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>>34627655
You sigh and spend a better part of the morning briefing Serrak on the ins and outs of Casimiran culture, and the hazards they face. He seems particularly intrigued by the dual culture society, the degenerate trolls, and the abundance of silk and lack of cattle that the Casimiran have.

You watch him sitting, hand on chin, at the table you spread the samples out on, hand drumming idly on the

>Press the trading avenue, see his thoughts on that.
>He seems to have some reservations, try and coax those out.
>Other?

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>>34627655
>XXVIII
>not XXIX
Off to a rocking good start again it seems.

>>34627708
>He seems to have some reservations, try and coax those out.

>>34627708
Let's coax them reservations.
It's the rule of four thing, isn't it?
Yeah that bothers us too.

>>34627708
>He seems to have some reservations, try and coax those out.

>>34627708
Reservation-coaxing time!

>>34627655
op did you die

>>34628550
he takes a while.

>>34628550
Chemlab is pretty slow normally, no worries.

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"It's the rule of four thing, isn't it?" You say, noting his hesitance?

"Hrm? Oh. No, jumping through cultural hoops for trade is easy enough to do. Light knows that we orcs did it to UFK merchants for fun back when trade was being established to the Northern Wastes."

"Then what's the problem?"

"You mentioned a turnpike. Who will be building the route?" He says, standing up and walking toward the porch window.

"Well, I figured the Nitor would handle that."

He sighs, "That's what I was worried about. The nitor is a blunt instrument, useful, and their roads their schola design are good, but they hardly account for personal will when they get involved. Have they told you were they are going to build the road?"

"Well, no..."

"Don't be surprised if they drive it straight along this side of the river. Through that pasture I saw. Not to mention, if what you said about your springs are true, it would assuredly ruin that exclusivity of the retreat you mentioned to have a road run right by it."

"You seem awful considerate of my livelihood here. What's the issue."

"I could fund the road myself, but that would be it. No resort, and no depot. I'm not made of isens."

>response?

>>34628729
I personally don't mind a rather straight road.

We can always move the pasture some, right? I mean cattle are semi-mobile anyway, and there's tons of highlands where horses are grazing.
And resort or rest stop for weary travelers, either way that hot spring is going to make some money with people coming through.


I don't think I mind a straight and direct road. It would bring us money long term, even if in the short term we have to move ourselves around a little to accomodate.

>>34628729
I think we shouldn't let the Nitor build our road if it'll disrupt our other means of making money in the long term. It seems the only advantage of it is that we'd be allowed to profit from the spring immediately rather then building it up later when we can charge more for it's use, it being secluded and all.

That's where I stand, the resort can come later but I'm not sure what to do about the depot. It seems important to have up ASAP, right?

>>34629013
>>34628795
financial impasses!
I don't think it's that particularly important that the hot spring be all secluded and expensive, as we can get a lot of people going through with a more efficient and straight road. I suppose we're just divided on whether we should make a large-scale low price thing or a high class high price thing.

I can't actually think of any compromises here, which is how we usually get around these. Maybe let's start with where would we put the road, if not straight through? Along the ridge or something?

We'd still need to put some sort of inn/depot/sleep area for travelers, to pick up the common coin. I could work with that.

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>>34629179
>I can't actually think of any compromises here, which is how we usually get around these.
Are you advocating discussion amongst yourselves or are you wanting me to weigh in here with the update?

>>34629179
Thinking on it, I guess a straight road wouldn't be too bad. I really like the idea of catering to the rich and running a high-class operation but it may get in the way of profits.

If splitting the pasture isn't so big a deal I'll concede to letting the Nitor build the road.

>>34629358
I actually sort of talked myself into being fine with a road going around the property, so long as we still put up an inn.
SImultaneously, this guy was talked INTO making a straight line.
>>34629412
so we swapped stances entirely and are confused.

I'd say let's just go around at this point. maybe?

>>34629455
Okay, I'm >>34629013 and >>34629412

Serrak funds the road, we become swanky as fuck. Good?

>>34629503
Sure, that works.
Though we will need to discuss alternate methods for funding the building of a depot and inn and resort.

A colt might cover like, half of one of those.

>>34629528
Priorities first.
The resort can come last because it's purely a luxury.
The inn can wait because caravans would be accustomed to sleeping in camps.
The depot would be the most useful building for everyone.

Now, what exactly goes into a depot and how much would it cost? We might be able to fund it if we break another colt, right? After that we could gradually collect the money to build everything else from trade I think. We're not in a hurry, we'll profit regardless.

>>34629903
>what goes into a depot?
a big wooden box for storage, and useful travel goods to fill that box up. Maybe even some more space for actual trade goods.

Would a second investor be out of the question?

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"Lets go with that then, the road is the most important part. It's all my land so the resort, travellers inn, and depot can at least wait a bit." You say, examining the options in your mind.

"You have an idea as to how to fund those ventures then?"

"Well, I figure if I can sell the colt, I'll be able to at least fund maybe... half one one of those." You say, scratching the back of your head.

"We're the dossiers I sent you helpful then?" He asks, turning back.

"I'm going to be honest, the majority of them were a wash. I've got three candidates. I'm vetting one of them right now with a letter."

"Just one?"

"Well, yes, I met him before, and he seemed a decent sort so I figured I'd let him know first."

You turn towards the door as Marie enters, "Miss, I've got Tatiana working on watching the cattle. At least I think I managed to tell her how to do it right. That horse language is a doozy for sure."

You nod, and turn back to Serrak who has his eyebrow raised. "That's the centaur I told you about. She's polite enough, but see feels out of place. Not that I can blame her."

"Hrm, right then. Regardless, I would suggest looking for the another source of revenue than just the cattle and horses. Especially given you won't be able to replenish stock easily if you drive cattle to the other side of the mountain to trade."

"What about the diamonds?" You hear Marie say from the doorway as she heads out.

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>>34630449
"What?"

"The smugglers Miss Masterson ventilated on the coast had dia- I've said too much haven't I."

You laugh, "Not really, those are currently in possession of the Nitor, statute of limitations and whatnot given that smugglers had them. Can't touch them for 15 years of the smugglers are caught proper."

"That's an idea..." Serrak murmers.

>response?

>>34630483
Hey, if you want to fund a big old diamond-crime-chase, I don't mind. I thought you couldn't afford more than the road, though?

>>34630483
It could be fun! We could get Veles to help us then be a pair of lamia vigilantes. Where do we start?

>>34630553
>>34630753
so a mixture of "yeah okay" and "how exactly do you plan on doing that?"

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"Hey, if you want to fund a big old diamond-crime-chase, I don't mind. I thought you couldn't afford more than the road, though?"

"I can't, until my prosthetics production gets back in action, I've got precious little capital available. I do however know people in... positions where they would be knowledgeable of this sort of thing. Not to mention I have no dog in this fight, and ergo it would raise suspicion."

You pause, "So what are you suggesting?"

"Its simple, in need of money a young female landowner takes it upon herself to break up a ring of criminals in order to help facilitate a peaceful coexistence between herself and a heretofore undiscovered nation. Not exactly a Robin Goodfellow story, but nevertheless. Karath outsourced his 'enforcement' business to people like the ones you've met before." Serrak ceases looking out the window, returning to the table and staring at the silk, knuckled down on the surface."

"Its tempting, I'll give it that. But you see I'm rather light on manpower here."

"Point, but you've got far more pull here than I do. By all rights, if I didn't think that you had something worth a damn, I'd be back trying to run my company on the mainland managing the restructuring of my company. It is a risk, but it could be the difference between having something ready immediately after the road opens or not."


>response?

>>34631472
Before we do anything rash, we have to consult with McCain about how feasible he thinks all this is. But as it stands, it sounds like something worth giving a shot. I could really use the diamonds.

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"Before we do anything rash, we have to consult with McCain about how feasible he thinks all this is. But as it stands, it sounds like something worth giving a shot. I could really use the diamonds."

The orc nods, "Understandable. I will be back soon with what I can find. Even if you decide not to, a dossier on something like this may prove useful to me later. If you'll excuse me."

You follow him as far as the porch as he makes his way back to the fancy carriage. You watch as he raises his prosthetic and snaps his fingers, wincing at the gunshot noise reverberates around the ranch. His driver, startled awake by this, hurries to get the door and then clambers back up and takes the reigns. It isn't long before the only remnant of the businessman's presence is the waft of dust coming up from the trail.

Heading out into the camp, you find McCain dousing himself with water from the pump. "What was that all about miss?"

"Working out how to handle all the new stuff we've got to build."

"Oh? How so."

"Serrak's going to help sponsor the road towards the Casimiran lands, but it's going to leave him short on funds for other development, leaving us on our own."

"Well miss, that sounds like a problem."

"And we've got a solution. Remember the smugglers?"

"You can't be serious. Those are hardened criminals."

"Didn't stop Veles and me the last time."

You see him grimace, "Well, you're the boss. What's the plan?"

>?

>>34632459
Can't make much of a plan as of yet. We don't even have dossiers or information on how many of 'em there might be. But It seems like a good idea. Could put us on the road to catch large amounts of wealth while the getting is good.

We'll figure out a more concrete plan when we get actual information. Hopefully we can get the drop on these fellows when they're out of their hiding spots, like last time.

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"Can't make much of a plan as of yet. We don't even have dossiers or information on how many of 'em there might be. But It seems like a good idea. Could put us on the road to catch large amounts of wealth while the getting is good. We'll figure out a more concrete plan when we get actual information. Hopefully we can get the drop on these fellows when they're out of their hiding spots, like last time."

He huffs into his moustache. "Can't be many of them. Smugglers thrive through small operations. Not big ones. I wonder where they are getting the diamonds though."

"Just something we'll have to find out then. Won't we."

You leave him to his business and go around the ranch. Marie's still tutoring Tatiana on the finer points of ranching, their exaggerated articulation being almost like the vaudeville performances that go on in Riverport from time to time.

You also catch sight of Tai, emerging from out where he had planted his herb garden with a fistful of weeds which he then feeds to the colt.

>Anything you would like to do now?

>>34633396
We should probably help marie tutor tatiana. We're the only one who speaks both around here. We can tell her we'll probably follow up her diamond idea while we're at it.

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Rolled 3, 12 = 15 (2d20)

You opt to help Marie and Tatiana, nipping the budding pantomime in the bud, as amusing as it is. Both seem grateful for the intervention, and you note that despite the challenges, both have been making strides. Its mostly though hand gestures, but at the very least your guest appears to have a head for memorization at least, rattling off the different words for ranch items Marie taught her. Her pronunciation isn't the best, but that isn't something you can expect from someone this new at learning languages. You're reminded of Veles and his strides in adapting to UFK standard in such a short time.

It takes the rest of the day, but you figure that at the very least Marie and Tatiana can probably understand each other better now. You're interrupted by the dinner bell, having been engrossed in playing translator for the harpy and centaur. This dinner is simple fair and is evidence that Tai has finally exhausted the supply of beef that you lost to the cougar attack. That said, the fare is still far cry from what you had before the pheonix kid came along, and it is still welcome after all that time spent eating dried provisions in the Casimiran lands.

Bidding your associates good night, you turn in a little early, hoping to wake up a bit earlier than you did today.

>1d4 roll please.

Rolled 4 (1d4)

>>34634538
Okay, time for sleep rolls.

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Rolled 13, 2 = 15 (2d20)

You see the tree in the ruins again, but it is ablaze. Flames lick up the trunk and branches of the massive maple as men in dusters and rifles forcibly eject the people from the premises. You see an older Marie split off from the rest of the retreating youths. She crests a hill, and you see her standing with two others. The rest are nowhere to be seen. Turning around, you see the harpy head back into the ruins, vanishing from sight.

You wake with a start, the room is still dark, so at the very least you've got that going for you. Getting dressed and heading downstairs, you see Tai, Marie and Tatiana all clustered in the kitchen. It would appear that Tai is showcasing the finer points of making breakfast the UFK way to the centaur, with Marie trying her level best to explain it. For the most part the centaur regards it with a blank look, seemingly trying to work out the words rather than the event behind them.

Tai is the first to notice you, passing over the coffee pot. Pouring yourself a cup, you grasp it like an elixir of life and head back up to the study, not wanting to crowd the kitchen unnecessarily. Slithering up to the desk you hear the a resounding peal of thunder off in the distance. Looks like is going to get rainy today. And if the clock is any indication, its later than you thought it was, especially given there are a pair of letters on the table.

>Open the one from V. Vance first.
>Open the unmarked one first.

>>34636001
Unmarked one first, why not.
Gotta have some mysteries.

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Rolled 15, 19 = 34 (2d20)

Producing your late father's pen knife, you open the contents of the unmarked letter. Inside you find clean penmanship of Serrak. You're almost surprised at the turnaround, but focus on the sparse content.

"It would appear that my former associate Karath had something to do with these smugglers. A contact of mine from the mainland is available with more information. Talk to the bartender at Snake's Landing and tell them that I sent you. Every indication that there are no more than 20 fighting capable individuals involved. -Serrak"

Well, that's something else.

You look up when you hear a knocking on the door and look up to see McCain.

"Food is ready Miss."

"Never mind that, have a look at this." You say, showing him the letter.

You see him frown, "I really don't like how quick his turnaround is here. There's got to be something we don't know."

"I don't doubt that." You say, placing the letter back in its envelope.

"What are you going to do about it?" He says, as the first patter of rain starts to fall on the roof.

>?

>>34637269
We'll be heading to snake's landing soon, then. Though, 20 people is a bit much. Think we could get the nitor to help out during the fight with an appropriately timed tip? Doesn't matter if it's us or them who catch the smugglers as long as they're caught, right?


Unrelated, but maybe check that second letter too. We're probably not heading out quite yet, as it's raining.

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"We'll be heading to snake's landing soon, then. Though, 20 people is a bit much. Think we could get the nitor to help out during the fight with an appropriately timed tip? Doesn't matter if it's us or them who catch the smugglers as long as they're caught, right?"

"I'd imagine they'd seize anythin' on hand to use in the trial. Then it would likely go to the state. If only to make the case iron clad."

"Either way, its worth looking into. But its raining now so it can wait."

McCain looks back from the doorway, "Understood, will you be comin' down to eat?"

"After I read this other letter, its dressed from our potential buyer."

He leaves you to your work, and opening this letter, well... its not what you are hoping for. The writer is nice enough, but he explains that in no uncertain terms that he is physically incapable of coming to the UFK right now, citing work. He clarifies that he is interested, but for the foreseeable future he is stuck in the UFK proper. If any sale is going to happen with him, you're going to need to take the horse to the mainland.

>Action?


>Pausing for now, triple setting my alarms tomorrow so that I can continue this. Thanks again for reading so far.

>>34638795
Well, we're probably not going to the mainland anytime soon, so that option's a bust. Maybe see about that gambler next.

Thanks for running, I'm gonna go be super tired.