Inspect our pleasure-slaves.

Throughly.

>>20564770
You currently do not own any pleasure slaves to inspect. You've come into this license only recently, and haven't had the free time to pursue the endeavour.

If you would like to inspect the slave pens for candidates you can do so.

The main buyer of pleasure slaves in the city is one Seamus Columbo, owner of a number of Brothel's and Chairman of the brothel Keeper's Guild. There are however a number of minor guild members always looking for a good purchase.

Give him our sister.

We are a slave trader, we care only for ourselves and our pockets.

>>20564781

It's a market we should be expanding into. A lucrative one at that. Let's visit the slave pens

>>20564742
Hey you're back.

Okay, get into contact with Estelle first. She has to have more dirt on Jean Paravel and won't want us releasing what we have already on her fiance's father.

Send a letter to our grandfather Charlemagne to hurry back doubletime please.

>>20564784
You consider the idea as you make your way back home. While you have some strong affection for your sister, Jean Paravel is a powerful man with considerable influence, and she had professed an attraction for the man previously.

However you know very well that he is a sexual sadist, the murder children your grandfather buried were a testament to that fact. And selling him family might be an unwise move. Your grandfather Charlemagne certainly would be repulsed by the idea.

You tucked it into the back of your mind as you climbed through the threshold of your shared apartment.

Theresa was in the lounge with a man in priestly vestments. Your companions, Silti and Hildi, were currently serving tea. They had come a long way from the hollow minded wretches you had rescued from spiritual possession.

They were deep in conversation, arranging the funeral of your elder brother Esteban.

>>20564805
Fucking Esteban, worst brother ever. Still we have to keep up appearances and have the sufficiently nice funeral and not let on that we dislike him.

Talk to the priest, see how arrangements are going so far, make sure that it's sufficiently opulent but not gaudy.

>>20564805

Sell the corpse of your brother, your Grandfather and your sister to Jean Paravel as sex toys.

>>20564781
None? I figured that Esteban would have had a pile of them before he died that would have passed to us since we got the class two license and he died.

>>20564798
Theresa and the priest rise to greet you. You bow dutifully to the priest, as was custom, and smiled at your sister. She had a grave appearance, dressed in mourning, but smiled at the sight of you.

You pass them by and enter your study, leaving them to hammer out the funeral arrangements. It was considered a mother's duty to care for a bachelor son's arrangements, but sisters served in-absentia.

You take your chair and a quill, writing out a note for your grandfather informing him of your troubles with Jean Paravel. If any man could handle a powerful figure like the Paravel family it was your grandfather.

You tuck the note away and make plans to call on Lady Estelle, your former sweet heart and fiancée to Rikard Paravel.

It would be rude to burst in unannounced, but a messenger could be sent asking to call on her later this afternoon.

>>20564827
The slaves you had expected to find in Esteban's residence had gone missing along with the servants.

>>20564812

Before departing on other business you have a word with the priest in your lounge.

"Your sister and I have arranged a simple service, humble with a choir to sing a few hymns. Lady Theresa has opted to read a few passages from the Holy Verses and we discussed having your father read the eulogy. Is this all acceptable to you?"

He gave a thin smile. The priest was a short, paunchy man with a thick neck and a nose twice broken. Something about him told you he had been a wrestler in his youth, and no doubt from the poorer parts of town.

>>20564842
I should add also that the slaves he didn't hang onto were already sold. You've currently no slaves lined up to be sold to the Brothel Keeper's.

I should also note it is considered bad form for a trader to sample the goods or try his/her hand at training specialised slaves. Pleasure houses and brothels have their own methods for teaching the erotic arts.

>>20564831
Lovely. I think that since we're old friends, have some dirt on Jean Paravel already, and that her family and herself would not like to be associated with the Paravels if it got out we have enough to go on for her to give us enough on him to get control of the situation.

>>20564842
Would this funeral be considered too poor or quiet for a family of our stature? If so we should suggest a bit more opulence, a nicer casket, a few shiny things, citing our poor dead brother's love of beauty and gold and so on to justify it.

>>20564848
Not that Esteban, worst brother ever, really paid any attention to that. If I remember correctly he sampled the goods regularly.

Your newly acquired personal slave, the former crusader Juno Gabriel, waits outside with Stag-Horn still dressed in slave rags. The ancient, balding, hump backed old man hasn't been fed in some time and had attracted dirty looks every step from the pens to your residence.

Which in way was welcome. It would be bad if his identity were discovered. The Thrice-Blessed Swordsman, the Alban Kingmaker, still had living enemies after all.

>>20564860
Okay get him inside, cleaned and washed up, fed properly with someone other than our sister Theresa cooking, all of that stuff.

We'll justify him showing up by saying with the new-found responsibilities we have come into as running the Zahak offices here we needed a manservant/butler and he used to be one back in the day. Telling most people who he is seems like a very bad plan.

>>20564849
You suggest to the priest that a bit more opulence was in order. Your brother's greed was well known, his funeral should reflect the life he led. Not that they should go fully overboard, but the coffin should at least be lined with velvet and etched with gold, the wood should be proper redwood oak, and it simply had to be held at the Cathedral of Blessed Children, the finest such in the city.

The priest frowned but nodded, taking notes on a wax script. All t the good. The city couldn't think the Zahak family were misers, and your recent fortune needed to be displayed some how.

Just give him your sister. As a slave trader, you are unlikely to think much of others, of women, or of other intelligent beings, really.

Just discuss price and limits with your partner first. You are a business man, so you arent going to give her away for free.

>>20564881
Given that our sister is currently our business partner in the arms factory, we happen to like her, and doing anything like that with Jean Paravel would seriously piss off our Grandfather, the person who runs our family.

That is the alternative he offered to giving him kids to carve up, which if it got out would be just as bad and tie us into business relations with him. And we aren't getting anything out of it, he's saying do one of these things for me or I will fuck over the arms factory you made and use my power as a judge to make your life hell. He's fucking with us, and nobody makes ultimatums of a Zahak.

>>20564871
You take him inside your residence and steer him towards the kitchens. Your sister sits up at the sight of the old slave.

"Who is this brother?" she asked, a suspicious frown on her face.

You tell the half-truth. "A new personal assistant, bought to help me run the offices. So much responsibility is coming my way now, to do it all myself is simply absurd."

She seems to swallow it, but as she turns back to the priest you catch a suspicious gleam in her eye.

Gabriel you escort into the kitchen and serve a plate of left over breakfast. Cooked by your personal chef rather than your dear sweet sister.

despite the hunger biting at his gut, Gabriel retains the manner of a gentleman. He eats it swiftly but with grace.

"Good to eat more than that foul pottage your pen master serves," he says with a dab at his chin.

You arrange for him to wear some of your spare clothes. While you are a deal taller than the man the outfit fits well enough the he could make his way through the streets without attracting scorn.

He takes up a comb and plasters back his remaining hair into a knot. The man was starting to look civilized.

>>20564881
You aren't literally selling her. You are 'giving' her to him for a week.

The deal he has in mind is to give you equal shares in your joint-business, namely the canon/gun workshop. He bought the land it was built on, and provided most of the resources needed to get it going and put in a chunk of start up money besides. Giving him your sister would essential (theoretically) clear your debt.

>>20564910
We'll have to talk to him later about a lot of things, in private, when our sister isn't around.

We'll get him a bath and his own clothes soon enough.

>>20564923
He's also evil, we're slave traders but at least we have standards.

You arrange for a message to be taken to Estelle, asking if you could call on her in the evening. Stag-Horn, your some-time bodyguard/manservant, elects to take the message personally.

He's out the door like a shot.

You think of what you have to do in the mean time.

With Orion's death you are in need of a new commander for your cadre of soldiers. Pleasure slaves need to be screened and arrangements to be made in their sale, and of course Ancient Desmond was still working over Esteban's books to connect the links between him and the sorcerer Stonesnake.

There was also the troubling business of the cave network beneath Esteban's manor. A hetwork for criminals and smuggler, but now being used by Stonesnake to move his ghouls unseen.

>>20564910

'Dear sister, why the frown? Do you not like our new slave?'
I turn to kingmaker 'Introduce yourself to my sister, put her at ease.'

>>20564970
Okay, let's start with a replacement for Orion. The two best sources for this would probably be veteran soldier, or retired gladiator. Soldier would probably be better as he would be more experienced with commanding troops instead of just combat.

Put out some feelers, have our people see if there are any skilled sergeants or anything like that who are currently dissatisfied with their working arrangements.

have you fuckers not been keeping up with the quest? we're not handing our sister to him unless its part of a plan to kill or steal and blackmailing his ass. despite our job we're not that kind of guy. hell, we're technically a crusader fighting an evil god or something

tell sister at night about his demands and start getting help from our kingmaker to fight and combat the sick lord guy. im sure he'll be invaluable

>>20564981
You take Gabriel back out into the parlour. "Is there something you dislike about my assistant?" you ask, presenting the newly dressed up Gabriel Juno.

Theresa sighed. "I dislike his bondage to you dear brother. You know my thoughts on the matter. Slavery is an evil our family has indulged in, and the day it is gone from the world will be a happy one indeed."

"The mademoiselle has a kind soul," Gabriel bows with a flourish, "Truly I am the luckiest man to ever be bound in chains, to belong to such a proud and beautiful woman."

She cast the old man a surprised look and smoothed her skirts. The man had a rogue's grin and moved as smoothly as a youth. You knew his reputation as a seducer of women, perhaps it was well founded.

>>20565005
You make your way back to the offices with Gabriel in tow. Replacing Orion was a priority. You had lost a good friend that night, but more importantly you had lost the backbone of your hunters. Ben Cohen was the only other senior officer, but he was a surgeon first and a second rate soldier besides.

You give an order to a waiting scribe to arrange for notices to be put out, looking for an able commander of men looking for employment. Rates to be discussed. Every tavern hall and whore house was stuffed with rough and tumble types, retired fighters or those looking for work. It shouldn't get long for word to get out.

As you give out the gist of the notice Ancient Desmond appears from the stairwell. The ancient aide-de-camp of the Narleen office had a pursed lipped expression.

>>20565067
Desmond, what do you have for me? I'm hoping you found something interesting or useful.

>>20565079
Desmond's frown deepened.

"Perhaps we should speak in private." He looks deliberately at Gabriel when he says this.

>>20565096
"Understood."

We'll tell Gabriel later what we hear but for now we should keep people in the dark about who he is, and us randomly trusting what we want people to think is a manservant/butler about private business conversations would be suspicious.

>>20565113
You tell Gabriel to wait down here and follow Desmond upstairs. The old man moves to his desk and takes a seat. He looks up at you with a grave expression.

"You don't know much about Royal Agents, do you?" he said softly. It wasn't really a question. "Your brother has sold, in the span of a week, almost fifty slaves to Lord Artur, the King's Agent in Narleen. This man sits on the city council, and speaks with the king's voice. I know you have been fighting with him, I have no clue over what. I suggest you stop. I don't know for what purpose Artur has bought these slaves, I don't know why you both seem to hate one another, but this man has the power to pull the Royal Army down on Narleen if it gets out of hand. He can declare martial law, if given reason.

Let me be frank, I think you are punching above your weight level, and when the return blow comes it will leave you dead and this family in ruin. You have that appointment at the Mockinjay lounge in a week. I suggest you do the reasonable thing and hammer out a truce.

We have too much on our plate at the moment. Esteban all but ruined our finances and we are struggling to stay afloat. If you want to continue your pissing match with the Royal representative, I suggest you do so after your grandfather returns and formally leave the company if you do. Don't drag your family down with you."

"I pray for you Estavo, I pray that you see reason."

>>20565171
Isn't this lovely. As if Estavo didn't have enough troubles in his life.

"Desmond, I assure you that any quarrel I have with Artur is justified. Nevertheless I will do what I can to reach a peaceful agreement and ensure that this will not negatively impact the Zahak family."

This is more than a bit of a lie, but we can't really go around saying that Artur spends his time raising zombies to attack us.

AWSOME THIS IS ON AGAIN!

MISSED YOU OP!

>>20564784
>>20564818
Are you fucking mad mate?

We will do no such thing!

>>20565204
You assure the old man you will do as he suggests and try to build a truce with Stonesnake, while also thinking up ways to murder the sorcerer at your earliest convenience. If Desmond suspects your less than sincere he gives no sign of knowing and simply smiles.

Smiling happily he instead turns the topic to business.

"Lord Columbo is looking for more girls for a new brothel he plans to open in Nova Leon. 'A taste of sin' seems to be theme, bringing a bit of Narleen fun to the stuffy corridors of power. He would like a few girls from every trader looking to sell. Rumour has it he's converting a large abandoned temple to the purpose, with a holy sister theme. The man has a wicked mind. I can make you an appointment if you wish.

The Turtle Islands need extra chattel for the sugar plantations. Higher overturn than usual due to tropical storms. Its a simple order, but it may clear out half our stock. What say you?"

As he speaks a knock comes at the door and Stag Horn pokes his shaggy head through.

"Good news boss, she'll see you."

Desmond crooks a questioning eye brow.

>>20565171
I have no intention to bring down house Zahak down with me but sadly i doubt that if Lord Arthur should be extremely succesfull in this pissing match, regardless of my standing, or how much i would try to distance myself from Zahak he would bring it down out of spite and insurance, and any turce will be temporary at best.

I dont know how but somehow i have to figure how to beat a Royal Representative without to much fallout, for the houses sake and everyone in its employ as well as mine.

>>20565283
"Just visiting a friend, nothing major.

For the chattel, sell them. We acquire lots of chattel so they'll be replaced quickly and we are in dire need of cash currently.

As for Columbo, I'll survey what is available and get the girls. I'll make sure to get a good variety to make sure that the customers get to experience the true worth of Narleen, that all of sinful things from all over the world congregate here, it just wouldn't do if there wasn't variety.

Could you set up an appointment with him to discuss exact terms and to ensure that the girls I'm acquiring meet his exacting standards and are what he's looking for? Also would he like me to pick up some men or boys for the establishment as well?"

>>20565315
second

>>20565315
"An appointment might take some time, all the traders are looking to cash in on this piece of business and you are new to your license, but it should not be difficult. As to male slaves, I would suggest saving that for the interview. We never seem to sell as many men as women in the pleasure market, but it is never a bad thing to keep a few in reserve. Variety is the spice of this business, canvas for local girls or foreigners that can at least do a passing imitation. Buy a pretty young thing off the street if you must, or look for some pretty girls in the debtor's cells.We've few locals in the pens. If you are busy I can arrange most of this for you."

"I must say Master Zahak, it has always been my wish to see you become head of these offices. Though your brother's passing is terrible, the future at least is starting to look brighter."

>>20565356
Thank you for your confidence in me Desmond.

I'm not so busy that I can't shoulder at least some of the burden. How long do we have to get these girls and how many should we look to acquire?

>>20565397
"An order of five should be sufficient, as soon as possibly. Believe me when I say the other traders will be poaching all the talent they can. A fortune is to be made here. As to variety, I suggest some natives, or mixed girls. Some pale thing that can be passed off as an aristocrat wouldn't hurt, if you can get some middle class strumpet up on debts I'd suggest you do so."

>>20565415
"I'll do so immediately. You can count on me Desmond. I'm going to start with the debtor's prison, see what I can get from there, try to beat anyone going after the 'middle class strumpets'. Could you send someone to inform our regular partners to expect me to stop by?"

>>20565431
"Of course sir, you can count on me." he hums a local tune as he gets to work, light and spritely, while you depart his office.

Stag-Horn meets you at the foot of the stairs, arms crossing his chest and a bored expression on his face.

"You know lots of pretty girls boss, sure you can't spare one?" he says, stretching out like a cat.

Gabriel Juno is standing by the female scribe. She was heavy and ageing, not at all beautiful, but Gabriel had her hand in his and was speaking sweet nothings that made her swoon. The man didn't discriminate, but then it had no doubt been a time since his last bedding.

"What's the plan, boss?" Stag-Horn asked expectantly.

>>20565467
"If you want an introduction to some pretty girl I can arrange it Stag-Horn, there is no lack of them in this city. But currently we have work to do. Make sure to remind me as I am sure to forget.

We're acquiring some pleasure slaves for Seamus Columbo's business venture in Nova Leon. Given how public a project it is we're going to have to move fast before someone else poaches the good ones. We're starting at the debtor's prison before moving on to our regular contacts and we'll consider whether to continue looking for more after that.

Come along manservant."

We should probably come up with a good fake name for Gabriel, we want as many layers of obfuscation between him and his real identity as possible.

>>20565502
You beat the heat down to the debtor's goal.

In the words of a poet that had once taken residence in Narleen after enduring a scandal in the old world the prison was 'a shit-hole'. It was a high grey building that looked like it served part time as a sewer. The ancient shit stains that ran down the walls, from tiny openings that the inhabitants had to use, gave it the aspect of a large wounded beast.

The plain door that admitted visitors and law men alike were being swamped with effete courtier types and their heavy set bodyguards. many were being turned away when they failed to produce a slaver's license.

You cut through the crowd, your figure and fame giving you easy admittance. A constable bobbed his head to you and fetched a ring of keys.

"You'd be here to inspect the womenfolk, no doubt," the constable said, leading you through the cramped corridors. The woman's wing was passed a set of heavy iron doors and further on past a set of iron bars. A single long corridor with cramped cells either side.

Debtor's were imprisoned because of, well, debts. They had two options in terms of paying off those debts. Working for the city on public works such as roads or buildings. Or voluntarily being sold into slavery, in hopes of putting a percentage of their money towards their debt and working off the rest through the pennies they would make working on a plantation.

The constable led you past the cells and into a yard used for prisoner exercise.

And a dejected sea of humanity rose to greet you.

> roll a d100, over fifty nets you two, over seventy nets you three, hit the nineties and you find all five you will need. Three rolls only.

rolled 93 = 93

>>20565567
Let's find some good ones. Even if we get all the ones we need we should still hit up our contacts and pick up more, there are more customers in this city than just Columbo.

>>20565581
Score. I'm stepping out for a bit to eat dinner, but will be back with the results in a bit.

>>20565581
You rock.

>>20565611
>>20565581
> back

A collection of girls are dragged out for your inspection. Most of them are tired, haggard, and all of them are dressed in the same drab formless shift. They strip down quickly however and you find a sight more pleasing in the cold prison yard.

Five girls match what you are looking for. All young and fit, though they could use some looking after. A pair of native girls and a mixed race mulatto, along with a buxom red haired girl younger than the rest and a tall, athletic blonde who seemed almost too young but the constable insisted she was of age.

You nod to the constable who picks them out. They dressed and are chained. You lead them out to the front desk where paper is produced for you to sign.

The five women, with a single signature, and gone from free born prisoners to slave stock. Ready to be traded and transported to a distant city.

Stag-Horn did not seem so enthusiastic. He gave the chained women an uneasy glance as they were led out into the street.

Gabriel grabs you by the arm as you begin back to the office.

"There's trouble coming." he motioned to the crowd, suddenly tense.

> roll d100, get over sixty

rolled 64 = 64

>>20566075
Yay on the slaves, damn on the trouble.

Get out of the way of the oncoming trouble.

rolled 5 = 5

>>20566100
If you are >>20565581 than I officially love you. Keep rolling.

rolled 28 = 28

>>20566114
That I am. The dice just happen to love me.

>>20566100
Four men burst out of the crowd with muskets bringing muskets to bear.

"Jericho! Jericho!" they shouted as they opened fire. You leap from their field of fire as musket shot rings out. Gabriel has dragged the girls back toward the prison for safety and Stag-Horn remains standing, machete in one hand, tulwar in the other.

The boy could move. He slipped the distance between the musket men and your prone body in a second. Like a leopard he was amongst them, slashing and tearing.

One man fell with a bloody scream, leg gone at the knee. Another reeled back clutching a bloody face. All are wounded. Stag-Horn was quick but he couldn't avoid the end of a musket that cracked him in the back of the head.

You come up in a running tackle, sweeping the man to the dirt. Your large dark hands twist through his hair and you bring the attacker's head down hard on the cobblestone streets. Five sharp blows gave a crack and a bloody stain on the street.

You turn in time to see Stag-Horn on one knee, parry a thrust from a bayonet and empty the man's guts on the return swinging.

Men are screaming in shock. The musket fire had lanced the crowd and a young man was sprawled on his back clutching his side. Others had weapons drawn, swords and pistols, and were firing wildly in all directions. A brawl was breaking out, you were certain some of these men were simply using the confusion to deal with old grudges, as you see a man of the West Sea Expeditionary Trade empty his pistol in the back of the head of a Saimhann merchant.

The men who started the attack are dead though, and Gabriel is quickly but calmly herding the girls through the confusion. You dust yourself off, help Stag-Horn to his feet, and quickly shuffle back to your offices.

>>20566180
Lovely, we have anti-slavery terrorists running about now. That's exactly what we needed. Happily we got what we came for and we came out unscathed.

"Why is it you always come back with blood on you?" Desmond asked as you limped into the office. He handed you a silk handkerchief. A cut on your forehead, opened when you dived for safety. It soaked up quickly, you suspected there would be no need for stitches.

Desmond looked over the girls, arrayed before him. He clucked his tongue as he looked each up and down.

"Yes, yes, perfect. Just give them a decent meal and maybe something less drab to wear and they should sell for quite a price."

He turned and gave you a look.

"You know this lot should do, but it never hurts to find some more. Esteban's old friend Miles Furioso says he has a couple of women he is looking to unload."

Of course, the hour for your appointment with Estelle was drawing close. But Miles Furioso was a well known pimp and gangster famous for gathering quite an interesting collection. Rumour had it Esteban often traded his best girls to the man for a share in his opiate trade.

>>20566228
As long as we can make this stop and get to Estelle in time we should do so.

We can reduce the amount of time it takes by bringing some extra men with us to escort them back to our offices after we purchase them. I think if we do that, and make our visit with Miles Furioso swift, business like, and don't stop to drink and have fun with him we should be okay.

Onward, to Miles Furioso.

rolled 21 = 21

>>20566258
I agree completely

>>20566269
>>20566258
You decide to call on Miles Furioso. Gathering some extra men you head out.

Furioso is a bit infamous. Drug dealer, hustler and all around criminal, he was a designated Captain the Cartel Mundus, the biggest crime operation in the New World. Founded by a group of immigrants originally to protect water front property, it went through the natural evolution into a criminal enterprise.

They had deals all over the country. From the Northern Union to the hinterlands of the Leonine Empire. Smugglers, pirates, pimps, purse cutters, every kind of bad guy either worked for the cartel or gave them a slice.

Furioso liked to live it large in the Potluck Special, a gambling den near the swamp lands. A red bearded giant of a man, he was visually distinct from his peers by the massive collection of ear piercings, said to be taken from opponents in street brawls.

It didn't take long to find him, he was where he often was, in his particular corner with a woman between his legs 'relieving' him as he played cards and drank.

He spotted you and your armed men immediately.

"Little 'Stavo, come play!" he called waving a tankard of ale over his head.

"Let's keep this quick Miles, I've come for the girls and I've got the money to pay."

One of your hunters stepped up with a bag of coin.

>>20566332
Miles pouted.

"You aren't as fun as your brother, he knew how to have a good time." He clicked his fingers and two girls swam out of the crowd to present themselves, on their knees with their chests stuck out.

One was a dirty blond with a broad face, the other a platinum with more traditional features.

"I won them in a card game, but got bored, you want them, take them."

You leave the money on the table and escort the girls back towards the office.

The sun was setting, and you were alarmed to see you were close to late for your appointment.

>>20566341
We should probably have told him that we'd have loved to stay and play but it being our first week running this Zahak outfit here we're rather busy but that some other time we would make sure to join him.

Not that big a deal, we'll make it up to him later.

For now we have an appointment with Estelle to keep.

rolled 45 = 45

>>20566367
Indeed we shall hang with him soon. For now rush to the meeting. Have our new ladies escorted by our new "manservant" and lets head on to our appointment.

>>20566367
Wasting no time you leave the girls in Desmond's charge and head off for Estelle Branagh's.

The Branagh residence was not as grand as it could have been. Kingsley Branagh kept to the reserved nature of his Alban roots, preferring substance and functionality over flashy presence.

So their residence was a humble townhouse, and their guards were all kilt wearing, long-sword bearing Alban highlanders.

You are admitted without trouble into the spacious parlour. This is not you first visit, you give cheerful greetings to some of the servants you recognise, and are provided with tea as you wait. Gabriel and stag-Horn skulk in the corner, trying to remain inconspicuous.

Estelle enters in a white dress with spilling lace from the bodice and cuffs. The corset cut her figure close into a shapely form and she sat daintily beside you on the cushioned bench. Her gaze was high, cold and imperious, she really was quite lovely.

Her father, a broad tree stump of a man, came out next, roaring with laughter.

"Estavo lad! So good to see you!" He draws you off the bench into a tight, affectionate embrace.

"How have you been lad?" he asked, beaming up at you.

rolled 6 = 6

>>20566426
I've been well, although the passing of my brother has been troubling. Still, I must continue on and further my families name and business. How have you been Sir?

(Does this sound in character? It's been a while since I participated in this quest.)

>>20566426
Hug him back just as tight as he is hugging us.

"It's good to see you as well Kingsley. I'm doing good, but quite busy. My brother's death was extremely unfortunate and there is quite a bit of work to be done in his absence, partnerships to ensure continue, slaves to buy, slaves to sell, so much needs to be done. I hardly get a chance to rest."

>>20566451
> its fine. If it isn't 'in-character' I just tend to tweak it a little so it is

Kingsley nods sagely. "Good, good. Especially after that scare with Rikard. The boy almost kills himself being a hero, but you pulled him out of that fire. We are in your debt sir."

He claps. "But you are not here for me. I shall leave you two alone to speak."

As he leaves he glances to the men in the corner and his expression runs cold. Still he turns away, shaking his head and muttering something you don't quite hear.

>>20566481
Well motherfuck on a stick. He probably recognized Gabriel.

Take Estelle's hand and respectfully kiss it.

"Estelle, you're as lovely as ever. It's good to see you again.

Sadly I did not come solely for the pleasure of your company, I would speak with you about the father of your fiance, the esteemed Lord Jean Paravel."

>>20566529
She allows you to kiss her hand but her expression doesn't soften.

"I suppose this has to do with the fact my esteemed soon-to-be father in law is a sexual deviant that has you by the short hairs. I've stayed well abreast of the situation. And there was a time I would have been happy to help you all free of charge. But those were happier days. If you want my help now you'll have to earn it. Let us start with this. Rikard does not know about his father's dark nature. He must never know. I'll not shatter my fiancé's illusions. Let us continue with payment. Be sure that I have something that could destroy the man utterly, if I wished. But what do I need from you? You are rich, but I am richer. You have no where near the power of my father or my fiancé. What can you give me to change my mind?"

She looked down at you over her nose, a proud beauty and she knew it.

>>20566659
> yeah, I admit that's a bit open ended. I'll list some options.

You know she has an interest in the mystic arts. It was a hobby in certain female circles of the upper class to play with tarot decks and 'mystic' baubles, to try and read fortunes or scry for things in murky pools of water. It was all fake, or so you believed. You know she has a taste for horses, and is always keen for riding. You know she enjoys blood sports, like most aristocrats her family sponsors a stable of them. You also know she's got a taste for sex with both men and women, but she indulges such desires discreetly and infrequently.

>>20566659
I would be loath to inform Rikard, a dear friend of mine, of these things as well. And it would be terrible for such things to get out and damage the Paravels as well as the Branaghs through association, something I well and truly wish to avoid if at all possible.

The Branagh family has been interested in entering the firearm market, should "negotiations" with Paravel go well a large chunk of the new cannon foundry, if not more, would be in the hands of myself and my Sister, who you were once dear friends with. How much control exactly would depend on what you give me. And I'm sure you and your family would love a local supplier.

In addition I am now the one who is in charge of this branch of the Zahak offices, I have the ability to procure slaves for you should you wish it, ones that could be difficult to obtain through normal channels. I also am connected to some of the perhaps seedier places in Narleen, if such a thing is possible, which could aid you in satisfying any desires you have of the flesh and of the more mystic variety.

rolled 46 = 46

>>20566766
Inform her that our body gaurd Stag Horn can give her more insight into the mystic arts than she ever knew possible.

>>20566781
(cont.)

This is not all that I can offer, and for knowledge which I could acquire from other sources, granted it would be more difficult and take time, I would not give you all of these things for this secret. But I'm sure we can work out a fair price.

>>20566781
>>20566804

This seems like a nice collection.

to the point and like a catalogue.

We can finish with a very diplomatic "So what would you prefer?"

Also had a good nap, and i think i am getting another, since i have not slept properly in some time.

>>20566791
>>20566781
You lean back with a confident smile on your face and lay out your argument. Her cold expression changes to a frown, then a pensive look with a bite on her lower lip. You know that expression, she's excited.

You then turn and beckon Stag-Horn over.

"Finally, I have a friend here who can educate you on the mystic arts. The real deal, not simple parlour games. Stag-Horn, would you like to tutor young Lady Estelle on your culture?"

Stag-Horn straightened up and grinned. "I'd love to," he said in his thick drawling accent.

Her eyes grew wide and her lips parted as she rolled her eyes over the young native warrior.

"Could you teach me something tonight, in my chambers?" her voice was hot. Oh you knew that tone from younger days.

Stag-Horn grins. "I could teach you much in one night."

She sighs. "Yes, I find this all agreeable."

"Jean keeps a lover in the low quarter. A boy named Fio. Find him, and you'll have everything you need to put Jean back in his place."

She wrote down a note and slipped it to you, the address.

Rising grandly she snapped her fingers. "Follow, Stag-Horn. I wish to be instructed immediately."

He gives you a wide eyed but excited look, two thumbs up back at you as he disappeared through the doorway, you can't help but chuckle.

The humour is short lived however.

Kingsley soon filled his daughter's void, and he did so armed with an ancient claymore inscribed with strange markings.

"Juno," he didn't even look at you, "Explain yourself to me, or explain it to the angels, your choice."

File: 1346599758409.jpg-(611 KB, 848x1438, Elves don't count.jpg)

Buy elf girls

Treat them nicely

>>20566862
Yup, he recognized him. Is it basket hilted claymore or giant two-handed claymore.

Do not stand up or make any hostile actions towards Kingsley right now.

"Kingsley, could you please explain why you're pointing a sword at my newly acquired manservant? I'm sure you have an excellent reason behind it. Would it have anything to do with Alba and its destruction?"

>>20566862
Juno is under my protection, he is my slave so please... lower your weapon. I see the two of you have a past?

>>20566902
The sword was an old fashioned two-hander not seen much in recent years. The basket hilt variety was fast becoming the more popular option.

"You don't know this man like I do Estavo. God's sake, you are like the son I never had. I'll not let this viper get you killed in his mad crusade. Not like he did my fair Alba, or my sweet Blanche. He and the Stonesnake, in the same city yet again, fighting that same never ending war.

Be rid of him. Be rid of them all and spare the world that ounce of misery."

Gabriel smiled. "I am glad to see you survived the Fall. I wasn't aware Stonesnake was still around. Looks like a reunion is in order."

"Don't you dare! You leave now, leave us out of it!" Kingsley had tears welling up in his eyes.

"It is too late, the man has sworn the same oaths that I did. Even with me dead, he is part of it now. And without us, who would stand against the darkness, take it on our backs to spare the world -that- misery? Stonesnake, You?"

>>20566958
Kingsley, I admit that I didn't read the fine print on the agreement, but the position has saved my life more than once. Also I have reason to hate Stonesnake aside from this war. I'm sorry and I promise not to die.

>>20566988
"Every soldier makes that promise when he goes off to war," Kingsley lowered his sword and scrubbed at his eyes. "I've fought the things you'll fight. I served as one of Juno's 'boons'. By the Living God, I did so willingly. And it cost me my wife, my brother, my entire kingdom."

"Put up your sword my king," Juno said, spreading his hands, "Tell the boy who you really are."

He snuffed undignified. "Kingsley Branagh is not my true name. In my youth they called me Hotspur, for a time I was just a young knight, fighting the World-Killer and his agents all through the world with my greatest friends. A band of heroes. When I returned home, when I grew longer in tooth, I was just called Mal. When my father died, I became King Malcolm the Fifth, when Alba fell I was called the Last King. Now, I'm just a merchant, growing older and fatter."

He looked at his large, calloused hands.

"None of it was worth the price. My glory is ash, my failure absolute. If a king can not survive this man's company, what could anyone else do?"

>>20567038
I don't know. I well and truly don't. All I know is that if I don't do anything my home is doomed, I have seen a small part of what the Stonesnake will do to Narleen.

I don't know if I'll win, I don't know if I'll be able to save it, but you know me like a father knows his son, you know that I can't just stand by and watch it happen.

Who else knows, about you and about Stonesnake?

>>20567078
Agreeing with this

>>20567078
Kingsley claps your shoulder. "You're a brave lad after my own heart." He hands the claymore over to you. "This would have gone to my son, if I'd had one. The royal sword of the ancient line of Alban kings. The etchings are runes meant to ward off and destroy evil. Take it, you'll need it. There's no other like it in all the world. When you find a warrior worthy, give it to him. A crusader needs his boons bound tight, or he's sure to die."

You turn to Gabriel and ask the question, of who else left knows of this. "The swamp-witch Nualla was one of our company, but she is dead last I heard. Maybe Django, but my informants tell me he is exploring the red island in the furthest south. The rest are dead, killed by old age or old enemies. Only Mal and I remain."

>>20567127
Give Kingsley a hug.

"Thank you, I'll do everything I can, I hope it's enough. I swear I will find a worthy wielder of the sword.

I should get home, I have much to consider, much to think about. To think that so recently I was so carefree and could spend my days without responsibility."

>>20567206
You embrace the old king fiercely.

"I will do as you say, I'll find a hand worthy of your kingly blade. Thank you, my friend."

You break apart and his eyes hold a sad beam, a mix of pride and sorrow.

Slowly you part, and with Gabriel behind you, exit the parlour. The address of the boy burns in your pocket, but you decide the best course of action was to return home. The hour was late, and you had much to do.

Time was not always on your side.

At home you find Silti and Hildi playing a stone game in the parlour. Nine Men's Morris, it was called, an old game popular amongst Nord-folk. Your preferred game was poker, but you watched them play for a while.

Dawnstar slipped out of your sisters room. It was her fashion to go about without skirts in the home, wearing only corset and under garments. She smiled and curtseyed at the sight of you. Theresa soon followed after, dressed similarly.

"What an interesting sword," Theresa remarked, striding over to you, "Where is Stag-Horn? The boy is your shadow."

>>20567274
We'll deal with Fio tomorrow. We dealt with an awful lot today.

"He had some personal business to attend to, he'll be fine though he might come home a bit late. The sword was a gift from a good friend. Nothing for you to worry about Theresa."

I think our current priorities are to get some dinner, have Hildi and Silti attend to us, in every meaning of the word, and get some sleep. We've had a long day and some rest and relaxation is needed.

>>20567328
Correction, call her Terra instead of Theresa.

>>20567274
I think we should attend to this Fio buisness ASAP and after diner have a nice stroll before relaxing since it might not be opportune at another time. Moreover we could catch someone in the act, which sadly without a recording device is not as useful but with the proper wording it could be far more useful to lay down a bit of description on how he does things when we will renegotiate our deal.

(Honestly if i knew Theresa had a cruel streak I'd have him for her for a week;s time and only 50% of it.)

Still, we need to safeguard that source of information, and with perhaps another one if possible we could get not a equal share but a majority share in the buisness, as well as some kind of ability to keep the good judge in check.

>>20567328
You tell her to expect him home later and she gives a look of mild curiosity. Pushing most of the questions aside you settle down for a nice dinner.

While you eat, Gabriel talks.

"You probably didn't know what he meant by 'boon'." He began. "A boon is not just an ally. One of the abilities of a crusader is to bond with another individual, to create a form of spiritual connection and protection. When you are close to one another, you will feel a pull. Almost like the pull you felt towards me. When spirits try to invade their mind, the blanket that wards you shall also ward them. It is a powerful thing, and not something likely given. A boon becomes something of a submissive partner, they will feel a natural inclination to do as you say and follow your lead. Malcolm couldn't have killed me, even though he wanted to. the bond is too strong. A boon will never let his crusader come to harm, if they can help it."

You take this all in over your plate of beans.

When he is done lecturing you clean up the plate and saunter into your room, calling for Hildi and Silti. The day has been long and hard, and you deserved some relaxation. You deposit your blade by the writing desk and loosen your cuffs.

They unclasp your half cape and as they begin to unbutton your doublet you take Hildi by the chin. Tipping her face upward you close your mouth around hers. Her lips resist only for a second.

Silti falls to her knees and begins on your belt, a hungry catch in her throat.

As she prepares to draw you forth your door opens.

"Brother I was wondering -," her sentence is cut at the sight. Her eyes are wide and furious.

>>20567423
Posted a bit quick, didn't see this. If you guys want to head out later, the option is still on the table. you aren't in bed just yet.

>>20567443
Tessa, this can be explained.

I gave Hildi a kiss, I forced nothing on her, should either or both of them not wish to sleep with me in any sense of the word they don't have to. Inside my chambers I am as much an abolitionist as you are, I take no woman unwillingly.

What is it that you were wondering?

>>20567443
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EghMCc6ftoA


also, living with our sister and indulging in every annons ideas is a might bit begging for such awkwardness and drama, doesn't it? - dont misinterpret, i dont want to leave our dear sister, but we could perhaps keep it in the trousers while we are in a fucking shared apartment, perhaps?

>>20567514

Blabbering about it would only paint us in a guilty light. Act like there is nothing wrong, and when she does approach the subject do so with candour and tact. Plus dont mention abolitionism in comparison to her. We are more of a social chameleon and butterfly at the same time, not a firebrand and a rebel, so comparison on their mission is life is not a good idea.

>>20567464
Also, yes, if its not too late to be very uncustomary, perhaps a visit would be in order., but first we should assure ourselves we do not impose on other guests...

>>20567514
Silti gives you a kiss before putting you away, much to your embarrassment, and you give your sister an awkward, rushed explanation.

"They barely have the minds of children!" she stomped her foot, "How could you even think of it? I was just wondering if we should throw a dinner party for our business partners, or organise a meeting of other abolitionists. Really get the ball rolling on ending the slave trade but with you cock deep in slave girls, I think that might be a tad hypocritical!" Her bosom heaved with angry breaths, her face flushed red.

So, are we going to look for Fio?

>>20567618
Rape our sister into submission.

>>20567618
"Theresa, they don't have the minds of children. They were hurt and they are healing, but they are capable of making their own choices.

As for the dinner party, I'd suggest business partners and at the very most suggesting betting conditions for slaves with the justification that it'll decrease mortality rates from malnutrition and sickness, and you can charge a higher rate for healthy slaves.

>>20567698
How about not.

>>20567698
Dear god we have some destructive nuces around here.

>>20567703
Very much so. If she wants to get anywhere she does need a bit more tact and political sense, as well as some basic obfuscation and manipulation skill.

Seriously the whole firebrand things is getting a bit old for a woman of her stature. She should leave that to a covert agent of hers or something and she should be a bit more level headed about her goal and think on how to achieve it.

Shouting it in the markets and in everyone's ear wont make it happen if they have no incentive to do so no matter how right or wrong it is.

She has to change the mind of the whole pack, and to do that she has to either be in the pack or best somehow lead it, else she will always be rejected and resisted since she is classified as the 'outsider'

We need to hammer in some social graces into our sister.

>>20567577
>>20567676

Deciding to forgo an argument, you instead throw on your half-cape, collect your rapier, and head out. Gabriel is a step behind you, and together you depart into the night.

The note was written in a rushed hand. It directed you down to a slum district near the warehouses. Narleen had many little warrens like this all over the city. You knew this one to be nicknamed 'the Pit'.

A little hole in the wall, barely a house. A young boy stood outside it. When he saw you coming he nodded.

"Looking for fresh apples?"

The instructions had given you the reply. "I like them tart."

He led you inside, to a dirty small room. A large fat man sat in the corner, bald with a fussy little moustache and a greasy smock over dock worker's clothes. A long knife sat at his hip. He did not acknowledge you as a half dressed boy slipped out of a small door beside him.

He had red hair cut into a high crest, and a brass clasp on his left arm. Well washed despite the stinking room, but all the cleaning and make up couldn't hide the haunted look in his eyes, or the bruise under his left eye.

"My name's Fio, did you come for a bite?" he asked. His voice was hollow, broken. He put a hand to your shoulder. A puppet running through the motions. Some furious part of your soul snarled in rage.

Get up without saying anything

>>20567703
>>20567778
I'll adress all this when you get back to your apartment. I'm really fast on the trigger tonight, sorry.

>>20567698
dark ans edgy i see?
>>20567778
>>20567703
we do have that professor around here to teach stag a bit of reading and proper speaking, how about we have him spend some time with our dear sister and tutor her to about the finer points of polite conversation and indirect argumentation.

A way of getting her point across in such a way it is somewhat agreed or considered without even mentioning abolution or similar ideas. A way for her to start small and progressively and constantly work her way to what she dreams of. She does have to admit thus far she has not been very successful, now has she?

>>20567789
Get somewhere private where we can talk without anyone listening in.

"I'm here to talk to you about one of your clients, his name is Jean Paravel."

Does our family have any safe-houses where we can keep this kid? Not out of any sense of kindness or anything like that, but because it's hard to blackmail Jean if the kid is out in the open. Jean can simply have someone kill him and our blackmail potential drops like a rock.

>>20567814
It's understandable. Anyways giving our sister a bit of time to cool down makes sense.

>>20567855
Right, because taking advantage of mentally compromised slave girls is oh so noble. Fucking hypocrite.

>>20567865
You've used Ben Cohen's place before. He is the type that would gladly protect a kid.

You let the boy lead you into a backroom, a dirty little square of hard packed earth with a wash basin in the corner. He lays you down and starts to work on your buttons. You stop the boy immediately and sit up.

He couldn't have been older than ten.

"I'm not here for that. I want to ask you some questions about a client, Jean Paravel."

The boy visibly flinches at the sound of his name

"I'm not supposed to talk about others."

> roll a d100, get over thirty

>>20567865
We could try to buy him, nurse him slowly back to health like the two slave girls, of course at a distance, only paid for, preferably in that independent town we have a contract to.

As use of a constantly cocked gun on our dear friend the honourable lord judge, so he does not have any funny ideas of reneging his word or disappearing the 'evidence'

rolled 27 = 27

>>20567926
Perhaps, but then again no one is here.

If he agrees, plus you should not be here also if this gets know, how about a change of room and board?

>>20567884

We're SLAVERS. We deal in flesh regardless of the buyer's intentions, why should we give a fuck about the needs of the slaves?

You want to know what's hypocritical? Selling slaves yet still trying to come across as someone that gives a damn about their needs.

rolled 47 = 47

>>20567926
Fio, if that's your actual name, if you tell me about him I can make sure that he will never touch you again. But I need your help for me to do this. Do you understand?

rolled 75 = 75

>>20567926
Come on, its not that big of a deal (slip him a appropriate bribe.)

>>20567946
>why should we give a fuck about the needs of the slaves?
Thats what I'm fucking saying. But hey, this is going to become Waifu/Healing Dick Quest no matter what, so its not like anything else matters. I bet this Fio kid is about to get the dick, too.

rolled 56 = 56

>>20567884
>>20567946
Human's are hypocritical by nature. And i see no reason why not to be, considering we cant and should not abandon our family trade while at the same time working for a better situation.

ATM we have three potential working revenue sources, the ship, the percentage in the gun factory, and the slave trade, out of which only one is certain and under our control, so going on about hypocrisy is something mighty uncalled for, especially for someone of the higher calls.

>>20567978
Have you read the other threads of this quest? please do so and do not bother us with your discontinuity inducing uppity-ness.

OP, do you have a schedule for the next quest threads?

>>20567947
>>20567948

"If you tell me about him, if you trust me, I'll get you out of here tonight. I'll protect you and make sure no one ever hurts you again."

The boy looks uncertain. He starts rocking back and forth, hands squeezed together as if in prayer.

"He killed my brother," he said in a tight voice, "Cut pieces off him while I watched. He...he said he'd do the same to me if I didn't behave. He choked him to death. God, my brother begged, did everything he said but he choked him to death." Fio started whimpering. "He beat me bloody, does things too me. The others are bad but he..."

The boy was shivering, shacking like a dying thing.

He said the last in a small voice.

"They made me watch when the fed him to the pigs."

>>20567946
Probably to present the best possible wares as well as reducing rioting and discontent for said wares.

As well as considering that we are helping our sister plot a abolition trend or scheme, on the offchance that it does succeed we want our former slaves to have as less of a incentive to go against us or feel they have as much as possible nothing anything to pick with us.

We are a sly motherfucker and we act like it.

>>20568016
I've got a twitter!

Either next week or the week after, around the same time.

>>20567996
>Get out of our clubhouse!
You really arent making a case for quests on /tg/

>>20568020
Ok, to WITSEC with this one.

Lets have a unnamed party acquire the lad from the proprietors- our old Ben Kenobi to look like a prospective customer and ourself as a preferably unrecognisable bruiser, if possible - should there be any reluctance to sell.

>>20567978
Hell no, we may be a slaver but we have standards. And 10 year olds just aren't attractive.

>>20567946
Reduces the possibility of slave revolts, allows for better educated slaves, less dead slaves in the pens and higher quality wares. It's economically viable.

>>20568020
"Thank you Fio, I'm going to get you out of here, somewhere safe. You'll be taken care of."

Is there a back exit? Taking him out the front means we'll have to kill the guard, not that I have any moral objection to that, it'll just cause a stir. I doubt that we can buy him given how he's Jean's favorite and this seems like a place that prizes its digression and doesn't sell off prime blackmail material for their high end clients to random people.

>>20568038
Relax dude.

Hildi and Silti aren't your slaves for a start. They were sold to a man you are currently at odds with, whom you rescued them from. You don't technically own them, no one does. You can formally free them tomorrow and no one in the city would care.

Also, just because some people do one thing that's pretty fucking evil, doesn't mean they are rotten to the core. A lot of fine upstanding people from through out history worked in the slave trade or employed slaves. There is an argument to be made as to whether or not we should just them completely on that, but I'd rather not derail the quest into an argument on the ethics of slavery.

I didn't want to wade into this, but could everyone just please calm down and try to get along? Everyone has an equal voice here, new and old. Even if it 'derails' the character/plot. This quest is open to anyone interested in playing.

>>20568038
I doubt so. Familiarising yourself with the material is something i consider basic courtesy.

I do so before joining other quest as to not be a disruptive fool out to ruin everyone's fun as well as the storytelling with disruptive bullshit, and expect the same from everyone.

I have been on this quest only since last thread and before joining it i did the basics of reading the OP Story posts in the archives to have a fucking idea on what i am getting in to. Forgive my expectations of having some class, but i must insist on it.

And as you are well aware mods actively herd quests on /tg/ so you might just have to deal with it and do your griping in a metathread or on /q/, especially since Quests do seem to be usually very related in spirit to /tg/, as well as having a nice system for them, devised by each OP to suit the situation at hand.

>>20568063
>>20568086
The chances of buying him is nil. He isn't a slave after all, he's a prostitute. Fio says there isn't a back way out, unless you can shrink small enough to escape through the holes they use for privies.

>>20568135
Well, looks like we have someone to kill.

Bribery won't work because this guy knows Paravel will find out, track him down, and kill him in an extremely painful fashion. So it looks like he's getting a rapier through the throat, I won't shed any tears for him.

>>20567996

Saying, "you need to read the other threads" without stating such evidence exists doesn't help your case. Is there cases of our protagonist treating his slaves exactly as they are; property to be used as you see fit (hard mode: the people you're putting into slavery, selling or are otherwise utilizing don't "deserve" it, aka are mean.)

>>20568030

... Why are we supporting an abolition movement if one of our main sources of income is slavery? And don't say, "so the slaves will like us!" Because let's face it, they don't HAVE to like us, and if we stop the abolition movement we won't have to worry about treating them fairly anyway.

It's easy to keep slaves in line anyway; a good whipping every once in a while, consistent lack of education and an air of control sets in a nice Stockholm syndrome. Don't you guys read accounts of slaveholders in the South or ancient Rome?

>>20568135
Right...

And they dont sell prostitutes illegally, no sireee.

Question. Is a 10 year old prostitute even legal?
If not i dont see any problem of having his pimp sell him to our 'master' or 'Lord Eshellwood'

Plus if he objects we can always have the pointy end of a rapier to his chin, to reconsider the whole issue.

>>20568180
Because we like our sister?


Because once it gets to a industrialized society there is more people than work and slave work become uneconomic (well, barring gladiators and pleasure slaves in this instance, but that counts more as vice)

I dont particularly care. I just like the course we have.

>>20568180

> Saying, "you need to read the other threads" without stating such evidence exists doesn't help your case.

They are in the OP.

>>20568182

Not to just anyone, and yes it is very, very illegal. There are laws about child slaves and the setting does have an age of consent, even if it is lower than modern times. It's 14.

Please, everybody, stop arguing.

>>20568086
>Slaver
>Has standards
>laughing deck-o-slaves.gif

Bro, I understand you're trying to come across as, "nicely kept slaves are good slaves!" Which has a point, but you need to understand... You don't have to go out of your way to take care of them. Who CARES if they can read? That just makes them more dangerous since they can teach other slaves. A healthy slave is as easy as throwing them some meat and potatoes and giving them an hour or two out in a pen to run around. We aren't keeping the slaves dammit, we're selling them. They don't have to like us, they have to like their owners.

>moral obligation

Oh Jesus this IS one of "those threads." I've yet to see a Quest, even one as morally reprehensible as slavery, that ever makes their character into anything more then Neutral Good, or at the very most Lawful Neutral.

>>20568212

I have to ask; how far are we from an industrialized society? You should be riding the slavery gravy train up until the final days of it being economically feasible. Slave owners in the South didn't go, "ayup, we better stop selling them there slaves" once the first factories in the North came to be.

>>20568245
Industrialization is still a fair bit off in the future, certainly not in your life time.

So what do you want to do about Fio?

>>20568229
I dont think reading was ever mentioned. But the whole idea of better treatment for slaves is a way to make our sister less a firebrand and a social outcast, and not because we Estavo want to do it out of any moral obligation.

We do it most likely because we cant have our sister constantly blabbing in the open about abolitionism. Having her work towards it in a more diplomatic fashion would be less of a bother for us personally due to the association by blood, and less straining for her.

>>20568222

All I see is that we deal in labor and pleasure slaves, which is even more disgusting then I initially thought.

I mean, labor slaves is kind of alright in that sort of "well that's just what they did" sorta way, but pleasure slaves? What the hell man, that's the lowest of the low when it comes to the slave trade. There's no way we can come across as a Kindly Master while selling 14-18 year old girls off to sweaty old men to be essentially raped until they're spent. That is of course unless we break their wills and spirit so we can train them the tools of the trade, which is just as horrific.

>>20568271

Why don't we just kill her? Or find a way to blackmail and/or disgrace her from being a threat ever again?

Who gives a fuck if she's our sister? She's threatening our livelihood.

>>20568180
It making our sister happy is one reason why we're helping her a bit.

If you look at the slavery in the South it was honestly not a very economically efficient system. Compared to sharecropping for example it got much less work out of each person, faking sickness, running away for short times were common occurrences despite beatings. I happen to like efficiency, and paying a pittance for better conditions and allowing the Roman version where you slavery could be bought greatly improves productivity. You can't sell slaves that died due to illness and the spread of disease in the pens, keeping them in decent health is to our advantage.

In addition going that route restricts us from the more Islamic version of slavery that had them as public servants, educated people loyal to the state, all that useful stuff.

>>20568270
Personally I advocate getting him out of here, get him somewhere safe so that our blackmail remains safe. If Fio dies we lose a lot of leverage. I'm pretty sure bribery won't work on the fat guy outside as he fears Paravel enough to refuse, so I suggest stabbing the fat guy in the throat with our rapier.

>>20568271
cont. we of course wont be proposing it, but have our sister do it, with us supporting her position somehow.

Do consider that we jointly share with her those 40% of the gunfactory, and i do think if we get a leading role in this continent on guns and weaponry, it will be more profitable than slaves.

plus at the same time we make some kind of peace in our family , get our sister to be content and less of a embarrassment, and generally work to House Zahaks betterment.

>>20568285
Labour slaves aren't much better off. Working until they die..?

>>20568299
She happens to have some connections in the city which are useful. Her death would be suspicious. The Zahak family is very much akin to a gang and intergang loyalty is essential for the proper working of a group such as ours. It'd piss the hell out of our Grandfather who runs the Zahak family and our wealth, fortune, and license come from him.

There are a multitude of reasons not to kill her.

>>20568285
Estavo is a hypocrite at times. He's trying to juggle the values of making money, running the family business, making the people he cares for happy, and being a good person, all of this within the cultural viewpoint that he grew up in and that seems natural to him. These things come into conflict at times.

He sells pleasure slaves, it's an accepted part of business around these parts, and he can justify it to himself by saying it's a better fate than what the other slavers would do and far superior to living as a labor slave. We aren't necessarily a good person in all respects.

>>20568285
> I mean, labor slaves is kind of alright

Read a book on slavery before talking about this stuff. If you really think being a courtesan working indoors and fucking wealthy men, even against your will, is worse than the absolutely nightmarish existence of a sugar plantation worker I just don't know what to tell you.

If I've ever implied slavery is a-okay in this quest, that was not my intention.

Now can we please just get back to the game?

>>20568285
Well that is your moral POV.

Considering that they are sold to brothels in general and they do have a interest in their girls being up to the clients taste, i envision more of us selling to them to littlefinger types. - of course there are other less fortunate sides to it, but i wont get hung up on it, since work slaves are more likely to get constantly sexually abused by their owner or supervisor, than a pleasure slave in a brothel.

Its a profit margin tier system. Acknowledging them as pleasure slaves gets us a better profit, while at the same time ensuring they get a better status.

Plus the next stem is gladiator slaves.


Lets not get into the whole modern morality and ethics applied to past times, since this is one of the few quests that lets us explore such a mindset and i'd rather not have it ruined by such constant discussion.

Just voice your choice towards a action and that is it.

I will endeavour to do the same and cease with these arguments.
Also ,regarding OP

Lets get Fio with iron or gold. depending on how the fat man will respond (if he recognizes us then by iron, and perhaps torching the place- we dont want Paravel to know that we have Fio until we drop it on him once the time is up for us to give him our sister.)

>>20568380
I think we should bring two things to the negotiations with Paravel, after we get Fio somewhere safe, secret, and secure as fuck, a basket of tart apples and a shit eating grin.

>>20568299
We like her, and having her killed would be bad for our piece of mind as well as make us rather disliked by our family, while reforming her and reconciling her with the family would make us even more liked by the family , especially father and grandfather.

> okay, enough jibber jabber

You nod to yourself and stand tall, drawing your rapier. Heart pounding in your chest and head throbbing you stalk out of the little prison and out into the waiting room.

The guard looks surprised. He begins to rise, reaching for his knife. Your rapier takes him through the throat before he can do much. You twist it out and stab again. The man drops to his knees. You stab him once more.

He gives a coughing blubber before dying at your feet, fat carcass twitching.

You turn back to Fio. "Come with me if you want to live."

He's quick behind you, stopping only to kick the dead man in the head and spit on his corpse.

Gabriel escorts you both out into the night, taking the boy up into his arms. With grim cast you stalk the streets back to your apartment, breath burning in your throat.

>>20568393
No, no, no.

we have a meeting at a restaurant, or somewhere and arrange for a desert or aperitif (or preferably when we make a sign to the waiter) to have a basket of tart apples delivered, and ask him politely to reconsider his requests, as well as the proper balancing of standing issues.


We can have a shit eating grin on our face after he signs off on the papers and we eat hungrily out of them apples. preferably in front of him.

(pre-done papers on clearing our debts and transfer of shares should be accompanying us as well as a legal notary or witness at the next table- we have to find one and have them offered a dinner on us at that certain time.)

>>20568405
We should have the place torched perhaps, to cover our tracks

Knowing that said guard was killed and said boy is missing might tip the good judge off.

But some accidental fire might give enough confusion that some of the people working there have dispersed or simply got caught in the fire.

>>20568461
Preferably with having the fat man cut to pieces and served to pigs or fishes in the bay.

Considering the cut we made it might be visible even on a charred body.

Busy night.

>>20568405
Haha, we're the Terminator now.

This kid is very important now. We don't want to keep him at our place for any significant length of time. It won't take Paravel long to suspect us if he's at all intelligent. Ben Cohen's place is also not the best given that Paravel can easily find out who works with us. We want a safe hidden place that can't be linked back to us. We might have to pull in Zahak family resources for this, not that our Grandfather will mind.

>>20568483
There is that contract in that independent City, how about having someone visit the customer as a envoy and at the same time have the boy hidden and nursed there somewhere.

It is a bit far for my tastes since we wont have him at the ready to use it against Paravel, but eh.

The boat might be a good idea but at the same time is visible and obvious. Perhaps the Captain could use a cabin boy if she were to take on a trip...

Any other ideas?

>>20568461
>>20568471
This seems sensible if a bit overkill, and time straining.

We really need a captain or Lieutenant something

>>20568439
I like this.

>>20568471
>>20568461
You leave Gabriel and the boy behind. The night's work isn't done yet.

The first thing you do is gather some material from your foundry. A barrel of powder and a bit of fuse should do. Next you get some flint and tinder. The guards don't stop you, and you give each a gold piece to keep their mouths shut.

You return to that terrible hole in the wall, carried by furious steps, and set up the barrel.

When the fuse is lit you roll it through the doorway.

You take the appropriate step back and smile as the shockwave runs past you, the boom echoing in the night. The fire started soon after, and local cries called for a bucket chain from the well. You did your citizens duty and stepped in to help, passing bails of water until morning, trying to keep the fire from spreading.

If anyone asked you what had happened that night, as you innocently walked down the street, you'd say some mad man screaming 'Jericho!' did it. Just rushed in clutching what you thought had been a barrel of apples.

>>20568515
Cabin boy, that one's clever. I like it.

It keeps him close enough at hand but out of reach when needed and kids that young aren't uncommon on ships.

We should probably find an interim place to keep him, I don't think the ship is currently in harbor so we'd have to wait on that, and we should talk to our Grandfather Charlemagne about it, he probably knows a few people who can help.

>>20568526
>>20568538

The ship -is- in harbour. Captain Brighton helped you clear out the ghouls in your brother's manor just the other day, but it plans to set out soon transporting goods up along the coast.

>>20568528
Well I think we should get home, if our sister is awake talk to her quickly using the points mentioned earlier and then go to bed, otherwise just head straight to bed with Hildi and Silti, and fall asleep with them in our arms.

>>20568552
My mistake, it's been a bit. Kid still needs medical attention so the ship might not be the best place for him until he's in better health.

Tired from the night's adventure you slump your way home. There is still smoke in the air, the fire had almost spread and may have lit up the entire slum if it hadn't been for that timely bucket chain.

You stumble into the house. Fio is sleeping on the couch, his head resting on Theresa's lap. She was barely awake, but her eyes met yours.

"You don't have to explain," she said between a yarn, "We can work this out."

None the less you lean on the doorway and, barely remaining awake, mumble your idea for a benefit to raise funds to fix up the slave pens and provide medical treatment for some of the slaves. Baby steps, you stress, no one liked to be called scum even if it was true. You win hearts with honey, after all.

With that conversation done you manage to find your bed, and collapse. The girls undress you as you finally get some sleep.

>>20568566
we could have ben over at the ship for a final medical check-up of the crew.

>>20568528
So we are a moralfaggot. And a slaver. And a guy who murders people for just doing their jobs. And a guy who semi-rapes semi-slaves. I'm all for being a paladin just as much as I'm all for being an evil prick, but you cant be both. You're not even riding the line between the two, you're just oscillating like a fucking metronome.

You awake at the push of your shoulder. Blurry vision revealed Dawnstar's smiling face.

"Up and out, early as can be, makes a man happy and free," it was a saying her language coach, Xavier, had taught her. She shook your shoulder again until you finally climbed out of bed with a vicious grumble.

Slumping out into the parlour dressed only in small clothes, you blink at the brightness of the day.

"Good morning," Silti and Hildi spoke in unison, as they had started doing on occasion.

Fio was playfully if awkwardly wrestling with Stag-Horn, who wore the happiest expression you had ever seen on the surly native's face.

"We'll get you fighting fit soon," he was telling the boy, ruffling his hair, "Once you know how to crack big fellas open, you got nothing to fear."

Dawnstar ushered you over to the counter and brought you a plate of fresh cooked bacon and eggs.

"I made it, try!" you got tucked in. It was a tad crispier than you liked, but not bad.

A hot cup of coffee shook the last of the sleep from you when Gabriel emerged.

"Your officer sent word, apparently a number of individuals are waiting to be interviewed. Something about 'commanding the troops'?"

Replacing Orion, that bit of business.

Stag-Horn's joyful expression falls at the sound of it, and he shoved a hand into his pocket, clutching something hidden. He hadn't taken Orion's lose well, the two had grown close before his death.

>>20568680
I'm on board with Ben making sure our sailors are doing fine, but we aren't going to send him sailing on the ship, he's too useful back home and I'd like to give Fio at least a week of rest and healing before we send him sailing so we'll want somewhere safe for the time being and our place won't count as safe.

>>20568701
We can have standards despite being a slaver, we're still a person. Forcing 10 year old boys to be prostitutes and get carved up crosses the line in our eyes. Also it obfuscates the trail somewhat.

>>20568736
Have a few moments of silence for Orion, he was a good man. Nod.

"I'll interview them later today, it's not going to be easy to find someone who will live up to Orion's legacy."

>>20568747
Read the next sentence.

Welcome to reading comprehension. Enjoy your stay. Unless of course we are playing a schizophrenic retard, in which case this thread makes a lot more sense.
>>20568785
Sure, but the guards had nothing to do with that. But no, lets us, a slaver, claim the moral high ground as we stab people and burn them alive.

>>20568785
You take a moment to remember Orion. You'd known the man half your life. He had covered for you the first night you had sneaked out to visit Estelle. He had taught you how to hunt fowl in the country. You had fought and bled beside him, and finally he had sacrificed his life to save yours.

He was not a man casually replaced.

You tell Gabriel you would be happy to conduct the interviews after noon, but you had other pressing concerns. What to do with the boy Fio for a start.

"I can hide him in the swamp," Dawnstar volunteers, "Out in Mambos' old place. I been going there in my afternoon. Making sure the swamp don't swallow it up."

>>20568701
we are a complex creature.

No need to classify us according to DnD morality system.

>>20568803
You're talking about the one who we stabbed in the throat?

First it was the best option for getting Fio out, bribery wouldn't have worked for reasons detailed about so we stabbed him.

We're prioritizing getting dirt on a major enemy, one who is in a position to harm us and our people, over the life on one guy, who was probably involved in the operation beyond just "doing his job" and sitting there. We have been given no reason to believe he was a person who we should feel guilty about killing.

>>20568848
That ought to work, it's safe, not often visited, we'll discuss more permanent arrangements later but that ought to work well for now.

When you take him do it stealthily, as few people noticing as possible and make sure you aren't tailed.

>>20568861
Once again, there's a difference between complexity and Bioware morality where you are either a living saint or satan incarnate and often switch between the two at random. This quest is very much Bioware morality.

Which is a shame because a setting with a properly fleshed out slave trade could make for some interesting ethical debates, instead its we are the nicest guy ever and even our evil deeds are good whereas everyone else is child butchering boyfucking rapists.

That and I never once mentioned DnD moralities.

>>20568803
I really don't know what your problem is, and how you seem completely unable to comprehend that a human individual is, ya know, a bit more morally complex than 'good or bad' and that a man who deals in a morally bankrupt trade could still have some personal standards as to the treatment of children.

Its not, ya know, a huge logical leap.

Because he condones bad thing a, he must therefore also condone bad thing x. Its a massive fallacy that runs contrary to human nature.

Take the mafia for instance. A lot of the early mafia were happy to rape, murder, do all manner of evil shit, but dealing drugs was a line many of them refused to cross. Until Luciano made heroin a hot commodity, and murdered his fellow gangsters that refused to push it.

They found it disgusting, even if they would have whistled a jaunty tune while cutting a woman's throat.

>>20568920
>how you seem completely unable to comprehend that a human individual is, ya know, a bit more morally complex than 'good or bad'
I dont see how you have now twice failed to understand how this guy isnt more morally complex than good or bad, he just switches between the two with less consistency than the bowel movements of a pioneer with dysentery. Estavo is not wearing a gray hat of moral ambiguity, he just has a black and white hat he swaps out at random.

>>20568895
You tell Dawnstar the plan is sound, and instruct her to be very careful.

"No one knows the swamps like us," Stag-Horn commented.

"Go get Ben Cohen and Captain Brighton, we need to plan some stuff," you order Stag-Horn.

They are off like a streak of lightning. You turn your thoughts to the Paravel situation. The Zahak family had a qualified lawyer on payroll. It would take little time to get the contract drafted up. You make a mental note to arrange a dinner out with Lord Paravel, with an appropriate surprise. An apple basket should be fun, extra tart.

Brighton and Ben aren't far off, and you fill them in on the plan. Ben heads off immediately. He remembers where the hut is. Jocasta agrees that she could use a cabin boy, and elects to remain in harbour an extra day to check the boy's condition.

You draft a letter for Emmanuel Sanders, your client in New-Port. Offering him a free case of ammunition to go with the next order, if he takes the boy into his care.

It all seemed simple enough.

>>20568959

And how do you think grey is achieved if not by mixing white and black?

Seriously its like you are arguing for the sake of argument.


And more of it i have never observed there to be any direct statement that Estavo is either good or bad.

Plus it is very much normal for even the vilest of men to consider themselves good. No one considers themselves evil.
>>20568848

Haven't thought about that. possible though, but i am not to keen on it. Anyone else?

>>20568959
I disagree, but will point out that player input can often give that feeling. Multiple people are directing his actions after all.

If you could list some examples where you think that is happening, please do so. If the failure is in my writing, I'm always looking for room to improve.

>>20569024
>It all seemed simple enough.

And that's where you know something is going to go terribly awry. Paranoia my friends.

Now to look through the men who we are considering to take Orion's place.

>>20569037
For the third time, mixing is different from indiscriminate oscillation.

>>20569065
From a moral point of view not really.

Plus we dont really concern ourselves with morality that much. We prefer practicality, friends and family. Everything else is negotiable.

>>20569052
You decide now is as good a time as any to hire on a replacement, or at least look at the options. You head down to the office where Desmond is waiting.

"An interesting group sir," he says, leading you to his private office.

You sit and he brings the first one in.

A far-east looking fellow, he had a large sway in his step that spoke of constant sea travel. His vestments were a light yellow robe over a chain shirt. Stylised tigers were embroidered on the sleeves and he wore a curved blade at his hip. Across his back he wore an ornate rifle.

He was missing a pair of fingers on his left hand, and had a hair lip.

"Name's Joe Ashigaru, not my original name but most folks can't pronounce that," he hadn't much of an accent left, a seasoned traveller, "Led a company of men back n my homeland." He sniffed. "Been free booting ever since. Not much of a horseman, but I'm a crack shot and can do a bit of knife work."

>>20569106
>we dont really concern ourselves with morality that much.
>>20568086
>we may be a slaver but we have standards
Sure okay.

>>20569065
It's not indiscriminate oscillation, we treat different people very differently, those who are our people, our family we take care of. Those who aren't we operate on efficiency and practicality unless they cross certain lines in which case we work to kill them.

Taking decent care of slaves both makes our sister happier, helps us find a way to make our sister less of an embarrassment to our family, gets her and the rest of the family closer, and is economically sound.

>>20569140
That was in response to him saying we were going to sleep with Fio. And even less than nice people can have lines they don't cross, many extremely violent, dangerous people have a soft spot for kids.

>>20569137
He has leadership experience and is a good shot, both are good qualities. I'd prefer to see all the options before making a final decision, and just because we don't hire them as the leader of our men doesn't mean that we won't hire them.

>>20569187
I would hardly call manipulating our slaves into sleeping with us treating them decently.

>>20569140
There's a Pratchett quote about the difference between morals and standards that escapes me right now.

>>20569229
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUT07eZoXPw

>>20569274
Please, OP do not get involved in this. just do updates and disregard the pedantic arguments of both sides.

We are here for the rare occasion to participate in this thread and not to have a morality discussion.

So, if you will please continue.

>>20569229
They're girls we rescued from the evil guy, who sleep in the same bed as us by their choice, who we haven't had sex with, who we gave one kiss before Theresa walked in.

You thank Joe for his time and send him out for the next to be brought in.

A tall, cauliflower eared brick shit house of a man comes stomping in. The man looked like he could throw cannon balls as a weapon. He sat and the chair squealed beneath his weight. His grin was gap toothed.

"I used to fuck shit up for the constables," he said, "Then I fucked shit up for the cartels. Lately I been fucking shit up on the docks in fighting pits. Killed a couple dogs and a bear yesterday. Used to run a gang of muscle for the cartel. Used to fuck shit up with those blokes."

He was very much a local.

"Names Bart Hooper. My dad was a hooper, I never was. You pay me enough I'll kill anything you ask me too."

>>20569338
Who have every reason to believe that we could end their lives if they did something we didn't like. Thats like someone is free to make their own decisions when you have a gun to their head.

Just popping in to say it's awesome Slave quest is back.

I'll read the archives. Too sleepy to even read.

Bump

>>20569358

Perhaps not the captain, but sure as hell a good secondary...

>>20569365
Have you actually read the previous threads that detail our shared history with them?

>>20569358
Seems like a very useful man to have around, perhaps not the best commander for our men but having someone who can kill a bear with his bare hands would be very very useful to have around, just not as the leader. He sounds like he listens to orders and doesn't think too much about it.

The third one enters and this one is a bit more...unusual.

For a start it was the leopard skin she wore. The head formed a hat, the arms tied around her throat, the rest falling down her back as a cape.

For another she sat up straight, with the rigid discipline of an inanimate statue. She had the expression to match.

She was young as well, maybe all of twenty.

The last was the fact she was a she.

She was as black skinned as any Nubian, but her eyes had a slanted cast that was unfamiliar to you.

"Ashanti Bast, officer of the fifth regiment of horse of the Imperial Kushite Army."

She wore a longsword and a metal breast plate. A leather skirt armoured her thighs and leather greaves her legs. She was an exotic creature.

She glared ahead, but took surreptitious quick glances your way when she thought you wouldn't noticed.

It was only those three Desmond deemed -some what- suitable. He had sorted through the rest of the rabble, finding most to be empty pocketed boasters or gutter thugs of no merit.

can we hire multiple, a main guy and others for different things?

>>20569616
Yeah, of course. You aren't hurting for money at the moment.

>>20569512
Even ignoring the fact that she's attractive I like her. She's got military experience, she's presumably dangerous, and our enemies are likely to be scared of the crazy girl who wears a fucking leopard.

In addition being female there are places we can take her with us where it would be frowned on to bring more obvious male bodyguards.

>>20569554
Thank Desmond for sorting through them.

Ask Bast a bit more about her history, where' shes from, how she ended up here, her loyalties, that sort of thing.

We should also ask Joe those same questions, but don't really focus on where he's from, instead ask him where he's been, though the answer is probably going to be "everywhere".

Would it be possible to hire more than one? I'm thinking that no matter what we hire Bart as muscle. Getting all three could be good, Joe as the commander, Bart as brute muscle, and Bast for intimidation, general enforcing, and second in command to Joe in case he is unavailable due to some reason.

We perhaps do want the local due to contacts he may have in the underground, but the other two are better leader material, and safe to say i would very much like them both.

Would having them all three be a strain on the purse ATM?

Only because, i envision we should expand our forces into a proper small army, with a foot rifle company, a horse rifle dragoon or boer style commando squadron , and a less overt guard doing basic bouncer and enforcement duty.

sometime in a year or two of course, but until then having the comanders close by and forming ties of loyalty is rather needed in advance for that to happen.

The first to as proof of our good quality merchandise in gunsmithing and perhaps as a leverage and secondary income as mercenary company if we ever want to enter that trade, and the third wing, well for the less public affairs we might have to approach.

>Yes, we are so going to play industrial giant.

Ashanti replied to your questions quickly and efficiently. "Sir, I served in the Kush cavalry with distinction, sir. I fought the nomads of the uhhh, in your language 'Big Desert'. In my third year of service I helped crush the Pirates of the Little Chain, earning my leopard skin in that engagement. It is custom for girls of age to either retire and marry or join the Emperor's harem. I'm no slave girl, sir, I'm a fighter."

Joe was a bit more long winded: "Oh I humped my pack all across the bad lands out west, seen the high mountains of the north and travelled the river systems of down here. Been to Old Uropa for a spell but the climate didn't agree with me. Was working for the mercenary-ships, but I got bored with taking pot shots at pirates and listening to the same sea shanties every sodding day of my life.

Last saw action fighting natives for the Northern Union, but the money ran dry so I caught a ship south. Had this absolutely gorgeous red head captain that I've been dreaming about since. That's a thing I like about you foreigners. You appreciate beautiful women."

>>20569736
Joe, I have a quick question for you. Would this red haired captain you're speaking of happen to be named Jocasta or Brighton? About *this* tall?

>>20569041

>If you could list some examples where you think that is happening, please do so. If the failure is in my writing, I'm always looking for room to improve.

A good step is to gauge the overall attitude of your fans, specifically if they want to constantly play a Paladin of Good-Slavery while still occasionally hurting a few people along the way.

How do you check? Put Estavo in a situation that calls for a morally evil (at least in modern morality) action, without any clear advantage in not doing it (or perhaps even a drawback.)

It's just many people on the outside see this thread as yet another, "guy in an evil business being a GREAT guy!" You claim we're following ancient morality but I'm honestly not seeing it.

>>20569772
"You know her!?" He leaned forward eagerly, eyes lighting like a drunk in a distillery. "She's got thighs that could crack a walnut, skin like milk. And that hair, like fire. I damn near passed out watching her stride around that ship. Living-God, you gotta introduce me to her!"

>>20569187

>Taking decent care of slaves both makes our sister happier, helps us find a way to make our sister less of an embarrassment to our family, gets her and the rest of the family closer, and is economically sound.

Which explains why slaves were treated fantastically by slavers throughout history. After all, if it's economically sound then CLEARLY everyone would be doing it.

>>20569802
This. The whole moral relativity argument doesn't really hold water when the character is constantly portrayed as the bestest guy ever in the history of ever and can do no wrong, even when he is burning motherfuckers alive. Its tone as much as action that's a problem here.

captian would be good as, well, a captian. find out why she's looking for employment though.

joe would be good for trianing our people in musket use. and yeah, ask about the red haired captian.

as for the last guy, he sounds useful for lots of things but i worry about about someone offering him more than us. being a local though he could introduce us to people and maybe help with estaban's tunnel.

on a different note, i'm probably going to miss the next time so i'll say this here. i think the next time we meet estelle we should politly explain that we turned down here offer becuase we wanted to stay on good relations with her fiance.

>>20569338

See this is what I'm talking about in >>20569802

It's hard as hell to make someone morally grey when every bit of opposition are baby-eating monsters and every action of kindness automatically turns a profit. The reason all of Estavo's kind, eerily modern-minded actions turn a profit is because you find a way to shoe-horn it into MAKING a profit, and when Estavo HAS to be a dick when it comes to business the person he's being a dick to either deserves it, or you can quickly find a way to make it all better.

>>20569802
> Put Estavo in a situation that calls for a morally evil (at least in modern morality) action, without any clear advantage in not doing it

He sells people without a second thought.

That's pretty fucking evil, and has a lot of benefits.

He abandoned Silti and Hildi to the attentions of Stonesnake even when they begged him not to leave them.

He went into a business deal with a man he knew was a murdering paedophile, and was happy to continue with the arrangement until the dude tried to get Estavo to buy some boy slaves for him to fuck and eventually murder.

He is happy to sell guns to any which way and the players have expressed an interest in destroying a semi-mythical safe haven for runaway slaves.

He's done or professed an interest in doing plenty of morally dubious stuff.

>>20569637
For the second part of that, we should probably ask if Ashanti's a decent actress. It'll set off huge warning bells if she can't appear to be a slave in those situations.

>>20569866
Its the classic pitfall of evil campaigns. The shittiest way to make a bad guy a hero is to make everyone else that much worse than him. If your MC is a slaver, then everyone else has to be rapist slavers that hack up little boys and feed them to pigs. It takes out any and all interesting moral dilemmas involved with being an arguably bad guy to begin with.

>>20569835
>>20569802

I dont get that feel from it. I dont get it at all. There is no portrayal of Estavos beeing a good guy or a bad guy. Just because he is enrolled in some magical quest to rid the world of a supernatural evil does not mean he has to be put in such situations or has to be either good or evil or whatever.


Honestly i like the writhing thus far, and considering the irregular schedule of this, i dislike any undue strains on update intake.

if you have a problem with the whole direction it goes towards use your suggestion to the next updates to change the course, but please do not try to make this quest get bogged down, or otherwise discontinued, or otherwise i might get really choked up about it.

Seriously, i will be sad about it.

>>20569866
I'm not going to force the players to do the right thing or the wrong thing. Its up to them what Estavo does. And doing the right thing has bit them in the ass more than once. Half the quest so far has been cleaning up a mess made by trying to do the right thing.

And I really don't mind doing the evil thing. I was all for the idea at the start of giving Theresa to Jean. Shit, I had a whole arc thought out just in case you did go through with it.

I agree that tone can be a problem, and I'll work on that. I've never intended for him to be the 'bestest guy ever' and if he has come off that way it was completely by accident. That will be fixed.

>>20569898
Why do you care so much about us being evil or everyone else being evil?

>>20569915
>Saves all the slave girls and romances them because he is just so amazing
>His sister is okay with this despite it being against her moral code because clearly her brother is not just a slavemongering deviant but rather a gentleman and a lover
>Saves little boys for DARK and EDGY reapemurderers, murders guards, and doesn't afraid of ANYTHING!
Truly, this is a well rounded character

>>20569809
Yes I know her, she captains my ship. And I agree with you on every point about her that you brought up.

As long as your loyalty to me is unquestionable and it doesn't interfere with your work I'll happily introduce you to her. Everything past a good introduction is up to you and her.

>>20569814
In many Islamic territories slaves occupied positions of high political importance. In Rome competent household slaves were often well treated, lived quite well and would have laughed at you if you suggested they quit or buy their freedom. Labor slaves are treated horribly, but if the ones we sell aren't the ones who are dying from illness and malnutrition we can bargain for higher prices.

>>20569935
>Why do you care so much about good storytelling?
Silly me.

>>20569898
Jean Paravel isn't connected to the slave trade. He's a judge, a councilman, and the head of a powerful aristocratic family. In fact, he claims publicly to be something of an abolitionist and that sentiment might be honest. He is also a wonderful father and a smart as hell dude.

He just has a psychosexual impulse that kind of overshadows everything else.

>>20569934
Well technically , we are more in a way like a Tony Soprano. Most likely a Psychopath, but sure as hell a famillist one.

The tone up until now was just fine. They seem to be discontented by the dissonance between us going to war against other because of our desire to get into a bit of magic (turned us accidentally into the crusader without out knowledge) and favouring our sister over a arrogant prick who has no sense of propriety (current issue.)

>>20569943
> his sister is okay with this

No she's not. She just knows they would be worse off out on the street. She let the issue go because she was too tired to argue and it wasn't worth the effort.

>>20569992
Then maybe the writing should convey that a little better. It came off as her having a minor hissy fit and then just going “whatever” and dropping the issue.

>>20569943
We also this thread sold a pile of chattel labor slaves to the Turtle Islands for a sugar plantation, bought about half a dozen pleasure slaves to be sold to a guy as part of the new brothel he was setting up in a temple in another city. We killed a guard who was standing in our way of getting a valuable source of blackmail.

Our sister is not really okay with it, she's trying to convince us to take small steps towards her position as we have shown that her normal rants don't work, we laid out the argument that they were better taken care of in our house instead of where they'd be if we just set them loose, and we're the only one in the family who is even half-way listening to her. She most definitely disagrees with us on a lot but is able to overlook that sometimes because we're family.

>>20569882
>>20569951
Ashanti: "Acting sir? You mean lying for entertainment? Sir, I would rather be eaten by baboons than tell a lie. It is the ultimate disgrace."

Joe: "Well smack my arse and call me pretty. I'm your man if you can get me a hook in with that woman!"

I don't know, I really thought just doing your day to day job of selling people brought plenty of moral ambiguity to the story and the character. But that's just me with my wacky notions that slavery is inherently evil.

>>20570078
>I really thought just doing your day to day job of selling people brought plenty of moral ambiguity to the story and the character
Not when its glossed over so much and your reputation to EVERYONE around you is that of nicest guy ever. Even the more ruthless actions all have that soft, nougaty moral center to them.
>But that's just me with my wacky notions that slavery is inherently evil.
Which then removes any argument you can make with the claim of moral relativity.

>>20570040
Well there goes part of that plan, there are still definite uses for a female bodyguard and still places we could take her where it'd be considered a faux pas to bring male bodyguards. I'm glad we found this now instead of later. She's still scary, competent, and an experienced commander so I'm still in favor of hiring all three.

"I'm glad to have found this out now, I'll keep your inability to lie in mind from now on. What does the pelt signify anyways?"

>>20570078

It plenty is but sometimes anons dont feel good about themselves without nagging about something.

>>20570040
Right. We will have to work on that. See, while some really massive men might be better bodyguards in essence, and in general, a girl who is not obviously walking murder might prove more effective in various circumstances were bodyguards would be frowned upon.

Still we shall see how things develop over time regarding that, for now i hope you will all be happy to know i decided to hire you for current and future endeavours.

>>20570180
Let the circlejerking commence, then.

>>20570078

The fact we sell people into the sex and labor business doesn't even register to the players, it's mere background noise. While I agree that this is accurate (they're product, not people) we could use with one or two harshly stark reminders of our job.

Doesn't even have to be an arc, just a chance for us to really, REALLY see what we're doing. Given we deal with selling young women into the sex slave business and casually ship men off to sugar plantations and salt mines, it can't be too hard.

>>20570145
>>20570180
"The pelt represents ferocity in battle. I won it holding a corridor from a band of pirates while my company took the cannons on the wall. I was wounded twice in the action. Once in the thigh, and once in the arm."

You inform each one that you would hire them, though not necessarily for the job they had asked for.

Joe gave a short bow. "I'll do my best, that's all I can say."

Ashanti nodded: "Better an employed junior officer than homeless and without income. This is acceptable."

Bart looked less pleased but nodded: "If your coin is good, so am I. Just give me plenty of folks to break, 'cause I get bored easy."

With that brought to a conclusion you muse on what else you need to do. Certainly the legal documents needed to be drafted and signed, and dinner reservations made. It was just a matter of waiting for Fio's circumstances to change.

see if we can find out more about the local thug, mostly who he knows and how much pay he's looking for. hire the other two though.

as far as the captian goes, we can work on lying later but we should also find out how she feels about slaves; if she hates them she isn't going to want to be one.

also, see if Theressa is seriously interested in Jean without telling her about his offer/threat; maybe she would like to give it a try. would keep jean happy and he wouldn't have anythihng on us.

>>20570227
It isn't, and I've been planning to. There just hasn't been all that much direct opportunity to see how terrible the life of a slave is.

The inhumanity of the living conditions of the slaves kept in the pens was meant to be just that, but the players decided to fix the pens instead. I'm not going to say no just because it upsets the tone of it all.

The debtors cell was also meant to be a reminder that what you do isn't good. The women are hopeless creatures and Stag-Horn is visually upset by the sight of them. Estavo doesn't notice the suffering because he's desensitized to it, he's grown up in this trade and environment.

Maybe I just need to emphasis it more, either way it seems the problem is with my tone rather than specific content.

>>20570263
We're not setting up the legal documents themselves but we should take a look over them once they're done. Fio is squared away for now and I think we can trust Ancient Desmond to take care of the reservations.

Let's introduce our new hires to our men, make sure everyone knows each other, knows who to listen to, that Joe is in command but Ashanti and Bart are to be respected and listened to and obeyed if Joe has not given them orders and he isn't there for some reason.

After that we can give Joe a quick introduction to Brighton.

>>20570317
I don't think our rather abolitionist sister would be on board with dressing up like a slave girl for a week to get fucked by Jean. Also he's fucking with our family, we should not let it be known that fucking with our family or jerking the Zahaks around on a chain is accepted. It's as much for our sister as it is for our and our family's reputation.

>>20570377
(this'll be the last post)

You assemble your cadre of soldiers, calling those that are off duty and assemble them in the Zahak office yard. The ranks had grown since you started. A force of fifty men, some armed with muskets and all wearing the badge of your family. They listen loyally to your instructions, but the discipline is lacking when they salute.

Joe archs a brow your way at the ill formed ranks, mismatched uniforms and generally terrible posture. Half these men had been hired straight out of taverns with very little experience.

"I'll whip 'em into shape," Joe said. He tapped Bart. "You'll help me with that big man. Be sure to swear lots and be loud."

"It comes fuckin' naturally," Bart replied with a thuggish grin.

And that's it for the night.

I'm sorry some of you don't like the quest. I'll try to improve in the future, fix the problems to get a leaner, meaner quest going. an't exactly go back and rewrite the old threads though, so let the past be the past. I hope you guys found something to enjoy in it, and sincerely hope you give it a second chance.

Either way I'll see y'all later.

>>20570492
I say night, but its now 7 am here.

>>20570492
See you around. Hopefully I'll make it next time, I'll keep an eye on the twitter.

>>20570492
Indeed. good night. I should get to sleeping to, but its just barely past midnight.