The year is 1095. Europe is recovering from the aftershocks of William the Conqueror’s conquest of England, while Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus has dispatched ambassadors to the Vatican, requesting help against the ravaging Seljuks in the east. The world is on the brink of war, but who will be the participants, and who will be the victors?

3rd of August, 1095

You open your eyes, sitting up in your shoddy straw bed. It’s yet another day. You slowly step out of your bed, walking over to your dresser and picking up your worn cotton clothes. Opening your wooden window, you gaze outside, the sun rising over the fertile lands of…

CHOOSE YOUR NATION
>Holy Roman Empire (Saxony)
>Holy Roman Empire (Swabia)
>Holy Roman Empire (Bavaria)
>Holy Roman Empire (Bohemia)
>France (Normandy)
>France (Blois)
>France (Flanders)
>Italy (Venice)
>Italy (Genoa)
>England
>England (Normandy)

>>46270993
>>Holy Roman Empire (Bavaria)

Rolled 84 (1d100)

Venice as merchant

Rolled 8 (1d100)

Venice coz doge

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>46270993
>Italy (Venice)

>>46270993
>Holy Roman Empire (Bavaria)

Time to become the worst kind of German and also the best.

>>46270993
>England (Normandy)

>>46271071
CHOSEN NATION: ITALY (VENICE)

The sprawling city of Venice stretches out before you. You take the sights in for a minute, before slipping into your worn clothes. You run a hand through your hair, which has been growing somewhat unkempt lately. Money has been tight, and your shears are dulled. While the last harvest wasn’t the best, this year’s is shaping up to be bountiful. As you open the door of your small wooden cabin; a soft breeze immediately greets you.

CHOOSE AN OCCUPATION
>Theologist (+3 Intelligence)
>Guardsman (+2 Swordsmanship, +2 Health)
>Merchant (+5 Charisma)

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>46271178
Mer fucking Chant

>>46271178
Wringing my hands like the filthy merchant I am.

Btw, theologist is stupid book reader without good mindset of thinking as constrained

>>46271178
>Merchant (+5 Charisma)

>>46271178
>Merchant (+5 Charisma)

We can pay for guards and finance a few inventors and such with our lawful earnings, this is best choice!

>>46271340
CHOSEN OCCUPATION: Merchant

Business has been awful. With the recent harvest failures digging into the trade, you nearly had to close your shop. It was only through a pair of loans that you managed to stay afloat. Your lifestyle suffered under it. At the young age of eighteen, you inherited your father’s trading company. No one knows what happened to your father, but the other merchants claimed that his ship was separated from the fleet during a particularly heavy storm in 1093, off of the coast of France. He wasn’t seen again.

But here you are, Domenico Particino, aged twenty. Your reputation leaves much to be desired, as does your business. You were lucky enough to have been taught how to read and write, along with the basics of mathematics when you were young. It also helped that you had a natural affinity for persuading people.

CHOOSE A TRADE SPECIALIZATION:
>Arms & Tools
>Clothes & Armour
>Lifestock, Grain & Food wares
>Ships

>>46271395
Livestock, Grain, Food, and so forth, from Sicily, France, and Occasionally Anatolia. Gives us the opportunity to get into the immensely lucrative glass trade around Alexandria by selling supplies to both sides in the coming battles.

>>46271395
>Lifestock, Grain & Food wares

All else is reliant on extreme economic growth or war to be significantly profitable

>>46271395
>Lifestock, Grain & Food wares

Food
Specialized: oyster, fresh

>>46271395
>>Lifestock, Grain & Food wares

>>46271541
CHOSEN TRADE SPECIALIZATION: Lifestock, Grain & Food wares

You stroll on down the busy streets, slowly making your way to your warehouse. You had been anticipating for a large shipment of grain from Tuscany, and you’ve put most of your leftover savings into the endeavor. Along the way, you spy a young boy peddling for coin.

For three generations, your family has traded in cows, goats, horses… Any animal that can provide meat or milk to a poor village. Your great-grandfather turned it into a monopoly, after securing multiple agreements with the Doge, and other influential patricians. However, a series of bribes and fires caused your family to lose most of your holdings during your grandfather’s years.

Looking down at your coin pouch, you notice you still have a few spare coins.

>Give the boy a coin.
>Keep on walking.
>Spit on the young orphan.

>>46271589
>Give the boy a coin.

...and if we need a labourer to do shit in the near future, ask him if he needs a job.

>>46271589
>Give the boy a coin.

>>46271589
Give the Boy A coin. We don't want to be murdered by Urchins.

>>46271589
>Keep on walking.

>>46271589
give coin

>>46271589
Give him food, preferably fresh succulent oyster which he will not forget for his life

File: Warehouse 2.jpg (114 KB, 598x426)

114 KB JPG

>>46271796
>Give the boy a coin

You approach the beggar boy, giving a faint smile as you procure a single ducat from your pouch. His face lights up as he sees the precious currency. You lean forwards and put it in his dirty hands. “Now remember to be kind to others, for they were once kind to you.”

The boy gives a toothy grin, before answering back in broken Italian. “Thank you!” It was clear from his accent that he wasn’t a native to the Republic. There was something… guttural about his pronunciation. He – or his parents – could have very well been survivors of the recent Rebellion in the land of the English. The boy looked old enough to have survived it, in any case.

Leaving the boy behind, you continue on your way to the warehouse. After a good ten minutes walking, you finally arrive. The two guardsmen greet you with an inclination of their heads, before stepping aside to let you unlock the door. You step inside, your heart sinking to your boots as you see that the shipment still hasn’t arrived.

Defeated, you make your way to the store, another five minutes away. Once you arrive, you notice that your shopkeep Desiderius has not yet opened up. Who can blame him? Times are uncertain, and the new Doge’s rule hasn’t been spectacular so far. You open the door to your shop. Moments later, Desiderius comes running. “I’m sorry I’m late, Master Patricino!”

>Scold him for being late
>Forgive him for being late. It is a Saturday, after all
>Pay it no heed. He knows what to do, anyways.

>>46271909
>>Pay it no heed. He knows what to do, anyways.

>>46271909
>>Forgive him for being late. It is a Saturday, after all

>>46271909
>Scold him for being late, but only a gentle admonition.
Like "Just be sure it doesn't happen again." or some such.

>>46271909
Fuck him, continuing eating my fresh succulent oyster

Tie breaker in 10 minutes.
How are you guys liking it so far? I'm literally writing it as I go. It's completely up to you guys where it all goes. Pay mind to the date, as well.

>>46272051
Yep, nice thread so far.

>>46272051
>>46271926
I guess I go for >>46271954

>>46271909
>Forgive him for being late. It is a Saturday, after all
He did come running as fast as he could and apologized, he knows better, odds are he probably had something hold him up and would have not been late if he could have helped. Plus its Saturday man chill out.

>>46272051
Whats up with the nation selection? Where we suppose to roll?

>>46272143
It was a vote. I kind of forgot to mention that. Like I said, first time running something like this.

Also, if something ends up as a tie, I'll try and pick the middle ground between both. As long as it makes sense, ofcourse.

>>46272115
Btw, is Saturday a resting day during that period of history?

>>46272051
It is interesting.

>Forgive him for being late. It is a Saturday, after all

>>46272183
Based on christianity, it should be.

>>46272183
Dunno, might be with how the QM phrased it. I wasn't addressing anyone with that last part, it was more like thinking out loud with a general thought or statement.

Also did you vote twice here?
>>46271020
>>46271050

>>46272215
I thought they were catholic and Sunday it was.

>>46272183
>>46272215
It is, but for the sake of starting the adventure and due to the rough times they're having, they have no choice but to work on Saturday.

Future Saturdays will be spent developing personal relationships and extra adventures.

>>46272229
sorry my phone jammed.but Venice got 3 vote right?

>>46272238
Wait... hahah I dont now why but I read it as Sunday.

>Forgive him for being late. It is a Saturday, after all.

You sigh, shaking your head. “It’s alright, Desiderius. As long as you can find your way here in the morning, I’ll be content.”

Desiderius nodded, running a hand through his coarse brown hair. He looked like he hadn’t shaven in a week, but you let that slide too. Times had been harsh on everyone, after all. “I’m so sorry, Master Patricino.”

You nodded once more, before pulling your large ledger from the bookcase. Your shop was located on one of the busier streets in Venice, and the people seemed to always stop to browse your fresh wares. Glancing over the large ledger, you frown at the latest transaction: A hundred boxes of grain from Tuscany, for the awful sum of three-hundred-five ducats. You were very much aware that the costs were extreme, but you had to do something.

Your thoughts are disrupted by the sudden opening of the door. A pair of guards walk in, casually talking while they walk over to the fresh breads. For a few moments, they discuss what they should take. Desiderius quickly moves in to help them, offering the discount that the guards deserved. A meager 5% discount on a loaf of bread, which cost 3 ducats. You debated discontinuing the discount for some time, but your family has always been good to the city guard.

>Maybe it’s time we finally change things around here.
>Tradition and discounts will ensure the guards return.
>Discuss it with Desiderius after the day is over.

>>46272325
>Tradition and discounts will ensure the guards return.

>>46272325
>>Tradition and discounts will ensure the guards return.
No need to lose more business.

>>46272325
>Tradition and discounts will ensure the guards return.

>>46272325
>Tradition and discounts will ensure the guards return.

Free fresh and succulent oyster for each loaves of bread

>>46272325
>Tradition and discounts will ensure the guards return.
We can ask Desiderius if he has any thoughts on it after the day is done.

>>46272249
Two. Which would have tied it with HRE.

File: The Store.jpg (25 KB, 300x400)

25 KB JPG

>>46272394
>Tradition and discounts will ensure the guards return.

You shake away the thoughts, rubbing your face tiredly. The guards move over to the counter, where Desiderius finalizes the purchase. As always, he quickly wrote down the amount sold, and the amount of ducats he’d gotten in return. Moments later, the guards were gone.

“Do you think the shipment of grain will arrive? It was supposed to be here yesterday.” Desiderius suddenly asks, looking over his shoulder with the faintest hint of worry. You sigh softly, looking down at the thick ledger.

>It’ll be here. Maybe they got caught in a storm, or had unfavourable winds.
>I think we should look for other options.

>>46272325
Do we own a bakery? I thought we just sold wholesale supplies and livestock.

>>46272325
>Tradition and discounts will ensure the guards return.
It's worth it.

>>46272394
sorry.

>>46272426
>I think we should look for other options.
It should hopefully arrive, but it's better to have options and not need them, than not have them when you do.

>>46272426
>I think we should look for other options.
We can look. It doesn't mean we have to buy, right?

>>46272430
Well, we have to use those grains and meats besides selling them whole.
>>46272426
>I think we should look for other options.

>>46272426
>I think we should look for other options.

>>46272462
Don't fret, I wasn't around for that vote anyways. Just don't like the idea of samefagging.

>>46272426
Mix both
Say
>It’ll be here. Maybe they got caught in a storm, or had unfavourable winds.

but try to find out if you could get small amount of grains from somewhere else faster. It's good to have plan B.

>I think we should look for other options.
May i suggest seafood?

>>46272430
We don't. We simply sell part of it to the bakers, while the other half gets shipped out to other nations if necessary. It's never bad to have a full warehouse.

Break for five minutes. Meanwhile, a player question.
>What would you say is our ultimate goal?

>>46272484
Well I was hoping to be able to have areas in business to expand in. I was thinking hiring, investments and small business ventures. Its my inner merchant trying to grow our business.

>>46272528
Take part in the First Crusade in '96.

>>46272521
That's not a bad idea, though we may need to invest in ship security, unless we buy local maybe?

>>46272528
Be a merchant god of legends

>>46272528
Goal: Doge, doge man, DOGE.

>>46272570
where is our location? near the sea ? got port, fishing ?

>>46272528
Become Doge?
Or atleast dominate business in our part of town.

>>46272528
Become the Switzerland of Venice!
or...
Amass great wealth.
Gain power through economic means, maybe form a bank.
Buy Lots of land and become a Lord or Baron.

Any in any combination of these really.

>I think we should look for other options.

“I don’t know, my friend. While I have faith in our Tuscan friends, I do believe that we should explore other ventures.” You look back at the older pages, longingly staring at the numbers. If only you could restore the business. While your great-grandfather may have sold mostly lifestock, your grandfather sold swords and armour. That is, until the series of accidents, fires and bribes. You’ve always had a longing for swords and armour. Growing up, you heard the tales of Charlemagne, the Frank Emperor, and of Constantine, who converted the Romans to the Lord. While they were warriors in their own rights, they were also great statesmen. You had a dream, if not a desire for both.

Desiderius leaned against the counter, looking out of the dirty window. “Like what?”

>Arms & Tools
>Armour & Clothes
>Ships

>>46272602
Isn't Venice a port city?

>>46272528
What kind of property, assets and employees do we have?

>>46272648
>>Armour & Clothes
We run fashion.

>>46272648
Tools & Clothes.

>>46272648
Ships. Boys, we are going to oyster
>>46272666
i forgot

>>46272648
>Armour & Clothes >>46272566 new crusade collection for God's men

>>46272694
I think the costs for startup buying ships and security is to much to be worth it for now. It would be best we have some high value goods to to make the costs and margins worthwhile before investing in a fishing fleet. Although fishing probably can be done closer to home and have added protect of the local navy.

We can alternatively have middlemen we pay to transport our goods, I think we should stop by the harbor to see what local cuisine we can get from the fishermen, and decided if anything is delicious enough to invest in a fishing fleet.

Damit now I want to eat seafood.

>>46272648
>Arms & Tools

"It is written in the bible that a man, if he owns a cloak but no blade, should sell the cloak for a blade. I see no reason why i can't help a fellow Christian fulfil gods word."

>>46272648
All delicious options...but we are too poor for ships.
Can't really decide between the other do..
>Arms & Tools

>>46272821
>I think we should stop by the harbor to see what local cuisine we can get from the fishermen,

Here, have a dozen of fresh succulent oysters

Currently tied 2 - 2 for Arms & Tools / Armour & Clothes.

Tiebreaker in 5 minutes.

>>46272684
Not an option, unfortunately.

>>46272936
Arms and tools

>>46272936
Armor and Clothes

>>46272936
>Arms & Tools

>>46272936
Arms and tools, though eventually I'd like to diversify into both.

>>46273051
>Arms & Tools

You close the ledger, turning around to pour yourself a mug of water. Instinctively you pour one for Desiderius as well. “I don’t know, I feel like we should invest in protection.” Desiderius raises an eyebrow, taking the mug without so much as a word. “Like guards? We already have four.” You shake your head. “What do guards wield?”

Desiderius takes a moment, before answering. “Week-old smallclothes and chainmail.” You stifle a chuckle, before shrugging your shoulders. “I think we should invest in swords. Maybe farming equipment as well.”

Your companion raises an eyebrow, taking a sip from the mug. “That’ll cost a lot. We’d need people to process the metals, we’ll need to establish a relationship with the woodcutters as well. Not to mention, we’d need to ask the Doge for permission to expand our business.”

>Let me handle the Doge.
>The Doge doesn’t have to know.

>>46273061
>Let me handle the Doge.
Bro, you don't fuck with Doge.

Another idea would be to get a contact in the relatively near east, trading for curiosity's and resources. Like coffee, silk from further a field and such.

Such things though would fall through the moment there is a crusade or such though so we will leave that for later

>>46273061
>>Let me handle the Doge.

I heard he like oyster. Let's go down to port and see what seafood delicacies offered.

>>46273061
>Let me handle the Doge.
It is literally impossible for the Doge not to find out, once we actually start selling the shit.

>>46273061
>Let me handle the Doge.

"The doge is new, weak, he will be looking for any people willing to not stab him in the back. I am not a threat to him in future and as far as i am aware he is a reasonable man."

>>46273061
>>Let me handle the Doge.
Why do we need his permission? don't we just have to pay tax only? I'll google this.

>>46273170
The doge is the "strongest" family/merchant in Venice generally. They have control over Venice so long as they are doge, granting trade permits (what we need), deciding if Venice go to war, making laws and generally being like a king but not entirely, we in theory could become doge to my understanding assuming we become influential enough.

>>46273170
>Let me handle the Doge.

You sigh, knowing exactly how long it’ll take for the Doge to make some time. “The Doge is old and frail, but he’s not unreasonable. In our previous dealings, he has always been a fair man.” You take a sip from your mug of water. “He’ll want a cut of the profits, though.”

Desiderius nods. “Don’t they all?” He rubs the back of his neck, applying some pressure to it at a few places. “I’ve got faith in your abilities, Domenico.” You raise your eyebrow at him calling you by your name. You’ll let it slide for now; you’ve been working together for two years, anyways.

You spend the rest of the day balancing accounts, occasionally stepping outside to talk to old acquaintances. Before you know it, it’s time to close up shop. Desiderius mentions he’ll close down. You turned a small profit today, putting you in a better mood than this morning.

You begin the fifteen minute walk home. On the way, you notice you’re being followed. You tense up a little…

>If it’s money you want, I’ve got none.
>Who’s there?
>Don't try it, I'm armed [BLUFF]

>>46273246
Like a mafia family.

>>46273276
>>Who’s there?

>>46273276
>Don't try it, I'm armed [BLUFF]

>>46273276
>Who’s there?

>>46273276
>Who’s there?

>>46273276
>>Who’s there?

>>46273276
>>>Who’s there?
>>Who’s there?

>>46273276
>Don't try it, I'm armed [BLUFF]
Just not armed at the moment.

>>46273361
>Who’s there?

You nervously glance back, before turning around fully. “Who’s there?” You squint, trying to make out who or what it is. Moments later, you get your answer.

The young orphan boy steps out of the shadows, speaking in broken Italian again. “I help. Need.” You look around, still somewhat wary. You’ve heard stories of guards using orphans and beggars as bait to earn some extra coin.

“You’re the boy I gave a ducat, aren’t you?” The boy responded with a single nod. “Where are your parents?” You slowly ask, looking over your shoulder again. The boy looks somewhat confused. If he had parents, he’d be with them right now.

You can’t help but feel some pity.

>Come on, you can stay with me tonight.
>There’s a church nearby. The Father can help you.
>Begone, foul orphan.

>>46273449
>Come on, you can stay with me tonight.

Gentlemen, we may have just found a cheap labourer/apprentice

>>46273470
Seconding.
>Here, have a bowl of fresh succulent oyster
>No, you must eat it all, boy

>>46273449
>There’s a church nearby. The Father can help you.
We aren't in a position to easily take care of a young child.

Also, he might try to rob us during the night.

>>46273449
>>There’s a church nearby. The Father can help you.
We can think of adopting him after we make sure he isn't bait.

>>46273449
>There’s a church nearby. The Father can help you.

>>46273449
Come on, you can stay with me tonight.
He obviously has trouble speaking the language. How can he be bait if he can't take instructions?

>>46273470
backing this.

>>46273449
>There's a church nearby. The father can help you

>>46273621
>Come on, you can stay with me tonight.

You motion for the orphan to follow. He looks to be around nine years old, of average height and a bit skinny. “Come on, I’ve still got a spare room in my house.” The orphan quietly follows you the rest of the way.

Walking up to your little house, you notice that the neighbor’s lights are still on, a faint glow from a candle apparent through the cracks in the window’s frame. You shrug it off, opening the door to your residence. The orphan looks around with wide eyes, before slowly sitting down on a simple wooden chair. You give a warm smile, walking over to pour him a mug of water. You show him to the extra room, making sure there’s nothing he can steal.

You spend the rest of the night reading an old novel, one your father used to read to you. Tomorrow, you’d head up to the Doge’s palace and petition for an audience.

And that's all for tonight folks.

I'd love to hear your opinions on it so far. I've had a lot of fun writing this, and I honestly can't wait for it to continue. If there's enough interest, I'll make another one tomorrow.

Player question for the night:
>Who or what is the orphan?

>>46273778
Doge disowned bastard from oyster-orgy party with a oyster farmer girl who part time as whore.

>>46273778
Nooooo, don't end so soon!

>>46273778
He is in fact our long lost brother!

>>46273778
A kid that will when we fall asleep, in the dead of night, will open the door to left thieves and burgles in.

Decided to make a Twitter account to keep you all up-to-date on when the next threads will drop, along with archive updates. @MedievalQuest.

>>46273898
It's getting quite late here. I'd love to continue, but I'm absolutely exhausted from a busy day.

>>46274008
Whats your timezone?
Its 5pm here and extremely sunny with clear skies.

Please give advance warming to when quests starts like and hour atleast to a day (with time and your timezone stated). Goodnight.

>>46274084
All hail OYSTERIOUS

>>46274084
It's currently 1 AM here. GMT +1.

And like I said, I'll post on twitter when the next quest will be. I'll most likely do it a day in advance.

Next thread will definitely be tomorrow at 17:00 GMT.

>>46274126
Its a date!

https://twitter.com/MedievalQuest

There is another hashtag with identical name, difference is capital letters.

>>46273827
Is the Oyster thing a Game of Thrones reference, or something I'm missing?

>>46277956
Otter civ thread was running at the same time as this, running thing from that poster is everything involves oysters.