Quick recap:

> You are now back in the Palace. Ah, that's nice.
> Saragites, Merinites and Gurunir are but three of the many illustrious guests and ladies who have descended on the Palace now. Even as you were walking back to your residence, you could see and hear the parties going on.
> Rose wonders if you aren't becoming a little too isolated this way, but then you don't really like socialising do you...
> Serious shit's gone down. The White Oak Hillmen threaten to force their way to the Palace owing to a misplaced invitation for their chieftain's son and daughter - a serious insult.
> Meanwhile, the Congregation has petitioned to launch investigations into the Immigrant Purveyors, as well as the candidates on the Immigrant party's list.

> ... why aren't you a wastrel? Why aren't you just drinking and dancing and making music and fucking people/things?

>>19875800
The issue, as I see it, is that we don't really have any hard evidence that the crimes actually happened. What we have is suggestive at best. If we just throw his crimes out there, he'll certainly deny them and while we'd smear his reputation in the end he likely has enough connections to get through it without an issue- we'll look like we were just slandering him.

If we could get the accusations to seem like a "revelation", sure. But how can we possibly make them stick?

>>19875932

'We have Geharo, sir,' Katesas says calmly. 'The testimony of a stepson must surely be sufficient weight of evidence. It has to be said, though, that I don't know where he is now in Margade...'

Daneg objects to this. 'Sir, if this backfires, it will certainly hurt you more than it will hurt the guilty man.' Mormeregain agrees with that assessment, but Ramogis nods.

'Indeed, sir - you are the monitor of the Convocation, and you cannot be seen to be biased. But the Lord Magistrate is known to be an upstanding man... and the City Guard can also be utilised. Not to mention, sir... his highness the Prince. No matter the connections that Beribo has, he is a mere commoner. With the weight of great men behind the accusations, he will be destroyed.'

> What do/say/ask?

>>19875975
About the City Guard then, we're still seen by an alright lord by them after what we did about the poor after the time we were watching the chariot race and that time we cooled down the immigrant mob, so they might owe us a bit. We could leverage that into a covert search for evidence about Beribo's misdeeds and look for Geharo as well.

>>19876078

Just saying, from the last thread, we have a 98 we can use for this. Let's do that.

>>19875975
We have Geharo, certainly, but the word of one man is always a fragile thing, no matter his relation to the accused. It's enough to smear Beribo, but is it enough to break him?

>do we actually know who the Lord Magistrate is, or anything about him? I can't recall and the wiki isn't helping

We have yet to solidify our connections with the City Guard. Certainly, a word from us might be enough to get them to take the issue more seriously, but we don't have anyone there we could consider a reliable friend to us- an issue which needs correction, I think.

We need, I think, a couple things before we're truly ready to move on this. We need evidence that backs Geharo's claims so that his words must be given more weight; we need evidence that Beribo is the sort of man who would do what Geharo says in the first place- common knowledge that he has extremely harsh working practices helps, but it's hardly solid; and we need, as you say, men of power other than just us who are convinced of his guilt and ready to act on it.

We could try it before getting any of those things individually ready, but the less crushing our preparations the more likely things will backfire and blow up in our face.

>>19876078
>>19876090
>>19876099

You list your requirements, and while Daneg and Mormeregain nod, the other two look rather disappointed.

'We will prepare these, of course, sir. But this plan needs to go on, quickly. We can't sit around continuously preparing, because the merchants are already moving on the people we are siding with.'

'In fact,' Ramogis adds, 'I am already wondering, sir, why they haven't yet exposed those links you have with the Immigrants. Do they know of anything? It... pardon my saying so, sir, but it could easily lead to a charge of corruption from anyone.'

You know who the Lord Magistrate is - he's a noble, of house Ahun from three generations back. You aren't actually sure why he has the reputation of being upstanding, since the last time you handed prisoners to him he dragged his feet like nobody's business; but the reputation is indeed there.

If you wanted support, maybe you could look for Gesadag as well?

> Use the 98 roll here?
> What do/say? Anything else to ask?

>>19876150
It's true that we need to move quickly... what are the key points here in terms of timing? What are the merchants doing?

As far as not exposing our links with the Immigrants... we know they know of at least the fact that we met with them, and can infer that we agreed to give at least as much support as we did. They could just be waiting for a key moment. Or it's perhaps optimistic to think so, but we did try to give the impression to the Localists that we would be someone they could work with in private meetings- as much as told them we'd be gone for a few days and they could tear into the Immigrants as much as they pleased in our absence, as I recall. Maybe they're thinking there wouldn't be much gain in really pushing against us relative to that found in fending off the Immigrants directly. But ultimately that's all speculation.

use it we need to make sure this goes off without too many problems

rolled 16 = 16

>>19876150
Well, now we gotta talk to the cops especially that guy we talked to during the immigrant celebration cum angry mob that we cooled down. We didn't get that guy's name did we? Might as well, talk to him. We'll probably start by asking about the mob( any arrests?) and segue into Beribo.
At least then we get a more neutral view of the city situation, along with more info on Beribo and hopefully a contact in the City Guard.

>>19876324
>>19876312

> Merchant investigations: see >>19875848
> 98 used!

You send Daneg off to talk to the City Guard, and ask Peony to come in and collate the information you've found.

You can also go and talk to the city guard's captains tomorrow, if you want to; that meeting can be called. Will you do it?

Meanwhile, the council remains ready for any other questions or issues you'd like to raise.

> What do/say? Time to do active plotting now.

>>19876399

It would appear there weren't any arrests - which is a good thing, of course. The whole point of your intervention was so no one needed to be arrested, etc.

Katesas reminds you that Dosunir, the young adviser that was brought back to Raumar, is waiting for an audience. Other than that, though, you seem to have reached satisfactory answers on the two pressing issues; it'd be nice to have some initiative now. Can't rule by passivity, after all!

>You can also go and talk to the city guard's captains tomorrow, if you want to; that meeting can be called. Will you do it?

Yes, but we will need to talk to our advisors as to what arguments to present to the city guard today.

>>19876411
>the list of pending items on the wiki seems like it could use updating

I'd like to move on the plan for establishing (indirect) control of one of the guard districts relatively soon as previously outlined; that will be a useful advantage in future endeavors and hopefully assist in personal investments in the city, if done properly. To accomplish this we'll need to locate a useful district with amenable guard officers, first off, which is a bit of a task in itself. Any input on this or suggestions for things that would assist in it would be appreciated.

As the social season kicks off, we need to start attending more social events. As we're a compulsive schemer, ideally these would be social events with people that we can scheme with part-time attending them. If one of our attendants can keep track of what events are going on that we're invited to (presumably we're invited all over the place) and who is expected to be there that we might care about, that would be good. That's probably a full-time job, but we need to start going to social events at least once every few days, and picking the right ones is important.

Would any of our advisers care to be on hand when we meet with Dosunir and (failing something unexpectedly going quite poorly) offer him a job?

>>19876535

> Trust me, I know. I'm way behind on the wiki. I'm also way behind in real life, though, so pardon this not being my top priority.

>>19876520
>>19876535

'Arguments, sir? For catching a criminal? Or did you have something else in mind you'd like to do, sir?'

It does seem rather obvious, the way Katesas puts it, that the City Guard would cooperate with you. It's their job, after all...

> Sorry, please clarify what you're asking.

As for establishing control over a city guard district, Mormeregain wonders why you shouldn't just try to get contacts in the city guard command itself. Surely that would cover the entire city, instead of just one district?

Katesas counters that, in Margade, the complexity of organisation means the City Guard command may not be quite as commanding as it looks. But then Mormeregain and Ramogis say that could be considered one of the reform priorities, then.

You can ask Linden and Rose to do the filtering job for you. They agree it would be a good idea. 'It would, of course, also be a good idea for you to organise your own events, sir. Being the honoured guest at another's table is excellent, but better still is owning the table itself...'

And with that, the council disbands, leaving just... well, it's up to you to choose who you want to keep, really. This time round Ramogis stays.

> Next time, just say who you want to keep with you.

Dosunir enters the chamber and bows to you, and you notice he is smiling. 'Hmm. You seem pretty cheerful.'

'And you seem unusually unhappy, sir, for someone who's just received a gift from heaven.'

> What do/say?

>>19876643

'What do you mean?'

This sounds interesting.

>>19876643
>Mormeregain and Ramogis say that could be considered one of the reform priorities, then.
Certainly, but it's not how things stand now- and any reform at all is a long battle against stagnation and established interests. Gaining advantage in the near term necessitates working within the system.

Getting the city guard command is worthwhile for different reasons than the district plan, anyway; that would let us influence policy and hopefully be informed of large-scale matters, while gaining reliable contacts in a single district would be more for the purpose of aiding our investment opportunities and gaining the support of the merchants and other dwellers within that particular district by using our guard connections to make sure that things run smoothly. It could also make a bit of a test case for trying out reforms on a small scale before pushing for them on a large scale, although that's speculative.

>>19876643

I think we should probably bring up the city guard reform thing tomorrow as well, actually.

Let's move quickly if we're moving at all.

>>19876883
>>19876882
>>19876838

That makes sense; your advisers are then agreed that, naturally, the priority would be to control District 5, which is where your little mansion, the Jade and Cloud Mansion, is sited.

Meanwhile, though, you widen your eyes a little at that strange statement. 'Hmm. That's quite the thing to say, Dosunir. What do you mean?'

'I mean, sir - well, first you shall have to pardon me for being straightforward. I was just wondering if the situation with the White Oaks might not be turned to your advantage, sir.'

'You know about the White Oaks?'

'It is, unfortunately, the talk of the Palace now, sir. But its very prominence makes it a powerful weapon. If your lordship would like to discredit anybody in government right now, a secret petition or accusation would surely not go amiss...'

Ramogis blinks, and glances at you. You glance back. 'Well... well, sir, I'd say he's quite right, sir...'

> What do/say?

>>19876947

Shit. That doesn't... sound very moral, but maybe if we stated it with enough conviction, we could damage someone badly.

Maybe if we did that to the second brother?

>>19876947
I'm trying to come up with a mental list of our political enemies, and keep stopping with "our brothers". We do have reason to suspect that our second brother might actually be responsible for making these Hillmen issues happen, but I'm not sure we're in his political weight class yet. And our fourth brother seems like he's only really worked against us in a clumsy, incidental fashion while mostly caring about his own ridiculous schemes.

We could work against the Localists who are causing difficulty for our plans with the Immigrants, but that would be ridiculously corrupt, almost certainly incorrect unless by some miracle we fingered someone actually responsible in spite of having no real evidence, and basically shoot our hopes of being able to work with all the merchants regardless of affiliation in the foot.

So yes, we've been handed a loaded gun- but I can't think of anyone that it would actually be to our advantage to shoot. Admittedly, I'm just one player and others are likely better in tune with our agenda than me.

>>19877106

No, I'd say you're quite right. Our second brother is our main political rival now.

Actually, if we said it was him, and reported it, why not? The damage to his reputation could be considerable. Father would not believe us, but then if everyone believes he does this he would be weakened.

>>19877146
>Actually, if we said it was him, and reported it, why not?
Because we haven't actually done anything to move against our second brother yet- ever, so far as I can tell. Right now, we're not really on his list of enemies- or at least, we shouldn't be because we've never actually worked against him so that would be ridiculous. If we do something like accuse him in a situation like this, though? All those connections he's got, and all that favor he has with our father, will suddenly turn hostile to us.

Second brother has had years to build up his power base, father thinks he's pretty much his best son (as I currently understand it), and we know that he's got his fingers in some sinister pies. I don't think he's an enemy that we can afford.

>>19877146
>>19877106
>>19877084

You consider the situation, and it does seem to you that while you have a sharp dagger, you don't have anyone to shank it with. You say as much to Dosunir, who frowns.

'Then, sir, you should at least ensure that the dagger isn't used by someone to shank you. This dagger isn't in your hand, it's lying on the ground. And should the White Oaks indeed come marching in and burning villages, the dagger turns into a big battle-axe!'

'What do you suggest then, Dosunir?' Ramogis cuts in.

'Sir, why not set up a more official investigation? If there are other incidences of this wrongdoing, they should be pushed to the Lord Magistrate - or, better still, you could offer to do this yourself, sir. Then the dagger is indeed in your hand, and you can stab at your leisure.'

You sit back and think about it. This... this Dosunir fellow seems to be a bit more realist and less bound by morality than you're used to. You wonder what to make of that.

> What do you make of that?

> Since few people seem to be around, I'll be off for now. Will be back in a few hours.
> More posting and suggestions highly welcome, though!

>>19877229
> What do you make of that?
It's all to the good. Philosophy and morals are nice, but it's the practical men who get things done.

If we offer to take over the investigation, while it will certainly put the dagger in our hand- it will also make us an explicit target for whoever actually IS responsible for this, and we do suspect the second brother. They will suddenly have a vested interest in deceiving or screwing with us... although I suppose there's also the possibility that they would try to cut us in on whatever their scheme is, instead. Depends on their personality and what they think of us.

Either way, while I think I would be willing to go for that, it would be adding yet another to the balls we've got in the air. We need more staff, urgh.

I'm not sure about being so proactive either, but we should definitely hire this guy.

>>19877323

If we suspect the second brother, and yet we don't want to do anything to damage him, then what exactly are we supposed to do?

I'm not being hostile, it just seems to me that we are being far too cautious. We won't do this and we won't do that, but what we won't do, our opponents will.

>>19877229
I make of it a potentially valuable addition to our crew of advisors.

We've always sort of played up our own morality in the public eye and done our fair share of dastardly things when it suits our goals.

Taking over or starting an official investigation sounds pretty good because we have a reputation for investigating shit and we are already looking into the misappropriation of gifts and tribute in the palace.

Plus maybe we luck out and find actual evidence to implicate one of our clown brothers.

>>19877323
Go for it.

We hem and haw far too much. We need to be proactive.

If only for our own standing. We need the people to see us as a leader who is competent, and exposing a traitor will give us a stirling light to stand beneath. We need to be an example for men of good standing and ambition to rally around.

Let us assume the guise of Harry Bolingbroke, and win the love of nobleman and commoner alike!

>>19877583
We are the lion in repose when we must be the lion rampant.

Cunning and plots are all well and good, but only bold action wins lasting fame.

>>19877675
>>19877714
Sorry, Nobleman Quest gets me in a Shakespearean mood.

>>19877323
>>19877583
>>19877615
>>19877625
>>19877675
>>19877714

> Wow, overwhelming consent!

You think this over for a moment, and then smile and nod. 'You know, Dosunir, that if you give me this gift, then I will be obliged to repay the gift. And I can think of one thing to repay you with...'

Dosunir's eyes widen momentarily, and then he breaks into a smile and quickly bows on his knees. 'I am your servant, Your Lordship, Earl of Mar.'

> Gained: Dosunir (adviser)

You then get Ramogis to draft the suggestion, and Ramogis further suggests that you should perhaps bring this to your father personally. 'I should also draft a review of the evidence, sir as to that matter of disappearing tributes. Then you can present them both together.'

That sounds good. You reckon that if you go tomorrow morning, very early in the morning, you will be able to catch the Prince alone.

> Tasks for tomorrow: Present evidence to Prince, and Talk to City Guard.

With that you dismiss the two men, telling Ramogis and Lilac to take the new adviser to his quarters. Then you sit for a while, spacing out, before you become aware of Linden peeking in. She smiles when she sees you.

'Sir. Would you like anything? Or would you like to do anything?'

Oh man. It's already evening, you realise. The sun is almost set.

> What do?

>>19878263
Dinner, a bath, there to be two of me so I could split the work better.

>>19878263
Wow it got that late already? I don't think we have anything left to do today right?
Hmm might as well get snacks and have fun with the attendants I guess.

>>19878263
Whatever we do, make sure we get to sleep early. We'll want to get up well before dawn in order to be fully prepared to catch our father.

>>19878337
Then just snacks before bed then

>>19878263
Run our plan by Peony and ask her to keep an eye out for weaknesses in them and opportunities to exploit.

Yo, Xingzhe. You alive?

>>19878378
>>19878369
>>19878337
>>19878320
>>19878299

'Dinner and snacks only, sir?' Linden comes in, settles down behind you and starts thumping your shoulders. Rose is better at that, though - Linden goes at it with a bit too much strength. 'There's an invitation from Lady Merinites, actually - she'd like to see if you are up for dinner and perhaps some other diversions.'

... ooh, innuendo. Just then Peony comes in, and tells you much the same thing. 'Linden's faster than me for once?' She gasps.

'Looks like it.' You then tell the two of them about your plans tomorrow, and Peony frowns when you talk about the City Guard. 'What's wrong?'

'I have heard it being said, sir, that the commandant of the City Guard is a corrupt man. And that some of the captains under him are, too. It seems to me to be quite a conflict to step into, sir.'

'That's good to know.' You'll probably have to keep your contact with them limited, for now. Peony then says she'll wake you up tomorrow, with ice water and a stick if she has to. Then she leaves, and Linden's arms slide around your shoulders as she nuzzles the back of your head.

'I'll make sure you wake up early too, sir.'

> What do? Go for Merinites'? Apparently she's said that tomorrow's fine too, if you're busy/tired tonight.

>>19878544

Sorry mate, was finishing dinner and walking home.

>>19878554
Tomorrow. We will escort her to a nice restaurant we know.

>>19878565
That's cool, I'm off to grab some breakfast. Damn you foreigners, running these things at mad hours!

>>19878554
Given how much of a massive clusterfuck tomorrow is likely to be we might want to do the dinner tonight.

Did the message give details on where the dinner was taking place or was that going to be up to us?

>>19878554
Given that we want to call it an early night, Merinites would probably be a poor choice. She'll almost certainly keep us up and dazzled with whatever her next bit is. We can't afford that, given how tomorrow is probably going to be stressful and need us razor sharp.

Dinner tomorrow should be fine, though. I would anticipate most of tomorrow's stressful parts being over by midafternoon.

>>19878604

Hmm, Merinites says she likes the food in the Palace, but she's also open to go somewhere.

Are you thinking of taking her out to Margade? Or perhaps...

> Roll d100 for insight, with bonus.

Also, not to make this too much like a dating sim (dating sim with politics wahey), but you do have to court the girls during the social season. Maybe not the baron-level girls, but *certainly* the Viscountesses and Countesses.

Just saying.

>>19878263
Might want to give this Dosunir guy an attendant to assist (read: monitor) him, remember he is the student of a foreign master and he may be spying on us.

rolled 29 = 29

>>19878644
Understood.

Maybe we can even look into a suitable match for our sister.

rolled 72 = 72

>>19878644
INSIGHT!!

There's plenty of politics going on both outside and as part of the relationships we're forming with the two of them that it doesn't really seem too dating simish.

>>19878644
The social season isn't even open yet, is it?

rolled 10 = 10

>>19878682
Linden maybe?

Outside Peony she is probably our most trust worthy attendant, and her 'wiles' might win this scholar over.

>>19878718
Disregard that roll. I forgot to clear the field.

rolled 59 = 59

>>19878644
Rolling

>>19878697
>>19878694
>>19878682

> Social season is OPEN! It's been open since two days ago. You opened it in a good way, you must say.

> Send Linden to go keep watch on Dosunir? But don't you want Linden like right next to you? Within grabbing distance?

> 72: good roll!

Well, if you're interested... you know that to the northwest of Raumar, there is this rocky outcrop where you can lie back and see the stars. And feel the breeze in your hair. In winter it's used to punish people by making them kneel there, but in summer it's nice.

> WHat do?

>>19878815
A picnic out there sounds nice. It's private, which has numerous advantages.

>>19878697
>>19878694

Yeah, it's more like political sim with dating elements. And possibly war. Who knows?

Also, your sister is not yet of marriageable age; she's only 13. But she will be at the ceremony tomorrow to look at all the cute boys, so maybe she's precocious. Wait, of course she's precocious...

Linden meanwhile is whispering into your ear that you have to make a call soon, where to have dinner. Or the kitchen can't make it in time and you'll have to eat half-cooked beansprouts.

Ugh, half-cooked beansprouts!

>>19878815
We don't need to keep watch on Dosunir. We accepted the man into our service. We can show some trust here; paranoia stops at our household limits except in specific select cases, and this isn't one.

Anyway, we need to get to bed early and do plotting tomorrow. No external social endeavors. Have an early quiet dinner, briefly enjoy Linden's charms, and then call it a night.

>>19878853

Yeah, let's go with that. Get her to pack some food, we'll pack some ourselves, then head out there.

>>19878860
>But she will be at the ceremony tomorrow to look at all the cute boys, so maybe she's precocious.
What ceremony is this, and do we need to attend it? Don't we have a day planner or something that lets us not plan on top of ourselves?

>>19878889
I'm pretty sure it's the lock-cutting ceremony and yeah we do

> I take it we'll have dinner tomorrow then?

Also, you do have a day planner of course - her name is Peony. Tomorrow is the Third of Fifth, when the boys receive their maturity rites; but you are an older brother, and you are not supposed to go.

If there were schedule clashes, Peony would tell you. Trust her.

Meanwhile, you tell Linden to go and inform Meri that it'd be better tomorrow. She lets go of you and then goes to the door.

'Who would you like to serve dinner and attend you this evening, sir? I think Peony might need me for something tonight...'

Huh. That's sad...

> Who, then?
> Also, anything particular to do for dinner? If not, you'll be off to bed right after.

>>19878933
Let's be unusual and eat alone tonight.

>>19878933
Rose would be good. I don't think we have anything particularly pressing to do for dinner; we don't have to make every meal a social event.

>>19878933
That's a shame.

Rose sounds good, we haven't had her attend us for a bit.

>>19878964

Ret's not be ronery. Rose will be nice. We haven't talked to her in a long time.

>>19878933
We probably still need to have a little talk with Amaryllis. We were drunk, she was drunk, it could be that she doesn't particularly want to frequent our bedchamber. We should get that clear and let her know that if she doesn't want to then we don't require it or anything.

Just saying. Don't want to shit where we sleep as it were. Forcing ourselves on unwilling women in our household is a recipe for creating spies.

On that subject, we should probably play chess and talk with Rose and have a chat with Orchid sometime in the future as well. We've fairly been getting around with regards to attendants. And then we have to prepare for courting Peony if we plan to make her into a concubine, and that's going to be a whole affair in and of itself. I was thinking maybe we can tinker up a writing brush that you fill with ink and it dispenses it out as you write. Black lacquer with gold peonies decorated onto the haft or something. A practical gift for a practical woman.

>>19878994
>>19878986
>>19878973

You ask for Rose, and she appears after a while with a tray of lightly grilled aubergines, grilled fish, and soy paste soup with rice. As you eat, you chat with her; she's been shouldering a lot of the responsibility for refurbishing the Jade and Cloud Mansion these few days.

'I've gotten people round to look at the state of the mansion, sir, and they think it's fine. With a bit of refurbishment, it'll do. They say that it could probably take about 500 to 600 taels.'

Huh. Come think of it, you haven't even counted the gifts that were given you yet. But 500 to 600 taels doesn't sound too pricey.

> Agree to this? Or give more? Or give less?

After dinner, you have a quick bath while Rose thumps your shoulders - ahhh, now that's the right power! - before putting you to bed. You beckon, though, and after some hesitation she crawls in after you. Her body is warm from embarrassment, or maybe it's excitement, but you can tell the poor girl is exhausted. As you kiss her face, she grins, and then the grin fades away and she's asleep.

The next thing you know, the sky is still dark outside, but Rose and Peony already have your robes ready. Ramogis also has your documents ready now.

> What do? Go straight to your father now?

>>19879070
Let us visit our father immediately.

>>19879026

You can talk to Amaryllis, of course, after you're done with the petitioning. Or now, if you really want to. Might calm the nerves, who knows?

As for the others, noted - you'll get opportunities.

>>19879070
Give more if she feels that adding more would improve it.

Get dressed, see our father immediately, we got up this early for a reason.

>>19879070
> Agree to this? Or give more? Or give less?
Tell Rose we trust her to ensure that both the job is done properly and that our money isn't wasted.

> What do? Go straight to your father now?
We need to get a brief summary of the documentation that we're presenting to our father before we head off, so that we can speak carefully and coherently as to the situation (I for one have forgotten a fair number of the details). But move quickly and don't waste time.

I really hope that our father didn't do one of his "drink until you drop" things last night. That could put the kibosh on this plan pretty quick.

>>19879070

seconding this, let's go now.

Unless anyone knows he might not be ready?

>>19879105
>>19879098
How dark is "dark" like is the sun up at all? Don't want to wake up dad that early if the sun isn't even up if he is asleep

>>19879130
>>19879127
>>19879105
>>19879082

> Last night:

'Do you reckon that if I gave you more, you could get more done with it?'

Rose thinks about that for a bit, and then nods. 'Well, it depends what you'd like, sir. I'm sure more decoration and maybe some attention to the garden couldn't hurt.'

Hmmm. You know what? Gardens are nice, aren't they? You give Rose 700 taels to work with. That place is going to be your headquarters, you don't want a shabby shithole.

> This morning:

You quickly get dressed, eat a few sips of porridge, and then head down with Ramogis and Daneg to see your father. After a little asking around, you find that he is in one of his offices near the bedchamber, in the inner Palace.

... there are, however, two guards standing in front, and they ask you to stop. You are about to tell them to stand aside, when you suddenly hear someone yelling inside.

'What do you fucking MEAN!? What the FUCK does he take me for!?'

......

> What do/say?

>>19879190
Do we recognize the voice?

Listen for slightly longer, get an idea of who is yelling, who is the target of the yelling and why.

>>19879190
Pop our head out, see who it is, and ask if it is important.

>>19879190
Do we recognize the voice inside?

Ask the guards who is calling on the Prince that it necessitates making us wait.

>>19879190
Do we recognize the voice? aka is it dad?

> Fuck, sorry, didn't see this!

Well, the summary is quite simple:

> You know about precedents to the misplaced invitation case; there are misplaced records about gifts and tributes.
> You suspect that these cases are linked.
> You intend to launch an investigation into this, with your father's permission.

You haven't nominated anyone to lead it yet - that would be presumptuous - but of course you're going to volunteer yourself.

>>19879211
>>19879216
>>19879229

Oh derp, sorry - yes, it's your dad, of course. If he's in a room and there's yelling, it has to be him - no one's going to be yelling at him, naturally!

You ask the guard who's inside and he sighs. 'It appears to be over a message from the capital, your lordship. Shuganak has sent back some comments... about the tributes sent to His Majesty.'

Bloody hell. The gifts must have only just arrived, and they're already moaning about it?

We've a friend in the guard, a captain I believe? Maybe he can assist us in this investigation.

>>19879265
Well now there is aught to do but go in and take council with our pop. Wait until he gets it out of his system before bringing up our plan.

>>19879277

What, you mean the tribute one? I thought it was a palace thing.

Or maybe we could promote him or something. That's an idea.

>>19879277
We don't really have a friend in the guard. We have people in the guard that have responded positively to us in the past, while we were taking actions that made their lives easier. One of the things on our to-do list for today is to meet with some guard people and try to turn that history into actual friendships.

>>19879265
Well, piss. That'll certainly have put Dad in a shit mood- but it might make him glad to shove off at least some of his domestic problems onto one of his sons, if we're lucky.

>>19879265
Well, this is annoying, but we'll be able to deal with it. Wait for a brief lull in his tirade and then knock and enter.

>>19879277
>>19879304
>>19879307
>>19879308
>>19879319

Promoting a guard captain to take charge of an investigation? That's unconventional, but it would send a strong message as to the kind of person you are and the perks of being your friend. Merits consideration, certainly.

Meanwhile, though... you sigh and wait until the yelling is quietened down, and then ask to enter. You realise that the men he is yelling at are three minor nobles, who run the gifts and tributes office and the messenger services.

'I can't believe this! What do they think we are, a gold mine? Is Raumar built on a hill of solid FUCKING SILVER? Because I SURE DO NOT FUCKING KNOW IT! It's OUTRAGEOUS! And YOU, you three mincing IDIOTS, you don't have the guts...'

'Your highness,' Gesadag's voice rings out from his left as he nods to you. 'I think the Third Earl has something important to say.'

The three nobles quickly take the chance to get the fuck out, and your father slumps in his seat. His left hand is trembling again. 'What is it? Go on.'

> What do/say/ask?

> Also, you do have a rehearsed presentation of your case, ready to go. Don't worry about it. You think about these things.

> Well, Peony and Daneg think about these things. But hell, they're your men.

>>19879394
Well just tell him. Give him the reports or read it out loud. Either way someone is trying to fuck him without him knowing.

rolled 100 = 100

>>19879394
Tell him we know for a fact there is something fishy going on with the tributes and we have been laying down the ground work for an investigation. Tell him we will find the rat that is causing this stink, and that our good name will be repaired.

Tell him he can leave this to us.

>>19879394
>>19879436
> What do/say/ask?
> Also, you do have a rehearsed presentation of your case, ready to go. Don't worry about it.
Wait, do you want us to type up a speech to our father about these issues, or to not worry about typing up a coherent speech to our father about these issues?

>>19879495
I think he means in regards to the three fellows and the cause of our father's rage.

>>19879480
>Tell him we know for a fact there is something fishy going on with the tributes
Whoa! Be careful here. We can't just say "the tributes", because the Prince's mind is currently on an entirely different set of tributes than the ones that we're talking about, a set which we are NOT prepared to investigate.

There is something fishy going on with the HILLMEN. We are prepared to investigate that situation, NOT the tributes that father is currently yelling about.

>>19879394
There are numerous discrepancies in the tribute from the Hillmen as well as the reciprocal return of food and supplies. In addition there is this latest problem with the "misplaced" invitations to the White Oaks.

I believe these events are connected and that someone is trying to damage Mar for their own purposes, perhaps profit or to create a vulnerability in Mar they can exploit.

I would beg your permission to investigate these things and find the culprit so they may be brought to justice and Mar's good name is restored among all the peoples.

After we get his assent in this gently ask for details on how Shuganak responded, though we could already guess poorly.

>>19879528
Let's not ask that last part we already know we fucking heard him and he knows we heard him

>>19879495
>>19879480
>>19879451

> No, my point is that there are other things you can say to your dad before telling him the report. As will be demonstrated now.

'Your Highness. Father.' You bow, and then present the two scrolls. 'I am here to bring evidence of a case which I believe requires investigation.'

'Oh? And you heard your father yelling his lungs out in the office, and that did not seem to warrant investigation?' He gives you a wry look, and you see Gesadag rubbing his forehead. 'Well, so be it. Tell me what you want.'

Embarrassed as you are, you nonetheless hold your nerve and lay out the case. In the meantime, your father has picked up a cup of tea and is drinking it. When you finish, he's not done with his tea yet.

'RAAAGH!' He flings the tea, thankfully away from you, where it smashes against the wall. One of the attendants scrambles to pick up the pieces. 'First my brother, and then THIS! Who the FUCK do those FUCKING Hillmen think they are?! If I don't want them a single step in this appanage, they better fucking STAY OUT OF OUR LAND!'

> What do/say? He is furious, but you sense you've gotten to him.

>>19879555
Father, while the Hillmen are important, even more pressing is that someone has decided to goad them. Someone inside Mar is setting them against us and I would like to find out who so they can be properly punished. Once this is done the Hillmen won't come into your lands like this.

>>19879555
Give me dispensation to put together a team, and I'll sort out this Hillmen affair.

It sounds like the capital is crawling up our arse. Let me deal with this, so you can focus on the real work. I am forever a dutiful son, and at your dispensation for any task you might have.

>>19879555
"Certainly, the HIllmen would be wise to stay out... but if this issue is not resolved, I suspect it will provoke them into being unwise again and again. We've already had banditry problems and now this- and both are likely attributable to someone within Mar arranging things in a way that insults them, and provoking them into giving us insult in turn. There is a viper in our house, somewhere."

>>19879607
>>19879599

These, but after these apologise and ask him about what's enraged him.

>>19879649
>>19879642
>>19879607
>>19879599

'Father, while the Hillmen are foolish and rough, they have repeatedly been this foolish and this rough. There is a reason for this, far more dangerous than an external foe. Someone within Mar must be somehow inciting this conflict, by misplacing these records and invitations... Father, it would be best if we got to the bottom of this.'

You sit back, and watch as the Prince thinks. His hand is still trembling. Then he turns to Gesadag, who frowns.

'My advice, Your Highness, is... to allow this investigation. The Third Earl is right. External foes are one thing, but no army can go against internal foes.'

'Mmm. Fair enough.' He nods and looks at you. 'Well. You are taking on a lot of duties, Adrian. I give you permission to set up a group, that will report to the Lord Magistrate on these affairs.'

> What do/say?
> Will talk about the Royal Tribtue problem later.

>>19879718
Tell him that, with respect, we do not know who may be behind these errors and the fact that they can turn tributes to their own ends and incite war speaks of great power. Request that we report our findings not to the Magistrate, but instead directly to him.

That should both keep people from stealing our thunder and make sure our results don't get fucked with between the time we give them to the magistrate and the time they reach him. The only spin we want on this case is whatever we put there ourselves.

>>19879718
Thank you Father. I swear I will find the truth and bring the culprit to justice. However given the potential power of the culprit I would beg permission to report directly to yourself and Gesadag.

>>19879718
Thank him and tell him we will comport ourselves as a true Son of Mar come hell or high water.

>>19879718
"I appreciate your trust, Father. I will not fail you, in this or other matters."

>>19879743
I don't know if that would be wise. The Magistrate dragged his feet on another issue, but that was different... aiding in investigating internal corruption like this is sort of the Magistrate's job, isn't it? And we could definitely use competent, trained assistance from someone with connections.

I suspect that the Prince making it clear to the Lord Magistrate that he wants serious results from this one would be enough.

>>19879772
I am moderately worried someone in great power with our father's ear, for instance Hunaga, might be behind the siphoning of funds and inspiration to war. Perhaps on the king's behalf, as part of some plot to bring the appenage under direct royal control... but other reasons are entirely possible too.

And if it's Hunaga (for instance) then he may well have the Magistrate under his thumb, or else be in league with him. In such a case no matter what we turn up it will get twisted from the time we present it to the time our father hears it.

Perhaps I am just paranoid though.

>>19879772
>>19879756
>>19879753
>>19879743

'With due respect, Father, it would be best if an investigation of such an... intimate nature report directly to you...'

'Hmm. By which you mean, report to you, isn't it?' Your father nods as you look up. Man, he might be negligent in rule, but he sure is sharp. 'Well. You know what, that last time you did good work for us in the south. I could allow it. I could allow it...'

> Well done, mate, you are now in charge!

After this, you apologise for your impudence, and ask Father about what's happened. He sighs and sits back.

'Shuganak - your uncle - he's let drink and women get to him. He sent me a huge long list of demands while you were away in the south, demands for gifts - for women, lake pearls, jewellery, fine liquor, the works. I sent some, but there was no way I could have fulfilled the quota.

'Now, he has come back with a message - not expressing understanding, but asking if I have been withholding treasure and hoarding goods, and asking what my intentions are. I have given him less than he asked, and he can reprimand me for that, but accusing me of untoward motives?'

He splutters, then slams his fist on the table. 'Goddamn it. How *dare* he!'

> What do/say?

>>19879836

I guess we comfort father as best as we can.

Say that it should blow over soon, and that keeping calm would be the best way.

>>19879836
Oh boy. I have no idea if I should be saying this, but this is my take on that.

"It... is perhaps not my place to speculate on his motives, but I would be concerned that he is taking that posture as a preparatory action. If he wishes to move against you somehow, then framing your inability to meet impossible demands in terms of potential disloyalty might start to build him an apparent history to use as an excuse... but I cannot think why he would do that, and may be misreading the situation entirely."

>>19879836
Perhaps he must be reminded that we have legal rights that cannot be simply stepped on by royal boots.

Draft a letter detailing how the king is acting outside his authority, and send it to everyone of importance. Or threaten to at least. If he cannot see the danger of that, he does not deserve the authority he has been trusted with.

>>19879961
>>19879940
>>19879915

> Just a note: in this culture, you don't actually have legal rights a king can't step on. That letter is more likely to be seen as an open act of rebellion, with the onus on you, than a complaint with the onus on the King. So you're not going to raise that.

You raise the possibility that this isn't just a matter of gifts, but it is also a matter of politics. 'Forgive my being blunt, father. But if today His Majesty accuses you of not giving the required tribute, tomorrow His Majesty would accuse you of refusing another order, and in due course...'

'In due course I will have a free ride to Shuganak in a prisoner's carriage,' your father says. 'Of course I see that. Of course... well, it would depend on what is happening in the Royal Court as well. It is just as likely that I will outlive him, than he outlives me.'

You look up - that is a shockingly candid thing to say about the King, discussing his death. 'Then perhaps it is better to wait it out, Father?'

'Wait, yes. Perhaps to appease, too. I will have to cough up some treasure. Have you anything - something you've built, perhaps - to contribute? Maybe something clever would make the king forget about his debts.'

> What do/say?

>>19879915
This over here
( We don't know a lot to make a comment about it)

>>19879961
That is... crazy. Raising a stink like that is like committing ourselves to political battle against the king, which would not end well.

>>19879961
>>19879940
Hmm. I like this. I think it would both be a response that makes Father think we are insightful and loyal to him (which we are... our plans for rule are for after he has passed, after all) and will also lead into our own plans for the future. If dad starts building up the army now then we will have more military might when we eventually take over.

I personally would like to lead a campaign some time in the future, perhaps after the investigation. We could use some military honors on our lapel, both for the respect of the army (very important) and the political power that will give us. Men with military backing and experience are more dangerous because they can resort to force of arms as a last resort, where 99% of everyone we will be facing politically will not be able to.

>>19880048
Not currently, but I could get a project going if you want. Any suggestions for motifs that the King would enjoy?

>>19880077
Nope not doing that.
>>19880048
All we got is the pearl and we could make something with it but I'm kinda hesitant to use it though. Might make Dad like us more though so there is that

>>19880109
I mean I kinda wanted to make a family heirloom, gift it to some one of the ladies, or sell it but yeah the something we could do but would rather not do that.
(SAME POSTER OVER HERE)

>>19880048
Ugh. We don't really have the resources for this, but if we don't give anything it will look bad.

Perhaps some of the silver we've been stockpiling. I know we need it for other things, but staying in Dad's good graces (or even improving how he views us) is a good investment for it I think.

Xing, what would be an appropriate amount?

Then there's always that girl of Ula's who we were planning to marry to Beribo. That plot has generally petered out at this point it seems, so why not use her? We could send her to the court as a fake-noble attendant since we were already making plans for her to be a fake-noble... and she could act as our first spy in the royal court.

>>19880048
I don't think we have any exceptional creations on hand- our best work so far has gone to our sister already. We could certainly put something together in a matter of days if the Prince asks us to make it a priority, however.

And if he has great need of something dazzling... we have a pearl of truly exceptional quality. We are loathe to give it up for this purpose unless he feels there is an very great need to impress the king, but in the end our wealth is our father's wealth, if he but asks.

>>19880048
A poem perhaps? I confess father, my time has not been spent gathering trinkets - clever or otherwise.

I'll look into procuring something to divert uncle's attention. Wine, maybe a woman.

>>19880200
No please no nothing good could come from this

>>19880077

Well... that might be arranged. Maybe if you want campaign experience, organising some hunts or training exercises is a good place to start.

Mar hasn't had a good large-scale Princely hunt in four or five years now, since your dad stopped doing those. He prefers to just get on to the killing, with Second Brother.

>>19880109
>>19880101

You push the idea of giving that pearl to the back of your mind. 'I... don't have anything right now, father. But I could certainly work on something if you'd like...'

'Hmm. I've got goldsmiths for that,' he says. 'It's fine. The sky may well be coming down on our heads, Adrian. That is a thought, isn't it? That is a thought.'

He sounds despondent now that his rage is faded. Then, to prove it, he gets the attendants to bring liquor. You wonder if you should stay, or beg your leave and get out...

> What do?
> Remember: for all his faults, your father is someone to whom you owe filial loyalty. Given you haven't seen him in a long time before this audience, you don't really have a reputation in that aspect. You could choose to change that...

>Nope not doing that.
Care to give any reasoning beyond "lol nope"? Because I can just say "lol yep" too.

But I agree that we should keep the pearl. I personally would like to make it an heirloom as well, setting it into a necklace or other bit of jewelery and giving it as either a marriage gift to our future wife (whoever that may be) or concubinical gift to a beloved concubine.

>>19880217

Have to agree with this - if she wouldn't fool a merchant, she seriously wouldn't fool the king. It would be simply ridiculous.

That said, sending servants to the royal court would indeed be useful, if we could find them and send them over. I don't really want to send our own people...

>>19880228
Well, we should probably spend the evening with him. The man is depressed and he is our father. It runs the risk of him getting drunk and something bad happening, but you can't just turn your back on your blood when they are in trouble like this... unless of course they stab you in the back first. Second and Fourth brothers I might not care for too much, but Dad we should hang around and support for the evening. Talk with him about better times.

I know, why not get him to tell us stories about successful campaigns and hunts he has been on. I am sure we know about those, we should ask him about details and how things went. People love to talk about themselves, and they love talking about how awesome they were in the good old days even more.

>>19880228
The sky will remain in the celestial sphere while we remain as all men do, in the dirt. Our uncle might think himself the sky, the stars, the moon, but he is just a man like the rest of us.

And if our uncle means to come down upon our heads no matter what we do to appease him, he will not find them easily bowed beneath that supposed 'majesty'.

Mar is not so easily cowed, nor is its ruler.

>>19880284
This is a good idea.

>>19880256
We made a deal with the guy who brought us the temp attendants right? Gave him passage and our permission to bring in like 100 slaves from the hills?

Perhaps some good gifting materiel is in those slaves? And if not, perhaps said flesh peddler might know of some good gifts?

>>19880228
>Given you haven't seen him in a long time before this audience
Hasn't it been like a week?

> What do?
We stay until he asks us to leave or wants to move on to other things, of course. Every time we've encountered our father, we've done our best to show him respect, and to be a good son- even of the sort that he wants, as I recall drinking and joking at him with a party once. He is a very different person than we are and we are all too aware of his flaws, but we do respect and honor him and we've always tried to express that as we can.

So make an effort to cheer him up. Maybe get to talking about the girls this social season? The Prince seems like the sort of father who would enjoy watching his son chase women, in addition to being politically keen.

>>19880048

> Just a note: in this culture, you don't actually have legal rights a king can't step on. That letter is more likely to be seen as an open act of rebellion, with the onus on you, than a complaint with the onus on the King. So you're not going to raise that.

My sphere of reference is mostly European, but surely there has to be some way noblemen can legally express outrage at the abuse of a monarch?

>>19880284
>the evening
It's like four in the morning, man.

>>19880284
>>19880287
>>19880349
>>19880335

> Oh, there is - that's what rebellions are for. It's also what remonstrances are for, but remonstrating your king in front of everyone else is a rebellion. Welcome to China.

Your father half expects you to take your leave, so he actually smiles when you say you're staying for some drinks. 'Before the sun even rises?'

'Oh, Father, there's never a wrong time is there?' The liquor comes, and you pour for both of you. Gesadag takes his leave.

While the sky turns paler blue and the sun begins to rise, you listen to your Father tell you about hunting wild boar, and leopards in the hills, and fighting the Hillmen - and the Easterners. He was 20 when the Easterners attacked Mar, and while the King sent no aid, he didn't stop people from helping. He does have scars from that campaign, including one on his forearm - a hole, from an arrow.

Then you start talking about the ladies. 'You... cannot marry too far below your station, Adrian. I say those baronesses, and those off-the-tree types, fuck'em.'

Oh yes, you will. Oh, sorry, that's not what you meant.

'Well, it's up to you anyway. I can't stop you. But... so what did you think about those two easterners you brought back?'

> What do/say?

>>19880421
Both are beautiful, and both bring great potential. If I could I'd have them both warming my bed.

But there might be finer game further afield, or closer to home as it were. We will see.

>>19880421
Well, there's the obvious fact that they're both stunning. They have quite a lot of power to their names, Theniron and Subaran are both rather strong and good to befriend. Also they themselves are both intelligent, clever and interesting.

>>19880485
>>19880462

'Both are stunningly beautiful, and they bear... many gifts with them, I would say. And of course Theniron and Subaran are both strong states, and useful allies.'

'I would have figured you'd go for beauty!'

'Not just beauty, Father. One is a dancer of renown, and the other a painter of great skill. They are both intelligent and well bred ladies. Of course, they may not be the only well bred ladies...'

'Hmm. Hmmm.' He knocks back another shot. 'So I take it you're taken with them already. Unfortunately, if you are into looks, Adrian - so many of the countesses and viscountesses are rather disappointing. I've seen them... well. Who would you choose then? Between those two?'

> What do/say?

>>19880531

... oh man. I'd say Sara, but it's close.

>>19880531
Saragites. There's a certain pleasure in bedding a haughty woman, like no other or so they say.

>>19880531
"Merinites danced for me, and I almost took her to bed on the spot. That was... well, I think I would choose her were I going based upon purely physical merits.

"Both of them, however, are ravenously ambitious. It took a matter of minutes talking to them for my mind to be dragged into politics, and there it's remained. And in politics, I don't know which of them would be the wiser choice."

>>19880531
Personally, I prefer Saragites, she is closer to the power structure of Theniron, I have met her brother and he is an interesting and competent fellow, and she is a very clever conversationalist.

>>19880585
Let's go with this

I'm for Meri! She's more useful to us.

>>19880624
That is a debate for later.

Sara is the one we would prefer, I think. Of course, circumstances can chance our preferences out of necessity... but given choice, Saragites.

>>19880624
>>19880620
>>19880596
>>19880585
>>19880583
>>19880578

'Merinites danced for me, and I felt like I was watching a goddess. Saragites, however, has the wit and air of a goddess. It would be difficult to choose.

'What is true, Father, is that they both have... ambitions. I can't tell whom between them would be more useful in that sense, truly.'

Your father knocks back another shot, and then smiles. 'Adrian! Adrian. Hmm. Who is from where?'

'Sara's from Theniron, and Meri's from Subaran.'

'Hmm. Hmm. That's difficult, isn't it? In the short run, Theniron is the better choice. They have more to offer, and the prize is greater. If you associated with Subaran - never mind the women for now - you will have need, and problems, and crises.'

'That... might be so, Father.'

'But! The wealthy and strong don't need friends, Adrian. Therefore they make awful friends. The poor, the weak - throw a poor sod a penny, and he would dive the Meridian Canal for you. Well. Make of that what you will. They are both valuable, that is for sure...'

With that, he dismisses you, not wanting you to get drunk before the sun's up. As you leave, you hear him calling for Tinaga. Ohhhh boy.

> What do? You are meeting the City Guard in the afternoon, but you have to leave the palace later in the morning, or stay in your apartments - up to you.

>>19880695

Hmm. How about we go north on a tour of the villages? Or maybe go look at our mansion.

>>19880695
Hmm, check up on our holdings for now. The Jade and Cloud, our teahouses, that sort of thing.

>>19880695
>>19880790
We should be organizing our investigation team. Screening potential recruits from amongst the citizenry or the like.

The Guard Captain we are familiar with would be a good first recruit.

>>19880695
Return to our apartments, and inform our advisers- and Peony- of how things went. We have now taken on the task of putting together an investigation of this corruption- and the moment whoever is actually corrupt hears about it, they'll probably start taking steps to cover themselves. That makes it rather important to move quickly if we can.

So a strategy meeting on how to most effectively attack this problem would be nice. We told our father that we wouldn't fail- now we need to follow up on that.

We also need to work out an effective agenda for our meeting with the City Guard- who specifically are we meeting with there? There are dozens of officers, right?

>>19880844
Yes, let's get down to business.

>>19880824
>>19880790

You head back to your apartments, and take a seat. Your gate-guests come up to you, and you grin. There is a sigh of relief.

'Sir, if you have been given permission to carry on the investigation, then perhaps you should staff the team right away,' Katesas says. He has a point... your father has said he would allow for three investigators. He'll fund them personally.

> You can choose now, or defer the choice.

Also, meanwhile, you say you want to go and take a look at your holdings in the city. That would include the sandal shop, your ship under construction, and the Jade and Cloud Mansion.

Before that, though, breakfast! Peony briefs you about the meeting that's been arranged. Basically, you'll be meeting with the Lord Commandant, and four of the Senior Captains - two from the north of the city, two from the south.

'The other captains are, unfortunately, very busy now, sir. It is the Great Summer Festival after all.'

You could force them to attend - that would be another twenty five or so people - but do you want to?

> What do? Also, mmm, soy milk with honey and apricot seeds is delicious

>>19880844
I think we had decided on finding an area where the businesses brought in a LOT of money but are likely also pretty heavily regulated/taxed. The goldsmith/jewlers area was brought up, I think, and that sounds like it could be a good one. Red light district could be good too, considering having guards on the payroll there could help in a lot of ways with spying and subterfuge in the future.

So we check those areas out and see what the captains of those areas are like. Ideally we are looking for someone who is pragmatic and outside-the-box enough to understand the benefits of what we want to do, but loyal to the state and his mission. We will use that loyalty to take him into our service and put him on our payroll, saying that we intend to cut away and streamline all the old useless regulations that get in the way of everything.

Once we design an appropriate system of rules and regulations we will be able to siphon off some of those profits through the taxes. If we can increase the revenue given to the palace while siphoning off enough to pay the guards and line our own pockets (entirely possible considering the state of the city's laws...) then everyone wins. The guard capt. will have made his district more profitable in service to us, gotten wealthy himself, we will have gotten wealthy, and the palace treasury will get more income.

We just have to keep it as hush-hush as we can.

>>19880902
Just the key members will suffice.

That fellow we took control of briefly seemed resourceful, have him act as one of our investigative hounds. The Guard Captain still sounds like a good idea. And for the last one, perhaps one of our scholar-guests?

Or should we be looking for a skilled nobleman of a like age to bring in to our little hunt, better to foster friendship amongst our peers in the nobility?

>>19880902
No, we're not going to ruin our reputation for wanting to help the Guard with their job by dragging them away from it and thereby making their lives harder.

Do we have profiles on the Lord Commandant and the Senior Captains? Or rather, what rumors have any of our people heard about them, either individually or collectively?

How wide of latitude do we have in choosing our investigators? As tempting as it is to select three people off our staff, it would be nice to be able to cherry-pick an experienced investigator type or two who actually knows what they're doing in situations like this from elsewhere.

>>19880980
> key members

For the guard inspection that is, not our investigation.

>>19880902
>your father has said he would allow for three investigators. He'll fund them personally.
I have a positively evil idea.

Let's recruit Niduseg for it.

Think about it. We can cite the good of the appanage and princely decree, and father will pay his fee. This will pretty much force him to renounce his current employer out of conflict of interest. And he is highly competent and skilled at intrigue, while also being known for being uncorrupt. Exactly the kind of person we want on the investigation.

We will disarm Beribo of his main asset and gain a powerful asset for our own investigation, advancing two plots at once! And because it's a request in the prince's name for a special investigation, there is no way he can honorably refuse and no way that Beribo could keep from giving him up.

>>19881043
YES.

Brilliant idea.

>>19881043
You sir.
Are a true genius.

>>19881043
>Let's recruit Niduseg for it.
Are we allowed to just rampantly shanghai influential people with busy lives into service like that?

rolled 87 = 87

>>19881043
THIS, I love it when a plan comes together!

>>19880967
>>19880980
>>19880988

So that's Katesas, the Guard captain, and... well, you shouldn't deprive yourself of too many left/right arms though. You've only got 4 advisers now (Mormer is more of an accountant).

As for the City Guard, well...

The Lord Commandant has been in his post 8 years now. He's known to be generally effective, but rumours are that he is crazily corrupt. He apparently also likes girls. I don't mean women, I mean girls.

The two captains from the north are very tough types, they normally pick those. Both of them have Cooperative background before they joined the Guard - one was a Blue, one was a White. Just to balance things out. They are currently very tense about the Cooperative situation now, with the Blues forcing the Greens for compensation over that horrible chariot crash.

The two captains from the south were once guards of the merchants, and so they do know how to turn profits. The Lord Commandant is much closer to them. They will definitely know good deals... whether they share them is another matter.

Anyway, you have like 6 hours before you meet them though. Dear god you're yawning.

> What do/say? More research into the money-making areas? What other requirements do you have for areas you'd be interested in, other than lucrative and heavily regulated?
> ... why are you choosing heavily regulated businesses where corruption might easily be caught? Just wondering.

>>19881079
We're an Earl, bitch! We can do what we want! Especially when working in the name of our father and with the pretty much all-powerful clout that entails.

>>19881043

.... that.... that can actually be done. You can make use of the Prince's authority to order Niduseg, and you guess he might be honoured by this.

> Do this? It's this kind of idea that makes a complex quest worthwhile - well conceived!

>>19881079
In the name of the Prince, absolutely!

>>19881085
The only areas we can make profit off of via this method would be businesses that have a lot of rules and regulations... since, you know, that's what we're trying to change up here.

I mean, if we can make just as much profit with less chance of discovery somewhere else I am all for it, but I was under the impression we would be recruiting the guards to selectively enforce the morass of laws, thereby raising productivity and profits while lining our pockets.

>>19881109
DAMN STRAIGHT WE ARE DOING IT! BERIBO CAN SUCK SHIT THROUGH A STRAW! WE GOT HIS NUMBER ONE GUY!

>Not Hearth and Hoarfrost

Bye.

>>19881085
Because those are the businesses that would get the biggest boost from having some of their regulatory burdens lifted, which means they would be the biggest possible money-makers and would have the biggest incentive to go along with our plans.

>>19881109
If we can do it, then hell, why not?

>>19881085
> ... why are you choosing heavily regulated businesses where corruption might easily be caught? Just wondering.
My understanding was that one of the biggest impediments to business was the fact that there are tons of conflicting regulations that are bogging everything down with inefficiency, half of them aren't enforced and half of the rest are funneling their taxes into corrupt pockets. The more heavily regulated the area, then, the more inefficiency would be sitting around to be potentially cleared away by someone interested in results.

The money that we would get would not come from corruption directly, but rather from connections with merchants in the area, who know that we basically own it and thus give us gifts and political support and such, and through investing our existing funds into businesses in the area and using guard connections to make sure they're more favored.

If we do it right, nothing here should actually be illegal, or indeed even arguably corrupt. Sure, we'll probably end up violating some regulations, but ideally nothing major- and it's been made clear that in this legal setting there's always charges that can be found to throw at anyone, and what really matters is connections and appearances.

> Righto, then!

In the glow of your brilliant idea, you get Ramogis and Daneg in to discuss it. They, too, think it's bloody brilliant.

'Also,' Daneg says, 'this will be a good measure of his virtue. It has been said that he is a man of filial piety. If it is then revealed to him that his former boss is a murderer and kinslayer, then surely...'

... oh yeah, that's true too. Even better! You tell Daneg to go write the letters, and Ramogis and Peony to go organise the whole affair. That leaves you with Lavender and Orchid having breakfast, then.

'They're starting to play music and everything over at the central halls already, sir,' Lavender says. She sounds noticeably excited. You have the feeling your attendants might like to go and ogle the cute noble boys as well, hmmm.

> What do for now then?
> Also, aww come on, I'll run H and H!

>>19881216

'Come on. There is a cute nobleman right here, and you're serving him and complaining?'

Let's go find those businesses. Make up a sort of list. Which industries have crazy regulations, and so on.

>>19881216
We don't have much on our plates until the meeting, right? So we could let a few of our attendants go and enjoy the festivities.

>>19881212
>even arguably corrupt
Even MORE THAN arguably corrupt, rather. The point is we would definitely be able to argue back. I don't want us to be in a situation where someone can throw our deeds in front of the Prince and make us really lose his esteem for it. This should be a "sure, he's breaking some minor rules... but no one cared about those rules anyway and he's getting results good for the city".

>>19881136
>>19881170
>>19881212
>>19881302

Well, in terms of crazily regulated businesses - generally you can say that where governmental interests are involved, the regulation tends to be heavy-handed. These goods include silk, iron, salt, lumber, copper and so on - basically, things with strategic uses.

But in terms of complexity, then yes - it tends to be the service industries on one hand, the restaurants and chess-houses and bathhouses and whorehouses and the (x)houses - who have to pay dues, fees, taxes, rent, protection money, and the lot. Another class of such goods are the luxury goods - again, silk, spices, sugar, resins and incenses, medicines, fresh fruit and meat, things like that.

If you want to start, there is a street near the Jade and Cloud Mansion where resins and incenses are sold in retail...

>>19881216
Well after we eat breakfast we should let them go ogle the cute noble boys. Let them get hot and bothered about them and we'll take care of them later. Give them a kiss before they go off.

Then we can get more work done, looking into businesses, seeing who else would be useful on the investigation squad.

>>19881216
Well, I think we should let our attendants have a day off. At least some of them.

I think we should have a talk with Amaryllis, then take Orchid out for some lovey-dovey time since she is in love with us.

I would suggest since we can't really be in the palace today and the social season has begun (or is that tomorrow?) we should then take Peony out for an evening, formally. Or rather, ask her to do so. She can always refuse, I guess.

>>19881340
Then it sounds like luxury goods would be the industry for us, start with the incense merchants near the Jade and Cloud and work our way out.

>>19881346
>>19881302
>>19881306

'Please, you already have your master to ogle...'

The girls laugh, and then you tell them they can have the afternoon off. They'll have to be back by the meeting, though. You kiss Orchid's forehead, and then kiss Lavender. She smells lovely, her hair is a sandy gold against which her blush is even more pretty. You wonder why you haven't talked to her more.

Then you send them away for their ogling, and - oh yes - ask Amaryllis to come in, so you can explain your policy on bedding attendants to her. You'd love to, but you go by consent, not force.

Amaryllis looks shocked. 'I... I wasn't saying no, sir!'

'Yes, but we were both rather drunk.'

'That's true... well... I still wasn't saying no, though, sir.'

Well, that's sorted then.

You continue to read about the businesses, with Peony furnishing some materials. By which she means 11 scrolls of materials on silk, spices and resins alone. Fucking hell!

'So, Peony. After the meeting, let's go somewhere.'

'You mean, for me to go somewhere? Sure, what do you need, sir?'

'Nono, for us to go somewhere.'

'Oh... um, sure, sir.'

> What else do? It's two hours to noon; an hour later you'll have to leave the Palace. This reading is informative, but dear gods it's confusing.

rolled 80 = 80

>>19881216
I'm more of a hoarfrost guy, but I'm starting to really love nobleman quest now. Keep up the good games.

Let's rest our mind for now. Send our girls to have some fun if they want to, while we'll spend a little time alone drawing up some ideas for the pearl.
I'd imagine it set within a shell that can be opened and closed. The exterior should be in bronze, of a rough aspect, and the inside in polished silver. The thing should lay on a mesh of copper and bronze that would look like algae. The bronze of the shell should be an alloy that will become black with the oxydation, while that of the algae should contain more copper, to become green with the time.
Playing with oxydation is fitting for something we want to become an heirloom.

Rolling to make it better.

>>19881395
We have a date this evening already. And while Orchid is nice, we don't go out with her and be lovey-dovey because she's one of our attendants- she works for us. We can have romantic moments during her duties or when we're at home, but we don't go out with her.

>>19881448
If we're still tired from getting up really early, a power nap wouldn't hurt. We'll need to be sharp this evening when meeting with Lady Merinites.

>>19881454
I really like your proposed design, and I put forward that whenever we pass it along we must do so by large body of water like a lake, river, or sea.

Thematically appropriate.

>>19881454
I see it as a sign of divine favour, and think it should be something we have on our person. The centrepiece of a crown, a band of gold set with gems with the pearl as the 'crown jewel' so to speak.

While that sounds very fancy, it sounds far too fancy if you catch my drift. We aren't that good at making stuff, and we haven't the free time to do something so complicated.

>>19881470
>>19881454

> Well, mind, you have spent a night with Linden out in town before. That was fun. But yes, you can do it, and you can not do it.

You continue to read, and then do some drawing for your plans. You do have a bit of top-grade mother-of-pearl in storage, so you can use that for the inside of the fake oyster - that would make it even more life-like!

As you consider this, and consider it some more, making improvements here and there, Peony comes in and says that the Prince has given the orders now. Oh, so Dad is still sober enough to give orders; excellent. She says there's half an hour to go, so either you get out of the palace now, or you stay within your apartments.

> I take it you're leaving? Where would you like to go? The wilds, a village, Margade? Maybe a high-class inn or something?

Also, Orchid's come back from the festivities, as has Linden. 'Rose and Lilac will take care of them,' Linden says, casually.

You sense Orchid's already looking up to Linden as some sort of big sister. Well, she sure looks the part...

>>19881470
Yeah, we do have that date with Meri.

What is she expecting? We promised to take her out to that rocky bluff or whatever.

>>19881547

Um, making stuff is like one of our special skills, though.

I guess you have a point about the pearl in crown thing, but somehow this pearl seems more... personal to me. I'm more for the intricate shell idea.

If/when we become king, we can set all the pearls in our crown if we want!

>>19881557
Margade. Let's get the lay of the land.

>>19881448
We should find someone to get us info about the guard. Who is corrupt, who is not, who is concerned about the betterment of his peers, how does the power balance works with the various factions of the city.

In the long term, we'll have to try to replace the corrupt higher-ups with people corrupted by us, or if we can find them, people whose plans and views meet ours. We should make some friends. I wonder if we can invite lower-ranked captains and officers to our place, without apppearing to be corrupting them.

>>19881575
It is one of our special skills, but we don't exactly have a lot of free time to waste on personal endeavours. We have an investigation to manage, foreign dignitaries to entertain, social standings that need improvement, business meetings and all manner of who-ha.

Taking time out of our schedule to make a fancy case for our pearl seems like a waste of time.

>>19881580
We can throw parties, to which we can invite whoever the hell we want.

We don't, much, but we can.

>>19881547
>we haven't the free time to do something so complicated.
We can get some help.
How many jewellers are exercising in this city ? Is there any famous ones ? Is there any that sits at the Congregation ?

>>19881559
Well, we're double booked now then. I suggest a solution as follows:
Show up early for Meri, take her to the bluff, talk intrigue shop and be polite. Peony and our retinue can come along, it's a formal affair after all.

Then afterward we dismiss all of our retinue except a couple guards and Peony, and go out on one of those luxury riverboats. The ones with the restaurants and dancing and such that we were told about before. We'll need to bring along a gift too, since presenting gifts to potential concubines is sort of what one does.

Then we can stay out as late as we want dancing and eating and chatting, and retire to our newly refurbished mansion in the city rather than worry about the gates problem like last time.

>>19881619
How is the mansion refurbished yet? We just gave the money today didn't we?

>>19881619
I think taking her as a concubine is a bit premature. After we solve the Hillmen mystery, maybe, but there is far too much work to romance her now. She isn't just going to slip into our bed over a sly wink and a slipped present.

>>19881580
>>19881578
>>19881559

You nod and head out of the Palace, down for Margade, with just some of your attendants and your gate-guests. When you arrive at the Jade and Cloud Mansion, you dismiss the gate-guests and then walk in.

Ah! It's much better already than when you first saw it. The courtyard's had a good sweep, the walls have been repainted and replastered, the roofs don't have so many missing tiles anymore. Nice, nice. The garden's still overgrown as hell though, and the ponds have turned into bright green puddles.

You did tell Meri you'd see her in the evening; she's replied that she will give a definite reply today. Nothing so far though. Oh well.

As for the information gathering about the captains, you can use Ula and her network of informants, though that is quite patchy and limited. You do need more eyes and ears in Margade, maybe a recruitment programme of some sort...

> What do? Since you guys are talking about dealing with the businesses - how would you like to deal, exactly?
> Also from the Jade and Cloud Mansion, you find you can actually smell the resin street. That's nice.

>>19881601
All work and no play makes adrian a dull boy. We already take time to fuck attendants, we can take some (maybe off that one) for our other hobbies.

>>19881646
Linden and Rose took some slaves down there quite a while ago and began spiffing it up.

It won't be up to palace levels, but it will be decent.

>>19881653
We fuck attendants when we're retiring for the night. It isn't stealing much from the schedule.

>>19881648
That's the entire point of beginning now. We've already taken her out before to restaurants and given her some gifts, this is just continuing the romancing by taking her out during the festival and having a good time. It's not like we're expecting her to do the horizontal tango with us tonight.

> Okay guys, hold up a bit. Evening plans with Meri are set, and meeting in afternoon is set.

> Long term plans you can talk about more. (I'll be done after maybe 2 more posts anyway.)

> But what are you going to do NOW? Or would you just like to chillax in the Jade and Cloud? Mind, it's not a bad way to spend a few hours, just chilling out... the weather is warm, and outside you can hear the clamor of the streets.

>>19881648
>I think taking her as a concubine is a bit premature.
I personally disagree and support taking her out. We have already started putting the moves on her in the first place. It will always be 'oh man, we're so busy, we'll put that off until later...' if we use that as an excuse.

>>19881722
Wander the streets, stop in a few teahouses and such, talk with commoners about their problems and the problems of the city. Without our distinctive garb.

>But what are you going to do NOW?
Since we've finished the pearl-necklace design, how about we call upon that master swordsman guy who has become a butcher and practice our skills? Afterward we can talk with him and our new gate-guest about battle strategy.

Or we could always go with the old standby of fucking the maids, that's actually a very worthwhile past-time too. Linden and Orchid are both here... and either one would be willing. Mmm.

>>19881780
>boink the attendants
You know, that might honestly be a practical course of action in addition to a fun one. Meri really tries to use her body to get to us, so if we take care of 'that' now then we would be better prepared for an evening spent verbally sparring with her.

> Sigh. All right, then.

You intended to do a lot of important things, but as you walk into the back room of the main hall, it turns out to be a lovely study room, refurbished with furniture from the palace. Wait, that's your old couch! You had that in storage... clever Rose.

Taking the scrolls, you line them up, sit down on the couch... and then lie down on the couch. Ah. Sunlight is entering through the window, but so is a breeze. Orchid comes in with a cup of chilled tea, and you notice she's rolled her sleeves up and clipped her skirt to show a little of her legs.

'Sir, I must tell you something. I've found a friend of mine who also had a bit of military training an is working as an attendant now! She's working for a merchant here, but since you've been asking for more attendants...' She sits down beside the couch, then turns to you. Her eyes are really rather large.

'Um... may I, sir?' She drinks a mouthful of the tea, then, blushing brightly, leans forward with pursed lips.

> What do/say?

> See, the moment I think everyone's ignored the request for an immediate action!

> You'll wander the streets after this though, no problem. And look for Tihareg, sure. Another 2 posts before I go to sleep.

> Also, Peony is of course available for a 'date' tomorrow. She's yours after all.

>>19881800
Take Orchid hard and fast on the couch. Just tip her upside down and really go to town on her.

>>19881849
If so, try not to make her feel too used. Unless that's her thing.
Finish the tea first anyway.

>>19881818
>Also, Peony is of course available for a 'date' tomorrow. She's yours after all.
Well, yes, but the main issue would be making it and then moving it immediately after. To spend the evening with another woman, no less.

>>19881879
She understands. It is politics.

>>19881869
So cuddle afterwards? I think we can swing that.

>>19881800
Orchid should definitely reconnect with that friend and sound her out- if she'd be interested in coming to work for us and Orchid vouches for her, then Peony can vet her for employment.

Whatever else we do this afternoon, we should definitely catch a nap before our afternoon and evening meetings. We got up at like four in the morning and can't afford to be falling asleep when talking serious business.

>>19881894
With females there is always a big difference between understanding intellectually and truly being okay with it.

>>19881879
>>19881869
>>19881849

> Making it then moving it immediately after.

What? Oh, you mean with Meri? Mate, Peony already knows you're double-booked *before* you know you're double-booked. She's your scheduler, after all.

You think she'll probably not find it problematic... she doesn't even know you're taking her out on a 'date'. The two of you are always together after all.

Meanwhile, you lean in to drink from her lips. Tea dribbles down her neck, so you have to drink from there too. And it keeps dribbling! And so on.

Pulling her robes away as she shrugs them off, you pull her onto the couch. She seems surprised that you're going about it so much more actively today, and then cries out as you get started. She manages to match your enthusiasm, is what you can say.

At the end of it, you lay your head on her heaving chest, enjoying the softness. Then you hear her sobbing and look up. She's looking away, biting her hand.

> What do/say?

>>19881894
Yeah, but when actively courting a girl you attempt to make her feel special and cared for. Saying "meh, politics baby." doesn't tend to do that. That's why I was suggesting moving up Meri's meeting then taking Peony out afterward. Takes care of politics and shows we care enough to think of her rather than just brushing her off for 'more important' things.

>>19881966

Seriously, between the two, we're choosing to give Peony the main slot? Get a bloody grip. Wives first, then concubines.

>>19881946
She really is in love with us.

Ah dang it.

Try to console her on the fact that, though she will never be a wife and may not be a 'proper' concubine, we will never set her aside. She is a dear treasure of our estate, one we mean to guard closely. There is a trust we have in her matched only by those we have known years longer.

That we love her, if not in the way she would prefer.

>>19881946
Well, for future reference Orchid desires tender lovings. Go run a bath ourselves, carry her in there, wash off and be tender, ect. Make her feel loved, basically, which we most assuredly did not do just then.

Jesus, I didn't think we would rape the poor girl.

>>19881946
Well, that's concerning. Sit up and ask if she's all right.

>>19882033
Based on
>She manages to match your enthusiasm, is what you can say.
I really don't think that's the problem here.

>>19882026
>Try to console her on the fact that, though she will never be a wife and may not be a 'proper' concubine, we will never set her aside.
Dude, you are fucking retarded. No.

I leave for fifteen minutes and this shit happens, god damn. Cuddle, hug, be kind and soft and whisper sweet nothings to her until she calms down. Tell her we are sorry and we care for her and thought that she might have just wanted to mix things up. Spend time on gentle caresses and maybe go a round two focused on her this time. Ugh. Way to break it, hero.

>>19882026
Please, never suggest anything related to being 'romantic' or 'consoling' again if that's what you think it would be.

>>19882026
>girl crying
>tell her she will never even amount to second best

Brilliant.

>>19882046
>>19882033
>>19882026

You sit up reluctantly, and run your hand over her. She takes your hand and moves it to her breasts.

'You all right?'

'Yes... yes sir...'

'I won't throw you aside, Orchid,' you say, tenderly. 'I think about these things too. I'm an earl, and so I'm lucky enough to have you. And what I've had I don't throw aside easily.'

'Sir...?'

'I mean it. I... you won't be my wife, I fear. But I will take care of you. You don't have to worry.'

'Sir... you're sitting on my shin and it hurts...'

'Oh!' You shift, and watch her cross her thin legs. Then she leans in and hugs you.

'I've talked to Linden about it, sir. I... I understand, now. Thank you, master...' she then breaks down again, and you hold her gently for a long while as she shudders and sobs.

> And that brings us to the City Guard meeting next thread.
> Thanks for playing, guys. You are all sorts of awesome.

OH Also, just to get this in: after you get Orchid dressed, Peony comes in with good news. Niduseg has accepted the commission!

> Actually, mind you - if you can take Peony as a concubine (which you can), you can take Orchid as a concubine. As with Peony (or any attendant you decide to take), their children will not be eligible for (legal) succession (but who knows, eh) - but you can give them shares of your inheritance and raise their children well too.

> Of course, given that you aren't likely to inherit more than a village, that doesn't bear much thought. It's also why many lower nobles won't take concubines - way more trouble for not much more fun. But a duke... a prince... a king...

>>19882134
She has been madly in love with us since we took her out to the archery range. She's an infatuated young woman who is starting to realise she can never have that love fully returned.

All the stuff with the foreign women and the potential marriages have no doubt made it unbearable for her.

>>19882156
I like Orchid, but as a proper concubine? Not sure if she's really appropriate for that kind of position. The other attendants we've been fucking might feel slighted by the idea.

>>19882170
This is why I suggested we needed to at least take her out and have some fun in the city earlier in the thread.

>>19882123
Question, I thought that Peony was just a generation or two off the tree and therefore higher ranking than Orchid or any of our other maids but Amaryllis.

Excellent news from Niduseg. If we impress him during the investigation, he may throw in with us. A valuable lynch pin in winning over a good number of well placed locals.

Glad we didn't have him killed.

>>19882123
>>19882073

After she cries for a while, you start kissing her gently again, and this time she responds eagerly, pulling you on top of her.

You're not sure if she really understands or she's just faking it to not make you worry. But you did mean what you said. It's beginning to dawn on you that, to be a tree broad enough to cover so many people you love, you will have to be a great tree indeed. And who might get destroyed in the process of your growth? What if you have to destroy those people you wanted to live, comfortably, in your shade?

But for now there is just Orchid, fragrant and sweaty and gasping and warm and beautiful.

The second time aches a bit, so soon after the first, but it ends well too. You look at the clothes, taken off, thrown on, then taken off again. Orchid strokes your hair and nods off; the room door opens a crack, Peony gets the message, and the door closes again.

> Okay, here's a proper ending to the thread then. Goodnight, noble people.

>>19882218
Unfortunately, the appropriate answer to "attendant is in love with you" is not "dote on the attendant". Orchid's in a rough situation, but while we're going to be nice enough about it, ultimately the most that she can hope for from us is a concubine position, our lifelong affection and personal favor, and enough trust from us to handle political and governmental matters which influence the lives of tens of thousands of people.

And hell, that's a lot more than most women ever get, so while it might be depressing that we'll never love her exclusively or marry her I imagine she'll get over it.

>>19882211
>>19882218

Peony is indeed 'more noble', and that might be reflected in social views. But legally, nothing stops you from taking them as concubines.

In fact, it's a major reason why so many girls take flower names and join this business. Did you really think their parents parted with them, sometimes forever, for the relatively measly pay they get? They work hard, and if they get a master like your second brother, they're thoroughly reamed.

But it's a worthwhile investment, because on the off chance one of them catches the fancy of a noble, whoosh!

>>19882243
> who might get destroyed in the process of your growth?

The consequence of ambition. But to be less than ambitious is to betray our heritage and to waste our potential. If we do nothing, people we love are still hurt.

>>19882211
>>19882156
I have to agree. Peony is noble blooded and so it's acceptable for her to be a concubine, but Orchid isn't. But a personal attendant we greatly favor, support, and care for? Sure.

We just need to pay attention to her and make sure she feels loved, and in the bargain we'll get a ninja meido with absolute loyalty.

>>19882270
She's good with a bow. Perhaps if we arrange for certain extra training she can become our unofficial bodyguard?

>>19882308

Maybe we should ask to see that other girl she knows. Two maids who know bows and daggers - no one's going to expect that.

>>19882343
There's an order to these things. If Orchid thinks she's recruitment material, she brings the matter to Peony, who vets her for competence and reliability. Then we take Peony's recommendation under advisement, and if we're still feeling optimistic Orchid approaches her friend with an interview offer, and if she is amenable then we meet her.

Basically, we have minions to handle everything up until her employment is basically a sure thing, if we want to make that happen. No personal time expenditures are necessary here.

Question. When a girl becomes a concubine, does she ditch her flower name?

Do they potentially take on an entirely new name, or revert to their birth name?

Xing, can I make a note for the future?

Next time we tinker, let's have Lavender do so with us and get to know her better. We should know all our attendants. Really, this goes for Rose too. We don't know her that well, to be honest. Our attendants are currently part of our skill-toolbox and around us every day doing things for us. We need to know their strengths and weaknesses.

Speaking of which, what about that knife-combat specialist Linden was looking for and the self-defense lessons we were setting up between Orchid and the other girls? Peony clearly doesn't need them, but I think the others might benefit.

>>19882305
>>19882343
>>19882389

Reading these posts, calling them 'attendants' instead of 'maids' was a good idea.

>>19882389

You have a good point, let's do this.

I don't even remember all the maids we have now. We should know more.

Then for business... actually I don't know. Let's just talk to the merchants and see what they'd like.

Dude, ya archived it under the wrong quest name!