>>46696805
>>"We could go for a walk around the city if you're up for it."
Once my family knows I'm back I'm going to have to put things back into order immediately

>>46696805
>"We could go for a walk around the city if you're up for it."
Tell our family we are back and have someone follow us and keep watch while we walk with her.

>>46696805
>>"We could go for a walk around the city if you're up for it."

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>>46696805
"We could go for a walk around the city if you're up to it," you say. "The palace can be a little stuffy, and I'd like to check up on things myself. I can show you around while I'm at it."

"That would be absolutely lovely." Reagan smiles. "I'm very curious to know what's different between Aurwain and Olaim."

"In that case, let's get going."

You politely offer Reagan your arm, and she's quite happy to take it. Enthusiastic, even. You suspect she's standing far too close to your for casual socializing, but it's certainly a pleasant experience. Not quite worth getting assassinated for, but still pleasant.

You send the word out to your clerks and have them prepare a report of anything important you might have missed while you were away. They don't mention anything that requires your immediate attention, so you can afford to wait and look at them later. You pick up Myrddin and Olwen on your way out and ask them to join you. Reagan spent quite a bit of time talking with them during the trip back, and she doesn't mind their presence now.

"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I really visited the city," Myrddin says. "Even that ball was mostly business."

"I heard visiting Aurwain is just something rich people do now to make themselves look important," Olwen says. "I can't say I see the appeal. Spend enough time here, and it's just another city."

"I suppose I could say the same about Olaim," Reagan says. "However, this place is new to me, and I quite enjoy that."

You glance around the streets filled with merchants hawking their wares and labourers going out for lunch. It's certainly bustling, but it's not what you'd call romantic, even if you adjust your standards downward to make them more appropriate for the… situation.

>"Let's visit the markets. We might find something to buy."
>"I think the theatres might be open for public rehearsals."
>"We could start with the temples. I haven't been there in a while."

>>46697246
>>"We could start with the temples. I haven't been there in a while."

>>46697246
>"We could start with the temples. I haven't been there in a while."

>>46697246
>"We could start with the temples. I haven't been there in a while."

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>>46697246
"We could start with the temples," you say. "I haven't been there in a while."

"Now that you mention it, I don't know much about Gwyrddarfordir's religion," Reagan says.

"It's primarily based on hero worship," Myrddin says. "Parlan invaded more than two thousand years ago to spread their own religion, but they were unprepared for an extended war across the sea, so they were quickly repelled. "Since then, Gwyrddarfordir's mythology grew to glorify mortal heroes and deicide in contrast to Parlan's more theistic religion."

"The myths were used to enshrine hero-kings as the kingdom's rulers when we adopted the Svekkan and Rosean feudal system several centuries later," you add. "The religion isn't that important, but there are holidays associated with it depending on any given person's own beliefs and priorities."

"It gets more formal when there's a war," Olwen says. "People love their war heroes."

The temples are walled off from the rest of the city in order to keep them quiet and solemn; they technically double as graveyards. Your party crosses the steel gates and enters the sacred grounds. The largest temple, one made of marble, is dedicated to the royal family. Other, smaller temples focus on legendary heroes, some of which are associated with noble families.

There's a priestess patrolling the grounds. She's wearing the traditional white and red robes associated with war heroes. "Welcome to the Temples of the Blood Sword," she says. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

>"No, we won't be here long."
>"No, we just wanted to walk around a bit."
>"Yes, my friend here is new to the city, and I wanted to show her around."

>>46697701
>>"Yes, my friend here is new to the city, and I wanted to show her around."
I like our national religion

>>46697701
>>"Yes, my friend here is new to the city, and I wanted to show her around."

>>46697701
>>"Yes, my friend here is new to the city, and I wanted to show her around."
Machiavelli and Locke would cream themselves over such a state centered religion it's great.

>>46697701
>"Yes, my friend here is new to the city, and I wanted to show her around."

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>>46697701
"Yes, my friend here is new to the city." You nod in Reagan's direction. "I wanted to show her around a bit."

"Of course, your highness," the priestess says. "I'll be happy to give you the tour."

"Wait, you know who I am?"

The priestess smiles awkwardly. "I was an apprentice chaplain at two of your battles," she says, hoping to job your memory. "The Naval Battle of Three Worlds and the Long Winter Raid? My name's Delyth?"

You scratch your chin and cough. "Sorry, it must have slipped my mind," you say. "It's been a while."

"Forgetting a woman's name?" Olwen gives you an accusing stare.

"What a terrible, terrible thing to do." Myrddin shakes his head sadly.

Reagan, for her part, looks incredibly amused by your suffering.

"I suppose it's normal." Delyth says. "There were quite a few people there, and I wasn't important enough to go anywhere near the commanding officers anyway. But enough of that. Let me show you around."

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>>46698217
Delyth brings you to the Paladin's Monument, which lists the names of all the paladins who died in battle during the last few centuries.

"Most enchanted weapons aren't too difficult to use, but some are trickier than others," Olwen explains to Reagan. "Soldiers who can master more powerful enchanted weapons like his highness' sword or mine are given offices in the palace and named paladins."

"The great hero Vaughan was the first to master the use of enchanted weapons," Delyth adds. Olwen preens at the mention of her ancestor. "Although it took us quite a bit longer to learn actually make them. Before that, heroes had to earn their enchanted weapons by killing their previous owners. Maybe noble houses still keep Parlan weapons as heirlooms, even if the weapons themselves are outdated."

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>>46698269
Delyth shows you some of the other prominent monuments before taking you to the temple dedicated to Gwyrren, the founder of the royal dynasty. It's significantly larger than the others, and there are statues to several of your ancestors. While it's a great honour for them, it's also an honour reserved for those who died in battle, so you'd rather not join them any time soon.

"This is the temple dedicated to the royal family and its accomplishments," Delyth says. "When the country was nothing more than fishing villages and wilderness, Gwyrren gathered the greatest warriors and strategists he could find to repel the enemy and unify Gwyrddarfordir's cultural identity. Without him, we wouldn't have been able to protect ourselves from neighbouring countries."

Reagan doesn't seem the least bit offended by Delyth's words. If anything, she seems quite fascinated by Gwyrddarfordir's history.

"This is everything as far as the temples go," Delyth says. "However, we also having fencing and chess halls, if you'd like to see them. We've actually been trying to build training grounds for archery and muskets, but we can't find the space or the money, unfortunately."

>"A round of fencing wouldn't hurt."
>"A game of chess would be nice."
>"I'd like to know more about those archery grounds."
>"We shouldn't disturb you any further. Thank you."

>>46698346
>"A round of fencing wouldn't hurt."

>>46698346
>"I'd like to know more about those archery grounds."
Always good to encourage development.

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>>46698346
>>"A game of chess would be nice."

>>46698346
>"I'd like to know more about those archery grounds."
then
>"A game of chess would be nice."

>>46698346
>>"I'd like to know more about those archery grounds."

>>46698346
>"A game of chess would be nice."

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>>46698346
"It's been a while since I played chess," you say. "We can talk about those archery grounds in the meantime."

"As you wish, your highness," Delyth says. "The fencing and chess halls aren't technically part of the temple grounds, but they might as well be. Nobles and officers often go there as part of their pilgrimage to test their skills against others, although there aren't many people around now."

The chess hall is more like a lounge. There are some private boots, and junior priests and priestesses carry food and drink to anyone who requests it. The place is dead silent.

"This silence feels strange," Reagan whispers.

"It's usually like this even when it's crowded," Delyth says. "People come here to focus and concentrate, so they don't like to be disturbed."

Delyth brings you to one of the most private tables and shows you several different boards. You recognize one of them as standard chess, but not the other two.

"They're variations from Han," Delyth says. "I thought you might want to give them a try. One is just a more complicated variant of chess, while the other is called go. It's a cross between chess and checkers."

>[Military/1d8] "I'll stick with the standard chess game."
>[Military/1d6] "I'd like to try the Han chess variant."
>[Military/1d4] "Go seems interesting."

>>46698754
>[Military/1d4] "Go seems interesting."

>>46698754
>>[Military/1d4] "Go seems interesting."
We have 3/4 of winning.

>>46698754
>[Military/1d4] "Go seems interesting."

>>46698754
>[Military/1d4] "Go seems interesting."

>>46698754
Hey QM what would be our family's skill lvls? Most of them would be in the negatives right?

>>46698754
>[Military/1d6] "I'd like to try the Han chess variant."

>>46698792
Not sure how you figure 58% to be 3/4.

>>46698826
Military and Sovereign would be pretty good, just not applied towards any productive goal. Intrigue, Dilettante and Merchant would be really terrible for everyone except your uncle.

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>>46698754
"Go seems interesting," you say.

"I've seen it a few times, but I've never played it," Myrddin says.

"I don't think there's anything like this in Olstren," Reagan says.

"The rules are quite simple," Delyth says, "but it requires very deep strategies. Given your highness' reputation, this might be a suitable game for you."

The fundamental rules are quite simple. You need to place your stones to establish the largest territory possible while constraining Delyth's own territory and claiming her pieces if you have the opportunity.

"You can play first, your highness."

>Roll 1d4, best of three.

>>46698754
>>[Military/1d8] "I'll stick with the standard chess game.

Rolled 2 (1d4)

>>46699076
Check my 4

Rolled 1 (1d4)

>>46699076
Olwen a best.

Rolled 3 (1d4)

>>46699076
Bracing for crit fail.

Rolled 3 (1d4)

>>46699076
Time for 1s!

>>46699097
>1
Olwen a worst.

>>46699091
>>46699097
>>46699105
THE DEFEATED PRINCE shall be our title from now onwards

>>46699137
We should have stuck with chess none of this jap bullshit.

>>46699207
I'll have you know Go is from China.

>>46699261
A weeb is a weeb i could care less which Asian cultures ass they kiss.

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>>46699076
The rules are the only thing simple about this game. It starts off easy enough; you put your stones down and claim spots of the board. After a few turns, however, Delyth starts going after your territory. By the time you realize what's happening, you're long past the point where you should have resigned out of courtesy.

"Well, that's certainly embarrassing," Myrddin says.

"I know," Olwen says. "It was almost painful to watch."

Reagan gives you a look of pure, undiluted pity while Delyth coughs awkwardly.

"I'm sure you'll get the hang of it eventually," Delyth says. "It just takes some practice. Or maybe a lot of practice."

You lean back against your seat so that you don't accidentally tip over and slam your head on the table.

"Setting all that aside," you say, "what about the archery grounds?"

Delyth is quite happy to help you change the subject. "The temple grounds were established before the Enchanters' Guild could figure out how to make proper bows; there's always been some confusion about whether to enchant the bows or the arrows, and putting enchantments on both can cause problems. We tried to build archery ranges in the past, but we never got around to it, and bows were never important enough to warrant extraordinary effort anyway, but now that muskets are becoming more prominent, we really need to find a solution."

"Why not use part of the fencing hall?" Reagan asks.

"We absolutely can't do that," Delyth answers. "There's not enough space, and the hall simply isn't designed for ranged weapons anyway. We'd have to rebuild the whole thing, and that would marginalize the sword. The temple's duty is to chronicle the kingdom's history and its warfare, so we need to keep up with new developments, but we can't cast our history aside either."

"That does pose some problems," Myrddin says.

>"I'm sure I can help you figure it out."
>"I'm sure you'll find a solution eventually."

>>46699296
>>"I'm sure I can help you figure it out."

>>46699296
>>"I'm sure I can help you figure it out."

>>46699296
>"I'm sure I can help you figure it out."

>>46699296
>"I'm sure I can help you figure it out."

>>46699296
>Tear it down and make way for progress.

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>>46699296
"I'm sure I can help you figure it out," you say. "What would you need, exactly?"

"Ideally, we'd need several hundred yards of space," Delyth says. "We need at least that much distance for our targets if we want people to really be able to practice. It has to be self-contained as well, or else people might get hurt by missed shots."

"That does sound difficult to find," Reagan says, "especially in a city as packed as Aurwain."

"Space has been a problem in a lot of areas for years," Myrddin says. "At some point, we'll need to build another city outside the walls."

"I'd like to solve this problem now rather than in several years, Myrddin," you say.

"You could organize hunting trips," Olwen says. "It would be less formal, but it could allow for more realistic training, and several of the heroes enshrined here were hunters."

"Alternatively, you could combine ranged weapons training with naval training," Myrddin says. "You don't have anything to cover naval training, right?"

"I don't think anyone's ever really thought about it," Delyth says. "After all, it's not something we can do on temple grounds."

>"Organized hunting trips are a good idea."
>"The kingdom does need help developing its navy."
>"I think it'd be better if we just expanded the temple grounds."

>>46699717
>"The kingdom does need help developing its navy."

>>46699717
>"The kingdom does need help developing its navy."

>>46699717
>>"The kingdom does need help developing its navy."
Power projection and all that jazz

>>46699717
>>"The kingdom does need help developing its navy."

>>46699717
>>"The kingdom does need help developing its navy."
Are we going to rule the waves?

>>46699953
The sun never sets for our kingdom

>>46700010
It's time to set up an elite navy and rule the world
Remove Parlan

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>>46699717
"The kingdom does need help developing its navy," you say. "Do you think the temples could help with that."

"I suppose." Delyth puts a finger to her chin and ponders your offer. "Actually, it would help us keep up to date with Gwyrddarfordir's military. We do have several shrines and mausoleums dedicated to the navy, but I don't think they're current."

"Let's go with a naval solution then," you say. "It would certainly be beneficial if captains can congregate in places like this one like the army officers do. Will you be able to make an archery range though?"

"My father has some enchanted discs that can fly on their own and be called back with a whistle," Olwen says. "That's what he uses to practice his marksmanship."

"I've heard about those," Delyth says. "They're expensive, but that won't be an issue. We don't like large training groups anyway. They make discussions and debates more difficult."

"We're getting ahead of ourselves," Myrddin says. "We still don't know how we're going to expend the temple."

Myrddin's right. You'd need to find some property by the docks, or donate a ship to the temples in order to do this.

>"We'll build a new, smaller temple on the docks."
>"We can donate an old ship to the temples."
>"We'll have a ship built to the temple's specifications."

>>46700155
>>"We'll have a ship built to the temple's specifications."
Fuck it go big.

>>46700155
>"We can donate an old ship to the temples."

>>46700155
>>"We can donate an old ship to the temples."

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>>46700155
"We can donate an old ship to the temples," you say. "We use a few to train cabin boys and ship supplies. They're in excellent condition, just too old for combat."

"Is that really all right, your highness?" Delyth asks. "Are you sure you can use your authority like this?"

"He does it all the time," Myrddin says. "It's just a question of how royal authority should be applied."

In this case, it shouldn't be too complicated. You can just demand a ship from the navy, or even buy one. Certainly, the simplest way is to forge the records and have a ship assigned to your personal use.

>[Sovereign/1d6] "I'll just ask for a ship."
>[Merchant/1d6] "I should be able to buy one of the navy's ships."
>[Intrigue/1d10] "We'll just falsify a few papers and the problem will solve itself."

>>46700470
>[Sovereign/1d6] "I'll just ask for a ship."

>>46700470
>>[Sovereign/1d6] "I'll just ask for a ship."

>>46700470
>[Sovereign/1d6] "I'll just ask for a ship."
How are our coffers even doing, anyway? We shouldn't expend beyond our resources.

>>46700470
>>[Sovereign/1d6] "I'll just ask for a ship."
Just take one that is about to be decommissioned, everyone would understand why.

Speaking of navy is our sis back?

>>46700562
As long as you succeed a roll, you find the money somehow.

>>46700628
She's still away.

>>46700709
How much of our country's income ends up in our uncle's pocket?

>>46700709
Naval Empire when?

>>46700756
Too much, by Meirion's standards anyway.

>>46700759
That depends on /tg/.

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>>46700470
"I'll just ask for a ship," you say. "There must be a few around that won't be missed. Myrddin, if you could give me some ink and paper, please?"

Myrddin obliges and you quickly jot down a request to have an old ship turned over to you for your personal use. The navy doesn't do charity, so they won't care even if you mention the temples, but they do have to obey royal edicts and someone out there must have a ship they're willing to get ready, if only so they can save on maintenance and have you owe them a small favour at some point. After all, you have to maintain a good relationship between yourself and your vassals.

>Roll 1d6, best of three.

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>46700843

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>46700843
Nat 1s incoming

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>46700843
Ez

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>46700843

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>>46700843
You fold the letter and turn it over to Myrddin so he can have it delivered to the right people later.

"There, that should take care of it," you say. "It might take a while, but you'll have your ship."

"Thank you, your highness," Delyth says. "We'll need time to make all the necessary arrangements anyway, so the wait won't be a problem."

"If there is a problem, you can have someone contact me," you say. "I'm looking forward to seeing the results of your effort.

You remain on the temple grounds a while longer to enjoy tea before you return to the castle.

"I must say, that was quite impressive," Reagan says. "I'm not used to seeing nobles as active as you, your highness. Is your life always like this?"

>"Basically, yes."
>"Only when I got out on dates."
>"Not always. Today just happened to be busy."

>>46700966
>>"Basically, yes."

>>46700966
>"Basically, yes."
It gets tiring at times.

>>46700966
>"Basically, yes."
If I don't do it, nothing productive gets done.

>>46700966
>>"Basically, yes."
We have to be careful to not give her too much info

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>>46700966
"Basically, yes."

"Come to think of it, didn't our last break turn into work as well?" Olwen asks.

"Technically, it was always meant to be work," Myrddin says. "His highness just failed to invite his brother to come along, so we had to turn it into leisure. Although I suppose it would have been all work if only his highness had kept flirting with Lloyd's daughter."

"She's the one who walked away from me," you say. "I think she was bothered by something."

"And then you asked me not to keep track of her, which I could have done," Myrddin says. "Sometimes, I think you don't want to be a philandering manwhore."

"Why are we even having this conversation?"

"I don't know," Reagan says, "but I find it absolutely enthralling. Tell me more about this girl."

"Oh, his highness used me to attract other women," Olwen says. "Then he danced the… what was it, the Rose Garden Waltz? Something along those lines. Anyway, she ditched him right after."

"And that is quite enough of that." You wrap one arm around Reagan's waist and pull her along away from the gossip.

>"Let's find a restaurant. I'm starving."
>"Let's go back to the castle. I'm tired."
>"Since you're on the subject, let's find ourselves a party."

>>46700966
>"Basically, yes."

>>46701403
>>"Let's find a restaurant. I'm starving."

>>46701403
>"Let's find a restaurant. I'm starving."
Just hope our meal isn't interrupted. Again.

>>46701403
>"Let's find a restaurant. I'm starving."
Such loyal servants, ready and willing to turn their master into a philandering manwhore.

>>46701403
>>"Let's find a restaurant. I'm starving."
So why are we having this conversation?

>>46701474
We must avoid such debauchery for the sake of the kingdom, Olwen is a commendable temptress.

>>46701403
"Let's find a restaurant," you say. "I'm starving."

You walk into a little restaurant that's best known for its grill. Most of its food is cheap, but they do have better fare for people who can afford spices. Fortunately, you are one of those people. You all sit down and order wine and food.

"How do you like Aurwain so far, your highness?" Olwen asks Reagan.

"It's very pleasant," Reagan says. "Having competent company certainly helps. Aside from my personal guards, I don't have many people to rely on at home, and their talents are rather limited, unfortunately. It's a shame I can only stay for a few days."

"We'll make sure to keep you entertained while you are here," Myrddin says. "It's the least we can do to keep your mind away from your worries."

"The Crown's mind is always on its worries, Myrddin," you say. "That's why you wear it on your head."

"Fortunately, I wouldn't know."

"There is one thing I'm curious about, Prince Meirion," Reagan says. "Did you enjoy your day?"

>"Any productive day is a good day."
>"Of course I did."
>"I can't say I did."
>"It was about average."

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>>46701564
They merely have far greater vision than we. For, if we have half the kingdom's population under us, then we are an army of half the kingdom and one; our numbers shall ever be the greater, and no civil war shall ever be able to depose our rule.

>>46701750
>"Any productive day is a good day."

>>46701750
>"Of course I did."
She's not asking if it was a good day. She's asking if we enjoyed it.

>>46701750
>>"Any productive day is a good day."
Reminder not to trust the royal of a foreign competitor.
>>46701759
I like our character he is unique I feel like if we wanted power we could take it pretty easy.

>>46701750
>>"It was about average."
>"Of course I did."

>>46701750
>>"Of course I did."
It's peaceful, and productive things were done. This is the closest thing to relaxing we'll ever get.

.....totally not bitter about losing at Go.

>>46701750
"Of course I did," you say. "I was able to relax a little and get some work done. Any productive day is a good day as far as I'm concerned."

"I'm quite glad to hear that," Reagan says. "I wouldn't want to impose on you."

"You're a princess, your highness," Myrddin says. "It's quite literally your job to impose on princes."

"A job implies far less intimacy than I'm looking for," Reagan says.

Olwen briefly chokes on her wine before recovering. You decide to change the subject before things get worse again.

"Still, I'm afraid I'll be busy for the next few days, so I won't be able to entertain you much more," you say. "I will arrange for someone to accompany you if you'd like to see more of the city."

"I think I'd like to rest for a day, at least," Reagan says. "The journey was a bit tiring and I haven't had time to recover. I'll be sure to ask if I do decide to go out again."

You finish your meals and return to your respective rooms at the castle. You soak in a hot bath for some time before going to bed. Tomorrow, you'll need to deal with all the little problems that came up while you were off preventing a war. There's nothing serious yet, but the situation has a way of changing quickly. You have a feeling you have another long day ahead of you.

>>46702042
And that's it for today. I've got a cold that's starting to get to me, so unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to run a second thread tomorrow. The next thread will most likely be April 22nd at 7PM EDT. I'll make an announcement on Twitter if anything changes.

/tg/ continues to make choices that mess up my outlines, but that's what makes this interesting. I'll see you all next time. Until then, good night and thanks for playing.

>>46702108
thanks for running

>>46702108
What were you expecting?