>>30976989
>I’m going to be trying to do this whole scene with write-in responses due to its nature. If that appears to be foundering or you guys don’t like that, I can go back to pre-written choices.

Doing your level best not to get lost navigating this huge spire, you head to the meeting room Undine told you that Mercenie would be waiting inside. In the meantime your head buzzes with thoughts of what this might be about. This could be about an alliance (no doubt by force), a formal greeting (why would Mercenie herself come?) or questions about your royal ambitions (again, why Mercenie?). There’s probably many other possibilities, but you still can’t solve the puzzle of why the Archmage’s familiar, one of the League’s greatest generals, would come to see you herself. There’s something very strange about this meeting and you subtly fill yourself with power, including using that technique you learnt recently in the ruins. You hope she doesn’t find this too aggressive, but you can’t take any chance with somebody capable of duelling with Gnome at her full strength.

The meeting room itself is as tastefully decorated as much of the rest of the Hawkins’ spire, and you make a mental note to point out Sarah’s mother’s good taste in furnishings. Seated on plush chairs around an oak table are Gnome and a beautiful woman you take to be Mercenie. Merce, as Undine had called her, brushes her long, light brown hair back as you enter, revealing a pointed ear. The light blue of her sleeves blends in slightly with her pale skin and you note the magic running through the fabric – these aren’t just fancy dress clothes, but ones made to repel knives and magic.

>continued

>>30977002
Her icy blue eyes lock onto yours and you know that whatever her business here, Merce herself doesn’t think much of you. You’d like to say you return the thoughts, but you know too little about the woman apart from the fact she’s one of the last of the Aefir, a species of elf that is nearly extinct.

As Gnome glares daggers at her, Merce rises. She swings an arm around her to sit underneath her bust and gives you a slight bow, not letting her eyes leave yours. You return the bow cautiously, uncertain as to whether Gnome’s animosity is due to the past these two share or something else.

You’re uncertain as to how to move forward. Common courtesy suggests to introduce yourself, but that seems somewhat pointless and you don’t know the formality of this meeting. Undine had mentioned that Merce herself had requested a private meeting, meaning that whatever is to be discussed now isn’t necessarily to go before the Vitrian court. The elf is patiently waiting for you to do something so you decide to…

>Write-in action/response

>>30977013
"General Mercenie, welcome to Vitria. I must admit, it is a surprise to see you here, instead of dealing either the RSK or The Lord of Ember's insanity."

>>30977013
Greet her politely, ask what she is doing here.

>>30977013

Keep our crotch pushed towards her and just go:
>What?

>>30977229
the hell
>>30977176
seems good to me

>>30977229
Or rather:
"Well?"
Though I find that option intriguing, Ill side with
>>30977132
>>30977176
Just go ahead with these I guess.

>>30977272
I'd end >>30977132
with this.

>polite greeting, try to determine what she is doing here

“General Mercenie, welcome to Vitria,” you say to her as you take a seat yourself, waving briefly to indicate that she can do the same. “I must admit, it is a surprise to see you here, instead of dealing with either the RSK or The Lord of Ember's insanity."

“So you are aware of that. That saves me some time, at least,” she says, taking a seat. “As for what I’m doing here – I thought that was obvious. I’m meeting with you. There is a temporary ceasefire with the Seraphs and the Ember front has stalled for now. Does this mean it’s my turn to ask a question? Then, is this still Vitria?”

“That wasn’t exactly an answer to my question,” you say.

“If you want an answer to a question, perhaps you should ask directly instead of merely implying it,” she responds lightly, treating you to a sharp smile. “Again, is this still Vitria?”

“This is the city of Vitria, capital of the Archduchy of Vitria, so yes,” you answer. “So, General Mercenie, why are you meeting with me specifically?”

“Hmm, and Archduchy is it,” she says under her breath. “You’ve proclaimed yourself emperor, or imperator, or whatever you call yourself, over Vitria and a large chunk of Darlesian land. Normally my mistress wouldn’t care about what is happening in such a small area but these are interesting times. That, and she’s curious as to why Gnome is willing to serve you. You’re a far cry from Taren Hand after all.”

>continued

>>30977418
Well, that answers the question of Gnome’s former master. Gnome shoots you an uneasy look before returning to glaring at Merce. The revelation almost throws you off the oddness of the way she’s talking. There hasn’t been a single mention of the Magi League so far. Instead Merce claims to be representing her mistress – presumably the Archmage. It might just be a manner of speech for a familiar but it makes you wonder.

Merce has fallen silently and is smiling slightly at Gnome’s anger at her. You suspect the Aefir knew that Gnome hadn’t told you about her former master being Alyce’s old teacher and the initiator of the Magi Rebellions twenty years ago. Perhaps this isn’t the first time Gnome has withheld information from her master in her life?

>How do you proceed?

>>30977439
>"So why did you wish to meet with me? I assume you want some form of aid against the aforementioned threats."

>>30977439
"Well, since you told me to ask directly: Are you currently representing the Magi League or just the Archmage?"

>>30977439
"Presumably she feels me to be capable."
Also, willing to bet that Taour has already been looking for assistance from either the RSK or the Magi League. Probably the Magi league given that they share a much longer border.

>>30977439
"Why are you here, besides showing your distaste for me?"

>>30977439
"I would assume it's at least in part because I'm also working with two of her sisters."

>>30977418
>>30977439
"Then why come all this way yourself, if you feel me so unworthy of your attention? Surely you could've sent a sending, or a messenger of some other sort to insult me in my own lands, if you wished merely to do just that."
"But it's not that simple, I assume. I ask again then. Why are you here?"

Does anybody have any problems with this (>>30977537) followed by this (>>30977605)?

ELEMENTAL TOPIC VOTE
Also, as you may not want to talk about the elementals too much, I'm holding a quick vote on whether you respond regarding her questioning of Gnome's reason for serving you.

>1. Claim confidence from Gnome (>>30977542)
>2. Mention having two of her sisters with you (>>30977591)
>3. Don't respond at all to this topic.
>4. Custom

>>30977662
>1

>>30977662
>1. Claim confidence from Gnome
Don't forget, Undine is dead.

>>30977662
>2

>>30977662
>1

She doesn't need to know everything.
Stuck up elf bitch.

>>30977662
1

Just gonna point out that letting her know about the other two is likely to force her respect of us up a notch or two.

>>30977734
Eh I figured. But it also unnecessarily reveals our hand.

I'd rather just be indignant

>>30977734
But also give away more then we have too, we don't need, or particularity want, her respect

>>30977734
Right. And it will also tell her about the source.

>We now have FR points (fuck reality points)
>No idea how to recharge them
I am betting we can recharge our astral powers at the source

Also, Vad said he will point us at the right direction for our research on undoing thralldom after we finish with the "revenent"

(I also remember I had another important idea, but I don't remember what it was)

Military reorganization:
Ranks: Its been mentioned a few times that reforming our ranks to system with more articulated command and control would be a good idea. My proposal:
Lord General (Currently nobody has this rank. Considered equivalent to RSK Magister General)
General
LT General (Moss, Glyn, Nate, various Vitrians who's names we don't know)
Captain
LT
Sergeant
Corporal
Man at Arms

Military structure. Squads of 10, Companies of 100, legions of 1000. Specialist units like heavy and flying mage knights might have 5 person squadrons.

Weapons development board: council designed to coordinate military related research. Comprised of mages and soldiers representing each type of unit we field (MK, AA, Heavy MK, Flying MK).

>1.

“Perhaps she serves me because she finds me capable,” you answer. “Is that so hard to believe?”

Gnome’s face lightens a bit, though it’s short-lived as Merce has no shortage of cutting responses.

“You’re no grand magister, so yes it is,” she says, a cold smile on her lips.

“Her master wasn’t always a grand magister,” you answer, remembering something Sala told you a long time ago. “He was just a child when he summoned her.”

Looking shocked, Merce falls silent. Gnome looks surprised too, but hides it quickly. Even if you didn’t know who Gnome’s master was, you at least know enough about their history to fake it.

You decide to seize the moment and launch into another question, “You told me to ask my questions directly before, so I’ll ask this: Are you here representing the Magi League or the Archmage?”

Schooling her expression, Merce hems and haws a bit before finally answering, “Whilst this isn’t an official visit you can take the Archmage’s position to be the true one of the League.”

“Given what I hear of the factional disputes within the League, I have my doubts about that,” you respond.

Merce looks annoyed at that. “I did not take you to be a mage. What makes you think you can speak on the League as such?”

“The fact that my best friend and confidante is a highly talented and well-connected magister,” you answer.

Clicknig her tongue, Merce mutters, “Magister Reegan, then. I had thought he cared not for politics.” She shakes her head and moves onto the original topic. “I would not worry overmuch about the League’s factional issues. Given your closeness to Ahm, it will be the Archmage you will be dealing with no matter what may or may not happen.”

>continued

>>30978027
Right from the horse’s mouth, you think. You’ll need to tell Mal about this later. For the time being you say, "Why come all this way yourself, if you feel me so unworthy of your attention? Surely you could've sent a sending, or a messenger of some other sort to insult me in my own lands, if you wished merely to do just that.

"But it's not that simple, I assume. I ask again then. Why are you here, Mercenie?"

Leaving off a title was a subtle cutting move, but you felt it fitting once she had confirmed she did not represent the League. Her eyes narrow and you can almost see the moment she realises that she’s lost the initiative in this little verbal battle.

She says, “What exactly are your intentions for Taour?”

A roundabout answer at best, but at least you’re moving towards the heart of the conversation.

>How do you respond?

>>30977591
do NOT mention this.
We have NOT secured the 4th sister. we would be admitting that family is leverage to them to someone who has the means to acquire the last sister. Not quite as a hostage... as merely the summon of any of a number of high ranking mages within their organization

furthermore, if anyone knew of undine's death it will reveal our control of a source.

>>30978050
Be upfront about this, there's really not much to hide here.
"Ideally? I'd like to integrate it into my growing empire and cure all the thralls. Vitria will remain Vitria, Taour would remain Taour, and both would be a part of something larger. I doubt it will go smoothly, or if a cure for thralldom is even possible, but those are the broad strokes."

>>30978050
"To remove the vampire menace of course. I find it difficult to rest easy at night knowing they could attack at anytime."

>>30978090
Yes. Yes someone who knows what they are talking about.

>>30978178
this, with chuckling.

>>30977970
I have a scene with Vad planned that will cover this plus the whole 'fox politics' thing he mentioned.

>>30978016
Added to my list of things to bring up later in the thread.

>>30978090
>furthermore, if anyone knew of undine's death it will reveal our control of a source.
replying to self here, but in retrospect unless she was beheaded (or something equally obvious for an elemental) it could just be said that she took grievous injurious and never died in the first place. Careful phrasing can avoid that.

also, even if we don't admit that family of our familiar is a leverage... they might GUESS and aim for that on a long shot. We need to aim at acquiring her and while at it, talon's own parents are a big issue too

>>30978050
"War. My initial supporters were Darlesean veterans and they supported me in the expectation that I would crush Taour and free Darlesea in due time. I assume Perin Blackwater has been sounding you out?

Response will be a mixture of the three write-ins, as none of them really conflict.

THRALL VOTE
Quick vote as to whether you guys want to mention your wish to free the thralls.

>1. Mention you want to find a cure for thraldom.
>2. Don't mention it.

>>30978178
Aside from thrall curing...
Is it possible for a vampire to subsist on animal blood or only human blood? Is it possible to "cure" vampirism? Does vampirism alter the mind of the host? all important questions to answer.

BTW, even if we go with the "its easier to just kill them all instead of all this morality crap", they could have ended up vampirizing someone personally important to us (not necessarily lover important... major allies or old friends are bad enough; what if every single mage in the towers in darlesia was vampirized?)

>>30978320
>2. Don't mention it.

Lets not. Not like she'll really care given how she is.

>>30978320
1

>>30978320
>1
I want to mention it, simply because it'll make us sound less crazy by saying we want to 'incorporate Taour"

>>30978320
>1. Mention you want to find a cure for thraldom.

>>30978320
>1. Mention you want to find a cure for thraldom.

>>30978320
1

Also, it is worth mentioning that they sent an army to attack us FIRST.

We are at war... we didn't declare it (Although we probably would), but THEY made war on us, we merely failed to die when they did so.

>>30978362
to clarify, by that i meant something like
"I have been at war with them since they sent an army at me and I failed to lose as they expected"

>>30978386
Technically, we shot first when we counter attacked the forces besieging Fort Locke. Though I suppose you could argue that the guy inside had already sworn allegiance to us.

>>30978455
fair points all around.
And we would be going after them regardless

>1.

"Ideally? I'd like to integrate it into my growing empire and cure all the thralls,” you say, chuckling lightly. “Vitria will remain Vitria, Taour would remain Taour, and both would be a part of something larger including former Darlesia. I doubt it will go smoothly, or if a cure for thralldom is even possible, but those are the broad strokes."

She stares at you in disbelief. “You think you can cure thraldom? You? Why?”

“I don’t think I can cure thraldom, I merely believe it’s something worth trying,” you respond.

“If you want to get all high and mighty about it, the simplest cure is simply to kill all the vampires,” she says.

“Well, my intent is to eradicate the vampire menace, too, but that’s likely easier said than done,” you say. “Back to the topic, though, am I right in saying that Perin Blackwater has been sounding you out?”

“Lord Blackwater,” she starts saying in a mocking sing-song tone, “wishes for confirmation that the Magi League will not do anything rash in response to the recent happenings in Taour and neighbouring countries.

“Which is unfortunately what we would love to do but cannot. If we could have, we would have obliterated the vampires and freed Taour years ago. Unfortunately, most of the grand magisters were fearful of Taour’s infamous triumvirate. Since Lord Dalrec was killed last year, and Blackwater killed Lady Irris not long ago, that leaves only one of them.”

“Yet you can’t move, because of the Lord of Ember,” you finish for her.

“That is right. Which leaves us to rely on a famous mercenary general turned imperator. Not my first choice, or even amongst my top ten, but my mistress feels you more capable than I think you. Gnome may agree, but it’s hardly the first thing we’ve disagreed over.”

>continued

>>30978638
Her constant haranguing finally gets to you and you irritatingly respond to her, “Are these constant insults really necessary? You just admitted that you’re here to ask for my help to deal with your own problems?”

She gives you a sharp smile, her eyes narrowing. “I,” she says, emphasising the word, “am not here to ask for your help. Were it up to me I would simply force you to conquer them. I can end you here and now, little man.”

Gnome stands up, magic surging into her gauntlets and body. “Not a chance in hell, Mercenie. Don’t forget that I’m more than able to stop you – I’ve done so before.”

Merce laughs. “When you were at full strength, you mean? I am more than aware you are far from your full capabilities, Gnome. If I wanted to kill your beloved master I could do so easily.”

You raise your hand to Gnome, signalling her to stop before this escalates. If Merce could fight on par with Gnome at her strongest, she is no doubt an exceedingly dangerous opponent. There’s no reason to fight her here and now over pride.

“If you’re not asking, who is?” you ask, already knowing the answer.

“My mistress, Archmage Alyce of Lyss,” Merce answers. “She thinks you more than a mere pawn in a larger game, though I think it’s mistaken. I wonder whose fault that may be.” The elf gives Gnome a cutting look which receives a smug grin in return, though Gnome’s face is still creased with anger.

“So the Archmage wants me to conquer Taour. But the Magi League can’t ask the same? Or they don’t want to?” you ask.

“Whichever you like. That’s not all,” she says.

“Really? You have more to ask?” Gnome says indignantly.

>continued

>>30978327
I just realize something, I know so very little about how vampires actually work in this setting.
running water? holy symbols? garlic? fire? salt? silver? stake through the heart? wooden weapons in general?
do they convert with a mere bite (only if old?)? or does the victim have to drink their blood? or both drink each other blood to convert? can they drink animal blood? can they drink non fresh blood... actually we know they can cause they have a blood harvesting city and distribute blood from there to elsewhere.
Can they control bats? can they mesmerize people? can they fly? can they shapeshift at will (we know they shapeshift into beast form during full moon)? Do they have a gas form? Do they gain powers with age? can they do sorcercy? How fast and strong are they actually? (2x human? 10x? 1000x?)

>>30978658
“It’s very simple really. Don’t form an alliance with the RSK. If you do that then you won’t be able to capitalise on what we may be able to offer you once you deal with the vampires,” Merce says.

“Anything else?”

“Nothing hugely important. I’m willing to answer any simple questions you have, as a gesture of goodwill,” Merce says.

Goodwill. She’s offered little of that, though if she’s being truthful about Alyce thinking highly of you that’s something at least.

>Anything to ask or say?

>>30978676
"Is it being one of the last of a dying race that has made you so bitter, or is that just how you naturally are?"

>>30978676
She has been dismissive of our abilities, but honestly, we didn't get where we are by gnashing our teeth at people who do so, especially not when they command a force much greater then ours.
Furthermore, it would not be ideal to reveal our hand too soon, proove to be much greater than they think and suddenly we are the focus of much unwanted attention.

All she is here for, really, is to offer us aid from her master... in exchange for not making a formal alliance with the RSK. She doesn't need to know we didn't intend to make a formal alliance with them anyways. We simply say done and let them think they influenced us with their wise bribes and aid. they give us aid in conquering taour and don't even demand a chunk of it in return.

>>30978676
"You're aware that I'm keeping Taour once I conquer it, correct?"

>>30978723
that doesn't sound very emperor like.

>>30978723
no, what are you even trying to achieve with such a comment?

>>30978676
"Any idea how Blackwater's other diplomatic efforts have gone? I assume given his forces pathetic performance against mine so far he's looking for all the help he can get."
>>30978723
No

>>30978766
>We simply say done
meant to say "done deal" with the caveat from >>30978777 on clarifying we keep taour

>>30978659
That's because little is known of them. Most knowledge comes from experience in killing them. If mages have studied them, they haven't had too much success. Maybe Vad's source on thraldom can help you with this knowledge, though.

The last two you fought (one pre-quest) died simply from overpowering their regeneration.

Their powers and capabilities seem to vary wildly. Both the ones you've fought were wildly different. Sala's told you that they all tend to be unique.

>can they shapeshift at will (we know they shapeshift into beast form during full moon)?
The nightwalkers turn into a beast form, not the daywalkers.

>conversion
Sala tells you that they have to willfully create a new vampire, so they don't create new ones via simple feeding. She's never heard of one relying on animal blood, either, though they do need to feed regularly to stay strong.

>Do they gain powers with age?
Older vampires are generally considered more dangerous than younger ones.

>>30978800
>>30978794
>>30978777
Alright, maybe I'm just a little to quick to anger.

>>30978825
thanks for clarifying

>>30978658
>>30978638
>triumvirate
Whut

>>30978638
>Taour’s infamous triumvirate
who? I can't find it in the lorebins

Just a quick question: Mercene is a transmuter specializing in disrupting mages right? Doesn't that make us, an astral powered close range combatant, the worst possible match up for her? Granted she's stronger than us, but I'm willing to bet it would be a LOT harder than she's thinking.

>>30978836
If Merce's making you angry, then she's succeeding at her objective and so am I.

>>30978854
>>30978865
You didn't know of one, but Merce basically just said there was one. Presumably the vampiric council ruling Taour was dominated by the three. You heard a while back that you apparently killed one of their higher-ups and that they were recovering from some infighting (trying to find when I said that, I hope this isn't like the Theros thing).

>>30978919
She's a mage-killer but for different reasons than Gnome. Transmuters use sorcery on a raw level and so they hit harder and faster than evokers (i.e. most mages).

>>30978970
No no I mean what is a triumvirate

I don't remember ever seeing that word.

>>30978970
She's not making me angry
how does that make you feel

Going with:
>>30978766
>>30978777
>>30978800

>>30978970
>You heard a while back that you apparently killed one of their higher-ups and that they were recovering from some infighting
It was the devil-dwarf who said it.

>“They fear you, Talon York. They’ve kept the Magi League and Mage Guard at bay – but they don’t think they can stop you or make a deal with you. You killed one of their bigshots last year, I hear. They were going to overextend themselves in order to try and deny you the mines and smithies. Try to prevent you from becoming a power. They don’t have enough food, either, to feed their people – and they worry that a stalemate with you will prevent them from getting enough farmland.”

>>30979003
>A triumvirate is a political regime dominated by three powerful individuals, each a triumvir.

Really old term. Caesar, Pompey and Crassus were the original triumvirate in ancient Rome, IIRC.

>>30979017
Okay.

>>30978638
"I will accept your...offer, but your master should know you are hardly the person to send to ask another for a favor. Anyone would do a better job. Even a peasant would have more personality.."

>>30979003
That means rule of three. Basically, Talon killed one pre quest, and the last two fought it out for rulership.

>>30979036
Second time somebody has suggested openly insulting her. Gonna call a short vote while I write up the rest.

INSULT VOTE
>1. Insult Mercenie
>2. Don't insult Mercenie

>>30978970
>You didn't know of one, but Merce basically just said there was one. Presumably the vampiric council ruling Taour was dominated by the three. You heard a while back that you apparently killed one of their higher-ups and that they were recovering from some infighting (trying to find when I said that, I hope this isn't like the Theros thing).
In that case... we could bring it up.
"Can you tell me more about this triumverate? are they the remaining daywalkers or some other power players within taour?
also, you should know on (date) a lone daywalker had the misfortune of being cornered by my army while he was infiltrating a town covertly. He had the ability to enthrall via feeding people his blood, such as by dropping it in wine and the like, if this helps identify which daywalker it was, we didn't leave enough of him to identify"

>>30979069
>2. Don't insult Mercenie

>>30979069
>2. Don't insult Mercenie

Let's not stoop to her level. Plus it'll be IMMENSELY more satisfying to prove that she's completely and utterly wrong about us later.

>>30979069
>1. Insult Mercenie

>>30979069
2 don't insult
catch more flies with sugar than vinegar and all that
gains us nothing.

>>30979069
I already voted for don't insult, but another thing worth mentionig is that she can try to "demonstrate" her strength but harmlessly (but not painlessly) demonstrating her superiority against us and gnome... and aside from being easy to escale it also gives her amble chances for learning things we are currently prefering to keep secret.
Sometimes it is better to be thought of as the greater power, sometimes it is more profitable to be thought of the lesser power, we are getting all we want here.

If anything, I would rather engage her for more info. also, if we request a more diplomatic messenger we will get one... so instead of a loose lipped general who knows everything her empire knows and thinks we are no threat, we get someone trained in deception who is less informed, bad tradeoff. plus lyss probably has a relationship with her similar to most master familiar relationships... aka VERY intimate, we will take gnome's side over someone loud mouth nobody from some tiny "king" of a land that is 1/14th ours, would we not?

>>30979251
>if we request a more diplomatic messenger we will get one
meant to say "we might actually get one" (which is a bad thing AT THE MOMENT. we can always burn this bridge in the future)

>>30979069
>>2. Don't insult Mercenie

>2.

“You are aware that I am keeping Taour once I conquer it, right?”

“We are aware. Hence why we’re offering to assist you afterwards,” she says.

“But only afterwards?” you clarify.

She shrugs. “That’s correct. We don’t have the resources to throw at Taour right now.”

You sigh. So they were asking you to avoid making any deals with the RSK while offering you… potential deals in the future. Amazing. Well, the fact they’re asking is reward enough for now and you didn’t plan on making any deals with the Seraphs anyway.

"How have Blackwater's other diplomatic efforts have gone? I assume given his forces pathetic performance against mine so far he's looking for all the help he can get."

She smirks a bit as she answers, “He’s not asking for help. He’s asking us to stay out of his way while he deals with you. And they’ve gone quite well – neither us, dealing with the Lord of Ember, or the Seraphs, dealing with their rebel grand magister, can afford to waste time with him. If I were you, I’d be more cautious in dealing with him. Have you fought a daywalker on an open battlefield?”

“No, but I killed one in a cellar. Another in his manor,” you answer, getting a surprised look in return before she frowns and goes silent.

“What was the triumvirate? And the major daywalkers they have?” you ask, fishing for information.

She laughs. “Really? You’d think I’d answer something you should know for yourself, oh great conqueror? Not that I know. Between Darlesia and their own infighting, we don’t know who is still alive and we didn’t know all of their identities in the first place. Most of them tend to be pretend to be regular nobles and merchants.”

>continued

>>30979111
>Daywalker we killed
to clarify, I am referring to the one in Niorte on Aspiring Emperor Quest X Pt2. Not the one talon solo killed years ago.

>>30979332
You can’t say you were too surprised, though you find yourself holding back a need to have a verbal swing at her. Considering her offer finally, you decide it’s worth taking. It’s not like they’re asking you to do anything you weren’t going to do and if you can earn the Archmage’s goodwill, if not this elf’s, then all the better.

“Very well, I accept. I’m assuming we’ll talk more once I’ve dealt with Taour?” you say.

“That’s correct. The Magi League may make more… official contact with you shortly. Do what you will there,” she says as she stands.

You stand up yourself, though Gnome remains seated, and walk her outside. Just before you open the door she stops.

“Also, be very careful around Perin Blackwater,” she warns. “He has a frightening obsession with immortality. If ever there was a vampire who was as impossible to slay as legends suggest, that’s him.”

With that, you let her be escorted out of the spire by two of your men. Turning back inside, you notice Gnome sitting still with a troubled look on her face.

>Anything you want to talk to Gnome about?

>>30979348
For reference, I didn't end up answering that one because it would have been more 'Why would I tell you that? Plus, I don't know anyway.'

Also, this scene went more smoothly than I expected it to. I might continue to do this for serious dialogue-heavy scenes in the future.

>>30979356
"what's troubling you?"

>>30979403
this is a good one, i like this.

>>30979356
"Well, I can certainly see why you don't get along with her. It's going to be awfully satisfying to prove her wrong."

>>30979400
It's a good approach UNLESS you expect us to get some key info out of a target. Not all of us are 100% on the lore going on here sadly...or at least, I'm not.

>>30979356
"Well that was a nice chat. In some meanings of the word."

"Well, I can certainly see why you don't get along with her. It's going to be awfully satisfying to prove her wrong,” you say to Gnome as you sit back down next to her.

Her face relaxes a bit at that as she says, “Well, she’s not normally quite that bad. I suspect she was trying to get under my skin more than yours. Though she also mentioned that she was unhappy to have been sent on a ‘simple errand’ instead of somebody else.”

“But she’s still usually quite bad?” you ask, feeling slightly amused by Gnome defending her.

“Well, yes,” she admits, slightly sheepish. “She’s completely pragmatic. She obviously thought that she had something to gain by needling at you. I don’t know what, though. Given she was supposed to be expressing goodwill from Alyce…”

You nod and ask Gnome about something from earlier. “I had been thinking earlier to mention Undine and Sala to her as a way of pointing out there’s more power here than she thinks. Any opinions on that?”

Gnome looks at you sharply over that. “Yes – you shouldn’t. Undine’s master was a magister that also served under my master, Grand Magister Taren hand. She and Alyce were fast friends and Undine confirmed to me that she was still a member of the Tower of Stars, Alyce’s tower, when she died. If you had let that slip they would have assumed you had Sylph and if they ever confirmed otherwise they would have known that you had brought Undine back from the dead.”

Oh. So, bad idea. You vaguely remember Gnome mentioning her master being the teacher of Undine’s when they were both active. You don’t want to reveal the Source to people before time.

Speaking of Taren Hand, that’s still a topic remaining. Do you bring it up?

>1. Talk to Gnome about her old master.
>2. Don’t talk to Gnome about her old master.
>3. Talk to Gnome about <write-in>
>4. Custom

Once talon starts winning, I can forsee a troubling scorched earth tactic used by the vampires.
Mass convert peasants into fresh vampires, more than they can feed then sic them at the oncoming troops. The new vamps are going to have to charge suicidaly or starve, Talon's force will be overwhelmed by massive amounts of superhuman soldiers. Over conversion is a risk (as too big a force will take out talon, then turn on them out of necessity). But it is still a difficult tactic if used repeatedly.

Of course, for all we know conversion is complicated and long enough procedure that this isn't an issue. But if it is an issue... well I want to be prepared. And this is also a perfectly good justification towards research on whether vampires can be "cured" or at least neutered (modified to feed on animals and not have mind control / conversion). Because that allows us to get defectors from among the vampires too (which would upset many in our cabinet most likely who are staunch anti vamps... until and unless we point out the above scenario and that we won't even consider it unless they are actually curable/neuterable)

>>30979802
>2. Don’t talk to Gnome about her old master.

>>30979763
Usually with key info it'll be presented no matter the options. There may be slightly helpful pieces of info that you need to prompt for and the same can be said of hints (like the mysteries of recent chapters). I'll try to avoid relying too heavily on comprehensive knowledge of the lore, though.

>>30979802
>2. Don’t talk to Gnome about her old master.

>>30979802
Good thing we didn't mention sylph...
where is sylph actually, does gnome know?

I really don't like the axe of her and talon's family hanging over our heads... although, who actually KNOWS who talon's family are? I imagine over the many years he served as a general someone would have thought to track them down if their identity was known to anyone. So actually revealing their identity might be the most dangerous thing to do to them
Also, does mal have any family out there?

>>30979960
Sylph has not been summoned yet

Going with option 2 (wow, votes certainly dried up suddenly).

>>30979960
>where is sylph actually, does gnome know?

Yeah, you know. I've been meaning to add it to the Q&A pastebin.

Sylph is unsummoned and with her not-connected-to-your-Source PoP up in Mage Guard territory (along with a PoP that is connected to your Source).

>Also, does mal have any family out there?
Mal's an orphan from a noble family. Killed in the rebellions while he was training at his tower.

>although, who actually KNOWS who talon's family are?
Your last name is exceedingly common and telling people you're from 'up north near the Lord of Ember's territory' is still pretty vague.

>>30979802

"So, About your previous master... I hold to what I told the Fox, It is your choice to inform me anything of your past. I will not begrudge or resent you for doing so. After all, there are some things that lay in the past that are best left there..."

>>30980072
usually /tg/ doesn't vote for the nothing more to say option. Especially since a few QMs when faced with 3 move on options and 1 ask questions will answer the question. Which can honestly get a little annoying.

>>30980133
I found the best way that's handled is to answer it quickly and then move on.

Didn't talon once meet lord ember as a kid? what if as lord ember started to go mad he transformed a bunch of random kids into other astral adepts like him? There could be a whole bunch of them running around, about on talon's level, just coming into their power...

Heck maybe even the sole remaining lord from taours triumvate is not a regular daywalker but someone like talon. (or someone like talon who got vampirism? no reason it isn't possible). I know its a long shot but I am just throwing it out there.

So, basically, don't under estimate opponents just cause we got astral, and goatd them into underestimating us only to crush them hilariously.

>>30979845
Hey, why is them knowing we brought Undine under our control a bad thing, just because her old master is part of that group?
Just wondering.

>>30980133
The problem with this one is that it's less of a 'do you want to ask more?' and more of a 'Do you want to badger Gnome about something she's been unwilling to talk to you about?'

>>30980189
Because that means they know that Undine died rather than merely being greviously wounded.

>>30980181
>Didn't talon once meet lord ember as a kid?
No, you saw some god-knights as a kid.

>>30980189
they personally knew her old master, that means they personally know she died, that means they will personally know that talon has a brought back from the dead undine.
The only known method to bring someone from the dead is via a source champion thing. Ergo, they will know we have the source. And they WILL want it for themselves.

>>30980156
right, and then if you ask again if anyone has any questions, 2-3 people vote no and one says something...
>>30980181
Nope. We met A god knight once.
>>30980189
Because she is dead, so

>2.

"About your previous master... I hold to what I told the fox. It is your choice to inform me about anything of your past. I will not begrudge or resent you for doing so. After all, there are some things that lay in the past that are best left there..." you say.

Giving Gnome a pat on the shoulder as she stays there, looking troubled, you leave the room.

And bump right into a furious-looking Sarah. You hadn’t bumped into her this afternoon since arriving in Vitria, just received some sendings. She’s wearing an elegant white dress and carrying a small bundle of documents. Behind her are a few scribes and servants carrying other odds and ends. It seems she’s been busy.

“That’s a very nice dress, Sarah,” you say, smiling gently at her. If you put her off-kilter, this will go better.

“Eh? Oh, thank you, Talon,” she says, her face melting into a slight blush. Then, quick as a flash it returns to anger, “Anyway! You’re back. Be in my common room in fifteen minutes. Bring Undine. You have decisions to make.”

And with that, she darts off. At least you know she can be forceful if necessary, meaning she should be able to manage things. You don’t think she’s ever ordered you around – not even when she was being a pompous brat when you first met.

You…

>1. Do as she asks and head up to the common room for whatever meeting she needs you for.
>2. Play hooky with Lynn and Salamander.
>3. Custom

>>30980219
Wait, so they don't know she's dead? But...wait is her old master lying to them then? Or do they just not know?

>>30980279
1

also, did we tell sarah about the whole astral thing?

>>30980292
No, they know she's dead because Undine's former master ran with Alyce. Hence, if they find out Undine's alive and serving you they know you've brought her back to life somehow.

>>30980302
Not yet.

>>30980279
>1. Do as she asks and head up to the common room for whatever meeting she needs you for.

>>30980279
>1. Do as she asks and head up to the common room for whatever meeting she needs you for.

>>30980279
>1. Do as she asks and head up to the common room for whatever meeting she needs you for.
Talon doesn't really seem the type to play hooky. Also, we should gently chide her to be more respectful in public. Our ego is pretty reliant, but we don't want nobles thinking there is some sort of friction between us. They'd undoubtedly do something stupid to try to exploit that nonexistent friction.

>>30980234
that's why you don't ask again, you move right on

>>30980323
lets do that... i think after we are done with the decisions? And finding one of the more secure locations in the castle.

>Mercenie just pops in to visit
can powerful mages immediately detect the source as they come into harrowmont now that it has been excavated?

>>30980429
>Also, we should gently chide her to be more respectful in public
pfft, no.
>but we don't want nobles thinking there is some sort of friction between us. They'd undoubtedly do something stupid to try to exploit that nonexistent friction.
you mean, like coming to her with a plan to dethrone us? oh god that would be hilarious!
also, rumers spread around already to the point where everyone knows we are having sexy times

>>30980478
>can powerful mages immediately detect the source as they come into harrowmont now that it has been excavated?

Nope. Even the most powerful mages will only be able to detect an active Source when they're nearby after you've bound a PoP to it. Spiritualists (monks, foxes), divine beings (infernals) and astral beings (angels, Fae) can detect it though.

>>30980521
that is good news at least. one less worry to worry about.

>>30978825
>we know very little about vampires

>>30979831 >my own post
>vampire cure/defector vampires/vampire enemy tactics that could devastate us

I think the ideal way to find out more is to ask some vampires. it is a risky proposition, but surely there are some lower tier vampires we can talk to somewhere. not even directly, we can have underlings open lines of communications under specific directions to prior acquaintances in darlesia who are middling merchants. Someone who would have access to sending spell, but not be military. Good chance they got thralled, if so, ask to speak to their master. (and by that i mean the underling doing the talking. not talon himself... at least not at first. but someone aware of our concerns and plans in that regard)

>>30979831
I just realized I forgot our troops have mage armor...
How do normal nightwalker vampires compare to mage-knights from our experience? (we have fought some before, right? I mean, I know we fought a daywalker before the quest even begun)

Bunch of economic decisions coming up. I'll try to simplify their effects at the end before a vote. Feel free to recommend a different approach, too.

>1.

You obediently head up to the common room, gathering Undine as you go, and pour yourself a glass of wine while you wait. You hardly have the time to sit down with your drink before Marcus and Nier enter the room, though you catch a brief flicker of disappointment on Undine’s face as they do so. Pouring glasses for the other three in the room, you make some small talk until Sarah arrives. The only thing of note you pick up is that Marcus wants to talk to you about trade, but not before Sarah is here, and Nier is here in an advisory capacity rather than a diplomatic or spy one.

Sarah darts in, carrying some different bundles from earlier and somebody shuts the door from the other side. That leaves you with the members of your cabinet who are more economically minded. You suspect there’s more taxation issues to come.

And you’re not disappointed.

“Next week is quarterly accounting,” Sarah says. “If we’re going to change any taxes we’ll need to do it before the end of next week.”

“Do we need to change the taxes?” is your first question.

“If you want to manage an empire on top of Vitria, then yes,” Marcus answers. “There was no real overarching government in Vitria – just four ruling houses who managed and limited what the various houses could do on their private land. Even if you want Vitria to manage itself you will need to set up some way to… skim a little off the top.”

>continued

>>30980755
“I’ve already set up the administration for the Office of the Imperator, to sit atop my Office of the Archduchess. I’ve been busy reorganising everything since you left to account for the fact the old council never actually managed things directly. It simply handed out responsibilities to the lower houses.”

“Any reason we can’t continue to do that and simply take an amount off the houses each quarter in place of directly levying taxes?” you ask.

“I didn’t like the lack of control it left me with. It’s difficult to say you rule a nation when the best you can do is simply ask other houses to do things. House Hawkins isn’t so powerful as to coerce every other house to do its bidding, after all.”

Hmm, even with the previous change to agricultural taxation and ownership it’s quite a change to the administration of Vitria. The issue is essentially private management of tolls, taxes and subsidies – and Sarah’s own power. If you overrule her on this, you’ll weaken her powerbase and your own. Leaving Vitria to continue to operate mostly as normal will keep order higher, though.

>1. Let Sarah do her thing. You’ll have higher tax revenue and Sarah will have more power over Vitria.
>2. Let Vitria keep their private management model. You will have higher order in Vitrian territories but lower tax revenues than otherwise. Sarah will also be unhappy that you weakened her powerbase.
>3. Custom

>>30980776
>1. Let Sarah do her thing. You’ll have higher tax revenue and Sarah will have more power over Vitria.

>>30980753
A nightwalker is probably a match for a couple of veteran mage-knights. In their bestial form it would require you, Gnome, Mal etc to fight them.

>>30980776
>1. Let Sarah do her thing. You’ll have higher tax revenue and Sarah will have more power over Vitria.

>>30980776
>1. Let Sarah do her thing. You’ll have higher tax revenue and Sarah will have more power over Vitria.

>>30980776
How in depth is the new "management" going to be? to the nobles? to the common men? the effect on the military? the mages? the guilds?

are we talking just taxes or law or what?

>private management model
by that you mean, "each noble makes their own rules"?

>>30980883
I've been uncertain of how much detail to go into, as I don't know how interested you guys are in the nitty-gritty of taxation etc.

>are we talking just taxes or law or what?
Taxes and laws.

>by that you mean, "each noble makes their own rules"?
The council creates rules, taxes etc but the individual houses are responsible for enacting them and derive all profits from them (e.g. the right to extract export duties on goods entering this town). They can ignore them but cannot exceed them. So, each noble makes their own rules within limits.

We are probably going to have to get educated on the whole 'administration' side of things... once things in Viteria are stable, we could get Sarah to tutor Talon...

>>30980938
I may throw up a pastebin explaining things in more detail later, but I don't want to lay out a whole lot of required reading for votes at this point.

Looks like the result is option 1.

>>30980935
MAXIMUM
DETAIL

>>30980935
ok, so basically its a question of how much flexibility we allow noble houses. And take another power from them.

For the average vitrian, what will change? Are they going to face more regulation and taxes under the new system?

>>30981005
>For the average vitrian, what will change? Are they going to face more regulation and taxes under the new system?
Less, generally. The results will be that the houses will be forced to act more like modern corporations/landowners and you'll levy all the taxes. Unlike before where it could be all over the place (e.g. one town might have a duty on swords, another might not. There might be a poll tax in one town but not another etc. Of coures, you could tax them into oblivion yourself. More on that in the next posts.

>>30981093
Thank you for clarifying. This makes more sense now and also ameliorates my worries
I am also all for it now.

Also, with some spin and letting the council thing actually work it could make it seem like less of a loss of power and more of a shift (they can now enforce their choices on entire vitria rather then just their domain)

>>30981208
>rather then just their domain)
forgot to finish the sentance
>assuming they win their vote in the council. get them distracted and out of the way

>1.

“Alright, sounds good,” you say. You’re not completely certain of the ramifications of this decision but you have to start somewhere. Besides, Sarah’s recommended model isn’t that different to the one the RSK uses. Or was trying to use when you were there. Nier suggested that their model was failing with all the new territory they’d acquired.

“What about the actual taxes?” you ask.

“Agricultural taxes, tariffs, import and export duties, property taxes and common market sales taxes,’ Nier lists off.

You nod, vaguely understanding. She listed the main taxes in the RSK – which she’d know as she’ be responsible for collecting them on behalf of the King in her own territory. Marcus looks a little annoyed at the list.

Sarah nods. “Nier’s list is what I was intending to implement if you hadn’t returned. We’ve even determine some tax rates that would be most suitable. If you-“

Marcus coughs loudly and gives Sarah a pointed look. Nier looks annoyed now and you suspect there’s been an ongoing argument about something.

“Go ahead, Marcus,” both you and Sarah say simultaneously. Undine laughs lightly as Sarah ducks her head. One might forget who was in charge here…

“Lady Gendarme mentioned tariffs and although Vitria did make use of import and export duties I have a different proposal,” Marcus says, and you hide your complete lack of surprise at the fact the merchant dislikes tariffs. “If you were to leave out the tariffs-“

“Then there would be a flood of imported goods from the RSK and Mage Guard territories pushing out local production,” Nier interrupts.

>continued

>>30981369
“Which will be more than offset by the increased trade activity,” Marcus retorts testily. “Tolls, rents and service fees – which can be reclaimed via property taxes, will give us a slice of the increasing activity by merchants. Vitria is a city that draws money from trade. If you lower or remove the tariffs, the merchants will flock here once again.”

Nier and Marcus continue to bicker and you find yourself surprised at Nier’s passion, given this is your territory not hers and her merchants would likely benefit from lower tariffs here.

“And Marcus, how much do you stand to gain personal?” Undine suddenly asks.

Marcus makes a funny noise. “I have some colleagues in the RSK who are very interested in relocating here to do business. If there was a boom in trade to coincide, well…”

Self-interest there, though poaching skilled merchants from the RSK could be for the better. You have a feeling there’s more to things than it appears, but if you probe them yourself you will likely affect the opinions of the others towards them. If you appear distrusting of a cabinet member, then others will begin to share that opinion. This goes for if you press both of them.

>1. Push Marcus on what he’s hiding.
>2. Push Nier on what she’s hiding.
>3. Push both on what they’re hiding.
>4. Make a decision without pushing either.
>5. Custom

>>30981388
>Push both on what they're hiding
Damn it guys just be straight with me. I have enough trouble deciphering all the bureaucracy without you two trying to be sneaky on top of it.

>>30981388
>3. Push both on what they’re hiding.

>>30981388

Suggest lower tariffs, that way the option to raise them if the empire gets into a heavy deficit remains without the hassle of having to completely implement a new tax. So long as it is only increased in small amounts, there should be little more than a vocalisation of discontent and disapproval of the increase in tax....
Maybe suggest something like a 2-5% tax...

>>30981388
>3. Push both on what they’re hiding.


>>30981486
Nier doesn't owe us anything but I still think this is the best option.

>>30981388
> 3
Seriously guys, please don't make me start having to worry about what ulterior motives my council has when giving out advice. That gets really poisonous really fast and I've mostly avoided it until now.

>>30981388
>3. Push both on what they’re hiding.

Also, damn, every update I write ends up being huge.

>3.

You uncross your arms, instead placing your hands on your knees and leaning forward.

“Alright, I don’t believe the two of you are being completely honest here. If you have ulterior motives or there’s anything else I should know before making this decision, please let me know immediately.”

The room goes silent for a while. Sarah looks a little shocked as Undine nods at your words.

Finally, Nier says, pouting a little, “I don’t think I’ve done anything to invite suspicion…”

“You’re the countess of your own province yet you’re outright arguing against something that would benefit you,” you say calmly. “And, Marcus, before you say the same you just admitted to having something in it. How could you gain from your colleagues relocating?”

Marcus quibbles a bit before answering, his large belly heaving with a great sigh. “I would have been paid to provide them with the route to get through the RSK into your territory. They would have brought many more goods, and what I gained would be used to further enrich Harrowmont, too. I just…”

You sigh and wave it off. Nothing too bad, at least, though you can understand why he might not have been open about it. Particularly as said smuggling route was dodging RSK tariffs and Nier may not have appreciated that. You wonder if that was Nier’s concern but the girl looks shocked at the revelation. You turn to her.

>continued

>>30981904
She looks down a bit. “Um, I don’t actually intend to return to the RSK. Although I’m managing the province still, I’m worried about what may happen if I return there. Things aren’t safe back home anymore… I was arguing because I want to support you…”

You’re a little annoyed at how trivial Nier’s hidden agenda was, and angry that she didn’t explain in full about how bad her worries were for her safety earlier today when you met with her. You thought she trusted you more.

“Nier, please tell me in the future about this sort of thing. I’ve known you for years now, since you were much smaller. I would hope you could trust me more, particularly given the amount of trust I’ve placed in you.”

The young girl, who looks very young now despite being older than Sarah, hangs her head a bit.

You rub the bridge of your nose. That was more annoying than expected, and you didn’t learn that much. You’re faced with a decision. You could lower and remove the tariff and gain increased trade over time, at the expense of immediate tax revenue. Or you could keep it at the rate Sarah and Nier suggest – higher tax revenue, but you’ll encourage a black market and lower prosperity in your empire.

>1. Halve the intended tariff.
>2. Remove the intended tariff.
>3. Keep the intended tariff.
>4. Custom

>>30981928
>4. Custom
Halving is a bit much. Maybe 20-30% reduction?

>>30981928
wait... they were talking about RELOCATING merchants who actually MOVE here with their stuff rather then constant influx of imports due to no tariffs on incoming goods.

Couldn't we actually have a... some sort of specific thing rather then just general imports?

>>30981928
1

>>30982038
What this guy said 25% reduction

>>30982038
Oh, right, forgot to mention the intended tariff would be 12.5% on all manufactured imports and exports (as both sides commonly levy, this means that a merchant pays 23.5% duty overall. So halving it would reduce it to 6% or so. 25% reduction would be about 9%.

>>30982062
I mgiht not ahve made it clear - essentially Marcus had a deal with some merchants that would move here for better prospects. He was luring them here (and getting paid to smuggle them past RSK duties) with the prospect of there being lower tariffs here and therefore more trade (and money to be made).

>>30982115
10% sounds good.

>>30981928
>Custom
Reduce the intended tarrif by 20-30%. However, merchants can purchase 5 year "preffered merchant status" which will reduce the tarif even more for the time period. This essentially is front loading our income by giving us a quick lump sum of cash to beat Taour to death with in return for reduced rates later. This also has the benefit of the merchant
who buy in having a vested interest in us winning, as Taour will know exactly what we are doing and is extremely unlikely to honor the arrangement if they win.

>>30982152
scumbag imperator
trading DLC

>>30981928
Actually... how much of vitria's economy depends on export manufactured goods and how much on taxing merchants who are buying from one country to sell to another?

Generally I am of the opinion of lower taxes across the board. Short term you get less money, but long term it brings in more.

And unlike the no import tax it doesn't crowd out local production (because it is cheaper to produce here too)

>>30982152
This is good, though we need to tie the price to the amount of goods moved so they can't run everything in through one merchant or whatever.

>>30982152
That is genius
Changing>>30982095
to this vote

>>30982243
>Generally I am of the opinion of lower taxes across the board. Short term you get less money, but long term it brings in more.
That depends entirely on what you do with the money.

>This many anons know about tax shit
Christ guys, I am glad you know what you're doing.

>>30981928
>Neir currently owns a territory which borders ours
>Neir wants to permanently join us
well AWESOME. Also, we just learned today that both the magi league AND the RSK are facing a potential split. This means that post split neir can immediately join as duchess of the territory she currently owns and we can gobble up the RSK pieces from there. Heck with her connection she can bring a few more on board with us.
worth talking about it more

>>30981928
1

>>30982152
That's a pretty good idea. Pricing the Preferred Merchant license could be hard though. Probably have it limited to a certain amount of goods per year to control the discount rate?

>>30982243
Vitria relies very little on their own exports. Instead they limited their tariffs and were in a good place to act as a thoroughfare. E.g. Pharos traders aren't welcome further north, so they sell to traders in Vitria who then travel north or inland.

>>30982307
Taxes are fun, anon.

>>30982307
>>30982356

And Talon shall partake in Orgies of Fiscal Responsibility, and the lands shall rejoice...

>>30982295
not really.
it comes from the merchants and manufacturers coming over to your country from the neighbor with the higher taxes.

>>30982307
everyone has an opinion.
I am really curious to know what the OP's views are. Is he keynesian? does he believe in friedman?

>>30982243
>Generally I am of the opinion of lower taxes across the board. Short term you get less money, but long term it brings in more.
depends on the tax rate. Think of it as a sweet-spot rather than lower=good.
>>30982152
works for me

>>30982417
>I am really curious to know what the OP's views are. Is he keynesian? does he believe in friedman?

I'm trying to keep my personal economic views out of the quest. Hence why I'm simplifying the results of your choices and trying to make them both appear reasonable for different reasons. That and medieval economies worked in funny ways due to heavy reliance on primary industry and difficulties accurately measuring things.

Going with 'Drop tariff to 10% with option to purchase ‘Preferred Merchant’ license.' unless there's some opposition.

>>30982425
you misunderstood... lower as in "lower than the neighbors" not lower as in "no matter how low it is, going lower is even better!"
I should have said "relatively low" rather then "lower"

> Think of it as a sweet-spot rather than lower=good.
And huge angry debates rage between politicians, pundits, the common men and academics on where exactly that sweet spot is.
Furthermore, even then, actually aiming for the sweet spot assumes that the sweet spot of economic growth rate and for government income are identical.

>>30982532
Oh, sorry. Took you for a hardline Austrian.

>>30982466
that is actually good approach op. although it should be made more clear (both that you are doing that, and the choices/results). It can keep things a lot simpler.

>>30982532
>you misunderstood
to clarify further
you misunderstand because I explained poorly.

>>30982466
Supporting the preferred merchant license, that's some brilliant shit right there. Kudos to the anon that came up with that.

>Custom. Drop tariff to 10% with option to purchase ‘Preferred Merchant’ license.

You explain your own idea to them. The merchant license would be difficult to price so you figured to leave it to Marcus to do so. He started scribbling on some paper he had, mumbling about ‘discount rates’ and ‘inflation’. You turned your attention back to the others.

“It seems like it could work. The additional money outlay at first would make it take longer for foreign merchants to price out the locals,” Nier says, thinking about it.

Sarah looks troubled. “I had some figures produced that would show the financial position, including the estimates of the future. Several variations of the figures, given you had some choices. They didn’t account for this, though.”

“Just show me the most relevant figures,” you say.

Sarah nods and hands you a large piece of parchment, you note the magical wards on it protecting it from water and fire before reviewing it. Your eyes glaze over almost instantly.

“There’s a summary at the bottom,” Sarah says flatly.

“Thank you,” you say gratefully. Maybe you should get somebody to teach you more about this stuff… “What are the maximum and estimated figures?”

“We don’t currently have the ability to collect tax from everybody so the estimate is lower than the projected maximum,” Sarah answers.

>continued

>>30982781
FINANCIAL POSITION STATEMENT FOR NEXT YEAR

TBY = Currency unit

Current Treasury = 600TBY

Maximum Agricultural Tax = 1228TBY
Estimated Agricultural Tax = 761TBY
Maximum Tradeables Taxes (Property, Duties etc) = 270TBY (excludes preferred merchant license profits)
Estimated Tradeables Taxes = 182TBY (excludes preferred merchant license profits)

Military Expenses = 234TBY
Admin Expenses = 289TBY

Projected Net Revenue = 441TBY
Projected EoY Treasury = 1041TBY

>End of statement

You lean back for a second. It was kind of crazy to think all the accounting was done in TBY. You’d once joked it was the currency of kings, because very few people had even 1TBY. You’d had 10TBY from your adventuring days, but that was because you were a famous mercenary general.

>Any questions or notes regarding the finances? Changes to taxes or other things? Otherwise I’ll move onto the next scene.

Also, I’ve grossly simplified a lot of things around this. The numbers are rubbery and I may move to a different system when we transition to the continental phase.

>>30982809
Oh, right, tax rates.

Export and import duties = 10%
Property tax is low.
Agricultural tax rate is 25%.

Also, these figures will mean more as you see spending choices in the future. Foundry projects will cost money, as will expanding the military. For instance, you could triple your current military before running into debt.

>>30982781
>Your eyes glaze over almost instantly
Just like me Talon
Just like me...ahaha...

>>30982809
I assume 1 'TBY' is basically a million bucks.

Just putting that out there.

>>30982920
1TBY can buy 10 average houses (or ten suits of machined medium mage-knight armour). So, probably more than $1m in modern terms.

>>30982941
>1 TBY = 10 houses = 10 MMK armor
That is really useful explanation of value, thanks.

Something I forgot from earlier...

SARAH VOTE
>1. Chide Sarah for her disrespect to you earlier and in the meeting. It could undermine you as Imperator given how recent your conquest has been.
>2. Don't chide Sarah.
>3. Custom

>>30982809
Are those figures for archdutchy of vitria, or the entire territory we own?

>>30983012
>2. Don't chide Sarah.
or
>3. Chide Sarah with sex

>>30983012
1
And also tell her about astral power
Both in private

>>30983015
Entire territory. Right now I'm simplifying matters and assuming all taxes are equal across all provinces as Vitria is like 80% of the tradeable economy outside of agriculture.

>>30983036
agreed. Praise in public scold in private. Although scold is probably to strong a term.

>>30983041
alright, thank you. no further questions then.

It looks good. Lots of extra money we can spend on military. Eventually we might want to set up some social stuff, but honestly right now our focus is the vampire menace and everyone knows it.

>>30983036
>And also tell her about astral power
Unless there's opposition to this, I will go with this no matter the result of the vote.

>>30983012
>>2. Don't chide Sarah.

It wasn't anything big. If she does it more and it gets out of hand we can chide her.

>>30983012
2

>>30983060
>>30983036
I agree about telling her about astral power
I agree about a POLICY of "only chide privately"
I disagree about chiding being needed on this instance. Heck, we were ALONE with her in an empty corridor not in the middle of court

>>30983012
>1. Chide Sarah for her disrespect to you earlier and in the meeting. It could undermine you as Imperator given how recent your conquest has been.

>>30983012
>3. Custom: Chide Sarah with sex

>>30983107
That's inaccurate though, there were scribes and shit. Servants tend to talk I'm afraid. Plus, we sorta stumbled over each other during the meeting.

>>30983107
>Heck, we were ALONE with her in an empty corridor not in the middle of court
She actually had a few servants with her but that was it.

>>30983033
>>30983126
I like the way you think.

There may be a slight delay before the next post. Let me know right now if there's anything else tax/economy related because I'll transition to a Vad scene next.

>>30983148
>punishing Sarah sexually
Hope Sarah likes butt stuff. Because it sounds like she's going to be taking all of Talon in the service entrance.

>>30983209
I was assuming light BDSM stuff like spanking.

>>30983144
so, a random servant saw her talking to us informally and not calling us imperator?
What was the disrespect anyways? As far as I could tell she was in a rush and told us to meet her somewhere? that's not exactly "disrespectful", especially for someone as pragmatic as talon and who is not big on titles.
Also, remember everyone knows we are sleeping with her already (or rather, has heard the rumors)

>>30983244
very polarizing... not into it personally.

>>30983148
>She actually had a few servants with her but that was it.
thanks for clarifying

>I like the way you think.
I keep forgetting to ask... I am ASSUMING that once we advance a relationship to "sleeping with" with one of the girls we start doing so regularly when she is around... is that assumption correct or has talon been going without for days in a row?
I am asking because vad actually had to ASK, which suggests that on the trip back we WEREN'T fooling around with any of the girls

>>30983298
Whether or not we fool around regularly, I assume we didn't do so with guests around...Vad probably counts as a guest.

>>30983120
>>30983126
IF she ever does something worth chiding over... then totally that (as long as we are very mild about it and its obviously a game)

However, I think that in THIS particular instance this is a bad idea because we are just going to be dropping a big bomb on her (the astral adept thing) and it just feels wrong to segue from something like that to "hey, you didn't call me lord earlier! Punishment sex (for the first time) time!" rather then "hey, I am still the same guy, kiss kiss"

Writing up option 2 now.

>>30983298
>I am ASSUMING that once we advance a relationship to "sleeping with" with one of the girls we start doing so regularly when she is around... is that assumption correct or has talon been going without for days in a row?
That's correct (the whole 'doing it occasionally' thing). Though, you didn't do much while travelling, particularly with Vad around. Also, you slept with Sarah right before going off on adventure so you haven't had a second chance yet.

>>30983357
PS. don't count this as an additional vote. I already voted, I am just clarifying my position.

>>30983148
Not economics, but we should privately tell Neir that if any of her family feel the same way they can come over. After all, we don't trust any of the Taour Nobles to run the place once we conquer it anyway.
>>30983012
>1

>>30983398
>People actively discounting their own posts to avoid accidental samefagging
>All different parts of population come here for different reasons, all come to work together as best they can

Man you guys are cool.

>>30983414
>Not economics, but we should privately tell Neir that if any of her family feel the same way they can come over. After all, we don't trust any of the Taour Nobles to run the place once we conquer it anyway.
Yes...
if by don't trust you mean "they are vampires or thralls to vampires"
Also, in general respond positively to the idea of having her join your team when the time comes. She would be most welcome. (plus, with her house in charge of a good tract of land of former darlesia and right at our border... well, its nice to get more territory without a fight for it; assuming she joins post RSK fragmentation)

>>30983489
>if by don't trust you mean "they are vampires or thralls to vampires"
hence talon does not trust them.

>>30983395
good to know...
Do we also do non sex romancy (even if only at "maintain the relationship" level) stuff with them too occasionally in the background? (so basically, we not totally neglecting them while having threads focused on conquest and fighting.)

>>30983483
:)
I was really impressed by how we can discuss empire building with total lack of the type of shitstorm that usually brings.

Rolled 19 + 3

>>30983616
>good to know...
>Do we also do non sex romancy (even if only at "maintain the relationship" level) stuff with them too occasionally in the background? (so basically, we not totally neglecting them while having threads focused on conquest and fighting.)
Please lets not bog the quest down.

>2. With a tiny bit of 1.

You finish up the meeting, thanknig everybody for their contributions and letting Nier know that both she and her family are welcome here.

As Sarah leaves last, having packed everything up, you give her a very minor reminder, “Very small thing, Sarah, but when we’re in the open with servants and other nobles outside of cabinet try to remember that they all think of me as the imperator and you as the archduchess.”

Sarah nods a bit at that, slightly flushed, before heading off. You don’t mind her being more strong-willed than usual and you’ve never come down on her for being overly familial before, so it seemed wrong to do more than a simple reminder.

You make your way to your apartment suite in the spire and find Vad and Mal sitting in your sitting room, drinking some of your good brandy.

“I hope you poured me a glass, you bastards,” you say with mock menace as you take your own seat. You already know why Mal’s here, but Vad’s a surprise. You wonder what the two have been talking about. As you look up you see a snifter full of brandy on the table in front of you.

“So, what can I do for the two of you?” you ask.

“I was just here to catch up,” Mal says.

“I still owe you a bit for earlier,” Vad says. “Plus, I offered to tell you about the fox alliance if you agreed to get involved in our politics.”

“Right,” you say. “What were you two talking about earlier?”

“Thraldom,” Mal answers.

Nodding, Vadoric says, “I mentioned that I might be able to put you in contact with a source that might know more about vampires and thralls. I don’t know much about vampires, but the chief’s sister, Tsucchi, does. Last I heard she was based down near Malataine and she did a lot of research in the past on vampires.”

“You don’t seriously expect me to head down to Malataine?” you say, quirking an eyebrow.

>continued

>>30983802
“Nah, she’ll likely come here. Especially if you tell her that you’re interested in curing thraldom. And killing lots of vampires from the looks of it,” he says, taking a gulp of brandy. His tails quiver in a very odd way as he swallows the brandy and you shake your head. The tails were still strange in your eyes.

“How do you know she’s not busy helping your Chief with the Lord of Ember?” you ask.

“Ren would never place his sister in harm’s way like that.”

“From the way you were talking about him earlier, this sounds unlike him,” Mal answers.

Vad shrugs. “So, do you want me to go ahead and contact her? It’ll likely take her a while to get here but the sooner you ask her, the sooner she’ll get here.”

“Any downsides?” you ask.

“Ren will shred you if he finds out,” Vad answers. “She’s down with the elves to keep her out of harm’s way. ‘Course, with the love of women you seem to share with him you could probably reconcile over that.”

You try not to let that thought intrude too much into your mind, but it is interesting to note that Vad’s marked you down as a heavy womaniser. Not that you can blame him. You have a feeling that he and Mal might get along too well on that front.

>1. Ask Tsucchi to come help you with the vampires and thralls.
>2. Just talk to Tsucchi about vampires and thralls, don’t ask her to come join you in Vitria.
>3. Leave Tsucchi alone.
>4. Custom

>>30983735
with questions? or with roleplaying personal relationships?

because the point of the question is that I favor the conquering part and empire building. I would like to think we are at least not neglecting our friends/lovers/underlings/etc entirely in the duration, without having to bog down the quest with roleplaying each such interaction in order to do so.

>>30983829
>1. Ask Tsucchi to come help you with the vampires and thralls.

>>30983829
>1. Ask Tsucchi to come help you with the vampires and thralls.

>>30983616
>Do we also do non sex romancy (even if only at "maintain the relationship" level) stuff with them too occasionally in the background? (so basically, we not totally neglecting them while having threads focused on conquest and fighting.)

Given how big the timeskips can be (I glossed over almost 12 days of travel during the revenant stuff), you can assume a lot takes place off-screen.

Also, it just occurred to me I forgot to offer an opportunity to do any Farun diplomacy while you were in Farun. That was dumb.

IMPORTANT

As this scene is the last before I start to wrap up empire stuff, let me know if there's any extra issues aside from military organisation (>>30978016) you want to handle. That way things can go reasonably smoothly, I hope.

>>30983923
Presumably buying and expanding our military.

>>30983829
1

ren is just going to have to not find out then...

also
>Ren is big womanizer
>Vad thinks we are one too.
>Ren is very protective of his sister
>Ren screwed vad's sister
>Vad suggests we invite ren's sister over
Hahaha. Oh vad, I see through your plan you sly fox

>>30983989
>Vad thinks we are one too.
erm... should have said "vad knows we are one too" :P.

>>30983802
tell us how the foxes handle their fluffy matters before agreeing to something so suddenly.

also, i'm perfectly willing to see totally not-homosexual acts with the cute fox guy. I imagine his robes shows the skin on his pale chest and shoulders too much at times...

>>30983829
>1
How is this even a question?

>>30984021
>tell us how the foxes handle their fluffy matters before agreeing to something so suddenly.
That's... probably a good idea now that you mention it. I'll go with agreeing to Tsucchi for now, but if you agree to his later proposal and don't like what you hear I'll offer the chance to renege on the offer.

>>30984064
There were a lot of people who didn't wnat Vad along. Although I'm beginning to wonder if that's because people think he wants to sleep with Talon...

>>30984064
well, technically 2 is a safer option as we can get most info out of her via sending without risking ren (high ranking/power fox) as a potential enemy. having her here though would probably accelerate our research

>>30984128
>well, technically 2 is a safer option as we can get most info out of her via sending without risking ren (high ranking/power fox) as a potential enemy. having her here though would probably accelerate our research
Eh, his powers flat out don't work on us.

>>30984021
>>30984113
>That's... probably a good idea now that you mention it. I'll go with agreeing to Tsucchi for now, but if you agree to his later proposal and don't like what you hear I'll offer the chance to renege on the offer.
I am lost, what are you two talking about?

>Spoiler
a fox is ok too
joking aside, I am just going to believe their claims. IIRC they claimed they thought he was a coward, an omega personality, and a pariah in his own society which would foul up our attempt to make diplomacy with them due to his low social status in fox society
I don't agree with any of those views on him, but I don't think we need to look deeper than that

>>30983829
>1. Ask Tsucchi to come help you with the vampires and thralls.

>>30983845
>with roleplaying personal relationships?
I'm ok with that, but i don't want it to over take the quest, and prefer it to be done on the QMs relaxing threads.

>>30984181
They do work on everyone else in our domain though.
he is also one of the 5 ruling chiefs and we want to get into their politics to gain another arena to wrangle power in, so tremendous political clout to muddle up our affairs too.

>>30984181
You still have a physical body you rely on, unlike an angel or faerie, so they would. They're just easier for you to resist than otherwise (which means you'd get a dice roll where you otherwise wouldn't). Remember that the traps in the monastery were likely set up by monks and yet they could have killed you.

>>30984215
>I am lost, what are you two talking about?
Vad mentioned some fox politics which could make things complicated if you have a bunch of foxes hanging around.

>spoilers
I was making a joke after a couple of people have suggested that Vad was coming onto Talon and that guy above mentioned about Vad being a cute fox guy showing off skin (I must be writing Vad very differently to I intended to get that reaction - maybe it's the way I'm writing the tails?).

>>30984181
Dude can teloport like 200 KM while weakened.

>>30984113
I think that was more to do with Vad not really getting a chance to prove himself (thanks nat1s). I mean, I wasn't sold on him, but ended up voting to keep another named character on principle. Tsucchi, on the other hand, is a vampire expert (which we need), is the sister of the Foxboss (which might be useful or might blow up in our faces) and is, let's be honest, a foxy lady (assumed given race, could be subverted for laughs?). So yeah, bit of a different situation.

>>30984292
oh... fluffy matters = fox politics. doh

>>30984292
>I must be writing Vad very differently to I intended to get that reaction - maybe it's the way I'm writing the tails?.
I think its just that one guy, and the second one was joking.
I believe you come across clearly, and we already established vad likes women, even if he was bi instead of merely straight he didn't seem to come unto talon so far.

>>30984316
Eh I don't really want to recruit her. Far more useful then Vad? Sure. But she comes with some big ass strings attached. Namely, the Fox government, or whatever, chasing her down if she's gone for too long.

Last thing I want is that fucker coming to our door and demanding sacrifices of pussy to satisfy his anger at us.

>>30984292
>Remember that the traps in the monastery were likely set up by monks and yet they could have killed you.
I thought a big part of that was also how we were forging full steam ahead without disarming to disabling the traps in any way.
And a bigger part was that we are just so woefully untrained that we don't have the skill or knowledge to defend ourselves (aka, need hundreds of years of practice to reach the level of a fae or archangel who is effectively immune to monk tier astral powers)

>>30984365
I vote sarah or Lynn.

>>30984365
>the Fox government, or whatever, chasing her down if she's gone for too long.
the government is a "extended family clan" type "government". they aren't going to behead her for desertion and attack us for harboring a fugitive, she is being posted in the safest place her brother, one of the 5 highest ranked foxes in the world (or maybe 6 if there is still a chief of the now decimated clan) could find for her.

>>30984425
If you hadn't been human you would've died without a save instead of getting that warning message. Basically, being able to use astral power is still different to being an astral being (the Lords, for instance, aren't astral beings). Assuming you aren't an astral being, of course.

>>30984365
There's only one sacrifice he'd ask for and Vad already told you who it would be. Yes, that means taking Ren as a Champion would have locked off one particular relationship.

>1.

“Well, I’m happy to have along somebody who can help me with the vampires,” you say. “Especially if they’re a talented spiritualist. With that said, I’d like to hear a little more about the reason this ‘Six-Star Alliance’ of the foxes has suddenly relocated to Gauron.”

Vad nods and Mal looks sharp suddenly. You use a but if magic to push some alcohol out of your system and note that Vad doesn’t appear capable of the same, judging from how tipsy he is. Given that half the bottle of brandy was gone by the time you arrived and it’s now almost empty, you’re not too surprised.

“Well, before I can tell you that you need to be willing to get involved with the crazy politics of us foxes,” Vad says, swirling his snifter around.

“You’re going to need to tell me what these politics are, first,” you say, figuring that knowing them will tell you why the alliance relocated.

Nodding, the five-tailed fox launches into a brief explanation. “Basically, we have some major enemies. We don’t like telling people who exactly they are unless we get them to agree to help us deal with them. We’re, uh, kind of short on people helping us. It doesn’t help that most of the western end of the continent hates non-humans. And most of the rest is at war.”

“So this is recent?” you ask, still fishing.

Vad looks annoyed, taking another gulp. “I’m not saying anymore until you agree to help us. Just because I can’t drink like fishes, unlike you two, doesn’t mean I can’t handle my liquor.”

“How is the agreement enforced?” Mal asks.

“Typically by force,” Vad answers. “I’d have to let the Chief know you know, and if he feels you’re not helping then he’ll probably pay a visit.”

“How do we have to help?”

>continued

>>30984541
“Generally it requires you to be open to foxes. Um, I don’t really know if there’s any extra requirements for rulers,” Vad says, scratching his head behind one fluffy ear. “Usually high-level negotiations would take place for that, like they have with the League in the past.”

Hmm, so the strings attached aren’t very well known. Do you want to know about the issues the mystic foxes are facing bad enough to risk them asking some favours? It would also be the gate to getting better relations with the foxes themselves, and possibly the Mage Guard.

>1. Agree to support the foxes
>2. Don’t agree to support the foxes
>3. Ask more questions, <write-in>
>4. Custom

>>30984524
>Yes, that means taking Ren as a Champion would have locked off one particular relationship.
hah you act like we wouldn't murder him.
This is the same character where we fight over.

>>30984474
fuck no

>There's only one sacrifice he'd ask for and Vad already told you who it would be
err... talon himself?
Yea, I took it to mean he would LITERALLY try to kill us if she gets hurt. he would merely be really upset with us if he finds out we even put her near danger (where we can mollify by explaining that with us is even safer than elf-place because we would use astral power to prevent harm from coming to her).

>>30984581
>err... talon himself?
he siad Lynn would be propular with all foxes.

>>30984557
>1. Agree to support the foxes

>>30984557
>1. Agree to support the foxes

>>30984562
For that reason, I'm kind of glad you guys didn't get Ren as a Champion, even if I really like him as a character. I have a feeling revealing that particular behind-the-scenes relationship would have been disastrous. Having familiars you can sleep with seems to have simplified things.

>>30984524
I like Lynn, but it's not like I'm going to flip out if Ren manages to court her away from us. Talon has plenty of Exes.

>>30984651
I'm fine with Lynn sleeping with Ren as a personal decision, not cool with offering her up as appeasement. Also wouldn't like losing her as a guard.

>>30984557
so, people being cowardly and prejudiced are the reasons for them refusing to help. are those the only reasons?
The foxes I have met so far were good people, but I have seen governments do some pretty awful things to people.
I am ok with the deal as long as the enemies are not "some people we tried to genocide because we are secretely dicks and they ended up winning all of the sudden" or "those other fox clans we kept as abused slaves until they overthrew us"

... in retrospect. the fact the foxes we know of thus far have been so decent (that fox we almost married by accident, the one who is a staunch vampire hunter, the fact most of them are trying to stop lord ember, and vad... so yea, fuck it. Just go ahead and trust these guys to NOT be total secret dicks.

>>30984651
I don't think Talon would either. If they feel like leaving then do it.

>>30984557
>4. Agree to be open to the foxes (I assume this means providing them hospitality) but request a formal negotiator before signing up for anything.

Never sign a contract without reading it.

>>30984819
+1 to every sentiment
Also, while he wouldn't flip his shit, he would try to counter seduce to keep her.

Finally, I am pretty sure he meant talon's own head is the only thing he will accept.

>>30984524
>There's only one sacrifice he'd ask for and Vad already told you who it would be
did he? when? who?

>>30984833
>so, people being cowardly and prejudiced are the reasons for them refusing to help. are those the only reasons?

Be hard to say without you know agreeing. Though personally I think we should ask if we get anything out of knowing this.

>>30984862
I would also be fine with counter-seduction. Though given her appetite I'm guessing Lynn could probably keep both Talon and Ren permanently exhausted if she wanted to.

>>30984906
Helping out the foxes would be fine if they did something useful for us. Otherwise things are too one sided for me.

>>30984623
this was probably brought up before but you got the names of the elementals from monsumu quest right?

Side note re Ranger order:
A lot of people seem interested in founding a ranger order of some kind. I'm cool with that. Unfortunately, Moss, while competent and courageous, doesn't really seem a "grandmaster tier" character, and given his age and complete lack of magical ability I doubt he will ever be one.

>>30984971
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salamander_%28legendary_creature%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undine_%28alchemy%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylph

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grome

>>30984954
>One of talon's waifus makes him into a husbando in her boyharem
HAHAHA, I would lol so hard if that happened.

>>30985041
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grome
I think you meant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnome

>>30984971
You can't be serious?

>1.

“I suppose I agree,” you say. “I wouldn’t mind knowing some more about whether there’s additional strings attached, though.”

“Hmm, well, I can see if I can find out,” Vad replies. “That’s assuming they even answer me. They could all be dead for all I know.”

Such calming thoughts. Vad takes another gulp of your brandy and you wonder if you should stop him from drinking more. On the other hand, it looks like he’s about to tell you about the situation without getting your actual agreement.

Vad explains at length the situation regarding the foxes. It’s more straightforward than you’d thought it might be.

Essentially, Pharos was a war-torn continent but the foxes were united across the continent via their alliance. Then, the Empress (whose name Vad doesn’t say) began to unite the continent and struck a deal with the leader of the sixth clan a little over twenty years ago. The sixth clan then assisted the Empress in trying to subjugate the remaining clans, forcing them to relocate to Gauron as most of Pharos was now hostile, but not after severe casualties.

“Unfortunately, we were followed here. We were even betrayed not long ago, shortly after the Magi League formed,” Vad explains. “The League was made an offer under the table and accepted it. It’s since been rescinded, but they’ve still got a strong base there. There’s a good reason we’re based in the Mage Guard.”

“Wait, so the Six-Star Alliance is basically being hunted by the entire continent of Pharos and the other foxes?” you say. “Does that mean the foxes on the trade ships from Pharos are from the sixth clan?”

“Usually,” Vad replies.

You mull over this revelation. Accepting foxes from the Six-Star Alliance means you’ll be a target by Pharos, who sometimes have ships come into port. That could cause issues.

>Any questions to ask of Vad? I’ll also offer the chance to renege on the idea of contacting Tsucchi if people want to.

Also, sorry I'm so slow today. I do intend to run longer than usual though, if people stick around. I'm in a writing mood today, despite my slowness.

>>30985158
I've got nothing. Also not interested in breaking the dea;

>>30985158
eh, I am ok with this alliance. Pharos are powerful but they aren't here, they are an ocean away. And we intend to unite this continent anyways at which point she is our enemy.

She controls only 1 of the 6 clans of foxes. We wont "control" the 5/6 clans we have, but could have them as allies which basically means they fight for us anyways.

>>30985075
Nope. I just thought randomly linking up to that is hilarious.

>>30985247
>at which point she is our enemy.
by that i mean, at that point we are in global phase and face off against the other continents... technically we could make peace with her and go after the other continents.

>>30985158
>Refuse
I am uncomfortable with this deal. I'll say it again, Foxes are sneaky, and I don't like em. Especially with the idea that a particularly power Astral Fox is gonna want a Lynn booty call/sacrifice.

Just makes me uncomfortable man.

>>30985291
They could be useful to us though. Mainly just because of their astral understanding.

>>30985276
>global phase
In thread 200, it's Gauron versus Pharos...

I figure I'll call two votes now to get things out of the way.

FOX VOTE
>1. Continue your conditional agreement to support the foxes, dependent on finding out if there's anything more they expect of you as a ruler.
>2. Refuse to support the foxes. You don't want to get involve in an intercontinental war.
>3. Custom

TSUCCHI VOTE
>1. Continue with the idea of having Tsucchi join you.
>2. Move back to the idea of just contacting Tsucchi for help with vampires.
>3. Renege on the idea and don't contact Tsucchi due to the risk involved with the fox issues.
>4. Custom

>>30985291
>Especially with the idea that a particularly power Astral Fox is gonna want a Lynn booty call/sacrifice.
seriously, where the fuck are people getting this idea about him wanting lynn as a sacrifice, that we would ever consider it, or that this is even option we could do? (what, we just go "hey lynn, how about I whore you out?")

Vad said he would MURDER us, not fuck our waifu, if we put his sister in danger. (And I say we could convince him we didn't put her in danger since our astral power makes her safer here than in elfland. assuming he ever finds out. assuming we don't seduce her and he then can't do anything)

>>30985390
>1. Continue your conditional agreement to support the foxes, dependent on finding out if there's anything more they expect of you as a ruler.
>1. Continue with the idea of having Tsucchi join you.

>>30985390
>1. Continue your conditional agreement to support the foxes, dependent on finding out if there's anything more they expect of you as a ruler.
>1

>>30985390
>FOX VOTE
1
TSUCCHI VOTE
1

>>30985390
>1. Continue your conditional agreement to support the foxes, dependent on finding out if there's anything more they expect of you as a ruler.

>1. Continue with the idea of having Tsucchi join you.

>>30985404
If he tries anything we fob him off, then contact Larous the Eternal. Who will proceed to inform him that treating his daughter like a commodity is inappropriate. Or he'll just eat him.

>>30985390
suggestion: if you do a double vote in a post, could you label the options in the second choice A,B,C,D...
if there are 3+ choices... well just make 2 posts and we can link each post before voting

>>30985453
that is another good point. or heck, we could threaten to break the alliance over it and let the other foxes sort him out for us.

>>30985453
I thought it was "the Fountain of Eternity" not "The Eternal"
oh god, dirty thoughts go away!

Also... I hope he has good views on polygamy or this is going to be a difficult meeting for us

>>30985390
>1. Continue your conditional agreement to support the foxes, dependent on finding out if there's anything more they expect of you as a ruler.

>1. Continue with the idea of having Tsucchi join you.

>>30985390
FOX VOTE
>1. Continue your conditional agreement to support the foxes, dependent on finding out if there's anything more they expect of you as a ruler.
TSUCCHI VOTE
>1. Continue with the idea of having Tsucchi join you.

>>30985453
>Larous the Eternal
I thought you were talking about Eien no Aselia for a second.

I assume you're talking about Lynn's father, Tylarne the Font of Eternity?

>1 & 1.

You spend most of the rest of the night drinking with Mal and Vad, letting yourself go in the intoxication department. Upon awakening, you realise something else must have happened as you wake up to a face full of Salamander, with Lynn behind you. Sometimes you wonder if these two girls get along too well.

There’s a cabinet meeting this morning, so you hurry to the large meeting room it’s intended to be held at. Despite arriving ten minutes late, the room is empty and everybody enters in suspiciously randomly spaced times. Remembering all too well your time in the RSK, it’s far too obvious that everybody was waiting for you and trying not to appear to be. This…

>1. Irks you. You may call yourself imperator but this sort of behaviour is too much. You ask them not to do it in the future.
>2. Doesn’t bother you. They’re free to do whatever they like.
>3. Impresses you. It’s an inspirational sort of loyalty to see them behave like this. Thank them all for their ‘prompt’ attendance.
>4. Custom

>>30985390
1&1

>>30985599
>2. Doesn’t bother you. They’re free to do whatever they like.

>>30985599
>2. Doesn’t bother you. They’re free to do whatever they like.
Raise an amused eyebrow.

>>30985599
2

>>30985599
>1. Irks you. You may call yourself imperator but this sort of behaviour is too much. You ask them not to do it in the future.

>>30985599
>2. Doesn’t bother you. They’re free to do whatever they like.

>>30985599
>2. Doesn’t bother you. They’re free to do whatever they like.
>>30985645
Also this.