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>>46842534
"Is it really such a problem?" Reagan asks.

"Legally, only the nobles are allowed to own land and resources, and to control the production quotas of the various guilds," you explain. "In practice, there's more flexibility. Some nobles prefer a hands-off approach, while others like to become heavily involved. It's not usually a problem, but it can affect regional economies, and there's always a certain element of uncertainty involved since the nobles can seize and redistribute assets whenever they want."

"This time, it looks like the Coleran merchants have allied themselves with House Haearnty," Myrddin says. "Haearnty lost its lands, its wealth, and its seal of nobility several years ago when Prince Aled swindled them into bankruptcy to acquire some of their farmland which was suitable for growing alchemical reagents."

In other words, they're unlikely to have a positive impression of the royal family. A noble house can still recover after losing its land and its wealth, but the loss of a seal of nobility is catastrophic. Without its seal, mercantile enterprises are the only way for House Haearnty to make some kind of recovery, but even then, they'll always be dependent on another noble house.

>"Ignore them. There's no need to get myself wrapped up in this."
>[Sovereign/1d10] "See to it they have a meeting with the king. He can take care of this."
>[Sovereign/1d8] "I need to handle this personally. Invite their representatives to my offices."
>[Sovereign/1d12] "I'd like to show them some good will. I'll meet them at a venue of their choice."

Rolled 4 (1d12)

>>46842546
>"I'd like to show them some good will. I'll meet them at a venue of their choice."

>>46842546
>>[Sovereign/1d8] "I need to handle this personally. Invite their representatives to my offices."
We can handle this

>>46842546
>>[Sovereign/1d8] "I need to handle this personally. Invite their representatives to my offices."

>>46842546
>>[Sovereign/1d12] "I'd like to show them some good will. I'll meet them at a venue of their choice."

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>46842647
>>46842664

>>46842656
>>46842657

Looks like I need to break out the old tiebreaker already.

1= They go to you.
2= You go to them.

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>>46842546
"I need to handle this personally," you say. "Invite their representatives to my offices."

"I'll send a messenger right away," Myrddin says. "They want to meet someone, but I'm not sure they'll be willing to meet you instead of the king though."

"Convince them," you say. "It'll be better for everyone involved."

"Would you mind if I join you?" Reagan asks. "I promise not to interrupt."

"I don't see why not," you say. "It's not like this sort of thing is a state secret."

You go to your business office and prepare them for company while Myrddin sends out a messenger to the merchants and Olwen lets the guards know about the guests you invited and orders them to keep an eye out for potential disturbances. With that done, you wait for the representatives to arrive.

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>46842969

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>46842969

Rolled 3 (1d8)

>>46842969

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>46842969
Ez

>>46842979
Thanks for saving us face.

>>46843070
Lets just hope it's enough looks like this will be a hard bargain.

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>>46842969
Your guests arrive under a light escort. You stand up and bow politely when they enter the room.

"Welcome to the palace," you say, "and thank you for meeting me on such short notice."

Your first guest is Ceri auk Haearnty, the eldest daughter of the defunct house. You don't recall ever meeting her; her family's decline preceded your involvement with state affairs.

"Thank you for the invitation," Ceri says in a dull voice. Her face is tense, but otherwise expressionless.

Your second guest is Esyllt Coleran, the daughter of a fairly prominent merchant. From what you know, she's spearheading a various efforts to strengthen the merchant class, although this is by far our most daring endeavour.

"I'm grateful you were willing to meet with us," Esyllt says, "and I hope these discussions are profitable."

"I'll make every effort to ensure they are," you say. "Please, have a seat."

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>>46843353
You, Myrddin, Ceri and Esyllt sit at the centre of the room, while Reagan and Olwen sit a little farther behind you.

"Since you went through the trouble of contacting us, I assume you're familiar with our demands," Esyllt says. "The current state of thing creates too much instability. It's difficult for the guilds to coordinate their efforts across the kingdom when prices fluctuate so quickly, and we can't make long-term plans while the nobility can threaten to seize our assets at any moment."

"I'm well aware of the current system's limitations," you say. "However, this is isn't something that can be decided in a single meeting."

"We are aware of that," Ceri says. "However, we would like a… demonstration of your willingness to help us."

You can think of a few things that would help their cause, some of which are more… personal than others. Recovering the Haearnty seal somehow or usurping some of your uncle's assets for their benefit might buy you some time and it shouldn't be too difficult, but it wouldn't be a major step forward. Giving merchants some ownership rights or deregulating the guilds and their production quotas would be a greater display of sincerity, but it would be much more difficult.

>"I believe I can help you recover the Haearnty seal."
>"I believe Prince Aled would be willing to 'lend' you some of his assets for now."
>"I'll find a way to give you some ownership rights."
>"I'll find a way to deregulate the guilds and give them more independence."

>>46843375
>"I believe I can help you recover the Haearnty seal."
>"I believe Prince Aled would be willing to 'lend' you some of his assets for now."

>>46843375
>"I believe I can help you recover the Haearnty seal."
>"I believe Prince Aled would be willing to 'lend' you some of his assets for now."
Deregulation would be bad for our families power best to keep our rights as long as possible.

>>46843375
>>"I believe I can help you recover the Haearnty seal."
>>"I believe Prince Aled would be willing to 'lend' you some of his assets for now."
Weakening our uncle? Great idea but I'm not sure about giving them too much power at the moment.

Doing the opposite of whatever our uncle wants seems like a good idea in most cases.

>>46843474
We could use them owing us a favour as well, hopefully we can use them to combat our uncle.

>>46843375
>"I believe I can help you recover the Haearnty seal."

How did the kingdom not implode before we were old enough to do anything?

>>46843552
Mom, sadly her dad is now sick so she has to tend fires there.

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>>46843375
You're not sure you want to give the merchants too much power while things in the palace are still unstable. You can revisit the idea later when your own base is more firmly established and supporting the merchants benefits your plans. In the meantime, you can screw your uncle over.

"Matters of resources and commerce are long-term projects," you say, "but I think I can 'acquire' additional resources from my uncle if you're looking for something more immediate. I'm sure I can find something satisfactory."

Ceri's eyes narrows and burn with hatred. Your uncle ruined her family, and it seems she's willing to put personal matters ahead of business on that point. Esyllt seems much less enthusiastic, but she's not rejecting the idea either.

"If you can get make some of Prince Aled's resources available to merchants who are amenable to our goals, it would convince us of your trustworthiness, and we would be able to slow our plans down a little," Esyllt says. "However, we would require some concessions."

"Such as?" Myrddin asks.

Ceri and Esyllt glance at each other for a moment.

"You'll need to turn the assets over to my family," Ceri says.

That means you would have to recover her house's seal.

"I'm afraid there's no one else we can trust with this," Esyllt adds. "Not even you."

>"I agree with your plans."
>[Intrigue/1d10] "I'll agree to your demands, but I'll need a cut of the profits."
>[Merchant/1d8] "I'll agree to your demands if I can invest in your endeavours."

>>46843809
>>[Intrigue/1d10] "I'll agree to your demands, but I'll need a cut of the profits."
We can't fail this one.

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>46843809
>[Merchant/1d8] "I'll agree to your demands if I can invest in your endeavours."

>>46843809
>>[Intrigue/1d10] "I'll agree to your demands, but I'll need a cut of the profits."

>>46843809
>[Merchant/1d8] "I'll agree to your demands if I can invest in your endeavours."
This is more longterm and should tie them to us and help build up a support base. We already have wealthy.

>>46843809
>>[Merchant/1d8] "I'll agree to your demands if I can invest in your endeavours."

>>46843809
>>[Merchant/1d8] "I'll agree to your demands if I can invest in your endeavours."

>>46843864
>>46843840
This might make enemies of them or make them think they can buy us over. It's better longterm to build up ties and favours we spend now to make more later.

We should really look into something like a charter of trade, which we can give to a guild providing nominal protections to their assets.

Basically like making a guild into a minor noble. Little power, but a fair chunk of protection, so nobles seizing their shit have to actually give a reason.

Have it signed with the royal seal and stick a price on it (something substantial every x years) and tada, you have a new revenue stream and increase trade.

>>46843969
Giving power to merchants is how monarchies ended.

>>46843969
This is a good idea we could stack it with people loyal to us and if we don't become king then just be as rich as one.

>>46843998
This is more like turning merchants into nobles and under our direct control.

>>46843998
Its protection, under the direct control of the monarch.
They have to suck up to us not to get bullied, meaning we hold all the cards.

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>>46843809
If you're going to be doing this, you might as well get something out of it. Besides, it never hurts to make friends.

"I'll agree to your demands," you say, "if I can invest in your endeavours. I have several businesses of my own, and quite a bit of coin that isn't doing anything. I'm willing to accept whatever deal you offer to your usual members."

The two women glance at each other again, uncertain of whether or not to accept your proposal.

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>46844141
DICE GODS

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>46844141

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>46844141
Allah help us

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>46844141


>>46844148
Nice job

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>46844141

>>46844170
Absolutely Halal

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>>46844141
"I suppose that's acceptable," Ceri says. "We are looking to expand our support."

"The standard agreement isn't too demanding anyway," Esyllt says. "So long as you're willing to show preferential treatment to our associates, we'll be quite happy to have your help."

You don't have many long-term arrangements, so giving business to Ceri and Esyllt's associates won't disrupt any of your current relationships. If they're willing to give you a discount out of gratitude, you might see even greater profits. If not, then you're still making connections. Some times, who you know is worth more than how much money you can spend.

"In that case, I'll take care of the arrangements as soon as possible," you say. "Until then, I need to decide what I'm going to do about my uncle."

Prince Aled must have the Haearnty seal somewhere - it's just too valuable to destroy or get rid of. All it takes is one long-lost heir to make a seal useful. On the other hand, going after your uncle's holdings might bait him and create an opening for you to exploit.

>"I'll focus on getting the Haearnty seal back first."
>"I'll start by getting my hands on some of my uncle's assets."

>>46844333
>"I'll start by getting my hands on some of my uncle's assets."

>>46844333>"I'll focus on getting the Haearnty seal back first."

>>46844333
>>"I'll start by getting my hands on some of my uncle's assets."

>>46844333
>"I'll start by getting my hands on some of my uncle's assets."


Take more than what we need then ransom the seal for the left overs.

>>46844333
>"I'll start by getting my hands on some of my uncle's assets."

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>>46844333
"I'll start by getting my hands on some of my uncle's assets," you say. "I can use that to extort the seal out of him or something. Is there anything in particular you need."

"Enchantment and alchemy remain the most profitable businesses, so mines or reagent gardens are always in demand," Esyllt says. "However, we don't have that many enchanters and alchemists right now, so normal farms, forests, and plots of land are always useful."

"We're also looking for trade routes," Ceri adds. "We need to guarantee our people are treated fairly by patrols, and that bandits are kept away."

That should be doable. Your uncle's holdings are centralized around his territory, but he does have some isolated assets. You should be able to pick some of those off.

>"You'll have more enchanters and alchemists in the future. I'll find you a source of reagents."
>"Land is always useful to everyone. We'll start there."
>"I think I can get my hands on some roads for you."

>>46844784
>>"Land is always useful to everyone. We'll start there."

>>46844784
>>"Land is always useful to everyone. We'll start there."

>>46844784
>"You'll have more enchanters and alchemists in the future. I'll find you a source of reagents."
We already know someone who owes us a favour on this so its easy.
>"I think I can get my hands on some roads for you."
Give them some special permission and open up routes for them.

>>46844784
>>"Land is always useful to everyone. We'll start there."

>>46844784
>>"You'll have more enchanters and alchemists in the future. I'll find you a source of reagents."

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>>46844784
"Land is always useful to everyone," you say. "We'll start there."

"Prince Aled has some territory around the capital and elsewhere," Myrddin says. "We'll just need to figure out how to get our hands on it."

"That's for you to figure out," Esyllt says. "We'll give you some time to obtain results, but you should act quickly. We do have a timetable to keep."

"Please contact us as soon as you can make good on your promise," Ceri says. "My family has waited many years to reclaim our status. I would be extremely disappointed if you can't deliver."

"I assure you, I always come through," you say. "No matter how difficult it can be."

"We certainly hope so, your highness," Esyllt says. "Good luck."

The two ladies bow once more and leave.

"That was quite interesting," Reagan says. "How are you going to get your uncle's lands? Steal them?"

You snort. "Of course not," you say. "There's no point if he profits from this."

"We'll have to swindle him," Myrddin says. "Either that, or we'll have to trick him into swindling us."

"It would be easier if Prince Aled thought this was his idea," Olwen says.

"Right." You nod. "If we con him, we'll have to use a proxy, or else he'll know we're involved. Then again, bringing in an outsider might be a risk."

"He shouldn't know who I am," Reagan says. "I can help you if you want."

>"That's a good idea. We'll have Reagan approach my uncle."
>"No, I'd rather get my uncle to approach us. We'll think of something."

>>46845259
>"No, I'd rather get my uncle to approach us. We'll think of something."

Best he doesn't know you're on good terms with me yet.

>>46845259
>"No, I'd rather get my uncle to approach us. We'll think of something."

>>46845259
>>"No, I'd rather get my uncle to approach us. We'll think of something."
Set Reagan up as a potential (but naive) player just entering the field

>>46845259
>>"That's a good idea. We'll have Reagan approach my uncle."

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>>46845259
"No, I'd rather get my uncle to approach us," you say. "It'll be cleaner that way. If he thinks he's swindling us, he won't investigate."

"So we need to come up with an incentive for Prince Aled to give us some of his lands," Myrddin says.

"It shouldn't be impossible long as we don't ask for anything near Duwcan," Olwen says. "Maybe we can temporarily poison some of his lands? Or get bandits to raid them to the point where guarding them isn't worth the effort?"

That's the first part of the problem: Convincing your uncle to get rid of some of his lands. Alchemical poisons should be the faster option, but you'll need to be careful to avoid getting caught, and undoing the poison will carry additional costs. Bandits are much easier in comparison, but you'll have to cause a hell of a ruckus to pressure your uncle into selling now.

>"We'll go with poison. Let's visit the Alchemists' Guild."
>"We'll gather some trustworthy bandits and raid his lands."

>>46845682
>>"We'll gather some trustworthy bandits and raid his lands."

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>>46845682
>>"We'll gather some trustworthy bandits and raid his lands."

>>46845682
>"We'll gather some trustworthy bandits and raid his lands."

>>46845682
>>"We'll gather some trustworthy bandits and raid his lands."

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>>46845682
"We'll gather some trustworthy bandits and raid his lands."

Olwen raises an eyebrow. "Does anyone else notice the irony here, or is it just me?"

"It's not like I'm against raiding," you say. "I just prioritize the kingdom over everything else. Myrddin, can you make it happen?"

"Sure," Myrddin says. "I've got people. They'll leave the city casually and we'll meet somewhere close to the target."

"What about me?" Reagan asks. "I'm not exactly suited for this."

"You can help cover our alibi," you say. "You can stay in my chambers while we sneak out of the palace."

"That sounds simple," she says.

"We still need to pick a target," Olwen says. "Your uncle has a lot of land around the capital, but I don't think he'll be willing to part with all of it."

"There's a forest, a lake, and a plain," Myrddin says. "There are some villages near all those areas, so they should be profitable, but aside from the terrain, there aren't any major differences."

Which means you can pick the terrain for strategic purposes instead of looking for the fattest cow. That certainly makes things easier.

>"I'm in the mood for another forest battle."
>"The lake shouldn't be too hard to attack."
>"I'd like an open battlefield. We'll attack the plains."

>>46846184
>>"I'm in the mood for another forest battle."

>>46846184
>>"I'm in the mood for another forest battle."
Forest seems like the best place for bandits to strike.

>>46846184
>"I'm in the mood for another forest battle."

>>46846184
>"I'm in the mood for another forest battle

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>>46846184
"I'm in the mood for another forest battle," you say. "Can we make that work?"

"The forest is mostly used for hunting trips," Myrddin says, "but it's not too heavily guarded. It'll be enough to make a point."

"It's settled then," you say. "Let's get going. I'd like to get this done as quickly as possible."

"You know that if we do this, we'll have to kill a lot of people, right?" Olwen asks.

"It wouldn't be the first time." You shrug. "Whatever it takes to keep the world going."

Myrddin sends the word out to his "people" and you sneak out of the palace in casual clothes. You leave the city alongside other common travelers; no one notices anything special about you three in particular.

The forest is a fair bit away, but it's not so far that you won't be able to make it back before sundown unless something goes wrong. You stop a short distance away from the meeting point to put on your masks and armour so no one can recognize you before making the rest of the trip.

The raiders are all waiting for you at the appointed place. Myrddin's efforts are quite impressive, considering how little warning they had. The bandits are quite disciplined as well; they all stand at attention in perfect ranks.

They wait for you to give your orders. Your main objective is to force your uncle's forces out, and you have several ways of doing that. The most effective would be to destroy their barracks and defenses, but it would also be more difficult. Attacking or outright killing the guards would work as well, but it wouldn't be as effective in the long term; you'd have to put extra effort into baiting your uncle.

>[Military/1d6] "The enemy has some fortifications here. We're going to burn them down and make sure they can't come back."
>[Military/1d10] "We're here to make a point. We're going to find the patrols and butcher every single last one of them."
>[Military/1d12] "We're here to make a point. We're going to find the patrols and beat them into a retreat."

>>46846768
>>[Military/1d12] "We're here to make a point. We're going to find the patrols and beat them into a retreat."

>>46846768
>[Military/1d10] "We're here to make a point. We're going to find the patrols and butcher every single last one of them."

This is a bad plan.

>>46846768
>>[Military/1d12] "We're here to make a point. We're going to find the patrols and beat them into a retreat."

We as bad as our uncle.

>>46846877
>>46846845
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster."
In our efforts to stop our uncle, we have become him, just to help some Jews.

>>46846845
>>46846877
>>46846923
You realize we're falseflagging this and being an annoyance to the people(who likely hate uncle) and scamming him yes?

>>46846958
Killing people goes beyond annoyance

>>46846958
Well, at least the guards you're going to be fighting right now are 100% loyal to your uncle. What you do after that is still up in the air.

>>46846974
>beat them into retreat
Kill where?

>>46846877
Taking a page from machiavelli we are a prince and need to act free of morals. Well placed cruelty can be useful for a prince.

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>>46846768
"We're here to make a point," you say. "We're going to find the patrols and beat them into a retreat. They need to deliver the message, so avoid excessive violence."

There's a chorus of nods and agreements. You divide your forces into squads and move out into the forest. It'll take you a while to hunt down all the patrols, and you'd be more likely to get caught if you moved as a single force, so this is one of the occasions where splitting up is a sound idea.

>Roll 1d12, best of three.

Rolled 5 (1d12)

>>46847114

Rolled 5 (1d12)

>>46847114

Rolled 7 (1d12)

>>46847114
Victory

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>>46847114
Your uncle has three dozen guards here in total. Most of them just stay in the same spot all day, but some of them have to patrol just in case.

You get the drop on the first group thanks to Rhithcan. You strike the sword against a tree, and the soundwaves distract the guards just long enough for you to launch a sneak attack alongside your hired mercenaries. The guards don't last very long. Oh, they try to defend themselves, but when they realize that you aren't going to panic and run, they're the ones who are forced into a retreat. Off in the distance, you hear more yells of surprise and pain.

The guards are trained, but they're primarily trained to deal with wild animals and poachers. Wild boars are vicious beasts, but they aren't as dangerous as people so long as you know what you're doing. Fighting bandits is something else entirely.

You keep up a game of back and forth for several hours. The guards rally together and try to fight back. It ends very badly for them. There's no permanent damage, but they're clearly on the losing side. As their morale drops, you manage to briefly capture their leader.

"Now, listen here," you whisper into his ear while keep a knife pressed to his cheek. "We like this forest, so we're taking it. If you don't want trouble, you'll get lost. Understand?"

The guard nods frantically. You release him, and he and his men get as far away from the forest as they can.

"That went reasonably well," Olwen says. "Are you ready to go?"

>[Military/1d6] "Not yet. I want to rough a village up first."
>"Let's get back. I've got everything I need."

>>46847496
Is there anything related to our uncles 'experiments' we can hit?

Just make sure to not make enough trouble that uncle will ask our father for help.

>>46847496
>[Military/1d6] "Not yet. I want to rough a village up first."
Only hit our uncles stuff and leave the villagers alone.

>>46847567
Not in the immediate area. Most of the land he owns around the capital is for leisure.

>>46847496
>"Let's get back. I've got everything I need."
Just have some of the bandits appear near the village as a scouting party to keep the illusion of the bandit threat real.

>>46847496
>>"Let's get back. I've got everything I need."
>>46847593
>>46847496
Can we have the bandits just stick and fade for while, maybe rough up a caravan of uncle's stuff as it passes.

>>46847496
>"Let's get back. I've got everything I need."
Have them establish a presence here.

>>46847602
>>46847620
With the timeline you're on, the bandits won't really have time to launch another attack. They'll stick around and keep "attacking" to draw suspicion away from you if you do get the land though.

>>46847704
Then can we skirt around the village enough to be seen then leave? Just to let the point set in.

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>>46847496
"Let's go back," you say. "I've got everything I need."

Myrddin makes the appropriate arrangements with the mercenaries. They'll make regular appearances over the next few days and come back once your scheme is successful so that your uncle doesn't become suspicion. Of course, that still hinges on your ability to talk your uncle into giving up the land, but at least part 1 of the plan is done.

You walk away from the forest and change into your normal clothes.

"Hopefully, that'll be enough to get Prince Aled to sell his claim to this land," Myrddin says. "Have you thought about what you're going to do about the Haearnty seal?"

"I'm still working on that part."

You can't steal it. Or rather, you can't just steal it. Your uncle would realize what happened, or he might create some problems for Ceri, which is something you want to avoid.

The easiest solution would be to try and buy the damn thing, but it wouldn't be subtle and it'd cost you a mountain. Seals of nobility are in limited supply and they are not easy to come by.

You could also try to rob your uncle's place. If you're lucky, the seal will be at his house at the capital. You can grab the seal along with some of your uncle's items and fence them through the black market. After that, it's just a question of finding the stolen goods and returning them to their rightful order. The risk will be greater, but it's a far more elegant solution.

>"I'll try to buy the seal back."
>"We'll try to steal the seal and then recover it once it's on the black market."

>>46847934
>"We'll try to steal the seal and then recover it once it's on the black market."

>>46847934
>>"I'll try to buy the seal back."
Anything short of a legal method seems bad. As far as I'm aware, he acquired the Seal legally, albeit not through the most honest of means. If it was stolen and suddenly Ceri's family got it back, its not a stretch to accuse them of stealing it.

>>46848103
This on point qm?

>>46847934
>>46848103
Good point
>"I'll try to buy the seal back."

>>46847934
>"We'll try to steal the seal and then recover it once it's on the black market."

>>46848103
>>46848143
The general idea is that the seal gets stolen, and you happened to be the one to find it and return it to its original owner, so there would be absolutely no connection to house Haearnty. There might be other difficulties, but so long as the dice gods are willing, you'll get away with the theft itself and no one will know who was involved.

I said it before, but I don't put traps in the options I present. So long as you pass the rolls, you get what you want. Different options might have different benefits, but picking one choice over another won't completely screw you over.

>>46847934
>"We'll try to steal the seal and then recover it once it's on the black market."

>>46847934
>>46848238
Alright then, changing this >>46848146
to
>"We'll try to steal the seal and then recover it once it's on the black market."

>>46848238
If uncle acquired the Seal legally from Haearnty, us acquiring it and giving it to them doesn't make it legal. We're receiving stolen goods, and by them accepting it, they are too.
Unless he actually stole the Seal from them, and has secretly hidden it away, which your description doesn't sound like, Haearnty getting the seal after the theft is a crime.

>>46847934
>>"We'll try to steal the seal and then recover it once it's on the black market."

>>46848329
That's the kind of complication that I'd be more likely to go for, but even then, you'd still get a few ways to deal with it. There's legal and there's "legal."

>>46848381
Except its hard to get away with the receiving and transferring of stolen property as easily recognizable as a Seal of Nobility.
Saying we just happened to find it after it was stolen doesn't make it ours, and certainly doesn't give us right to give it to whoever we want.
And if we secretly acquired it, and then secretly gave it to Haearnty, it wouldn't do them any good cause they'd never be able to reveal it without being labeled thieves.

>>46848452
Oh, there's nothing secret about it. It'd be closer to the police returning stolen property, except the police here isn't really bound by rules and regulations. Once the seal is back in Haearnty hands, keeping it there wouldn't be too difficult. You'd just need to find a half-decent excuse.

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>>46847934
"We'll try to steal the seal and then fence it on the black market," you say. "Then we'll raid the fence's place and 'return the stolen goods to their rightful owner' once we find the seal. It'll be tricky, but it won't be impossible to get away with it. Are those warehouse robberies still going on?"

"The ones you ordered after that thing with the contraceptives?" Myrddin asks. "They stopped, but it hasn't been long enough for people to forget. Do you want me to get them started again?"

"We'll need some suspects to draw attention away," you say. "If they can move on to houses, it'll be better. Just make sure the people who are hit are in the know."

"I'll take care of it," Myrddin says. "Anything else?"

"Your uncle isn't likely to let this go," Olwen says. "It is a seal of nobility."

"I'll figure that part out when I get there," you say. "I'm not giving that old bastard any more money than I absolutely have to."

You quietly return to the castle. It's fairly late by the time you get back, and Reagan is quite happy to have some company after a boring day spent locked up in your chambers. You all return to your respective rooms to clean up after a long day. It feels good to scrub all the dirt and sweat out of your body.

You eat dinner while watching the sunset. Afterwards, you still have time before you go to sleep.

>Visit Myrddin.
>Visit Olwen.
>Visit Reagan.
>Go to sleep right now.

>>46848554
>>Visit Reagan.

>>46848554
>Visit Olwen.
No sex stuff ask her how she feels about our decisions and if we are making the right calls.

>>46848514
>>46848554
Except, going by what we've been told, by all rights the 'rightful owner' is our uncle. Unless he has illegally acquired it, its legally his.

>>46848607
A seal might be considered the property of whoever holds it hence why they are heavily guarded.

>>46848554
>Visit Myrddin.
bro time


>>46848607
He got it with corrupt means, all we have to do is say it's odd he has it, and if it's rightfully his we'd have too determine and investigate how he got it.

>>46848554
>Visit Olwen.

>>46848627
Corrupt doesn't necessarily mean illegal.
Unless, in the eyes of the law, he illegally acquired it, the means on how he got it is irrelevant and the seal is legally his.

>>46848607
Yeah, but the guards won't know that. It's a noble seal, so obviously they should give it back to the noble house it's associated with, and once the seal is physically back with Haearnty, they can at least make an effort to keep it. It's a question of politicking and probably some underhanded deals, but it's not impossible for them to claim and keep it legally.

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>>46848554
You put on an extra layer of clothes so Olwen doesn't get any ideas and go to knock on her door.

"Come in."

You push the door open and enter Olwen's room. She's sitting at her desk, dressed in her nightgown.

"Oh, your highness. Do you need anything?"

"I just wanted to talk about how things went today," you say. "Make sure we're all in agreement with the way things are going."

"Honestly, I'd prefer a straight-up fight," Olwen says. "Sure, I know it'd be messy, and I know it'd cause more damage to the kingdom than you're willing to accept, but we all know it's going to happen eventually. I'd rather get it over with."

"True, but it's because we know it's going to happen that we can plan for it."

"Your plans are going to strangle you one day," Olwen says. "How many layers deep are we in now? Two? Three? How many more are left until you can complete your objective? Three? Four? You'll lose track of things if you keep going like this."

You sight and rub the back of your neck. "Yeah, I guess you're right," you say. "It's just that this is what I need to do right now in order to win later. I can't escape that."

"I suppose that's what makes you the Victorious Prince," Olwen says. "I'm not sure I could plan that far ahead."

"Anyway, that's all I needed to know," you say. "Good night."

Olwen waves you goodbye and mumbles something under her breath that you don't catch aside from the fact that it involves Olwen's "quality time." You decide to walk away before you have a chance to think about it.

You need to be up and awake tomorrow in order to refine your plans.

>>46848883
And that's another fun thread done with. I think it's best if I take a day off to recover and plan the next part, so the next thread will be Sunday, April 24th, at 7PM EDT. Until then, good night and thanks for joining us.

>>46848913
Good night, thanks for running.

>>46848688
>House is known to no longer have Seal
>Known to have lost it to Prince Aled
>suddenly the Seal Prince Aled had is stolen
>it just happens to turn up some time down the road
>rather than give it back to its proper owner, give it back to the people who lost it legally
There is no sense at all in what you're trying to make work here.

>>46849012
It's politics. Stranger things have happened.

>>46849160
I don't think QM thought it through all the way.

>>46849246
Well he's the QM, so lay off already.

>>46848883
Little late to the party, but if we're all set to have it stolen, the best we can manage is that between the news of bandits and our own "claim" of lost belongings, we head out to "recover" lost goods and crack down a little on crime.

And during such a raid on a known but unpopular fencing place, we "come upon" the Seal and decide to return it.

>>46849368
>not allowed to criticize QM
I'm surprised you can find time to type between riding his dick all day.

>>46849406
Not him but haven't you said enough?

>>46849406
lol we have an insecure one here.