>>1096277
>>Assassin first.

>>1096277
>Assassin first.

>>1096277
>>Assassin first.

>>1096277
>Assassin first.

>>1096277
>Assassin first.

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>>1096277
"The assassin first." You lunge forward, but Olwen leads back, forcing you to quickly halt your movement and pull back lest you overextend yourself. "What do you know?"

"Despite my clear instructions to the contrary, his escort brought him in Duwcan's area of influence," Myrddin says. "Your uncle must have bribed the escort, but I don't have any concrete evidence at the moment. "

Duwcan is under your uncle's control and really, there's no one else who could pull something like this off. It's unfortunate that Myrddin doesn't have any tangible proof yet, but it's not like you need it that much either. There are plenty of avenues for retaliation available.

"What do you suggest we do?"

"I tracked the traitorous guards down," Myrddin says. "Eliminating them would be a simple task, but I can continue the investigation and see who gave them the orders. Prince Aled won't be directly connected, but if we can identify his fixer…"

"We can eliminate another of his core assets," you say.

As is often the case though, the highest reward is the most difficult to get.

>"There's no need to pursue this further. I'll deal with my uncle at another time."
>[Intrigue/1d10] "Assassinate the traitors."
>[Intrigue/1d8] "Continue the investigation."

>You have an active crit included in this roll.

>>1096371
>>[Intrigue/1d8] "Continue the investigation."

>>1096371
>>[Intrigue/1d8] "Continue the investigation."

>>1096371
>[Intrigue/1d8] "Continue the investigation."

>>1096371
>>[Intrigue/1d8] "Continue the investigation."

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>>1096371
"Continue the investigation," you say. "If I'm going to kill someone over this, I'm going to make sure they're important first."

"You can always have the guards assassinated later anyway," Olwen says between two thrusts of her rapier.

"That's also a good point," you say.

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 6 (1d8)

>>1096467

Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>1096467

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>1096467

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>>1096467
You back away from Olwen, finally too tired and sore to keep going.

"That's enough for today," you say.

"For today, yes," Olwen says. "We need to get you back in proper shape. This level of swordsmanship is utterly disgraceful for the Victorious Prince."

You make a mental note to properly punish Olwen. She's getting a little too cheeky for her own good.

Then again, that's probably what she wants.

"With that out of the way," Myrddin says, "let's talk about Degfford's next major development."

"This is about your secret police, isn't it?"

"Yes," Myrddin says, "yes, it is. Now that the school's ready, I can proceed with that particular project."

Although you can appreciate Myrddin's enthusiasm for his pet project, the city has many needs that must be fulfilled, and it wouldn't do to dismiss the others out of hand just because Myrddin wants to be able to make people disappear at will.

"And what else can we do for Degfford at the moment?"

"I suppose we could use the school to train clerks," Myrddin says. "It would help with the city's management if we could delegate the simpler tasks. If you'd rather make Eleri happy, we could build a theatre as well. The merchant district, enchanter's workshop and alchemical storehouse are options as well."

>Give Myrddin what he wants. Start on the secret police.
>Eleri would greatly appreciate it if you built a theatre.
>A merchant's district is necessary to Degfford's prosperity.
>An Enchanter's workshop is a basic necessity.
>An Alchemical storehouse is also a basic necessity.

>>1096510
>Secret police

After that assassination attempt I think we should increase our security

>>1096510
>A merchant's district is necessary to Degfford's prosperity.

>>1096510
>Give Myrddin what he wants. Start on the secret police.

>>1096510
>An Enchanter's workshop is a basic necessity.
then Secret police, then merchant's, then.....either

>>1096510

>Give Myrddin what he wants. Start on the secret police.

>>1096510
>>Give Myrddin what he wants. Start on the secret police.

>>1096510
>>Give Myrddin what he wants. Start on the secret police.

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>>1096510
There's a limit to what you can do to protect yourself from outsiders, but you'll be damned if you're going to let yourself get stabbed in the back by someone from the inside.

"Fine, Myrddin, you can have things your way," you say. "What do you want for your secret police?"

"I'll need a few assassins and spies capable of infiltration," Myrddin says, "but most of the information-gathering will be in the hands of 'ordinary people' who can be trusted to report to me. Merchants, servants, barmaids, that sort of thing."

So you need to find people who can fit it everywhere and anywhere, and who are smart enough to be taught basic espionage in a short amount of time. You can do this yourself, but Esyllt and Eleri have connections of their own among the merchants and the street performers respectively. They might be able to help.

>[Intrigue/1d12] Do this on your own.
>[Intrigue/1d12] Ask Esyllt for help.
>[Intrigue/1d12] Ask Eleri for help.
>[Intrigue/1d10] Ask Esyllt and Eleri for help.

>>1096635
>>[Intrigue/1d10] Ask Esyllt and Eleri for help.

>>1096635
>>[Intrigue/1d10] Ask Esyllt and Eleri for help.

>>1096635
>[Intrigue/1d12] Ask Eleri for help.

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>>1096635
"Let's ask Esyllt and Eleri if they know anyone useful," you say. "They do have contacts all over."

"I'll take whatever help I can get," Myrddin says.

You take the chance to give Olwen a light spanking as you pass her by. Judging by her glare, she's more disappointed that you didn't hit her hard enough than anything.

Esyllt and Eleri join you and Myrddin in your office.

"What did you need, your highness?" Esyllt asks.

"I require some informants for my ongoing project," Myrddin says. "We were hoping you two would have some suggestions."

>Roll 1d10, best of three.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1096736

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1096736

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>1096736

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>>1096736
"I know a few people who won't mind selling information, so long as the price is fair," Eleri says. "I wouldn't ask them to risk their lives for anything, but short of that, they're trustworthy."

"There are many merchants who are indebted to us," Esyllt adds. "I'm sure they'll be willing to support our efforts."

So you start going through names. You have a list of Degfford's citizens thanks to the census, and it's easy to keep track of which merchants move through the gates, so you can enlist some people who travel the local caravan circuits as well. There's a limit to what you can do against external threats, but every little bit helps.

"Thank you, ladies," Myrddin says. "I'll contact them personally to minimize your involvement. I doubt you want to get caught up in my business."

"It does sadly lack the drama the plays and novels claim it has," Eleri says.

"Reading miscellaneous reports all day isn't the most exciting task, no," Myrddin says. "It is, however, effective, and that's what counts the most."

"Now that we have names, what else do we need?" You ask.

"We should decide whether or not we want to publicize the police force," Myrddin says. "The more… subtle activities will be hidden from the public, of course, but it might help maintain public order if a few police officers were regularly seen in public."

"That's an odd suggestion coming from you, Myrddin," Esyllt says. "Won't that take resources away from spies?"

"It's manageable," Myrddin says, "and a public police might draw attention away from the secret one anyway."

>[Sovereign/1d8] "There are benefits to a public police force."
>[Intrigue/Autosuccess] "If you want a secret police so much, keep it completely hidden."

>You have an active crit on Intrigue.

>>1096823
>>[Sovereign/1d8] "There are benefits to a public police force."

>>1096823
>>[Sovereign/1d8] "There are benefits to a public police force."

>>1096823
>[Sovereign/1d8] "There are benefits to a public police force."

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>>1096823
"There are benefits to a public police force," you say. "The city watch can handle most problems, but they're not qualified for investigations. A more specialized force would help maintain order in the city."

You have plenty of hammers you can use to keep the piece, but sometimes, a more subtle touch is required. A public police force to oversee the watch would help with that.

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 3 (1d8)

>>1096904

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>1096904
Stitch hammers to their tunics.

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>1096904

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>>1096904
"That does fit my current vision," Myrddin says. "I need to have a few people keeping track of the city watch's reports anyway."

"I look forward to seeing the results, Myrddin," you say. "That means you shouldn't fail."

"I have every intention of succeeding, your highness," Myrddin says. "There certainly won't be any other assassination attempts."

You lean back and flex your wounded arm a little. Esyllt is already back to her own work and Delyth is overseeing the school for the moment, but Eleri, Olwen, Seren and Reagan are around and you don't think any of them are particularly busy.

>Olwen needs to be punished.
>Have some fun with Eleri.
>Talk to Seren about something unrelated to alchemy.
>You should spend some time with Reagan.

>>1096946
>>Olwen needs to be punished.
>>You should spend some time with Reagan.
Objectively best combo.

>>1096946
>>Olwen needs to be punished.
>You should spend some time with Reagan.

>>1096946
>You should spend some time with Reagan.

Gotta ask the missus how she's been. And if she'd help us punish Olwen.

>>1096946
>Olwen needs to be punished.

>>You should spend some time with Reagan.

>>1096946
>Olwen needs to be punished.
>You should spend some time with Reagan.

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>>1096946
Conveniently for you, Olwen's taking a bath in the attached house to clean up after your workout, and Reagan decided to join her. You quietly enter the room and sneak up on them while they're giggling about some nefarious conspiracy at your expense.

Maybe you're just being paranoid, but probably not.

"Olwen, you've been a little insolent lately." You strip off your shirt and toss it aside. "I think you need another round of punishment."

"Is that so?" Olwen turns her neck to look at you. "What did you have in mind?"

"Should I leave you two alone?" Reagan asks.

"Not at all," you say. "I was going to ask you to join in anyway."

"Just tell me whatever depraved fantasy you want to act out," Olwen says. "I'll pretend to be appropriately scandalized."

>[Dilettante/1d12] Have Olwen stand back and watch while you have fun with Reagan.
>[Dilettante/1d12] You could use some help cleaning up.
>[Dilettante/1d12] Lend Olwen to Reagan for a bit.

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>>1097039
>[Dilettante/1d12] You could use some help cleaning up.
Yea, that kind of 'cleaning up'....

>>1097039
>>[Dilettante/1d12] You could use some help cleaning up.

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>>1097039
"I could use some help cleaning up."

Olwen raises an eyebrow. "I'd hardly call that imaginative."

"Imagining things isn't your job." You slip into the warm water and cuddle next to Reagan. "Your job is to obey."

"I do like how manly you are when you give orders," Reagan says.

Olwen steps out of the bath and goes to get the soap.

>Roll 1d12, best of three.

Rolled 11 (1d12)

>>1097108

Rolled 5 (1d12)

>>1097108

Rolled 4 (1d12)

>>1097108

Rolled 10 (1d12)

>>1097108

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>>1097108
You completely ignore Olwen's enthusiastic efforts to get your attention. Instead, you kiss and grope Reagan while discussing your plans for the future. Olwen's getting increasingly frustrated, but if she wants affection, she'll have to work for it.

"As much as I love the idea of running a kingdom of my own instead of other people's kingdoms," you say, "I'm not sure about moving to Olstren. I would like to finish my work in Degfford first."

"It would be nice to have an established foothold in Gwyrddarfordir," Reagan says. "But the longer I'm away, the more difficult it will be to take over. Your reputation will help, but…"

It's quite a conundrum. Ideally, you'd have a position to fall back to if becoming King of Olstren goes wrong, but the longer you stay in Degfford, the harder you'll have to work to convince Olstren that making you their king is in their best interest. The conversation always goes around in circles, but you'll have to go through it again and again until the whole thing is settled.

"Just fuck me already!"

You should probably do something about Olwen before she completely loses it.

"Fine, fine."

You pull her onto your lap and go right back to ignoring her.

"There are also some threats in Gwyrddarfordir that I can't leave behind," you say. "Myrddin's investigation will help a little, but I'm not sure I want to leave the kingdom until the situation is resolved permanently."

"Why did you let your uncle live so long anyway?"

>"It amused me."
>"I obtained many opportunities from his failures."
>"I wasn't sure I could pull it off."

>>1097218
>"I obtained many opportunities from his failures."
and
>"I wasn't sure I could pull it off."

A failed attempt would be disastrous, my family would not rest until the culprit is found, and even if I avoid getting caught, it would ruin my nation.

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>>1097218
>>"I obtained many opportunities from his failures."
>>"It also sort of amused me."

>>1097218
>>"I obtained many opportunities from his failures."

>>1097218
>"I couldn't get mother's permission."
Lets be honest, this is the REAL reason.

>>1097262
>Lets be honest, this is the REAL reason.

When was that established?

>"I wasn't sure I could pull it off."
Maybe elaborate more on that by saying we were trying to juggle war campaigns and learning other skills at the same time.

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>>1097218
"I wasn't sure I could pull it off," you say. "I was busy fighting wars and learning how to govern, so I couldn't give the problem my full attention. Besides, I obtained many, many opportunities from his failures."

"That's understandable," Reagan says. "I made quite a bit of money off people who didn't know when to avoid risk myself."

"Oh, please." Olwen bends down to nibble on your ear. "The real reason is that you couldn't get your mother's permission."

"Are you really going to bring this up now?"

"I would have brought it up sooner if I'd known it would make you this hard."

Reagan goes into a fit of giggles and you shove Olwen off, dunking her in the water.

Rolled 10, 6, 9, 2 = 27 (4d10)

>>1097322
And now for the bonus XP.

Rolled 6, 4 = 10 (2d6)

>>1097339

Military and dilettante now.

Rolled 11 (1d12)

>>1097344
And Enchantment.

That's all for today. Beleaguered Prince Quest will return on Friday February 3rd at 7PM EST. As always, check Twitter @BeleagueredQM for updates.

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>>1097352
cheers, boss

>>1097352
Thanks, QM.

>>1097322
>>1097352
No joke, tho, I'd totally fuck the Queen.

>>1097276
Its known that the prince is a bit of a momma's boy.

>>1097432
His uncle has been trying to kill him, his father, and his brother for a long time. There's no reason why the prince would need permission from his mother to kill someone who is trying to kill people the queen needs to maintain her power base and potentially stay alive. The fact that the queen loves her family also matters. The only thing justifying the uncle's continued existence is that the MC and his mother have been busy growing up and running the country.

>>1097609
that and he'd try to make us infertile