To the west are farms, which are currently being tilled by the farmers, to the east the wood-mill is grinding along nicely with the same set-up as last year. Further into the woods a functioning marble quarry has been set up.

Meanwhile the King has given you leave to craft a new heraldry, for the changes you've made to your land you've truly become a better man then many of your family members.

Also:
known religions:
Gaia (Earth-Mother) Goddess of Farmers
Coin Father, Patron god of Traders
Iron Prince, War God.

Known civilizations:
The Kingdom of Pendra (us)
The Empire City-States (Loose federation all owning allegiance to the Empire, brink of war)
The Inner Empire (Shrouded in secrecy, but known to have an army like none have seen. Tech-wise more advanced then us. Brink of war)
The Norselands (Vicious Raiders that often come for the other people of the world, pillaging is their game)

People we know:
Duke Hamish, Our uncle once removed, he loves us.
Count Jenniker, noble to our north, has a reputation for being cruel to his peasants, likes us.
Count Urs, noble to the south, known to be very greedy. Married his daughter to us, no heirs to his 'throne'.

>>15745377
Shouldn't that include Lady Isara? I thought we'd just gotten married.

Pending matters:
A new Iron vein is needed, or Iron needs to be secured for transport into our County. (Count Urs has a great deal)
Must acquire lucrative trade contracts for our Marble.
Start training troops. (Might go to war with Empire)

Quests:
There's a Trader to the north. (Mandatory)
Iron Crisis (Mandatory)
- Secret Quest -

>>15745419

My apologies, I just copy-pasted.

Yes:
Lady Isara (Our Wife and possible heir to our throne, pregnant. Known to be a warrior-woman (can't really call her Maiden))

rolled 8 = 8

Trader quest first? Might solve the iron crisis.

All the miners from the iron vein along with the engineer should transfer their attention to the marble to set up an efficient quarry. Given that our blacksmiths will be running out of material to work with they should focus on providing things for the new quarry and training up new apprentices until new iron source is found.

Establishing trade first would seem to be slightly more important than securing the iron. Also, we should inquire if the trader knows of anyone with which we could trade with for somewhat better armaments for our men.

I'm sure we can work something out with the trader to exchange marble for iron.

Due to how precious marble is, a little of it will get us a lot of iron. I would recommend splurging on top-quality iron, even if it's from somewhere far away and costs extra.

>>15745459
Good idea, to the trader.

Also the CoA is slightly out of date now that Houses Tarkin and Urs are united. Just went with something that had a bear for Urs.

>>15745493
And something slightly cooler. I do like the fencing southpaw wolf though.

>>15745493
that is probably the coat of arms our son and heir would bear, as he is coming from both houses.
Don't think our personal heraldry would change though.

>>15745377
>Wake up late
>Coffee
>Might as well check /tg/....
>KNIGHTS QUEST

Today is a good day.

Also we should check out what that Northern Trader wants, maybe he needs marble?

>>15745459

You glance at the chair besides you, another 'throne' albeit it far less royal then yours houses Lady Isandra. The two have you share feelings and she smiles as she catches you watching, her hands touch her belly.

The moment is interrupted by Alvin, your new steward, accompanying a man dressed in fine silk. His hair is combed back and kept in place by some sort of oil, giving him a very slick look. His skin is obviously 'bronzed' and he's wielding a cane, he smiles at you.

"My lord", he makes a deep and odd bow, before coming back up. His lips curl back into a rather hideous smile, "I have an offer for you", he grins, "The marble you have, I can get an excellent price for this.. all I require is a little.. contract money for it too be set up"

A. Inquire further about the contract.
B. Ask him if he has something else in trade.
C. Blow this pompous ass off.

>>15745489
We also need to check out mountain, since there's marble other metamorphic rock should be there... like staurolite.

>>15745529
A, we may as well hear him out, that couldn't hurt anything.

>>15745529
ask for the details of his contract and commit to nothing.
dismiss him for the day
take the contract to Kalistra and have her and Alvin go over it in fine detail to make sure he isn't being shifty
Then add a clause to his contract that will ensure he doesn't screw us in some way.
When he comes back in the morning, see how he likes the modified contract

>>15745529


A. Inquire further about the contract.

>>15745493
>>15745505

Bro.. this stuff is awesome!

Seriously saved and logged for future use, probably if we get a son who can wear it!

>>15745527

Welcome back Hadrian, however I have one tiny request.

No more Monty Python French Knights, I seriously can't stop chuckling when I see them. Maybe they're funny because they aren't French... *ponders*

>>15745513
Or when Count Urs dies.
>>15745529
Ask for more info, if it's bad we decline.

rolled 10 = 10

A

I don't trust this guy. If he won't tell us his contacts, we can always torture them out of him, then say he was eaten by a lion.

>>15745554
No ker-niggets?
I said we've already got one!


oh you might have a half-decent map of the local area a little later... I've been struggling to get it looking good though.

annoyingly, I managed to get a brilliant coastline worked out for a world map, only to realise that it was'nt sea, but "wild lands".
which rather ruined it.
rather hard to make a map without coast look interesting, alas.

>>15745544

Okay first off.. *reads that on Wikipedia*, uhm.. yeah. I'm not a geologist, so if you could like state, relative finds that we might get from a mountain that's been there for 20,000 years. (Aprox.) that'd be great.

>>15745552
>>15745550
>>15745549

As you ask for the contract he produces it from a leather holster on his side, he pops out the very rich smelling parchment, obviously he's loaded and he doesn't mind showing it, into your hand. He seems a little peeved when you dismiss him but he allows it.

Giving it to Kalistra and Alvin they both go to work going over the fine details, this leaves you with a little bit of spare time for the rest of the day (Damn you players *shakes fist and throws 'playbook' out the window*)

So watcha wanna do?

>>15745554

>>15745554
Just in case you want this. Still have to add some more stuff to make it right.

>>15745601

Check on our weapons production, specifically bows, arrows and simple axes et cetera. If there's a war coming we need to be ready.

rolled 6 = 6

If he's rich, why does he want a down payment?

>>15745599

Wild Lands might be sea. Haven't really decided yet.. I was thinking a part of it would be permanently frozen, whilst others broke free into ice-seas suddenly.

So if you know 40k. Basically Fenris in the North.. a few spots of 'real' land, but the rest is covered in ice that sometimes breaks apart.

>>15745601
maybe have leoric and farran take some of the wood craftsmen to the sawmill.

They can start manufacturing wooden training swords for our yeomen and wardens. Leoric and Farran can begin training them in swordplay with sparring and such.
Once we get our iron supply we can make swords so our men don't have to march to battle with wooden spears. But there's no reason to waste time not training them while we wait on iron. Especially with war coming.

Be stealthy and stalk that man. I suspect he got something to hide.

>>15745601
Negotiate for iron rights from Cunt Urs, expand/improve the waterwheel in preparation for adding a foundry to it.

>>15745649

I think we should stick with Wooden spears with iron tips, takes less metal and a much simpler weapon to learn.

Also, do we know anything about the Empires warfare doctrine?

>>15745601

We should ask our Engineer about the possibility of making a small piece of artillery, such as a ballista or catapult, to place in a defensive position somewhere in and about our lands. We already have all the resources to make them as it is, and if we're sieged again it could prove quite useful.

>>15745649
Not training sword, bows and spears/halberds. To give them real swords would require a swordsmith and/or lots of gold.

>>15745633

Customary, he'll give some to you as well, just an exchange of goods, it's custom. In.. a part of the world that's not our own. (Pro-tip he's from the Empire City-States)

>>15745622

Looks good.. safe for the Crown, the King might go *Raised eyebrow* when he sees that.

>>15745630

Well without iron there's not a hell of a lot that's being done right now, you need iron for arrow-heads, iron for axe-heads and spear-heads. The only thing you have enough off and that you've become known for is quality leather armor.

Even so.. it's not truly 'noble' to wear that.

Oh on a side-note, the puppies have grown large enough to go out with you now should you choose, you have three male dogs and four female dogs. One of the male dogs always follows you around, give it a name.

rolled 15 = 15

>>15745649

Is our new blacksmith a qualified swordsmith? We've been through this in practically every thread, not everyone can make swords, if he is, then sure.

Personally I like phalanxes, they're easy, don't require personal courage and are great for facing overwhleming numbers in choke points, which is what we'll face if we're invaded at this point.

If we're going to train our troops further, that's what i'd shoot for personally.

>>15745684

From the empire you say? Have the guards throw him out on his ass.

And then get in touch with Urs, we'd REALLY like some iron :3

rolled 20 = 20

>>15745704

Agreed, if war comes the likelihood of trade caravans passing between Empire and non-Empire is close to zero, especially if they're carrying resources that build weapons.

Don't toss him out, if the Kingdom losses the war, having friends in it could be good, let him know you don't think trade is likely in the recent future.

>>15745684
The crown what the English would plop on these for Earls/Counts. By comparison the Kings heir gets this. Could remove the coronet and replace it with a helmet.

>>15745685

No he knows how to make chainmail though, but it's a long process to make one. So you won't be able to arm your entire army with it before winter comes.

>>15745676

He says he potentially could make a catapult or a balista.

>>15745674

The City-states have their own orders of warriors, some are more warrior-only oriented. Loving to close the gap quickly and smash the enemy to pieces.

Others are more guerrilla attacks, harrying supply lines, luckily, City-states tend to dislike one another, so they won't co-operate, unless a high Empire official is there.

The Inner Empire is a whole different matter.

We only faced one battle with them and they crushed us.

We had Knights, swordsmen, spearmen and bowmen.

They countered with a shield-wall, well disciplined armored troops, backed up by siege engines (Balista's, Catapults) as well as crossbow-men.

Think the Roman Legionnaire at the height of his time, that's the Inner Empire, but instead of the armor they wore during Roman times, they are armored in plate.

>>15745684
yeah name the dog something
leather armor is great for our archers
Up bow and arrow production
I would also suggest making pikes rather than spears since people don't like the sword idea.
Like, really long sarissa-style pikes.
Increase the drilling regimen for the men

>>15745685
phalanxes aren't that simple, and require great courage especially from the men at the front of the phalanx.
That being said I think it's a good idea, as long as we start making long pikes. Normal spears are not long enough for phalanx work.
I also agree with this:
>>15745676
The engineer already built a model siege engine when we hired him. It's time for him to build the real thing.
Then we can launch giant marble stones at our enemies and kill them with lodsamonie

>>15745704
>>15745719

So:

Kill the Empire bastard
or
Tell him the deal is off.

Ps, if you do either, Secret Quest won't be unlocked.

Also Iron Crisis quest opened?

>>15745741

Oh boy.

I think we should double our weapon and armor production, this could get really nasty.

>>15745634
>>15745634
here's a rough draft of the world map, northmen blue, empire in yellow, Kingdom in red, no mountains, forests, roads, cities or the likes drawn on the map yet.

if it looks ok, I'll run with it.

>>15745757

I, for one do not wish to trade with an Empire pawn.

>>15745741
I vote the wolf name to be Lobo

Once we get an influx of iron we may as well have the blacksmith begin producing chainmail, even if just a hand full of men have it that would be better than nothing.

I believe a catapult would be pretty nifty... especially if we can get some pots of pitch to light and fling at bad guys =D

>>15745763

Looks good, separate Inner Empire & City-States though (names are good enough)

>>15745761

We need Iron first and gold and more troops.

So start Iron Crisis?

I say as long as the contract is fair and legit, let the trade begin.

We could send some of our own peasants on the trade caravans, and have them report back to us. This could be vital intelligence for us leading up to the war.
The worst that happens if we hire him is we lose money.
The benefits FAR outweigh the risks here.

.>>15745793

Aye, start it so we can end it ;3.

We can trade with I suppose, but if there is war the contract will be nulll

Also didn't we discuss the possibility of advertising our lands to the cities so we could gain some more people for our village? We apparently have plenty of women.

>>15745793
If by crisis you mean make a deal with Urs then yes.

Are we training the wolf cubs to be for war or for hunting?

>>15745812

*One minute* Well.. I'll be.

Sorry. Yes you did, uhm..

Two-hundred horny fatguys show up at your gates! No just kidding.

Your call for men has had some effect as forty young men have joined the ranks of your peasantry, most of them have found wives amongst them.

Wait wait.

We still need to decide on the Trader quest:

Cancel Quest
or
Go Ahead with quest?

>>15745845

In time they'll be wolf-dogs and when that day comes, we'll use them as war-hounds.

Also the wolf that follows you is Lobo.

>>15745846
Go ahead with it.

>>15745846

Go through with it, on second thought we might be able to learn something about our new enemy.

In preparation for the threat of war:

those small mineshaft/tunnels from our now depleted iron ore mine should be put to good use, and used as storage for grain, and supplies for the village in case of war.

That should include a store of spears, bladed weapons, and armour and helmets which we salvaged from the last battle, hung up in the driest tunnel, as an armoury any invading force is unlikely to find. It measn in the event of anything going really badly wrong, we have some fallback equipment.

>>15745846

Although I believe that this merchant may be a spy for the empire, could we not use this trade agreement ourselves to spy on the empire? If so, I say we bring this up with our uncle the Duke and ask about advice on the matter.

>>15745601
As for what's in the mountain, now that I've checked, it's probably mostly limestone or dolomite with bits of things high in silicon and trace other stuff... so aside from quartz and marble nothing much... maybe, I'm not a geologist either.

>>15745871

The only armor salvaged from the last battle as well as bladed weapon were those worn by the Empire noble, who was btw Leonius.

So currently as 'trophies'
Empire Sword taken from 'rogue' knight.
Empire Sword taken from Leonius
Empire armor (Breastplate & mail, breastplate has twin-eagles on it) taken from Leonius.

Is all we have.

Axes/Spears/Bows & arrows were distributed amongst the peasantry.

Current army.
The Noble Dream-team (Mounted or Dismounted)
30 Yeomen (Will be armored in Mail, armed with Spears/Shields and Bows & arrows)
30 wardens (Armored in Leather, armed with axes, bows & arrows)
50 Men at Arms (Armored in Leather, armed with spears/axes & shields)
100 Militia (Only for defense on County), (Armored in thick cloth, armed with Axes & Shields)

>>15745905
Are we able to tell how well our hops crop and honey harvest will be this season? If they are good lets start some serious trade for iron so that we can rap up our production of arms and armors.

>>15745905
you're saying that the entire force who attacked us were without *any* weapons, and werent even wearing padded armour?

>>15745927

Axes/Spears/Bows & arrows were distributed amongst the peasantry.

We personally took the plate armor from the noble, the rest was distributed to our army.

>>15745904

Sorry just seemed you knew alot about the subject.

Okay:

The following day Kalistra and Alvin come before you with a new contract.

There is a clause in it in case of war, that the contract will become void, furthermore. They've lessened the amount of stone per Season, from two-hundred Kilo's (yes I use metric), scaled back to one-hundred.

In return he will provide sales of his Marble to the surrounding Counties, Duchies and other.. interested parties, you will receive forty percent of this deal as well as a guaranteed price per month of 600 gold crowns (quite a lot)

It however doesn't state whether he has something else for sale.

>>15745921

The Bees aren't as active as before, (Getting closer to winter)

Hops is being harvested once again and is quite a lot.

All in all, the full sale of this could give you:
Iron for the creation of 30 chain-mail armors.
Gold to pay your army with for three seasons (Yes you need to pay for them. Upkeep's a bitch)
or something else really expensive.
Like.. 'special' bows.

>>15745934

How'd you get rid of the double-eagle?

>>15745952

Ask him straight up, we don't have the time to deal with one merchant for too long.

>>15745952

Options:
A. Alter the contract some more
B. Call the Empire merchant
C. Throw the contract in the fire and warm your hands with it.

>>15745904
Scratch that, the mountain as a whole might have 2 ores of copper, lead ore, 2 ores of silver, coal, and 3 iron ores. Could roll a d20 to decide things. It still have a boatload of silicates though.

>>15745952

Well then, we should ask him if he has anything for sale.

>>15745996

B. Agree to his contract and ask if he has anything else to offer.

>>15745984

If it was just stamped we could hammer/buff it out.

>>15745905
So we have two suits of heavy armor unused at the time.
The Black iron suit of plate from the rogue knight, and the nobles plate and mail.
As well as two quite good swords.

I say we try to use our swordmaster's experience to go among the yeomen, wardens, and men at arms and pick out 1-2 of the better ones in his opinion to train in the art of swordplay. We can also put the word out to the capital that we're looking for a warrior willing. a mercenary or mercenaries looking to settle down perhaps, who would be given land to till in exchange for service in our army.

But while we handle that lets handle the trader.

>>15745996
Call him and inquire about iron. Sure he's a greedy merchant, but Count Urs is also greedy.

>>15745996
B
with
>>15746023

>>15745952
I might not be a geologist, but DF is accurate enough.

rolled 2 = 2

>>15746028

If he's a spy the last thing we want to do is say to him "By the way, we can't make any weapons, mind helping us out?"

Keep some things quiet.

>>15746048
We added in a thing about war, clearly we're concerned and stockpiling iron isn't that odd.

>>15745952
B. "This will be the third time that i have dealt with men from the Empire. The First was beheaded for treason when i gave him a chance, The second is rotting in a dungeon somewhere undergoing a long and painful interrogation. With luck, maybe i will get to learn that Empire Traders are not Traitors."

Maybe we could break the suit of plate down a bit for just the breastplate and helm, did he have chainmail under?

>>15746004

1d20:
Lists:
1-3: 2 ores of copper
4-7: Lead
8-11: 2 ores of silver
11-15: coal
15-20: 3 Iron veins.

I rolled 17. Now.. just getting it out of the damned mountain.

Also Trader-quest:

Calling the Trader back to your audience chamber he's clearly amused to find yourself, Kalistra and Alvin to face him. "Three versus one.. not very fair", he flashes a quick smile and takes the contract that's been remade. "Hmm hmm..", he mumbles, "Hmm.. oh. Other things.. well, I could trade valuable jewels or spices.. I have many things"

When you ask about Iron he looks crestfallen, "I.. do not have that my lord..", he says truly, "But my other offers still stand!"

>>15746027

The black-knight wore no plate, only mail. So we had that lying around as well.

Farran and Leoric both find two young boys, one fifteen and one sixteen, they are clearly brothers. One is a little bigger whilst the other is more lithe, they are both handy with a blade.

As for sending for mercenaries, you could. But they won't settle and they'll cost quite a bit of gold, but they'll be another addition to your army.

Whatcha looking for cutter: Cav/Inf/Arch?

>>15746026

Done.

>>15746086
Nice roll!

>>15746086

We'll trade for gems/jewels, Rather not be seen trading in the Kingdom with Empire coinage.

As for the army, i'd say we need infantry and lots of Archers. We're surrounded by lots of forests so ambushes and such will most likely be the order of the day.

>>15746086
I'm assuming that we are going to have to send for prospectors to survey the mountain and find the veins, correct? If so, we should send for some ASAP.

Tell him to give us a list of the items, and amount, that he can procure and for what price. We're going to have to look around ourselves and find people who could be wanting these items as they are lux.

As far as mercs go, wouldn't it be wise to get in contact with a merc captain? Know where to find him and his company etc, let him know that in the case of war we'll contact him, until then we wouldn't be in need of the services of mercs.

>>15746086
Frankly i"m more interested in finding the quartz that I know is in that mountain. But okay the new deal and let's make an iron ore deal with Count Urs.

>>15746086
I vote spices, it'll bring in money and improve quality of life for our peasants

Hold off on mercs until we are actually at war and need them, we don't need to waste money paying expensive soldiers to sit around.

Get the engineer and the mine foreman to work out a plan for surveying the mountain for additional ores

>>15746119
We should also require that everyone practices with the longbow at least 2 hours a week. Then we can be the not English fighting the not Germans.

You decide to finish the contract with the man, you exchange coinage and does see his has the mark of the Empire stamped upon it. As you shake his hand to finalize the deal you decide to give him a warning, "This will be the third time that i have dealt with men from the Empire. The First was beheaded for treason when i gave him a chance, The second is rotting in a dungeon somewhere undergoing a long and painful interrogation. With luck, maybe i will get to learn that Empire Traders are not Traitors.", he gulps and shakes your hand then leaves your home.

Trading Marble for Gems and Spices. (60 gems/40 spices)

Sending an envoy to Count Urs your wife stops you for a moment and instead writes a letter of her own, sending for her father to come to your lands for a small feast and to see her once again. You do have the necessary stuff in the castle already.

As the messenger rides off you decide to write for your Uncle, offering a bit of gold in exchange for his time if he (see his Steward) could find a pair of prospectors. (He's not too smart, so he'll think, ah just more marble)

You'll need to get lucky, there aren't a lot of mercenary companies around. And I'll need to roll for them to see what you get as well.

>>15746139

Our men are already training with Longbows for two hours a week.

rolled 7 = 7

>>15746176

We don't need mercs. There are tons of thing we need right now (such as the ability to provide weapons for our soldiers) more than some armed men on our soil with questionable loyalty.

A day later Count Urs arrive, the feast goes off without a hitch and he seems genuinely glad that his daughter is doing so good. As you start the more serious talk he leans back, a goblet of wine in his hand. "I knew your father", he smiles softly, "he once asked the same of me. I denied him then, I told him he was a mad old bastard together with Jenniker. But from what my daughter has told me you've made this a better place for these people"

"In support of the war-effort I will supply raw iron to your village. After the war dies down we'll see how much you owe me", he smiles, "If we survive that is", he grins as you place goblets against each-other. As you drink you can clearly see that Count Urs, whilst strong of mind doesn't have such a strong body anymore.

A. Accept? (He might be drunk so make him sign something)
B. Wait until he's sober before talking to him?

>>15746221
A.
And make him sign something.

>>15746221
A, have Alvin write up a contract just to keep things official.

rolled 2 = 2

>>15746221

Accept. He's feeling kind, let's push for more.

Tell him that we're on the frontline, and that we're in one of the most easily defendable positions in the Kingdom, with the mountains and two rivers. Let him know that this is the place to hold the Empire, and even if our castle falls, his troops can retreat behind the second river and hold off the Empire there. In that respect ask him to:
Supplement your garrison with his own troops
Further fortify (lending materials, craftsmen and workers) the area, making this place a tough nut to crack.

>>15746221
Provided repayment is not done as one lump sum and is negotiable, I see no reason not to accept.

>>15746221

This.

>>15746247
>>15746242
>>15746233
>>15746250
>>15746252


You accept his gracious offer, further strengthening your bond between houses. A contract is quickly written up and signed by Count Urs, he grins as you two clank goblets together again and you have two of your maids help him to bed after sharing some more stories.

As you enter your bedroom you find yourself in a better position then as the season started.

- Secret Quest - unlocked

A claim-taker arrives.

As you are having a nice relaxing breakfast alone, enjoying the heat of the last few rays of warm sunlight of the year you are startled from a loud sound. You hear the door leading into the 'green-part', slamming open. As you stare at the doorway your blood turns to ice.

Wearing the tattered tabard of your House stands your brother. Lord Turum of house Tarkin, his hairs, usually short cropped and black, have grown long and braided. A thick beard covers his face, he stares at you for a moment. "You took.. my County?", you can see he's armed, a sword hangs from his right hip. But worse.. you can see the almost maniacal look in his eyes, it's clear that something happened to him mentally.

A. Calm your Brother
B. Back away from him.
C. Call for Guards.

(You're unarmed)

rolled 12 = 12

>>15746311

A

I'd rather do this without guards.

>>15746311
A

>>15746311
Calm him., and make a not to have guards stationed outside of doors to rooms you're in.

>>15746311

C. Call for Guards.


"No, we claimed what was our right. You were nowhere to be found and so I took my rightful place as ruler.

A, there isn't yet any need for rash acting. Is Lobo nearby?

Calm him down before he starts swinging that sword of his towards us.

>>15746311
Voting A

>>15746336
>>15746345
>>15746348
>>15746358

Beneath table.

As you stand up you spread your arms, "My brother, I am glad for your return. My father said that you had fallen in the war with the Empire", he growls softly, "I told that old bastard to save me. He had to pay.. he refused.. and he gave you the County", he shakes his head and then smashes his fist into the door. Below the table Lobo growls softly, your brother doesn't appear to notice.

"Perhaps..", he turns towards you, his hand dancing towards his sword's pommel, "I should just claim what's mine..", he licks his rough course beard. "What do you think.. little brother", it's clear he's lost a lot of his weight, but his muscles still remain. He's also wearing some sort of patched together armor. You can almost sense the wolf behind you ready to defend it's master.

A. Call for guards
B. Attempt to calm him again.
C. Try to wrest the blade from him together with Lobo's help.

>>15746401
I'm going for B, but I'm afraid that if we let him take control of the county, that he'll undo all of the work we've done.

>>15746401

We have to take him down. This isn't going to end prettily, I think- He might always be a threat, and we just can't trust him.

I'd say A.

rolled 6 = 6

B.

Let him know that you're in charge, that you respect him, but this is your county.

Tell him you've got allies, tell him you've made progress, tell him he doesn't hate you, but your father, and then tell him you can kill him if he won't listen to reason.

>>15746423
He could also be a spy for the Empire!
>>15746401
Try to call him again.

B. Threatening us will only make one want to throw him into a cell to think after all the changes we have done. With our young wolf Lobo shall have to help us defeat our starved brother! CHARGE!

>>15746444
Seconded

>>15746401

A, Call the guards and have him killed.

Tell the guards he attempted to assault you and is most likely working for the empire.

>>15746476

Derp

>>15746401
B

>>15746401

We have to take care of this delicately. Remember, he's technically our superior. If we kill him we could go down for treason.

We should invite him in, and claim that we will look into giving him control. At some point, after he removes his weapons for a chat, we ask for paperwork verifying he's our brother. (If he wonders why we ask, claim that the empire might have spies trying to take over with disguises.) Take the paperwork to the lawyer lady, then burn it. Sic Farran, Lobo, and other troops on him.

Problem solved

gonna have to go with A

This guy clearly didn't come here for a conversation, no point in wasting our breathe

>>15746493
Nope.

I'm saying B.

B

>>15746499

If he is the real count, then we have issues. Better just to kill him in his sleep.

>>15746401
B. I think you'd only tarnish our family name by becoming a kinslayer Brother.

Calm yourself. I've brought peace to this land, and i want to share it with you. Brother, you dont need to be angry, I am glad, pleased, its surely a give of Gaia that i am no longer the sole survivor of our family.

Come brother, have a seat at our familys table, eat. Drink, share in our familys good fortune lately. You look hungry.

So if his ransom wasn't paid... hmmmmmmmmm

You decide to speak instead of act, "Brother", you say to him, he eyes you closely, "I've made allies, Count Urs is my father in law now", he laughs, "That old goat.. he probably tore every piece of gold from your coffers little brother", you shake your head, "No I made a good deal. I improvised, just like you did when escaping the Empire".

He eyes you, "What are you implying", you shake your head, "We both know that you would have been hung before being released, if you are truly my brother", you step up to him, just so that drawing his sword will be made harder, "Then embrace me..", you say softly and open one arm.

You see his eyes glow with hatred as he laughs and tries to draw his blade, but you stop him, your hand wraps around his wrist, stopping the blade. He winces in pain as something tackles you away and pounces atop of him, he's obviously fighting the large animal.

As you watch you see Lobo bite into his neck, the beast's killer instincts there as he tears out his throat. The last sounds you hear of your brother are his gags as he chokes on his own blood, the wolf turns towards you. It's eyes seem to regard you as prey for a second, but the glance retreats and he pads over to you. His muzzle coated in blood.

It's still an early day not many of the servants are awake. You could get rid of the body..

A. Do this
B. Bury your brother with honors in the family tomb.

Wonder if he will be pleased if he found out we killed two knights of the Empire.

It's obvious he's slightly delirious, he either escaped or been released. HE will come to his senses.

>>15746519

God damn. Just god damn it.

>>15746519
Why did he even do that in the first place!
We had him restrained and helld, and we were talking him down!

Just god damnit!

Weren't we going to calm him?
B

>>15746519


Get rid of the body, get help from guards who don't know who he is and tell them an Empire assassin came for your life.

>>15746519

We should claim that he escaped from the empire, and came back here to tell us what he discovered.

Unfortunately, as he came through the forest, he was attacked by a wolf. He made it to our doorstep, and then died.

We hold a public funeral for him, bury him in the tomb with full honors, and have a day of mourning for him.

It's the least we can do.

Well..uhm.. good Lobo... give him a treat or something... And B. He was our brother after all, even thought he somehow managed to see us only with hatred... RIP
> stupid brother... we could have ruled together...

>>15746550
I agree.

rolled 5 = 5

He still could have been a spy. He refused to embrace us, he cared more for power than his family.

A, dispose of the body.

>>15746519

Well, we're in deep shit. Good boy, Lobo.

We bury him in the tomb with all honors. We have nothing to hide- Our conscience is clear. He tried to fucking kill us first.

We had far more people saying B to calm him down, even some people taking the type to type out responces because as you said, you love that.

But you jumped the gun and now WE are kinslayer.

>>15746546

Dice rolls brah, dice rolls.

Call for Alvin and no one else.

Here's the plan:
We clean up the body, wash the dog's muzzle, and wrap the body in linens.
Then we announce that the empire has delivered the dead body of our brother, who was held as a prisoner.
We tell the people that they executed our brother while he was a helpless captive, without honor. We tell all the lords and dukes of the realm the same thing.
We clean and dress the body and organize a proper, formal burial, and invite our neighboring lords.

This is the perfect pretext for war, the perfect opportunity to rally our people and the other lords to our cause. This is a huge fucking boon that the empire couldn't have done better with if it tried. All we have to do is spin it right.

>>15746519
B.
Our conscience is clear on the matter; he tried to attack us, Lobo knocked him down, and when he wouldn't submit, kill him.

Though I guess it's partly also our fault for not training the wolves to maim rather than always-kill.

>>15746582

Brutally clever, I approve.

>>15746519
We should bury him with full honors, it's the least we could do after our father abandoned him to the jails of the empire.

>>15746579
So of course we stood there and did nothing as Lobo acted without our word.
Even after he had him restrained as stayed his blade.

God fucking damnit.

>>15746579

BUT BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES

I am amazed how easy it was for that wolf to kill him

>>15746577

He did let us try to calm him down. It didn't work. We tried to stop him, but Lobo killed him. It's not his fault

>>15746519
He was our brother, but don't bury him in the family crypt. If anyone asks say that he came to kill us under orders from the Empire.

>>15746595
You're obviously rather simple then.

>>15746595

You've ever seen a wolf up close. Things aren't your nice little puppy dogs.

They will kill your damn ass, here we have someone who just got his arm trapped, only to have something massive land on him. Your only real defense is hitting the wolf, this might hurt him, but before you can really react he bites into the open part of your flesh that he can see. Your neck, now if you've ever been bitten by a dog even playfully, that hurts. Now imagine it wanting to kill you.

Yeah you dead.

>>15746582

This idea has my approval.

Do this, yes, no. Anyone have anything better?

>>15746582
It's a good plan, though, somewhat detrimental to the deal we just brokered. Still, I say go along with it.

>>15746613

No. If we say we killed him, even in self defense, we are traitors. He was our Superior, and he was within his rights to take back his throne. Not that we should have let him.

So with the lie

>>15746638
Yes with great objection to the whole ordeal.

And what was with that stupid embrace me shit?

>>15746638
No, can't think of anything better.
Go with councilnon's plan.

>>15746614
True... ):

>>15746638
Yea.

rolled 18 = 18

If we're going along with deception, what's wrong with hiding the body and pretending this never happened?

If we declare war the onus is on us to attack, all we really want to do is defend at our current power level.

>>15746638
Sounds like gravy.

>>15746638

Go with this one. Holy shit.

>>15746638

This is good

>>15746667
if we're going to lie, it's a pointless waste to lie without getting any benefit. It's all risk no reward.

I didn't say we were going to declare war. We should not declare war.
This will simply mean that when the empire declares war, our (and the entire kingdom's) armies are going to swell with patriotic recruits looking to avenge the honor of our realm. Because honorless empire dogs! Look what they did!

>>15746638
I can see your point on how dangerous wolfs really are.... and yes on that plan

>>15746667
Well, it depends, what you find a worse deception, hide his body and pretend it never happened, as if he's some common peasant? Or use his body for 1, instigating a war against the same people who obviously scarred his mind deeply. 2, give it the proper burial it deserves by the sides of his ancestors.

rolled 13 = 13

Fine, go for it.

We need to figure out who saw him enter the castle, the have to have been a few guards and make sure they understand what REALLY happened.

>>15746750

Oh shit. I hadn't even though about witnesses. Don't worry, no one will believe a commoner (and they are easy to get rid of)

Is the count still here? If he can come to the funeral, it might move him towards deeper discounts.

As you stare at Lobo and the body of your brother your head starts to race with things that might happen. You see yourself hung for Kinslaying. You see a thousand different bad outcomes. But you slowly start to piece things together. Drawing your brother's body into the chamber you take the hound with you to Alvin.

Waking the young boy you take him into the green-room, he seems obviously shocked at the sight the dead man before his feet. As you explain the plan he nods, he quickly seals the door. In a few hours time your brother, yourself and Lobo are cleaned up. (The dog pressed his muzzle against your cloth).

You then have him carried towards the castle's front gates, you are lucky not to encounter anyone. You instruct Alvin to come gather you when the body is found.

It doesn't take long, sitting in the audience chamber, the wolf besides the throne, Leoric walks in, you see the heavy body in his arms, it's clearly your brother's. You manage to act fairly well as he reveals it, messages are send and in a week's time you are hosting a great funeral.

Maids and cooks are around, making a funeral feast to send your brother off well, meanwhile the nobles of your Kingdom start to gather, standing near the crypt of your forefathers you step up onto a small pedestal you made.

You cough and you see Counts and Dukes stare at you, as you're about to begin the doors of the castle open...

>>15746750
meh
not really a problem. We're the Lord of the Realm, our word is Law.
Besides, how much of an asshole would that guard look like? Accusing us of lying about our dead brother? Seriously?

>>15746802

Wait, we told Alvin? Oh shit! What kind of oaths do Stewards make? Are they loyal to the king, or us?

I guess we should start speechifying

>>15746802

...and in strides a man in white and green. His tabard is covering a perfectly shaped plate armor, on his slightly graying red-head is a ring of gold. "Speak", he says as the King steps inbetween the four Dukes.

It's a great honor and you feel inspired as you relay the tale to all those there, a spark of dramatics and you see all, even the King hanging on your lips. (Nat 20..) As you finish the speech the King draws his sword from his side, "We make a vow here, today. From this day on, no quarter is given, no quarter is asked. If the Empire wants a war then they'll find an enemy more determined then any before. We will burn their lands and leave nothing but shattered husks", he places his blade towards you, "Do you vow?", he asks. You draw your own blade and place it on his, more blades gather in before being raised. As toasts are raised after the funeral the King comes besides you for a quick moment. "Do well in this war and I will need to find a place for a loyal vassal such as you", he says these words before walking away. Leaving you alone in your audience chamber yet filled with over fifty nobles.

>>15746750
>>15746787

It was early in the day, none probably saw him, even if they did, they were smart enough to stay quiet. And commoners. Filthy peasants who believes them.. right.. right?!

>>15746802
Not again! It better not be our sister trying to take out title!

>>15746834

Steward shares oaths of loyalty to their Counts/Dukes/Kings. Whoever they serve.

He's smart enough not to tell, he has nothing to gain really.

rolled 6 = 6

>>15746835
As soon as drinking and general hob-nobbing (note, I am not proposing an orgy, no matter what the dice say) start, move round everyone, asking for troops, supplies and gold to fight the war. Let them know you're the frontline, let them know you've alright fought the 'vanguard' of the Empire (feel free to embellish what really happened a little bit) i'm hoping we can procure some gifts from the nobles.

>>15746835
ohhhhhhkay

that's a bit more than I was going for, didn't want to -actually- start a war.

But we're committed now, better send out for mercenary captains, crank up weapons production.
talk to the engineer about ballistae, preferably wheeled ones to be drawn by horses.
make pikes, drill the pike square.
beat the drums and sound the horns, and call the men to war

>>15746835

>>15746835
Cry Havoc!..and let slip the dogs of war..

>>15746835


So, I guess we lost that contract with the merchant.

Oh well, we have the kings favor. That's much better.

Ok, as for war plans....

Have the engineer set traps along the bridges, allowing us to destroy them if need be. Stop working on marble. It's a luxury item, and we need peasants on food and lumber. See if Ursis the beekeeper to harvest the poison from the bees (We might be able to weaponize them) Have the female wolves impregnated as soon as possible. We need more puppies. Double the mandatory longbow practice.

>>15746899

This is good. Play up how much we want revenge for what they did, sympathy might help

>>15746835

Time for a war then, start stockpiling supplies in the castle and get the army ready.

>>15746923
*wolves =D

>>15746907

See Image.

>>15746946
>>15746923
>>15746905
>>15746899

As you start the march to war (sponsored by Snacky Smores) you start to gather troops, supplies. Bonds of Families are founded. You've exchanged Bonds of Family (It basically means that if your family was to die but you'd have an heir, but not 'throne worthy', they'd inherit the Throne/Duchy/County but the other noble would take care of them as if they were their own child. No inheritance in this. Simply making sure children aren't left penniless or to their own devices)

Anyway Bonds of Family made:
Duke Hamish
Count Jenniker

The King however makes everyone gather troops, build weapons, armor and siege weaponry over the course of the winter and the spring. The war will begin in earnest during the Summer. (Summers aren't fuckhot normally in our lands)

Also, the Empire doesn't know of this deceleration of war yet. We're going to do something very unchivalric. We'll attack without one, so imagine being Emperor and suddenly hearing that the Kingdom of Pendra broke your treaty and burned twenty of your villages into ash.

War footing.

the peasants are to be taxed an extra penny on their normal taxes.

there is to be a toll on traffic raised by a penny.

these will be "to maintain the forces of the feif"

Each man is to train with the bow 3 hours a week.
Each man with an income over N groats per year is expected to have a helmet, mailshirt, and sword.
Each man under N groats per year is expected to have a spear, and a padded jack stuffed with wool or flax.

Turn to the lords, and ask their views, is it wiser to recruit a force of mercenary soldiers to serve, or have they had ill-favoured experience of such?

it would be unwise to pull peasants from the fields for service, to do so would weaken our income, and reduce food supply.


meanwhile, a rough map of the local area I drew up... hope that's Ok, OP, if so, I'll mark the areas of note...

>>15747061

It's like 10x better then anything I managed to do. So I'll allow it!

Also your ideas sound good enough, waiting to see what others come up with.

Alright finalize the Road to War.

Also, skip Winter & Spring and go straight for Summer or do Winter & Spring?

>>15747103
we dont have any minstrels to eat. We cant skip autum and winter....
plus our child will arrive in the winter.

rolled 1 = 1

>>15747061

Awesome map.

Agree to all this, also priority construction of carts, food and supplies are the one thing every army in history pretty much has lacked.

I'm still opposed to mercs, unless we're commanding them personally.

If we're going on the offensive, I assume we want to lead our troops? If so, who's our steward? I'd assume Leoric, but if he dies while we're away, all hell could break loose.

Also, given that the current season is fall, i'm assuming we won't be marching anywhere till Spring? We're not marching any troops anywhere during winter.

>The current season is Fall also known as Autumn

Just saiyan

>>15747136

Kingdom going to War in Summer.

Winter & Spring are for raising troops, arming them, training them.

Everyone please keep in mind, troops need to be paid for as well and we have a sizable force already.


The Noble Dream-team (Mounted or Dismounted)
30 Yeomen (Will be armored in Mail, armed with Spears/Shields and Bows & arrows)
30 wardens (Armored in Leather, armed with axes, bows & arrows)
50 Men at Arms (Armored in Leather, armed with spears/axes & shields)

That's 60 archers, 50 Inf with a 110 Inf if needed.

We're not a big county.

>>15747146
>>The current season is Fall also known as Autumn
But....it's only July.

rolled 2 = 2

>>15747184

Most things we want (food and carts) we can produce. Pull everyone off the marble, we've lost our trade contract anyway.

The only thing I really want to buy is donkeys to pull the carts, lots of donkeys.

We need to leave a garrison at home when we leave, i'd suggest around 30 men, thoughts?

send more people to the main city spreading the story of the wonders of the feif, where the lord has seen to it that the peasants homes are well-built, where the town is protected by rivers on two sides, and where the women are both plentiful and single...

that should get us a few more men over winter.

Adding in the news that the lord will grant a soldier a plot of land the size of a city tavern will impress too. we're not short of spare land, and can expand steadily.

Meanwhile last spring, the peasants were talking of pallisade walls. How far along have those progressed?

>>15747202

Might as well be Fall here in the Netherlands.

Fuckin Rain I'm telling you.

Yes I'm Dutch

>>15747061
Supporting this.
Also, make sure that supply wagons and carts are produced as well; we need a good logistical train.

Working on having strong logistics should be a priority.

Rather than raising more men, refining the ones we have would be preferable I would think. Hiring a company of mercs when we do go on campaign wouldn't be a bad idea.

Our engie building a few ballistae would be grand.

Somehow someway training/hiring a wolf handler or two so as to use them in the campaign more efectivly couldn't hurt.

>>15747224

Palisades will be placed around the village, leading up the hill and attached to the castle wall. A small 'corridor' leads from the village to the entrance of the castle (side-door to the main one).

>>15747221

Well we've obviously got some money (Full season so, at least 3 months worth of Gems), will be enough to buy a good logistical train.

Donkeys en all. Also if we get a talking one, I'm calling the bureau for High Fantasy to tell them to gtfo.

rolled 10 = 10

>>15747255

Better to build them when you arrive, it takes a lot to haul siege engines around the world, and it'll waste effort to do it.

Logistical supplies.

we will need:
Food and equipment carts, one for every 10 soldiers.
Barrels for water and ale. if we dont already have a good craftsman who can do them, we need a cooper who can produce barrels for liquids, as well as grain.
Salt. we need to start seasoning and stockpiling meat for the journey back from war. - the journey in will be supported by the sacking of the Empire's towns and villages, ensuring we leave a desolate, empty land that their armies will have no access to supplies in, when they retaliate.

Bowyers will need to produce arrows. 200 to every archer, at least, to be packed in barrels, and distributed when those carried by each archer are used

We will need tents for the shelter of the troops. the womenfolk should be instructed to weave linen canvas, and instruct Ursus we will need large volumes of beeswax to waterproof the tents.

Okay, I'm gonna call it a night.

I've got work tomorrow, need to get out of my bed at 04.00.

Won't be home in time enough to play Knight's quest, same goes for Sunday times.

So this weekend, no Knight Quest, Monday I'll be back. Regular scheduling 17.30/1800 GMT +1

Good Night all. Hope you enjoyed this rendition of Knight Quest.

>>15747260
High fantasy... are we growing hemp?

>>15747320

I assume that's the King's CoA?

And no, just a joke about Shrek. Sorry.

>>15747333
You complained about the meager crown I put on ours, so now the King wont mind.

>>15747260

We can't hope to take the entire empire in a protracted fight. What we can do is surprise a few city states and take them out fast.

Get the captured knight to make us a map of the empire, the city states, and any outlying towns.

Have the wardens use guerrilla/terrorist tactics to attack the empire. Set fires, ambush merchants, poison wells. We want to do damage to the empire before we start anything. Send them out as soon as we have a map, with orders to return in spring. Tell the leader that if everything goes well, we might make him a baron

further logistics.
we will need suitable stabling for the mules for the baggage train. I would suggest we put that on the north riverside, in the pastures there.
If we build the main elements of seige weaponary, we should also procure oxen for drawing those carts.

If we have the skill of the engineers, then I would propose we build war wagons as pictured.

these can be used with bowmen, not just gunners...
multiple wagons can be formed up, into a triangle, square, or a circle, and form a mobile defensive bulwark against attackers, protecting the troops, and the mules to pull them.

They also can be used to transport supplies before the battles, and to move injured or sick troops after battles.

this makes logistical sense.

what is the state of technology in this world, OP? does gunpowder exist at all? and what about crossbows, as well as archers?


>>15747313
duly noted. think about city-names and the likes, and I'll have a map for you.