>>548318
>Go to your study.

>>548318
>>Go to your study.

>>548318
>>Go to your study.

>>548318
>Go to your study.
Ha! caught this live!

>>548318
>>Go to your study.

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>>548318
The study comes first. You're not in the mood to go out this early, and you still need to get acquainted with Degfford.

Inside the study, Esyllt and Eleri are studying… it looks like a map and invoices.

"What about him?" Esyllt asks. "Have you heard anything about his family?"

"I think I saw his brother and one of my mother's performances," Eleri says. "He was talking to someone from House Prenty, but it was two years ago, so I don't think it matters."

"That's where he gets his lumber," Esyllt says. "I knew that already, but it's impressive that you remember."

"I wouldn't be able to do what I do if I didn't have a good memory," Eleri explains. "After all, it's important to remember patrons and audiences."

You knock on the doorframe to catch their attention. "Good morning, ladies," you say. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Good morning, your highness," Eleri says.

"Good morning, your highness. Eleri and I were simply trading gossip about our neighbours," Esyllt explains. "There are a few points even I didn't know."

You kiss Esyllt and hug Eleri before sitting down. "Thank you for getting to work so early," you say. "We have a lot of work to do before winter, and it'll only get busier once the snow thaws."

"This is for my benefit as well, your highness," Esyllt says.

"And since you've decided to put your trust in me, I'd like to contribute as well, your highness," Eleri adds. "Speaking of which, is something bothering you? You look a little tired, even considering how loud last night was."

Oh, right. Reagan wanted to leave the door open. Well, it's not like any of you have anything to hide from each other at this point.

>"No, I'm fine."
>"Seren's pregnant."
>"I'm just thinking about what I should do next."

>>548360
>"Seren's pregnant."
>So we may want to speed up certain sections of the mansion, and such.
>I am also starting to wonder if Reagan wants our children to hear us as they grow up.

>>548360
>>548366
>"Seren's pregnant."
>So we may want to speed up certain sections of the mansion, and such.

>>548360
>>"Seren's pregnant."

>>548360
>"Seren's pregnant."

>>548360
>"Seren's pregnant."

Seren's pregnant."
And what the others have said. Posting from phone is a bitch

>>548360
>"Seren's pregnant."

File: Esyllt3.png (230 KB, 623x880)

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>>548360
"Seren's pregnant." It gets slightly easier every time you say it. "So that kept me up for a bit. We'll need to expand the manor in the spring or early summer."

"Oh." Eleri blinks, unsure of what else she can say. "Congratulations?"

"Thank you."

"That would make it my turn next," Esyllt says. "I'll spend the night in your room whenever I can. I'm certain Myrddin will help me lighten my workload so I have more time."

"You don't have to," you tell her. "I'm not sure how I'd feel about having so many children at around the same time."

"It's a necessity for people in our position," Esyllt says, "and I don't mind… so long as it doesn't hurt as much as it did the first time. It won't, right?"

"I don't think so," you say. "Your hips are a little narrow compared to the others, but if I take my time, it shouldn't hurt at all."

"… do you often compare me to the others?" Esyllt unconsciously crosses her arm across her chest. She'd look severe, if she wasn't pouting so much.

"I have to adapt to the needs of the situation," you say.

Eleri's cheeks are bright red and she's doing her best to avoid your attention. It's probably time to change the topic of conversation. You decide to get to work.

Your goals for Degfford haven't changed: pavilion, city watch, local contacts, city market and a renovated temple. You'll also need to do something to attract enchanters and alchemists, but that's not too urgent, and you don't really have the necessary skills at the moment. It wouldn't be impossible to do it, but it wouldn't be likely either.

You're already working on putting a market together, but with winter coming, you don't have much time for construction.

>You need a pavilion so you can run the city's government.
>You need a city watch to keep the people safe.
>Myrddin's spies need local contacts.
>Delyth would appreciate it if you renovated the temple.

>>548409
>>You need a pavilion so you can run the city's government.

>>548409
>>You need a pavilion so you can run the city's government.

>>548409
>Delyth would appreciate it if you renovated the temple.
get their attention with the temple, then things will be smoother once we start ordering them around.

>>548409
>You need a pavilion so you can run the city's government.

Training troops/guards as well as making local spies is still doable during the winter months. Building proper government offices and the like is hard to do on frozen ground. Renovating the temple (as long as it doesn't need to be expanded) can also be done during winter time as well (if it doesn't snow too much)

File: Seren3.png (189 KB, 671x382)

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>>548409
The pavilion comes first. You need a place where you can meet with people and store your records; you can't bring your work at home. Well, you can, but it would be extremely inconvenient for everyone involved.

You look through the city's carpenters and lumber stores so you're ready to get going as soon as Myrddin arrives. During a short break, you go to the kitchen to make some tea and find some breakfast, just as Delyth and Olwen return from the backyard and Seren and Reagan come down. Fortunately, there are no further comments about last night's adventures.

"Now that we're mostly settled, I'd like to order a proper pavilion," you say. "Does anyone want to come?"

"I'd like to, but I think it's better if I stay home," Seren says. "I'm still nervous about everything."

"What happened?" Olwen asks.

"Oh, I think I'm pregnant," Seren says. "I don't know for sure yet, but it seems likely."

"Congratulations!" Olwen smiles and pulls Seren into a hug. "Don't worry if you need to take time off and rest. I'll accompany his highness to his meeting."

"I'll come along as well," Reagan says. "Although it's not much of a palace, it's still the place where my husband and I can rule. It's only proper that I take an interest."

"I'd like to join you," Delyth says, "but I have some other work to do."

"It'll be the three of us and Myrddin then," you say. "Hopefully, this won't be too difficult."

You retrieve the documents you found in your records and briefly discuss them with Olwen and Reagan. There aren't many carpenters in the city, but the lumber stocks are in good shape, so you should be able to get a simple building up. It won't be much, but you don't need something too fancy at this point. You just need something respectable.

Myrddin arrives soon after and approves of your plan.

"I think we can do this quickly," Myrddin says. "Do you want to meet the carpenters at their workshops, or should we butter them up at a tavern first?"

>Go to their workshops.
>Invite them for a few ales.

>>548450
>>Go to their workshops.

>>548450
>Go to their workshops.
Bring the Ales to them!

>>548450
>>Go to their workshops.

>>548450
>Go to their workshops.
get an order done first, buddy them up once we have something to actually praise them for.

>>548450
>Go to their workshops.

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>>548450
"If I'm going to request that they build a pavilion so I can look respectable," you say, "I'd like to keep this professional. Let's go to their workshops."

"It'll be nice to have a walk around the city," Reagan says. "It's much nicer than spending time with drunkards."

You wrap one arm around Reagan and let Olwen walk a short distance from you. You usually dislike showing that kind of favouritism, but you don't want to draw too much attention to yourself while you're walking.

Degfford's streets aren't empty, but there aren't many people around. At this hour, most people are already at work, and the people who are out are more focused on their errands. Even so, you still get awed glances and respectful bows; people are starting to hear about you already.

You return such greetings with polite nods, but you maintain an aloof distance. Remaining personable without becoming common requires a delicate balance, but it's something you've learned to do over the years.

The carpenters are all gathered around the same area, since they need to be close to the lumber supply and they need quite a bit of space to work with. Although they are competing with each other for business, they've formed a loose guild under the leadership of a man named Neifion, who Myrddin suggested as your contact. Most of the time, they make barrels and furniture, but they do make and repair buildings when necessary. Your request should be well within their abilities.

You approach the biggest workshop and enter. Inside, apprentices and journeymen are carving simple woodworks under the gaze of a tall, broad-shouldered man.

"What did I say about working faster?" The man's roar resounds over the noise of the labourers. "If you make one mistake, you need to start over. That's why, if you want to be fast, focus on doing your job right!"

"Master Neifion!" Myrddin calls out to get the man's attention.

The man turns around to glare at you. His face scrunches up a little, then his face softens when he realizes who you are and he bows.

"Your highness, welcome! I didn't expect to see you today. Please, forgive my rudeness."

>[Sovereign/Autosuccess] "I need your help with something."
>[Dilettante/Autosuccess] "I wanted to meet some of the more prominent locals."
>[Merchant/1d12] "I was hoping to hire you for a job."

>>548493
>[Merchant/1d12] "I was hoping to hire you for a job."
Money talks and these craftsmen need work.

>>548493
>[Merchant/1d12] "I was hoping to hire you for a job."

>>548493
>>[Merchant/1d12] "I was hoping to hire you for a job."

>>548493
>>[Sovereign/Autosuccess] "I need your help with something."

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>>548493
"Don't worry about it." You reach out to shake Neifion's hand. "I was just hoping to hire you for a job."

"A job, huh?" Neifion scratches his chin.

>Roll 1d12, best of three.

Rolled 11 (1d12)

>>548516

Rolled 2 (1d12)

>>548516

Rolled 8 (1d12)

>>548516

A little music to pass the time between posts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbqFBA2lIU4

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>>548516
"I'll take it," Neifion says. "Don't get me wrong, I like making tables and it pays the bills, but it's still a tight living, you know?"

"Don't worry," you say. "If things go according to my plans, this whole city will be much richer in a few years."

"I look forward to seeing that." Neifion grins. "What do you need?"

"I need a separate pavilion built near the manor," you say. "It doesn't need to be too extravagant, but I need a place to meet visitors, and the manor isn't suitable."

"I heard you'd eloped with Olstren's princess before coming here," Neifion says. "I remember back when I got married. I didn't want anyone interrupting my wife and I either."

To reach Degfford so quickly, the news must have left before you did. You look to Myrddin, who simply shrugs. Just normal gossip then.

"His highness' declaration of love was so forceful." Reagan cups her cheek and blushes. "Just remembering it makes my heart flutter."

"Ah, I miss being young." Neifion sighs. "Anyway, I assume you're familiar with how this kind of work goes, your highness?"

"Fast, well, or cheap?"

"Exactly," Neifion says. "I can get a building up before winter, but if you want it done faster, it'll either cost you more or I'll have to cut corners. So, let's start with speed. How quickly do you want this done?"

>[Merchant/1d12] "Just get it done before winter."
>[Merchant/1d10] "As soon as you can."
>[Merchant/1d8] "Within the next few days."

>You have an active crit on this roll.

>>548535
>>[Merchant/1d8] "Within the next few days."

>>548535
>>[Merchant/1d10] "As soon as you can."

>>548535
>>[Merchant/1d10] "As soon as you can."

>>548535
>[Merchant/1d8] "Within the next few days."

>>548535
>[Merchant/1d8] "Within the next few days."

>>548535
>[Merchant/1d8] "Within the next few days."

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>>548535
>[Merchant/1d8] "Within the next few days."

This is gonna cost some money, innit?

>>548555
welp, speedy construction is either cut corners like hell or no cut corners but probably twice as expensive as the standard price.

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>>548535
"Even though I keep reminding myself I've got time until winter, I would like it done within the next few days," you say. "I'll have to move in properly, and I do have a heavy workload, so the faster this happens, the better."

"Okay, I'll ask around for additional labour," Neifion says. "Maybe one of the apprentices will make themselves useful for once."

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>548561

Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>548561

Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>548561

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>>548568
>>548570
>>548571
fuckin' 'ell

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>548561
Again with this?

>>548572
My dice are rigged, I swear!

>>548574
didn't this happen last thread?

>>548575
I blame communism

>>548575
>>548580
should we shake the dice out?

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>>548561
"What about the quality?" Myrddin asks.

"There won't be any problems with the materials, I can guarantee you that much," Neifion says. "As far as the architecture goes, we have some designs left over from merchants who wanted better mansions. Come, I'll show you."

Considering how small Degfford is, Neifion's selection of plans is quite impressive. These haven't been used, so you won't end up with a copy of someone else's house, and small modifications aren't difficult to make, so you can have it customized to your needs.

There are three plans that catch your eye, all of which are about the same size, so time won't be much of an issue.

The first is a simple office building. There's a small audience chamber and everything else is just small rooms for deskwork or storage.

The second plan has some private meeting room in addition to the audience chamber and the offices.

The third is the same as the second plan, but the pillars, windows and moldings along the ceiling are more intricate.

>[Merchant/1d10] Use the plainest plans.
>[Merchant/1d8] Use the more comfortable plans.
>[Merchant/1d6] Use the most elaborate plans.

>>548585
>>[Merchant/1d6] Use the most elaborate plans.

>>548585
>>[Merchant/1d8] Use the more comfortable plans.

>>548585
>>[Merchant/1d8] Use the more comfortable plans.

>>548585
>>[Merchant/1d8] Use the more comfortable plans.
Comfy for now, Fancy later

>>548585
>>[Merchant/1d8] Use the more comfortable plans.
Don't want it looking better than our home.

>>548585
>[Merchant/1d8] Use the more comfortable plans.
Save the elaborate. We can upgrade later.

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>>548585
"I think the second plan is fine," Reagan says. "It's not too bare, and we don't need anything pointlessly elaborate for now."

"I know better than to argue with my wife," you say. "What do you say, Master Neifion?"

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 8 (1d8)

>>548629

Rolled 6 (1d8)

>>548629

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>548629

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>>548629
"If his highness won't argue, I sure as hell won't!" Neifion lets out a deep laugh. "I'll let the rest of the guys know the good news over lunch."

"I'll take care of any funds you need," Myrddin says. "Securing lumber from the city's stockpile obviously won't be a problem."

"Government jobs do have perks," Neifion says. "Is there anything else you need, your highness?"

There are a few things you can think of. After all, the pavilion is just the first step in your plans. Other buildings need to be built, and there are probably a few carpenters who could sell carvings at those stalls you plan on setting up.

>[Merchant/1d10] "I might have some other construction jobs for you."
>[Merchant/1d8] "I do need a few artisan woodcarvers."
>"Not at the moment, no."

>>548643
>>[Merchant/1d8] "I do need a few artisan woodcarvers."

>>548643
>[Merchant/1d10] "I might have some other construction jobs for you."
Upgrading the temple second and putting up barracks/city walls in time too.

>>548643
>>[Merchant/1d8] "I do need a few artisan woodcarvers."

>>548643
>>[Merchant/1d10] "I might have some other construction jobs for you."

>>548643
>[Merchant/1d10] "I might have some other construction jobs for you."

>>548643
>>[Merchant/1d10] "I might have some other construction jobs for you."

Gotta build dat infrastructure man

>>548643
>>[Merchant/1d10] "I might have some other construction jobs for you."

File: Myrddin1.png (87 KB, 300x403)

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>>548643
"Now that you mention it, I might have a few other jobs for you," you say. "As I said, I have quite a bit of work to do."

"Oh? Anything in particular?"

"More construction work," Myrddin explains. "Considerable work needs to be done on the city's institutions."

>Roll 1d10, best of three.

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>548655

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>548655

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>548655

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>>548655
"I won't turn down more honest work, your highness," Neifion says. "If you need our help, we'll be here."

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks."

You shake the man's hand one more time before departing. Overall, that went as well as it could have. Your pavilion will be ready in a few days, and you'll be able to move on to bigger things.

"You know, I'm starting to really like this place," Olwen says. "It's much calmer than Aurwain is."

"You do realize that our goal is to make it busier, right?" You ask. "A calm city isn't something anyone wants."

"I know," Olwen says. "That's why I want to enjoy it while I can."

You shrug and walk through the streets, glancing at the various shops and houses as you go.

>Spend more time in the city.
>Return to the manor.

>>548665
>>Return to the manor.

>>548665
>>Spend more time in the city.

>>548665
>>Spend more time in the city.

>>548665
>Spend more time in the city.
Time to learn more about this place!
Also, more music to pass the time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hEzVCI5S14

>>548665
>>>Spend more time in the city.

>>548665
>>Spend more time in the city.

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>>548665
You decide to spend a little more time in the city. It's almost time for lunch anyway, so you might as well eat out.

It turns out Degfford doesn't really have teahouses. It does, however, have a lot of winehouses. It's to be expected, what with the vineyards and everything, but you can't help but wonder if it's healthy to drink that much alcohol. The mulled wine you ordered isn't too stiff, but it's not watered down either.

The food isn't what you're used to. You're offered a selection of cured meats and preserved fruit and vegetables rather than fish. It reminds you of Svekkan food, but then again, you're not that far from the border. People must have picked up a variety of different habits.

"Are you starting to like the food as well?" You ask Olwen.

"I've had worse in the military," she says. "Besides, there were some shops in Aurwain that sold food like this. It's not exactly new."

"It does remind me of a few Olstren dishes," Reagan says, "but it there are little difference that make it so it's not quite nostalgic."

"I just care that the food tastes good," Myrddin says. "And that I can overhear interesting details."

You continue to eat and watch over the passers-by for a while until Olwen asks you a question.

"Do you have any plans for the winter, your highness?"

>"I still need more heirs."
>"The winters aren't that bad around here. It shouldn't affect much."
>"We'll need to make plans for Olstren."

>>548702
>>"We'll need to make plans for Olstren."

>>548702
>>"We'll need to make plans for Olstren."

>>548702
>>"We'll need to make plans for Olstren."

>>548702
>"We'll need to make plans for Olstren."

>>548702
>>"We'll need to make plans for Olstren."

>>548702
>>"We'll need to make plans for Olstren."
Kings and princes plot in the winter so that they can war in spring.

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>>548702
"We'll need to make plans for Olstren," you say. "They won't be able to do anything until spring at the absolute earliest, but I'm not in the mood to counterattack. I'd rather strike at them first."

"Did you have anything in mind?" Olwen asks. "Our options will be limited if they try to take this to the King or the Crown Prince instead of attacking."

"Neither my father nor my brother would side with Olstren on this," you say, "not after our little performance. If they try diplomatic means, that just means they're weak and we can strike first. Ideally, I'd like to start by annexing the southern part of the kingdom. We'll still need an excuse though."

"I did bring a few genealogical records with me," Reagan says. "With a little creativity, I think they could serve our purpose."

Nothing produces casus belli quite like long-lost relatives.

"In that case, to creativity." You raise your glass in a cheer. It tastes sweeter, somehow.

A short winter. A bloody summer. There are worse ways for a prince to live.

>>548741
And that's all for today's thread. The next thread of Beleaguered Prince Quest will be Friday September 16th. As a reminder, I also run Relic Quest on Sunday.

As always, thanks for playing and goodnight.

File: zaheerlander.gif (1.43 MB, 478x218)

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>>548742
cheers, boss

Rolled 1, 3, 3, 10, 6, 1, 4 = 28 (7d12)

>>548742
Oh, wait, I forgot something.

>>548742
Thanks for the run. lets hope saving the thread works this time
>>548746
What did you forget?

>>548746
And you get 5XP each for Merchant, Dilettante and Alchemy.

>>548741
>>548742
Brace yourselves, WINTER IS COMING.

Thanks for running!

>>548748
So then, we have at least two heirs on the way now?

Always a joy to read up on this quest. Thanks for writing!