>>350402
>You wonder what Eleri and Delyth are both talking about.

>>350402
>Esyllt could use a little more company.
Hi QM! Where's my money-- I mean, map

>>350402
>>Esyllt could use a little more company.

>>350402
>>Esyllt could use a little more company.
Finally caught a thread on the opening post.

>>350402

>You should get to know Nia and Isla better.

>>350434
I actually drew a really crude one in Paint last week, but it wouldn't upload for some reason, and I kinda forgot about it. I'll try again.

>>350458
How many minutes do you usually wait before closing the votes? 20?

>>350466
Usually 15.

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>>350434
>>350458
There's the map. Turns out the bmp version was just too big.

And yeah, the map is really shitty. I only just made so you can pick which city to run later on.

>>350483
Hmm, perhaps I will take a crack at making a hand-drawn map later for you, can I get some topographical details? Where are the rivers, mountains, forests, the climates of each nation/region etc. Also, what is the scale?

>>350505
I'll need to get back to you on that one.

>>350402
>>You wonder what Eleri and Delyth are both talking about.

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>>350402
You straighten your posture and walk to Esyllt and Reagan.

"Mind if I join you?" You motion to Esyllt's right; Reagan is to her left.

"Of course, your highness." Esyltt moves aside to give you a little more space. "I was discussing an important matter with her highness, and I believe your insight my prove useful."

"Oh?" You sit down and make yourself comfortable. "What might that be?"

"Svekka's production capabilities are increasing rapidly, and will likely overtake Olstren's within a few years," Reagan says. "Unfortunately, my kingdom is too far from Palran to benefit from their techniques the same way Gwyrddarfordir has. If I want to improve things, I'm afraid I'll need to work with the merchants rather than the nobles, so I decided to ask Miss Esyllt for her perspective on things."

"I'm quite sensitive to her highness' plight," Esyllt says. "Many narrow-minded people fetishize pedigree and forget about the importance of plain wealth."

"It's quite disgraceful, really," Reagan agrees. "Birth is an accident, but even for those who have inherited it, having and keeping wealth is an achievement."

And unlike with Svekka, an empowered merchant class capable of contending with the nobility would directly benefit

>[Sovereign/1d12] "I would say that stability is important. A kingdom must remain firm to overcome its challenges."
>[Intrigue/1d12] "Advancement is necessary. Those who cling to the past can always be dealt with. In many ways."
>[Merchants/1d12] "Greed for power and greed for wealth are often related. There must be some room for common cause."

>As a reminder, you have an active crit, so you'll get XP as if you'd rolled a smaller die.

>>350402
>You are completely in control of this situation and nope, no matter how good of a liar you are, you can't lie to yourself in these circumstances. You have no idea where this situation is going or how you're going to deal with it, and it is absolutely terrifying. It takes most of your concentration just to maintain your nerves of steel; if they see you sweat, it'll just make everything worse.
Prince is too competent to drop his spaghetti

>>350619
>>[Merchants/1d12] "Greed for power and greed for wealth are often related. There must be some room for common cause."

>>350619
>>[Merchants/1d12] "Greed for power and greed for wealth are often related. There must be some room for common cause."

>>350619
>[Merchants/1d12] "Greed for power and greed for wealth are often related. There must be some room for common cause."

>>350619
>[Merchants/1d12] "Greed for power and greed for wealth are often related. There must be some room for common cause."

>>350619
Surprised that intrigue choice isn't an auto-success.

>>350619
>[Merchants/1d12] "Greed for power and greed for wealth are often related. There must be some room for common cause."

>>350619
>[Merchants/1d12] "Greed for power and greed for wealth are often related. There must be some room for common cause."

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>>350619
As much as you appreciate the underhandedness of Reagan's methods, there's no need to resort to violence as the first option. After all, it creates a lot of hassle unless it's absolutely necessary.

"Greed for power and greed for wealth are often related," you say. "There must be some room for common cause."

Besides, doing things this way might win Reagan some of the allies she needs to hold onto her throne.

>Roll 1d12, best of three.

Rolled 10 (1d12)

>>350753

Rolled 4 (1d12)

>>350753
Check my crit

Rolled 3 (1d12)

>>350753

Rolled 10 (1d12)

>>350753

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>>350753
"Your highness does make a good point," Reagan concedes. "Perhaps I was letting certain matters to cloud my judgment."

"That's a fatal flaw in business," you say. "A merchant must remain calm at all times."

"Indeed," Esyllt agrees. "So long as one maintains an objective perspective on the markets and the worth of goods and services, profit simply happens." She glances at you sideways and shuffles her feet a little. "Although I have been wondering if there was more to it lately."

"Oh?" Reagan raises an eyebrow to prod her along. "Anything interesting?"

"Exploring new markets, mostly," Esyllt says. "Trying to sell people what they need instead of what they want. It's more difficult, but it's also different from what I usually do. I must admit I don't dislike it."

It certainly sounds like Esyllt is looking for new challenges to accomplish. You're quite glad that she's expanding her horizons.

The play's director steps up on the stage and conversations in the loge quiet down a little. He doesn't speak to you - he knows you're not really there for his production's sake - but he beckons the actors onto the stage and begins the rehearsals.

The conversations in the loge soon resume, although your guests do make an effort to watch the play.

>Keep talking with Esyllt and Reagan.
>[Intrigue/1d12] Eavesdrop on Nia and Isla.
>[Intrigue/1d12] Eavesdrop on Eleri and Delyth.

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>>350869
>[Intrigue/1d12] Eavesdrop on Eleri and Delyth.

Sneak Prince

>>350869
>[Intrigue/1d12] Eavesdrop on Eleri and Delyth.

>>350869
>[Intrigue/1d12] Eavesdrop on Eleri and Delyth.
More and more I keep believing that Esyllt is the right choice.

>>350869
>[Intrigue/1d12] Eavesdrop on Eleri and Delyth.

>>350869
>>[Intrigue/1d12] Eavesdrop on Eleri and Delyth.
Esyllt a cute

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>>350869
You remain quiet and look towards the stage. Esyllt and Reagan keep talking, but they stay as quiet as they can out of consideration for you, which makes your eavesdropping easier.

In truth, your attention shifts towards Eleri and Delyth. You can't help but wonder how they're getting along so well with Aleksandra. It's true that the Archduchess promised to be less abrasive in the future, but you don't believe she would get along with Gwyrdens so easily, especially people she only just met.

>Roll 1d12, best of three.

Rolled 12 (1d12)

>>350997

Rolled 5 (1d12)

>>350997

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Rolled 4 (1d12)

>>351005

>>351005
Noice

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>>351005

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>>351102

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>>350997
"This play seems similar to one I saw in Rosea a long time ago," Aleksandra says. "I can't quite place it though."

"It's called The Baron with no Blade," Eleri says. "In Gwyrddarfordir, the nobility is based on ancestral achievements. The play's protagonist wishes to achieve a great success of his own to become a noble, but he's unable to do so because his peers have mastered every weapon in the kingdom, leaving none for him."

"I remember reading something about that in the temples' history," Delyth says. "A faction of chaplains argued that each noble House's achievements should be unique in order to avoid diluting the heroism of the kingdom's founders. No one ever paid much attention to them, as far as I know."

"Actually, this play was written as satire to condemn their position," Eleri says. "Although the protagonist never masters all weapons, he becomes proficient enough to perform several important military deeds. Thus, the ancestors retain their glory, but new heroes are recognized based on their own contributions to the kingdoms."

"That does sound interesting," Aleksandra says, "but what does it have to do with Rosean plays?"

"It's based on an old myth about Rosea's founder," Eleri explains.

"The first Tsar?" Aleksandra narrows her eyes and searches her memory for the details. "Come to think of it, I can see the parallels if I try hard enough."

"When the Rosean tribes united," Eleri says, "they needed to choose a leader who could wield a blade, ride a horse, command armies, understand philosophy and manage a kingdom. There were many men who had mastered one of those skills, but only the Tsar was proficient in all of them to rule the kingdom. He simply delegated the most important tasks to others."

You're familiar with the myths of Rosea's founding and with the The Baron with no Blade, but you'd never thought about the parallels yourself. It's quite obvious, now that you think about it.

>[Intrigue/1d12] Keep listening to Eleri.
>[Intrigue/1d12] Focus your attention on Nia and Isla.
>Strike up another conversation with Esyllt and Reagan.
>Talk to someone else for a moment.

>You have an automatic success on your next roll.

>>351140
>[Intrigue/1d12] Keep listening to Eleri.

>>351140
>[Intrigue/1d12] Focus your attention on Nia and Isla.

We'll see what everybody's talking about, then zero in on which conversation we want to insert ourselves into.

Also Eleri's dress: hnnnnnnngh

>>351140
>>Strike up another conversation with Esyllt and Reagan.

>>351140
>[Intrigue/1d12] Focus your attention on Nia and Isla.

>>351173
>>351195
>Wasting our autopass on a d12

>>351140
>>[Intrigue/1d12] Keep listening to Eleri

>>351140
>>Strike up another conversation with Esyllt and Reagan.

>>351140
>>[Intrigue/1d12] Keep listening to Eleri.

>>351213
True. I change my vote to

>Strike up another conversation with Esyllt and Reagan.

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>>351140
Archduchess Aleksandra seems to approve of Eleri's knowledge of the arts, specifically Rosean culture. That's something you'll need to keep in mind for later.

"I didn't know Rosean culture could be so influential in Gwyrddarfordir," Delyth says. "We've had a long history of wars against each other."

"It's not that surprising to me," Aleksandra says. "If anything, our wars are how Gwyrddarfordir earned itself a place in Rosean culture. There are many tales about you chaplains."

"I didn't know that," Delyth says.

"The exchange of land helped with that," Eleri says. "The border shifted in the East several times. In fact, my grandmother…"

You stop paying attention to their conversation. For the moment, This is all you need to know.

You wait for the director to call a stop to the play in order to fix some problem with the position of the actors and turn your head towards Esyllt and Reagan to signal you're paying attention to them again.

>[Intrigue/1d8] Try to find out more about Reagan's political situation.
>[Merchant/1d10] Try to find out more about Esyllt's current business.
>[Sovereign/1d10] Talk about yourself. You'd like to know what they think about your plans.

>You have an active autosuccess on your next roll.

>>351340
>>[Intrigue/1d8] Try to find out more about Reagan's political situation.

>>351340
>[Intrigue/1d8] Try to find out more about Reagan's political situation.

>>351340
>>[Sovereign/1d10] Talk about yourself. You'd like to know what they think about your plans.

>>351340
>[Merchant/1d10] Try to find out more about Esyllt's current business.

>>351340
>[Intrigue/1d8] Try to find out more about Reagan's political situation.

>>351340
>[Intrigue/1d8] Try to find out more about Reagan's political situation.

>>351340
>[Merchant/1d10] Try to find out more about Esyllt's current business.

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>>351340
"It's a good thing they're doing this rehearsal now," you say. "Enchanters look after the place, but every play is different, and some of the details need to be adjusted up until the very last moment."

"It is the Royal Theatre," Esyllt says. "They need to be absolutely perfect. After all, given the size of this place, I imagine they're operating at a loss purely for the sake of entertaining the nobility. There simply aren't enough seats compared to Aurwain's other theatres."

"Oh, you'd be surprised how expensive the seats can be in the right circumstances," you say. Although those circumstances mostly depend on your mother's presence. "After all, the theatre presents unique opportunities for the Royal House and its vassals to interact. Wouldn't you say, Princess Reagan?"

"I would say I'm quite envious," Reagan says. "Contact between the nobility and royalty is important to govern the kingdom properly, but the kind of contact is important as well. These casual encounters are more useful than meetings of governance, I would say."

"Why do you think that?" Esyllt asks. "Don't the king and the nobles rule the kingdom together?"

"The nobles are vassals," Reagan explains. "They govern when the king cannot, either because of distance, the tasks are too urgent for the Crown to respond quickly enough, or the tasks are simply too trivial. Cooperation is important, but…"

Reagan hesitates, looking for her words. You and Esyllt both wait for her to speak.

"On the one hand, some nobles borrow the Crown's name to act irresponsibly," she says. "On the other hand, some nobles act irresponsibly and never admit to it. Hence the importance of casual contact in settings such as this one. The Crown isn't dragged into trivial matters, but it remains aware of its vassals dealing. It's an ideal position to be in."

"And how would you deal with this problem, Princess Reagan?"

"Such a thing is beyond me." Reagan shrugs. "My time is better spent on the pleasantries of the Court and petty gossip. I like your highness' resourcefulness."

In other words, she knows what the nobles closest to her father are doing, but her contacts beyond the court are limited, and she can't act on what she knows.

"It does sound like quite a conundrum," Esyllt says, "but I'm certain you'll find be able to resolve it."

"I certainly hope so."

>Go speak with Isla and Nia.
>Go speak with Eleri and Delyth.
>Go speak with Olwen.

>>351540
>Go speak with Eleri and Delyth.

>>351540
>Go speak with Isla and Nia.

>>351540
>Go speak with Eleri and Delyth.

>>351540

>Go speak with Eleri and Delyth.

>>351540
>Go speak with Eleri and Delyth.

I want to [spoielr] huge [/spoiler] Reagan.

>>351540
>>Go speak with Isla and Nia.

>>351574
hug**

Fug I'm drunk

>>351540
>Go speak with Olwen.

>>351540
>>Go speak with Isla and Nia.

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>>351540
"I think I could use a drink," you say. "Can I get either of you anything while I'm up?"

"I am a little thirsty," Reagan says. "Nothing too strong, though."

"Since your highness offered," Esyllt says, "I won't say no."

You walk towards the table which happens to be closest to Eleri and Delyth.

"How are the three of you enjoying the play?"

"It's not bad, for a rehearsal," Aleksandra says, "and the company is very pleasant. It makes me wish I'd devoted more time to the arts."

Eleri blushes bright red. "You flatter me, Archduchess," she says.

"True, but that doesn't mean your don't deserve it," Aleksandra says. "Actually, Delyth, there's something I was hoping you could help me with."

"I'll gladly help you if it's within my power, Archduchess," Delyth says. "What do you need?"

"There's a Gwyrden mercenary who helped me with a small matter a short time ago," Aleksandra says. "Prince Meirion suggested that the temples might be able to help me find him again."

"That's…" Delyth looks up at you. "It's possible, if his highness says it's all right."

>[Sovereign/Autosuccess] "I can help you arrange a meeting in the palace."
>[Dilettante/Autosuccess] "I can help you arrange a meeting at a masked ball or somesuch."
>[Military/Autosuccess] "Certainly. See if you can arrange a meeting in the temples."

>>351674
>[Military/Autosuccess] "Certainly. See if you can arrange a meeting in the temples."

>>351674
>[Sovereign/Autosuccess] "I can help you arrange a meeting in the palace."

>>351674
>[Dilettante/Autosuccess] "I can help you arrange a meeting at a masked ball or somesuch."

>[Military/Autosuccess] "Certainly. See if you can arrange a meeting in the temples."

>>351674
>>[Military/Autosuccess] "Certainly. See if you can arrange a meeting in the temples."
Oh boy this will be fun

>>351674
>[Dilettante/Autosuccess] "I can help you arrange a meeting at a masked ball or somesuch."

>>351674
>[Military/Autosuccess] "Certainly. See if you can arrange a meeting in the temples."

>>351674
>>[Dilettante/Autosuccess] "I can help you arrange a meeting at a masked ball or somesuch."

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>>351674
"I don't see why that would be a problem," you say. "Why not arrange a meeting at the temples? It's private it and won't attract attention."

"That does sound like a good idea," Aleksandra says. "I'd rather not deal with the hassle of a more public venue. How long do you think it would take?"

"Two or three days, I think," Delyth says. "I'd need to look through our records to make sure we have the right person and then send a message. I can let you know when the arrangements have been."

"I'm glad that worked out," you say. "Archduchess, I hope you find what you've been looking for."

You pour three glasses of wine, selecting a weaker vintage for Reagan, and return to your original seat.

"Ladies." You give them the wine glasses you prepared. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Thank you, your highness." Esyllt takes a long sip of her glass before setting it on the table in front of her.

Reagan finishes her glass in one go. You can see why she wanted something weaker if she was going to drink it that fast.

"I needed a pick-me-up," Reagan says, "but I didn't want to embarrass myself. It's a difficult balance to maintain."

"I know the feeling." You sit down next to Esyllt and make yourself once again. "Appearances must be maintained even when life looks better through a wine glass."

Reagan giggles. "Oh, I quite like that expression," she says. "I'll have to use it myself sometime. Or perhaps it's simply the wine talking."

"I prefer to drink wine for the flavour rather than the feeling," Esyllt says. "There are few things as enjoyable as a good wine with a good meal."

"Not just for business, I hope," you say.

"Sometimes," Esyllt admits. "Most of the time, even. Especially if the business in question is going well. Otherwise, it spoils the meal."

>Watch the play.
>[Dilettante/1d8] Cuddle with Esyllt. Just don't let it look like you're cuddling.

>>351784

>[Dilettante/1d8] Cuddle with Esyllt. Just don't let it look like you're cuddling.

>>351784
>>[Dilettante/1d8] Cuddle with Esyllt. Just don't let it look like you're cuddling.
Our prince is discrete enough right?

>>351784
>[Dilettante/1d8] Cuddle with Esyllt. Just don't let it look like you're cuddling.

>>351784
>[Dilettante/1d8] Cuddle with Esyllt. Just don't let it look like you're cuddling.

This is risky but too adorable not to do.

>>351784
>>[Dilettante/1d8] Cuddle with Esyllt. Just don't let it look like you're cuddling.

>>351784
>[Dilettante/1d8] Cuddle with Esyllt. Just don't let it look like you're cuddling.

Rolled 3 (1d8)

>>351797
What could possibly go wrong anon?

>>351784
>ITT our prince plays chess while fencing while setting himself on FIRE
But I just can't vote against it

>>351822
Sometimes the bait simply is too tasty.

>>351784
>[Dilettante/1d8] Cuddle with Esyllt. Just don't let it look like you're cuddling.

BUSINESS !!!

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>>351784
Esyllt's just a few inches away from touching you. It's tempting to try and close that distance. Too tempting.

An unsophisticated pleb would pretend to yawn and stretch out his arm, only to coincidentally wrap one of them around the girl's shoulders. Fortunately, you're a prince, not a pleb.

Instead, you simply relax your body and close a bit of the distance. It's something you figured out when you were sleeping - in the literal sense - with Olwen. The idea is to create a yearning to close the distance and let your partner make the final move. That way, it's less awkward if something goes wrong.

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>351849
Nat 1 here we come

Rolled 6 (1d8)

>>351849

Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>351849

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>351849

>>351851
Good thing I saved you

>>351852
>>351854
Thanks.

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>>351849
Maybe it's a coincidence. Maybe Esyllt noticed what you were doing and decided to relax as well. Maybe she's just as lewd as you are and you simply don't know it yet.

The important part is that your plan works. Esyllt relaxes and leans against your arm. You give a slight pushback to show you're supporting her and she reciprocates by leaning against you a little harder. She even moves her arm to place the back of her hand against yours so that they're barely touches.

Reagan is admiring your antics with a mirthful smile. When she notices you glancing at her, she gives you a fake pout.

"This play is quite amusing," Reagan says. "Wouldn't you say, your highness?"

Esyllt is slightly startled, and pushes against you even more out of embarrassment. This obviously only makes her embarrassment worse.

>"You can tell the actors put their hearts into the performance."
>"It serves its purpose well."
>"I'm more interested in the company."

>>351898
>"You can tell the actors put their hearts into the performance."

>>351898
>"You can tell the actors put their hearts into the performance."

>>351898
>>"You can tell the actors put their hearts into the performance."

>>351898
>"I'm more interested in the company."

So this is what happens to our little prince once you pump some wine into him.

>>351898
>"You can tell the actors put their hearts into the performance."

>>351898
>"You can tell the actors put their hearts into the performance."

>>351910
>>>"You can tell the actors put their hearts into the performance."
Who's Esyllt again?

>>351927
Cute merchant girl.

>>351898
>Maybe she's just as lewd as you are and you simply don't know it yet.
But our Prince is pure!

>>351949
He was pure in part 1. But this is part 2, and our Prince is a man now, a big, lewd man.

>>351927
The one we got the emblem from our uncle.

>>351949
>But our prince is pure!

I think all those nights with Olwen took a flamethrower or twenty to that.

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>>351898
"You can tell the actors put their hearts into the performance," you say. "They take it seriously, and they're more irritated at themselves than the director when they make a mistake."

There. That's a nice, neutral answer that isn't at all incriminating, and can in no way be construed as improper. In fact, Reagan seems genuinely disappointed that you won't join her in a game of double-entendre. You might consider it at another time, but Esyllt is here, and the point of your plot was to avoid making things awkward. You don't want to ruin the mood now.

"Yes, their discipline is quite impressive," Esyllt says. She doesn't move a hair's breadth away from you. "Actually, it's almost… inspiring."

You smile and focus back on the play. Esyllt seems to be enjoying it - Perhaps it's helping her think through her own personal problems? - and you don't want to distract her from it.

Reagan doesn't seem to mind. After a few minutes of silence, she decides to cuddle up to Esyllt from the other side. The young merchant doesn't seem to be too bothered by the company.

If this is the sort of thing you have to look forward through once Myrddin's plan comes to fruition… maybe that's not so bad.

>>351931
>>351963
Thanks

>>352009
And we're done for today. As usual, next thread will be Sunday July 10th at 7PM Eastern. You can check my Twitter account for the announcement.

As always, if you have a question or comment, you can just leave it here. The threads stay stuck on the boar for almost a week, so I'll have time to read them.

Until next time, thanks for playing and goodnight.

>>352013
Hopefully I'll have a rough draft of the new and improved map by next thread.

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>>352013
cheers, boss

>>352013
Thanks for running. Goodnight

>>352009
Meanwhile, the other girls plot Meirion's doom
>>352013
Night dude, thanks for the thread

>>350483
You can use Inkarnate. It's a pretty easy system.
http://inkarnate.com

>>352009
I fully support how this thread is going. Due to time zones I can never participate but anons have done great again.
Thanks for running, OP.