>>761207
>>"Have there been any problems with my uncle?"

>>761207
>>"How is Haul coming along?"

>>761218
>>761235
How about both?

>>761207
This first
>"Have there been any problems with my uncle?"
Then this,
>"How is Haul coming along?"

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>>761207
You've been away from Aurwain for a while, and you haven't had much news. Degfford has required most of your attention, but your mother has no doubt been keeping up with the affairs of the capital.

"Have there been any problems with my uncle?"

"No problems yet," Queen Margrete says, "but he's been putting his people in place again. I need to get back as soon as possible and arrange some accidents before he can strengthen is position again."

"It is best to deal with these things before they take root," you say. "What about Haul?"

"I haven't heard anything from him, which is better than bad news," Queen Margrete says. "I'm hoping his wife is pregnant by now. It's not that I don't appreciate your efforts, but we do need a line of succession."

"As Reagan reminds me at every opportunity," you say. "I'll see you in the late summer then?"

"Unless the children are born early, but I'm sure it will all be fine." The queen playfully pinches your cheek and laugh. "Do be careful, Meirion. I'll take care of the throne while you're away, so focus on your own tasks."

"Thank you for the reminder, mother. But please let go of me."

The queen giggles and boards her carriage. You watch her until she leaves the city limits.

That's one more thing dealt with. You're expecting the Olstren delegation soonish, but the city market takes precedence. Most of the merchants who decided to join your endeavours are in the city for their usual business, so it's time you finalized things.

Myrddin is keeping an eye on things in the city market proper if you want to conduct business there, while Reagan and Esyllt will be able to join you in the pavilion if you want to summon the merchants there.

>Go to the city market itself.
>Hold court in your pavilion.

>>761336
>>Hold court in your pavilion.

After checking the paste bin, oh man, we are one xp point away from leveling enchantment!
>>761336
>Hold court in your pavilion.
We made it, lets use it,

>>761336
>>Hold court in your pavilion.

>>761336
>>Hold court in your pavilion.

>>761336
>hold court in your pavilion
If everyone comes to us instead of us coming to them, then we maximize macro over micro.
If we went to the markets we might have some unique opportunities but meh we can do that another time.

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>>761336
You decide to hold court in your pavilion. After all, that's why you built it in the first place. You send a cordial invitation to the merchants and bring Reagan and Esyllt along with you. Reagan sits to your left as usual, while Esyllt sits a short distance away from Reagan in a less impressive chair.

"What is there left to discuss?" The negotiations were quite some time ago, so while you remember them going well, some of the details are a little blurry.

"We have merchants willing to rent space," Esyllt says, "but we still need to decide on their goods."

"Isn't that up to the merchants to decide?" Reagan asks.

"Possibly, if his highness wishes to give them more leeway," Esyllt answers. "However, we could encourage them to sell products from Degfford or from other areas. Selling local products would be better in the immediate term, while importing would increase trade with the rest of the kingdom, which would provide long-term benefits. We may want to broach the topic of enchantment and alchemy as well, just in case."

"Thank you, Esyllt," you say. "Send the merchants in."

The assembly is smaller this time; the merchants have chosen a small number of their peers to represent their common interests. It speeds things up and makes things easier for those who have less leverage.

"Gentlemen, thank you for meeting with me."

"It is our honour, your highness," the lead merchant says. "I assume you've been told of our concerns?"

"The goods for sale, and the possibilities of importing or selling local?"

The merchant nods. "There are a few craftsmen among us, but most of us are only merchants," he says. "Naturally, moving goods across the kingdom is our work and our duty, but it bears some costs and risks. We will, of course, do our best to please your highness."

>[Merchant/1d12] "I'll leave it to your discretion."
>[Merchant/1d10] "Focus on local goods. I'd like to focus on local trade first."
>[Merchant/1d8] "Bring in goods from all over Gwyrddarfordir. We need to increase Degfford's influence."

>>761445
>>[Merchant/1d8] "Bring in goods from all over Gwyrddarfordir. We need to increase Degfford's influence."

>>761445
>>[Merchant/1d8] "Bring in goods from all over Gwyrddarfordir. We need to increase Degfford's influence."

>>761445
>[Merchant/1d10] "Focus on local goods. I'd like to focus on local trade first."
encourage more skilled craftsmanship and more importantly a greater capacity for sales volume.

>>761445
>bring over goods from all over the kingdom, I will subsidize certain expenses such as security, and pay for those with appropriate tolls on your returning caravans. Naturally these endeavors are yours to make, so do as you wish so long you don't break laws or the terms of our agreement.

>>761445
>[Merchant/1d8] "Bring in goods from all over Gwyrddarfordir. We need to increase Degfford's influence."

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>>761445
It's time for Degfford to become more important in the kingdom's affairs. You need to stimulate trade.

"Bring in goods from all over Gwyrddarfordir," you say. "We need to increase Degfford's influence."

>Roll 1d8.

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>761525

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>761525

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>761525

Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>761525

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>>761525
"It would be our pleasure, your highness," the merchant says. "If we borrow some help from the usual caravans, it should go quite smoothly. If you can obtain materials such as precious stones and northern lumber from Olstren and Svekka on a regular basis, we might even be able to convince some of our craftsman associates to move here permanently."

That's an interesting possibility, and an important one to Degfford's future. However, it's a little early to consider that now. You look to Reagan.

"It isn't impossible," she says, "but you'll have to work hard to make it happen."

"We could start on a smaller scale," Esyllt says. "We can invite a small number of craftsmen for a year or two and provide them with subsidies. Ideally, we would eventually be able to import materials to Degfford and manufacture goods here before distributing them throughout the Gwyrddarfordir. We should start small, but there's very little risk in trying unless we're very unlucky."

It would give you another problem to deal with though, and you have a very long list already at the moment.

>"This can wait until later."
>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll try it and see what happens."

>>761585
>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll try it and see what happens."
No more delays. Let's get shit done.

>>761585
>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll try it and see what happens."

>>761585
>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll try it and see what happens."
Lets do this!

Hey Beleaguered, a question for you. Is there a level cap for our skills?

>>761615
There's no hard cap, but the current plan is that you'd be able to automatically pass all roll at level 8. I might change my mind and push up the difficulty later depending on how things go though. Level 3 means you roll a d8 on most actions to run a city, and level 5 means you roll a d8 on most actions to run a kingdom.

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>>761585
Since you're already set on this path, you might as well keep going.

"We'll try it and see what happens," you say. "Hopefully, this won't cause too many problems."

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>761704

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>761704

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>761704

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>761704
Please, dice, don't let me down.

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>>761704
"I think we'll have some opportunities with craftsman who have just become masters and who wish to establish their own shops," the merchant says. "It would help them find clients, at least. Is there anything else we need to discuss?"

You do need alchemy and enchantment workshops. That requires a level of specialized knowledge that merchants don't have, but they might be able to help you get started.

>"I'd like to discuss the production of enchantments and alchemical products."
>"That's everything for now."

>>761746
>"I'd like to discuss the production of enchantments and alchemical products."

>>761746
>>"I'd like to discuss the production of enchantments and alchemical products."

>>761763
>>761772
Leeeets do it, we have some knowledge.

>>761746
>>"I'd like to discuss the production of enchantments and alchemical products."

Reagan makes me hard, there I said it.

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>>761746
"I'd also like to discuss enchantments and alchemical products," you say. "I'm aware it's beyond your expertise, but if you can provide any assistance…"

The merchants look at each other. "We should be able to provide the materials for one workshop, either enchantment or alchemy," he says. "However, you would have to be the one to organize, your highness."

Which is not something you're particularly good at. It isn't impossible, but it's… unlikely. Your odds of success would be better if you waited, but with war on the horizon, you don't have much time.

>[Enchantment/1d4] Organize an enchantment workshop.
>[Alchemy/1d6] Organize an alchemical workshop.
>You can handle this later.

>>761888
Let's try both if we can, but I prioritize alchemy because healing troops is pretty important.

>>761888
>>[Alchemy/1d6] Organize an alchemical workshop.

>>761888
>[Alchemy/1d6] Organize an alchemical workshop
If only Seren wasn't pregnant, she could do it for us.

>>761904
One for now, but we can probably get the other one later.

>>761888
>[Alchemy/1d6] Organize an alchemical workshop.

>>761888
>>[Alchemy/1d6] Organize an alchemical workshop.

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>>761888
You keep your expression calm and in control. Sure, you know you have no idea what you're doing, and Reagan and Esyllt probably know it as well, but you can't show it to the merchant. They can sense indecision and you need to project confidence.

"Thank you for your assistance," you say. "I'll prepare the order right away. Money shouldn't be an issue."

>Roll 1d6, best of three.

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>762049
I mean, we're probably gonna fuck up, but it's better than making our pregnant wife do it for us.

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>762049

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>762049

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>>762049
With their business conducted, the merchants leave. You take the time to relax a little and pour yourself a glass of water.

"That was more stressful than I thought it would be," you say. "I'm glad it went well."

"Oh, this was the easy part," Reagan says. "Didn't you hear? One of my father's men arrived ahead of the rest of the delegation. He should arrive in a few minutes."

"… that's much sooner than I anticipated," you say. "Esyllt, will you be staying?"

"I may as well," Esyllt says. "This could be important to future negotiations. Do you know who Olstren sent?"

"The guards didn't know," Reagan says. "I'm quite curious about it, actually."

You adjust your clothes and sit in a more relaxed posture. This meeting could go a lot of ways, but confidence remains the order of the day.

You're not surprised when the doors part to reveal a knight in noble regalia. You are surprised when Reagan points and laughs at him.

"Oh, Sir Connor mac Maed." Reagan wipes the tears from her eyes. "What did you do to get exiled from Olstren?"

"Greetings -"

"I thought you'd learned your lesson after your mother caught you with your cousin."

"- your majesty. I -"

"And when that count caught you with his mother."

"- have come to -"

"And when that count found you with his daughter."

"- deliver King Connaught's -"

"And when that other count found you with his wife and daughters, who were also married."

"- heartfelt congratulations for -"

"And when those mountain raiders invaded while you were sleeping with the baron's wife and concubine."

"- your marriage to Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren."

Sir Connor withstands Reagan's abuse admirably, despite what the twitch of his left eye says. He kneels down respectfully before you and your wife, waiting for your word.

>"Welcome to Degfford, Sir Connor mac Maed."
>"Let's discuss King Connaught's inheritance."
>"So, who did you sleep with this time?"

>>762159
>"Welcome to Degfford, Sir Connor mac Maed."
>"if you lay a hand on any woman you see in this compound you will lose your hand and manhood"

>>762159
>>"Welcome to Degfford, Sir Connor mac Maed."

>>762159
>>"So, who did you sleep with this time?"
>"Welcome to Degfford, Sir Connor mac Maed."

>>762159
>"Welcome to Degfford, Sir Connor mac Maed."
Much as I like to know who Sir Connor Casanova do this time, being respectful doesn't cost us.

Also this >>762181

>>762159

>"Welcome to Degfford, Sir Connor mac Maed."
Reagan did the poking just fine.
Seriously Beleaguered, I'm an seriously laughing here.

oh and add this.
>"if you lay a hand on any woman you see in this compound you will lose your hand and manhood"
but perhaps not so bluntly.

>>762159
>"Welcome to Degfford, Sir Connor mac Maed."

>>762181
We shouldn't say this. It would just show we feel he is threatening. Plenty of time for it later. Better to lead him to understand it implicitly.

>>762159
That E rank luck still holding I see.

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>>762159
"Welcome to Degfford, Sir Connor mac Maed," you say. "Will you be needing a chastity belt while you're here?"

"Please no, your majesty."

"Don't worry, he's not our type, dear," Reagan says. "He prefers to play the roguish knight-errant. It appeals to women who don't meddle in court affairs. It's also the reason why he only ever beds women who are noble by connection. Those who were born into the nobility can't seem to grasp Sir Connor's charm. I imagine he'd be less adventurous if he could actually get married."

"I have a baby to carry, Delyth takes her duties quite seriously and Eleri has no doubt seen more charm on a stage," Esyllt says. "We wouldn't be interested."

Sir Connor hangs is head and sobs quietly.

"No harm done, then," you say. "Tell me, what news do you bring from Olstren?"

Sir Connor composes himself and looks up. "King Connaught has sent modest gifts of arms, armours, coin and other miscellaneous supplies to honour your union. I have also been ordered to remain here until I am satisfied of your health and well-being, your highness."

"Now, that is interesting." Reagan rubs her chin thoughtfully. "So if a certain duke of Olstren was to, say, die by your spear, it would be considered an internal matter?"

"That is one possible interpretation of what I said, your majesty," Sir Connor says.

So you have a dagger with which to kill Duke Ferrid if it becomes necessary and you don't want to make too much of a mess. That's certainly convenient.

>"You may enjoy our hospitality while you're here, Sir Connor."
>[Intrigue/1d10] "In that case, let's talk about Olstren's dukes."

>>762330
>>[Intrigue/1d10] "In that case, let's talk about Olstren's dukes."

>>762330
>>[Intrigue/1d10] "In that case, let's talk about Olstren's dukes."

>>762330
>>[Intrigue/1d10] "In that case, let's talk about Olstren's dukes."

>>762330
>[Intrigue/1d10] "In that case, let's talk about Olstren's dukes."
Reagan is bringing the fire tonight. I almost feel bad for Connor.

>>762330
>[Intrigue/1d10] "In that case, let's talk about Olstren's dukes."

>"Will you be needing a chastity belt while you're here?"

Oh god, my sides! return to me my sides!

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>>762330
"In that case," you say, "let's talk about Olstren's dukes. I assume you know about my border problems?"

"Yes, Duke Ferrid has been pushing for a more hostile position towards Gwyrddarfordir ever since his son died under mysterious circumstances."

"It was such a tragic event," Reagan says. "I grieved for quite some time."

"… I'm sure you did, your majesty," Connor says. "In any case, Duke Ferrid may cause you some problems…"

>Roll 1d12, best of three. I thought it was a d10, but it's actually d12. I forgot Intrigue was level 4.

Rolled 9 (1d12)

>>762480

Rolled 6 (1d12)

>>762480

Rolled 9 (1d12)

>>762480

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>>762480
"How would you suggest we deal with him?" Reagan asks.

"It would be most convenient if Duke Ferrid attacked on his own accord," Sir Connor says. "Given his temper, it wouldn't be strange if he was goaded into it. The rest of the delegation will return to Olstren soon after their business here is conducted, and they'll be stopping in the Duke's territory on their way back. I'm gold alcohol can loosen tongues and tempers alike."

It would mean war, but you're already prepared to bleed Duke Ferrid dry in a defensive battle.

"Alternatively, there's always a possibility that Duke Ferrid will be met with an unfortunate accident," Connor says. "Unfortunately, neither I nor the men I'm accompanying can predict such things."

So you'd have to arrange the assassination yourself from another country. Possible, with Myrddin's assistance, but it would require delicate planning to pull off, and you wouldn't be able to claim Machain's lands as your own.

>Wait for Duke Ferrid to take action on his own.
>[Intrigue/1d8] Goad him into war.
>You'll take the time to plot his assassination.

>>762541
>>[Intrigue/1d8] Goad him into war.

>>762541
>Wait for Duke Ferrid to take action on his own.

>>762541
>You'll take the time to plot his assassination.

by the way, there's a draw anon modifying maps for mountains and such

>>/tg/49996920

throw BPQ's map there if you want.

>>762541
>>[Intrigue/1d8] Goad him into war.

>>762562
damnit how do you crosslink

>>>/tg/49996920

>>762541
>[Intrigue/1d8] Goad him into war.
But we need to choose the timing and for our militia to be ready for it.

>>762541
>Wait for Duke Ferrid to take action on his own.

>>762541
>You'll take the time to plot his assassination.
This way we will not lose our men in a fight we'll need later on.

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>>762541
"I would like to see this done quickly," you say, "while we are prepared and Duke Ferrid is still mulling option. It'd be very good for us if something happened to push him over the edge."

"My companions will be interested to hear that, your majesty," Sir Connor says.

"In that case, I very much hope that they enjoy the duke's hospitality on their way back," Reagan says. "While said duke is still able to offer it."

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>762677

dice+1d8

>>762677

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>762677

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>762677

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>762677

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>>762677
"In the meantime, we'll find some place for you to live," you say. "There should be a few homes available, unless you'd rather find an innkeeper with a pretty daughter."

"No, that just makes things awkward in the -" Sir Connor catches himself and coughs. "I mean, no thank you, your majesty. I'd rather stay in the barracks if you have any."

"We have guard posts as well, if you'd like something warmer," you say. "You can take a look around the city, see if there's any spot you'd like. I can provide you with anything else you need while you're here."

That went surprisingly well. No doubt there will be other formalities to deal with in the near future, but you now know that King Connaught is willing to support you to the best of his abilities. Until Ferrid rushes your way and commits suicide on your preparations, you're free to continue working on Degfford. There's quite a lot to be done.

Rolled 7, 7, 7 = 21 (3d12)

>>762758
Time for the bonus rolls.

Rolled 1, 5, 5 = 11 (3d10)

>>762765
Huh. Triple 7s. Looks like the casino machine finally paid off. That's 5XP for Merchant, Alchemy and Enchantment. Enchantment leveled up!

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>762784
And 7XP for Intrigue and Dilettante. Military next.

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>>762758
cheers, boss

>>762758
Thanks for running, see you next time.

>>762797
And now Military is at 261/270. Very timely.

Beleaguered Prince Quest will probably return on Friday November 4th at 7PM EST. I might go see Doctor Strange, but I hate evening showings, so it's not likely to cause a scheduling conflict. I will also be running Relic Quest this Sunday at 7PM.

I had another idea for a Tutelary God Quest, but then I realized it was basically a fusion of Beleaguered Prince and Relic Quest. On the one hand, I do have a preference for certain genres. On the other hand, I'd like to try something different. Anyway, that won't matter until Relic Quest comes to an end at the earliest, so I'm just throwing it out there for fun.

Goodnight and thanks for playing.

>>762822
It's been a blast Beleagured! You are a better QM than you realize, and a good writer too!