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Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP

Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?searchall=Beleaguered+Prince+Quest

You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body.

===============

Winter is over. It's more boring up here than it is in Aurwain, but it's not like you're lacking for ways to pass time. You sent messages back and forth to the local lords, telling them to prepare for Olstren just in case, and finalized some of the details concerning the city market you want to build.

Also, your mother came by several times to talk about her pregnancies with Reagan, Seren and Esyllt. You managed to cut her off before she got into your embarrassing childhood stories. Or at least, she wants you to think you managed to cut her off.

The queen has announced that she'll only be staying a short while longer - she'll be needed back in the capital now that it's spring, and you suspect she wants you to handle matters with Olstren on your own - but she'll still be around for your next major project.

You have a pavilion from which to maintain your rule, a city watch to keep the peace and local contacts to act as your spies. As far as the basics go, you need to finish the city market you were planning and build a worthy temple. You also need workshops for alchemy and enchantment, although that would be a little difficult for you at the moment, given your lackluster skills in those areas. However, while it's not urgent at the moment, Olwen also believes that she has sufficient resources to train a militia in addition to the guards.

>You've already started work on the market. You need to finish it.
>A good temple is a pillar of the community.
>You need an alchemy workshop.
>You need an enchantment workshop.
>It's time to prepare a militia.
>>
>>733721
>>You've already started work on the market. You need to finish it.
>>
>>733721

>It's time to prepare a militia.

Conflicts will heat up now that winter's done, we need some semblance of troops.
>>
>>733721
>>It's time to prepare a militia.
>>
>>733749
I vote this

Our military position is good enough for the city size, let's finish up and maybe elaborate a bit on the commerce side of things, more money in private hands is more Potential resources for the state.
>>
>>733786
It's not about our military being enough for our city, but that Olstren is gonna test our borders very soon and we want to be prepared.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

I am all out of fucks to give about ties at this point.

>>733749
>>733786
1

>>733753
>>733760
2
>>
>>733721


>You've already started work on the market. You need to finish it.

Noo i guse i was too late
Cant be leaving things half done
>>
>>733807
That's another thing, flip flopping and leaving things unfinished will leave us looking untrustworthy and inefficient.
>>
>>733814

Yup pretty much my view and we need a place to make money roght not just for us but the people that live here
Also dont we have our personal troops as well as the gurds?
Hell we could make it so that solder and the gurds are the same thing just have like a week on and week off sorta thing keep them busy and out of trouble as well as training them to pick up on people and settle issues without fighting;
Like to join the army you must frist joing the gurds then youl get extra training to fight in a army
That way vets and teach the younger ones without totaly in a life/ death thing
>>
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>>733721
You decide to join Olwen, Delyth and Myrddin in the study.

"How's work on the market progressing?"

"We have a rough idea of how much space and materials we'll need," Myrddin says. "It might take some time to get everything though. The snow isn't completely thawed yet, so dragging lumber in is still a little difficult."

"In that case, the market can keep waiting," you say. "Olwen, you mentioned you wanted a militia?"

Olwen nods. "The idea is that the guards and soldiers you've hired could act as the professional backbone of a militia," she says. "They could help defend the city and suppress bandits. You could use them to launch an attack as well, but I wouldn't recommend it if there are other options. Once the militia is established, we'll be able to expand it into a proper army once the rest of the city is developed."

"A militia will require equipment, recruitment and training," Delyth says. "We'll need to focus on numbers over quality, so on a one-to-one basis, they'll be less effective in combat than guards, but it's necessary in order to put together an army that can hold and defend territory."

>"Let's talk about equipment."
>"How can we recruit?"
>"Do we have enough space for training?"
>>
>>733856
>>"Do we have enough space for training?"
>>
>>733856

"Do we have enough space for training
We totaly have to train to the song from mulan il make a man outa you.

Have a training with the waterfull in the back round?
>>
>>733888

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gIve0UBXvJ4
>>
>>733856
>do we have the space for training?
Also QM, I'm assuming we already know the lay of the land right? Can you give me a quick rundown on terrain and the density of roads and structures and stuff? I want to get a good idea on where we can stage defenses and counterattack so so we can make the most use of our numbers.

Also considering these guys won't be as trained, I say that we have 66% muskets at the least for effective mass fire without morale penalties to our troops. Melee combat is more difficult for untrained people to deal with, unless it's a group fight with pole arms, but even then I'm expecting better results from higher gun counts.
>>
>>733922
>Can you give me a quick rundown on terrain and the density of roads and structures and stuff?

One road to the north, one road to the south, lots of vineyards, and then forests. There really isn't much around.
>>
>>733922

Or we can go with pikeman and archers
Cheap to make and can we reused
Both good for advncing and hold down areas as well as fucking up and horseman
We can get guns later on lets just get aomething frist
>>
>>733934

Ok then we robin hood hit and run from the froest as we block the roads the bad guys are coming from
We probs be better off get rangers with all these woods
>>
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>>733856
"Where can we train?"

"Outside the city would be easiest," Olwen says. "I can train them alongside the guards and soldiers, but there isn't that much space, so it would be a little more difficult to practice formations."

"The best would be to have barracks outside the city for our current soldiers and the militia," Delyth says. "If we buy out a barn somewhere and build a few baths, I think we could manage. It wouldn't take nearly as much time as building the market will."

If the goal is only to train a large number of people, a random field would suffice. However, they wouldn't be able to train alongside more experienced soldiers. Training them alongside your current armed forces would be better for quality, but it would be more difficult to turn the militia into a cohesive fighting unit. Building a proper garrison is the best option, but as is often the case with these things, it's also the option that will require the most work. There's a risk you won't be able to build the garrison, organize a schedule and get trainers on time.

>[Military/1d10] "The militia can train in a field somewhere."
>[Military/1d8] "Train them alongside the guards."
>[Military/1d6] "We'll convert a barn into a garrison."
>>
>>733946
Guns are easier to train people with than bows, and I would rather get crossbows than bows. But I see your point.

As for defenses,
>>733934
Thanks to the analysis, we can use the trees as a bulwark against all attacks really, the only danger is fire, but even then the resources we would have to allocate to hold an established tree line is minimal, in the vineyards we could use them as ambushes and the soil is loose enough to dig trenches in to ward horses away.
essentially if we block the forest and roads, we can operate in a ww1 like environment with lots of vine entanglement, trenches, possible mazes and kill zones.
Really ranged units would be the best majority for these tactics, and I think that these ideas are the best for the victory we are trying to achieve.
>>733961
Giving up the forest advantage like that so easily should be very situational, the tactics that are probably being used the most here work better on even terrain, so if we adapt we can expect the enemy to have a hard time entering the wood s in the first place using conventional methods.
>>
>>733856
>"Let's talk about equipment."
Also how many we can recruit. We should take the opportunity to get a good basic strategy going.
>>
>>734007
>[Military/1d6] "We'll convert a barn into a garrison."
Let's get it done right the first time.
>>
>>734007
Converting the barn sounds like the best idea, we can use it in the plans as a major key point in the battles to come, arming it and refiting it with artillery with all this open space we have would be a nightmare for the enemy to deal with.
>>
>>734008
Hmmmm, actually going over what I said sounds like a complete war, olstren will just be testing us, so fighting in the forest or goading them into it seems like the best choice.
>>
>>734007
>>[Military/1d6] "We'll convert a barn into a garrison."
>>
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>>734007
"We'll turn a barn into a garrison," you say. "I'm assuming it won't hold a full militia, but we can have people stay there in rotation and it'll at least be useful to store equipment and instil basic discipline."

"I'll ask around the city to see if there are any barns we can use," Myrddin says. "It shouldn't be difficult to come to an agreement."

Which means this whole thing comes down to yours and Olwen's ability to manage amateur soldiers. You can do that, right?

>Roll 1d6, best of three.
>>
>>734007
>[Military/1d6] "We'll convert a barn into a garrison."
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>734116
Oooh boy, praise them dice
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>734007

>[Military/1d6] "We'll convert a barn into a garrison

>>734116

We can have little ambush camps in thr woods waiting for bad guys idk
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>734116
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>734116
>>
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>>734124
>that roll
>>
>>734124

What have you done?
Dose the barn catch on fire?
>>
>>734151
No crit fails are only if all rolls are bellow four, it's a pass.
>>
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>>734116
"Everything will go according to plan, your highness," Olwen says. "We'll be ready no matter how much work I have to put into it."

"Just remember that this isn't just about us," you say. "If Gwyrddarfordir gets invaded and loses land…"

"It'll be disastrous for the kingdom as a whole," Olwen says. "I understand the responsibilities involved, your highness."

"Good," you say. "Equipment and recruitment next then?"

There are nods around the table.

Both fundamentally involve money, but there's some leeway… both good and bad. It'll be next to impossible to procure enchanted weapons in the area - they're not available in bulk, and there's no one who can perform the maintenance - but you might be able to recruit militiamen for cheap if you leverage your princely reputation.

>"Let's talk about equipment."
>"We need to deal with recruitment first."
>>
>>734185
>"We need to deal with recruitment first."
>>
>>734185
>"Let's talk about equipment."
>>
>>734185
>"We need to deal with recruitment first."
Get the men first. The equipment can come later when the dosh starts rolling in frm the market.
>>
>>734200
Yeah, that's a good point. Also we should really have some of our guard sergeant the levy when available so that they get higher combat prowess more consistently.
>>
>>734185
>>"We need to deal with recruitment first."
>>
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>>734185
"We need to deal with recruitment first," you say. "We need to keep in mind that these won't be professional soldiers. Militiamen will have their own jobs and livelihood. We need to provide them with an incentive to give that up and go to war when Degfford needs it."

"They can't maintain their livelihood if the city is destroyed," Olwen says. "That's a pretty strong incentive."

"It is the classic when it comes to militia," Myrddin says, "but it's not the only option. We could offer them a small retainer's fee every week or month to get them to sign on."

"That's risky though," you say. "If we're too generous, they might realize that war is on the horizon and decide not to join."

"You could simply conscript people," Delyth says. "I checked all our royal writs and it's well within your rights."

It could also backfire horribly and make people very angry with you. Then again, if people aren't willing to follow your orders, you've still got a problem.

>[Sovereign/1d8] "I'll conscript able-bodied adults."
>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll offer a stipend for anyone who joins the militia."
>[Dilettante/1d8] "It's natural for people to defend their homes. We'll start with that."
>>
>>734337
>>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll offer a stipend for anyone who joins the militia."
>>
>>734337

Dilettante/1d8] "It's natural for people to defend their homes. We'll start with that
Any one the joins or gose the war gets a discount bage from taxs or something
Liek a rewaards and the best ones get to join the army if they want.
Could make it like sparta and every one lerans how to fight for a year and thry can leve if they want.
Dont forgwt tot train the womans theu need to be able to fight if the main tropes are away
>>
>>734337
Calling for people to defend their homes is an even bigger red flag than paying them stipends.

The excuse for looking for recruits should simply be expansion of the retinue, establish a list, fully employ the ones that have the best qualifications and are up for it, everyone else will get the same boot camp stuff but will be put on 'reserve'
>>
>>734337
>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll offer a stipend for anyone who joins the militia."
>>
>>734337
>>[Dilettante/1d8] "It's natural for people to defend their homes. We'll start with that."
>>
>>734337

>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll offer a stipend for anyone who joins the militia."
>>
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>>734337
"We'll offer a stipend for anyone who joins the militia," you say. "Forcing people will cause too many problems, and if I'm going to ask them to put their lives on the line, they should get some compensation."

"I'll ask for a few favours and organize recruitment booths," Myrddin says. "I might need a few guards or soldiers to make sure the recruits are competent for the job."

"I don't need much to work with," Olwen says, "but that's not a bad idea just in case.

>Roll 1d8, best of three.
>>
Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>734455
>>
Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>734455
>>
Rolled 3 (1d8)

>>734455
>>
Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>734455
>>
Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>734455
>>
Rolled 8 (1d8)

>>734455
>>
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>>734455
"We have plans for training and recruitment," you say. "That just leaves equipment. Options?"

"We don't have the resources to deploy enchanted weapons in large numbers," Myrddin says. "Your personal troops already have some muskets though, so it's not as bad a problem is it could be."

"Pikes are the easiest weapon for us to get in large numbers," Olwen says. "We could settle for bows for our ranged formations."

"Not crossbows?"

They are more expensive, but a good bow isn't exactly cheap anyway. The main advantage is that they're much easier to use.

"I would advocate for crossbows if we can afford them," Delyth says, "but if we're just fighting mass formations, accuracy will be a moot point, so in theory, the troops won't need as much training. It might not be worth the extra costs."

Or you could forego ranged weapons for the militia entirely and focus on pikes instead.

>[Merchant/1d10] "Pikes alone will do."
>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll mix pikes and bows."
>[Merchant/1d6] "We'll mix pikes and crossbows."
>>
>>734499
>>[Merchant/1d6] "We'll mix pikes and crossbows."
>>
>>734499
>>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll mix pikes and bows."
>>
>>734499
>>>[Merchant/1d6] "We'll mix pikes and crossbows."
>>
>>734499
>>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll mix pikes and bows."
>>
>>734499
>>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll mix pikes and bows."
>>
>>734499
>mix pikes and crossbows
More power. Who said bows were easier to use? War bows are serious shit
>>
>>734499

Merchant/1d8] "We'll mix pikes and bows
>>
>>734503
>>734517
>>734538
Cross.

>>734511
>>734527
>>734530
>>734546
Bows.

And writing.
>>
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>>734499
"We'll mix pikes and bows," you say. "I don't want to stretch our funds too thin and we can get some use out of arcing shots. As long as the soldiers are in formation, they can use more experienced archers to set their angle. We can deal with the lack of training if it becomes a problem."

"I'll add an archery range to our training grounds," Delyth says. "It's not the same as a real battle, but it will help a lot with accuracy."

>Roll 1d8, best of three.
>>
Rolled 3 (1d8)

>>734581
>>
Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>734581
>>
Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>734581
>>
Rolled 8 (1d8)

>>734581
>>
>>734602

Wow thats the 2nd 8 iv roled but missed the cut off
Nooo
>>
>>734581
Huh. Arcing shots. Good point, that'll be extremly handy. Guess that's what happens when you have your head in your ass most of the time.
>>
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>>734581
"I think that's everything for now," you say. "Unless there's something else you three can think of?"

"It'll take some time to arrange everything," Olwen says, "but I can't think of anything that needs to be dealt with immediately."

Delyth shakes her head as well.

"It's not urgent," Myrddin says, "but I have some reports from my agents in Olstren. If you want, we can look at them together."

You're glad to hear that spies in Olstren are doing their job properly, but Myrddin can tell you the important parts later if you'd rather do something else. Your mother won't be here much longer, and Reagan might need you for something.

>[Intrigue/1d10] Take a look at Myrddin's reports.
>Go see your mother.
>Go see Reagan.
>>
>>734622
>>Go see your mother.
>>
>>734622
>>[Intrigue/1d10] Take a look at Myrddin's reports.
>>
>>734636
We actually have a slight chance for a crit, and this is probably important. Ain't no rest for the wicked.
>>
>>734622
>>[Intrigue/1d10] Take a look at Myrddin's reports.
>>
>>734622
>[Intrigue/1d10] Take a look at Myrddin's reports.
>>
>>734622
>>[Intrigue/1d10] Take a look at Myrddin's reports.

It's what mom and reagan would want us to do.
>>
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>>734622
In this situation, reading espionage reports is exactly what Reagan and your mother would want you to do, so you have no reason to decline.

"Let's see what you have, Myrddin." You quickly kiss Olwen and Delyth before following Myrddin to your study.

"I haven't looked at these yet, so this'll be a surprise for both of us." Myrddin takes some envelopes from his coat pocket and starts opening them.

>Roll 1d10, best of three.
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>734731
>>
Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>734747
>>734731

Good work mate
>>
Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>734731
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>734731
Rollan
>>
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>>734731
The reports are promising.

Reagan's father, King Connaught, isn't doing anything to gather his armies. In fact, he's told Duke Ferrid that messengers would be passing through his territory on their way to Gwyrddarfordir in order to congratulate Reagan and offer wedding presents. He's not giving his vassals the excuse they need to invade.

The duchies of Danargh and Nogren aren't moving either, so if Duke Ferrid wants to do anything, he'll be on his own.

There are rumours that Duke Ferrid is gathering is army, but that kind of posturing is relatively common for him, so there's no cause for concern. If he does attack, it won't be with the full force of his army, at least not in the short-term. If you were in his position, you might launch an invasion in later summer or fall and conquer as much territory as possible to hold it hostage during the winter.

"It looks like we have time," Myrddin says. "If we act carefully, we might even be able to make some allies on Olstren."

"There's a limit to what we can do from Degfford," you say. "It's too small and Olstren is too big. We can't deal with all the individual duchies on equal ground."

"Perhaps," Myrddin says, "but there might be some opportunities to exploit."

>"My priority is to deal with Duke Ferrid. I can't tolerate threats at the border."
>"We'll see what King Connaught's messengers have to say."
>"I suppose I shouldn't complain about a reprieve."
>>
>>734808
>"We'll see what King Connaught's messengers have to say."
>>
>>734808

We'll see what King Connaught's messengers have to say
>>
>>734808
>"We'll see what King Connaught's messengers have to say."
Keep our options open
>>
>>734808
>>"We'll see what King Connaught's messengers have to say."
>>
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>>734808
"We'll see what King Connaught's messengers have to say," you say. "I wouldn't be surprise if he wanted to make use of me to pressure the dukes. It'd be a little irritating to serve someone else, but for the sake of Reagan and our child…" You shrug. Plotting with the king might not be such a bad thing so long as you get a proper reward out of it.

"He is rather desperate for allies," Myrddin says, "and with you here, it'd be possible for the two of you to flank Ferrid. The problem is what happens if the other dukes take offense."

"I'll just have to wait and see."

The future is uncertain, but even so, good news is good news. Now that you know how things are, you could ask Reagan or your mother for their advice.

>Consult Reagan.
>Consult your mother.
>>
>>734912
>>Consult your mother.
>>
>>734912
>Consult Reagan.

She personally knows the king and thus her advice could be things we could not think of otherwise. Also this isn't something you leave her out of.
>>
>>734912
>Consult Reagan.
>>
>>734912
>>734938
>Consult Reagan
Seconded.
>>
>>734912

>Consult Reagan
Im sure mum is nearby anyways
>>
>>734912
Consult Raegan
It's a bit moot at this point, but I still want to vote.
>>
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>>734912
"I'd assume Reagan would have some useful advice here," you say. "Let's see what she thinks."

Reagan is working in your shared room. You knock on the door to let her know you're there.

"Come in."

You push open the door and enter. "We have some news for you." You give her the stack of reports. "I was hoping to get your opinion."

Regan reads the reports while you try not to focus on her big her stomach is getting. "This is about the best I could expect," she says. "I suspect father wishes to use our marriage to suppress the dukes' ambitions. Unfortunately, it's likely they'll focus those ambitious towards you in the long run."

"That sounds thoroughly delightful." You sigh and rub your forehead. "Anything else?"

"That's all I can say until the dukes take action," Reagan says.

>"How do you want me to deal with the dukes?"
>"I'll just have to deal with it later then."
>"Duke Ferrid remains a concern, even if he isn't a particularly big one."
>>
>>735038
>>"How do you want me to deal with the dukes?"
>"Duke Ferrid remains a concern, even if he isn't a particularly big one."
>>
>>735038
>"Duke Ferrid remains a concern, even if he isn't a particularly big one."
He's the only pressing concern right now, after all.
>>
>>735038
>"How do you want me to deal with the dukes?"

It's her country and she is very competent.
>>
>>735038
>>"Duke Ferrid remains a concern, even if he isn't a particularly big one."
>>
>>735038

"Duke Ferrid remains a concern, even if he isn't a particularly big one
But do you still want me to kill him or let him be till he attacks us?
>>
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>>735038
"How do you want me to deal with the dukes?" You ask. "Ferrid remains the most obvious concern."

"I want our child to inherit my kingdom," Reagan says. "The entire kingdom. It would be best if the dukes are willing to cooperate, but if not, I don't mind if they're replaced by someone more accommodating. Ferrid can serve as an example, if you'd like."

"You think they'll request independence?"

"It's the only thing they ever request," Reagan says. "They're more subtle about it on rare occasions, but it's always about clawing back more power from the crown."

That's certainly something to keep in mind. Since Reagan won't tolerate secessionists, your options are limited when it comes to negotiation. You doubt it'll make much of a difference though. It would be wrong to rob your children of their future, after all. Perhaps some compromise or agreement can be reached to keep the friendlier duchies in the kingdom.

In the meantime, you'll continue to expand Degfford and wait to see what King Connaught's envoys have to say.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>735119
And that's all for today. Just gotta roll the bonus XP.

Beleaguered Prince Quest will return on Friday October 28th, and I'll be running Relic Quest this Sunday as usual, both at 7PM EDT.

Goodnight and thanks for playing!
>>
>>735119
inb4 end thread
>>
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>>735123
cheers, boss
>>
Rolled 10, 5, 6 = 21 (3d10)

>>735123
And next set of XP rolls.
>>
>>735123
Thanks for running.
>>
>>735132
And the last set.
>>
>>735123

Thanks for the run
Mybe we could do somw sort of cit atate thing?
Where they can run the day to day ahit but they answer to us and we still have power over them but lest they fill like they are doing there own things?
>>
Rolled 1, 4, 12 = 17 (3d12)

>>735138
Derp.
>>
>>735123
>>735132
>>735141
So that's bonus XP for everything but Military and Merchant.

Goodnight!
>>
>>735139
Or we can just get rid of all the people who want to secede. Back in medieval and Renaissance times it was a lot easier to just get rid of dissenters than give them what they want.



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