>>615078
>>You've done enough work already. Now's the time for a more subtle approach.

>>615078
>>You've done enough work already. Now's the time for a more subtle approach.

>>615078
>You've done enough work already. Now's the time for a more subtle approach.

>>615078
>>You've done enough work already. Now's the time for a more subtle approach.

>>615078
>>You've done enough work already. Now's the time for a more subtle approach.

File: Myrrdin4.jpg (89 KB, 1280x720)

89 KB JPG

>>615078
You decide you've done enough work already. You'll help the merchants along and hype them up a bit, but now's the time for a more subtle approach. Maybe you can turn this into a date or something.

"Myrddin, is there anything I need to know about our visitors before I head off?"

"They're all clean, your highness," Myrddin says. "None of them have connections to your uncle. Some have connections to Olstren, but that's something we can take advantage of. There won't be any disruption."

"Make sure there isn't," you say. "The city guard is still disorganized. I wouldn't be worried in most circumstances, but on a day like this, we can't afford the slightest mistake."

"No need to worry, your highness. Everything is under control. If there is a problem, I'll alert you right away."

You return home and change into some plainer autumn clothes so you're not recognized. It shouldn't be difficult to blend in unless you deliberately make a fuss.

And since you're going out anyway, you might as well bring two people with you, if you want.

>Reagan
>Olwen
>Seren
>Esyllt
>Eleri
>Delyth

>>615185
>Esyllt
>Eleri

>>615185
>>Olwen
>Esyllt

>>615185
>>Eleri
>>Delyth

>>615185
>seren
>esyllt

File: Esyllt2.jpg (117 KB, 850x1700)

117 KB JPG

>>615185
You decide to invite Esyllt and Eleri this time. They should be able to help you if you do need to intervene with anything.

You go down to Esyllt's study and knock on the door.

"Come in," she answers.

You push the door open and enter. "I hope I didn't disturb you," you say. "I wanted to go out and quietly observe our guests in case they need some encouragement. Would you care to join me?"

"Certainly." Esyllt closes her ledgers and locks them in her desk drawers. "I do hope we won't need to do much. This is an excellent opportunity for any merchant, and I'll be extremely disappointed if they pass it up."

"You can't expect everyone to be as competent as you," you say, "but they do come highly recommended, so I expect decent results."

"I'll trust your optimism for now," Esyllt says. "What do you want out of this anyway? Are you doing this for profit, or to fund your armies?"

>"I'm only interested in the profit."
>"Armies do need to get paid."
>"I'm doing this for the city's prosperity."

>>615299
>>"I'm doing this for the city's prosperity."
>"Armies do need to get paid."

>>615299
>"I'm doing this for the city's prosperity."

>>615299
>"I'm doing this for the city's prosperity."

>>615299
>>"I'm doing this for the city's prosperity."

File: Eleri25.jpg (394 KB, 583x800)

394 KB JPG

>>615299
"I'm doing this for the city's prosperity," you say. "That is a ruler's obligation, after all."

"I'm glad to hear it," Esyllt says. "And so will our visitors, I suspect. I'll go get dressed and meet you outside."

Esyllt goes to her room, and you go to Eleri's practice room. For once, you don't hear the sound of her voice coming from the room. You open the door and step in.

Eleri is posing in front of a mirror, with a pile of discarded clothes next to her. "Hello, your highness," she says. "Do you need anything?"

"I was hoping you'd accompany Esyllt and I out for a bit," you say. "Are you preparing for a play?"

"No, Reagan and Olwen recommended that I find some clothes suitable for noble company," Eleri explains. "Although since you're here, you could pick my outfit, if you'd like."

>"Commoners' clothes will do."
>"I do like your dresses."
>"Surprise me."

>>615299
>"Armies do need to get paid."
>"I'm doing this for the city's prosperity."
If we have no money, we can't help anyone in any arena. We must be well funded.

>>615444
>>"Surprise me."

>>615444
>>"Surprise me."

>>615444
>>"Surprise me."

>>615444
>>"I do like your dresses."

File: Eleri22.jpg (81 KB, 850x960)

81 KB JPG

>>615444
"Surprise me."

"I'm not walking around the city naked under a coat."

Okay, that's worth a chuckle.

"I'll ask Olwen if she wants to try it instead," you say, "but seriously, just pick something random. I don't really mind."

"I've got something I haven't worn recently." Eleri starts rummaging through her clothes. "It doesn't fit the season, but it does look nice."

"I'll leave you to your search then."

You go to wait outside. Esyllt arrives soon after - her outfits are all equally functional, rather than stylish - and then Eleri, who decided to put on a white summer dress. As she said, it doesn't fit the season, but it does look nice. Beside, it's not that cold yet.

"Let's go," you say. "I don't want to miss the crowd."

The two women follow you into the city. You don't hold hands along the way - you're trying to remain inconspicuous - but they do stay as close to you as they can without attracting attention.

The circle of stalls, each filled with glasswork goods and a considerable variety of other items, has a attracted a great deal of attention. Some of the more skilled or ambitious craftsmen hawk their good in loud, boisterous voices.

It's the visitors who draw your attention, however. Most are merchants, but a few also bear the emblems of noble houses, especially baronies; a Prince moving into the area is a good way for lower-ranking nobles to climb up a few steps.

>[Merchant/1d12] Observe the crowd.
>[Merchant/1d8] Buy a few things to encourage others to make purchases.

>>615592
>>[Merchant/1d8] Buy a few things to encourage others to make purchases.

>>615592
>>[Merchant/1d8] Buy a few things to encourage others to make purchases.

>>615444
>"Surprise me."

>>615592
>>[Merchant/1d8] Buy a few things to encourage others to make purchases.

>>615592
>>[Merchant/1d12] Observe the crowd.

>>615592
>>[Merchant/1d8] Buy a few things to encourage others to make purchases.

File: Meirion5.png (136 KB, 281x719)

136 KB PNG

>>615592
There are many people browsing, but not enough buying. You're going to have to fix that.

"See anything interesting?" You ask your companions.

"There are a few pieces of jewellery I'd like," Eleri says. "Esyllt?"

"Glasswork isn't my speciality," Esyllt says, "but there are some stalls that could use more popularity."

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>615674

Rolled 8 (1d8)

>>615674

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>615674

>>615078
Did we ever fug our aide or bodyguard, whatever her name was?

>>615717
Olwen? Yes she was the first one we fugged.

>>615717
Bro, everyone in our harem we've fucked at least three times already.

We've even got a kid on the way, go catch up in the archives.

>>615731
>>615727
I'm so proud of you anons

>>615737

Before I read further, were they written or FTB?

>>615745
FTB with heavy implications

>>615745
FTB, but you should be able to draw out some details.

>>615745
FTB

>>615750
>>615752
Can't have everything I suppose. Thanks anons.

File: Esyllt1.jpg (181 KB, 850x1208)

181 KB JPG

>>615674
You go around the stalls and buy a few things: glass earrings inlaid with gold, a brooch in the shape of a flower, hairpins, intricate wine glasses. Carrying it all is something of a challenge, but people notice your purchases, and envy is a powerful motivator. Merchants are cheap by nature, but they don't want to look cheap. Spending money is a sign of wealth, after all.

The merchants crowd around the stalls instead of just browsing, and a few bidding wars erupt.

"There we go," Esyllt says with a smile. "We're off to a good start, but we need to keep our momentum going while we have it. We don't want the crowd to cool down."

"Our goal is to build a permanent market in the city," you say, "so we need to encourage people to move here."

"People love rumours," Eleri says, "and merchants would have to be particularly sensitive to them wouldn't they?"

Information is always crucial, but merchants won't take unnecessary risks. If you push too hard, they might decide to wait and see how things go before acting.

>[Intrigue/1d8] Spread word that you're looking for business partners to help develop the city.
>[Intrigue/1d10] Spread word that you'll be building a permanent market in the city next year.
>[Intrigue/1d12] Spread word that you're very invested in the city's development.

>>615760
>>[Intrigue/1d8] Spread word that you're looking for business partners to help develop the city.

>>615760
>[Intrigue/1d8] Spread word that you're looking for business partners to help develop the city.

>>615760
>>[Intrigue/1d10] Spread word that you'll be building a permanent market in the city next year.

>>615760
>[Intrigue/1d8] Spread word that you're looking for business partners to help develop the city.

>>615760
>>[Intrigue/1d10] Spread word that you'll be building a permanent market in the city next year.

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

64 KB JPG

>>615760
"Prince Meirion is aggressively looking for business partners to help develop the city. Let everyone know."

The three of you split up and mingle with the crowd. You look for any opportunity to spread the word.

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

>>615760
>>[Intrigue/1d10] Spread word that you'll be building a permanent market in the city next year.

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>615830

Rolled 8 (1d8)

>>615830

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>615830

File: Meirion3.jpg (14 KB, 469x263)

14 KB JPG

>>615830
You approach two merchants standing by a stall and eavesdrop on them.

"The quality of the glasswork is quite good. I'll have to pick buy some when I come through here next year."

"Degfford always has some nice baubles. I have a regular client who collects them for his daughter."

"You might not have that opportunity." You smoothly step next to the merchants and examine the goods on display. "Degfford was claimed as a principality, you know. I heard the prince was interested in finding business partners to help develop the city. If you keep wasting coin on trinkets, you might end up losing out."

You chuckle and buy something random before walking away. The merchants don't let anything slip, but you can feel the wheels turning in their minds. They just need one more little push.

>[Intrigue/1d8] Have Myrddin's people spread rumours as well. The merchants will come to you.
>[Sovereign/1d8] Make an official announcement in a few days to lend the rumours credence.

>>615892
>>[Sovereign/1d8] Make an official announcement in a few days to lend the rumours credence.

>>615892
>[Sovereign/1d8] Make an official announcement in a few days to lend the rumours credence.

>>615892
>>[Sovereign/1d8] Make an official announcement in a few days to lend the rumours credence.

>>615892
>>[Sovereign/1d8] Make an official announcement in a few days to lend the rumours credence.

>>615892
>>[Sovereign/1d8] Make an official announcement in a few days to lend the rumours credence.

Nothing's like an official announcement to get people moving.

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

230 KB PNG

>>615892
You'll let them stew for a few days just so they know who's in charge and then make an official announcement. After all, you don't want to make it too difficult for them to contact you.

You rejoin Esyllt and Eleri, who have both spread the word as well.

"I think you'll get a few offers," Esyllt says. "The negotiations won't be easy. I recognize some of the people here, and they have a stiff reputation."

"I'll figure something out," you assure her. "If a nut is tough to crack, just hit it harder."

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>616005

Rolled 8 (1d8)

>>616005

>>616021
Guess we hit it REALLY hard.

Rolled 8 (1d8)

>>616005

File: Eleri27.jpg (440 KB, 622x900)

440 KB JPG

>>616005
"I don't think hitting merchants works quite like that, your highness," Eleri says. "Charm might work better."

"No, charm will just make you seem desperate," Esyllt says. "It's best to take a hard line, especially if you can negotiate from a position of power."

You pass on orders to Myrddin so he can spread a royal edict to confirm that you are, in fact, looking for business partners. Esyllt and Eleri return to their work, while you decide what you should deal with next.

>Look into the city's military.
>Look into the city's alchemical supplies.

>>616065
>>Look into the city's military.

>>616065
>Look into the city's military.
Meirion is seriously lacking in the enchantments and alchemy, but we need an army by winter's end.

>>616065
>Look into the city's military.

>>616065
>>Look into the city's military.

>>616065
>Look into the city's alchemical supplies.
pissing in the wind here, but this option would probably net us more time with Seren right?

>>616065
>>Look into the city's military.

File: Olwen1.jpg (647 KB, 1011x1318)

647 KB JPG

>>616065
The military's next on your list. You do have soldiers, but they're only just barely organized at the moment. You need to fix that. You decide to go up to Olwen's room.

"Olwen, what's the status of our guards?"

"I have a rudimentary patrol schedule in place," she says, "but it doesn't amount to much, just barely enough to make a show of strength. We need multiple guard posts and a way to coordinate between them if we want to actively enforce order in Degfford."

"Sounds simple enough," you say. "Where do we start?"

"The easiest is to have a central headquarters and smaller posts at the gates," Olwen says. "That way, we can at least make sure taxes are paid. I would prefer to have smaller posts at the gates and in important areas like the residential quarter and the craftsmen's districts, but as I said, coordination is important and I'm not sure we could do it right."

"Do we have enough people for that?"

"We do," Olwen says. "I might need to rotating patrol schedules, but that's not a critical problem."

>[Military/1d10] "A central headquarters with guards posted at the gates will be fine."
>[Military/1d8] "The guards should be spread out. That way, they can protect the whole city."

>>616193
>>[Military/1d10] "A central headquarters with guards posted at the gates will be fine."

>>616193
>>[Military/1d8] "The guards should be spread out. That way, they can protect the whole city."

>>616193
>>[Military/1d10] "A central headquarters with guards posted at the gates will be fine."
get the fundamentals down, first.

>>616193
>>[Military/1d10] "A central headquarters with guards posted at the gates will be fine."

>>616193
>>[Military/1d8] "The guards should be spread out. That way, they can protect the whole city."

File: Olwen5.png (877 KB, 1024x1180)

877 KB PNG

>>616193
"A central headquarters with guards posted at the gates will be fine," you say. "I wouldn't really call that a city guard, but it'll last us through winter. We can make improvements in the spring when we have more resources to work with."

"I'll come up with a plan immediately, your highness," Olwen says.

>Roll 1d10, best of three.

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>616300

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>616300

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>616300

File: Olwen6.jpg (8 KB, 300x168)

8 KB JPG

>>616300
"Is there anything else we need to deal with at the moment?"

"No, since we're keeping the guards concentrated, communication won't be an issue," Olwen says. "We won't need to buy land or buildings either, so this shouldn't take very long. We will need to revisit this in the future, but it's not an immediate problem."

If nothing else, this will make the guards look more prominent, which will make the city look safer in turn. No doubt the citizens will be comforted a little. If it makes the merchants more confident in Degfford's future, all the better.

That's enough to call your work done for the day.

>Tease Olwen a bit.
>Go see Seren.

>>616371
>>Tease Olwen a bit.

>>616371
>Tease Olwen a bit.

>>616371
>>Tease Olwen a bit.

>>616371
>>Go see Seren.

>>616371
>>Tease Olwen a bit.

>>616371
>Tease Olwen a bit.

File: 1367620942678.png (2.08 MB, 971x1400)

2.08 MB PNG

>>616371
"Mind if I watch while you draw out the plans?"

"Sure, I don't mind," Olwen says.

You stealthily take out the collar you keep in your pocket and tie it around Olwen's neck from behind. The quill she's been using to write stops cold and you can feel her cheeks flush.

"Come to think of it, you don't need clothes for this, do you?"

"… no, I suppose I don't," Olwen answers in a strained voice. Without standing up, she removes her clothes and drops them off to the side. She then resumes her work as if nothing had happened.

You gently stroke her hair and lean over to kiss her neck.

"That's very good, Olwen. I'll give you a reward once you finish the rest of your work. But if someone knocks on the door before then, it'll be their turn next instead."

"I understand, your highness."

You've never seen Olwen write that fast before.

Rolled 4, 4, 9, 6 = 23 (4d10)

>>616501
And that's all for today. Just got to do the city XP rolls next.

As always, Beleaguered Prince Quest will return on Friday September 30th. I will also be running Relic Quest this Sunday at 7PM. You can check my twitter account @BeleagueredQM for updates.

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

1.43 MB GIF

>>616510
cheers, boss

Rolled 3, 11, 1 = 15 (3d12)

>>616510
And you're now up to level 4 Intrigue.

>>616501
>the collar you keep in your pocket
nobles

>>616519
And you get 5 XP for Enchantment.

Goodnight, everyone!

>>616501
I hope you enjoyed running this Beleaguered. I was quite entertained tonight. Thank you for doing all of this.

>>616519
Does that unlock new options? is there a limit to our skill level?

>>616531
Thanks for running.

thanks for running senpai.