Suffer from an inheritable syndrome of violent insanity due to the inevitable inbreeding of a bloodline-based aristocracy and casually murder several servants in a psychotic frenzy.

>>18536314
Roll her over for some surprise morning sex.

Regarding the culture and Asian-ness issue:

Thank you, really, you guys are great. Yes, I didn't really want to start off saying WE IS CHINESE/ASIAN, because of tendencies we all know tg sometimes has.

(I am ethnically, though not by nationality, Chinese; and I grew up reading its history. It's funny because to me, GRRM and Tolkien etc. are of an *alien* culture, which might be the opposite of a lot of you guys. But hey that's the fun of things right?)

Now, the norms of the quest will lean towards the eastern way of looking at authority, royalty, justice, and morality. I will do my utmost best so this is not railroading 'YOU DO HONARABLE THING' bullshit, Adrian is a lordling with free will, and I trust he'll be played that way.

(Also, he can't be completely gay now, but he's a nobleman at the top of his society's hierarchy. He fucks who he wants. So go ahead if you wish.)

>>18536314
Legitimize your bastards.

>>18536345
Make some bastards first.

Wake her up and ask her if she wants a turn at this. After 'morning exercise', both of you take a bath.

rest a hand on her head, and pet her temple/stroke her hair. While doing so, contemplate our various forms and techniques for swordplay that we've been instructed on, visualizing ourselves going through the motions, and attempting to string movements together in unorthodox ways as a means of improving our versatility

>>18536343
>Now, the norms of the quest will lean towards the eastern way of looking at authority, royalty, justice, and morality.

So we will get a lot of delicious family politics and Essence of my father, blood of my mother, ect?

>>18536352
>>18536339

You smile as your urges overtake you; grabbing her shoulders, you roll over so you are on top of her. The movement wakes her, and for a moment she glances around in panic until she sees you, inches from her face.

'Oh... oh.' Her voice sounds like she's just realised what has happened and what will happen. 'Good... morning, my lord.'

She then lies back and relaxes.

> Go on with it?

>>18536314
Knight a Commoner.

>>18536378
Is this post serious or not?

>>18536391
Take it all the way. Show her what we can do.

>>18536387

I am, even as we speak, swallowing my left ear now. Can't let it go to waste!

> Meanwhile, inventory and orientation:

- It is now the 4th month of the 18th year of the King Naren.
- Treasury: 2,550 taels
- Noteworthy Inventory: Fine quality rapier; Badges and Seals of Office; carved jade ornament (hawk)

>>18536391
Be gentle. Make sure she enjoys it as much as you.

>>18536426
>rapier
Why have we been fobbed up with such an inferior blade? This is a shameful display, we must get a slightly curved, single-edged sword that can easily bisect an armored knight in a single vertical slash ASAP.

>>18536442

second, try to loosen up the atmosphere (figuratively) if need be.

>>18536426
Surely an arming sword is more appropriate?

We're a cunning linguist in both senses of the term, so I figure we got interested in one language and things lead to us learning a foreign form of swordsmanship and we found that we liked it. Dad said Ok as it was a form of fighting training and he thought we was a bit of a pansy.

>>18536444

.... Nope.

>>18536424
>>18536442
>>18536458

You can tell she's nervous, so you go about it gently, and she responds in kind.

Fumbling for something to say to make things a bit cheerier, you whisper, 'well, now you'll be safe from the kidnapping...'

Rose giggles, then grunts and sighs as you begin. She's far quieter than Linden is, but she tries her best to match you, and dawn comes later to see the two of you in each other's arms, Rose quietly licking the sweat off your face and brow.

Well. Start the day on a good note, eh. You're reluctant, but the sky is brightening outside now; if it's any comfort, the sky looks pretty clear.

> What do?

>>18536496
Take a bath with Rose. We can discuss our schedule for to day at breakfast.

Jian: culturally fitting. But then we did agree on rapier in the first thread.

>>18536551

Yea, and the Jian is used far differently from a rapier, I don't think rapier skill counts for using a Jian.

Also take bath with rose I guess, maybe rose and linden, but I don't know if the bath would have enough room.

>>18536532

You get up and take Rose along with you to the bathroom where she runs a bath and the two of you soak in. You see she's blushing.

Well, the day's routine... you know at least two things will be happening: first, the Ahun are going to go hunting, though you have no idea about the details; second, the constable of the border region will arrive so you can talk to him.

Still, by any reasonable estimate of how long the Ahun intend to hunt (nobles often say they're going hunting when they're really just riding around for the heck of it), you should have either the morning or the late afternoon free to do what you want. Certainly there's something you can do to move the investigation along.

> What do, what plan?

Tumbling the servants is well and good and expected, but let's not let this turn into another harem quest. There's too many of those as it is, and this has the potential for far better questing.

>>18536611

Forgot me tripcode, damnit.

I'm inclined to keep it as rapier. I mean, whatever, really.

>>18536630
How are we doing in terms of personal man power? If the shit hits the fan, whose sword would be at our side, and how many swords would that be?

>>18536611
Well, we gotta talk to that there sheriff around these parts. Bring along our trackers, Kanjen and his guys and Baseg along. Maybe they'll have something to contribute after hearing what's going on.

>>18536618

Noted.

>>18536643

Well, right now your retinue consists of the following:

- 3 servants (Baseg, Linden, Rose)
- 4 Mercenary Forest Bowmen
- 3 Swordsmen (Kanjen, Munen, Zatin)
- 6 Swordsmen Servants (Zatin's men)

Including you, that's 17 men, of whom 14 can fight - Baseg's arm is knackered, and your maids are probably best not thrown into a brawl.

You're not sure what Ahun's military strength is like, but you have the feeling that getting Ahun's forces involved in an area where a border feud is running would be.... unwise.

>>18536681

He's coming to you; he's not here yet.

As for the others, do you want to call them in now and talk about... whatever it is you want to talk about? That's fine. Your skin's getting wrinkly from the bath anyway.

>>18536611
Bring Kanjen along for the hunt, order Zatin to sniff around among the locals. They should drink and eat a bit, tell stories and listen to stories themselves. Blend in, in other words.

The mercs, well, I'm not sure how suitable they are for either activity (which needs brains or manners). If it befitts our rank, order the 4 mercs to accompany you on the hunt as gillies.

>>18536643
- You
- Kanjen, Munen and Zatin
- Zatin's 6 servants
- Linden and Rose
- Baseg
- 4 Mercenary Woodmen Archers

>>18536729

You get out of the bath, get dressed, and then find a hall and gather your men. Zatin's servants are the first to arrive, all dressed in black and holding their short swords. Then your servants, the swordsmen, and finally the mercs come in.

You order Zatin to take his servants, and go round the villages talking to people, see what information can be gathered. He takes his sword and move off. Munen and Kanjen, you will take along for the hunt.

The mercenaries are naturally thrilled to take part in a hunt, and a hunt with noblemen no less! You're not sure how the Ahun might take this though. Just then one of Zatin's servants comes back and says there's at least twenty armed servants in the courtyard now, they appear to be preparing for the hunt. And the two younger Ahuns, Meke and Ambes, are among them, giving orders.

> What do?

>>18536705
We should not neccessarily give too much information to common men. I agree with talking to our servants, Zatin, Munen and Kanjen, leave Zatin's swordmen and our archers out.

We'll assemble out little war council and decide on a good way to proceed.

I consider Kanjen, Munen and Zatin the equivalent of hedge knights or low nobles without land which are above the common mercenary. Maybe we can build a loyal retinue.

>>18536776

Well, with more information from Zatin's men and the constable, the war council can come later.

As for the three gate-guests, indeed - they are often 'gentry', though there are commoners too. But definitely, as gate-guests, they are the rough equivalent of western retainers.

Kanjen and Munen are under your father's patronage, but Zatin is not.

>>18536773
If the mercs are so eager, make them appear to be warriors of your house and bring them along. But warn them to behave themselves in front of the Ahun and their men.

Then go socialising with Meke and Ambes. They are our hosts, after all.
Zatin and his servants should still continue their investigating work. The girls and one-armed Baneg should stay at the Ahun's seat.

>>18536808
Give Kanjen and Munen the responsibility of two mercs each. That will ba our hunting party.

Depending on what we learn about Zatin on this mission, we might want to keep him close to us. He seems to have a knack for commanding or training men (since he has 6 able and armed servants), a talent that will be useful for us in the future.

>>18536808

I am not sure we should bring the mercs at all. But if they have 20 armed servants, do we look a little... out of place with just two men?

>>18536810
>>18536831

You let each of your swordsmen have two archers, but warn the archers to be properly behaved, and to do as they are ordered - no more. They agree, though you can't help but feel they sound a little flippant.

Having assigned them thus, you go down to the courtyard, where Meke and Ambes quickly come over to greet you. 'Your lordship is up very early! Ready for the hunt?' They sound quite excited, and then you hear the barking of hounds dragging their handlers along. 'We don't normally do this, your lordship - only sometimes, when the vermin or the st-'

'There are lots of hounds and wolves around these woods,' Ambes cuts his cousin off. 'Sometimes the only way to fight them is with their own kind. Do you hunt, your lordship? Pardon me, but you don't look like the sort...'

> What do/say?

>>18536808
By the way, how come Rose slept in our bed anyway? Not that I mind or anything, I'm just surprised.
Also, go to the hunt with a small entourage.
Unless, of course, there may be some reason for the Ahun to slap our shit and put it off as a hunting accident.

>>18536831
I'm going with this, Plus the 'mind you manners' warning for the mercs

>>18536902

... man, didn't think of that. maybe we should ask the youngsters about the route of the hunt? if it goes through any thick forest, we may want to be really careful....

>>18536902

IC reason: she sleepwalks, and she and Linden take turns to attend to you personally, so since Linden slept first she probably came over.

OOC reason: was suggested in the last thread, and personal attendants are crucial for nobles anyway so that made sense.

>>18536930
>and she and Linden take turns to attend to you personally
Oh, alright. I thought it was just Lin.

>>18536901
Tthe st...? Make a mental note to try an isolate Meke from his brother in order to talk to him.

Be humble. Say your older brother is the best hunter in the family and avoid talking directly about yourself. Say you are looking forward to the hunt and are eager to get a glimpse of the Ahun estate and the hunting skill of Meke and Ambes.

If we achieve anything during the hunt, it will just make us look better.

>>18536930
They take turns but she was a virgin till just now?

Or am I misunderstanding?

>>18536947
I think they take turns to "attend", not to play in the sheets. The Earl was suprised himself to find Rose in his bed.

>>18536922
>>18536945

'Well, I've done a bit of hunting, but my second brother is far better at it. Certainly, by the looks of your preparations and servants, you're probably far better at it than me too.'

'Please don't stand on ceremony, your lordship. After all, our quarry today...'

'Men!' Ambes turns around to his assembled men, and claps. 'Where are your manners today? This is the third son of our liege lord, Count Adrian! Salute!'

They salute and cheer you loudly, and that's that for the conversation.

Later you ask them about the hunting route. 'Oh, well, this time round we're probably routing to the west. Going to go into the glades and do a bit of proper shooting and hounding.'

'The west?' You remember Baseg and Zatin telling you yesterday evening that that place was quite intensely farmed.

'Yeah, the west. Manorial land, your lordship. To be honest, though, Father or Uncle might have something else in mind for you - perhaps riding elsewhere, or just touring around. It'd be nice to make your acquaintance anyway, I'm sure they think so...'

> What do?

>>18536947

Attending to you personally does not mean getting sexed by you. Linden puts out, Rose is most often quite shy and withdrawn, so you've had one but not the other...

>>18536990

Huh. Maybe wait for the two older men then.

This is sounding a little weird.

>>18536990
"I, too, look forward to make the acquaintance of your father and uncle. And you". Give him a warm smile, no harm in that. You are the lord, but you don't have to be detached (and at the moment, we have few reasons to be).

Then jump on the mission.
"Manorial land, you say? Now that you mention it, I have heard the strangest story at my father's court..."

Try to wiggle some information about him about the disappeaaring farm animals... and maidens. It won't hurt if you give yourself an impression of a city dweller interested in the story solely for amusement (to appear harmless).
They already know we aren't a hardy country boy.

>>18536945

Did not notice your other suggestion.

While waiting for the older men to be ready, you hang around and make some small talk, and wait until Ambes moves off to get those bloody hounds in order.

'What did you say the quarry was going to be, sir?' You make a polite approach.

'The quarry? Oh the quarry. Well, sir, you know about the snatching of the livestock and all that. Well, we're going to strike back. We're hunting Stone Folk today.'

Could we... maybe get some of those hunters to help us in our quest?

Chances are that they know the lay of the land, are okay trackers and will be able to at least limit the number of places whatever we're hunting for could've gone to.

We should also take the chance to inquire into the rumors about virgin-capturing beast and stonemen dwelling places/travel routes. Hunters should know about that type of stuff.

>>18537068
>>18537068
Stone Folk?

What does Adrian know about those?

>>18537071
If we are lucky, we'll win the sympathy of Ambes or Meke.

>>18537097

Stone Folk, hunters and gatherers in the forests, people don't like them. Think they're thieves, which they probably are.

But wow, hunting them, that's a bit cold...

>>18537057

Well, they already know that you know of the animals.

Meke tells you, in private, that they know it's the Stone Folk because only the Stone Folk can see so well at night. 'It's true. That's the way they go about it. They always strike at night, it's terrifying. They must have something that helps them, it's monstrous, some kind of dark magic...'

'That's why we're hunting them in the day, because that's when they hang back in the forests. Can you imagine that? People can't stand sunlight? They're practically not people.'

>>18537071

You tell Meke about the nature of your mission, and he raises an eyebrow. 'Well, we're already doing the work fine ourselves... as you can see now, your lordship, we're getting geared up to do it. I swear it's like clearing mice from a cellar... but if you have something to investigate, we - well, I for one - would be glad to offer help.'

'We do know, roughly, where some of the Stone Folk live. They do build houses, or at least cover their burrows and stuff. But that'd be for later I guess.'

Just then a fanfare is blown, and you turn to see two men, all properly dressed in hunting gear, descend the steps of the main hall. Everyone salutes on cue.

> What do?

>>18537097
>What does Adrian know about those?

Bits of their language, apparently. So he prolly much has met at least one of'em personally over at least the periode of a few months.

>>18537156
Welcome to a day in the life of the medieval gypsy!

>>18537156
Oh shi-

Well, the Ahun don't seem to mind. I doubt we can change their intentions.

The best we can do is order Munen and Kanjen to try and capture a member of the stone folk alive for questioning, since these people will surely kill them. We can use our written document to gain authority over one of the prisoners.

Or does anybody think we should really oppose the Ahun on thier own turf? I'd advise against that, Stone Folk are not considered to be lawful members of society like peasents.

>>18537171
Greet the father and uncle of Ambes and Meke with the proper respect and politeness.

Mount up and begin talking about the hunt and the Stone Folk. We have to know what they think.

Guys, just hunt some Stone Folk. I know /tg/ often likes to polarize into HIDEOUS EVIL or BRIGHT SHINING GOOD, but come on. Hunt some of these damn peasants and capture a few who look like they would make good slaves. Then follow our suspicions it might not be them and question the prisoners ourselves later on.

>>18537233
>Capture some
>Load yourself with feeding slaves you have no use for and who hate your guts

yeah, smart idea. We'd have to feed them evenn if we would opt to sell them off later on.

Plus we've got not guarantee that we'll actually capture somebody who actually knows anything about the whole affair.

>>18537271
We need to establish a household and, not only that, who even says they have to be for us? We could give them as gifts to our father, I'm sure he would fucking love that and it would help prove we did good (in his view) out here when we come back.

>>18537233
>good slaves
This. We have to improve our financial situation and we know there's slavery in this realm.

Maybe the scoundrels will gain us a decent a amount of tael.

Give the women to our mercs for their leisure.

>>18537229
>>18537233
>>18537210

Do you want to tell your men to capture if possible, as opposed to kill? You're hunting for sure, but it's up to your sense of humanity or kindness really.

Meanwhile, you go up and greet Garon and Duson, who return the greeting with obeisances. They look very ready for the hunt indeed.

You ask them about the route, and they ask if Meke has told you what- who- you're hunting. When you say yes, they say they'll probably lead a detachment of men to go behind the burrows, so they can surround and slaughter the Stone Folk as they try to run. 'Of course, it's your choice which wing you would like to belong to. I believe the kids are taking the hounds to smoke those creeps towards us, so would you like to chase or to kill?'

They both laugh at the statement. Meanwhile you've all mounted out, and are already headed out the gate of the estate. The area around is being worked still - they're leaving the sowing a bit late, really - and a herald demands salutes all along the way.

> What do? Choice of wing?

>>18537290
>>18537289
>>18537271

Do discuss the decision.

If it helps, yes, slavery is prevalent, as are slave markets. You are in fact mostly surrounded by slaves in the Ahun estate, but they're so beneath notice there's no point talking about them.

You're not sure you've seen many Stone Folks slaves before though. The two people who taught you their language in the Palace weren't slaves, they were hired servants - though how they got hired, you have no idea.

>>18537271
>feed the slaves
Surely you jest. They are slaves. If we wish them to survive to be sold then we simply need to give them bare essentials on the road and fatten them up for a week after we get into the capital. Plus a hungry slave is one without the strength to run away.

>>18537313
>>18537294
Tell them that they are free to kill, loot, or rapine as they please but we will want some of them captured and able. No more harm than it takes to subdue the men, and no violating them if they are female. That kind of thing.

>>18537294

... If we're going to choose to capture people, I guess the 'killing' wing will be best.

Ask more about the beasts of the forest, meanwhile. Also, ask about the general situation of the economy here - why are they sowing crops late?

Lets capture them, telling the Ahun that we know their language, and that if we interrogate them we could learn more about what is going on. Like why they are doing it, and more importantly where other stone folk are, to kill those ones too.

I guess our best choice is to combine capturing some folks with rummaging through their homes.

Maybe we'll find something that is going to connect them to our case in there... I mean, if it was somebody in the particular village we'rre going to hit, we're at least going to find some local peasant's garb in there. And that piece of clothing should be different enough from whatever the local stone folks are wearing.

That'll give us something to question our captives about rather than forcing us to take a shot in the dark.

>>18537358
As in, let them have free reign but issue a quota of prisoners we want relatively unharmed.

We will be very displeased if the quota is not met.

Our family's reputation should then ensure we capture plenty of them.

So, if capturing is the objective - follow the older men with their servants?

>>18537294
Ask the Ahun father if you are allowed to keep a few Stone Folk for yourself. It's such a minor thing, he probably won't mind.

Let's join the wing that kills, not the one that smokes them out. We tell our own men to capture instead of kill.
We'll interrogate the Stone Folk, since we are a cunning linguist.
Selling them to slaveryon the next market is just a boon. They'll do one or two days without eating.

>>18537416
You're the son of his liege, so you won't have to ask. You can just tell him that you WILL take them.

>>18537407
Capturing isn't the only objective. We only need to capture a few, enough to bring back as a prize to show off to dad and a few disposable ones to interrogate.

The rest can be put to the sword.

Let's try to capture the prettiest women and strongest men though, they will sell for more. And the village elders or what-have-you for interrogation, though to be sure they have to say isolated from the meat so they don't start forming dissent.

>>18537460
>>18537435
>gain information by interrogation
>bring wrist bones as presents to daddy
Brilliant.jpg

>>18537361
>>18537416

You decide to join Garon and Duson, and so at a junction you follow them right, following a narrow path which winds upslope. At the same time, you tell them about your plan to capture and communicate with the Stone Folk; despite looking rather sceptical, they shrug and say they'll go along.

Everyone is alert and quiet at the same time, looking around them in the forest, when suddenly there is rustling and you turn to see a Stone Folk looking up from a hollow. A pale, even pasty man, his eyes widen as he realises what he's looking at; but just as he turns around you hear the hiss of loosed arrows, and two embed themselves in the man's neck. He topples and falls face-down without a sound.

'Bloody hell,' Duson mutters, taking another arrow from his quiver. 'That's why we keep arrow in hand always. That nearly gave us all away.'

At length you reach the appointed position, and Duson gives one of your merc archers the privilege of firing the whistling arrow to signal the start of the hunt. He takes it, and looses it high into the air with a terrifying screech, more like shrieking than whistling. Almost immediately, you can hear the baying of what sounds like hundreds of dogs at the foothills.

The men are quickly arrayed, with yours on the left wing in the place of honour. 'All right! Listen up! Shoot true! But don't kill all of them today; his lordship wants a few prisoners. I know you're not used to mercy, but try to be nice today!'

Laughter from the line of servants is quickly replaced by a look of determination. You turn to your own men.

> What do?

>>18537460
>>18537472

... Wonder if daddy likes the living better than the wrist bones though? Especially if they're women?

>>18537475
Torn between rousing speech...
>"I bid you stand, men of the East!"
and something shorter, to the point:
>"Time to go earn your pay, men."

>>18537475
Alright men, lets get this done, capture a few for interrogation and make our families proud. Draw a sword and prepare to stab barbarian fuckers something fierce.

>>18537496

... Not sure shooting possibly defenceless people counts as I Bid You Stand material...

>>18537489
I seem to remember he liked a chain of wrist bones he got from our older brother very, very much.

Between strong men = worker slaves and young women = pleasure slaves, we'll surely find a few which won't need their wrists anymore. Women for daddy are a bonus.

>"Time to go earn your pay, men."
I support, if said half determined, half encouraging.

>>18537475

I guess we'll have to give a toast to Duson for his expert shooting after the hunt... honour where honour is due and stuff.

>>18537475
"I want an old greyhair or two and the most comely and brawny of the others, the rest are left to your tender mercies. You shall have the greater share of what you find, but should you come across kidnapped villagers they are to be unharmed! Now ride!"

Us not taking most of the loot (which was mostly customary, afaik?) should really help our reputation among soldiers when we get back to the palace. If we're looking to form a household and carve out a name we will need strong soldiers, and strong soldiers come to where they pay is good.

And we will impress the court with our victory, the many wristbones, and our gifts of slaves to old da.

>>18537496
>>18537531

You glance at them. The swordsmen, inculcated to certain standards of honour, look a little uneasy; but the mercs have no such qualms.

'Well then,' you say quietly, but in a voice that makes even Duson and Garon pay attention, 'men, it's time to earn your pay.'

The mercs nod. You turn around, and soon you can make out the shapes and forms of people running upslope, to a chorus of wailing and yells. It's not hard to tell that there aren't many men among the wailers and yellers.

'Typical,' Garon says. 'The men are fighting off the dogs. Well, well. Nock your arrows, men! Choose your targets! One quarry, one shot!'

You bid your men nock and ready as well; then, as they come within about fifty paces, you give the order to loose. Volley after volley of arrows fly through the woods, and though it isn't perfect archer terrain with all the trees around, many find their mark. Not many are fatal though, if the increased wailing is any indication.

You turn and see that the two elder men have drawn their swords, and several servants too. They form up in a line, and you watch the archers shift their aim, subtly corralling the remaining Stone Folk into a cluster. There must be thirty or forty of them in there.

'Remember! Take some prisoners today!' More laughter. 'Carry on then you bloody bastards, CHARGE!'

Your bowmen have also drawn swords, and are awaiting your orders. You wonder where the wounded might be, then you spot further forms running up from the foothills. The hounds.

> What do?

>>18537586
Charge, get some subdued and captured before the hounds tear them apart. They're not armed well or at all, full of arrows, sick and tired, it should be a mop up.

>>18537586
Can't do much but help to mop the Stone Folk up. Get your... rapier... blade out!

The ones with major wounds are useless, give them the mercy of a quick death.

>>18537606

seconding this. from the looks of it, the ahun are not going to show any mercy to the wounded.

but then if we capture wounded slaves it'd just be even more of a drag, so since we're going full brutal today, let's join the assault on the cluster. drag people away and knock them out for capture.

>>18537586
End the badly wounded, try to save a few of the best catches for fun and profit later, sing songs and boast about the pitched battle and our valor.

Normal nobility stuff.

>>18537669

We're more or less chinese, so we're actually going to write reports about how we subdued the criminals and brought peace and justice to the land.

>>18537691
Right, my bad.

>>18537586

I'm thinking we need to stop those hounds. We can use our horses to try and stop them...dogs can get a bit skittish when hooves start thundering all around them...

>>18537669
>>18537657
>>18537627
>>18537606

'Remember! Take them alive if you can!'

With that, you charge, noticing that Munen and Kanjen are both wielding their swords in their scabbards. They seem determined not to kill today.

As they charge and surround the cluster, you move around the rest of the field, beckoned to by many women and young Stone Folk. Some of them are clearly fatally wounded, and you finish them; it is the best sympathy you can give.

You then move downslope and spot two Stone Folk, one with an arrow graze and the other apparently uninjured, shrieking as they look down; you turn your gaze and see several of the hunting hounds loping towards them. Already, elsewhere, you can hear the hounds setting themselves on the dead and dying.

> What do? Battle report will be next.

>>18537700

Yeah, we probably should. We can still question the wounded right on the spot.

We can't question those that have been mauled to death by dogs. right now we've still got access to a good number of folks to question. Let's try to keep it that way.

>>18537699
>>18537691

Mind you, we chinks can be quite into slaughter pure and simple. But I guess in an official capacity you have a point.

>>18537707
Run towards them, we need them alive, scare or command the hounds away from these ones. See if we can't bring a few people with us in order to help subdue these two and keep the hounds away. But above all move fast and keep them alive, we need answers and dead men don't tell tales.

>You all realize the Stone Folk are obviously entirely innocent
>You all realize that your caring about this is probably nil

>>18537731

Yeah, I know it...learning Chinese myself. But I'm confused...are we Asian Asian...or just an Asian-inspired culture...with the name "Adrian"...

>>18537739
They were already getting hunted down, we don't care overly much, but this way we actually get answers rather than if the others went nobody would find the truth.

We aren't complete scumfucks like our second brother and father but we are probably not completely innocent.

>>18537731
Beats the records of some of your neighboring countries.
>aka rolling over with their paws in the air once they've had their asses kicked and later lying in their children's schoolbooks about "what really happened"

I mean, lots of people call their slaughtering by a nicer name!

>>18537707
Try to keep the hounds from eating these two. Organise your men to help you. Don't run around alone.

We need prisoners alive. Use the horses to drive them away.

>>18537746
Adrian, and with a rapier.

I think we'll find out some backstory explaining this at a later point.

>>18537746

Adrian was a choice /tg/ made before we knew we were Asian.


Anyways I think we need to apologize to the non mercs under our command later, saying we wanted them in case we were fighting bandits. Not a town of people.

>>18537746
We didn't know the Asian part of the setting before we chose names or skills. I'm sorry for the name, it was actually my fault. Rapier was someone else.

>>18537763

Name an weapon were randomly picked. And "Rapier" as a term covered pretty much all 16th century swords with a complex hilt in periode.

But it's wierd that he would not have it remounted in the local fashion, because that's pretty much what everyone did with foreign blades.

>>18537773
T'was me, I'm afraid. We are also a tinkerer, but that was not me.

But it doesn't atter folks. We are NOT cardboard asian! This is not cliche-asia, despite following the culture and traditions, as mentioned by OP.

We are in a high-fantasy setting inspired by pre imperial chinese, and it is awesome.

>>18537717
>>18537751
>>18537734

Well, bloody fucking hell. You wave your arms and command the hounds to step back, but they've only minutes ago tasted blood and flesh and are in no mood for restraint. You end up having to kill three of the hounds in order to save those two, and another one who was gnawing on the leg of a screaming young man, before the handlers finally catch up.

A stinging feeling is emanating from your left arm. You look at it and see several long red marks from a hound's claws - they even sharpen the hounds' claws? - and Duson grabs your arm. 'Are you all right, your lordship? Someone get water! And strong liquor!'

You then get helped to a stump to sit down while the battle results are looked over. The whole area is still filled with the cries and moaning of the dying, and servants are methodically finishing them off. The living and the not-too-badly wounded are brought to you.

2 men
11 women
4 children

As you watch, they are forced to the ground and tied up. 'You reckon this would be enough, your lordship? For your purposes?'

Also, on a lighter note, someone found a mousedeer with an arrow in its chest. Who managed to shoot so badly that he hit something smaller than a human?! As people laugh, you notice the fletching on the arrow bears your father's mark; it's either Munen or Kanjen, then.

> What do/say?

>>18537764
Honestly? They are probably used to it and using sheathed weapons because they want to take prisoners like we commanded. Being an elite royal soldier means you've ended plenty of commoners in your day, no matter if it's Europe or China.

But yeah, throw the horse around in between the hounds and the Stone Womenfolk. Hounds do not like to rush horses. At all. For good reason, a horse will fuck up a dog.

>>18537763
>>18537764
>>18537773
>>18537783
>>18537787

That's the attitude! We're not going to name everyone Zhao Zhong and Wen Gong simply for the setting.

>>18537789

Try to get rid of the arrow to save face. Attend to the wounds of our prisoners, make sure they're treated decently. Have them guarded only by our personal men. Also, we can check the dead for anything of value...we could use more for the treasury. And I still want a souvenier for Martha!

>>18537789
Don't say anything about the arrow, and don't apologize to our men either. That's not something you should get in the habit of doing as a leader, unless it's really warranted (not now).

>>18537789
Get the arrow, hope no one else noticed the fletching, we'll talk to them later in private.

Find the man who looks oldest and wisest and start asking questions in probably horribly accented but still understandable Stonefolkese.

Confirm with him that it wasn't them stealing, see if they're also losing young unmarried women, ask about their local legendary creatures, with an emphasis on ones that steal women and livestock.

>>18537789
Hmmm. It seems someone does not take well to the redwork.

I would prefer we investigate this so we know in the future who to use for what tasks. There are some men we can use for things like this and some we can't. We need to make the distinction.

Also, I just thought it might interest you to know that since you can understand Stone Folk's speech, you know pretty much what they're jabbering about. It's not pretty.

It's clearly not the first time this has happened to them, and they're all screaming for where their kids and families are.

> I'm not inducing white-knight in you guys, but these things Adrian notices. He's not a linguist for nothing...

>>18537789
> What do/say?

Have some of your men search the stone folks' hovels for traces of the disappeared girls in groups of twos or threes. Tell them that they may keep anything that's not connected to the case but that there will be punishments if they withhold anything that may be important...

...and rewards for those that rattle out on the people withholding potential evidence.

>>18537816
Indeed, you never make an apology. It destroys your credibility. What we did was right because we did it, even if we were wrong. That should never be questioned in public, ever.

>>18537789
Yes, try to get rid of the arrow. You can give it back jokingly, in private, to Munen or Kanjen.

Have your men escort the prisoners.
If the hunt is over, let's return to the Ahun seat and beginn questioning and examining our prisoners.

Before, give a boast to all the men and promise drinks after the successfull hunt. Our purse surely allows it.

>>18537827
Well, what else are they saying. We're clearly helping out dicks, so let's make use of superior fact-finding skills.

>>18537827
Be aware of something, OP: /tg/ does not do normal, flawed people very well. If you even hint one way or another then that will catapult /tg/ into either full White Knight or Demonic Evil mode.

>>18537815
>>18537820
>>18537834

> Souvenir for Martha, you'll keep an eye out!

You nod, and the two Ahuns defer to you, going back to talking with their own men. If they had their druthers there wouldn't be anything to talk to anyway.

The arrow in the mousedeer is removed. Munen looks on, neutrally, as you do it. Kanjen is just checking his scabbard.

You send Kanjen and Munen to look over the hovels for anything, while you squat and look at the captives. They are, naturally, terrified. 'I will not harm you,' you say, and the momentary shock from hearing you speak their tongue is quickly overcome.

'You will not harm us? What about them!?' The man who speaks nods at the village downslope. 'Did you not harm them!?'

'Don't, Gak! Shut up!' and they start jabbering again.

> What do/say?

>>18537827
>It's clearly not the first time this has happened to them, and they're all screaming for where their kids and families are.

It's not like we could do shit about that, what with them not being citizens and all, but we might as well ask the guys who have organized the hunt about it.

And maybe get some order into the rabble here, for we'll only be able to include them into our entourage, which would afford them some ammount of protection in the future, if we actually solve the case. So if anybody wants to whiteknight, remember that they'll only get anything if you make their tribe a dependant of your future household... and that'll probably only not make everyone here look silly if you solve the case.

>>18537870

Hmmm... I'd have thought the current players are doing quite well. But thanks. Will keep that in mind.

>>18537853

Whenever you're ready to go, they're ready to go.

>>18537877
I gave mercy to those too wounded to live. I am here to find the reason behind the disappearance of large amounts of livestock and young women from a village near here.

What do you know of this?

After they respond that it wasn't them, and we aren't surprised check if they have seen anything odd in the woods, if their own women have been stolen, by someone other than us.

Ask if they have any famous monsters who steal women and livestock, compare to what we know from the Ahuns.

>>18537877
"They were harmed. You are not. Yet. What I want now is answers. Tell me what your people have been doing and what you know about young women being taken from our lands. And tell me if your people are responsible, either yourselves or other Stone Folk.

If you can tell me who is taking them then you personally will be set free, along with any family you might have."

>>18537877
You are in power. Make that clear. Establish dominance. Have your men close for emphasis.

We will only bereasonably nice if they they cooperate.

Start questioning them on the recent weeks. Did something to them. Something unusual?

>>18537891
Don't listen to him.
He's referring to the odd "LOL RAPE X AND SLAUGHTER Y" guy -- from which we haven't had anyone yet -- which you can just ignore.

Also.
Praise the men for their skill, bring the prisoners back, then question them. Friendly, but determined. If they refuse to talk, well, fuck you, punch them.

The Sheriff should arrive soon, too.

>>18537903
>And tell me if your people are responsible, either yourselves or other Stone Folk.

I would not use that turn of phrase. They'll simply pin it on some other group of Stone Folks they've got a conflict with in the hope that they'll get a bit of the slaughter too.

That's how it works.

>>18537899
>>18537903
>>18537904
>>18537920

> Nutters will be ignored, naturally.

Also, it's probably better you go back and have a sit down before talking to the prisoners. But before that, you grab Gak and drag him from the line.

'Gak, is it? I gave mercy to the mortally wounded, and saved some of you from the hounds. I give you my promise I will not harm you. If you will not have my word, I can go back on it right here and now.' You put a hand on your sword hilt for emphasis, and that shuts him up immediately.

The long ride home is quite tiring, but good news - both Zatin and the constable have come round. Add that to the prisoners, and you can get a pretty good idea what to do soon, you reckon.

> Can think of what to do for Zatin and constable - prisoner interrogation report incoming...

>>18537920
I'm actually referring to both the people advocating sociopathy and the people advocating not acting like a noble. People have been seriously trying to suggest that we try to save these people with our authority and such. That's just silly and would undermine our status, a quick way to being assassinated in the real cutthroat politics of the realm.

Nobles, especially Chinese nobles, butchered the shit out of peasants and gave exactly no fucks. Thankfully we are giving exactly no fucks beyond how it might effect our household, which is good. We should care about our household. Family, important retainers, concubines, servants, guardsmen, and so forth. Slaves and peasants not so much.

I was just letting him know that if he pushes either side too hard /tg/ WILL derp out. I like how it's going so far. We were raised to be a prince but also will show mercy rather than cruelty when the outcome is the same.

>>18537877

I think we should really go for a "nice guy" approach with these captives. For one, not harming women and children could help with a better reputation and two, and we may be able to even persuade them to work for us. Maybe make one of the men a guide?

>>18537979
>not harming women and children
We're selling them as slaves.
The fuck are you talking about.

>>18537979
>Maybe make one of the men a guide?
Oh wow.

Yeah, we just butchered their entire clan and took them prisoner. They could well have watched their wives and children get raped and put to the sword in front of them too.

I'm sure nothing could go wrong by giving them the important position of telling us where to go safely. Nope. Not a thing.

No, these people are prisoners, information, and future slaves unless something extremely unlikely unfolds.

> Interrogation report:

The prisoners admit to having stole some livestock and game from the villages lately. Munen and Kanjen find cow bones in the hollows, which probably corroborate this.

The prisoners deny having stolen recently, though - that must be some other tribe! Also, they swear, they've never dared touched humans! They wouldn't do something like that! (The cow bones in the hollows are bleached and old, which might also corroborate this.)

When you ask about beasts in the forest, they look sullen. Then Gak speaks. They invent some animals to scare their children, because they don't want their children playing too far from the hollows, because - well - look what's happened today.

They've heard news that the southern tribes have also had some cases of missing girlfolk - always girls. But they also relate a story where two girls went missing, over down south, and then one of the girls - who had been betrothed to a youngster already - came back after two days. The unmarried one? Disappeared, still nowhere to be found.

Overall, you can be quite pleased with yourself I guess - you haven't used much violence on them to get this much information. Meanwhile Kanjen and Munen report that, if they found anything in the hollows, it was innocence - there's almost nothing of value at all, except some bone and horn and antler carvings, which probably weren't stolen. Munen looks noticeably sullen, too.

>>18537979
Dibbs on honourable Adrian.

But I would not go so far to take one of the stone folk into our household, even if just as a guide.

Let's wait for the report.

In the meantime, have one of the servants demand an appointment ith the constable. Ask Zatin what he and his men could find out.

Give the mercs an extra tael each for today.

Try to establish a perimeter on the Ahun estate where you can talk without being eavesdropped.

>>18537920
Nah, he's right. I used to run Doppleganger Damacy, and it frequently alternated between the camps of KILLEATBURN to total white knight.

Not always, but /tg/ has difficulty with the middle ground.

>>18537975

Good point. Kindness should be used only if it's the path of least resistance - just like cruelty.

>>18538010
Well, nothing of value was lost and we gained some slaves.
All in all, a win/win.
We should go check out the southern tribes later.

>>18538010
Ask about the girl who came back. What did she see? What happened to her?

>>18537979

They're basically foreigners to your society. Being too nice to them could actually damage your reputation here. But I do support being reasonable with our use of force. If our character's got any kind of knowledge on what to avoid to further piss them off after having slaughtered them, now's the time to apply that knowledge.

As I've mentioned, we can question them and we can probably afford to offer them retainer-status, which would protect them at least a bit in the future. But that only if they turn out to be useful and only if we figure we can afford it, because if we decide to do that, we're gonna be the guy everyone runs to when there's some grievance between them and the other locals of the region in the future.

>>18538010
He looks like he was holding back concerning monsters of the forest. Could we press him more on that, see if there are any famous for keeping unmarried women for itself.

>>18538010
Interesting. Okay, conference time with our men, but first, talk to Munen in private. Ask him what's up (having an open ear for our retinue surely isn't below us).
Then demand the constable.

With those information, was room with Zatin, Kanjen and Mullen.
Then, we'll decide what to do with our slaves. Let's aks the Ahun if there's a slave market nearby.

I, for one, would suggest to leave the Ahun estate as soon as possible and continue the journey.

>>18538047

This.

>>18538010
Okay, they seem to be clean. Pack them up and stuff them into chains for later. Take an inventory of our stock and pick out the best girls to present to dad.

Now we need to get a map. Place where these southern tribes are, where the villages who have had girls taken are, and then look to see what is in between them. Look for a place something or someone might live.

Alternately, we could head to the southern tribes and try to force the girl to tell us where she was taken. I imagine she was, ahem, not a virgin at the time.

>>18538047
>Retainer status
No.
They are fucking slaves. Being nice to the people we slaughtered is an awful idea.
Stop trying to be white knights, /tg/.

>>18538010
>They've heard news that the southern tribes have also had some cases of missing girlfolk - always girls. But they also relate a story where two girls went missing, over down south, and then one of the girls - who had been betrothed to a youngster already - came back after two days. The unmarried one? Disappeared, still nowhere to be found.

I guess we will have to find out where these folks live exactly. "Southern" is pretty vague as it is. Inquire further about those two girls. Try and find surviving family members within the group you've captured... or anyone who could tell you more about it.

>>18538043
>>18538047
>>18538048

> I'm making dinner now, might take around half an hour. Will be sporadic. Beg your pardon.

Well, the unmarried girl said it was a bunch of men grabbed them, while they were looking for milkberries.

As for the forest monsters, Gak says there's really nothing else to it - they're tales! Stories! But the more he protests the more you do wonder...

As for the constable and Zatin, they are brought to you soon. Zatin arrives first. He says that, sadly, they weren't able to get much info about the kidnappings. But cattle and goat theft, well, it happens. It might even be neighbouring villages doing it, in fact, not always the Stone Folk.

Or it might be something else, as Zatin says. He leans in, and you're glad you've had this room checked for listening people and cleared of Ahun servants.

'The moving constables and bailiffs, I've heard from people that they're all corrupt,' Zatin says. 'There apparently was a case where they took a whole load of timber for themselves, reported it as stolen, and threaten merchants for reimbursement. Maybe they're planning something like that but with young women? For slaves, or something?'

> Hmmmmm. What do, what plan?

>>18538100
>>Well, the unmarried girl said it was a bunch of men grabbed them, while they were looking for milkberries.

We need more info on this. What men? How did she escape? Were there more girls with them?

Also, you notice something about one of the young women - she's blind. But more than that. Marks around her eyes make it clear that she was burned blind.

You also notice that the other Stone Folk seem to defer to her, even though she's not by any means the oldest or most senior in the group. She's still a big girl, basically. Hmmm!

>>18538074

Chances are that exact map-making and surveying to the point where you could find places not connected by roads has not been invented yet though. We will need guides.

>They are fucking slaves. Being nice to the people we slaughtered is an awful idea.

Meh, they've been slaughtered more than once already. For all they care, we're probably the nicest guy around right now. And it's just an option, and possibly not even the smartest one right now. Even though it sure would be fucking nice to have some dependable night-fighter guerillias at hand in the future.

Those are some pretty rare and pretty valuable skills they've got, man.

Plus we're not in 18th century America and they are not imported african slaves.

>>18538100
Corrupt constables wouldn't be abducting stonefolk women as part of some ransoming scheme.

No, I think there's some third party at work here. I stand by my idea of pulling out a map, finding the raided places, and then looking around in the middle of all of them to see if there is any good terrain there for a secret hiding alcove.

After all, they will most likely spread out in a circle with their raids, with the lair being at the center. Just more convenient that way.

>>18538135
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FUCKING FIGHT FOR US.
WE RODE IN AND KILLED THEIR RELATIVES FOR NO REASON.
SHUT UP.

>>18538100

When the constable gets here, try to measure him up and his men. See what we can tell about him. As for preliminary plans, I see two:

1. We can try and look like we're in the market for slaves, maybe even virgins; subtely, of course. See if he takes the bait.

2. We can find the exact kidnapping points are, and use the women we have as bait, making it an ambush of the kidnappers. In return for their help, we could offer freedom, or somesuch.

>>18538135
You are retarded. No, we are not recruiting someone we barely two hours ago killed the family of.

>>18538134
We know anything about Stonefolk tales and culture, anything about their culture, famous monsters and so on.

I say we talk to the blind girl in private, she is probably their local spiritual leader and likely to have information about their local legends and we can use her to get the cooperation of the surviving members of the tribe if we need them to navigate the forest and can't rely on local non stonefolk guides.

>>18538100
Way I see it, there are some major issues with people nabbing/selling slaves on the sly here:
1) We the rulers aren't getting a cut
2) Our local people, not foreigners
3) Slavery itself, depending on the laws here
4) We the rulers aren't getting a cut

If that's the case we need to sort this shit out. Lying constables/tax collectors are bad on everyone and an example needs to be made of them if that's the case.

>>18538135
This is exactly the kind of white knight derp I was talking about.

>>18538151

Meh, it's basically a protection scheme I'm talking about. It's not like people don't pay the Mafia just because they show up and randomly threaten to burn down your shop and kill your family. On the contrary.

>>18538177
We probably should try to put the constables in order while we are here. I seriously doubt they are responsible for this, but bad constables is REALLY bad all around. It deprives us of money and makes people hate us.

>>18538147

You can get access to a map, but it's not likely to be a brilliant one. Maps are tools for assessing taxes, not navigation.

>>18538159

You lead the blind girl away from the others and talk to her. Her name is Nam, and she speaks like a senior woman, so your instinct is right. She's one of their Guides, and probably the secret to their night-moving skills - being blinded, the time of day means little to her and those like her.

She says she doesn't know much about the stolen people, but she can take you to the southern villages. But only you. The rest are barbarians. Admittedly it's an understandable sentiment.

What would you like to ask her?

>>18538187
Yeah, but they also don't JOIN THE MAFIA after the mafia has killed their brother and most of their friends.

>>18538193
>I'll take ONLY YOU to the southern tribes
Right, no way that's a trap or anything.

>>18538193
>>She says she doesn't know much about the stolen people, but she can take you to the southern villages. But only you. The rest are barbarians. Admittedly it's an understandable sentiment.

Ambush potential here. Alternatively, good intel and a chance to find out what's going on.

>>18538125
Reiterating this.

>>18538193

Thank Nam for her help, apologize for the regrettable actions today, and go with her, at least ask for one personal guard to accompany us though.

>>18538196

That's almost how child-soldiers were recruited during the last two decades in Africa though.

>>18538193
Wow this is totally not a trap at all! No blood feud going to be settled as soon as is convenient! We're totally not going to be abandoned in the middle of hostile territory we don't know how to get out of at the first opportunity!

Nope!

Now, for a serious course of action, let's have her tell us roughly where these southern tribes are in relation to the other towns. Then we can buy some local scouts from the LOYAL village, head out to the area between them, and scout for virgin-nappers.

>>18538213
She's going to betray us, you numb fuck.
>>18538193
We're not that stupid. We're finding these tribes on our own, it seems.

>>18538193
Interesting offer, tell her we refuse to go alone, but are willing to come with a very small group of trusted allies, perhaps 1 to 3 aside from ourself.

If it's an ambush we could have standing orders to slaughter the rest of her village, just as a precaution, if we don't surface after a while.

Ask about local monster legends, do they have something similar to the serpent headed hound that we heard about or anything that goes exclusively after virgin women.

>>18538214
And they were 1) children, 2) children, 3) not trustworthy, 4) took more brainwashing and regular threats of the sort not fitting for us.

>>18538213
nope

You know, I liked this quest better when every other post wasn't an ad hominem attack...

Don't tell Nam we'll do anything yet. We have lots of questions to ask before we go running off. But we could consider it, with some conditions/caveats/assurances.

>>18538256
I liked it better before people seriously tried suggesting we give positions of power to people who have every reason to want us dead.

>>Well, the unmarried girl said it was a bunch of men grabbed them, while they were looking for milkberries.

We need more info on this. What men? How did she escape? Were there more girls with them?

Let's spend some time getting all the information we can from the people we captured before we go charging off.

For that matter, what is our father's view on slavery?

>>18538205
>>18538228
>>18538234
>>18538239

Suspicion is the mark of virtue in a ruler. You tell her you will not go alone, but you can go with a few of your trusted men.

To your surprise, though, she agrees. And then, as if foreseeing your objection: 'I hardly keep in touch with them anyway; I will not put you in harm's way.'

'If I do not return within a day, everyone else still alive will die,' you say.

'I'm well aware, sir.'

Hmm.

As for the constable, after you pack the prisoners away you go and meet him. He's a big, stocky man, and he's brought two guards along with him.

'Sir. It is my honour, and yet my failing, that your lordship has to come and take an interest in this case yourself. I will render all aid as I can.'

> What do? I liked this quest before I got hungry and I AM EATING NOW

Question the kidnapped girl and Gak, about the men who nabbed her and what else she saw for the girl, and about the animals for Gak. Do each questioning with them separate from the other captives.

>>18538291

They don't know too much about what happened. It's not their village, after all.

Nam says she knows about the case, and it would appear that the men were not other Stone Folk. But she doesn't give evidence of this...

As for your father and slavery? Yes please. Work them, and if they're too slow, lash them to death!

Refuse. Bring Nam to your servants and leave her in their care. She'll be a source for information.

The rest of her tribe are a present for Daddy or the attraction of the next slave market.
Think about letting your mercs choose one of the women.

Then get to talk to Mulen and dispatch one of your servants to call the constable.

Ha hah, oh wow.

>>18538351
>Think about letting your mercs choose one of the women.
You mean, they can have first dibs before we sell them on the market, if they have the coin. No need to overly reward folks for basic work here.

This assumes we don't keep them for our own family's new slaves.

She's far too flippant about helping us.
No fucking way. We get directions and find our way there ourselves.

>>18538330
We can't trust him.

But we can use his men.Demand a guide and one or two guardsmen. He should see after his own duties.

Ask him how many stone folk people are around. Do they steal much? How dangerous are they?

Say you, on your return, you will want to have the local tax documents. He should make sure they are there your your examination.

>>18538330
Thank the constable for his offer of help, ask if he could plot the instances of women stealing he knows on a map to see if there is a pattern. We can also plot food stealing but given that is probably far to randomized even if they have a similar cause due to how many people might be involved in it it isn't going to be useful.

Don't bring up the possibility of corruption, he's either aware of it or in on it. Ask if there have been any married women stolen or brought back or if any of his men or himself have heard any interesting rumors as to the cause.

At this point I'm leaning towards it being a person causing this but not outright rejecting it being something else.

I say accept the offer to see the other tribe with Nam with proper precautions taken.

(You haven't agreed yet to Nam's offer, by the way. Sorry for giving that impression if I did. You just offered to agree.)

The kidnapped girl is not with you. The constable is, though, so you could start on him if you want.

As for the mercs, you ask if any of the girls catches their fancy. It's a bit of a silly question, really. You tell them not to mutilate or kill, and to hand them back by evening, and then close the door as they look at the prisoners.

> What next?

>>18538397
That's too much time for him to cook the books! Well, maybe, seeing as how it's not so easy to make records in that time he won't have enough time to go about it.

Does give him time to hire mercs for ambushing us if he's guilty though.

>>18538409
God, why did we just take a huge hit to the price of slaves for no reason? Why?

>>18538409
Ask for the tax records immediately, tell him we think there might be a clue in there, after we get that have him plot the kidnappings and food thefts on a map for us, it might not be the most useful but it'll keep him out of the way and given that we can't trust him that is a good thing.

>>18538409
Seems a bit callous even for us, but eh. At least we could have mentioned to them before they got the reward, that it's because they left people alive that they were able to get rewarded like that.

>>18538431

What're you talking about? OP said unscratched and unmutilated. It's not like they're all virgins, even. As far as we know, anyway...

>>18538409
Well, if nothing else giving the prisoners to mercs to rape pretty much seals the whole "No, we are not ever trusting this old woman."

>>18538431
This.

>>18538419
>minor corrupt official
>kill the 3rd son of your prince
I don't think so.

>>18538431
They were not worth much in the first place. Stone folk seem to not be usually used as slaves.

In general: I am against taking Nam's offer. I suggest to journey on with our men to investigate this ourselves.

OP, you've got enough people in the quest now that you might want to make sure suggestions are either mentioned several times, or put it to a quick approve/disapprove by everyone.

I mean, think of the bitching if we'd just gone off with Nam because of the one guy saying so.

>>18538444
Meh, I guess you're right. No harm done then I guess, but I don't understand why we are piling rewards on the mercs. First free looting now run of the prisoners. We can't be seen as TOO generous, that's almost as bad as too stingy. People think you're a pushover and try to gouge you.

>>18538433
>>18538399

Wait, to clarify - so we're going to send the constable back right after he's come up to Ahun estate?

As for the plotting, he scratches his head. 'I... haven't really got a map, sir. But I can tell you where they happened.'

'Well, I've got a map.' You take out a rough assessment map which you got from Ambes. After a while, it's clear that the three or four villages where girls have been stolen all come from around the central village, where the constable is based...

>>18538477
...No sir, I don't like it.
Keep him at arm's length.

>>18538477
No, we're going to have him wait here until we get back (assuming we head south), and then we're going back with him to his village to check those records.

>>18538477
Hmmm.

How about we ask him what he knows about the southern tribes. Make it seem like we think they are the ones who have been stealing women. See if we can push him to let something slip that he shouldn't know.

>>18538469

Yep, will take note. I've done exactly what you warned against before, which was not pleasant. But thanks for the tip.

Your business is really getting a bit busy! Let's summarise a bit:

- Stone Folk have also lost girls before
- Kidnappings took place around Constable's home village, but it's too scattered for a pattern
- Nam offers to take you to the southern stone folk but you (will) reject
- Zatin suspects there is corruption among the constables and bailiffs of the Ahun

Yeah, that's about it. Also, free loot for mercs? There's hardly anything to loot on the stone folk. Unless you're into antler carvings...

>>18538477
Seems like the constable will accompany us then as a "guest".

We will go to the central village and make an official announcement of our arrival. The local village elders will give us food and presents, because it's an honour to have the son of their prince in town. And we will hear the villagers out.

The constable will be observed by our men all the time.

We will stamp out the corruption and return home with slaves, presents and tell father how we flayed people that took his tax money.

>>18538477
Hmm, I don't trust him but don't bring it up, I'd rather get some definite proof before I take any drastic action against him.

To make it look like we don't suspect him point out the stone folk settlements near all the villages and say you heard from one of the stone folk that some monster has awoken and is thirsting for unmarried women.

Ask what he knows of the southern stone folk tribes, act suspicious of them.

After we're done talking with him ask him to stay here for a bit, we may still have questions to ask.

Have our personal assistants and the like ask around, see if any of the servants, the type who see everything but aren't noticed have heard anything of the corruption.

Afterwards we can return to the constables village and look for information there.

>>18538505
>>18538542

You follow the line of reasoning to the stone folk, and ask the constable about them. 'Well, I've heard some interesting stories about them. They do have these blood rites, you know, where they try to summon game to their tribe. Some of these rites require blood. And some even require virgin blood.'

You haven't mentioned anything about virginity to the constable, but you wonder if, being stationed at the crime area, he would really not know that. So it's neither here nor there, it seems...

> What's the course of action then, head south? With constable? Just to make sure.

>>18538517
Not much to loot from stone folk.The women are deserved because it's unusual to take prisoners.

We can make the constabler's home our local HQ, because he can't refuse if we ask.

We will score points with the locals, get a bit of a distance from the Ahun, have shelter, and can plan our next steps, whether our goal is a visit to the southern stone folk tribes or the ext slave market.

>>18538517
Thanks for the summary!

So, we have a lead with that girl in the south, because if she knows who kidnapped her, we have a much better handle on who to go demand a cut from (or stop if that's our preference).

Going with Nam doesn't seem the worst idea, but neither is it the best.

Top priority is making sure these constables aren't gouging us. Money going to support them hurts both the people and the crown!

>>18538517
In that case it's fine then. Whatever. Being generous but not *too* generous is an important part of becoming powerful and getting skilled retainers.

Let's see about our man, he's moody over the bloodshed. We also need to see if we can draw the constable into talking about stuff he shouldn't know about. Like casually mention the number of girls taken -- including the Stone Men girls -- and see if he agrees or catches the slipup. If he's really behind it then he'll be using the real number mentally and agree. But he shouldn't know about the Stone Men girls, we're the only ones who should.

>>18538586
+1 to this.

>>18538576
I would prefer to stop the corrupt constables. When your tax collectors are corrupt you can never trust them to give you the proper cut and it stirs resentment among the people against you.

Revolts are annoying.

>>18538568
First course of action is to investigate in the Constables village, especially the tax records. If that doesn't pan out our best lead is Nam's offer to lead us to the southern tribes.

Before we do that we should talk to Kanjen about the arrow and see if it's him or Munen, we're not going to punish them but it helps to understand the personalities of those who serve under us.

Agree with >>18538586 about seeing if he knows the proper number of women lost, as he normally wouldn't know the number from the Stone tribes.

Let's get this investigation underway, we should start exploring to find out who's behind all this mess, so lets start off by making a Journey to the West.

>>18538619
>>18538586

'Virgin's bloog? Really? I wonder what sort of big rite would require the blood of seven virgins, though.'

'I don't fear that, your lordship, so much as I fear what might have happened. If they just took the blood, why don't they just return the girls? Something might have happened, sir. And if I might...'

'Speak up.'

'Well. There have been bandits in the area.' The constable looks down. 'Please do not reveal this. I have not reported it to the lords, because I do not have enough information. But I've been trying to apprehend them...'

> Continue with interrogation? I'm hearing your travel plans but we'll do what we can in the Ahun's first, before going elsewhere. Besides, with all this questioning and running about, it's late afternoon already.'

>>18538619
I agree with investigating the constables first.

Even if they aren't kidnapping the girls they are a problem that must be solved. If they are cheating the Emperor out of his tithe then we can execute a bunch of them, be hailed as heroes by the peasants, and be rewarded by our dad when we bring home the bones of people who were cheating him.

>>18538658
Continue interrogation. We'll stay on the Arhun estate for the night.

How many bandits? What did they steal? What countermeasures were taken by him?

>>18538658
Well then. He didn't seem to notice, that's interesting. Not in a good way for him.

For now I think we should reassure the man that we understand and will help him out by not reporting this. Make him feel like we don't suspect him at all.

We should not mention we are going to set up shop in his base of operations until we arrive there. "Oh, by the way, we'll be staying here a few days." after we get into his township. Heh.

>>18538658
Wow, he's getting more and more suspicious by the moment. Getting the number of women right and there being bandits unreported, possibly to cover his ass.

Ask about the measures he's been taking, be very interested in the bandits, nod sagely at him blaming them. What have they stolen, do you have any idea of how many there are.

Tell him that we'll set out for the village in the morning and give all of our aid to deal with the "bandit" problem. Give him a knowing wink, once they're dealt with we'll both come out smelling like roses and no one will even notice that you kept it secret.

>>18538658

... so he's agreed to the wrong figure then, hasn't he? Just pointing out, in case people might not have caught it...

>>18538658
10 Taels says he's in the cahoots with those bandits, but he's realizing they're gonna fuck him up big time, so he sends Prince Adrian and his entourage to bust them up.

>>18538658
I don't trust his claims of bandits, have Baseg get some of the constable's men drunk as fuck tonight and see what they spill concerning bandits and theft and so on.

>>18538718
I think seven is the right amount.
Basically we wanted to hear a "you know the amount?", but since he knows the amount of virgins too he's not surprised to hear the number.

>>18538735

> YOU WIN GRAND PRISE ONE TAUSEND TAELS! Nah, not giving it away.

>>18538669
>>18538716
>>18538701
>>18538694

What the bandits and him have been doing:

'Well, they don't steal per se, but there's enough of them to extort the nearby villages. What is scary is how fast they move. I've tried to follow them, but never really succeeded in tailing them - or even in catching them.' He looks down. 'This is indeed grave incompetence on my part, your lordship.'

'Please, constable, that is why I'm here, to help.' You then tell him about your plan to go south yourself and put an end to things. 'If I'm known to be there, the bandits will try to take me alive for an enormous ransom. So I will be bait, for a good old trap.'

The constable falls to his knees in horror. 'My lord! You cannot be serious! This isn't worth the hair on your fingers!'

'I know what I'm doing. We'll set off tomorrow.'

'I... we...' you give him a stare, and he shuts up.

Meanwhile you ask Kanjen and Munen who shot the mousedeer, and Munen readily admits it. 'A sword is a beauty in the hands of the virtuous, and a monster in the hands of the wicked. I will kill wicked people without hesitation, sir, and I have; but what happened this morning is not right.'

'Noted,' you nod. 'I wasn't about to punish you. Good shot, though, it must be said.'

> Okay. What do then? You can dismiss the constable if you want and plan...

>>18538718
>>18538758

He's agreed to the actual number, including the Stonefolk girls. Which isn't what he should no. So, in short, suspicious!

> Also, this is turning out a little like China Noire. Which is awesome, and which means you guys are awesome.

>>18538800
The constable will ride with us down to his township. But he's dismissed to go to sleep for the night, obviously.

I would like to have the constable's men get as drunk as possible tonight and have TERRIBLE hangovers tomorrow. We will retire early to spend some quality time with Linden and start out early tomorrow. Very early, so that in addition to hangovers and pseudo-drunken states the constable and his men will be under-rested.

>>18538800
Send your two pretty servants to attend to him for the evening (not to bed hi, but to get him drunk).

He didn't see Zanit yet, so he'll think it's one of the Ahun's gate-guests.

Have Zanit and his men drink watered wine while the constable gets heavy stuff and is distracted by our maids.

>>18538800
Tell the constable to prepare for the morning, we leave early. Dismiss him.

Get a bit of sparring in with Kanjen.

Find Baseg, tell him to go drinking with the constable's men during the evening after dinner, if he can get them drunk and himself retain a level head, which he ought to be able to do, they'll spill any beans they might know about corruption, cahootzing with bandits and so on.

We should have a talk with Rose some time and make sure she knows that night service is quite definitely non-compulsory and that we only want her to do it if she truly wants to. We might not be a paragon of virtue in all things but we take very good care of our people.

Talk over the days events with Lin.

>>18538844
We will ride into his village like we own the place. Which we kinda do.

Let's get the constable as uncomfortable as possible all the while appearing to be an oblivious lordling. He is sure to make a (another) mistake (after the number of virgins).

Tomorrow, ask the Arhuns for provisions.

>>18538852
>>18538848
>>18538844

> Variations on a theme of getting smashed

You dismiss the constable, then get your swordsmen and Baseg in, and give your orders. They nod, and Zatin is grinning.

You then go and see Kanjen, who is a bit surprised that you still want to spar. When you ask why, he nods to your left arm. Blimey. You'd completely forgotten about the injury, though when you unfurl the white bandage the bleeding's properly stanched and the wound doesn't look to be swollen.

> So, still spar?

> What to do with the maids? Well, you're not sending them both, who'll make your bed afterwards? You can send one, or neither.

>>18538800
Gather Zatin, Kanjen, Munen, and Baseg and briefly hold a meeting where we quickly go over everything we know so far- the missing girls and their locations, the constable's corruption and our suspicions, the bandits that he mentioned, the information from the interrogated Stone People. One of them may have insight on the situation that we do not.

Failing any drastic observations, our play is to move south to the Constable's home village and seek proof of what's going on. We need more information; anything they can convince others to tell them would be much appreciated.

>>18538903
First go over the information we have with everyone, see if they notice something we missed and to make sure they know what information they're looking for, they're a smart and loyal enough crowd to not screw us over.

Light sparring, mainly to see how bad the wound is and if it still moves as it should, nothing too strenuous.

We should probably send Linden as for purposes of getting people drunk and talkative she is going to be better at it.

We'll keep Rose for making our bed and drawing our bath, make sure she knows that we're not going to force her to do anything and anything she offers is gratefully accepted.

>>18538903
Send the one who thinks they can best handle it. Probably not Rose, but who knows?

Or if we know our people well enough by now (which we should), send the one we trust to get the job done most, and not get raped in the process by drunk constable.

>>18538903
Why are our maids going to get the guys smashed? That's a job for the soldiers, mostly, with slaves to serve. Rose can just perform her normal duties cleaning up after our dinner and such.

Let's have Linden attend to us this eve, and make sure to purify our wound again before bed. Infection is nasty.

>>18538903
Send Linden, a extroverted girl is needed, not our shy flower.

We'll still spar. It's good for training to endure pain and deal with discomfort.
>inb4 enjoy a -30 on your roll due to injury

>>18538903
Send Lin, keep Rose.
Tell her we don't want her whoring around, that's what we're there for (yeah, I'm like that, deal with it). She's just supposed to get him drunk.

Spar, just ask him not to stab into the wound 8 times.

>>18538946
People get a lot more willing to drink heavily when trying to impress the pretty girl pouring for them. She can also make sure our guys get the less alcoholic stuff and can still think, talk and subtly probe for information.

>>18538956
I don't think we should be sending our personal attendant to serve alcohol to some random constable's men in the first place.

>>18538946
She's only going to be getting the constable drunk, I thought? If it's all the constable's men, we'll want our guys keeping an eye on her so she returns intact.

Ok, I gotta run now.
I trust I will find this on suptg tomorrow?
I'm going to murder you if not.

Linden can get the constable drunk, his men can be served by the slaves we just got. Our loyal men can chat with the constable and keep an eye on the proceedings.

>>18538937
>>18538935
>>18538913

You gather all the rest of them back into the chamber again. 'Sorry bout this. But before you people go get smashed...'

They chuckle, but soon get down to business. Some salient points:

- Kanjen and Baseg doesn't seem to think the Constable is guilty, per se, despite the conviction of the rest. 'If he has indeed done something wrong, there appears to be something behind that. I talked to him just now, and he seems an honest and almost fretful sort. Something is troubling him.'
- Baseg says he's had a good look at the constables' guards. He would be able to recognise them easily.
- Zatin and Munen both suspect the bandits are perhaps recruited Stonefolk. It would fit both stories then - that there are unnamed aggressors, and that the Stonefolk are aggressors. But if so, who hired them?
- Baseg wishes he'd brought Peony along. 'She'd read him like a simple letter, the constable...'
- Zatin wonders if one of the Ahuns is himself in on the constables' corruption. 'It's not normal for two brothers, each with offspring, to share a single estate. Something is amiss here...'

You then go and spar with Kanjen, carefully so as not to aggravate the injury. As usual, Kanjen gets the better of you; oh well. But the injury doesn't look too bad. Thank heavens it was a scratch, not a bite...

Linden is sent off with the rest of them downstairs.

As for Rose, she follows you into the room, where the same birthmarked servant is again making your bed. 'Oh, sorry, sir!'

> What do?

>>18538970
That is kind of suspicious, unless we're there drinking too so that we can pass it off as serving us. It's not as though there's some lack of servants here- sending our personal attendant is a clear message of some kind to him and I'm not sure we're fully appreciating what we'd be saying.

>>18538984

It's already up there, it appears!

> Also, to everyone, in case I fall asleep suddenly - I have intense work schedules, so the only free time I have is on weekends. I will therefore be here, around 11am 4chan time (is that EST?), on Saturday. Please don't let this die. I think it's doing quite too well and that would be a shame.

Also, reconsider sending Linden? She's on her way but you can ask her back. She's your servant after all.

>>18539001
>same servant
Waaaaait a minute...
You wouldn't mention this for no reason. Block the door and question the servant.

>>18539001
Is it meta for this birthmarked servant to be setting off my plot alarms?

>>18539003
She's with the rest of our men, it can be explained that she's with them and rose is dealing with us tonight.

>>18539001
Talk to the birthmarked servant, tell her there is nothing to be sorry for. Ask her name and have some small talk. Ask about the birth mark, see if it means anything.

It being the same servant means something but I don't know what.

>>18539026
You 'ave my axe.

>>18539001
It's just a servant. Tell her something in stonefolk tongue, just for laughs. Ask her how long she has been in the service of House Ahun.

[Gotta go, damned. Don't screw this up, gentlemen.]

>>18539026
Don't recall Linden, she'll make the information gathering drinking mission go much more smoothly, she can take care of herself and she has a pile of our men with her. She'll be fine.

>>18539029
>>18539030
>>18539041
>>18539068

'Good evening,' you close the door, and the girl jumps visibly. 'Don't worry too much about it. Rose will handle it.'

'Oh, I can't possibly, sir...'

'Let her.' Rose goes and takes over. 'What's your name? Have you been here long?'

'Name?' She looks down, rubs her arm. And then you notice that isn't actually a birthmark. Birthmarks haven't got streaks extending from them, do they? 'My name, sir, is Goina, and, um, I've been here about a year. Half a year?'

'Half a year, Goina?' You think about it. Goina isn't a common girl's name, but in Stonefolkese it means 'mountain chestnut'. So you give it a try. 'Mountain Chestnut, that's a cute name.'

'Thank you,' she says quickly, then catches herself. 'I... I mean...'

> What say? Or just dismiss?

>>18539124
Ask to see her arm for a second.

I still think we should recall Linden.

>>18539124
Does she look particularly stonefolky?

You never know when you find someone who will speak your language, it's both hilarious and useful to hear what people think is secret.

Do you mind if I see your arm, is that a tattoo? Any particular reason you were assigned to my room or is is just random coincidence? How did you start working here, less than pleasant circumstances?

>>18539124
YES.

Called it.
Make sure the door is firmly closed. Put your foot against it in secret.

Reassure her. Keep speaking in her tongue. We have to do this gently.

Rose is a sweet girl. The presence of another woman will make the girl feel more at ease.

Ask her how she became a servant of House Arhun.Gently ask her to show you the mark.

>>18539124
And one of the Stone Folk girls never came back, now did she?

Uh, and can we have called Linden back? (sorry, got called away) I agree that it's not the right message to be sending. Could be taken either way, that we appreciate him that much or that we think he's our equal... or something else even. Let's not do it, just have the slaves get them wasted.

>>18539134
>>18539178
>>18539162

You ask to see her arm, and after a momentary hesitation she rolls up her sleeve. In the middle of a rather lanky, wiry arm is what looks like a really, really miserable attempt at cattle-branding. 'How in the world did that happen?'

'I splashed cooking fat on myself, sir, it's nothing! It's not-'

'It's not what?' Hmm. This house is becoming even weirder, it seems. 'Also, how do you know Stonefolkese? Are you stonefolk?'

She hesitates again, then nods. Then shakes her head. 'Um... half.'

'The other half?'

'Oh, um, uh, from the valley, your lordship.' She pulls her arm away. 'Pardon me, your lordship, may I be dismissed?' She seems quite uncomfortable.

> What do/say?

>>18539198

...that she didn't. That, she didn't. It gives a bit more weight to the theory that the Ahuns are in on this. Keep it a secret from her for now, though. Maybe even try to coax some information out of her, too.

I have a feeling that we're going to be known as the cleverest of dear ol' dad's sons, at this rate.

Okay, who's for recalling Linden? There's still time to do so ingame, definitely, but I've heard suggestions run both ways.

>>18539224
She may not be dismissed.

Not white-knighting here, but if it means offering her amnesty and getting her out in exchange for getting to the bottom of what's been going on, worth it.

I do realize how unkosher it is to yoink a servant from a vassal's house, so we don't need to do that as plan A, but if it comes to it...

>>18539224
She knows stuff she isn't telling us, as much as I dislike pushing too hard answers are important, ask what really happened to her arm and who she is scared of. Tell her we're here to help. If she doesn't really give any answers or says nothing let her go but ask Rose to accompany her for a bit to make sure she's ok, she might say stuff to Rose that she wouldn't say to us.

>>18539224
We want answers. Ask what really happened to her arm. Be blunt about it.

>>18539234
Don't recall Linden, she's very useful where she is and will make sure we get as much information out of the constable's men as possible.

She can take care of herself and she has a large pile of our men protecting her, nothing overly untoward is going to happen.

>>18539224
She's a bastard, possibly? (other half =ahun)

Linden can handle it with the constable. Won't he smell something fishy if there are suddenly some stone folk slaves serving him beverages (which he didn't abduct, possibly)?

Call Rose to help you with the girl.
Tell her she won't get in trouble. Ask her if she knows a woman called Nam.

>>18539234

Lets not recall her, our men are with her she'll be fine.

As for the girl we require more answers.

Send rose into the hall though to knock on the door if someone comes by.

>>18539315
If she's a bastard... wait, how old is she? How long has some of this stuff been going on?

>>18539309
>>18539288

'Um... well...' she blinks. 'It got burned, your lordship. When I was, um, when I was taken.'

Taken! Dear heavens. 'Taken? Who by?'

She glances around the room, and then looks down. 'By House Ahun, sir. During one of... the raids.'

'You were living with the stonefolk then?'

'No, no, with my father, in Ansege.' You remember that being a village in Iatar territory... which is some three miles south of the little river that the Iatar and Ahun are feuding over. Eh?

Also, as if to assure you, you can hear a guffaw rising from downstairs where the drinking is going on. Nah, Linden'll be fine. Probably.

> What do/say? (For info on Iatar, refer to previous thread; basically, they are a house with a feud against the Ahun)

>>18537691
where's the fun in being a chinese nobleman?

Seriously. Reports are for scribes.

>>18539363
"When did this happen?"

>>18539234
Recall her.

Also, are we in autosage? If so I'll start a new thread.

>>18539389
I think so. By the way, I only refresh occasionally but am for recalling Linden, it's not the right message to send.

>>18539389
Yesssss. OP you've finally given me a quest to follow, when the archives for weeks have been glutted with shitty quests. The only thing I'd been able to stomach beyond a few neat idea threads was Shadowrun Storytime.

Thanks for this.

>>18539407

Not yet, that post bumped it.

>>18539363
Ok, the Ahun, or a member of their family, has definatly broken the peace of the land.

NOBODY must know we know this. If this girl tells somebody in the household, we are screwed.

We must keep in mind the possibility, that not the whole Ahun clan is involved.

Also, visiting the Iata is now a top priority (among the other things we have to do).
We'll have to ask the constable what he heard about the trouble between Iata and Ahun. From what he says or not says we can gauge where he stands.

This girl is a problem now.

>>18539389
267 posts, so far. Bump limit is 300.

>>18539363

I'm not sure but is inter-house fighting legal? Aren't they both our houses? This doesn't reflect well on our family, does it, like we can't keep tabs on two of our servants and stop them brawling.

>>18539363
How long ago? When did Ahun raid Ansege and does it happen often? Is it related to the Ahun-Iatar fued? Do you know which part of the family, if none, one of or both of the brothers were involved.?

Does Ahun have the legal right to raid villages of peasants like that, especially since they are both under our families jurisdiction?

Is there any particular reason you're attached to my room or is it coincidence or I'm just in your section?

>>18539419

Thanks, appreciate the compliment!

You have half a thought that maybe getting Linden back up *after* she is drunk would be hilarious. Hm mmmm.

Wait, where were we? The girl. She still has her 'may I be dismissed' face on.

>>18539363
Okay, let's have Rose stay with the girl and make an appearance downstairs to retrieve Linden. We are presently in the viper's nest here.

>>18539472
....What?

As one of the people who favored sending Linden down, the intention was never for her to have any drinks at all. All she was supposed to be doing was listening. What the fuck?

>>18539487

I vote entirely against this. First sending rose with the girl just marks her, next we have already gone against retrieving linden, last, they may be vipers, but they don't know we know that.

>>18539389
I'm almost inclined to suggest to make a midnight flight. But that's stupid. Idon't know how tight the Arhun's grip on their household is. Will a servant girl gone missing be a big deal?
We could smuggle out her among our other slaves. She's a living proof if we need to call the strength of the realm.

Anyway, let's try to survive the night.
We might learn something interesting from Zatin (whom I like more and more) and the constable.

Ask the girl how much she knows about the raids. When she was still at home, did she hear about other villages being raided. What did she hear from her local lord of the Isata family. Was there fighting or rumours of it?

>>18539439
>>This girl is a problem now.

Which means we need to keep her alive as evidence. If someone's broken the peace of the land, and we can prove it to our father, he has all sorts of free reign to get his war face on (surely he'll enjoy that), or kill the offenders (even more enjoyment), or drop a massive fine on them (everyone loves money!).

But as only the 3rd son, let's have more than just a claim to back this up.

>>18539498

Actually, you are right, servers aren't there to drink. That's my oversight. No, she's serving drinks, and listening, rather than accompanying them on the binge.

Then again, it's Linden, and there's always a bit of unpredictability there. But, well, she'll hold her own. If having her around for years has taught you anything, it's that.

>>18539472
Ask how often raids are and if she knows how much of the Ahun family is involved. See how much she actually knows about this. After that dismiss her as if you never had this conversation and make sure that she pretends it was just another routine room cleaning.

If we bust in to retrieve Linden it'll be weird and suspicious, she knows what she is doing, and Baseg and Kanjen are keeping a good eye on her.

Take a bath, get some reading in, make sure Rose knows we're not looking for anything not freely given of her own volition.

>>18539532
We have to be careful not to keep her so long that it's noticed. Unless we tell the household that we want to sex her or something so that there's more time to talk... which might also be suspicious, if slightly less so.

>>18539538
Entirely my line of thought, good sir.

Let's pretend we are oblivious and make our planned departure tomorrow morning.

>>18539538

Why go back home? we brought assassins for mercs, we could handle this all in a night. Just an option you should be aware of.

>>18539538
We can't really act on the basis of just one witness, either. We need to get this girl to give us more information so that we can track down enough additional witnesses- on both sides- that our claim as to the raiding that happened is fairly solid. Only then can we move on it confidently.

>>18539538
>>18539532

You ask Goina about the raids and how much she knows about them. She blinks, and then the three of you move to sit on the bed. Rose has been with you long enough to understand a bit of all your languages, so she tries to listen in.

'Well... so far as I know, sir... it's been going on for a long while. I... wait, your lordship, please don't ever ever tell anyone, ever.'

'You can trust me, Goina.'

'I'm not the only such person here. Then again, there are retaliations. But apparently they never use their own troops, which is true - I've never seen the people who attacked our village in the estate, so they don't live here. I don't know anything other than that...'

'Daddy told me the Iatar and the Ahun have ever been at each other's necks, so it's not surprising if such things happen. They let him alive, I think, so they took me. But that's okay.' She sobs. 'I... don't know... it's probably still going on. It doesn't happen a lot. Maybe twice or thrice every year...'

You stand up and scratch your head while Rose comforts Goina. But after a while she says, 'sir, if I don't go now, they'll start wondering where I've been. May I please be dismissed, sir?'

> What do?

>>18539566
It is an option, yes.

I'm not sure we won't get smacked down ourselves for doing something that bold without our father's leave. That's a big fucking deal if we assassinate an entire household and haven't even told our king/father that they've done anything wrong yet. We might be upsetting other plans of his (or of that damn adviser but fuck him). Shit, even deciding who gets the buildings/servants is a big deal and that sort of action smacks of rebellion (it's us, so surely he'll know better, but still).

>>18539596

Ask her if the latar also do this, and that after that she can go.

>>18539596
Get a description of the men use to raid one another, and a name or two of who might know more. Then she can go.

>>18539596
Dismiss her.

Two or three times a year. The warriors do not live here at the estate?

Are they using Stone folk tribesmen as mercenaries to avoid the justice of the realm?

We talk tomorrow with our retinue. Grab a book, if possible, cuddle up with Rose. But only if she's up for it.

>>18539596
"Who else is here? And what retaliations?"

After she answers that, she can go.

>>18539610

I don't know, dad seems the sort that would be happy that we eradicated a household because they were fucking up.

Just picture it, "Father I have returned, and I have evidence that the ahun household were assholes, also I killed them"
Father's reply "thats my boy."

>>18539596
Well, it looks like we have a bigger problem to deal with than just disappearances.

We've been in here for a while so we have to spread a reasonable story.

If anyone asks her we were a bit drunk and grabby and she was stuck for a bit before Rose dropped us in bed and dismissed her, or something along those lines.

After that take a nice bath and get some reading in.

>>18539624
>>But only if she's up for it.

We get it. I think we can safely assume the consensus is that we aren't a rapey sort and that we try to take care of our people.

>>18539626

'Retaliations, like, the Iatar would strike back. They go around, hitting each other.'

'People who raided the village...' she thinks for a minute. 'Well, I remember one man whose right half of his face was, um, cut up. Badly. Had only one eye. But he was really strong. But I've never seen him since, so...'

You let her go with a soft thank you, and she scuttles away. Well. Let's perhaps put your mind on the thing you were sent to do first, though this is also important...

Also, you sit down and talk to Rose. 'Rose, I'd like you to know that if you don't wish to come close to me while attending me at night, there is no such necessity. Do you understand?' To your surprise, though, she looks a little stricken.

'... did I give you that impression, sir? No, that's not what I was thinking!'

> What do?

>>18539640
Well, to a point. He might really like our initiative, or he might be cheesed about it.

If he likes it enough that could get us into the sort of good graces our second brother enjoys...

Hmmm. This bears serious pondering as an option. OP, from what we know of our father, how would he take to us doing that sort of drastic action against a vassal?

>>18539640
>>18539610
>mai boi
I'm also tempted. But I suggest to wait until we have more information.

It might not be the entire clan. Also, there might be lesser lords whose loyalty lies with the realm and not the local lords.

Anybody thinks we could kidnapp one of the Arhun boys? They semmed to like us. We ask oneif he'll accompany us to the constable's village, then we murder his bodyguard in the night and have a valuable hostage.

>>18539640
I have to agree, ol' dad would be proud.

But, you have to understand... we would damage our reputations with other nobles too. We come, are received warmly and housed, then slaughter the entire household in their sleep? We would never be welcomed again, just tolerated with distrust.

I think we need to at least leave the area before wiping them out. And the constable isn't innocent either, he knows what is going on because the knows the correct number of girls stolen.

I think that, perhaps, we need to visit the other noble family and research them too. Then, depending on which one we favor more, wipe out the one who is less loyal to us. Us, personally, that is. This could be the foundation of our own rulership, when we wipe out one family we'll be able to grant their lands to the other and said family will owe us bigtime.

It would also stop the kidnappings, which is what we were sent to do. It doesn't matter how.

>If we bust in to retrieve Linden it'll be weird and suspicious, she knows what she is doing, and Baseg and Kanjen are keeping a good eye on her.
Good point, I withdraw my vote to immediately charge in. Baseg is cruel, worldly, and calculating, she'll watch out for Linden.

>>18539689
"I merely wanted to make sure that was understood."

Horizontal dancing can commence.

>>18539700
>>18539708

This really isn't advisable is it? They're still the prince's vassals. Would you randomly kill your father's servants?

No. You might kill your own servants randomly, because they're yours, but this would be foolish.

>>18539689
It wasn't the impression you gave but I'm well aware that a good number of people abuse their power and take advantage of their staff, I just wanted to be sure that you knew I wasn't one of those people and that I really do care for you and Linden.

Ask her to draw a bath and once drawn ask if she wants to come in with us.

>>18539689
>What do?
smirk.jpg

We have to see what our little ploy with the constable will bring us. Beside that, let's get ready for the night. We'll need a cool head tomorrow.

>>18539708
Don't take it personally, but that sounds like the worst of plans, at least as you've presented it now.

>>18539716

I don't think we should kill them all now, only when we not only know, but can prove how far it goes. Hence the evidence comment.

Also though we should investigate the other family before we take the killing option.

>>18539754
It's a bit safer than *starting a fight in the enemies' stronghold*.

I say we continue with our plans tomorrow and play the oblivious guest for now. Maybe we can get Goina away. But not today.

>>18539716
>>18539745

Yeah, I move against assassinations at this point in time. Returning and catching them off guard to deal with them is one thing, but we don't want our initial claim to fame to be 'The Night of the Red Daggers'. Unless we want to give up all hope of being king, which we shouldn't. It would have some long, long term effects for us.

>>18539745
There's a difference between killing your father's servants and executing people who are flaunting his authority and cheating him of taxes.

I think we hit the autosage barrier.

>>18539700
>>18539708
>>18539716

Your father is violent, and often capricious in his violence too - as you have seen, he is the sort who would take someone condemned to exile, and crucify him instead. But with vassals it's a rather different matter. He is quite cautious around them.

>>18539751
>>18539747

She smiles, and you can see her blush. Rose isn't a bad name for her. 'I... thank you, your lordship.'

She then gets up to help you draw the bath, and when you go into the bathroom you see she's already taken off her sash and opened her robes. Also, you see the water is clearly too hot - there's steam coming out of it.

> What do? Interesting plans for Goina you guys have. But be careful about advocating mass slaughter.

>>18539790
This would be more 'kill them all in their sleep' than 'start a fight'.

And I don't agree that we should take any offensive action. At the most, we smuggle the girl out. Even that, I suggest waiting on until we investigate more. We can mention that we intend to return for another visit soon, and give some reason for them to like the idea ("I will speak to my father of you being awesome and such" for instance).

>>18539815
Yep, we did.

>>18539794

We china high fantasy. Night of the red daggers is Tuesday though killing now is too early, we need all the evidence we can get before we kill nobles.

>>18539822
I think we wait and let the water cool, if you know what I mean.

Then we take a bath and sleep. I am pretty sure we should also, like, move something in front of the door that will make a lot of noise when the door is opened. Just in case.

Also, now we *are* autosaging. New thread is here:

>>18539850

>>18539822
Goina will be our next female servant. Maybe. Sometime in the future. I am against killing blows or taking hostages.

For now, we need more information. Let's proceed to the constable's village tomorrow, or even to Iata territory.
Get in the bath, relax, sleep. Get up very early tomorrow. (ask Rose to wake you). We might have quite some things to prepare.

[OP, this thread has outlived his usefulness.]