>>244126
>>[Dilettante/1d8] "I'll be sure to be as charming as possible."

>>244126
>>[Dilettante/1d8] "I'll be sure to be as charming as possible."

Can we practice flirting with mom?

>>244155
No, especially not in front of Olwen.

>>244126
>[Dilettante/1d8] "I'll be sure to be as charming as possible."

>>244126
>Dilettante/1d8] "I'll be sure to be as charming as possible."
"Look, I've had lay off the flirting in order to keep Olwen in a state of constant sexual frustration for years now. It's not my fault if I'm a little rusty coming out of the gate."

File: Meirion.jpg (111 KB, 1280x720)

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>>244126
Maybe you've been approaching this wrong. You've been treating this as a negotiation because that's what it mostly is, but it's not just what it is. Profit and benefits are an important of any negotiation, but it's also important to remember that the parties involved should get along with each other. Personal conflict just breeds professional conflict if it's kept in check.

"I'll be sure to be as charming as possible."

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>244200

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>244200

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>244200

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>>244200
Your mother smiles proudly. "Don't worry, Meirion," she says. "I'm sure you'll do fine."

Your mother's right; this shouldn't be too difficult. After all, you spent a significant amount of time schmoozing to people and manipulating them. It should be much easier to just be nice to people.

"And just to be sure, I'll be joining you for your next meeting with the Cysgod girl."

"Mother, you don't need to -"

"Did you say something dear?"

"No, mother."

This is not an argument you can win, and you know it. At least with your mother there, you'll have someone to tall back on if the conversation becomes awkward.

"The current Count Cysgod was quite surprised, but quite grateful, to receive our invitation," Myrddin says. "I'm assuming his daughter has something important to discuss."

"I'll keep that in mind," you say. It would be nice if you could get something out of these meetings. Sure, they're not a total loss, but you do have quite a bit of business to take care of, so there's only so much time you can spend interviewing several potential consorts when you know you can only choose one more.

"Remember, Meirion," your mother says, "you can't allow for conflict between your lovers. I've seen quite a few nobles fall apart because they only wanted more women and didn't pay enough attention to their relationships."

>[Sovereign/1d8] "Of course, mother. Such arrangements should be beneficial for all parties."
>[Intrigue/1d10] "I'll be careful about how I manage things."
>[Dilettante/1d4] "I promise I'll love all my companions equally, mother."

>>244247
>[Dilettante/1d4] "I promise I'll love all my companions equally, mother."

>>244247
>[Sovereign/1d8] "Of course, mother. Such arrangements should be beneficial for all parties."
Because I don't think Meirion is that fast of a learner

>>244247
>>[Sovereign/1d8] "Of course, mother. Such arrangements should be beneficial for all parties."

>>244247
>>[Sovereign/1d8] "Of course, mother. Such arrangements should be beneficial for all parties."

>>244247
>>[Sovereign/1d8] "Of course, mother. Such arrangements should be beneficial for all parties."

File: Meirion8.jpg (64 KB, 500x479)

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>>244247
"Of course, mother," you say. "Such arrangements should be beneficial for all parties."

You realize it's all a delicate balancing act. Affection and intimacy are useful to build long-term trust, something which is necessary to any relationship, but they're only a means to an end. As Myrddin told you, you need to surround yourself with people who should help you rule, and your wife, consorts and concubines should be able to use your resources to pursue their own plans. You can't take without giving anything back, and the same applies to your lovers. They should support and receive support from each other as well. Otherwise, it simply isn't fair.

That's the answer your mother was looking for, right?

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

>>244247
>>[Sovereign/1d8] "Of course, mother. Such arrangements should be beneficial for all parties."

Rolled 6 (1d8)

>>244316
Check my 1

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>244316

Rolled 3 (1d8)

>>244316

>>244323
>>244324
Git gud scrubs

>>244337
im saving myslfe for when it counts:P

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>>244316
"Correct again, Meirion," your mother says. You can't help but feel warm in your chest when you receive her approval. "It's a delicate balancing act. Love can emerge from cooperation, but if you cooperate out of love, you'll easily be swayed by your emotions. It won't last."

"Are you talking from personal experience?" You ask.

Your mother's face stiffens and her eye twitches slightly. "Something like that," she says. "Your father's eccentricities are just a bit much after a certain amount of time."

"I'm quite satisfied with his highness' quirks, your majesty," Olwen says. "You don't need to worry about such things."

"It's nice to know I'm tolerated," you say. "Myrddin, what about our guest?"

"She should be arriving soon," Myrddin says. "Where would you like to meet her?"

>"Somewhere private, like my chambers."
>"Some place nice, like the gardens."
>"I'd rather give her a tour of the palace."

>>244351
>>"Some place nice, like the gardens."

>>244351
>>>"I'd rather give her a tour of the palace."

>>244351
>>"Some place nice, like the gardens."

>>244351
>>"Some place nice, like the gardens."
Flowers, flowers everywhere

>>244351
>>"Some place nice, like the gardens."

>>244351
>"Some place nice, like the gardens."


Did we hit a nerve with mom?

>>244351
>>"Some place nice, like the gardens."
We can reminisce about that time our uncle tried to chemically castrate us there!

>>244351
>>"Some place nice, like the gardens."
sadly i must leave you all atm hope to read up a good story when i get back

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>>244351
"Some place nice, like the gardens," you say. "Summer's ending, and I'd like to enjoy the flowers before they wither for the winter."

"Of course, your highness," Myrddin says.

"I'll give you points for choosing a proper venue," your mother says. "It's romantic, but not too intimate. Quite appropriate for a first meeting with a young lady."

"Just be sure not to accept drinks from strange men," Olwen says. "We wouldn't want another incident, would we?"

Your testicles shrink back up into your body protectively at the memory.

"Did something happen?" Your mother asks.

"I'd rather not speak of it," you say. "Besides, it's already been dealt with."

"That's fine, dear," your mother says. "I'll just ask Myrddin later."

Damn it. You don't even want to think about how your mother will react if she finds out she was almost denied grandchildren. Fortunately, that's your uncle's problem now. So long as you avoid all the embarrassment of talking about it, it's fine by you.

You escort Olwen and your mother to the gardens and find a spot in the shade. Several benches are arranged around to the table. You claim one as your own, while Olwen and your mother share another.

After that, you wait for Myrddin to arrive with your guest. From your position, you're the first one to spot them. You stand up to offer a polite greeting.

"I would like to introduce you to Rhonwen auk Cysgod," Myrddin says.

Rhonwen lifts the corners of her dress up to curtsey. "Greetings, your majesty, your highness." She speaks in a quiet voice, as if half asleep. "My family and I were delighted to receive your invitation."

Rhonwen auk Cysgod is, to put it lightly, ridiculously erotic, and you can't help but wonder if she chose that dress that show off her chest, or if her breasts are so large that she can't help but show them off. Your mother seems quite pleased, and even Olwen is staring at her incredulously.

"And we're quite grateful you accepted." You maintain your composure and proceed with the standard niceties. "Please, join us."

Myrddin guides Rhonwen to your own bench before sitting next to your mother. Rhonwen sits next to you, although she doesn't get too close. Her head dips slightly and you're starting to suspect she is half asleep.

"What would your highness wish to discuss with me?" Rhonwen asks.

>[Sovereign/1d10] You wanted to meet the nobility.
>[Dilettante/1d10] You wanted to develop some personal relationships.
>[Enchantment/1d8] You're curious about her most recent work.

>>244486
>>[Enchantment/1d8] You're curious about her most recent work.

>>244486
>[Enchantment/1d8] You're curious about her most recent work.

phew not dead

Ditto lets talk about recent works also 4chan problems

>>244486
>[Dilettante/1d10] You wanted to develop some personal relationships.
Rhonwen seems like a poor choice mechanically. We don't make much use of Enchantment or Alchemy.

>>244486
>[Enchantment/1d8] You're curious about her most recent work.

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>>244486
"I'd like to know more about what you're working on," you say. "I've been meeting with enchanters and alchemists during the last few days so I could get a better idea of the state of magic in Gwyrddarfordir, and I'd like your opinion on things."

"Is that so?" Talk of enchantment seems to perk Rhonwen up a little. "I'm afraid that's quite a broad subject, but I suppose I can explain some of the more… promising projects to you."

"Do you have many unsuccessful projects?" Your mother asks. "I imagine you need to be careful with your resources."

"Not everyone in House Cysgod is equally talented," Rhonwen says. "Much of our business focuses on basic enchantment and alchemy, the sort of thing the guilds focus. It's just that we use it to fill out coffers. We're not as rich as some of the other houses, but we have a steady stream of income."

There are a lot of houses like that, and it's not common for black sheep to get kicked out if they can't enter the family business. It's a testament to House Cysgod's determination that even those who are called untalented still have the skills to make a living as professional enchanters and alchemists.

"In any case, we're currently studying how alchemy and enchantment can be used together," Rhonwen says. "We only started a decade ago, but the results are quite promising."

"Shouldn't that be something common?" You ask.

>>244506
>Roll 1d8, best of three. ?

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>244561
Hard to post atm, weird.

TESTING TESTING MOTHERFUCKING MOOT 2.0

>>244577
There we go. I had problems posting even after the site came back.

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>244506
>>244561
>>244577

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>244506
>>244561
>>244577

>>244576
>>244582
>>244587
You don't actually need to roll yet, but fuck it, I'll take it.

Also, I'm still having trouble posting the second half of the update.

>>244506
"Not really," Rhonwen says. "After all, it takes a lifetime to learn alchemy and enchantment. To learn both requires a great deal of effort; even I would only call myself an amateur. Furthermore, it's quite common for alchemists and enchanters to compete for funds, so there's often some animosity between the two. Some enchanters using alchemical solutions to maintain their tools, but that's no different from blacksmiths and carpenters."

"What do you do differently?" Myrddin asks.

"We use alchemical solutions as part of the smelting, quenching and tempering process," Rhonwen explains. "Getting it right took several years, and there are still some difficulties, but when the process is successful, it produces much more stable enchantments. It also makes maintenance much easier."

>>244595
Having spoken with Mererid, Isla and Nia, you're familiar with how difficult enchantments can be, and how dangerous alchemical solutions are when they're not handled properly. House Cysgod must have expended a significant amount of resources to achieve these results.

"Do you have any practical applications?" You ask. That's the part that concerns you the most. As much as you appreciate the pursuit of knowledge and magical research, your immediate concerns are far more pragmatic.

"Transportation, mostly," Rhonwen says. "The water engines we have right now are too expensive for smaller boats and too weak for larger ones, but we've thought of a trick that should work with land travel."

Your heart pounds in your chest and you bite down on the inside of your lip to keep yourself calm. You glance at Myrddin and your mother, and you can immediately tell they're as excited as you are. Even Olwen seems curious, and this isn't really your thing.

>>244600
Transportation has always been one of the major challenges of alchemy. Moving parts are too delicate and unstable, and they require too much maintenance. They're used on boats as an emergency life-saving measure when a ship is dead in the water, but that's it.

If enchanted devices could facilitate movement and transportation across the country… you're not sure you can estimate the economic and military possibilities.

>[Sovereign/1d10] "This would make a great contribution to the kingdom."
>[Merchant/1d10] "What would you need to make this work?"
>[Enchantment and Alchemy/2d8] "Can you tell me more about how that works?"

>>244603
>>[Sovereign/1d10] "This would make a great contribution to the kingdom."

I have no idea why I had to split that into four posts, but it's finally done.

>>244603
>[Enchantment and Alchemy/2d8] "Can you tell me more about how that works?"

>>244603
>>[Enchantment and Alchemy/2d8] "Can you tell me more about how that works?"

>>244603
>[Enchantment and Alchemy/2d8] "Can you tell me more about how that works?"

Calling it for Enchantment/Alchemy.

Congratulations, you pass because Slavs are being dicks or something and I don't want to waste more time.

>>244603
>[Enchantment and Alchemy/2d8] "Can you tell me more about how that works?"
How does success and experience for this sort of roll work?

>>244603
"Can you tell me more about how that works?" You can see the potential here, but you'd like to understand it before you make any plans.

"Without going into the tedious details…" Rhonwen stifles a yawn before beginning an explanation. "We use different oils and liquids to treat the metal at all stages at the forging process. This helps… lubricate, for lack of a better term, the different parts of a moving enchantment engine. The pieces need to be treated regularly in order to maintain their efficiency, but it's still much easier than normal maintenance procedure."

That would significantly cut down on the financial and time costs of performing maintenance on enchantments, and it would allow someone to make enchanted objects more complex than muskets. That's only part of the problem though.

>>244681
"What about power?" You ask. "That's the other obstacle in enchanted engines, isn't it?"

"That was the simplest part, actually," Rhonwen says. "The trick is to set a carriage on tracks to guide it. The tracks react with the cart's wheels and move it forward. There are other mechanisms required to stop the carriage once it reaches its destination, but we've had some promising successes."

"So it's not ready yet?" Your mother asks. Like you, she can appreciate the potential of what Rhonwen is describing, but she needs to understand its limits as well.

"Size is proving to be difficult to deal with," Rhonwen admits. "We have small models that work fairly well, as well as track systems that are just large enough to move light supplies around a castle or house, but we can't build something that could carry people yet. We expect it won't take much longer than two or three years though. Once that's done, it's just a matter of building the tracks between Gwyrddarfordir's major cities."

You're surprised at how optimistic Rhonwen is about her work, but you hope her estimates are accurate. This could revolutionize trade in Gwyrddarfordir, and even a web of smaller tracks, such as the one she seems to have built already, would make letters and communications significantly easier, if you could protect it somehow.

>[Sovereign/1d10] "The Crown would be glad to offer you its assistance in this matter."
>[Merchant/1d10] "I believe I know some people who could help you finance your work, if you need it."
>[Dilettante/1d10] "This is quite impressive. I'd like to discuss your ideas further, if we ever have time."

>>244684
>>>[Dilettante/1d10] "This is quite impressive. I'd like to discuss your ideas further, if we ever have time."

>>244684
>[Dilettante/1d10] "This is quite impressive. I'd like to discuss your ideas further, if we ever have time."

>>244684
>>[Dilettante/1d10] "This is quite impressive. I'd like to discuss your ideas further, if we ever have time."

>[Dilettante/1d10] "This is quite impressive. I'd like to discuss your ideas further, if we ever have time."

>>244684
>[Dilettante/1d10] "This is quite impressive. I'd like to discuss your ideas further, if we ever have time."

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>>244684
You've learned your mother's lessons, and you don't want to seem too distant. You have a good idea of what Rhonwen's work is about and how you and House Cysgod can help each other, so you just need to make it a little personal.

"This is quite impressive," you say. "I'd like to discuss your ideas further, if we ever have time."

>Roll 1d10, best of three.

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>244725

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>244725

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>244725

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>244725

>>244606
Hiro just range banned the Russians

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>>244725
"That sounds lovely." Rhonwen yawns and only makes a token effort to hide it this time. "I'm afraid I'm quite tired though. It'll have to wait."

"Of course." You stand to help her out. "You'll be attending the Crown Prince's wedding, yes?"

"And some other celebrations as well." Rhonwen takes your hand and you pull her up. "Such tedious things…"

"I believe the Crown Prince shares your sentiment," you say. "Still, such things are necessary from time to time."

"I suppose so."

You escort Rhonwen through the palace grounds and to a carriage so she can return to her family's house in Aurwain. Olwen, Myrddin and your mother linger behind slightly and talk to each other in whispers.

Rhonwen bids you farewell and you watch her leave for a moment. You wait until she's out of earshot and out of sight before speaking.

"Myrddin, what do you think?"

"If House Cysgod's work really is so promising, Gwyrddarfordir might become the most powerful mercantile power on the continent," he says. "It's more complicated than that, of course, but if it works…"

"I must agree," your mother says. "I have some doubts - I've seen too many large projects go wrong to believe optimistic plans - but the potential is great."

"I'm more interested in the military implications," Olwen says. "It sounds like a good thing, but if we need to build tracks first, our troop movements will become obvious and much more vulnerable, even if they are faster."

There are other matters, of course. Some cities will benefit more than others - Cyfoethmor, for example, is a major city, but connecting it to other cities would be impossible because it's on the other side of the river - and you'll need a large number of enchanters to build and maintain the tracks, but still, Rhonwen has certainly piqued your interest with her work.

>"This is going to complicate my decision."
>"I'll just wait and see how this goes."
>"No matter what, we need to develop these enchantments."

>>244792
>"I'll just wait and see how this goes."

>>244792
> "I'll just wait and see how this goes."

>>244792
>>"This is going to complicate my decision."
Also check with others if we were boring her, there was a lot of yawning there

>>244792
>"I'll just wait and see how this goes."

>>244792
>"This is going to complicate my decision."

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>>244792
"I'll just wait and see how this goes," you say. "At the very least, I'd like to take a look at one of their prototypes. I don't want to get caught in something that's headed for a loss."

"A wise decision, your highness," Myrddin says, "although I do assure you that House Cysgod is always up to par when it comes to alchemy and enchanted.

"Duly noted." You cast a furtive glance towards your mother and try to gauge her reaction to your performance. "Did that go well?"

"Well enough, dear," your mother says. That's good enough for you. "She was a little strange, but I think you attracted her interest."

With those simple words, you feel an enormous weight lift off your shoulders. It's not just about pleasing your mother either; you know how important this is to the kingdom, and you can't afford to make any mistakes. At least with this out of the way, you can go back to what you do best: spying on people.

All right, it's not what you do best, but it's at least a close second.

>[Intrigue/1d6] "Myrddin, I want spies everywhere during the celebrations. Nothing happens in Aurwain without your knowledge"
>[Intrigue/1d8] "Myrddin, I need you to keep track of the city's key figures during the wedding."
>[Intrigue/1d12] "Myrddin, I need you to keep track of my associates during the celebration. I can't permit any accidents."
>[Intrigue/Autosuccess] "Myrddin, let me know if anything strange happens during the celebration."

>>244899
>[Intrigue/1d8] "Myrddin, I need you to keep track of the city's key figures during the wedding."

>>244899
>[Intrigue/1d6] "Myrddin, I want spies everywhere during the celebrations. Nothing happens in Aurwain without your knowledge"

>>244899
>>[Intrigue/1d8] "Myrddin, I need you to keep track of the city's key figures during the wedding."

>>244899
>[Intrigue/1d6] "Myrddin, I want spies everywhere during the celebrations. Nothing happens in Aurwain without your knowledge"

>>244899

>[Intrigue/1d6] "Myrddin, I want spies everywhere during the celebrations. Nothing happens in Aurwain without your knowledge"

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>>244899
Aurwain is going to be packed with nobles and foreign delegates during the Crown Prince's wedding. It'll be a prime opportunities for assassins. You don't care much about the people who aren't connected to you, but you can't let anything slip by. If someone died in Aurwain during the wedding, it would be a grievous blow against royal family's reputation.

"Myrddin, I want spies everywhere during the celebrations," you say. "Nothing happens in Aurwain without your knowledge."

"That's possible, but it will be difficult," Myrddin says. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"It's necessary," you say. "We can't let anything slip."

>Roll 1d6, best of three.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>244949
Hoping for the best here.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>244949

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>244949

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>244949

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>244949

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>244958
woops, thought i chose 1d6

>>244959
Our savior.

>>244953
>>244961
These rolls tonight.

>>244953
>>244961
>>244966
Um, woah.

>>244959
Well rolled my friend.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>244949

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"It will be done per your orders, your highness," Myrddin says. "I'll have regular updates for you as well. The first one will be ready before Princess Agda and her entourage arrives."

The celebrations officially begin once some kind of royalty arrives in Aurwain. Royal visits to the capital aren't rare, but they're not common either. Even Reagan's visit was unofficial.

"You've done very well today, Meirion," your mother says. "If you keep at it like this, Gwyrddarfordir will be in good hands. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to see what your father's up to. Since you're doing your best, I can't slack either."

Myrddin leaves to organize his spies, while your mother leaves to make sure your father won't accidentally burn down the kingdom before your brother can inherit it. Olwen, of course, stays behind and gives you a hug.

"You really were impressive," she says. "I was even jealous for a bit."

"You were jealous of enchantment?"

Olwen laughs and pinches your arm. "No, I was jealous of Rhonwen's absurd chest," she says. "Although maybe I was a little jealous of the enchantment. It used to be we'd talk about military strategy together for hours on end."

"It has been a while since we did that," you say. "It's just been real battlefield lately, and the real ones aren't quite as challenging as hypotheticals."

"You are quite possibly the only person alive who would say that," Olwen says, "but we could make the time to talk now, before the celebration starts."

You only need to think about it for a moment. "That sounds like a wonderful idea," you say. "We can plot the invasion of Olstren or Svekka."

The two of you walk to your office in hand in hand. You enjoy Olwen's visits to your bedroom, but this isn't bad either.

>>245022
We managed to get through today's thread despite 4chan's near-death experience. The next thread will be Sunday June 12th at 7PM Eastern.

Like I said on twitter, I might run some kind of experimental one-shot thread later today based on something completely different depending on how the mood strikes me. I've been meaning to play around with some of /qst/'s features and the slower turn around on threads, but I haven't really had the chance to do that with Beleaguered Prince Quest.

Anyway, if I decide to go through with it, it'll be a quest taking the piss out of Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei. Like most Japanese light novels, it's an okay premise with a terrible execution, only the author went beyond that and added fuckstupid geopolitics, YAMATO DAMASHII GLORIOUS NIPPON MAGIC FOLDED 1000 TIMES, and vaguely amusing racism against the Chinese, so there's some fun to be had there.

With that out of the way, thanks for playing and I'll see you all either in a few hours or Sunday eening.

>>245054
Thanks for the thread

>>245054
Good thread, catch you next time

>>245054
>vaguely amusing racism against the Chinese,
Some light novels don't have this?
Good thread btw.

>>245054
Thanks for running and sticking touch boss

>>245054
Good thread QM! Too bad about Russia breaking things.

>>245054
Thanks for running. It was fun.

Test

>>252367
Shit quest