simply depositing his money. The borrower gets the capital to succesfully start up his endeouver and then pays the money bacl with interest. And the bank itself makes a profit from the interest on the loan.''

Is there anything you would like to say?
>Can this go wrong?
>I assume that there are those that have ammassed vast wealth?
>I heard that some Dwarfen holds also lend coin, is this true?
>Write-in

>>5736813
>Can this go wrong?

>>5736813
>Can this go wrong?

>>5736813
>Can this go wrong?

>>5736813
>>I heard that some Dwarfen holds also lend coin, is this true?

>>5736821
>>5736842
>>5736899

''But I can't help but think that this practice is not foolproof'' You said

''Oh no, it isn't. Sometimes things go wrong. The savers pull out their savings, the debtor doesn't pay back or something else. Usually, the bank has measures which ensure it's survival. Like having it's own reserves, or sending out mercenaries or thug to enforce the debt collection. This can get nasty. Particularly ruthless banking houses tend to care more about collecting debt then the wellbeing of their debtors.''

He then took a glass of milk before continuing.

''But when they actually run out of money, the city government sends out a ''executioner'' to formally ''execute'' the bank. He walks up to the bank table from behind which the bankers do business and he then uses his axes to break the bank so to speak. Or as the Castanans say ''banca rotta'' Which means broken bank. The owners will sometimes be forced to compensate the destitute savers. But they are also sometimes run out of town by an angry mob and are usually banished from the city for at least a decade.''

This was interesting, although you did not really get the logic around the details you did get a good enough impression of the concept of banking.

What you would like to say?
>Do these banks operate outside of Castana?
>Do you think I should start my own bank?
>Does anyone else beside merchants use these institutions?
>Write-in

>>5737521
>>Does anyone else beside merchants use these institutions?

>>5737521
>Do you think I should start my own bank?
>Does anyone else beside merchants use these institutions?

>>5737521
>Do you think I should start my own bank?

>>5737564
>>5737575
>>5737679

[I]''Say, does anyone beside merchants use these banks?''[/i] You asked

''On occasion, sometimes the city state takes out a loan to pay for mercenaries. And foreign rulers and even the church take out loans to fund their wars and projects. The problem is that they sometimes don't pay back and one does not easily make a king pay his debt.''

[i[''So, do you think should start a bank of my own?'' You inquired

''Well, with all due respect. I do not believe that you would have either the time nor the training to fully set up a bank. I would recommend recruiting and hiring experts from Castana for this for a co-joined venture. That cousin of mine has connections to the Di Cencatari banking family. That family is always looking to expand their network and they have plenty of idle younger sons whom they spread across the world. If you whish I shall make the necessary arrangements.''

>Yes please
>No thanks
>Write-in

>>5737823
>No thanks

>>5737823
>>No thanks

>>5737823
>>Yes please

>>5737823
>Yes please

>>5737823
>Yes please

>>5737823
>>write in

It is one thing to create a bank, wholly another to invite bankers to create one for you.

Instead, I propose that we lay the groundwork for creating a bank ran by our own.

>>5737905
>>5737929
>>5737964

''Why yes, please have someone send over to kickstart this banking project'' You said

The man did not speak another word but instead bowed his head and went back to his work. Afterwards you did the same. Summer was coming to an end and with that it was almost harvesting season. a hectic season at best where you would need all of your attention to manage the massive harvests. Some would be sold off, others would be stored for the winter. All in all it was perhaps the most important part of the year for anyone who is involved with agriculture. And in this day and age that is nearly everyone.

Thankfully your projected income was beginning to recover from years of eager spending of all kinds of things. Yet still, money does not appear instantaneously, and it would take at least a few years to properly fill the treasury with coin again. There would be no more money to spare on new buildings, armies, hunts or feast unfortunately. For now you have to be frugal in spending the money on thing as the future bank would also need to have a starting capital to beging with.

Yet still, with quill in hand and parchment on the desk, the ever shortening days flew by. you of course kept fit for any potential war that might happen. But with the ever cooling weather you were forced to spend more and more time inside as the rain it seemed, did not whish for you to go outside.

By winter the Seldau had frozen over. And the children of Rittersbach had begun walk and play across the frozen river. The richer ones had skates made for them by the smiths. Some of the younger nobles had given their horses special horseshoes to help them ride across the ice. They had even made a weird contraption by putting a rope under their saddle which skater could then grab onto to go extra fats. The city guard had also decided to designate where the weak points where and where the horses could ride.

You had some of your men cut out a piece of ice to be stored in a cool part of your basement so that it may be used to cool drinks in the summer. You had once heard that the emperor of Mithras had an enchanted room which was cover with ice where he cools his beverages for favoured courtiers. Although the crueller among them had also frozen their opponents in that room. But was of no concern to you. Mithras is a long way away and it is unlikely that you will ever see the great capital of Elisonikon. Said to be the greatest city of the world. But still now was the time for winter fun.

A few years later

It was finally done it had taken you money,stones,men and other things but your new castle was finally complete and with it you had improved upon it the old things in every matter. The old caslte Rittersbach was based upon an old hillfort which limited the way one could build upon it out of fear that the artificial hill would collapse. This new more modern castle was build with the latest in castle design and engineering.

(1/2)

>>5738461
(2/2) There was only one thing left to do. To give it a name
>Albrechtsburg, after my greatuncle
>Schloss Rittersbach
>Neuadlershorst
>Write-in

>>5738462
>>Albrechtsburg, after my greatuncle
God bless that man.

>>5738462
>>Albrechtsburg, after my greatuncle

>>5738462
>>Albrechtsburg, after my greatuncle

>>5738591
>>5738647
>>5738733

a fine piece of architecture if you do say so yourself. It would be the biggest castle in all of Greifswald. And still had place for expansion.

It also had a new church which, although it would not match the cathedral when it was done, was still a fine work of art.

You would have to choose a patron saint for the church
>St Norbert the martyr-prince
>St Eduardus the scholar-knight
>St Corradius the holy steward

You would also have to choose where you place the family crypt
>The castle church would do fine
>The cathedral would be a grand place
>I will build a mausoleum in the forest

(it's a bit more bare-bones because I lost the original draft)

>>5738793
>>St Corradius the holy steward
>The cathedral would be a grand place

>>5738793
>St Norbert the martyr-prince
>The cathedral would be a grand place

>>5738793
Do we know more about these saints other then their titles?

>>5738793
>St Eduardus the scholar-knight

>>5738944

Sure, Norbert was a northern prince who converted to the faith and then martyred himself fighting heathen's for his brother

Eduardus was a knight who saved much knowledge during a crusade and was known for his love of preserving knowledge

Corradius was a man who managed his land with such piety and diligence it was said that he managed to create an paradise, which went up in thin air after his death.

Also Eduardus was called Edward during his life and Corradius was called Konrad during his. Only Norbert was actually called Norbert

>>5738793
>>St Norbert the martyr-prince
>>The cathedral would be a grand place

>>5738940
>>5739212

Although the ambulatory had the stained glass images of the god the main stained glass over the main entry was dedicated to the holy St. Norbert whom in live gave his life in battle against the heathens so that his brother, King Harald could unify the northern petty kingdoms under the Menstruanory faith. He is commonly depicted with a axe in his right hand and his helmet in the left. And perhaps usually with an beard which commonly are left out by artists as to better intimidate the Isidorian fashion of the old era. But because of his origin it was left in.

You had also made a visit to the cathedral construction site to see the new crypt you would one day be laid in. It was build a level lower than the normal crypts and would only be accessible during funerals.

There are certainties in life: death,work and taxes. And was with the second you were now concerned.

'''Buongiorno'' The banker greeted you as he walked into your study

You had been working with this scion of the Di Cencatari banking family for a few years now. Through great effort you had set of the bank of Rittersbach with an extra office in Libau. Aside from sum failed investments the experiment was by and large a succes. The man in particular, Giulio di Cencatari was someone you could describe as slick to the core. With a wardrobe that is so flashy that it neared ridicule and a tendency to complain about the colder climate as compared to his native Castana.

You talked at length about the profits made by the bank and how to expand it's profitability.

The first idea is to create a branch of the bank meant to offer credit and cheques to travelling adventures whom would often have trouble storing their money when on the road. The personal risk of the profession meant that the more successful among would like to have a place where they could keep their money while they where away from civilisation.

A second plan is to give out long-term low interest loans to craftsmen and other such men as to promote a further development of industry in the realm

The third and last proposal is to give credit to merchant who would be willing to undertake longer range trading missions. As opposed to just buying goods at more nearby markets this would ensure that the merchants could buy good unavailable in Greifswald closer or directly at the source thereby making it cheaper.

In the end you choose for
>The adventures bank
>The industrial loans
>The longrange merchant loans

>>5739233
>The industrial loans
>The longrange merchant loans
Adventurers are too big of a variable

>>5739233
>>The industrial loans
>>The longrange merchant loans

>>5739233
>The longrange merchant loans

>>5739233
>The industrial loans
We develop our local industry.

>>5739233
>>The industrial loans

>>5739233
>>The industrial loans

The fatherland must have a strong heart

>>5739239
>>5739251
>>5739276
>>5739488
>>5739583
>>5739759

The furthering of the industry and the specialisation of the crafts would be your main focus. With a what extra money, the blacksmith could specialise into becoming a farrier, a weapon smith, a tool smith or something else more specialised. And what's more new industries could be set up a ropery, sailmakers, full fledged ship and wheelwrights an creation of good that until preciously had to be imported from the more urbanised sections of the world. The glass maker for example, had begun hiring and bringing in people who knew how to make more complex objects than the simple glass pan.

You had never seen a glass cup, but so fascinating. It held the wine in itself without a leak and you could see right through it. You did not drink from it as much as you looked through it. It was perhaps the most mundane thing that you ever held that you still found so interesting. The only downside was that was rather fragile and if it shattered the pieces could cut and hurt quite severely. Yet it was such a adaptive material that you could not help but think what else you could do with it.

There also was new cutlery based on the old elven types you had found in the white tower. Although the Tauten's traditionally eat with their hands, this was slowly beginning to change under the influence of both the Elves and Mithradites whom have used cutlery for about as long as anyone can remember. The spoon was already known to you, as it the best way to eat soup if the soup bowl is too hot to pick up with one's hand yet a spoon made out of metal was new. It did take to learn how eat with fork and knife however, cutting up the meat instead of simply biting of the meat was something that took getting used to.

A consequence was that your diner was slowly but surely becoming more formalised with an set of unspoken table manner accompanying it. With such as: No eating with one's hands, no elbow's on the table, you can't simply throw away the leftover's, a servant will come to take it and much much more.

The children in particular had some trouble getting used manners such as no burps at the table

And yet it is with the children you where more and more being concerned. You had won a realm, yes, but how does one make such a realm last? How can one man build duchy to stand the test of time? The answer is simple: You can't, but you can lay the foundation upon which can be build and for that to happen you must invest in the future. Not only in the realm itself and your hold over it. But your heir must be prepared for the day as well.

You only one son. And although he is in good health he was your sole male heir. As such you had refrained from arranging a betrothal for Brünhilde just yet. After all you be couldn't certain what the future would hold.

(1/2)

>>5740070
By the way how is Albrecht doing?

>He has not changed much, he still running around playing a knight. Although he has become more reckless

>He has become increasingly withdrawn from the world, proffering to pursue some obscure interest of his rather than playing with other children.

>I fear that must correct a behaviour of his, he started to use his status to indulge in petty cruelties against other children.

>>5740070
>He has become increasingly withdrawn from the world, proffering to pursue some obscure interest of his rather than playing with other children.
Are you winning son?

>>5740070
>He has become increasingly withdrawn from the world, proffering to pursue some obscure interest of his rather than playing with other children.

>>5740072
>>I fear that must correct a behaviour of his, he started to use his status to indulge in petty cruelties against other children.

>>5740072
>>He has not changed much, he still running around playing a knight. Although he has become more reckless

>>5740072
>I fear that must correct a behaviour of his, he started to use his status to indulge in petty cruelties against other children.

>>5740072
>>I fear that must correct a behaviour of his, he started to use his status to indulge in petty cruelties against other children.

>>5740070
>He has not changed much, he still running around playing a knight. Although he has become more reckless

>>5740070
>>He has not changed much, he still running around playing a knight. Although he has become more reckless

>>5740072
>I fear that must correct a behaviour of his, he started to use his status to indulge in petty cruelties against other children.

>>5740249
>>5740315
>>5740502
>>5741080

It did not yet look like full on bullying. But your son had managed to create a clique of other young courtiers to follow him around. They would do things like pressure other children into stealing from the kitchen or stealing the dolls of girls and hiding them or putting them in unreachable spots. Although most of it was relatively harmless mischief you could see were this would lead to if it wasn't properly checked by say, a strong authoritative figure in his life. After all the boy is nearly ten, barely six years away from adulthood.

But how would one disciple him?

Being too soft would not teach him anything, it might even encourage him if you weren't careful about it

On the other hand, if you were too harsh on him it might hurt his confidence and assertiveness, and a un confident and unassertive monarch were recipes for disaster. An even hand one of care and disciple would perhaps work.

All in all a very difficult decision for a father to make, but decision that must be made nonetheless.

>Just ask him to stop.
>Summon him to your study and give him a fine talking to.
>Perhaps humiliating him in front of his friends by reprimanding him from your throne would work.
>A spanking would suffice, a tried and true punishment.
>He gone far too far, I'll spank him with the flat part of my sword.
>Meh, who cares about some unimportant children.

>>5741160
>>Meh, who cares about some unimportant children.

>>5741160
>Summon him to your study and give him a fine talking to.
Knowing how to control people is fine, but missusing them is wrong

>>5741160
>Summon him to your study and give him a fine talking to.

>>5741160
>Summon him to your study and give him a fine talking to.

>>5741160
>>Summon him to your study and give him a fine talking to.

Spanking should come after talking has failed.

>>5741160
>>Summon him to your study and give him a fine talking to.

>>5741194
>>5741196
>>5741247
>>5741270
>>5741389

You had called your son into your study where you made him wait a few seconds while you finished up a letter. A uncertain expression had already appeared on his face. He never went into your study. He as child of course never bothered staying around a bunch of stuffy adults.

''You are probably wondering why you where brought here.'' You said while you put the last touches upon the letter.

''Yes, yes I am. Is there something wrong?'' Albrecht asked you

''I have noticed that you keep putting other children in trouble. You will stop that now.''

His face whent in all kind of directions, from fear to anger and back again.

''It's none of your business how I do things!'' He suddenly yelled at you

This made you lock eyes with him. You needed to regain the upper hand in this conversation, now.

Roll a 1d100 [DC 40] To see if you can.

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>5742031

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>5742031

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>5742031

>>5742048
>>5742103
>>5742145

You quickly rise from behind you desk. Using the noise of the moving chair to shut him.

You look down upon him, like an hawk looks down at a particularity delicious mouse in the fields. You then point your finger at him.

''Enough of this insolence, you will stop this.'' You said

''But'' he sputtered

''NO! no excuses, no weaselling out, no more of this. You will better your behaviour or I will be forced to be harsher in the father, and let me tell you now boy that you do not want to incur the wrath of one's own father.''

''No, please I'll stop, i swear that I'll stop''

Well, it seems you have tamed the beast once more. Is there anything you to say to him?
>I understand it might be harsh, but you can't use others in such a manner.
>I want you to go the children you bullied and apologetic.
>Write-in.

>>5742171
>I want you to go the children you bullied and apologetic.

>>5742171
>>I want you to go the children you bullied and apologetic.

>>5742171
>>I understand it might be harsh, but you can't use others in such a manner.

>>5742171
>I understand it might be harsh, but you can't use others in such a manner.

>>5742171
>>I understand it might be harsh, but you can't use others in such a manner.

>>5742171
>You can control people, but you cannot mistreat them.

>>5742171
>>I understand it might be harsh, but you can't use others in such a manner.

>>5742171
>I understand it might be harsh, but you can't use others in such a manner.

>>5742190
>>5742228
>>5742234
>>5742287
>>5742307
>5742307

You walk over to the little boy and you get down on one knee. You then put your hand upon his shoulder. After such an reprimand it is perhaps best to also give him some fatherly affection to offset any potential trust and emotional damage.

''I understand it might be harsh, but you can't use others in such a manner. There is a time to use people to your advantage and it is the mark of a good leader that can create a powerbase of their own. But as their leader you also bear a responsibility to keep your fellows on the straight path.'' You explained to him

''I do believe that it once was your whish to be a knight, is it Still?'' You asked

''Yes, yes it is. Albrecht replied

''Then you must also understand the concept and tenets of chivalry and courtliness and all that comes with it.'' You said

''I have no doubt of your valour but you must work on your sense of honour and justice.''

''Alright, I will! I will still become the greatest knight of Greifswald! The greatest knight in the world even!'' He exclaimed excitedly

Thanks to your actions, the first sense of responsibility and duty have been awoken in Albrecht

Oh yes, he sure will. Speaking of that. It is perhaps time to begin his formal education. Although the basics have already been laid out. He can write and read, speaks Tauten and the basics of Isadorian and has been riding horses and ponies since he was five, yet was now time to further his education. He would stil have his combat and riding lessons of course. As well the other basic necessities like formally speaking, dancing, arithmetic and basics of court intrigue

Choose two fields of study for him to learn
>Military tactics and strategy
>Advanced Arithmetic and stewardship
>The scholarly pursuits
>Foreign languages and diplomacy
>Scheming and observance

>>5742347
>Military tactics and strategy
>Advanced Arithmetic and stewardship
One to defend the realm and one to golden the realm.

>>5742347
>Military tactics and strategy
>Advanced Arithmetic and stewardship

>>5742347
>>Military tactics and strategy
>>Foreign languages and diplomacy

>>5742347
>>Advanced Arithmetic and stewardship
>Military tactics and strategy

>>5742347
>>Military tactics and strategy
>>Advanced Arithmetic and stewardship

>>5742347
>>Military tactics and strategy
>>Advanced Arithmetic and stewardship

>>5742355
>>5742375
>>5742404
>>5742442
>>5742526

You had set path for Albrecht and he would follow it. You had decide to buy in books and hire teachers who were capable in such manners. While the good Aurilien Phillipe was a capable fighter and equestrian he had never held a command during his life. Instead you hired merchants, mathematicians and retired mercenary captains with a lifetime of experience for him to learn from.

With that matter done you went back to your usual routine.

In the next month you received some interesting news from the rest of the world. News, if not specifically directed at you, would usually travel by word and it could take months for you receive a update from the outside world.

The news you received was, as per usual outdated by at least a month or so. But it is news nevertheless.

To the norhteast a new realm has been founded. Karl Knudsen, exiled half-brother of the Suddalr king Harald had successfully unified the petty realms of the nordmen already there and had successfully subjugated the majority of the Spardic tribes under his rule. He had proclaimed the new kingdom of Sparland, unlike you he has no powerful neighbours who would object to a new kingdom. But he has paid the price nevertheless, his brother almost immediately called for his excommunication and called for his immediate disposition.

Furhter west the King of Angenland, King Edmund had once more invaded Aurilie, at first to protect his fiefs in said kingdom. After all everyone knew that the line of the kings of Angenland could be traced back to the young brother of one of the kings of Aurilie. Gautier, duke of Vernandy had once been asked by the Witan, the old council that governed Angenland before that to be their king after the line of the house of Seatweald had died out, unable to find a candidate the Witan chose a compromise candidate from the outer world. A decision they would come to regret. After landing and being crowned Gautier almost immediately turned upon the Witan and had his knights massacre it alongside their retainers. In a event known as the ''great harrying'' Aurilien knights and other armed leader were given free reigns to rampage across the country, massacring the old nobility to the point of extinction. All of this was done it was said, because Gautier or King Walter I as the Angenic spelling of his name went. So that he could built a new kingdom free from any restraints placed upon him by the rules of old. And unlike his brother, he was not bound by any powerful vassals.

Since then the king of Angenland have watched Aurilie with an watchful and greedy eye, especially since the original house of Aurilie had died out. Accordingly the throne went to one of the junior cadet houses. Although several generations had passed the Kings of Angenland still laid claim to the throne something that was strenged when King Edmund's father King Walter III had married the Duchess of Ouveraux doubling his fief within Aurilie.

(1/?)

>>5742946

The future then seemed uncertain in the west.

There was also sad news from Tautenland. Kaiser Friederich II, has passed away at the age of 61 after a sudden bout of illness. The electors have confirmed his son, Heinrich V, as the new emperor.

Der Kaiser ist tot, Hoch lebe seine majestät der Kaiser.

From further south it would appear that the winged bull of the serene republic of Alatoro had bested the Mithradian navy in a spectacular victory of the Castanan coast. The Mithradians had been getting ideas about invading Castana in the last few years, after all the merchant republic of Castana are constantly at each others throat and would happily sell out another for the removal of a rival. Only a foe that would threaten them all. Like the Mithradians had any change of uniting them.

You then received a more concerning letter, in the last few years you had sent out patrols of rangers out east to patrol the woods their. Their job was to keep the forests safe. No bandits, no cults and no great beasts.

Now a series of patrols had gone missing. Which is very concerning. Something has to be done and now.
>I will investigate this myself
>I shall send someone with a large force to investigate
>Double the amount of patrols
>Increase the size of the patrols
>Write-in

>>5742951
>>I will investigate this myself

>>5742951
>I shall send someone with a large force to investigate

>>5742951
>>I will investigate this myself

>>5742951
>>I shall send someone with a large force to investigate

>>5742951
>>I shall send someone with a large force to investigate

>>5742951
>Increase the size of the patrols

>>5743056
>>5743169
>>5743198

On the one hand, a hand's on approach would be best to manage such a matter. After all, if you aren't there you can't make certain that it is done right. But on the other hand. You were getting older, you are closing in on your fortieth birthday and the idea of spending a few weeks wandering through the forest had just no longer had such an appeal. Nay, your body might not ache yet but you had a far more lethal foe to battle. Paperwork, truly the most evil of man's inventions.

But whom to send in thou absence? Obviously someone had to lead the new searching party if you weren't going personally, in a ideal world it would be someone with knowledge of the land, who can manage a small army and can hold themselves in a fight. Of course the reality of the situation is that you would probably have to send someone with an weakness in one or more of the skills.

A few candidates came to mind.

The first was Phillipe the former crusader and your personal champion. His main strength are his calmness in the face of battle and his own personal combat skill. But he has never made any effort to gain an understanding of the landscape and he also never held an military command and, considering his gloomy views would perhaps preform poorly in such a role

The second is Georg your former squire and currently a knight in your service. He is accustomed with the heavily wooded land, has at least held an commanding role (but never in battle) and can speak the native language. But he is still young and tad bit impatient.

The third and last option was to give leadership to the hunter Fricis Balodis. A descendant of the original heathen peoples, his ancestors converted early and were as such exempt from serfdom. He knows the land like the back of his hand and has knowledge of the local folklore, but he lacks any real military experience

>Send Phillipe
>Send Georg
>Send Balodis

>>5743257
>Send Balodis
Send him to scout out the place.

>>5743257
>>Send Georg

>>5743257
>>Send Balodis

It would make sense to send a hunter, I suppose

>>5743257
>Send Balodis
Give the man some advice

>>5743257
>>Send Balodis

>>5743261
>>5743361
>>5743792
>>5743817

It is best to get a professional for this. Balodis knows the land like no other, is at the very least proficient with the bow and can communicate with any local woodsman. You gave him a few rangers, archers and footmen and sent him on his way. No cavalry of course, you can't ride through the thick undergrowth in the forest.

''I shall my best, your highness. As a forester I know what it could mean if the forest paths are unsafe.''

They then set out the next day. A force about 120 men strong. As opposed to the standard 4 man patrols. They would hopefully find the cause of these disappearances. You did wonder what is causing this. Foreign infiltrators? Bandits? A cult? or perhaps one of the great forest beasts?

In the meantime you began to adjust the annual tax level upon the country

Treasury: 90 Greifs (Money)

Income

-Taxation: 600 Greifs

-Production: 320 Greifs

-Tariffs and tolls: 420 Greifs

-Total income: 1340 Greifs

Expenses

-Administrative: 400 Greifs

-Military: 800 Greifs

Net revenue: 140

The estates of the country

-the nobility and gentry loyalty: 70% influence: 50%

-The clergy: Loyalty: loyalty: 50% influence: 20%

-The Burghers: loyalty: 45% influence: 25%

-The peasantry : loyalty: 48% influence: 5%

Their was a lot to do and adjust if you wished so.

Warning, if you tamper too much with either the tax level or the balance of the estates. It will have consequences.

>I wish to adjust the tax level
>I wish to rebalance the balance of power between the estates
>No need to change anything

>>5743952
>No need to change anything

>>5743952
>>No need to change anything

>>5743952
>>No need to change anything

Don't fix it if it ain't broken

>>5743973
>>5744112
>>5744227

You received word later in the month. As the leaves were already beginning to turn to their autumn colour that the searching party had been successful in tracking down the cause of the disappearances. But that reinforcements are necessary.

The cause of the disappearances appear to be according to the letter sent by Balodis there is a hidden village of extremely xenophobic elves who shoot anyone who comes to close to their village. Due to the sheer amount of men you send they weren't able to kill or capture them all. Balodis himself took an arrow to his knee in the fighting and ordered a withdrawal to the nearest settlement to reorganise.

You did know that elves once inhabited these lands but you had always reckoned that they only numbered a few hundred. And from the description you got these weren't your ordinary elves, whom usually act with an distant politeness whenever they interacted with your kind, these ones don't seem to bother with any of that.

They also don't wear the traditional clothing of their people, but instead seem to dress more like woodsmen from ages past. All in all a dangerous situation for anyone in that forest. But they don't seem to stray outside of it, at all.

Still, something should be done lest more people disappearance.

>Order a muster, we shall march upon these barbarians.
>Send in additional reinforcements.
>Declare the forest a forbidden zone because of the dangers in it.
>Write-in

>>5744607
>>Order a muster, we shall march upon these barbarians.

>>5744607
>Write-in
Is the ancient elf still around? Maybe we could as him about the region.
If they are descendants of his people, and with out crown we may be able to claim being a successor to the ancient human king and renew their alliance.

>>5744758

No, he left and he is currently on a ''Revitalisation stay'' which will last another 38 years

Note: A revitalisation stay is just fancy upper class elf speak meaning he essentially is on vacation

>>5744607
>>Order a muster, we shall march upon these barbarians.

>>5744607
>>Order a muster, we shall march upon these barbarians.
we must clense these creatures from the forest.

>>5744607
>>Order a muster, we shall march upon these barbarians.

Not saying we shouldn't attempt diplomacy, but it would be far easier with an army at our back.

>>5744607
>Order a muster, we shall march upon these barbarians.
Elf slave what do? How much does an elf slave go for on the market, how long do half elves live for and is it a legitimacy issue.
Did elves of ages past in this region have a culture or religion we can reference in dealing with them? Like if we start burning the woods will it flush them out to attack on ground we can better use, or weregeld, an old ass pact with a dynasty from back then.

>>5744741
>>5744869
>>5745094
>>5745156
>>5745287

You sent out the order to call the muster. By the end of the month the mustering fields would be filled with well armed men ready to march. You made a quick inspection of the men while on horse while your son followed behind on a pony

Still with the autumn came falling leaves, and that meant that you could perhaps more easily find the village. But you had a feeling it would be so easy.

You reached forest within the week owing to the properly maintained roads. You had set up camp within a clearance as deep within the forest as you could. You had begun to build a fort around your camp to give you proper base from which you could project power into the forest. Even if you did not find the village you could at least build something that would be a safe haven.

Within day the search parties had begun to scour the forest for any hints of the village and it's inhabitants.

Roll a 1d100 [DC 60] to see if you can find their traces

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>5745568

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>5745568

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>5745568
Kill

>>5745569
>>5745588
>>5745611

99+11+43=153 dived by 3 is 51

Over the course of the winter you spend your time in the forest. You and your men prowling around like wolves looking for their prey. Yet alas despite defeating a large amount of elven patrols you never seem to be able to trace them to their source.

Still, it is not without it's success. The amount of attacks has decreased significantly and patrols no longer go missing. Perhaps their village is hidden by magic. Perhaps the forest spirits protect them, you don't know.


By know most routes through the forest have redirected to go near the fort you built around the castle to keep yourself safe from any raids. This could be useful even if you can't root out the Elven barbarians.

>Declare the forest a forbidden zone.
>Order that the fort be expanded into a proper castle and have roads build for it
>write-in

>>5746363
>>write-in
Burn it down

>>5746367
Uh, anon it's winter and the forest is covered with snow so if you want to do it I suggest you wait till it's summer or spring at least

>>5746363
>Order that the fort be expanded into a proper castle and have roads build for it

>>5746363
>>Order that the fort be expanded into a proper castle and have roads build for it

>>5746363
>>Order that the fort be expanded into a proper castle and have roads build for it

>>5746363
>>Order that the fort be expanded into a proper castle and have roads build for it

>>5746448
>>5746476
>>5746484
>>5746856

You had ordered the fort to be expanded into proper castle. You would leave a castellan in charge and it would keep a check on the elves in the forest.

The roads would have a clearing of forty meters to keep the road clear of ambushes.

Unfortunately, it would have to wait until the winter was over. Still there was no reason for you to remain here. A forest that only reminded you of a foe you couldn't find

While you were on the road during the late morning you noticed that the snowfall had begun to pick up, the winds are beginning to speed up too. A blizzard was beginning to form and you were going to be caught in the open.

What do you do?
>Seek shelter nearby
>Make haste to the nearest city
>We shall weather through it
>Write-in

>>5748671
>>Seek shelter nearby

>>5748671
>Seek shelter nearby

>>5748671
>>Seek shelter nearby

>>5748672
>>5748677
>>5749012

Thinking quickly, you begin to look around for a spot to weather out the blizzard. There are none here so you will have to move on.

The storm is getting heavier now, and you have to tighten your eyes to look properly through the storm. You feel you clothes getting wet from the snow. You will probably have a cold by this time tomorrow.

''Look, lights from over there!''

It's better then remaining out here you know, so you make your way to the lights.

The building the light's coming from is built to last. Heavy and concealed. with tiny windows and strong thick walls. A building that can keep out the warmth in the summer and the cold in the winter. It also thankfully has a stable to house the horse during the blizzard.

You already had to dismount to make through the last part and the lee of the stables was a welcome change. Though it was still cold.

You then make it out to the entrance of the inn. After opening the door and, after some effort closing it. You go to greet the innkeeper.

An balding old man with narrow eyes stands near the fireplace. He is poking it and throwing up more wood. He then walks back to the counter to greet you.

''Welcome to the White Swan inn. You're in luck, I have just enough room of the lot of you, but some of ye are going to have to share the rooms. Me grandson will take grandson will take care of your horses. Now, do you whish to see the rooms or do you want something to thaw yourself up with?'' He laughs. You take a look around the room. There are a few other people here but most are huddled up against the fireplaces or busy playing a dice game.

>Order beer
>Order Schnapps
>Order Glühwein
>I'll just go to my room to rest.

>>5749290
>Order beer
No need to get the strong stuff. Being clearheaded is important.

>>5749290
>>Order Schnapps

>>5749290
>I'll just go to my room to rest.

>>5749290
>>Order beer

>>5749290
>Order Schnapps

>>5749378
>>5749570

''A schnapps please.'' You told the innkeeper.

''Something to warm up the body and spirit.'' the innkeeper said.'

''For the midday meal we're serving venison stew. Damn blizzard won't be over tomorrow so I suppose should inform you that the evening meal is roasted boar. All shot by me son.'' He nodded his head sideways to the figure warming up his hands by the great hearth.

You take your schnapps to an of the empty tables to drink. You're supposed to chug it over in a short moment it being far more potent than wine or beer. You feel the dry taste of the alcohol through your mouth and how it burns down your throat. Then for a moment you feel nothing, but then you feel a tremendous warmth from your stomach. The alcohol has had it intended effect. The cold retreats from your body as a vigorous warmth takes over your body.

You take a look around for any form of entertainment. But alas, there is no musician to play. Still perhaps you can find something else to do.

You could always join your men in conversation. Although they might find it uncomfortable. After all one does not often spend his drinking time with their boss. Much less their sovereign.

You can also join the dice game if you feel like betting a few coins.

Still, you can also strike up a conversation with owners of the inn. They must have met some interesting figures to talk about.

>Talk with my men
>Ah, i do like the sound of the dice
>I will talk with the owners
>Meh, I will go to bed

>>5749603
>I will talk with the owners

>>5749603
>>Talk with my men

>>5749603
>>I will talk with the owners

>>5749603
>Ah, i do like the sound of the dice

>>5749603
>>Talk with my men

>>5749603
>I will talk with the owners

>>5749617
>>5749697
>>5750174
One could of course not directly walk up to the owners and talk to them. They were too busy with work for that. But you could talk to them once they came to ask if you would like another drink.

So, when the innkeeper came to ask if you would like anything else you decided to ask him something.

>Ask about the history of the inn.
>Ask if any interesting figures ever came by.
>Ask about the owners themselves.
>Write-in.

>>5750932
>>Ask about the history of the inn.
>>Ask if any interesting figures ever came by.

>>5750932
>Ask about the history of the inn.

>>5750932
>Ask about the history of the inn.

>>5750932
>>Ask about the history of the inn.

>>5750932
>Ask about the history of the inn.

>>5751047
>>5751054
>>5751094
>>5751104
>>5751260

When the innkeeper came to pick up your empty cup you decided to ask him something.

''Pray tell, good sir. If I might ask, what is the history of this inn?'' You asked

''Me father bought this land to build a farm on it. I was born and raised here. I never quite got the hang of tilling the fields and I always got bitten by the cows.'' He paused

''When I was a young lad I noticed that there were a lot of travellers moving along the road who would often buy thing from my father.''

''After me father died I decided to turn the farmhouse into an inn. It would be easier to do I supposed.'''

''It wasn't successful at first I lacked the money to buy in beer or ale or any other alcohol so I sold the rooms I had.''

''This was thirty years ago, I expanded the inn more and more and I converted the barn into a stable. You see those walls outside that close off the yard? Those are the last addition i made. It keeps the drunk guests in and the riff-raff out.''

>But would you need to keep the drunks in?
>Has anyone interesting ever come by?
>Write-in
.

>>5751679
>Has anyone interesting ever come by?

>>5751679
>>Has anyone interesting ever come by?

>>5751679
>>Has anyone interesting ever come by?

>>5751679
>>Has anyone interesting ever come by?

>>5751784
>>5751837
>>5751920
>>5751976

''Has anyone interesting ever come by?'' you politely asked

''Aye, plenty of interesting folk, some more welcome than others. I tell you, if those adventurers didn't spend so much they wouldn't be welcome anywhere.''

''They come in, after plundering some ancient hole probably filled to the brim with whatever scum couldn't hack it in honest life and then they usually come back with a ridiculous amount of money that they somehow spend within a day''

''It's not that I dislike them, most of them are good folk, willing to lend a hand of a village or whatever comes under attack from bandits but as with every damn profession there is always a swindler or some other lowlife who is a parasite upon society''

''You had this one guy and his lads who used to come around here. Wigebert Snell was his name. Great guy, honest in his dealings and willing to help people in need. But you see the problem with most of these people is that they usually grow far too confident in their own abilities after a while. After all, if you survive monster,bandits and whatever else you would be confident as well. So Snell bought a boat without a crew. And on his first journey he managed to sink the ship after overloading it with loot. So you see.''

He looked over to someone who was calling for him

''Oh, if you would excuse me someone wants to order.''

After that the hours flew by some more you played a few round of checkers and chess and after supper you went to bed.

The blizzard had thankfully died down the next morning and so after breakfast you went out and got back on the road to Rittersbach to sit out the rest of the winter.

When spring cam again in the next year your wife, Eleanora, had come to you an suggestion. To fund an artist to promote cultural growth within the duchy.

Is there anyone you would like to fund?

Current treasury: 250 Greifs (money)
>I would like to fund a writer (costs 5)
>I would like to fund a painter (costs 8)
>I would like to fund a poet (costs 5)
>I would like to fund a sculptor (costs 10)
>No, thank you dear. (Cost nothing)

>>5752283
>I would like to fund a painter (costs 8)

>>5752283
>>I would like to fund a writer (costs 5)
>>I would like to fund a painter (costs 8)

>>5752283
>>I would like to fund a writer (costs 5)
>>I would like to fund a painter (costs 8)
>>I would like to fund a sculptor (costs 10)

>>5752283
>>I would like to fund a writer (costs 5)
>>I would like to fund a painter (costs 8)
>>I would like to fund a poet (costs 5)

>>5752283
>>I would like to fund a sculptor (costs 10)
>I would like to fund a painter (costs 8)
>I would like to fund a writer (costs 5)

>>5752668
>>5753464

By offering patronage to aspiring and already practicing artists the patron usually would get a say in what the artist in question would make.

What would you like the painter to paint?
>A religious image
>A family portrait
>A landscape
>Write-in

What would you like the writer to write?
>A family genealogy
>A collection of local fairy tales
>A history of the land
>Write-in

What would you like the sculptor to sculpt?
>A statue
>A equestrian statue
>A obelisk
>Write-in

>>5753968
>A religious image
>Epic poetry
>A obelisk.

>>5753968
>A family portrait
>A history of the land
>A equestrian statue

>>5753968
>>A family portrait
>>A collection of local fairy tales
>>A statue

>>5753968
>A family portrait
>A family genealogy
>A obelisk
A 200 foot Obelisk

>>5753968
>A family portrait
>A history of the land
>A equestrian statue

>>5753968
>>A family portrait
>>A collection of local fairy tales
>>A statue

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>5754057
>>5754150
>>5754224
>>5754542
>>5754582
>>5755543

Let's count

Sculpting

Equestrian statue 2

Obelisk 2

Statue 2

Painting

Religious image 1

Family portrait 5


Writing

Fairy tales 2

History 3

Epic poetry 1

That means that although a consensus has been reached on the writing and painting a tie has emerged on the sculpture

Roling

1: A statue
2: A equestrian statue
3: A obelisk

>>5757424


With the plans drawn up and agreed upon. It was time for the artists to withdraw to their ateliers to begin working on their projects. After all, artists are a fickle bunch who would be best left alone with their muse.

In the meantime you would return to the matters of state and the related subjects. Such as they are.

You receive the audience of a dwarf who wishes to undertake a mining venture into the mountain out east of Rittersbach and the surrounding hills. In exchange for providing him with the funds required he would in turn provide you with about half of the profit from the mines

What shall be thou answer?
>Refuse the offer
>Attempt to negotiate for a higher share of the profits
>Offer to lease the mountain as a fiefdom instead
>Accept the offer (costs 22 Greifs)

>>5757476
>>Accept the offer (costs 22 Greifs)

>>5757476
>>Accept the offer (costs 22 Greifs)

>>5757476
>Offer to lease the mountain as a fiefdom instead

>>5757476
>>Accept the offer (costs 22 Greifs)

>>5757476
>>Accept the offer (costs 22 Greifs)

>>5757476
>>Attempt to negotiate for a higher share of the profits

Rolled 3, 5 = 8 (2d7)

>>5757480
>>5757499
>>5757618
>>5757676

You gave the dwarf the money and he went of. To buy equipment and to hire miners. You decided to think what minerals were in the soil of Greifswald.

Iron is already richly present and is mostly mined in the north from where it is shipped along the river to Eisenhaben.

Still with in a few weeks you would get results about the digging.

Let's see what is in the mountainous and hills.

1: Gold
2: Coal
3: Iron
4: Copper
5: Gems
6: Tin
7: Tungsten

>>5759072
Indeed there are rich deposits of rare gemstones and iron ore within the mountain an hills which could be profitable for variety of reasons.

Gems could be sold to jeweller or as jewels on their own. While iron has many applications that can be thought of.

What would you like to focus on?
>Gemstones
>Iron
>Both in equal measure

>>5759075
>>Iron

>>5759075
>Both in equal measure

>>5759075
>>Both in equal measure

>>5759075
>Gemstones

>>5759075
>>Both in equal measure

>>5759075
>>Gemstones

>>5759173
>>5759377
>>5760293


Iron, perhaps the most practical metal on the market. You can use it for nearly everything. From tools to weapons to nails. The applications of this wonderful mineral are unlimited.

Gems, on the other hand have much less practical uses. They are mostly used for decoration and as substitute for payment. One of the few practical uses is done by mages. Who use them for a variety of reasons.

Both have there uses and both compliment one another. Iron would nearly always be in demand and the average price of the gemstones is stable enough to keep the whole enterprise in the black.

Still, it would be some time before your coffers would be filled with the riches of the mines. Gemstones need to be excavated and then cut before they are ready to be sold on the market. The same can also be said about iron. Which needs to be smelted and forged into the desired form before it could be sold to the customer. Thankfully for you, you would not have to deal with such trivialities. Smiths and cutter will usually buy the materials themselves to then process them into the goods that are meant for private customers.

In the days thereafter you received a invitation to a tourney. A young count wishes to celebrate his birthday and as such has invited all those who can attend to do so.

Do you whish to go?
>Most certainly
>No, thank you, there is work to be done.

>>5761718
>>Most certainly

>>5761718
>>Most certainly

>>5761718
>Most certainly

>>5761718
>>Most certainly

>>5761718
>Most certainly

>>5761718
>>Most certainly

>>5761718
>>Most certainly

>>5761718
>>Most certainly

>>5761723
>>5761760
>>5761806
>>5761808
>>5761889
>>5761934
>>5762008
>>5762080

You arrive at the demesne of the young man a few days later. Aided by the fact that there had been some major road renovations in the vicinity

Due to the formal traditions of the tournaments you would have to sleep in your own tent, but you where still entitled to on of the best places on the stands from where you could watch the lists. The count himself is a bit unimpressive, a scrawny teenager with messy brown hair who seems to prefer reading instead of more *ahem* manly pursuits in life. Though you would never turn down a good book this seemed to take it to another level. Someone this bookish can't lead on the battlefield or the tournament. Still, the funny part is that his birth name is also Dietrich, not that you feel any kinship.

Once you where seated to watch the parade of the knights before official start of the tournament the other Dietrich piped in.

''See the knight in white? He is the best! I hope he wins.''

He sounds more like an child who saw his favourite novella character than a member of the aristocracy

Well, at any rate. How would you like to respond?
>And why is that?
>What is he famous for?
>But what about the other knights?
>I think the one in red is better.
>Write-in

>>5767447
>And why is that?

>>5767447
>But what about the other knights?

>>5767447
>>What is he famous for?

>>5767447
>>And why is that?

>>5767447
>>What is he famous for?

>>5767447
>>And why is that?

>>5767450
>>5767611
>>5769588

''that's Ehrenfried von Issenwald. The famed knight and paragon of virtue. They say he cleared out the western woods of bandits and that he frees the serfs of the lords whom do not live up to their end of the agreement of serfdom. He once helped a runaway serf by challenging his lord to a ten-hour long duel to draw out the conflict.''

Ah, yes. The ancient laws of the land state that. If a serf runs away from their lord and they manage to remain out their clutches for a day and a year, the serf will be a free man. Able to go to wherever he wishes and to never again be enserfed, for once a serf has been freed he cannot be reenserfed, his freedom also becomes hereditary and both his sons and daughters would be free by birth. Indeed, if this knight does this kind of things he could be both very interesting, or very dangerous

>A ten-hour long duel, you say.
>Freeing the serfs? Why I never
>Write-in.

>>5769953
>>A ten-hour long duel, you say.

>>5769953
>A ten-hour long duel, you say.

>>5769953
>>A ten-hour long duel, you say.

>>5769953
>>Freeing the serfs? Why I never

>>5769953
>>A ten-hour long duel, you say.

>>5769953
>A ten-hour long duel, you say.

>>5769953
>A ten-hour long duel, you say.