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previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=crusader+quest
Thread 5 didn't archive fully: http://archive.4plebs.org/tg/thread/34542810/#q34542810


Yuletide Edition

It is the Year of Our Lord, 1145, and Christmas approaches.

You are Wilhelm, Lord of Ascalon.

A cold wind sweeps off the Levantine sea, the clouds and sea churning dark with winter storms in the night. The chill bites deep in all those out in the grey early hours, from Muslim and Christian to Jew alike, it dampens the beginning notes of a working day, craftsmen preparing their stations, bakers and millers preparing the day's bread, fishermen eyeing those choppy waters with dark, uncertain eyes.. Dawn has not yet broken through those dark clouds but you find yourself awake, a dream retreating from your memory, some strange nightmare that has left a cold numbness across your skin and a disturbed note beating in your chest. Your bedchamber is cast in gloom, tapestries turned to blank black banners by the dark, colour drained from the bedding and the varnished wooden bed frame by the night. A colourless dark world, with formless phantoms haunting the darkest corners, surrounding you, closing you into the island of your bed. A faint murmur turns your head to the woman lying beside you and for a moment the sight of her settles your nightmare'd thoughts, her head nestled in the crook of your arm. Your wife, Yvetta, her golden tresses curling around her face and shoulders, trailing unbound across your chest. You watch her face twitch in sleep, a flare of her delicate nostrils, a faint cluck in her throat.

Whatever dreams beset her they didn't rouse her as they had you. And you had good reasons for sleepless nights. Edessa had fallen to the Turks, and word came that they were moving toward Tripoli, the seat of your sister-in-law and her husband. If Tripoli fell, all of Jerusalem would be open to the plunder of horse born marauders. And should the north crumble, Egypt would see the opportunity to retake the southern frontier. You were lord of that southern shield, housed in the castle of Ascalon that you had captured ten years earlier, a great undertaking that had earned you its lordship and your royal wife. The thought that all those years of pain and sacrifice, and its rewards, could be undone in a matter of months, it was no wonder you did not sleep.
>>
But before you could close your eyes and attempt to snatch back a few hours sleep from the thought of pillaging Turks, a knock on the door rouses you. You try to shift out from under your wife with great care, but this broke the spell on Yvetta's sleep. She didn't speak, her eyes opened and she looked up at you, fine blue jewels beneath delicate blonde brows, imploring you to ignore the knock at your door for at least a few minutes, her hand on your chest firming as if she could pin you there with her love.

The knock grew harder. You look from the strong oak down to the firming line of your wife's brow. A royal princess was not used to being denied.don't have a spare moment
>>
> tarry with your wife, a few minutes longer with her wouldn't change the tides of fate
> rise, in this time of crisis, you can't spare a moment

(fucked up the formatting, great return, right?)
>>
> tarry with your wife, a few minutes longer with her wouldn't change the tides of fate
I feel like I'm dreaming. Is this real?
>>
>>3122260
> rise, in this time of crisis, you can't spare a moment
holy shit
>>
>>3122296
Nah. No twitter post, no trip.
>>
Believe it or not, its me.

Or don't. Maybe I'm not me. Maybe no one is anyone and we're all just a confused swarm of atoms trying to make sense of an illogical and hostile universe.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

I'm just going to roll for it. 1 first option, 2 for the second
>>
>>3122354
I don't believe my eyes
>>
Yvetta's gaze softens as you settle back down, her hand curling into the bed sheet covering your chest. You cup her fine chin and kiss her, breathing in the flowered perfume of her hair, setting back against the headboard of your bed. The knocking ceases with a defeated sigh, giving you up to the arms of your wife.

There was little comfort in this world. Jerusalem was a hard land, beset on all sides by enemies, with uncertain allies at every turn and populated by factional nobles more concerned with their own rights than the good of the kingdom as a whole. Was it any wonder you had such a troubled mind? The world was a raging storm, with grim news at every turn. Yvetta's arms was a rare safe harbour, the press of her a balm, a spell that made the rest of the world vanish for a few tender minutes.

And it made breaking from her all the harder. You held her until the sun broke through the slit of your window, wasting those moments with kisses, soft then firm then one last long and lingering before she surrendered you to the world and your duty, leaving her in the island of your marriage bed, clad in her long blonde hair and heavy winter blankets. She was a royal princess, and though she could be demanding of your attention, few knew the responsibility of ruling better than her.

You pull on hose and boots, drawing a loose tunic on over your head. You tied on your sword, the Dasmascus blade firm against your hip.

Outside you found your seneschal, Etienne, waiting. The old Frenchman had become bald over the years, the only hair left on his head the goatee and mustache he affected. His look was disapproving, but you were used to his disapproving, hawkish glare.

"What's so important you'd wake me this early?" you said, clapping your belly, "And without breakfast waiting? You're a mean old sod, Etienne."

"Forgive me my lord, but we have visitors," he said, his voice as stiff as his back.

"Visitors," you had been expecting guests, but not for another week. It was the last days of Advent, and your staff had been preparing for an influx of guests for the Yuletide. Some knights and nobles had already arrived from up the coast, but no one important. Whoever these new arrivals were, they had to be fairly important to have Etienne tear you away from your wife.

"A ship is making harbour flying the colours of the Pope," he said, "And your brother arrives by the road, and with him...."

"Prince Baldwin," you said. Your brother, Sir Hugo of Ramla, had become mentor to the young warrior prince, taking him on as squire. But squire or no, a prince was a prince, and one day that boy would be your king. You missed your brother sorely, you saw him rarely these days, but the colours of Rome were not to be ignored lightly.

> go to the harbour
> go to the gates to meet your brother
>>
>>3122489
>go to the gates to meet your brother
If you're really hf then welcome back, we missed you. If you're not then you're a decent writer who should consider writing their own quest.
>>
>>3122489
>go to the gates to meet your brother
>>
Whatever news Rome had sent was nothing compared to seeing your brother again.

"Let's not keep him waiting," you say to Etienne.

"It's cold today, my lord, I suggest a jacket of some kind," he said.

You nod. Trotting up, a page boy enters with a heavy coat that you draw on. Palestine winters weren't as vicious as those of your birth-land, but they still had a bite to them, with the occasional frost and snow. Now that you were away from the warmth of your marriage bed, that chill was starting to creep in.

"No need for gloves," you tell the boy before he can offer mittens.

The castle often woke before you, and it filled the stone corridors with a pleasant working sound. The scent of baking bread floated down the corridors, and your belly protested the lack of a breakfast but you shushed it. Lordship had its privileges, constant hot meals being one of them. Your wife warned you too much comfort could send you fat, but so far you'd managed to sidestep that fate, but the delicious baked treats that came steaming out of the castle kitchens were a threat that had to be guarded against.

Your men-at-arms give you friendly salutes as you pass, and you don't chasten your servants to bow as they went about their day. Better they get their work done than have it interrupted with protocol. Most you knew by name, and gave them warm greetings as you passed.

Down the staircase and through the halls brought you out into the castle yard, the gates open and looking out onto your city. A further ring of stone guarded the city as a whole, with its thatch roofed homes and date palms, the harbour overlooking choppy seas. You breathed in the cold salt air, sharp in your lungs, and thumped your chest to get the blood flowing. Dawn was struggling through dark clouds, but it brought a faded colour to the world.

Christmas was almost here, the celebration of God's birth, and evidence ran through the Christian quarters of the city. All you wanted to celebrate the season correctly was a snowball fight, but the best you had was a thin film of frost that slicked the earth beneath your feet.

"Lord Ascalon," a voice from a window. One of your guests looked down from his room. Usama ibn Munqidh was a Syrian, a Muslim, and a scholar. He had done your queen service, brokering a treaty between his Dasmascus and your Jerusalem against their mutual enemy, the Turk warlord, Zengi. He was on his way to Egypt, or so he said, but travel by sea was rough and the land dangerous without escort. You wave up to the old man with a smile. He clutches a book close, one of his precious histories.

"You will join me for a game of shatranj later?" he asked.

"If I've the time," you say.

"There is always time for shatranj," he says, and you laugh, waving farewell.

Your brother waits at the gate of the city.
>>
>>3122703
When he had first come to Ascalon your brother had been a boy of fourteen, blood smeared from battle, having taken the wall by sword and storm. Now he was a man of twenty-four, tall and powerful on the back of his steed. He wore well fitted mail and a tabard with the device of Queen Melisende, a sword at his hip and spear in hand, shield hanging off his back. He was a sober young man, strong jawed and fine cheeked with brilliant blue eyes and a cap of blonde curls. He had set the maidens of Jerusalem a fluttering, and had become the feature of a poet's verse or two, the model of a handsome, pious knight.

When he saw you he exploded into a brilliant white grin, and swung down from his steed.

"Wil," he grasped you by the forearm, and you laughed as you collapsed into a hug. You were a dark haired man, he was bright blond, you were shadow and light, but none could mistake your kinship. You kissed his smooth cheek and he kissed your bristled beard. "By St Paul it's good to see you," he said, slapping your shoulder. The power in his arms was plain as your hand went numb. When he released it, looking embarrassed, you flexed life back into your fingers. "We have a lot to catch up on. How is Chiri? Your wife? My niece and nephew? And have you heard from Solomon yet? God, it really has been too long."

Before you can answer he turns his head.

"Squire," he barked, "Come show respect to the lord of Ascalon."

A moody teenage boy stepped out from the train of horses. Dusty blond hair shadowed a proud face. He had the fine features of his mother, but puberty was starting to draw out his father in him, broadening his face. Prince Baldwin was filling out to be a strong young man, even if there was still a boyish sulk to his face.

"M'lord Ascalon," he muttered with half a bow.

Hugo looked unimpressed.

> welcome Prince Baldwin as befitting the crown-prince
> the boy comes as your brother's squire, treat him as such
>>
Everybody died
>>
>>3122771
nice
>>
>>3122711
> welcome Prince Baldwin as befitting the crown-prince
>>
>>3122711
> the boy comes as your brother's squire, treat him as such
if you had given some advanced notice i would have been here
>>
Please dont be dead when i finally saw you have come here
>>
>>3122836
Just waiting for votes/players
>>
> the boy comes as your brother's squire, treat him as such
the boy is here to learn ask how you did in his position to be a faithful man and honorable Knight and Warrior there's no need to coddle him just because he's a Princeling. Here's hoping he's not an insufferable prick when he takes the throne
>>
>>3122711
>welcome Prince Baldwin as befitting the crown-prince
>>
>>3122711
>welcome Prince Baldwin as befitting the crown-prince
>>
>>3122840
How have you been man ? Been a very long time. Hows the book writing coming along, And it seems you read my "i miss you" tweet.
>>
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Also posting for best girl
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closing votes and starting to write
>>
"Your highness," you say with a bow, "Welcome to Ascalon, I shall have lodging provided for you."

It drew a smile from the boy's sulk, and his bow depened. "My Lord Ascalon, thank you," he said, then shook road dust from his shoulders. Hugo didn't look pleased by that.

"Get the horses to stable," he ordered, "Then come find me in the yard for drills." Prince Baldwin's jaw clenched but he nodded, taking the reins of the horses and walking them into the city.

Hugo looked back to you. "Careful how you treat the boy, Wl," he said, "He's been getting a swelled head. There has been talk around him about 'rightful kingship' since his father died, and the boy has started to listen. With things the way they are, the last thing Jerusalem needs is the boy challenging his mother for the crown."

Your brother had never been one for politics, but time in the court of Queen Melisende must have changed that. You supposed one couldn't be tutor to the crown-prince without getting involved on some level. Still, to see your bright eyed little brother talk low about courtly intrigue bothered you in a way that was hard to place.

"How have you been? You ask, "How is Sabeen and the kids?"

Whatever conspiratorial mood had swamped Hugo was lifted away at the mention of his wife and children. "Good," he said, "Sabeen is well. Her training ground for noble girls is doing well after it received the Queen's blessing, we have Little Unna already riding with a lance as fine as her mother, better than her brother, and Princess Morphia has demanded she learn at least some sword-play. What about you, hey? How are Judith and Little Will? How is Yvetta?"

You grin at the thought of your own children. Your eldest, Judith, would be at her lessons by now with Chihirizahd. All of seven and sharp as your blade. Your littlest, Will, was still a stumbling toddler at four, but was starting to find his feet. You had to consider their futures soon, who Will would page for then squire, and whether or not to send Judith to her aunt's court, to learn to be a proper noblewoman of the Holy Land.

You and your brother discuss family as you walk up the streets of your city, reunited at last. His laughter exploded at your jests free and unencumbered with the heavy burden of lordship. In a way you envied your brother. His service to the Queen kept him on the road, traveling here and there with nary a rest.

"I was last up north a few months ago," he said, "It's a bad way. Not just the bastard Zengi, but Antioch is in turmoil again. Princess Alice and her jackal of a husband are trying to have Constance dispossessed. They're threatening to join the damned Greeks over it."

"Bad news," you said, and news that you were well aware of, they attempted it every year, as constant as spring. Constance, the seventeen year old exiled Princess of Antioch, had been a semi-frequent guest in your domain, and was expected shortly to celebrate the yuletide.
>>
>>3123002
You returned to your castle to find the papal delegation waiting. So happy had you been to see your brother you had almost forgot it had arrived. They were an armed company, warriors among the aging priests, and they brought pack-mules laden with stock. Etienne spoke with a one-eyed man-at-arms, fast and brief over a script.

Alongside the robed priests and their baggage train stood a tall woman of icy beauty, her dark hair tied back from a cold, pale face in a thick braid, secured by a white silk head-dress. She wore a well fitted blue dress threaded with gold and a foul mood clear in the arch of her fine dark brows, and you were already bracing for a sharp comment.

"And he returns laughing like a drunk in the company of the roughest sort, stinking from the road. Your grace, may I introduce you to his lordship, Wilhelm of Ascalon," your sister Mathilde said. A fat little Italian cardinal blinked up at you from beside her, offering his hand and the ring to kiss. "And this scruffy wall of muscle is Sir Hugo of Ramla."

"Do forgive them, your grace, they couldn't have known who was flying the colours of the Holy See."

> laugh her off and embrace your sister
> kiss the cardinal's ring
>>
>>3123015
> kiss the cardinal's ring
>>
>>3123015
> kiss the cardinal's ring
>>
>>3123015
>kiss the cardinal's ring
Godammit you're making me miss the full quest man
>>
God damn my proof reading is still shit

>>3122853
I'm fine I guess. It's Christmas and I don't have much to do so figured this would make a nice surprise. We all need a little bit more good in the world considering how awful things are, and just getting worse.
>>
>Princess Alice is actually scheming against her own daughter

Only good thing is that she is shit at it. We would be worried if her scheming was as good as her titjob.
>>
I have no idea where we're at, last I recall we were either pushing a boner at our blackguy cutting off some dudes head, or that trap boygirl getting raped by a king and taking some castle or city.
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>>3123127
This is after we captured the city of Ascalon and married the waifu
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>>3123132
Which one? I lost count. We had a nun or two plus a princess, a handmaiden, a virgin wife, a mistress that couldn't have kids, some potatoes, and a husbando or two. Oh yeah and the Queen, and her sister perhaps?
>>
>>3123155
Iovetta. The girl who was supposed to be a nun.

Also i get the feeling that our dear wife dream was about the vampire thread from the halloween oneshot. Would explain why she was in a "mood"
>>
>kiss the cardinal's ring
I am a man of the faith
>>
>>3123215
And if anyone claim anything else we will send our heathen lover and our muslim mercenaries to murder them
>>
>>3123015
> laugh her off and embrace your sister
>>
Reminder that the traitor (forgot her name) who was burned fully deserved it.
>>
"Scruffy?" Hugo says as he runs a hand through his hair, while you dip a bow to the cardinal, taking his hand and kissing the ring.

"Forgive my impertinence your grace," you said, "It's been too long since I last saw my brother, and lost sense of proper decorum. My castle is yours, and I'm sure the local church would be honoured by your presence."

"Yes, yes, indeed," he said, slipping his hand away. He was a leathery, crook backed old man, "I am merely stopping over on the way to the holy city. We bring news, good news for your queen, and a missive from his holiness Pope Eugenius." The smile he had was turtlish as he folded his hands together, "But for now I need to rest, yes, yes."

"Cardinal Ignatius has come a long way," Mathilde said, "I'm sure Lord Wilhelm will find you suitable lodgings."

"At once," you say, with a click for Etienne. Your majordomo nods as he goes to fetch for the cardinal.

With the cardinal gone you turn to your sister. "I thought you were in France."

She smiled. "I was," she said, "Suffering the leers of the drip known as King Louis. A remarkably unaccomplished young king that spent more time admiring my figure than the words of our queen."

Your sister had grown into a figure of great beauty in the last ten years, from a pretty girl into a stunning woman, but if there had been any change in her nature you hadn't seen it, other than maybe a stronger layer of frost. Her eyes were as blue and hard as sapphires, and as cold as sea-ice.

"You must tell me all about your adventures," you said.

"I'm not scruffy," Hugo said, "Just been on the road is all. I brush my hair and shave every morning"

With that your sister smiled, splitting the ice, and touched the dimple of your brother's chin with her thumb. "A scruffy soul can't be hidden by combs and razors," she said, then deigned you both with a kiss on the cheek. "Merry Christmas."

You brought your siblings into your castle, where your wife had risen. Yvetta was dressed in white with a fur stole around her shoulders, a jeweled choker around her neck, with her long blonde hair in a thick plait that draped down her shoulder. She beamed for your siblings, and was at once striding toward them.

"Matty, oh its good to see you, and Hugo, you freebooter, I've missed you both!" She took them by the hand and kissed them both, and even Mathilde relented under her charm. "Welcome home, eat and drink. You've been sorely missed."
>>
>>3123267
Hugo grabbed Yvetta into a thick hug. "This is from your sister," he said, and kissed her firm on the cheek, "And this is from your other sister," and kissed her on the other, "And this is from me." and planted a last one on her forehead before lowering her to her feet. Yvetta giggled, looking unsteady, her handmaids waiting behind her.

A breakfast had been seat, eggs and bacon with a soft honey mead, and you took your seats.

Some of your other guests came in. Usama was given a plate of rice and dates, a cup of milk, and he gave you a light toast. You chatted with your family about their exploits. Mathilde brought news from France, from the warring lords and the trouble in England. "But the most interesting one I met was a woman named Eleanor. She's one to watch, and better a friend than an enemy," she said. You nodded into your cup.

Hugo filled you in on the courts, on the marriages and betrothals. The search for a suitable princess for Prince Baldwin continued.

At last your children came in with Chihirizahd. Your one-time concubine and now nurse-maid to your children did not sit at the table with your family, but close. She wore her hair covered by a red scarf and wore a modest black dress, but it couldn't disguise her beauty, and no few of the cardinal's men, including the cardinal himself, admired her approach.

Your son didn't wait on protocol but climbed up into your lap, grabbing at what was one your plate and stuffing it into his mouth. You ruffled his dark curls. Your daughter, Judith, curtsied for her aunt and uncle, then for the cardinal. Your Judith had little of her mother's beauty or even your own, and seemed to favour your mother in a mousy appearance, with a bold nose sticking out for her face, but she had intelligent blue eyes and a natural liveliness as she bounced over to her uncle, sitting next to him and grinning up, demanding a story through her missing teeth.

It was then that you had a caller, a leader of the Muslims in your city named Hadeem.

"My lord," he stood before your breakfast table, tall Odo at his side, "May I request your time?" Hadim made the effort to speak French, a language you were now fluent in, though you could speak passable Arabic and Syrian. He was a burly man, middle-aged and strong, well respected. Normally you had a warm relationship, as far as that went, but he seemed nervous. "I ask that we be allowed to celebrate Mawlid, if it be appropriate." Mawlid was the celebration of the birth of Muhammad, and so far you had not concerned yourself to disallow it. You mostly let your Muslims worship freely.

He looked down the length of your table, over the foreign knights and priests, and you could understand his concern.

> of course you may
> I'll not have infidel worship detract from the birth of Christ
>>
>>3123280
> of course you may

Within their own district.
>>
>>3123280
>> of course you may
>>
>>3123280
>of course you may
But keep it inside your own homes. You may not disturb or prevent any Christian from celebrating Christmas.
>>
>>3123280
> of course you may
In Private. Or go to a nice isolated spot and celebrate there.
>>
"In your own quarters and in private, of course you may," you say, "And I suggest you respect your Christian neighbours and their worship in turn. Let us have a peaceful Christmas, and a peaceful Mawlid both." Why break from custom now? Better to continue as you have and keep the peace. Interfering in local customs wouldn't endear you to your non-Christian subjects, and other lords had suffered setbacks for taking a harsh stance towards them. The last thing you needed was to encourage saboteurs and hostility when peace was a frail cracker to begin with.

Hadeem looked relieved, but the Europeans frowned over their meals. Odo had the sense to escort Hadeem out.before Cardinal Ignatius stood, wobbling at the knees.

"Is it your custom Lord Ascalon, to let the pagan feast and celebrate under the stewardship of good Christian folk?" he asked, "To encourage the worship of false prophets so close to the birth of our Messiah? Did Moses smile and nod when he discovered the Jews cavorting around the golden calf?"

"With respect, your grace, you are a guest, and you will address my husband with more respect," your wife said, starting to rise from her own chair, heat burning in her voice and fine face flashing with anger.

"I am a servant of God, Lady Ascalon, and charged with a sacred duty," the cardinal worbled, a mean look at his eyes for being rebuked, "And if I had wanted to hear from you, woman, I would have addressed you. Know your place and return to your seat."

As it was prone to do, the heat between nobles began to infect their servants, and mean looks were exchanged between your men and the cardinal's. Your wife rose up, tall and straight, her anger adding a terrifying beauty to her. Your children shrank to your side.

"Be careful how you speak to me, old man," she said, "Do not let my fair sex disguise what I am, and do not let your rings and red cap forget where you are. A priest's robes make poor armour in the Holy Land."

This was getting out of hand, you needed to smooth things over.

You stand.

>Roll 1d100 three times +5, highest wins, against a DC of 75
>>
Rolled 69 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3123395
>>
Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>3123395
Calm down everyone. We should not be fighting in times like these
>>
Rolled 91 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3123395
>>
>>3123402
Damn, so close on my favourite number

>>3123410
success!
>>
>>3123410
I was just about to say nothing had changed. Then you came and saved the day
>>
>>3123395
I Intend to covert them not by the sword but by the mercy and kindness that comes from our lord and savior.
>>
You clear your throat, then laugh.

Yvetta shoots you and irritated frown that compels you to kiss her.

"My wife is fierce," you said, "I'd ask you to forgive her, cardinal, but how can I when I love her so?"

You look to him and his own frown on his flabby turtle face.

"Your grace, our ways might seem strange, but believe me, they have a purpose. Jerusalem is not Italy or France. I do not have ten thousand soldiers to call upon or the comfort of Christian neighbours. Why provoke more hostility when the whole of the Orient is hostile enough? For our mission to be successful we must win the favour of our non-Christian subjects, and maybe in time lead them to Christ. But until we hold more of this corner of the world in our grasp, we must tread carefully. We swim amongst sharks, and do well not to add blood to the churning waters."

He didn't seem happy, but his indignation settled.

"Come, winter is never a time to fight, less so when we are so close to the birth of Christ, drink and eat and forget the troubles of the world for a short time."

You fill a cup of wine and call on Chihirizahd to take it to the cardinal. He takes it with his eyes on her breasts, a light in his eyes.

"Enjoy the comforts of my court," you say, "Because there are few comforts on the high roads of Jerusalem. Believe me." You touch the scar on your cheek for dramatic effect.

"Yes," the cardinal said over a sip of wine, still considering Chihirizahd, "Yes, we must enjoy comfort while we can." Your speech seems to have worked, and the Italians settled back to eat, yur own court doing the samme.

You finish breakfast with your son on your lap and your daughter reciting a passage from the Song of Roland. Everyone gives Judith light applause, she has a sweet voice and her memory was exceptional.

Once it was over and your table was being cleared, you found yourself with competing attention.

> your sister wishes to speak in private
> your brother wants your attention
> Chihirizahd is waiting in a doorway
>>
>shoots you and

Fuck.
>>
>>3123459
> Chihirizahd is waiting in a doorway

She has never done us wrong. If she need to talk it is important.

Captcha fucking sucks today
>>
>>3123459
>> your brother wants your attention
>>
>>3123459
> Chihirizahd is waiting in a doorway
Ahh good old firecrotch.
>>
>>3123459
>your sister wishes to speak in private
>>
Okay, writing
>>
You follow Chihirizahd into a corridor, down to a private room.

You close the door behind you as she turns her back to you, unwinding her red scarf, letting her thick black hair fall freely down her shoulders and back.

"That could have gone better," you say.

She looks over her shoulder and grins. "Oh, it was a little entertaining, you just had to spoil it by speaking up."

"I can hardly let my wife brawl with a priest in front of our children, can I?" you reply with a grin of your own.

"Well you could," she said, "You might have when I first met you."

"Are you saying lordship has aged me?" you reply.

She batted dark lashes over a pout. "Of course not, master, of course not," then tutted as she took lint from your chest. You found yourself looking down on her figure, admiring it, remembering lost nights between her dusky thighs as she smoothed the fabric of her dress down them.

>whatever urges you feel, you have been loyal to Yvetta since your wedding
>you have tried to be loyal to Yvetta, but your eyes (and hands) still stray, you are a man of habit and appetite
>>
>>3123532
>you have tried to be loyal to Yvetta, but your eyes (and hands) still stray, you are a man of habit and appetite

Now why did you call for me?
>>
>>3123532
>you have tried to be loyal to Yvetta, but your eyes (and hands) still stray, you are a man of habit and appetite
If only we could get her in a 3some its okay if our wife is present.
>>
>>3123532
>you have tried to be loyal to Yvetta, but your eyes (and hands) still stray, you are a man of habit and appetite
>>
>>3123532
This doesn't mean we actually slept with her since then have we?
>>
>>3123532
>whatever urges you feel, you have been loyal to Yvetta since your wedding
Why do you torture us so qm
>>
>>3123554
Yes, this means you have been unfaithful to Yvetta, and not just with Chiri
>>
In case people weren't aware I'll let them reconsider their votes.
>>
>>3123532
>>3123548
changing then
>whatever urges you feel, you have been loyal to Yvetta since your wedding

Thought it was just groping and eyeballing her.
>>
>>3123532
>whatever urges you feel, you have been loyal to Yvetta since your wedding
>>
>>3123532
>>whatever urges you feel, you have been loyal to Yvetta since your wedding
>>
writing
>>
Its not cheating if it is chiri
>>
Once upon a time you had been a roguish clad, something of a slut happy to have any maiden that was wet and willing into your bed, and while your eyes still came alive at the sight of pretty young maidens and finely made women, marriage had reformed you. No longer were you the sort to slip into a woman's chamber at night, no matter how dark and beautiful that woman was.

You had your wife, whom you loved more than the urges of your loins, and though it had changed your relationship with Chihirizahd, it hadn't soured it. For her part she had not been chaste, though her heart was still yours. You knew a few young knights had enjoyed the special privilege of her as a bed mate, and a few select lords and priests as well. One particularly foolish boy had pledged to marry her after winning back Edessa in the north, but had found only a quick death at the tip of a Saracen lance.

She flashed you a flirty smile as she wound the red scarf around her waist, emphasizing her figure.

"I saw the way the cardinal leered," she said, "Perhaps I can secure his friendship, and maybe discover just what he is taking to your queen."

No doubt she could, you thought, admiring her figure. She had done so for you in the past.

"And there was a cheeky boy in the stable, who deliberately brushed against me. Your brother's squire, I think. You should have a word with him. He looked nervous to do it but he still did. I might be a common slave, but if he thinks he can 'brush up' against a high born lady in that way, he'll find enemies faster than friends."

There was nothing common about her, but you took her meaning.

"I'll have a word with the lad," you said.

Chihirizahd smiled. "And the cardinal?"

> leave him alone
> show him the comforts of Ascalon
>>
>>3123623
>show him the comforts of Ascalon
>>
>>3123623
>clad
clad? cad
>>
>>3123623
> show him the comforts of Ascalon
>>
okay writing

fuck the captcha by the way
>>
>>3123623
> show him the comforts of Ascalon
I mean if shes into him.
>>
"That sounds like it will lead to a very merry Christmas," you said, brushing her hair from her shoulder, fingertips to her neck. A stray touch like this was all you would allow yourself, and the heat of her skin set a heat through you. The way her throat tightened and chin lifted with a soft breath was intoxicating, but whatever war raged in the pit of your loins, you drew those fingers away.

"I'll have all his secrets by morning," she said, finishing the knot in her sash with a wink.

"How did the lessons go?" you asked as she left.

She paused at the door. "Judith....is a bright girl. You're very lucky, both of you."

"We're lucky to have you, too," you said, her face turned away from you, "Not for what you're doing tonight, but for our children, and for both of us. Chihirizahd....you make this castle more of a home."

She didn't reply at first, but instead ducked her head. "We'll speak on the morrow," she said, her voice breathless.

You often wondered if you should find her a husband, Yvetta had spoken of it before. At the same time you could think of no crueler fate for a man, not while she still looked at you the way she did.

You left that private chamber to hear the clatter of swords in play out in the courtyard, your brother and his squire ar training under the shade of palm trees swaying under a chilling breeze. They wore armour and helm with sword and shield, your brother and the young prince. Mathilde watched from a courtyard bench, arms crossed, giving you the look of an annoyed cat. She still wanted to talk, but so did Hugo, and you heard a cough that conjured Etienne, some business or other.

You rarely had a restful time, and Christmas was proving to be no different from any other season.

>speak with your sister
>speak with your brother
>speak with Etienne
>>
>>3123697
>>speak with your sister
Remind me, did Matty married her boy toy?
>>
>>3123697
>speak with your sister
>>
>>3123706
She's unwed
>>
>>3123697
>speak with your sister
>>
>>3123713
The betrothal with the prince of gailele fell through?
>>
I might have to cut this short, something unexpected came up, but if you think this will still be up tomorrow I'll run then

>>3123718
Yeah.
>>
>>3123721
Threads here stay for more than 2 weeks. You have no problem coming back here.
>>
>>3123721
Remember to give a call on twitter so we will know when. I caught this thread completely by chance
>>
>>3123697
>>speak with your sister
>>
Yeah, I have to go. Will lock in talking to Mathilde and hopefully be back at it soon, if not tomorrow morning
>>
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>>3122242
>Crusader quest

HOLY SHIT NIGGA WAT

MY SHIT POSTING ACTUALLY WORKED HOLY SHIT
>>
>>3123697
>speak with your sister

so many things to do so little time

I wonder if Blackmailing the cardinal is the best thing to do
>>
>>3123935
Aint blackmailing. Just merely loose lips.
>>
>>3123938
aye but a cardinal is a powerful man to have.... under influence.
>>
>>3123946
Yea but we may or may not directly use that info against him. We just may be able to plan things to coincidentally cockblock him.
>>
>>3123950
point, the merits of that choice are in understanding his designs for the coming conflict
>>
File: 1413158700482.png (1.22 MB, 1162x850)
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This feels like a feverdream have I gone to the best timeline?
>>
>>3123963
We aren't in the Vampiric Holy Kingdom timeline. So no.
>>
>>3123737
It is good to see you again!
>>
>no trip
>no twitter post
Doubt.jpg
>>
Poor Judith. She got neither her mothers or fathers good looks
>>
Oh, I can't believe you are denying best girl Chiri, its not cheating if its with her. Just her its no problem
>>
>>3124277
Remember that Chiri and Matilde were the specialest of friends? I think that's where she's going, to at least have a good life and some happiness.
Matty being 21 and unmarried is quite.....strange, maybe their time together did change something inside her.
>>
>>3124282
Probably enjoyed herself with Elias in France
>>
>>3124184
https://twitter.com/KoblOf/status/1076267506010996736
>>
>>3124282
Mathilde is 23, yes she's unmarried, no she isn't a lesbian.
>>
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Our Prayers have been answered, good to see you back HF. Merry Christmas, hope you've been well.
>>
>>3124282
Matty os extra frosty now I think the ten year gap has galvanised her

[Spoiler]where the fuck is mah bro Solomon?[/spoiler]
>>
>>3125434
Probably ontop of his wife.
>>
Let's begin
>>
>>3125455
It's actually back
>>
>>3125455
>>3125481
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAgnJDJN4VA
>>
>tfw we havnt touched Chiri in years.

Its a sad feel
>>
>>3125489
And yet the epilogue did say chiri was a second wife to wil
>>
>>3125502
Yeah. It also said that William Jr. Has blond hair.
>>
Your sister sat on the bench, peeling an orange and sectioning it off with her thumb. She didn't offer you any as you sat, but kept her eyes on Hugo and Prince Baldwin sparring across the courtyard, your little brother driving his charge relentlessly. The boy prince put up a good fight, but you could tell Hugo was going easy on him. There was no sense just driving the boy relentlessly into the ground, you supposed, there were better ways to learn than simple thuggery.

"You have to be careful with priests," Mathilde said, a dribble of juice running down her chin, fingers sticky from the orange, "Most men are obvious in their desires. Money, power, fame. Priests wear a righteous cloak, and you can never be sure which are base and which are pious until the moment of decision arises."

You snort. "I know plenty of priests to know most are no better than the average man, just as fallible and corrupt."

Mathilde nodded. "Yes, but those aren't the priests you should fear. It's the pious and the righteous that bring trouble. They have no compromise in their heart, and their holy mission often blinds them to good sense. A corrupt man can be bought, and often with things other than gold. True believers? That's another story."

You consider your sister. "And what's this to do with me, that I should fear priests?" you mean it as a jest but it comes out with a sting. Mathilde gives you a sarcastic look as she pops another slice of orange into her mouth.

"The good father, Pope Eugene, has called for a second crusade," she said, "He has issued a bull calling on Christendom to come to the defense of the holy land. Specifically, he has called on King Louis of France to gather his men and march."

"That's good news," you said.

Mathilde gave a little snort and a bitter smile. "Maybe, but I've met Louis, and he's no leader of men. He may cause as much trouble as good if he comes with all the might of France. Consider our fragile alliances with those few Saracen cities that tolerate us. Places like Damascus. Will Louis honour those treaties, or only see infidels and their treasures ripe for plunder? Can the lords of Jerusalem, with their small barren holdings and their handful of knights, be able to resist the misguided desires of a western king? And the Church has its own game. They think the east, us poor Levantines, are becoming too foreign, led away from the light of Rome by foreign ways. We are neither Franks nor Saracens, but becoming something different, and they worry about what that means."

Your sister had grown wise with the years. You knew her to be one of Melisende's most trusted agents, and how much trust was there could run deeper than you realized. Still, mayhap she was making goblins out of shadows.

>what do you suggest?
>you worry too much Matty
>>
>>3125502
>>3125507
the epilogue isn't 100 percent canon.
>>
>>3125508
>what do you suggest?

Oh how my little sister has grown.

Seriously though, we need to find her a husband. Dont want her to become a spinster and being able to send our family back to a place in europe if shit hits the fan would be nice
>>
>>3125508
>>what do you suggest?

Steal a slice of orange.
>>
>>3125508
>>what do you suggest?

she has the right of it we should probe his persona for weakpoints.

Also lets channel some motherfucking Tywin lannister and be the father figure Baldwin clearly needs guidance from.

>>3125509
does this mean this isn't a one shot?
>>
>>3125519
>does this mean this isn't a one shot?
I haven't made up my mind yet
>>
Unfortunate change of plans. It turns out I have to be somewhere, so I'll be gone for roughly an hour. Really sorry about this guys. Blame Christmas.
>>
>>3125540
happy yuletide HF
>>
>>3125540
QM Curse strikes again and it has only been a day
>>
>>3125540
Man it really is like you never left complete with pisspoor timing Hiatus

welcome back
>>
back, writing
>>
"What should we do?" you ask, leaning back on the bench under the shade of the palm tree, the clatter of blades across from you. Mathilde doesn't answer right away, thoughtfully chewing the last of her orange, scattering the peels over the stone.

"Unify," she said, "It will take years for France to marshal its forces, before then, Jerusalem needs to stand as one. We can't risk division. Antioch, Tripoli, Jaffa, every lord and prince needs to be of one mind, united by one leader for us to stand a chance of remaining independent."

"Well we have one leader, the queen," you say, which earns an irritated look from your sister.

"Baldwin is a good boy, for the most part," Mathilde said, looking to the young prince, "But there are influences upon him at court that have their own designs. Ever since Fulk died there has been renewed grumblings about just who should sit the throne of Jerusalem, the mother or the son." You were not unaware of such talk, but as you were considered one of Melisende's closest supporter such talk was kept at a minimum around your earshot, but you weren't a fool, and knew deeper conversations were going on behind closed doors.

"And more to the point, Baldwin is fifteen. Not just a prince but a young man. He will want to start stepping out from under his mother's shadow," she continued, "And teenage boys are simple in some ways, with simple desires."

You well remembered being a horny teenager, and could sympathize. You watched Baldwin block Hugo's cut with his shield, face twisted up with frustration as he drove toward his mentor. To add the status of prince to those simple but powerful desires, the temptation must be immense, and easily preyed upon.

"It will be another year before Baldwin can make a claim for the throne," Mathilde continued, "His so-called supporters will say Melisende is only his regent, and not queen in her own name."

She cast you a studied eye at that.

> they would be right
> nonsense, the queen rules Jerusalem
>>
>>3125733
> nonsense, the queen rules Jerusalem

We stand by the Queen.

By the way. Did Almaric manage to be born in this timeline before Fulk died or is Morphia Baldwin's only sibling ?
>>
>>3125733
>nonsense, the queen rules Jerusalem
Baldwin should prove himself a capable Saracen killer first
>>
>>3125733
>> nonsense, the queen rules Jerusalem
>>
>>3125740
If he is so eager to rule. We could lend him Ramla to test and train his skills.
>>
>>3125739
>Did Almaric manage to be born in this timeline before Fulk died
Baldwin is Fulk's only son to Melisende.
>>
>>3125733
>they would be right

I say aim for a peaceful transition, this is an opportunity to unify the factions of Jerusalem under the king and place oursleves as the brokering of his kingship, secondly this also allows us to prehaps transfer some of Melisandes policies on the young prince

This also means that we should prehaps place ourselves as a figure of trust for the king in a one on one about what a king should be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doY0IjisBlk

>>3125739
The Queen is good but as far as rightful kingship goes a Queen cannot rule as a king and will be nowhere near as capable in asserting herself among the coming crusaders, Baldwin With our help will be able to assert Jerusalems agenda in the crusade even more so if he has his Mother advising him.
>>
>>3125749
Aren't we the real dad?
>>
>>3125760
No thats Morphia
>>
>>3125781
Yeah but Wilhelm has always been with the Queen. Heck i am pretty sure he swore to her that he would be.

While it might not be ideal i honestly think it makes sense for Wilhelm to side with her
>>
>>3125785
yeah and now politics necessatates change to achieve ambitions

Ambitions>Ex lovers
>>
I'm going to give this conversation another ten minutes before closing the vote
>>
also the crusaders could just end up Installing Baldwin anyway because they want a man on the throne and want to attack damascus.

But obiviously this won't change anything cause MUH queen
>>
>>3125808
And what should be offer the Queen in return for her to step down. A all paid retirement vacation in Ascalon ?
>>
>>3125817
and thats what Im proposing minus implied sex
>>
>>3125821
I guess we could side with generally with the Queen but talk with her about it so it wouldnt be a backstab ?
>>
>>3125826
It will be a ''backstab'' regardless of how you think you can spin it, best to swallow the bitter pill and try and get both her and our foot in the door with close advisoral roles.
>>
voting closed, writing
>>
>>3125849
Goddamit

Feels like Im screaming into the void right now
>>
You could understand the logic of the prince's supporters, united leadership under a strong, young king would put Jerusalem on a more even footing with the Franks. At the same time, a young king, unproven, could be seen as easily manipulated or disrespected. Melisende had proven herself a wise ruler in peace and war, and had both reputation and prestige behind her name. While you were certain the Frankish lords might resent a woman sitting the throne of Jerusalem, you didn't think it was an insurmountable obstacle.

And you had made a strong legal argument in the past that Melisende was queen by her own right, the rightful heir of her father and not a mere queen consort to her husband Fulk. To dispute her sovereignty under the law was to risk undermining your own legal achievements and standing. It could lead to messy questions of succession in the future, should Jerusalem find itself with only women to inherent the throne yet again.

You could see the short term benefit of throwing your lot in with Prince Baldwin, but unlike other lords of Palestine, you kept an eye for the farther horizon. No, Melisende was queen. It was settled law, and undermining the law now would achieve chaotic ends in the long term.

"You know where I stand," you said to your sister, numching forward as you watched the prince draw off his helm, "I'm with Melisende, a queen's man to the end."

Mathilde was quiet for a moment. "Let us hope its not to a short end," she said as she rose, and you frowned after her as she whisked away across the courtyard.

Hugo brought his squire a cup of clean water, and you saw the prince was also watching your sister, barely paying attention to anything else even as water spilled down his chin and over his gambeson. He gulped, cheeks red, fine yellow hair matted with sweat after untying his arming cap. Hugo thumped his back.

"You're improving," said Hugo.

The prince shook his head. "I don't feel like I am, sir," he said, "Maybe if my opponent wasn't a lion turned man I'd have better luck."

Hugo grinned. "Chin up, you're not half as bad as you think you are."

"And not as good as I need to be," Baldwin sighed, shaking his head. He considered the sword in his hand. "I'm a better lancer than swordsman, at least."

"If we only exercised our talents, we'd leave ourselves open to misfortune," Hugo took a seat under the tree, unstrapping his gambeson to let in the cold winter air, "You drop your lance, you draw your sword, you lose your sword, you go to the grapple. Favouring one over the other is fine, but to be untrained in any is suicide."

"Yes sir," Baldwin said with a bow. "Do I have your permission to leave? I've a mind to go read."

Hugo nodded, slicking back his damp blond hair, licking sweat from his lips.

>speak with your brother while he's resting
>speak with Baldwin while he's alone
>>
>>3125900
>speak with Baldwin while he's alone
>>
>>3125900
>speak with Baldwin while he's alone

Perfect chance to talk about issues. And ofcourse ask how his mother and dear-totally-not-our-daughter is doing
>>
>>3125900
>speak with Baldwin while he's alone
>>
writing

(damn but /qst/ is a lot slower than /tg/ was)
>>
>>3125987
To put it mildly. This thread can pretty much survive for the next week or two.
>>
>>3125987
oh yeah, even a heavy traffic quest can hang about for a week before sliping off the catalog.
>>
Now seemed a good opportunity to speak with Prince Baldwin. You followed the teenage boy from the courtyard back into the castle, the young man dumping his sword and shield by the entrance, chugging back water with thirsty gulps. He was a tall boy, he had his mother's colour and some of her height. The gangly adolescent body was already starting to mature into the image of a man, handsome and well proportioned. In time he could match your own height. A good looking boy, but as to his character you couldn't say. You saw little of the royal court, your time spent securing the southern border, and your brother spending most of his time in the north helping repel Saracen raids.

He stopped and turned at the sound of you following him and broke into a sunny grin.

"Lord Ascalon, good morning," he said with a slight bow, "I was looking for your library, perhaps you could show me the way?"

"Do you enjoy reading?" you asked.

He shrugged. "Enjoy isn't the right word, though it can be fun. It's something my mother told me once. A sharp blade will win a battle, but a sharp mind wins wars. I can train my body into the perfect weapon and be a fine knight, but if my mind isn't as strong I would make a useless king. So I read as much as I train, to do less is to betray my kingdom."

A well put thought, one you could only agree with. But still there was something in his tone when he said 'my kingdom'.

"I have heard you are a learned man, my lord, a poet and a scholar," he said with a respect not all Frankish lords shared, "We need more scholars, I think, if we want to secure Jerusalem's future."

That was something you would never have heard from his father's lips.

"If you've a desire to learn, I'd be happy to show you my library," you said, leading him on.

It wasn't as large as you'd like, but you did have a study set aside with books. Within you found the traveler Usama ibn Munqidh. The old Saracen clasped a book and bowed.

"Lord Ascalon, peace be with you. I thought I might study some Frankish history while I could," he said. You had given Usama free use of your library after he had shared the latest news from Saracen Damascus, but his gaze turned to the young prince in your company. "Your highness."

"Sir," Baldwin said with a slight bow, "I remember you, ibn Munqidh, when my mother and your lord signed the Damascus peace accords. You did Jerusalem a service. I'd hoped to speak with you on a book of poetry you wrote, and if it would be right to commission a translation into French."

Usama smiled. "Maybe in time," he said, "If you would forgive me." He bowed as he left.

Baldwin went to your books, but rather than a book on chivalry or bardic tales, he slipped out a dry tome of law. "I've begun reading Cicero," he said, flipping open the book, "But I'm not deep yet."

>talk to the boy about law
>talk to the boy about the stable incident
>talk to the boy about the throne
>>
>>3126050
>talk to the boy about law
>>
>>3126050
>>talk to the boy about law

Through this is a path to impart on him the essence of stability of a kingdom, by rule of laws. His by birthright eventually but trying to accelerate that handover too fast would weaken the kingdom.
>>
>>3126050
>talk to the boy about law
>>
>>3126050
>talk to the boy about law
Time to get SKOOLED boyo!
>>
>>3126050
>talk to the boy about law
>talk to the boy about the throne

The boy has a good mind for talking and clearly has a mind for stately affairs, lets see what areas he's lacking in.

>>3126068
THIS he has most of the qualities that make a good king but only with time will he be ready for the throne.
>>
Do comment on the whole womanizing thing. Dont want him fucking married women in this timeline
>>
>>3126103
oh man marriage REALLY changed Wilhelm

anyway we have a great chance to Impart a rather good Impression on him now considering our reputation
>>
>>3126050
>>talk to the boy about law
>>talk to the boy about the stable incident
>>
writing
>>
"Not many boys your age are interested in law," you said, looking over the tome. It was a Greek text gifted to you by an associate in Eastern Rome.

Baldwin flicked over a page. "Not many boys my age will be king of Jerusalem," he said, "And unlike some of our western cousins, ours is a kingdom of laws. Young laws, laws still not yet set in stone, but laws none the less. A kingdom is won through strength of arm, but bound through the justice of the law."

"Laws are only laws so long as the powerful respect them," you said.

Baldwin nodded. "So then the arbiter of the laws must be stronger, and in Jerusalem that arbiter of law is the king. My father, God rest his soul, was a weak king undone by the law, a strong king would have held his crown."

"By the law your father was no king of Jerusalem at all," you say.

Baldwin closes the book and his eyes. "By the actions of a free traveling knight, you mean," he said, "I might have been small but I have some memory of those days, when you deposed my father in favour of my mother."

"And what does that mean to you?" you asked.

He smiled. "It means the law is not words on stone but a living thing, a beast that must be tamed and mastered lest it maul you. Laws change and shift, and with them shifts the world."

"Or is it more accurate to say the world changes, and it is the law that changes to reflect that world?" you suggest.

His mouth became a firm line. "Maybe," he said, "But that sounds awfully close to anarchy, bordering on blasphemy. A king's authority ultimately comes from God, and in as such as man's law might change, God's law is unchanging. And it as it is the authority of God that underpins kingship, so to does God's law underpin mortal law."

"But that contradicts what you had earlier said, about law being an untrustworthy, living thing," you said, "If God's law is unchanging, shouldn't it follow that man's law must also be so?"

"Umm," his brow crinkled in thought.

>roll 1d100 three time +5, highest wins, against a DC 50
>>
Rolled 6 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3126159
>>
Rolled 95 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3126159
>>
>>3126173
Yeeeeeeesssss
>>
No one's going to roll one more just for fun? Either way, writing.
>>
Rolled 55 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3126159
>>
"Well that's," Baldwin started, rubbing his chin, "I suppose it does but, well."

You laugh. "Don't tie yourself into knots, boy, you're still young. You spoke well, but still have room to improve. Study your rhetoric, your logic, and you will find much of the law flows from those sources as much as from God and culture. Now how those laws are enforced is another matter entirely, but laws that don't have a strong logical foundation cannot withstand the changing world. Take the instance of your father and his claim of kingship for Jerusalem. His basis as being Baldwin's heir was wedding your grandfather's daughter, but what would happen should they divorce or your mother had died childless? He would have to marry one of her sisters to keep his crown.As such, its proof that the crown and its authority is invested in her, and not her husband. So then it logically follows, that as she is the living investiture of Jerusalem's crown, ultimately she stood Baldwin's heir and not her husband, making her the ultimate authority in Jerusalem. Why if it wasn't through her, your half-brother back in Anjou would have been Fulk's rightful successor, and not yourself."

"But as I am blood of Melisende and King Baldwin, I do have a right to the throne," he replied, cheeks hot, "My brother Geoffrey has none of my grandfather's blood."

You wave a hand. "Yes, of course, as your mother's heir. As that logically follows under the law. And if we accept legitimacy through the maternal line, it follows that your mother is rightful overlord and queen of Jerusalem, as you will one day be king."

"I suppose there is some logic in what you're saying," he said, though seemed unhappy about that.

Maybe it wasn't good to press the boy on the issue of the crown just yet. He tucked the book of law under his arm.

"It looks as if my studies are more incomplete than I thought," he said, "Good morning to you, Lord Ascalon, and thank you for the book."

>let the boy go
>stop and talk to him about the stables
>>
>>3126229
>stop and talk to him about the stables

Oi. Dont sleep with married women
>>
>>3126229
>>stop and talk to him about the stables
>>
>>3126229
>stop and talk to him about the stables
>>
>>3126229
>stop and talk to him about the stables
>>
>>3126229
>stop and talk to him about the stables

Discretion lad also hands off my not wife
>>
>>3126246

Of course. Its not that he has to be chaste as a priest. But discretion is needed.
>>
>>3126229
>stop and talk to him about the stables
>>
"Wait lad, one moment," you said, a hand to his shoulder before he could leave. Your library was a discrete place, and a good place for such a discrete talk. "I had a word from one of my servants, about a young man that rubbed up against her inappropriately as they passed each other in the stables."

Baldwin's cheeks bloomed red. "My lord," he started, you forestalled him with a smile and a squeeze on his shoulder.

"Just a brush, but still," you said, "Now, would a boy think this endears him to a woman, doing something like that?"

You watched a rush of shame flicker across his face before disappearing. "No, my lord," he said, "I...no."

"No harm, no harm boy," you said, "You've got powerful urges running through you, and few in your life that'll tell you 'no', but there are laws, as we said. Not just laws of the court, but about the ways we behave, in how we treat women especially, both noble and common. Don't we?"

"We do," he nodded, unable to keep your eye. It was good he was so ashamed. You'd known boys his age that were already raping their maids freely and without regret.

"Have you known a woman yet?" you knew the answer before he shook his head. You grinned. "That's normal lad. It doesn't make you a priest to have not bedded a woman yet. And you do like women, don't you?"

His smile turned sly with a very firm nod. Once he learned how to talk to a woman, with his sharp mind, strong body and handsome face, he would make an accounting for himself one day, you had no doubt. Unless he could be taught to be more careful. Still, a boy needed to burn through his urges before he wedded, to avoid trouble of a different sort. You were certainly not one that could claim modest chastity or discretion, not at his age.

>do you have an eye for any maidens in particular?
>you just be careful boy, and keep it in your pants
>>
>>3126301
>do you have an eye for any maidens in particular?
>>
>>3126301
>do you have an eye for any maidens in particular?

Could always send chiri to his chamber tonight
>>
>>3126301
>do you have an eye for any maidens in particular?

I thinking Mathilde, Chiri maybe a few others
>>
>>3126334
He was already eyeing Mathilde when he was younger. Having a bit of a childhood crush
>>
sorry, got sidetracked. writing
>>
>>3126317
Chiri is useful using sex as a tool but I feel like almost litreally gifting her to people as a sex tool is a bit much even with Wilhelm married and such he still cares about her.

>>3126337
Jesus that crush must be awful never to be reciprocated I do have questions regarding Mathildes timeskip history but if we get POV I think they'll be explained in time
>>
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>>3126229
>"My brother Geoffrey has none of my grandfather's blood."


Oh shit no wonder Mathilde got Icey
>>
"A maiden?" again he couldn't match your eyes, "The truth, my lord...the truth is I like women of all kinds, but since as long as I can remember....your sister...has, I-I should go."

He broke from your grip striding away as fast as he could, slipping out of the library, soft and fast down the stone corridor.

You chuckled. Of course as a child he had made every excuse to hug your sister and be close to her, and it seemed puberty had inflamed that feeling. And your sister was a beautiful, unwed woman. There were worse objects of desire for a boy, though you felt a pang of sympathy, Mathilde's frosty personality had frightened off more than one would be suitor, and her own taste in men was very much that of men, not sweaty boys caught between childhood and maturity. Maybe you could arrange something more suitable, a pretty young maid at a late hour or a visit to a drinking hall where peasant girls could be found looking for a pleasant afternoon. If his passions burned too hot there was always the accommodating whore.

You shook your head. It wasn't for you to look out for the young prince in such a way. You were no pimp. And you doubted his mother would care for her son going whoring, particularly at still such a tender age.

The rest of the day was spent in the usual way, taking some minor court and overseeing further preparations for the Christmas feast. Everything moved at a steady rhythm. Whatever frightening news the wind carried from the world, the cheer of Christmas kept it from sinking in. All seemed in order, and as the day closed you thought on how to spend the night.

>at work, you had no time to rest
>with your family, your children and wife
>with your men, to blow off some steam
>>
>>3126389
>with your family, your children and wife
>>
>>3126389
>with your family, your children and wife
>>
>>3126389
>>with your family, your children and wife
>>
>>3126389
>at work, you had no time to rest

with the crusade on the horizion we have much work to do and ambitions to forfill

Where the fuck is my brother Solomon
>>
writing
>>
There was no better time spent than in your study, but not at work. You sat with Little Wil on your lap, looking over the finely drawn maps of Jerusalem, the maps you had commissioned of northern Egypt and the border lands. You showed him the names and listened to him try to read them, those ancient exotic names like Fastut, Bilbeis, Tanis and Cairo, your chin resting in his dark curls. Of Alexandria's ancient wisdom, and the long flow of the Nile, stretching into unknown lands even further south, the lands of the Nubians and Ethiopia and stranger places even further south.

As your daughter and wife read the latest poetry from Occitania, with Judith awkwardly reading some of her own crude but imaginative compositions. You told them stories of your youth, leaving out some of the finer details, of the adventure that had brought you from Germany to Palestine, the characters you had met along the way. Men like Welf, stuttering and silent, or the beautiful Jehanne. You told them of northern winters, winters so cold whole rivers would freeze over. Of their ancestors in those dark, forested lands. Lands they had never known, lands that were becoming foreign to you compared to this drier, hotter world in the east.

And at last you put them to bed, and you were alone with Yvetta.

"My lord," she smiled, holding mistletoe in her fingers, and slipped it through a part in her dress, to nestle between her breasts, the green leaves and red berries fresh against her pale skin. "Is it custom in your land to kiss under the mistletoe?" she spoke in crude German as she slid a hand across the white silk over her breasts, and the other slid behind your neck, into your dark hair and twined there.

"My lady, I don't need mistletoe," you said.

She smiled up at you, a dimpled smile. Motherhood hadn't faded her youth or beauty, but filled it. You kissed her above the mistletoe 'tween her breasts, and walked her to your bed, untying your sword to let clatter to the ground, collapsing on top of her as she shook with girlish laughter between the kisses, your hands bunching up her skirts to travel up her smooth bare legs.

You spent the last hour in bed together, until you both collapsed in sweat and exhaustion upon the blankets. You gave a tired laugh against the cold air that slipped through your window, cooling your passion heated body. You'd built a happy life here, and all the fear of the future and darkness of the world couldn't rob you of these islands of joy, moments captured in time.

But as the joy passed and the chill night crept in, the shadows of fear came with them, and you lay in the dark listening to Yvetta's gentle breathing as the future stretched out dark and uncertain within the cavern of your mind.
>>
Taking a break. I'll either be back in an hour or some time tomorrow.
>>
>>3126484
im off to bed. So hopefully tomorrow
>>
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>>3126479
[Urge to protect Wilhelms smile Intensifies]
>>
I think I'll stop there and pick this up tomorrow, but I'll stick around a bit for any questions you guys have.
>>
>>3126684
What made you pick this up again after what? Two years?
>>
>>3126719
It's Christmas and I missed it a bit. I thought it would make a nice surprise for anyone still floating around.
>>
>>3126684
Any insights about last quest during your tenure away?

Also how much suffering?
>>
>>3125502
This, can we revisit that at a later vote? I like that Will is not cheating his wife but Chiri as a second wife was awesome.
We've lost all oir interactions with her because of 3 votes when most of us didn't even know you were back
>>
>>3126776
Epilogue was also a good end for most as could be managed with Cq
>>
I guess feeling like the world is ending due to stuff like climate change had me looking for a distraction too, but I won't go on about that.

>>3126776
My feeling is that Wil is kind of a sex addict. If he starts cheating with one woman, even Chiri, he'd end up cheating in general.

>>3126758
I don't quite understand the question.
>>
>>3126793
with your second wife it's not cheating, adopting some of the local customs, even if not officially lol
I'm just sad that she was left hanging after all we did together and doesn't feel right, I like they'd stay together, and Will making a big effort to not cheat on them too
>>
>>3126793
Did you gain any insights about writing/characters during your abscence

Also did Will ever get that threesome anon wanted?
>>
>>3126799
She and Wil still have a very close bond, closer in some ways. She's nursemaid and tutor to Wil's children. Yvetta also asked Chiri for help with the wifely duty stuff, since she was a virgin originally destined for the Church. So Yvetta and Chiri are very close now too. imo it was as much Chiri's decision as Wil's. She didn't want to be a third wheel in their marriage and decided to step away.

>>3126806
Unlikely. He might have if you guys had decided to play Wil as unfaithful.

And if anything I feel like my writing has really atrophied.
>>
Anyway, see you guys tomorrow
>>
>>3126821
Thanks for running
>>
>>3126812
Any plans for new POV characters?
>>
Crusader Quest is over, stop beating dead horse.
>>
>>3126988
this is all a collective fever dream we are all having ?
>>
Going to get back to it in a sec, just woke up late
>>
I keep forgetting Wil has another little sister.
>>
>>3127862
Probably chasing squrriels or something.
>>
>>3127862
You should probably give their character sheets a closer look
>>
A cold day rose, the sun lost behind grey clouds. You pulled on a fur-lined coat over your sword, checking the cuffs and collar. You checked yourself in the mirror, the line of an old scar standing out on your bearded cheek. Were you looking older? You scrutinized for the faintest hint of grey in your forelock. So far, nothing.

"Lord Peacock," Yvetta murmured from the bed. You turned a smile on your wife, who watched you with eyes half open from the burrows of the sheets. "You're up early."

"Morning prayer," you said, "And morning business."

She murmured as you left. One of your page boys, slim, black Abraham, was waiting. The son of your old companion, Solomon, Abraham was a beautiful boy of ten, with his father's rich dark skin and his mother's fluffy dark hair. He considered you with that odd seriousness that trade marked the boy. You gave him a nod as he stepped in behind you.

Your first stop was the chapel, were on one knee you spoke a quick prayer, calling on God to shelter your family from oncoming storms, pledging him your faith and loyalty. It was more habit than tradition, and you broke from the chapel down to the stables.

You were glad for your coat and thick soled boots. Your breath turned to an icy mist before your eyes. The stone of the courtyard was slick with frost and the air itself carried a bite. You suspected a cold rain would sweep through soon, a bitter shroud over the season. Snow was rare, but December was often wet. All the snow fell in the farthest hills and mountains, nourishing the farmlands once they melted in the spring. What you'd give for a decent spot of snow.

You found Chihirizahd by the stables. She wore a black dress, a yellow scarf around her shoulders, her hair still mussed from bed. She looked concerned.

"And what did our lecher have to say?" you ask, leaning on the wall beside her, Abraham keeping watch for eavesdroppers.

She pursed her lips. "Nothing good," she said, "He spoke a little on the coming crusade, but truth is he spent more time speaking on the wickedness of eastern Christians than he did Saracens. And took it out on me so much I feared he'd have a stroke. More energy than I expected from such an old man."

The last thing you needed was the image of a wrinkly old man furrowing your former lover.

"Do you remember old Ralph of Domfront?" she asked. It's a name you hadn't heard in a few years. He had been exiled by Princess Alice and her husband, Raymond over some stupid thing. "It seems he found his way to Rome in his exile, and discovered allies willing to champion his cause. It looks as if they want him reinstated as the patriarch of Antioch, 'to better guard the faithful'."

"Canny old fox," you muttered, rubbing your chin. Antioch, the eternal headache. If it wasn't Princess Alice causing trouble, it was the Greeks or the Romans, never mind Saracen raiders. "I'm surprised he's still alive," and the sooner he was dead the better, you left unsaid.
>>
Politics didn't stop for Christ's birth.

"Do you want me to keep working the cardinal?" Chihirizahd asked.

You scratched your chin. While there might still be information to pry from him, he seemed partially a fanatic. Who knew what he would do if he suspected she was a pagan?

>better not
>a little more, but be careful
>>
>>3128004
>better not
We'll have enough. Don't want to risk our girl
>>
>>3128004
>better not

Dont want her to end up dead because of an horny italian
>>
>>3128004
>better not
>>
"I think that's enough for now," you said.

Chihirizahd smiled. "I won't be sorry to see the back of him," she said, "I almost regret doing it. Why is it your priests always have the strangest desires? I think celibacy pollutes their mind."

"Who can say," you reply.

"Did you speak with the boy?" she asked, "Because if he touches me again without my permission, prince or not I will slap him."

"I talked to him," you said, "And he seemed chastised. The prince is a good boy, just a bit overwhelmed. Puberty is a mad time for a young man, and he doesn't have a father to guide him through it."

"Well that's good," she said, "Maybe you should find him a woman, have him burn through some of that energy in a constructive way."

>It could keep him out of trouble, are you volunteering?
>I don't think that's a good idea, the boy could pick up bad habits
>>
>>3128067
>It could keep him out of trouble, are you volunteering?

Also.
>"Did you speak with the boy?" she asked, "Because if he touches me again without my permission, prince or not I will slap him."

Where did our lovely little Chiri get these fangs from all of the sudden ?
>>
>>3128067
>It could keep him out of trouble, are you volunteering
>>
"Maybe that could help keep him out of trouble, keep him away from fooling around with a woman that could bring him real grief."

You consider Chihirizahd. "Are you volunteering?" you asked with a sly look, "I didn't think he was your type."

"The boy-prince?" Chihirizahd hid her smile behind her hand, "Oh no, he's a pretty boy, but far too young for me. I can arrange something with one of the maids though. A chance early morning encounter or after dinner. It wouldn't take much to prod that in a certain direction, and he doesn't lack for admirers among the girls."

Maybe she caught a shadow of doubt on your face, when she said, "Better we take the boy in hand rather than risk someone more nefarious leading him astray. As you said, he has no father, but he's surrounded by grown men all competing for his favour. Who knows what things he could be taught or pressured into? No, let's introduce him to a pretty, willing peasant girl and see what happens."

A sensible enough proposal. "Well, see it done," you said, stretching out with a yawn. Your belly rumbled for food.

Chihirizahd left to fulfill her daily responsibilities and you did the same, Abraham a little black shadow. You missed the boy's father dearly, your blood brother Solomon currently on pilgrimage in Axum. He had wanted to take you on a tour of the black African kingdoms, show you his homeland, but you had reluctantly turned down the offer. Jerusalem was too chaotic to leave unattended for that long. He had been gone for eight months now and you were a little worried. The road was dangerous, and as talented a warrior as he was he wasn't immune to starvation and disease. You would feel more secure once he was returned.

In his absence command of the Ascalon garrison had been split between Odo, the tall serjeant of the men-at-arms, and young Sir Jacques, the tan young man of no particular heritage, who had only recently come into your service after returning from fighting in the north.

Dark haired, dark eyed, and with the pointed face of a Saracen, he ambled along the corridor going one way, you the other, his spurs clicking at his boots. He had once been a common born squire to Sir Etienne, but alongside your brother had been knighted at the capture of Ascalon. It had been a day of chivalry, and those knighted on that day carried it with pride.

"My lord, up early I see," he said, stopping to greet you.

"Enjoying the cold," you said, "As much as I love Palestine, its far too warm most of the year."

Jacques laughed. "You Franks are always wilting in the heat," he said. He drew a note from his pocket. "Here, this arrived this morning."

He handed it over. It was a missive from Gerard, Lord of Sidon, announcing he would be arriving shortly, alongside your neighbours Hugh of Jaffa and Barisan of Ibelin. You had expected most of them, but the name Barisan troubled you. The others you counted as friends, but Barisan was a schemer that you had little reason to trust.
>>
You had the day to clear up some business before their arrival, and there was plenty to do.

>review the troops
>focus on preparing the Christmas celebration
>attend to court
>why work at Christmas? take the day off
>>
>>3128169
>attend to court
>review the troops

Have wife overview the christmas preperations
>>
>>3128178
just to clarify, you can only pick one option
>>
>>3128178
That sounds good
>>
>>3128180
ah
>review the troops

Then
>>
>>3128169
>attend to court
>>
>>3128180
You should probably inform on twitter you are running if you want me people in the thread
>>
>>3128169
>review the troops
>>
>>3128169
>attend to court

Reviewing the troops should be the next thing we do, need to be on the war footing sooner rather than later
>>
>>3128169
>review the troops

I hope Solomon is doing well, we need his blade as soon as possible
>>
>review the troops

writing

(sorry, got dragged away by Christmas stuff)
>>
Since Sidon is coming that might mean sir froggy as well
>>
When your enemies weren't Christian you couldn't rely on Christmas being a time of peace. You assembled your garrison for review under the careful eye of Sir Jacques and the lanky blond frame of Odo. Many of these men had marched with you from Ramla, veterans of the battle of Ascalon, and they wore the scars to prove it. They were a hardened core of Frankish veterans, mostly footmen armed with spear and shield, armoured in gambesons with nasal helms. Some wore decorative mistletoe for the season and a few were red cheeked from drinking even at this early hour, their breath forming a chilly mist.

Other than the common born men-at-arms, you had a handful of knightly retainers, shod in mail and armed with land and sword. They were your personal bodyguard, headed currently by Jacques, and rode with you into battle.

You had padded out your body of troops since that day of blood and fire.

How did you improve your forces again?

>you had increased your body of spearmen
>you had trained a body of archers
>you had trained a small body of cavalry to bolster your knights
>you had recruited a body of skirmishers
>>
>>3128260
>you had trained a body of archers

To counter those infernal horse archers
>>
>>3128260
>you had trained a small body of cavalry to bolster your knights
>>
>>3128260
>>you had recruited a body of skirmishers

on one hand Skirmishers are useful for rapid response and well skirmishing

>>3128268
Maybe have our own horse archers with Blackjack and christ?
>>
>>3128260
>you had trained a small body of cavalry to bolster your knights

Do we want light cav that can counter Sejuk or Egyptian cavalry or something else?
>>
>>3128283
>To excited about CQ to finish a post

goddamit Skirmishers are a decent Idea but I'm not sure how well they will do in practice.
>>
>>3128260
>>you had trained a body of archers
More useful if we get besieged as they can just stand on the walls
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

okay, rolling

1 for archers
2 for cavalry
>>
On a another Issue, we need to start talking about unity and I mean proper unity not just tokenistic loyalty to Jerusalem, there was and almost certainly still is a very big divide between North and south Jerusalem the North has it's myriad of agendas from Raymonds rabid hatred of Muslims to Antiochs near open Sedition, these Issues are what we are going to need to resolve before the crusades begins or else Jerusalem is up shit creek.

the saving grace of the situation is that the south is at least as far as I'm aware solidly queensmen territory with Hugh, Brughes and ourselves are relatively in unison with the Queen.

Where and how do we start?
>>
>>3128332
Get Constance back in control of Antioch
>>
You had trained a body of archers, paying the Frankish peasants to train in the bow at least once a week, to better protect against your walls against invaders and to counter the hit and run tactics of the horse-born Saracen Turks. Out of that militia you had recruited the more skilled archers for more dedicated service. The castle archers had taken on an element of prestige among their class, with fine gambesons and long pointed knives at their belts. Among them was a noteworthy shot, Samson, who had become their unofficial leader. A man only a little younger than you, he worked as a tanner when he wasn't at the archery range, and had a cool headed, mature nature that drew respect from all quarters.

When it came to the training of your forces, you had focused on:

> defense, fighting from static positions against theoretical invaders
> offense, you take the fight to the enemy with an emphasis on pitched battles
> besieging the enemy, Ascalon made a good training ground for enemy fortifications
> non-linear, skirmishing and raiding in a burning raid manner
>>
>>3128342
It's a good start but the how is the Issue, likely straight up forcing the issue will lead to open conflict with the greeks interceding on Antioch's part.

Some plot or ploy is needed I think.
>>
(sorry, I have some surprise Christmas guests. Will keep writing but there might be delays)
>>
>>3128360
Not sure. Would like to have something defensive but i would also like tactics that counters the hit and run nature of turkish warfare.
>>
>>3128360
> defense, fighting from static positions against theoretical invaders
>>
>>3128360
> non-linear, skirmishing and raiding in a burning raid manner

Raiders and bandits must have been our main problem. Best to counter that.
>>
>>3128360
> defense, fighting from static positions against theoretical invaders

I'm entirely sure this will bite us in the ass but Im not seeing much of an option that works as a solid counter
>>
>>3128260
>you had recruited a body of skirmishers

Basically >>3128268
>>
>>3128360
>defense, fighting from static positions against theoretical invaders
This is my first time playing in your quest and i have to ask somethings. Since this is a historical fiction quest, how much does it deviate from actual historical outcomes? How much influence and change does Wilhelm cause to historical events? Are all the historical figures (Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, Nur ad-Din Zengi, Baldwin IV the Leper King, etc...) going to be in the quest?
>>
>>3128360
>non-linear, skirmishing and raiding in a burning raid manner
>>
>>3128410
Ascalon, Darum and Gaza was taken before the second crusade, Almaric was not born but instead Morphia our secret daughter is. We managed to foil Fulk's upsurps attempt and married Iovetta and avoided her joining the church.

Should tell what kind of influences and changes that can be.
>>
>>3128410
It's set in the era of Imad ad-Din Zengi (in OTL he gets assassinated next year, but changes have already been made that will effect that).

Currently Jerusalem is ruled by Queen Melisende, her son Baldwin (eventually Baldwin III) is almost of age, and there is a dispute rising over whether or not Melisende should relinquish the throne for her son like she did in OTL or if she has the right to hold it as an independent queen. Wilhelm and others (including Hugh of Jaffa, who has survived to this year unlike OTL) have argued that Melisende is a rightful, independent monarch and so far that's been the law of the land, but could change.

Hugo prevented the seven year old Constance of Antioch from being wed to Raymond of Poitiers and now is Princess-in-Exile feuding with her mother, Princess Alice, who wed Poitiers instead.

Wil and his shenanigans have shifted the time line and are starting to leave deep imprints on the culture of Crusader Jerusalem too.

Other figures that have appeared are Shirkuh, Saladin's uncle, Usuma ibn Munqidh (who debuted in this thread), most of this eras crusading lords and priests like Ralph of Domfront, and Roger of Sicily, Manuel Komnenos, as well as a few others.

>>3128421
Edessa fell earlier than in OTL as well, but the Saracens were kept from sweeping further in by a combined Greek-Crusader army, and its been constant fighting in the north ever since.
>>
>defensive

writing
>>
>>3128410
>How much influence and change does Wilhelm cause to historical events? Are all the historical figures (Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, Nur ad-Din Zengi, Baldwin IV the Leper King, etc...) going to be in the quest?

Heres a short list

>Basically co-opted Melisandes coup of King Fulk by calling Bullshit on charges laid against him and his co conspirators
>Stopped princess Yvettea (Iovetta) joining the church and married her
>By coopting the Coup forstalled the murder of Hugh of Jaffa
>Hugo (Wilhelms Brother) kidnapped Constance from Antioch and forced Raymond of Poiters to marry her mother Alice
>Rallied Jerusalem to take Gaza, Ascalon and Darum.
>Pon count of Tripoli was killed by Egyptians during the taking of Ascalon and not Sejuks, Raymond his son now has mad murderboner for Muslims
>had a secret bastard with queen Melisande in the place of Almaric known as princess Morphia

thats as much as I care to remember, the biggest thing regarding historical divergance is attempting to change the direction of the second crusade as Wilhelms ambition was to become King of Alexandria.
>>
>>3128435
So this quest has a lot of events that are historical, but also a lot of events that are completely fictional and diverge from what actually happened? That's interesting.

King Amlaric also doesn't exist which means that some important historical figures that impacted events won't exist.

Is there a limit to how much things can change from historical reality or is it a free-for-all without it being bound to what actually happened? Can something like this anon mentioned>>3128440 about Wilhelm becoming King of Alexandria (which would never happen historically) occur?
>>
While you were concerned about the north, your responsibility was defending the southern border of Jerusalem, and had trained your men to defend Ascalon's walls, as well as fighting in solid formations, your spearmen covering your archers as they loosed into charging enemies. While the Egyptians were not the treacherous foes the Turks were, they could still muster formidable numbers, far more than any Frankish lord of the kingdom, and it was in your heavy footmen and superior archery that you relied upon to see them off.

Lately your border had been quiet, though Egyptian raiders and the occasional troop of bandits menaced your countryside, but that was more reason to keep your men drilled. Attack could come at any time, with little warning.

You finished inspecting your men, most you knew by name. You talked with them a little trading jokes and asking after their families. They were blunt, honest men ready to laugh at whatever witticism came to you, and were clearly in good spirits. You dismissed them after a few drills, sending some home for the day.

It was around nightfall that you heard it, the clop of hooves and a woman's voice rose in song.

"Hey-ho, merry-yo, traipse with me my d~arling!"

A lone rider came through, with squirrelly brown hair cut short in a mannish fashion, wearing tailored maille with a lance slung across the horn of her saddle.

"Through the fields, down the glen, o'er more a farthing!"

The horse sagged a tired head as the young woman crowed from its back, booming across the yard.

"Down among the flowers, we'll find a quiet h~our!"

Her song faded out as she spotted you, a mad grin replacing it.

"Eh, Lord of Cats, what a surprise to see you," your eighteen year old sister, Giselle, leaned back in her saddle, horse snuffing. Giselle would have been pretty, but her nose had been broken in two places and she was missing a front tooth, and the mad glint in her eye didn't help either.

"Giselle," you'd heard nothing from her in months, ever wandering, and hadn't expected her this Christmas, "Where have you been?"

She swung down from her saddle, mail ringing as she landed on her feet.

"Here, there, every which where," she said. She threw her arms out wide. "No hug for your sister?"

You hesitated. Not that you didn't love her, but she had been building a reputation. Not a knight but riding like one, and fighting for pay rather than loyalty or honour, you had heard she'd spent some time in a Saracen's employ, other times as a bandit. You were surprised she hadn't been hanged yet. In that way you were relieved to see her, at the same time though....

"Aunt Giselle!"

Judith struck your sister, a ball of hug and affection clinging to her hips. Giselle laughed, wrapping up your daughter in her mail'ed arms.

"Whose this stinky rabbit?" Giselle said, peeling her off. Judith grinned up at her, their missing teeth (Judith's from being a child, Giselle's from being insane) a mirror of each other.
>>
You looked back to see Yvetta standing on the castle steps, looking uncertainly down at your youngest sister. She had been preparing the Christmas feast, and preparing lodgings for your soon-to-arrive guests. You could see she hadn't planned on Giselle, and it wasn't a happy surprise.

> welcome her home
> do not be rude, but do not be overly welcoming either
>>
>>3128493
>Can something like this anon mentioned>>3128440 about Wilhelm becoming King of Alexandria (which would never happen historically) occur?
It would be extremely difficult, and harder to take. Its worth pointing out that Frankish crusaders did capture African cities, both in Egypt and along the North African coast. Holding them was always the big problem.
>>
>>3128498
>welcome her home
>>
>>3128498
> do not be rude, but do not be overly welcoming either
>>
>>3128498
>> welcome her home
It's Christmas, after all.
>>
>>3128502
>harder to take
*harder to hold
>>
>>3128498
>> do not be rude, but do not be overly welcoming either
>>
>>3128498
> do not be rude, but do not be overly welcoming either

We should had married her off years ago
>>
>>3128519
She's a sellsword lady knight is that even remotely possible?
>>
>>3128524
Only thing that is protecting her is that she is our sister. And she is not a real knight.

Did she steal her equipment from our armory?
>>
>>3128502
It's not really just taking Alexandria and holding it that it's extremely unlikely and ahistorical, but also justifying why someone like Wilhelm would ever be allowed to become King of Alexandria by anyone but okay. I can suspend my disbelief since this is called historical fiction and the quest is great.
>>
>>3128527
I meant her temprement and her prospects, unlike Hugo she's a woman and sister to a lord of Jerusalem she can't (and shouldn't) do as she pleases.

I blame young Wil for letting women learn Swordplay.
>>
>>3128538
Do worry so far it is really just Wilhelm personal ambition and dream.

He did manage to become an important lord and marrying a princess
>>
>>3128524
Giselle doesn't give a shit about what is or isn't socially acceptable, but she isn't a knight, and her being a woman is one of the reasons she's bordering on being an outlaw and working as a mercenary.

It's worth pointing out that while I do care about historical accuracy up to a point, I also treat it as a heroic adventure story. There are a few women who take up arms in the story, but its not so common that it passes without question.
>>
writing
>>
>>3128546
>Giselle doesn't give a shit about what is or isn't socially acceptable, but she isn't a knight, and her being a woman is one of the reasons she's bordering on being an outlaw and working as a mercenary.

Yeah young Wil is to blame, I say old Wil puts his foot down on this.

Oh god he's turning into his dadexcept with a better marriage
>>
>>3128554
Wil was being too soft hearted.

We better find a match for Mathilde as well before she become a spinster
>>
You do not rush to embrace her, and Giselle's smile turns cynical.

"Of course, Lord of Cats must keep his distance, lest ye be infected by my unnatural wickedness," she said, and picked your daughter up under the arm pits, hoisting her up onto her shoulder.

"It's good to see you, good to see you in one piece too," you said.

"Barely," she replied, "I've new scars I can show you later. This pretty young Turkish prince shot me in the back after I stole his horse, his tackle dangling in the wind while he did so."

"What's 'tackle'?" Judith asked.

"The most important part of a man," your sister said, "It's what he does most of his thinking with."

"Giselle, please," you said, not wanting her to infest your daughter with crude talk.

"Lordship has changed you," she said with a raspberry, Judith's feet drumming on her chest.

"We thought you might have been killed," Yvetta said, coming to stand with you.

Giselle laughed. "Not yet, no matter how some people pray, your holiness," she said with a glint in her eye, "I'm sure you'll cry your tender eyes out when I die, your worship, while at the same time be glad my boots won't track mud through your halls again."

"Giselle, please," said Yvetta, "We care about you. Now come inside out of the cold, let me fetch you food and wine, and arrange a bath."

"Well, at least she never loses her manners," Giselle said with a mocking eye for you, plopping your daughter on the ground. "Here, this is for you. Took it off some sheikh on the high road to Medina. Merry Christmas." She threw you a golden bauble. It was a golden solid piece adorned with Arabic scripture. It had to be worth a small fortune.

"I'm afraid we didn't get you anything," you said.

"Bed, wine, and a bath is more than enough," she said, stretching her shoulders. She waved farewell as she stomped up after Yvetta into your castle.

Judith came up to you, frowning.

"You don't like Aunt Giselle?" she asked once your sister was gone.

>I do like her
>you can love someone without liking them
>I don't, and want you to stay away from her
>>
>>3128608
>you can love someone without liking them
>>
>>3128608
>you can love someone without liking them

We love her but do not approve of what she is doing
>>
>>3128608
oh god she's like a wicked hybrid of Wil and Sabeen

oh god Wil you fuck

>you can love someone without liking them

Judith should be Quarantined from Giselle
>>
>>3128608
>you can love someone without liking them
>>
>>3128608
>>you can love someone without liking them
>>
also I just realised Wilhelm senior (Wils dad) lost all four of his kids to the Holy land.

dude must be salty as shit suck it you shit
>>
>>3128608
>>you can love someone without liking them
>>
"You can love someone without liking them, or what they do," you said.

Judith wore a grave expression as she nodded, and you gave her a soft pat.

"Come, let's freshen up for dinner," you said.

That night was a course of fish and eel. Giselle arrived washed and in a loose white tunic, her short, wild hair combed into respectability, but it gave her an androgynous air that you worried would offend the cardinal. She was quick to join Hugo's company, your little brother wrapping an arm around her shoulder, the two of them thick with talk, Hugo bubbling with laughter as they found a spot to talk. Giselle showed him a scar on her forearm, a narrow slice, in between mouthfuls of wine.

Your sister did attract some attention, but maybe it was your less than welcoming air that kept her more subdued than usual. She had always been a wild girl, and her time in Jerusalem, with its tough frontier attitude lending women more social freedom than back home, had only made it worse. You remember as a child she had been often overlooked, and she had used that to her advantage until she was all of fourteen and ran away with mail and a sword with a Bedouin lover that she had soon abandoned.

To even suggest she was a virgin would provoke doubt in even the most gullible. She was a ruined woman, no man of sense would take her now. You only hoped your daughter didn't follow in her footsteps. And it made you think of Mathilde and her own prospects.

Your sisters, so unalike in temperament, exchanged friendly words and fond smiles. Mathilde had a steel grace and beauty, Giselle was wild and roughshod, but they were identical in their independent spirit, and your sisters were as close as you and your brother.

Should you seek a husband for your sister, and if so would she go along with it? Maybe it was best to talk to her about it.

In the mean time the final course came out, and calls were made for a toast. Giselle started to rise with the enthusiastic support of Hugo and your soldiers, her cheeks hot from the wine.

> let her make a toast
> cut her off and make your own
>>
>>3128678
> cut her off and make your own

Dont Giselle. Just dont. Why do you make it so hard for your poor older brother ?
>>
>>3128678
> cut her off and make your own

yeah no, a Toast to Jerusalem, the Prince and God is in order
>>
>>3128678
>> cut her off and make your own
>>
>>3128678
>> cut her off and make your own
>>
>>3128678
> cut her off and make your own

Oh crap I leave for a few and Will court is full of disasters what the fuck?
>>
>>3128722
Wilhelm really dont need this extra stress. We ought to send Giselle back to Germany. She can be fathers and mother's problem
>>
Sorry, Christmas is getting in the way, writing
>>
>>3128730
I doubt we could get her on a boat without ADVENTURE clearly in site

On another topic I had an idea if the crusades go sideways or we just want to fuck with history even more

>have Giselle fall in with Eleanor and inflame her Ideals
>see her marriage break down
>Marry Mathilde to louis somehow
>???
>Profit?
>>
>fucking Christmas

Before your sister can take her feet, you shoot up to stand, wine swirling in your cup.

"Lords, ladies," you say, holding your cup up, "What blessed days these are as we approach the birth of our Lord, safe in the walls of Ascalon. Ten years ago we took this city from the Saracen, at great cost in blood and treasure. Since then we have restored the light of Christ to these lands, and there is no better symbol of that than the arrival of his holiness, Cardinal Ignatius.." The old cardinal appreciates your flattery, bowing his head with a smile. "But Christmas is also a time of family, and I'm glad to have all of my siblings under one roof after years apart. My brother, my sisters, welcome home." That received a small cheer. "And it is our home. Though we were born in foreign lands, Jerusalem is the birthplace of my wife, my children, the land in which I have found my fortune, and the land in which I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve in the holy struggle."

"We have spent ten happy years under the lordship of our queen, Melisende, defending the border of the holy kingdom in her name. And we are happy to host her son and heir, Prince Baldwin. To them both we also offer this toast, and wish them a peaceful yuletide."

The prince stood for the toast and bowed to the assembled hall as a cheer went up, wine quaffed and conversation resuming as you took your seat. Giselle gave you an irritated look but you ignored it as you cut into a piece of eel.

By the time you were done you were stuffed full and eager to sleep. You showed your children off to bed as Yvetta led you up to your own chambers. You were too tired and fat for lovemaking, and instead went right off to sleep.

You were roused by a knock at your door at dawn.

Abraham stuck in his head, black face lit by candle light.

"M'lord, your guests have arrived," he said.

At this hour? The sun hadn't even risen. You blinked out the sleep you had barely noticed, stifling a yawn. Yvetta was soft and warm beside you, the curls around her sleeping face inviting you back to the bed.

>best to go greet them
>they didn't need you to act as a doorman
>>
>>3128778
>best to go greet them
>>
>>3128778
>>best to go greet them
>>
>>3128778
>>they didn't need you to act as a doorman
>>
>>3128778
>>best to go greet them

Oh god who now?
>>
Got to step out for a bit. Next update will be the last for the day but I'm planning on running tomorrow
>>
You lay in bed for a solid minute, eyes closed, before Abraham coughs.

"I'm getting up," you mutter, swinging out from the bed. Abraham helped you dress and fetched your sword.

"Sir Etienne has gone on ahead," he said, helping you into your coat. You rub your jaw and yawn, which Abraham catches. The boy looked as tired as you felt.

"Go on, catch a few minutes," you said, cuffing him behind the head. He nods, eyes droopy as he ducks out.

You stalk through the cold, dark corridors, the early morning servants going about their business. Out the courtyard and to the gates you find Etienne, the Gascon ramrod straight, mustache waxed and goatee pointed.

"M'lord," he gestured.

A caravan of noble banners entered the Ascalon gate, horse bridles jingling, the stomp of men-at-arms at march. The lords rode ahead of a long baggage train.

Riding were three people, an old man, a man slightly older than you, and a young woman. Lord Grenier of Sidon had greyed in the years since you had first met him, making him all the more owlish, eyes large and starring, cheeks hanging with unhappy jowls. He wore a blue coat fastened at his shoulder over a yellow tunic, his gut hanging over his sword belt. He wore jeweled rings and a small round cap, you suspected to hide his thinning hair.

Lord Hugh of Jaffa was starting to pepper in his hair and beard, but his smile was still youthful. He was a short but handsome man, dressed in blue and unbothered by the cold. He wore a sword and a signet ring and little else for rank.

Between them came Princess Constance. She had grown to be as beautiful as her Aunt Hodierna, said to be one of the greatest beauties of the Levant, There were small differences. Constance's hair fell in natural ringlets that she kept short to her shoulders and unbound, and her blue eyes narrowed in an oriental way. She wore a natural smirk that reminded you of her scheming mother. She rode in a well fitted mail shirt, a golden circlet around her brow, a man's sword at her hip and shield hanging from her saddle. The banner of Antioch fluttered behind her.

With the sun beginning to rise above the sea of Palestine, it caught upon the steel tips of spears, the golden thread of banners, and the golden curls of the exiled princess.

"Uncle Wil!" her voice was bright and inviting. She rode up to you, ahead of her companions, and rode well, her curls bouncing around her finely sculpted cheeks, "You do us service, greeting us at this hour. Up with the bakers and the fishermen." A chill cloud blew from between her lips.

It had been two years since you had last seen Constance and the last of the girl was gone from her, leaving a confident young woman with a daring smile.

"Trouble on the road?" you asked as you admired her armoured figure, "Are you here to celebrate Christmas or take my lands?"
>>
She touched a mailed fist to her chest, and a golden cross sewn into the rings. "I took an oath Uncle, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and under the eyes of the Blessed Virgin, that I would arm myself for war until my lands are returned to me and the usurpers driven out."

Her tone was fierce but then she smiled. "But let's not cloud the day with such talk."

"I hope you brought a dress for the feast, your aunt disapproves of armour at the dinner table," you said.

Constance laughed. "So long as I wear my sword, that will suffice for the oath."

The other lords trotted up, Hugh with a hand raised, face split with a grin.

"The Lion of Ascalon," he said, "It's good to see you Wil."

Grenier gave you a gimlet eye. He was not a man for smiles.

"My lords," you said, gesturing to the open gate, "Welcome to Ascalon."

They trooped through, half war-party, half congregation. Constance stayed by your side.

"I heard my cousin is here," she said, "With Sir Hugo?"

You nodded, saw the girl blush at your brother's name. It was no secret she was infatuated with him, since he had rescued her as a girl from a terrible fate.

"I shall call on them both in time," she said, sitting her horse with the ease of a man, "And my aunt too. Merry Christmas uncle, let us have a happy, peaceful celebration."

You hoped so yourself, but as you watched the young woman ride through the gate the smell of storm clouds gathered in the air, and you began to doubt it.
>>
I'll hang around a bit if anyone has questions
>>
>>3128887
>constance armed for war with Antioch

oh dear

>>3128903
Planning on sticking with Wil for this or do you have other POV's planned?
>>
>>3128903
Are you planning to write something longer after this? A sequel or a new quest?
>>
>>3128911
>Planning on sticking with Wil for this or do you have other POV's planned?
for now it'll stick with Wil

>>3128912
I'm getting tempted to run this as a full quest, but we'll see after tomorrow
>>
>>3128903
Besides the apparent abundance of adventuring women what other impacts have the Koblenz/Ascalon/Ramlas had on Jerusalem?
>>
>>3128918
I'm glad you picked up on adventuring women being a consequence of Wil's shenanigans. Constance has been trained by Sabeen as a lancer.

Power dynamics have shifted, and its actually helped unify Egypt more than it was irl at this point (though not 100%). Zengi also exploited the attack on Ascalon to attack Edessa earlier, which has actually frightened Damascus enough to draw closer to Jerusalem for mutual protection, since Damascus and the Zengids were feuding at this point.

Antioch is also even more of a clusterfuck.
>>
>>3128917
>It'll stick with Will

fair enough, you had time to think about and establish Mathilde and Hugo when they were introduced and considering the timeskip it's probably best to lay off them until you can correlate who they have become.

I would love for CQ to make a full comeback and if Intensity is an issue /qst/ is far more relaxed.
>>
>>3128927
Power dynamics have shifted, and its actually helped unify Egypt more than it was irl at this point (though not 100%).

Uh oh?

Any reactions from Europe regarding family shennanigans I know Louis has been eyeing Mathilde but anything else?
>>
>>3128941
It's had no major consequence on Western Europe yet, though stories of women taking up arms in the holy land are starting to raise questions, and more knights have been journeying to the holy land after Wil's adventures became famous.
>>
>>3128941
>Implying I can green text

Goddamit
>>
What are some good quests to check out on /qst/?
>>
>>3128949
Who owns Krak des Chevaliers in this world?
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>>3128977
Still owned by the knights hospitaller.
>>
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>>3128976
Sworn to Valor by Forgotten QM who previously ran Black company quest, I believe it started around the same time as CQ did and its a great example of how /qst/ caters to long form running and of a succesful quest though it has ridiculous issues with certain parts of its fanbase tearing threads apart with petty arguments

I would reccomend hitting him up if you ever want to do a quest with mechanics as the systems he has come up with are fairly sound and not entirely unfair.

Ouro's lamplighter is a decent bit of fun though it ultimately succumbed to QM flake and is almost a masterclass in SUFFERING being FUN

Boshin war I believe you are already familiar with.

Serf quest look good but I don't believe has survived it's second thread.

Also if you want to binge on Archives the myriad of ASOIAF quests range from poor to pretty good although none are really completed to satisfaction to my understanding.
>>
>>3128992
Otherwise just hit up QTG and ask for a good quest and see what sticks with you.
>>
>>3128976
I believe that you are familiar with tstg. He has been running the same quest for 7 years now.

There are also a few quests (some dead) worth checking out.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=House%20Blacksand
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=palpatine
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Evil%20Sorceress%20Quest

For quests currently running I recommend Warship AI quest.
>>
So it's clear constance is here in force and is almost certainly looking for support to retake Antioch which is an excellent opportunity to Unify Jerusalem again, I do have reservations about sending Willhelm however and propose sending Mathilde and/or Hugo in our stead also perhaps this is an opportunity to the Prince to see warfare play out.
>>
I just got why our sister called us Lord of Cats. Its because of our Lion Helmet.

Bit ashamed it took me this long
>>
>>3128538
The Dream was sorta dreamed up after Wil arrived in the Holy land and was a landless knight doing odd jobs, it didn't help that people were running off fumes from a Three kingdoms quest and wanted to go full AMBITION.

It'll be intresting to see if WIl's time as a lord has cooled that ambition or if he still wants to shoot for the stars if he gets the chance.
>>
Give me half an hour
>>
>>3130319
Christmas vult
>>
Okay, getting started
>>
I'm sorry guys I just can't find the strength. Maybe after Christmas, but right now I'm just too burned out and anxious.

The thing that's really making it impossible to run is my own anxieties over climate related stuff, nothing I have any control over but gnaws at my pit day in and out. I have this growing belief that we're going to see the collapse of the global eco-system sooner than we think, and with it the mass extinction of most life on earth, including humans, and if not as a species we will see a collapse of human civilization, and all within my life time. One of the reasons I came back to this was to distract me from those powerful anxieties but its just not working today.

I hope you can forgive me. I'm not looking to have an involved discussion on this topic, just letting you know where my head is at. I'm hoping after Christmas I'll have found enough balance to run the next part of the quest. Until then, I'm sorry.
>>
I'm sorry
>>
>>3130390
Damn man. You take care of yourself.
>>
>>3130396
Mate if you were interested in a good quest i suggest you read House Malroy. It has a lot of player overlap with you and some similarities.

Youn womanizing sellsword becomes lord as his entire family is wiped out and he is the only living person to inherit. He even marries the quests Chiri. A young dark skinned spy lady.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=malroy
>>
>>3130390
>>3130396
It's okay. I will look forward to the quest once you can continue.
>>
>>3130396
You take care of yourself and hope to see you after Christmas
>>
>>3130369
Could you tell us who rules Darum?
>>
>>3130390
Cheers mate. Its Christmas.
>>
>>3130396
>>3130390
You gave it a shot


Thanks for running
>>
>>3130455
A vassal of Wil's called Sir Guy
>>
>>3130544
>A vassal of Wil's called Sir Guy

last name de lusignan ?

If you are open for a few more questions i have some.

How are Hugo's children and what are their names ?

What ever happend to Iovetta's nun guardian?

How are things in Ramla ?

How uptight is father in his old age ?
>>
>>3130548
>last name de lusignan ?
Nah, different guy. OC.
>If you are open for a few more questions i have some.
Sure
>How are Hugo's children and what are their names ?
They're doing well. He has a daughter named Unna and a boy named Fulk.
>What ever happend to Iovetta's nun guardian?
You might find out.
>How are things in Ramla ?
Ramla is a quiet little rest stop between the coast and Jerusalem. Franz is enjoying his retirement there
>How uptight is father in his old age ?
You might find out
>>
>>3130564
>You might find out

Oh no. The German part of the second crusade! SHIT!

Does Gaza technically belong to use but defacto belongs to the Templars, right ?

How are relations with them ?

Iovetta. Appears to be a bit more... "passionat" in her married state. She must have been enjoying hot vampire dreams.

Has Wilhelm off-screen interacted with Morphia, how did it go if he did. What kind of girl is she ?

I probably have more questions that i cant quite remember right now.
>>
>>3130572
>Does Gaza technically belong to use but defacto belongs to the Templars, right ?
You have a responsibility to assist Gaza, but its a Templar domain.
>How are relations with them ?
Stable to good
>Iovetta. Appears to be a bit more... "passionat" in her married state. She must have been enjoying hot vampire dreams.
Yvetta (I decided to change the spelling to more accurately reflect the pronunciation) and Wil have a very healthy sex life.
>Has Wilhelm off-screen interacted with Morphia, how did it go if he did. What kind of girl is she ?
They've met, but the girl doesn't know Wil's her dad and Melisende wants it to stay that way. You'll find out more about her later.
>>
>>3130390
I'd consider talking to someone be it a GP, Psychologist or a friend if your Anxiety is getting in the way of enjoying Christmas or something you are doing for fun like writing this quest.

>>3130564
What's the bastard Blaise up to?
>>
>>3130582
>They've met, but the girl doesn't know Wil's her dad and Melisende wants it to stay that way.

Sensible. Wilhelm would no doubt prefer the same.

Hows the word around the kingdom/christendom of Wilhelm ?

I get feeling that Ibelin is less than pleased to having to spend christmas with us. No doubt up to something together with Hugh's scheming sister.
>>
>>3130584
>What's the bastard Blaise up to?
Raiding the Egyptian countryside

>>3130589
>Hows the word around the kingdom/christendom of Wilhelm?
Wil's reputation is solid. He's one of the more important lords in the realm.
>>
>>3130639
>Blaise is raiding the countryside

of course he is BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
>>
Merry Christmas, crusaders. Have a safe and happy yuletide.
>>
>>3131664
Merry Christmas.
>>
>>3131664
Merry christmas HF
>>
Merry Christmas man
>>
>>3131664
drink and be merry

or don't just have fun!
>>
I am kinda suprised that Wil and Yvetta only has two children with how active their are in bed.
>>
>>3133886
Yvetta had a miscarriage after they got married and I'm fairly certain she isn't exactly built for childbirth
>>
>>3122242
you know, I am pretty sure I played this back in 2014. WHAT YEAR IS IT
>>
What ever happened to Maggie?

I take it Ibrahim is dead ad mohmed took over his job
>>
Hey guys, I should be running tomorrow. Hope to see you there.
>>
>>3135290
announce it on twitter if you can!

and link to the thread
>>
>>3135290
Cool looking forward to it. I hope Yvetta appreciate that Will has managed to keep his urges in check..

He would probably be halfway into Constance by now
>>
I'm tired but starting to muster the energy to write.
>>
>>3136834
hurrah
>>
>>3136834
Sweet, crusader quest was one of the first quests I read anywhere and it really hooked me. And I know you don't want to talk about the whole climate thing a lot, but even if we are all headed off the edge of the cliff I think there's worse things to do than write and create and try to have human connections with people for as long as it lasts, even if 4chan is a pretty unlikely place for that.
>>
Okay, writing
>>
The last of your guests arrived on the evening tide, coast running ships racing the winter storms. Lord Grenier's twin brother, Walter, the Lord of Caesarea, arrived with Lord Grenier's son and heir Eustace. Your own vassal, Sir Guy, now of Darum, formerly of Orleans, arrived with a small body of retainers. You didn't know Sir Guy well, but he reminded you of yourself before married life had cooled your nature. He was a handsome young man with the devil's grin and a hero's jaw who liked to flirt and was as comfortable with poetry as he was with a lance.

Other guests, traveling knights and minor nobility, arrived uninvited to curry your favour, and were housed in your city. It was more than you or Yvetta had expected.

Last to arrive, on horseback and without much fanfare, were two lords. Philip of Milly, recently made the Lord of Nablus, and Manasses, the new constable of Jerusalem. No one had expected them, and their party was small, but you quickly made room for the two important men.

They brought with them unwelcome news for yuletide.

"The patriarch is dead," Lord Philip told you at the gates. He was a somber man, naturally grey, though he wasn't old. You knew him to be obsessively pious, and after delivering his sharp news, was at once riding for your chapel, leaving you alone in the company of the constable, Manasses.

The constable gave you a milky smile. He was the queen's cousin, and your own by marriage, but despite that you didn't like the man. You had a poor history with the constables of Jerusalem, something this man was further evidence of.

Mostly because he should be in the north, defending the border, instead of haunting your door on Christmas.

"My lord Ascalon," he said with a touch of his forelock, "I bring you good greetings from the royal court, and a gift from the queen." he touched the saddlebag, "To be opened on Christmas morning, and not before." He seemed to enjoy the mystery, why you couldn't say, but you knew Manasses was a high handed type. When he gave over his reins to a tableboy he did so with a contemptuous flick, and immediately demanded wine and a hot bath. But he had the trust of the queen, and couldn't be questioned.

It was one last sleep until Christmas, and the ground was hard with frost. You heard the clack of weapons in your courtyard, and looking down from a balcony oversaw a pair of armoured figures sparring. Sparring very fiercely. The knight was one of your men, Sir Humphrey, who fought with sword and shield, the other was Princess Constance, helm hiding her golden curls, clad in her fine mail coat with shield and spear.

Knights and men-at-arms ringed the square, with a few noble ladies-in-waiting in attendance. The men bellowed cheers for whomever they favoured as discrete bets were made. Mathilde watched from the shadow of a palm tree, drinking wine, a fur stole over her shoulders.
>>
Sir Humphrey was bigger than Constance by a foot, and stronger too, the young woman using the reach of her spear to keep him at bay, but struggling to do so. Still, she wasn't unskilled, even as she went to one knee the moment the knight thought he had her she sprung past his overhand blow, fouling him in the back of the knee with the butt of her spear, spinning like a cat to face his back, Humphrey sprawling around with an arc of his sword to protect himself.

They circled each other, Constance's eyes blue and wide, tip of her spear steady on Humphrey's chest. Humphrey had his shield up and sword raised back, watching that spear tip warily.

>call off the fight, brawling at Christmas was a bad omen
>cheer on your man Humphrey
>cheer on Princess Constance
>>
>>3136931
>call off the fight, brawling at Christmas was a bad omen
>>
>>3136926
>call off the fight, brawling at Christmas was a bad omen

All these fighting women is gonna givr Wilhelm a heart attack now that he has finally become proper
>>
>>3136926
you should probably inform people on twitter that you are running
>>
>>3135311
>He would probably be halfway into Constance by now
Oh definitely.
>>
>>3136931
>call off the fight, brawling at Christmas was a bad omen
We'll be a spoilsport, but there's no real way this ends well. If Humphrey loses dipshits will mock him for losing to a princess, and if Constance loses Humphrey is in the very awkward spot of being the guy who beat up the princess.
>>
writing
>>
>>3136931
>call off the fight, brawling at Christmas was a bad omen

With the patriarch of Jerusalem dead I'm going to assume there are going to be shennanigans appointing a new one that is favorable to Jerusalem.

Let's not let the Patriarch of Antioch near this affair.
>>
"Enough!"

Heads snap up to you on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. Humphrey lowered his sword, Constance her spear. She pulled off her helm, unfurling her golden locks with a shake of her head.

"Lord Uncle?" she frowned up at you.

"Christmas is a time of peace, I'll have no fighting in my castle until the season is passed," you say.

Sir Humphrey bowed. "Your word, my lord."

Constance thumped her spear over her shoulder, smiling. "Ah, as you wish uncle. Forgive us for disturbing the peace, I merely wished to test the mettle of your men. And their mettle is strong. Ascalon is protected by fine men!" She flashed a smile at Humphrey and the watching crowd, spinning on her heel, brandishing her spear. "Why, I believe Ascalon should be the envy of all Jerusalem."

That roused a cheer from your men, those who had been betting against her. You had to admit the woman was charismatic, and if you had been unwed, well, you felt a pang of temptation that you dismissed immediately.

Constance threw her spear to a waiting page boy, tucking her helmet under her arm as she took a drink from another, downing it fast. Your sister slipped over to her side, touching her elbow, and drawing her to the shade of the tree for a word.

Your own men gave Humphrey a good thumping on the back. Humphrey was a good man, in your service for a few years now, originally from the south of France. He, like many of the young knights in your service, had arrived looking for adventure and to looking for you in particular.

Your sister Giselle hooked an arm around Humphrey's neck. "Not bad Humph, you're getting better," she said, then began wrestling him to his knees. The bigger man laughed as he started batting her off.

Yvetta joined you on the balcony, a stole drawn around her shoulders, dressed in white and gold. Her face was pale from the cold, her hair seeming brighter, shrouding her neck and shoulders. She hugged herself against a chill wind.

"You spoil their fun," she said.

"Fighting at Christmas is a bad omen," you said, "And play fights can turn serious with bruised egos, and serious can turn deadly."

"Still, they enjoy fighting," she replied, "Maybe we can organize something to keep them energized, burn out some of their fighting spirit. Maybe a Christmas tourney? Nothing large, just a melee, with a few small prizes."

>that sounds like a good idea
>I'm not sure that's wise
>>
>>3137001
>that sounds like a good idea

Et Tu Yvetta. Fine. But Constance and Giselle does not get to participate.

Dont need the princess of antioch to get hurt.

WIth the patriach dead. the turks and general scheming lords like Baldwin. I am just worried.
>>
>>3137001
>I'm not sure that's wise
>>
>>3137001
>that sounds like a good idea
So long as we keep it small. I'm sure staff in this time of royalty know how to arrange for bloodthirsty nobles to bang swords against each other with ending up in a feud.
>>
>>3137022
*without ending up in a feud
>>
>>3137001
>that sounds like a good idea

Baldwin, Constance and the Cardinal as guests of honour, no women may participate no seriously fuck off Giselle and we make this a true and proper christian affair to throw off the Cardinals bad first impression,
>>
writing
>>
You nod. "That sounds like a fine idea. A morning skirmish before the Christmas feast," you say. Yvetta smiles at your praise, resting her head on your shoulder. "Etienne can organize it, but we'll make it for knights only. No commoners, no princes or princesses, and no freebooting sisters."

"If it please you," Yvetta replied, and then her gaze softened to a gentle sorrow, "I heard about the patriarch from Etienne," she sad, voice soft. He had been something of a mentor to Yvetta in her youth, almost a second father, and one of the hands that had steered her toward holy vows that you had robbed from her. You take her hand in yours, squeezing it gently. Her expression grew troubled. "Winter winds bring bad news."

"Winter travelers more like," you said.

"Not for us, but my sister," Yvetta said, "Father William was one of her closest allies. Without him, who knows where the church might go? We need to be ready for a bad outcome."

You nod, and find yourself watching your sister and Princess Constance. They parted with a knowing look, your sister slipping in doors, Constance inspecting the rings of her mail. What had they been talking about?

You shook your head. The shadows of intrigue were already starting to infect you.

A lunch was organized for you and your guests. Manasses had changed into a rich red doublet with white leggings, freshened from a hot bath, cheeks rosy red and drinking wine as he ignored the prattle of handsome Walter of Caesarea.

Princess Constance stood with your brother and the prince. She had changed from her armour to a purple dress, sword still belted to her side. She wore silk as well as she wore iron, and a younger you would have been sorely tempted. She beamed up at Hugo, seemingly trying to catch his affection. For Hugo's part he laughed obliviously, the touch of his hand to her shoulder causing her to blush.

Your brother was a handsome, powerfully built man.

"Wil," he called you over, "What's this I hear about a tourney tomorrow?" he asked.

You smiled. "A small thing to fight the chill, did you plan to ride in it?"

"Of course," he grinned. Your brother was a terror of the tourney circuit, rarely unhorsed.

"May I ride?" Baldwin asked, his body thrumming with excitement.

"It's a knightly tourney," you said.

"Come on, Wil, I was younger than the boy when I rode in my first tourney," Hugo said, "Let him have a chance."

"You aren't a prince of the realm," you countered.

"One day I'll be king, fighting for real for that realm," Baldwin said, "Shouldn't I be given a chance to learn?"

"He makes a fair point m'lord," Constance said with a sisterly affection.

You stare down the three of them.

>fine, he may ride
>no, and that's final
>>
>>3137065
>no, and that's final

Knights only.

We really do not need him to get hurt. His mother would probably transform into a literal dragon and lay waste to us and our city if he did.
>>
>>3137065
>no, and that's final

Oh no.
>>
When does autosage kick in on /qst/?
>>
>>3137065
>fine, he may ride

Counterpoint, this will endear him to us and be a memory of when he stopped be coddled as a child

stop Catherining the great him or it will end poorly, the Knights are going to go easy on him particularly if we make it know he is participating.
>>
>>3137081
>750 bump limit.
>>
Failed attempt at a samefag, unfortunate
>>
anyway, writing
>>
>>3137097
BRB commiting sudoku

can you blame me? any attempt to have an actual discussion just ends with me screaming into the perpetual void
>>
>>3137085
or 3 days but even then most threads are up for at least a week
>>
"My word is my word," you said. Baldwin's jaw clenched and Hugo looked disappointed, but Constance shrugged. "If you wish to learn war, my prince, I suggest you do so with your eyes and ears first."

The boy looked like he might spit, but his anger didn't master him. That was good.

"As you say, uncle," she said, "Might I have a word with you? About my lands, and my treacherous sow of a mother."

Harsh words, but you couldn't rightly blame her.

"I have waited patiently, my lord, for my aunt the queen to restore my lands to me," she said, "To be blunt, my patience is running out. If the House of Rethel will not restore my titles, I will do so myself. Any who would follow me in the endeavour would be richly rewarded, and count on my friendship until the end of my days."

"You mean to go to war," you said.

For the first time a sneer creased her face. "I mean to force the issue. If my mother and her coward of a husband wish to make it war, it will be to their own ruin. For the last two years I've been blooding myself against the Saracen while they hide behind my walls. I am no tender maiden." The toughness in her eyes spoke to that.

"And who stands with you?" you say.

"Currently," she looked over your hall, the nobles there, "Currently, only a few minor lords and knights. No one of standing, but good men, loyal to me and believers in my cause. If you, the Lion of Ascalon, would take up my banner though, I expect all of the southern nobility would join. You are an admired man, my lord, a cunning warrior. Your name alone is worth a thousand sell swords."

Flattery from a beautiful woman could go far, but that didn't change the fact she had few supporters and no one of substance.

"And what does the queen think?" you ask, and see Constance's eye twitch.

"She says wait and be patient, that my time will come. Frankly, I no longer care what she thinks or care to hear her empty words. She values peace with the usurpers too highly, but what peace? They do not help us in our war with Zengi, at most they defend themselves while fawning over the new emperor, Manuel. Shall I wait while my inheritance is stolen before my eyes? I'm done waiting."

Constance was stiff with rage, fists clenched and voice hot.

Then her anger melted way into a warm smile. "With or without you, I mean to do this," she said, "But better with you, uncle. Better with the Lion of Ascalon."

You considered the princess. Her body was set with her intentions, filled with certainty, her eyes clear as a summer sky, free of any doubt. She meant what she said.

>I'll support your cause
>No, my lady, I can't go against my queen
>>
>>3137127
>Middle of the road

We cannot just march and leave the south undefended. There is also the fact about a new crusade. If we wait we can use them to regain her lands. So while we will support her with words we will not be able to march before that happens.
>>
>>3137127
Pretty much this. While we wil gladly express our support to have her returned we cant really do anything yet
>>
>>3137137
It's worth pointing out Raymond of Poitiers is the uncle of Eleanor of Aquitaine, and she wouldn't support dethroning him.
>>
>>3137144
Relying on future crusaders to support her is a dubious prospect at best considering Poitiers' connections with the high nobility of France. I'm poiting this out so you guys can make a more informed choice.
>>
>>3137144
I am well aware. But there is also the german crusader army. If we cna avoid them getting slaughtered we can use them as they arrive before the french
>>
>>3137146
Oh and maybe we could talk with the cardinal about getting help from the pope
>>
>>3137127
Okay real talk

This is a chance to unite Jerusalem with the risk of losing Antioch to Greek intervention and traditional military intervention will likely mean we will fight a Greek force one way or another, the queen knows this and is likely waiting for such an opportunity as well.

I say we Involve the patriarch Ralph of Domfront in this, while I am distrustful of him and his politics retaking Antioch as both his and Constances seat of power is Important for the future of the Crusades.

>Inform Constance of why Melisande is waiting and why a military intervention should be reserved for a last attempt.

Decision should be made if she is unaware of why the queen says no this also may Imply Melisande has gone full Catherine the great and cut those who will Inherit her power out of the power structure

we could always hatch a scheme to divorce alice from Raymond and see Constance married to him instead

or something entirely outrageous otherwise

>>3137144
this is the big issue if we dont do it soon, once the french crusade arrives, there is little to stop their weight from being thrown around.

>>3137148
do not rely on any of the crusaders for support they have their own intrests and they will not always ally with ours
>>
>>3137157
Maybe we could talk with Manuel. We are on decent standing with him. But i wouldnt trust.

Just ask him to stop supporting them ?
>>
>>3137127
>samefagging in CQ

For shame /qst/

Anyway explain to Constance wh-

Ill support >>3137157 because that was spot on
>>
>>3137146
I'm thinking middle of the road too, though I imagine that would just sound to her like siding with the queen. I'd want to spend Christmas talking it out with Hugh of Jaffa, Hugo, and Mattie, to see whether confrontation with Antioch could work or if it would toss the Crusader camp into chaos at this very delicate time.

We're out here in Ascalon, so all our information is probably outdated and we're probably not getting super clear information out of Jerusalem. Hugo has spent time in the Queens court, so he's got that perspective, Hugh is an old ally and probably knows the balance of power pretty well, Mattie has been out of the Levant for a while but this shit is her bread and butter, so those three seem like people we should consult before making this major decision. If we sound them out it'll also give us leads on other nobles that might be sympathetic.
>>
What I'm getting from you guys is that you plan to overall pledge your support for Constance, but caution her to slow down while you feel out other supporters. Is that accurate?
>>
>>3137165
Yeah. Lets gather our allies and connections and hear what we have and can do.

We could talk with Genoa as well ?

Is Genoa's representative in the city even here for the christmas party ?
>>
>>3137157
Involving the Patriarch sounds like a solid idea too. I'm sympathetic to Constance, though, the scheme reminds me a lot of our wild plan to take Ascalon in order to marry Yvetta.
>>
>>3137168
Correct. Thats how we took Ascalon after all
>>
>>3137168
That's what I'm thinking.
>>
Must resist urge to write to Alice and tell her that we find her lacking in every regard compared to her sisters
>>
>>3137160
Manuel is not the only roman prince his support or our tertiary alliance doesn't mean dick really

>>3137168
yes, I feel like she is missing a few key crucial points on why Jerusalem has not moved for Antioch yet

>>3137165
I would also suggest Gerard of Sidon, he may be a greedy bastard but the may is Intelligent and is likely aware of the situation

Taking most of not all of our families opinion on the affair sounds good too, this is far to delicate to move without serious consideration

>>3137171
It works but unlike Yvetta it's only motivated by real Politik
>>
>>3137168
Yes, information is needed
>>
>>3137181
>It works but unlike Yvetta it's only motivated by real Politik
True, and she also has a pretty legitimate/lawful claim to Antioch, unlike Wilhelm who was just some random German asshole
>>
>>3137181
>>3137160
Manuel is now crowned Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. While he has a personal liking for you, it's no where near enough to have him give up on Antioch. Antioch is in someways a more important territory than Jerusalem itself, both for religious reasons and political-economic ones.

Anyway, writing
>>
>>3137185
>Wilhelm is just some random german Asshole

His claim by conquest of the Muslims of Ascalon is as legit as any other crusaders.

>>3137188
>Manuel is now empreor

oh shit I take it back, knowing him is incredibly important now so more than ever

Playing chess with him Three kingdoms style when?
>>
You look down on your niece, her face vibrant, her smile expectant. How many young men would throw themselves into danger for this face? How many not so young men? As you saw the tightness in her throat you realized you were one of them.

"You have a right to Antioch," you said, "And I will support you in reclaiming it."

Her chest swelled as her face lit up. You raised your hand.

"But we must walk softly," you said. The light dimmed as her brow lowered. "Your aunt isn't wrong. We're walking along a narrow path, with chasms either side and war waiting at its end. I'm not saying wait and do nothing. We must rally support for your cause, and organize an expedition north in a way that doesn't leave the south undefended. What good is it winning back Antioch if it invites an invasion of the south?"

"As happened with Ascalon and Edessa?" there was a challenge in her words that you couldn't refute.

You nod. "Yes, exactly. There is a counter-balance to every action. Your aunt is a wise woman who sees these things, the trick is to not be paralyzed by them. Even inaction is a choice."

"Who should I speak with then, to improve our chances?" she spoke hotly, intent to move.

You think about it. "Patriarch Domfront," you said. She opened her mouth to speak but you cut her off. "Yes, I know the man is a viper, but he has the support of Rome. You have a joint cause, both of you want to be reinstated to your rightful positions. Think about Raymond of Tripoli as well. He's married to your aunt Hodierna, and both are no doubt angry their sister has left the burden of fighting Saracens to them."

"Raymond and your aunt, we're not on the best of terms," you confess. And hadn't been in near a decade.

"So I had heard," she replied with a smirk, "Still, it's a start. I feel more secure now than I did this morning."

"Let me scout out the lords of Jerusalem," you said, "I know most of them well."

"And when, uncle, when will we march?" she breathed hot, cheeks warm, eyes wide.

"When we're ready, and not before," you say, and tap your finger on the tip of her nose, "Until then, have a merry Christmas."

She nodded, grinning. "Merrier now, my lord, much merrier."

She backed away with a curtsy.

You went to fetch something to eat. Politics roused your hunger.

A clatter and the sound of a slap. "Clumsy bitch," you looked up to see Constable Manasses, and a hand print across the cheek of a slight black girl, the girl wide eyed and shocked.
>>
For the first time you were glad Solomon wasn't here. He had just slapped his daughter, Margaret, knocking a platter from her hands and spilling food and wine across your floor.

He looked to you with nostrils flaring. "Lord Ascalon, are all your servants stupid or just this one?" he grabbed her arm and shook it, Margaret twisting to break away. "She stepped on my foot and spilled wine on my shirt." There was indeed a splash of wine across his chest. He flung the slim girl toward you. "You should have her beaten, put some sense in her head, or better yet have her thrown out. Let her find her trade in the gutter."

You caught little Margaret by the shoulder and she shook, eyes wide with a new terror you had never seen on her face. If Solomon had been here, Melisende would be in need of a new constable.

"Uncle Wil," she whispered, soft spoken girl softer for the fear you saw in her. She might have been Solomon's daughter, but she had her mother's slight frame and silent nature. No one had ever lain violent hands on her before.

>rebuke the constable, Margaret is no common servant
>'best you avoid him, Maggie'
>>
>>3137217
>'best you avoid him, Maggie'

Did you know who's daughter you just slapped motherfucker?
>>
>>3137217
>rebuke the constable, Margaret is no common servant
Fuck this guy. Thank god we don't need to walk on tiptoes around him. If this guy is close to Melisendre, then if this ends up escalating somehow I'm sure she'll understand our side. She's the daughter of a vital supporter of ours.

Ooh, maybe he can get into the melee and get slapped around by Hugo for a while.
>>
>>3137217
>'best you avoid him, Maggie'

Tell Maggie to go. Then we chew him the fuck out.

She harmed the daughter of our sworn brother. Our niece..
>>
>>3137229
>>3137222
These are contradictory intentions. The second option is to smooth things over without making a scene.
>>
>>3137217
Politics necessitates we play nice, politics does not necessitate that MOTHERFUCKING SOLOMON OF MANKURIA DOES NOT SEE A BITCH IN NEED OF SLAPPING

>'rebuke the constable'
>>
>>3137229
>>3137230
vhanging to

>rebuke the constable, Margaret is no common servant
>>
>>3137217
>rebuke the constable, Margaret is no common servant
>>
>>3137217
Sure. You struck ny niece why not mywife and daughter as well you piece of shit


>rebuke the constable, Margaret is no common servant

He lazy around our castle when he should be nirth
>>
>>3137230
Okay would the Constable partake in the Tourney? if so sic Hugo on him, he's as likely to take offence on this happening as Solomon

if not play nice.
>>
>>3137230
Yeah I say we make a scene. Not a huge scene, but a medium scene. My main motivation here is that this guy just assaulted a girl like 20 years younger than him, but he also did it to someone we've got a duty to protect, in our castle, during a party we're throwing, while he's sloppy drunk on our wine. We can't let him walk all over us like this, and we owe it to Solomon to take care of his family in his absence.
>>
>>3137230
Can we just let Solomons Lu bu tier reputation speak for itself and not actually threaten the constable ourselves?
>>
writing
>>
"My lord, you are the luckiest man I've ever met," you spoke with a cold anger as your knights, from Sir Humphrey to Sir Guy, rose from their seats with hard looks and hands near sword hilts. Maggie hugs you tightly. Hugo stepped forward, that banked rage of his starting to come alive inside him.

"Oh?" Manasses said, his grin sloppy with drink.

You're as cold as the winter Rhine when you look up from the girl to him, its icy water running through your veins.

"This child is the daughter of Solomon of Makuria, currently on pilgrimage with his wife in the Ethiopian lands."

Manasses looked at the girl dimly. "Really?" he said, "So this is the child of your tame blackamoor?"

His giggle was worse than open laughter. You heard a sword draw and gave a sharp look to one of your men. The constable was too drunk to notice. The man-at-arms stepped back, but glowered.

He staggered closer. "Hmm, forgive me for being so rough," he said to you, considering the girl, "Hmm. I've met very few blacks before. Only the Lady Sabeen really. Beautiful, exotic creatures. Mmm, do you think she will be a beautiful woman? Is that why you let her hug you so tightly? Hmm, thinking about what she'll be in six years?"

The look he gave you had a certain knowledge behind the drunken mist, breath reeking with wine. What was he implying? Maggie clung to your side, recoiling from him.

"Well, as you say, I'm very lucky for being so uncouth. Forgive me, I thought she was a scullion, not the child of one of your....is knight the right word? Either way, no offense was intended, and the harm was minor. Better a girl learn to accept a slap or two, no?"

He pretended to swing a sword, whistling sharp. "I'd hate to lose my hand to that odd blade of his," he giggled.

>kick Manasses out of your court
>suggest he get some rest
>>
>>3137275
>suggest he get some rest

As in. Lock him up in it and put under guard. He is not to leave intill it is time for him to leave.
>>
>>3137275
>kick Manasses out of your court
If he started bowing and scraping then we could be done with this. Fuck this guy.
>>
>>3137275
>suggest he get some rest
>>
>>3137277
That's not what that option means
>>
>>3137285
True. But nothing that say we cant write it in
>>
>>3137277
This, Solomon is popular with men who aren't afraid of a little blood.

so are we going to tell him?
>>
>>3137275
If we cant lock him up
>kick Manasses out of your court

We ought to put him in a cell
>>
>>3137275
The only reason this guy is getting kicked out yet is because we are playing nice and he is the queens own constable

>suggest he get some rest

And is under lock and key by his own guards

And the only reason he isn't dead is because this is our house and he is a guest
>>
>>3137299
>Isn't*

Spelling is the diffrence in a man living and dying apparently.
>>
writing
>>
"I suggest you get some rest, my lord," you said.

You look to Philip of Milly, just arrived, and motion your head that he should take the constable in hand. The grey lord nodded, coming over and steering the constable away. You catch Philip's elbow and he looks back to you.

"Best he stay rested until he's sober," you say.

"Aye," the grave lord said, walking the drunk constable away.

You stroked back Maggie's springy hair. "You go freshen up," you said. She nodded, and you sent her off with a pat. She ran off to Yvetta, who knelt before the girl, wiping away her tears, kissing her cheek.

Your men settled down, and soon the festive mood returned. Ale came forth and your knights shared a toast, to you and your wife, with Sir Guy declaring Yvetta the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. She blushed for the praise as she went to sit with your sister, and you couldn't deny it.

"I will fight any man that says otherwise!" Sir Guy said, drawing his sword and brandishing it. Laughter erupted around it and Sir Guy gave your wife a wink. She hid her smile behind her hand, whispering something to Mathilde who rolled her eyes.

You thought Hugo might argue the point, but instead he smiled and shrugged, downing a horn of ale.

"I say otherwise."

Heads whipped around and Prince Baldwin stood, his cheeks red from beer. He brushed back his hair, straightening up.

"Aye?" Sir Guy said with a wide cat smile, "and who do you say is more beautiful than my lord's wife?"

Baldwin took a deep breath, puffing out his chest. He was drunk, and had the confidence of a drunk young man. "Mathilde," he said, drawing his own sword, "Mathilde of Jerusalem is the most beautiful....most beautiful woman in the land." His sword circled over his head. "No, the world! Any man who says otherwise is a....is an honourless dog!"

Your sister's expression froze, eyes wide and mouth small as she stared at the young prince. Laughter burst around him, men wiping tears of mirth from their eyes.

"The ice princess? You're an ambitious one boy," Sir Guy said, "But best you sit down lest you hurt yourself."

"You said you would fight any man that said otherwise," Baldwin leveled the point of his sword at Guy across the room, "Was that all talk?" A mischievous smirk crossed Baldwin's face and Guy looked uncertain. Your vassal looked to you.

Would you let them fight?

>let them
>don't let them
>>
>>3137321
>don't let them
THIS IS CHRISTMAS WHY IS EVERYONE FIGHTING
>>
>>3137321
>>let them

we've cuckolded the boy of his manhood once already by not letting him participate in the Tourney I say let him have this.

but tip it in his favour by slipping guy some Incentive to have him throw the match.
>>
>>3137328
You answered your own question
>>
>>3137321
>let them

Use blunt weapons. No need for anyone to get hurt
>>
>>3137321
>let them

Let Baldwin have this he's already chafing at being refu-

>Samefag anon makes my point again

Goddamit just support having Guy throw the fight.
>>
>>3137335
i'll vote for it if it's blunt weapons
>>
writing

anyone want to post some fight music?
>>
>>3137347
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F577tB8JvOc
>>
>>3137347
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUynr0w6de8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCDo-P50DTc
>>
>Is that why you let her hug you so tightly? Hmm, thinking about what she'll be in six years?"

>The look he gave you had a certain knowledge behind the drunken mist, breath reeking with wine. What was he implying?

Just what was he implying ?
>>
>>3137365
that Wilhelm is a pedophile
>>
>>3137366
Yeah. But why. Its the

>The look he gave you had a certain knowledge behind the drunken mist

As if he knows something. Is there gossip about is fucking children ?
>>
>>3137366
That or he knows about or at least guessed something about Morphia
>>
>>3137373
Adding further to that the queen never employed someone if they didn't merit a position so the constable likely understands or knows something of courts intrigues

unless they are family as Alice has proven
>>
>>3137380
Or this could entirely be paranoia and it's because we married Yvette at such a young age she was like 14-16 from memory
>>
"You staked your honor, Guy, best you defend it," you tell your knight with a wink.

Sir Guy smiled. He wasn't the biggest of men, but he was a good size, and you knew him to be a deft fighter. Not the sort to make a mistake and accidentally kill an arrogant young prince, but just the sort to teach him a lesson or two. You tried to signal for Guy to throw the fight and give the boy a victory, but you knew your vassal was a proud man, and couldn't be sure he would listen. His friends thumped their table, lead by Humphrey and Giselle.

"Are you going to lose to a child, Guy?" Sir Humphrey joked.

"A drink on me if you win, Guy, a drink over your head if you lose!" Giselle threatened.

Guy unpinned his yellow cloak and let a squire take it off his shoulders. He turned his sword over his wrist, whistling. For all his drink and boasting, the knight was sober, straight backed and confident.

You couldn't say the same for the prince. Baldwin stumbled out from behind his bench with Hugo's help, the knight steadying his charge.

"You sure you want to do this?" Hugo muttered to the lad.

Baldwin laughed. "Don't fuss, I'll win," he said, his left leg sagging under him. Hugo moved to catch him but Baldwin steadied, straightened up. They confronted one another over the stone hall that separated the two tables. Guy smiled to the audience.

"May I have a lady's favour, to give me luck against this fierce opponent?" his mockery was clear, and the lords and ladies giggled, even the cardinal tittered. He walked up to Yvetta, bowed to her across the table. "My lady, tis your honour I defend."

She smiled, looking up with a finger to her chin. "Hmm." Then she drew a white silk ribbon from her hair, passing it to him. "Fight with honour, Sir Guy."

He stepped away, and his squire came over, tying the ribbon around his arm.

"I have my lady's favour, do you?" he asked Prince Baldwin.

Baldwin didn't look to Mathilde. His attention was set on Guy. Mathilde was still frozen, staring at the prince. And slowly her gaze started to narrow. You looked from her to the prince.

"I'll win her favour, not ask for it," the boy, the young man, said.

"To first blood," Guy said, saluting the prince then bowing. The prince returned the salute and the bow.

Then Guy lunged for the prince, cutting forward. Baldwin stumbled back, catching the cut on the edge of his blade, nearly tripping. Guy cut to either side of the boy prince and the prince moved fast to block, Guy grinning all the way. A drunk boy against a sober man was no contest.
>>
Then you saw Baldwin's eyes narrow, that drunken flush gone from his face. No, not gone, it had never been there. His free hand grabbed Guy by the collar, and Baldwin turned, smaller but using momentum, he tossed Guy over his shoulder and the knight slammed into the table behind the prince, scattering cups in a splash of wine and ale. Guy kept his sword, rolling off the table, keeping it between them and panting hard, eyes wide on the prince.

Baldwin smirked, sword switching hands from right to left.

You heard Hugo sigh, and looked to your brother.

"Did you teach him that?" you asked.

"No," he said, "He picked that up brawling with common boys, I just fixed up his technique."

Baldwin didn't wait. He grabbed a goblet and flung it at Guy, who instinctively raised his hand while Baldwin slipped over the bench, sword slinging out. Blades clashed and you saw the heat in Baldwin's eyes. Against a man who was not your brother you saw a natural warrior, and realized Guy was no match for the boy as he drove your vassal back against the wall.

"Fierce enough for you, sir?" Baldwin huffed, drawing back, blade pointed forward.

Guy puffed, sweat dripping from his face. "By half, boy, fierce enough by half."

"Then let's finish this," Baldwin said, driving forward. Guy blocked high, Baldwin ducked to the side, and a snick of his blade cut open Guy's forearm. The man yelped in pain, sword droppng from his fingers as he drew it to his chest.

Baldwin stepped back, leveling his blade at Guy's chest.

"Now tell me sir, who is the most beautiful woman in the land?" his face glistened with sweat, grinning.

"Your mother," Guy spat, but then laughed.

Baldwin put up his blade and clapped Guy's shoulder, grinning.

"You fought well, sir, your honour is whole."

Guy looked at the prince. "Aye...aye your highness," he said, and looked to the rest of your court, "That's a lesson learned, eh?" Guy bowed as if he had finished a performance, and winked to you as he staggered away to seek some stitching.

"And a favour, my lady?" Baldwin's chest was still heaving, his voice breathless as he bespoke your sister.

Your sister looked down on him cold, then rose from her seat and whisked away. The boy's panting slowed, and his expression darkened. The room became quiet, an awkward silence filling the hall. His victory began to sour before the eyes of your court.

Mayhap a toast was due.

>praise the prince
>praise your wife
>praise your guests
>write in
>>
His accusations are more this:

>>3137373

Than this:

>>3137366

He's suggesting Wil is a womanizer who cheats on his wife.
>>
>>3137403
>jokingly praise everyones ability to have a clear head and not start any fights
>>
>>3137403
>praise the prince

Seems we underestimated the boy, it was a clever ploy that would have woo'd a lesser girl, unfortunately mathilde is a cold bitch.

considering this I think the boy is ready to be King with the right Guidance.
>>
>>3137403
>praise the prince

But i also feel like this
>>3137410
>>
>>3137385
yeah that was pretty fucked up now that I think about it

>>3137403
>praise the prince
Gotta lift those spirits, don't want him getting all weird and broody
>>
>>3137403
>>praise the prince
>>
>>3137403
>Praise the Prince

Followed by >>3137410

The boys smart, and underhanded a dangerous combo and one I dont think we should face in the field.

I'm inclined to agree with Samefag anon again that the boy should be King by the time the crusaders arrive, more so through a peaceful transition and with Wilhelm and Melisande as advisors.

>>3137409
May need to keep an eye on him should circumstances regarding power change.

But hes not wrong...

>>3137421
It's only fucked up in a 21st century mindset, Constance being married to Raymond was fucked up and that whole scheme half convinced me that the Patriarch is pedophile.
>>
Yvetta was sixteen or seventeen when you married her, and that's not considered unusual for the 12th century. Wil was only 19 at the time iirc.

irl Constance was married to Raymond of Poitiers when she was seven or eight. Constance had her eldest surviving child at 17 while her husband was 38, and that doesn't preclude earlier efforts to have a kid. Child marriages weren't unusual, whether or not they were consummated at an appropriate age or not is another question that I'm not 100% equipped to answer.
>>
writing
>>
>>3137430
>Yvetta was sixteen or seventeen when you married her, and that's not considered unusual for the 12th century. Wil was only 19 at the time iirc.
Oh, I thought the age gap was a lot bigger. Yeah the whole subject is pretty fucked, the treatment of women as property really leads to some gross shit.
>>
"A good display of skill and cunning, your highness," you say, filling the vacuum your sister left. The prince turned moody eyes on you. "A toast to a fight well fought. If you are so fierce against one of your own, I await seeing you fight the Saracen. You will be their living terror, and a strong guardian for our kingdom. To you, Prince Baldwin!"

You raise a toast that's taken up by the hall. Your wife lifts her cup with a red cheeked shout for her nephew, and applause rings out. The prince just nods, sheathing his sword and stepping away, slinking back to his knight's side. Hugo clapped the boy on his back, filling his hand with a cup, and his cousin Constance came to sit with him, complimenting his fighting. He seemed uninterested in company, tossing back his drink until his cheeks reddened and you thought him truly drunk this time.

You finish your drink and look for Guy. He had slunk off to get his arm looked at, and you thought it best to share a word. You leave down a corridor, and before you turn a corner fully, you hear the murmur of voices and pause, catching sight of something around the edge.

"You fool," Mathilde was sharp, glaring at Guy, who grinned, "That's your king. What do you think you're playing at?"

"Playing my lady? I wanted to see if he was the warrior you claimed him to be," he replied, "And you didn't lie. God, he'll be a fine king one day."

"Of he keeps his head," she snapped.

"Aye, but who wouldn't lose their head for your?" Guy said, and you saw his hand sink into the silk of her dress, fingers clutching deep into her backside. He grinned down as Mathilde pulled away.

"Guy," she hissed, "Are you drunk? Not here."

"Drunk for not having you," he breathed hard, his mouth closing on her neck, kissing it.

Her sharp look softened, eyes closed. "Idiot," she sighed, and for a moment looked ready to embrace him. Until her thumb dug into the wound on his arm and he sprung back swearing.

"Judas!" he hopped on one foot and her finger stabbed him in the chin.

"Not here," she said, voice frozen, "My chambers, before dawn."

"Christ, I think I'll pass," he glared at her over his injured arm. Then that anger melted and he nodded. "As you wish, my lady."

"And if you fuck this up, Guy," she said, that finger now trailing his jaw, "You'll know what my anger truly looks like."

A glint of fear entered his eyes as she dismissed him, the knight stalking away.

You stood behind the corner.

Mathilde's head whipped around. hand reaching for the knife at her belt.

"Who is there?"

>step out
>slink away
>>
>>3137448
>Of he keeps his head
If. Unlike me Mathilde isn't illiterate.

>Aye, but who wouldn't lose their head for your
You

Fucking typos. Next update is the last update for today.
>>
>>3137448
>step out

Oh Mathilde I am dissapoint, but only a little.

when did she lose her maidenhood? was it in a dungeon with Elias?
>>
Guy is pronounced in the French fashion, like 'Gi', by the way
>>
>>3137448
>>step out

Family. Not like we didnt have our dalliances before we were wed.

Gotta ask her about elias.
>>
>>3137448
>step out

Father must be laughing at my failure to keep my sisters on a straight path
>>
>>3137448
>He seemed uninterested in company, tossing back his drink until his cheeks reddened and you thought him truly drunk this time.
aw jeez, he's getting weird and broody.


>step out
We shouldn't keep secrets with the people we trust, and we definitely trust Mattie. If she's got some scheme cooking we should find out now.

Anyway, I've got to get to sleep. I'm glad you're back, HF!
>>
>>3137453
Too late.

I cant get the idea of him being called guy out of my head.

Especially with how happy go lucky he is.
>>
>>3137448
>step out

We are not amused Mattie. You doing this because we wouldnt let you wed Elias?
>>
>>3137448
>Mathilde not being pure

D R O P P E D

seriously though what the shit mathilde? If you could refuse Elias why Guy(Gi)?

What is it with younger sisters fucking Vassals of their brothers has she been learning from Hugh's sister or something?
>Slink away
>>
writing
>>
>>3137448
>slink away
So when did Matty start fucking guys
>>
>>3137461
I'm guessing france

I do feel like player agency was kinda violated but I'm going to see how HF spins this yarn before I make Judgments
>>
Mathilde was always an whore of heart. Now she is also of body.
>>
You step out.

"Wil," she didn't sound surprised, and the hand didn't leave her knife.

"Matty," you say, "You've changed. I didn't think you were the type."

"I'm not thirteen anymore," she said, "And I am what I am."

"And what's that?" you said, feeling a fire of anger well up inside you. Was it hypocritical? You weren't sure. "A whore?"

Her eyes narrowed on you. "If I need to be," she said, "And you're not one to judge. I know more than you think, Wil. About your daughter, and your son."

"What do Judith and Wil-" you stop. Of course, those weren't the children she was talking about.

"Was it Elias that ruined you?" you asked, "What happened to him, anyway?"

"Pneumonia in a prison cell, taken the day before I could visit him. I was fifteen." she said, "And by Christ, is it really that important to you who took my maidenhead? Who took your virginity?"

"A woman, you?" you said.

"A man," she said.

You glared at each other.

"And who told you about my children?" you asked.

"Money talks," she said, "It's my business to know these things. It's my job Wil, and my duty."

"You're a spy," you say, "For the Queen."

"A bit more than just a spy, but yes," she said, "Did you think all I do for the queen is deliver messages and entertain?"

"And what are you doing here, now? Are you spying on me?" you grab her wrist, pull the hand away from her dagger, "Are you spying on my family for the queen?"

The pain that flashed through her eyes had nothing to do with the strength of her grip. "I'm spending Christmas with my family," she said, "The only family I have. One that doesn't write drippy songs about my beauty, or gossip about why I'm unwed behind my back. One that doesn't call me a maiden while implying I'm a whore."

"How many women have you bedded?" she said, "No, don't answer. I know about most of them. I know about the princesses and the rest. Well I've slept with three men, just three, and you have the gall, you have the...." her lips clamped shut, she shook her head, eyes closed. "It isn't relevant, even if you believe me. And it doesn't matter what you think."

She slid her hand from your grasp. "We aren't children any more, Wil, and I have my own sort of honour. We each have our masters to serve, and our duty. Best you see to yours before worrying about mine." And with that she turned, striding away, leaving you alone in the cold, dark corridor with only the patter of her disappearing footsteps for company.
>>
Thanks for playing
>>
>>3137483
Ohhh. Thanks for running
>>
>>3137480
Ouch when the Koblenz want to hurt each other they know the best spots to barb.

thanks for running HF

who were Mathildes lovers?
>>
>>3137480
Bloody hell.

We need to be better to our family.
>>
>>3137483
Thanks for running man. It is great to have you back. What a messed up family we have become.

Now tell us. Who are the three men ?
>>
>>3137480
Thanks for running

>"We aren't children any more, Wil, and I have my own sort of honour. We each have our masters to serve, and our duty. Best you see to yours before worrying about mine."

Nice way to emphasis the time skip as well as the potential stakes in what's to come, IF it comes.


Which I hope it does CQ remains a favorite of mine despite its ups and downs
>>
>>3137483
Let me guess. She found out about Alain by either bribing Neomi or that Geonoa lady
>>
I am looking forward to talking in private to the Queen. Using our own family to spy on us, after all we have done. After everything we are for her.

Telling others of Morphia. And now she knows about Alain
>>
>>3137489
You dont get a better family when you play at lords and ladies, it gets worse as kings and queens.

>>3137495
Mathilde a smart girl/lady she can figure it out easy enough, Alan probably already looks like us and we are a famous lord who rose from being little better than a commoner

It's not unlikely our early lesser exploits hidden or no are known

Hell there's probably a song about a lion in Cyprus and twins
>>
>>3137491
>Now tell us. Who are the three men
Guy and two other dudes

You might find out eventually, haven't made up my mind.

>>3137501
You're making a big assumption about the queen's intentions
>>
I may as well reveal it since its not that important, Melisende hasn't told anyone about Morphia, but there's enough info out there that it can be pieced together. Where Fulk was on potential days of conception, gossip from nursemaids and servants, a passing likeness to a certain noble and nothing like the supposed father. Only one person other than Matty thinks they know the truth about Morphia's parentage.
>>
>>3137511
Goddamnit. I feel like we keep swining between being the schemer and being the schemed.
>>
>>3137511
Why the decision to kill off elias?
>>
>>3137519
That what happend in history. Lost his war against his brother
>>
>>3137520
Ah.

Speaking of hypotheticals, would it have been any different if matty followed him to france at the end of S1?
>>
>>3137519
Historically he loses to his brother Geoffrey and dies of Pnumonia sometime around 1151, tinfoil hat says he was murdered but that's speculation

>>3137511
Ever considered a Muslim POV character to contrast the Koblenz?

Also will we find out about Mathildes adventures in Europe?
>>
>>3137524
I've considered it, but I want to keep the focus on the family, and not have a POV that is directly antagonist to the POV of the others.

The most I'll say is maybe.
>>
>>3137526
Would be intresting to see playing as a opposing character though I doubt investment would be the same as the Koblenz.

Speaking of PoV would you not bring back any of the PoVs from part one if you did them again?

I personally hope you ditch Hugo for Giselle
>>
>>3137526
Are Wilhelm's sisters giving him a hard time on purpose. Because it sure can feel like that.

Could you give us an general mindset and feelings about Wilhelm they might have ?
>>
>>3137530
I'm considering giving Giselle a POV since she lives a pretty unique life.

>>3137532
Wil was kind of a dick to Giselle when she first showed up. Matty is in a position where she has to be very careful who she talks to and about what. I wouldn't say its deliberate, but Giselle is reacting to player decisions, while Matty has in character motivations for her behavior.
>>
>>3137532
One plays the game her brother plays and has sacrificed more than little playing and sees he hasn't made the same doing so and that contrast embitters her as a result.

The other refused to do as she is told and lives a life to her brothers lived and faces Wils utter disappointment as a result and his need to play at being a lord instead eww and of simply a big brother frustrates her
>>
>>3137538
>Giselle Pov

Hell yeah fighting like a mad bandit sounds like fun as Giselle, just no holds barred straight up unchivalrous cuthtroat action
>>
archived the thread just in case it doesn't survive the weekend.
>>
>Wilhelm of Ascalon celebrates hristmas as the shadows of war loom

God dammit
>>
>>3137551
How are you finding the slower pace of qst compared to tg?
>>
>>3137555
getting more used to it as I go, but it can be frustrating
>>
>>3137553
What did you expect? This is CQ happiness is a thing bitterly fought for and easily compromised.
>>
>>3137543
>Hell yeah fighting like a mad bandit sounds like fun as Giselle, just no holds barred straight up unchivalrous cuthtroat action
Fuck yeah, a change from valiance and courtly intrigues. (Not that that isn't fun.)
>>
Is it too late to allow Prince Baldwin to enter the Tourney?
>>
>>3137573
yes
>>
>>3137577
Damn shame then the boy is obviously chafing at the straps his mother trapped him in

On a scale of 1 to Catherine the great how close is Melisande to locking him out of power?
>>
>>3137583
Maybe a 3? Baldwin is her heir and she wants him to succeed her and be a good king when the time comes for him to lead, she's just concerned he sees her as a regent rather than a rightful monarch, and believes he'll do something foolish like try to seize the throne.
>>
>>3137587
Raymond of Poitiers get's BTFO and killed at the battle of Inab against Nur ad-Din Zengi four years from now irl, is that going to happen in your quest?
>>
So I may be a little drunk but I just realized

>lions have Harems
>Wilhelm is and was surronded by beautiful Women
>Wilhelm also had a harem in a manner of speaking

thats some cosmic shit right there

>>3137587
any word on Zengi's court?
>>
>>3137001
>"Christmas is a time of peace, I'll have no fighting in my castle until the season is passed," you say.

Oh Will

>Lets Baldwin fight Gi
>Fights with Mathilde
>Fights with Giselle
>Hosts a Tourney that is going to sour Baldwin somewhat awful

Wil still remains a hypocrite no matter how long time passes
>>
>>3137532
>call your sister a whore
>she gets mad and points out that you're a hypocrite

Damn sucks that she's giving us such a hard time huh
>>
>>3137824
If she didn't want to be called a whore she shouldn't act like one
>>
>>3137824
I am talking about how Mathilde is sleeping with our vassal and generally acts dishonest with us and Giselle. Will everything about Giselle.
>>
>>3137844
Double standard dude
>>
>>3138134
Isnt Feudalism Double Standards the Goverment Type ?
>>
>>3138232
Yeah, doesn't mean Wilhelm needs to completely buy into it. Commoners, women, and non-Christians are and have been some of Wilhem's closest friends and allies for as long as this quest has been going. Accepting Chiri using her sexuality to accomplish her goals but attacking Matthilde for doing the same thing is baffling. Additionally, we don't even know if Matthilde is sleeping with people just to manipulate them - maybe she actually likes them, or maybe she just likes sex.
>>
>>3138297
The difference between Mathilde and Chiri is that Mathilde is our sister and a noble lady.

And what ever or not she does it for enjoyment or to spy is irrelevent.
>>
>>3138361
Wilhelm literally fucked the queen in this quest, and if I remember a few other royals as well, so unless he's got really complicated feelings about the queen I can't imagine he looks down on noble women having extra-marital sex.The only difference seems to me to be that noble women are required to keep their sex hidden, which Mathilde certainly does. And if Mathilde being Wilhelms sister makes a difference, that's either immature and hypocritical or condescending on Wilhelms part - immature if he's squeamish about her having sex in the first place, condescending if he imagines she won't be able to keep the secret and harm the Koblens reputation.
>>
Here hoping for thread today
>>
>>3138394
Yes Wilhelm is a hypocrit. He doesnt think less of the queen because it was he who slept with her. But he stil expects that his family act like they are supposed to.

He has been called out on this multiple times by his mother, brother and now sister.
>>
>>3138868
I guess that's fair. Still, ten years is enough time to mellow out about some things.
>>
>>3138892
He already have. He has managed to curb his lust which was his biggest character flaw and remain faithful to his wife.

Heck i am pretty sure that should only add to his desire to see his family act correctly since he is doing so as well
>>
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>>3138297
Chiri is also a former sex slave turned concubine turned ex-lover comparing her to noble born girl like Mathilde is like comparing wine to beer, one is simply not percieved to have the standards of the other, also Mathilde is definetly planning something if the snippet of Wil heard is anything to go on.

>>3138394
Context is Important here, the Queen was in a abusive marriage with a man she did not love or even care for and Wil in typical Wil fashion came along like a knight in shining armour and turned court against him and enamoured her against her better judgment, and really its an example of just how eager and ambitious Wil was in his youth to use and abuse that enamouring the queen had with him to get what he wanted.

Wil really isn't a particulary nice guy when he gets ambitious

Now Wil almost certainly has complicated feelings on the matter of Mathilde having a sex life, on one hand she's his little sister and a christian woman who has expectations to keep even at the relatively old unwed age of 24-25 on the other WIl knows better than most how tempting handsome and charasmatic men can be to women who are expected to be virtuous and that reality clashes with social mores more than many would care to admit. I mean he built a career on it seriously

It doesn't help Wil wants to play politics and that usually requires people doing what he wants and needs them and ususally requires them to compromise what they want to do

this is the cost of successful dynasty building and I love and hate just how much HF nails both the consequnces it has on peoples personal lives and how being successful can feel so good even if the consequces are serious for other characters or even the entire political landscape changing as a result.

Whats made the timeskip really intresting is we can plainly see the consequences of a number of choices having a clear impact on whats happening currently and having to suffer them be they good or bad.


As an aside I find it hard to believe Wil could not keep Chiri as a concubine and not be tempted by other women, i feel it would still highlight the fact the man has a more than complicated love life being stuck between Chiri a woman who he loves prehaps just as much as Yvette but can never marry because she is a heathen of the most deplorable kind to christians and Yvette his actual Wife who he also loves in a more appropriate and christian way but was also manipulated a Kingdom in order to marry and that saying he simply couldn't commit to simply two women he has obviously been shown to have feelings for because he has a less than clean record with women.

Obviously it has consequences but at least in my opinion feels more true that Wil as a character

also player agency was not violated with mathilde IMO as long as player input has some effectivness in deciding who and when mathilde lost her virignity
>>
We just need to find someone to marry Mathilde off to and everything would be fine
>>
I do wonder how lady jehanne and Alain is doing
>>
I'll be running tomorrow

what's the /qst/ rule about explicit sex scenes?
>>
>>3140600
Text is generally fine. But no pictures. If you are worried you could always write the scene in a pastbin
>>
>>3140600
You should be safe if it is only text
>>
>>3140600
Is the great plot twist that has been hidden in the entire thread is that Yvetta and Chiri has had hot, sweaty lesbian sex without inviting WIlhelm ?

Or will you just have Wil and Yvetta do extreme handholding ?
>>
>>3140600
Write it in a pastebin if it's going to be smutty.
>>
I'm not planning on there being anywhere near as much sex in this as there was in the old quest, I'm just asking to be sure. Sounds like its safest to just not go there.
>>
>>3141714
It's good if used sparingly as it will add emotional punch to things and considering the trappings of the characters currently it's more effective than Wilhelms ''sleep with everything with tits and ass''
>>
>>3141714
Eh. The level that you normally use wouldnt really be a problem. But that is totally up to you.
>>
>>3141714
The type of smut you write is fine here. Won't even need a pastebin
>>
>>3141714
Your smut is pretty tame so it shoyld be alright
>>
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>>3141714
>/qst/
>mods
>>
Any minute now
>>
Sorry, I've been sidetracked with house work. It's new years eve in my neck of the woods, and we do a big clean as a semi-tradition. I was of two minds about running today as a result, but will hook in in a second.
>>
Christmas Day, and you stand in a cleared field outside the city walls, your knights armoured and armed atop their destriers, the horses snorting billows of mist. You clap numb lips, your court seated around you. It was an impromptu little tourney and it showed in the lack of pageantry, the rough seats overlooking the plain. Your servants had done their best setting up banners and benches, with a table set with food and drink, but it was at best a rough frontier sight, a far cry from the sumptuous display of a more formal occasion.

But in its own way that added to the martial air. The rough ground, the bite in the air with its salt-sea tang, the unpleasant grey clouds building off the coast. The subdued mood of your court, bundled up in furs, reclining on chairs unsuited for the sort of deep comfort usually provided. Your servants buzzed nervously and your physician, the old Saracen Ibrahim, waited with his new Jewish assistant, especially protected from the cold, making him look more a river otter than a wise old sage.

You looked to your guests. Mathilde sat speaking with the cardinal. Yvetta had your children either side of her, Manasses trying to draw her into conversation. Lord Grenier and his wife, as well as the wives and children of the other knights, were on display, servants at their beck and call. Prince Baldwin stood close by, watching the unfolding scene with a boy's unbridled excitement.

Count Hugh led one side of the tourney, nine knights spread behind him. Sir Barisan rode at his left, Eustace, Lord Grenier's heir, at his right. A noble body of Southern Jerusalem.

Your own knights were displayed against them. Sir Guy's horse, a red-eyed black destrier, stomped impatiently, its rider smiling but just as impatient. Your brother, Sir Hugo, sat patiently with Sir Jacques, the brown young knight shooting him a joke that Hugo answered with a quiet smile.

"My lord, who will lead Ascalon's knights?" Sir Etienne suggested.

Your men were nine where Hugh's were a full body of ten. Hugo raised a look your way, wondering if you would join.

>Have your brother lead, and Sir Etienne join the knights
>I will lead my knights
>Have your brother lead, and ride with him
>>
>>3143241
>I will lead my knights

It has been a while since we were in the saddle
>>
>>3143241
>I will lead my knights


Can see it as stress relief
>>
>>3143241
>Have your brother lead, and Sir Etienne join the knights

I want to take this opportunity to a pl ologise to Baldwin, we were treating him like a child instead of a capable young man who should be learning in a more hands on manner.

Also we should nip this thing he has for Mathilde sooner rather than later it's only getting worse with time
>>
>>3143241
>I will lead my knights
>>
>>3143260
>>3143241
Changing my vote to:
>Have your brother lead, and Sir Etienne join the knights
>>
>>3143250
>>3143255
Wilhelm is not much of a fighter, Higo and Solomon were always the fighters proper while Will was more of a leader

>>3143241
>Have your brother lead, and Sir Etienne join the knights
>>
I have way too many 'H' names. Hugo, Humphrey, Hugh.
>>
>>3143267
yeah and he is leading his knights. Beside he could use the practice. He has been lazying it for too long on this chair
>>
>>3143272
That is not my point my point is have Will abstain from fighting to do other things like talk to the lords of Jerusalem about Antioch or talk to Baldwin things we REALLY need to do now together the ball rolling
>>
>>3143278
Or hit the Cardinal up about Domfront who we need more information on
>>
writing
>>
Sorry, stuff came up. Turns out new years eve is a bad day to run on, who knew? I'll be running the day after tomorrow though.
>>
Sorry
>>
>>3143336
no prob bob, rl shit comes first
>>
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>>3143336
Enjoy the new year and don't sweat it you run more solidly than most /qst/ qm's
>>
>>3143336
All's good man. Shit happens, we get that.

I'm personally just glad you're running period.
>>
>>3143845
So heres an Idea for going North that may or may not work

>Go north either with constance or a lookalike
>make a fuss about going north to reclaim Antioch
>have Constance and Domronrt sneak into Antioch and either bribe amd seize the Garrison, annual Raymonds to Alice or otherwise peform a coup
>have the Military meet any greek retalitation in the field and hope they surrender the day due to the city being lost

I know there are a couple of problems with this mainly our current inability to properly gauge what Domfront will do to get his seat back as well as uncertainty of pulling such a coup easily off and weither or not the greeks will give up antioch without a miltiary expedition but I'm currently just spitballing.

also Happy new year I did not expect to see crusader quest in 2018 let alone 2019
>>
>>3144826
>spoiler text in my green text

posting while drunk is a mistake
>>
Happy New Year HF and everyone else
>>
>>3145373
Happy new year to you too.
>>
Happy new year, Crusaders
>>
>>3144826
Lets just wait and see what we have and can get before we start planning stuff like that
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>>3147634
At least try to find out who is still loyal to Constance in the city
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Was it today there were supposed to be a thread ?
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>nothing from HF since last year
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>>3149750
He hates us and want to see us suffer. Because he is more evil than the most wicked Saracen
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>>3149750
HF was tragically killed by a stray firework used by a drunk dropbear
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Hope you're okay HF
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I've been having internet problems since new years, I'm sorry for the absence and the silence.
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And my ip has changed too. I'm going to establish a new trip on this post just so you know its me.
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Anyway, should be able to run next week.
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>>3152083
You are actually the drop bear that killed HF. Arent you ?



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